Canadian Travel Credit Card Comparison - Most Popular Cards
This chart was originally posted Sep 17, 2004 and was last updated: Oct 31, 2011
This chart is part of Rewards Canada's Guide to Choosing a Travel Rewards Credit Card
and is a comparison of some of the more popular travel rewards credit cards.
We also offer the following comparison charts:
1. All Canadian Travel Rewards Credit Cards
2. Travel Points Credit Cards Only
3. Hybrid Credit Cards Only
4. Airline (Frequent Flyer) Credit Cards Only
5. Hotel (Frequent Guest) Credit Cards Only
Feature / Card
American Express AeroPlan Plus Charge Card
American Express Air Miles Credit Card
American Express Blue Sky Credit Card
American Express Gold Rewards Card
MBNA / Bank of America Alaska Airlines MasterCard
BMO Air Miles Master Card
BMO World Elite Master Card
Capital One Aspire Travel World MasterCard
Capital One Aspire Travel Gold MasterCard
CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite
CIBC Aerogold Visa
 Feature / Card
CIBC Aventura Gold Visa & Infinte
CUETS MasterCards
Diners Club MasterCard
Priority Club World MasterCard from Capital One
Royal Bank Visa Platinum Avion
Royal Bank Visa Infinite Avion
ScotiaGold Passport VISA
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
TD First Class Visa Infinite
TD Platinum Travel Visa
WestJet RBC MasterCard
Feature / Card
Card Type
Airline
Travel Points
Travel Points
Hybrid
Airline
Travel Points
Travel Points
Travel Points
Travel Points
Airline
Airline
Card Type
Travel Points
Travel Points
Hybrid
Hotel
Hybrid
Hybrid
Travel Points
Hotel
Hybrid
Hybrid
Airline
Card Type
Fees/Costs
Annual Fee
Gold :$120
Plat: $499
Plat: First Year free then $65*
$0
$150*
Reg: $45 Plat: $75
Gold: $99
No Fee: $0
$150
$120
$0
$120
$120
Annual Fee
$120
Platinum: $150
Gold: $120
Gold Low Fee: $59
Low Fee: $24
No Fee: $0
$99
$120
$120
$120
$99 (until Oct 31)
$120
$120
$99
World: $79
Reg: $39
Annual Fee
Supp. Card Fee
Gold: 2 free at $0, additional at $50 each.

Plat:$199 for Plat or $50 for gold
$0
$0
$0 for first card, $50* each additional card
N/A
Gold: $15
No Fee:: $0
$50
$0
$0
$50
$50
Supp. Card Fee
$50
Platinum: $40
Rest: $0
$35
$0
$50
$50
$30
$50
$50
$50
World: $39
Reg: $19
Supp. Card Fee
Interest Rate
30% Non Revolving
19.99%
18.99%
30% Non Revolving
18.99%
19.5% (11.9% available for $35)
20.5%
Prime + 16.8%
Prime + 16.8%
19.99%
19.99%
Interest Rate
19.99%
19.49%
No Fee: 19.99%
18.5%
19.8%
19.99%
19.99%
19.99%
19.99%
19.99%
19.75%
19.99%
Interest Rate
Minimum Income
Gold $30,000 Plat.$60,000
$15,000
$15,000
N/A
$35,000
N/A
Recommend $70,000
$60,000
$30,000
$60,000 Personal or $100,00 Household
$35,000
Minimum Income
Infinite: $60,000
Gold: $35,000
N/A
$25,000
N/A
N/A
$60,000 Personal or $100,000 Household
N/A
N/A
Min $60,000 Personal income or $100,000 Combined Household Income
$35,000
N/A
Minimum Income
Minimum Credit Limit
No Preset Limit
N/A
N/A
No Preset Limit
N/A
N/A
N/A
$7,500
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
Minimum Credit Limit
$5,000
Platinum: $7,500
Gold: $5,000
Gold Low Fee: $2,500
Low Fee / No Fee:: $1,000
N/A
N/A
$1,000
$5,000
$5,000
N/A
$5,000
$5,000
N/A
Minimum Credit Limit
Reward Miles/Points Earning
Card
American Express AeroPlan Plus
American Express Air Miles Credit Card
American Express Blue Sky Credit Card
American Express Gold Rewards Card
Bank of America Alaska Airlines MasterCard
BMO Air Miles Master Card
BMO World Elite Master Card
Capital One Aspire World MasterCard
Capital One Aspire MasterCard
CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite
CIBC Aerogold Visa
Card
CIBC Aventura
CUETS MasterCards
Diners Club
Priority Club World MasterCard from Capital One
Royal Bank Visa Platinum Avion
Royal Bank Visa Infinite Avion
ScotiaGold Passport VISA
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
TD First Class Visa Infinite
TD Platinum Travel Visa
WestJet RBC MasterCard
Card
Welcome Bonus

