Disclosure: We only recommend products we use or would use. All opinions expressed here are of our own. This post may contain affiliate links. Those affiliate links may allow the site to generate a small commission. That commission does NOT effect the price you pay for the product. Read our full privacy policy and affiliate disclosure.

Investment Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as financial advice, investment advice, or a recommendation for any particular security, strategy, or investment product.

Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Before making any investment decisions, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and seek advice from a qualified financial professional.

Readers are advised to carefully consider their financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon before making any investment decisions. Diversification does not guarantee profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

The content of this article may not be suitable for all investors and is not intended to be an offer, or the solicitation of any offer, to buy or sell any securities.

Always do your own due diligence and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. The author and the platform on which this article is published are not responsible for any losses or damages that may result from reliance on the information provided herein.

Top Travel Credit Cards for Canadians: Earn Miles and Save on Flights

At present, people are more inclined towards traveling, and Canadian residents are no exception as they travel to different places within their desired budget without spending too much money. This is why travel credit cards prove to be some of the most useful in the process of cutting costs when it comes to traveling through flights and air transport. However, with a lot of options available on the market today, it can be quite challenging to pick the most suitable one and make the right decision.  This article will provide details about some of the most recommended travel credit cards for Canadians to ensure you get the most value for your money when planning your next trip.

American Express Cobalt Card

American Express Cobalt Card is widely considered as one of the best credit cards for Canadians who would like to accrue the most valuable points and have unique traveling perks. Perhaps one of the more popular attractions that come with this particular card is the Cobalt Perks Program that includes events such as Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets and allowing cardholders to make purchases before they are available to the majority in the public. In addition, select exclusive offers and events are available to members of Amex Experiences™.

Features and Benefits

Experience the benefits of membership in the Cobalt Perks Program to enable you to enjoy some of the adventures and promotions that are provided by Cobalt. Experience Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to concerts and theatre shows. Below, we find other discounts and attractive programs for cardholders.

Travel Benefits

• The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel enables you to:
  • Enjoy access to accommodation, meals, and beverages; upgrade rooms (where applicable).
  • Enjoy up to $100 hotel credit for use toward amenities and more for two or more consecutive nights’ bookings.
• Mobile Device Insurance: Coverage of up to $1,000.
• Flight Delay Coverage: Get up to $500 for the delay.

Reward Structure

• Welcome Offer: It is possible to collect up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points in the first year when spending $750 monthly or 150 towards travel or events.
• You can earn 5x points on eligible eats and drinks, including groceries and food delivery.
• 3x points on eligible streaming that can be used for subscriptions.
• Double points on both transit and gas categories.
• One point is for all other purchases, and another point is for booked hotels/car rentals through American Express Travel Online.

Scotiabank® Gold American Express® Card*

One of the best cards that Canadians can use to benefit from their everyday spending as well as traveling is the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card. One of the unique benefits of this card is that it does not require foreign transactions; using this card to shop online or in foreign countries will not necessitate you to pay any percentage fee that most companies charge. Combined with the strong rewards program, this card will be handy for people hoping to get points on groceries, dining, and more while avoiding high fees and saving more when traveling.

Perks and Benefits

• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Make international shopping and traveling easy, convenient, and fun without incurring any additional charges.
• Emergency Medical Insurance: This card allows you to have coverage for as far as 25 days if you are traveling to another country.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption: Get $ 1,500 in coverage for cancellation and interruption benefits.
• Amex Invites: Primary membership cards come with a secret code for access to tickets or for gaining entry to reserved restaurants, shows, and events.

Reward Structure

• Welcome Offer: Up to $950 in the first 12 months includes the possibility of receiving 45,000 Scene+ points. The offers are valid till October 31, 2024.
• 6 points per $1: Make money on purchases at Sobeys, IGA Safeway, and all other affiliated grocery stores.
• 5 points per $1: Get paid for the purchases you actually make – on dining, groceries, and entertainment.
• 3 points per $1: Make money on gas stations, daily transportation, and streaming platform.
• 1 point per $1: This is the way to earn on all other purchases in any currency.

The Scotiabank Gold Amex makes sure that in addition to making the best out of the purchases you make on a daily basis, you are well-protected and compensated on your trips.

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Card*

This card is an ideal choice for Canadians who want to get the most out of their travels since it grants access to travel rewards and packed premium perks. They also got flexibility in earning points for daily spend and strong bonus points, including earning a welcome offer worth up to $1,400, offering tremendous value in the first year in terms of rebate on its annual fee. Whether you are a business person who travels often or just making everyday purchases, this card will assist in getting the utmost value from your spending.

