To redeem the voucher, you must purchase a fare on a WestJet-operated flight; the companion fare then applies to the second passenger on the same booking. Learn how to obtain the voucher and review any terms so you understand eligibility, route limitations and booking rules before you travel.

How to get a WestJet companion voucher

There’s really no secret to getting a WestJet companion voucher. You get one annually as a WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard holder. However, the rules recently changed.

The first World Elite companion voucher usually appears in your account a few weeks after you make your first purchase. To get your annual voucher after, you need to charge at least $5,000 annually to your WestJet Card. Your progress towards the next voucher is shown on your WestJet account.

Here’s a quick look at the current welcome bonus and earn rate that comes with the card.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

Apply Now

• $119 annual fee
• 25,000 WestJet points after your first purchase
• 20,000 WestJet points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn 2 WestJet points per dollar spent on WestJet, WestJet Vacations, Sunwing Vacations, groceries, and gas
• Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Receive a round-trip companion voucher
• Get free first checked bags for the primary cardholder and up to 8 guests on the same reservation

Besides the companion voucher, you also get your first checked bag free for up to eight people on the same itinerary. Remember, it costs $30 – $50 each way to check a bag with WestJet, so a family of four could save $240 – $400 on every flight. The included free Boingo Wi-Fi may not seem like a big deal, but remember, most airplanes offer paid Wi-Fi via Boingo. In other words, you can browse the internet for free whenever you fly with this card. Read my WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard review now for the full details.

The only other way to get a WestJet companion voucher is with the WestJet RBC Mastercard. Since this is a lower tier card, the voucher works a bit differently You only get access to an annual round-trip companion voucher within Canada, and it costs $199 plus taxes, fees, and charges. Although it’s not as generous as the companion voucher that comes with the World Elite Card, it’s still pretty good considering the credit card has an annual fee of just $39. Let’s take a quick look at the current welcome bonus and earn rate.

WestJet RBC Mastercard

Apply Now

• $39 annual fee
• Earn 5,000 WestJet points after your first purchase
• Earn an additional 10,000 WestJet dollars when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet Vacations packages
• Earn 1% back in WestJet dollars on all other purchases
• Annual companion voucher

You’ll notice that this card doesn’t come with free checked bags. That should be expected since this is a lower-tier card compared to the World Elite version. That said, the WestJet RBC Mastercard doesn’t have a high personal or household income requirement to qualify for the card, so it’s still a good option for people who want a companion voucher but don’t have a high salary.

WestJet Companion Voucher Cost

The WestJet companion voucher is given to you free every year if you hold the WestJet RBC Mastercard or the WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard but there are a few fees you need to pay on top of the fare for the first ticket purchased.

• $119 for round-trip travel in Canada and the continental U.S.
• $199 for round-trip travel within Canada (WestJet RBC Mastercard version)
• $399 for round-trip travel to/from the rest of the WestJet network
• Taxes, fees and charges

Companion Voucher Rules for WestJet Cardholders

Now that you understand the fees, there are a few other conditions and restrictions that come with the WestJet companion voucher that you should be aware of:

• Applies to one round-trip or one-way fare: You can use the voucher for a round-trip flight for yourself (the primary cardholder) plus a companion on the same itinerary. One-way bookings are permitted, but the full base fare applies to both passengers.
• New reservations only: The voucher works only on new bookings made before the expiry date shown on the voucher. Travel can occur after that date, but you cannot apply the voucher to existing reservations.
• Eligible fares: You may use the voucher on published Basic, Econo, EconoFlex, Premium and PremiumFlex fares that are fully marketed and operated by WestJet, including seat sale fares. You and the companion must be booked in the same fare category.
• Not eligible: The voucher cannot be used for WestJet Vacations packages, Business Class fares, or Member Exclusive fares. It also cannot be applied when booking through travel agents or third-party websites.
• Account rules and transferability: The voucher is non-transferable and only valid while your WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard account remains open. If your account closes, any unused vouchers are cancelled. An authorized user on the account cannot use the voucher independently of the primary cardholder.
• How to apply during booking: You can choose to apply the voucher at the start of your booking search; once you select flights, the voucher will be applied automatically during checkout.
• No cash value; occasional alternatives: The voucher has no cash redemption value. WestJet may occasionally offer a one-time exchange for lounge access instead of using the voucher for travel.
• Blackout dates and fees: There are no blackout dates for eligible flights, but standard taxes, fees and charges still apply and must be paid by you at booking.

To be clear, the companion voucher can only be used when the primary cardholder is travelling. Even if there’s an authorized user on the account, that person can’t use the voucher with another passenger.

One-way trips are allowed with the companion voucher, but the full base fare applies.

At the time of booking, you can select to use your voucher before you start searching for real-time pricing for flight availability. Once you find the flights you like, the voucher will automatically be applied, so there’s nothing else to do during the booking flow.

WestJet also allow you to exchange your voucher for two lounge passes. There is no cash exchange value with the voucher.

How Much You’ll Save With a WestJet Companion Voucher

The actual savings depend on the ticket’s base fare or Air Transportation Charges (ATC). You still pay taxes, fees and surcharges, so the companion benefit only reduces the ATC portion of the fare.

Consider a typical summer round trip to Florida, where the ATC is high. The primary cardholder pays the full ticket cost. The companion pays a reduced fee for the ATC, plus all taxes and mandatory charges, often resulting in several hundred dollars in savings compared with two full-price tickets. Larger ATC amounts increase the companion discount; low ATC fares reduce the voucher’s value.

Keep these points in mind when deciding whether to use the voucher:

• Use the voucher when the ATC is substantially above the companion-ticket fee to maximize savings.
• Compare the out-of-pocket cost for a companion-ticket booking with the cost of two standard tickets before redeeming.
• For long-haul or international flights where the companion fee can start higher, the voucher can be less useful unless you redeem it for premium cabins.

If you track points and vacation-credit opportunities, prioritize using the voucher on routes and dates with high ATC or premium-class inventory. The online booking tool often flags when a regular purchase is cheaper, so check the total out-of-pocket cost (companion fee plus taxes) before confirming.

When you fly in premium cabins, the voucher frequently delivers its greatest dollar impact because premium ATCs are much larger. For lower-fare economy seats or routes with modest ATC, holding the voucher for a future trip may save you more.

When Does Your Voucher Expire?

Your voucher formally expires one year after you receive it.
You can still book travel for up to an additional year beyond that formal expiry, including one-way flights.

Keep track of both the official expiry and the extended booking window to avoid losing your travel credit.

WestJet companion voucher pros and cons

Let’s be real for a second, the WestJet companion voucher is obviously good since it’s a free benefit. That said, if you don’t have a WestJet credit card yet, you probably want to know if there are any drawbacks. Here are the pros and cons of the WestJet companion voucher.

Pros

• Annual perk: You receive a companion voucher every year while you keep a qualifying WestJet credit card, including the year you enrol.
• Simple to get: Any WestJet Mastercard that qualifies awards the voucher, so you don’t need to meet extra spending thresholds after sign-up.
• No blackout restrictions: You can apply the voucher to any available seat on WestJet flights, regardless of travel date.
• Works across WestJet network: Redeem the voucher for travel to any destination WestJet serves, including Mexico.
• Predictable savings on a second fare: When you book, the voucher covers a companion’s base fare or a fixed discount depending on the card’s terms, making planning straightforward.

Cons

• High fee for some routes: Using the voucher for travel outside Canada and the continental United States can incur a substantial fee, which may reduce the net value of the perk.
• Limited to WestJet flights: The voucher doesn’t apply to codeshares or partner airlines, so you can’t use it when seeking broader routing or alliance benefits.
• Fewer routing choices: If you need connections or fly from locations with limited WestJet service, the voucher’s usefulness drops because WestJet’s network is smaller than some competitors’.
• Potential extra costs: Taxes, carrier charges and other fees still apply to the companion ticket, so the total outlay can be higher than the promotional language suggests.

How the WestJet companion voucher compares to others

When comparing companion offers, focus on carrier coverage, frequency, and usable routes. WestJet’s companion benefit applies only to WestJet flights, while competing passes are restricted to their issuing airlines, so your choice should match the carrier you fly most.

WestJet provides a voucher after your first purchase and sets a reasonable spending requirement to receive your vouchers each year. That annual perk means you don’t need to reapply for new credit cards to keep receiving the benefit. Competing offers usually require you to spend $ 10,000 or more.

Costs differ in structure. Some rival passes charge only taxes and fees for the companion’s seat, while WestJet’s starts at a modest base fee. That makes the rival pass potentially cheaper on paper, but total value depends on routings and base fare levels for your chosen flights.

Route eligibility affects real value. Certain competitors’ passes restrict travel to North America, Hawaii and the Caribbean, whereas WestJet’s companion option can sometimes be used on long-haul services, including Europe. If you travel transatlantic or to regions covered by WestJet, that broader route map increases the voucher’s utility.

Save even more with the WestJet credit card

hen you hold the RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard, you cut several travel costs that add up quickly. You get free checked bags on WestJet flights within North America, which typically saves about $30 per bag each way, and that benefit repeats for every cardholder in your party.

The card also often includes a companion or similar voucher that reduces the fare for an additional traveller. If both parents carry the card, you multiply that voucher value and increase your household savings. Those fare reductions alone can amount to several hundred dollars on family trips.

Combine baggage savings, companion-voucher discounts and the card’s welcome bonus and the numbers look compelling. For example, multiple checked bags, two vouchers, and a sign up bonus can easily offset the card’s annual fee several times over. You keep more money in your pocket while still enjoying the same itinerary.

It’s easy to see why the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is on my list of the best travel credit cards in Canada. The benefits you get are simply incredible which makes it a must-have card for anyone who flies WestJet on a regular basis.

Final Thoughts

You can use the companion voucher soon after your first statement, provided you’ve made at least one purchase. Check fares early so you know exactly how much the voucher reduces the ticket price.

Factor in the welcome bonus and free checked bags when deciding whether to apply. If you fly WestJet regularly or even once a year, the card’s perks often outweigh the cost.

You might well apply since you also get a welcome bonus and free checked bags. WestJet Rewards is one of the best travel loyalty programs, and if you fly WestJet on a regular basis or even once a year, applying for their credit card is worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to receive a WestJet companion voucher?

You usually need to hold a qualifying WestJet co‑branded credit card and meet either an annual spend requirement or anaccount renewal requirement. Check the cardholder agreement or promotional terms for the exact criteria.

What rules apply when you use a WestJet companion voucher?

The voucher usually covers the companion’s base fare, and taxes or fees may still apply; return and inbound taxes can be excluded depending on the offer. You must book both passengers on the same reservation and travel on the same flights. Other rules often include a limited booking window, class restrictions (economy only unless stated otherwise), and that the voucher cannot be combined with certain other discounts.

Can you use a WestJet companion voucher for travel outside Canada?

You can often use the voucher on international itineraries operated by WestJet, but availability and covered charges vary by route. Some cross‑border or transatlantic flights may qualify, while others may not. Verify eligible destinations in the voucher terms before planning.

How do you redeem a WestJet companion voucher?

Redeem by logging into your WestJet Rewards or credit card account and following the voucher redemption workflow, or call WestJet reservations and quote the voucher code when booking. Have passenger details and dates ready; redemption may require immediate ticketing and must meet any advance‑purchase rules.

Can you give your WestJet companion voucher to someone else?

Vouchers are non‑transferable and must be used by the named cardholder or a companion booked on the same itinerary.

Loyalty programs offer powerful ways to boost your points, but most people miss out. By combining credit card spending, partner retailers, and promotions, you can earn 3–5x more than basic methods. 

Choosing programs that match your habits and goals is key. This guide reveals the best strategies to turn routine spending into premium travel perks and high-value redemptions.

Understanding Loyalty Programs and How Points Are Earned

Loyalty programs operate through different structures that reward customer engagement, with points and miles acting as the main currencies for earning rewards. Various program types provide unique earning options and redemption processes.

Types of Loyalty Programs

• Points-based programs represent the most common loyalty structure. You earn points for purchases, but it can vary by program. Some allow you to earn rewards on every purchase, while others may only provide benefits on in-store or targeted items.
• Tiered programs provide escalating benefits based on your spending or activity level. Airlines frequently use this structure for their frequent flyer programs, as it allows them to offer the best perks to their top spenders.
• Partnership programs allow you to earn points across multiple brands and retailers. For example, you can earn PC Optimum points at Superstore, Esso, and Shoppers Drug Mart. 
• Paid loyalty programs require membership fees but offer enhanced earning rates and exclusive benefits. Amazon Prime is a good example of this.

What Qualifies as Points and Miles

Points act as a universal currency in loyalty programs. Most retailers give one point per dollar spent, although bonus categories can boost earnings. Many programs have a fixed value for your points, but some airlines offer fluctuating value since they use dynamic pricing.

Miles function similarly to points but are primarily used by airlines and travel-related programs. The one exception is Air Miles. Despite its name, Air Miles has become more of a general rewards program as opposed to travel.

