Whether you’ve got a big international trip or the cross-country Canadian vacation of a lifetime coming up, the right travel credit card is one of the best things you could pack. Travel credit cards can earn you rewards on top of common purchases like flights, gas, and dining out, but they can also include benefits like travel insurance and discounts to exclusive events or restaurants.
We’ve named the Scotiabank Gold American Express the #1 travel credit card thanks to strong rewards and benefits, but we’ll look at your other credit card options to help you find the credit card most suited to your travel needs.
The best travel credit cards in Canada
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Gold: Best travel credit card
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Earn up to 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent and access incredible travel perks, including no foreign transaction fees.
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Interest Rates:
20.99% purchase, 22.99% cash advance, 22.99% balance transfer
Welcome offer:
$500 value
Earn up to $1,050 in welcome offers, first year rewards and savings value, including no annual fee in your first year, and up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points.
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Silver: Best travel credit card
American Express Cobalt Card
One of the fastest ways to earn flexible Membership Rewards points. You can transfer points to Aeroplan to boost their value.
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Interest Rates:
21.99% purchase, 21.99% cash advance, N/A balance transfer
Welcome offer:
$150 value
Earn 1,250 points for each month you spend $750, up to a maximum of 15,000 points.
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Bronze: Best travel credit card
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Get 5 MBNA Rewards points per $1 across five categories, plus an annual bonus of 10% of the points earned over 12 months.
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Interest Rates:
19.99% purchase, 24.99% cash advance, 22.99% balance transfer
Welcome offer:
$200 value
Earn 20,000 bonus points (approximately $165 in cash back value) after you make $2,000 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days.
Gold: Scotiabank Gold American Express
The Scotiabank Gold American Express is our pick for Canada’s best all-round travel credit card. It comes with unbeatable rewards and benefits, including up to 6 points per dollar on groceries and 5 points on dining, food delivery, and entertainment—plus the ability to redeem points retroactively for purchases made within the past 12 months.
With comprehensive travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and exclusive American Express perks, this card is the perfect travel companion for both everyday spending and your next adventure.
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Scotiabank Gold American Express
Annual fee: $120
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,050 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends October 31, 2025.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | $12,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, store purchases and food and drink at Cineplex and Scene partners |
Silver: American Express Cobalt
With outstanding earn rates in broadly-defined, popular spending categories like dining, groceries, and streaming services, the American Express Cobalt card is a travel rewards beast. Points are easy to redeem and incredibly flexible—and you can increase their value by transferring them to other travel loyalty programs. Plus, it includes a comprehensive insurance package.
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American Express Cobalt
Annual fee: $155.88 ($150 for Quebec residents)
Welcome offer: Earn 1,250 points for each month you spend $750, up to a maximum of 15,000 points.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases and cash advances, 25.99% to 29.99% penalty APR on purchases and cash advances (rates are variable) |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Amex Membership Rewards point = $0.01 when redeemed with the Flexible Points Travel Program, $0.015 on average with the Fixed Points Travel Program, and up to $0.02 with airline points transfers |
Pros
- High earn rates: Get some of the highest rates around, including 5x points on food and drinks, 3x on streaming services, and 2x on gas, transit, and ridesharing. The base earn rate is a respectable 1 point per $1 spent.
- Flexible redemptions: Amex Membership Rewards points are pretty lucrative. Redeem the simple way at a flat rate of 10,000 points for $10 towards any travel expense, boost point values by using Amex’s Fixed Point chart, or transfer points to Aeroplan for the best value.
Cons
- Reward cap on food: This card has a $2,500 monthly cap on rewards for food and groceries.
- Limited acceptance: Although American Express can be used at tens of thousands of businesses across the country, it’s not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard.
- High annual fee: The monthly fee comes to a total of ${_rh.creditCards.american-express-cobalt-card.subsequent_year_annual} per year—a bit more than the $120 charged by comparable cards in Canada.
- No trip cancellation coverage: While the card includes plenty of insurance, it lacks the trip interruption and cancellation coverage that you’ll find with many other premium cards.
