Since this card has a low minimum personal income requirement of $12,000, it’s an excellent choice for those who don’t meet the higher income requirement that comes with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard. Read my WestJet RBC Mastercard review now for the full details.

WestJet RBC Mastercard

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• $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

Welcome bonus and earn rate

When signing up for the WestJet RBC Mastercard, the bonus has consistently been worth up to 10,000 WestJet points. You’ll typically get 5,000 WestJet points after your first purchase and another 5,000 WestJet points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months of cardmembership.

As for the earning rate, you’ll earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights and WestJet vacation packages. All other purchases earn you 1% back in WestJet dollars. Although the earning rate may seem low, the rewards are reasonable for a card with an annual fee of just $39.

Benefits and perks

Since this is considered an entry level card, you won’t get many benefits. That said, it does come with one significant WestJet benefit that makes this card a keeper.

Annual round-trip companion voucher

The best benefit of the RBC WestJet Mastercard is the annual round-trip companion voucher. With this voucher, the primary cardholder can add a travelling companion to the same round-trip itinerary for a base fare of just $199 plus taxes, fees, and charges. This applies to anywhere in Canada and the continental U.S. (no Hawaii). Depending on your destination, this could save you a few hundred dollars.

Save on fuel at Petro-Canada

When you link your WestJet RBC Mastercard, you’ll instantly save three cents per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada gas stations. In addition, you’ll earn 20% more Petro-Points.

Earn Be Well points at Rexall

Anyone who shops at Rexall regularly will be interested to hear that your linked WestJet RBC Mastercard earns you 50 Be Well points per dollar spent on all eligible purchases. These bonus points are added to any in-store and personal Be Well offers.

No delivery fees with DoorDash for 3 months

The RBC WestJet Mastercard entitles you to $0 delivery fees for three months when making orders on DoorDash. This benefit usually costs $10 per month. To get your free delivery, you must order at least $15 and pay with your WestJet RBC Mastercard.

Travel insurance

• Travel accident – up to $500,000
• Hotel/motel burglary – up to $2,500
• Delayed baggage insurance – up to $500 / 4 hours
• Auto rental collision/loss damage waiver insurance – $65,000 – 48 days

Many people will be surprised about the travel insurance included while reading this WestJet RBC Mastercard review. Although you don’t get travel medical or trip cancellation insurance, you get a decent amount of extended travel insurance.

Purchase insurance

• Purchase security – 90 days
• Extended warranty – Up to one additional year

Purchase insurance is rarely used, but you’ll be glad you have it if you ever need to make a claim. When you charge the total cost of your purchase to your WestJet RBC Mastercard, you’re covered from loss, theft and damage for 90 days thanks to the included purchase security. As for the extended warranty, it’s doubled up to one additional year.

How WestJet Rewards works

WestJet Rewards is a very basic loyalty points. For flights, you can redeem 100 WestJet Points for $1 off the base fare. You can also use your points on seat selection and taxes, but the redemption rate is a little lower.

Many people like WestJet Rewards because of the benefits you get and how easy it is to earn higher status. WestJet Rewards has four tiers: teal, silver, gold and platinum. You get higher tier status based on how much you spend on qualifying WestJet flights and vacations. As your tier goes up, you get additional benefits.

If WestJet is the main airline you fly with, earning WestJet points and having a co-branded credit card will save you money on future flights and vacation packages.

WestJet RBC Mastercard eligibility

• You must be a Canadian citizen
• You must be the age of majority in the province or territory where you live
• You must have a personal income of $12,000

RBC doesn’t state a specific credit score that’s required to be approved. That said, I recommend only applying if your credit score is at least 660. That puts you in good standing, and it may increase the odds of you being approved.

How the WestJet RBC Mastercard compares to others

It isn’t easy to compare the WestJet RBC Mastercard to others since it’s pretty specific. That said, this is technically an airline credit card and another WestJet credit card is available, so we’ll use those as comparables.

WestJet RBC Mastercard vs. WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is a higher tier WestJet card. This card earns you 2% in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights and vacation packages. All other purchases earn you 1.5% back in WestJet dollars. In addition, you get a better companion voucher, more travel insurance, and the first checked bag free for the primary cardholder and up to eight guests travelling on the same reservation. While this card has better benefits, it has a higher annual fee of $119 and a minimum personal income requirement of $80,000.

WestJet RBC Mastercard vs. CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card

With the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card, you’ll earn 1 Aeroplan point per dollar spent on gas, groceries, and Air Canada purchases. All other purchases earn you 1 Aeroplan point per $1.50 spent. Although this earning rate may seem low, 1 Aeroplan point can be worth 1.5 – 2 cents each, so there’s some good value here. However, Aeroplan is the loyalty program of Air Canada, so if you mainly fly WestJet, you’d be better off with a WestJet credit card. The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card has no annual fee.

WestJet RBC Mastercard vs. American Express Green Card

One other card that’s worth comparing is the American Express Green Card. It has no annual fee, and you’ll earn 1 American Express Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on all purchases. With Membership Rewards, you can redeem 1,000 points for a $10 statement credit. That means if you booked a flight on WestJet, you could use your points on the entire purchase, including taxes and additional charges.

Final thoughts

My WestJet RBC Mastercard review is positive. This card is ideal for people in the following situations:

• You fly WestJet regularly – With this card, you’ll earn WestJet points on all eligible purchases and get a free annual companion voucher.
• You don’t want to pay a high annual fee – The yearly fee of $39 is reasonable for what you get.
• You don’t have a high income – This card has a low minimum income requirement of $12,000.

If you fly WestJet regularly and you’re looking for a travel credit card, this card could be a good fit for you. The annual round-trip companion voucher within Canada for $199 plus taxes, fees, and charges is an incredible benefit that should be reason enough to sign up for the card.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

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• $119 annual fee
• 25,000 WestJet points after your first purchase
• 5,000 WestJet points up to twelve (12) weeks after your first purchase
• 30,000 WestJet points after spending $5,000
• 10,000 WestJet points up to sixteen (16) weeks after your first anniversary
• 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

Welcome bonus and earn rate

The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard has consistently had a welcome bonus worth between 25,000 and 70,000 WestJet Points. That’s a real value of $250 to $700.

As for the earn rate, you’ll get 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights and WestJet Vacations packages. All other purchases earn you 1.5% back in WestJet dollars. The earn rate on base spending is higher than many other travel credit cards. I personally use this card at Costco as it has a higher earn rate than many of the best Costco credit cards in Canada.

Benefits and perks

Most people who apply for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard are interested in the benefits. Fortunately, this card comes packed with perks, so it won’t disappoint you.

First checked bag free

When flying with WestJet, the primary cardholder and up to 8 additional guests travelling on the same itinerary get their first checked bag free (up to 9 bags total). This is significant because a checked bag starts at CA$30 each way. That means a couple travelling once would save $120. That’s the exact cost of the annual fee. Note that you must charge the full cost of the flight to your WestJet card for the insurance to apply.

Companion voucher

As a cardholder, you’re entitled to a WestJet companion voucher every year (including your first year). With this voucher, a companion travelling with the primary cardholder will pay a reduced base fare for economy and premium economy seats. The itinerary has to be the same, but this is an easy way to save. The cost of the companion voucher is as follows:

• $119 CAD base fare for round-trip travel in Canada and the continental U.S.
• $399 CAD base fare for round-trip travel for the rest of the WestJet network

Note that after your first anniversary, you must charge $5,000 to your card before you get the companion voucher.

Boingo Wi-Fi

Even though many people can access data when travelling, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard gives you a free Boingo wireless account. This allows you to surf for free on select planes, in airports, and in the public. Boingo says they have more than one million locations worldwide, so this could benefit some travellers.

