Airline and hotel reward programs often run sales that offer bonuses when you buy points and miles. You’ll sometimes see offers giving you 30%, 50%, or even 100% more points when you buy.
If you’ve wondered whether it’s worth it, most of the time it isn’t.
The best way to earn points in Canada is through credit cards with welcome bonuses and everyday spending. You’ll earn plenty of points this way without paying out of pocket.
Still, there are times when buying points can actually help you save money on travel. Here’s when it’s worth buying points and miles.
Buy Points to Keep Your Points from Expiring
Most airline and hotel reward programs expire points after a certain time with no activity. Earning or redeeming points usually counts as activity.
You’ll want to keep your account active so you don’t lose points while waiting for the right redemption. Buying points isn’t the cheapest way to extend expiry, but it’s often the fastest.
Aeroplan® points, for example, expire after 18 months with no activity. But you’ll find plenty of ways to earn Aeroplan® points through partners and with any Aeroplan® credit card.
Hilton Honors points can be trickier since there are no co-branded cards in Canada. You can still transfer American Express® Membership Rewards® points in increments of 1,000 to keep your account active.
With most programs, even a small points purchase resets expiry. Buying pointsis a practical way to keep your account active and your points safe.
The AWP Newsletter
Fuel your adventures with points
Signup to get expert guidance and the latest Canadian points and miles tips. Learn how easy it is to travel for nearly free.
The AWP Newsletter
Fuel your adventures with points
Signup to get expert guidance and the latest Canadian points and miles tips. Learn how easy it is to travel for nearly free.
Buy Points to Top Up a Redemption
You’ll sometimes find yourself just a few points short of the flight or hotel you want to redeem.
Buying points can be a quick way to top up your account and lock in a great redemption before it’s gone.
You can often transfer American Express® Membership Rewards® points instantly to programs like Aeroplan®, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy®, and Hilton Honors.
Buying points for a redemption top-up can make sense if you don’t have enough Amex MR® points to transfer.
It can also help if you want to save your points for another trip or if the program isn’t a transfer partner.
You’ll still want to check how much those extra points cost and consider our point valuations. In some cases, a top-up can save you money compared to paying cash for the same trip.
Best cards by program
Points Valuation in 2025
Wondering how much travel points are worth?
Not all points have the same value. We will help you sort it out and get the most value in Canada.
Points Valuation in 2025
Wondering how much travel points are worth?
Not all points have the same value. We will help you sort it out and get the most value in Canada.
-
2.00 ¢
-
0.70 ¢
-
1.00 ¢
Last spring, I found a great Aeroplan® redemption to Florida for our family trip, but I was short 2,000 points.
I bought the extra points right away and booked before the seats were gone.
That quick top-up cost less than paying cash for the fare and saved us hundreds on our spring break getaway.
Buy Points to Save Money on Premium Flights
You’ll sometimes find that buying points can save you money on business or first-class flights. Cash fares for these cabins can easily run thousands of dollars more than economy.
Premium flights are often much more affordable with points. You’ll find great value through programs like Aeroplan® or Flying Blue, especially when it comes to some of their sweet-spot redemptions.
For example, Aeroplan® business class standard redemptions to Europe on Star Alliance partners like TAP Air Portugal, SWISS, or LOT Polish Airlines are only 70,000 points one way.
Flying Blue business class redemptions to Europe with Air France and KLM can start as low as 60,000 miles and drop to 45,000 miles during monthly promos.
You’ll want to check award availability before buying since it changes often. Buying points when you’re short of a premium redemption can be a great way to fly in comfort for less.
During a Flying Blue promo, we spotted two business class seats to Europe on Air France for next summer. It was only 90,000 miles for both.
We quickly transferred our American Express® Membership Rewards® points and bought the miles we were missing.
In the end, we paid about $500 out of pocket for two business class seats that we wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise.
Top Offers
Wondering which credit card to get next?
Check some of the best credit card offers in Canada.
Top Offers
Wondering which credit card to get next?
Check some of the best credit card offers in Canada.
Buy Points to Save Money on Luxury Hotels
You’ll sometimes find that buying points can save you money on luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts. Cash prices at these properties can climb quickly, especially during peak travel times.
Luxury stays are often much more affordable with points. You’ll find great value through programs like Marriott Bonvoy® and Hilton Honors.
Even more so when using their 5th Night Free benefit or Marriott Bonvoy® Free Night Certificates.
Points sales can make these stays even more rewarding, with bonuses sometimes reaching 100%. Buying points during those promotions can open the door to luxury travel for a fraction of the cash price.
We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Penha Longa during our Portugal trip last summer. The cash rate was over $600 USD, but it was just 48,000 points.
We used a Marriott Bonvoy® free night certificate worth up to 35,000 points. We bought the remaining 13,000 during a 35% promo for only $122 USD.
Just 10 minutes from Sintra, we enjoyed the resort’s spa, pools, gardens, and restaurants on both check-in and check-out day. It was easily one of our best hotel stays yet.
Beginner’s Guide
From points newbie to booking your first trip.
Learn how easy it's for Canadians to earn and redeem points with the best reward credit cards and programs. Make your first redemption for almost free travel in no time.
Beginner’s Guide
From points newbie to booking your first trip.
Learn how easy it's for Canadians to earn and redeem points with the best reward credit cards and programs. Make your first redemption for almost free travel in no time.
Don’t Buy Points Speculatively
You shouldn’t buy points speculatively, even if they’re on sale. There’s too much that can change before you end up using them.
Loyalty programs can adjust pricing or devalue points without warning, making them worth less than what you paid.
Your own situation can also change if health, family, or work plans get in the way of travel.
And as we’ve seen with events like COVID-19, global travel conditions can shift fast. If that happens, those points could sit unused or lose value.
It’s always best to confirm availability and your trip plans before buying.
AWP TIP
Points purchases are usually handled by third-party providers like Points.com.
Since they don’t code as travel, you won’t earn extra points on cards that offer higher rates for travel purchases.
Keep in mind that you’ll also pay sales tax on points purchases if your billing address is in Canada and you’re using a Canadian credit card.
Bottom Line
Buying points can make sense in certain situations. You can consider buying points to keep them from expiring, top up for a redemption, or save on premium flights and luxury hotels.
Buying during a promotion can stretch your value even more. Still, you’ll want to buy points only when you’ve confirmed availability and have a clear plan for using them.
Otherwise, you’re better off saving your money and earning points through credit cards, partners, and everyday spending.
