Whether you’ve got a big international trip or the cross-country Canadian vacation of a lifetime coming up, the right travel credit card is one of the best things you could pack. Travel credit cards can earn you rewards on top of common purchases like flights, gas, and dining out, but they can also include benefits like travel insurance and discounts to exclusive events or restaurants.
We’ve named the Scotiabank Gold American Express the #1 travel credit card thanks to strong rewards and benefits, but we’ll look at your other credit card options to help you find the credit card most suited to your travel needs.
The best travel credit cards in Canada
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
American Express Cobalt Card
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
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Gold: Scotiabank Gold American Express
The Scotiabank Gold American Express is our pick for Canada’s best all-round travel credit card. It comes with unbeatable rewards and benefits, including up to 6 points per dollar on groceries and 5 points on dining, food delivery, and entertainment—plus the ability to redeem points retroactively for purchases made within the past 12 months.
With comprehensive travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and exclusive American Express perks, this card is the perfect travel companion for both everyday spending and your next adventure.
Scotiabank Gold American Express
Annual fee: $120
- 6 points per $1 at Sobeys-affiliated stores
- 5 points per $1 on dining, entertainment and groceries
- 3 points per $1 on gas, transit and streaming
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
- Pay no FX fees on foreign purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,050 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends October 31, 2025.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | $12,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, store purchases and food and drink at Cineplex and Scene partners |
Pros
- Straightforward redemptions: When you book through Scene+ Travel, powered by Expedia, it’s easy to redeem points in increments of 100 (valued at $1).
- Redemption window: Through the apply points to travel option, you can redeem your points retroactively for up to 12 months after making a travel purchase.
- Comprehensive insurance benefits: This credit card offers robust travel insurance coverage, including $1 million in medical travel insurance for up to 25 days—one of the longest coverage periods available with Canadian cards.
- No foreign transaction fees: Enjoy savings on foreign currency transactions while travelling or shopping online, as this card waives the usual 2.5% foreign transaction fee.
Cons
- Fixed point redemption value: While earning rates are high, points are always valued at $0.01 and cannot be transferred to airline frequent flyer programs.
- Limited acceptance: American Express is not as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard.
Silver: American Express Cobalt
With outstanding earn rates in broadly-defined, popular spending categories like dining, groceries, and streaming services, the American Express Cobalt card is a travel rewards beast. Points are easy to redeem and incredibly flexible—and you can increase their value by transferring them to other travel loyalty programs. Plus, it includes a comprehensive insurance package.
American Express Cobalt
Annual fee: $155.88 ($150 for Quebec residents)
- 5 points per $1 on dining and groceries
- 3 points per $1 on streaming services
- 2 points per $1 on transit and gas
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Welcome offer: Earn 1,250 points for each month you spend $750, up to a maximum of 15,000 points.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases and cash advances, 25.99% to 29.99% penalty APR on purchases and cash advances (rates are variable) |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Amex Membership Rewards point = $0.01 when redeemed with the Flexible Points Travel Program, $0.015 on average with the Fixed Points Travel Program, and up to $0.02 with airline points transfers |
Pros
- High earn rates: Get some of the highest rates around, including 5x points on food and drinks, 3x on streaming services, and 2x on gas, transit, and ridesharing. The base earn rate is a respectable 1 point per $1 spent.
- Flexible redemptions: Amex Membership Rewards points are pretty lucrative. Redeem the simple way at a flat rate of 10,000 points for $10 towards any travel expense, boost point values by using Amex’s Fixed Point chart, or transfer points to Aeroplan for the best value.
Cons
- Reward cap on food: This card has a $2,500 monthly cap on rewards for food and groceries.
- Limited acceptance: Although American Express can be used at tens of thousands of businesses across the country, it’s not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard.
- High annual fee: The monthly fee comes to a total of ${_rh.creditCards.american-express-cobalt-card.subsequent_year_annual} per year—a bit more than the $120 charged by comparable cards in Canada.
- No trip cancellation coverage: While the card includes plenty of insurance, it lacks the trip interruption and cancellation coverage that you’ll find with many other premium cards.
Bronze: MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
You’re sure to rack up points quickly with the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard. In addition to earning 5 MBNA Rewards points per $1 spent across five categories—restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases—Canadian cardholders get an annual birthday bonus of 10% of the points earned in the last 12 months. Happy birthday to you!
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $120
- 5 points per $1 on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases until $50,000 is spent annually in the applicable category
- 1 point for every $1 on all other eligible purchases
Welcome offer: earn 20,000 bonus points (approximately $165 in cash back value) after you make $2,000 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days. (Not available for residents of Quebec.)
Card details
| Interest rates | 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers and 24.99% on cash advances Notice rate changes beginning in September of 2025: 21.99% on eligible purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers, and 22.99% on cash advances. |
| Income required | $80,000 per year |
| Credit score | 660 or higher |
| Point value | 1 MBNA Rewards point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel |
Pros
- High earn rates: This World Elite Mastercard offers one of the highest rates of return, with a whopping 5 points per $1 spent across five spending categories.
- Annual birthday bonus: Every year, enjoy a bonus equal to 10% of the points earned within the last 12 months (up to a maximum of 15,000 points).
Cons
- Travel redemption option: If you want to redeem points for travel, your only option is to use the MBNA Rewards platform.
- High income requirement: As with other World Elite Mastercards, the minimum annual income needed to qualify is quite high at ${_rh.creditCards.mbna-rewards-world-elite.eligibility.income.personal} personal or ${_rh.creditCards.mbna-rewards-world-elite.eligibility.income.household} household.
How we determine the best cards
To select the best cards in this competitive category, we evaluated several key factors that are important when using a travel credit card. First, we considered the return on spending and weighed that against any annual fee. We also looked at travel-related perks and benefits, like insurance coverage and no foreign exchange fees. The addition of links from affiliate partners has no bearing on the results in this ranking. Read more about the MoneySense selection process and about how MoneySense makes money.
Other top travel credit cards
If our top picks aren’t quite what you’re looking for, take a look at our runners up.
Best airline travel card: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite tops our list of best airline credit cards in Canada for its easy redemption process for the Aeroplan program and extras like the $100 Nexus fee rebate. Plus, if you frequently spend on Uber rides and deliveries or are a regular at Starbucks, you could stretch your rewards even further.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Annual fee: $139 (waived first year)
- 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on gas, EV charging, groceries and purchases
- 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on purchases made directly through Air Canada (including vacation packages)
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,300 in value, including up to 40,000 Aeroplan points and no annual fee for the first year. Conditions apply.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances (21.99% in Quebec), 22.99% on balance transfers (21.99% in Quebec) |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000 |
| Credit score | 680 or higher (recommended) |
| Point value | Aeroplan points are worth $0.02 on average |
Pros
- Free first checked bags: You and up to eight companions travelling on the same reservation get your first checked bag free on Air Canada flights.
- Flexible redemptions: Redeem your points for Air Canada flights or on a dozen Star Alliance partners, including Lufthansa and United.
- NEXUS fee rebate: You’ll get a $100 rebate every four years, which partially covers the cost of your NEXUS application or renewal.
- Competitive insurance package: Enjoy 21 days of emergency medical travel coverage (or 4 days for those 65 and older).
Cons
- Mediocre point values: If you want to earn as many points as possible, we think you’re better off using the Amex Cobalt and transferring points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.
- Complex rewards program: Aeroplan is a dynamic chart-based program, meaning point values fluctuate based on where and when you’re flying. If you’re looking for simplicity in your travel redemptions, this may not be it.
- High annual fee: The annual fee is ${_rh.creditCards.td-aeroplan-visa-infinite.subsequent_year_annual}.
Best no-fee travel card: American Express Green
This is one of Canada’s best no-fee credit cards. The Amex Green earns points on all your everyday spending, which you can redeem for travel, statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise. Or, you can transfer them 1:1 to other frequent flyer travel or rewards programs. This is noteworthy because by transferring your points to a travel program like Aeroplan, you can significantly boost their value.
