Credit cards are an amazing financial tool that can improve your life when used properly. Furthermore, they can help you dramatically refine your travel experiences.
Whether you are interested in earning travel rewards points to save money on your next vacation or want to access travel-related benefits to improve your next flight or hotel stay, travel credit cards are the best way to level up your travel.
Let’s take a look at the best travel credit cards in Canada that you should add to your wallet.
How to Choose The Best Travel Credit Card
There are many features of credit cards that make them useful for travel: loyalty programs with good redemptions to save money on flights and hotels, or benefits like travel credits and airport lounge access. When used properly, these features can result in significant savings and improvements in your travel habits. This includes simply enabling you to travel more.
Travel credit cards are the backbone of how we travel at Frugal Flyer. No matter your personal or household income, there are travel credit cards in Canada that you can utilize to travel better. Whether you are interested in earning rewards and bonus points in frequent flyer programs, hotel loyalty programs, or just becoming a smarter traveler, there is a credit card that will fit your needs.
Oftentimes, a combination of credit cards is the best way to approach using credit cards to improve your travel, as certain aspects of some cards can work together nicely. For example, a free night certificate on a hotel co-branded credit card can nicely complement another benefit offered on another card, like complimentary hotel elite status.
Below, we’ve captured what we think are the best travel rewards credit cards in Canada based on various criteria. If you are looking to level up your travel experience, consider adding any of the below cards to your wallet that fit your needs based on your travel and spending habits.
The Best Overall Travel Credit Cards in Canada
These cards offer a great cross-section of travel-related value, benefits, and overall perks that will improve your next vacation.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card is our favorite overall travel credit card for Canadians, as it has an easy-to-understand points program plus several powerful travel benefits.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 45,000 Scene+ points with an annual fee of $150.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and six annual complimentary airport lounge access passes.
Check out our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card review for more details.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
45,000 Scene+ points
$40,000
$600+
$150
No
Jan 1, 2026
When you consider the low annual fee of this card, the benefits it offers are unmatched. Cardholders will receive six complimentary airport lounge passes courtesy of the Visa Airport Companion program, issued via the Dragonpass airport lounge program.
Cardholders will also be charged no foreign transaction fees when transacting in a foreign currency. This benefit effectively saves 2.5% on all foreign currency purchases, making it the best card to keep in your wallet when traveling. Additionally, since it is a Visa card, network acceptance should be excellent worldwide.
The Scene+ loyalty program also offers flexible redemptions, as Scene+ points can be redeemed against any travel purchase charged to the card at a rate of 100 Scene+ points = $1 CAD. This is the best overall travel card that we recommend to anyone who travels even infrequently, as the benefits are easy to use and maximize your value received.
American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum card is an ultra-premium card that offers some of the best travel benefits available to Canadians.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points with an annual fee of $799.
The American Express Platinum Card is a premium card that offers benefits including a $200 travel credit, a $200 dining credit, airport lounge access, instant elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, and more.
Check out our American Express Platinum card review for more details.
100,000 Membership Rewards points
$10,000
$2,000+
$799
Yes
–
As a premium credit card, the American Express Platinum card is stacked with credits, including a $200 travel credit, a $200 dining credit, and a $100 NEXUS membership credit. These credits are pretty straightforward to use, but ensure you read the terms and conditions of each credit in advance.
Cardholders receive access to the American Express Global Airport Lounge Collection, which offers access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, and access often includes at least one guest. They can also access American Express Centurion Lounges, such as the Centurion Lounge at New York LaGuardia, and these airport lounges are some of the best in North America. This card is the best way to secure complimentary airport lounge access no matter where you travel.
This card also offers complimentary hotel status in the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors loyalty programs. Cardholders can receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold status and Hilton Honors Gold status as long as they hold this card. Marriott Bonvoy Gold status isn’t anything special, but Hilton Honors Gold is, as members will receive complimentary breakfast for two at eligible Hilton hotels, which can result in significant cost savings on your next vacation.
