Whether or not you’ve acquired an enormous worldwide journey or the cross-country Canadian trip of a lifetime developing, the precise journey bank card is without doubt one of the finest issues you may pack. Journey bank cards can earn you rewards on high of widespread purchases like flights, gasoline, and eating out, however they will additionally embody advantages like journey insurance coverage and reductions to unique occasions or eating places.
We’ve named the Scotiabank Gold American Specific the #1 journey bank card because of robust rewards and advantages, however we’ll take a look at your different bank card choices that can assist you discover the bank card most suited to your journey wants.
The most effective journey bank cards in Canada
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Gold: Greatest journey bank card
Scotiabank Gold American Specific Card
Earn as much as 6 Scene+ factors per $1 spent and entry unbelievable journey perks, together with no international transaction charges.
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Curiosity Charges:
20.99% buy, 22.99% money advance, 22.99% stability switch
Welcome supply:
$500 worth
Earn as much as $1,050 in welcome presents, first yr rewards and financial savings worth, together with no annual price in your first yr, and as much as 50,000 bonus Scene+ factors.
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Silver: Greatest journey bank card
American Specific Cobalt Card
One of many quickest methods to earn versatile Membership Rewards factors. You may switch factors to Aeroplan to spice up their worth.
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Curiosity Charges:
21.99% buy, 21.99% money advance, N/A stability switch
Welcome supply:
$150 worth
Earn 1,250 factors for every month you spend $750, as much as a most of 15,000 factors.
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Bronze: Greatest journey bank card
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Get 5 MBNA Rewards factors per $1 throughout 5 classes, plus an annual bonus of 10% of the factors earned over 12 months.
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Curiosity Charges:
19.99% buy, 24.99% money advance, 22.99% stability switch
Welcome supply:
$200 worth
Earn 20,000 bonus factors (roughly $165 in money again worth) after you make $2,000 or extra in eligible purchases throughout the first 90 days.
Gold: Scotiabank Gold American Specific
The Scotiabank Gold American Specific is our decide for Canada’s finest all-round journey bank card. It comes with unbeatable rewards and advantages, together with as much as 6 factors per greenback on groceries and 5 factors on eating, meals supply, and leisure—plus the flexibility to redeem factors retroactively for purchases made throughout the previous 12 months.Â
With complete journey insurance coverage, no international transaction charges, and unique American Specific perks, this card is the proper journey companion for each on a regular basis spending and your subsequent journey.
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Scotiabank Gold American Specific
Annual price: $120
Welcome supply: Earn as much as $1,050 in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 50,000 bonus Scene+ factors. Supply ends October 31, 2025.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
| Earnings required | $12,000 per yr |
| Credit score rating | 725 or greater |
| Level worth | 1 Scene+ level = $0.01 when redeemed for journey, retailer purchases and foods and drinks at Cineplex and Scene companions |
Silver: American Specific Cobalt
With excellent earn charges in broadly-defined, well-liked spending classes like eating, groceries, and streaming providers, the American Specific Cobalt card is a journey rewards beast. Factors are simple to redeem and extremely versatile—and you’ll enhance their worth by transferring them to different journey loyalty packages. Plus, it features a complete insurance coverage bundle.
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American Specific Cobalt
Annual price: $155.88 ($150 for Quebec residents)
Welcome supply: Earn 1,250 factors for every month you spend $750, as much as a most of 15,000 factors.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases and money advances, 25.99% to 29.99% penalty APR on purchases and money advances (charges are variable) |
| Earnings required | None specified |
| Credit score rating | 725 or greater |
| Level worth | 1 Amex Membership Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed with the Versatile Factors Journey Program, $0.015 on common with the Mounted Factors Journey Program, and as much as $0.02 with airline factors transfers |
Professionals
- Excessive earn charges: Get a few of the highest charges round, together with 5x factors on meals and drinks, 3x on streaming providers, and 2x on gasoline, transit, and ridesharing. The bottom earn charge is a decent 1 level per $1 spent.
