she-found-wealth

Swiss Air Business Class Review: Zurich to Singapore on the 777

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 01:05:33 GMT

Swiss Air business class from Zurich to Singapore is not the flashiest lie-flat seat in the sky, but as part of a 92,500-point Aeroplan business class itinerary from Toronto to Singapore with a five-day stopover in Zurich, it was one of the best-value redemptions I’ve booked.

The full outbound itinerary took us from Toronto to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Zurich, then Zurich to Singapore after five days in Switzerland. The Zurich-to-Singapore flight was not priced as a standalone award in my booking. It was part of the larger Aeroplan itinerary, including Aeroplan’s 5,000-point stopover fee.

Based on flight time, the Swiss Zurich-to-Singapore segment made up about 59% of the total flying time. So for the purpose of this review, I’d roughly allocate about 55,000 Aeroplan points and $137 CAD in taxes and fees to this Swiss business class flight.

That is not an exact Aeroplan segment price. It is a time-based estimate to help you understand the value of this specific flight within the larger booking.

I booked this trip for my grandmother and me because I wanted to take her abroad, experience Singapore Airlines business class on the way home, and build a stopover into the itinerary somewhere we could actually explore. Singapore Airlines was the north star of the trip. Swiss became the cherry on top.

What I did not expect was how differently the same flight would land for the two of us.

I have flown business class on Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and Air Canada, so I had a clear benchmark for what separates a good business class product from an excellent one. My grandmother had only flown Lufthansa business class before this, and this was our first grandmother-granddaughter trip, her first time in Switzerland, and her first time going to Singapore.

We sat in the same cabin, ate the same food, and experienced the same service — but we landed with completely different opinions.

That is the Swiss business class review I want to give you, because most airline reviews are written for people who have already flown Qatar Qsuites and are comparing downward. Most people reading this are not those people.

You may be a beginner points traveler. You may be collecting Aeroplan points, Chase points, Amex points, or another transferable currency. You may just want to know if Swiss Airlines business class is actually worth booking before you spend your points.

That context changes everything.

The quick answer: Swiss Air business class on the Boeing 777-300ER is an outdated but functional lie-flat product with excellent service, good food, and strong points value. It is best for travelers who care more about service, sleep, and value than having the newest cabin in the sky.

In this review, I’ll cover the seat, lounge, food, service, entertainment, points value, and whether I’d book Swiss Airlines business class again.

Flight Details

Route: Zurich (ZRH) to Singapore (SIN)
Flight: Swiss International Air Lines LX176
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Cabin: Business Class
Booked with: Aeroplan points
Estimated segment allocation: about 55,000 Aeroplan points
Estimated segment taxes and fees: about $137 CAD
Full outbound itinerary: Toronto to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Zurich, five-day stopover in Switzerland , then Zurich to Singapore

Full outbound points cost: 92,500 Aeroplan points, including the 5,000-point stopover fee

Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program, but you do not need to be Canadian to use it. U.S. travelers can also use Aeroplan through transferable points programs, which is one of the reasons this review is useful beyond Canada.

This was not a simple one-flight booking. It was part of a bigger itinerary:

Toronto to Frankfurt on Lufthansa business class
Frankfurt to Zurich on Lufthansa business class
Five-day stopover in Switzerland
Zurich to Singapore on Swiss business class

That routing is exactly why points can be so powerful.

I was not locked into one exact date, one exact route, or one exact airline. I knew I wanted to experience Singapore Airlines, visit another country on the way, and take my grandmother on a trip she would never forget. Because I was extremely flexible with dates and routing, this Swiss flight became the perfect fit.

That is one of the biggest lessons for beginner points travelers: the best redemptions often happen when you know the experience you want, but stay flexible on how you get there.

If you are still learning how partner airline bookings work, my complete guide to Aeroplan partner airlines explains how airlines like Swiss can be booked with Aeroplan points.

Why This Flight Matters for Points Travelers

This is not just a Swiss 777 business class review. It is also a real example of what travel rewards points can actually unlock when you plan intentionally.

When I checked cash pricing, I was seeing Swiss business class fares from Zurich to Singapore around $7,000. That is not a price I would casually pay out of pocket.

But with Aeroplan points, this became attainable.

That is one of the biggest reasons I teach points and miles. It is not about convincing people to spend recklessly or pretend luxury travel is a necessity. It is about showing people that treating yourself is not financially irresponsible when you plan for it.

Premium travel does not have to mean making impulsive purchases, going into debt, or paying thousands of dollars you cannot afford. With the right strategy, points can turn an experience that would normally feel financially unrealistic into something you can actually plan for.

For me, this redemption felt even bigger because I was able to take my grandmother.

She does not fully understand points or what I do for work, even though my full-time job is educating and consulting on points and miles. But she understood the experience immediately. She was in awe, got comfortable quickly, ate well, slept well, and later messaged me that I had spoiled her because economy was going to be hard to go back to.

That is the kind of thing that makes a redemption feel worth it beyond the cents-per-point math.

If you are trying to understand whether a redemption like this is actually good value, my First Class Calculator helps you estimate the points, cash value, and fees before you commit.

How I’m Allocating the Points for This Review

I want to be very clear: the Zurich-to-Singapore flight itself did not price at 92,500 Aeroplan points.

The full outbound itinerary cost 92,500 Aeroplan points in business class, including the 5,000-point stopover fee. That covered Toronto to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Zurich, a five-day stopover in Switzerland, and then Zurich to Singapore.

Because Aeroplan priced this as one larger itinerary, not as separate segment-by-segment cash tickets, there is no perfect way to isolate the Swiss flight cost. But for the sake of evaluating this specific Swiss Air business class review, I’m using flight time to estimate the portion of the itinerary value.

The total flying time was:

Toronto to Frankfurt: 7 hours 40 minutes
Frankfurt to Zurich: 55 minutes
Zurich to Singapore: 12 hours 25 minutes

That means the Zurich-to-Singapore segment made up about 59% of the total flying time.

Using that same percentage, I’d roughly allocate:

about 55,000 Aeroplan points to the Swiss Zurich-to-Singapore segment
about $137 CAD in taxes and fees to this segment

This is not an official Aeroplan price breakdown. It is a practical way to understand the value of this specific flight inside the larger redemption.

And honestly, that makes the redemption feel even stronger.

My Dual Rating System

Every airline review is written from one perspective. Usually, that perspective belongs to someone who has flown a lot of business class and is comparing the product to the best in the world.

That is useful if you are also that person.

It is less useful if you are booking business class for the first time, taking a parent or grandparent, or simply trying to understand whether your points will feel “worth it.”

So I’m rating this flight two ways: my perspective as someone who has flown multiple business class products, and my grandmother’s perspective as someone who was still soaking it all in.

The gap between the two scores is not because we had different flights. It is because expectations matter.

If you have flown newer business class cabins, Swiss business class on the 777-300ER will feel dated. If this is your first or second premium cabin, lying flat across the world with warm service and a proper meal is still going to feel incredible.

The Zurich Lounge Experience

This is where I made one of my biggest mistakes of the trip.

We first went to the Swiss Business Lounge in Zurich, and honestly, I found it crowded. We had already eaten Swiss Burger King before going in, so we were not starving, and I do not remember the food selection being especially memorable. We ended up sitting close to the exit because it was so full.

Later, after going through the international departure area, we found the Senator Lounge E.

I wish I had known about this lounge sooner.

We arrived fairly late because it was a night flight, so the lounge was much quieter by the time we got there. The food was not a full feast at that hour, but there were nachos, pastries, fruit, yogurt, berries, and little treats. The yogurt with berries was genuinely divine.

The lounge also had:

a coffee machine
a clean and spacious washroom area
a quieter atmosphere than the earlier lounge
a more polished design
a hallway with clocks and magazines that made it feel more distinctly European

I did not know there were showers until later, which is exactly the kind of thing I wish I had known before the flight. For an overnight long-haul flight, showering before boarding would have been a great reset.

My biggest Zurich lounge tip: do not spend all your time in the first lounge you find. Get through to the international area and look for the better lounge options closer to your long-haul gate.

I love European lounges in general. The Zurich lounges and the Lufthansa lounge I visited in Germany both felt nicer than many North American lounges I’ve experienced, including some Maple Leaf and Plaza Premium lounges.

If you want a more detailed breakdown, this could easily become its own Zurich airport lounge review or Swiss Business Lounge vs Senator Lounge Zurich post.

What I Wish I Knew Before Flying Swiss Business Class from Zurich

The biggest thing I wish I knew was that there were better lounge options after going through the international departure area. I spent too much time in the crowded Business Lounge and not enough time in the quieter lounge closer to our gate.

I also wish I had known about the shower facilities. I did not use them, but for an overnight long-haul flight, that would have been helpful.

The other small surprise was the seatbelt. It was not just a regular lap belt. It felt more like a car-style crossbody seatbelt, which was different from what I expected.

None of this was hard to figure out, but for a first-time or beginner business class traveler, those little details make the experience feel less intimidating.

The Swiss 777 Business Class Seat

Swiss uses a lie-flat business class seat on the Boeing 777-300ER. It does the most important thing a long-haul business class seat needs to do: it turns into a bed.

I slept on this flight. My grandmother slept on this flight. We arrived in Singapore rested.

That matters more than anything else.

But I will not pretend the cabin is modern. It is not.

The seat design is dated, the privacy is limited compared to newer business class products, and the cabin has an older visual style. The brown seats, criss-cross pattern, and brighter cabin lighting give it a less modern feel than something like Singapore Airlines or newer Air Canada business class.

It did not feel dirty or badly worn. It just looked older.

The cabin was also brighter than I expected. Usually, certain lighting can bother me or trigger a migraine, but I actually liked the brightness here. After takeoff, the cabin became extremely quiet, and waking up in the clouds was beautiful.

Paired Seats vs. Throne Seats

Swiss business class has “throne seats,” which are solo seats with more privacy and storage. They are popular with solo travelers, but they cost extra to select.

I did not choose them.

The throne seats were a couple hundred dollars extra, and more importantly, I wanted to sit near my grandmother. Some business class configurations technically seat you beside someone, but the pod layout still makes you feel far apart. These paired Swiss seats felt close enough that we were actually traveling together.

For this trip, that mattered more than privacy.

If I were flying solo and did not want to talk to anyone, I would consider paying for the throne seat. Introverts would probably love it. But if you are traveling with someone you actually want to interact with, I would skip the throne seat and sit together.

Storage, Footwell, and Comfort

The footwell was comfortable for me, and I had enough room for my little things: two phones, my pouch, headphones, and the items I wanted within reach.

It was not as spacious as the Lufthansa business class configuration I had flown before, where I could literally open my carry-on in front of my seat. But that is more specific to the Lufthansa configuration than a fair expectation for every business class seat.

For Swiss, the storage was functional enough.

My grandmother had no trouble getting in and out of the seat, though she is also very able-bodied. She got acclimated quickly and did not seem confused or uncomfortable once she settled in.

The only thing I personally struggled with was the tray table. At one point, I could not figure it out properly, and the flight attendant came over to help without making me feel silly. That is a small thing, but it matters when you are in a cabin with unfamiliar seat controls, hidden compartments, and a different setup than you are used to.

Is Swiss Business Class Good for a First-Time Business Class Traveler?

Yes. Actually, I think this is where Swiss business class shines.

If you have flown Qatar Qsuites, ANA, Singapore Airlines, or newer Air Canada business class, Swiss may not feel cutting-edge. But if this is your first time flying business class, the older cabin design is not going to be the thing you remember.

You are going to remember lying flat. You are going to remember eating a proper meal on real dishware. You are going to remember sleeping across an ocean. You are going to remember the crew treating you like you belong there, even if you are still figuring out where the tray table comes from.

My grandmother was in awe at first, then settled in, ate, slept, and soaked it all in.

Before the trip, I had joked that if I flew lie-flat, she would too. I later tried to tell her we were flying economy, but she remembered. She has a good memory and was not having it.

Seeing her eat and sleep like a baby on the flight was one of my favorite parts of the whole experience.

The Food on Swiss Air Business Class

This is where I want to push back on some of the more dismissive Swiss Airlines business class reviews I’ve read. The food was genuinely good, even if not every dish was perfect.

After takeoff, I had tuna tartare with sliced cheese, bread, and what looked like a chocolate spread. It was very yummy and probably the strongest part of the meal service for me.

For the main meal, I believe I had the chicken. It was fine, but not especially beautiful or elevated in presentation. My grandmother had what looked like the beef, and hers looked better.

That was the general pattern of the meal for me: the starters and extras were strong, while the main dish was more functional than impressive.

Breakfast was selected in advance, which I really appreciated because it meant the crew did not have to wake everyone up to ask what they wanted. You check off what you want before sleeping, and they bring it later.

For breakfast, I chose:

smoothie
water
lemon ginger tea
croissant
fruit yogurt
English breakfast egg roll with cheese, asparagus, greens, and tomato

The egg was not my favorite, but the croissant and fruit yogurt were excellent. The croissant especially reminded me that Swiss and European carriers usually know what they are doing with bread and pastries.

My advice: check off what you actually want. They are not going to judge you for ordering multiple things.

For beginner business class travelers, that is worth saying. You are allowed to enjoy the experience.

Service: The Best Part of the Flight

The service was the reason I would fly Swiss again.

The crew on this flight were warm, patient, and genuinely kind. They did not recommend anything specific from the menu, but they were attentive throughout the meal service and made the whole experience feel relaxed.

Meal pacing was just right. We had drinks and food after takeoff, and nothing felt rushed or chaotic.

The biggest thing I noticed was how comfortable they made my grandmother feel. She was navigating a premium cabin that was still new to her, and they treated her with patience instead of making anything feel intimidating.

That matters.

There are airlines with more polished business class products. There are airlines with better seats, more privacy, or more dramatic food presentation. But service is what makes a flight feel human.

Swiss got that right.

Entertainment and Tech

The entertainment system was not cutting-edge, but it did what I needed it to do.

I watched Wicked on this flight, alone, at night, while everyone else was sleeping. I cried. That is not an important technical detail about the entertainment system, but it is part of the experience.

There is something about being on a quiet overnight flight, with space to yourself and a screen in front of you, that makes the whole thing feel oddly emotional.

The movie selection was not massive. I did not feel overwhelmed with options. But I found something I wanted to watch, the system worked, and that was enough for me.

My grandmother brought her Bible, so the entertainment rating was not really applicable for her.

If you are picky about movies, download something before the flight. If you are happy to find one good option, work, sleep, read, or stare out the window, you will be fine.

Wi-Fi and Working Onboard

I love getting work done on international business class flights when Wi-Fi is available. There is something about the quiet after takeoff that helps me get into a zone.

On this flight, I mostly slept, watched a movie, and enjoyed the experience, but this is still the kind of cabin where you can work comfortably if you want to.

If you are preparing for this flight, I would download anything you know you want in advance:

a favorite movie
work files
Kindle books
podcasts
playlists
anything you need offline

The entertainment system is fine, but having your own backup is always smart on a long-haul flight.

What to Pack or Prepare Before This Flight

You do not need to prepare in a dramatic way for Swiss business class. Most of what I recommend is the same as what I would pack for any international carry-on trip.

But for this specific flight, I would make sure you have:

a downloaded movie or show
comfortable sleep layers
skincare or toiletries if you plan to use the lounge shower
chargers and adapters
headphones
anything you need for overnight comfort
a small pouch for the items you want at your seat

I have a full international flight carry-on packing list , including what I pack as a curly hair traveler, if you want a more detailed version.

Value for Points

This is where both of us agreed completely.

The value was excellent.

Again, I do not want to imply that the Zurich-to-Singapore segment alone cost 92,500 points. It did not. The 92,500 points covered my full outbound Aeroplan itinerary from Toronto to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Zurich, and then Zurich to Singapore after a five-day stopover.

Aeroplan stopovers add 5,000 points, and in this case, that 5,000-point add-on let me spend five days in Switzerland before continuing to Singapore. That is why the value was so strong. I was not just booking one business class flight. I was turning one award into a multi-country trip.

Based on flight time, the Swiss ZRH-SIN leg represented about 59% of the total flying time. That makes the rough value of this segment around 55,000 Aeroplan points plus $137 CAD in taxes and fees.

When I compared that against cash pricing around $7,000 for Swiss business class from Zurich to Singapore, the redemption felt incredibly strong.

For most people, a $7,000 flight is not a casual purchase. But using points made it possible to experience a long-haul business class flight, sleep flat, arrive rested, and take my grandmother on a trip that felt genuinely special.

That is the part I want people to understand about points.

It is not just about luxury. It is about access.

It is about taking a trip you may not have been able to justify in cash. It is about bringing someone you love. It is about arriving rested enough to enjoy the destination instead of losing the first day to exhaustion.

And it is about treating yourself in a way that still fits inside a plan.

If you want to learn the strategy that made this routing possible, my Aeroplan stopover strategy guide breaks down how stopovers work and why they can be so valuable.

And if you want to estimate what a similar trip could cost in points, use my First Class Calculator before you transfer or book.

Who Should Book Swiss Air Business Class with Points?

Book Swiss business class if:

you can find good Aeroplan availability
you are flexible with dates or routing
you care more about service and sleep than having the newest seat
you want a strong first or early business class experience
you are traveling with someone who would appreciate warm service
you want to try a Star Alliance partner instead of defaulting to Air Canada
you are building a Europe-to-Asia or stopover-style itinerary

Think carefully if:

you are expecting Qatar Qsuites-level privacy
you care deeply about modern cabin design
you want the most impressive entertainment system
you are paying full cash and have better products available for the same price
you need maximum personal space or privacy for health or comfort reasons

For points, I would absolutely consider it again. For cash, I would compare my options carefully.

How Swiss Business Class Compares to Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines was the north star of this trip. I wanted to experience it, and we did on the way back.

Compared to Singapore Airlines, Swiss business class does not have the same level of cabin polish or seat modernity. Singapore Airlines feels more refined and more intentional in its hard product.

But Swiss still delivered where it mattered:

excellent service
good food
lie-flat sleep
a calm overnight flight
strong points value
a comfortable first-time business class experience for my grandmother

If you are choosing purely based on the best cabin, Singapore Airlines wins.

If you are choosing based on Aeroplan availability, routing, stopover value, and whether the flight will still feel special, Swiss is absolutely worth considering.

My Singapore Airlines business class review goes deeper into how that experience compared on the way home.

Would I Book Swiss Business Class Again?

Yes, with points.

I would not go out of my way to pay thousands in cash for this specific Swiss 777-300ER business class product if better options were available for the same price. The cabin is too dated for that.

But with Aeroplan points? Absolutely.

The service was excellent. The food was good. The seat went fully flat. The flight was quiet. My grandmother slept. I slept. We arrived in Singapore rested.

And more than that, this flight became part of a trip I will remember for the rest of my life.

It was our first grandmother-granddaughter trip. It was her first time in Switzerland and Singapore. It opened her eyes to premium travel so much that after a later trip to the Caribbean, she messaged me saying I had spoiled her.

That made me proud and emotional.

I do not see many people my age taking their grandmother abroad in business class. And historically, women in my family have not had the ability to make luxurious travel choices like this. Being able to use points to create that experience for both of us felt huge.

That is what makes this redemption more than a seat review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Swiss Air business class worth it?

Swiss Air business class is worth it if you are booking with points, especially through Aeroplan. The seat is dated compared to newer business class products, but the service, food, lie-flat bed, and overall experience make it a strong redemption.

If you are paying cash, compare your options. A $7,000 business class ticket is a lot of money, and there may be more modern products available depending on your route.

Is Swiss business class good for a first-time business class traveler?

Yes. Swiss business class is very good for a first-time business class traveler because the service is warm, the seat lies flat, and the experience feels special without being intimidating.

My grandmother got comfortable quickly, slept well, ate well, and felt taken care of. For a beginner premium traveler, that matters more than whether the cabin is the newest product in the sky.

What aircraft does Swiss use from Zurich to Singapore?

Swiss operates the Zurich to Singapore route using the Boeing 777-300ER. This aircraft has Swiss business class seats in a staggered layout, including paired seats and solo throne seats.

Are Swiss business class throne seats worth it?

Swiss business class throne seats can be worth it if you are traveling solo and want more privacy and storage. They usually cost extra to select.

I skipped them because I was traveling with my grandmother and wanted to sit near her. For couples, families, or anyone traveling with someone they actually want to talk to, I would choose paired seats instead.

Can you book Swiss business class with Aeroplan points?

Yes. Swiss is a Star Alliance airline, which means you can book Swiss business class with Aeroplan points when partner award availability is open.

Availability can vary, so flexibility helps a lot. I found this booking because I was flexible with dates, routing, and how we got to Singapore.

My <how to use Aeroplan points without wasting them> guide explains how to think through redemptions before you book.

Is Swiss Air business class a good use of Aeroplan points?

Yes, Swiss Air business class can be a very good use of Aeroplan points, especially on long-haul routes where cash prices are high.

For this trip, the full outbound itinerary cost 92,500 Aeroplan points in business class, including a five-day Zurich stopover. Based on flight time, I’d roughly allocate about 55,000 points and $137 CAD in taxes and fees to the Swiss Zurich-to-Singapore segment.

When compared against cash prices around $7,000, that felt like a very strong use of points.

Did the Swiss Zurich-to-Singapore flight cost 92,500 Aeroplan points?

No. The Swiss Zurich-to-Singapore flight was part of a larger Aeroplan itinerary, not a standalone 92,500-point booking.

The 92,500 points covered Toronto to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Zurich, a five-day Zurich stopover, and Zurich to Singapore in business class. Based on flight time, the Swiss ZRH-SIN segment represented about 59% of the itinerary’s flying time, so I’d roughly allocate about 55,000 Aeroplan points to that flight.

What is the Swiss business class lounge like in Zurich?

The Swiss lounge experience in Zurich depends on which lounge you visit and when you arrive.

The first Business Lounge we visited was crowded and not especially memorable. The later lounge in the international area was much quieter when we arrived close to our night flight. It had snacks, fruit, yogurt, pastries, drinks, clean washrooms, and a more polished atmosphere.

My advice is to get through to the international departure area earlier and check your lounge options there.

How does Swiss business class compare to Singapore Airlines business class?

Singapore Airlines business class has a more modern and refined hard product, especially on long-haul aircraft. Swiss business class feels older and less private by comparison.

However, Swiss still offers excellent service, good food, lie-flat sleep, and strong points value. If Singapore Airlines is available and the pricing works, I would usually prefer it. But I would not dismiss Swiss, especially as part of a smart Aeroplan redemption.

The Bottom Line

Swiss Air business class on the Boeing 777-300ER from Zurich to Singapore is not the most modern business class product in the sky.

The cabin is dated. The privacy is limited. The entertainment selection is fine but not amazing. The food has highs and lows.

But none of that changed the fact that I slept flat across the world, arrived in Singapore rested, and got to watch my grandmother experience a level of travel she had never imagined for herself.

For Aeroplan points, this was a strong redemption.

The full outbound itinerary cost 92,500 Aeroplan points, but based on flight time, I’d roughly allocate about 55,000 points and $137 CAD in taxes and fees to this Swiss Zurich-to-Singapore segment. Compared with cash prices around $7,000, that is exactly the kind of redemption that shows why points can be so powerful.

For beginner points travelers, this is the kind of flight that shows what travel rewards can actually do. It is not just about maximizing a chart or bragging about a cabin. It is about using points to travel better, spend less cash, and create experiences that would otherwise feel out of reach.

That is why I would book Swiss business class again w ith points.

And if y ou want to know how many points you need to plan a trip like this, start with my First Class Calculator before you book.

How I Earned 100,000+ Travel Points With a Business Credit Card in Canada

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 01:22:22 GMT

Most business owners I talk to are sitting on a missed opportunity and they do not even know it.

