Travel rewards get a lot of attention because they typically offer the highest redemption value – but most credit cards offer non-travel redemption options, too. Rewards programs like Scene+, Air Miles, Amex Membership Rewards, and CIBC Aventura Rewards provide decent value on things like merchandise and statement credits.
Be forewarned: we’re not saying that you’re going to get the best value here, but there are options if you’re not interested in travel rewards. Let’s break it all down.
Key Takeaways
- When redeeming rewards, travel is almost always the best way to use your points for maximum value.
- All rewards programs offer other ways to use your points if travel isn't an option, including things like gift cards and merchandise.
- Redeeming your points for something besides travel typically reduces their value significantly.
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.
The best non-travel rewards options by program
Just because you’re not a big traveller doesn’t mean you want to leave valuable rewards on the table. Here are some of the best non-travel options offered by the most popular rewards programs in Canada.
| Rewards program | Max. travel value in cents per point (CPP) | Best non-travel option in cents per point |
|---|---|---|
| Scene+ | Any travel (1 CPP) | Redeem at partner stores (1 CPP) |
| Air Miles | Air Miles travel (10–20+ CPP) | Merchandise (5–20+ CPP) |
| Aeroplan | Flights (2 CPP) | Merchandise (0.74 CPP) |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Travel packages (1.1 CPP) | Merchandise (0.37 CPP) |
| American Express Membership Rewards | Transfer to Aeroplan for flights (2 CPP) | Statement credits (1 CPP) |
| BMO Rewards | Any Travel (0.67 CPP) | Investments (0.67 CPP) |
| CIBC Aventura | Airline rewards chart (1.96 CPP) | Merchandise (1.25 CPP) |
| MBNA Rewards | Any travel (1 CPP) | e-Gift Cards (0.99 CPP) |
| RBC Avion | Air Travel Redemption Schedule (2.33 CPP) | Charity (1 CPP) |
| TD Rewards | Expedia for TD (0.5 CPP) | Shopping at Amazon (0.33 CPP) |
The best non-travel rewards for retail programs
It’s easier than ever to find loyalty programs at some of your favourite stores. By signing up and shopping, you earn points that can net you free stuff or great discounts. We’ve chosen two huge programs that give you a variety of redemption options.
Below, we’ll break down all the non-travel redemption options for each program.
Scene+
If you collect Scene+ points, your non-travel redemption options are worth the same as travel! You’ll get 1 CPP for using your for:
- Groceries at Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland, IGA, Fresh Co, Thrifty Foods, and more
- Home improvement at Home Hardware
- Movies at Cineplex
- Entertainment at Rec Room, Playdium
- Dining at Harveys, Swiss Chalet, East Side Mario’s, Montana’s, Bier Markt, and more
Translation? Your Scene+ rewards can be turned into free food, movie tickets, or hardware supplies instead of travel without losing any value.
If you want to maximize your earn rate and earn Scene+ everywhere, check out the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card.
×1 Award winner 
$100 GeniusCash + Up to 50,000 bonus points + No foreign exchange fees.*
GC: $100
1x Award winner Air Miles
With Air Miles, your best bet for non-travel rewards is to earn Cash Miles, which have the same value as your average flight redemption (10.5 CPP). Collecting Dream Miles is best if you want to redeem for travel rewards.
You have two non-travel options to redeem Cash Miles: eVouchers and in-store partners.
Select an eVoucher from over 60 partners, including:
- Groceries: Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland, IGA, Fresh Co, Thrifty Foods, and more
- Home improvement: Home Hardware, Home Depot
- Movies: Cineplex, Landmark Cinemas
- Dining: Recipe Unlimited Restaurants, Starbucks, Tim Hortons
- Merchandise: Best Buy, Winners, Walmart, Sephora, Gap, and more
- Driving and delivery services: Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Lyft
Although your in-store options are limited, here are some retailers that accept Cash Miles:
- Gas: Shell, Irving
- Pharmacy: Pharmasave
- Home improvement: Kent Building Supplies
On average, we put Air Miles redemptions at 9.5 CPP, which isn't too far off the average flight. But this is only an average, so you can find options that are worth more (and less) than this.
To add even more miles to your Air Miles bank, consider getting the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard.
×1 Award winner GC: $150
1x Award winner The best non-travel rewards for travel programs
Travel programs like Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy emphasize travel rewards – but some of them do offer non-travel options. You won’t get a great return but if you won’t be traveling before your points expire, it’s better to use them for something than to lose them altogether.
Aeroplan
The best non-travel redemption from Aeroplan is merchandise (0.74 CPP) or gift cards (0.71 CPP), but your point value will tank. If you’re ok with that, you can shop over 2,700 products from over 300 retailers on the Aeroplan eStore.