Gold: 15,000 Aeroplan Miles

Plat: 50,000 Aeroplan Miles*
Plat: 500Miles*
Reg: 150 Miles
12,000 Bonus Points after $3000 spent in first 6 months
15,000 Membership Rewards Points
Reg: 3,000 Miles
Plat: 25,000 Miles
Gold:150 Miles
No Fee: 0 Miles
15000 BMO Elite Reward points
35,000 Miles
5,000 Miles
15,000 Aeroplan Miles
15,000 Aeroplan Miles
Welcome Bonus
Infinite: 15,000 Points
Gold: 5,000 points
Platinum: 2,000 Points
Gold: 1,000 Points
Gold Low Fee: 1,000 Points
Low Fee: 1,000 Points
5,000 points
30,000 Priority Club Points
15,000 points
15,000 points
20,000 Points untl Dec 31, 11
10,000 Starpoints
20,000 TD points
15,000
points
World: $350 Bonus Dollars*

Reg: $100 Bonus Dollars*
Welcome Bonus
Renewal Bonus
0
0
0
0
Plat: 2,000 Miles
0
0
10,000
1,000
0
0
Renewal Bonus
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Renewal Bonus
Earning Ratio
Gold $1=1 Mile up to $10,000, $1=1.25 Miles over $10,000

Plat $1=1.25 Miles up to $25,000, $1=1.50 Miles over $25,000
Reg: 1 Mile/$15 at AIR MILES Sponsors, 1/$20 everywhere else

Plat: 1 Mile/$10 at AIR MILES Sponsors and eligible gas, grocery and drugstores
1/$15 everywhere else
1.25 points/$
1 Point/$
2 Points/$ at grocery stores, gas stations or drug stores and on all Travel purchases
1 Mile/$
Gold: 1 Mile /$15

No Fee: 1 Mile /$20
1 Point/$
2 miles/$
1 Mile/$
1 Mile/$
1.5 Miles/$ at grocery stores, gas stations or drug stores**
1 Mile/$
1.5 Miles/$ at grocery stores, gas stations or drug stores**
Earning Ratio
1 Point/$
Infinite: 1.5 Miles/$ at grocery stores, gas stations or drug stores**
Platinum: 2 Points/$
Gold: 1 Point/$
Gold Low Fee: 1 Point/$
Low Fee: 1 Points/$
No Fee: 1 Point/$2
1 Point/$
2 Points/$
5 Points/$ at over 4,500 participating IHG locations.
1 RBC Rewards point/$1

1 RBC Rewards point/$1

1.25 RBC Rewards points/$1 on all travel purchases
1 Point/$
1 Starpoint/$
3 Point/$
3 Point/$
World: 1.5% of purchase in WestJet Dollars

Reg:1.0% of purchase in WestJet Dollars
Earning Ratio
Bonus Features
1,000 more Bonus Miles if you apply for the card online
Gold : Double Miles at Shell, National & Alamo
Gold: 25% discount on AIR MILES flights

No Fee: 1.5x Miles at Shell, National & Alamo

3X reward miles at participating Rewards Plus Merchants
Double points at National and Alamo Car Rental
N/A
N/A
Bonus Aeroplan Miles at participating CIBC Bonus Rewards restaurants, resorts, golf courses, and retail stores
Also see our Visa Bonus offers page
Bonus Aeroplan Miles at participating CIBC Bonus Rewards restaurants, resorts, golf courses, and retail stores
Also see our Visa Bonus offers page
Bonus Features
Bonus Aventura Points at participating CIBC Bonus Rewards restaurants, resorts, golf courses, and retail stores
Also see our Visa Bonus offers page
N/A
Automatic upgrade to Gold Elite status

5,000 Bonus Points awarded for every $10,000 in spending
5% Cashback on all eligible travel (flights, cruises and packages) when booked through ScotiaRewards

Also see our Visa Bonus offers page
- Receive a Free Weekend Night Award when you reach $40,000 in purchases each year

Earn Starwood Gold Preferred Guest status when you reach $30,000 in purchases each year
9 TD Points/$1 travel purchase booked at TD Travel Rewards Centre
6 Points/$ spent with TD Travel Rewards for travel.
World: 2.0% of purchase in WestJet Dollars for WestJet & WestJet Vacations purchases