Membership Rewards points are one of the most flexible point currencies in Canada, as they can be transferred to eight different frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs. While maximizing these points requires a strong knowledge of miles and points, they are incredibly powerful when used correctly and can be your ticket to luxury flights and hotels on a budget.
Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express card is a premium credit card that offers redemption flexibility through the Scene+ program while including some valuable benefits.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 80,000 Scene+ points with an annual fee of $399.
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card offers benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and ten annual airport lounge access passes.
Check out our Scotiabank Platinum American Express card review for more details.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
80,000 Scene+ points
$10,000
$1,000+
$399
No
Jan 1, 2026
While this card earns 2 Scene+ points on all eligible purchases and up to 4 Scene+ points on Scene+ Travel purchases, the most valuable part of this card is the benefits it offers.
Similar to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card, it offers no foreign transaction fees, so cardholders can save when making purchases in foreign currencies. However, it does offer more airport lounge passes, as cardholders will receive ten complimentary airport lounge passes through Priority Pass.
Summary of the Best Overall Travel Credit Cards in Canada
While we have highlighted our three favorite overall travel credit cards above, there are many excellent travel credit cards in Canada that we would recommend, including the following:
| Credit Card | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
120,000 Membership Rewards points Estimated value: $2,400 |
|
 |
100,000 Membership Rewards points Estimated value: $2,000 |
|
 |
60,000 Membership Rewards points Estimated value: $1,200 |
|
 |
55,000 Avion points Estimated value: $1,045 Ends Nov 25, 2025 |
|
 |
80,000 Scene+ points and $200 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $1,000 Ends Jan 1, 2026 |
|
 |
80,000 Scene+ points and $200 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $1,000 Ends Jan 1, 2026 |
|
 |
165,000 TD Rewards points Estimated value: $825 |
|
 |
35,000 Aventura points Estimated value: $770 |
|
 |
50,000 Scene+ points and $150 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $650 Ends Jan 1, 2026 |
|
 |
45,000 Scene+ points and $150 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $600 Ends Jan 1, 2026 |
|
The Best Airline Credit Cards in Canada
Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines are often considered the three main airline carriers in Canada. Each of these airlines offers co-branded credit cards, which are a great way to earn points in their frequent flyer program and unlock access to valuable perks for your next flight.
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve card is one of our favorite Aeroplan credit cards and is easily the best Aeroplan premium credit card in Canada. Participation in the Air Canada Aeroplan program is your ticket to unlocking amazing flight experiences, all without paying much out of pocket.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 85,000 Aeroplan points with an annual fee of $599.
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve card offers Air Canada benefits including Priority Airport Services, Eligible free first checked bags, and access to Maple Leaf Lounges™* across North America.
Check out our American Express Aeroplan Reserve card review for more details.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
85,000 Aeroplan points
$10,000
$1,910+
$599
Yes
–
American Express Aeroplan Reserve cardholders receive access to a wealth of Air Canada benefits, which include priority airport services (check-in, zone 2 boarding, and baggage), a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight guests on the same itinerary, and Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access.
They can also benefit from a $100 NEXUS credit and other travel perks; check out our American Express Aeroplan Reserve card review for all the details.
If you are interested in comparable cards, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card would be a close second, but it does have a much higher income requirement. If you want a card with a more reasonable income requirement, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card is also a fantastic option.
BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard
Porter Airlines is the newest player in the co-branded credit card market, but its BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard has knocked it out of the park, offering an excellent welcome bonus and a plethora of benefits for Porter Airlines passengers.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 VIPorter points with an annual fee of $199.
The BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard offers benefits including VIPorter Venture membership and the opportunity to earn an annual round-trip companion pass through spending.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
70,000 VIPorter points
$18,000
$1,175+
$199 (FYF)
Yes
Jan 31, 2026
The BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard earns 3 VIPorter points per dollar spent on Porter purchases, 2 VIPorter points per dollar spent on gas, transportation, groceries, dining, and hotels, and 1 VIPorter point per dollar spent on all other everyday purchases.
