This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase I may make a small commission. I only share information about things I know, love and trust! Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity.
If you’re a Canadian traveler, the right credit card can completely change how you travel — from free flights and luxury hotel stays to skipping foreign transaction fees.
This post is specifically for Canadian travel credit card perks.
👉 Spoiler, these are the top travel credit cards for Canadians right now)!
I often get asked either how I can afford to travel so much or how to save money on travel, and maximizing miles and points is the best way to do that.
I get asked all the time how I can afford to travel so much, or how to save money on travel – and this is one of my biggest secrets.
Maximizing miles and points (especially through the right Canadian cards) can make travel so much more affordable.
In this post, I’m sharing the 3 cards I personally use to earn points, unlock travel perks, and make every trip a little more rewarding.
Whether you want to save money, fly business class, or enjoy airport lounges for free — here’s where to start.
Quick Travel Credit Card Starter Guide for Canadians
I personally use 3 Canadian credit cards to earn travel rewards and enjoy perks like free lounge access, no foreign transaction fees, and companion fares.
Here’s a quick breakdown of each one and who they’re best for.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
Best for: Avoiding foreign transaction fees + general travel perks
The biggest perk of this card? No foreign transaction fees. That alone saves you 2.5% on every purchase made abroad — which adds up fast.
You’ll also get six free airport lounge passes per year through DragonPass, and if you often shop at Safeway or Sobeys, you’ll rack up Scene+ points quickly (which can then be redeemed for hotels through Expedia).
If you have an international trip coming up, this is an excellent go-to card to have in your wallet.
Sign-up Bonus: Earn an extra $150 cash rebate when you sign up using the link below 👇
Apply for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite through FinlyWealth to get a cash rebate!
American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Card
Best for: Frequent flyers + Air Canada loyalists
Yes, this is a premium card, but if you fly Air Canada often or travel multiple times a year, the annual fee can pay for itself.
I use this card primarily to earn Aeroplan points quickly (which can be transferred for high-value flight redemptions).
And because it comes with elite travel perks like Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority boarding, and priority check-in.
It’s one of my favorite cards for collecting points efficiently and enjoying smoother airport experiences.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Best for: WestJet flyers + families who check bags
Okay — I’ll be honest. The WestJet loyalty program has seen much better days, and a lot of people are questioning whether this card is still worth it.
For a lot of people it’s no longer worth it.
For me? It’s been in my wallet since 2016, and I’m keeping it…for now.
Here’s the type of traveler I think it still makes sense for:
- You fly WestJet regularly (even just 1–2 big trips per year)
- You check bags or have family members who do
- You prefer to fly premium economy
- You want to use the annual companion fare, which can save you $400–$800 on a single trip
In my opinion, this card is worth it if you fly at least one flight per year on a medium to long-haul route (e.g., to Mexico/sunny destinations or to Europe), and you want to fly in premium economy. In this case you could use your companion fare, which would save you anywhere from $400 to $800.
Between the welcome bonus, companion voucher, and WestJet Dollars earned per trip, this card can still deliver solid value for certain travelers.
👉 See the latest WestJet RBC World Elite offer here
Other Best Canadian Credit Cards
If none of these work for you, I recommend checking out FinlyWealth.
It is by far the most comprehensive Canadian website I’ve found for comparing credit cards and their perks.
✈️ Credit Card Points Value Calculator
One of the smartest ways to maximize your travel rewards is understanding what your points are actually worth.
This is the best Canadian tool I’ve found to easily estimate the true dollar value of your points or miles across major programs like Aeroplan, WestJet Rewards, and Scene+.
Why it matters:
- 🧮 You can quickly see how much value you’re getting for each redemption.
- 💺 It helps you decide whether to book with points or pay cash (especially for flights).
- 🔁 Sometimes, it’s better to transfer your points to another airline partner to get more value (e.g., Aeroplan points can often stretch farther when used with Star Alliance airlines).
Once you understand the value of your points, you can use a flight search tool or award booking site to find the best redemptions and snag that next business class seat for a fraction of the price.
👉 Try the Canadian Points Value Calculator here.
Use Those Points for All They’re Worth
Once you know how much your points are worth, the next step is finding the best flight deals – both with points and cash fares.
That’s where Daily Drop Pro comes in.
It’s the easiest tool I’ve used to find the best point redemptions to book cheap flights and even business class!
Even if you don’t have a ton of points yet, it’s still worth signing up for a Daily Drop account (there’s a free and paid version).
Because you can still score incredible cash flight deals that make travel way more affordable while you build up your points balance.
In the last 16 months I was able to find premium economy flights to Paris for less than economy, and business class flights for $4,000 less than normal price!
So as a Canadian, yes I still think Daily Drop Pro is a worth it!
👉 Sign up for Daily Drop Pro here!
