The 15 Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada for 2023
By Meagen Seatter | 04 Aug 2023 |
Planning your next adventure around the world is always exciting! Of course, going on a trip involves a lot of expenses. Whether it’s organizing luggage, finding travel insurance, getting foreign currency, finding a flight or booking hotel rooms, the list of things to think about is never-ending.
Don’t throw out those plans in frustration! There are credit cards that can make your life easier. In fact, many travel credit cards offer rewards programs that help you travel with your points while others include comprehensive travel insurance. Our team has rounded up the best credit cards in Canada to make your search easier. If you want to make sure you choose the card that best suits your needs, use a credit card comparison tool. It’s a completely free tool that allows you to get suggestions based on your financial reality.
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard – Best Travel Credit Card Overall
Get up to 60,000 BMO Rewards points in the first year
The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard is by far the best travel credit card on the market. It has a generous earning rate, with up to 5x the points for travel-related purchases and 3x the points for eligible dining and entertainment purchases and reoccurring bill payments. For all other purchases, points are awarded at a rate of 1 per $1 spent.
With an annual fee of $150, the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard is an investment, but a worthy one. Cardholders get automatic comprehensive travel and medical insurance and access to the Mastercard Travel Rewards Program, which rewards you with rebates just for dining and shopping all around the world. Best of all, this card comes with an annual free membership to Mastercard Travel Pass by DragonPass and 4 free lounge passes.
| Eligibility Requirements | BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 760 |
| Annual Income | $80,000 (individual); or $150,000 (household) |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite – Best Travel Credit Card for Travel Insurance
With the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite, you’ll travel in style! This card is incredibly efficient at earning reward points. You earn 8 TD Rewards points per dollar spent when you book with Expedia for TD, 6 points at grocery stores and restaurants, 4 points on recurring bill payments set up in your account and 2 points on all other purchases you make with your card. You’ll also receive an annual birthday bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards points!
Let’s talk about travel insurance since it’s one of the great advantages of this credit card:
- Medical Insurance: Up to $2,000,000 for the first 21 days (or 4 days for seniors age 65 or over).
- Flight/Travel Delay Insurance: Up to $500 per insured person if your flight/travel is delayed more than four hours.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Up to $1,500 of coverage per insured person, for a total maximum of $5,000 for all insureds. In the case of trip interruption, the total maximum is $25,000 for all insured people taking part in the trip.
- Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance: Up to $500,000 of covered losses while travelling on a common carrier (for example, bus, ferry, plane, train or rental car).
- Emergency Travel Assistance Services: Toll-free telephone assistance in the event of a personal emergency.
- Delayed or lost baggage insurance: Up to $1,000 aggregate coverage per insured person for essential purchases.
With coverage provided by the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card, you probably won’t need to purchase additional insurance to protect yourself while on vacation.
| Eligibility Requirements | TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 660 |
| Annual Income | $60,000 (individual); or $100,000 (household |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
RBC Avion Visa Infinite – Best for Travel Within Canada/North America
Get 35,000 welcome Avion points
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card is ideal if you travel frequently within North America. It’s particularly great for saving you money on flights across Canada. This credit card also comes with generous travel cancellation, interruption and medical insurance.
You earn 1.25 Avion points per dollar spent on travel, then 1 Avion point per dollar on everything else. In addition to airline tickets, these points can be redeemed for merchandise, for points in other loyalty programs, or used to pay off your credit card balance.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card also gives you exclusive access and discounts on its collection of experiences. These will be particularly appealing to golfers and skiers.
| Eligibility Requirements | RBC Avion Visa Infinite |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 660 |
| Annual Income | $ 60,000 (individual); or $ 100,000 (household) |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
BMO AIR MILES Mastercard – Best Travel Credit Card for Earning AIR MILES
Get 800 AIR MILES Bonus Miles!
The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard is a popular credit card among fans of the AIR MILES Reward Program. The card has no annual fee and no minimum income requirements, and AIR MILES rewards can be used for travel purchases or cash rewards.