They are putting hundreds or thousands of dollars of operating expenses through a personal card every month, or worse, through a debit account, earning nothing meaningful back.

Every software subscription, vendor payment, business meal, course, contractor invoice, legal bill, or consulting expense that could have gone on the right card — but did not — is a transaction that built zero travel equity.

I was that person.

At the beginning, I was spending heavily trying to build my business the “right” way. I bought courses, hired consultants, paid for subscriptions, invested in systems, and worked with a lawyer for my trademark. I am a lifelong learner, and I spent a lot of money trying to figure out entrepreneurship before realizing that learning alone was not the same as building.

Those expenses were still real money coming out of my business. Once I started putting them through a dedicated business credit card, they started turning into travel rewards instead of just disappearing from my bank account.

Within my first year, I earned over 100,000 RBC Avion points using a combination of business expenses, a welcome bonus, and a targeted upgrade offer. I later transferred Avion points to British Airways Avios during 30% transfer bonus windows and booked Montreal to Bangkok through Doha, including Qatar Airways Qsuites business class and first class segments.

The flights were worth over $15,000 per person in cash.

That is why business credit card travel rewards in Canada can be so powerful for the right business owner. You are not spending more money to earn points. You are making the money you already spend work twice.

The quick answer: if you are a Canadian business owner with legitimate monthly expenses, a business credit card like the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business can help you build toward premium travel faster than personal spending alone. The card earns 1.25 Avion points per dollar on the first $75,000 in annual purchases, and when combined with welcome bonuses, upgrade offers, and transfer bonuses, even a business spending $2,000 to $5,000 per month can build a meaningful points balance.

Why Business Credit Card Travel Rewards Work Differently for Business Owners in Canada

The fundamental difference between a personal points strategy and a business points strategy is volume.

A personal card might see $3,000 to $5,000 in monthly spending for a typical Canadian professional. A business card can easily see that same amount — or much more — depending on the business model.

That does not mean you need to run a huge company for this to work.

When I started, I was often putting around $2,000 to $4,000 per month in expenses through my card. That included things like:

Business courses and education
Consulting
Software subscriptions
Legal work for my trademark
Business tools and systems
Professional services
Recurring operating costs

Those were not extra purchases I made just to earn points. They were expenses I was already paying.

The difference was that instead of letting those expenses disappear through debit or a weak card, I redirected them through a business card that rewarded me properly.

That is the key idea behind business credit card rewards. The spending is already happening. The strategy is choosing where that spending goes.

Why the 1.25x Earn Rate Matters

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business card earns 1.25 Avion points per dollar on the first $75,000 in annual purchases, then 1 point per dollar after that.

That accelerated earn rate matters more than it looks at first.

If you maximize the first $75,000 in annual spending at 1.25 points per dollar, you earn:

$75,000 x 1.25 = 93,750 Avion points

If that same $75,000 earned only 1 point per dollar, you would earn:

$75,000 x 1 = 75,000 Avion points

That is an extra 18,750 Avion points per year from the accelerated earn rate alone.

The welcome bonus and upgrade offer gave me the initial push, but the 1.25x earning rate helped make my regular business spending more powerful over time.

For business owners comparing the best business credit card for rewards in Canada, this is why the earn structure matters. A card is not just “good” because it has a bonus. It also needs to reward the kind of spending your business actually does every month.

The Mistake I Made Mixing Business and Personal Expenses

Before this strategy became clean, I made a very common mistake: I mixed personal and business expenses.

I used to put some personal spending on my business card because I figured I could sort it out later.

Then later came.

I opened QuickBooks, started going through my transactions, and realized how stressful that system was. Dining was especially annoying because I had to look back and figure out whether a meal was for business, personal, or something I could no longer confidently document.

If I did not have the documentation to support it, I excluded it. That means I may have missed legitimate deductions simply because my bookkeeping was messy.

That was the moment I realized this was not just a points strategy. It was a business systems problem.

I learned how to properly manage my bookkeeping and QuickBooks through Chillbooks , and that was when it really clicked for me: unless you are extremely organized and know exactly what you are doing, mixing personal and business expenses creates unnecessary stress.

For most business owners, the cleaner strategy is simple:

Use a dedicated business card for business expenses
Use a separate personal card for personal expenses
Keep documentation as you go
Do not rely on your future self to remember what happened months later

Your accountant will thank you. Your future self will thank you. And your travel rewards strategy will be easier to track.

How I Earned Over 100,000 RBC Avion Points in My First Year

I did not earn 100,000+ Avion points because I was spending wildly or buying things I did not need.

I earned them because I combined three things:

A business card welcome bonus
A targeted upgrade offer
Regular business expenses I was already paying

That combination is what made the timeline work.

I Started With the RBC Avion Visa Business Card

I originally started with the RBC Avion Visa Business card and earned the welcome bonus available at the time.

I do not remember the exact original bonus amount, and I do not want to guess because welcome bonuses change regularly. The specific offer I received is less important than the strategy.

The welcome bonus gave me a head start.

A few months later, RBC sent me a targeted upgrade offer to move to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business card. That upgrade came with 25,000 Avion points and no annual fee increase for the first year, so I took it.

Between the original welcome bonus, the upgrade offer, and my ongoing business expenses, I crossed 100,000 Avion points within my first year.

That is what made me realize how powerful a small business credit card in Canada can be when it is matched to the right spending pattern.

I Put Real Business Expenses Through the Card

After the bonuses, I kept putting eligible business expenses through the card.

For me, that included courses, consulting, subscriptions, legal work, and tools I was using to build the business.

Any legitimate business expense can help build points if it can be paid by credit card and you are not paying fees that erase the value.

I always ask vendors whether credit card payment is an option. If there is a processing fee, I run the math before deciding. A small fee may still make sense if the points are going toward a high-value redemption, but it is not automatic.

The point is not to pay unnecessary fees or spend more money.

The point is to stop letting expenses you already have earn nothing.

What I Would Do Differently If I Started Again

I would separate business and personal expenses sooner — at least in the beginning.

That is the biggest lesson.

When I first started, I was mixing everything together without a strong bookkeeping system. The points were exciting, but the stress of sorting through transactions later was not worth it. If I were starting from scratch, I would make the business card a clean business-only card from day one until my bookkeeping system was solid.

Now, I use a more advanced strategy where I may put certain large, easy-to-identify personal expenses on the card when the accelerated earn rate makes sense. But that only works because I am on top of my bookkeeping, the purchases are obvious lump-sum transactions, and I can clearly separate them from actual business expenses.

Always ask your accountant what makes sense for your business structure. I can share what works for my points strategy and bookkeeping system, but your accountant should be the final word on how to track, categorize, and document expenses properly.

That is not where I recommend most business owners start.

If you are new to business credit cards, new to bookkeeping, or already behind on categorizing transactions, keep it simple: business expenses on the business card, personal expenses on the personal card.

I would also track transfer bonuses earlier.

The first time I saw a 30% RBC Avion to British Airways Avios transfer bonus, I missed it because I was unorganized. After that, I started paying attention. Since I have been tracking them, the transfer bonus has appeared roughly twice per year.

That changed how I approached the strategy.

Instead of transferring points the second I had them, I waited for the bonus windows so my Avion points would become more Avios.

For the full mechanics of that process, read how to transfer RBC Avion points to British Airways Avios .

How I Used Avion Points to Book Qatar Airways Qsuites and First Class

The first time I transferred Avion points to British Airways Avios, I transferred 131,000 Avion points during a 30% transfer bonus.

That transfer became approximately 170,000 Avios .

I had earned over 100,000 Avion points in my first year, which was enough to get me meaningfully close to the one-way redemption I wanted. But the full round trip was a longer-term play.

The routing I eventually booked was:

Departure

Montreal to Doha in Qatar Airways Qsuites business class
Doha to Bangkok in Qatar Airways first class

Return

Bangkok to Doha in Qatar Airways Qsuites
Doha to Montreal in Qatar Airways Qsuites

Each direction priced at 95,000 Avios , so I needed enough for 190,000 Avios for the round trip.

I timed both of my Avion to Avios transfers around 30% transfer bonus windows so I could stretch the value further.

The card helped me earn the points, but the transfer bonus helped me multiply them.

When the ticket was issued, I honestly felt disbelief.

Qatar Qsuites was one of those aspirational flights I had seen people talk about online. It did not feel like something I would actually book from business expenses I was already paying.

I felt proud because it proved the strategy worked.

What Happened When the Trip Was Cancelled

I did not end up taking the trip.

There were missiles near Doha, and non-essential travel was cancelled. Because my route connected through Doha, I decided not to travel.

This is where the booking program mattered.

Because I had booked through British Airways using Avios, I had to follow British Airways’ cancellation and redeposit rules. If I had cancelled voluntarily, I would have had to pay the Avios redeposit/cancellation fee, which was listed as CAD $58.

Since Qatar cancelled the flights, I waited for the airline cancellation and received a full refund of the Avios plus the taxes and fees.

That experience taught me that award travel strategy is not just about earning points. It is also about understanding:

Which program you booked through
The cancellation policy
Whether you are cancelling voluntarily or the airline cancelled
What happens to your points and taxes
Whether you booked one itinerary or separate itineraries

You can review the current policy directly through British Airways’ reward flight booking and service fees before booking with Avios.

Why the RBC Avion Business Card Worked for My Spending

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business card worked well for me because my business expenses were varied.

I was not only spending in one category like gas, office supplies, or travel. I had mixed expenses: courses, subscriptions, consulting, legal fees, software, and systems.

That made a flat earn rate valuable.

The Flat Earn Rate Matched My Business Expenses

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business card earns 1.25 Avion points per dollar on the first $75,000 in annual purchases.

For a business owner with varied expenses, that is useful because you do not need to worry about whether each purchase fits into a bonus category.

Courses, subscriptions, legal work, software, consulting, meals, and professional services can all contribute if they are eligible purchases on the card.

The Transfer Partners Made the Points More Valuable

RBC Avion points can be transferred to partners including British Airways Executive Club, American Airlines AAdvantage, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and WestJet Rewards.

For me, British Airways Avios was the most important partner because it gave me access to Qatar Airways.

That matters because premium international redemptions often deliver much more value than simple statement credits or portal redemptions.

For the bigger picture of how Avion points work, read the complete guide to using RBC Avion points .

The Annual Fee Made Sense for My Situation

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business card has a $175 annual fee, so it will not make sense for every business owner.

In my case, the welcome bonus, targeted upgrade offer, increased earn rate, and eventual premium redemption made the card worthwhile.

But the fee only makes sense if the math works for your business.

Before choosing any business credit card rewards strategy, ask:

How much do I spend monthly on legitimate business expenses?
Can I pay the card off in full every month?
Do my vendors accept credit card payments?
Are there processing fees?
What kind of travel do I actually want?
Am I willing to learn how transfers work?

The best business credit card in Canada depends on your goals. For my goal — premium international travel through transferable points — the RBC Avion business card was a strong fit.

Who This Strategy Works Best For

This strategy works best for business owners who are already spending at least $2,000 to $3,000 per month on legitimate business expenses and can pay the card off in full.

It is especially useful if you have recurring or predictable costs, such as:

Software subscriptions
Contractors
Consulting
Legal or accounting fees
Business education
Advertising
Professional services
Inventory or supplies
Business travel
Client meals

You do not need to be spending $30,000 per month for this to matter.

I was often spending between $2,000 and $4,000 per month when I started. The welcome bonus, upgrade offer, and consistent spending still helped me cross 100,000 Avion points within my first year.

This also works well for business owners who want their expenses to “pay them back” in some way. If you are already investing in your business, a points strategy can help those expenses contribute to something beyond the original purchase.

Who Should Not Use This Strategy

This strategy is not for everyone.

Do not use a business credit card travel rewards strategy if you are:

Carrying a credit card balance
Struggling to pay debt
Having cash flow issues
Spending more just to earn points
Unable to separate personal and business expenses
Too disorganized to track payments and documentation
Paying high processing fees that erase the value of the rewards

Travel rewards only work when you are paying expenses you already had and paying the card off in full.

If the card creates interest charges, financial stress, or overspending, the points are not worth it.

This is the same rule I use for personal travel rewards, too. Points are only valuable when they come from spending you can afford.

Are Business Credit Card Rewards Taxable in Canada?

This is one of the most common questions about business credit card rewards in Canada.

The short answer is: it depends on how the points are earned, who controls them, how they are redeemed, and your business structure.

The CRA has guidance on loyalty or other points programs , but much of that guidance focuses on employee benefit situations, such as whether an employer or employee controls the points and whether the points are converted to cash. The CRA notes that some loyalty points may not be taxable under its administrative policy if specific conditions are met, while other arrangements can create a taxable benefit.

That is why I do not treat business credit card rewards as a simple yes-or-no tax question.

I am not a tax advisor, and this is not tax advice. Always ask your accountant how business credit card rewards, business expenses, and personal redemptions apply to your specific situation.

This is another reason clean bookkeeping matters. If your business and personal spending are mixed together, the tax conversation becomes more complicated than it needs to be.

This Strategy Is Not Only for Traditional Business Owners

The same principle can apply to anyone with high legitimate spending, but the details will depend on the person.

Real estate investors, contractors, freelancers, agency owners, consultants, and course creators may all have meaningful business expenses that can run through the right card.

Even major life events can create a similar opportunity. A wedding, for example, can involve $30,000 to $50,000 or more in expenses. If vendors accept credit card payments and the fees make sense, that spending could help fund the honeymoon flight.

The vehicle changes depending on the person.

The principle is the same: make your spending work twice.

There are also strategies for high-income earners who may be able to leverage business cards differently, but that is a separate topic. For this post, the focus is business owners with real operating expenses who want those expenses to build toward travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a business owner earn enough points for a business class flight in under a year?

Yes, depending on their monthly spending, welcome bonus, and card strategy.

I earned over 100,000 Avion points within my first year through a combination of the RBC Avion Visa Business welcome bonus, a targeted upgrade offer to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business, and regular business expenses.

A business owner spending $2,000 to $4,000 per month can build a meaningful points balance, especially when welcome bonuses and transfer bonuses are used strategically.

Is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business card the best business travel card in Canada?

It depends on your travel goals.

For business owners who want premium international travel and access to partners like British Airways Avios, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business card can be a strong option.

But the best business credit card for rewards depends on your spending, desired airlines, ability to use transfer partners, and whether you want premium travel or simpler redemptions.

Do I need a registered business to get the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business card?

You typically need to demonstrate business income or be self-employed to qualify for a business credit card in Canada.

The requirements vary, and RBC will assess your application based on your business profile. Sole proprietors, self-employed people, and registered business owners may be eligible, but you should review the current requirements before applying.

Can I use RBC Avion business card points for personal travel?

Yes, RBC Avion points earned from a business card can be redeemed for personal travel.

That said, if you are earning points through business expenses, talk to your accountant about how this applies to your business structure and tax situation.

Are business credit card rewards taxable in Canada?

The tax treatment depends on your situation.

In many cases, credit card rewards are not treated like regular income, but business rewards can create more nuance depending on how the points are earned, who controls them, and how they are used. The CRA has guidance on loyalty or other points programs , but it does not turn every business credit card rewards situation into a simple yes-or-no answer.

Ask your accountant before making assumptions, especially if you are earning points through business expenses and redeeming them for personal travel.

What business expenses can earn travel rewards?

Any expense that can be paid by credit card can potentially earn travel rewards.

Examples include software, courses, consulting, advertising, legal fees, accounting, subscriptions, business travel, meals, equipment, and professional services.

The key is that these should be legitimate expenses you were already going to pay. Do not spend extra money just to earn points.

The Bottom Line

If you are a business owner and your operating expenses are going through debit or a card that earns nothing meaningful, you may be leaving real value behind every month.

I learned this by accident at first.

I was investing heavily in my business, buying courses, paying for tools, hiring experts, and trying to figure out entrepreneurship. Once I put those expenses through a dedicated business credit card, the same spending started building toward travel.

But I also learned the hard way that the system needs to be clean.

Separate your business and personal expenses. Keep your bookkeeping organized. Pay the card in full. Watch for welcome bonuses and transfer bonuses. Choose the card based on the trip you actually want, not just the card that sounds good.

The spending is happening either way.

The only question is whether it is building toward nothing — or helping you get closer to a flat bed seat over the ocean.

Before you apply for a card or start moving points around, figure out what your dream trip actually costs in points. The First Class Calculator will show you how many points you need for the flight you want.

And if you want help applying this to your own business spending and travel goals, you can book a travel rewards consult.

How to Use Avion Points for Flights Without Wasting Their Value

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:48:45 GMT

RBC Avion points are one of the most flexible travel rewards currencies in Canada.

They’re also one of the easiest to waste.

Most Canadians redeem Avion points the simplest way possible: directly through the RBC Avion travel portal. It works, it’s straightforward, and at first glance it even looks like decent value — especially when RBC advertises boosted redemption rates for business and first class flights.

But after comparing Avion portal pricing against airline transfer partner redemptions, I realized something:

The “easy” option is usually the most expensive option once premium cabins enter the picture.

For example, I found a Toronto to London British Airways business class flight pricing at over 260,000 Avion points roundtrip through the RBC portal.

Meanwhile, I booked a Montreal to Bangkok itinerary using transferred Avion points that included:

Qatar Airways Qsuites
an international first class segment on the Qatar A380
a stopover in Doha

The total cost was 190,000 Avios roundtrip — or 95,000 points one way.

And because I transferred during a 30% RBC transfer bonus to British Airways Avios, the redemption effectively only cost around 146,000 RBC Avion points total for a trip that was more than double the distance.

The Doha to Bangkok first class segment alone regularly sells for around $7,000 CAD one way.

That was the moment I realized Avion points are only as valuable as the redemption method you choose.

This guide breaks down:

how Avion points for flights actually work
when the RBC portal makes sense
when transferring to airline partners gives dramatically better value
how many Avion points you realistically need for business and first class travel
the biggest Avion mistakes Canadians make

If you’ve been collecting Avion points but have no idea whether to redeem them directly or transfer them, this is the strategy guide I wish I had when I started.

How Do Avion Points Work?

Unlike cashback-style rewards programs, RBC Avion is a transferable points currency.

That distinction matters because transferable points can unlock wildly different value depending on how you redeem them.

Most people assume points work like this:

1 point = fixed dollar value
redeem points
flight gets cheaper

That’s basically how the RBC portal works.

But airline transfer partners often operate differently.

When you transfer Avion points to a partner like British Airways Avios or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, you stop redeeming based on the cash price of the ticket and start redeeming based on the airline’s award pricing system.

That’s how the same number of points can either:

cover a modest economy flight through the portal
or
book a lie-flat business class seat worth thousands of dollars

This is what makes Avion such a powerful program for Canadians who want to travel in premium cabins. If you’re still deciding which RBC card makes the most sense for your travel goals, read the best RBC cards for Canadians .

The Two Ways to Redeem Avion Points for Flights

There are really only two ways to use RBC Avion points for flights.

Book Through the RBC Avion Travel Portal

This is the simplest option.

You search flights through the Avion portal like you would on Expedia or Google Flights, then apply points toward the booking.

The portal essentially treats your points like a fixed-value currency.

For most flight bookings:

100 points ≈ $1 CAD toward travel

RBC also offers improved redemption rates for business and first class bookings, which sounds attractive on paper.

200 points ≈ $2 CAD toward travel

But this is where many Canadians accidentally burn huge amounts of value.

I compared a Toronto to London British Airways business class itinerary for February 13 through both the Avion portal and airline transfer partners.

The result was shocking.

The RBC portal priced the roundtrip business class flight at approximately:

261,000 Avion points
or over $5,200 CAD

Meanwhile, booking through transfer partners like American Airlines AAdvantage required dramatically fewer points for the exact same business class route.

The outbound Toronto to London flight priced at just:

57,500 American Airlines AAdvantage miles one way
plus approximately $910 CAD in taxes and fees

The return flight from London back to Toronto priced at the exact same 57,500-mile level through American Airlines, bringing the total roundtrip cost to:

115,000 AAdvantage miles
plus taxes and fees

Even after accounting for RBC’s weaker 1:0.7 transfer ratio to American Airlines, the transfer partner route still required dramatically fewer points than redeeming directly through the Avion portal.

At standard transfer rates, the same roundtrip business class itinerary would require roughly:

165,000 RBC Avion points

During RBC’s occasional 15% transfer bonus promotions to American Airlines — which typically appear around August — that number drops closer to:

143,000 RBC Avion points

Compared to the 261,000+ points required through the portal, the value difference becomes difficult to ignore.

To be fair, I’m not ignoring the taxes and fees.

British Airways redemptions to London can come with very high surcharges, and you may still be paying four figures out of pocket.

England is infamous for high airport taxes and fees, especially in premium cabins.

But even with those fees, I would rather pay the surcharge than burn through 261,000 Avion points on a portal booking — especially when a transfer partner redemption could require nearly 120,000 fewer points for the exact same route.

And even with four-figure taxes and fees, the total out-of-pocket cost would still be far cheaper than paying the full cash fare for business class.

At first glance, the portal feels reasonable because RBC markets premium cabin redemptions as offering better value.

But once you understand transfer partners, the gap becomes hard to ignore.

Transfer to an Airline Partner Program

This is where Avion becomes undeniably valuable.

RBC Avion transfer partners currently include:

British Airways Executive Club (Avios)
American Airlines AAdvantage
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
WestJet Rewards

When you transfer points, you exchange Avion points into airline miles.

That means:

10,000 Avion points becomes 10,000 Avios
or more during transfer bonus promotions

This completely changes how your points function.

Instead of covering a cash price, you access airline award pricing — and that’s where premium cabin sweet spots live.

Why Transfer Partners Usually Give Better Value

The best value from Avion points almost always comes from international premium cabin redemptions through airline partners.

My Qatar Airways booking is the perfect example.

I transferred Avion points to British Airways Avios during a 30% transfer bonus promotion and booked:

Montreal → Doha in Qatar Qsuites
Doha → Bangkok in Qatar Airways international first class

The total cost was:

95,000 points one way

The Doha to Bangkok first class segment alone regularly sells for around $7,000 CAD one way based on Google Flights pricing.

Meanwhile:

Montreal → Doha business class alone often prices around $5,000+ CAD one way
and that was actually considered low pricing compared to typical dates

If I had tried to book equivalent premium travel through the Avion portal, the points cost would have been dramatically higher because portal pricing is still tied to cash prices.

That’s the key difference:

portal pricing follows cash prices
transfer partners follow award charts

Once I understood that, I stopped viewing Avion as a “travel cashback” program and started treating it like a premium airline currency.

What Are RBC Avion Points Worth?

The honest answer is:

it depends entirely on how you redeem them.

Approximate Avion Point Values

Through the RBC Portal

~1 cent per point for economy flights
~ 2 cents per point for business and first class cabin portal bookings, but still fixed-value based

Through Transfer Partners

British Airways Avios: often 3–10+ cents per point on premium redemptions
American Airlines AAdvantage: often 1.5–5 cents per point
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: strong value to Asia and premium long-haul routes

The difference can be enormous.

That’s why two people can both redeem 100,000 Avion points and receive completely different value.

One person might book:

a modest economy redemption

Another person might book:

a lie-flat business class seat worth several thousand dollars

You can have the exact same number of points and get a drastically different travel experience just by understanding how the system works and using the right strategy.

The Biggest RBC Avion Mistakes Canadians Make

Redeeming Points for Merchandise

Please do not redeem your Avion points for sunglasses, electronics, gift cards, or random catalog items.

This is usually the worst possible redemption value.

Using the Portal for Premium Cabins

The portal is not inherently bad.

It can actually make sense for:

domestic economy flights
cheap short-haul routes
situations with no award availability

But premium cabins are where transfer partners usually outperform the portal by a huge margin.