- Versatile redemptions: Amex Membership Rewards factors are fairly profitable. Redeem the straightforward approach at a flat charge of 10,000 factors for $10 in direction of any journey expense, enhance level values by utilizing Amex’s Mounted Level chart, or switch factors to Aeroplan for the perfect worth.
Cons
- Reward cap on meals: This card has a $2,500 month-to-month cap on rewards for meals and groceries.
- Restricted acceptance: Though American Specific can be utilized at tens of 1000’s of companies throughout the nation, it’s not as extensively accepted as Visa or Mastercard.
- Excessive annual price: The month-to-month price involves a complete of ${_rh.creditCards.american-express-cobalt-card.subsequent_year_annual} per yr—a bit greater than the $120 charged by comparable playing cards in Canada.
- No journey cancellation protection: Whereas the cardboard contains loads of insurance coverage, it lacks the journey interruption and cancellation protection that you simply’ll discover with many different premium playing cards.
Bronze: MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
You’re positive to rack up factors shortly with the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard. Along with incomes 5 MBNA Rewards factors per $1 spent throughout 5 classes—restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and family utility purchases—Canadian cardholders get an annual birthday bonus of 10% of the factors earned within the final 12 months. Completely happy birthday to you!
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MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Annual price: $120
Welcome supply: earn 20,000 bonus factors (roughly $165 in money again worth) after you make $2,000 or extra in eligible purchases throughout the first 90 days. (Not obtainable for residents of Quebec.)
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on stability transfers and 24.99% on money advances
Discover charge adjustments starting in September of 2025: 21.99% on eligible purchases, 22.99% on stability transfers, and 22.99% on money advances. |
| Earnings required | $80,000 per yr |
| Credit score rating | 660 or greater |
| Level worth | 1 MBNA Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed for journey |
How we decide the perfect playing cards
To pick the perfect playing cards on this aggressive class, we evaluated a number of key elements which can be essential when utilizing a journey bank card. First, we thought-about the return on spending and weighed that in opposition to any annual price. We additionally checked out travel-related perks and advantages, like insurance coverage protection and no international change charges. The addition of hyperlinks from affiliate companions has no bearing on the outcomes on this rating. Learn extra about the MoneySense choice course of and about how MoneySense makes cash.
Different high journey bank cards
If our high picks aren’t fairly what you’re in search of, check out our runners up.
Greatest airline journey card: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite tops our record of finest airline bank cards in Canada for its simple redemption course of for the Aeroplan program and extras just like the $100 Nexus price rebate. Plus, if you happen to often spend on Uber rides and deliveries or are an everyday at Starbucks, you may stretch your rewards even additional.
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TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Annual price: $139 (waived first yr)
Welcome supply: Earn as much as $1,300 in worth, together with as much as 40,000 Aeroplan factors and no annual price for the primary yr. Circumstances apply.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances (21.99% in Quebec), 22.99% on stability transfers (21.99% in Quebec) |
| Earnings required | Private earnings of $60,000 or family earnings of $100,000 |
| Credit score rating | 680 or greater (really useful) |
| Level worth | Aeroplan factors are value $0.02 on common |
Greatest no-fee journey card: American Specific Inexperienced
That is one among Canada’s finest no-fee bank cards. The Amex Inexperienced earns factors on all of your on a regular basis spending, which you’ll be able to redeem for journey, assertion credit, reward playing cards, and merchandise. Or, you possibly can switch them 1:1 to different frequent flyer journey or rewards packages. That is noteworthy as a result of by transferring your factors to a journey program like Aeroplan, you possibly can considerably enhance their worth.
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American Specific Inexperienced Card
Annual price: $0
Welcome supply: earn 10,000 Membership Rewards factors while you cost $1,000 in purchases to your card within the first three months of cardmembership.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
| Earnings required | None specified |
| Credit score rating | 725 or greater |
| Level worth | 1 Amex Membership Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed with the Versatile Factors Journey Program, $0.015 on common with the Mounted Factors Journey Program, and as much as $0.02 with airline factors transfers. |
Greatest premium journey card: American Specific Aeroplan Reserve
Designed for Air Canada loyalists, this premium card unlocks elite journey advantages like complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge entry, airport advantages, companion passes, NEXUS price rebates, and extra. The rewards charge can also be nice, incomes you 3 factors on Air Canada purchases, 2 factors on eating/meals supply, and 1.25 factors on all different purchases.