Hybrid systems combine points and miles, allowing transfers between programs. This flexibility helps frequent travellers maximize their earning potential across different loyalty ecosystems. American Express Membership Rewards and RBC Avion are two examples of hybrid systems.

Earning qualifiers beyond purchases include account activities, bonus promotions, and interactions with partners. Many programs offer double or triple points during promotional periods.

Maximizing Points for Flights and Hotels

Airline frequent flyer and hotel programs provide varying earning rates and redemption values based on your travel habits. Selecting programs that match your home airport’s main carriers and preferred hotel brands maximizes your points-earning potential.

Selecting the Right Frequent Flyer Program

Your home airport’s airline hub determines which program offers the most earning opportunities. Air Canada’s Aeroplan will get you the furthest since Air Canada has the largest fleet. However, if you’re based in Western Canada, WestJet Rewards could be valuable. VIPorter also has good reach since they’re partnered with Air Transat and Alaska Airlines.

Consider these key factors when choosing:

• Which airline you fly the most
• What your long term travel goals are
• How easy it is to earn points via flying or credit cards

If you live in Toronto and your goal is to travel to Europe on points, then choosing Air Canada is the natural choice. 

Earning from Hotel Loyalty Programs

As a Canadian, being loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain can be more complicated. Only Marriott Bonvoy offers a co-branded credit card, making it the easiest program to stick with. American Express Membership Rewards lets you transfer points to Hilton Honors, but it’s not a very favourable exchange.

Fairmont is a brand loved by many Canadians since it began in Canada, but there’s no straightforward way to earn Accor Live Limitless points beyond hotel stays.

Earning status with hotel loyalty programs can earn you some of the following benefits:

• Room upgrades
• Bonus point multipliers on stays
• Free breakfast
• Early check-in and late check-out privileges

If the price difference is minimal, focus your bookings within a single hotel loyalty program. This concentrated approach speeds up elite status qualification and boosts your long-term points earnings.

Frequent work trips offer the fastest route to elite status. Even with discounted corporate rates, you’ll still earn full loyalty points when booking directly with the hotel.

Collecting Retail Loyalty Rewards

Retail loyalty programs can be a powerful way to rack up points through everyday purchases. Grocery chains often feature rotating bonus categories and limited-time promotions, while gas stations offer steady fuel discounts and perks through partner merchants. It might not have the glamour of travel rewards, but for many, these programs deliver real savings where it counts.

Grocery Store Loyalty Programs

Most major grocery chains only provide points on in-store or targeted offers. However, there are some chains where you’ll earn points on every purchase as long as you scan your loyalty card. 

The most common grocery loyalty programs in Canada are:

• PC Optimum: This is the loyalty program for Loblaw’s owned grocery stores, such as Loblaws, No Frills, and Superstore. Note that T&T does not use PC Optimum.
• Scene+: Empire-owned grocery stores, including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, and FreshCo, use these points.
• Moi: At Metro grocery stores, you earn Moi points on all items. However, at Food Basics, Moi only applies to targeted and in-store promotions.

Always load digital coupons found in your grocery store apps before shopping to earn additional loyalty points. Some apps only require you to open the app for the offers to load, while others require you to load them manually.

Gas Station Loyalty Programs

All the major gas stations in Canada are partnered with a loyalty program. Some of them even have strategic partnerships where you can earn two different types of points at the same time.

It’s not worth going out of your way to a specific gas station to earn points, but it does make sense to stick to one of the following chains:

• Petro-Canada/Gas+: You can earn Petro Points, Triangle Rewards and Avion Rewards if your accounts are linked and you pay with an RBC credit or debit card.
• Parkland: With Chevron, Fas Gas, Ultramar, and Pioneer under Parkland, you can earn Aeroplan points as long as your account is linked to Journie Rewards.
• Esso/Mobil: Both Esso and Mobil allow you to earn PC Optimum points when filling up or making convenience store purchases.
• Shell: Air Miles has been the long-term partner of Shell. If you’re a CAA member, you can get additional savings right at the pump.

To maximize your earning rate at gas stations, consider using a co-branded credit card. Furthermore, these programs often feature promotions where you can earn extra points when filling up during specific periods, so stay alert to the offers in your app.

Boosting Points with Credit Cards and Sign-Up Bonuses

Credit cards provide some of the quickest ways to earn points and miles through strategic spending and welcome bonuses. The right mix of rewards programs and bonus earning opportunities can greatly speed up your point collection.

Choosing the Best Rewards Credit Cards

Select cards that align with your spending patterns and loyalty program goals. Travel-focused cards typically earn miles with airline partners, while general rewards cards offer flexible points you can transfer to multiple programs.

Key factors to evaluate:

• Annual fees versus potential rewards value
• Transfer partners and redemption options
• Earning rates for different spending categories
• Welcome bonuses

Start by comparing how different cards earn points. Some offer a flat rate on all purchases, while others reward specific categories like groceries, dining, or gas at higher rates.

Find cards that align with your favourite airlines or hotel chains. Direct partnerships make earning points seamless, while transfer partners offer flexibility across multiple programs.

If you spend heavily each month, premium cards with higher fees can be worth it thanks to elevated earning rates and perks. For lighter spenders, no-fee cards or a mix of multiple cards may offer better value

Utilizing Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses

Welcome bonuses offer significant point boosts when you meet minimum spending requirements within designated timeframes (usually three to six months). These bonuses often represent the best chance to earn rewards quickly.

Typical bonus structures:

• 50,000 to 100,000 points for premium travel cards
• Monthly points for 12 months
• Anniversary bonuses to encourage you to keep the card.

To make the most of credit card welcome bonuses, plan your applications around upcoming major purchases or expenses so you can meet spending thresholds naturally. 

Strategic timing is essential, so stagger new applications to safeguard your credit score and ensure you can meet each card’s minimum spend without difficulty. 

Use mobile apps or simple spreadsheets to track your progress and stay on top of bonus deadlines, so no opportunity slips through the cracks.

Maximizing Rewards with Bonus Categories

Many rewards credit cards offer elevated earning rates on select categories. These categories can multiply your point accumulation significantly when used strategically.

Common bonus categories include:

• Groceries 
• Gas stations 
• Dining and entertainment 
• Recurring payments

Use category-specific cards for maximum earning potential. This will require you to remember which card to use where, but the benefits are worth it. Also, keep in mind that some cards have spending caps. If you reach those limits regularly, have another card handy so you can keep earning additional points.

Multiplying Points with Online Shopping and Retail Purchases

Online shopping portals let you earn bonus rewards alongside your credit card points, while strategic retail purchases through loyalty programs can greatly boost your earning potential.

Using Shopping Portals for Extra Points

Shopping portals act as intermediaries between you and retailers, offering bonus points or miles for purchases made through their links. One of the most popular shopping portals is the Aeroplan eStore. This allows you to earn Aeroplan points at merchants such as Dyson, Sephora, Amazon, Dell, and more.

When you shop through a portal using a rewards credit card, you earn points from both sources on the same purchase. For example, if your credit card earns 2 points per dollar spent and the portal offers you 1 point, you’re earning 3 points per dollar spent.

Earning on Everyday Retail Purchases and Services

Keep in mind that many airline and retail programs have everyday partners where you can earn additional points. Some popular merchants where you can earn extra points include:

• LCBO and Uber for Aeroplan
• Shoppers Drug Mart for PC Optimum
• Cineplex with Scene+

Many Canadian programs allow points pooling between retail and travel partners. PC Optimum points can be redeemed at Loblaws grocery store, Shoppers Drug Mart and Esso. If you collect Scene+, you can use your points at Cineplex and select restaurants.

Final Thoughts

In today’s rewards-focused landscape, loyalty programs offer much more than occasional perks; they are a strategic tool for maximizing value from everyday spending. Whether you’re earning points through travel, retail, or credit card partnerships, the key is to align your choices with your lifestyle and financial habits. 

By understanding how different programs operate, utilizing bonus categories, and timing your credit card applications strategically, you can unlock a consistent flow of rewards that surpass the basics. 

By learning how the program works and making informed choices, you can get the most value from your points and enjoy a more rewarding banking experience.

Avion Rewards points value

Avion Rewards points offer varying value depending on how you choose to redeem them, making it essential to consider your redemption options. Travel redemptions generally provide the highest value, with a base value of 1 cent per point when redeeming 1,000 points for $10 in travel. If you use the Air Travel Redemption Schedule, you may get up to 2.33 cents per point, which is significant if you want to maximize your rewards.

The value of your points also depends on the RBC card you hold. Avion points are more beneficial when earned through an RBC Avion card, such as the RBC Avion Visa Platinum, RBC Avion Visa Infinite, or RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege. With an RBC ION Visa card, travel redemptions cost 172 Avion points for every $1, which decreases the value to about 0.71 cents per point.

Here’s a quick reference table on redemption values:

When you redeem points for travel, especially flights, you often receive the best return on your Avion points. Other options, such as merchandise, financial rewards, and statement credits, offer lower value. You can check your current balance or browse redemption options at the Avion Rewards page.

One thing to note is that RBC Rewards and RBC Avion are slightly different. Even though many RBC credit cards allow you to earn RBC Rewards, you may not get the full benefits that come with RBC Avion credit cards.

With standard RBC Rewards points, you don’t get as many travel benefits/options. Since RBC Avion points are more valuable, you’ll want to hold one of the three RBC Avion cards, which are as follows:

• RBC Avion Visa Platinum
• RBC Avion Visa Infinite
• RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege

How to redeem RBC Avion points for travel

You can redeem your RBC Avion points for travel by signing in to the Avion Rewards portal or the Avion Rewards app. Your points are flexible and can be applied to flights, hotels, cruises, vacation packages, and car rentals. There are no blackout dates or seat restrictions for flights, and you can use points to cover the entire travel cost, including taxes and fees.

If you don’t have enough points for the full amount, you can pay the balance with your RBC Rewards credit card—no minimum redemption is required. All bookings must be made through the RBC portal or by calling the travel centre, though a $30 booking fee applies for phone reservations.

You can use your RBC Avion Rewards points for any seat on any flight, and there are no blackout periods or seat restrictions. Points can be used to pay the entire airfare price, including taxes. If you don’t have enough points to pay for the whole redemption, you can use as few points as you wish, since no minimum redemption is required. The remaining balance will be charged to your RBC Rewards credit card. Unfortunately, RBC Rewards can’t be applied to travel booked on your own.

RBC Avion Air Travel Redemption Schedule

With the RBC Avion Air Travel Redemption Schedule, you can redeem your Avion points for economy or business class flights at specified point levels. This program features a chart that details the points needed for specific destinations and establishes a maximum base fare for each redemption. You must possess the entire amount of points to complete a redemption, as partial redemptions are not permitted.

Below is an overview of the points required and maximum base fares for different destinations:

Flights booked using the schedule cover the base fare up to the maximum ticket price, but you are responsible for taxes, fees, and any carrier surcharges above the covered amount. If the total base fare exceeds the maximum for your redemption, you will need to pay the difference in cash.

Using the schedule often gets you a value of up to 2–2.33 cents per point, especially on costly routes like last-minute short-haul or long-haul flights to European destinations. For example, a flight from Canada to Europe can be booked for 65,000 Avion points plus taxes, fees, and carrier surcharges, provided the base fare is $1,300 or less. If the base fare is higher, you pay the difference.

There are no blackout dates, and all seats on all carriers are available, making the process flexible and straightforward. You are free to choose any carrier and book a seat for any available travel period without restrictions.

When considering redeeming your points, compare the value you get here to other options, such as transferring points to another program. Often, the predictable value and flexibility of the RBC Avion Air Travel Redemption Schedule make it attractive for high-cost or last-minute travel.

The RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule and the ability to convert your RBC Rewards points to other loyalty programs is why I rank RBC Rewards ranks #2 on my list of Canada’s best bank travel rewards programs.

How to redeem Avion Rewards points for gift cards

You can use your Avion Rewards points to get gift cards from a range of merchants, including Amazon, Bath & Body Works, Beer Store, Best Buy, Air Canada, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Food Basics, and Golf Town. The number of points needed for each gift card and its value vary by retailer.

The value you get per point varies depending on the merchant. For example, Food Basics offers $100 for 14,000 points, which works out to about 0.71 cents per point. Travel-related gift cards, like Air Canada, tend to offer the best redemption value, typically around 1 cent per point.

To redeem your points, sign in at avionrewards.com or use the Avion Rewards app. Once logged in, browse the gift cards section, choose your preferred brand, and proceed to checkout.

Occasionally, Avion Rewards offers bonus promotions on select gift cards, such as 10% to 30% more value for the same number of points. These promotions can make some gift card offers more appealing. Always check for any current offers before redeeming.

How to redeem Avion Rewards points for financial rewards

support your saving goals or help pay down debt. Simply log in to your RBC Rewards account and select RBC Financial Rewards from the “Shop & Redeem” menu if you have eligible RBC financial products.