Transferring Before Checking Availability

This is one of the biggest beginner mistakes.

Transfers from RBC Avion are one-way only.

Always:

find the award seat first
confirm availability
THEN transfer points

Never transfer speculatively unless you are very confident in your strategy.

For beginners, I usually recommend finding the award seat first, confirming availability, and then transferring the points.

That said, I do sometimes transfer points before I have a specific trip booked. For example, I knew I wanted to fly Qatar Airways, so I transferred Avion points to Avios before choosing my exact route.

I was intentionally preparing my points portfolio so that when the right Qatar redemption appeared, I could move quickly.

This is an advanced strategy I use for myself and some clients who are flexible, want to experience different premium carriers, and are building toward future travel.

But it does not make sense for everyone.

If you always travel to the same destination, only want one specific airline, or do not have a clear points strategy, spreading points across different programs can create more problems than value.

Your transfer strategy should always be based on your travel goals, spending habits, flexibility, and the airlines you realistically want to fly.

Ignoring Transfer Bonuses

RBC periodically offers transfer bonuses to programs like British Airways Avios.

I booked my Qatar redemption during a 30% transfer bonus, which massively increased the value I received.

These bonuses can completely change what your points are capable of booking.

If you want to understand how transfer bonuses work strategically, read the full guide to transferring RBC Avion points to British Airways Avios .

How Many Avion Points Do You Need to Fly?

The answer depends entirely on:

your destination
cabin class
transfer partner
transfer bonus timing
award availability
and whether you redeem through RBC’s portal or airline partners

But understanding the rough ranges helps explain why redemption strategy matters so much.

Through the RBC Avion Portal

RBC Avion has two different flight redemption systems:

Fixed Points Pricing
Flexible Pricing

Most beginners don’t realize these work very differently.

Fixed Points Pricing

Fixed pricing is RBC’s traditional redemption chart.

Instead of pricing flights based directly on cash value, RBC sets predetermined point amounts depending on:

region
trip type
maximum ticket price threshold

For example, RBC may allow:

a North America flight for 17,500 points
or a Europe flight for 32,500 points

…but only if the cash fare stays under RBC’s maximum allowed ticket price.

Once the ticket price exceeds that threshold, you either:

pay the difference in cash OR
switch to flexible pricing

This system can occasionally provide decent value for economy travel, especially on expensive cash fares that still fall under the pricing cap.

Flexible Pricing

Flexible pricing works more like a traditional travel portal.

Instead of award charts or redemption bands:

your points simply offset the cash cost of the ticket

Typically:

100 Avion points ≈ $1 CAD

This gives you:

more flexibility
no ticket price caps
access to almost any flight

But it also means premium cabin flights can become extremely expensive in points.

For example:

business class international flights can easily exceed 200,000+ Avion points through the portal

That’s why many advanced users prefer transfer partners for premium travel.

Through Transfer Partners

Transfer partners are where Avion points can become dramatically more valuable.

Some rough examples:

North America → Europe economy: from ~13,000 Avios
North America → Doha in Qatar Qsuites: ~70,000 Avios
Premium Asia itinerary with a first class segment: ~95,000 points one way

The difference is massive because transfer partners use airline award pricing instead of fixed-value portal pricing.

That’s also why two people with the exact same Avion points balance can end up with completely different travel experiences.

One person might redeem for:

a modest economy flight through the portal

Another might redeem for:

a lie-flat business class seat worth several thousand dollars

You can have the exact same number of points and get a drastically different travel experience just by understanding how the system works and using the right strategy.

If you want help estimating how many points your own dream trip could realistically require, use the First Class Calculator before transferring or redeeming your Avion points.

Is Booking Flights With Avion Points Difficult?

Honestly:
it’s more complicated than using the portal.

But not nearly as complicated as people assume.

The biggest learning curve is understanding:

airline alliances
award availability
transfer partners
flexible dates

Once you understand those concepts, the value difference becomes difficult to ignore.

That said, premium award travel is not unlimited.

The best redemptions:

require flexibility
change constantly
can disappear quickly
are often easier to find months in advance

This is not “click a button and instantly fly first class forever.”

But the outsized value is absolutely real.

When Should You Use the RBC Avion Portal Instead?

Despite everything above, the portal absolutely still has uses.

The RBC Avion portal makes sense when:

you want simplicity
economy fares are cheap
there’s no partner award availability
you’re booking short-haul domestic travel
cash prices are unusually low

Sometimes convenience genuinely wins.

The mistake is assuming the portal is always the best value simply because it’s the easiest redemption option.

Should You Transfer Avion Points to British Airways Avios?

For many Canadians interested in premium travel:
yes.

British Airways Avios is one of the most useful RBC Avion transfer partners because it gives access to:

Qatar Airways
British Airways
Iberia
and other alliance carriers

This is where many of the strongest premium cabin sweet spots exist.

Especially:

Qatar Qsuites
short-haul partner flights
premium international business class

If you want a deeper breakdown of Avios transfer ratios, partner airlines, and when to transfer during a bonus, read the complete RBC Avion to Avios transfer guide .

If you’re comparing Avion against other Canadian travel rewards ecosystems, read the best travel rewards programs in Canada .

Before You Redeem Your Avion Points

Most Canadians are not maximizing their Avion points.

That’s completely normal.

The portal is designed to feel easy and intuitive, while transfer partners require a bit more strategy.

But once you see the difference in value between:

fixed-value portal bookings
and
premium airline transfer redemptions

…it becomes hard to go back.

Before redeeming your Avion points through the portal, figure out what those same points could potentially unlock through transfer partners.

That’s exactly why I built the First Class Calculator .

You can use it to:

estimate how many points your dream trip actually requires
compare approximate cash values
understand whether your current points balance is enough for business or first class travel

Because the difference between “a couple economy flights” and “Qatar Airways first class” is often not how many points you have.

It’s how you use them.

But once you see the difference in value between fixed-value portal bookings and premium airline transfer redemptions…it becomes hard to go back.”

And if your next question is how to actually earn enough points for these types of redemptions faster, read the guide to earning premium flight points through your business expenses .

How to Use TD Rewards Points for Flights: My 6-Trip Strategy

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:16:54 GMT

Six flights. Zero dollars out of pocket.

In one year, I used TD Rewards points to cover roundtrip and one-way economy flights to Mexico, Turks and Caicos, Miami, Atlanta, North Carolina, and Alberta. The Turks and Caicos flight alone would have cost $504.96 on WestJet, but TD Rewards points wiped out the entire cash cost, including taxes and fees.

None of those were business or first class flights. And honestly? That is exactly why TD Rewards made sense.

Most people hear “points travel” and think premium cabins, lie-flat seats, champagne, and fancy airline meals. I love those redemptions too, and that is what I use Aeroplan, Avion, and American Express Membership Rewards for. But TD Rewards is a completely different tool.

TD Rewards is the program I often use for what I refer to as the “real-life travel”: birthdays, family visits, weekend getaways, cheap economy fares, and practical flights I want covered without touching my more valuable airline and transferable points.

If you are a Canadian points traveler with TD Rewards points sitting around — or you are considering the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite because of the welcome bonus — this is where the program can actually shine.

The quick answer: TD Rewards points have a fixed value when redeemed for travel, but the value depends on how you book. When you book through Expedia for TD, 200 TD Rewards points covers $1 of travel , which means each point is worth 0.5 cents. If you book eligible travel with your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite and redeem after, it takes 225 points to cover $1 of travel . You can also redeem TD Rewards points against other purchases at 400 points per $1 , but in my opinion, that is terrible value compared to using them for travel. The strategy is not to chase luxury redemptions with TD Rewards. It is to combine them with genuinely cheap flights so you can wipe out the cash cost entirely.

Here is the real-life version of this strategy in action:

In this post, I’ll show you how to use TD Rewards points for flights, when TD Rewards are worth using, when another points program is better, and how I find the cheap economy fares that make this strategy work.

How TD Rewards Points Work for Flights

Before getting into the six trips, you need to understand what makes TD Rewards different from programs like Aeroplan.

TD Rewards is a fixed-value points program.

That means every point has a predictable value. When you redeem through Expedia for TD, TD Rewards points are worth approximately 0.5 cents each because 200 points covers $1 in travel. If you book eligible travel with your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite and redeem after, the value is slightly lower because it takes 225 points to cover $1.

The math looks like this:

10,000 TD Rewards points = about $50 in travel value
50,000 TD Rewards points = about $250 in travel value
100,000 TD Rewards points = about $500 in travel value
200,000 TD Rewards points = about $1,000 in travel value

There is no award chart. There are no airline partners to search. There is no transfer process. You find a flight through Expedia for TD, apply your points at checkout, and the cost comes down.

If you redeem against eligible travel after booking with the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite, the value is slightly lower:

10,000 TD Rewards points = about $44.44 in travel value
50,000 TD Rewards points = about $222.22 in travel value
100,000 TD Rewards points = about $444.44 in travel value
200,000 TD Rewards points = about $888.89 in travel value

That simplicity is the benefit.

The downside is that the value is fixed. Unlike Aeroplan, where a smart redemption can sometimes get you outsized value on a long-haul business class flight, TD Rewards points are not going to suddenly become worth 5x more because you booked a better seat.

You are not unlocking luxury travel sweet spots with TD Rewards.

You are offsetting a real cash cost at a predictable rate.

And that can still be very valuable when you use the points for the right kind of trip.

How to Use TD Rewards Points for Flights Through Expedia for TD

The easiest way to redeem TD Rewards points for flights is through Expedia for TD.

The process is simple:

Log in to Expedia for TD.
Search for your flight the way you normally would.
Compare the fare against Google Flights or the airline’s website.
Check the airline’s baggage rules separately.
Choose the flight you want.
Apply your TD Rewards points at checkout.
Pay any remaining balance with your eligible TD card.
Save your confirmation.

Step 4 is a must, especially if you are booking with a discount airline that charges extra for things like carry-on bags, checked luggage, seat selection, or even onboard drinks.

But this is not just a discount airline issue anymore. I have seen more non-discount carriers charging separately for things that used to be included in the ticket price, so you should always check what your fare actually includes before booking.

A cheap fare is only cheap if it still works for your actual trip. If you need a carry-on, checked bag, seat selection, or flexibility, those costs can change the math fast.

Most of the flights I booked with TD Rewards went through Expedia for TD. But not all of them did, which brings me to one of the most useful parts of the program.

Do You Have to Book Through Expedia for TD?

No, not always.

Most of my flights were booked through Expedia for TD because that is the simplest way to apply TD Rewards points directly at checkout.

But my Miami to Atlanta flight was different.

That flight was $69 on Frontier, and I could not find the exact fare I wanted through Expedia for TD. So I booked it directly with my TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite and used TD Rewards points after the fact.

The tradeoff is that Expedia for TD usually gives you the better travel redemption rate: 200 points per $1 . When you book eligible travel with your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite and redeem after, it takes 225 points per $1 . I still think that can be worth it if the fare is meaningfully cheaper outside Expedia for TD, but you need to compare the math.

In this case, because the Frontier flight was only $69, the difference was small enough that I did not care. I would rather use a few extra points than miss a fare that cheap.

That flexibility matters because sometimes the best cheap fare is not showing up where you expect it to.

This is why I do not treat Expedia for TD as the only place to search. I still use Google Flights, airline websites, and nearby airport searches to find the best economy fare first. Then I decide whether to book through Expedia for TD or use the eligible travel purchase redemption option after.

There is also one important tradeoff with booking through Expedia for TD: it is an online travel agency. Some people do not like booking flights through OTAs because if your flight is cancelled or changed, getting support can be harder than dealing directly with the airline.

I have personally never had a problem with my Expedia for TD bookings, and for cheap economy fares, I am usually willing to take that chance. But there are horror stories, so it is worth knowing the tradeoff before you book.

If you are newer to points, this is one reason TD Rewards can feel less intimidating than airline programs. You do not need to understand award charts or transfer partners before getting your first win.

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card I Used

The card I used for this strategy is the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite.

This card earns TD Rewards points on everyday spending, with bonus categories that can help build your balance faster. But the biggest reason I used it for this strategy was the welcome bonus.

A strong welcome bonus can give you a meaningful TD Rewards balance before you have earned all of those points through regular spending. That is what made it possible for me to cover multiple flights.

I have personally earned TD Rewards welcome bonuses more than once. At the time of writing, TD’s terms may allow some people to qualify again if they have not opened, activated, or closed the same TD First Class Travel Visa account within the previous 12 months.

But this is not guaranteed.

Terms change. TD can limit repeat bonuses. Eligibility depends on the offer terms at the time you apply. Always read the current terms and conditions yourself before applying for any credit card.

This is education based on my experience, not a guarantee that you will qualify for the same offer.

If you are still learning how welcome bonuses work, I explain the bigger strategy in the breakdown on Canadian credit card sign up bonuses .

Real Flight Costs I Covered With TD Rewards

The whole reason this strategy worked is because I was not trying to use TD Rewards points for expensive premium flights.

I was using them for cheap economy fares.

Here are some of the real flight costs from this strategy:

Turks and Caicos on WestJet: $504.96
Charlotte / North Carolina on American Airlines: $353.38
Edmonton on Flair: $301
Buffalo to Miami on Southwest: $101
Miami to Atlanta on Frontier: $69 one-way
Atlanta to Toronto on American Airlines: $316 one-way

Every one of these redemptions covered the taxes and fees fully.

That is one of the reasons I like TD Rewards for this kind of booking. With Aeroplan, you can cover taxes and fees with points too, but you usually pay a premium to do it. Unless you are swimming in points, I do not usually think that math makes sense.

With TD Rewards, the points are simply offsetting the travel purchase at a fixed value. It is not glamorous, but it is useful.

My TD Rewards Rule for Flights

My rule is simple:

Use TD Rewards when the cash price is low and another points program would not give me a meaningfully better experience.

That means TD Rewards can make sense for:

Cheap economy flights
Short to medium-haul routes
Domestic flights
U.S. domestic flights
Budget airline fares where the total cost still makes sense
Narrow-body aircraft with no premium cabin worth chasing
Last-minute trips where a cheap fare still exists
Flights where I want to preserve Aeroplan, Amex, or Avion points

I would not use TD Rewards for:

Business class flights
First class flights
Long-haul premium cabin redemptions
Expensive flights where another points program gives better value
Flights where I would rather transfer points to an airline program

TD Rewards is not the program I use for dream redemptions.

It is the program I use for practical redemptions.

The Six Flights and Why Each One Made Sense

Turks and Caicos on WestJet

Turks and Caicos was the cleanest example of this strategy working exactly as intended.

The flight was $504.96 on WestJet. I used TD Rewards points to cover the full cost, including taxes and fees.

This was the right program to use because my friends were booking WestJet, and my Aeroplan points were not useful for that route in the same way. I could have looked at other transferable points options, but the flight was already cheap enough that TD Rewards made the most sense.

I also did not want to waste Aeroplan points on an economy flight when I could preserve them for business or first class later.

That is the whole strategy.

TD Rewards covered the practical trip. My more valuable points stayed untouched for a redemption where they could do more.

Mexico With My Partner

That is why Mexico followed the same logic as Turks and Caicos. I found a roundtrip flight from Toronto to Cancun on Flair for $357 , which was exactly the kind of short to medium-haul economy fare where TD Rewards makes sense.

It was not the kind of route where I was trying to chase a premium cabin. I would rather use TD Rewards to wipe out a $357 economy fare and save my airline points for a long-haul flight where comfort matters more.

For a twelve-hour overnight flight, that is a completely different calculation.

Aeroplan matters more for my health and comfort, especially because I travel with migraines and chronic pain.

Buffalo to Miami for a Friend’s Birthday

This is probably my favorite example because it shows what having points actually does for your life.

My friend’s birthday trip was happening in Miami. It was last-minute, the next week, and someone mentioned that flights were really cheap out of Buffalo.

The flight was $101 on Southwest.

I live close enough to make Buffalo possible, so we drove about two hours to the airport and split gas costs. That part matters. A cheap U.S. flight is only worth it if you factor in the extra driving time, gas, parking, border crossing, and whether you are traveling with other people.

In this case, it was absolutely worth it.

A lot of trips die in the group chat because people hesitate, budgets get tight, or everyone waits too long. Having TD Rewards points meant I could say yes and show up for my friend.

That is the real value of points to me.

Not just saving money. Showing up for people.

Miami to Atlanta on Frontier

After Miami, I flew to Atlanta for a creator retreat.

The Miami to Atlanta flight was only $69 on Frontier, booked last-minute. I have found that flights within the U.S. can often be much cheaper than flights within Canada, especially if you are flexible and know where to search.

This was the one flight I did not book through Expedia for TD because I could not find the exact fare there. I booked it with my TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite and used TD Rewards points after.

That is a good example of why you should not only search one place.

If I had only looked inside one portal, I might have missed the better fare.

Atlanta to Toronto on American Airlines

My Atlanta to Toronto flight was $316 one-way on American Airlines.

This was not as cheap as the $69 Frontier flight, obviously, but it still fit the strategy. It was an economy flight, it got me home, and using TD Rewards meant I did not have to touch points I would rather save for premium travel.

The Atlanta trip also had a business purpose. I got to meet content creators and people I had connected with online, including someone who had been my business coach. We had built a relationship online, but meeting in person strengthened that connection in a completely different way.

Points helped turn an online relationship into a real one.

North Carolina / Charlotte on American Airlines

The Charlotte flight was $353.38 on American Airlines, and it helped me show up for another friend’s birthday.

This was someone I had talked to online for years, and she was surprised and happy that I actually came.

Again, this is where points become more than math.

A $353 flight is not necessarily outrageous, but when every trip has to come directly out of your bank account, it is easier to talk yourself out of going. TD Rewards made it easier to say yes.

Edmonton on Flair

The Edmonton flight was $301 on Flair , and this one needs a big caveat.

Yes, the fare was cheap. Yes, TD Rewards helped cover it. But with Flair, you have to consider the true cost of the ticket.

That means factoring in:

Carry-on bag fees
Checked luggage fees
Seat selection
Strict baggage sizing
Delays
Cancellations
Customer service issues
Whether you are okay paying for everything onboard, including water

I have had horrendous experiences with Flair. For one short weekend trip, I missed half the trip because my flight was delayed/cancelled, and I found out after Ubering to the airport.

Reimbursement was not quick or easy, and I felt like I had to jump through so many hoops that I eventually stopped fighting for it.

Air Canada has been much better for me in those situations.

That does not mean I would never book Flair. It means I weigh the risk.

For a longer trip, a cheap Flair fare might be worth it. For a short weekend where a delay could ruin half the trip, I would think much harder before booking.

In Total, TD Rewards Covered Over $2,000 in Flights

Across these trips, TD Rewards helped cover $2,002.34 in flight costs .

And that number is actually more impressive when you understand what it represents.

This was not one overpriced flight where I burned a massive amount of points and called it a win. This was multiple real trips: Mexico, Turks and Caicos, North Carolina, Alberta, Miami, and Atlanta.

Four of those were roundtrip flights. The Miami and Atlanta routing was a little different because I flew from Buffalo to Miami, then Miami to Atlanta, then Atlanta back to Toronto. But even with that different routing, the result was the same: I got to go to so many places in 2023 using TD Rewards points instead of cash.

And the reason the total worked so well is because I found cheap economy fares first.

That is the part I want people to understand. TD Rewards points are fixed-value points, so the cheaper the flight, the fewer points you need. The strategy is not just “have TD Rewards points.” The strategy is knowing how to find the kind of cheap economy flights that make TD Rewards worth using.

I walk through some of the exact tactics I use to find cheap economy flights in this YouTube video:

If you want to see how I actually search for cheap economy flights before deciding whether to use points, I walk through that process in this video.

Once you know how to find low cash fares, TD Rewards becomes much more useful. A $69 flight, a $101 flight, or a $301 flight is the kind of redemption where fixed-value points can feel amazing because you are not trying to force them to do something they are not built for.

How I Find Flights Worth Using TD Rewards Points On

TD Rewards works best when you are good at finding cheap economy fares.

That is an important piece of the strategy!

The points have a fixed value, so the lower the cash price, the fewer points you need. A $150 flight needs about 30,000 TD Rewards points. A $500 flight needs about 100,000 points.

Here is how I find flights that are actually worth using TD Rewards on.

I Search Nearby U.S. Airports

If you live near the U.S. border, this can be a huge advantage.

For me, flying from Buffalo can sometimes be much cheaper than flying from Toronto. That is how I found the $101 Southwest flight to Miami.

But you have to factor in the real cost:

Gas
Parking
Driving time
Border crossing time
Whether you are splitting costs with friends
Whether the savings are worth the inconvenience

Driving two hours to Buffalo made sense for a $101 last-minute Miami flight with friends.

It would not make sense for every trip.

I Use Google Flights First

Google Flights is one of my favorite tools for finding cheap economy fares because you can compare dates, airports, one-way options, and nearby destinations quickly.

This is where I usually start before deciding how to book.

Once I know the cheapest realistic fare, then I check whether I can book it through Expedia for TD or whether it makes more sense to book another way and redeem after.

I also walk through how I search for cheap economy fares in this YouTube video, which pairs perfectly with this TD Rewards strategy.

I Compare Budget Airlines Carefully

Budget airlines can make this strategy work really well, but only if the total cost still makes sense.

A $69 fare is not really $69 if you need a carry-on, checked bag, paid seat, and flexibility.

I will still book discount carriers sometimes, but I am much more careful now. I ask myself whether the trip can survive a delay or cancellation. If missing half the trip would ruin the entire purpose, I may pay more for a more reliable option.

I Watch for Error Fares, But I Am Cautious

Error fares are real, and email lists like Secret Flying can help you find them.

But I am cautious with them because they can be cancelled. I personally have not gone through with an error fare booking because I do not like the uncertainty of not knowing whether the ticket will stick.

If you book an error fare, I would avoid locking in non-refundable hotels, tours, or plans until you are confident the ticket is confirmed.

I Do Not Obsess Over Off-Peak Travel

Going off-peak can help, but I do not think it matters as much as booking smart and knowing how to search.

For this strategy, I care more about finding the right cheap economy fare than forcing every trip into a perfect off-peak window.

Quick TD Rewards Points Calculator for Flights

Because TD Rewards points have a fixed value, the math is straightforward.

Use this formula:

If booking through Expedia for TD, use this formula:

Cash price × 200 = TD Rewards points needed

If booking eligible travel with your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite and redeeming after, use:

Cash price × 225 = TD Rewards points needed

Examples:

$69 flight = about 13,800 TD Rewards points
$101 flight = about 20,200 TD Rewards points
$150 flight = about 30,000 TD Rewards points
$301 flight = about 60,200 TD Rewards points
$353 flight = about 70,600 TD Rewards points
$500 flight = about 100,000 TD Rewards points

If booked with your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite and redeemed after:

$69 flight = about 15,525 TD Rewards points
$101 flight = about 22,725 TD Rewards points
$150 flight = about 33,750 TD Rewards points
$301 flight = about 67,725 TD Rewards points
$353 flight = about 79,425 TD Rewards points
$500 flight = about 112,500 TD Rewards points

This is why cheap flights are so powerful with TD Rewards.

A $69 or $101 fare barely touches your points balance compared to trying to cover an expensive international ticket.

TD Rewards vs Aeroplan: Which Points Should You Use?

This is the real lesson underneath the whole post.

A good points strategy is not about declaring one program “good” and another program “bad.” It is about knowing which points to use for which trip.

I use TD Rewards for practical economy travel when I can find a cheap cash fare.

I use Aeroplan, WestJet Rewards, Amex, Avion, and other transferable points when I want outsized value or when cash prices are so high that booking with points makes more sense.

