The most effective journey bank cards in Canada for 2024

Ceaselessly requested questions

Several types of journey bank cards 

Generic journey rewards bank cards

Some bank cards give you the power to earn rewards on on a regular basis purchases and different buy classes, which will be redeemed in the direction of all kinds of issues, together with journey. This implies you aren’t essentially restricted to reserving by way of sure airways when redeeming your factors on flights. You might also be capable of switch your bank card factors to an airline rewards program, similar to with the American Categorical Cobalt.

Airline rewards bank cards

Some journey bank cards supply rewards with particular airways the place your factors’ redemption values might fluctuate, such because the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card. While you accumulate sufficient factors, you may ebook a flight or trip bundle with affiliated airways like WestJet or Air Canada. Remember although that the worth of your factors can rely on the date of your flight and your vacation spot. 

Resort rewards bank cards

Resort rewards bank cards give you the power to redeem your factors in the direction of a resort keep, and to earn factors while you ebook at affiliated inns like Marriott or Delta, or earn perks similar to room upgrades or free breakfasts while you ebook eligible resort stays. In the event you continuously ebook inns for work or journey, think about a resort rewards bank card just like the Marriott Bonvoy American Categorical.

Journey bank card options 

When selecting a journey bank card, there are a lot of beneficial perks past rewards factors and reserving redemption choices (together with flights, inns and automotive leases). Listed below are some advantages to look out for.

• Journey insurance coverage protection: It can save you 1000’s within the occasion of medical emergencies, journey interruptions or misplaced baggage. Most bank card journey insurance coverage packages cowl brief journeys (as much as 15 days) with choices for prolonged safety. Protection is usually lowered for these over 65, so it’s vital to confirm whether or not the cardboard’s insurance coverage limits align together with your journey plans and age. (Examine know in case your bank card comes with sufficient journey insurance coverage protection.)
• Airport lounge entry: Take pleasure in a soothing pre-flight expertise with airport lounge entry, a beneficial perk supplied by many premium journey playing cards. Some playing cards embody free or discounted passes to lounges by way of packages like Precedence Go, Visa Airport Companion Program and Dragon Go. Lounges present facilities like complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi and comfy seating areas. (Learn extra about bank cards with airport lounge entry.) 
• Resort reductions and upgrades: Many journey bank cards supply unique reductions or perks when reserving with sure resort chains, like Marriott, Hilton or boutique chains. Advantages can embody reductions on normal charges, room upgrades and even free nights after a sure variety of bookings. These reductions and perks could make your travels extra luxurious whereas saving you cash.
• No international transaction (FX) charges: International transaction charges can add up rapidly, particularly when touring continuously or making purchases in several currencies. Some journey bank cards waive these charges (sometimes round 2.5%) or decrease them, saving you cash on every transaction. (Learn extra about no international transaction price bank cards.)
• Roadside help protection: In the event you’re planning a highway journey, roadside help can supply peace of thoughts in case of sudden points, like flat tires, gas shortages, or towing emergencies. Many journey bank cards supply such perks, complimentary or at a reduced charge. (Learn extra on bank cards with roadside help protection.)

Rental automotive insurance coverage: Rental insurance coverage can shield you from excessive out-of-pocket bills in case of collision or loss damages to rented automobiles. Many journey bank cards supply protection for rental automobiles, which may imply you may skip the rental firm’s expensive insurance coverage add-ons. Ensure to verify the extent of the protection and exclusions, as phrases fluctuate broadly. (Learn extra about automotive rental insurance coverage protection with bank cards.)

What journey factors program is greatest?

Not all journey reward packages are created equal. So how do you select the suitable one for you? 

First, it’s vital to know that journey rewards packages will be damaged down into two fundamental varieties: Constant and chart-based.

It’s value noting that in uncommon instances, just like the American Categorical Membership Rewards Program, you would possibly get to decide on to redeem factors for journey primarily based on both a constant system or as a chart-based system.

Most of the massive banks supply constant factors journey reward packages. They’re aimed toward individuals who need to function inside a easy program that has an easy-to-understand redemption course of; individuals who dislike sophisticated packages will admire these. Chart-based packages will be significantly extra sophisticated—but in addition doubtlessly extra beneficial. Because the variety of factors wanted to redeem for a flight isn’t constant, utilizing the rewards chart strategically may help you stretch the worth of your factors and web a better return when flying on sure routes, and even when reserving premium seats or enterprise class. These packages are extra well-liked with private finance fans and left-brain thinkers.

Evaluate journey bank cards rewards factors values 

What number of journey rewards factors do you want for a flight? 

What number of Aeroplan factors you want for a flight

Aeroplan’s chart system makes use of Miles to measure the minimal level redemptions. For shorter flights inside North America, you’d want at the least 6,000-22,500 factors for an Economic system flight, 35,000-70,000 factors for North America and Atlantic zones, and so forth. 

What number of Air Mile Dream miles you want for a flight

Air Miles doesn’t have a set flight chart. The variety of Air Miles Dream miles wanted for a free flight varies considerably as pricing is predicated on demand and what provider and sophistication you choose. On common, 1 Air Mile level is value 12.1 cents in journey rewards.

What number of Avion factors you want for a flight

Premium Avion cardholders want at the least 15,000 factors for a flight inside or close to your province or territory, at the least 35,000 factors for a flight inside North America, 65,000 factors for a flight to Europe and 100,000 factors for different locations across the globe. 

What number of Amex factors you want for a flight 

Utilizing the American Categorical Fastened Factors Program, you’d want at the least 15,000 factors for a brief flight inside North America, 20,000 factors for a flight from a Canadian province or territory to a close-by U.S. State, 40,000 factors for an extended North American route, 50,000 factors for a trip vacation spot and at the least 60,000 factors for Europe or 100,000 factors for different continents. 

What number of Scene factors you want for a flight

1 level is value 1 cent. For a $300 airline ticket, you’d want 300,000 Scene factors. 

What number of BMO Rewards factors you want for a flight

You may redeem your factors for a press release credit score in the direction of flights. 1 BMO Rewards level is value 0.7 of a cent in journey rewards.

What number of TD factors you want for a flight

You want a minimal of 200 factors for a redemption by way of Expedia for TD. 1 TD Rewards level is value 0.5 cents in journey rewards. 

What number of MBNA rewards factors you want for a flight

You may redeem a minimal of 10,000 factors for a $100 assertion credit score on journey. 

Do journey bank card factors expire? 

Some journey rewards factors expire after a sure interval of inactivity, whereas others don’t. For instance, Aeroplan factors expire after 18 months of inactivity, and Marriott Bonvoy factors expire after 24 months, whereas WestJet {dollars} usually don’t expire, until they had been earned throughout sure promotions or different circumstances. To keep away from having your factors expire, you may ebook inns together with your factors, purchase merchandise by way of the loyalty program’s retailer, switch factors from one other program or to a member of the family, in some instances, and extra.

Extra of Canada’s greatest bank cards: