The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards in Canada in 2026

Some cards offer grocery rewards, others offer cashback, and some offer incentives for fuel purchases. There are even credit cards that earn extra rewards if you shop at certain stores. On top of all of those options, there are even travel rewards credit cards.

If you are in the market for a travel rewards credit card, there is no shortage of options. To pick the right one for you, look at the options and see which best fits your needs.

Top Travel Rewards Cards

When choosing a travel rewards credit card, it can be difficult to decide which is best for you. Each card has its own benefits and rewards that you can earn. They each also offer different travel perks and insurance that are great for those who love to travel. Let’s take a look at some of the best options. 

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is a great option for those who love to travel. There’s an annual fee of $139, a purchase interest rate of 21.99%, and a cash advance rate of 22.99%. The cost for each additional credit card is $75. That said, to be approved for this card, you must have a minimum personal income of $60,000 or a minimum household income of $100,000. 

When it comes to points with this card, you can earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery and Air Canada purchases. For all other purchases, you’ll earn 1 point for every $1 spent. If you shop using the Aeroplan e-store, you can earn double the points. 

Those who travel using Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express can get a free first checked bag for themselves and up to 8 companions. With this card, you can also reach Air Canada Elite status more quickly and get a complimentary upgrade to Avis Preferred Plus. 

Other benefits included with this card are:

• Travel Medical Insurance
• Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance
• Flight/Trip Delay Insurance
• Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance
• Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
• Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
• Emergency Travel Assistance Services
• NEXUS rebates
• Discounts with Avis Rent-A-Car and Budget Rent-A-Car
• Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge
• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
• Visa Infinite Dining Series
• Visa Infinite Wine Country Program
• Visa Infinite Entertainment Access
• Visa Infinite Troon Golf
• TD Payment Plans
• Mobile Device Insurance
• Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection

American Express Cobalt Card

One of the most popular rewards credit cards in Canada is the American Express Cobalt Card. With this card, you have a monthly fee of $15.99 and an interest rate of 21.99%. You earn 5x the points on eligible eats and drinks, including groceries, restaurants and food delivery (on up to $2,500 in spending per month), 3x the points on streaming subscriptions, 2x the points on gas, transit and rideshare, and 1x the points on everything else. 

Some other benefits that you can get with this card include:

• Front of the Line Tickets
• Cobalt Perks Program
• Access to the Hotel Collection
• Mobile Device Insurance
• Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
• Flight Delay Insurance
• Baggage Delay Insurance
• Hotel Burglary Insurance
• Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
• $250,000 Travel Accident Insurance
• Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
• Amex Experiences
• Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
• Purchase Protection Plan
• 24/7 Customer Service
• Fraud Protection Guarantee
• Emergency Card Replacement
• American Express SafeKey
• American Express Travel Online
• Instacart Benefit
• Plan It Installment Program

BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card

The BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card is another travel rewards credit card with great benefits. You can earn 5x points on every $1 spent on groceries, dining, gas, and transit. You can also get 10% more points when you add an authorized user to your account. There’s a $50 anniversary lifestyle credit, and you can get up to 7 cents off per litre on Shell Fuel. 

To get approved for this card, you have to have a minimum personal income of $60,000 or a $100,000 household income. You can also get approved with a minimum of $15,000 in current declared annual spend. 

Other benefits included with this card are:

• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
• Visa Infinite Dining Series
• Visa Infinite Concierge
• Visa Infinite Troon Golf Benefit
• Mobile Device Insurance
• Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance
• Travel Insurance
• BMO PaySmart Installment Plans

For this card, the annual fee is $120, and the purchase interest rate is 21.99%. The cash advance rate is 23.99%. 

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is a great card for those looking to earn points while travelling and completing daily chores. There’s an annual fee of $120, a purchase interest rate of 21.99% and a cash advance rate of 22.99%. The minimum credit limit is $5,000. There are no foreign exchange fees on foreign currency purchases either; only the exchange rate applies. 

Other benefits that come with this card include:

• Amex Offers
• Front of the Line Tickets
• Scene+ travel deals
• Priority Pass Membership Discount
• Travel Emergency Medical Insurance
• Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance
• Flight Delay Insurance
• Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Rental Car Collision Loss/Damage Insurance
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
• Mobile Device Insurance
• Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection

In terms of points, you can earn:

• 6x the points for every $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and other eligible grocery stores
• 5x the points for every $1 spent on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores
• 5x the points for every $1 spent on entertainment purchases
• 3x the points for every $1 spent on eligible gas and transit
• 3x the points for every $1 spent on eligible select streaming services, and 1x the points on all other eligible purchases

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card

This is another great card if you are looking to travel abroad, especially if you already bank with Scotiabank. This could help reduce the annual fee, depending on which bank account you choose.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card offers great benefits, especially for those looking to travel to Europe.

• Earn Scene+ points: You don’t need to travel to earn points with this card. You can earn 3x points just by buying groceries at participating grocery stores. You get 2x the points when you dine out or buy groceries at non-participating grocery stores. You also receive 2x points on eligible entertainment and transit purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees: This card lets you make foreign currency purchases online or in person without any fees. You only need to pay the currency exchange rate.
• Access to airport lounges: This Scotiabank card includes a Visa Airport Companion Program membership. This gives you access to over 1,200 airport lounges, and your membership includes 6 complimentary visits per year. These visits can be used for you and anyone travelling with you.
• Use points to travel: You can use your Scene+ points to book your next vacation.
• Car rental discounts: Another great perk of this card is the complimentary Avis Preferred Plus Membership. This includes car rental discounts ranging from 5% to 25% and complimentary upgrades.
• Experience benefits: With this card, you have access to the Visa Infinite concierge service. This is available 24/7 to help you book your trip or organize entertainment. There are also savings with the Visa Infinite Hotel collection. This offers you free room upgrades when available, as well as free Wi-Fi at check-in. If you love fine dining, there is also the Visa Infinite Dining and Wine Country program. This gives you access to some of the biggest names in food and wine.

The minimum credit limit for this card is $5,000. To be eligible, you must earn at least $60,000 or have a household income of at least $100,000. Having at least $250,000 in assets will also qualify you. The interest rate on this card for everyday purchases is 20.99%. The interest on cash advances is 22.99%. The annual fee is $150.

This card also comes with different insurances, including:

• Travel Emergency Medical
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption
• Flight Delay
• Delayed and Lost Luggage
• Rental Car Collision/Loss Damage
• Hotel/Motel Burglary
• Common Carrier Travel Accident
• Purchase Security and Extended Warranty

American Express Platinum Card

This card is one of the more expensive ones. The annual fee is $799, and any additional card is $250. That said, it does come with some of the best perks.

• Lounge Access: With the Platinum Card, you have access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection. This gives you access to over 1,550 lounges in more than 140 countries. This includes a Priority Pass membership.
• Travel Credits: You can receive up to a $200 annual travel credit. You can also receive a $100 statement credit for the NEXUS application and/or renewal fees charged to your card.
• Spending limit: There is no preset spending limit.
• Concierge Service: You have access to 24/7 assistance for anything you need.

This is just the beginning of what you can receive with the Platinum Card. You can get exclusive benefits from Fine Hotels and Resorts if you just book with American Express Travel. The benefits include:

• Daily breakfast for two
• Wi-Fi
• Noon check-in (when available)
• Room upgrades
• Guaranteed late checkout (4 pm)

You can also get access to exclusive Hotel Status Benefits. You will be fast-tracked through these different benefit programs without having to meet the eligibility requirements. These include:

• Hilton Honours Gold Status
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status

Last but not least, you can also get benefits at Toronto Pearson International Airport. These perks include, but are not limited to:

• Access to the Pearson Priority Security Lane
• Complimentary valet service at Terminal 1
• 15% discount on Express Park and Daily Park rates

You also can’t forget the exclusive offers you receive on American Express Travel Online. These can be exclusive deals on hotels, flights and car rentals, or offers for statement credits on eligible purchases. Since this is a charge card, your balance is generally due in full each month. Don’t forget, American Express also offers the fixed points travel program.

Insurances included with this card are:

• Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Medical
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Trip Interruption Insurance
• Flight Delay Insurance
• Baggage Delay Insurance
• Hotel Burglary Insurance
• Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
• $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance
• Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
• Travel Emergency Assistance
• Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
• Purchase Protection Plan

American Express Green Card

The American Express Green Card is a great option for those who love to travel. While you do earn 1x points on all your purchases, you do earn an extra point for every dollar when you book online with eligible hotels and car rentals. This card also gives you exclusive perks known as American Express Experiences.

• Presales: This card will get you front-of-the-line presales access to things like concerts, theatre productions, restaurants, and special events. As long as you pay with your card, you can get access to these before anyone else.
• Reserved Tickets: Not only do American Express members get exclusive access to presale tickets, but they also have exclusively reserved tickets for some events. These are tickets that are available during the public sale, but only to American Express members.
• Exclusive Entertainment: If you are someone who enjoys exclusive events, then American Express has you covered. These can be advance screenings of blockbuster movies or even theatre productions. There are lots to choose from.
• Dining: With this card, you can access exclusive food festivals and some of the most popular restaurants in the country.
• Retail Exclusives: Not only can you get exclusive online shopping offers, but you can also get special private shopping experiences. They also have special offers reserved to help you with your wellness and self-care.
• On-site Benefits: There are a few exclusive perks associated with American Express. You can get through the front gate at the Budweiser stage, use the American Express Lounge, and use priority lines and bars at certain exclusive theatres.

These are just some perks; they don’t include the extra year of warranty you can get on eligible items you purchase with your card, or the buyer’s protection plan that covers items for up to 90 days after purchase. We haven’t even mentioned yet what you can redeem the points for. There is quite a list.

You can redeem all of your earned points on:

• Eligible purchases from Amazon Canada
• Gift cards
• Merchandise
• Travel with Air Canada
• Travel purchases with American Express Travel Online

You also have the option to transfer your points. The current loyalty programs eligible are Aeroplan, Avios and Marriott Bonvoy.

The interest rate on the American Express Green Card is 20.99% on regular purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has an annual fee of $120 and a purchase interest rate of 20.99%. The cash advance rate is 22.99%. To qualify for this card, you have to have a minimum personal income of $60,000 or a minimum household income of $100,000. 

This travel credit card has a few unique features from other travel cards. First, there are no blackout dates for cashing in your points. Second, your Avion points can be converted to WestJet Rewards, British Airways, American Airlines and Cathay Pacific. When it comes to earning points, you can earn 1.25 Avion points on travel purchases and 1 point for all other purchases. 

When it comes to travelling with RBC Avion, you can get exclusive flight pricing, deals on hotel stays and packages, car rental options, and access to exclusive activities. Other benefits you can get with this card include:

• Saving 3 cents per litre and earning 20% more points with Petro
• Earning 50 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at Rexall
• Getting up to 20% off with Hertz
• A free 12-month subscription to DashPass
• Visa Infinite Benefits
• Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Insurance
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance
• Delayed Baggage and Flight Delay Insurance
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
• Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance
• Mobile Device Insurance up to $1,500

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard also offers some great travel benefits. You can earn 5x points on eligible travel purchases, get airport lounge access with a free Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, which includes 4 free lounge passes per year, and save up to 7 cents per litre on Shell fuel. In terms of the card itself, there’s an annual fee of $150, a purchase interest rate of 21.99% and a cash advance rate of 23.99%.

To get approved for this card, you do need to have a minimum personal income of $80,000 or a minimum household income of $150,000. If you already have a BMO Premium Chequing Account, then you won’t have to pay the annual fee. 

Even though you earn some great points with travel purchases, you can also earn other points. You can earn 3x points on every eligible dollar spent on entertainment purchases, dining purchases, and recurring bill payments. You’ll get 1x the points for all other eligible purchases. 

Other benefits included with this card are:

• Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection
• Car rental discounts at National Car Rental, Alamo Rent a Car and Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• 7% discount with booking.com
• FlexiRoam discounts
• BMO PaySmart Installment Plans
• Travel Medical Insurance
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance
• Car Rental Collision Loss/Damage Waiver Insurance
• Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance
• Flight Delay Insurance

The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is a great option for those who spend a lot of time at Marriott Bonvoy hotels. There’s an annual fee of $120, and the interest rate is 21.99%. You get 5x the points for every dollar spent on Marriott purchases and 2x the points for every dollar spent on everything else. You also get one free night each year, along with other Marriott Bonvoy benefits. 

Some of the other benefits that are included with this card are:

• Flight Delay Insurance
• Baggage Delay Insurance
• Hotel Burglary Insurance
• Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
• $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance
• Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
• Travel Emergency Assistance
• Front of the Line Amex Tickets
• Amex Experiences
• Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
• Purchase Protection Plan
• 24/7 Customer Service
• Fraud Protection Guarantee
• Emergency Card Replacement
• American Express SafeKey
• Plan It – The American Express Installment Program

TD Platinum Travel Visa Card

Another one of the many travel credit cards that you can get with TD is the TD Platinum Travel Visa Card. This card has an annual fee of $89, a purchase interest rate of 21.99% and a cash advance rate of 22.99%. The fee for each additional cardholder is $35. Unlike other travel credit cards, this card has no income requirements for approval. 

When it comes to points, you can earn:

• 6 points for every dollar spent on Expedia
• 4.5 points for every dollar spent on groceries, dining and public transit
• 3 points for every dollar spent on recurring bill payments, streaming, digital gaming and media
• 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Travel insurance included with this card is:

• Flight/Trip Delay Coverage
• Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance
• Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
• Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
• Emergency Travel Assistance Services
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance

TD Rewards Visa Card

The TD Rewards Visa Card is a no-annual-fee travel credit card through TD. The purchase interest rate is 21.99%, and the cash advance rate is 22.99%. There’s no fee for any additional cardholders. There’s also no minimum income requirement needed for approval. 

Not only are TD Rewards Points flexible to use, but they can be used for more than just a statement credit. They can also be used for Expedia purchases, Starbucks purchases, and more. There are also no travel restrictions or blackout periods, so you can choose to use your rewards whenever you like. 

Benefits included with this card are:

• $1,000 Mobile Device Insurance
• TD Payment Plans
• Avis Rent-A-Car and Budget Rent-A-Car discounts

In terms of points, you can earn 4 points for every dollar spent on Expedia purchases, 3 points for every dollar spent on dining, groceries and public transit, 2 points for every dollar spent on recurring bill payments, streaming, digital gaming and media, and 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases. 

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

Another premium travel credit card available through TD is the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card. The annual fee for this card is $139, the purchase interest rate is 21.99%, and the cash advance rate is 22.99%. The fee for all additional cardholders is $50. However, this card does have an income requirement. You must have a minimum personal income of $60,000 or a minimum household income of $100,000. 

With this card, the benefits you can get include:

• An Annual TD Travel Credit of $100 when you book with Expedia for TD
• 4 complimentary airport lounge visits with the Visa Airport Companion Program
• TD Rewards Birthday Bonus
• No travel blackouts
• Travel Medical Insurance
• Flight/Trip Delay Insurance
• Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance
• Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
• Emergency Travel Assistance Services
• Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance
• Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
• Top Up of Extension of Coverage
• Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge
• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
• Visa Infinite Dining Series
• Visa Infinite Wine Country Program
• Visa Infinite Entertainment Access
• Visa Infinite Troon Golf
• Mobile Device Insurance up to $1,000
• Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection

When it comes to points, you can earn:

• 8 points for every $1 spent with Expedia 
• 6 points for every $1 spent on groceries, dining and public transit
• 4 points for every $1 spent on recurring bill payments, streaming, digital games and media
• 2 points for every dollar spent on all other purchases

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card is known for having a flexible travel rewards program. The annual fee is $139, the purchase interest rate is 20.99%, and the cash advance rate is 22.99%.  For each additional card, the annual fee is $50. However, if you have a CIBC Smart Plus Account, you can have the $139 fee rebated every year. 

As for points with this card, you can earn 2 points for every dollar spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre. You can earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent at eligible gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, grocery stores and drug stores. You can earn 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases. 

To qualify for this card, there is an income requirement. You must have a minimum income of $60,000 or a household income of at least $100,000. That said, you get some amazing benefits, including:

• Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge
• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
• Visa Infinite Dining Series
• Visa Infinite Wine Country Program
• Visa Infinite Entertainment Access
• Visa Infinite Troon Golf
• 4 complimentary visits to airport lounges with the Visa Airport Companion Program
• 12-month Skip+ free trial
• Global money transfers with no fee
• Out-of-Province Emergency Medical Travel Insurance
• Flight Delay and Baggage Insurance
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance
• Car Rental Collision and Loss Damage Insurance
• $500,000 Common Carrier Accident Insurance
• Purchase Security and Extended Protection Insurance
• Hotel Burglary Insurance
• Mobile Device Insurance
• CIBC Pace It

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card

If you’re looking for something more than the CIBC Aventura, then a good option for you might be the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card. This card has an annual fee of $499, a purchase interest rate of 20.99%, and a cash advance rate of 22.99%. Each additional card has an annual fee of $99. However, you can receive an annual fee rebate of up to $139 with a CIBC Smart Plus Account.

Since this is considered a premium credit card, there is an income requirement you must meet. You need to have a personal income of $150,000 or a household income of $200,000. That said, you can earn some great points. 

You can earn 3 points for every dollar spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre. You can earn 2 points for every dollar on eligible grocery, dining, gas, electric vehicle charging, transportation and entertainment purchases. You can earn 1.25 points for every dollar spent on all other purchases. Some other perks you can get with this card include:

• 6 complimentary airport lounge visits with the Visa Airport Companion Program
• 2 NEXUS application rebates every 4 years
• Exclusive business class bookings
• A $200 annual travel credit
• Priority Security Lane Access
• Parking discounts at select airports 
• Out-of-Province Emergency Medical Insurance
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance
• Flight Delay and Baggage Insurance
• Car Rental Collision and Loss Damage Insurance
• Hotel Burglary Insurance
• Common Carrier Accident Insurance
• Mobile Device Insurance
• Purchase Security and Extended Protection Insurance
• Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge
• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
• Visa Infinite Dining Series
• Visa Infinite Wine Country Program
• Visa Infinite Entertainment Access
• Visa Infinite Troon Golf
• 12-month Skip+ free trial
• Global money transfers with no fee

Benefits of Travel Cards

There are a ton of credit card options out there, but if you love to travel, a travel rewards card may be the right choice for you. These cards are just like regular cards. They offer the same features, such as credit card payment protection, but they also have some perks that regular cards don’t. Some options that these cards may offer are:

• 3x to 10x the points on travel-related expenses
• Using your points towards more trips
• Lounge access
• Travel Insurance
• Priority boarding
• Free checked bags
• No foreign transaction fees

These are just a few of the many benefits. It just depends on which card you choose. In reality, though, if you like to travel, travel rewards cards can make it more affordable and accessible. That is, as long as you pay off your balance in time.

How Difficult Is It to Get a Travel Credit Card?

Travel credit cards are among the most popular types of credit cards in Canada. They are actually relatively easy to get approved for; it really just depends on the amount you get approved for and where you choose to apply.

Some general credit cards, like those for certain airline companies, don’t have any minimum credit score limits, but the better your credit score, the more likely you are to get a higher limit. Some more elite cards, like those with better rewards or higher limits, do have a minimum credit score requirement. Really, as long as you can demonstrate that you are financially responsible, you are more likely to get approved and have a higher limit.

Credit Score Needed to Get a Premium Travel Credit Card

If you’re looking for a travel credit card to use the travel credit card’s rewards, you’re going to have to have a credit score of 660 or higher. This is because these credit cards are considered premium. These premium cards provide more perks and benefits than your traditional credit card, meaning providers are more particular about who they choose to approve. 

Depending on the credit card, approval may require a credit score of 700 or even 750. However, these are usually the cards that offer premium travel perks, comprehensive travel insurance, and other travel insurance coverage. Some of these cards even offer additional benefits such as hotel upgrades, access to Plaza Premium lounges, and other premium perks for frequent travellers. 

That said, based on your spending habits, you may not need to go with one of the top-of-the-line premium cards. Many of the cards that accept a 660 credit score also allow you to earn Aeroplan points, as well as other points. Many also allow you to earn more points for travel-related purchases, which helps you earn more travel-related rewards. Some even offer flexible rewards and bonus categories for everyday spending with their points program. Others provide overall consumer value, but may only allow you to earn with specific spending categories. 

Overall, if you have a minimum credit score of 660, you should be approved for a travel credit card. No matter which one you get, you can earn points and maybe even put them towards your next trip. 

How Do You Properly Use a Credit Card?

When it comes to your credit score, how you use your credit card matters. This is because credit cards are a form of revolving credit. Personal loans are designed for you to use the whole amount and pay them off. Revolving credit is different. 

Revolving credit allows you to continually use and pay off a sum of money, up to your credit limit. However, with revolving credit, keeping a high balance can actually hurt your credit score. To maintain a high credit score, you want to keep your credit utilization below 30% of your total revolving credit limit. 

For example, if you have 2 credit cards, one with a $15,000 limit and one with a $7,000 limit, your total credit limit is $22,000. To achieve the best credit rating, you want to keep your total card usage below $6,600. You also want to make sure your monthly credit card payments are made on time. Late payments can hurt your credit significantly and be difficult to recover from. 

Can You Apply for More Than One Card at a Time?