Airport lounge access

With this card, you get access to airport lounge access. What some people don’t realize is that you get access to the Mastercard Travel Pass Program provided by DragonPass with this card. That means you can access more than 1,000 lounges worldwide. The one major downside is that you only get a membership. You still need to pay for individual visits, which typically cost US$32.

Save on gas at Petro-Canada

As long as your WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is linked to Petro-Points at Petro-Canada, you’ll save 3 cents per litre on gas and earn 20% more Petro-Points.

Earn Be Well points at Rexall

When your card is linked, you’ll earn 50 Be Well points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Rexall. This is in addition to any in-store and personal offers.

Travel insurance

• Travel medical – Unlimited for 15 days / 3 days if you’re 65 or older
• Trip interruption – up to $5,000 per person / $25,000 total
• Flight/trip delay – up to $250 / 4 hours / $500 total
• Delayed and lost baggage – up to $500 / 4 hours / $2,500 total
• Auto rental car collision/loss damage – 48 consecutive days / $65,000
• Hotel/motel burglary – $2,500
• Travel accident insurance – up to $500,000

What makes this WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard review interesting is that you get unlimited travel medical coverage. Not many credit cards offer that much coverage. Please note that you must charge the entire travel purchase to your credit card for the insurance to be applicable. If you’re using some WestJet dollars for your flight, the remaining balance must be paid with your WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard for your insurance to be valid.

Purchase insurance

• Purchase protection – 90 days
• Extended warranty – Up to one additional year

With purchase protection, any items charged in full to your WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard are covered from loss, theft, and damage for 90 days. You also get your manufacturer’s warranty doubled, up to one additional year.

How WestJet Rewards works

WestJet used to use a dollar system, but converted the loyalty program to points in 2025. That said, WestJet points usually have a fixed value of 100 points = $1 off a flight. If you’re redeeming your points for extra such as seat selection and taxes, the value is a little lower.

Because of this fixed value, you won’t be able to get cheap business class flights compared to other programs such as Aeroplan.

Overall, WestJet Rewards is likely suitable for people who live in Alberta since WestJet offers a lot of flights there. However, if you’re looking for aspirational travel redemptions, you might be better off collecting Aeroplan points.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard eligibility

To qualify for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, you must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a Canadian citizen
• Must be the age of majority in the province or territory in which you reside
• Must have a personal income of $80,000 or a household income of $150,000

Like all banks, RBC does not specifically list a credit score required to be approved for this card. That said, you likely want yours to be at least 660 before applying for this card, which will put your credit score in good standing.

How the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard compares

It’s time to go over comparable cards in this WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard review. If you’re considering the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, it’s safe to assume you fly with WestJet regularly or are planning to fly with WestJet. Although this is the best WestJet card on the market, it’s still worth comparing it to some additional cards.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard vs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is one of the core tier Aeroplan cards. Since Aeroplan is the loyalty program of Air Canada, you’ll get benefits that are related to the airline, such as your first checked bag free. Although you don’t typically get a companion voucher with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, you get a welcome bonus of around 50,000 Aeroplan points. That could easily have a value of $1,000, which is much more than what WestJet offers. In addition, the TD card has better travel insurance and comes with mobile device insurance.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard vs. WestJet RBC Mastercard

For those that are not big on annual fees, WestJet offers a lower tier card in the WestJet RBC Mastercard. The earn rate isn’t as good, and you don’t get your first bag checked for free. You do get a companion voucher, but the base fare you’ll pay is higher than the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard vs. American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

Anyone looking for premium airline benefits may want to consider the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card. You and a guest get unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America. In addition, you get your first checked bag free, priority boarding (Zone 2), priority baggage handling, priority check-in and more. These perks are excellent, but the card does have an annual fee of $599.

Final thoughts

My WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard review is positive. It’s a versatile card that’s great for people in the following situations:

• You fly WestJet often – Getting your free first checked bag free is a convenient perk for those who frequently fly with WestJet.
• You want to travel for less – Since the WestJet companion voucher is given shortly after you sign up for the card, you can use it for any upcoming travels. This is an excellent way for couples and families to save.
• You have an upcoming WestJet flight – The base welcome offer typically only requires you to make a single purchase to get the bonus.

As a co-branded credit card, people who fly with WestJet will find this card useful. That said, even if you don’t fly WestJet often or you have a single WestJet flight coming up, getting the card could be worth it since you’ll get your first checked bag free and you’ll earn WestJet dollars.

The other standard benefits included, such as travel insurance, mobile device insurance, and extended warranty, are also impressive and handy in the event you need to make a claim. Read my RBC Visa Infinite Avion review now and find out why this may be one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to credit cards.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

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• $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

Welcome bonus and earn rate

What’s fascinating about the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is that you get 35,000 Avion Rewards points on approval. Unlike other cards, there’s no minimum spend required to get your points. Occasionally, there’s an enhanced welcome bonus where you can earn an additional 15,000 – 20,000 points when spending a set amount. The welcome offer will typically appear on your first statement, but it can take up to two statements to show up.

The earn rate of 1.25 Avion points for every dollar spent on travel and 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Admittedly, there are many credit cards out there, but Avion Rewards has a lot of value (more on that below).

Benefits and perks

Even though the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card doesn’t often make the list of the best travel credit cards in Canada, you shouldn’t sleep on it. It has a few interesting and unique benefits that will interest many people.

Petro-Canada discounts

When you link your RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card to your Petro-Points card, you’ll save 3 ¢/L on gas with every fill-up and get 20% more Petro-Points.

Earn Be Well points at Rexall

Linking your RBC Avion Visa Infinite to your Rexall Be Well account allows you to earn 50 Be Well points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall.

$0 delivery fees with DoorDash

As an RBC Avion Visa Infinite cardholder, you get a free DashPass subscription for 12 months. This entitles you free delivery on orders of $15 or more with DoorDash and additional discounts throughout the year.

Mobile device insurance

When you purchase a mobile device (cellphone or tablet) with your RBC Avion Visa Infinite card, you’re entitled to up to $1,500 in mobile device insurance. This applies to loss, theft, and damage. That said, a depreciation rate of 2% applies to each completed month from the time of purchase.

Travel insurance

• Travel medical – unlimited for 15 days / 3 days if you’re 65 or older
• Trip cancellation – up to $1,500 per person / $5,000 total
• Trip interruption – up to $5,000 per person / $25,000 total
• Flight/trip delay – up to $250 / 4 hours
• Delayed and lost baggage – up to $500 / 4 hours
• Auto rental collision/loss damage – 48 consecutive days / $65,000
• Hotel/motel burglary – $2,500
• Common carrier travel accident – $500,000

Interestingly enough, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite travel insurance is some of the best out there since you get unlimited medical protection. However, the card doesn’t get nearly as much attention as other cards since you’re only covered for 15 days if you’re under the age of 65.

Purchase protection

• Purchase security – 90 days
• Extended warranty – Up to one additional year

When you pay for your purchase in full with your RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you get purchase protection for 90 days. This covers your purchases from loss, theft, and damage. In addition, your manufacturer’s warranty is doubled up to one additional year.

How to redeem your points

Avion Rewards, formerly known as RBC Rewards, allows you to redeem 1,000 Avion points for $10 in travel booked through their travel portal. Like other bank travel portals, you’ll find almost every type of travel available, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more. The downside is that you can’t book travel outside the portal and apply your points later. That means you can’t shop for the lowest prices or take advantage of status benefits.

On a positive note, you can double the value of your points by using the RBC fixed points program. For example, you can claim 15,000 Avion Rewards points for a round-trip flight within or to an adjacent province or U.S. state with a base ticket value of up to $350. If you maximized this option, your points would now be worth 2.33 cents each, more than double the regular rate.

