The 11 greatest journey bank cards in Canada for August 2023

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These are bank cards provided by Ratehub companions. You’ll find details about further card choices beneath.

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Canada’s greatest journey bank cards

A very good journey bank card could make your journey extra reasonably priced, extra comfy and much more safe. There are quite a few playing cards to select from, however you will get the very best worth by deciding on one which pairs a powerful earn fee for rewards or money again together with perks like lounge entry, journey credit or rebates, superior insurance coverage protection and the flexibleness to switch factors between playing cards. In the end, select your card based mostly the way you prefer to journey, your spending and bank card habits and journey perks that suit your life-style. That can assist you decide the right card, we’ve give you a listing of Canada’s greatest journey bank cards.


Our picks for the 11 greatest journey bank cards in Canada


Greatest journey rewards bank cards

American Categorical Cobalt*

amex-cobalt-review

At a look: American Categorical Cobalt affords aggressive earn charges throughout the board, however its most attention-grabbing function is simply how broad its spending classes are. Cardholders can benefit from accelerated charges on extra of their purchases. Robust journey insurance coverage, new cell gadget insurance coverage, and accomplice perks like bonuses when reserving with The Lodge Assortment make this a journey card price contemplating.

  • Annual payment: $156
  • Earn fee: 5 factors per $1 spent on meals and drinks, 3 factors on streaming providers, 2 factors on journey and transit, and 1 level on the whole lot else. Earn a further level for lodge bookings and automotive leases when utilizing Amex Journey On-line.
  • Level worth: With the American Categorical Versatile Factors Program, 1 level is price $0.01 in journey rewards. You may also switch your Amex factors to different journey rewards applications, resembling Aeroplan, at a 1:1 factors worth ratio, the place your factors may very well be price much more utilizing dynamic redemption applications. Membership rewards factors are price $0.04 to $0.07 in reward playing cards and merchandise and $0.07 when used towards an announcement credit score.
  • Welcome provide: You possibly can earn 2,500 factors for every month you spend $500, as much as a most of 30,000 factors.
  • Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances
  • Annual revenue necessities: None
  • Journey perks: Journey insurance coverage, together with as much as $5,000,000 in emergency medical bills and $250,000 in journey accident, flight and baggage delay, misplaced or stolen baggage, lodge housebreaking, and automotive rental theft or harm protection; potential to switch factors to a number of frequent flyer and different loyalty applications at a fee of 1 to 1; entry to the Amex Mounted Factors Journey program, which helps you to maximize your factors on round-trip flights; advantages like lodge credit and room upgrades while you ebook with The Lodge Assortment

Professionals:

  • New members can earn as much as 30,000 membership rewards factors within the first 12 months.
  • Excellent 5 factors per $1 earn fee on meals and drinks applies to grocery shops, bars and meals supply providers, in addition to eating places.
  • The journey spending class is as expansive and consists of flights, resorts and holidays, in addition to fuel, public transportation, taxis and rideshare. 
  • Features a sturdy journey insurance coverage package deal with as much as $5,000,000 in emergency medical bills.

Cons:

  • Journey insurance coverage package deal doesn’t cowl journey cancellation. 
  • Though it’s billed month-to-month somewhat than yearly, this card’s annual payment comes out to $155.88, which is barely greater than different related playing cards.
  • As an American Categorical card, this card is much less broadly accepted than Mastercard or Visa.

Additionally take into account: Scotiabank Gold American Categorical*

Scotiabank Gold American Express

At a look: Its earn fee construction has undergone some main adjustments in 2022, because of Scotiabank and Cineplex’s new partnership with Sobeys. That makes this in style journey rewards card much more profitable for Canadians who store at Sobeys and its associated shops. And the addition of cell gadget insurance coverage is a welcomed replace. 