American Express Green Card
Annual fee: $0
- 1 point for every $1 spent on all purchases
- 1 additional point for every $1 spent on hotel or car bookings made on americanexpress.ca.
Welcome offer: earn 10,000 Membership Rewards points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your card in the first three months of cardmembership.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Amex Membership Rewards point = $0.01 when redeemed with the Flexible Points Travel Program, $0.015 on average with the Fixed Points Travel Program, and up to $0.02 with airline points transfers. |
Pros
- High earning: Earn a flat rate of 1 point per dollar on all purchases with no spending limits, and double for hotel or car rental bookings made through Amex Travel Online.
- Transfer points to increase value: When you transfer points to another program, like Aeroplan, you can double their value to 2 cents apiece. A 1.5% to 2% return on spending is rare for a no-fee card.
- American Express perks: Take advantage of curated dining, shopping, and entertainment events with Amex Experiences, and get advance access to tickets with Front of the Line.
Cons
- No travel insurance or other perks: This card doesn’t include travel insurance, nor will you get lounge or WiFi access—but that’s not unusual for a no-fee card.
- Limited acceptance: American Express is less widely accepted than Visa and Mastercard, and you can’t use Amex at Costco or Loblaw-banner stores.
Best premium travel card: American Express Aeroplan Reserve
Designed for Air Canada loyalists, this premium card unlocks elite travel benefits like complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge access, airport benefits, companion passes, NEXUS fee rebates, and more. The rewards rate is also great, earning you 3 points on Air Canada purchases, 2 points on dining/food delivery, and 1.25 points on all other purchases.
American Express Aeroplan Reserve
Annual fee: $599
- 3 points per $1 on Air Canada purchases
- 2 points per $1 on dining and food delivery
- 1.25 points per $1 on everything else
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $7,500 in your first 3 months of card membership. Plus, earn an additional 40,000 points after you spend $45,000 on your card in your first 12 months of card membership.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | Aeroplan points are worth $0.02 on average |
Pros
- Extensive travel insurance: This card includes coverage for travel medical, trip cancellation/interruption, flight delays, baggage, hotel burglaries, travel accidents, and rental cars.
- Airport lounge access: You’ll enjoy unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge visits in North America for primary and additional cardholders plus one guest on eligible Air Canada and Star Alliance flights.
- Premium airport benefits: Enjoy exclusive Air Canada perks like priority check-in and boarding, and a free checked bag on eligible Air Canada flights for you and up to eight travel companions. Toronto Pearson perks include priority security, complimentary valet parking, and discounts on parking and car care services.
- Companion voucher: Get an annual worldwide companion pass at a fixed base fare between $99 and $599. Also, enjoy preferred pricing on Air Canada flight redemptions.
- Earn points twice: Pay with this card and provide your Aeroplan number at partner brands and online retailers to earn points twice.
Cons
- High annual fee: Although the card offers impressive perks, the annual fee is high at ${_rh.creditCards.american-express-aeroplan-reserve-card.fees.subsequent_year_annual}. You’ll have to maximize the card’s benefits to outweigh the hefty cost.
- No mobile device insurance: Though it’s a premium card, you won’t getmobile device coverage as part of the insurance package.
- Redemption values: You’ll get the most value for your points when redeeming for Air Canada flight.
- Lower acceptance: American Express isn’t as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard.
Best travel card for lounge access: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
The Passport Visa Infinite is among the most popular for airport lounge access, offering six free visits per year, Plus, this is one of the few travel credit cards in Canada with no foreign transaction (FX) fees, so you’ll save 2.5% on purchases outside of CAD.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $150
- 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys stores
- 2 points per $1 on groceries, dining, entertainment and transit
- 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,350 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends October 31, 2025.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 per year or household income of $100,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel on any airline or hotel (including Airbnbs). |
- Airport lounge access: The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is the only no-foreign-exchange-fee card in Canada to offer airport lounge access. You’ll get complimentary Priority Pass membership with six free airport lounge visits per year—the most available on a card with an annual fee of less than $200.
- No FX fees: Non-CAD purchases won’t have the typical 2.5% foreign transaction fee, so you’ll enjoy shopping for souvenirs even more.
