A good travel card can be a huge asset for an avid traveller. Often you can build enough points to travel for free. These cards usually reward you with points or miles when you use them. A good card has no blackout dates and allows you to redeem your points for flights, hotels, cruises, vacation packages and car rentals.
Bonus perks include access to airport lounges, free checked baggage and travel insurance.
I've picked my top 5 credit cards for travel in Canada for 2022. I will also mention which cards I have or have had in the past.
5. The BMO Ascend World Elite MasterCard
This card has annual fees of $150
This card includes
Baggage delay insurance
Baggage loss insurance
Car rental insurance
Extended warranty
Flight delay insurance
Lounge access
Purchase assurance
Travel accident insurance
Travel emergency medical
Trip cancellation
Trip interruption
Watch for bonus offers before applying for this card. Currently, you can get 60,000 points, and the annual fee is waived.
With this card, you earn 5x the points on every dollar for eligible travel purchases, 3x for every dollar spent on eligible dining and entertainment, and bill payments and 1 point for every dollar spent anywhere else.
4. Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
This card has annual fees of $150
This card includes
Baggage delay insurance
Baggage loss insurance
Car rental insurance
Extended warranty
Flight delay insurance
Lounge access
No foreign exchange fee
Price protection
Purchase assurance
Travel accident insurance
Travel emergency medical
Trip cancellation
Trip interruption
A current sign up bonus worth up to $1,320 is available until April 30, 2023. It includes 40,000 Scene points and the first year annual fee waived.
Earn 2 points per dollar on entertainment, restaurants and daily transit. 1 point per dollar on other purchases and 3 points per dollar on groceries.
Bonus: There are no foreign transaction fees for shopping online or abroad.
3. BMO Airmiles MasterCard
This one makes the list for being a no-fee card.
This card includes
No annual fee.
Get even more Miles when you add another cardholder for free.
Shop confidently with an extended warranty and purchase protection.
Save up to 25% off rentals at participating National Car Rental and Alamo Rent-a-Car locations.
Get 15% off admission to Cirque du Soleil shows touring Canada and 20% off resident shows in Las Vegas.
A current signup value of 800 Air Miles when you spend $1000 during the first three months. Expires July 31, 2023. Get 3x the air miles at participating partners and 2x the Air Miles for every $25 dollars spent at any eligible grocery store.
One thing to note is that the Air Miles program may not be as flexible for travel bookings as one would hope. But I have successfully used Air Miles to travel many places.
2. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
This card currently has an annual fee of $139
This Card Offers
Enroll for NEXUS once every 48 months, get an application fee rebate4, and share free first-checked bags
Free first checked bag for up to 8 people on the same reservation as long as your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
No flight or seat restrictions and no blackout periods.
Up to $2 million of coverage for the first 21 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first 4 days of your trip. Additional top-up coverage is available.
Trip Cancellation coverage of up to $1,500 per insured person.
Up to $500 in coverage per insured person if your flight/trip is delayed for over 4 hours.
Up to $1,000 overall coverage per insured person toward the purchase of essentials such as clothes and toiletries if your baggage is delayed more than 6 hours or lost.
Up to $500,000 of coverage for covered losses while travelling on a common carrier (for example, a bus, ferry, plane, train or auto rental)
Auto Rental coverage.
If you sign up for this card before January 3, 2023 you could earn up to $1,400 in perks. That include 50,000 Aeroplan points and no annual fee for the first year.
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
This card is my choice for the top travel card. It is expensive at $599 a year for annual fees. However, if you travel with baggage and use the Lounge a few times, it quickly pays for itself.
New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points:
Receive $100 in statement credits every four years for applying for a NEXUS card.
Get through the airport quicker with Air Canada Priority Check-In, Air Canada Priority Boarding and Air Canada Priority Baggage Handling.
Receive one Annual Worldwide Companion Pass when you spend $25,000 in net purchases before your Card anniversary date.
Enjoy access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges.
Enjoy your eligible first checked bag free for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada flights.
Added benefits if you are travelling from the Toronto Pearson International Airport.
5 Million emergency medical coverage.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption/Flight Delay/Baggage Delay/Hotel Burglary Insurance.
Travel Accident Insurance
Car Rental Insurance
Currently, American Express is offering 85,000 points for signing up for this card. Kindly consider using my referral link if you decide to apply for this card. It will allow you to earn up to 90,000 points for signing up.
Always check the fine print for each of these cards. I cannot guarantee my information. I always do my best to ensure that I give you the best information. But things can change. If you miss the bonuses for signing up, I suggest waiting for it to come back around. There's a huge benefit to waiting and earning those extra benefits.
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