Shockingly, the answer to this is yes. That said, you do want to be careful about how many times you apply for credit per year. This is because every credit line you apply for will slightly damage your credit score due to a hard credit check. Sometimes, if the applications are all for the same thing, they can be counted as one, but that isn’t always the case.

Even though you shouldn’t apply for credit more than 6 times per year, it can still be a good idea to have more than one credit card. Different cards offer different rewards, and one card may not work for all purchases.

If you’re only choosing to apply for one credit card, remember that you don’t have to cancel your current card, either. It can be extremely helpful to have more than one credit card. Many people use different credit cards for different purchases to organize their spending. They also use the card on which they would earn the most points to maximize their rewards. 

What Are the Best Travel Rewards Programs With No Annual Fees?

If you’re in the market for a good travel rewards card, you’ll notice that most of them have annual fees. While there are credit cards that earn points with no annual fees, they don’t earn as much or as frequently as those with annual fees. However, many travel rewards cards with annual fees do offer a rebate on the annual fee for the first year. 

Costco Credit Card and Travel Rewards

Did you know that you can earn cash back with your Costco credit card when you purchase from Costco Travel? Keep in mind that your cash back is issued once a year as a reward certificate that can only be redeemed at Costco, so it can’t be used to pay down your credit card balance. 

The Costco credit card is a great option, but it’s not specifically a travel credit card. That said, it’s a good idea if you’re looking to purchase packages with Costco Travel. As a general credit card, though, the Costco credit card is great for those who shop at Costco. You can earn a lot of cash back along with your Costco membership.

How Do You Check Your Credit Score Before You Apply?

Since there are credit score requirements for many travel credit cards, it’s a good idea to check your credit score before you apply. You can check your Equifax score with Borrowell, and your TransUnion score with ClearScore.

Credit Cards and Travel Points

Whether or not it’s worth getting a credit card for travel points really depends on how much you travel. This is because travelling is usually when you earn the most points. If you’re only travelling every few years, it isn’t really worth it, but if you’re travelling a few times a year, then it can make a big difference. It also makes a difference whether you earn points or miles.

Another instance where it could be worth getting a travel credit card is if you use a credit card to pay for everything. Many people use their credit cards for everything they purchase and pay them off each month. This increases the points quickly and allows the travel points to increase more frequently.

Are Travel Credit Cards Worth the Annual Fee?

Whether or not travel credit cards are worth the annual fee depends on your situation. If you travel once or twice per year and then use the core perks, then it can be. Depending on the card that you use, you can earn more than your annual fee with just the welcome bonuses. 

With cards that offer annual travel/dining credits, unlimited airport lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees, you’re likely to also earn your fee back very quickly. Some other perks that make a big difference include:

• Concierge services
• Complimentary lounge visits
• Car rental insurance
• Anniversary bonus
• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage
• Annual companion voucher
• Free first checked bags
• Annual free night awards

Travel Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees

In Canada, the standard foreign transaction fee is 2.5%. However, a few credit cards offer no foreign transaction fees. These cards include:

• Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card
• Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
• Home Trust Preferred Visa Card

Before you go with any of these cards, though, it’s important to consider their other perks and which ones work the best for you. 

The Best Travel Credit Card for Those Who Fly WestJet

If you’re a frequent WestJet traveller, then getting a WestJet credit card could be a great option. While you do have options, the best one is the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard. It has an annual fee of $139, and each additional card costs $59. The purchase interest rate is 20.99%, and the cash advance rate is 22.99%. 

When it comes to earn rates, you can earn 2 points per $1 on WestJet vacations, Sunwing vacations, groceries, and transportation. On all other everyday purchases, you can earn 1.5 points per $1. 

The perks you can get with this card include:

• Annual companion voucher
• Free first checked bag for the primary cardholder
• Status lift
• DragonPass airport lounge access membership
• Partner savings
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Emergency travel insurance
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Flight/baggage delay insurance
• Rental car collision/loss damage insurance

Do Travel Rewards Points Expire?

With most major credit cards in Canada, your travel rewards points don’t expire if your credit card is still open and in good standing. One notable exception is Air Canada Aeroplan. Aeroplan points expire after 18 months of account inactivity, unless you’re the primary cardholder of a TD, CIBC or American Express Aeroplan credit card. 

Best Travel Cards for Those Who Fly With Porter Airlines

For those who travel frequently with Porter Airlines, the best credit card option is the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard. For the first year, the annual fee of $199 is waived, and the purchase interest rate is 21.99%. The cash advance rate is 23.99%. 

