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points-strategy

How Credit Card Points and Miles Work in Canada

By PointsExplainedLast reviewed

Choose one or two programs

Concentrating your earning builds a usable balance sooner than spreading it across many programs.

Learn the redemption rates

Check what the same points buy in each redemption option in your program's terms.

Check the expiry and sharing rules

Note the inactivity period and whether your program lets you pool or share points.

Convert only when you're ready to book

Conversions into airline and hotel programs can't be reversed, and the partner's rules apply once they arrive.

Where this comes from

Sources

The documents this guide relies on. If one has changed since we read it, the document is right and this guide is out of date.

  1. Office of Consumer Affairs (ISED) - Reward and customer loyalty programs

    General, travel and multi-retailer reward programs; blackout dates and seat limits; multi-retailer points may expire.

    ised-isde.canada.ca · Accessed
  2. Aeroplan - Keeping your Aeroplan account active

    Aeroplan credit cards issued by TD, CIBC and American Express; 18-month inactivity rule and exemptions.

    aircanada.com · Accessed
  3. Aeroplan - Aeroplan points expiry paused until November 30, 2026

    Aeroplan points expiry paused until November 30, 2026.

    aircanada.com · Accessed
  4. Scotiabank - Scene+ rewards program

    Scene+ lets members earn and redeem points for groceries, entertainment, movies, travel, shopping, dining and banking.

    scotiabank.com · Accessed
  5. Scene+ Help Centre - How do I earn and redeem Scene+ points?

    Scene+ points earned with Scene+ Scotiabank and Tangerine cards.

    help.sceneplus.ca · Accessed
  6. Scene+ Help Centre - How do I earn and redeem Scene+ points at grocery, convenience, and pharmacy?

    1,000 Scene+ points for $10 off groceries at participating stores.

    help.sceneplus.ca · Accessed
  7. Scene+ Help Centre - What are Scene+ points and how do they work?

    Share points with friends or family by calling Member Services; points forfeited when an account is closed due to inactivity (24 months registered, 6 months unregistered).

    help.sceneplus.ca · Accessed
  8. PC Optimum - Program Terms and Conditions (current as of August 1, 2026)

    Participating Stores (Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart and others); 10,000 points = $10 at Participating Stores; points don't expire, account may be closed if no earning or redemption at least once every 2 years, reinstatement on request; household pooling closed to new households except same-product PC Financial cardholders, maximum five members; advance notice of changes.

    pcoptimum.ca · Accessed
  9. Amex Bank of Canada - Membership Rewards Program Terms and Conditions (PDF, form 50451591 (04/25))

    1,000 points = $10 travel credit; gift cards at 130 points per $1; transfer ratios (Aeroplan and British Airways 1:1; Flying Blue, Asia Miles, Delta, Etihad 1,000:750; Hilton 1:1; Marriott 1,000:1,200); transfers irreversible, to an account in your name, subject to partner terms and expiry; supplementary cards earn to the primary's account; transfers to accounts not in your name may be abuse; no expiry while enrolled; points lost on cancelling unless another linked card remains; linked cards; at least 60 days' notice of adverse changes.

    americanexpress.com · Accessed
  10. Avion Rewards (RBC) - Terms and Conditions and legal disclaimers

    Avion points convert to British Airways Avios, Asia Miles, American Airlines AAdvantage and WestJet points; account must be in the same name; conversions irreversible; airline program terms and expiry then apply.

    avionrewards.com · Accessed
  11. Aeroplan - Conversion programs

    3 Marriott Bonvoy points = 1 Aeroplan point.

    aircanada.com · Accessed
  12. Aeroplan - General Terms and Conditions

    Points have no monetary value; no reliance on continued availability of rewards, prices or charts; Aeroplan points can't be transferred or converted to and from other programs unless permitted.

    aircanada.com · Accessed
  13. Aeroplan - Redeem with Air Canada (flight rewards)

    Air Canada flight rewards priced in relation to the cash fare with a likely-range chart; partner rewards fixed by distance.

    aircanada.com · Accessed
  14. Aeroplan - An update on the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart (effective June 1, 2026)

    Flight Reward Chart increases and decreases for tickets booked or reissued on or after June 1, 2026.

    aircanada.com · Accessed
  15. Aeroplan - Aeroplan Family Sharing

    Family Sharing for up to 8 verified family members; new pool creation temporarily unavailable.

    aircanada.com · Accessed
  16. Air Canada - Maple Leaf Lounges

    Aeroplan credit cards are linked to the member's Aeroplan account.

    aircanada.com · Accessed
Questions

About this guide

What are credit card points worth in Canada?

It depends on the program and how you redeem. As of September 25, 2026, 10,000 PC Optimum points were worth $10 at participating stores, 1,000 Scene+ points took $10 off groceries, and 1,000 American Express Membership Rewards points bought a $10 travel credit but less in most gift cards. Aeroplan's terms say its points have no monetary value, so work out the value of each redemption.

Do credit card points expire?

It depends on the program. Aeroplan points expire after 18 months of inactivity unless you hold a qualifying Aeroplan card or Elite Status (expiry is paused until November 30, 2026). PC Optimum points don't expire, but an account may be closed after 2 years without earning or redeeming. Scene+ points are forfeited when an account is closed for inactivity (24 months for registered cards). American Express Membership Rewards points don't expire while you're enrolled but are lost if you cancel your card without another linked card.

What's the difference between transferable points and airline miles?

Transferable points, such as American Express Membership Rewards or RBC Avion, can be redeemed in the bank's program or converted into several airline and hotel programs at published ratios. Airline points, such as Aeroplan, are earned and redeemed within that airline's program. Conversions only go one way.

Can I combine points from different credit cards?

Within one program you often can: Aeroplan credit cards are linked to your Aeroplan account, and American Express's terms describe several cards linked to one points account. Across programs, only through conversions a program allows; Aeroplan's terms say its points can't be transferred or converted to or from another program unless Aeroplan permits it.