Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada – Amex Aeroplan, TD, RBC Avion

A good travel credit card does three things: earns points fast on everyday spending, lets you redeem those points for flights and hotels at better-than-cash value, and protects you with travel insurance so you do not need to buy separate coverage. The wrong travel card locks you into one airline, charges foreign transaction fees, or earns points so slowly that you never accumulate enough for a meaningful redemption. Here are the cards that actually deliver for Canadian travellers in 2026.

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Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada (2026)

💡 Travel points are worth more when transferred to airline partners. 1 Aeroplan point = 2+ cents for flights vs 0.7 cents as statement credit. Always transfer, never cash out.

1. Amex Cobalt – Best Overall Travel Earn Rate

5x points on food and drink, 3x streaming, 2x travel and transit, 1x everything else. Points transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan, making each point worth 2+ cents for flights. At ,000/month spending with 00 on food, you earn roughly 60,000 points per year – enough for a round-trip to Europe in economy or domestic flights for two.

Why it ranks #1: The earn rate on everyday spending is unmatched. You do not need to spend on travel to earn travel rewards. Every coffee, grocery run, and restaurant meal builds your Aeroplan balance faster than any other card.

The catch: 2.5% foreign transaction fee. If you travel internationally often, you need a second card (like Scotiabank Gold Amex) for purchases abroad. Amex acceptance is also lower than Visa/Mastercard in some countries.

2. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite – Best for Air Canada Flyers

1.5x Aeroplan points on all purchases, bonus multipliers on Air Canada. Welcome bonus of 40,000 points (00+ in flights). Free first checked bag on Air Canada, priority boarding, and no foreign transaction fee on the Privilege tier.

Why it ranks #2: If you fly Air Canada regularly, the checked bag benefit alone saves 0-20 per round trip. The 40K welcome bonus is one of the largest in Canada. Zero FX fee (Privilege tier) means you can use it abroad without penalty.

The catch: The base earn rate (1.5x) is lower than Amex Cobalt for food spending. Best paired with Cobalt for daily spending and TD Aeroplan for travel purchases and the perks.

3. RBC Avion Visa Infinite – Best Flexible Points

1x Avion point per dollar on everything (2x on travel booked through RBC). 35,000-point welcome bonus. Points transfer to multiple airline programs (British Airways, WestJet, Cathay Pacific) or redeem through RBC travel portal at fixed rates.

Why it ranks #3: Flexibility. You are not locked into Aeroplan. If Air Canada prices are bad, transfer to British Airways Avios for short-haul flights or WestJet dollars for domestic. The RBC travel portal also lets you redeem against any travel purchase at a fixed rate.

The catch: 2.5% FX fee. The base earn rate of 1x is lower than competitors. Best for people who value redemption flexibility over raw earn speed.

4. Scotiabank Gold American Express – Best No-FX Travel Card

5x Scene+ points on groceries, dining, and entertainment. 3x on gas, transit, streaming. 1x everything else. No foreign transaction fee. 40,000 Scene+ point welcome bonus. Points transfer to Aeroplan or redeem for travel, movies, or statement credits.

Why it ranks #4: Zero FX fee combined with strong earn rates makes this the best card to carry abroad. Scene+ points are flexible – transfer to Aeroplan for flights, or use as statement credits against travel purchases. The 20 fee is reasonable for what you get.

The catch: Amex acceptance is limited in some countries and smaller Canadian merchants. Carry a Visa/Mastercard backup for places that do not accept Amex.

5. CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite – Best for Companion Travel

1.5x Aeroplan points on all purchases. Annual Buddy Pass on card renewal (fly a companion for taxes and fees only on select routes). Comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation and medical.

Why it ranks #5: The Buddy Pass is unique. If you travel with a partner, one free companion ticket per year (worth 00-00 depending on route) more than covers the 39 annual fee. No other card offers this.

The catch: Buddy Pass has blackout dates and route restrictions. The base earn rate matches TD Aeroplan but without the checked bag benefit. Best for couples who fly together at least once per year.

Foreign Transaction Fees: The Hidden Travel Tax

Most Canadian credit cards charge 2.5% on every purchase made in a foreign currency. On a ,000 trip abroad, that is 25 in fees you never see itemized – it is baked into the exchange rate on your statement.

Cards with NO foreign transaction fee:

– Scotiabank Gold American Express (20/yr)
– TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege (79/yr)
– HSBC World Elite Mastercard (49/yr)
– Brim Financial Mastercard (/usr/bin/bash/yr – no rewards but no FX fee)
– Rogers World Elite Mastercard (/usr/bin/bash/yr – 1.5% cashback on foreign purchases)

If you spend ,000+ abroad per year, a no-FX card saves you 5+ annually. The Rogers World Elite is notable: free card, no FX fee, AND 1.5% cashback on foreign purchases means you effectively earn money on international spending.

Travel Insurance: What Your Card Actually Covers

Premium travel cards include insurance that replaces standalone policies. Here is what the top cards cover:

Trip cancellation: Up to ,500-,500 per trip if you need to cancel for covered reasons (illness, death in family, jury duty). TD Aeroplan and CIBC Aeroplan both include this.

Emergency medical: M-M coverage for medical emergencies abroad. Critical for US travel where a hospital visit can cost 0,000+. Most premium cards cover 15-21 days per trip.

Baggage delay/loss: 00-,000 for delayed or lost luggage. Covers essentials you need to buy while waiting.

Flight delay: 00-,000 for meals and accommodation if your flight is delayed 4+ hours.

Important: You must charge the trip to the card to activate insurance coverage. Read your card certificate for exact terms, exclusions, and claim procedures.

Aeroplan vs Avion vs Scene+: Which Points Are Best?

Aeroplan (Air Canada): Best for flights. Huge route network through Star Alliance. Dynamic pricing means point values vary, but sweet spots exist (short-haul domestic for 6,000-12,500 points). Transfer partners: Amex Cobalt, TD, CIBC.

Avion (RBC): Best for flexibility. Transfer to multiple airlines or redeem through RBC portal. Lower peak value than Aeroplan but more consistent. No blackout dates through the portal.

Scene+ (Scotiabank): Most versatile. Use for flights (transfer to Aeroplan), hotels, movies, or statement credits. Lower ceiling than pure Aeroplan but more redemption options for non-travellers.

Frequently Asked Questions

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Card offers, point values, and terms may change without notice. Always verify current details on the issuer website before applying.