Did you know that Canadian airlines are among the most expensive in the world? Thank goodness that we also have some of the best travel credit cards, too! Here's a mega list of the best travel credit cards in Canada for 2018.
Because no traveller is the same, no card is either, so check out our list of winners!
*Update: Right now, you can get a $75 gift card when you apply for a Shell Air Miles Mastercard from BMO.Click here to check it out.
Best Credit Card for Airline Miles
Having a card that directly links up to your reward plan simplifies everything. There are also serious perks included with the Visa Infinite, such as waived baggage fees, lounge access, priority boarding, need I go on?
American Express
AIR MILES* Platinum Credit Card
- Welcome bonus: 2,000 AIR MILES*
- Annual fee: $65
- Points: 1 mile/$10 at eligible AIR MILES* Partners
This credit card is handy for the seasoned traveller in that it has quite an extensive insurance policy covering travel and car rentals. Plus, supplementary cards are free if you plan on getting a second card for your significant other.
Learn more about the American Express Air Miles Platinum Credit Card
*Update: the American Express AIR MILES* Platinum Credit Card is currently offering 2,000 bonus air miles reward miles!
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
- Welcome Bonus: 30,000 points
- How far will that bonus take you: Canada & Continental USA
- Annual Fee: $120/year
- Minimum Income: $60,000
- Points: 1 aeroplan mile/dollar
The TD Aeroplan Infinite Visa packs a punch with a 30,000 welcome bonus, it offers one of the best introductory bonuses around (with no annual fee in the first year)!
Learn more about TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite.
WestJet World Elite MasterCard
- Welcome Bonus: 250 WestJet dollars
- How far will that bonus take you: short flight within Canada*
- Annual Fee: $99 annual fee
- Minimum Income: $70,000
- Points: 1 West Jet dollar/dollar
*This card includes an annual companion voucher that can take you anywhere WestJet flight for only $99, without restrictions, plus first checked bags free and no minimum spend requirement. That alone makes this card a serious competitor!
Learn more about WestJet World Elite MasterCard
Most Flexible Travel Credit Card
Don't underestimate the value of flexibility in a travel rewards credit card. With a flexible card, you can earn points on more everyday purchases than other cards, and what qualifies as a travel-related purchase is broader.
RBC Visa Infinite Avion
- Welcome Bonus: 15,000 points
- How far will that bonus take you: short round trip within Canada
- Annual Fee: $120
- Minimum Income: $60,000
- Points: 1 point/dollar
Billed as the easiest way to fly, with this card, there are no seat restrictions. If there's an open seat, you can fly – even during peak seasons. Flights start as low as 15,000 RBC Rewards points.
Learn more about RBC Visa Infinite Avion.
BONUS deal -- you can get 30,000 welcome points if you register for your card through Ratesupermarket.ca.
American Express Gold Rewards Card
- Welcome Bonus: 25,000 Membership Rewards points
- How far will that bonus take you: Canada & Continental USA
- Annual Fee: 1st year free, $150 thereafter
- Minimum Income: $20,000
- Points: 2 points/dollar
The American Express
Gold Rewards Card includes
double the points on eligible travel-related purchases (gas, grocery, lodging, and any form of travel be it water, rail, road, or air), and you can pay expenses on your credit card after your trip using your points -- at full value. Cha-ching!
Learn more about
American Express Gold Rewards Card
Best Credit Card with Travel Insurance
The thing about insurance is that you really only truly appreciate having it on the off-chance you end up needing it -- and though it might feel like you're betting against yourself, you'll thank your lucky stars if you do! These cards include free travel insurance and with these, a little peace of mind goes a long way!
Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold
- Welcome Bonus: none
- Annual Fee: $110
- Minimum Income: $15,000
- Points: 1% of your purchases in Desjardins BonusDollars
Not only does this car provide comprehensive travel insurance up to 60 days, it also includes mobile device insurance, plus access to the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge at the Montreal-Trudeau airport.
Learn more about
Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold
National Bank World Elite MasterCard
- Welcome Bonus: 25,000 points
- How far will that bonus take you: shorter flight within Canada
- Annual Fee: $150
- Minimum Income: $80,000
- Points: 2.5 points/dollar
NBC offers some of the most comprehensive insurance coverage, which includes medical and hospital insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, flight delay insurance, baggage insurance and car rental insurance. They also have a pretty savvy À la carte Rewards Plan that gives cardholders the freedom to travel anytime, anywhere on points.
Learn more about National Bank World Elite MasterCard
Best Travel Rewards Credit Card with an Annual Fee
The basic rule of thumb is that it's usually worth spending on a travel credit card if you're a frequent traveller. With the bonuses included in initial sign-up, plus the turn-around points on these cards, you end up earning more than you spend at the end of the day.
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
- Welcome Bonus: 30,000 points
- How far will that bonus take you: Canada & Continental USA
- Annual Fee: 1st year free, $99 thereafter
- Minimum Income: none
- Points: 4 Scotia Rewards points/dollar
4x the points is pretty appealing, as is the flexibility to redeem points anywhere anytime without restrictions, plus, special exclusive discounts, offers, special amenities and privileges for Scotia Rewards members. The VIP lounge access doesn't hurt either (nor do the 7 types of insurance coverage included!).
Learn more about Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite MasterCard
- Welcome Bonus: 40,000 miles
- Annual Fee: $150
- How far will that bonus take you: one-way to South America
- Minimum Income: $70,000
- Points: 2 reward miles/dollar
No blackout dates or hidden fees, you can add an authorized user for free and double up to earn those post; the card includes Travel Emergency Medical insurance and Trip Cancellation insurance, and reward miles can be redeemed for cash.
Learn more about Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite MasterCard
Best Travel Rewards Credit Card with No Annual Fee
Who doesn't love a no annual fee credit card!? These options are great if you're not a frequent flyer. You'll still earn points and get the flexibility to redeem them on your next big trip.
American Express Blue Sky Credit Card
- Welcome Bonus: 10,000
- How far will that bonus take you: one-way trip to Saskatoon
- Annual Fee: $0
- Minimum Income: n/a
- Points: 1.25 points/dollar
Love the flexibility of being able to book through any airline, travel agency or website and take advantage of last minute deals to any destination, with no black out dates and points that never epire. Redeeming points is also a breeze when you can redeem them to cover any travel-related purchase that come on your next statement.
Learn more about American Express Blue Sky Credit Card
BMO Air Miles MasterCard
- Welcome Bonus: 500 bonus miles
- How far will that bonus take you: it won't even get you to the airport
- Annual Fee: $0
- Minimum Income: n/a
- Points: 1 mile / $20
Added bonus of earning 2x the miles for purchases at Sobey's and 1.25X miles at Shell. We also like that extra cards are offered for free to help you earn points faster.
Learn more about BMO Air Miles MasterCard
And there you have it! What travel rewards credit card do you use? Let us know if the comments below!
Where did you see that the TD card offers no annual fee the first year? I don't see it anywhere on their website.
Thanks for your comment Breanne! Holy smokes these deals go quick! Looks like TD's waived first year already expired. Their site also includes a calculator so you can totally check whether it's worth it for you :)