Travel Credit Cards
Best Canadian Credit Cards for Frequent Travellers
As frequent travellers, we are always on the lookout for the best credit cards that help us earn rewards, access exclusive perks, and make our journeys smoother. In this post, we’ll dive into the three credit cards we use most often for travel: the American Express Platinum Card, the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card, and the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite. Each has its own unique set of benefits, and by combining them, we maximize our travel rewards and minimize costs.
The American Express Platinum Card is one of our top picks for earning travel rewards and enjoying luxury travel benefits. Here's what we love about it:
Pros:
Fast Points Accumulation: We earn points quickly, which can be transferred to programs like Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy, offering flexibility in how we redeem them. We usually prefer transferring points rather than booking through the Amex Travel Portal.
Hotel Perks: The card offers automatic Gold status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, which often means room upgrades and late checkouts.
Yearly Credits: There’s a $200 annual travel credit that we typically use for hotel bookings and a $200 dining credit, which includes some of the top restaurants in Canada—legitimately great options.
Lounge Access: Having access to Amex Lounges, Centurion Lounges, and Priority Pass lounges has been a huge benefit, making our airport experiences more comfortable. Plus, Priority Pass is free for both the cardholder and a guest.
Cons:
High Annual Fee: The $799 annual fee is steep, but we offset this with the lounge access and the travel and dining credits.
Limited Acceptance: American Express isn’t accepted everywhere, so we always carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.
If you’re loyal to Marriott hotels or enjoy using points for free stays, the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card is a solid choice:
Pros:
Hotel Loyalty: As far as we know, it’s the only hotel-branded credit card in Canada. The yearly fee is quite reasonable, and we get one free night at a Marriott hotel every year.
Point Transfers: We love transferring points from our Amex Platinum Card to Marriott Bonvoy at a higher ratio (5:6), which helps us rack up free nights faster.
Free Stays: Between the sign-up bonus and transferring points from the Platinum Card, we’ve managed to enjoy several free nights each year—especially when we plan our stays strategically.
Cons:
Acceptance: Like the Platinum Card, American Express isn’t accepted everywhere, so we need to have a backup card.
For anyone who flies with Air Canada or uses Aeroplan frequently, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite is a game-changer:
Pros:
Frequent Flyer Perks: We fly with Air Canada often, and this card helps us earn points toward free flights. With points from this card and transfers from our Amex Platinum, we’ve scored plenty of free flights, including some well-priced Business Class seats.
Affordable Annual Fee: Compared to the Platinum Card, the annual fee is much lower, making it a more affordable option.
Backup Card: This Visa works as a great backup when American Express isn’t accepted.
By combining the American Express Platinum Card, the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card, and the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, we’ve been able to maximize our travel rewards, gain access to incredible perks, and save money on flights and hotels. While the fees may seem high at first, the value we receive more than makes up for it—whether it’s enjoying free hotel stays, upgrading our flights, or relaxing in airport lounges. For frequent travellers like us, these cards are worth every penny.