Bronze: MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
You’re sure to rack up points quickly with the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard. In addition to earning 5 MBNA Rewards points per $1 spent across five categories—restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases—Canadian cardholders get an annual birthday bonus of 10% of the points earned in the last 12 months. Happy birthday to you!
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MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $120
Welcome offer: earn 20,000 bonus points (approximately $165 in cash back value) after you make $2,000 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days. (Not available for residents of Quebec.)
Card details
| Interest rates | 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers and 24.99% on cash advances
Notice rate changes beginning in September of 2025: 21.99% on eligible purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers, and 22.99% on cash advances. |
| Income required | $80,000 per year |
| Credit score | 660 or higher |
| Point value | 1 MBNA Rewards point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel |
How we determine the best cards
To select the best cards in this competitive category, we evaluated several key factors that are important when using a travel credit card. First, we considered the return on spending and weighed that against any annual fee. We also looked at travel-related perks and benefits, like insurance coverage and no foreign exchange fees. The addition of links from affiliate partners has no bearing on the results in this ranking. Read more about the MoneySense selection process and about how MoneySense makes money.
Other top travel credit cards
If our top picks aren’t quite what you’re looking for, take a look at our runners up.
Best airline travel card: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite tops our list of best airline credit cards in Canada for its easy redemption process for the Aeroplan program and extras like the $100 Nexus fee rebate. Plus, if you frequently spend on Uber rides and deliveries or are a regular at Starbucks, you could stretch your rewards even further.
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TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Annual fee: $139 (waived first year)
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,300 in value, including up to 40,000 Aeroplan points and no annual fee for the first year. Conditions apply.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances (21.99% in Quebec), 22.99% on balance transfers (21.99% in Quebec) |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000 |
| Credit score | 680 or higher (recommended) |
| Point value | Aeroplan points are worth $0.02 on average |
Best no-fee travel card: American Express Green
This is one of Canada’s best no-fee credit cards. The Amex Green earns points on all your everyday spending, which you can redeem for travel, statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise. Or, you can transfer them 1:1 to other frequent flyer travel or rewards programs. This is noteworthy because by transferring your points to a travel program like Aeroplan, you can significantly boost their value.
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American Express Green Card
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: earn 10,000 Membership Rewards points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your card in the first three months of cardmembership.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Amex Membership Rewards point = $0.01 when redeemed with the Flexible Points Travel Program, $0.015 on average with the Fixed Points Travel Program, and up to $0.02 with airline points transfers. |
Best premium travel card: American Express Aeroplan Reserve
Designed for Air Canada loyalists, this premium card unlocks elite travel benefits like complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge access, airport benefits, companion passes, NEXUS fee rebates, and more. The rewards rate is also great, earning you 3 points on Air Canada purchases, 2 points on dining/food delivery, and 1.25 points on all other purchases.
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American Express Aeroplan Reserve
Annual fee: $599
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $7,500 in your first 3 months of card membership. Plus, earn an additional 40,000 points after you spend $45,000 on your card in your first 12 months of card membership.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | Aeroplan points are worth $0.02 on average |
Pros
- Extensive travel insurance: This card includes coverage for travel medical, trip cancellation/interruption, flight delays, baggage, hotel burglaries, travel accidents, and rental cars.
- Airport lounge access: You’ll enjoy unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge visits in North America for primary and additional cardholders plus one guest on eligible Air Canada and Star Alliance flights.
- Premium airport benefits: Enjoy exclusive Air Canada perks like priority check-in and boarding, and a free checked bag on eligible Air Canada flights for you and up to eight travel companions. Toronto Pearson perks include priority security, complimentary valet parking, and discounts on parking and car care services.
- Companion voucher: Get an annual worldwide companion pass at a fixed base fare between $99 and $599. Also, enjoy preferred pricing on Air Canada flight redemptions.
- Earn points twice: Pay with this card and provide your Aeroplan number at partner brands and online retailers to earn points twice.
Cons
- High annual fee: Although the card offers impressive perks, the annual fee is high at ${_rh.creditCards.american-express-aeroplan-reserve-card.fees.subsequent_year_annual}. You’ll have to maximize the card’s benefits to outweigh the hefty cost.