For example, I would much rather save Aeroplan or transferable points for a $5,000 business class ticket to Germany or a $10,000 roundtrip premium cabin redemption to Singapore than burn them on a cheap economy fare I could cover with TD Rewards or cash.

That is how TD Rewards preserves my better points.

It handles the trips where I do not need anything fancy and where the cash fare is low enough that a fixed-value program still makes sense.

But there is one important exception: if I cannot find a cheap economy flight and the cash prices are astronomical, I will absolutely check Aeroplan or WestJet Rewards.

I have had times where a short flight was pricing at $1,000+ in cash, and in that situation, using airline points for economy can make sense — especially if you have a little flexibility with your dates and can find a reasonably priced award flight.

So the decision is not “TD Rewards for economy, Aeroplan for business class” every single time.

It is more like this:

Cheap economy cash fare? TD Rewards or cash.
Expensive economy cash fare but reasonable award pricing? Check Aeroplan or WestJet Rewards.
Long-haul flight where comfort matters? Aeroplan or another airline program.
Premium cabin redemption with a huge cash price? Save your transferable points for that.

Then my more flexible points are still available when the flight is long, expensive, uncomfortable, or worth upgrading.

If you are trying to figure out when premium cabins are actually worth it, I break down the aircraft and route strategy in how to fly business class with points in Canada .

Are TD Rewards Points Bad Value?

TD Rewards points can be bad value if you use them for the wrong thing.

If you are redeeming TD Rewards points for blenders, mugs, sunglasses, or random merchandise, then yes, you may feel like the value is underwhelming.

But that is not how I use them.

I use TD Rewards as a fixed-value travel offset for flights, hotels, car rentals, and travel costs I would otherwise pay cash for.

TD Rewards are not bad because they are fixed value.

They are bad when you expect them to behave like Aeroplan.

This is not the program for aspirational business class redemptions. It is not the program I would use to try to cover a $6,000 international flight. At 0.5 cents per point, you would need around 1,200,000 TD Rewards points to cover that. If you booked eligible travel with your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite and redeemed after, you would need around 1,350,000 points. Either way, that is not where TD Rewards is going to be extremely helpful if the goal is premium travel.

The goal is using TD Rewards points where they actually make sense: cheap travel costs, simple redemptions, and economy flights you want wiped off your credit card statement.

What I Saw People Misunderstand About Travel Credit Cards

Before using TD Rewards this way as a consumer, I also worked as a former TD Canada Trust Investment Consultant.

One thing I saw constantly was that people would immediately dismiss credit cards with annual fees without doing the math.

They would see a $120 annual fee and decide the card was not worth it, even if the card came with a welcome bonus, travel credit, stronger earn rate, or account package that could waive the fee.

I understand why people react that way. Credit cards can be overwhelming. There is a lot of fine print. People often rely on what their friends are doing instead of learning how the program works for their own situation.

But the annual fee alone does not tell you whether a card is worth it.

You have to look at:

The welcome bonus
The annual fee
Any travel credits
Whether your bank account waives the fee
The earn rate
How you will actually use the points
Whether the redemption options match your travel style

That is why I like teaching points through real examples. It is easier to understand the value when you can see exactly how a card helped cover a trip.

Which TD Rewards Card Should You Consider?

For this specific strategy, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite is the card I would look at first if you qualify and the current welcome bonus is strong.

It makes the most sense for someone who:

Wants a simple travel rewards card
Likes Expedia for TD redemptions
Wants to cover flights, hotels, car rentals, or travel purchases
Can qualify for the card
Will actually use the welcome bonus strategically
Wants a beginner-friendly points win before learning more complex airline programs

This is the card I used for this strategy: the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite . I like it most for Canadian travelers who qualify for the welcome bonus and want simple, flexible travel redemptions without learning airline award charts right away.

Check the current TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite offer and terms here before applying.

If you do not qualify for the Infinite version, the TD Rewards Platinum may still be worth comparing depending on the current welcome bonus and eligibility terms. The bonus is usually smaller, but it can still have a place depending on your situation.

I would generally skip the lowest-tier TD Rewards card unless you are a student, have lower income, or cannot qualify for the stronger cards yet. For most people trying to build a real travel points strategy, the lower-tier card is not where I would focus.

If you are comparing TD Rewards against other Canadian travel cards, I go deeper into the broader strategy in the best travel credit cards in Canada .

Can You Use TD Rewards Points for Hotels Too?

Yes, and I have.

One of my first memorable TD Rewards redemptions was actually a hotel stay in Niagara at the DoubleTree. I was young, and I remember how good it felt to have the hotel covered with points instead of paying cash.

That feeling is still one of the reasons I care so much about points.

Flights are usually the travel cost I feel first, which is why this post focuses on airfare. But hotels can become just as expensive, especially if you are traveling for longer than a weekend.

TD Rewards can help offset hotels, car rentals, and other travel costs too. The key is knowing when fixed-value points make sense and when another hotel strategy would be stronger.

If your next question is how to cover the hotel too, that is exactly what I teach inside Hotel Points Vault .

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use TD Rewards points for flights?

The easiest way to use TD Rewards points for flights is to book through Expedia for TD. Search for your flight, choose the fare you want, and apply your TD Rewards points at checkout. You can also book eligible travel with your TD card and redeem points after, depending on the redemption option and current program terms.

How much are TD Rewards points worth?

TD Rewards points are worth approximately 0.5 cents per point when redeemed through Expedia for TD. That means 10,000 points is worth about $50 in travel value, and 100,000 points is worth about $500 in travel value.

If you book eligible travel with your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite and redeem after, it takes 225 points to cover $1, so the value is slightly lower. You can also redeem points against other purchases at 400 points per $1, but I do not think that is a good-value use of TD Rewards points.

How many TD Rewards points do I need for a flight?

If you book through Expedia for TD, multiply the flight cost by 200. A $200 flight would need about 40,000 TD Rewards points, while a $500 flight would need about 100,000 TD Rewards points. If you book eligible travel with your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite and redeem after, multiply the cost by 225 instead.

The lower the cash fare, the fewer points you need.

Can TD Rewards points cover taxes and fees?

Yes, TD Rewards points can cover taxes and fees when applied to eligible travel costs. In my case, all of the flight redemptions in this post covered the taxes and fees fully.

Is TD Rewards better than Aeroplan?

TD Rewards and Aeroplan are useful for different things.

TD Rewards is better for simple, fixed-value travel redemptions, especially cheap economy flights, hotels, car rentals, and travel costs you want to offset.

Aeroplan is usually better for long-haul international flights, premium cabins, and redemptions where you can get outsized value from your points.

That said, Aeroplan can also make sense for economy flights when cash prices are unusually high but award pricing is still reasonable, especially if you have flexibility with your travel dates.

Can I use TD Rewards points for any flight?

You can use TD Rewards points for flights available through Expedia for TD, and you may also be able to redeem against eligible travel purchases depending on the current TD Rewards rules. Always check the current redemption terms before booking.

Are TD Rewards points worth collecting?

TD Rewards points are worth collecting if you understand their role. They are not my first choice for luxury travel, but they are very useful for covering practical travel costs, especially cheap economy flights and hotels.

They work best as part of a broader points strategy, not as your only travel rewards program.

The Bottom Line

TD Rewards is not the most exciting part of my points strategy.

It does not get me lie-flat seats. It does not unlock luxury airline lounges. It does not create those dramatic “I booked a $10,000 flight for points” moments.

But it helped me cover flights to Turks and Caicos, Mexico, Miami, Atlanta, North Carolina, and Alberta without paying cash out of pocket.

That matters.

Those trips helped me show up for friends, meet my partner’s family, connect with creators, rest, build relationships, and say yes to opportunities I might have otherwise talked myself out of.

That is what TD Rewards is good for.

Not dream redemptions. Real-life travel.

My strategy is simple: earn TD Rewards points through welcome bonuses and regular spending, find cheap economy flights, apply points where the math makes sense, and preserve my Aeroplan, Amex, and Avion points for the redemptions where they can do more.

Knowing which points to use and when is what separates someone with a lot of points from someone who actually travels.

If you want to see how TD Rewards fits into the bigger Canadian points picture, start with how TD Rewards fits into the four types of travel rewards in Canada .

And if you are ready to cover more than just flights, Hotel Points Vault will show you how to use points to cover hotel stays too.

Aeroplan Stopover Strategy to Visit Two Countries for Almost the Price of One

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 03:20:28 GMT

In 2015, I flew to France with Icelandair and connected through Reykjavik. At the time, I had no idea Icelandair has a stopover program that would have let me spend several days in Iceland, explore the country, and continue to France on the same booking without paying more in airfare.

As someone who wants to see as much of the world as possible, that kind of stopover is incredibly appealing to me. And as someone with chronic pain, it’s also a much more comfortable way to travel than forcing myself through one exhausting long-haul journey.

But back then, I just connected through Iceland and kept going.

That missed opportunity is one of the reasons I now pay very close attention to routing rules whenever I book flights with points.

The Aeroplan stopover is one of the most valuable and underused features in the entire program. For just 5,000 additional Aeroplan points, you can add a second destination to many international bookings.

I used this strategy to take my grandmother to both Switzerland and Singapore on the same Aeroplan booking in business class.

We flew from Toronto to Zurich on Lufthansa business class with a connection in Germany, spent five days in Switzerland, then continued from Zurich to Singapore on Swiss Airlines business class.

The entire one-way itinerary cost 92,500 Aeroplan points plus $232 CAD per person in taxes and fees.

For context:

Toronto to Zurich in Lufthansa business class can easily cost around $8,000 CAD / $5,700 USD cash
Zurich to Singapore in Swiss Airlines business class often prices around $11,000 CAD / $7,900 USD cash

That means these two business class flight segments alone could price around $19,000 CAD / $13,600 USD in cash, before even accounting for the added value of the Switzerland stopover itself.

And instead of just connecting through Zurich, we turned Switzerland into its own mini trip.

We wandered Zurich, took in the views at Mount Pilatus, cruised Lake Lucerne by boat, relaxed at Hürlimannbad Spa, and experienced the Swiss mountains together before continuing to Singapore.

Honestly, the mountains ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the trip for me. I’m not someone who is hugely outdoorsy or constantly hiking, but there’s something calming and grounding about being surrounded by mountains. It gives you perspective in a way that is hard to explain until you’re standing there.

Sharing that experience with my grandmother made the stopover feel like more than just a points strategy.

It became part of the reason I travel in the first place.

I love being able to take her on trips with me. She knows me, understands me, and is the definition of easygoing. She is down for whatever, and I love being able to expose her to things she never imagined doing.

If you’re trying to maximize your Aeroplan points, travel more comfortably, or simply see more of the world on the same trip, this is one of the best Aeroplan strategies to understand.

In this guide, I’ll break down:

what an Aeroplan stopover is
how Aeroplan stopover rules work
the difference between a stopover and a layover
the best stopover cities
how I search for stopovers myself
and why I think more travelers should use this strategy

What Is an Aeroplan Stopover?

An Aeroplan stopover is when you stay in a connecting city for more than 24 hours before continuing to your final destination on the same award booking.

Instead of simply passing through a hub airport, the connecting city becomes part of your trip.

For many international bookings, Aeroplan allows you to add a stopover for just 5,000 additional points.

For example:

Toronto → Zurich → Singapore
Vancouver → Tokyo → Bangkok
Montreal → Lisbon → Rome

Rather than rushing through a connection, you can spend several days exploring another destination before continuing onward.

This is different from a layover.

Stopover vs Layover

A layover is:

under 24 hours
simply a connection between flights
not intended as a destination

A stopover is:

more than 24 hours
intentionally built into the itinerary
treated as part of your trip

This distinction matters because Aeroplan prices them differently.

And once you understand how stopovers work, you stop thinking about points travel as simply “getting from A to B.”

You start thinking about how to experience more places on the same trip.

Why the Aeroplan Stopover Is So Underrated

Most people use points the same way they use cash flights:

choose a destination
search the fastest route
minimize connections
get there as quickly as possible

But points programs reward flexibility.

And the Aeroplan stopover is one of the clearest examples of that.

I think one of the biggest misconceptions people have is that they don’t want a stopover because they’re focused on getting to their destination as quickly as possible.

But if you’re already flying halfway across the world to somewhere like Singapore, Australia, or India, why not experience another country along the way?

Especially when it barely changes the points cost.

For me, stopovers also make long-haul travel physically easier.

Nine hours on a plane is exhausting. Fifteen or twenty hours of travel time with multiple connections can be brutal when you have chronic pain or migraines. Being able to stop somewhere for a few days, rest properly, sleep in a real bed, adjust to the time zone, and continue later makes travel feel significantly more manageable.

That’s part of why I value this strategy so much.

It’s not just about squeezing more value out of points.

It’s about making travel richer and more comfortable.

The Switzerland and Singapore Stopover I Booked With Aeroplan

This is the Aeroplan stopover booking that really made this strategy click for me.

I was researching flights to Singapore and noticed Zurich kept appearing naturally as a routing option in Aeroplan searches.

Switzerland had always been on my bucket list, so instead of treating Zurich as just another connection, I decided to see if I could intentionally stop there.

I cross-referenced the routing on FlightConnections to confirm the Swiss Airlines route, since that was the airline I specifically wanted to fly, then booked everything directly through Aeroplan online.

The itinerary was:

Toronto → Germany → Zurich on Lufthansa business class
5-day Switzerland stopover
Zurich → Singapore on Swiss Airlines business class

The entire booking priced automatically online at 92,500 Aeroplan points plus taxes and fees .

That stopover completely changed the trip.

Instead of arriving exhausted in Singapore after a long-haul journey, we had several days to slow down first.

During our stopover, we:

wandered around Zurich
visited Mount Pilatus
cruised Lake Lucerne
relaxed at Hürlimannbad Spa
ate incredible food
enjoyed the mountains together

Traveling with my grandmother made the trip especially meaningful.

And honestly, Switzerland is one of the few countries that made me rethink my usual “don’t revisit countries until I’ve seen more of the world” approach. We had five days there, and it still felt like we barely scratched the surface. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

How I Search for Aeroplan Stopovers

The easiest way to find Aeroplan stopover opportunities is to start by searching your actual destination first.

For example:

search Toronto to Singapore
look at which cities naturally appear as connections
identify hub cities you’d genuinely want to visit

If you repeatedly see places like:

Zurich
Frankfurt
Tokyo
Istanbul
Lisbon
Singapore

Those are often strong stopover candidates because they are major Star Alliance hubs, which gives you a better chance of finding a stopover that fits your route, dates, and preferred airline.

Keep in mind that there is still a level of effort and coordination involved if you want to fly specific airlines. Partner airlines do not operate every route every day, and award availability can vary by date. You may need to adjust the number of days in your stopover, test different departure dates, or play around with your routing to find the best match.

You can tinker with this directly in Aeroplan’s search tool, or you can use FlightConnections to help plan routes and see which days specific airlines fly the route you want to include.

One important thing beginners often overlook is that not every route exists simply because you want it to.

Understanding the actual airline network matters.

That’s one reason I generally recommend that complete beginners start with simpler award bookings before building more advanced multi-city itineraries.

If booking travel already feels stressful or overwhelming, stopovers can absolutely add complexity.

But if you enjoy the planning side of travel and want to maximize both your points and your experience, they’re one of the best tools in Aeroplan.

You can also learn more about partner routing strategy in how to use Aeroplan points on partner airlines .

Best Cities for an Aeroplan Stopover

The best Aeroplan stopover cities are:

natural connection hubs
served by strong Star Alliance partners
destinations worth visiting on their own

Some of the best options include:

Zurich

Swiss Airlines hub with excellent onward connections to Asia and Europe.

Perfect if you want:

mountains
train travel
relaxing slower travel
luxury experiences

Frankfurt

Lufthansa hub with huge routing flexibility across Europe and Asia.

Good for:

practical connections
short European stopovers
onward partner award availability

Tokyo

ANA hub and one of the best stopovers if you’re continuing to Southeast Asia or Australia.

Excellent for:

food
culture
city exploration
breaking up ultra long-haul trips

Istanbul

Turkish Airlines hub positioned between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Great for:

maximizing routing flexibility
affordable luxury
adding another continent to your itinerary

Lisbon

One of the more underrated Aeroplan stopover cities.

Ideal for:

Southern Europe trips
Portugal itineraries
combining Europe with Brazil or Africa routings

Aeroplan Stopover Rules to Know

Aeroplan stopover rules can change, so always verify directly with Aeroplan before booking.

But generally:

stopovers apply to international partner award bookings
stopovers must be over 24 hours
stopovers typically cost an additional 5,000 Aeroplan points
stopovers must occur in a connecting city
bookings can often be priced directly online using multi-city search

The easiest way to check if a stopover is possible is honestly just to experiment with Aeroplan’s search engine.

If Aeroplan naturally routes you through a city already, there’s a decent chance a stopover may work there.

What About Open Jaw Bookings?

Open jaw bookings are related to stopovers but work differently.

An open jaw means you:

fly into one city
return home from another

For example:

fly into Paris
travel through Europe
fly home from Rome

This can pair really well with stopovers to create multi-city trips without dramatically increasing your points cost.

I’ll break this down more fully in Aeroplan open jaw bookings because the rules and possibilities deserve their own guide.

Are Aeroplan Stopovers Worth It?

For me, absolutely.

The stopover transformed what could have been a simple flight to Singapore into:

a Switzerland trip with my grandmother
several days resting before a long-haul continuation
an opportunity to experience the mountains
and effectively two bucket-list destinations on one award booking

And it only cost 5,000 additional Aeroplan points.

That’s incredible value.

I think people often focus so heavily on efficiency that they forget travel itself can be part of the experience.

A stopover lets you slow down a little.

See another place.

Rest.

Explore.

And often do it for barely more points than you were already planning to spend.

If you’re still building your Aeroplan balance, the First Class Calculator can help you estimate how many points you’ll need for different premium cabin redemptions before committing to a strategy.

And if you want to better understand routing, partner airlines, and maximizing award value, start with How to Use Aeroplan Points Without Wasting Them next.

Aeroplan Partners: Airlines You Can Book With Points

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:57:08 GMT

When I tell people I flew to Germany in business class for $79, the first question is almost always the same:

Was that Air Canada?

That time, yes — it was Air Canada.

But on the way home from Greece, I booked Lufthansa business class through Aeroplan for around $129.

That often surprises people.

A lot of travelers assume Aeroplan is only useful for Air Canada flights. But Aeroplan partners include Star Alliance airlines and select non-alliance partners, which means your points can give you access to flights on airlines like Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA, Turkish Airlines, United, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Emirates, Etihad, and more.

And this matters whether you’re Canadian earning Aeroplan points through credit cards or an American using Aeroplan as a Star Alliance booking tool for premium flights.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through:

What Aeroplan partners actually are
Which Aeroplan partner airlines you can book with points
Which partners are worth targeting for premium travel
How to compare partner airline fees before you book
How to search for partner award flights inside Aeroplan
When to use Aeroplan partners instead of Air Canada

The quick answer: Aeroplan partners include Air Canada, Star Alliance airlines, and select non-alliance airline partners. You can book many Aeroplan partner airlines directly through your Aeroplan account using the points you already have.

What Are Aeroplan Partners?

Aeroplan partners are airlines and travel companies that work with Aeroplan so members can earn or redeem points outside of standard Air Canada flights.

For this post, we’re focusing specifically on Aeroplan airline partners — the airlines you may be able to book with Aeroplan points.

The biggest thing beginners need to understand is this:

Aeroplan points are not just for Air Canada flights.

Because Air Canada is part of Star Alliance, Aeroplan gives you access to the entire Star Alliance airline network. Aeroplan also has partnerships with several non-alliance airlines, which expands your options even further.

In practical terms, that means you may be able to use Aeroplan points to book:

A Lufthansa business class flight from Toronto to Frankfurt
A Swiss business class flight from Montreal to Zurich
An ANA flight from Vancouver to Tokyo
A United flight within the United States
A Turkish Airlines flight through Istanbul
A Singapore Airlines flight to Southeast Asia
An Etihad or Emirates partner award, when available

You do not need a separate Lufthansa account, ANA account, Swiss account, or United account to book these flights with Aeroplan points.

You search inside Aeroplan, choose the partner flight, pay the points and fees, and book through your Aeroplan account.

That is what makes Aeroplan one of the most useful points programs for Canadian and American travelers.

Aeroplan, Star Alliance, and Air Canada Partner Airlines: What’s the Difference?

This is where people get confused, so let’s separate the terms.

Air Canada

Air Canada is the airline. It operates its own flights.

When you book an Air Canada-operated flight with Aeroplan points, you are redeeming points on Air Canada metal.

Aeroplan

Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program.

Your Aeroplan points can be used for Air Canada flights, but they can also be used for many partner airline flights.

Star Alliance

Star Alliance is a global airline alliance. Air Canada is a member of Star Alliance, along with airlines like Lufthansa, United, Turkish Airlines, ANA, Swiss, Singapore Airlines, and more.

Because Air Canada belongs to Star Alliance, Aeroplan members can often redeem points on Star Alliance airlines.

Non-alliance Aeroplan partners

Aeroplan also partners with some airlines that are not part of Star Alliance.

These partnerships can be valuable, but they can change over time, and not every partner has the same booking rules or availability.

The easiest way to think about it:

Air Canada is one airline.
Aeroplan is the points program.
Star Alliance is the biggest airline network Aeroplan gives you access to.
Aeroplan partners include Star Alliance airlines plus select non-alliance partners.

If you want a deeper explanation of how the program works before you start booking, I break that down in the beginner guide to Aeroplan points .

The Full Scope: Which Airlines Can You Book With Aeroplan Points?

Aeroplan gives you access to a large airline network across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania, and South America.

That does not mean every seat on every partner airline is available with points.

Partner awards depend on award availability. If the airline releases partner award space to Aeroplan, you can usually book it. If it does not, the flight may not show up even if seats are still available for cash.

Still, the partner network is the reason Aeroplan can be so powerful.

Star Alliance Aeroplan Partner Airlines

Star Alliance is the core of the Aeroplan partner airline network.

These are Star Alliance member airlines commonly associated with Aeroplan partner redemptions:

Aegean Airlines
Air Canada
Air China
Air India
Air New Zealand
ANA — All Nippon Airways
Asiana Airlines
Austrian Airlines
Avianca
Brussels Airlines
Copa Airlines
Croatia Airlines
EGYPTAIR
Ethiopian Airlines
EVA Air
LOT Polish Airlines
Lufthansa
Shenzhen Airlines
Singapore Airlines
South African Airways
Swiss International Air Lines
TAP Air Portugal
Thai Airways
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines

For beginners, do not worry about memorizing every airline on this list.

Most people collecting Aeroplan points should pay the closest attention to:

ANA
Swiss
Lufthansa
Singapore Airlines
Turkish Airlines
United
TAP Air Portugal
EVA Air
Austrian Airlines

Those are the partners most likely to matter for long-haul travel, business class redemptions, or useful connecting routes from Canada and the United States.

Other Aeroplan Airline Partners Outside Star Alliance

Aeroplan also has non-Star Alliance airline partners.

These are important because they give you options beyond the standard Star Alliance network. That can matter if you are trying to reach destinations where Star Alliance availability is weak or where another airline has a better premium cabin product.

Examples of non-alliance Aeroplan partners may include airlines such as:

Emirates
Etihad Airways
Air Transat
Air Creebec
Canadian North
Calm Air
PAL Airlines
SunExpress
Air Dolomiti
Eurowings
Discover Airlines
Gulf Air
Oman Air
Bamboo Airways
Azul
GOL
Virgin Australia
Olympic Air

This list can change, and not every partner works the same way.

Some partners may be bookable online. Others may have limited routes, limited availability, or different earning and redemption rules.

