budget travel
Canadian Travel Rewards and Points: Maximize Your Miles in 2026
Earn enough points for free flights through everyday spending. Here's how to maximize Aeroplan, WestJet Rewards, and credit card points as a Canadian.
Published 2026-03-05 · 12 minute read
The travel rewards game in Canada is more lucrative than most people realize. With the right credit card strategy, you can earn enough points for one or two free flights per year just from your regular spending. Here's how the system works and how to maximize it.
The Major Canadian Loyalty Programs
Aeroplan (Air Canada)
Aeroplan is Canada's most valuable loyalty program. Points can be redeemed on Air Canada and 40+ Star Alliance partner airlines. A round-trip economy flight to Europe costs about 60,000-90,000 points. The sweet spot is partner awards — you can often fly business class to Asia on ANA or EVA Air for 75,000 points one-way.
- Aeroplan — Canada's most valuable points program — Air Canada and 40+ partners
- WestJet Rewards — Simple WestJet dollar cashback — 1 WestJet $ = CAD $1
- SCENE+ (Scotiabank) — Flexible rewards for travel, entertainment, and more
- Amex Cobalt Card — 5x on food & drinks — Canada's top travel rewards card
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite — Earn Aeroplan points on everyday spending
WestJet Rewards
WestJet dollars work like cash — 1 WestJet dollar = CAD $1 toward flights. Simple and straightforward, but less valuable per point than Aeroplan for premium cabin redemptions. Best for domestic flights and US sun destinations.
SCENE+ (Scotiabank)
SCENE+ points can be used for travel through Expedia for TD or directly for flights. The value varies but typically ranges from 0.8-1.2 cents per point. Solid for casual travellers who don't want to optimize heavily.
Best Credit Cards for Travel Rewards
| Card | Sign-Up Bonus | Earn Rate | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Cobalt | 30,000 MR points | 5x on food & drinks | $156/year |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | Up to 40,000 AP | 1.5x on all spending | $139/year |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite | 30,000 points | 2x on travel & transit | $139/year |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | 40,000 points | 2x on travel & dining | $150/year |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | 35,000 points | 1x on all spending | $120/year |
| WestJet RBC World Elite | 450 WestJet $ | 1.5% back as WestJet $ | $119/year |
The Amex Cobalt Strategy
The American Express Cobalt Card is widely considered the best travel rewards card in Canada. It earns 5x points on food and drinks (including food delivery and groceries), 2x on transit and travel, and 1x on everything else. Points transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan. A typical Canadian spending CAD $2,000/month on food can earn 120,000 points/year — enough for a free round trip to Europe in business class.
Maximizing Your Points
- Use the right card for each spending category (Cobalt for food, a different card for gas, etc.)
- Take advantage of sign-up bonuses — they're the fastest way to earn points
- Meet minimum spending requirements without overspending by timing large purchases
- Book partner airlines through Aeroplan for better value than Air Canada flights
- Use Aeroplan's family sharing to pool points across accounts
- Watch for transfer bonuses from Amex to Aeroplan (20-30% extra points)
- Redeem for business or first class where the per-point value is highest
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Paying annual fees on cards you don't use enough to justify
- Hoarding points too long (devaluations happen regularly)
- Redeeming points for gift cards or merchandise (terrible value)
- Ignoring minimum spend requirements and missing sign-up bonuses
- Not checking Aeroplan partner availability before booking Air Canada
The travel rewards ecosystem in Canada is rich and rewarding for those willing to learn the basics. Start with one good card, understand the redemption process, and you'll be flying free before you know it.