- No mobile device insurance: Though it’s a premium card, you won’t getmobile device coverage as part of the insurance package.
- Redemption values: You’ll get the most value for your points when redeeming for Air Canada flight.
- Lower acceptance: American Express isn’t as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard.
Best travel card for lounge access: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
The Passport Visa Infinite is among the most popular for airport lounge access, offering six free visits per year, Plus, this is one of the few travel credit cards in Canada with no foreign transaction (FX) fees, so you’ll save 2.5% on purchases outside of CAD.
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Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $150
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,350 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends October 31, 2025.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 per year or household income of $100,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel on any airline or hotel (including Airbnbs). |
- Airport lounge access: The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is the only no-foreign-exchange-fee card in Canada to offer airport lounge access. You’ll get complimentary Priority Pass membership with six free airport lounge visits per year—the most available on a card with an annual fee of less than $200.
- No FX fees: Non-CAD purchases won’t have the typical 2.5% foreign transaction fee, so you’ll enjoy shopping for souvenirs even more.
- Travel insurance: This card includes emergency medical insurance for up to 25 days, plus trip cancellation, flight delay, lost baggage, rental car insurance, and more.
- Easy travel bookings: While you can book with Scene+ Travel, you can also book travel online or with any travel agency and redeem Scene+ points to cover the cost of your trip.
- Visa Infinite benefits: Perks and services include the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite Dining series, and complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership.
Cons
- Low rewards for a premium card: The earn rate for certain spending categories (like dining and entertainment) is low compared to other travel cards, and there are limited categories for boosted earn rates.
- Consistent point values: Travel points are always worth 1 cent per point, which is respectable but nothing to write home about.
- Non-transferable points: You cannot transfer points to airline rewards programs.
Best for travel insurance: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is the only card with unlimited emergency medical coverage—a perk that even applies to Canadians over the age of 65. The card comes with all the other coverages you might expect from a premium travel credit card, plus Visa Infinite Privilege benefits and six airport lounge passes per year.
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RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
Annual fee: $399
Welcome offer: Earn up to 70,000 Avion points ($1,500 value).
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances and on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal: $200,000 or household: $200,000 or minimum total investable assets of $400,000. |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
| Point value | 1 RBC Avion point = Up to $0.023 when redeemed for travel using RBC’s Air Travel Redemption Schedule. |
Best travel card for hotel rewards: American Express Marriott Bonvoy
With the ability to redeem for everything from room upgrades to spa treatments, Marriott Bonvoy points are valuable for frequent Canadian travellers. Plus, they’re transferrable to many airline programs. Extras like free hotel stays and Amex benefits make this a must-have travel credit card if you’re a hotel hopper.
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Marriott Bonvoy American Express
Annual fee: $120
Welcome offer: Earn 65,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Earn an additional 30,000 points after you spend a total of $20,000 on your card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Points value | 1 Marriott Bonvoy point is worth $0.0117 on average |
Pros
- Various redemption options: Put points toward upgrades at hotels like the St. Regis, Westin, and many others, or redeem for merchandise or travel experiences. You can also use points to cover travel expenses, like car rentals and flights.
- Annual free night’s stay: Receive free accommodation in a participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel every year, up to a value of 35,000 points.
- Silver Elite status: Enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, which offers exclusive discounted rates and higher earn rates on participating stays.
- American Express perks: Get early access to event tickets through the Amex Front of the Line program, plus take advantage of curated dining, retail, and wellness experiences.
Cons
- Dynamic loyalty program: You’ll need to strategize and plan in advance to get the most value out of your Bonvoy points.
- Lower acceptance: American Express cards are not as widely accepted as Mastercards and Visas, both in Canada and abroad.
- Travel insurance limitations: This card does not include emergency medical travel insurance.
Reddit reviews: The best travel credit cards according to Canadian cardholders
We like to see what real cardholders have to say about using them when travelling, so we turned to Reddit (which confirmed one of our favourite cards).
As another reader points out, consider which cards charge foreign exchange fees if you’re travelling abroad.
A final comment reminds users to think about network availability when choosing a travel credit card.
What makes a good travel credit card?