  • Annual payment: $120 (waived for the primary 12 months)
  • Earn fee: 6 Scene+ factors for every $1 spent at Sobeys accomplice shops; 5 factors for purchases at different grocery shops and on eating and leisure; 3 factors on fuel, public transit, and choose streaming providers; 1 level on the whole lot else
  • Level worth: 1 Scene+ level is price $0.01 for journey, purchases at affiliated grocery, liquor and drug shops, and food and drinks at Cineplex and Scene companions. Factors are price barely much less when redeeming for film tickets, reward playing cards, assertion credit and a few merchandise.
  • Welcome provide: You possibly can earn as much as $650 in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 40,000 bonus Scene+ factors. Should apply by October 31, 2023.
  • Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers
  • Annual revenue necessities: Private revenue of $12,000 
  • Journey perks: Features a journey insurance coverage package deal with journey emergency medical, journey cancellation and journey interruption, flight delay, delayed and misplaced baggage, and customary provider journey accident safety; plus, rental automotive collision and loss harm, and lodge and motel housebreaking protection; potential to ebook with any airline; entry to the Scotia Rewards Journey portal; no international foreign money conversion payment

Professionals:

  • This card already had a very good accelerated factors program, however with the brand new partnership with Sobeys, cardholders can now earn 6 Scene+ factors for every $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Meals, IGA West, Les Marchés Custom, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
  • Cardholders can nonetheless earn massive with an accelerated fee of 5X on different groceries, eating places, meals supply containers, and leisure, and 3X on fuel, transportation and streaming providers like Netflix.
  • As much as $1,000 in new cell gadget insurance coverage is now included while you purchase your gadget utilizing the cardboard.
  • While you make a purchase order in a international foreign money, together with when procuring on-line and when travelling overseas, you don’t pay the two.5% international transaction payment. Solely the trade fee applies.

Cons:

  • There’s a cap on the purchases eligible to earn the accelerated 6X, 5X and 3X earn charges. These charges apply to the primary $50,000 in purchases yearly; after that, you earn 1X the factors. 
  • As an American Categorical card, this card is much less broadly accepted than Mastercard or Visa.

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Greatest no payment card for journey

MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard*

At a look: This card enables you to earn MBNA rewards, which you’ll redeem for journey at a fee of 100 factors per $1, and can be utilized on any airline. A no-fee card, the MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard will enchantment to Canadians who don’t need to pay to earn rewards. However the relative lack in extras like journey insurance coverage means it falls in need of a full-service bank card. A strong welcome provide makes for a tempting provide.

  • Annual payment: $0
  • Earn fee: Earn 4 factors on each $1 spent on eating places, grocery, digital media, membership and family utilities in the course of the first 90 days. After that, earn 2 factors for each $1 spent on restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and family utility purchases, and 1 level on the whole lot else 
  • Level worth: 1 MBNA Rewards level is price $0.01 in eligible journey purchases, whereas brand-name merchandise, reward playing cards, money again and charitable donations are price $0.005 in redemption worth.
  • Welcome provide: You possibly can earn 10,000 bonus factors ($50 in money again worth) (Not obtainable for residents of Quebec.)
  • Rates of interest: 19.99% on purchases, 24.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers
  • Annual revenue necessities: None
  • Journey perks: Redeem 100 factors for $1 in journey; use MBNA factors to ebook journey on any airline; save with Avis and Finances leases.

Professionals:

  • Rise up to 10,000 bonus factors (price $50) as a part of the welcome provide.
  • Earn journey rewards with out paying an annual payment.
  • Obtain as much as 10,000 birthday bonus factors yearly.
  • Contains as much as $1,000 in new cell gadget protection for loss, theft, unintentional harm or mechanical breakdown.

Cons:

  • Rewards are capped yearly at a most of $5,000 per class. Spends past that earn on the base fee of 1 level per $1 spent.
  • Doesn’t embrace journey emergency medical insurance coverage.

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Greatest Visa bank card for journey

TD First Class Journey Visa Infinite Card*

TD First class Travel Visa Infinite

At a look: When utilized in live performance with the Expedia for TD web site, the TD First Class Journey Visa Infinite card can assist you rack up main journey factors that may be redeemed merely and simply for a variety of journey rewards. This program retains it easy with no blackout dates, no seat restrictions and no expiry to your factors.

