Best Travel Rewards Cards in Canada for 2020
By Kelly MacMurphy
I
Sept 14, 2020
Best Travel Rewards Cards in Canada
I
September 14, 2020
Can You Imagine Earning Flights and Accommodations While Making Purchases at the Same Merchants You're Already Shopping At?
We know why you’re here. It’s no secret that you, like all of us Rate Raiders, but especially me (wink, wink), are travel junkies. Am I right, or am I right?
Like so many other Canadians coast to coast, you get pumped for your next trip. You absolutely can’t wait, and you live for those moments every day, planning for that next adventure.
Whether you’re sitting behind your desk crunching numbers or toiling away with your hard working hands – you sit on the edge of your seat (or the edge of a steel beam, if you’re a skyscraper engineer) preparing for your next getaway!
But instead of paying for your airfare and accommodations with your salary or paycheque, consider using all those points you’ve racked up over the past year with your travel rewards credit card.
Limited Time Bonus Points Welcome Offer
Cardholder Satisfaction Rating
4.5
American Express Cobalt Credit Card
Up to 30,000 bonus points during first year
5 points per dollar on eligible “Eats and Drinks”
2 points per dollar on eligible travel & transit
Flexible redemption • All airlines • No blackouts
Redeem Points for Eats and Drinks, Streaming Services, Concert Events, Amazon Purchases and much more…
Apply Now for Bonus Points Welcome Offer
Cardholder Satisfaction Rating
American Express Cobalt Credit Card
Up to 30,000 bonus points during first year
5 points per dollar on "Eats & Drinks"
2 points per dollar on eligible travel & transit
Flexible redemption for flights • All airlines • No blackouts
Optionally, redeem points for:
- Eats and Drinks
- Streaming Services
- Concert Events
- Amazon Purchases
- and much more...
Fresh Produce Markets, Crème Brûlée Latte's, Microbreweries, Craft Beer, Spicy Pad Thai or Angel Hair Marinara with Sweet Basil.
What do all of these items have in common with each other, besides being part of the basic food groups?
They all have the potential to accumulate travel points!
Earn Points While You Eat.
Spending a lot of time at grocery stores and cafés? On your weekends and evenings are you at your favourite Italian restaurant where they serve homemade gnocchi in a vodka creme rosé?
Maybe you find yourself out with good friends at a local pub for live music and a pint of your favourite amber beer with roasted crystal malts and a slightly medium, notably caramelized character.
Don't Use Cash Silly. Charge it to Your Card.
If you’re eating out a lot lately; ordering takeout or delivery, then consider going with a card that offers double, triple or even quintuple points per dollar in the food and restaurant category.
One such card is the American Express Cobalt Card.
With this card you can earn an equivalent monetary value of over three and a half percent back in points to use towards travel redemptions on all airlines (optionally using points to include airline fees and taxes as well) with no blackout dates.
They even offer a limited-time welcome bonus; a hefty reward of up to 30,000 points – 2,500 points for every month you charge at least $500 to the card, no matter the retailer.
That’s the equivalent of a $300 value towards flights with the Fixed Points Travel Program , a value not to be overlooked.
Earn Points at Gas Stations and on Public Transit.
At the Pump.
Does your work force you to travel frequently; spending countless hours in your car, sitting hopelessly in traffic – idling, burning gas and twiddling your thumbs.
Take advantage of your newfound quiet time in the car.
While you gaze at Waze for any sign of traffic updates and life beyond this gruelling moment you could be earning points. All this time wasted and you never knew – you could have been accumulating points every time your vehicle gets a big gulp at the pump.
On Trains, Taxis, Ride-Sharing and Bike Sharing.
Go on and use public transit. Head on down to the subway and get yourself to work. Share an Uber to get you to where you’re going. Do it all.
Just don’t forget to charge it all to your favourite travel rewards card.
Best 3 Travel Rewards Cards
At a Glance
(Waived for first year)
Annual Fee
$120
Annual Fee
$120 (Billed $10/month)
Annual Fee
Distinguishing Features
Earn 3 BMO World Elite Points for every $1 spent on dining, travel and entertainment
Earn 5 Scotia Rewards points for every $1 in groceries, restaurants and entertainment
Special Offers
Get a heaping welcome bonus of 40,000 points after spending $3000 in purchases in your first 3 months
Spend $1000 in first 3 months and receive 20,000 bonus rewards points
Earn 2,500 for every month that you charge $500 minimum to card, up to 30,000 bonus points in the first year
Best 3 Travel Rewards Cards
At a Glance
BMO World Elite Mastercard
(Fee waived the first year)
Distinguishing Features
Earn 3 BMO World Elite Points for every $1 spent on dining, travel and entertainment
Special Offers
Scotiabank Gold American Express
Annual Fee
Distinguishing Features
Earn 5 Scotia Rewards points for every $1 in groceries, restaurants and entertainment
Very accessible card for those with lower yearly incomes! Min Income of $12,000
Special Offers
American Express Cobalt Card
$120 (Billed $10/month)
Distinguishing Features
Earn 5 American Express Cobalt points for every $1 spent on food and drinks. Includes cafe’s restaurants, bars and delivery
Special Offers
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