Avion Rewards also allows you to convert your Avion points to British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, WestJet dollars and American Airlines AAdvantage miles. Because of the airline transfer partners, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is one of the best airline credit cards in Canada.

As you can imagine, RBC Rewards is one of the best bank travel loyalty programs in Canada.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite eligibility

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite eligibility is straightforward, as it outlines what’s required on the application page.

• You must be a resident of Canada
• You must be at least the age of majority in the province or territory in which you reside
• You must have a minimum personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000.

Like other credit card providers, no formal credit score requirement is listed. That said, you likely want your credit score to be 660 or higher since that would put you in at least good standing.

How the RBC Avion Visa Infinite compares

Finding comparable cards to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite can be a bit tricky since other cards are popular for different reasons. Some people will focus on the earn rate, while others will look at the flexibility of the points.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite vs. American Express Cobalt

Using the American Express Cobalt Card as a comparable is necessary since it has the highest earning rate in Canada with 5 points per $1 spent on eats and drinks, 3 points per $1 spent on streaming services and recurring bills, 2 points per $1 spent on transit, and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. Simply put, there’s no comparison. In addition, American Express Membership Rewards is more flexible than Avion Rewards.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite vs. TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card gives you 3 points per $1 spent (1.5% value) on all your purchases except those made via Expedia for TD, which gives you 9 points per $1 spent or a 4.5% return. Clearly, the TD card has a higher earn rate compared to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite. However, TD Rewards aren’t nearly as flexible.

Although I like the RBC Avion cards and Avion Rewards, there are many cards out there with a much higher earning rate.

Final thoughts

My RBC Avion Visa Infinite review is positive. Although the card doesn’t have the best earning rate, it’s a good card overall and is ideal for people in the following situations:

• You bank with RBC – This is RBC’s flagship credit card that earns you Avion Rewards.
• You want flexible points – You can book any travel found on the travel portal, through the fixed points program, or you can transfer your points to select partners.
• You shop at Rexall regularly – When you link your card, you can earn Be Well points at Rexall.

In the end, RBC is one of the most flexible travel loyalty programs in Canada. If you’re looking to build your credit and travel for less, then the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is worth considering.

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

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• $119 annual fee
• 25,000 WestJet points after your first purchase
• 5,000 WestJet points up to twelve (12) weeks after your first purchase
• 30,000 WestJet points after spending $5,000
• 10,000 WestJet points up to sixteen (16) weeks after your first anniversary
• 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

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• $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.

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

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• $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

Welcome bonus and earn rate

Although the welcome bonus of the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card often changes, it’s typically worth between 40,000 – 50,000 Scene+ points. The recent offers have had two parts. You’d get 20,000 – 25,000 Scene+ points after spending $1,000 in the first three months of cardmembership, and the rest after spending $7,500 in the first 12 months. The annual fee of $120 is sometimes waived for the first year as part of the welcome bonus.

As for the earning rate, you’ll get 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Empire owned grocery stores (Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op), 5 points on other grocery stores, dining, and entertainment purchases, 3 points on gas and daily transit, and 1 point on all other purchases. 

That’s some pretty generous multipliers, but they have an annual spending cap of $50,000. That means for every dollar you spend over $50,000 in the 5X or 3X categories, you’ll only earn 1 point per dollar spent.

Benefits and perks

It’s time to go over the benefits of this Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card review. Admittedly, you don’t get as many perks as other travel credit cards, but when you combine the high earning rate with the insurance provided, you’ll quickly see why many people favour this card.

No foreign transaction fees

This card has no foreign transaction fees, which saves you 2.5% whenever you make a purchase in a foreign currency. That may not sound like a lot, but it certainly adds up. For example, if you spent $4,000 on foreign transactions, you’d save $100 with this card.

Mobile device insurance

When you purchase a mobile device (cell phone or tablet) with your card, you’re covered for up to $1,000 in the case of loss, theft, or damage. This mobile insurance benefit is decent, but note that depreciation does apply when you make a claim. If you’re on a subsidized plan, you need to charge the entire amount of your monthly bill to your card for the insurance to apply.

Travel insurance

• Travel emergency medical – $1,000,000/25 days if 64 and under, 3 days for 65+
• Trip cancellation – $1,500 per insured person/$10,000 total
• Trip interruption – $1,500 per insured person/$10,000 total
• Flight delay – $500 per insured person, per trip/4 hours
• Delayed & lost luggage – Up to $1,000 per trip/4 hours
• Hotel/motel burglary – Up to $1,000 per occurrence
• Rental car collision loss/damage – $65,000/48 days
• Travel accident – $500,000

The Scotiabank Gold American Express travel insurance is not bad and pretty comparable to some of the best credit cards with travel insurance, but there are a few things I want to point out.

Like all travel medical insurance that comes with your credit card, you get that benefit no matter what. However, for your other travel insurance to be valid, you must charge at least 75% of your travel purchases to your card.

You’ll also want to take a close look at the days covered. If you’re 64 or under, you’re covered for 25 days, but if you’re 65+, you’re only covered for three days, which is pathetic. I understand that this is a common practice for most credit cards, but I still think it’s disappointing that’s all you get.

Purchase insurance

• Purchase security – 90 days
• Extended warranty – Up to one additional year

My Scotiabank Gold American Express review wouldn’t be complete without covering all the types of insurance included. Although purchase security is pretty standard, it’s a great type of insurance when needed. If one of your purchases gets lost, stolen, or damaged within the first 90 days of the purchase, you can get it fixed or replaced. As for the extended warranty, your manufacturer’s warranty is doubled up to one additional year.

American Express experiences

Anyone who holds an American Express credit card gets access to American Express experiences, which is a highly underrated perk. The things you can look forward to include:

• Offers – You’ll get cash back offers on dining, shopping, and more throughout the year.
• Front of the line – American Express has partnerships with many concerts, theatre products, restaurants, and live shows where cardholders get exclusive access to presale tickets.
• Invites – From advance movie screenings to live events, American Express Invites get you into exclusive experiences.

Concierge service

Cardholders get access to the American Express concierge. With this service, you can have someone help you make restaurant reservations or help you find tickets to special events. While this benefit may sound great, it’s not like they can make miracles happen. If the Taylor Swift concert is sold out, the concierge won’t be able to find tickets at retail cost.

How to redeem your points

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card earns you Scene+ points, one of the best bank travel rewards programs. Not only can you use points on different types of travel, but you can also use your points on groceries, entertainment, restaurants, and more.

The base redemption rate is 1,000 points = $10 off travel booked through the Scotiabank travel portal, purchases made at Empire-owned grocery stores, Cineplex, and select restaurants.

Alternatively, one of the best benefits of the Scotiabank Gold Amex card, and one you don’t find on many cards, is the Apply Points to Travel option that lets you use your points to offset any travel purchase you booked on your own. This is valuable when you want to book directly with an airline or a hotel chain, as you will earn loyalty points, and your status benefits will apply.

The Apply Points to Travel option also adds flexibility as you can redeem your points for travel spending that you might not be able to book on a travel portal. Trailer parks, campgrounds, passenger railways or bus tickets are all eligible categories for which you can use the Apply Points to Travel option to offset costs. Note that there is a 5,000 points minimum redemption when using the Apply Points for Travel option.

Since you earn 5 points per dollar spent on gas, grocery, dining, and entertainment purchases, you get a 5% return for those categories.

Scotiabank Gold American Express eligibility

• Must be a Canadian citizen or are a permanent resident.
• Must be at least the age of majority in your province or territory.
• Must not have declared bankruptcy in the past seven years.
• Your home address matches your credit report home address

Since this is an American Express credit card, there’s no formal minimum income requirement. That said, American Express will examine your credit score as one factor to determine your approval. As a general rule, you’ll want your credit score to beat at least 700 since that would be a good standing.