  • Annual payment: $139 (first 12 months annual payment rebate, situations apply)
  • Earn fee: 8 factors per $1 for flights booked on-line via Expedia For TD and charged to your account; 6 Factors per $1 on groceries & eating places; 4 factors per $1 spent on recurring payments; 2 factors per $1 spent on the whole lot else
  • Level worth: 1 TD Rewards level is price $0.005 in journey rewards booked through Expedia For TD, or $0.004 when booked via different journey suppliers and web sites. Factors are price barely much less when used on merchandise, assertion credit, purchases on Amazon.ca and reward playing cards.
  • Welcome provide: You possibly can earn as much as 100,000 TD Rewards factors. Circumstances apply. Should apply by September 5, 2023. Plus, get an annual birthday bonus of 10% of your earlier 12 months’s factors (as much as 10,000 factors).
  • Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers
  • Annual revenue necessities: Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000 
  • Journey perks: Entry to Expedia for TD web site; journey insurance coverage together with journey medical, journey cancellation or interruption, journey accident and automotive rental loss or collision; Precedence Cross membership low cost; financial savings with Avis and Finances automotive leases

Professionals:

  • With the welcome provide, earn as much as 100,000 TD Rewards factors. Circumstances apply. Should apply by September 5, 2023. and get a primary 12 months annual payment rebate.
  • You should utilize the Expedia for TD web site to ebook an enormous vary of journey merchandise like flights, resorts, automotive leases and holidays with entry to the whole lot Expedia affords. 
  • No blackout dates or seat restrictions, and factors by no means expire.
  • Contains journey insurance coverage and a reduction on Precedence Cross membership.

Cons:

  • The minimal private revenue requirement of $60,000 (or $100,000 for the family) isn’t accessible to everybody.
  • Whereas journey spending is incentivized, different frequent spending classes like groceries and fuel earn at excessive charges.

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Additionally take into account: BMO eclipse Visa Infinite*

At a look: The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite affords a excessive 5X earn fee on eating, groceries and journey which works out to a return of three.5% again in factors in these classes. The annual $50 “life-style credit score” offsets the $120 annual payment.

  • Annual payment: $120 (waived for the primary 12 months)
  • Earn fee: 5 BMO Rewards factors per $1 spent on eating, groceries, fuel and transit; 1 level per on the whole lot else
  • Level worth: 1 BMO Rewards level is price $0.067 in worth for journey redemptions and buying investments with BMO. The journey redemption worth is barely decrease for BMO Rewards, however with BMO, you’re not restricted to reserving via its web site or with sure airways. Inside 90 days of the transaction you may redeem your factors in direction of an announcement credit score for the journey buy.
  • Welcome provide: You possibly can earn as much as 70,000 factors ($467 worth), 5 occasions the factors on fuel, eating, groceries and transit for the primary 12 months, and 10% extra factors while you add a certified person. Additionally, earn a $50 life-style credit score.
  • Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 23.99% on money advances (21.99% for Quebec residents), 23.99% on stability transfers
  • Annual revenue necessities: Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000
  • Journey perks: $500,000 of journey accident insurance coverage; automotive rental theft and harm safety; entry to Visa Infinite perks

Professionals:

  • With the welcome provide, you may earn as much as 70,000 factors (price $467 in journey rewards), and the $120 annual payment waived within the first 12 months.
  • Each January, obtain a $50 “life-style credit score” for use as you would like.
  • Contains as much as $1,000 in new cell gadget insurance coverage. 

Cons:

  • The journey insurance coverage package deal is proscribed and doesn’t embrace flight cancellation or delay, baggage loss or harm, journey emergency medical or lodge housebreaking safety.
  • The accelerated earn fee is barely obtainable for a handful of spending classes.

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Greatest Mastercard bank card for journey

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard*

At a look: With a tempting welcome bonus and robust earn charges on journey, the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard affords alternative to these searching for a journey Mastercard. Perks like Mastercard Journey Cross and BMO Concierge are good extras.

