I’ve looked at many travel rewards credit cards to find the best for you in 2024. These cards offer great air miles and travel perks, making your trips more enjoyable. If you want the best travel or rewards card in Canada, this guide is for you.
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is a top choice, with a big bonus of 60,000 Aeroplan Points to start1. You can keep earning more points as you travel, making every trip better1. Plus, it has smart tech for safer spending wherever you go2.
I’ll help you find a card that fits how often you travel and what you like. You’ll get all you need to pick your perfect travel card, with top tips for Canadian travelers. Your journey to find the best travel card starts here.
Evaluating the Best Credit Cards for Canadian Travellers in 2024
In 2024, Canadian travelers have many credit cards to choose from. It’s important to balance annual fees with benefits like bonuses and rewards. The American Express Cobalt Card stands out, offering $150 in travel benefits and a big bonus of 15,000 points in the first year3. The CIBC Aventura Gold Visa is also great, with its $444 average yearly rewards and 35,000 bonus points3.
For those who fly often, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite offers $527.32 in annual rewards. It has a high yearly fee of $499 but gives luxuries like airport lounge access3. The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is another top pick, especially for those looking for cash back, with its solid $311.69 annual reward value3.
Interest rates and fees are also crucial to consider. The American Express Cobalt Card has a $155.88 annual fee. On the other hand, the Neo Secured Credit Card has an interest rate of 19.99% to 29.99% but offers a 0.5% to 15% rewards rate4. For those avoiding fees, the American Express Green Card is a no-fee option5.
Let’s take a quick look at these credit card options:
| Credit Card | Welcome Offer | Annual Fee | Average Annual Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Cobalt | Up to 15,000 points3 | $155.883 | Up to $1503 |
| CIBC Aventura Gold Visa | 35,000 points3 | $139 (Rebated for first year)3 | $4443 |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | N/A | $1193 | $311.693 |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | N/A | $139 (Rebated with conditions)3 | $527.323 |
This table shows a quick look but there’s more to consider. Eligibility includes credit scores between 660 and 760. Income requirements can range from $12,000 to $80,0005. Some cards, like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, offer a $50 gift card on approval5.
About 85% of Canadians prefer credit cards for their rewards4. We look for no foreign exchange fees and good travel insurance. My goal is to help you find a card that makes your travels better without hurting your budget.
Maximizing Your Travel Rewards: Strategic Spending and Redemption Tips
I’ve found a smart way to travel better is using a travel rewards credit card wisely. With the American Express Cobalt, every bite out earns me 5 points per dollar, and trips or transit brings in 2 points per dollar6. These points grow fast, giving me exciting travel perks. Using a card like the Scotiabank Gold American Express, which needs a 700 credit score, saves me from extra fees abroad6.
My love for movies and dining makes the Scotiabank Gold American Express a perfect match. It gives me 5 points for every dollar spent on fun or food6. The American Express Green Card, which has no annual fee, fits my daily spending. This approach doesn’t just give me great value; it also helps me travel more6.
Choosing the best credit card is about matching it with your lifestyle and its benefits. For example, using the BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite* Mastercard® got me a big bonus of 2,000 air miles after spending $3,000 in three months7. Being smart and knowing your spending habits is crucial. It leads to gathering lots of rewards points that turn into amazing trips. Each card has its perks and rates, but paying off what I owe on time and using the benefits wisely means more savings and better travel experiences6.
Source Links
- https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/credit-cards/card-types/travel-rewards-cards/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_card
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/ca/credit-cards/best/travel/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/ca/credit-cards/best-general-rewards-credit-cards
- https://www.ratehub.ca/blog/best-travel-credit-cards-in-canada/
- https://www.moneysense.ca/spend/credit-cards/best-travel-credit-cards-in-canada/
- https://www.money.ca/credit-cards/how-to-maximize-rewards-points