A minimum of 12,000 points is required to redeem $100 towards these financial options:

• Add to your existing investments (e.g., RRSP, TFSA)
• Make a mortgage payment
• Repay your line of credit

Using points for financial rewards can help you save on interest if you pay off loans or a line of credit sooner. Adding to investments like your RRSP may result in tax advantages, while using a TFSA allows you to save with tax-free growth.

Merchandise, statement credits, charitable donations, and other redemptions

You have the option to redeem your RBC Rewards points for merchandise, statement credits, and charitable donations. The merchandise catalogue includes a range of items, but the points required often make it a lower-value choice, except when discounts are occasionally offered.

For statement credits, 17,200 points equal a $100 credit, resulting in only .58 cents per point. This is one of the least valuable uses for your points compared to other redemption methods, such as travel or gift cards. Cash back is not offered directly, but the statement credit works similarly by reducing your balance.

Charitable donations are available, allowing you to support various causes using your points.

RBC Avion points transfer partners

RBC Avion points offer a variety of flexible transfer options for both travel and retail loyalty programs. This flexibility enables you to maximize the value of your points based on your travel or shopping plans. Below is a breakdown of the main transfer partners, transfer ratios, and brief descriptions.

It’s hard to put an exact value on airline miles since there are so many variables, but generally speaking, their value is around a minimum of 1.5¢ per mile for economy tickets. Often you can get double the value if you’re booking in business class. That said, WestJet Rewards points are worth about 1 cent each.

Transfers to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and British Airways Avios are at a 1:1 ratio, which is favourable for international travel. American Airlines AAdvantage has a slightly different ratio but can still represent strong value, especially if you find good award seat availability.

Featured Benefits and Tips

• Promotions & Bonuses: RBC Rewards periodically offers transfer bonuses to select partners, sometimes increasing your conversion value by up to 30%. These bonuses typically apply to airline programs like WestJet, British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and American Airlines AAdvantage. Check for these promos directly in your RBC Rewards account to maximize value.
• Combining with RBC WestJet Products: If you hold both an RBC Avion card and the RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard, you can stack welcome bonuses and quickly accumulate WestJet points. Avion points can be transferred to WestJet at a clear fixed rate.
• Redemption Value: Airline miles fluctuate in value depending on route, class of service, and availability. On average, you might expect at least 1.5¢ per mile, and potentially much more for premium cabin bookings.

Avion Rewards expiration date

Your RBC Avion Rewards points do not expire as long as you maintain an eligible, active RBC Royal Bank credit card account. If you choose to close your credit card, you’ll have a 90-day period to redeem any remaining points before they are forfeited.

• Points don’t expire while your account is open and in good standing
• 90 days to use points after account closure

If you have questions about your points, it’s recommended to call RBC customer service for details or clarification.

How RBC Avion compares to others

RBC Avion Rewards stands out among major Canadian loyalty programs for its flexible redemption options, including no blackout dates and no minimum points required to redeem. You benefit from a fixed points flight program and regular promotions, which can improve your overall value.

The main limitation compared to American Express Membership Rewards is that you’re required to book travel through the RBC portal and it doesn’t have Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy as transfer partners. One major downside with RBC is that Avion cards don’t have strong earning rates compared to other banks. You can explore more with these links: CIBC Rewards, BMO Rewards, TD Rewards, Scene+, and American Express Membership Rewards.

How to earn RBC Avion Rewards

You can earn Avion points by using an eligible RBC Avion credit card for your everyday purchases. These cards allow you to accumulate points simply by making transactions, whether it’s groceries, gas, bill payments, or travel bookings. The range includes six personal credit cards (such as the RBC Visa Infinite Avion Card) and two business credit cards.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

Apply now

• $120 annual fee
• 35,000 Avion points on approval
• 20,000 Avion points when spending $5,000 in the first 6 months
• 15,000 Avion points when keeping your account open until month 16
• Earn 1.25 Avion points for every $1 spent on travel purchases
• Earn 1 Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Mobile device insurance up to $1,500

The sign up bonus for new cardholders is typically 35,000 -55,000 points which is comparable to some of the best travel credit cards in Canada.

The earn rate of 1.25 points per $1 spent on travel is decent, while the 1 RBC Reward point earned per dollar spent on all other purchases, including bill payments, is pretty common.

The RBC Visa Infinite Avion Card also provides good travel insurance when travelling outside Canada. Not only do you get travel medical, but you’ll also be covered for trip cancellation/interruption, delayed and lost baggage, hotel/motel burglary and more. Obviously, some exclusions apply, so read the certificate of insurance for complete terms.

Avion Rewards Retail Partners

You can also earn Avion points when shopping with select Avion Rewards retail partners. This includes making purchases through partner merchants online, in-store, or via the Avion Rewards app. Linking your RBC Avion credit card or debit card ensures you receive points automatically for eligible spending.

Ways to maximize earnings with retail partners:

• Shop through the Avion Rewards portal or app for special promotions and earning multipliers.
• Watch for limited-time offers, in which extra points are available on select categories like electronics, fashion, or travel bookings.
• Use Avion Rewards program tools, such as the rewards app and RBC online banking, to review participating partner offers and track transaction history.
• Combine points earned from credit cards with bonus points from partner promotions for faster accumulation.

Final thoughts

Avion Rewards is one of the best bank travel rewards programs. The RBC Visa Infinite Avion card may not give you the best signup bonus or have the highest earn rate, but there’s no denying that once you have the points, they’re easy to use. There are no blackout dates and no minimum points required to make a redemption, so you’ll never run into any issues using your points. If you’re a fan of RBC, check out my RBC InvestEase review and find out how you can reduce your investment management fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book travel with my Avion Rewards points?

You can book travel by logging into the Avion Rewards Travel portal. Once signed in, use your points to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.

How can I log into my Avion Rewards account?

To log into your account, visit the Avion Rewards website and click “Sign In.” You can also access your account through RBC Online Banking if your card is linked.

Are there special rewards for concerts like Taylor Swift’s?

Occasionally, Avion Rewards offers exclusive access or pre-sale opportunities for select concerts and live events, including popular artists. These offers are time-limited and are announced through the Avion Rewards website or member communications. Check the rewards platform regularly for the latest event rewards.

Where can I find the Avion Rewards catalogue for redemption?

The Avion Rewards catalogue is available online at the Avion Rewards website. Browse various redemption options, including merchandise, gift cards, and experiences. You need to sign in to view and redeem your points.

What is the phone number for Avion Rewards customer service?

You can reach Avion Rewards customer service at 1-800-769-2512. For additional support, you may also use the “Help” feature within your online account or the travel portal.

While these premium spaces were once available exclusively to business class travellers or those with elite airline status, credit cards have made lounge access available to all travellers. Several Canadian credit cards now offer airport lounge privileges as part of their benefits packages, ranging from unlimited access to a fixed number of free visits annually.

When selecting a credit card with lounge benefits, you’ll want to consider several factors: the type and number of lounges available, guest privileges, annual fees, and additional travel perks. Cards like the American Express Platinum offer extensive global lounge access through their Global Lounge Collection, while others provide entry to specific networks such as DragonPass or Plaza Premium. Your travel patterns will determine which card delivers the best value for your needs.

American Express Platinum Card

• $799 annual fee
• Earn 90,000 Membership Rewards points when using a referral link and spending $10,000 in the first 3 months
• 50,000 additional points when making any purchase in months 15 – 17
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on dining and travel, and 1 point on all other purchases
• $200 annual travel credit
• $200 annual dining credit (per calendar year)
• Unlimited airport lounge access
• MESSAGE ME FOR A REFERRAL LINK

When looking at the best airport lounge access credit cards in Canada, the first one you need to consider is the American Express Platinum Card. With this card, you and a guest get unlimited access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection. That’s more than 1,200 lounges in 130+ countries you can visit. Generally, just about every major airport in the world will have a lounge that you can access with your Platinum Card.

The one downside is that the annual fee of the Platinum card is quite high at $799. However, you do get an annual travel and dining credit of $200 each, so that effectively makes your annual fee just $399. You also get a generous welcome bonus, higher loyalty status with Marriott Bonvoy, and great travel insurance. I personally never travel without this card. Note that you can get an increased welcome offer when signing up with a referral link.

Eligibility: There’s no minimum income required. A credit score of 740 is recommended before applying.
Welcome bonus: Typically worth 80,000 to 100,000 American Express Membership Rewards points when using a referral link. The minimum spending requirement is usually $5,000 to $10,000.

American Express Business Platinum Card

• $799 annual fee
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points with a referral link when spending $15,000 in the first 3 months when using a referral link
• 40,000 additional points when making any purchase in months 14 – 17
• Earn 1.25 points per $1 spent on all purchases
• Unlimited airport lounge access
• $200 annual travel credit
• $120 annual wireless credit
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
• MESSAGE ME FOR A REFERRAL LINK

As the name implies, the American Express Business Platinum is the business card version of the Platinum card. This card also has an annual fee of $799 and you also get the $200 annual travel credit. Although you don’t get the dining credit, you do get wireless and Dell credits. The earn rate is a flat 1.25 points per $1 spent. You and a guest still get unlimited lounge access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection.

What makes this card appealing over the consumer version is that the welcome bonus is typically higher. It’s often the highest one available in Canada. In addition, the American Express Membership Rewards points you earn are incredibly valuable as you can transfer them to Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy. Alternatively, you could use them on the American Express Fixed Travel Program, and this could allow you to increase the value of your points.

Some people will not apply for this card if they don’t have a business, but American Express rarely verifies the information you put on your application.

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

• $599 annual fee
• Earn 60,000 points when spending $7,500 in the first 3 months
• Earn 25,000 points per month when spending $2,500 in month 13
• Earn 3 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on Air Canada, 2 points on dining and food delivery, and 1.25 points on all other purchases
• Unlimited free access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for you and a guest
• Free first checked bag, priority check-in and boarding on Air Canada
• MESSAGE ME FOR A REFERRAL LINK

In my opinion, the best airport lounges in Canada are Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafes. Normally these are only available to people flying in business class or have 50K Aeroplan status, but you and a guest can get unlimited access if you have the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.

One thing to note is that you only get access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America. In addition, you get a PriorityPass membership, but no free annual passes are provided. Some people prefer this card over other premium Aeroplan credit cards because you get a slightly higher earn rate and when you refer friends to this card, you get a 10,000 Aeroplan points bonus. The annual fee is $599.

Eligibility: No minimum income is required. A credit score of at least 700 is recommended before applying.
Welcome bonus: The welcome offer is usually worth 80,000 – 120,000 Aeroplan points. To get the full bonus, you usually need to meet multiple minimum spending requirements.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

Apply Now

• $599 annual fee
• Earn 20,000 Aeroplan points after your first purchase
• Earn 35,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 in the first 180 days
• Earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 30,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $24,000 within 12 months of account opening
• Earn 2 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on Air Canada purchases, 1.5 points on gas, and groceries, and 1.25 points on all other purchases
• First bag checked free, priority check-in & boarding on Air Canada flights
• Maple Leaf Lounge access in North America
• Visa Airport Companion Program + 6 free annual passes

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card is one of the best airport lounge access credit cards in Canada because you and a guest get unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America. In addition, you get DragonPass lounge access + six free annual passes.

This card, along with the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege are the only credit cards with lounge access that give you access to Maple Leaf Lounge and the DragonPass network. This is incredibly convenient as you can use your lounge passes when there’s no Maple Leaf Lounge available. The obvious downside is that you only get six annual passes. The card also comes with an annual fee of $599.

If you travel a lot internationally, the Platinum Card is likely better for lounge access. But if you mainly travel domestically, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card and American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card should be your top choices.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card

Apply Now

• $150 annual fee
• 40,000 Scene+ points when spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
• 10,000 points when spending $10,000 in the first six months
• Earn 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Empire owned supermarkets
• Earn 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible grocery stores, dining, entertainment, and daily transit purchases
• Earn 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
• Visa Airport Companion Program membership + 6 passes per year
• No foreign transaction fees

Many of the best credit cards with lounge access come with high fees since you get unlimited access. However, if you’re looking for a flexible travel card with an annual fee of just $150, you should consider the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card. Not only do you get six annual lounge passes that are good for any lounge in the Visa Airport Companion Program (DragonPass). In addition, the card has no foreign exchange fees.

Only this card, and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card give you airport lounge access and no foreign transaction fees, so it’s not hard to see why they’re popular.

Eligibility: A minimum personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000 or at least $250,000 in assets under management. A credit score of 700 is also recommended.
Welcome bonus: You’ll typically get 35,000 to 50,000 Scene+ points as the welcome offer. In most cases, you’ll need to spend a minimum amount in the first three months and another in the first 12 months for the full bonus.

American Express Gold Rewards Card

• $250 annual fee
• Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points when spending $1,000 each month for 12 months (60,000 points total)
• 10,000 additional points when using a referral link and spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on grocery, gas, pharmacy, and travel purchases
• Earn 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual travel credit
• Priority Pass Membership + 4 annual Plaza Premium passes
• MESSAGE ME FOR A REFERRAL LINK

When the American Express Gold Rewards Card was refreshed, they specifically added four free annual passes to Plaza Premium lounges. This was relevant because, at the time, Plaza Premium had pulled out of its agreement with Visa. That meant cardholders couldn’t use their passes at Plaza Premium lounges anymore. The problem was that most lounges in Canada were Plaza Premium, so cardholders found it difficult to use their passes.