  • Annual payment: $150 (waived for the primary 12 months)
  • Earn fee: 5 factors per $1 on journey, 3 factors per $1 on eating and leisure, 1 level per $1 on the whole lot else
  • Level worth: 1 BMO Rewards level is price $0.067 in worth for journey redemptions and buying investments with BMO. The journey redemption worth is barely decrease for BMO Rewards, however with BMO, you’re not restricted to reserving via its web site or with sure airways. Inside 90 days of the transaction you may redeem your factors in direction of an announcement credit score for the journey buy.
  • Welcome provide: You possibly can earn as much as 70,000 factors and the annual payment waived within the first 12 months for each the first cardholder and licensed customers.
  • Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 23.99% on money advances, 23.99% on stability transfers
  • Annual revenue necessities: Private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000 
  • Journey perks: Contains BMO World Elite journey and medical safety; Mastercard Journey Cross supplied by DragonPass, with 4 annual complimentary passes; BMO concierge service

Professionals:

  • With the welcome bonus for brand new cardholders, you may earn as much as 70,000 factors and get the annual payment waived within the first 12 months for you and extra customers.
  • Contains journey and medical insurance coverage.
  • Contains 4 complimentary airport lounge passes yearly.

Cons:

  • Accelerated factors obtainable solely in choose classes.
  • Minimal revenue requirement will put this card out of attain for some.

Additionally take into account: Nationwide Financial institution World Elite Mastercard*

Image of National Bank World Elite Mastercard

At a look: The Nationwide Financial institution World Elite Mastercard is most notable for its complete journey and medical insurance coverage that covers most occasions and, in contrast to many plans, extends to travellers over the age of 65. The annual journey refund and limitless entry to the lounge at Montreal’s Trudeau Airport make this a card to think about.

  • Annual payment: $150 (waived for the primary 12 months)
  • Earn fee: 5 factors per $1 on groceries and eating places; 2 factors on fuel and electrical car charging, recurring funds, and Nationwide Financial institution of Canada’s À la carte Journey program; 1 level on the whole lot else
  • Level worth: 1 level is price $0.01 when redeeming for journey purchases like flights and resorts utilizing the À la carte Journey Company. Cardholders can even get reductions on journey bookings made outdoors of the platform, and every level is price as much as $0.009 in reductions—redemption values are greater if you end up utilizing a better variety of factors. You may also redeem factors to repay your bank card stability, and every level is price $0.04 for this..
  • Welcome provide: This card doesn’t have a welcome bonus right now.
  • Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.49% on money advances, 22.49% on stability transfers
  • Annual revenue necessities: Private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000 
  • Journey perks: Contains complete journey and medical insurance coverage; as much as a $150 refund yearly in your journey bills like seat choice and airport parking; limitless entry to the Nationwide Financial institution Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau Airport

Professionals:

  • Contains a unprecedented journey and medical insurance coverage package deal that covers most travellers, even these over the age of 65
  • Obtain an annual refund of as much as $150 on journey bills
  • Contains as much as $1,000 in new cell gadget insurance coverage to cowl for unintentional breaks, loss or theft.

Cons:

  • The highest-tier rewards charges of 5 factors per $1 spent applies solely to groceries and eating places however to not different frequent spending classes.
  • There’s a month-to-month restrict of $2,500 for accelerated charges. So, each further greenback spent earns the bottom fee of 1 level per $1.
  • Minimal revenue necessities will put this card out of attain for some Canadians.

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Greatest bank card for Air Canada

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite*

At a look: Linked to Air Canada’s Aeroplan program, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite affords strong journey perks that can enchantment to those that journey regularly with the airline together with a powerful insurance coverage package deal and reductions. The flexibility to share factors will enchantment to households. 

