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Published Nov 28, 2025 11:31 PM • 15 min read
It’s no secret that putting your trip expenses on your credit card is a convenient way to cover travel costs, but are you charging your upcoming excursion to the right travel credit card? There are multiple travel credit cards in Canada that cater not only to travellers in general, but specific types of travellers. Find your ideal contender below.
Data-driven rankings of 120+ credit cards using a proprietary algorithm
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Our choice for: Best Overall
on Scotiabank's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 45,000 Scene+ points ($450 value)
Annual Fee
$150
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is a strong choice for frequent travelers, especially those who value flexibility and premium perks. It stands out with its rare benefit of no foreign transaction fees, making international purchases more cost-effective. Additionally, the card offers a valuable blend of travel perks, including airport lounge access, comprehensive insurance coverage, and flexible rewards, making it an ideal companion for those who frequently travel abroad and want to avoid extra fees while enjoying premium benefits.

Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel Medical Insurance (65+)
Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Flight Delay
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage Delay
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Status lift
Concierge Services
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best for Travel Points Collection and high international acceptance
on MBNA's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 30,000 points ($245 in cash back value or $300 when redeemed for MBNA Travel)††
Annual Fee
$120
Interest Rates
21.99% / 22.99%
The MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® is one of the best reward credit cards in Canada, offering high rewards on frequently spent categories such as groceries and restaurant purchases. The annual birthday bonus, unique to this card, also provides a significant boost to your yearly earnings. Additionally, the card features a comprehensive list of benefits, including price protection—a rare and valuable perk not found with many other cards in Canada. These factors make this card one of the best to have in Canada.

Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Mobile Device Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Flight Delay
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Travel Medical Insurance
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage Delay
Benefits
Details
Annual Birthday Bonus
Car Rental Discount
Trip and legal Assistance
Concierge Services
Price Protection
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best for Most Flexible Travel Points
on American Express' website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points
Annual Fee
$191.88⁕
$15.99 Paid Monthly
⁕ For Quebec, $191.88/year
Interest Rates
21.99%* / 21.99%*
This card was voted one of the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible amex cobalt bonus points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Travel Medical Insurance
Flight Delay
Baggage Delay
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Mobile Device Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
Amex Experiences™
Travel Credit
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best for Insurance Coverage
on Scotiabank's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 50,000 Scene+ points ($500 value)
Annual Fee
$120 $0
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is one of our favorite cards. It has a very solid rewards program, earning one of the highest rewards among all credit cards in Canada. In addition, it offers comprehensive travel benefits, including the rare and valuable no foreign transaction fee benefit, making it a great and balanced credit card in terms of both rewards and benefits. The first-year annual fee waiver is the cherry on top, providing even greater value to cardholders.

Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel Medical Insurance (65+)
Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage Delay
Flight Delay
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Mobile Device Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
No Foreign Transaction Fees
American Express® Experiences
Concierge Services
Discount
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best No Fee Travel Card
on Rogers Bank's website
Welcome Bonus
Get $60 in cash back value(1)
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
20.99% - 25.99%* / 22.99% - 27.99%*
This card is one of the best in Canada, especially if you are a Rogers, Fido, or Shaw customer. With those services, you can effectively get a 3% cashback rate, which is higher than what almost any other card offers, even those with annual fees! Additionally, for a no-fee card, you gain access to an extensive list of travel benefits, many of which are typically offered only with cards that have annual fees. Therefore, we recommend this card to anyone who meets the income requirements, even if you are not a Rogers customer!

Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel Medical Insurance (65+)
Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
No Cost roaming
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best Expedia for TD Travel Card
on TD's website
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to $1,400 in value†, including up to 165,000 TD Rewards Points† and no Annual Fee for the first year†. Conditions Apply.
Annual Fee
$139 $0
Interest Rates
21.99% / 22.99%□
The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is an excellent option for frequent travelers who book through Expedia For TD and want to maximize rewards on travel purchases. The high welcome bonus and extensive insurance coverage make this card stand out. However, the high income requirements and limited value of TD points may not make it the best fit for everyone.
Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Travel Medical Insurance†
Travel Medical Insurance (65+)†
Trip Cancellation†
Trip Interruption†
Flight Delay†
Baggage Delay†
Lost or Stolen Baggage†
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance†
Car Rental Damage & Theft†
Hotel Burglary Insurance†
Purchase Protection†
Extended Warranty†
Mobile Device Insurance†
Benefits
Details
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits†
Concierge Services†
Golf Benefit†
Extra points†
Annual Birthday Bonus†
Car Rental Discount†
Travel Credit†
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass†
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best Luxury Aeroplan Card
on American Express' website
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan® points
Annual Fee
$599
Interest Rates
21.99%* / 21.99%*
If you are a frequent Air Canada traveler, having an Aeroplan card for perks like free checked bags and priority service can be very beneficial. Many financial institutions offer Aeroplan cards, but I don't believe the American Express version is the best one. Opting for another option might be better. However, the Amex card does have a very large sign-up bonus, making it a great choice for those specifically seeking that.
Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Travel Medical Insurance
Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Flight Delay
Baggage Delay
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
Free first checked bag
Nexus Program Rebate
Amex Experiences™
Extra points
Status lift
Status lift
Status lift
Status lift
Priority Travel
Priority Travel
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes
Companion Voucher
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best Lounge Access Travel Card
on American Express' website
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points
Annual Fee
$799
Interest Rates
21.99% - 30%* / N/A*
If you're a frequent traveler, the Platinum card is an excellent choice. It's highly recommended for its extensive travel benefits, including unlimited lounge access for you and a guest at the American Express Lounge collection, making it the best card for lounge access in Canada. The card also offers unique perks not commonly found with other Canadian cards, such as status upgrades at Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton, dining and travel credits, concierge service, airport benefits, Nexus application reimbursement, and more. These benefits can more than offset the annual fee. However, if you don't travel often or are mainly looking for a card that maximizes rewards, this card may not be the best option for you.
Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Travel Medical Insurance
Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Flight Delay
Baggage Delay
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - American Express Global Lounge
Travel Credit
Dining Credit
Nexus Program Rebate
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Status lift
Status lift
Priority Travel
Concierge Services
Trip and legal Assistance
American Express® Experiences
Extra points
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best Porter Airlines Card
on BMO's website
Welcome Bonus
Get up to 70,000 VIPorter points and a round-trip companion pass.* Plus receive $1,000 in Qualifying Spend.*
Annual Fee
$199 $0
Interest Rates
21.99% / 23.99%□
This is easily the best credit card in Canada for frequent Porter airline (and its partners) travelers. Earning 2x VIPorter points on common everyday purchases like groceries, dining and transportation is a massive benefit, allowing you to rack up points really fast and enjoy travel via Porter and it's airline partners. The premium benefits of this card make your travels smooth as you get priority security screening, early boarding and priority re-accommodation for flight delays, one complimentary checked bag, a carry-on bag with every fare type (including Basic), and complimentary PorterClassic seat selection.

Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Extended Warranty
Purchase Protection
Travel Medical Insurance
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Flight Delay
Baggage Delay
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Free first checked bag
Companion Voucher
Priority Travel
Car Rental Discount
Hotel Booking Discount
Mastercard On-Demand and Subscription Services
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best Premium Avion Card
on RBC's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 70,000 Avion points*
Annual Fee
$399
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%□
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want premium travel perks and high-value rewards. The welcome bonus, insurance coverage, and airport benefits offer significant value for those who qualify. However, the high annual fee and income requirements may limit its accessibility, and the reward rate outside of the travel chart is less competitive.
Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Mobile Device Insurance
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel Medical Insurance (65+)
Trip Interruption
Trip Cancellation
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Baggage Delay
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Flight Delay
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Gas Discount
Extra points
Concierge Services
Priority Travel
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best Well-Balanced Entry-Level Travel Card
on American Express' website
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points
Annual Fee
$250
Interest Rates
21.99%* / 21.99%*
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.
Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Travel Medical Insurance
Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Flight Delay
Baggage Delay
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
Travel Credit
Nexus Program Rebate
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Status lift
American Express® Experiences
Extra points
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best Extensive Aeroplan Perks Card
on TD's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to $3,000 in value† including up to 85,000 Aeroplan points† could be yours. Conditions Apply.
Annual Fee
$599
Interest Rates
21.99% / 22.99%□
If you travel a lot throughout the year with Air Canada, the benefits of this card can significantly enhance your experience. It can help you achieve the next status level with Aeroplan and provide a better airport experience, therefore it can be worth the price tag. However, if you don't frequently fly with Air Canada, the benefits may not justify the card's expensive price tag.
Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Travel Medical Insurance†
Travel Medical Insurance (65+)†
Trip Cancellation†
Trip Interruption†
Flight Delay†
Baggage Delay†
Lost or Stolen Baggage†
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance†
Car Rental Damage & Theft†
Hotel Burglary Insurance†
Purchase Protection†
Extended Warranty†
Mobile Device Insurance†
Benefits
Details
Free first checked bag†
Nexus Program Rebate†
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits†
Concierge Services†
Golf Benefit†
Extra points†
Extra points†
Status lift†
Car Rental Discount†
Trip and legal Assistance†
Extra points†
Status lift†
Status lift†
Status lift†
Status lift†
Priority Travel†
Priority Travel†
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass†
Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes†
Companion Voucher†
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
The best travel credit card to carry as you collect stamps in your passport is none other than the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, also know as one of the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards in Canada.
This card is packed with competitive rewards, specifically strong points per dollar spent at partnered grocers, plus solid Scene+ points per dollar spent on purchases made at other grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment, and transit. To top it all off, you can also pocket bonus Scene+ points on every dollar spent on hotel bookings, car rentals, and arrangements made through Scene+ Travel, powered by Expedia. To support this rewards program, cardholders are protected by comprehensive travel insurance. The combined benefits are boast-worthy as well, including rare no foreign transaction fees and a handful of complimentary Dragon Pass airport lounge access. Read more in our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card Review.
The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard earns cardholders plenty of MBNA Rewards points on dining, grocery, digital media, membership, and household utility purchases. These points can later be redeemed towards travel at a high value. The card also includes benefits like car rental discounts, concierge services, price protection insurance, and an annual birthday bonus of extra points that can be used towards your next trip. Just note that this card comes with some high annual income requirements. Find out more in our MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard Review.
For the most valuable travel points, apply for the American Express Cobalt Card and collect American Express Membership Rewards points on dining, groceries, streaming, gas, and transit. These points can redeemed at a high value towards Aeroplan, airline partners, a fixed point travel program, and transfers to hotel partners. The card also comes with a hotel-oriented travel credit. Learn more in our American Express Cobalt Card Review.
To earn tons of Scene+ points on partnered groceries, regular groceries, dining, entertainment, gas, transit, and streaming, apply for the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. These points can later be redeemed towards travel at a high cent-per-point value. This travel points collector also comes with comprehensive travel insurance, including trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance. As for perks, expect no foreign transaction fees, concierge services, and a discount on a Priority Pass membership. To top it all off, the annual fee is completely waived for the first year. Discover more in our Scotiabank Gold American Express Card Review.
Known as one of the best no-annual-fee credit cards in Canada, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is particularly unique when it comes to travel. Sure, this card doesn't earn you travel points, but it does earn you impressive cashback on USD purchases, plus strong cashback on non-USD purchases, especially if you have a qualifying Rogers, Fido, Comwave or Shaw account. You can also collect even more cashback when you redeem your earnings towards eligible service purchases. The best part? The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard comes with valuable travel insurance, including trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance, which is rare for a no-fee credit card. For benefits, expect an airport lounge Dragon Pass membership and no cost roaming.
The catch? You'll need to meet some high annual income requirements to qualify. For more information, visit our Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard Review page.
Are you constantly booking travel through Expedia? Then why not try Expedia for TD? The best travel credit card that earns you several TD Rewards points per purchase made on Expedia for TD travel arrangements is the TD First Class Travel Visa Card. This card also optimizes grocery, dining, transit, recurring bill payment, streaming, digital gaming, and media purchases. Alongside solid insurance coverage, cardholders can expect benefits like an annual Expedia for TD travel credit, an annual birthday bonus, and an airport lounge Dragon Pass with complimentary visits. More good news? The annual fee is waived for the first year of membership. See more in our TD First Class Travel Visa Card Review.
For the most luxurious Aeroplan credit card, otherwise known as one of the best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada, consider the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card. This contender earns you strong Aeroplan points per dollar spent on Air Canada and dining purchases. While the coverage is decent, the benefits standout for valuable inclusions like priority travel perks, an annual companion voucher, a Priority Pass membership, and unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access. While the card avoids annual income requirements, it still comes with a high annual fee. Read more in our American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card Review.