About a year after the change, Visa switched to DragonPass, which restored access to Plaza Premium, so now everything is back to normal.

The question is, why would you choose the American Express Gold Rewards Card over others that give you more free annual passes? Simply put, Membership Rewards are more valuable than Scene+. Over the course of a year, the points you earn will likely be worth more than the two lounge passes you didn’t get.

BMO Ascend World Elite* Mastercard®*

Apply Now

• $150 Annual fee – First year free*
• Get 45,000 BMO Rewards points when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months, and 3,750 points for each subsequent month in which you make at least $2,500 in purchases on your card, for 12 months
• Earn 5 BMO Rewards points per $1 spent on travel
• Earn 3 BMO Rewards points per $1 spent on dining, entertainment, and recurring bills
• Earn 1 BMO Rewards point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, plus 4 annual passes

The BMO Ascend World Elite™* Mastercard®* comes with four free airport lounge passes, and the annual fee is waived for the first year, so you check out some lounges for free. Your earn rate is 5 BMO Rewards points per $1 spent on travel; 2 points on dining, entertainment, and recurring bills; and 1 point for all other purchases. While that may seem appealing, 1 BMO Rewards point is worth just .67 cents, so the overall earn rate is not the best. That said, it’s still one of the best BMO credit cards.

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card

Apply now

• $139 annual fee – First year free
• 15,000 Aventura points when you make your first purchase
• 20,000 Aventura points when you spend $3,000 in the first 4 months
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on CIBC travel
• Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on gas, grocery, and drug store purchases
• Earn 1 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Visa Airport Companion Program membership and 4 free annual passes

Many people forget that the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card is one of the best airport lounge access credit cards in Canada. Not only do you get four free annual airport lounge passes to the DragonPass network, but you also get a rebate on your NEXUS membership. What’s interesting is that this card typically has a rebate on the annual fee for the first year. That means you can get airport lounge access for a year without having to pay an annual fee.

National Bank World Elite Mastercard

Apply now

• $150 annual fee
• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on grocery and restaurant purchases up to $2,500 per month. Then earn 2 points per $1 spent
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, recurring bills and à la carte Travel
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Unlimited access to National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau airport
• Annual $150 travel credit

If you’re based out of Montreal and fly internationally frequently, then you’ll want to consider the National Bank World Elite Mastercard since it gives you and a guest, and up to two children under the age age of 12, unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge. Since this lounge is considered the best in YUL and you can bring two children and a guest with you, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard is a great choice. The Montreal airport has a Maple Leaf Lounge, but no lounge is available via the American Express Global Lounge Collection.

Eligibility: Personal income requirement of $80,000 or a household income of $150,000. A credit score of 700 is recommended.
Welcome bonus: The welcome bonus has been anywhere from 0 to 50,000 points.

What is airport lounge access?

Airport lounge access provides a peaceful retreat from the bustling main terminal areas. These exclusive spaces offer a comfortable environment where you can relax before your flight or during layovers. Most major airports feature at least one lounge per terminal, with international hubs typically hosting multiple lounge options.

As airports become more crowded and flight delays become more frequent, these havens have gained popularity. Lounges usually offer a variety of amenities that can enhance your travel experience. You’ll often find:

• Complimentary food and beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
• Fast, reliable Wi-Fi connections
• Comfortable seating areas
• Flight information displays
• Reading materials (newspapers and magazines)

Premium lounges may offer additional luxuries such as:

• Business centres with computers and printers
• Shower facilities
• Quiet areas with beds or sleeping pods
• Outdoor terraces or viewing areas

Most lounges operate from early morning (around 5 a.m.) until late evening (typically 10 p.m.), although some premium facilities remain open 24 hours. While lounges generally allow a three-hour stay before your departure, enforcement is often inconsistent relaxed.

You can gain entry to these exclusive spaces through various methods. The most common access programs include Priority Pass, which connects to over 1,300 lounges worldwide, and credit card benefits. Many premium credit cards include lounge access as a cardholder perk, though guest policies vary. Some limit you to two free guests, while others may charge for accompanying travellers.

Before visiting a lounge, it’s beneficial to research the specific amenities and access requirements, as these can vary significantly between facilities. This preparation ensures that you will maximize your lounge experience.

Types of Airport Lounge Networks

Airport lounges offer travellers a comfortable space to relax before flights, but navigating the different networks can be confusing. Understanding which networks align with your travel habits and credit card benefits can enhance your journey significantly.

Air Canada Maple Leaf and Airline-Specific Lounges

Major airlines maintain their own premium lounges at key hubs and popular destinations. Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges can be found in 11 Canadian cities plus international locations including New York, Paris, London, Frankfurt, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Also note that Air Canada has Air Canada Cafe’s in Toronto and Montreal. These are grab and go style lounges.

If you’re flying business class on a Star Alliance partner airline, your boarding pass grants you access to their partner lounges as well. Airline-specific lounges typically offer superior amenities compared to independent options.

American Express Global Lounge Collection

American Express provides one of the most extensive lounge networks globally for Platinum cardholders. The Global Lounge Collection features exclusive Centurion Lounges, widely recognized as some of the best airport lounges available.

These premium spaces feature amenities like showers, gourmet food prepared by renowned chefs, and dedicated family rooms. When you have access to an American Express lounge, it’s generally worth seeking out as the quality typically exceeds other options.

Plaza Premium Network

Plaza Premium operates as a standalone brand of airport lounges with hundreds of locations globally. They manage most lounges found in Canadian airports and are integrated into larger networks like DragonPass.

Without a premium credit card providing complimentary access, you can purchase entry for approximately CA$50 per visit. Plaza Premium lounges offer consistent quality with comfortable seating, food options, and business facilities. That said, some of the Canadian options aren’t great.

DragonPass Program

DragonPass has emerged as Canada’s leading airport lounge network. Many premium Canadian credit cards include DragonPass membership through the Visa Airport Companion Program.

Its partnership with Plaza Premium is particularly valuable for Canadian travellers since Plaza Premium operates most domestic airport lounges. This connection ensures you’ll have accessible options when flying within Canada.

Priority Pass Membership

Priority Pass provides members access to VIP lounges worldwide through different membership tiers. Members pay annual fees based on their selected plan, with options ranging from pay-per-visit to unlimited access packages.

After a brief separation, Priority Pass has renewed its agreement with Plaza Premium, making its offering very similar to DragonPass. Conditions of use vary by membership level, with some credit cards offering complimentary Priority Pass memberships with limited or unlimited visits.

Mastercard Airport Experience by LoungeKey

Mastercard Airport Experience powered by LoungeKey grants entry to approximately 1,000 airport lounges globally. Through its partnership with DragonPass, cardholders gain access to their extensive network.

All Canadian World Elite Mastercard holders receive LoungeKey membership, though not all cards include complimentary visits. Check your card benefits to see if you receive free passes or need to pay per visit.

Visa Airport Companion Program

Visa Airport Companion serves as Visa’s equivalent to the Mastercard LoungeKey program, available exclusively to Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege cardholders. The service operates through DragonPass’s infrastructure.

Like LoungeKey, you’ll typically need to purchase individual passes unless your specific credit card includes complimentary visits. The programme grants access to independent airport lounges worldwide, with particularly good coverage in Canadian airports.

How to Get Airport Lounge Access

Purchasing a Membership

You can buy memberships to airport lounge networks for regular access. Basic memberships typically charge a fee per visit, while premium tiers offer unlimited access. Priority Pass is one popular option with various membership levels to suit different travel frequencies. Before purchasing, compare the coverage of lounges in airports you frequently visit to ensure good value for your investment.

Credit Card Benefits

Many premium credit cards include airport lounge access as a benefit. For example, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card provides six free airport lounge passes, where as the American Express Platinum card gives the primary cardholder and one guest unlimited access.

Single-Visit Options

Don’t travel often? Consider purchasing a day pass instead. Many lounges sell one-time entry passes ranging from $32-$65 CAD. Plaza Premium Lounges, for example, charge about $45 for a single visit. While this might seem expensive, it can be worth the cost during long layovers when you factor in the free food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating.

Premium Cabin Tickets

When you fly business class, lounge access is typically included with your ticket. You’ll gain entry to your airline’s lounge or one operated by their alliance partners. For instance, an Air Canada business class ticket grants you access to Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and partner lounges like Lufthansa’s when travelling abroad within the Star Alliance network.

Frequent Flyer Status

Regular travellers who’ve earned elite status with airlines often receive lounge privileges. Lower-tier status typically includes a few complimentary passes annually, while higher tiers offer unlimited access. This benefit makes achieving and maintaining status particularly valuable for frequent travellers who spend significant time in airports.

How to Choose a Credit Card with Lounge Access

How Often You Travel

Your travel frequency should be your primary consideration when selecting a credit card with airport lounge access. If you’re in the air several times a year, a card offering unlimited lounge visits provides excellent value. Premium travel cards often include Priority Pass or other lounge network memberships that allow you to escape the terminal chaos whenever you fly. For occasional travellers, cards offering a limited number of annual passes might be sufficient for your needs.

Your Travel Style

Consider your typical travel patterns when evaluating lounge access benefits. Do you primarily fly with one airline? Cards affiliated with specific carriers might offer dedicated lounge access that serves you better than general networks. For Canadian travellers who primarily use domestic airports, a card with Maple Leaf Lounge access might be ideal. However, if you frequently travel internationally, look for cards that connect to broader networks, like the American Express Platinum Card.

Cost vs. Benefit Analysis

Evaluate whether the lounge benefits justify the annual fee. Many premium travel cards charge $120 – $799 annually but provide valuable lounge access that would cost more if purchased separately. For example, if a card provides six lounge passes annually (typically valued at $32-$50 each) plus TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits (worth up to $100), these benefits alone might exceed the annual fee. Don’t forget to calculate the value of bonus points earned from signup offers, which can often cover the first year’s fee entirely.

Additional Card Benefits

The best credit cards offer more than just lounge access. Look for comprehensive travel benefits such as:

• Travel insurance coverage (medical, trip cancellation, baggage)
• Statement credits for travel-related purchases
• No foreign transaction fees (saving you 2.5-3% on international purchases)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee reimbursement
• Priority boarding and free checked bags
• Annual travel credits that offset the card’s cost
• Mobile device insurance
• Bonus points on travel and dining purchases

Cards like the American Express Platinum or Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite may have higher annual fees but provide robust benefits packages that include expedited security access and substantial statement credits in addition to premium lounge access.

Are guests allowed with an airport lounge access credit card?

Most credit cards offering airport lounge access provide some form of guest privileges, though specific policies vary by card. Typically, premium travel cards allow you to bring one guest into lounges at no extra charge. 

If you have a card that provides a limited number of complimentary lounge visits rather than unlimited access, you’ll need to use one pass per person. This means a family of four would require four separate passes.

Remember these important guest policy details:

• The primary cardholder must be present with guests
• Children under two years typically enter free (doesn’t count against guest allowance)
• Family travellers may benefit from having two cards with lounge benefits

For families regularly travelling together, consider getting a second lounge access card for your partner. This strategy allows each cardholder to bring one child as a complimentary guest, ensuring your entire family can enjoy lounge amenities together.

Are Airport Lounges Worth It?

Airport lounges can provide excellent value for travellers seeking comfort during their journey. When you consider the cost of food and beverages at airport restaurants, complimentary offerings in lounges quickly become attractive. A simple meal with a drink at an airport eatery might cost $25-30, while lounges provide these amenities at no additional charge once you’re inside.

The comfortable seating and private space are significant benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. You can relax in a quieter environment, away from the hustle and bustle of the main terminal. This privacy also offers better security for your belongings when you need to step away momentarily.

Many credit cards now offer lounge access as a perk, which can offset their annual fees. Consider these key benefits:

• Complimentary food and drinks
• Comfortable seating and workspaces
• Quieter environment
• Wi-Fi access
• Charging stations

For travellers with long layovers, lounges become even more valuable. Having a comfortable place to rest, work, or freshen up can make a significant difference in your travel experience.

Be aware that credit card access has limitations. During peak travel periods, lounges may reach capacity and prioritize certain membership tiers over credit card holders. You might face restrictions or even be denied entry during particularly busy times, so it’s wise to have a backup plan.

How to Use Your Airport Lounge Credit Card

Getting into airport lounges with your credit card is straightforward when you know the steps. First, activate your eligible credit card and download the appropriate app for your card—whether it’s the Visa Airport Companion, Mastercard Airport Experiences, or Priority Pass app.

Register your card details in the app to access your digital lounge passes. Before travelling, check the app to find available lounges at your departure or connecting airports.