  • Annual payment: $139
  • Earn fee: 1.5 Aeroplan factors per $1 spent on fuel, groceries and direct via Air Canada purchases (together with holidays); 1 Aeroplan level per $1 on the whole lot else
  • Level worth: Aeroplan factors work on a dynamic chart-based redemption system, which implies your level worth depends upon variables just like the vacation spot, ticket worth and time of journey if you end up reserving flights. Your factors may very well be extra worthwhile with this technique if you’re strategic, however you might be restricted to reserving with Aeroplan-affiliated companions.
  • Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers
  • Annual revenue necessities: Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000
  • Welcome provide: You possibly can earn as much as 50,000 Aeroplan factors. Circumstances apply. Should apply by September 5, 2023. Plus, as anniversary bonus, earn 20,000 Aeroplan factors while you spend a minimum of $7,500 inside 12 months of opening the account.
  • Journey perks: Journey insurance coverage together with as much as $2 million in journey medical for the primary 21 days of your journey, journey cancellation/interruption, flight/journey delay, misplaced or delayed baggage, frequent provider journey accident, and lodge/motel housebreaking safety; auto rental collision/loss harm insurance coverage; as much as $100 rebate on Nexus software payment; free first checked bag for cardholder and travelling companions; financial savings with Finances and Avis; Visa Infinite advantages

Professionals:

  • Beneficiant welcome bonus—earn as much as 50,000 Aeroplan factors. Circumstances apply. Should apply by September 5, 2023.
  • Each seat is obtainable for redemption with no seat restrictions or provider surcharges.
  • Free first checked bag for main cardholder and as much as eight journey companions travelling on the identical reservation journey originates on an Air Canada flight.
  • Share your Aeroplan factors with as much as eight relations and factors by no means expire.

Cons:

  • The earn fee may very well be stronger in additional spending classes.
  • It may be sophisticated to determine the purpose values. You’ll must seek the advice of Aeroplan’s dynamic redemption chart, because the variety of factors required for a free flight depends upon dates and vacation spot.

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Greatest bank card for WestJet

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard 

At a look: If you happen to journey frequently with WestJet, this card is certainly one to think about. You’ll earn WestJet {dollars} with each buy, which could be redeemed for WestJet flights or trip packages. Plus have entry to worthwhile perks like free checked luggage, airport lounge entry and a companion voucher yearly.

  • Annual payment: $119
  • Earn fee: 2% again in WestJet {dollars} on WestJet flights and holidays packages and 1.5% again on all different purchases
  • Level worth: 1 WestJet Greenback is price $1 CAD in direction of flights or trip package deal bookings via westjetvacations.com, with a minimal redemption of 15 WestJet {Dollars}.
  • Welcome provide: You possibly can earn 2% again in WestJet {dollars} on WestJet flights or WestJet Trip packages utilizing your card.
  • Rates of interest: 19.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances
  • Annual revenue necessities: Private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000
  • Journey perks: Journey insurance coverage together with out-of-province/out-of-country journey medical, journey interruption, flight delay, journey accident, and lodge/motel housebreaking safety; auto rental collision/loss harm protection; annual companion voucher obtainable; free checked luggage for main cardholder and as much as eight journey companions; Dragonpass airport lounge entry; free Boingo Wi-Fi; gasoline financial savings with Petro Canada

Professionals:

  • With the welcome bonus, rise up to 450 WestJet {dollars}. 
  • Invaluable annual companion voucher begins at $119—or, commerce it in for 4 lounge vouchers.
  • Get pleasure from free checked luggage for the first cardholder and as much as eight journey companions.

Cons:

  • The minimal revenue necessities will put this card out of attain for some.
  • You’re restricted to WestJet flights and holidays for redemptions. In case you are an avid shopper or spend extra in different classes apart from journey, this might not be the only option for you.

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Greatest bank card with no international transaction charges

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite*

Scotia Passport Visa Infinite

At a look: The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card comes with worthwhile journey advantages like journey insurance coverage, airport lounge entry with six free visits yearly, and the flexibility to redeem Scene+ factors for journey. You’ll additionally save 2.5% on purchases in a international foreign money as a result of the cardboard doesn’t cost international trade charges.

