Fly further with the right rewards card
Compare Canada's top travel rewards credit cards by annual points earnings. Aeroplan, Avion, and Amex Membership Rewards — we show you which program gets you to your next flight fastest, based on your real spending.
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Travel Card FAQs
How Canadian Travel Rewards Credit Cards Work
Travel rewards credit cards earn points or miles on everyday spending that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel. In Canada, the three dominant programs are Aeroplan (Air Canada's loyalty program), Avion Rewards (RBC), and American Express Membership Rewards — each with different airline partners, transfer rates, and redemption sweet spots.
Aeroplan: Canada's Largest Frequent Flyer Program
Aeroplan is the most widely used travel program in Canada, with partner airlines including Air Canada, United, Lufthansa, and Air Japan. Short-haul flights within Canada start from 6,000 miles one-way. Business class to Europe typically starts around 55,000 miles — a value of roughly $0.02–$0.03 per mile against the cash fare. The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege earns 1.5 Aeroplan miles per dollar on most purchases.
Avion Rewards: Flexibility Across Airlines
RBC's Avion program allows points to transfer to British Airways Executive Club, WestJet Dollars, and other partners, or redeem directly toward any flight on any airline through the Avion Travel portal. This flexibility suits travellers who don't want to be locked into one airline ecosystem.
Amex Membership Rewards
Amex MR points transfer to Aeroplan, British Airways, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, and others — often at 1:1. The Cobalt Card's 5× on food and drink makes it one of the fastest points earners in Canada. Keep in mind that Amex acceptance is slightly lower than Visa or Mastercard, so many cardholders pair an Amex with a backup card for merchants that don't accept it.
Is a Travel Card Worth the Annual Fee?
Premium travel cards charge $120–$599 annually but include benefits like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and bonus earn rates. If you take even one return flight per year and redeem points strategically, the value typically exceeds the fee. Use the rewards calculator above to estimate your annual points earning based on your actual monthly spending.