When you arrive at the lounge, you’ll need to present:

• Your boarding pass
• Your lounge pass (digital or physical)
• Your credit card (for American Express cardholders)

Remember these important points:

• Any guests travelling with you must have their own boarding passes
• Some premium card benefits include complimentary guest access
• Certain lounge amenities like showers may require reservations upon arrival

Take full advantage of the available features, including complimentary food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating. Most lounges also offer business facilities and reading materials to enhance your pre-flight experience.

How to Make the Most of Your Credit Cards with Lounge Access

Add an Additional Cardholder

Adding an additional cardholder to your premium travel credit card can be a clever way to extend lounge benefits. Most premium cards allow supplementary cardholders to enjoy the same lounge privileges, even when travelling separately. If your card offers unlimited lounge visits, your additional cardholder typically receives the same benefit. However, with cards that provide limited visits (such as six per year), you’ll need to share these visits between all cardholders.

Carry Multiple Credit Cards

For frequent travellers, having multiple cards with different lounge access programs makes perfect sense. For instance, pairing a TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card (offering Maple Leaf Lounge access in North America) with an American Express Platinum Card (providing access to the Global Lounge Collection) creates a comprehensive lounge network. This combination ensures you’ll find comfortable spaces to relax at most major airports worldwide.

Popular Card Combinations:

• Amex Platinum + TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
• CIBC Aventura + Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
• BMO World Elite + RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege

Apply for Separate Cards for Your Partner

Rather than adding your partner as a supplementary cardholder, consider having them apply for their own premium travel card. This strategy effectively doubles your lounge visits and guest privileges. For families with children, this approach is particularly valuable—turning six lounge passes into twelve, or allowing each parent to bring one child as a guest when you both have unlimited access cards.

Try Multiple Lounges During Layovers

If you have extended connection times and unlimited lounge access, don’t hesitate to visit multiple lounges at the same airport. While this may seem excessive, each lounge is different. One lounge may have better food than the other, while the other one may have a better area to rest. Some lounges may also have showers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which premium credit cards provide complimentary airport lounge access?

Several premium credit cards in Canada offer airport lounge access as a key benefit. The American Express Platinum Card provides extensive lounge access through Priority Pass, Centurion Lounges, and Plaza Premium locations. The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege and TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege both include six annual Priority Pass visits. BMO World Elite Mastercard provides complimentary Mastercard Airport Experiences access.

How do I check if my credit card includes Priority Pass lounge privileges?

Review your cardholder benefits on your issuer’s website or mobile app to verify if your credit card includes Priority Pass access. Many premium cards require you to separately enrol in Priority Pass after receiving your card. Keep in mind that activation isn’t automatic, and you’ll typically need to request your Priority Pass membership card or digital membership through your credit card provider.

Do any credit cards offer lounge access without yearly fees?

Currently, there are no Canadian credit cards that offer comprehensive airport lounge access without charging an annual fee. Lounge access is typically bundled with premium cards that have annual fees ranging from $120 to $699. However, some financial institutions occasionally waive the first year’s fee during promotional periods. 

Which banks issue credit cards with airport lounge benefits?

In Canada, several financial institutions offer credit cards with lounge access:

• TD Canada Trust: Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
• CIBC: Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege
• RBC: Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
• Scotiabank: Passport Visa Infinite
• BMO: World Elite Mastercard
• American Express: Platinum Card, Business Platinum Card, Aeroplan Reserve

Each institution typically reserves these benefits for their top-tier cards with correspondingly higher annual fees and income requirements.

Is Priority Pass membership commonly included with lounge access credit cards?

Yes, Priority Pass membership is the most commonly included lounge access benefit with premium Canadian credit cards. However, the level of membership varies significantly between cards. Some provide unlimited visits with complimentary guest privileges, while others offer a limited number of free visits annually (typically 4-6). After exhausting your included visits, you’ll generally pay $32-50 per additional visit. Always check if your card includes the basic membership only (requiring payment per visit) or if it provides complimentary visits as part of the package.

That doesn’t mean having a metal credit card in Canada is less exclusive. It’s just easier to get one.  This isn’t a bad thing since credit card providers are recognizing that their top cardholders should be treated better. 

Of course, every metal card is different, so here are the best metal credit cards in Canada.

The best metal credit cards in Canada

American Express Platinum Card

• $799 annual fee
• Earn 90,000 Membership Rewards points when using a referral link and spending $10,000 in the first 3 months
• 50,000 additional points when making any purchase in months 15 – 17
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on dining and travel, and 1 point on all other purchases
• $200 annual travel credit
• $200 annual dining credit (per calendar year)
• Unlimited airport lounge access
• MESSAGE ME FOR A REFERRAL LINK

The American Express Platinum Card was the first metal credit card in Canada. Honestly, if Amex never made this a metal card, I don’t think we’d see as many metal credit cards in Canada as we do now. When you look at the benefits of the Platinum Card, it is really not hard to see why this card gets so much hype.

As of September 26, the earn rate is 2 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on dining and travel. All other purchases earn you 1 point per dollar spent.

Although the earn rate may not seem impressive, this card does come with some great benefits. As of September 26, you get a $200 dining credit that’s given each calendar year. You also get an annual travel credit of $200, unlimited airport lounge access (including Centurion lounges) for two people, comprehensive travel insurance, hotel status upgrades, and more. The credits alone reduce your annual fee to $399 a year. When you factor in the other benefits, you’re getting more value than the annual fee. That’s why this card always makes the list of the best travel credit cards in Canada. 

Eligibility: No income requirement. A credit score of 740+ is recommended.
Welcome bonus: It’s typically worth 75,000 – 100,000 American Express Membership Rewards points. To get the offer, you usually need to spend $7,500 in the first three months.

American Express Business Platinum Card

• $799 annual fee
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points with a referral link when spending $15,000 in the first 3 months when using a referral link
• 40,000 additional points when making any purchase in months 14 – 17
• Earn 1.25 points per $1 spent on all purchases
• Unlimited airport lounge access
• $200 annual travel credit
• $120 annual wireless credit
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
• MESSAGE ME FOR A REFERRAL LINK

The American Express Business Platinum Card is very similar to the regular Platinum Card, but it’s clearly aimed at business owners. Instead of getting an increased earn rate on a few different categories, the Business Platinum Card gives you a straight 1.25 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent. While this may not seem as good as the Platinum card, it’s beneficial to business owners who make most of their purchases in “other” categories.

As for the benefits, you get unlimited airport lounge access for two, an annual $200 travel credit, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, travel insurance, extended warranty, and an annual $120 credit for wireless services. These credits and benefits greatly reduce the annual fee of $799 (As of Sept. 26, 2023).

Eligibility: No income requirement. A credit score of 740+ is recommended. You also technically need to have a business.
Welcome bonus: It usually hovers around 90,000 – 100,000 American Express Membership Rewards points and requires a minimum spend of about $10,000 within three months of account opening.

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

• $599 annual fee
• Earn 60,000 points when spending $7,500 in the first 3 months
• Earn 25,000 points per month when spending $2,500 in month 13
• Earn 3 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on Air Canada, 2 points on dining and food delivery, and 1.25 points on all other purchases
• Unlimited free access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for you and a guest
• Free first checked bag, priority check-in and boarding on Air Canada
• MESSAGE ME FOR A REFERRAL LINK

If you want a metal credit card in Canada that earns you a lot of Aeroplan points, then you’ll want to look at the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card. The earn rate is 3 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on Air Canada, 2 points on dining and food delivery (including Uber Eats), and 1.25 points on all other purchases.

As for the additional benefits, you get your first checked bag free, priority check-in and priority boarding on Air Canada. You also get unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America. Comprehensive travel insurance, purchase protection, and buyer’s assurance are also included.

Since Air Canada is one of the top airlines in Canada, it’s worth getting this stainless steel card as Aeroplan often has promotions and perks where you can earn bonus points, travel rewards, and statement credits. This is as close as you’re going to get to a black card.

Eligibility: No income requirement. A credit score of 740+ is recommended.
Welcome bonus: Typically worth around 90,000 Aeroplan points. The spending requirement has been both a lump sum and a monthly minimum.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

Apply Now

• $599 annual fee
• Earn 20,000 Aeroplan points after your first purchase
• Earn 35,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 in the first 180 days
• Earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 30,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $24,000 within 12 months of account opening
• Earn 2 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on Air Canada purchases, 1.5 points on gas, and groceries, and 1.25 points on all other purchases
• First bag checked free, priority check-in & boarding on Air Canada flights
• Maple Leaf Lounge access in North America
• Visa Airport Companion Program + 6 free annual passes

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card is TD’s top Aeroplan card. The earn rate is 2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on Air Canada purchases, 1.5 points per $1 spent on gas, and groceries, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Frequent travellers will love this card since you get Air Canada benefits, such as free checked bags, priority check-in, zone 2 boarding, and unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for you and a guest. This card is very comparable to some of the best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada.

Eligibility: Annual personal income of $150,000 or a household income of $200,000. A credit score of 740+ is recommended.
Welcome bonus: Typically worth 70,000 – 100,000 Aeroplan points. You’ll often need to spend $12,000 in the first year to get the full offer.

American Express Gold Rewards Card

• $250 annual fee
• Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points when spending $1,000 each month for 12 months (60,000 points total)
• 10,000 additional points when using a referral link and spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on grocery, gas, pharmacy, and travel purchases
• Earn 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual travel credit
• Priority Pass Membership + 4 annual Plaza Premium passes
• MESSAGE ME FOR A REFERRAL LINK

The American Express Gold Rewards Card is one of the best metal credit cards in Canada since it’s highly versatile. The earning rate is 2 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on grocery, gas, drugstore, and travel purchases. All other purchases get you 1 point per dollar spent. This card is easily one of the best American Express cards.

As for the benefits, you get an annual $100 travel credit, a Priority Pass Membership + 4 annual Plaza Premium passes, a NEXUS rebate, travel insurance and purchase insurance. The card does have an annual fee of $250, but the yearly benefits are worth more than that.

Eligibility: No income requirement. A credit score of 740+ is recommended.
Welcome bonus: Typically worth between 50,000 – 65,000 American Express Membership Rewards points. The spending requirement has been both a lump sum and a monthly minimum.

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card

Apply now

• $499 annual fee
• 25,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods
• 25,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in the first 6 monthly statement periods
• 30,000 Aventura Points anniversary bonus
• Earn 3 points per $1 spent on CIBC travel, 2 points on dining, eterntainment, transportation, gas, and groceries, and 1.25 points on everything else
• $200 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass Membership + 6 annual passes
• 2 NEXUS Application fee rebates

Does CIBC offer a metal credit card? Yes, it does in the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card. This shouldn’t be a surprise since this is CIBC’s top-tier credit card that earns you CIBC Rewards points (often known as Aventura points).

The earn rate is 3 Aventura points per dollar spent on CIBC travel, and 2 CIBC Aventura points on dining, entertainment, transportation, gas stations, electric vehicle charging and grocery stores. All other purchases earn you 1.25 points per dollar spent. The benefits you get include a $200 annual travel credit, a Priority Pass Membership and 6 complimentary visits per year. In addition, you get 2 NEXUS application fee rebates.

Eligibility: Annual personal income of $150,000 or a household income of $200,000. 740+ credit score recommended.
Welcome bonus: Typically worth around 60,000 – 80,000 CIBC Aventura points. The spending requirement has been both a lump sum and a monthly minimum.

What is a metal credit card?

Most credit cards are made out of plastic, but as you can imagine, metal credit cards are made out of metal (stainless steel), so they’re luxury cards. The actual function of metal credit cards is exactly the same as a plastic credit card, including the APR, but they have enhanced durability. The only difference is the physical material. Some people love metal credit cards because they come with some clout. A metal credit card is reserved for top-tier cards, so pulling one out, rather than plastic cards to pay shows that you belong to an exclusive club.

There is no metal credit card that comes with no foreign transaction fees. There’s also no metal card in Canada that gives you annual statement credits, a cash bonus, or a free night award.

What credit score do I need to get a metal credit card?

The credit score you need to get a metal credit card is usually a closely guarded secret. Generally speaking, you’ll need excellent credit of at least 700 to be approved. That said, some credit card providers have a lower requirement. Keep in mind that some metal credit cards also have a minimum income requirement to be approved.

Which metal credit card in Canada has the best rewards?

When it comes to metal credit cards in Canada, most of them prioritize rewards that are best redeemed for travel. In this case, the American Express Platinum tends to come out on top of having the best rewards. That being said, you can also use rewards for merchandise and gift cards if you choose. You can take a look at the American Express Membership Rewards Guide here for more information. 

Earning rewards is easy with the American Express Platinum in that you will earn rewards for every purchase, and some at an accelerated rate. However, keep in mind that American Express cards are not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard.

How to get a metal credit card

Getting a metal credit card in Canada is easy as long as you meet the requirements. With American Express metal credit cards, there is no minimum income requirement, so those are the easiest ones to get. If you want a metal credit card from BMO, TD, or CIBC, you’ll likely need to have a personal income of $150,000 or a household income of $200,000. You’ll also have to be a Canadian resident and the age of majority in the province or territory where you reside. If you’re approved for one of the best metal credit cards in Canada, it’ll be mailed to you by default.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get a metal credit card.