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American Specific Aeroplan Reserve
Annual price: $599
Welcome supply: Earn 60,000 factors after you spend $7,500 in your first 3 months of card membership. Plus, earn an extra 40,000 factors after you spend $45,000 in your card in your first 12 months of card membership.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases and 21.99% on money advances |
| Earnings required | None specified |
| Credit score rating | 725 or greater |
| Level worth | Aeroplan factors are value $0.02 on common |
Professionals
- Intensive journey insurance coverage: This card contains protection for journey medical, journey cancellation/interruption, flight delays, baggage, lodge burglaries, journey accidents, and rental vehicles.
- Airport lounge entry: You’ll take pleasure in limitless Maple Leaf Lounge visits in North America for main and extra cardholders plus one visitor on eligible Air Canada and Star Alliance flights.
- Premium airport advantages: Get pleasure from unique Air Canada perks like precedence check-in and boarding, and a free checked bag on eligible Air Canada flights for you and as much as eight journey companions. Toronto Pearson perks embody precedence safety, complimentary valet parking, and reductions on parking and automobile care providers.
- Companion voucher: Get an annual worldwide companion cross at a set base fare between $99 and $599. Additionally, take pleasure in most popular pricing on Air Canada flight redemptions.
- Earn factors twice: Pay with this card and supply your Aeroplan quantity at associate manufacturers and on-line retailers to earn factors twice.
Cons
- Excessive annual price: Though the cardboard presents spectacular perks, the annual price is excessive at ${_rh.creditCards.american-express-aeroplan-reserve-card.charges.subsequent_year_annual}. You’ll have to maximise the cardboard’s advantages to outweigh the hefty value.
- No cell gadget insurance coverage: Although it’s a premium card, you gained’t getmobile gadget protection as a part of the insurance coverage bundle.
- Redemption values: You’ll get essentially the most worth in your factors when redeeming for Air Canada flight.
- Decrease acceptance: American Specific isn’t as extensively accepted as Visa and Mastercard.
Greatest journey card for lounge entry: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
The Passport Visa Infinite is among the many hottest for airport lounge entry, providing six free visits per yr, Plus, this is without doubt one of the few journey bank cards in Canada with no international transaction (FX) charges, so that you’ll save 2.5% on purchases outdoors of CAD.
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Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
Annual price: $150
Welcome supply: Earn as much as $1,350 in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 45,000 bonus Scene+ factors. Supply ends October 31, 2025.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
| Earnings required | Private earnings of $60,000 per yr or family earnings of $100,000 per yr |
| Credit score rating | 725 or greater |
| Level worth | 1 Scene+ level = $0.01 when redeemed for journey on any airline or lodge (together with Airbnbs). |
- Airport lounge entry: The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is the one no-foreign-exchange-fee card in Canada to supply airport lounge entry. You’ll get complimentary Precedence Go membership with six free airport lounge visits per yr—essentially the most obtainable on a card with an annual price of lower than $200.
- No FX charges: Non-CAD purchases gained’t have the everyday 2.5% international transaction price, so that you’ll take pleasure in searching for souvenirs much more.
- Journey insurance coverage: This card contains emergency medical insurance coverage for as much as 25 days, plus journey cancellation, flight delay, misplaced baggage, rental automobile insurance coverage, and extra.
- Simple journey bookings: When you can ebook with Scene+ Journey, you can too ebook journey on-line or with any journey company and redeem Scene+ factors to cowl the price of your journey.
- Visa Infinite advantages: Perks and providers embody the Visa Infinite Luxurious Lodge Assortment, Visa Infinite Eating collection, and complimentary Avis Most popular Plus membership.