We briefly mentioned what we evaluated when ranking our favourite travel credit cards, but let’s expand on the factors that go into a great travel credit card.
- Travel insurance coverage: Don’t underestimate how valuable a good insurance package is when travelling. You could end up saving thousands if you experience a medical emergency or trip interruption, but read your card’s fine print since credit card travel insurance programs vary widely. Some might offer brief coverage while others offer extensive protection (or rare coverage for those over age 65).
- Airport lounge access: Frequent flyers know the true value of a good airport lounge in between flights. While you can put a price on lounge fees, it’s hard to place a value on having somewhere to relax, grab a bite, catch a shower, or get caught up on work in the peace and quiet of a comfortable lounge. Bear in mind that while some cards provide lounge membership, you may have to pay for entry if they don’t include free passes.
- Hotel discounts and upgrades: If you frequently stay at chains like Marriott or Hilton, be sure to use a travel card that includes exclusive discounts or perks like room upgrades. You’ll earn free nights after making a certain number of bookings—and whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, it’s nice to save on hotel stays.
- No foreign transaction (FX) fees: A 2.5% foreign transaction might not seem like much, but it quickly adds up for frequent travellers. Although it’s not a flashy credit card benefit, a credit card with no foreign transaction fees can end up being worth its weight in gold.
- Roadside assistance coverage: Whether you’re driving across town or out of your province, you never know when roadside assistance will come in handy. This valuable benefit can assist you in the event of a flat tire, dead battery, empty gas tank, or mishap that lands you on the side of the road.
- Rental car insurance: Before you pay for rental car insurance and grab your keys from the rental counter, check if the credit card you’re paying with includes the coverage you need. Many include collision and liability coverage, but read your terms and conditions carefully.
Canada’s best credit cards for airport lounge access
Types of travel credit cards
Travel credit cards might seem like they all offer similar benefits, but there are actually distinctions between them. Generally, there are four types of travel credit cards.
1. Flexible travel points
These cards earn you points that you can spend in a variety of ways. For instance, if you participate in Amex Membership Rewards or TD Rewards, you could transfer points to another program, book travel, redeem for cash back, purchase merchandise, or choose gift cards.
2. Premium travel cards
These credit cards tend to have higher fees (and income requirements), but they offer the most in luxury perks. For instance, the Amex Aeroplan Reserve and Visa Infinite Privilege cards come with benefits like concierge services, exclusive dining and entertainment offers, airport lounge access, better insurance coverage, and travel upgrades.
3. Airline rewards
Depending on the card, you may earn points to spend with a specific airline. Canada’s three major airlines—Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter—all have branded credit cards that offer unique perks and let you earn points with each flight. You can spend those points on flights, vacation packages, upgrades, and more for, but remember that some programs place redemption restrictions on rewards flights.
4. Hotel rewards
If you frequently travel for work and tend to stay at a particular hotel brand or group, it makes sense to use a hotel rewards card that earns points at a faster rate. Plus, these cards often throw in perks like room upgrades or free breakfasts on eligible stays.
Compare all travel credit cards in Canada
Compare travel credit card options in Canada with our interactive tool and filter credit cards based on your spending needs, including rewards value, annual fees, income requirements, and more.
FAQs
What is the best Canadian credit card for international travel?
For the most part, we like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite because it doesn’t charge the typical 2.5% foreign exchange fee. It also includes six free airport lounge visits, comprehensive travel insurance, and earns Scene+ points, which you can redeem for travel expenses.
Can I use my Scotiabank credit card internationally?
Scotiabank issues Visas and American Express cards, so you should have no trouble using your Scotiabank credit card internationally. That said, it’s a good idea to contact Scotiabank before you leave to inform them of your travel plans. This can prevent them from issuing a temporary fraud alert or pause on your account due to unusual activity.
Are travel credit cards worth it in Canada?
Yes, travel cards are worth it! The best travel credit cards offer comprehensive travel insurance that can come in handy if you rent a car or experience a medical issue, trip delay, or trip cancellation. Some travel credit cards also waive foreign exchange fees (which could save you the 2.5% fee on each foreign transaction). Plus, they often include perks like airport lounge access, concierge service, and more.
