This post may contain affiliate links.
How to Start Your Points Adventure in Canada
Learn how to earn, redeem, and maximize travel points for nearly free adventures. This guide is tailored for Canadians who want to make travel more affordable using rewards. Whether you’re a beginner or ready to level up, you’ll find concise, actionable steps here.
Start Your Adventure with Points
Ready to turn your everyday spending into trips and experiences? We’ll show you how to:
- Earn points quickly.
- Redeem them for maximum value.
- Keep the cycle going for ongoing rewards.
Travel Rewards Matter
Travel rewards programs let you turn daily purchases into flights, hotels, and upgrades. The key is understanding how programs work so you can redeem for the highest value.
💡 Why Points? Why Now? Points lose value over time. Use them before they devalue.
💡 Our Mantra: Earn points → Redeem for travel → Repeat.
Financial Responsibility First
Credit cards can be a powerful tool if used responsibly:
- Always pay your balance in full and on time.
- Stay within your budget to avoid interest charges.
- Responsible use can improve your credit score over time.
The Fundamental Cycle
- Step 1: Collect points from everyday credit card spending.
- Step 2: Maximize earnings with credit card welcome bonuses.
- Step 3: Redeem points for travel through travel reward programs.
🔑 Pro Tip: Reward programs devalue over time. Use your points often to lock in the best value.
Step 1: Collect Points and Miles
Every purchase you make can earn rewards toward flights, hotels, and other travel experiences. The real difference comes from choosing the right mix of credit cards and loyalty programs that give you the best return for your spending.
Why Start Collecting?
Using the right credit card for groceries, dining, travel, and recurring bills transforms everyday expenses into travel opportunities. Starting sooner means you can build your points balance faster and enjoy your first redemption earlier.
Begin with Flexible Points
Not all points are equal! The most valuable ones are transferable points, and in Canaad, the American Express Membership Rewards® program (MR points) is an unbetable leader. Amex MR points can be transferred to many airline and hotel programs, which means more options, better value, amd perks like upgrades and free checked bags.
Top partners include Air Canada Aeroplan®, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy®, and Hilton Honors. Because you decide where your points go, you’re not tied to a single airline or hotel brand.
Once you have the hang of Amex MR points, you can look at other transferable progrnce you’re comfortable with American Express Membership Rewards®, you can add other transferable points programs like RBC Avion and Scotiabank Scene+ to boost your options.
Three Main Ways to Build Up Your Points Stash
Building up your points stash is the first step towards maximizing your travel rewards. Using these three methods together will help you earn points faster and get closer to your travel goals.
1. Credit Card Spending
Regular spending is the simplest way to collect points and the method you will use most often. It works alongside big welcome bonuses by giving you a steady flow of points throughout the year. Shifting some of your shopping to stores that accept the card with the highest earn rate can make your everyday spending even more rewarding.
- Use cards that earn strong rewards for categories like groceries, dining, entertainment, and gas like the American Express Cobalt®.
- Focus on paying for your existing expenses with the card instead of using cash or debit.
- Choose the card in your wallet that gives the highest return for each type of purchase.
2. Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses are the fastest way to grow your points quickly, with many offers are large enough to cover flights or hotel stays with a single new card. It’s a great way to boost your points balance, especially if you have big upcoming expenses or travel plans in mind.
- Apply for cards with competitive signup bonuses to boost your balance right away.
- Meet the minimum spending requirement using purchases you already plan to make.
- Offers change frequently, so make sure to check regularly for the best offers to take full advantage of new and limited-time opportunities.
3. Special Offers
Special offers can can boost your points without requiring changes to your usual spending. They often come from credit card issuers, loyalty programs, or travel partners.
- Check your American Express® account frequently for special offers and don’t forget to opt in.
- Offers can include switching or upgrading your cards.
- Elivated card referral offers are a great opportunity to invite friends and family to earn points and travel more.
Essential Tips for Collecting Points
Collecting points can unlock amazing travel experiences, but there are many myths and misconceptions around it. In this guide, we clear up common misconceptions and share practical tips to help you get the most from your rewards. Whether you’re just starting or refining your strategy, these insights will help you to earn smarter and travel better.
One Signup Bonus
Most cards let you earn the welcome bonus only once per card type. For programs like Aeroplan®, this applies across all providers in the same tier, so choose carefully.
Annual Fees
Many top travel cards charge an annual fee, but the rewards, perks, and benefits can easily outweigh the cost when used wisely.
Pay Your Balance
Travel credit cards are only valuable if you pay your statement balance in full each month, avoiding interest charges that reduce your rewards.
Minimum Spend
To earn a welcome bonus, you must reach the card’s minimum spend within a set time. Ensure you can meet that goal before applying.
Credit Score Impact
Applying for a new card may cause a small, temporary dip in your credit score. However, using credit responsibly helps build a stronger score over time.
Your Welcome Bonus
Use our free Credit Cards Welcome Bonus Tracker to stay organized and reach your goals.
How Points Work
Before applying, understand how the card’s points work. Can you transfer to airlines or hotels? Some points are worth more, so knowing the value helps pick the best card.