Cons
- Low rewards for a premium card: The earn charge for sure spending classes (like eating and leisure) is low in comparison with different journey playing cards, and there are restricted classes for boosted earn charges.
- Constant level values: Journey factors are at all times value 1 cent per level, which is respectable however nothing to write down residence about.
- Non-transferable factors: You can’t switch factors to airline rewards packages.
Greatest for journey insurance coverage: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is the one card with limitless emergency medical protection—a perk that even applies to Canadians over the age of 65. The cardboard comes with all the opposite coverages you may count on from a premium journey bank card, plus Visa Infinite Privilege advantages and 6 airport lounge passes per yr.
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RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
Annual price: $399
Welcome supply: Earn as much as 70,000 Avion factors ($1,500 worth).
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances and on stability transfers |
| Earnings required | Private: $200,000 or family: $200,000 or minimal whole investable property of $400,000. |
| Credit score rating | 760 or greater |
| Level worth | 1 RBC Avion level = As much as $0.023 when redeemed for journey utilizing RBC’s Air Journey Redemption Schedule. |
Greatest journey card for lodge rewards: American Specific Marriott Bonvoy
With the flexibility to redeem for every thing from room upgrades to spa remedies, Marriott Bonvoy factors are helpful for frequent Canadian travellers. Plus, they’re transferrable to many airline packages. Extras like free lodge stays and Amex advantages make this a must have journey bank card if you happen to’re a lodge hopper.
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Marriott Bonvoy American Specific
Annual price: $120
Welcome supply: Earn 65,000 factors after you spend $3,000 in your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Earn an extra 30,000 factors after you spend a complete of $20,000 in your card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
| Earnings required | None specified |
| Credit score rating | 725 or greater |
| Factors worth | 1 Marriott Bonvoy level is value $0.0117 on common |
Professionals
- Numerous redemption choices: Put factors towards upgrades at accommodations just like the St. Regis, Westin, and lots of others, or redeem for merchandise or journey experiences. You may as well use factors to cowl journey bills, like automobile leases and flights.
- Annual free night time’s keep: Obtain free lodging in a collaborating Marriott Bonvoy lodge yearly, as much as a price of 35,000 factors.
- Silver Elite standing: Get pleasure from complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite standing, which presents unique discounted charges and better earn charges on collaborating stays.
- American Specific perks: Get early entry to occasion tickets by means of the Amex Entrance of the Line program, plus reap the benefits of curated eating, retail, and wellness experiences.
Cons
- Dynamic loyalty program: You’ll must strategize and plan upfront to get essentially the most worth out of your Bonvoy factors.
- Decrease acceptance: American Specific playing cards usually are not as extensively accepted as Credit cards and Visas, each in Canada and overseas.Â
- Journey insurance coverage limitations: This card doesn’t embody emergency medical journey insurance coverage.Â
Reddit evaluations: The most effective journey bank cards based on Canadian cardholders
We prefer to see what actual cardholders should say about utilizing them when travelling, so we turned to Reddit (which confirmed one among our favorite playing cards).
As one other reader factors out, think about which playing cards cost international change charges if you happen to’re travelling overseas.
A closing remark reminds customers to consider community availability when selecting a journey bank card.
What makes a very good journey bank card?
We briefly talked about what we evaluated when rating our favorite journey bank cards, however let’s develop on the elements that go into an important journey bank card.
- Journey insurance coverage protection: Don’t underestimate how helpful a very good insurance coverage bundle is when travelling. You possibly can find yourself saving 1000’s if you happen to expertise a medical emergency or journey interruption, however learn your card’s nice print since bank card journey insurance coverage packages fluctuate extensively. Some may supply temporary protection whereas others supply intensive safety (or uncommon protection for these over age 65).
- Airport lounge entry: Frequent flyers know the true worth of a very good airport lounge in between flights. When you can put a value on lounge charges, it’s exhausting to put a price on having someplace to calm down, seize a chew, catch a bathe, or get caught up on work within the peace and quiet of a cushty lounge. Keep in mind that whereas some playing cards present lounge membership, you might have to pay for entry in the event that they don’t embody free passes.
