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How to Choose the Right Travel Credit Card in Canada

By PointsExplainedLast reviewed

Note how you travel

Write down how often you fly, which airlines you use and where you go. That tells you whether an airline program or convertible points suits you better.

Check the program's rules

Look at blackout dates, seat limits, conversion ratios and how points are priced for the trips you actually take.

Read the insurance certificate

Compare the card's medical, evacuation, pre-existing condition and trip interruption coverage with what the Government of Canada recommends, and note any conditions, such as paying for the trip with the card.

Check the foreign currency charge

Find the conversion charge in the card's disclosure, or choose a card that doesn't charge one.

Put the fee against the benefits you'll use

Estimate a year of rewards and the benefits you would really use, then subtract the annual fee.

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 If one has changed since we read it, the document is right and this guide is out of date.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

    Travel points for flights, hotel stays, car rentals or vacation packages; many travel reward programs have blackout dates and some limit reward seats; check terms before signing up.

    ised-isde.canada.ca · Accessed
  2. Aeroplan - Redeem with Air Canada (flight rewards)

    Any Air Canada seat on sale for cash can be redeemed with points; points price related to the cash price.

    aircanada.com · Accessed
  3. Amex Bank of Canada - Membership Rewards Program Terms and Conditions (PDF, form 50451591 (04/25))

    Transfer partners and set ratios: Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Asia Miles, British Airways Avios, Delta SkyMiles, Etihad Guest, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy; transfers cannot be reversed; transferred points may have expiry dates; some travel insurance may not cover trips bought with points from a third-party program.

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

    Avion points convert to British Airways Avios, Asia Miles, American Airlines AAdvantage miles and WestJet points for eligible RBC credit cards; conversions cannot be reversed; converted points follow the airline program's terms, including expiry.

    avionrewards.com · Accessed
  5. FCAC - Choosing a credit card (page dated 2025-10-15)

    Fee cards usually offer extra rewards and benefits; consider likelihood of use, time to earn rewards, whether you already have the benefit, restrictions; estimate rewards and subtract the fee.

    canada.ca · Accessed
  6. Travel.gc.ca - Trip interruption and travel health insurance (modified 2026-05-08)

    Trip interruption and travel health insurance available through credit card companies among others; provincial plan may cover none or only a small part of costs abroad; policy should cover medical evacuation, pre-existing conditions (written agreement, stability clause) and repatriation; many policies won't cover regions under 'avoid all non-essential travel' or 'avoid all travel' advisories.

    travel.gc.ca · Accessed
  7. Travel.gc.ca - Say yes to travel insurance (modified 2026-09-23)

    Your credit card company may offer travel and health insurance; in all cases, verify the coverage.

    travel.gc.ca · Accessed
  8. CIBC - Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance certificate (PDF, IN-21A-CLD-ENG)

    Example certificate: coverage may be cancelled, changed or modified at the option of the card issuer at any time without notice.

    cibc.com · Accessed
  9. FCAC - How credit cards work (page dated 2025-10-15)

    Using a card outside Canada: exchange rate plus foreign currency conversion charge.

    canada.ca · Accessed
  10. CIBC - Foreign currency transactions with your credit card

    Conversion fees of 1% to 3% common; some cards charge none; fee applies to transactions and refunds in a currency other than the card's.

    cibc.com · Accessed
  11. Travel.gc.ca - Travelling and money (modified 2024-06-19)

    Choose to be charged in the local currency (dynamic currency conversion); not all major credit cards are accepted everywhere; some merchants prefer cash.

    travel.gc.ca · Accessed
  12. American Express Canada - Platinum Travel Benefits

    From January 1, 2027, Platinum cardmembers receive a limited number of complimentary Plaza Premium and Priority Pass visits per year unless an annual spend threshold is reached.

    americanexpress.com · Accessed
  13. Costco Canada - What methods of payment does Costco Canada accept? (published 09/10/2025)

    Costco Canada warehouses accept Mastercard, debit, cash, Costco Shop Card, personal cheque and Apple Pay.

    customerservice.costco.ca · Accessed
Questions

About this guide

What is the best travel credit card in Canada?

It depends on how you travel. Compare cards at /ca/credit-cards/travel using the figures on each card's page, and weigh the fee against the benefits you would actually use, as FCAC suggests.

Is a high annual fee worth it?

Only if the rewards and benefits you would really use are worth more than the fee. FCAC suggests asking how likely you are to use each benefit and whether you already have it some other way.

Can I use credit card travel insurance instead of buying a separate policy?

Possibly, but check it against your trip. The Government of Canada lists credit card companies among the places to get travel insurance and says to verify the coverage in all cases, including medical evacuation, pre-existing conditions and repatriation. It also notes that many policies won't cover travel to regions where Canada advises avoiding all non-essential travel or all travel.

Do I need a separate card for foreign spending?

Not if your travel card charges no foreign currency conversion fee. If it does, a card without one can cut the cost of foreign-currency purchases; see /ca/credit-cards/no-foreign-transaction-fee.
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