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

A $500 flight booked with points costs you nothing at the gate — but it cost you months of strategic spending to earn those points. The difference between the right travel card and the wrong one is whether that flight costs you 3 months of spending or 12. This guide identifies which cards convert Canadian dollars into flights fastest, and which ones waste your spend on low-value redemptions.

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 to airlines, never cash out.

Amex Cobalt: The Fastest Point Earner in Canada

5x points on all food and drink — restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, food delivery, bars. For a Canadian spending $1,500/month on food (average household), that is 90,000 points per year on food alone. Transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan where each point is worth 2+ cents for flights. That is $1,800+ in flight value from everyday spending.

The monthly bonus structure (2,500 points when you spend $500/month) adds another 30,000 points per year. Total potential: 120,000+ points annually — enough for a return business class flight to Europe. The $155.88/year fee is irrelevant against that value.

The only downside: Amex acceptance. About 5-10% of Canadian merchants do not accept American Express. Carry a Visa or Mastercard backup for those situations.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite: Best for Air Canada Flyers

If you fly Air Canada specifically, no card delivers more tangible value. The free first checked bag ($35-$70 per flight) and priority boarding are benefits you feel every time you fly. Two round trips per year save $140-$280 in bag fees alone — covering the $139 annual fee entirely.

The 40,000-point welcome bonus is worth $800+ in Aeroplan flights. Combined with 1.5x earn on all purchases, this card builds your Aeroplan balance steadily. Best paired with Amex Cobalt for daily food spending (5x) while using TD Aeroplan for everything else (1.5x).

Scotiabank Gold Amex: Best for International Travel

The only premium rewards card in Canada with zero foreign transaction fee. Most cards charge 2.5% on international purchases — on a $5,000 trip, that is $125 in hidden fees. Scotiabank Gold eliminates this entirely while earning 5x Scene+ points on food and entertainment abroad.

Scene+ points transfer to Aeroplan at a reasonable ratio, giving you flight redemption flexibility. If you travel internationally even once per year, the FX savings alone justify the $120 fee before counting any rewards earned.

RBC Avion: Best for Flexibility

Unlike Aeroplan cards that lock you into Air Canada and Star Alliance, Avion points transfer to 9 different airline partners including British Airways, WestJet, Cathay Pacific, and more. No blackout dates when booking through the RBC portal. If you prefer shopping for the cheapest flight regardless of airline, Avion gives you that freedom.

Rogers World Elite: Best Free Travel Card

Most cards charge 2.5% on foreign purchases. Rogers gives you 1.5% back instead. That is a 4% swing on every international purchase — from a card with no annual fee. The domestic rate (0.5%) is low, so this is a travel-only card. Keep it in your wallet for trips and use a different card at home.

The Optimal Travel Card Strategy

No single card is perfect for everything. The strongest travel setup:

• Amex Cobalt — daily food spending (5x Aeroplan)
• TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite — everything else + Air Canada perks
• Rogers World Elite Mastercard — all international purchases (no FX fee)

Combined annual fees: $295. Expected annual point value for a household spending $5,000/month: $2,500+ in flights. Net profit: $2,200+.

Frequently Asked Questions

---

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Credit card terms, rates and offers change frequently. Always verify current conditions directly with the issuing bank before applying.