Before planning a trip around a specific non-alliance partner, verify that the airline is still an Aeroplan partner and that the route you want is actually bookable with points.

For most beginner and intermediate travelers, Star Alliance partners will be the easiest place to start. But once you understand the basics, non-alliance partners can open up some very interesting options.

How I Choose Which Aeroplan Partners Are Actually Worth Booking

A long partner list is helpful, but it can also be overwhelming.

You do not need to know every Aeroplan partner airline. You need to know which ones are worth your points.

When I compare Aeroplan partners, I look at four things.

1. Is the seat worth the points?

A lie-flat business class seat on a long-haul flight is usually a much better use of Aeroplan points than a short economy flight with a cheap cash fare.

But not all business class seats are equal.

Some airlines have newer seats with direct aisle access and real privacy. Others still have older products that are technically business class but do not feel special enough to justify the points.

2. Are the taxes and fees reasonable?

The points price is only part of the redemption.

Some partner awards have low taxes and fees. Others come with several hundred dollars in extra charges.

That does not always mean the higher-fee option is bad, but you need to compare before you book.

3. Is the route actually useful?

A great airline is only helpful if it gets you where you want to go.

For Canadians, that often means looking at partner hubs from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax or Ottawa.

For Americans, that often means using Aeroplan to book United flights or Star Alliance routes from major U.S. airports.

4. Is award space realistically available?

The “best” airline on paper is not always the best airline to target if you can never find seats.

Some partners release more predictable award space than others. Some are amazing when you can get them, but frustrating if your dates are fixed.

Before you fall in love with a specific partner airline, check how many points your target trip actually requires. The First Class Calculator can help you estimate that before you start searching award space.

The Aeroplan Partner Airlines Worth Targeting for Premium Travel

These are the Aeroplan partners I would pay the most attention to if your goal is better flights, lie-flat seats, and stronger value from your points.

ANA — All Nippon Airways

ANA is one of the first Aeroplan partners I would check for flights to Japan or onward connections into Asia.

The reason ANA comes up so often in points conversations is not just that the airline has an excellent reputation. It is that the combination of seat quality, service, and lower fees can make ANA one of the strongest Aeroplan redemptions to Asia.

I have not personally flown ANA yet, so I do not want to pretend this is a first-hand cabin review. But from an Aeroplan strategy perspective, ANA is one of the partners I would search early for Japan trips because the cash fees are often much more reasonable than some other premium partners.

Best for:

Japan trips
Asia redemptions
Travelers who want a high-quality business class product
People trying to avoid very high surcharges

Watch out for:

Limited premium award availability
Popular routes booking quickly
Needing flexible dates to find the best seats

Swiss International Air Lines

Swiss is one of my favourite Aeroplan partners for Europe.

I flew Swiss from Zurich to Singapore in international business class , and the experience genuinely impressed me. The seat, food, service, and overall calmness of the flight made it feel like a strong use of points.

For Canadians, Swiss is especially useful because Montreal and Toronto both have direct Swiss service. That makes it a practical option for getting to Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy , and other European destinations with one connection.

Swiss is part of the Lufthansa Group, so the ground experience and lounge access can also be strong depending on your airport and ticket.

Best for:

Canada to Europe
Travelers who want a polished business class experience
Montreal or Toronto departures
Connections through Zurich

Watch out for:

Higher cash fees than some lower-surcharge partners
Limited premium award space on peak travel dates
Aircraft differences depending on route

I would especially check Swiss when you want a comfortable transatlantic flight and Zurich gives you a clean connection to your final destination.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa is an Aeroplan partner I have personally booked through Aeroplan, including a business class flight on the way home from Greece for around $129 in taxes and fees.

That redemption came in especially handy because I booked the flight in April for a wedding in September, so it was relatively last-minute in points-booking terms. One of my best friends decided to get married with very little notice, haha, and Lufthansa availability made the trip work without me paying business class cash prices.

That is the kind of redemption that makes Aeroplan partners worth understanding. You are not limited to Air Canada-operated flights, and sometimes a partner airline gives you the route, cabin, or availability you need at a cash cost that still feels very reasonable compared with paying for business class outright.

Lufthansa is especially useful for Europe because it has a huge route network, strong connectivity through Frankfurt and Munich , and often more practical award availability than some harder-to-book partners.

I have also flown Lufthansa within Europe in their intra-European business class product. That experience is very different from long-haul business class. On many intra-European routes, the cabin is usually a narrow-body aircraft with a blocked middle seat rather than a true lie-flat seat.

That does not make it bad. It just means you need to understand what you are booking.

Best for:

Canada or U.S. to Germany
Europe connections through Frankfurt or Munich
Travelers who care more about route access than the flashiest seat
People who want practical award availability

Watch out for:

Carrier surcharges
Older business class seats on some aircraft
Intra-European “business” or “first” not being the same as long-haul premium cabins

For a deeper breakdown of what Lufthansa and Swiss business class actually look and feel like, I cover that in the guide to flying business class with points in Canada .

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is one of those airline experiences that stays with you.

I flew Singapore Airlines business class when I took my grandmother to Singapore, and it is still one of my favourite memories. The service felt thoughtful in a way that stood out, and the whole experience made the flight feel like part of the trip rather than just transportation.

Singapore Airlines can be an excellent way to use Aeroplan points if you are heading to Southeast Asia, Australia, or connecting through Singapore.

The challenge is availability.

Singapore does not always release the easiest partner award space, especially in premium cabins on popular routes. If you want to book Singapore Airlines with Aeroplan points, you need to search early and stay flexible.

Best for:

Southeast Asia
Singapore stopovers
Australia routes when available
Travelers who care about service and the full premium experience

Watch out for:

Tight award availability
Peak-date competition
Needing to search far in advance

If Singapore Airlines appears on your dates and the points and fees make sense, it is one of the Aeroplan partners I would seriously consider.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines deserves more attention from Aeroplan collectors.

The route network is the real strength. Istanbul is a powerful hub for reaching Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia. If you are trying to get somewhere that Air Canada does not serve cleanly, Turkish may open up options that other partners do not.

I would especially check Turkish when Europe availability through Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, or Lisbon is not working, or when your final destination is somewhere that naturally connects through Istanbul .

Turkish business class can be a strong product, and the Istanbul Airport lounge has a reputation for being one of the best business class lounge experiences in the world.

Best for:

Europe
Middle East
Africa
Harder-to-reach destinations
Creative one-stop routings through Istanbul

Watch out for:

Connection times through Istanbul
Fees compared with other partners
Aircraft differences by route

Turkish is not always the first partner beginners think of, but it can be incredibly useful once you understand how to search beyond the obvious Air Canada and Lufthansa options.

United Airlines

United is not usually the partner I would choose for the most exciting flight experience.

It is the partner I would choose for access.

For Canadian and American Aeroplan collectors, United can be very practical because of its huge U.S. route network. I have used Aeroplan points to fly United in economy for exactly this reason: sometimes you just need to get to a smaller U.S. city or connect through a United hub.

United is especially relevant for American readers because Aeroplan can be used as a tool to book United award flights when the price and availability make sense.

Best for:

Domestic U.S. flights
Positioning flights
Smaller American cities
Connections through United hubs
American readers using Aeroplan for Star Alliance bookings

Watch out for:

Economy flights where cash prices are cheap
Domestic redemptions that do not always give huge value
Basic or short-haul flights where points may be better saved for premium travel

United may not be glamorous, but it is useful. And useful matters.

TAP Air Portugal

I used to think TAP Air Portugal was underrated for Europe travel from Canada.

TAP operates service from Toronto and Montreal to Lisbon , and Lisbon can be a helpful hub for Southern Europe, West Africa, and Brazil. On paper, that makes TAP a very useful Aeroplan partner.

But I would not currently put TAP in my “must-experience” category.

One of my clients recently flew with them and had a subpar experience. The cabins looked outdated, and the food was not good. That does not mean TAP is never worth booking, but it does mean I would compare it carefully against Swiss, Lufthansa, Austrian, Turkish, or Air Canada before choosing it.

That said, a lie-flat seat is still a major upgrade from economy if the route, points, and fees make sense.

Best for:

Portugal
Southern Europe
Lisbon stopovers
West Africa or Brazil connections
Situations where other partners are not available

Watch out for:

Inconsistent experience
Older cabins
Food and service not feeling as premium as stronger partners

TAP is a practical Aeroplan partner, not necessarily an aspirational one.

EVA Air

EVA Air is another partner worth knowing if you are targeting Asia.

It is especially useful for Taiwan and onward connections within Asia. EVA also has a strong reputation for business class, and many points travelers consider it one of the better Star Alliance premium cabin options.

I would check EVA alongside ANA and Singapore Airlines when looking for Asia availability, especially if your dates are not working with the more obvious options.

Best for:

Taiwan
Asia connections
Premium cabin redemptions
Travelers willing to compare multiple Asia partners

Watch out for:

Availability varying by route
Needing flexible dates
Not always being top of mind for beginners

EVA is a good example of why Aeroplan partners matter. If you only search Air Canada, you may miss better routings and better cabin products.

Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines is useful for Europe, especially if Vienna works as a hub for your trip.

Austrian may not have the same name recognition among beginners as Lufthansa or Swiss, but it can be a smart partner to check when you are looking for business class award space to Central or Eastern Europe.

Best for:

Vienna
Central Europe
Eastern Europe connections
Alternative availability when Lufthansa or Swiss do not work

Watch out for:

Route availability from your home airport
Fees compared with other partners
Aircraft and cabin differences

Austrian is not always the flashiest Aeroplan partner, but it can solve a routing problem beautifully.

Emirates and Etihad: Are They Aeroplan Partners Too?

Yes, Emirates and Etihad can matter for Aeroplan collectors, but they need a separate mention because they are not Star Alliance airlines.

They are non-alliance partners.

That means they can be valuable, but you should not think of them the same way you think of Lufthansa, United, ANA, or Turkish.

Emirates and Etihad are especially interesting for travelers heading to the Middle East, Africa, India, the Maldives, or destinations that route well through Dubai or Abu Dhabi .

They can also offer excellent premium cabin products, but the pricing, availability, and fees may not behave exactly like a straightforward Star Alliance partner award.

Best for:

Middle East
Maldives
India
Africa
Premium cabin aspirational trips

Watch out for:

Higher total costs on some awards
Availability limitations
Partner rules changing over time

If you see Emirates or Etihad appear in Aeroplan search results, compare the full cost carefully before booking. The seat may be amazing, but the value depends on both the points and the cash component.

One Thing to Know Before You Book an Aeroplan Partner Award

Not every Aeroplan partner charges the same fees on top of your points.

This is one of the biggest beginner mistakes.

People search for a business class flight, see the points price, get excited, and then only later notice the taxes, fees, partner booking fee, or carrier surcharges.

The difference can be significant.

Two flights may cost a similar number of points but have very different cash costs.

For example:

One partner may have lower taxes and fees.
Another may have higher surcharges but a better seat.
One route may require a connection but save money.
Another may be direct but cost more in cash.
A partner flight may have a more predictable points price than an Air Canada-operated flight, but still include a partner booking fee.

This does not mean you should avoid partner airlines.

It means you should compare.

Before booking, look at:

Total points required
Taxes and fees
Partner booking fee
Number of stops
Aircraft type
Cabin type
Layover length
Arrival time
Whether the flight is actually worth using points for

I go deeper into this decision process in how to use Aeroplan points without wasting them .

Do Aeroplan Partner Flights Cost More Points Than Air Canada Flights?

Not always.

This is one of the most important things to understand.

Aeroplan uses a zone and distance-based award chart, but Air Canada-operated flights can also be affected by dynamic pricing.

Partner awards can sometimes be easier to predict, although availability is still limited to the award seats that partner airline releases.

So the answer is not simply “Air Canada is cheaper” or “partners are cheaper.”

It depends on:

Your origin and destination
The distance band
The cabin
Whether the flight is operated by Air Canada or a partner
Whether Air Canada dynamic pricing is high on your travel dates
The taxes, fees, and partner booking fee

The base points price is only one part of the decision.

You should always compare the full total before confirming.

How to Search for Aeroplan Partner Airlines

The process is simpler than most people expect.

You do not need a separate account with the partner airline. You do not need to transfer your Aeroplan points to Lufthansa, United, ANA, or Swiss.

You search through Aeroplan.

Here is the basic process:

Go to aeroplan.com and log in.
Select “Book with points.”
Enter your origin and destination.
Choose your travel dates.
Search for flights.
Look through the results for Air Canada and partner-operated flights.
Select the flight you want.
Review the points, taxes, fees, and operating airline.
Complete the booking through Aeroplan.

In the results, you may see Air Canada-operated flights and partner flights listed together.

For example, you might see one segment operated by Air Canada and another operated by Etihad, Lufthansa, Swiss, United, or another partner. Aeroplan will usually show the operating airline in the result so you can see who is actually flying the plane.

That detail matters.

You are not just choosing a route. You are choosing the seat, service, aircraft, fees, and overall experience that come with that airline.

For a full walkthrough on searching for availability and knowing what to check before confirming, read the step-by-step guide to booking business class with Aeroplan points .

How to Tell If a Flight Is Operated by an Aeroplan Partner

This is a small detail, but it matters.

In Aeroplan search results, check the operating airline before booking.

You may see wording like:

“Operated by Lufthansa”
“Operated by Swiss”
“Operated by United”
“Includes travel operated by Etihad Airways”
“Operated by Turkish Airlines”

This tells you which airline is actually flying the plane.

That matters because the operating airline determines:

The aircraft
The seat
The cabin layout
The service style
The lounge experience
The fees
The baggage rules in some cases
The overall flight experience

A flight number alone is not enough. Always check who operates the flight.

When Should You Use Aeroplan Partners Instead of Air Canada?

You should consider Aeroplan partners when they give you a better overall redemption.

That might mean:

Lower points
Lower fees
Better business class seat
Better route
Better availability
Better schedule
Access to a destination Air Canada does not serve
A more interesting premium cabin experience

For example, I would check partner airlines when:

Air Canada pricing is very high
You want to fly to Europe in business class
You are targeting Japan, Southeast Asia, or the Middle East
You need to reach a smaller U.S. city through United
You want a better premium cabin than the Air Canada option available
Your dates are flexible enough to compare multiple partners

Air Canada can still be a great option. But it should not be the only option you check.

Best Aeroplan Partners by Destination

If you are new to Aeroplan, this is the easiest way to think about it.

Best Aeroplan partners for Europe

For Europe, I would usually check:

Swiss
Lufthansa
Austrian Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Brussels Airlines

Swiss and Lufthansa are often the most obvious from Canada. Turkish can be excellent if Istanbul works for your destination. TAP can be useful for Portugal, Southern Europe, West Africa, or Brazil connections, but I would compare the onboard product carefully.

Best Aeroplan partners for Asia

For Asia, I would check:

ANA
EVA Air
Singapore Airlines
Turkish Airlines

ANA, EVA, and Singapore Airlines are usually the most exciting premium cabin options here. Turkish can also be useful depending on your routing.

Best Aeroplan partners for the United States

For the U.S., United is the main partner to know.

United is especially useful for:

Domestic U.S. flights
Connecting through U.S. hubs
Positioning flights
Smaller American cities
American readers booking Star Alliance flights through Aeroplan

Just compare the cash price before redeeming points for short economy flights.

Best Aeroplan partners for the Middle East

For the Middle East, check:

Turkish Airlines
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Oman Air

Emirates and Etihad are not Star Alliance airlines, but they can still be relevant Aeroplan partners depending on availability and route.

Best Aeroplan partners for Africa

For Africa, check:

Turkish Airlines
Lufthansa
Swiss
Emirates
Etihad

Africa can be challenging with points, so partner flexibility matters a lot here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aeroplan Partners

What airlines can I book with Aeroplan points?

You can book flights on Air Canada, Star Alliance partner airlines, and select non-alliance Aeroplan airline partners when award space is available.

This can include airlines such as United, Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Austrian Airlines, EVA Air, Air India, Air New Zealand, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, and more.

Partner availability changes, so always verify inside Aeroplan before planning a trip around one airline.

How do I use Aeroplan points on partner airlines?

Log in to your Aeroplan account, search for a flight using points, and look for partner airline results in the same search tool.

You do not need to transfer points to the partner airline.

When you find a partner flight that works, select it, review the points and cash cost, and book through Aeroplan.

Which Aeroplan partner airline has the best business class?

There is no single best Aeroplan partner for every trip.

For Asia, ANA, Singapore Airlines, and EVA Air are some of the strongest options.

For Europe, Swiss, Lufthansa, Austrian, and Turkish can be useful depending on your route and availability.

For the Middle East and aspirational premium travel, Emirates and Etihad may be worth checking when available through Aeroplan.

The best choice depends on your destination, fees, availability, aircraft, and whether the seat is worth the points.

Do Aeroplan partner flights cost more points than Air Canada flights?

Not necessarily.

Partner award pricing can sometimes be more predictable than Air Canada’s dynamic pricing, but the total cost still depends on the route, distance, cabin, taxes, fees, and partner booking fee.

Always compare the full checkout price before booking.

Can I earn Aeroplan points when flying partner airlines?

Yes, you may be able to earn Aeroplan points when flying eligible paid fares on partner airlines, as long as you add your Aeroplan number to the booking.

The earn rate depends on the airline, route, fare class, and ticket type.

Not every cheap fare earns the same amount, so check the earning rules before assuming you will earn points.

Are Aeroplan partners the same as Air Canada partner airlines?

There is overlap, but the terms are not always used the same way.

Air Canada partner airlines can include Star Alliance partners, codeshare partners, and other airline relationships.

Aeroplan partners are the airlines and companies connected to the Aeroplan loyalty program for earning or redeeming points.

For booking flights with points, the most important question is whether the airline shows award availability inside Aeroplan.

Is Aeroplan only useful for Canadians?

No.

Aeroplan is especially useful for Canadians because it is Air Canada’s loyalty program and connects with Canadian credit card strategies.

But American travelers can also use Aeroplan strategically, especially if they collect transferable credit card points and want to book Star Alliance flights.

For Americans, Aeroplan can be useful for United flights, international Star Alliance awards, and premium cabin partner redemptions.

The Bottom Line on Aeroplan Partners

Aeroplan is not just an Air Canada rewards program with a few extra partners attached.

It is one of the most versatile points currencies Canadians can collect, and it can also be incredibly useful for Americans who know how to use it.

The real value comes from the partner network.

ANA, Swiss, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United, EVA Air, Austrian, Emirates, Etihad, and many others can all expand what your Aeroplan points can do.

That means more routes, more premium cabins, more destination options, and more ways to turn points into flights that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars.

The key is not memorizing every airline.

The key is knowing how to compare them.

Before you book, look at:

Points required
Taxes and fees
Partner booking fees
Cabin quality
Route usefulness
Availability
Whether the flight is actually worth your points

If you are ready to start searching partner award space and want to know how many points your target trip may require, the First Class Calculator gives you that number before you commit to anything.

How to Fly First Class with Points in Canada (And What First Class Actually Means)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:13:55 GMT

How to Fly First Class With Points in Canada

I want to start with a confession: when Canadians ask me whether I prefer business class or first class, my answer usually surprises them.

Because most of what gets called “first class” in Canada is not the private-suite, champagne-in-the-sky experience people are picturing.

I learned this while booking one of my wildest points redemptions: Montreal to Doha to Bangkok on Qatar Airways.

The Montreal to Doha leg was in business class. The Doha to Bangkok leg was in actual international first class. That was the segment that pushed me over the edge.

I was already excited to visit Bangkok because everybody talks about Thailand, but once I found a route that included true first class, I felt like I had to book it immediately before it disappeared.

I remember looking up YouTube reviews of the cabin and thinking, “Oh my gosh, this is actual first class. Like, real international first class on a wide-body plane.”

The whole booking cost me 190,000 British Airways Avios points and about $424 in taxes and fees. When I checked similar cash fares, just the Bangkok to Doha first class segment alone could price around $8,000. A round-trip business class itinerary can easily run around $10,000.

That is what made the redemption feel so wild: I was using roughly the number of points many people expect to spend on business class, but part of the itinerary was true international first class.

Qatar later cancelled the flight, so I did not get to take that exact trip. But the booking itself taught me something most Canadian points collectors need to understand before chasing first class:

The label does not mean the same thing on every airline.

If you are collecting points and wondering how to fly first class with points in Canada, this guide will help you avoid collecting the wrong points, booking the wrong cabin, or wasting a huge balance on something that is not actually the experience you had in mind.

In this post, I’ll break down:

What first class actually means
The difference between first class and business class
Why Air Canada “first class” is not really what many people think it is
Whether Aeroplan can book true international first class
Which programs Canadians can use for true first class suites
When business class is actually the better redemption
How to know what kind of premium cabin may be realistic for you

The quick answer: true international first class suites on airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines are usually not an Aeroplan redemption. Canadians typically need programs like British Airways Avios, KrisFlyer, Flying Blue or other transferable points strategies to access those cabins.

Aeroplan can still unlock incredible international business class seats that feel more luxurious than what many airlines call first class domestically.

And before you start collecting points blindly, use the First Class Calculator to estimate what kind of premium cabin flight may be possible based on your monthly spending, destination, and cabin goal.

How to Fly First Class With Points in Canada Without Wasting Points

The smartest way to fly first class with points in Canada is not to start by opening random travel credit cards.

It is to figure out three things first:

What cabin do you actually want?
What route do you want to fly?
Which points program can realistically book that seat?

This is where a lot of Canadians get stuck.

They say they want first class, but sometimes they mean an Air Canada Signature Class pod. Sometimes they mean a private suite on Singapore Airlines. Sometimes they just mean, “I do not want to fly economy anymore.”

Those are completely different goals.

And they require completely different strategies.

That is why I always recommend starting with the flight first, then working backward to the points. Otherwise, you can spend months collecting points for a redemption that was never realistic through that program.

For most Canadians, the best first step is not true international first class. It is international business class on a wide-body plane.

That gets you:

A lie-flat seat
Pod-style privacy
Better food
Better service
A much more comfortable long-haul flight
The “I cannot believe I am flying like this” feeling

Once you understand how business class redemptions work, first class becomes easier to evaluate. You will know when it is worth spending more points and when the label is not worth chasing.

If you are still learning the basics, I’d start with how travel rewards points actually work in Canada before trying to chase advanced first class redemptions.

Is Business Class the Same as First Class?

No, business class is not the same as first class.

But the difference between first class and business class depends entirely on the airline, route, aircraft, and cabin layout.

This is the root of almost every misconception I hear.

People say “first class” the way they say “coffee,” as if it always means the same thing.

It does not.

A seat called first class on a short-haul North American flight may be nothing more than a wider recliner seat at the front of the plane.

A true international first class suite may have a closing door, a bed, dining on demand, and sometimes even a shower onboard.

Those two things should not have the same name, but they often get lumped together in casual conversation.

That is why you need to understand the actual product before you spend your points.

Domestic First Class in Canada

On a domestic Air Canada, WestJet, Delta, or other short-haul North American flight, first class usually means:

A wider seat
More legroom
Better meal or snack service
Earlier boarding
More attentive service
A smaller cabin

That can still be valuable.

But it is not the same as a lie-flat pod. It is not a suite. It is not a bed. And it is definitely not the private, ultra-luxury experience people usually picture when they hear “first class.”

I learned this the disappointing way on a Toronto to Atlanta flight.

I booked what was called first class and expected something closer to Delta One, which is Delta’s pod-style, lie-flat business class product. In my head, I thought, “It says first class, so come on, surely this is going to be the good seat.”

Instead, I got domestic first class.

There were two wider seats at the front of the cabin instead of three economy seats across. I got a takeoff drink, which was fun. The service was better than economy.