How the Scotiabank Gold American Express compares

Scotiabank Gold American Express vs. American Express Cobalt Card

The American Express Cobalt Card is very similar to the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. With the Cobalt Card, you earn 5 points per $ 1 spent on grocery and dining, 2 points on travel (gas, flights, hotels, etc.), and 1 point for everything else. Although the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card has a higher earning rate, American Express Membership Rewards points can be worth more since you can transfer them to Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy.

The Cobalt Card is likely the better choice if you want to maximize your points. That’s because American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. Since one Aeroplan point can easily have a value of 2 cents, your earning rate is potentially higher with the Cobalt Card. That said, the Scotiabank Gold American Express has no foreign transaction fees and better travel insurance.

Scotiabank Gold American Express vs. Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

Another card worth comparing is the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card has a lower earning rate compared to the Scotiabank Gold American Express at 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent on Empire owned grocery stores and 2 Scene+ points on eligible grocery stores, dining, entertainment, and daily transit purchases. Both cards come with no foreign transaction fees.

You would pick the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card for the included airport lounge access. You get a Visa Airport Companion Program membership and six free annual passes per year. Those passes are worth $32 USD each. Although the Scotiabank Gold American Express advertises that you get airport lounge access, you only get a discount on a Priority Pass membership. Plus, you still need to pay for each individual visit.

Final thoughts

My Scotiabank Gold American Express review is positive. Although the card may not offer the most generous signup bonus, it’s a great choice for people in the following situations:

• You shop a lot at Empire-owned grocery stores – At 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Empire-owned grocery stores, no other card earns you as many points.
• You want a card with no FX fees – Since this card doesn’t charge foreign exchange fees, you’ll save 2.5% on all foreign transactions.
• You want flexible travel rewards – Scene+ allows you to use your points on travel booked through the Scene+ travel portal or on travel purchases charged directly to your card.
• You want good insurance – You get an excellent travel and mobile device insurance package.

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is one of the best travel credit cards in Canada. It offers solid travel insurance, one of the best earning rates, and you get access to American Express Experiences. With an annual fee of $120, this card is a winner.

Minimum application requirements:

• You’re a Canadian citizen or are a permanent resident
• You have a minimum annual personal gross income of $12,000
• You haven’t declared bankruptcy in the past 7 years
• You’re at least the age of majority in your province or territory
• Your home address matches your credit report home address

When you look at everything included, the American Express Platinum card is one of Canada’s best travel credit cards. Frequent travellers will love how you get unlimited lounge access, hotel status, and great travel insurance. Read my American Express Platinum Canada review now and find out what you get with the card and how to maximize your benefits.

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

Welcome bonus and earn rate

Let’s be real for a second. Many people sign up for this card because it typically has a very generous welcome bonus. The offers have been between 85,000 and 115,000 welcome bonus points when using a referral link. That said, to get the bonus, you need to spend $10,000 within the first three months of card membership.

Since 1,000 points = $10 in travel, your welcome bonus is worth at least $850 when booking through the American Express travel portal. However, if you convert your points to Aeroplan, the bonus can easily be worth double that, so $1,700. That’s much higher than the annual fee.

The earning rate is decent. You’ll earn 2 points per $1 spent on dining (not grocery stores) and travel. All other purchases earn you 1 point per dollar spent. Admittedly, there are cards with a higher earn rate, but this is not bad when factoring in all the additional perks.

Benefits and perks

With an annual fee of $799, you should rightfully expect a lot of benefits from this metal credit card. Fortunately, the American Express Platinum benefits are easily the best of any travel credit card in Canada. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the best credit cards in Canada.

$200 annual travel credit

My American Express Platinum Canada review is positive because you get an annual travel credit of $200 on your card anniversary (not every calendar year). You also get that travel credit immediately when you sign up.

Let’s be realistic. If you’re applying for this card, you’re likely a frequent traveller, so you’ll want sweet travel perks. The annual credit will be incredibly useful since it can be applied at the time of booking when you’re making a reservation online via the American Express travel portal, or you can call in later to claim your statement credit. Alternatively, some people have been able to convert that amount into “cash” by booking a fully refundable hotel.

$200 annual dining credit

A dining credit of $200 is now available. This credit applies every calendar year, so technically speaking, you get it twice the first year you sign up. While this credit is great, there are a few quirks. It only applies to a single transaction at one of the American Express dining partners. These restaurants are typically expensive, so burning your $200 credit in a single transaction won’t be difficult. The list of participating restaurants can be found here.

Since you can get the $200 dining credit twice and the travel credit once in the first year, that’s $600 in credits. That means if you use all of your credits, the annual fee for the first year will be just $199 for the first year.

Unlimited lounge access

Having lounge access is a great way to start your travels. With the Platinum card, you get a Priority Pass membership with unlimited free entries – a value of US $429 (CAD $589). Plus, you can bring a guest during every visit at no extra cost.

The American Express Global Lounge Collection that comes with your card is incredibly valuable since Amex has multiple partnerships in place. This includes American Express Centurion lounges, Plaza Premium airport lounges, Delta Sky Club, and more. Basically, you’ll have lounge access at almost every airport in the world as long as you have the Amex Platinum Card.

What makes the American Express Platinum card one of the best credit cards with airport lounge access is that it also gets you into premium lounges such as Centurion by American Express, Air France / Skyteam, and Delta lounges when you fly on Delta.

Some people think lounges aren’t worth it, or if they’ve never experienced them before, they’re not missing out on anything. I disagree as the travel experience starts at the airport. Lounge access makes things much more comfortable and perfect if you have a long layover. Lounges have also made long delays much more reasonable.

Hotel status upgrades

Another major American Express Platinum credit perk is the instant hotel status upgrade at many major chains. The value of the status is subjective, but generally speaking, you would need to stay 25 nights at each chain every year before you qualify. Here’s what you get right at each brand

• Hilton Honors Gold status
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status
• Radisson Rewards Americas Gold Status

Most of these programs offer free Wi-Fi, room upgrades, bonus points, and early check-in and late check-out. This may not seem like a big deal,l but you need to read the details of each hotel loyalty program to see what you’re entitled to.

With Marriot Bonvoy Gold, you get 25% more points on eligible spending, a welcome gift or points, and a dedicated reservation line. This status stacks with the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card, so you can earn points quickly if you’re a frequent guest at Marriott hotels. Marriott International has over 7,000 properties in 130+ countries, so you’ll have no problem finding a hotel.

NEXUS rebate

When you charge your NEXUS application or renewal to your American Express Platinum Card, you’ll get a statement credit of up to $100 every four years. Since NEXUS is good for five years, you’ll never need to pay any fees again. Nexus is great for those who travel frequently to the U.S. since it allows you to skip the security and customs lines in both Canada and the United States.

Benefits at Toronto Pearson International Airport

If you happen to fly out of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, you get the following VIP perks:

• Priority security lane
• Complimentary valet service at the Express Park and Daily Park
• 15% discount on parking rates at the Express Park and Daily Park

In my experience, the priority security line is usually faster than the Nexus line. That may seem weird to many NEXUS cardholders, but it’s true. That said, you don’t need to take off your shoes or go through an X-ray at the NEXUS line. Always use the priority line to clear security, but use the Nexus line to go through customs.

Toronto Pearson airport parking is always expensive, so getting 15% off when paying with your American Express Platinum Card is nice. Keep in mind the discount shows up as a statement credit.

The complimentary valet service only saves you on the one-time fee. You still need to pay the daily rate for parking, which is more expensive than using regular or long-term lots.