Perks and Benefits

• Trip Cancellation Insurance: coverage in case of trip cancellations to the tune of up to $1,500.
• Trip Interruption Insurance: Trip interruption up to $2,000 if your trip is cut short for some unexpected situation or reason.
• Mobile Device Insurance: Enjoy protection of your smartphone for up to $1,000.
• Visa Airport Companion Program: Get up to 4 complimentary visits to over 1,200 lounges internationally, which is equivalent to $261.
• Gas Savings: Earn CIBC and Journie Rewards at select gas stations and save on fuel.

Reward Structure

• Welcome Offer: Get up to $1,400 in value in the first year with a first-year annual fee waived.
• 2 points per $1: Get points on travel booked via CIBC Rewards Centre.
• 1.5 points per $1: Earn at eligible gas stations, grocery stores, drug stores, and on electric vehicle charging.
• 1 point per $1: Get paid on all other regular purchases.

For Canadians who want to get rewards for their spending while simultaneously traveling without a hitch, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite will be an excellent card thanks to its thrilling rewards program and good insurance coverage.

RBC Avion® Visa Infinite

The RBC Avion® Visa Infinite is a wonderful travel credit card in Canada for individuals who do not want to be bound by the usual rules when it comes to traveling. Unrestricted flights can be obtained at any time of a cardholder’s desire, meaning that there are no blackouts or seat limitations during peak travel periods. As mentioned earlier, you can begin booking your flights at just 15,000 RBC rewards points, which means you save on both local and international flights. Moreover, with an average potential of $1,572 in rewards in the first year, this card indeed offers considerable value to all intense travelers.

Perks and Benefits

• There are no seat restrictions or blackout dates, and almost every operating flight can be booked with no issues during the high travel seasons.
• Annual Fee: Up to $120, including the possibility of receiving a bonus of 55,000 Avion points worth up to $1,100 in value, enough for a flight to North America or the Caribbean.

• Offer Expiry: November 25, 2024.

Reward Structure

• 1 RBC Rewards point earned for every $1 spent on all purchases.
• 25% more bonus points for qualified travel-related expenses.
• Earn 20% bonus points on your purchases at Petro-Canada if you are a regular driver.
• The RBC Avion Visa Infinite offers flexible redemption and can earn great rewards, and these features make it necessary for Canadians who want to travel more with their family while optimizing their travel savings and enjoying various perks.

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card*

The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card* is made for Canadians who often fly with Air Canada and would like to take their rewards and perks to the next level. While this card offers Air Canada privileges, the privileges for this card are also given to traveling companions. Other complimentary benefits include the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, where cardholders can benefit from savings upgrades or unique experiences.

Further, for both the primary and the additional cardholders, you can get a rebate of the NEXUS application fee every 48 months. This card is great for people who fly a lot since you can potentially make $1,370 in rewards in the first year.

Perks and Benefits

• Air Canada Benefits: Advantages for frequent flyers with priority check-in and boarding, as well as additional benefits for passengers who are traveling together and booked under the same reservation.
• Visa Infinite Benefits: Savings, upgrades, and special offers through the Luxury Hotel Collection and Visa Infinite Wine Country Program.
• NEXUS Fee Rebate: Card members obtain a NEXUS application fee rebate every 48 months so that traveling becomes convenient and less time-consuming.

Reward Structure

• Limited-Time Offer: Receive up to 40,000 Aeroplan points (10,000 points for your first purchase, earn 15,000 after spending $7,500 in the first 180 days, and another 15,000 bonus points on the anniversary of the card membership for spending $12,000 within the 12 months). The promotion is only valid up to January 6, 2025.
• 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1: Get paid on gas, groceries, and every time a customer buys an Air Canada product.
• 1 point per $1: Receive points on all other qualified purchases.

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card, therefore, stands out as an excellent card for Canadians who’d like to get numerous Air Canada benefits in addition to the Visa Infinite luxury features while enhancing their traveling experience and earning Aeroplan points in Canada.

Final Thoughts

By selecting the proper travel credit card, Canadians can earn points for their flights, making their travel more affordable and enjoyable. Depending on how often you travel, whether you are a business person or a leisure traveler, you can always find a card that can help you get the best out of your spending. Be sure to consider your travel aspirations and expenses in order to pick the right card that fits your usage pattern.