Most significantly, cardholders receive automatic VIPorter Avid Traveller Venture Membership Status. This level of VIPorter status offers 1 complimentary checked bag, 1 complimentary carry-on bag, free PorterClassic seat selection, priority re-accommodation for flight delays, and priority check-in, security, and early boarding. Even better, these benefits also apply to up to eight passengers on the cardholder’s itinerary.
Cardholders can also earn an annual round-trip Porter Airlines companion pass upon spending $50,000 on the card in a calendar year. Additionally, cardholders will receive $1 of Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend for every $25 spent on the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, accelerating them towards the next level of VIPorter status in the VIPorter loyalty program.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
For those located in Western Canada or for those who just love WestJet, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is an excellent airline credit card with its strong welcome bonus, annual companion voucher, and various perks on WestJet flights.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 WestJet points with an annual fee of $139.
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard offers a WestJet companion voucher on approval (with the ability to earn one each anniversary year through spending), plus a first free checked bag on WestJet flights.
Check out our WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard review for more details.
70,000 WestJet points
$5,000
$700+
$139
Yes
Feb 4, 2026
While the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard earns 2 WestJet points per dollar spent on all WestJet flights and WestJet Vacations purchases, it also earns 1.5 WestJet points per dollar spent on all other everyday purchases. However, the real value comes with the benefits it offers.
Cardholders will receive a WestJet companion voucher upon approval and at every cardholder anniversary thereafter, and it is issued automatically to your WestJet Rewards account. This companion voucher makes it possible to book a companion fare at a reduced rate when you pay full price for your own flight on the same itinerary.
Additionally, WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard cardholders receive their first checked bag at no cost when flying on WestJet. This benefit also passes on to eight of their guests on the same itinerary, making this card the best tool for saving on WestJet baggage fees. Savings can add up very quickly thanks to this benefit, so if you fly with WestJet and check baggage, this feature alone can make it worth paying the annual fee on this card.
Summary of the Best Airline Credit Cards in Canada
While we’ve highlighted our three favorite airline cards above, there are many other options in Canada for travelers of all income levels and all needs. Below, we’ve listed our top 10 airline credit cards in Canada, sorted based on the value they offer cardholders:
| Credit Card | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
85,000 Aeroplan points and $125 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $1,910 |
|
 |
85,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $1,785 |
|
 |
85,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $1,785 |
|
 |
70,000 VIPorter points and $125 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $1,175 Ends Jan 31, 2026 |
|
 |
45,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $945 |
|
 |
45,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $945 |
|
 |
40,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $840 |
|
 |
40,000 VIPorter points and $100 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $700 Ends Jan 31, 2026 |
|
 |
70,000 WestJet points Estimated value: $700 Ends Feb 4, 2026 |
|
 |
35,000 WestJet points Estimated value: $350 |
|
You can also view our credit card browser tool to see all airline co-branded credit cards in Canada.
The Best Hotel Credit Cards in Canada
If you are interested in earning hotel loyalty program points and benefits to save you money on your next stay, several credit cards in Canada are worth considering.
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card
The American Express Marriott Bonvoy card is the quintessential hotel loyalty program card in Canada, thanks to its valuable Marriott Bonvoy benefits.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points with an annual fee of $120.
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card offers benefits that include an annual Marriott Bonvoy free night certificate and 15 elite qualifying nights towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Check out our American Express Marriott Bonvoy card review for more details.
50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
$1,500
$450+
$120
Yes
–
The best benefit of the American Express Marriott Bonvoy card is that cardholders will receive an annual free night certificate worth 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This free night certificate can also be topped up with an additional 15,000 Bonvoy points for any higher value redemptions.
This free night certificate is awarded at the first cardholder anniversary and every cardholder anniversary thereafter. It is very easy to receive a greater value from this free night than what is paid for the annual fee, making this card worth keeping for the long term.