Travel insurance

That’s a lot of insurance you get with the American Express Platinum credit card. Some people would argue that there are better credit cards with travel insurance in Canada, but that depends on your viewpoint. There’s no denying that the 15 days of insurance coverage with the American Express Platinum Canada Card is a bit disappointing, but you need to look at the entire suite of insurance that’s included.

At $2,500 a person or $5,000 total for trip cancellation and $2,500 a person or $6,000 total for trip interruption, you’re covered for quite a bit if you need to cancel or cut your trip plans.

Your flight delay insurance kicks at 4 hours which is nice since some policies require you to wait 6 hours. I prefer having this four-hour window as I can make a claim sooner. Flight delays can be brutal, and knowing I’m covered for hotels, meals, and minor expenses can make a huge difference. That said, your baggage insurance requires a six-hour delay before making any claims, which is annoying when other policies only have a four-hour requirement.

Purchase insurance

• Purchase protection
• Buyer’s assurance

The included purchase insurance is pretty standard. You get purchase protection which covers your purchases for 90 days from theft, loss, and damage. With the buyer’s assurance, your manufacturer’s warranty is doubled up to one additional year. In both cases, you must charge the total purchase amount to your American Express Platinum Canada Card for the insurance to apply.

American Express International Airline Program

The American Express Platinum Card gives you access to the International Airline Program, a little-known benefit. This feature gives you discounts when you book premium economy, business and first-class tickets on international flights with select airlines. For reference, the only Canadian airline participating in the American Express International Airline Program is WestJet.

In addition, the International Airline Program gives you discounted companion tickets with select airlines when booking business or first-class seats. I don’t think you should expect to save hundreds of dollars with this discount, but it’s worth calling the Platinum Card Travel Service at 1.800.263.1616 if you plan on booking any seats in premium economy, business or first class to see any deals.

American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts

The American Express card gives you access to the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts collection, a highly underrated benefit. When booking a hotel that falls into the Fine Hotels & Resorts collection, you’re entitled to the following benefits:

• Free room upgrade
• Free daily breakfast for two
• $100 hotel credit for food and drinks per stay (may vary per hotel)
• Noon check-in
• 4 PM check-out
• Complimentary WiFi

The website lists that the average value of this benefit is US$550, but I prefer to value this benefit at $150 since the room upgrade is not guaranteed.

Whenever you book a hotel, it’s worth checking to see if a hotel you’re interested in is part of the Fine Hotels & Resorts collection. Sometimes, booking through this benefit will cost me only $20 more, but I get all the extra perks that have made it worthwhile.

American Express Experiences

American Express Experiences are exclusive to American Express cardholders. Not every offer will be of interest, but occasionally, you’ll get one or two that will excite you.

• Front of the line presales – Get access to tickets to concerts, theatre productions, restaurants and more before the general public.
• Front of the line reserved tickets – At select venues, American Express, has agreements where cardholders can purchase reserved tickets and seats.
• Entertainment experiences – Purchase special entertainment experiences such as screenings of movies, theatre packages and more.
• Dining experiences – From tasting menus to food festivals, cardholders can get access to some of the most sought-after culinary events.
• Offers – Throughout the year, you’ll get special shopping offers. These offers can be incredibly valuable since you’ll get a certain amount back as a statement credit. For example, spend $400, and get $100 back.

How to redeem your points

In this American Express Platinum Canada review, I need to go over how American Express Membership Rewards (MR) work since those are the points you’ll earn.

You can redeem 1,000 MR points for $10 for a statement credit. This applies to ALL purchases. American Express Membership Rewards is the only bank travel rewards program that allows you to redeem your points for a statement credit at the same value as travel redemptions.

Booking on your own and then redeeming your points is incredibly valuable since you can find the lowest prices or book directly with brands to take advantage of your loyalty stays. You must Book through the American Express travel portal to use your annual travel credit.

Another interesting thing about Membership Rewards is that you can double the value of your points. Take a look at the chart below. A short-haul flight between Canada and the U.S. requires 15,000 points but has and has a maximum base ticket price of $300. That means your points can have a value of 2 cents each.

American Express Platinum Canada transfer partners

What makes Membership Rewards points valuable is that you can transfer your points to various partners, which include airlines and hotels. This gives your points a lot of value since they’re flexible. Basically, you can look at all the different options available to you and then redeem your points for maximum value.

The transfer ratio for American Express Membership Rewards points is as follows:

Understanding your transfer partners and the American Express/Fixed Points Travel Program is essential to getting maximum value.

For example, 60,000 Membership Rewards points are worth $600 if you use them on travel purchases. However, they’re worth up to $900 if you use the Fixed Points Travel Program.

Transferring the same number of points to Aeroplan would give you 60,000 Aeroplan points, which can go quite a long way, depending on how you use them. I personally don’t have much issue getting a value of 2 cents per Aeroplan point. That means 60,000 Aeroplan points are worth $1,200.

If you’re an American Express Platinum cardholder and plan to book a flight, always compare the Amex travel portal, the fixed points travel program and Aeroplan to see what gives you the best value.

Regarding hotels, transferring your points to Marriott Bonvoy could save you some money. Generally, you should value your Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.9 cents each. If a hotel costs you 25,000 points, but the nightly rate is $300, that’s a good value. However, if the nightly rate is $150, paying cash or redeeming your American Express Membership Rewards points towards the travel purchase would be better.

American Express Platinum Card eligibility

• You’re a Canadian citizen, or you’re a permanent resident
• You’re at least the age of majority in your province or territory

You’ll quickly notice that American Express doesn’t have a formal personal or household income requirement. In addition, there’s no minimum credit score listed. That said, since this is a premium travel credit card, having a credit score of 700+ will likely improve the odds of you being approved.

How the American Express Platinum Card compares

You can compare the American Express Platinum Canada to a surprising number of premium travel credit cards. Not only should you look at general travel rewards cards, but you should also consider co-branded credit cards.

American Express Platinum Card vs. American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

With the Platinum Card, you get unlimited access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, whereas the Reserve Card gives you unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America. I personally think Maple Leaf Lounges are better, but that only applies to North American airports that have them. If you fly a lot internationally or to airports without Maple Leaf Lounges, you’d be better off with the Platinum Card.

The secondary benefits are also worth considering. With the Reserve Card, your first checked bag free when flying Air Canada, priority airport check-in, boarding, and baggage handling. These benefits alone could be worth it for travellers who frequently fly Air Canada.

It’s also worth looking at the points. With the Platinum Card, you have flexibility with your points since you have a few transfer partners. With the Aeroplan Card, you’re restricted to using your points on Aeroplan rewards.

American Express Platinum Card vs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

Another premium Aeroplan credit card worth considering is the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card. It’s very similar to the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, with the main difference being that the TD card also gives you DragonPass airport lounge access + 6 free annual passes.

While the annual fee of $599 is lower than the Platinum card, most of the benefits of the TD card are related to Air Canada, whereas the Platinum card gives you better general travel perks.

American Express Platinum Card vs. American Express Business Gold Rewards Card

If your goal is to earn a lot of points fast, then you may want to look at the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card. The welcome bonus is typically 75,000 American Express Membership Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. While the bonus isn’t as generous as the Platinum card, the minimum spend requirement is much lower. In case you’re wondering, you don’t need a business to get a business credit card.

Final thoughts

My American Express Platinum Canada review is positive. This card is ideal for people in the following situations:

• You want a huge welcome bonus – The signup offer is typically worth around 100,000 points. That’s usually one of the most generous offers on the market.
• You frequently travel – This card gives you unlimited airport lounge access, a yearly travel credit, and hotel status.
• You want flexible rewards – American Express Membership Rewards can be transferred to Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy.

