The best way to maximize credit card rewards is to match your biggest spending categories with the right credit card. For example, the best travel credit cards help general spenders save for vacation, while frequent flyer credit cards earn air travellers an average of 25% more points per year.
Add a comprehensive travel insurance package, a variety of exclusive perks such as airport lounge access, companion vouchers, and concierge services, and you’ve got the makings of a globetrotter’s perfect spending tool.
Key Takeaways
- Frequent flyer credit cards earn up to 7.5% back on air travel, and are ideal for Canadians who spend $1,200 or more per year to fly.
- With a frequent flyer credit card, you can earn 25% more rewards per year than with a general travel credit card.
- The best overall frequent flyer credit card is the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite, but the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege offers the flexibility to use almost any airline.
Never miss an amazing deal again + get our bonus 250+ page eBook for FREE. Join 50,000 other Canadians who receive our weekly newsletter – learn more.
Who needs a frequent flyer credit card?
There are no official guidelines on how frequently a frequent flyer flies; however, according to Statistics Canada, the average Canadian household spent approximately $1,150 on airplane travel in 2023. If you spend more than that, you’re travelling an above-average amount.
Unlike travel credit cards, which reward general travel and spending, frequent flyer credit cards are designed specifically to reward air travel.
For instance, if you were to purchase $1,500 worth of airline tickets using the best overall credit card in Canada, the American Express Cobalt Card, you’d receive $60 back in rewards. However, with the best frequent flyer credit card in Canada, you could earn 25% more, and the difference becomes more significant the more you fly. This financial advantage is a key reason why these cards are so popular among frequent flyers.
"Frequent flier" or “frequent flyer?” Both spellings are accepted and widely used across the internet. We use the British English “flyer” in this article.
The best frequent flyer credit cards in Canada
The best frequent flyer credit cards in Canada offer numerous rewards on air travel and provide valuable perks, including airport lounge access and companion vouchers. They’re usually tied to specific airline loyalty programs, all of which use different points and values.
To make comparison easier, we’ve calculated every credit card’s insurance value, benefits value, and return rate. A 5% return rate means $5 in rewards for every $100 spent on air travel.
Rewards earned in CAD / Money spent in CAD = Return rate in %
Not all frequent flyers fly the same way, so we’ve also identified the top credit cards in 7 different categories. You’re sure to find a credit card that suits your travel style in the table below:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Return rate | Benefits value | Insurance value | Apply now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC British Airways Visa Infinite | $165 | 7.5% | $2,020 | $730 | Apply now |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $499 | 5.88% | $1,215 | $1,030 | Apply now |
| American Express Platinum Card | $799 | 6% | $2,030 | $500 | Apply now |
| American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card | $599 | 6% | $2,635 | $470 | Apply now |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card | $599 | 4% | $4,235 | $835 | Apply now |
| BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard | $199 | 4.5% | $2,320 | $480 | Apply now |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students | $0 | 1.96% | $300 | $255 | Apply now |
1. Best overall frequent flyer credit card
Rewards:
- 3 Avios per $1 spent on British Airways and BA Holidays
- 2 Avios per $1 spent on restaurants
- 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases
No other frequent flyer credit card can match the earning power of the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite thanks to the high value of Avios points. According to our calculations, they’re worth about 2.5 Cents Per Point (CPP) when redeemed for reward flights, and up to 4 CPP when applied as partial payments.
Value of reward in CAD / Cost of reward in points = Value in Cents Per Point (CPP)
The RBC BA Visa Infinite card also provides one annual worldwide companion pass when you meet the spending threshold of $30,000 or more. Bring a friend on your next adventure for free, or keep it for yourself and take 50% off the cost of your next reward flight.
The downside is you must fly British Airways to redeem Avios at maximum value, and there are few flights to and from Canada. On the plus side, you can earn Avios points on 16 other airlines, enjoy hotel benefits, access exclusive dining events, and receive a complimentary concierge service with Visa Infinite.
Pros:
- 9 types of insurance
- 10% off round-trip BA flights to and from Canada
- Annual airline companion voucher
- Worldwide acceptance for Visa
Cons:
- $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income required
- Must use British Airways to earn and redeem points
- Limited reward flight routes available to Canadians
- Reward flights have blackout dates and seats
2. Best travel credit card for air travel
Rewards:
- 3 points per $1 spent on travel booked through CIBC Rewards
- 2 points per $1 spent on gas, EV charging, groceries, restaurants, and transit
- 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
What the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card lacks in earning power, it more than makes up for with flexibility and premium perks. The Visa Infinite Privilege program offers additional hotel benefits, priority airport services, and Visa Airport Companion, which includes a complimentary DragonPass membership and six complimentary airport lounge visits.
Even better, you get a $200 annual travel credit and the ability to earn and redeem points with hundreds of airlines through CIBC Aventura Rewards. Aventura points are worth 1.6–2.29 CPP, making this a superb travel credit card for those who don’t want to be tied to a specific airline.
Pros:
- $200 annual travel credit
- $100 NEXUS rebate
- 12 types of insurance
- 6 free airport lounge passes per year
- Earn and redeem points on hundreds of airlines
- Worldwide acceptance for Visa
Cons:
- $150,000 personal or $200,000 household income required
- Must use the CIBC Rewards Centre to earn and redeem points
3. Best luxury traveller credit card
×2 Award winner 
Rewards:
- 2 points per $1 spent on restaurants and travel
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
In truth, we undervalued the benefits provided by the American Express Platinum Card. There are numerous Platinum perks that Amex has created a website dedicated to exploring, not least of which is unlimited airport lounge access provided by Priority Pass and the Amex Global Lounge Collection.