Reg: 1.5% of purchase in WestJet Dollars for WestJet & WestJet Vacations purchases
Bonus Features
Redemption/Exchange Options
Card
American Express AeroPlan Plus
American Express Air Miles Credit Card
American Express Blue Sky Credit Card
American Express Gold Rewards Card
Bank of America Alaska Airlines MasterCard
BMO Air Miles Master Card
BMO World Elite Master Card
Capital One Aspire World MasterCard
Capital One Aspire MasterCard
CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite
CIBC Aerogold Visa
Card
CIBC Aventura
CUETS MasterCards
Diners Club
Priority Club World MasterCard from Capital One
Royal Bank Visa Platinum Avion
Royal Bank Visa Infinite Avion
ScotiaGold Passport VISA
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
TD First Class Visa Infinite
TD Platinum Travel Visa
WestJet RBC MasterCard
Card
Miles/Points deposited to:
Aeroplan
Air Miles
N/A
Membership Rewards
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Air Miles
BMO Elite Rewards
Capital One
Capital One
Aeroplan
Aeroplan
Miles/Points deposited to:
Aventura
Platinum Class Rewards
or Choice Rewards
Club Rewards
IHG Priority Club
RBC Rewards
RBC Rewards
Scotia Rewards
Starwood Preferred Guest
TD Travel Rewards
TD Travel Rewards
WestJet
Miles/Points deposited to:
Travel Agency Redemption Value
N/A
N/A
10,000 Points = $100
10,000 Points = $100
N/A
N/A
1.9% (100 points = $1.90)
15,000 = up to $150

35,000 = up to $350

60,000 = up to $600

60,001 and above = cost of travel x100
15,000 = up to $150

35,000 = up to $350

60,000 = up to $600

60,001 and above = cost of travel x100
N/A
N/A
Travel Agency Redemption Value
5000 Points = $50
10,000 Points = $100
100 Points = $1.70
N/A
up to 2.3% on flights as per the Avion Air Travel Redemption Schedule (e.g. 15,000 pts = short-haul flight worth up to $350)
or
5000 Points = $50 for other travel
up to 2.3% on flights as per the Avion Air Travel Redemption Schedule (e.g. 15,000 pts = short-haul flight worth up to $350)
or
5000 Points = $50 for other travel
5000 Points = $50
N/A
10,000 Points = $50
10,000 Points = $50
N/A
Travel Agency Redemption Value
Exchange Options
N/A
N/A
N/A
1 Point = 1 Mile with Aeroplan / .75 Miles with Alitalia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Delta
1 Point = .9 Points with Hilton, .8 Points with IHG, .5 Points with SPG
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Exchange Options
1 Point = 1 Mile with Aeroplan
N/A
1,250 Points = 1000 Miles on
10 Airlines
2,250 Points = Various points with 7 Hotels
Transfer Priority Club points to 40 Airlines (Various ratios)
1 Point = 1 Mile on American, British Airways or Cathay Pacific
1 Point = 1 Mile on American, British Airways or Cathay Pacific
N/A
Transfer Starpoints to 30 Airlines (Various ratios)
4 Points = 1 AAdvantage miles
4 Points = 1 AAdvantage miles
N/A
Exchange Options
Redemption Centre
Aeroplan
Air Miles
Any Travel Provider
Any Travel Provider
Mileage Plan
Air Miles
BMO Elite Rewards
Any Travel Provider
Any Travel Provider
Aeroplan
Aeroplan
Redemption Centre
Any Travel Provider via Aventura
Platinum Class Rewards
or Choice Rewards
Any Travel Provider
IHG Priority Club
RBC Rewards
RBC Rewards
Scotia Rewards
Starwood Preferred Guest
TD Travel Rewards Centre with Ability to book travel anywhere and then redeem TD Points through The Travel Rewards Centre
Any Travel Provider
WestJet Frequent Guest
Redemption Centre
Benefits
Card
American Express AeroPlan Plus
American Express Air Miles Credit Card
American Express Blue Sky Credit Card
American Express Gold Rewards Card
Bank of America Alaska Airlines MasterCard
BMO Air Miles Master Card
BMO World Elite Master Card
Capital One Aspire World MasterCard
Capital One Aspire MasterCard
CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite
CIBC Aerogold Visa
Card
CIBC Aventura
CUETS MasterCards
Diners Club
Priority Club World MasterCard from Capital One
Royal Bank Visa Platinum Avion
Royal Bank Visa Infinite Avion
ScotiaGold Passport VISA
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
TD First Class Visa Infinite
TD Platinum Travel Visa
WestJet RBC MasterCard
Card
Travel Accident Insurance
$500,000
$100,000
$100,000
$500,000
Reg: $150,000
Plat: up to $1MM
Gold: $500,000
No Fee: Optional*
up to $500,000
$500,000
$250,000
$500,000
$500,000
Travel Accident Insurance
$500,000
Platinum / Gold / Gold Low Fee: up to $500,000
Low Fee / No Fee: up to $100,000
$300,000
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
$250 000 per person or $500 000 per occurance
up to $500,000
up to $500,000
$500,000
World: Yes
Reg: Yes
Travel Accident Insurance
Flight Delay Insurance
Yes
Optional in a Travel Insurance package***
No
Yes
No
Gold/ No Fee: Optional*
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Flight Delay Insurance
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
World: Yes
Reg: No
Flight Delay Insurance
Delayed, Lost, Stolen, Damaged Baggage Insurance
Yes
Optional in a Travel Insurance package***
No
Yes
No
Gold/ No Fee: Optional*
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Delayed, Lost, Stolen, Damaged Baggage Insurance
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
World: No
Reg: No
Delayed, Lost, Stolen, Damaged Baggage Insurance
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Gold: Optional***