1. Browse the cards above
2. Click apply now
3. Check your eligibility requirements
4. Fill out your information or go to a branch to apply in person
5. Wait for approval
6. When the card arrives, activate it

Note that metal debit cards do not exist in Canada. Only metal credit cards are available. While it is possible to get a custom metal credit or debit card via a third-party, for security reasons, you’re better off not using this type of service.

How much does a metal credit card cost?

The cost of a metal credit card is dependent on the annual fee of your credit card. For example, the American Express Platinum Card has an annual fee of $699. The metal credit card with the lowest annual fee is the American Express Gold Rewards card at $250. That said, since you get an annual $100 travel credit, you’re really only paying $150 a year.

Are metal credit cards worth it?

This is a matter of opinion. Since metal credit cards don’t serve any additional function, they’re no different from regular credit cards. That said, as someone who has a metal credit card, I can tell you I love the weight and feel of them. More importantly, metal credit cards typically come with top-tier cards. When you look at the benefits included with metal credit cards, such as the welcome bonus, bonus miles earned, access to tickets and fine hotels through American Express, then it’s definitely worth it to have a metal card.

FAQ

What is the best metal credit card?

The best metal credit card will depend on your goals with the credit card. That being said, when it comes to the metal credit cards on this list, the Amex Platinum does offer the most travel benefits including access to airport lounges and a NEXUS rebate. Once you’re approved for NEXUS, you get global entry and TSA precheck access, which can save you a lot of time when travelling. The card has several transfer partners, has great conversion options for airfare, and also tends to have the highest welcome bonuses, which often earns it a title as the best metal credit card.

Which banks have metal credit cards?

There are only a few financial institutions that offer metal credit cards at this time, including:

• American Express
• Bank of Montreal (BMO)
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
• HSBC
• TD Bank

It’s worth noting that KOHO used to offer metal credit cards, but that’s no longer the case.

Metal American Express Cards in Canada

• American Express Platinum Card
• American Express Busines Platinum Card
• American Express Gold Rewards Card
• American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
• American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card

Metal Mastercards in Canada

• HSBC Jade World Elite Mastercard

Metal Visa cards in Canada

• BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
• CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card
• CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
• TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
• KOHO Prepaid Visa (no longer available)

How do you destroy a metal credit card?

Disposing of a metal credit card because you got a new card or your current one has been compromised is tricky because it can’t be snipped with scissors like the plastic cards. You can get in touch with the credit card issuer and ask to mail it back. They will provide you with instructions and will destroy it for you. If the credit card provider has a physical bank location, you can also take it there. Finally, you can use tin snips and destroy it yourself at home.

Are metal credit cards better than plastic credit cards?

One card isn’t necessarily better than the other because of the material that it is made of. Metal cards tend to be status cards, and are usually the top tier cards with better travel perks, such as airport lounge access and discounts on car rentals (along with higher annual fees). However, while they look pretty good when you take them out of your wallet, they aren’t necessarily ‘better.’ The best credit card for you is the one that allows you to get the most out of the rewards program and the included perks and benefits.

As far as TD Rewards is concerned, I think it’s one of the most underrated loyalty programs. For casual travellers, it’ll be appealing since it uses Expedia for all travel bookings. Basically, you can book just about anything you want via Expedia for TD and you’ll get a strong rate of return if you use one of the co-branded credit cards. That said, each redemption has a different value which is why you need to know how to maximize your TD Rewards points.

TD Rewards points value

Most people will use their TD Rewards points on bookings through Expedia for TD. Since it’ll cost you 200 TD Rewards points to redeem $1 in travel, one TD Rewards point is woth .50 cents. TD Rewards gives you a solid number of options to use your points, but not all of them will give you a decent value.

As you can see, the best value for your points is to book travel through the Expedia for TD portal. If you were to book travel on your own and then redeem points later, you’d be getting less value. Gift cards, statement credits, and merchandise aren’t worth it at all so don’t waste your TD Rewards points on them. Redeeming for education is a decent value, but there are some conditions that I’ve highlighted below. For any redemption, you need to go through the TD Rewards website.

How to redeem TD Rewards on Expedia for TD

TD Rewards has a partnership with Expedia which acts as their travel portal. It’s important to note that you have to use Expedia for TD, not the regular Expedia site. Since almost everyone is already familiar with Expedia.ca, the booking experience is relatively simple which makes TD Rewards arguably the easiest travel booking portal to navigate from all the major banks in Canada.

Similar to all other bank travel portals, you can book flights, hotels and car rentals, but TD Rewards shines by having access to Expedia’s inventory which is larger than most other bank programs. For example, Expedia for TD also offers vacation packages, cruises, vacation rentals, rail trips and attractions.

There is no minimum amount of TD Rewards points required to make a redemption on Expedia for TD, but you do need 200 TD Rewards points to get $1 off your Expedia for TD booking. Expedia for TD will automatically suggest you redeem points at check-out so there are no extra steps required if you want to use your points. Your points are essentially worth 0.5 cents each.

Make sure to opt-in for the TD Rewards e-mails since they often have good promotions. For example, they recently had $100 off a $400+ hotel booking made on Expedia for TD which gives you even more value for your points.

How to redeem TD Rewards for any type of travel

TD Rewards also allows you to redeem travel expenses charged on your credit card even if these expenses aren’t booked through Expedia for TD. While the redemption value for Book Any Way Travel can be 20% lower than Expedia for TD, I like having this option. Hotel chains usually only give points and elite status perks when you book directly with them. If you have status, it’s often worth booking directly to take advantage of your benefits even though you’re not getting as much value had you booked through Expedia for TD. Book Any Way travel also allows you to use points to offset travel expenses you can’t find on Expedia for TD, like AirBnB bookings or RV rentals.

The exact redemption ratio is 250 points will allow you to redeem $1 in travel purchases, so your points are worth 0.4 cents each. This ratio applies to the first $1,200 of a single travel purchase. Any travel purchases over $1,200 will only cost you 200 TD points to claim $1. To be clear, the first $1,200 would cost you 250 TD points for $1. From $120+, it would be 200 TD Rewards points to redeem $1 in travel.

What’s interesting is that TD Book Any Way Travel is pretty generous when it comes to valid travel expenses. In addition to usual travel expenses like flights and hotels, TD accepts out-of-province restaurants, gas, attractions and even parking expenses. These redemption options can be useful since many other programs already cover flights and hotel expenses.

There are no blackout dates when you redeem your TD points via Expedia for TD and Book Any Way Travel. Your TD Rewards points can also be used for fees and taxes.

How to redeem TD points for higher education

A few different bank rewards programs allow you to use points on investments, but TD gives you the option to use your points on higher education. It can be a bit complicated since you have to buy HigherEdPoints Education Credits with your points first. HigherEdPoints is an organization that has agreements with loyalty programs and education institutions and manages to convert loyalty points into education credits. You can see the list of all participating institutions on their website.

The redemption value of these credits is decent since 250 points get you $1. That works out to the same rate as Any Way Travel, but you need to take into consideration that you can only redeem by $250 increments which work to be 62,500 points. This option is also available for outstanding student loans too, so you could get more value out of your points if you factor in the interest you’ll save by paying off your loan earlier.

How to redeem TD Rewards for gift cards

The TD Rewards site has a tab dedicated to gift cards. The number of points required to make a redemption differs depending on the merchant, but in most cases, it’s a rate of 400 points for $1. That’s half the value of what you get when redeeming on Expedia for TD or .25 cents per point.

Clearly using your points for gift cards is not a good value, but TD Rewards does occasionally have promos where gift cards cost 25% less in points to make a redemption. Even then, it would still cost you 300 points for $1, so that’s .33 cents per point. It’s a better value than the regular rate, but it’s still lower than travel redemptions.

How to redeem TD Rewards for merchandise

Similar to almost all other loyalty programs, TD Rewards has a merchandise catalogue with hundreds of items that you can purchase with your points. Some things that have been available in the past include:

• Hair clippers
• Car seats
• iPads
• Laptops
• Beds
• Small and major appliances
• Gaming consoles
• Bikes
• iPhones

Admittedly, TD Rewards has one of the better merchandise that’s available from some of your favourite retailers. They seem to have more categories and products available compared to other programs. That said, the redemption rate is still not the best since the dollar value of your points would fall between .15 – .30 cents each. That said, TD Rewards does run quite a few promos where it takes fewer points to make a redemption, so your point value could get as high as .40 cents, which is not bad.

How to redeem TD Rewards for cash

When logged into TD Rewards, you’ll see a tab to redeem your points for cash. While it’s always appealing to have your bill reduced by simply redeeming your points, this is arguably the lowest value possible. It’ll cost you 200 points for $ 1 off, which is a value of .25 cents per point. Although this is the same rate as gift cards, there are never any promos for cash redemptions. You’re basically stuck at .25 cents per point which is terrible. Unless you’re experiencing financial distress, avoid cash redemptions.

Do TD Rewards points expire?

No, TD Rewards points do not expire as long as you have an active account in good standing. If you choose to close or switch your account, you’ll lose your points immediately, so use up your points before making any changes. In the past, when you switched from the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite to the TD Aeroplan Aeroplan Visa Infinite, you could transfer your points, but that’s no longer allowed.

How TD Rewards compare to others

TD Rewards is a solid loyalty travel program that will appeal to people who want something simple. Since you can book on Expedia for TD or book on your own, there are no blackout dates or award redemption charts to worry about. The only real “negative” aspect of TD Rewards is a lack of fixed point flight redemption chart like American Express Membership Rewards has. That means the value of TD Rewards points is limited to 0.5 cents per point. In addition, with American Express Membership Rewards, there’s no devaluation to your points when you book any type of travel.

Although the TD credit cards that are offered are decent, many of the best travel credit cards in Canada have better sign up bonuses. That said, TD Rewards is near the bottom end of my rankings of Canada’s bank travel programs. Those who don’t want to think about maximizing value will rank TD Rewards higher, but I think the program is lacking.

It’s also worth mentioning that Aeroplan points are arguably better than TD Rewards since they can have a higher value, and there are multiple TD Aeroplan credit cards. For example, if you opted for the top-tier TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, not only would you earn TD Aeroplan points, but you would also get benefits such as a Priority Pass membership, extended warranty protection, discounts at Avis rent-a-car, trip cancellation coverage, purchase security, and trip interruption insurance.

How to earn TD Rewards points

You can earn TD Rewards points via TD credit cards. The quickest way to earn TD Rewards points is from the various sign up bonuses, but you’ll obviously also earn points on all of your eligible purchases. TD has 3 personal credit cards that earn you TD Rewards points: TD Rewards Visa, TD Platinum Travel Visa Card, and the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card. There’s also a TD Business Travel Visa that earns you TD Rewards I’ve highlighted their TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card below as it’s easily the most popular one.

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

Apply now

• $139 annual fee – First year free
• Earn 20,000 TD Rewards points after your first purchase
• 65,000 additional points when you spend $5,000 in the first 180 days
• Annual $100 travel credit (accommodations & vacation packages)
• Birthday bonus of up to 10,000 points
• Earn 8 points per $1 spent when you book on Expedia for TD
• Earn 6 points per $1 spent on groceries, dining and public transit
• Earn 4 points per $1 spent on recurring bills, streaming, digital gaming & media
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite is TD’s flagship credit card. It doesn’t earn you as many TD Rewards points as the TD Platinum Travel Visa card, but it’s arguably more popular. I suspect the reason it’s such a popular card is that you can get the annual fee waived every year if you have a TD All-inclusive plan. Even if you don’t have that plan, the annual fee for the first year is usually free.

The standard welcome bonus for cardholders is typically worth 20,000 points, but TD often runs promotions where you can earn an additional 40,000 – 80,000 TD Rewards points as long as you meet their minimum spend requirement. Since one TD Reward point is worth 0.5 cents each, that’s $500 in value you’re getting if the welcome bonus is worth up to 100,000 points. It’s definitely worth monitoring the current TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite offer as they can sometimes be incredibly valuable.

It’s worth mentioning that the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is one of the eligible TD credit cards that can earn you Starbucks Rewards partnership. All you need to do is login to your TD app, tap My TD Rewards, the select Starbucks from the partners list.

If you prefer a card with no annual fee, there’s the TD Rewards Visa Card. It earns you 2 TD Rewards Points for every $1 in grocery purchases, restaurant & fast food purchases.

Final thoughts 

Despite the lack of redemption options with your points, TD Rewards is still a decent travel loyalty program. Points are easy to accumulate and are easy to use with no blackout dates. Without any transfer partners, TD will always be one of the less popular bank loyalty programs. Many consumers want options. Being partnered with Expedia is great, but giving consumers less value when they book their own travel is a bit ridiculous. Oddly enough, the TD mobile app doesn’t connect you right to Expedia for TD.

With various options available, understanding your travel habits and preferences is crucial in selecting a card that aligns with your goals. The key is to look for a card that offers generous rewards, flexibility in redemption options, and essential travel benefits like insurance and no foreign transaction fees.