Step 2: Redeem Points for Travel
Many beginners waste valuable points by booking travel through their credit card’s portal. The smarter move is to transfer points and book directly with the airline or hotel programs. This usually gets you more value, better availability, and extra perks.
💡 For example, instead of using 60,000 points for a $600 flight via your card’s portal, transferring to Air Canada Aeroplan® might cost as few as 40,000 points or less, saving you thousands of points!
Booking directly with airlines often unlocks benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and lounge access depending on your card. Booking hotels through their loyalty programs gives you more flexible cancellation policies, better pricing, perks like free breakfast or late checkout, and elite status benefits.
📌 Always check award availability before transferring points. Transfers are usually instant for most partners but cannot be reversed. Visit your Amex account to view transfer partners and move points quickly to airlines or hotels to start booking.
Flight Redemptions
There are two major Airline Alliances that allow you to redeem points for flights with more than 50+ airlines in Canada. Redeeming your points through these programs lets you get better value by accessing more routes, greater seat availability, and options to combine points from multiple credit cards and partners like retailers. Booking direct with the airline program provides additional benefits such as more flexible cancellation policies, travel insurance associated with co-branded credit cards, priority customer service, and perks like seat selection and upgrades that often come with elite status or partnership programs.
Why Aeroplan® is a Top Choice
Air Canada Aeroplan® is the most versatile and valuable airline programs for Canadians, offering flights with Air Canada and 45+ Star Alliance partners. Its strength lies not only in widespread flight options but also in the flexibility to collect Aeroplan® from multiple sources, making it easier to earn and redeem points for maximum travel rewards.
- Star Alliance Partners: Redeem for flights with Air Canada and 45+ partners, including TAP Air Portuga, United, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines.
- Multiple Ways to Earn: Collect Aeroplan® points from flights, credit cards, retail partners, and gas stations.
- Family Sharing: Pool points with up to 6 members for faster earning and redemption.
- Fixed-Rate Redemptions: Partner airlines offer fixed-point rates, letting you redeem fewer points compared to Air Canada’s dynamic pricing.
Flight Redemptions with Air France / KLM Flying Blue
Air France / KLM Flying Blue is the second-best rewards program for Canadians, offering great value on flights to Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. It provides access to a broad partner network, competitive award rates, and monthly Promo Rewards for both economy and business class travel.
- Earning Miles: mainly through flying, co-branded credit cards like the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard®, and transferring points from Amex Membership Rewards®.
- Extensive Partner Network: including Air France, KLM, SkyTeam airlines, Etihad, West Jet, and El Al.
- Monthly Promos: monthly flight rewards with discounted mileage offers in economy and business class.
- Family benefits: pooling miles with up to eight members and lower rates for child award tickets
Hotel Redemptions
Redeeming hotel points is one of the best ways to enjoy unforgettable travel for less or even free. Second only to flights in reward value, they can complement your airfare or be a stand‑alone getaway anywhere in the world. With thousands of properties in top destinations, hotel loyalty programs help you stretch points further and enjoy perks like free nights, bonus points, Wi‑Fi, upgrades, breakfast, and flexible change or cancellation when booking direct.
Why Marriott Bonvoy® is a Top Hotel Choice
The Marriott Bonvoy® program is the top hotel redemption program in Canada, thanks to its unmatched global reach with thousands of hotels and resorts worldwide and multiple ways to collect points. It’s the only hotel loyalty program in Canada dedicated Marriott Bonvoy® credit cards and a transfer partner from American Express Membership Rewards®, making it easy to build points for free nights, free night certificates and night stay credits.
- Free Night Certificate: enjoy an annual Free Night Certificate after the 1st year with the Marriott Bonvoy® credit cards.
- Get a 5th Night Free: all Marriott Bonvoy members can book 4 nights with points and get a 5th night free.
- Elite Status Benefits: automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status with the Amex Platinum Cards, and 15 elite night credits each year with the Bonvoy credit cards to help you reach higher status faster. Unlock Marriott Bonvoy® Elite Status Benefits like late checkout, free breakfast and room upgrades.
Hotel Redemptions with Hilton Honors
Hilton Hotel Redemptions Text coming soon
Step 3 – Start Your Adventures With Points
Unlocking travel rewards isn’t complicated, and it’s easier than you think. By using the right credit cards and making smart decisions, you can maximize your points and start enjoying unforgettable travel experiences. Follow these simple steps to get started on your journey to rewarding adventures.
Check Your Credit Score
Before applying for a credit card, use free tools or your bank to check your credit score to ensure you’re applying for the best card for your needs.
Choose Your Cards
Begin with credit cards offering attractive welcome bonuses and strong rewards for everyday spending to maximize your earning.
Track Your Signup Bonus
Stay organized and reach your goals faster with our free tool to track your spending and monitor progress toward your signup bonus.
Join Our Community
Get the latest travel news, credit card promotions, and travel guides.
It’s more fun with family and friends who want to make more travel memories for less.
