Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada (2026)
Top Canadian travel credit cards with the best earn rates, lounge access, and travel insurance. Compare and find your perfect travel card.
21 cards found
Travel spending is a significant part of many Canadians' budgets, offering opportunities to earn rewards that can enhance future trips. A great travel credit card should provide high rewards rates on travel purchases, generous welcome bonuses, and manageable annual fees.
Expert tip: To maximize your travel rewards, consider consolidating your spending on one or two travel credit cards to accumulate points faster and take advantage of bonus earning periods.
We ranked these cards based on their travel category multiplier rates, followed by the value of their welcome bonuses, and then considered their annual fees.
What to Look for in a Travel Credit Card — Beyond the Points
Travel credit cards are the most marketed category in Canadian personal finance, and for good reason — the welcome bonuses alone can be worth $500–$1,000 in flights. But the earn rate on travel purchases is just one piece of the puzzle.
The real differentiators are the perks that don't show up in a points calculator: airport lounge access, travel insurance coverage, no foreign transaction fees, and trip cancellation protection. A card with a slightly lower earn rate but comprehensive travel insurance can save you hundreds on a single trip.
Think about how you book travel. Cards tied to specific programs like Aeroplan or Avion work best if you fly Air Canada or redeem through their partners. If you prefer booking directly or through any airline, a flexible points card like Amex Membership Rewards or Scotia Scene+ gives you more options.
Things to Consider
Lounge access
Premium travel cards often include Priority Pass or Visa Infinite Privilege lounge access. If you travel frequently, this alone can justify a $400+ annual fee.
Foreign transaction fees
Most Canadian credit cards charge 2.5% on foreign currency purchases. Cards like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite waive this fee — a significant saving for international travellers.
Travel insurance depth
Not all travel insurance is equal. Check the coverage limits for trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and flight delays. Some cards cap medical coverage at $1M; others at $5M.
Point transfer partners
Flexible points programs like Amex Membership Rewards can transfer to multiple airline and hotel programs, often at a 1:1 ratio. This flexibility can dramatically increase the value of your points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best travel credit card in Canada?
It depends on your travel style. For Air Canada flyers, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite are top picks. For flexible travel, the American Express Platinum Card or Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite offer strong earn rates and premium perks.
Which Canadian credit cards have no foreign transaction fees?
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, Home Trust Preferred Visa, and Rogers World Elite Mastercard all waive foreign transaction fees. This saves you 2.5% on every purchase made in a foreign currency.
Is a $600 annual fee travel card worth it?
For frequent travellers, often yes. A card like the Amex Platinum charges $799/year but includes lounge access, travel credits, and a welcome bonus that can offset the fee entirely in year one. Run the numbers based on how often you use the perks.
Can I use travel points for hotels and car rentals, not just flights?
Yes. Most flexible points programs — Amex Membership Rewards, Scotia Scene+, BMO Rewards — allow redemptions for hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages, not just flights.
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