- Lodge reductions and upgrades: When you often keep at chains like Marriott or Hilton, you should definitely use a journey card that features unique reductions or perks like room upgrades. You’ll earn free nights after making a sure variety of bookings—and whether or not you’re travelling for enterprise or pleasure, it’s good to avoid wasting on lodge stays.
- No international transaction (FX) charges: A 2.5% international transaction won’t appear to be a lot, however it shortly provides up for frequent travellers. Though it’s not a flashy bank card profit, a bank card with no international transaction charges can find yourself being value its weight in gold.Â
- Roadside help protection: Whether or not you’re driving throughout city or out of your province, you by no means know when roadside help will turn out to be useful. This helpful profit can help you within the occasion of a flat tire, useless battery, empty gasoline tank, or mishap that lands you on the facet of the highway.Â
- Rental automobile insurance coverage: Earlier than you pay for rental automobile insurance coverage and seize your keys from the rental counter, verify if the bank card you’re paying with contains the protection you want. Many embody collision and legal responsibility protection, however learn your phrases and circumstances rigorously.
Canada’s finest bank cards for airport lounge entry
Sorts of journey bank cards
Journey bank cards may appear to be all of them supply comparable advantages, however there are literally distinctions between them. Usually, there are 4 sorts of journey bank cards.
1. Versatile journey factorsÂ
These playing cards earn you factors which you could spend in quite a lot of methods. As an example, if you happen to take part in Amex Membership Rewards or TD Rewards, you may switch factors to a different program, ebook journey, redeem for money again, buy merchandise, or select reward playing cards.
2. Premium journey playing cardsÂ
These bank cards are inclined to have greater charges (and earnings necessities), however they provide essentially the most in luxurious perks. As an example, the Amex Aeroplan Reserve and Visa Infinite Privilege playing cards include advantages like concierge providers, unique eating and leisure presents, airport lounge entry, higher insurance coverage protection, and journey upgrades.
3. Airline rewardsÂ
Relying on the cardboard, you could earn factors to spend with a selected airline. Canada’s three main airways—Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter—all have branded bank cards that provide distinctive perks and allow you to earn factors with every flight. You may spend these factors on flights, trip packages, upgrades, and extra for, however do not forget that some packages place redemption restrictions on rewards flights.
4. Lodge rewardsÂ
When you often journey for work and have a tendency to remain at a specific lodge model or group, it is sensible to make use of a lodge rewards card that earns factors at a sooner charge. Plus, these playing cards typically throw in perks like room upgrades or free breakfasts on eligible stays.
Examine all journey bank cards in Canada
Examine journey bank card choices in Canada with our interactive software and filter bank cards based mostly in your spending wants, together with rewards worth, annual charges, earnings necessities, and extra.
FAQs
What’s the finest Canadian bank card for worldwide journey​?
For essentially the most half, we just like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite as a result of it doesn’t cost the everyday 2.5% international change price. It additionally contains six free airport lounge visits, complete journey insurance coverage, and earns Scene+ factors, which you’ll be able to redeem for journey bills.
Can I exploit my Scotiabank bank card internationally​?
Scotiabank points Visas and American Specific playing cards, so you shouldn’t have any hassle utilizing your Scotiabank bank card internationally. That stated, it’s a good suggestion to contact Scotiabank earlier than you permit to tell them of your journey plans. This could stop them from issuing a short lived fraud alert or pause in your account as a consequence of uncommon exercise.
Are journey bank cards value it in Canada?
Sure, journey playing cards are value it! The most effective journey bank cards supply complete journey insurance coverage that may turn out to be useful if you happen to lease a automobile or expertise a medical subject, journey delay, or journey cancellation. Some journey bank cards additionally waive international change charges (which might prevent the two.5% price on every international transaction). Plus, they typically embody perks like airport lounge entry, concierge service, and extra.