Plat: Yes
Optional in a Travel Insurance package***
No
No
No
Gold/ No Fee: Optional*
Yes
Yes
No
No
Optional***
Trip Cancellation Insurance
No
Platinum / Gold / Gold Low Fee / Low Fee:Yes
Optional***
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip Interuption Insurance
Gold: Optional***

Plat: Yes
Optional in a Travel Insurance package***
No
Yes
No
Gold/ No Fee: Optional*
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Optional***
Trip Interuption Insurance
Infinite Only
No
Optional***
Yes
No
Trip Interruption Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
World: Yes
Reg: No
Trip Interuption Insurance
Travel Medical Insurance
Gold: Optional***

Plat: Yes
Optional in a Travel Insurance package***
Optional***
Yes
No
Gold/ No Fee: Optional*
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Travel Medical Insurance
Infinite Only
Platinum / Gold:Yes
Optional***
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
World: Yes
Reg: No
Travel Medical Insurance
Auto Rental/Loss Damage Insurance
Yes
Plat: Yes
No
Yes
Reg: No
Plat: Yes
Gold: Yes
No Fee: Optional*
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Auto Rental/Loss Damage Insurance
Yes
Platinum / Gold / Gold Low Fee:Yes
Low Fee: No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
World: Yes
Reg: Yes
Auto Rental/Loss Damage Insurance
Purchase Protection
Yes
Plat: Yes
No
Yes
Reg: No
Plat: Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Purchase Protection
No
Platinum / Gold / Gold Low Fee / Low Fee:Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
World: Yes
Reg: Yes
Purchase Protection
Price Protection
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Price Protection
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Price Protection
Extended Warranty Plan
Yes
Plat: Yes
No
Yes
Reg: No
Plat: Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Extended Warranty Plan
No
Platinum / Gold / Gold Low Fee / Low Fee:Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
World: Yes
Reg: Yes
Extended Warranty Plan
Free Companion Air Ticket
Platinum: Short Haul Flight Reward ticket when 15,000 miles redeemed with Partner Ticket benefit annually
No
No
No
Platinum Card Only:
1 Companion ticket per year for only US$99
No
No
No
No
No
No
Free Companion Air Ticket
No
No
One British Airways Companion Ticket yearly
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Free Companion Air Ticket
Business Class Lounge Access
Platinum Card Only: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges plus free membership in Priority Pass
No
No
No
Platinum Card Only: Receive 2 Board Room Passes upon approval
No
free membership in Priority Pass + three complimentary VIP lounge visits per membership year
No
No
Yes, Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges Only*
Yes, Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges Only*
Business Class Lounge Access
No
No
Yes. Various Lounges Worldwide plus free membership in Priority Pass
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Business Class Lounge Access
Priority Check In
Platinum Card Only
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes*
Yes*
Priority Check In
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Priority Check In
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Hotel Burglary Insurance
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
World: Yes
Reg: Yes
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Travel Concierge Service
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Travel Concierge Service
Infinite Only
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Travel Concierge Service
Enhanced Hotel/Dining Services
Yes with Fairmont Hotels
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Enhanced Hotel/Dining Services
Infinite Only
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Enhanced Hotel/Dining Services
Overlimit Extended Purchasing
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
Overlimit Extended Purchasing
Infinite Only
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No pre-set spending limit
No
No
Overlimit Extended Purchasing
Link to Apply
Link to Apply
Link to Apply
Notes:
Complimentary Hertz Rent-A-Car #1 Club Gold Membership and free Car Class upgrades
* Until Jun 15, 11
*** Fee Applies
* - 1st Year Free and 500 Bonus miles is a limited time offer
*** Fee Applies
*** Fee Applies
* Annual fees waived the first year
N/A
* Yearly fee ranging from $29-$99
*** Fee Applies
Travel can be purchased from any travel supplier with a credit made to your card
Travel can be purchased from any travel supplier with a credit made to your card
* Part of Club Privileges Travel for $189/yr
** Up to a total annual spend of $80K
*** Fee Applies
* Part of Club Privileges Travel for $189/yr
** Up to a total annual spend of $80K
*** Fee Applies
Notes:
*** Fee Applies
N/A
Premier membership in Fairmont's President's Club after 3 visits
*** Fee Applies
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Travel can be purchased from any travel supplier with a credit made to your card
Travel can be purchased from any travel supplier with a credit made to your card
* Until Nov 14, 11
Notes:
  
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