Here’s a sample of what’s available:
If you do want to earn Aeroplan points everywhere, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card will give you lots of earning power plus Air Canada benefits.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy works similarly to Aeroplan, except the best value comes from free nights at Marriott hotels all over the world. Like Aeroplan, your best non-travel redemption options are merchandise (0.37 CPP) or gift cards (0.34 CPP).
The same warning applies: while they are options, they don’t offer good value.
To earn rewards towards free hotel nights, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card makes for an excellent credit card.
The best non-travel rewards for bank programs
Bank program rewards allow you to earn rewards with your credit (and sometimes even debit) cards – and they typically offer better non-travel redemption options than the retail and travel rewards programs.
American Express Membership Rewards
Amex Membership Rewards doesn’t penalize you for choosing a non-travel redemption option; you can redeem your points towards any purchase on your statement and get the same value as travel (1 CPP).
The great thing about this redemption option is how easy it is. Once the purchase hits your statement, you can redeem points towards its cost.
If you want to earn Membership Rewards, the American Express Cobalt Card offers the most points on purchases – and is our #1 card in Canada for 8 years running.
×8 Award winner GC: $100
8x Award winner BMO Rewards
BMO Rewards gives you the same value as travel if you deposit your rewards into a BMO Investment account – 0.67 CPP. If you’re content with a slightly lower point value, you can redeem your BMO Rewards points for gift cards (0.5 CPP), merchandise (0.48 CPP), or statement credit (0.5 – 0.67 CPP).
When it comes to earning BMO Rewards, the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card will get you the most rewards on purchases.
GC: $150
CIBC Aventura
For those with a philanthropic nature, the CIBC Aventura rewards is a great program since it gives you the same value as travel (1 CPP) for donating to charity.
You still have other non-travel options, like a statement credit or deposit into a CIBC account, but you’ll only be getting 0.83 CPP.
If you want to collect Aventura Rewards, the best credit card to earn points is the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card.
MBNA Rewards
MBNA Rewards is a rare rewards program with a non-travel redemption option almost equal in value to travel. Choose e-gift cards for 0.99 CPP (vs. travel at 1 CPP) for a high-value gift card or merchandise option.
If you want to take advantage of MBNA Rewards, the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is one of the best rewards credit cards in Canada.
×4 Award winner GC: $100
4x Award winner RBC Avion Rewards
If you collect RBC Avion Rewards, you can donate them to charity for a value of 1 CPP. Other non-travel options include merchandise (0.87 CPP), gift cards (0.72 CPP), and deposits to RBC financial products (0.83 CPP).
Your least valuable option is the pay-with-points reward. For 0.58 CPP, you can redeem Avion points towards bill payments, credit card balances, in-store discounts, and Interac e-Transfers.
To take advantage of Avion Rewards, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is the best credit card they offer.
TD Rewards
TD Rewards isn’t a great option for value; redemption options range from a measly 0.21 CPP to just 0.5 CPP. Travel is, of course, the highest-value option. Your best non-travel redemption is paying with points at Amazon.ca for 0.33 CPP. Other options include gift cards (0.25 CPP), merchandise (average of 0.27 CPP), and credit card statement credits (0.25 CPP).
To earn TD Rewards on all your purchases, consider the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card – but note that your best bet is to use those rewards points for travel through Expedia For TD.
GC: $20
Earn more cash back with the GeniusCash app
Whether you’re a jet setter or prefer to spend your rewards elsewhere, you can earn cash back on everything you spend (on any card!) with the GeniusCash app.
GeniusCash is the easiest way to earn max cash back on your everyday expenses. When you download the GeniusCash app and connect your cards, you’ll receive custom recommendations to help you make the most of your spending – from which card to use at the grocery store or gas station to financial product and service offers that can help level up your returns.
Plus, take advantage of limited-time welcome bonuses and exclusive offers to earn even more rewards and free cash.
FAQ
Should you get a travel credit card if you don't travel?
Although it doesn’t hurt to have a no fee travel credit card in your wallet, it probably makes more sense to have a credit card that’s better aligned with your spending and redeeming habits. If you don’t travel, consider a cash back card that will earn you money back on your spending.
How much are 50,000 TD points worth?
When redeemed for shopping at Amazon, the highest non-travel reward option, 50,000 points are worth $165. Compare that to the highest travel redemption value of $250 and you’ll see just how much more you’ll get with travel rewards from a travel credit card.
creditcardGenius is the only tool that compares 126+ features of 227 Canadian credit cards using math-based ratings and rankings that respond to your needs, instantly. Take our quiz and see which of Canada's 227 cards is for you.
GC: 
Comments
Leave a comment
Required fields are marked with *. Your email address will not be published.