- Travel insurance: This card includes emergency medical insurance for up to 25 days, plus trip cancellation, flight delay, lost baggage, rental car insurance, and more.
- Easy travel bookings: While you can book with Scene+ Travel, you can also book travel online or with any travel agency and redeem Scene+ points to cover the cost of your trip.
- Visa Infinite benefits: Perks and services include the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite Dining series, and complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership.
Cons
- Low rewards for a premium card: The earn rate for certain spending categories (like dining and entertainment) is low compared to other travel cards, and there are limited categories for boosted earn rates.
- Consistent point values: Travel points are always worth 1 cent per point, which is respectable but nothing to write home about.
- Non-transferable points: You cannot transfer points to airline rewards programs.
Best for travel insurance: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is the only card with unlimited emergency medical coverage—a perk that even applies to Canadians over the age of 65. The card comes with all the other coverages you might expect from a premium travel credit card, plus Visa Infinite Privilege benefits and six airport lounge passes per year.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
Annual fee: $399
- 1.25 Avion points per $1 spent on bills, entertainment, gas, groceries, drug and pharmacy, restaurants and travel
Welcome offer: Earn up to 70,000 Avion points ($1,500 value).
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances and on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal: $200,000 or household: $200,000 or minimum total investable assets of $400,000. |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
| Point value | 1 RBC Avion point = Up to $0.023 when redeemed for travel using RBC’s Air Travel Redemption Schedule. |
Pros
- Unlimited emergency medical: Cardholders under 65 get unlimited emergency coverage for trips of up to 31 days. Those over 65 receive unlimited coverage for 7 days.
- Travel without worrying about interruptions: The card comes with trip cancellation, trip interruption, and flight delay insurance.
- Rental car insurance: You can waive the CDW/LDW on car rentals and enjoy coverage up to 48 days when you charge the full cost of the rental to your card.
Cons
- High income requirements: Applicants must have a personal or household income of at least ${_rh.creditCards.rbc-avion-visa-infinite-privilege.eligibility.income.personal} per year to qualify.
- Points earn rate: The base rate of 1.25 points per dollar is mediocre compared to other cards with similar annual fees.
Best travel card for hotel rewards: American Express Marriott Bonvoy
With the ability to redeem for everything from room upgrades to spa treatments, Marriott Bonvoy points are valuable for frequent Canadian travellers. Plus, they’re transferrable to many airline programs. Extras like free hotel stays and Amex benefits make this a must-have travel credit card if you’re a hotel hopper.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express
Annual fee: $120
- 5 points per $1 at Marriott properties
- 2 points per $1 everywhere else
Welcome offer: Earn 65,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Earn an additional 30,000 points after you spend a total of $20,000 on your card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Points value | 1 Marriott Bonvoy point is worth $0.0117 on average |
Pros
- Various redemption options: Put points toward upgrades at hotels like the St. Regis, Westin, and many others, or redeem for merchandise or travel experiences. You can also use points to cover travel expenses, like car rentals and flights.
- Annual free night’s stay: Receive free accommodation in a participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel every year, up to a value of 35,000 points.
- Silver Elite status: Enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, which offers exclusive discounted rates and higher earn rates on participating stays.
- American Express perks: Get early access to event tickets through the Amex Front of the Line program, plus take advantage of curated dining, retail, and wellness experiences.
Cons
- Dynamic loyalty program: You’ll need to strategize and plan in advance to get the most value out of your Bonvoy points.
- Lower acceptance: American Express cards are not as widely accepted as Mastercards and Visas, both in Canada and abroad.
- Travel insurance limitations: This card does not include emergency medical travel insurance.
Reddit reviews: The best travel credit cards according to Canadian cardholders
We like to see what real cardholders have to say about using them when travelling, so we turned to Reddit (which confirmed one of our favourite cards).
As another reader points out, consider which cards charge foreign exchange fees if you’re travelling abroad.
A final comment reminds users to think about network availability when choosing a travel credit card.
What makes a good travel credit card?
We briefly mentioned what we evaluated when ranking our favourite travel credit cards, but let’s expand on the factors that go into a great travel credit card.