To qualify for this card, you must be a Canadian resident and be of the age of majority in your province/territory of residence. You must have a minimum annual income of $80,000 or a minimum annual household income of $150,000. 

The earn rate is:

• 3 points per $1 spent on Porter flights
• 2 points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, transit, restaurants and hotels, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

The perks include:

• Complimentary carry-on and checked baggage
• Complimentary PorterClassic seat selection
• Annual Porter companion pass when you spend $50,000 in a membership year
• 21-day out-of-province emergency medical coverage
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Insurance on car rental bookings
• Common carrier insurance
• Flight delay insurance
• Baggage insurance
• Hotel burglary insurance
• 6 months free of Instacart+

Best Travel Cards for Students

As a student, there are some great credit card options available to you. Each of these lets you earn rewards on everyday purchases. Most have no annual fee, though the RBC ION+ Visa charges $48. 

• CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students
• BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students
• Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for Students
• RBC ION+ Visa

How to Compare Credit Cards With Their First-Year Values

When you’re looking at comparing the first-year values of credit cards, the first thing that you want to do is map out your monthly spending across 10-12 different categories. This includes groceries, transportation, travel expenses, eligible streaming subscriptions, and even eligible everyday purchases. It’s best to align these categories with the cards you’re looking to compare, and to use your banking statements for accuracy.

Once this is done, you add this cash or points amount to the welcome bonus. Add in any anniversary perks and extra hotel rewards, and then subtract the first-year annual fee. If you carry any balances, you should also subtract any borrowing costs. Once this is done, then you get your first-year value. 

Transferring Points to Airline Partners

With some travel credit cards, you can transfer points from flights and hotel bookings to other loyalty programs. This means your eligible travel purchases for airline and hotel programs aren’t limited to a single use. Let’s take a look at some programs that allow you to transfer:

• American Express: You can transfer your points to Air Canada Aeroplan Rewards, Avios Rewards, Flying Blue Rewards, Asia Miles, Delta SkyMiles, and Etihad Guest. 
• RBC Avion Rewards Program: These can be transferred to WestJet Rewards, Avios, Asia Miles and American Airlines AAdvantage. 
• Marriott Bonvoy Points: These transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan at a 3:1 ratio. They can be used for Air Canada Vacations or just flight purchases. 

Can You Pool or Combine Points With Family?

Whether or not you can pool or combine your rewards points with family depends on the program. While programs like Scene+ points and WestJet points don’t allow it, Aeroplan members can through Aeroplan Family Sharing. Many hotel rewards programs also allow you to pool your points.

Avoiding Overspending While Earning Welcome Bonuses

While credit card bonuses are great, you don’t want to inflate your monthly budget to earn them. The better thing to do is to stick to your budget, but use your credit card for all your purchases to meet these targets. Ideally, you want to look for tiered monthly structures. 

The simplest way to do this is to treat your card like cash. Don’t spend money that you don’t already have in your bank account. This is how you can quickly accumulate debt. 

Fixed-Value Points Programs vs. Flexible Points Programs

When it comes to travel rewards programs in Canada, there are two types of rewards. These are fixed-value points and flexible points. Before you decide on which one you want, it’s important to understand how they work. 

Fixed-Value Points Programs

With these types of programs, there is a predictable points value you can earn for your spending. These are great because there are no blackout dates or charts to memorize. It’s ideal for travelling because you can purchase a seat for points. They’re also great because they offer guaranteed value and are ideal for casual travellers. However, the value of the points is capped and often has limited utility. 

Flexible Points Programs

These are points programs that can be converted into different rewards programs. These are high-value rewards that often come with high income requirements. They can be transferred to airline partners and hotels, and sometimes even include airport lounge passes and insurance on flight delays. However, there are still many fees you must pay when redeeming your points, and you may need to do some research before redeeming them. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re someone who loves to travel, a travel credit card can be a great tool to add to your travel experience. Not only can you earn points, but you can also use most credit cards around the world, and some cards even waive foreign transaction fees. You can also obtain some great perks and attend some exclusive events using these credit cards. 

When choosing the right credit card, consider your spending habits and how much you plan to travel. Some cards work for both travel and everyday life, while others are just suited to travelling. However, don’t forget that you can have more than just one. Just make sure to choose the card that is best for your lifestyle.