If you’re a frequent traveller, want to travel like a VIP, or are trying to earn many points fast, this card is for you. You can easily get more than $2,000 in value in the first year, so the annual fee of $799 shouldn’t be a huge concern. Friends, family, and readers of my blog can use my referral link below to earn some extra points.

American Express Platinum Card

Welcome bonus: Up to 100,000 American Express Membership Rewards points

Annual fee: $799

MESSAGE ME FOR A REFERRAL LINK

FAQ

Is the American Express Platinum annual fee worth it?

If I haven’t convinced you about the value of the American Express Platinum Card yet, let me break down the real value of the benefits for you.

• Travel credit – $200
• Dining credit – $200 per calendar year
• Welcome bonus – $1,000+
• Lounge access – $520
• Travel insurance – $300

That equals at least $2,420 in value in the first year. Yes, the fee is $799, but you still come out ahead by more than $1,300.

Let me break down the value for you.

The annual travel credit is $200. Assuming the welcome bonus is worth at least 100,000 points, that’s a minimum value of $1,000. However, if you transferred your points to Aeroplan, it wouldn’t be hard to get a value of at least $2,000. In addition, the $200 dining credit is per calendar year, so you could use it twice in your first year of cardmembership.

With lounge access, a prestige Priority Pass membership is US $429 (CAD $580), and it gives you and a guest unlimited free visits. Finally, the travel insurance is worth roughly $300 per person. As you can see, there’s an insane amount of value with this card. Even after the first year, the benefits you get are still easily worth more than the annual fee, so consider keeping this card if you travel regularly.

From a business point of view, having a credit card that charges no foreign transaction fees can be significant since that ensures that you’re saving at least 2.5% on any purchase that’s not in Canadian dollars. However, is the savings enough for you to consider this card? Read my Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card review now for the full details.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business* Card

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• $199 annual fee
• 30,000 Scene+ points when spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
• 10,000 points when spending $60,000 in the first year
• Earn 1.5 Scene+ points per $1 spent on all purchases
• Visa Airport Companion Program membership + 6 free passes per year
• No foreign transaction fees

Welcome bonus and earn rate

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card typically has a welcome bonus of 30,000 – 50,000 Scene+ points. Since 100 Scene+ points are worth $1, that means your welcome bonus has a value of $300 – $500. This welcome bonus is not exceptional, but it’s similar to many mid-tier credit cards.

The earn rate for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card is 1.5 Scene+ points per dollar spent. Even though there are no categories where you’ll get an increased earn rate, you’re getting a 1.5% return in points on all of your purchases. This is higher than many premium credit cards.

Benefits and perks

You get a surprising number of benefits for a business credit card with an annual fee of $199. Not only do you get your standard business tools, but you also get some great travel rewards. These rewards can be appealing to business users and regular consumers.

No foreign transaction fees

Most credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee of 2.5% whenever you make a purchase in any currency that’s not Canadian dollars. However, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card is the only business card that doesn’t. This can be significant to business owners that use suppliers that charge in foreign currencies. This savings alone can be worth more than the rewards you earn with other cards.

Airport lounge access

Cardholders get a Visa Airport Companion Program membership provided by DragonPass, plus six annual free visits. This gives you access to more than 1,200 airport lounges in 140+ countries. For reference, a standard DragonPass membership normally costs $99 USD per year, and each lounge visit is $32 USD. This benefit alone is worth more than your annual fee.

Avis Preferred Plus membership

As an Avis Preferred Plus member, you’ll get discounts of up to 25% in Canada and the U.S. In addition, you may qualify for complimentary vehicle upgrades. Note that you’ll need to register with Avis to receive your upgraded membership.

Business tools

Since this is a business card, you do get some perks that can help you run your business more smoothly.

• Visa Spend Clarity for Business – Manage your expenses with Visa Spend Clarity for Business by tracking your costs online.
• Business loan protection – This optional service covers your business account in case something unexpected happens.

Travel insurance

• Travel medical – $1,000,000 for 25 days / 10 days if you’re 65 or older
• Trip cancellation/trip interruption – up to $2,500 per person / $10,000 total
• Flight/trip delay – up to $500 / 4 hours
• Delayed and lost baggage – up to $1,000 / 4 hours
• Auto rental car collision/loss damage – 48 consecutive days / $65,000
• Hotel/motel burglary – $1,000 per occurrence
• Travel accident insurance – $500,000 / $1,000,000 total

With the exception of hotel/motel burglary and auto rental car collision loss/damage where you need to charge the full amount to your credit card, only 75% of your other travel expenses need to be charged to your card for your insurance to apply. Overall, this is a pretty good travel insurance package.

Purchase insurance

• Purchase security – 90 days
• Extended warranty – Up to one additional year

Purchase security covers any purchases you’ve charged to your Scotiabank Visa Infinite Business Card from loss, theft, and damage for up to 90 days. As for the extended warranty, it’ll double your manufacturer’s warranty for up to one additional year.

Visa Infinite benefits

• Concierge service – If you ever need help making a restaurant reservation, picking the perfect gift, or planning your trip, you’ll have the Visa concierge available.
• Luxury Hotel Collection – When booking accommodations through the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, you’ll get access to the best available rates, free Wi-Fi and a room upgrade (when available).
• Dining Series – Cardholders can enjoy food and wine at private events hosted by some of the biggest names in culinary.
• Wine Country program – Get discounts and wine tastings at over 85 participating wineries in British Columbia, Ontario and Sonoma Valley.
• Troon Golf – Enjoy Silver Status with Troon Rewards and get 10% off green fees, merchandise and lessons.

How to redeem your rewards

Now it’s time to discuss the rewards earned in my Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card review. Scene+ is the result of a merger between Scotia Rewards and SCENE. When loyalty programs merge, there tends to be a devaluation, but Scene+ is better. With Scene+, you can redeem 100 points for $1 off any travel purchase through the Scene+ travel portal. You can also apply your points to any travel purchase charged to your card, but that purchase must exceed $50.

Besides travel, your Scene+ points can also be used for entertainment and movies. Scene+ is partnered with Empire-owned grocery stores, so you can use points at stores such as Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland, and IGA. In addition, Cineplex is a partner. That allows you to use your points on movies in theatres or at Cineplex.com. In both cases, the value is 100 points = $1. That means your Scene+ points have a maximum value of 1 cent per point.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card eligibility

• You’re a Canadian citizen, or you’re a permanent resident living in Canada
• You’re at least the age of majority in your province or territory
• You have a minimum annual personal gross income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000
• You haven’t declared bankruptcy in the past seven years
• Your home address must match your credit report home address

To qualify for this card, you must meet all the above criteria. What you may notice is that there’s no credit score requirement. Like all other banks, Scotiabank doesn’t typically publish the minimum credit score requirement to be approved. That said, you likely want your credit score to be at least 670 before applying, which would be considered good. Presumably, since this is a business card, Scotiabank will ask you about your business when you apply.

How the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card compares

To round out this Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card, we must look at comparable cards. The problem is, what you should compare to depends on your needs. If you’re a business owner needing to avoid foreign transaction fees, the Scotiabank card is likely the best option. However, if you have other options, consider the following.

The American Express Business Platinum Card has an annual fee of $499, but it gives you unlimited lounge access for you plus a guest. You also get hotel status at Hilton and Marriott. You’ll only earn 1.25 American Express Membership Rewards points per $1 spent, but the points are more valuable than Scene+ since you can transfer them to Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy. This card is great if you’re looking for more travel benefits.

If you’re looking for a card that’s business friendly, consider the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card. You get 55 interest-free days and mobile device insurance. However, the earn rate is just 1 American Express Membership. The annual fee is $199.