With the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard, you will earn 3 miles for every $25 in purchases made at participating AIR MILES partners and 2x the miles at eligible grocery stores. For all other purchases you make with your card, you earn one mile for every $25 in purchases. With the AIR MILES program, you can choose to earn Silver Miles or Dream Miles. If travel is the goal, you’ll benefit more from Dream Miles.
| Eligibility Requirements | BMO AIR MILES Mastercard |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 660 |
| Annual Income | N/A |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
Marriott Bonvoy American Express – Best Travel Credit Card for Hotel Reservations
Earn up to 75,000 Marriott Bonvoyᵀᴹ Points
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card often appears in the various lists of the best travel credit cards. It’s a great card for scoring free hotel room stays and upgrades at any hotel in the Marriott Bonvoy Program. It costs $120 per year, but additional cards are free. Interest rates are 20.99% for purchases and 21.99% for cash advances.
Cardholders will earn 5x the points on eligible purchases made at Marriott Bonvoy Program member hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases charged to the card. Also, one year after your card membership anniversary date and every year after, you’ll get one free night at a participating Marriott Bonvoy Hotel.
Many benefits come with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express card, including comprehensive travel and purchase insurance, access to the American Express Experiences program, and exclusive travel, shopping and dining offers from American Express.
| Eligibility Requirements | Marriott Bonvoy American Express |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 725 |
| Annual Income | N/A |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite – Best Premium Travel Credit Card
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite card is one of BMO’s most popular options. As part of the BMO Rewards program, cardholders receive a wide range of benefits without paying a high annual fee. To qualify, the minimum income is $60,000 per person or $100,000 per household.
With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite credit card, you earn 5 points for every dollar you spend on transportation, groceries, restaurants, and gas. For all other card expenses, you earn 1 point for every dollar spent. However, you have the opportunity to earn 10% more points if you add a second cardholder to the account. The best way to use your BMO points is to redeem them for travel because the value of your points is the highest. Use the calculator on their website to estimate how many points you would need to make the trip of your dreams!
| Eligibility Requirements | BMO eclipse Visa Infinite |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 660 |
| Annual Income | $60,000 (individual); or $100,000 (household) |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
Scotiabank Gold American Express – Best Travel Credit Card for Foreign Spending
3X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible gas, daily transit and eligible select streaming services.
1 Scotia Rewards point for every $ 1 : Other purchases
Earn up to $650 in savings and rewards
For starters, the Scotiabank Gold American Express credit card is a classic known to many globetrotters because it is a major bank that does not charge a 2.5% currency conversion fee.
In addition to not having a 2.5% currency transaction fee, there are several other benefits for travel enthusiasts. Among other things, Scotiabank Gold American Express cardholders can use their points to redeem flight tickets and have access to an exclusive discount for membership in the Priority Pass program, which provides access to more than 1,200 airport lounges around the world. Finally, there are several travel insurance plans included which cover lost luggage, travel accidents, hotel theft, and more, so you never have to worry about unfortunate circumstances ruining your trip.
| Eligibility Requirements | Scotiabank Gold American Express |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 669 |
| Annual Income | $12,000 |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card – Best Travel Credit Card for Everyday Spending
1 SCENE point per $1 : Other purchases
Earn 5,000 bonus Scene+ points
The Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card is a free credit card that has good earning potential. Scene points are awarded at a rate of 2x for every $1 spent at eligible grocery stores, home improvement stores, and Cineplex cinemas. All other eligible purchases earn 1 Scene point for every $1 spent. Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card
With the Scene+ Rewards program, points earned are incredibly flexible and can be used to redeem travel rewards, plus dining, merchandise and more. Movie lovers can use their points to pay for movie tickets, snacks or seat upgrades at Cineplex theatres in Canada and the US.
While it doesn’t come with any travel insurance packages, it’s a free card that continues to earn points abroad and can end up saving you a bundle in foreign currency conversion fees.
| Eligibility Requirements | Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 660 |
| Annual Income | $12,000 |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard – Best No-fee Travel Credit Card
Earn 20,000 points de récompenses voyages HSBC
Another no-fee travel credit card, the HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard offers points that can be redeemed for travel rewards. Unlike other travel credit cards, the HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard has no minimum income requirements, making it more accessible. With this card, you’ll earn 3 points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases, 2 points per $1 sent on eligible gas and daily transportation purchases (like bus fare), and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else. Points can be redeemed for flights, car rentals, cruise or rail tickets, hotel stays and flights.
You should know that travel and medical insurance are not included with the HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard. You can also redeem your points for cash back on your credit card statement, a payment on your HSBC mortgage, or a deposit in an HSBC savings account.
| Eligibility Requirements | HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 660 |
| Annual Income | N/A |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card – Best Business Travel Card
Business owners can earn points that can cover the cost of a yearly getaway with the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card. New members are incentivized to sign up with a bonus reward of 70,000 points just for spending $5000 within the first 3 months. Not only that but if you spend at least $20,000 in net purchases per quarter, you can earn an additional 40,000 points per calendar year.