- Travel insurance coverage: Don’t underestimate how valuable a good insurance package is when travelling. You could end up saving thousands if you experience a medical emergency or trip interruption, but read your card’s fine print since credit card travel insurance programs vary widely. Some might offer brief coverage while others offer extensive protection (or rare coverage for those over age 65).
- Airport lounge access: Frequent flyers know the true value of a good airport lounge in between flights. While you can put a price on lounge fees, it’s hard to place a value on having somewhere to relax, grab a bite, catch a shower, or get caught up on work in the peace and quiet of a comfortable lounge. Bear in mind that while some cards provide lounge membership, you may have to pay for entry if they don’t include free passes.
- Hotel discounts and upgrades: If you frequently stay at chains like Marriott or Hilton, be sure to use a travel card that includes exclusive discounts or perks like room upgrades. You’ll earn free nights after making a certain number of bookings—and whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, it’s nice to save on hotel stays.
- No foreign transaction (FX) fees: A 2.5% foreign transaction might not seem like much, but it quickly adds up for frequent travellers. Although it’s not a flashy credit card benefit, a credit card with no foreign transaction fees can end up being worth its weight in gold.
- Roadside assistance coverage: Whether you’re driving across town or out of your province, you never know when roadside assistance will come in handy. This valuable benefit can assist you in the event of a flat tire, dead battery, empty gas tank, or mishap that lands you on the side of the road.
- Rental car insurance: Before you pay for rental car insurance and grab your keys from the rental counter, check if the credit card you’re paying with includes the coverage you need. Many include collision and liability coverage, but read your terms and conditions carefully.
Canada’s best credit cards for airport lounge access
Types of travel credit cards
Travel credit cards might seem like they all offer similar benefits, but there are actually distinctions between them. Generally, there are four types of travel credit cards.
1. Flexible travel points
These cards earn you points that you can spend in a variety of ways. For instance, if you participate in Amex Membership Rewards or TD Rewards, you could transfer points to another program, book travel, redeem for cash back, purchase merchandise, or choose gift cards.
2. Premium travel cards
These credit cards tend to have higher fees (and income requirements), but they offer the most in luxury perks. For instance, the Amex Aeroplan Reserve and Visa Infinite Privilege cards come with benefits like concierge services, exclusive dining and entertainment offers, airport lounge access, better insurance coverage, and travel upgrades.
3. Airline rewards
Depending on the card, you may earn points to spend with a specific airline. Canada’s three major airlines—Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter—all have branded credit cards that offer unique perks and let you earn points with each flight. You can spend those points on flights, vacation packages, upgrades, and more for, but remember that some programs place redemption restrictions on rewards flights.
4. Hotel rewards
If you frequently travel for work and tend to stay at a particular hotel brand or group, it makes sense to use a hotel rewards card that earns points at a faster rate. Plus, these cards often throw in perks like room upgrades or free breakfasts on eligible stays.
Compare all travel credit cards in Canada
Compare travel credit card options in Canada with our interactive tool and filter credit cards based on your spending needs, including rewards value, annual fees, income requirements, and more.
FAQs
What is the best Canadian credit card for international travel?
For the most part, we like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite because it doesn’t charge the typical 2.5% foreign exchange fee. It also includes six free airport lounge visits, comprehensive travel insurance, and earns Scene+ points, which you can redeem for travel expenses.
Can I use my Scotiabank credit card internationally?
Scotiabank issues Visas and American Express cards, so you should have no trouble using your Scotiabank credit card internationally. That said, it’s a good idea to contact Scotiabank before you leave to inform them of your travel plans. This can prevent them from issuing a temporary fraud alert or pause on your account due to unusual activity.
Are travel credit cards worth it in Canada?
Yes, travel cards are worth it! The best travel credit cards offer comprehensive travel insurance that can come in handy if you rent a car or experience a medical issue, trip delay, or trip cancellation. Some travel credit cards also waive foreign exchange fees (which could save you the 2.5% fee on each foreign transaction). Plus, they often include perks like airport lounge access, concierge service, and more.