But there was no pod. No lie-flat bed. No “wow” cabin moment.

Was it nicer than economy? Yes.

Was it the first class experience I thought I had booked? Absolutely not.

That is the exact distinction Canadians need to understand before spending points. “First class” on a short-haul narrow-body plane is not the same thing as international business class or true international first class.

International Business Class: What Most People Think First Class Is

International business class on a wide-body plane is what most people are picturing when they say they want to fly first class.

This is where you usually get a lie-flat seat, better meals, lounge access, and a completely different experience from economy. Some airlines also offer pod-style privacy or closing doors in business class, but at minimum, the big difference is that you can actually lie down.

When I describe my experience flying business class on Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Lufthansa, Emirates, or Air Canada Signature Class, people often assume I am talking about first class.

And I get why.

If you have mostly flown economy, an international business class seat feels unbelievable.

You can sleep properly. You are not fighting for armrest space. You have actual room to move. The food and service are better. You land feeling more human.

For most Canadians, this is the sweet spot.

If you want to learn how to book this kind of seat, my guide on how to fly business class with points in Canada breaks down that process in more detail.

True First Class: Suites, Doors, and a Completely Different World

Then there is true international first class .

This is what most Canadians have never seen, let alone booked.

On airlines like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Etihad, first class can feel more spacious than some newer Toronto bachelor condos. And yes, I am talking about the ones with square footage in the 200s.

Depending on the airline and aircraft, true first class can include:

A private suite
A closing door
A larger bed-style seat
Dining on demand
Premium champagne or wine
More personalized service
A much smaller first class cabin, sometimes with only four seats
On some aircraft, a shower onboard

This is the version of first class people see in viral videos.

It is also the version that usually requires a more advanced points strategy.

For example, Qatar Airways Qsuite is technically business class, not first class. But it has a closing door, lie-flat bed, excellent food, and a level of privacy that rivals or beats first class on some other airlines.

That is why the product matters more than the label.

Business Class vs First Class on Air Canada

Air Canada does not have a traditional international first class cabin.

Their highest long-haul premium cabin is Air Canada Signature Class, which is their business class product.

It is a genuinely good product. You get a lie-flat seat, pod-style layout, better meals, lounge access, and a much more comfortable flight experience.

But it is not first class in the suite sense.

When people tell me they flew first class with Aeroplan, they usually mean they flew in an Air Canada pod.

And honestly, I understand why.

If you have mostly flown economy, Air Canada Signature Class feels luxurious. You get the lie-flat seat, privacy, better food, and a completely different experience from sitting in the back of the plane.

But technically, that is business class.

Does the terminology matter? Only because it affects your strategy.

If your dream is an Air Canada pod to Europe, Aeroplan is a great place to focus.

If your dream is Singapore Airlines Suites, Emirates first class, or Qatar Airways true first class, Aeroplan is usually not the program that gets you there.

For a deeper breakdown of using Aeroplan well, read how to use Aeroplan points without wasting them .

Can You Book First Class Flights With Aeroplan Points?

This is where the answer gets annoying, because it depends what you mean by first class.

If you mean Air Canada Signature Class, then yes, Aeroplan can be a great way to book a premium cabin with points.

If you mean international business class on Star Alliance partners like Swiss, Lufthansa, ANA, Turkish Airlines, or Singapore Airlines business class, then yes, Aeroplan can also be excellent.

But if you mean aspirational international first class suites on airlines like Qatar Airways, Air France, or British Airways, Aeroplan is usually not the path because those airlines are outside Star Alliance.

That does not mean Aeroplan cannot book any first class.

There are some Star Alliance and partner first class redemptions that may be possible through Aeroplan, like ANA First Class, Air India First Class, and Emirates First Class. But those come with caveats.

ANA First Class can be extremely difficult to find. Air India First Class does not have the same luxury reputation as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, or Qatar Airways. Emirates First Class can be bookable through Aeroplan, but it is often expensive in both points and taxes or fees.

So the real answer is not “Aeroplan can’t book first class.”

It is: Aeroplan can book some first class, but you need to be strategic and realistic about what is actually available.

Aeroplan is still one of the best beginner-friendly programs for Canadians because it gives you access to a wide partner network and can unlock excellent international business class flights.

For most people, that is the right first premium cabin goal.

The mistake is thinking Aeroplan can do everything.

It cannot.

Points program partnerships and redemption access can change, so always double-check availability before transferring points or making a card decision. But as a general strategy, I would think of Aeroplan as your best path to strong international business class redemptions, not your main path to the most aspirational first class flights.

This is also where the First Class Calculator can help. It will not tell you every airline program to use, because that would be overwhelming when you are just starting. Instead, it shows you what may be possible based on your monthly spending, destination, and cabin goal.

You can use it to get a realistic points target before you start collecting points blindly.

Best First Class Airlines Canadians Can Book With Points

If your dream is true international first class, these are some of the airlines most Canadians are usually thinking about.

But I want to be clear: not every aspirational first class product is equally realistic for Canadians.

Some can be booked through Aeroplan. Some require Avios. Some are technically possible with points, but not through the main Canadian points currencies most beginners are using.

That distinction matters because the fastest way to waste time in points is to collect the wrong currency for the flight you actually want.

Qatar Airways First Class

Qatar Airways is one of the reasons I started thinking more seriously about true first class redemptions.

My Montreal to Doha to Bangkok itinerary included Qatar business class on one segment and Qatar first class on the Doha to Bangkok segment.

That first class segment was the part that made me book right away.

When I found it, I felt like I had to book before it disappeared. I had already started looking up YouTube reviews of the cabin because I could not believe this was a real first class redemption I could book with points.

For Qatar Airways, this is usually an Avios strategy, not an Aeroplan strategy.

Qatar Airways is part of the oneworld ecosystem, and British Airways Avios can be used to book Qatar Airways awards when there is availability.

This is not where I would start if you are brand new to points.

But once you understand Aeroplan and want to go further, Avios becomes much more interesting.

Emirates First Class

Emirates First Class is another major bucket-list product.

The onboard shower is honestly one of the reasons I want to try it, though it is only available on specific aircraft and cabin configurations. I just want to be able to say I showered on a plane.

Is that ridiculous? Maybe.

Do I still want to do it? Absolutely.

But Emirates First Class is also a perfect example of why the points program matters so much.

There are a few different ways people talk about booking Emirates First Class with points, including Emirates Skywards, Qantas Frequent Flyer, and Aeroplan.

You can use Emirates Skywards miles for Emirates flights through Emirates’ own loyalty program.

But for Canadians who do not have access to U.S. credit cards or foreign points ecosystems, Aeroplan is usually the most realistic way to book Emirates First Class with points.

The catch is that Emirates First Class through Aeroplan can be expensive. You may need a lot of points, and the taxes and fees can also be high.

So yes, Emirates First Class is possible for Canadians. But I would not treat it like an easy beginner redemption.

I would only book Emirates First Class if it made sense for my actual travel plans and points strategy. I would not overspend points just to chase the label.

That is the key with every first class redemption: it should fit the trip, the points cost, the taxes and fees, and your broader financial goals.

For most Canadians, I would treat Emirates First Class as an aspirational redemption, not the first premium cabin goal. It can be incredible, but it can also be expensive in points, taxes, and fees. I would only build toward it once you already understand the basics of earning and redeeming flexible points.

ANA First Class

ANA First Class is one of the better examples of a true international first class product that can make sense for Canadians to understand because ANA is part of Star Alliance.

That means Aeroplan can be part of the strategy when award availability exists.

And that is the big caveat: availability.

ANA First Class is not something I would expect to find casually on any date you want. It can be extremely competitive, and you need flexibility with dates, routes, and sometimes departure cities.

But this is why I do not like saying “Aeroplan cannot book first class.”

That is not accurate.

A better way to say it is: Aeroplan can book some first class products, but the most famous aspirational suites are not always the easiest or most realistic options.

For most Canadians, ANA First Class is an advanced Aeroplan redemption to know about, not the first thing I would chase.

I would still recommend booking your first international business class flight before trying to build your entire strategy around finding rare first class space.

What About Singapore Airlines Suites?

Singapore Airlines Suites is one of my personal dream redemptions.

I have flown Singapore Airlines business class, and even that was excellent. But their product called Suites is on a completely different level.

This is the private cabin with a closing door and, on some aircraft, the ability to create a double bed.

But for Canadians, this is where things get more complicated.

Singapore Airlines Suites is usually not an Aeroplan strategy. It is a KrisFlyer strategy, because Singapore Airlines generally keeps its most premium award space for its own KrisFlyer program.

Singapore Airlines’ own award chart includes Suites and First Class redemptions on select Singapore Airlines flights.

The important thing to know is that Aeroplan points do not transfer to KrisFlyer.

So if you are collecting Aeroplan because you want Singapore Airlines Suites, that is probably the wrong strategy.

KrisFlyer is much easier to build through U.S. transferable points currencies, which is why American credit cards often come up when people talk about booking Singapore Suites.

That does not mean Singapore Suites is impossible forever.

It means it is not where I would tell a Canadian beginner to start.

If Singapore Suites is your dream, build toward it intentionally. Do not assume your Aeroplan balance or regular Canadian points setup will get you there.

How to Book First Class Flights With Points in Canada

If you want to book first class flights with points from Canada, you usually need to think beyond one program.

The exact strategy depends on the airline, but these are the main paths I would consider.

Aeroplan

Best for:

Air Canada Signature Class
Star Alliance business class
Select partner first class options
Canadians who want a beginner-friendly starting point
Travellers who want broad coverage

Aeroplan is where I would tell most Canadians to start.

Not because it unlocks every dream first class suite, but because it helps you learn how premium cabin award travel works.

If you want an Air Canada pod, a Swiss business class flight, ANA First Class, or a Star Alliance business class redemption, Aeroplan can be very powerful.

Aeroplan can also be one of the more realistic Canadian paths to Emirates First Class, although it can be expensive in points, taxes, and fees.

The main thing to understand is that Aeroplan is not bad because it cannot do everything.

It is still one of the strongest programs for Canadians.

You just need to know what it is best at.

If you are still building your balance, read how to earn Aeroplan points in Canada .

British Airways Avios

Best for:

Qatar Airways
Oneworld partner redemptions
Travellers who already understand basic points strategy
People who want to go beyond Aeroplan

Avios is the program I used for my Qatar Airways booking.

That availability was not easy in the sense that I just searched once and everything magically appeared. I was randomly searching routes, watching for patterns, and trying to find both a flight there and a flight back.

The reason I ended up staying in Bangkok for about a month was because that is where I could find return availability that made sense.

That is the reality of premium cabin award travel.

Sometimes the best redemption is not the exact date you originally imagined. Sometimes the availability shapes the trip.

One important lesson from that Qatar cancellation: if the airline cancels your award flight, wait before cancelling anything yourself.

Qatar cancelled my flight, which meant I was eligible to get my Avios back. But because I had booked my outbound and return separately, I had to wait to see whether they would cancel the second flight too.

I usually like booking one-way award flights separately because it gives me flexibility if I need to make changes. In this case, that flexibility created a little extra uncertainty.

If I had cancelled before the airline did, I would have been subject to the normal cancellation rules and fees.

So the lesson is simple: when an airline cancels your award flight, do not panic-cancel the rest of your itinerary without understanding your options.

American Express Membership Rewards

Best for:

Flexibility
Transfer partners
People who do not want to be locked into one airline program
Travellers who want options beyond Aeroplan

If you want options, transferable points matter.

This is why I usually prefer flexible points over locking everything into one co-branded airline card, especially if your goal is premium cabin travel.

An Aeroplan-branded card earns Aeroplan points. That can be great if Aeroplan matches your goal.

But if you want flexibility across different programs, you may want points that can transfer to multiple partners instead.

That is why American Express Membership Rewards can be so useful for Canadians who want business and first class flights.

Just remember that Canadian American Express Membership Rewards are not the same as U.S. American Express Membership Rewards. The transfer partners are not identical, which is why some aspirational redemptions, like Singapore Airlines Suites, are much easier to build toward with access to U.S. cards.

If you are comparing cards, read best travel credit cards in Canada and Canadian credit card sign up bonus before choosing what to apply for.

RBC Avion

Best for:

Canadians ready to learn a second flexible points ecosystem
People who want options beyond Aeroplan
Travellers building toward oneworld or other partner strategies

After Aeroplan, I would often look at RBC Avion as the next program for Canadians to learn.

Not because every person needs every program, but because Avion can help build more flexibility once you understand the basics.

Inside my paid program, we focus on the three programs that make the most sense for Canadians who want business and first class flights:

American Express Membership Rewards
RBC Avion
Aeroplan

The goal is not to learn every loyalty program in the world.

The goal is to build a sustainable system that helps you actually book the flight.

How to Fly First Class for Cheap Without Chasing the Wrong Thing

When people ask how to fly first class for cheap, what they usually mean is:

“How do I fly first class without paying $8,000, $10,000, or more in cash?”

The answer is points.

But points are not free.

You still need to earn them strategically, pay taxes and fees, understand availability, and avoid bad redemptions.

The goal is not just to book any first class seat. You can book almost any flight if you are willing to throw enough points at it.

The goal is to preserve your points and use them for flights that actually matter.

This is also where buying points can sometimes make sense, but only if the math works. Buying points just because there is a promotion is not a strategy. Buying points because you have found a specific business or first class redemption where the points cost is significantly lower than the cash fare can be a completely different story.

That is what I teach in my book business and first class by buying points workshop : how to know when buying points is worth it, when it is a trap, and how to compare the real cost against the flight you actually want to book.

That is why I do not recommend chasing first class just because the word “first” is attached to the cabin.

A domestic first class seat from Toronto to Atlanta may not be worth a huge points premium if what you really wanted was a pod.

An international business class seat on a wide-body plane may be a much better experience than a short-haul first class recliner.

And a true first class suite may be worth it only if:

It is a bucket-list airline
The points premium makes sense
The route fits your actual travel plans
You are not sacrificing your financial goals to chase it
You have a strategy to rebuild your points afterward

I think about points from a financial wellness perspective.

How can I get my most expensive flights covered with points?

How can I create flexibility if there is an illness in the family, a friend’s milestone birthday, a retreat I want to attend, or an international trip I do not want to pay cash for?

That matters more than just saying I flew first class.

Why Most Canadians Don’t Book First Class With Points

Most people do not avoid business or first class because they do not want it.

They avoid it because they assume it is for rich people paying $5,000, $8,000, or $10,000 for a flight.

Or they search once, see a one-way flight pricing at 200,000, 300,000, or 400,000 points, and think, “Never mind. I’ll just book economy.”

That is usually not a points problem.

It is a strategy problem.

They may be looking at:

The wrong program
The wrong route
The wrong dates
The wrong airline
The wrong cabin type
The wrong points currency

A lot of people also worry that booking business or first class will wipe out their points balance.

That fear makes sense.

If you have worked hard to earn points, spending them can feel scary. But points are meant to be used. The goal is not to hoard them forever. The goal is to use them well.

This is where people get overwhelmed.

There is so much free information online. Blog posts, YouTube videos, card reviews, transfer guides, award charts, forums, opinions everywhere.

But most people do not need more random information.

They need an implementation plan.

Is First Class Better Than Business Class?

Sometimes, yes.

But not always.

This is one of the most important things to understand before you start chasing first class as the default.

I have flown multiple business class products, and some of them felt so close to first class that I would not automatically spend significantly more points just for the label.

One of the business class flights that felt the most first class to me was my Germany to JFK flight on a 777.

I could actually see the first class cabin from where I was. It had fewer people and looked like there was a little more space, but the difference did not feel dramatic enough to make me desperate to spend a lot more points.

The service in business class was already excellent.

I never had to press the call button. The flight attendants were constantly around, even when most people were sleeping. I was watching TV, and they kept bringing me snacks.

That kind of experience is why I tell people to chase the actual cabin experience, not the label.

I had a similar reaction on a Lufthansa flight from Greece to Detroit. I could see the first class cabin, and yes, it looked a little wider and less crowded. But it was not so dramatically different that I felt like business class was a bad redemption.

For most Canadians, I would recommend booking your first international business class flight before chasing true first class.

The first time you walk onto a plane and turn left into a lie-flat pod, it changes what you think is possible.

You do not need to start with the most complicated redemption in the points world.

Get the first business class booking done. Learn how award travel works. Then decide whether a true first class suite is worth building toward.

Personally, because I have already flown multiple business class products, I would choose a true first class suite redemption next.

Singapore Airlines Suites is high on my list. Emirates is a close second because I want to try the onboard shower.

But I would only book either one when the redemption made sense for my actual travel plans.

I am not going to overspend points just to chase the word first.

What Is Better: Business Class or First Class?

The better cabin depends on your goal.

If your goal is comfort, sleep, and a better long-haul flight, international business class is often enough.

If your goal is a once-in-a-lifetime luxury experience, true first class may be worth building toward.

Here is how I would think about it.

Choose business class if:

You have never booked a premium cabin with points before
You want the best balance of comfort and value
You want to stretch your points across more trips
You are flying long-haul internationally
You mainly want a lie-flat seat and better service

Choose true first class if:

It is a bucket-list airline or cabin
You already understand points strategy
You have enough spending to rebuild your balance
The points premium is reasonable for the experience
The route fits a trip you already want to take

Choose domestic first class or premium economy if:

You do not care about suites
You just want to avoid economy
You are flying a shorter route
Lie-flat seats are not available
The points difference is reasonable

There is no single right way to use points.

The right strategy depends on your travel goals, spending, comfort preferences, and financial situation.

Which Points Program Should Canadians Use for First Class?

Here is the simple decision tree I would use.

If you want the most coverage and an easier beginner path, start with Aeroplan.

If you want Air Canada Signature Class, Star Alliance business class, ANA First Class, or select partner first class options like Emirates, Aeroplan is usually the best Canadian starting point.

If you want a specific oneworld airline like Qatar Airways, learn Avios.

If your dream redemption is Qatar Airways or another oneworld partner, Avios becomes much more important. That does not mean I would start there as a beginner, but it is a natural next step once you understand how premium cabin award travel works.

If you want Emirates First Class, Aeroplan may be the most realistic Canadian path, but expect it to be expensive.

There are other ways people book Emirates First Class, including Emirates Skywards and Qantas Frequent Flyer. But for Canadians without access to U.S. cards or foreign points ecosystems, Aeroplan is usually the simpler path to understand first.

If you want Singapore Airlines Suites, pause before collecting Aeroplan for that goal.

Singapore Suites is usually a KrisFlyer strategy, not an Aeroplan strategy. Aeroplan points do not transfer to KrisFlyer, so this is not where I would tell a Canadian beginner to start.

If you want flexibility, focus on transferable points.

This is where American Express Membership Rewards and RBC Avion can be useful. Instead of locking yourself into one airline program too early, you can build a strategy with more options.

If you do not know what cabin or destination makes sense yet, start with the First Class Calculator .

The calculator shows you what may be possible before you start collecting points blindly.

What About Domestic and Short-Haul First Class on Points?

You can absolutely book domestic Air Canada business class, WestJet Premium, or short-haul first class-style products using points.

And sometimes that makes sense.

If you are flying four or more hours, I start to care a lot more about comfort. A short hop is one thing. But once I am sitting on a plane for four, five, or six hours, I start wishing I had a better seat.

That said, the aircraft matters.

A four-hour flight does not automatically mean there will be a lie-flat seat available. Most routes only have narrow-body aircraft with standard recliner-style premium seats.

That is why you need to check the actual aircraft and seat map before assuming “first class” means a pod.

For example, flying internationally on a wide-body Air Canada business class product is usually a better premium experience than chasing first class on a domestic narrow-body plane.

If you want a full breakdown of when short-haul premium cabins are worth it, read whether domestic first class is worth your points .

What the First Class Calculator Actually Does

The First Class Calculator is not meant to overwhelm you with every airline program, transfer partner, and award chart.

That is not what most beginners need.

Instead, it gives you a simple picture of what may be possible based on:

Your monthly spending
Your destination region
Your preferred cabin type
My two-card points strategy
An estimate of how many points you could earn in your first year
What kind of flight that could translate into
The estimated cash value of that flight

You can choose whether you are aiming for economy, business, or first class.

You can also choose destination regions like:

Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
Oceania
South America

The main “aha” moment is usually realizing, “Wait, I might actually be able to get a pod or premium cabin flight with my regular spending.”

That is the point.

Not to make points feel more complicated.

To make the possibility feel real.

Use the First Class Calculator if you are still asking:

Is this even possible for me?
Am I earning enough points?
Should I aim for business class or first class?
What kind of flight could my spending realistically support?
Am I collecting points without a clear target?

The calculator gives you the number.

Your strategy gives you the path.

When to Book a Strategy Call

If you use the calculator and realize you want help turning that possibility into an actual plan, that is where a strategy call makes sense.

The call is best for Canadians who:

Travel internationally
Prefer flexible or independent travel over only all-inclusive resort packages
Spend at least around $3,000 per month on regular expenses
Want to book business or first class with points
Feel overwhelmed by credit card and points options
Want someone to help them choose the right next step

It can also be a good fit if you are a business owner, high monthly spender, couple, or someone planning a major trip like a honeymoon.

It is probably not the right fit if you are currently dealing with credit issues or spending under $2,000 per month. Points travel may still be possible, but the timeline and strategy will look different.

On a strategy call, we can look at where you are now, what is getting in the way, and whether my program is the right next step.

Sometimes that means working together.

Sometimes that means I point you toward free resources first.

The goal is not to throw more information at you. The goal is to help you understand whether this is realistic for you and what your next step should be.

You can book a Points Strategy Call .

How My Paid Program Helps You Actually Book the Flight

Free points content can teach you a lot.

But it can also make the process feel more confusing.

There are too many cards, too many programs, too many transfer options, and too many people telling you different things.

My paid program is for people who do not need another random YouTube video or card list.

They need an implementation plan.

Inside the program, we focus on the three programs that make the most sense for Canadians who want business and first class flights:

American Express Membership Rewards
RBC Avion
Aeroplan

The goal is to help you:

Choose the right cards for your goals
Build a sustainable points strategy
Stop wasting points
Understand which program to focus on first
Make premium cabin travel part of your broader financial wellness
Book your first business or first class flight with points

The biggest transformation is not just learning more about points.

It is actually booking the flight.

One of my clients, Jami, used my strategies to book travel to Bologna, Portugal, and the Maldives with points.

That is the kind of outcome I want for you: not just collecting points forever, but using them for flights and trips that matter.

If you are ready for that level of support, book a Points Strategy Call and we can talk about whether the program is the right fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is business class the same as first class?

No. Business class and first class are not the same, but the difference depends on the airline, aircraft, and route.

On domestic or short-haul flights, first class is usually a wider seat with better service. On international wide-body flights, business class can mean a lie-flat pod with privacy. True first class suites with closing doors are usually found only on select long-haul international airlines.

Can Canadians fly first class on points?

Yes, Canadians can fly first class on points, but the right program depends on the airline and cabin.

Aeroplan is excellent for many international business class redemptions, including Air Canada Signature Class and Star Alliance partners. Aeroplan can also access some first class options, including select partner redemptions like ANA First Class or Emirates First Class, when availability exists and the points cost makes sense.

Other famous aspirational cabins may require programs beyond Aeroplan. Qatar Airways is usually an Avios strategy. Singapore Airlines Suites is usually a KrisFlyer strategy, which is not a straightforward Canadian beginner path.

Can you book first class flights with Aeroplan?

You can book some first class flights with Aeroplan, but not every true first class suite is available through Aeroplan.

Aeroplan is best for Air Canada Signature Class, many Star Alliance business class flights, and select partner first class options. If you want Qatar Airways First Class, that is usually an Avios strategy. If you want Singapore Airlines Suites, that is usually a KrisFlyer strategy.