You’ll quickly realize that no single card meets all your goals, so you may need to apply for multiple ones. Look for ones that match your spending patterns or offer additional perks like lounge access, priority boarding, and travel insurance.

While it may seem daunting, choosing the right travel credit card is easy if you follow these steps.

Set your travel goals

Identifying your travel goals is crucial when selecting a travel credit card. Consider where you plan to travel, which loyalty programs align with your goals, and how many points you need to make your dream trips a reality.

Determine where you want to go

Start by listing the destinations you wish to travel to. Generally, you want to come up with a few different destinations. Once you know where you want to go, make a priorities list. With your preferences set, it will give you some insights to help you choose a travel card that offers the best rewards and perks for your destinations.

Figure out what loyalty points will help you achieve your travel goals

Research the loyalty programs associated with your travel destinations. For example, if you live in eastern Canada and wish to go to Europe, the easiest way for most people to cross the Atlantic is with Air Canada. Therefore, you should focus on Aeroplan.

That said, it’s not always that simple. If you live in Toronto and want to visit London, you might naturally assume British Airways’ Avios is the best option. While this is sound logic, BA doesn’t make every seat available, so you could collect a ton of points with nowhere to go. 

Besides flights, you might have a specific property in mind. For example, the Ritz Carlton in the Maldives. In this scenario, you’ll need to start earning Marriott Bonvoy points.

Before applying for cards, research the loyalty programs to ensure they align with your travel goals. You want cards that provide rewards that maximize value.

Estimate how many points you’ll need

Calculating the points required for your desired trips is essential. Begin by checking the average point cost for flights or hotels in their respective loyalty programs. This information is available on the loyalty program’s website or app. You just need to create an account first.

For example, a return flight to Europe from eastern Canada costs roughly 80,000 Aeroplan points in economy class. If you want to fly business, you could easily spend 300,000 points. There’s no denying that business is a better experience, but you must earn 3.5 times more points for that journey. You need to decide what’s best for you.

Estimate the points based on when you plan to travel. If you’re travelling during peak times, you shouldn’t check prices during the shoulder season. You can develop a credit card strategy once you know how many points you’ll need.

Apply for Credit Cards

Once you know what type of rewards and the number of points you need to collect, choosing a travel credit card in Canada becomes much easier. You’ll mainly consider welcome offers, high earn rates, and transfer partnerships. Your focus should also extend beyond collecting points; consider additional benefits such as travel insurance and lounge access.

Choose cards based on the points you need

Once you know what type of points you’ll need, the natural thing is to apply for a credit card that earns you those points. For example, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is a great card to earn Aeroplan points on all your daily purchases.

Alternatively, you could consider an American Express Card that earns you Membership Rewards points since you can transfer your Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan at a 1 to 1 ratio or to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1 to 1.2 ratio.

This can be handy because a card such as the American Express Gold Rewards Card has a good earning rate, four free airport lounge passes and great travel insurance. 

At the start of your points-accumulating journey, getting as many points as possible quickly will be more important than any airline benefit. That means you may need to apply for multiple cards.

American Express Gold Rewards Card

• $250 annual fee
• Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points when spending $1,000 each month for 12 months (60,000 points total)
• 10,000 additional points when using a referral link and spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on grocery, gas, pharmacy, and travel purchases
• Earn 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual travel credit
• Priority Pass Membership + 4 annual Plaza Premium passes
• MESSAGE ME FOR A REFERRAL LINK

Analyze welcome offers

Look for cards offering attractive welcome bonuses that align with your spending ability. These bonuses might include additional points that can be used towards future travel. For example, there might be an offer of 40,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $5,000 in the first three months. If you would naturally spend that much, you should sign up for a new card to take advantage of the welcome offer.

Sign-up bonuses can significantly boost your rewards balance. But there is one catch, the sign-up bonuses are becoming more complicated. Instead of getting a huge number of points that require you to spend $1,000 to $5,000, we’re now seeing bonuses that require monthly spending or a huge minimum spending requirement.

For example, you might get 5,000 points when spending $1,000 monthly for 12 months. Alternatively, you might need to charge $10,000 to your card in the first three months to get 100,000 points. Those are still good offers, but they require longer or more spending to earn points.

Since welcome offers always change, you should sign up immediately if you find a good one and can meet the minimum spending requirements.

Take advantage of referrals

When signing up for an American Express Card, there’s usually an elevated offer of 5,000 to 10,000 points when you use a referral link. These referral links come from existing members. If you sign up through their link, you get extra points.

The advantage here is obvious, but you can turbocharge things if you plan with a partner. For example, say you signed up for the American Express Platinum Card and received an enhanced offer of 10,000 points when you use a referral link. Once you have the card, you could refer your spouse. You could get an extra 10,000 points, and so would they, since they’re using your referral link.

Overall, you’ll receive roughly 30,000 extra points compared to signing up directly without a referral link.

Look at the earning rate

When you’re not working on a welcome bonus, you want to use a credit card with a high earning rate that gives you points in your preferred loyalty program. For example, if you spend a lot on groceries and eating out, then the American Express Cobalt Card is a good choice since it earns you 5 points per dollar spent on food and drinks. 

Remember, those points can be transferred to Aeroplan at a 1 to 1 ratio. Since one Aeroplan point is worth 1.5 to 2 cents each, you could get a return of up to 10% on dining and groceries.

American Express Cobalt Card

• $15.99 Monthly fee ($191.88 yearly)
• 1,250 monthly points when charging $750 each month for a year (15,000 points total)
• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on eats and drinks
• Earn 3 points per $1 spent on streaming services
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• MESSAGE ME FOR A REFERRAL LINK

Consider benefits beyond points

Don’t overlook additional benefits that complement reward earnings. Features like travel medical insurance, travel insurance, and airport lounge access can add great value. That said, many of these benefits are only relevant when you actually need to travel, so focusing on points accumulation is always the priority.

When you are ready to travel, you want to make sure you have cards that offer immediate benefits, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge access. Cards such as the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege and American Express Aeroplan Reserve are ideal for this.

Balancing rewards, fees, and additional benefits helps select a card that offers comprehensive value.

How to Meet Minimum Spending Requirements

When you’re aiming to meet your credit card’s minimum spending requirements, strategic planning is key.

1. Plan large purchases: Consider timing significant expenses such as travel bookings, home renovations, or insurance charges to align with your new card. These can quickly add up toward your spending target.
   
2. Prepay bills: You can prepay utilities, cell phone, or cable bills. This helps you meet spending milestones faster and ensures you don’t overextend each month.
   
3. Use gift cards: Purchase gift cards for stores or services you frequent. Note that you shouldn’t buy four to five $500 gift cards with American Express each month, as you’ll likely get banned. Smaller purchases of $100 to $200, combined with other purchases, are probably fine.
   
4. Family or friends’ expenses: Offer to pay for family or friends’ large expenses on your card and have them reimburse you. Make it clear to them what you’re doing so they don’t feel cheated. Also, only offer this if your friends and family can pay you back immediately.

Remember, tracking progress is vital. Keep an eye on your spending through your credit card portal or app to ensure you meet the required amount within the allotted time. Even if you’re $5 under, you will not get the bonus if you miss the spending deadline.

How New Credit Applications Affect Your Credit Score

Applying for new credit in Canada can notably impact your credit score. When you submit a new credit application, lenders perform a “hard inquiry” or “hard pull” on your credit report to assess your creditworthiness. 

Each hard inquiry will lower your credit score by 10 points. Multiple inquiries in a short period, especially for different types of credit, can compound this effect. While one or two applications may not significantly damage your score, frequent applications within a short time frame can raise red flags for lenders, suggesting potential financial instability. 

The good news is that this drop in your credit score is temporary. Your credit history will improve after a few months if you always pay your bills in full and on time each month.

When to Cancel Credit Cards

Cancelling a credit card can impact your credit score, so it’s important to consider the timing and reasons. You might want to cancel a card if it’s no longer serving its purpose or if the annual fees outweigh the benefits.

Consider these factors:

• No more use: You already received the welcome bonus and the card doesn’t have a good daily earning rate or yearly benefits
• Credit mix: It’s worth having two types of cards (American Express and Visa) so you have a backup card if one is not accepted.
• Annual fee: Annual fees can add up, so only keep cards where the annual benefits are more valuable than the yearly fee.
• Credit utilization: Your credit utilization ratio will change when you cancel a card, potentially increasing if your overall available credit decreases. It won’t make a difference if you’re cancelling a card with a low limit, but it might have a significant impact if you only have two cards.

Always verify that you’ve cleared any outstanding balance before closing your account. Double-check your credit report after cancellation to ensure accuracy.

Since every card Scotiabank offers is different, it’s always in your best interest to compare things before making a decision. Quite often, you may realize there’s a perk included with one of the cards that may appeal to you. Here are the best Scotiabank credit cards in Canada.

Best Scotiabank card for travel

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card

Apply Now

• $150 annual fee
• 40,000 Scene+ points when spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
• 10,000 points when spending $10,000 in the first six months
• Earn 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Empire owned supermarkets
• Earn 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible grocery stores, dining, entertainment, and daily transit purchases
• Earn 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
• Visa Airport Companion Program membership + 6 passes per year
• No foreign transaction fees

It’s not hard to make a case that the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is the bank’s flagship product. It has a high earning rate and it comes packed with benefits. You’ll earn 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent on Empire-owned grocery stores (Sobeys, FreshCo, Safeway, etc.), 2 points on all other grocery stores, dining, entertainment, and transit purchases, and all other purchases get you 1 point.

As for the benefits, there are no foreign transaction fees, so you’ll save 2.5% in fees compared to most other credit cards in Canada. You also get airport lounge access and six free annual visits via the free Visa Airport Companion Program membership. Finally, a comprehensive travel insurance package that covers travel medical, trip cancellation, flight delays, lost luggage, travel accidents, and more is also provided.

Admittedly, there are better travel credit cards from other providers, but this is easily the best all-in-one travel card since it includes many perks. It’s ideal for people who don’t want to carry multiple credit cards in their wallet.

Eligibility: A minimum personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000 or at least $250,000 in assets under management. A credit score of 700 is also recommended.
Welcome bonus: You’ll typically get 35,000 to 50,000 Scene+ points as the welcome offer. In most cases, you’ll need to spend a minimum amount in the first three months and another in the first 12 months for the full bonus.

Best Scotiabank card for earn rate

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

Apply Now

• $120 annual fee
• 30,000 Scene+ points when you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months
• 20,000 Scene+ points when you spend $7,500 in the first year
• Earn 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Empire owned supermarkets
• Earn 5 Scene+ points per $1 spent on grocery, dining, and entertainment
• Earn 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent on gas, and daily transit purchases
• Earn 1 Scene+ point on all other purchases
• No foreign transaction fees

Those who want to maximize their rewards should look at the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. You’ll earn 6 Scene+ points per dollar spent at Empire-owned grocery stores, 5 points on other eligible grocery stores, dining, and entertainment purchases, 3 points on gas, public transportation, rideshares and streaming purchases, and 1 point on all other purchases. 

This card also has no fees for foreign currency purchases. That said, any foreign purchases you make with this card only give you the base earn rate of 1 Scene+ point per dollar spent. Whereas, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card still gives you the multipliers on foreign purchases.

The other benefits you get with this card include a comprehensive travel insurance package and mobile device insurance, which covers your cellphone or tablet up to $1,000.

Eligibility: There’s no minimum income requirement. A credit score of at least 700 is recommended.
Welcome bonus: Typically worth between 40,000 and 60,000 Scene+ points when. To get the full bonus, you usually need to meet multiple minimum spending requirements.

Best Scotiabank card for cash back

Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card

Apply Now

• $120 annual fee – first year free
• Earn 15% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases)
• Earn 4% cash back on groceries, recurring bills and subscription purchases
• Earn 2% cash back on gas, daily transit and food delivery purchases
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit
• Travel and mobile device insurance included

The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card is the way to go for those who want to earn a lot of cash back. You’ll earn 4% cash back on grocery, recurring bills, and subscription purchases, 2% cash back on gas and daily transit purchases, and 1% cash back on everything else. It’s worth noting that your cash back is only paid out once a year in November. This may not bother some people, but many people prefer monthly payments.

You may have noticed that the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card arguably has a better earning rate. However, with the Gold card, you earn Scene+ points, and those are best used for travel, movies, and participating restaurants for maximum value. If you want a statement credit, which is like cash back, the value of your points drops considerably.

You do get some decent benefits with this card. You get an excellent travel insurance package that covers all the essentials. You also get mobile device insurance, which protects your tablet and cellphone as long as the full cost is charged to your Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite Card.

Eligibility: A personal income of $60,000, household income of $100,000 or a minimum of $250,000 of assets under management. A credit score of at least 700 is recommended.
Welcome bonus: Usually 10% cash back for the first three months, up to $2,000 in spending, and no annual fee for the first year.