With a yearly cost of $200, the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card packs a pretty powerful punch. You’ll get comprehensive travel insurance, purchase protection, mobile device protection, and employee card misuse protection. You’ll also have access to tools that benefit your business, like 55 interest-free days on select purchases, expense management reports and flexible payment options for large purchases.
And if you want options when you travel, American Express Membership Reward points can easily be transferred to other frequent flyer and loyalty programs, including Aeroplan, which is a huge bonus for Canadian business owners.
| Eligibility Requirements | American Express Business Gold Rewards Card |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 725 |
| Annual Income | N/A |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students – Best Travel Card for Students
Get 10,000 Aeroplan points with the welcome offer
Students can sign up for the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for students with no minimum income requirements and start collecting Aeroplan points that can be used for an awesome vacation once exams are done. Primary cardholders can add up to 3 additional users at no extra cost and earn points faster by pooling them in an Aeroplan Family Sharing account.
With the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for students, you’ll earn 1 Aeroplan point for every $1 spent on gas and electric vehicle charging stations, grocery stores, and purchases made directly from Air Canada. You’ll also earn 1 point for every $1.50 spent on everything else. Start building your credit history while earning your way toward an unforgettable Spring Break vacation with the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for students.
| Eligibility Requirements | CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 600 |
| Annual Income | N/A |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
KOHO Travel Mastercard – Best Prepaid Travel Credit Card
0.5% for the rest.
Get $20 with the promocode HARDBACON
If you want to travel but don’t want to open a new credit card for whatever reason, the KOHO Travel Mastercard is perfect for travelling. With the free Easy plan and the $48 per year Essential account, you have a currency conversion fee of only 1.5%, which is lower than most credit cards. Even better, with the $9/month (or $84/year) Extra account or the $19/month Everything plan, the currency conversion fee is completely waived! Plus, with these accounts, you get one free international withdrawal.
You also get these travel perks:
- 6% cash back when you book through Booking.com and pay with your KOHO card
- 5% cash back when you book through Contiki.com and pay with your KOHO card
- Up to 2% cash back when you dine out or buy groceries abroad (and at home!)
- Lower or no foreign transaction fees, depending on the KOHO plan you choose
- Stress-free spending with Mastercard’s Zero Liability Policy
The KOHO Prepaid Mastercard offers many other benefits. Among other things, you are entitled to cash back on purchases and interest on your savings of up to 4.5%, depending on the plan you choose. You also have access to a credit-building feature. If you chose the KOHO Travel Mastercard because you had bad credit, this feature may allow you to access other cards on this list.
| Eligibility Requirements | KOHO Travel Mastercard |
| Credit Score | No credit check required |
| Annual Income | N/A |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard – Best Cashback Travel Credit Card
Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months
Earn cashback while you travel with the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard. Thanks to Mastercard’s globally accepted network, cardholders can earn cashback rewards on purchases like groceries, gas and other everyday expenses while they travel.
Cashback is awarded at a rate of 5% on groceries, 4% on transit, 3% on gas, 2% on recurring bill payments, and 1% on everything else. Best of all, unlike some cashback cards that require you to meet minimum cashback rewards or wait til the end of the month to claim your rewards, you can redeem your cash rewards for as little as $1, whenever you want.
Finally, with the CashBack World Elite Mastercard, you’ll get BMO Concierge services, the benefits of the Mastercard Travel Rewards Program, complimentary roadside assistance and excellent insurance protection on everything from purchases to trip interruption.
| Eligibility Requirements | BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 760 |
| Annual Income | $80,000 (individual); or $150,000 (household) |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite – Best Aeroplan Card
Earn up to $1,400 in value†
If you’re a loyal Air Canada customer, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* card is for you. It allows you to quickly earn Aeroplan points that can be redeemed on Air Canada flights, for hotel reservations, car rentals and merchandise or gift cards. With this card, you earn 1.5 Aeroplan points for every eligible dollar spent on gas, groceries and with Air Canada, and 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
There are several benefits that come with the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card. That includes complimentary concierge service and access to exclusive events. You’re also entitled to savings on checked baggage fees. Plus, there’s a range of travel insurance included, including travel medical insurance, trip cancellation or interruption insurance and flight delay insurance.
| Eligibility Requirements | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 760 |
| Annual Income | $60,000 (individual); or $100,000 (household income) |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card – Best Travel Credit Card for Lounge Access
Get up to 25,000 Scene+ points
With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite credit card, not only do you travel better, but you also go to the movies, out to eat and have fun, thanks to your Scene+ points. You earn 3 Scene+ points for every $1 you spend at participating grocery stores, 2 points at restaurants, movie theatres, ticket offices, on public transit (bus, metro, cab, carpool, etc.) and on all purchases at other grocery stores.