  • Annual payment: $150
  • Earn fee: 3 Scene+ factors on each $1 spent at Sobeys shops; 2 Scene+ factors per $1 spent on grocery shops, eating, leisure and transit purchases; 1 Scene+ level on all different purchases
  • Level worth: 1 Scene+ level is price $0.01 in redemption worth for journey booked via Scene+ Journey, purchases at affiliated grocery, liquor and drug shops, and food and drinks at Cineplex and Scene companions. Factors are price barely much less when redeeming for film tickets, reward playing cards, assertion credit and a few merchandise.
  • Welcome provide: You possibly can earn as much as $1,100+ in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 35,000 bonus Scene+ factors. Supply ends 31 October 2023.
  • Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on stability transfers
  • Annual revenue necessities: Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000
  • Journey perks: Journey emergency medical insurance coverage (below age 65 for as much as 25 consecutive days, and for eligible individuals age 65 and older for as much as 10 days); protection for journey cancellation/journey interruption, flight delay, delayed and misplaced baggage, journey accident, rental automotive collision loss/harm protection and lodge/motel housebreaking insurance coverage; airport lounge entry with six free lounge passes yearly; no international transaction charges

Professionals:

  • Comes with a beneficiant welcome provide of as much as 35,000 Scene+ factors. First, earn 25,000 factors while you spend $1,000 in on a regular basis purchases within the first 3 months. Then, get one other 10,000 factors while you spend $40,000 on on a regular basis purchases within the first 12 months. 
  • By way of a brand new partnership with Sobeys shops, cardmembers will earn 3 Scene+ factors per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Meals, IGA West, Les Marchés TradItIon, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
  • As this card costs no international trade charges, it’s a superb possibility for purchases in one other foreign money.

Cons:

  • In October 2022, the annual payment elevated from $139 to $150, or from $69 to $75 for many who have the Scotia Whole Fairness Plan (STEP). 
  • The minimal revenue requirement places this card out of attain for some.

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Greatest lodge bank card for journey

Marriott Bonvoy American Categorical*

At a look: Travellers who ebook services within the Marriott Bonvoy household ought to take into account this card, which rewards their loyalty lavishly. Along with a hefty 5 factors per $1 spent at Marriott properties, this card will get you 15 Elite Night time credit yearly, plus an annual night time lodge keep at no cost. The factors are versatile and could be transferred to greater than 40 airline applications, together with Aeroplan.

  • Annual payment: $120
  • Earn fee: Earn 5 factors for each $1 spent at Marriott properties and a pair of factors per $1 all over the place else
  • Level worth: The worth of your Marriott Bonvoy factors depends upon the lodge model you might be reserving with. You may also switch factors to many airline applications at a 3:1 ratio (3,000 Marriott factors are price 1,000 factors at different airways).
  • Welcome provide: You possibly can Earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors after you cost $1,500 in purchases to your Card in your first three months of Cardmembership.
  • Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances
  • Annual revenue necessities: None
  • Journey perks: Contains $500,000 in journey accident protection; flight and baggage delay safety; automotive rental theft and harm safety; lodge/motel housebreaking insurance coverage; cardholders have the flexibility to switch factors to over 40 airways; one free lodge keep per 12 months; 15 Elite Night time credit every year to make use of in direction of attaining the subsequent degree of Elite standing

Professionals:

  • Versatile factors could be redeemed at no cost lodge stays at greater than 7,000 resorts worldwide, together with at Marriott, Delta, Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard properties and extra.
  • Cardholders can switch their factors to greater than 40 airline applications, together with Aeroplan. 
  • Cardholders get a free annual lodge keep.

Cons:

  • The included journey insurance coverage lacks journey medical protection.
  • As an American Categorical card, it’s not as broadly accepted as Visa or Mastercard.

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Greatest bank card for journey insurance coverage

Nationwide Financial institution World Elite Mastercard*

At a look: The Nationwide Financial institution World Elite Mastercard has among the finest suites of included journey insurance coverage round, particularly for the hard-to-insure older traveller. Different journey advantages like VIP lounge entry at Montréal-Trudeau Worldwide Airport, and as much as $150 in journey rebate yearly makes this a stand-out.