Getting the most out of the Platinum card means doing a lot of wining, dining, and travelling through Amex Travel Online, which adds one extra Amex Membership Rewards point to every dollar spent. You can redeem these points for travel credits or convert them to Aeroplan points at a 1:1 ratio, resulting in an average value of 2 CPP.
Pros:
- $200 annual dining credit
- $200 annual travel credit
- $100 NEXUS credit every 4 years
- 11 types of insurance
- Complimentary concierge, hotel benefits, and more
- No income requirements
- Priority services at Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Unlimited airport lounge access
Cons:
- Less travel insurance than other premium credit cards
- Limited acceptance for American Express
- Must use Amex Travel Online and Aeroplan to maximize points
Runner-Up: The American Express Gold Rewards Card pairs the same air travel rewards and similar insurance with fewer benefits for a $250 annual fee.
4. Best business frequent flyer credit card
Rewards:
- 3 points per $1 spent on Air Canada
- 2 points per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals
- 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card is a top-tier Aeroplan credit card offering exclusive perks whenever you fly Air Canada, including unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges for you and one guest.
Throw in an annual companion voucher starting at $99, 1 free night for every 3 nights redeemed with points, and free first checked bags for you and up to 8 companions, and you’ve got every reason to look forward to your next conference trip.
Pros:
- $100 NEXUS credit every 4 years
- 11 types of insurance
- Annual airline companion voucher
- Free first checked bags for you and up to 8 companions
- No blackout dates or seats on reward flights
- No income requirements
- Priority airport services
- Unlimited airport lounge access
Cons:
- Limited acceptance for American Express
- Must use Air Canada to earn and redeem points
Runner-Up: Get 4% back on air travel, limited Maple Leaf Lounge access, and many of the same benefits for $180 per year with the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business Card.
5. Best frequent flyer credit card for travel insurance
Rewards:
- 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada
- 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining
- 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card compensates for its high annual fee with over $5,000 worth of benefits and travel insurance. Its comprehensive coverage includes $1,500 of cellphone insurance, 120 days of new purchase protection, a month of emergency medical coverage and 4 days of emergency medical for travellers over the age of 65.
Pros:
- $100 NEXUS credit every 4 years
- 12 types of insurance
- Annual airline companion voucher
- Free first checked bags for you and up to 8 companions
- Maple Leaf Lounge and Visa Airport Companion access
- No blackout dates or seats on reward flights
- Priority airport services
- Worldwide acceptance for Visa
Cons:
- $150,000 personal or $200,000 household income required
- Must use Air Canada to earn and redeem points
Budget Pick: Psst – the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card earns 3% on Air Canada travel and enjoys many of the same benefits for a lower annual fee.
6. Best domestic frequent flyer credit card
$150 GeniusCash + Get up to $2,400 in value + Automatic VIPorter Venture membership.*
GC: $150
Rewards:
- 3 points per $1 spent on Porter
- 2 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, restaurants, and hotels
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
The BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard offers a respectable earning rate whenever you fly Porter, a small airline based out of Toronto. Although you only have 30 destinations to choose from, VIPorter points are worth 1.5 CPP, and you’ll get a free checked bag, a free carry-on, and free seat selection whenever you fly – not to mention an annual airline companion voucher worth $380.
And while it’s not quite as luxurious as the VIP program, World Elite Mastercard has plenty to offer. Complimentary concierge? Check. Exclusive events access? Check. Airport lounge access? Check – you can get into 1,400 lounges worldwide for USD 32 per visit using the complimentary Mastercard Travel Pass.
Pros:
- 11 types of insurance
- 1 free checked and carry-on bag per flight
- Annual airline companion voucher
- Free seat selection
- Worldwide acceptance for Mastercard
Cons:
- $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income required
- Must use Porter to earn and redeem points
- No overseas destinations
Budget Pick: Try the BMO VIPorter Mastercard, which earns slightly fewer rewards but keeps many of the same benefits.
7. Best student frequent flyer credit card
Rewards:
- 1 point per $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
- 1 point per $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, EV charging, and drugstores, up to $6,000 spent annually
- 1 point per $2 spent on all other purchases
The CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students is also the best student credit card and an excellent option for students with families who want to visit abroad. While its travel return rate may not seem significant, you can supplement your rewards with points from five other spending categories.
Pros:
- No income requirements
- Worldwide acceptance for Mastercard
Cons:
- Only 3 types of insurance
- Must use the CIBC Rewards Centre to earn and redeem points
Methodology
To identify the best frequent flyer credit cards in Canada, we compared 15 credit cards with special earning rates for air travel, as well as 29 of the best travel credit cards. We then compared their annual rewards at several different annual air travel budgets: $1,500, $3,000, and $6,000.
Money spent x Points per dollar x Value per point = Value of rewards earned in CAD
In some cases, cards with a lower earning rate may outrank those with a higher earning rate because they offer cardholders more acceptance, earning opportunities, or travel flexibility. We encourage readers to consider the pros and cons of every card and draw their conclusions based on their travel priorities.
FAQ
What is the best travel rewards card in Canada?
The best travel rewards credit card for general spenders is the American Express Cobalt Card, while the best tool for frequent flyers is the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege.
Which airline credit card is most worth it?
The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite gets up to 7% back on BA flights, but the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege can earn and redeem points with nearly any airline.
Who has the best airline rewards program?
Air Canada’s Aeroplan rewards program is the best frequent flyer club in Canada thanks to its large network, long list of partners, and high points value.
How many miles do you need for a free flight?
The average Canadian flight costs around $300, which would require approximately 1,500 Air Miles to cover.
creditcardGenius is the only tool that compares 126+ features of 226 Canadian credit cards using math-based ratings and rankings that respond to your needs, instantly. Take our quiz and see which of Canada's 226 cards is for you.
GC: 
Comments
Leave a comment
Required fields are marked with *. Your email address will not be published.