This card also grants 15 elite qualifying nights annually, which are used to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status. While the card does come with automatic Silver Elite status as a benefit, and the ability to earn Gold Elite status after spending $30,000 in a calendar year, the elite qualifying nights are the more valuable benefit if you want to work towards Marriott Platinum Elite status or Marriott Titanium Elite status.
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card
If you are eligible, the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business card is another great card to add to your wallet to increase your Marriott Bonvoy points balance and receive additional benefits. You are eligible to hold both the normal and business versions of this card at the same time if it fits your needs.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points with an annual fee of $150.
The American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card offers benefits that include an annual Marriott Bonvoy free night certificate and 15 elite qualifying nights towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
$5,000
$540+
$150
Yes
–
This card offers identical benefits to the American Express Marriott Bonvoy card, and the free night certificates do stack, meaning you can receive two free night certificates annually if you hold both versions of these cards.
The 15 elite qualifying nights do not stack, meaning you will only receive 15 elite qualifying nights total, even if you hold both cards.
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card
While not a co-branded hotel card, the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card has a high earning and redemption rate when using Expedia for TD, making it a great card for non-chain hotel bookings.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 165,000 TD Rewards points with an annual fee of $139.
The TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card earns 8x TD Rewards on purchases at Expedia for TD, plus a $100 Expedia for TD credit and TD Rewards birthday bonus.
Check out our TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card review for more information.
165,000 TD Rewards points
$7,500
$825+
$139 (FYF)
Yes
–
This card earns 8 TD Rewards points per dollar spent at Expedia® For TD, 6 TD Rewards points per dollar spent on groceries, dining, and public transit, 4 TD Rewards points per dollar spent on recurring bill payments, streaming, gaming, and media, and 2 TD Rewards points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card also offers an annual $100 credit at Expedia for TD when making a single purchase over $500. Simply charge your next eligible booking over $500 to your card to automatically receive this credit.
TD Rewards points can be redeemed at a value of 0.5 cents per point when making bookings on Expedia for TD, which is the maximum value you can receive from these points. This means that 100,000 TD Rewards points are worth $500 towards your next booking on Expedia for TD.
Summary of the Best Hotel Credit Cards in Canada
We’ve captured a summary of what we consider to be the best hotel credit cards in the table below:
| Credit Card | ||
|---|---|---|
|
165,000 TD Rewards points Estimated value: $825 |
|
 |
60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points Estimated value: $540 |
|
 |
50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points Estimated value: $450 |
|
The Best Credit Cards with Travel Credits
Several of the best travel credit cards in Canada offer travel credits, presenting cardholders with a way to discount or offset their next eligible travel purchase.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege card is a premium credit card that comes with a $250 travel credit granted upon cardholder approval and at every cardholder anniversary thereafter.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 80,000 Scene+ points with an annual fee of $599.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card offers benefits such as a $250 travel credit for Scene+ Travel, no foreign transaction fees, and ten annual airport lounge passes.
Check out our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege card review for more details.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
80,000 Scene+ points
$20,000
$1,000+
$599
No
Jan 1, 2026
The $250 travel credit offered on this card must be used on bookings made through the Scene+ Travel Portal. However, this portal is powered by Expedia, so many popular options are available, making this credit pretty straightforward to use, including on many types of travel purchases such as flights, hotels, car rentals, packages, or things to do.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege card does offer additional benefits that include 10 passes for free airport lounge access and no foreign exchange fees. Note that as a premium credit card, this card does require a minimum credit score of 780, in addition to a minimum personal income of $150,000 or a minimum household income of $200,000.
American Express Gold Rewards Card
The American Express Gold Rewards card offers a $100 travel credit granted upon cardholder approval and at every cardholder anniversary thereafter.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points with an annual fee of $250.