Final thoughts

My Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card review is positive. This is a highly versatile card that is good for people in the following situations:

• You have a lot of foreign transactions – This is one of the few business credit cards that offer no foreign transaction fees.
• You want travel perks – Six free annual lounge visits, and comprehensive travel insurance is included.
• You want simple rewards – Scene+ points can be used for groceries, travels, and movies without effort.

With an annual fee of just $199 and quite a few benefits, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card should get your attention. It’s an ideal card for business owners with many expenses that aren’t charged in Canadian dollars. In addition, you get some pretty good travel perks. This card is clearly one of the best Scotiabank credit cards.

Over the years, many credit cards have introduced no foreign transaction fees as a standard benefit, but the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite was one of the first out of the gate. What’s interesting is that even though this credit card was introduced a few years ago, it’s still one of the best travel credit cards in Canada. Read my Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Review now for the full details.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card

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• $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

Welcome bonus and earn rate

The welcome bonus for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card often changes, but it typically ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 Scene+ points. In most cases, you need to charge $1,000 to your card within the first three months of card membership to get the first part of the bonus. The card also gives you an additional 10,000 Scene+ points when you spend at least $40,000 in everyday eligible purchases annually. There is an annual fee of $150, but that’s often waived for the first year.

Admittedly, the earn rate is not the highest, but it’s quite respectable. You’ll earn 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent at Empire-owned supermarkets (Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà, etc). 2 Scene+ points are earned per dollar spent on eligible grocery stores, dining, transit (including taxis) and entertainment purchases. All other purchases earn you 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Benefits and perks

You’ll want to know about the benefits if you’re reading this Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card review. You’ll be delighted to hear that this card comes packed with great perks for all travellers.

No foreign transaction fees

The best feature of this card is easily the no foreign exchange fees. Basically, most credit cards charge you a 2.5% conversion fee whenever you charge anything to your card in a foreign currency. However, with this card, only the exchange rate charged by Visa applies.

Airport lounge access

As a cardholder, you get a free Visa Airport Companion Program membership, plus six complimentary annual lounge visits. With this program, you’ll have access to 1,200+ global airport lounges. In addition, the primary cardholder can share passes with any travelling companions. For reference, a similar lounge membership would cost you US$99 a year, plus US$32 per visit. In other words, the lounge passes are worth more than the annual fee. It should be no surprise that this card is on my list of the best credit cards with lounge access.

Annual 10,000 points bonus

If you spend $40,000 on your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card each year, you’ll get 10,000 Scene+ points. While this annual bonus is nice, that’s a lot of spending you need to do. If you’re naturally spending that much, it may be better to apply for other cards throughout the year to take advantage of the welcome bonuses.

Save on rental cars

Cardholders get a complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership. This gives you complimentary upgrades (when available) and a discount of up to 25% in Canada and the United States.

Travel insurance

• Travel medical – $2,000,000 for 25 days / 3 days if you’re 65 or older
• Trip cancellation/trip interruption – up to $1,500 per person / $10,000 total
• Flight/trip delay – up to $500 / 4 hours
• Delayed and lost baggage – up to $1,000 / 4 hours
• Auto rental car collision/loss damage – 48 consecutive days / $65,000
• Hotel/motel burglary – $1,000
• Travel accident insurance – $500,000

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is on my list of the best credit cards with travel insurance since you’re covered for quite a few things, but you really need to pay attention to your policy details. For example, trip cancellation/interruption is covered as long as you charge 75% of your trip costs to your card. However, with the rental car and hotel/motel burglary, you must charge the entire amount to your card.

Purchase insurance

• Purchase security – 90 days
• Extended warranty – One additional year

With purchase security, your purchases are protected for 90 days from loss, theft, and damage. Under the extended warranty policy, your manufacturer’s warranty is doubled up to one additional year. These two insurance policies can be incredibly valuable. Just make sure you keep your purchase receipts in case you ever need to make a claim.

Visa Infinite benefits

• Concierge service – Get help planning your trip, making reservations, delivering presents and more.
• Luxury Hotel Collection – You’ll get access to the best available rates, free Wi-Fi and a room upgrade (when available) when booking through the Visa Infinite Hotel Collection.
• Dining and Wine Country programs – Cardholders can enjoy food and wine at private events hosted by some of the biggest names in culinary.

How to redeem your points

Scene+ (formerly known as Scotia Rewards) is Scotiabank’s rewards program. Ever since they merged with SCENE, the program has become more flexible. 1,000 Scene+ points get you $10 off the following:

• Travel
• Cineplex movie theatres and Cineplex.com
• Participating restaurants (Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet, East Side Mario’s and more)
• Participating grocery stores (Sobey’s, Safeway, Foodland, IGA and more) 

There are other redemptions you can use your points for, but they have a lower value.

Since most people will use the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card for travel, I’ll focus on travel redemptions. You can redeem as little as 100 Scene+ points for travel for $1 off travel purchases. You can use your points immediately if you book through the Scene+ travel portal. Alternatively, you can charge any travel purchase to your card and then apply your points to that purchase seven days later. If you go this route, there’s a minimum redemption of 5,000 points ($50).

Now, you might be wondering why you would want to book on your own instead of the travel portal since there are extra conditions. By doing things yourself, you can find the lowest prices and take advantage of any status benefits you may get when booking direct.

For more information, read my detailed Scene+ guide.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card eligibility

• You’re a Canadian citizen or are a permanent resident
• You’re at least the age of majority in your province or territory
• You have a minimum annual personal gross income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000
• You haven’t declared bankruptcy in the past seven years
• Your home address matches your credit report home address

Scotiabank is very specific when it comes to its card eligibility. As you can see, this is a mid-tier card that requires a minimum personal income to be approved. I should mention that Scotiabank doesn’t say what credit score you need to be approved. That said, you want yours to be at least 700 before applying since that would put you in at least good standing.

How the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card compares to others

The best travel rewards credit card space is crowded. There are dozens of great travel credit cards out there, so you should focus on the earn rate and rewards you get.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card vs. Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

The most comparable card to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. Both cards earn Scene+ points, but the Amex card gives you 5 points per $1 spent on eats and entertainment. At face value, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card has a much lower earn rate, but it may appeal to people because it’s a Visa card instead of American Express. In addition, the Amex Gold card has no lounge access.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card vs. American Express Gold Card

If you want a travel credit card with lounge access, consider the American Express Gold Rewards Card instead. With this card, you only get four annual lounge passes, but American Express Membership Rewards are more flexible than Scene+ since you can transfer to travel partners such as Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy. In addition, you can redeem your Membership Rewards point as a statement credit at the same value as travel rewards. In other words, Membership Rewards points are more flexible than Scene+. That said, this card does charge foreign transaction fees.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card vs. American Express Platinum Card

While the Scotiabank card offers well-rounded travel benefits, the American Express Platinum Card is designed for luxury travellers and those who travel a lot. With the Platinum card, you get unlimited airport lounge access for you and a guest, hotel status upgrades, an annual $200 travel credit, a $100 NEXUS credit, Toronto Pearson International Airport benefits, and more. The tradeoff is that the annual fee for the Platinum card is $799.

Final thoughts

My Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card review is positive. This is a very flexible card that comes with a lot of benefits and is appropriate for people in the following situations:

• You want a card with no FX fees – You’ll save the standard 2.5% fee that most credit cards charge on foreign currency transactions.
• You want an all-in-one travel card – With lounge access and no FX fees, this is arguably the best overall travel credit card for casual travellers.
• You prefer simplicity – Scene+ points can be applied to any travel purchase you make. There’s no need to worry about reward charts, blackout dates or specific airlines when you use your points.

If you’re considering this card just because it’s one of the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, then you’re on the right track. This card is highly competitive and is often the card I recommend.