Looking for the most premium lounge access credit card? In that case, apply for the American Express Platinum Card, one of the best lounge credit cards in Canada. This card unlocks unlimited access the American Express Global Lounge Collection, a network of over 1,400 airport lounges across the globe. Cardholders also receive an annual travel and dining credit, complimentary hotel benefits, priority travel perks, and a couple of hotel status upgrades. The card also collects decent points per dollar spent on dining and travel, and includes solid insurance coverage. Of course, to account for such luxury, this card comes with a high annual fee. For the full breakdown, read our American Express Platinum Card Review.
Prefer to fly with Porter Airlines? If so, go for the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard. This card earns you admirable VIPorter points on eligible purchases made via flyporter.com, plus points on gas, transportation, groceries, dining, and hotel accommodations. Its decent insurance coverage is paired with even more impressive perks, like an airport lounge Dragon Pass membership, free first checked bags, and an annual companion voucher. To make applying even more appealing, the annual fee is waived for the first year of membership. Learn more in our BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard Review.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card is a top Visa Infinite Privilege contender. This card earns you a flat rate of Avion points per dollar spent on all eligible purchases, plus comprehensive travel insurance and notable perks. Perks include complimentary Dragon Pass lounge access, priority travel perks, and concierge services. Note, however, that the annual income requirements on this card are extremely high, as is the annual fee. Unpack more in our RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card Review.
For travel points on common expenses (including travel itself), commendable coverage, and plenty of trip-oriented perks, consider the well-balanced American Express Gold Rewards Card. Perks include an annual travel credit, complimentary Plaza Premium lounge access, and a Nexus Program rebate. The best part? This card comes with a reasonable annual fee and no annual income requirements. Read more in our American Express Gold Rewards Card Review.
For an extremely long list of added benefits, check out the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, one of the best perks credit cards in Canada. For starters, this card collects decent Aeroplan points on Air Canada, gas, grocery, travel, and transit purchases. The insurance is also notable, with valuable inclusions like travel medical coverage for those over 65. For perks, expect free first checked bags, tons of status lifts, priority travel advantages, an annual companion voucher, complimentary lounge access and more. To qualify for this card, you'll need to meet some high annual income requirements. You'll also need to front a high annual fee. For more details, read our TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card Review.
Choosing the best travel credit card for you comes down to your spending habits and your current financial situation.
High-earning luxury travellers should opt for one of the premium contenders above. Don't let the annual fee scare you! You can successfully offset an upscale card's annual cost by taking advantage of all the added perks. This means using any complimentary lounge access, travel credits or checked baggage rebates.
If you happen to fly with a specific airline, this may also influence your decision. For example, if you tend to takeoff with Air Canada, an Aeroplan credit card could be a good fit. Alternatively, frequent Porter Airlines flyers may want to opt for the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard instead.
Want avoid annual fees but still pocket some travel coverage and perks? Then consider the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard.
To apply for any of the travel credit cards above, simply tap the "Apply Now" button featured below your desired card. Afterwards, you'll be redirected to the issuer's official website to kickstart the application process. Credit card applications typically ask for personal information (such as your birthdate, address, and email) and financial information (like your income, when applicable).
Travel credit cards are absolutely worth it for adventurous spenders. These cards can help you save on flights, accommodations, and experiences abroad. Many of them also provide important travel insurance policies, plus premium perks. Just make sure you'd use the card to its full potential in order to offset any annual costs.
Each travel credit card is equipped with its own rewards program. Depending on the card, you might collect rewards on everyday purchases or even travel-related expenses. All reward systems are highlighted in the card profiles and descriptions above.
Each travel credit card will also have its own loyalty program. Loyalty programs determine a card's redemption categories. You can find each card's loyalty program, redemption categories, and redemption tips in our Credit Card Points Value Calculator.
About the author

Sara Skodak
Lead Writer
Since graduating from the University of Western Ontario, Sara has built a diverse writing portfolio, covering topics in the travel, business, and wellness sectors. As a self-started freelance content ...
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Abid Salahi
Credit Card Expert
Abid leads the design and engineering of the FinlyWealth website, making sure everything runs smoothly and looks great. He’s a seasoned software engineer who follows best practices and designs interfa...
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