Best Scotiabank card for students

Scotiabank Scene+®* Visa* Card

Apply Now

• No annual fee
• 2,500 Scene+ points when you spend $250 in the first 3 months
• Additional 5,000 Scene+ points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Cineplex theatres, cineplex.com and Empire owned grocery stores
• Earn 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other purchases

The Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card can be highly appealing to students. That’s because Scene+ points can be redeemed at Empire-owned grocery stores, Cineplex theatres, and participating restaurants, such as Swiss Chalet, Kelseys, Montana’s, and more.

When it comes to the earning rate, you’ll get 2 Scene+ points per dollar spent at Cineplex theatres, cineplex.com and Empire-owned grocery stores, and 1 Scene+ point on all other eligible purchases. While this earning rate isn’t as good as other cards on this list, it’s reasonable for a no fee card. 

Even though this card has a minimum income requirement of $12,000 to be approved, many students without an income are often approved for this card if they bank with Scotiabank.

Eligibility: A personal income of $12,000 is required, but students may be approved without income. The recommended minimum credit score before applying is 660.
Welcome bonus: Typically worth 5,000 Scene+ points when spending $750 in the first three months.

Best Scotiabank card for low interest and balance transfers

Scotiabank Value Visa Card

Apply Now

• $29 annual fee – First year free
• 0.99% interest rate on balance transfers for the first 9 months – 2% balance transfer fee applies
• 13.99% interest rate after the promotional period ends
• Up to 25% off at participating Avis and Budget car rental locations

Instead of focusing on rewards, some people may be more interested in reducing their debt. The Scotiabank Value Visa Card is a low interest credit card with a balance transfer option that could save you hundreds of dollars.

New cardholders have the option to perform a balance transfer with a 0% introductory interest rate for 10 months. Once the promotional period ends, the regular interest rate of 12.99% applies. Although a 1% balance transfer fee applies, you could potentially save hundreds of dollars.

Balance transfers are appealing since you can transfer an existing balance on a different credit card with a high interest rate and then transfer it to your Scotiabank Value Visa Card. If you were to focus on debt repayment during the promotional period, you would greatly reduce how much interest you’re paying. You won’t get any other benefits with the card, but the balance transfer alone is worth it for the low interest rates.

Eligibility: No income requirement, but you must be a Canadian resident and the age of majority in the province or territory in which you reside.
Welcome bonus: Usually, 0% interest on balance transfers for the first 10 months (1% fee applies), and the annual fee is waived for the first year.

Best no fee Scotiabank card

Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card

Apply Now

• $0 annual fee
• Earn 5% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases)
• 0.99% interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months
• 1% cash back on gas, groceries, drug stores and recurring payments
• 0.5% cash back on all other purchases

If you want a no fee cash back card, then the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card is the top choice for the best Scotiabank credit cards in Canada. The earning rate is 1% cash back on gas, groceries, drug stores and recurring payments. All other purchases get you 0.5% cash back.

Since this is a no fee card, you don’t get any meaningful perks besides up to 25% off at participating Avis and Budget locations. The Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card also has no fee, but comes with a higher earning rate.

Eligibility: A personal income of $12,000. A credit score of at least 660 is recommended.
Welcome bonus: Typically 5% cash back for the first three months (Up to $2,000 in spending)

How do Scotiabank credit cards work

As you can see from above, Scotiabank has a range of different credit cards. Here’s how the different category options work.

Scotiabank Cash back Cards

Scotiabank Cash back cards start their year in December and accumulate points monthly. However, the actual Cashback is only given out annually. Each year in November you will be paid out your total Cashback for the previous year and then it will restart again in December.

Scotabank Scene+

Scene+ is the Scotiabank rewards program. As mentioned earlier, Scotia Rewards Points merged with Scene points a couple of years ago to create this encompassing rewards platform. Scene points can be earned by using your Scene+ credit card when shopping at eligible brand partners for everyday purchases. 

Scene+ points can then be redeemed either in store with brand partners or online/via the app. Your points can be used to book travel, purchase gift cards, for free movies, and more. As long as your account is in good standing and you remain active your Scene+ points won’t expire.

Scotiabank Low Interest Cards

Most credit cards have a typical interest rate of around 20%. Then you have balance transfer cards or even just low interest cards that offer lower values than that, making it easier for individuals who typically carry a balance on their credit card to pay it off. In the case of the Scotiabank Value Visa card, you do get a promotional period where the rate is 0% and then it goes to 12.99% which is still significantly lower than normal rates.

How to pick the best Scotiabank card

Since there are quite a few options when it comes to Scotiabank credit cards, you’ll need to figure out exactly what your needs are before you apply. Here are the things to look out for.

• Type of benefits – First off, determine the type of benefits you want when choosing one of the best Scotiabank credit cards. That could be travel rewards, cash back, low interest or even movie rewards. Once you know what you want, that makes things easy.
• Annual fee – Do you mind paying an annual fee? If you said yes, make sure the benefits you’re earning are worth more than that yearly fee.
• Welcome bonus – Always check to see what the welcome bonus is and what the criteria are to earn it.
• Additional benefits – For some people, the additional benefits such as no foreign exchange fees or access to airport lounges are important so check to see what each card offers.

How to apply for a Scotiabank credit card

1. Determine which credit card you want from the list above and click the “apply now” button. Make sure you qualify. Most credit cards will have a minimum income requirement. 
2. Once you have confirmed you qualify, gather all the required paperwork to apply. This includes all of your personal information. You will also need information about your income and possibly your SIN so have that handy.
3. Complete the form as required. Online applications are very straightforward and easy. Be sure to read any fine print to ensure that you understand all the terms and conditions.
4. Wait for approval. Many online applications offer immediate approval, but receiving the physical card could still take up to ten business days. Once you receive the card, activate it and use it as you wish.

FAQ

Are Scotiabank credit cards worth it?

If there is a Scotiabank credit card that meets your goals then sure. They have plenty of options for different needs. For those looking specifically at the Scene+ program, it’s a pretty decent rewards program. You do want to consider your shopping habits though and make sure that you already spend at partner brands, including eligible gas stations. Popular partner brands include Cineplex theatres, Sobeys, Foodland, FreshCo, Bestbuy, and Home Hardware.

Plus, if you are already a Scotiabank client, then it makes it even easier to have a credit card at the same place as your other financial products.

What is the best Scotiabank credit card?

The best credit card to pick will depend on your needs, but here’s my quick take.

If you love to travel, then the Scotiabank Passport is the best card. It’s pretty easy to earn points that you can redeem towards travel, and there are some great perks and benefits, including airport lounge passes and insurance coverage.

If you are rewards focused, but not necessarily a huge traveller, then the Scotiabank Gold will allow you to earn points the fastest.

*** Passport for all-in-one travel, Scotiabank Gold for earn rate, Scene+ for students

How do Scotiabank credit cards compare?

Scotiabank does have decent credit cards. However, if you are really looking at the best credit card rewards program, then American Express comes out on top. Their program offers great deals on travel, but points can also be used towards gift cards, merchandise, and more. Perhaps the biggest standout for American Express cards is that they have tons of partners that allow you to convert your points, adding to the programs flexibility.

Why get a Scotiabank credit card?

Scotiabank is one of the big five banks in Canada, so they have an established history that Canadians can rely on. If you have one of the premium Scotiabank chequing accounts, you can get one of their credit cards without paying an annual fee. This benefits you since you’ll be able to use a top tier card without worrying about any yearly fees. Even if you don’t bank with Scotiabank, getting one of their credit cards may be a good fit for you.

What is Moi Rewards?

Moi Rewards is the loyalty program of Metro Inc.’s grocery stores. In case you’re not familiar with Metro, they have the following brands:

• Metro
• Food Basics
• Super C
• Jean Coutu
• Brunet
• Première Moisson

Moi Rewards earning rate

In Ontario, you’ll earn 1 Moi Rewards point per $3 spent at Metro grocery stores. However, in Quebec and New Brunswick, members earn 1 point per $1 spent. You don’t earn any Moi Rewards points on regular purchases at Food Basics, Super C or Premiere Moisson, but you will earn bonus points (points on certain promoted products).

Unlike other grocery loyalty programs, which offer points only on in-store and targeted offers, Moi Rewards is one of the few that earns points on all purchases.

Moi in-store and targeted offers

For those looking to maximize Moi Rewards, you’ll want to pay close attention to in-store offers as they can yield plenty of points. For example, here’s a recent flyer from my local Metro store in Ontario:

As you can see, you can earn 25 points for each can of Pringles, 40 points on pizza pops and 20 points on pasta. This is in addition to your regular earning rate, so it’s an easy way to top up your points.

Even though you don’t earn points on your regular purchases at Food Basics, they also have in-store offers.

Interestingly, Food Basics is even offering points on some items that already have locked down prices. I love Food Basics for its low prices, so earning additional points is a huge bonus.

Beyond in-store offers, Moi Rewards also has targeted offers at Metro, which are found in the app. Some of the offers in my app right now are 35 points when buying any frozen pizza, 55 points on any brand of maple syrup, and 70 points when buying turkey or chicken breast.

As you use Moi Rewards more, the personalized offers will learn about your likes and dislikes. For example, say you buy a lot of fresh fruit and deli meat, you’ll likely start to see offers for those items.

You do need to manually add these offers to your account, so be sure to check your app regularly.

How to redeem Moi Rewards

Redeeming Moi Rewards is simple. At any time, you can redeem 500 points for $4 off your purchase at participating stores. If you want to redeem more points, you can do it in $1 increments (125 points). This will appeal to some shoppers as other loyalty programs may require you to redeem in $10 increments. Moi Rewards offers the lowest threshold to start redeeming your points. Note this includes Food Basics in Ontario.

Maximizing Moi Rewards with RBC

Moi is formally partnered with RBC and offers two ways to increase your earning rate. First, if you link your Moi Rewards account with an RBC Avion Rewards credit or debit card, you’ll earn 1 extra point per $2 spent at eligible stores. However, there is a minimum spending requirement. At Metro and Food Basics, you need to spend at least $60. This is relevant because you’re essentially double dipping your rewards. You get your Moi Rewards, plus Avion Rewards which can be used on things such as travel, gas, merchandise, and more.

There’s also the Moi RBC Visa Card, which has no annual fee. You get 1 point per $1 like you normally do as a Moi Rewards member, and the card gives you an additional 1 point per $1 spent.

Keep in mind that the regular earning rate in Ontario at Metro is 1 point per $3 spent, so if you have the moi RBC Visa Card, you’re actually earning 1.33 points per $1 spent at participating stores.

On a positive note, you’ll earn 2 points for every $1 spent on dining, gas, and EV charging. All other purchases earn you 1 point per $1 spent.

Is Moi Rewards good?

If you shop at Metro – or even casually – then being engaged in Moi Rewards is worth it since you’ll earn points on all your purchases, through personalized offers, flyer deals and more.

While you won’t earn points on regular purchases at Food Basics, you can earn points on in-store offers. More importantly, you can redeem your points for discounts, which means more money in your pocket. You can sign up today via the Metro or Food Basics app, online at moirewards.ca or at checkout.

This July, Aeroplan is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and to commemorate the special occasion with its 8 million+ active members, it’s holding an exclusive contest where members are being given a chance to win 1 of 40 prizes of 1 million points each until July 17th.

Whether you’re new to the program or you’ve been a member for decades, here’s what you need to know about the anniversary offers available for 10 days from July 8 to 17. To register for the offers and enter the contest, visit Aeroplan.com/40.

Aeroplan 40th anniversary offers

To learn about all the details, terms and conditions, head to aeroplan.com/40

What is Aeroplan?

Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program. You can use your points on any available Air Canada flight with no blackout dates or restrictions. In addition, Aeroplan has 45+ airline partners, so you can get almost anywhere in the world on points.

It’s not just flights Aeroplan offers. You can also use your points on things such as hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages.

Speaking of hotels, Aeroplan has a HotelSavers program where you can save up to 30% in points with select hotel partners. Additionally, Aeroplan credit cardholders can book 4 nights on points and only pay for 3 nights until the end of the year.

These perks are stackable with the anniversary offers. Aeroplan’s rewards and flexibility make it easy to see why the program is so popular.

The best way to earn Aeroplan points

Undoubtedly, the best way to earn Aeroplan points is with a co-branded credit card. Once you have an Aeroplan credit card, you can earn Aeroplan points on all your eligible daily purchases.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Aeroplan has a great deal for anyone who’s looking to get their first Aeroplan credit card.

• Apply and if approved for your first Aeroplan^® credit card by July 17, 2024, earn 40% more points on eligible purchases (up to $40,000). Conditions apply.

This deal stacks with any current welcome offer that comes with an Aeroplan credit card.

Don’t worry if you’re already an Aeroplan cardholder, as you also get an offer:

• From July 14 to 17, register to earn 40% more points on eligible purchases on up to $40,000 in spend with your Aeroplan^® credit card. Conditions apply.

Final thoughts

For 40 years Aeroplan has been rewarding its members and these anniversary offers are just a reminder of how the program is one of the best travel loyalty programs in the world.