  • Annual payment: $150
  • Earn fee: Earn as much as 5 factors per $1 on grocery and restaurant purchases;
    2 factors on fuel, electrical car costs and recurring payments; 1 level on the whole lot else.
  • Level worth: 1 level is price $0.01 when redeeming for journey purchases like flights and resorts utilizing the À la carte Journey Company. Cardholders can even get reductions on journey bookings made outdoors of the platform, and every level is price as much as $0.009 in reductions—redemption values are greater if you end up utilizing a better variety of factors. You may also redeem factors to repay your bank card stability, and every level is price $0.04 for this..
  • Welcome provide: This card doesn’t have a welcome bonus right now.
  • Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.49% on money advances, 22.49% on stability transfers
  • Annual revenue necessities: Private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000 
  • Journey perks: Contains complete journey insurance coverage protection for as much as 60 days; out-of-province-of-residence medical/hospital insurance coverage, departure flight delay insurance coverage, baggage insurance coverage in case of delay, theft or loss; and car rental insurance coverage; VIP entry on the Nationwide Financial institution Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau Airport; as much as $150 every year in refund for journey bills on airport parking, seat choice, check-in charges, airline ticket upgrades and entry to airport lounges worldwide

Professionals:

  • Glorious journey insurance coverage protection, notably for travellers between the ages of 65 and 75. 
  • Contains as much as $1,000 in new cell gadget insurance coverage that protects in opposition to unintentional breakage, loss or theft.
  • Get a refund of as much as $150 yearly for journey bills like airport parking and check-in charges. 

Cons:

  • There’s a month-to-month cap of $2,500 in spending for bonus factors. Purchases above this threshold earn at a fee of two factors per $1 spent. 
  • The revenue necessities might put this card out of attain for some.

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Greatest no payment card for journey insurance coverage 

Rogers World Elite Mastercard

At a look: For individuals who need strong journey insurance coverage with out having to fork out an annual payment, the Rogers World Elite Mastercard is a superb alternative. Different travel-related perks embrace airport lounge entry, free Boingo Wi-Fi, and money again rewards. This card will even enchantment to those that want money again over level reward applications.

  • Annual payment: None
  • Earn fee: 1.5% money again on all purchases; 3% money again on all U.S.-dollar purchases
  • Welcome provide: Earn $25 money again while you make your first buy inside three months of getting the cardboard.
  • Rates of interest: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers
  • Annual revenue necessities: Credit score approval, plus private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000
  • Journey perks: Contains out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical insurance coverage; journey cancellation/interruption safety; rental automotive collision/harm protection; entry to over 1,300 airport lounges with Mastercard Journey Cross from DragonPass

Professionals:

  • Though not a card with out international trade charges, you’ll get 3% again on purchases made in American {dollars}, which is able to greater than offset foreign-exchange charges (usually 2.5% on purchases).
  • New members get a $25 bonus utilized to their account on making their first buy with the cardboard.

Cons:

  • To keep up eligibility, you have to have an annual spend of $15,000 every year.
  • The minimal revenue necessities and wish for credit score approval put this card out of attain for some.

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Greatest bank card for incomes Air Miles

BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard*

At a look: The BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard is a worthwhile software for the Air Miles collector, providing a minimal of 1 Mile per $1 spent and the flexibility to “double dip” at sponsor places, which is able to assist enhance your stability rapidly. Cardholders can ebook one Air Miles flight yearly utilizing 25% fewer Miles, and get Onyx collector standing, which helps you to use fewer Miles for flights and merchandise. For these travelling regularly with Air Miles, this card is an effective alternative.

  • Annual payment: $120 (waived for the primary 12 months)
  • Earn fee: Get 3 Miles for each $12 spent at collaborating companions, 2 Miles for each $12 spent at any eligible grocery retailer, and 1 Mile for each $12 spent all over the place else
  • Level worth: The worth of Dream Miles, which could be redeemed for journey purchases, depends upon the kind of reserving. You’re restricted to Air Miles companions while you ebook. Money miles are price $0.105, and also you redeem them in $10 increments.
  • Welcome provide: You possibly can earn as much as $518 in new Samsung gear plus as much as 2,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles and annual payment waived within the first 12 months!
  • Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 23.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers
  • Annual revenue necessities: Private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000
  • Journey perks: World Elite journey and medical safety that features journey cancellation, 15 days of out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical advantages as much as $5 million, and collision harm waiver advantages on rental automobiles; complimentary membership in Mastercard Journey Cross supplied by DragonPass.