Although the earn rate is not the highest compared to other travel rewards credit cards, I feel that the included benefits and the fact that there are no foreign transaction fees make this a worthy card. If you’re looking for an all-in-one travel card, this is the one to get.

If you travel frequently, shop often, or want access to exclusive insurance and lounge privileges, these cards can provide real value. The other consideration is the welcome bonus. If it’s a generous offer, it can usually be worth two to three annual fees, so it’s a good way to test out the card. 

However, for those who don’t travel much or mostly spend on everyday purchases, the premium perks might not be worth the cost.

With many Canadian credit cards offering travel rewards, lifestyle credits, and luxury experiences, it can be tempting to upgrade. However, getting the most out of a premium card depends on your personal spending habits and needs. 

Understanding Premium Credit Cards in Canada

Premium credit cards in Canada stand out due to their robust rewards programs, elevated perks, and significant travel and insurance benefits. These cards also tend to have higher annual fees and stricter eligibility requirements than basic cards, making their value dependent on your personal spending and lifestyle.

Key Features and Benefits

Premium credit cards offer a variety of perks for frequent travellers, high spenders, and those who value convenience and security. Common advantages include access to airport lounges, comprehensive travel insurance, and priority boarding.

Additionally, depending on the card, you may receive extra perks such as hotel benefits, retail credits, exclusive dining experiences and concierge services. At face value, many people may not find the perks offered to be worth the annual fee, but to others, having a premium credit card is a status symbol.

Annual Fees and Costs

Premium credit cards in Canada typically have annual fees of $399 or more. Higher fees often indicate better rewards, travel credits, and insurance, but it’s crucial to calculate whether you’ll make enough use of these perks to justify the expense.

It’s worth mentioning that no premium credit cards in Canada offer no foreign transaction fees. 

Whenever considering a premium credit card, always weigh the costs against the benefits you’re getting.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for a premium credit card in Canada, you generally need a good to excellent credit score – typically 700 or higher. Most issuers also require a minimum personal income, which can range from $60,000 to $120,000 per year, or household income thresholds for shared cards. That said, American Express does not have a formal income requirement, so it is possible to get the Amex Platinum Card with a lower income.

Comparing Value: Premium vs. Standard Credit Cards

Premium and standard credit cards vary in the rewards, travel perks, and additional features they include. Costs like annual fees often differ, and the benefits may only be valuable if they align with your spending habits and lifestyle.

Earning and Redeeming Rewards

Premium credit cards typically offer higher standard reward rates. For instance, you might earn 1.25 points per dollar on most purchases. However, some basic cards, like the American Express Cobalt Card, provide higher earning rates on eating out and drinks, at 5 times the points. If you spend heavily in certain categories, a premium card can give you more value. Otherwise, basic cards might be more practical if your spending is more varied or if you prefer simple cash back.

Travel Perks and Insurance Coverage

Premium cards may offer extensive travel perks, including airport lounge access, travel insurance, priority boarding, and annual travel credits. These benefits can be valued at several hundred dollars per year, especially if you travel a few times annually.

While standard travel credit cards may offer some benefits, they’re usually not as generous as premium cards.

If you travel frequently or require strong insurance protection, premium cards can make a noticeable difference. For occasional travellers, these perks may not justify the higher annual fee.

The Best Premium Credit Cards in Canada

Premium credit cards in Canada cater to high spenders and frequent travellers with a suite of exclusive rewards and benefits. Each card on this list charges a substantial annual fee, but offers significant value with travel perks, insurance coverage, and points-earning potential.

American Express Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum Card is recognized for its broad range of travel benefits, including unlimited access to airport lounges worldwide through the Global Lounge Collection. You also receive an annual $200 travel credit, a yearly $200 dining credit and comprehensive travel insurance.

The earning rate is 2 points per $1 spent on dining and travel, and 1 point on all other purchases. The card also unlocks hotel privileges, including status upgrades with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.

A key consideration is the annual fee of $799. While the annual credits offset this fee by $400, you’re still paying a net yearly fee of $399. You need to decide if the benefits you’re getting are worth more than the fee.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card is tailored for Air Canada and Aeroplan fans. You enjoy priority check-in, priority boarding, free checked bags, and Maple Leaf Lounge access.

The card earns you 2 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on eligible Air Canada purchases, 1.5 points on gas, groceries, and travel, and 1.25 points on everything else. These points can be redeemed for flights and other rewards within the Aeroplan program. Considering one Aeroplan point is worth 1.5 to 2 cents, there can be incredible value here.

You also get extensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation and rental car collision coverage. The annual fee is $599, which makes sense if you regularly fly Air Canada and want to maximize your Aeroplan points and travel benefits.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card earns you Avion Rewards. You get 2 points per $1 spent on travel, 1.25 points per $1 on all other purchases. Your points can be redeemed for any type of travel available on the RBC travel portal, or you can transfer your points to airline partners such as WestJet and British Airways.

Some of the benefits included with the card are six airport lounge passes, premium travel insurance, and exclusive hotel upgrades. A $399 annual fee is charged, which is lower than other premium options while still providing considerable benefits.

This card is ideal if you want flexibility in redeeming rewards, particularly for travel outside fixed airline partners. 

Who Should Consider a Premium Credit Card?

Premium credit cards are not the right fit for everyone, but certain groups can make excellent use of their benefits. Key factors include your spending patterns, travel habits, and professional needs.

Assessing Spending Habits

If you consistently spend over $2,000 each month on your credit card, the higher earn rates on premium cards can provide substantial rewards. These cards usually offer better returns on groceries, dining, gas, and travel, often between 2% and 5% in rewards per dollar.

Large monthly expenses like family groceries or recurring household bills can help maximize reward potential. For those who rarely carry a balance, the extra perks often outweigh the annual fee, as long as you pay the card in full to avoid interest charges.

Some premium cards also include annual credits or perks – such as travel credits, streaming service rebates, or lounge passes – that can directly reduce the yearly fee. If you regularly make use of these benefits, the value you get can easily surpass what you pay.

Frequent Travellers

Frequent flyers or those travelling multiple times a year benefit the most from premium cards. Features like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and priority boarding can provide added convenience and savings.

For those redeeming points for flights or hotels, higher earning rates and flexible redemption options make it easier to get the most value. This is especially true for cards linked to major airline or hotel loyalty programs, which offer exclusive access and discounts.

Business and Professional Users

Self-employed individuals, small business owners, and professionals who frequently entertain clients or travel for work can benefit substantially from premium cards. Many cards offer higher credit limits and better welcome bonuses, supporting large purchases.

Final Thoughts

When choosing a premium credit card in Canada, compare the annual fee to the value you expect from its benefits. These fees can be $399 or higher.

Consider your spending habits. If you travel frequently or spend extensively in specific categories, rewards and benefits like airport lounge access, insurance, and higher earn rates might justify the expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What benefits justify the high annual fee of premium credit cards in Canada?

Look for airport lounge access, priority airline services, comprehensive travel insurance, exclusive event access, and retail credits.

Which premium credit card offers the best benefits in Canada?

The best card depends on your lifestyle and preferences. Some cards excel in travel rewards while others focus on flexible points or luxury benefits. Major options from banks like American Express, TD, or RBC stand out for features such as airport lounge access and premium insurance coverage.

What are the typical qualification requirements for a premium credit card?

Most issuers require a credit score of at least 725, with some cards needing an “excellent” rating above 759. You may also need to meet minimum income thresholds, typically around $60,000 per year individually or $120,000 per household. Banks may also look for a solid payment history and existing credit limits.

Can you get a premium credit card for free?

Premium credit cards in Canada usually charge an annual fee starting at $399. The fee is never waived, but some banks will offer a discount if you hold a qualifying bank account. You should weigh the potential rewards against these fees to assess overall value.