What is better, business class or first class?

Business class is often the better value for most Canadians, especially if you are booking your first premium cabin with points.

First class can be worth it for a bucket-list airline or once-in-a-lifetime redemption, but the points premium is not always justified. In many cases, international business class gives you the comfort, lie-flat seat, and premium experience most travellers actually want.

Is first class better than business class?

Sometimes, but not always.

True international first class is usually better than business class, but domestic first class may be less impressive than international business class. A lie-flat business class pod on a wide-body aircraft can be much better than a short-haul first class recliner seat.

What is the best first class airline for Canadians to book with points?

Some of the best first class airlines Canadians may want to book with points include Emirates, ANA, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

The best one depends on your route, available points, and which programs you can access. For many Canadians, Emirates First Class and ANA First Class are more relevant to understand through Aeroplan. Qatar Airways is usually an Avios strategy, while Singapore Airlines Suites is a more advanced KrisFlyer strategy.

How do I fly first class for cheap?

The best way to fly first class for cheap is by using points instead of paying cash, but you still need a smart strategy.

You need to earn the right points, understand which programs book your target airline, watch for award availability, and avoid wasting points on overpriced redemptions. Start by using the First Class Calculator to see what kind of premium cabin flight may be possible based on your regular spending.

The Bottom Line

First class is not one thing.

The word means something different on every airline, every route, and every aircraft.

That is why the smartest strategy is not to chase the label. It is to understand the cabin you actually want, the route you want to fly, and the points program that can realistically get you there.

For most Canadians, international business class is the best first premium cabin goal. It gives you the lie-flat seat, pod-style privacy, better service, and luxury experience without requiring the same level of points as true first class.

Once you have booked that first business class flight, you can decide whether a true first class suite is worth building toward.

If you are still wondering what is possible for you, start with the First Class Calculator . It will estimate what kind of flight you may be able to book based on your monthly spending, destination, and cabin goal.

The calculator shows you what may be possible.

The strategy helps you actually get there.

And if you want help choosing the right cards, building your points plan, and booking your first business or first class flight with points, book a Points Strategy Call so we can talk about your next step.

Credit Card Signup Bonus Canada: How to Earn Travel Points Faster

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 01:31:58 GMT

Welcome bonuses didn’t feel real to me until a renovation bill turned into enough points for a business class flight.

I had renovations to do on an apartment I was turning into a rental unit. Not a fun expense. But I had a British Airways Avios card at the time with a targeted welcome offer of 70,000 points after spending $6,000 in three months.

The renovation covered the spend.

That bonus alone was enough for a Toronto-to-Doha business class redemption on Qatar Airways, one of the best airlines in the world.

I did not earn those points slowly over months of coffee runs and grocery trips. I earned them in one go, by putting necessary spending on the right card at the right time.

That is what a credit card signup bonus in Canada actually is.

Not a gimmick. Not free money. Not fine print designed to trick you if you understand the rules.

A credit card signup bonus, also called a welcome bonus, is usually the fastest way to earn enough points for a meaningful points booking, like a flight, hotel stay, or business class redemption you would not want to pay cash for. This is a great tool especially if you’re in Canada and feel like regular spending barely moves your points balance.

In this post, I’ll break down what a Canadian credit card welcome bonus is, how minimum spending requirements work, how to know if a bonus is actually worth it, and why welcome bonuses are often the best starting point if you want to fly business class or first class on points.

I’ll also share the welcome bonuses I missed in the beginning, because I did not always know what I was doing.

The quick answer: a credit card signup bonus in Canada is a one-time welcome offer you earn after opening a new credit card and meeting a minimum spending requirement within a set timeframe. For beginners, it is usually the fastest way to earn enough points for a real travel redemption because one strong bonus can be worth more than a full year of everyday spending.

I’m sharing this from my own experience using Canadian travel rewards, not as personalized financial advice. Credit cards only make sense for points if you pay your balance in full and avoid interest.

What Is a Credit Card Signup Bonus?

A credit card signup bonus, sometimes called a welcome bonus or welcome offer, is a large one-time reward that a bank or card issuer offers to new cardholders.

Here is how it usually works:

You apply for a card, get approved, and receive an offer like:

Earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in your first three months.

Once you hit that spending requirement within the timeframe, the bonus points land in your account.

That is the simple version.

What makes it powerful is the scale.

A 60,000-point welcome bonus from a single card can be worth more than a year of regular everyday spending for many people. That is why welcome bonuses are usually the first thing I talk about when someone tells me they want to start using points for travel.

Regular spending builds points slowly.

Welcome bonuses can get you to a usable points balance much faster.

Welcome Bonus vs Earning Rate: What Is the Difference?

Your credit card welcome bonus and your earning rate are two different things.

Your earning rate is how many points you collect on every dollar you spend day to day.

For example, if a card earns 3 points per dollar on groceries, a $100 grocery run earns 300 points.

That adds up over time, but it is a slow build.

Your welcome bonus is a one-time lump sum that comes at the beginning of your relationship with the card. It does not repeat. It is a reward for being a new cardholder and meeting the initial spend requirement.

Both matter.

But for beginners, the welcome bonus is usually what creates the first real opportunity.

It is the difference between thinking, “Maybe I’ll have enough points one day,” and realizing, “Wait, this could actually get me close to a business class flight.”

If you are still learning how travel rewards points actually work in Canada , this is one of the biggest concepts to understand early.

How a Credit Card Signup Bonus Works in Canada

Most credit cards with sign up bonus offers follow the same basic structure.

You apply for the card.
You get approved.
You receive a minimum spend requirement.
You put eligible purchases on the card within the required timeframe.
The bonus posts after you meet the requirement.

The details change from card to card, but the logic is the same.

The bank is rewarding you for opening the card and using it.

Your job is to make sure the bonus fits your real spending, your travel goal, and your comfort level.

The Minimum Spend Requirement

Every welcome bonus comes with a minimum spend requirement.

That means you need to put a certain amount on the card within a specific window, usually three to six months, to unlock the bonus.

For example:

Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in your first three months.

That $3,000 does not have to be new spending.

It can be money you were going to spend anyway, such as:

Groceries
Gas
Utilities
Insurance
Subscriptions
Condo fees
Business expenses
Planned travel
Renovations
Holiday spending

This is important.

A welcome bonus is not a reason to spend money you would not otherwise spend. It is a reason to put money you were already going to spend on the right card at the right time.

My personal rule is simple: I only apply for a card if I know I can meet the minimum spend with money I was already planning to spend.

That might mean timing a card around renovations, Christmas, an insurance payment, business expenses, or another high-spend season.

The card should fit your life.

You should not have to change your life to fit the card.

Why Bigger Welcome Bonuses Are Not Always Better

A huge welcome bonus is only good if you can actually earn it and use it.

This is where a lot of beginners get distracted.

They see a massive points number and assume it must be the best offer. But bigger bonuses usually come with bigger minimum spend requirements, and they are not always attached to the points program that actually fits your travel goal.

The Minimum Spend Might Be Too High

If a card requires $6,000 in six months, many people can make that work by timing the application around normal expenses.

But if an offer requires $10,000 or $20,000 in three months and that would be a stretch, I would skip it.

Most beginners should not chase huge minimum spend offers just because the number looks exciting.

A welcome bonus is not free money if you have to overspend to earn it.

It is not a good bonus for you if it causes you to:

Buy things you do not need
Carry a balance
Stress about payments
Forget which card you are using
Juggle more cards than you can manage
Risk missing the spend deadline

The Points Might Not Match Your Travel Goal

The other issue is that a big welcome bonus does not help much if you are earning the wrong kind of points.

Most Canadians are not taught how different points programs work. I worked in a bank for years and still did not understand the real power of many programs at the time. This stuff is not obvious.

So someone might see a huge offer, apply for the card, earn the points, and only later realize those points are not useful for the trip they actually want.

For example, if your dream is to fly Qatar Airways Qsuites, collecting Aeroplan points is not the right strategy. Aeroplan is great for many things, but Qatar Airways Qsuites is not one of them.

And if your dream is to fly Emirates first class to Dubai, collecting Scene+ points is going to make that very difficult unless you have extremely high monthly spending.

That does not mean Aeroplan or Scene+ are bad programs.

It means the best welcome bonus is not the biggest one.

It is the one you can actually earn, manage, and use for the trip you want.

When Do Welcome Bonus Points Actually Arrive?

Most Canadian card issuers post your welcome bonus within one to two statement cycles after you hit the minimum spend.

So if you meet the requirement in month two, you might see the points appear in month three or four.

Some cards split the bonus into tiers.

For example, you might get one part of the bonus after your first purchase and another part after hitting the full spend requirement.

Read the offer terms carefully so you know:

How much you need to spend
What counts as eligible spending
When the deadline is
Whether the bonus posts all at once or in stages
When the annual fee is charged
Whether there are exclusions

This is exactly why I created the Travel Points Toolkit. It includes my Welcome Bonus Tracker spreadsheet, which helps you track your minimum spend deadline, how much you still need to spend, the terms of the offer, and when your welcome bonus should arrive so you do not accidentally miss the points you applied for.

I never book around a welcome bonus until the points are actually in my account, because statement timing can be slower than expected.

That does not mean you cannot plan ahead.

But do not assume the points are usable until they are actually there.

Are Credit Card Signup Bonuses Taxable in Canada?

For personal use, credit card rewards are generally treated as a discount or rebate rather than income in Canada.

That means credit card welcome bonuses are typically not taxable when you earn them through personal spending.

Business cards and employer-reimbursed expenses can be different depending on who controls the points, how the points are earned, and whether they are converted to cash.

Tax rules can also change, so if you are earning points through business expenses, employer-reimbursed expenses, or a business credit card, consult the CRA’s guidance on loyalty and points programs and check with your accountant for your specific situation.

Will Applying for a Credit Card Signup Bonus Hurt My Credit Score?

This is one of the biggest fears I hear from beginners.

And I get it.

When I worked as a TD Bank advisor, clients brought this up all the time. People were genuinely worried that applying for one new credit card would ruin their credit score.

After completing an Equifax Advanced Credit Certification, I started to understand credit scores in a much more practical way. A credit score is not a moral judgment. It is an algorithm trying to predict how likely you are to repay borrowed money.

So think about it logically.

Someone opening a bunch of credit cards in a short period of time may look riskier than someone opening one card strategically. But an application is only one piece of the picture.

Your score also considers things like:

Payment history
Credit utilization
Length of credit history
Types of credit
Recent credit inquiries
Whether you pay your bills on time
Whether you max out your available credit

A credit card application usually creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can cause your score to temporarily dip. But for most people with healthy credit habits, one strategic application is not the financial disaster they imagine. Equifax notes that “the drop is generally only a few points, and if you use your new card responsibly, your credit scores can bounce back quickly.”

Where I would be more cautious is if you are about to apply for a mortgage, car loan, or another major form of credit.

In that case, I would not chase a welcome bonus right before the application.

The bonus can wait.

Your mortgage approval matters more.

There are sometimes ways a bank may work with you, like asking you to reduce a credit limit or close a card, but I would not create extra friction right before applying for major credit just for points.

I also would not recommend chasing welcome bonuses if you are still nervous about putting normal spending on a credit card and paying it off in full.

Master that habit first.

The points strategy comes after the payment habit.

Why Welcome Bonuses Are the Fastest Path to a Free Flight

Let me show you what this looks like with real numbers.

When I applied for the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, the welcome offer was 60,000 Aeroplan points after meeting the minimum spend.

That one bonus, combined with the points I earned on the spend itself, got me to 65,000 points.

I used those points to book a business class flight to Germany.

I paid $79 in taxes and fees.

That was my first intentional premium cabin redemption, and it happened within months of applying for the card. Not years of slow accumulation.

To earn 65,000 points through regular day-to-day spending at a standard earn rate would have taken the average Canadian much longer.

That is the point.

Welcome bonuses are not a bonus in the casual sense.

They are the engine of a smart points strategy.

Before you start comparing cards, figure out the target first. My First Class Calculator shows how many points you may need for your dream route so you can tell whether a welcome bonus is actually useful or just a big number that will not get you where you want to go.

How Far Can One Welcome Bonus Actually Take You?

This is where points start to feel real.

A single welcome bonus might not always cover an entire dream trip, but it can get you much closer than everyday spending alone.

Depending on the program, one strong Canadian credit card welcome bonus could help you:

Cover a short-haul economy flight
Get most of the way to a long-haul economy flight
Book a one-way business class redemption
Top up an existing points balance
Combine with a second card bonus for a bigger trip
Build enough points for hotel stays or travel credits

The important thing is knowing what kind of points you are earning.

A huge hotel points bonus will not help much if your real goal is a Qatar Airways business class flight.

A cashback-style travel program may be easy to use, but it may not unlock the same high-value premium cabin redemptions as an airline points program.

That is why the best welcome bonus depends on your goal.

Not someone else’s ranking.

Not the biggest number.

Not the card your friend got.

Your goal.

How Much Is a Welcome Bonus Actually Worth?

The value of a welcome bonus depends entirely on how you redeem the points.

This is where a lot of people leave money on the table.

A 60,000-point welcome bonus redeemed for gift cards might get you a few hundred dollars in value.

That same 60,000 points redeemed for a business class flight through an airline program could replace a flight that would otherwise sell for thousands of dollars.

That does not mean the points are worth thousands of dollars in cash.

It means they may replace a flight that would otherwise sell for that much.

That distinction matters.

Gift cards are usually one of the weakest ways to use travel points.

I have done it, and I still cringe.

The very first time I received an Aeroplan welcome bonus years ago when I was working at the bank, I redeemed part of it for gift cards.

At the time, I did not understand how much more valuable those points could be when used strategically for flights.

Now I look at points differently.

I do not ask, “How much cash can I get for this?”

I ask, “What travel experience could this unlock?”

If you are not sure how to actually redeem points for maximum value, my guide on using Aeroplan points without wasting them walks through how to find redemptions where your points go further.

What Makes a Good Canadian Credit Card Welcome Bonus?

Not all welcome bonuses are created equal.

A big number on the front of an offer does not automatically mean it is a good deal.

A good welcome bonus should pass four tests.

1. The Points Program Matches the Trip You Want

This is the first thing I look at.

A 100,000-point bonus sounds impressive, but if those points are in a program that does not help with your travel goal, the value is limited.

If you want Air Canada or Star Alliance flights, Aeroplan may make sense.

If you want Qatar Airways, Avios or a transferable points program may matter more.

If you want simple redemptions and you are just trying to prove to yourself that points actually work, a bank rewards program may feel less intimidating.

The points program matters more than the number.

2. The Minimum Spend Fits Your Real Budget

A welcome bonus requiring $10,000 in spend in three months is not a good offer if your normal card spending is $2,000 per month.

You would either need to force spending, miss the bonus, or create stress you do not need.

The best credit card signup bonus Canada has for you is the one that fits your actual spending patterns.

That might mean applying during a high-spend month.

It might mean waiting until you have a planned purchase.

It might mean skipping the flashy offer because it does not fit your life right now.

That is not missing out.

That is being strategic.

3. The Annual Fee Is Worth the First-Year Value

I know annual fees feel annoying, especially when no-fee cards exist.

But the question is not, “Is this card free?”

The question is, “Does the value I can realistically use outweigh the fee?”

A $139 annual fee can feel expensive until the welcome bonus helps you book a flight that would have cost far more.

But I still would not pay an annual fee just because a blogger, bank, or ad says the offer is good.

I want to know what I can actually do with the points.

No-fee cards are not automatically better.

They are just easier to say yes to.

In the first year, a strong welcome bonus can often outweigh the annual fee. But in year two, you need to ask a different question:

Is the card still worth keeping without the bonus?

Look at:

Earning rates
Travel insurance
Lounge access
Hotel credits
Companion benefits
Transfer partners
Annual fee
How often you actually use the card

Sometimes the answer is yes.

Sometimes the answer is no.

4. The Points Can Be Used for More Than Boring Redemptions

If the best use of the points is a gift card, I am usually not that excited.

I want points that can help unlock something meaningful.

That could mean a business class flight, a hotel stay, a strategic transfer partner, or a redemption that gets you closer to your dream trip.

The points should have a job.

Do not collect random points just because the offer looks big.

How to Decide Which Welcome Bonus Is Right for You

There are two types of beginners I usually see.

The first is the person who just wants to prove that points actually work.

Maybe you have points already, but you have never used them for anything exciting. Maybe you have only redeemed for statement credits or gift cards. Maybe you just want to see a simple win before going deeper.

If that is you, a bank rewards program like TD Rewards or Scene+ can feel less intimidating because the redemptions are easier to understand.

The second type of beginner already has a dream trip in mind.

Maybe you want to fly business class to Europe.

Maybe you want Air Canada or Star Alliance flights, in which case Aeroplan may make sense.

Maybe your dream is Qatar Airways business class, in which case RBC Avion or British Airways Avios may be more relevant.

This is why I do not think everyone should chase the same welcome bonus.

The best bonus is the one that gets you closer to your actual travel goal.

If you are still figuring out which program aligns with your travel goals, my breakdown of the best travel credit cards in Canada explains which types of cards fit different travel styles.

And if you already know you want to fly on points but you are not sure how many you need, start with the First Class Calculator before you apply for anything.

Should You Choose a Card Based Only on the Welcome Bonus?

No.

The welcome bonus matters, but it should not be the only thing you look at.

Before applying for a card, ask yourself:

Can I meet the minimum spend without overspending?
Do I understand when the bonus posts?
Does this points program match my travel goal?
Is the annual fee worth the realistic value I can get?
Am I comfortable managing another card?
Am I applying for a mortgage or major credit soon?
Do I already have a plan for using the points?

This is where beginners can get into trouble.

They chase the biggest offer without asking whether the points are useful for them.

A huge welcome bonus for the wrong program may not help you.

A smaller welcome bonus in the right program might get you exactly where you want to go.

If you already know you want to use welcome bonuses but you are not sure which card or points program fits your situation, that is exactly what I help with on a Points Strategy Call . We can look at your travel goal, your spending patterns, and whether a welcome bonus makes sense right now.

Common Mistakes Canadians Make with Welcome Bonuses

Welcome bonuses are powerful, but only if you understand how to use them.

These are the mistakes I would watch for.

Redeeming for Gift Cards or Cash Back

I have done this.

The first time I got an Aeroplan welcome bonus, I did not understand the redemption potential. I used part of it for gift cards.

Now, knowing what those same points could have done toward flights, I would not make that choice again.

This is not because gift cards are evil.

It is because travel points are usually more powerful when used for travel.

If you are going to put in the effort to earn a welcome bonus, do not waste the value at redemption.

Missing the Minimum Spend

I have missed welcome bonuses too.

The first time I had the TD First Class Travel card, I did not get the welcome bonus because I was not spending enough at the time.

I have received that welcome bonus multiple times since then, but the first time, I did not even know it existed. I was using the card without tracking the offer, the minimum spend, or the deadline, which means I missed the bonus without even realizing there was one to earn.

The same thing happened with the PC Financial World Elite Mastercard. I was not spending enough to hit the requirement.

And then there was my HBC credit card.

I barely even remember the rules around that card. I got it because I was making a purchase at Hudson’s Bay and they offered me a discount for opening it.

I was not spending on it strategically.

I was not tracking anything.

I was just saying yes at the checkout.

That is exactly what I would not do now.

If you are applying for a card because of the welcome bonus, know the rules before you apply.

Know:

The exact minimum spend
The deadline
What purchases count
Whether annual fees count
When your statement closes
When the bonus should post

Set a calendar reminder the day you are approved.

Track your spend until you hit the threshold.

Do not assume you will remember.

If you want a simple way to track all of this, grab my Travel Points Toolkit . It includes the Welcome Bonus Tracker spreadsheet, so you can keep your minimum spend, deadline, bonus posting timeline, and card notes in one place instead of trying to remember everything in your head.

Applying for a Card at the Wrong Time

Timing matters.

If you have a high-spend season coming up, a welcome bonus can be easier to earn.

For example:

Renovations
Holiday shopping
Planned travel
Insurance renewals
Business expenses
Moving costs
Annual subscriptions

But if your spending is low right now, that may not be the right time.

I have skipped big welcome bonuses because the minimum spend would have been a stretch.

I have also skipped offers because I was overwhelmed, busy, or already had a system that was working for me.

You do not need to chase every bonus.

Sometimes the most strategic move is doing nothing.

Applying for Multiple Cards at Once

Each credit card application can result in a hard inquiry on your credit report.

Applying for several cards at the same time can affect your score and may create issues with approvals.

It can also become mentally messy.

More cards means more deadlines, more statements, more passwords, more payment dates, and more room for mistakes.

Beginners do not need chaos.

A sustainable strategy is better than a points sprint you cannot manage.

Apply for one card.
Meet the minimum spend.
Understand the program.
Use the points.
Then decide what comes next.

Ignoring the Card After the Bonus Lands

Some people earn the welcome bonus and then stop thinking about the card completely.

That can be a mistake.

Depending on the program, you may need account activity to keep points active. You may also be missing useful earning categories, insurance benefits, or transfer options.

This does not mean you need to keep every card forever.

It means you should know what role each card plays.

Is it a keeper card?

Is it a first-year bonus card?

Is it useful for a specific category?

Is it helping keep your points active?

Is it worth the annual fee after year one?

Do not let cards sit around without a purpose.

How Welcome Bonuses Fit Into a Bigger Points Strategy

A welcome bonus is not a strategy on its own.

It is the starting point.

The people who get the best results are not chasing every bonus that comes along. They have a goal, understand which points program gets them there, and choose cards based on that goal.

The welcome bonus helps them reach a meaningful points balance faster.

The ongoing earning strategy helps them keep building.

That might mean:

Using one card for groceries
Another card for travel
A business card for business expenses
A transferable points card for flexibility
An airline card for program-specific perks

But you do not need to build the entire system on day one.

Start with the goal.

Then choose the points.

Then choose the card.

Once you have your first card and your balance is building, my full guide on earning Aeroplan points faster or earning Avios points faster covers the methods beyond welcome bonuses that can keep your points growing.

The Role of the First Class Calculator

One of the hardest parts of starting with points is knowing what is realistic.

People hear “business class” or “first class” and assume it is impossible.

But sometimes one welcome bonus can get you most of the way there.

Sometimes your first year of regular spending plus one welcome bonus can unlock a redemption you never thought was possible.

And sometimes the bonus you were considering is not useful for your actual dream trip.

That is why I created the First Class Calculator .

It helps you see what your spending and potential welcome bonuses could actually get you in the first year.

Instead of guessing which card is best, you can start with:

Where you want to go
What cabin you want to fly
How many points you may need
Which kind of points can help get you there
Whether a welcome bonus moves you close enough to matter

That is a much better starting point than randomly applying for whatever card has the biggest number this month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a credit card signup bonus in Canada?

A credit card signup bonus, also called a welcome bonus or welcome offer, is a one-time points reward offered by Canadian card issuers to new cardholders.

You earn the bonus by meeting a minimum spending requirement within a set timeframe, usually three to six months after approval.

Welcome bonuses are typically the fastest way to build a large points balance in Canada.

What is the difference between a signup bonus and a welcome bonus?

They usually mean the same thing.

Some banks call it a welcome bonus. Some people call it a signup bonus. Others call it a welcome offer.

In most cases, they all refer to the one-time bonus you can earn when opening a new credit card and meeting the required spend.

How much is a Canadian credit card welcome bonus worth?

The value depends on how you redeem the points.

A 60,000-point welcome bonus redeemed for gift cards may be worth a few hundred dollars.

The same 60,000 points redeemed strategically for a business class flight could replace a flight that sells for far more.

That does not mean the points have the same value as cash. It means the redemption can unlock more travel value than a basic gift card or statement credit.