Professionals:

  • Comes with a strong welcome provide of three,000 Air Miles (a price of $310 in Air Miles money) and the waiving of the annual payment for the primary 12 months (a price of $120).
  • Use fewer Miles with an unique 25% low cost on one worldwide flight redemption per calendar 12 months.
  • You possibly can “double dip” Miles while you make purchases at sponsor places.

Cons:

  • You’re restricted to the Air Miles program. 
  • Revenue necessities put this card out of attain for some.

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Our methodology: How we decide the very best playing cards

The MoneySense editorial crew selects the very best bank cards by assessing the worth they supply to Canadians throughout varied classes. Our greatest journey bank cards rating relies on an in depth record of card particulars and options—with a deal with what issues to travellers—together with annual charges, rates of interest, welcome affords, rewards earn charges and redemption choices, annual revenue necessities, and journey perks resembling insurance coverage protection, reductions and airport lounge entry. We’ve additionally thought-about the professionals and cons of every card that can assist you decide which of them greatest fit your monetary wants. Our rankings are an unbiased supply of knowledge for Canadians. The addition of hyperlinks from affiliate companions has no bearing on the outcomes. Learn extra about how MoneySense makes cash.

Steadily requested questions

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Various kinds of journey bank cards 

Generic journey rewards bank cards

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

Airline rewards bank cards

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

Lodge rewards bank cards

Lodge rewards bank cards give you the flexibility to redeem your factors in direction of a lodge keep, and to earn factors while you ebook at affiliated resorts like Marriott or Delta, or earn perks resembling room upgrades or free breakfasts while you ebook eligible lodge stays. If you happen to regularly ebook resorts for work or journey, take into account a lodge rewards bank card just like the Marriott Bonvoy American Categorical.

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Journey bank card options 

Some necessary options to look out for in journey bank cards, apart from factors worth and your reserving redemption choices (flights, resorts, automobiles), embrace: 

Whether or not the cardboard costs you international transaction charges while you’re overseas, on high of normal trade charges. These charges could be as excessive as an added 2.5% on each buy.

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What journey factors program is greatest?

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

First, it’s necessary to know that journey rewards applications could be damaged down into two fundamental varieties: Constant and chart-based. Learn extra about these below “regularly requested questions” above. 

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

Lots of the massive banks provide constant factors journey reward applications. They’re geared toward individuals who need to function inside a easy program that has an easy-to-understand redemption course of; individuals who dislike sophisticated applications will respect these. Chart-based applications could be significantly extra sophisticated—but in addition probably extra worthwhile. For the reason that variety of factors wanted to redeem for a flight isn’t constant, utilizing the rewards chart strategically can assist you stretch the worth of your factors and internet the next return when flying on sure routes, and even when reserving premium seats or enterprise class. These applications are extra in style with private finance lovers and left-brain thinkers.

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How a lot are your bank card journey factors price?

Constant factors applications

  • MBNA Rewards: 1 level is price $0.01 in journey rewards
  • American Categorical Versatile Factors Program: 1 level is price $0.01 in journey rewards
  • Scotia Rewards: 1 level is price $0.01 in journey rewards
  • TD Rewards: 1 level is price 0.5 of a cent in journey rewards booked through Expedia For TD
  • BMO Rewards: 1 level is price 0.7 of a cent in journey rewards
  • WestJet {Dollars}: 1% in WestJet {Dollars} is price $0.01 in journey rewards
  • Nationwide Financial institution: 1 level is price $0.01 in journey rewards
  • RBC Rewards: 1 level is price $0.01 in journey rewards

Chart-based applications

For chart applications, you’ll have to seek the advice of the respective rewards web site when redeeming to actually perceive the worth of your rewards.

  • American Categorical Mounted Factors program
  • Aeroplan
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • RBC Avion – Air Journey Redemption Schedule

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Do journey bank card factors expire? 

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

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Video: Promotional charges: What to search for within the effective print

Extra of Canada’s greatest bank cards:

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