The American Express Gold Rewards Card offers a variety of benefits including an annual $100 travel credit, $50 NEXUS credit, and four complimentary Plaza Premium airport lounge passes per year.
60,000 Membership Rewards points
$12,000
$1,200+
$250
Yes
–
The $100 travel credit offered on this card can only be redeemed via a booking made through the American Express Travel portal. When making an eligible booking, cardholders will be able to choose to apply their travel credit and pay the rest of the balance with their Gold Rewards card.
American Express Gold Rewards cardholders will also benefit from four free airport lounge passes for Plaza Premium lounges. They will also receive a $50 credit towards a new NEXUS membership application or a membership renewal.
National Bank World Elite Mastercard
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers a flexible $150 travel credit per calendar year.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 45,000 À la carte rewards points with an annual fee of $150.
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers benefits that include an annual $150 travel credit and access to the National Bank VIP airport lounge in the Montreal Airport International terminal.
Check out our National Bank World Elite Mastercard review for more details.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
45,000 À la carte Rewards
$15,000
$550+
$150
Yes
Dec 1, 2025
The $150 travel credit offered on this card is very flexible compared to other travel credits on this list, as it can be applied towards many eligible ancillary travel expenses that are charged directly to the card, including airport parking, baggage fees, seat selection, access to airline lounges, and airline ticket upgrades. Since the travel credit is the same amount as the annual fee, it effectively acts as an annual fee rebate if fully used.
Additionally, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers some of the best credit card travel insurance, as it even applies to award flights where points are redeemed while taxes and fees are paid with this credit card. Many cards offer comprehensive travel insurance, but this is one of the best.
American Express Business Platinum Card
The American Express Business Platinum card offers a $200 travel credit per cardholder year.
This card currently has a welcome bonus of up to 120,000 Membership Rewards points with an annual fee of $799.
The American Express Business Platinum Card is a premium card that offers benefits including a $200 travel credit, airport lounge access, a $100 NEXUS membership credit, and more.
Check out our American Express Business Platinum card review for more details.
120,000 Membership Rewards points
$15,000
$2,400+
$799
Yes
–
Similar to the American Express Gold Rewards card, the travel credit on the American Express Business Platinum card can only be redeemed via a booking made through the American Express Travel portal. When making an eligible booking, cardholders will be able to choose to apply their travel credit and pay the rest of the balance with their Business Platinum card.
The American Express Platinum card also offers a $200 travel credit upon approval and at every cardholder anniversary, making it a great choice as well.
Summary of the Best Credit Cards with Travel Credits
We’ve captured a summary of all credit cards that offer travel credits in Canada in the table below:
| Credit Card | ||
|---|---|---|
|
120,000 Membership Rewards points Estimated value: $2,400 |
|
|
100,000 Membership Rewards points Estimated value: $2,000 |
|
 |
80,000 Aventura points Estimated value: $1,760 |
|
|
60,000 Membership Rewards points Estimated value: $1,200 |
|
|
80,000 Scene+ points and $200 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $1,000 Ends Jan 1, 2026 |
|
|
165,000 TD Rewards points Estimated value: $825 |
|
 |
45,000 À la carte Rewards and $100 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $550 Ends Dec 1, 2025 |
|
Conclusion
Adding one of the best travel rewards credit cards in Canada, or multiple cards to meet your travel needs, is one of the easiest ways to improve your next vacation.
Whether you are looking to save money on flights or hotels via travel points, access airport lounges for free, or simply earn a flexible points currency for easy redemptions against travel purchases, these cards are imperative to the strategies we use at Frugal Flyer to travel more and pay less.
Josh Bandura
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A little nitpicking: the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card actually gives yout 10x free access to Airport Lounge through PRIORITY PASS, not Visa Airport Companion cause it’s *not* a Visa card after all. I only used it for a year cause the lack of elevated points accumulation makes it quite weak; plus, AMEX still ain’t universally accepted outside of US.
Hey Duncan,
You are completely right, good catch. I’ve updated the article.