When it’s time for a vacation, you can book with any supplier and redeem Scene+ points to cover the cost of your trip. Best of all, you’ll be travelling in comfort thanks to a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program membership and 6 free lounge passes to use yourself and your travel companions.
Also, when you use your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, either abroad or online, you pay no currency conversion fees. Only the exchange rate applies.
| Eligibility Requirements | Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card |
| Credit Score (estimate) | 660 |
| Annual Income | $60,000 (individual); or $100,000 (household) |
| Additional | Resident of Canada Provincial age of majority |
FAQs About Travel Credit Cards in Canada
The best travel credit card in Canada can vary according to individual needs, which is why it’s important to read blog posts on the topic and compare credit cards.
Among the best rewards credit cards in Canada are the American Express Cobalt and the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite, both of which have been named among the best travel credit cards on several occasions.
To find out if your credit card comes with travel insurance, you can read the card’s informative documents (on the company’s website or received by mail). If in doubt, contact your credit card issuer for details of your card. Their telephone number is usually on the card itself.
Credit card travel insurance generally works by providing coverage for certain types of incidents such as trip cancellations, flight delays, lost baggage and medical emergencies, subject to the card’s specific terms and conditions. For example, there might be a limit to the number of people insured and a maximum amount you can claim. Compare travel insurance policies and don’t stop at those offered by credit cards.
You are not usually allowed to combine travel points from different credit cards, as the points are linked to rewards programs specific to each card. A good strategy is to use a single card as much as possible, but some people prefer churning credit cards.
Yes, American Express credit cards often offer travel insurance, but details and coverage may vary depending on the type of card. Always refer to the information specific to your card.
TD credit cards often offer travel insurance, but details and coverage may vary depending on the type of card. The two cards mentioned in this article do have travel insurance: TD Visa Infinite Ultimate Travel Class and Aeroplan.
If you travel frequently and enjoy benefits such as reward points, airport lounge access or travel insurance, they may be worth it. Always take the time to simulate the rewards you could earn, and factor in annual fees.
It’s the card issuer (rather than Visa) that can specify whether travel insurance is included. To find out if your Visa credit card comes with travel insurance, consult your card’s information documents or contact the issuer directly (e.g. your bank).
You don’t necessarily need a credit card to travel, but it can be useful to facilitate payments and enjoy additional benefits such as travel insurance and rewards. If you don’t have a traditional credit card, you can opt for a prepaid card.
Some BMO credit cards offer travel insurance, but details and coverage may vary depending on the type of card.
You may have coverage for travel accidents on common carriers and baggage delays, but since Capital One credit cards aren’t designed for travelers, coverage remains limited.
Yes, in general, your credit card’s travel insurance coverage extends to your immediate family (partner and children) if you are traveling together. However, it’s important to check your card’s specific terms and conditions to confirm the exact coverage.
Find the best credit card for your needs
More recent stories
How to Pay Rent With a Credit Card in Canada: Get Those Points!
Have you ever stared at your wallet and wished you could pay rent with a credit card in Canada? Well, you can. Credit card churners rejoice because it’s your time to shine. The biggest monthly expense for most people is rent, and for credit card churners, it’s a golden opportunity to rack up substantial points. […]
The 7 Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access in Canada for 2023
As frequent travellers know, navigating crowded airports can be stressful. However, airport lounges offer an oasis to seek refuge from the chaos. Stepping into an airport lounge feels like entering a new world with comfortable seating, free food and drinks, private restrooms, and, most importantly, a calm atmosphere. That said, you’ll need a key to […]
Neo Credit Card Review: The Best Cash Back Card in Canada?
The Neo Credit Card is one of the best cash back credit cards in Canada. It literally gives you 10,000 chances to earn up to 15% cash back. And that’s not all. It’s basically the Build-A-Bear of credit cards, letting you customize your card with perks you actually want. Then there’s the cherry on top […]