Do I have to spend extra money to earn a welcome bonus?

No.

You should not spend extra money just to earn a welcome bonus.

The strategy is to route regular everyday expenses through the new card until you hit the minimum spend. That could include groceries, subscriptions, condo fees, business expenses, planned travel, or renovations.

You are not spending more.

You are spending more intentionally.

What happens if I miss the minimum spend deadline?

In most cases, you do not receive the welcome bonus.

That is why you need to track the deadline carefully.

I recommend setting a calendar reminder when you are approved and tracking your progress until you know the requirement has been met.

Will applying for a credit card signup bonus hurt my credit score?

A credit card application can create a hard inquiry, and your score may temporarily dip.

For many people with healthy credit habits, one strategic application is not a major issue. But if you are about to apply for a mortgage, car loan, or other major credit, I would not chase a welcome bonus right before that application.

Your bigger financial goal comes first.

Are credit card signup bonuses taxable in Canada?

For personal use, credit card rewards are generally treated as a rebate or discount rather than income.

That means they are usually not taxable for personal cardholders.

Business cards may be different depending on how the points are earned and used, so check with your accountant if you are unsure.

Should I choose the card with the biggest welcome bonus?

Not automatically.

The best welcome bonus is not always the biggest one.

It is the one you can earn without overspending and use toward a travel goal you actually care about.

A smaller bonus in the right program can be more useful than a huge bonus in a program that does not fit your plans.

The Bottom Line

A credit card signup bonus in Canada is not a gimmick.

It is one of the most efficient tools available if you want to build a meaningful points balance without waiting years for everyday spending to add up.

But a welcome bonus is only valuable if it fits your life.

You need to understand the minimum spend, the deadline, the annual fee, the points program, and what you actually want to do with the points.

I do not think beginners should chase every big offer.

I think beginners should choose welcome bonuses based on their goals, spending habits, comfort level, and ability to pay their cards in full.

That is how you go from “I have some points somewhere” to “I can actually book the trip I thought was impossible.”

Start by figuring out the trip.

Use the First Class Calculator to see how many points you may need and what your first year of spending could realistically get you.

Then read my breakdown of the best travel credit cards in Canada to understand which card types and points programs might fit where you are right now.

And if you want help choosing the right direction, book a Points Strategy Call so we can look at your travel goal, spending patterns, and whether a welcome bonus makes sense for you right now.

How to Fly Business Class with Points in Canada

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 02:40:50 GMT

The first time I flew business class, I didn’t even book it with points.

I was flying from Egypt to Dubai after a networking trip with a friend, and I was exhausted. At the airport counter, I found out I could upgrade to Emirates business class for around $200.

I had no idea that was even possible.

I remember walking onto the plane and feeling like I had made a wrong turn. I didn’t know the seat would be that comfortable. I didn’t know I would actually sleep. And I definitely didn’t understand yet how much better flying could feel when I wasn’t crammed into economy.

That flight didn’t teach me how to use points.

But it did teach me something just as important: if I wanted to make travel a bigger part of my life while managing chronic pain, I needed to learn how to make premium travel more accessible.

That flight became the catalyst.

Once I realized business class wasn’t only for people with huge incomes, airline jobs, or luxury travel budgets, I felt relieved. There were systems. There were upgrades. There were points. There were strategies regular people could learn.

Since then, I’ve used points to fly business class with Aeroplan on Air Canada, Swiss Airlines, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines. I’ve also taken my grandmother to Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore, covering both of our flights with points.

I’ve even booked an aspirational Qatar Airways first class flight to Bangkok for less than $500. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to take that trip due to conflict in the Middle East, but it still remains one of my favourite redemptions because it showed me what was possible.

None of it cost what most people assume.

If you’re in Canada and flying business class with points sounds confusing, unrealistic, or only possible for people with endless credit cards, I get why it feels that way.

But it is more doable than you think once you understand how the system works.

In this post, I’ll show you how to fly business class with points in Canada, why Aeroplan is usually the best place to start, how to avoid booking the wrong “business class” seat, and how to figure out how many points you actually need before you start collecting blindly.

How to Fly Business Class with Points in Canada: The Quick Answer

To fly business class with points in Canada, you need to:

Choose the right points program, usually Aeroplan for beginners.
Figure out how many points your route will cost.
Earn those points through the right credit card strategy, spending categories, and welcome bonuses.
Search for business class award space.
Confirm the aircraft has lie-flat seats before you book.
Compare the taxes and fees.
Book the flight before the award space disappears.

That is the simple version.

The complicated part is that every step has traps beginners do not know to look for.

You can have the wrong type of points. You can be short on points and think the taxes are high when Aeroplan is actually charging you to buy extra points. You can book something labeled business class and then realize it is not a lie-flat seat. You can search only from your home airport and miss better availability nearby.

That is why this post is not just about how to book business class with points.

It is about how to fly business class with points in Canada without collecting blindly, wasting points, or booking the wrong seat.

If you are still learning how points work overall, start with how travel rewards points work in Canada first. If you already collect Aeroplan points but have never used them for business class, you are in the right place.

First, Understand What “Business Class” Actually Means

Before we get into Aeroplan points, award space, and booking strategy, we need to clear up something that confuses almost every beginner.

Business class is not one single thing.

The experience you get depends on:

The airline
The route
The aircraft type
Whether it is a wide-body or narrow-body plane
Whether the seat is actually lie-flat

This matters because you can book a ticket that says “business class” or even “first class” and still not get the premium pod experience you are imagining.

I learned this the disappointing way.

Years ago, I booked what I thought was going to be an exciting first class flight to Atlanta on Delta. In my head, “first class” meant I was getting something like Delta One.

I pictured a pod. A lie-flat seat. The whole luxury experience.

Then I boarded a regular narrow-body plane and realized first class just meant wider seats at the front of the plane. Instead of three seats per row, there were two.

Was it better than economy? Yes.

Was it the premium experience I thought I booked? Absolutely not.

That was when I started paying attention to the aircraft type, not just the cabin label.

Wide-Body vs Narrow-Body Planes

If you remember nothing else from this section, remember this:

For your first big business class redemption, you probably want a wide-body international plane with lie-flat seats.

On a wide-body plane, usually flying a long-haul international route, business class often means:

A lie-flat seat
More privacy
Better storage
Full meal service
Better bedding
Noise-cancelling headphones
A seat that feels more like a pod
The ability to actually sleep horizontally

This is the type of business class most people are dreaming about when they say they want to fly business class with points.

On a narrow-body plane, usually flying shorter domestic or regional routes, the premium cabin is usually much less exciting.

In North America, that often means a wider recliner-style seat.

In Europe, it may be a row of 3 economy-style seats with the middle seat blocked.

Either way, it is not the same as an international lie-flat pod.

This is why I do not recommend using your first major points redemption on a short narrow-body business class flight unless you have a specific reason, like accessibility needs, a special occasion, or points that are about to expire.

For your first big points booking, aim for long-haul and lie-flat.

That is where business class feels the most different from economy, and where your points can create the kind of travel experience most beginners are actually dreaming about.

Business Class vs First Class

People also assume first class is always better than business class.

That is not always true.

Before I started flying business class, I did not even know there was a distinction between first class and business class, or between long-haul and short-haul premium cabins. I only learned the technical terms “wide-body” and “narrow-body” in the past couple of years.

So if this feels confusing, you are not behind. This is not something the average person would automatically know unless they have flown premium cabins domestically and internationally.

Some people would probably call the flights I fly “first class” because, to them, anything better than economy feels like first class. And honestly, I get it.

But the distinction matters when you are booking with points because the cabin name does not always tell you what the experience will actually be.

Air Canada, for example, does not have a true international first class. Their premium cabin on long-haul routes is called Signature Class, which is business class with lie-flat pods.

Singapore Airlines has both business class and first class. I have flown Singapore Airlines business class, and honestly, the business class experience was already so good that I would not automatically spend significantly more points for first class unless it was a very special redemption.

On one of my Singapore Airlines flights, the first class cabin looked fairly comparable to business class from what I could see. The seat looked more spacious, and there were fewer people in the cabin — around six seats in first class versus more than ten in business class. But personally, I do not need that much extra attention for the points difference to always make sense.

That said, Singapore Airlines also has a famous first class suite you may have seen on social media. That product looks more like a mini apartment in the sky, and that is the kind of first class experience I would consider a points splurge.

The catch for Canadians is that this is not easy to book with Canadian credit card points. Those Singapore Airlines first class suites generally need to be booked through Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Canadian credit cards do not have the same easy transfer access to KrisFlyer that some U.S. credit cards do.

Then there are short-haul “first class” flights on narrow-body planes that are nowhere near as good as long-haul international business class.

So when you are comparing cabins, do not only ask, “Is this business or first?”

Ask:

Is this a wide-body aircraft?
Is the seat lie-flat?
How long is the flight?
Is this a domestic, regional, or international route?
Is this product actually worth the points?
Would I feel a major difference compared to economy?

For this post, when I say business class, I am talking about the kind of redemption most beginners actually want: international lie-flat business class on a wide-body plane.

If you want a deeper breakdown, read business class vs first class Canada after this.

Why Aeroplan Is Usually the Best Program for Canadians

There are several ways Canadians can fly business class with points, but Aeroplan is usually the best place to start.

Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program, and it is one of the most useful programs for Canadians because you can use Aeroplan points to book flights on Air Canada and a long list of partner airlines.

That gives you access to far more than just Air Canada flights.

If you are building a Canadian travel rewards strategy, you should understand how to use Aeroplan points without wasting them , because Aeroplan can be incredibly powerful when you use it properly.

Aeroplan Gives You Access to Star Alliance Partners

Aeroplan is connected to Star Alliance, which means you can use Aeroplan points to book partner airlines like:

Air Canada
Swiss International Air Lines
Lufthansa
ANA
Singapore Airlines
United Airlines
Turkish Airlines
TAP Air Portugal
EVA Air
Ethiopian Airlines
And more

This is one of the reasons Aeroplan is so useful.

You are not limited to Air Canada’s own planes. You can use your points to access some of the best business class products in the world through partner airlines.

That said, not every partner airline is equal.

The airline, route, aircraft, and cabin layout all matter.

This is why I do not just search “business class” and book whatever appears. I look at the airline, the plane, the seat, the fees, and the total experience.

If you want to understand the partner options more deeply, read Aeroplan partner airlines next.

Aeroplan Has Predictable Award Pricing

Aeroplan uses a distance and zone-based award chart .

That means the number of points required for a flight is usually somewhat predictable, especially when booking partner awards.

As a general starting point, one-way business class redemptions on the lower end of Aeroplan’s award chart may cost around:

Canada to Europe: 60,000 to 75,000 Aeroplan points
Canada to Asia: 85,000 to 95,000 Aeroplan points
Canada to Africa: around 65,000 Aeroplan points
Canada to South America: around 50,000 Aeroplan points
Within North America: around 15,000 to 30,000 Aeroplan points

These are not guaranteed prices. Aeroplan pricing depends on the distance flown, the zones you are travelling between, the airline you book, and whether you are seeing partner award pricing or Air Canada’s dynamic pricing.

But this gives you a general idea of what you are working toward.

And this is exactly why knowing your target matters.

If your dream flight requires 87,500 points and you only have 42,000 points, you do not have a taxes-and-fees problem. You have a points gap.

That was one of the biggest mistakes I made when I first started.

The Beginner Mistake I Made with Aeroplan Taxes and Fees

One of the most confusing things when I first started booking business class with points was getting all the way to the checkout screen and seeing a huge cash amount.

At first, I thought, “Wait, why are the taxes and fees so expensive?”

But the issue was not always the taxes.

Sometimes I simply did not have enough points, so Aeroplan was adding the cost of buying extra points into the checkout price. That made the redemption look way more expensive than it actually was.

I did not understand that at first.

I thought I was looking at taxes and fees, when really I was being charged a premium because I was short on points.

This is why I always tell beginners to know how many points they need before they start searching seriously.

If you are short on points, the checkout screen can be misleading.

That is one of the reasons I built the First Class Calculator . It helps you figure out how many points you need for your route and cabin before you start guessing, transferring points, or assuming a redemption is out of reach.

If you are still in the earning stage, read how to earn Aeroplan points faster before you start trying to book.

How to Book Business Class with Aeroplan Points

Once you understand what kind of business class you are looking for, the booking process becomes much easier.

Here is the beginner-friendly version.

Step 1: Figure Out How Many Points You Need

Before you search for flights, you need a rough points target.

This matters because you do not want to collect points blindly.

You want to know:

Which destination you are working toward
Which cabin you want
Whether you need a one-way or round-trip flight
Whether you are booking for one person or more than one person
How many points you need before taxes and fees

For example, my best Aeroplan business class redemption so far was flying Singapore Airlines business class with my grandmother.

We flew from Singapore to New York with a stopover in Frankfurt . It cost 87,500 Aeroplan points plus $252.50 in taxes and fees per person.

That was for roughly 19 hours of travel in business class.

That is the kind of number I want you to know before you start building your strategy.

Not “I need a lot of points.”

A specific number.

That is what makes the goal feel possible.

Before you open another travel credit card or transfer points, use the First Class Calculator to estimate how many points you need for your destination and cabin.

After you download it, plug in your dream route first. If the number feels exciting but overwhelming, that is when it may be worth booking a strategy call so we can map out how to get you there.

Step 2: Search for Business Class Award Space

Award space means the seats an airline makes available to book with points.

This is where a lot of beginners get stuck.

The flight might exist. The seat might be available for cash. But that does not mean it is available to book with points.

To search through Aeroplan:

Log in to your Aeroplan account.
Search your route.
Select “Book with points.”
Choose business class as your cabin.
Compare Air Canada and partner airline options.
Check the points cost and cash fees.
Confirm the aircraft before booking.

Award availability can appear at different times.

Some airlines release seats far in advance, often around 330 to 355 days before departure. Other seats may open closer to the travel date if the airline has unsold premium cabin space.

This is why planning early helps.

But last-minute availability can also be incredible if you have the flexibility to use it.

Step 3: Be Flexible in More Than One Way

People in points and miles always say “be flexible.”

But I do not think beginners realize how many types of flexibility matter.

It is not just about your travel date.

You can also be flexible with:

Departure airport
Arrival airport
Connection city
Airline
Routing
Trip length
Positioning flights
Whether you book one-way or round-trip

I live in Toronto , but I do not only search from Toronto.

If I am flying all the way to Asia or Europe, I would rather take a short positioning flight to New York and then get seven hours in a lie-flat pod than force myself to only look for a direct flight from Toronto that may not exist on points.

That mindset shift changed everything for me.

Instead of asking, “Why is there no perfect flight from Toronto?” I started asking, “What nearby airport gives me the best premium cabin availability?”

For Canadians, this can be especially important.

Depending on where you live, it may be worth checking nearby Canadian and U.S. airports .

For example, you might search from:

Do not make your search so narrow that you miss a much better redemption.

Step 4: Confirm the Plane Type Before You Book

This is the step most beginners skip.

Do not book just because Aeroplan says “business class.”

Before you book, confirm the aircraft type and seat layout.

You want to know whether the plane has:

Lie-flat seats
Direct aisle access
A true business class cabin
An older or newer product
A wide-body aircraft for long-haul flights

Check the aircraft on Aero Lopa (LINK) and compare it with recent seat maps or flight reviews.

Aircraft swaps can happen, so nothing is guaranteed forever. But checking before you book gives you the best chance of getting the experience you actually want.

This matters because a business class label does not always equal a business class experience.

Step 5: Compare Taxes and Fees

When you book an award flight, you do not only pay points.

You usually pay points plus taxes and fees.

Sometimes those fees are low. Sometimes they are painful.

I do not automatically reject a redemption just because the taxes and fees are higher. I look at what I am getting in return.

For example, I would be more willing to pay higher fees for Emirates or Qatar Airways because those products can be exceptional.

I once booked a Qatar Airways itinerary that included a first class segment. I did not get to fly it because of the conflict in the Middle East, but the taxes and fees were under $1,000 round trip for what would have been around a $15,000 experience.

To me, that is still so worth it.

But if I am seeing $500 or more in fees one way, especially on an airline I am not excited about, I start looking for another route.

British Airways is one airline where I am much more cautious because the taxes and fees can be very high compared to other business class redemptions that offer a similar or better experience.

That does not mean I would never book it. If British Airways was my only realistic option and the alternative was flying long-haul in economy, I would probably pay the fees gladly. In many cases, the cash cost of economy could still be higher than the taxes and fees on the award booking anyway.

But if I have other options with lower fees and a comparable business class product, I am checking those first.

Everything is relative.

A $500 fee can be too much for one redemption and completely reasonable for another if the cash price and experience are exceptional.

Step 6: Book Before the Award Space Disappears

Once you find the right flight, confirm:

The points price
The taxes and fees
The airline
The aircraft type
The cabin
The connection time
The cancellation/change rules

Then book.

Good premium cabin award space does not always last.

If you are still unsure, take a screenshot of the flight details and compare your options. But do not assume the same seat will be there tomorrow.

My Best Aeroplan Business Class Redemption So Far

My best Aeroplan redemption so far was flying Singapore Airlines business class with my grandmother.

We flew from Singapore to New York with a stopover in Frankfurt , and it cost 87,500 Aeroplan points plus $252.50 in taxes and fees per person.

That was roughly a 19-hour journey in business class.

The service was unmatched. The seat was comfortable. The food, the attention to detail, and the way we were treated made the experience feel completely different from what most people imagine flying can be.

But the real reason it mattered was my grandmother.

She adopted me when I was in grade 6. She had never been outside the Caribbean before, and I got to show her the kind of international travel I had learned how to book with points.

That is what makes points powerful to me.

It is not just champagne, pods, and airport lounges.

It is being able to create experiences for yourself and the people you love that may have felt completely unrealistic before.

That flight is why I care so much about teaching this in a way that feels practical.

Because once you understand the system, business class is not just something you watch other people post about online.

It can become something you plan for.

Which Airlines I Would Prioritize for Business Class with Aeroplan

Not all business class products are created equal.

Some are modern, private, and consistent. Others vary a lot depending on the aircraft.

For a beginner’s first major business class redemption, I would prioritize airlines that give you the best chance of having a true premium experience.

Air Canada Signature Class

Air Canada Signature Class is a strong option for Canadians because it is familiar and relatively easy to understand.

On long-haul wide-body routes, you can get a true lie-flat pod experience.

I would recommend this for beginners who want something that feels premium but not overly complicated to book.

It is also helpful because many Canadians are already collecting Aeroplan points and may feel more comfortable starting with Air Canada before branching into partner airlines.

If you are still choosing your card setup, read best travel credit cards Canada before committing to a strategy.

Singapore Airlines Business Class

Singapore Airlines is one of my personal favourites.

If you care about service, comfort, food, and the feeling of being genuinely taken care of, Singapore Airlines business class is exceptional.

This is the airline I flew with my grandmother from Singapore to New York via Frankfurt , and it remains one of my favourite redemptions.

Award availability can be tighter, but if you find it, it can be absolutely worth booking.

You can also read my detailed reviews here:

Singapore Airlines business class review
Singapore Airlines 777 business class review

Swiss International Air Lines

I have flown Swiss business class and had an excellent experience.

Swiss can be a great Aeroplan partner option, especially for Europe or routes through Zurich .

That said, the product can vary depending on the aircraft and cabin, so I would check the specific plane before booking.

If you are looking at this route, read Swiss Airlines business class review for more detail.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa can be a solid business class option, especially because availability through Aeroplan can sometimes be reasonable.

But again, aircraft matters.

The older and newer cabins can feel very different, so I would not book Lufthansa blindly just because it says business class.

I would book it if the routing, timing, points price, and cabin made sense.

Emirates and Qatar Airways

Emirates and Qatar Airways are not the same type of Aeroplan partner play as the Star Alliance airlines above, but they are worth mentioning because people dream about these products.

Emirates is “that girl.” People want to fly Emirates for a reason.

I would be willing to pay higher taxes and fees for Emirates if the experience made sense.

Qatar Airways can also be incredible, especially if you get Qsuite or a strong first class segment.

But with both of these airlines, I would compare the fees carefully and make sure the experience justifies the cost.

Airlines I Would Not Prioritize for a First Dream Redemption

There are some airlines I would not make my first choice for a dream business class redemption unless the route, availability, or price made sense.

For example, I would be more cautious with:

TAP Air Portugal
Air India
Ethiopian Airlines

That does not mean I would never fly them.

I actually want to try as many airlines as possible.

But for a beginner’s first big business class points win, I would aim for a product that feels more consistently exciting and worth the effort.

My Personal Rule for When Business Class Is Worth the Points

My personal rule is simple:

Business class is worth the points when it is long-haul and lie-flat.

I do not care as much about using a lot of points for a short flight where the premium cabin is just a wider seat.

That can be nice, but it is not the redemption I would tell a beginner to chase first.

For your first big business class redemption, aim for a flight where you can:

Actually sleep
Enjoy the meal service
Feel the difference when you land
Experience a true premium cabin
Get several hours in the seat
Feel like the points changed the trip

For me, overnight flights and long-haul flights are where business class really shines.

That is where the difference between economy and business feels dramatic.

How to Earn Enough Points for Business Class

Knowing how to fly business class with points is one thing.

Having enough points is another.

This is where your credit card strategy matters.

I wish more Canadian beginners understood that the card you choose determines a lot of your earning potential.

For example, the right card can earn accelerated points on categories like:

Groceries
Restaurants
Food delivery
Travel
Gas
Business expenses
Recurring bills

Some Canadian cards earn points that can transfer to Aeroplan. That means your everyday spending can help build toward a business class flight.

This is why I do not recommend randomly opening travel credit cards just because someone online said the welcome bonus was good.

You need a strategy.

You need to know:

Which points you are earning
Whether those points transfer to Aeroplan
What categories your card earns best in
Whether the welcome bonus helps your goal
Whether the annual fee makes sense
Whether you can pay the balance in full

If you are just starting, read Canadian credit card sign up bonus and best travel credit cards Canada before choosing your next card.

If you already have Aeroplan points but they are building slowly, read how to earn Aeroplan points faster .

A Serious Note About Credit Card Debt

Travel rewards points only make sense if you are paying your credit card balance in full every month.

If you are carrying credit card debt, the interest you pay will usually destroy the value of the points you earn.

Full stop.

I love points, but I do not want anyone chasing business class while paying high-interest credit card debt.

That is not a travel strategy. That is expensive.

If you are currently dealing with debt, focus there first. Points will still be here later.

Read what to do if you are struggling with credit card debt before trying to build a points strategy.

Once your financial foundation is stable, travel rewards can become an incredible tool.

But the foundation comes first.

What Points Influencers Make Look Too Easy

One thing points influencers make look easier than it is is finding the perfect route.

They will post, “I booked this amazing business class flight,” but they do not always show the hours of searching behind it.

Sometimes I spend hours looking for award space, especially when a client has specific dates, a specific airline, or a specific destination.

The more restrictions you have, the harder the redemption becomes.

A lot of people posting amazing redemptions are extremely flexible. They can fly next week, in two days, or from a different airport.

I can do that sometimes too because I have built my life and schedule around that flexibility.

But if you have fixed vacation dates, school schedules, limited time off, or a very specific destination, you need to plan further ahead.

That does not mean you cannot fly business class with points.

It means your strategy has to match your life.

If your schedule is flexible, you can chase last-minute award space.

If your schedule is fixed, you should plan earlier and give yourself more airport and routing options.

What Beginners Overcomplicate

Beginners often overcomplicate transfer partners.

I understand why.

Moving points from a bank to an airline sounds intimidating the first time you do it.

But in practice, transferring points is usually much simpler than people expect.

The harder part is not the transfer itself.

The harder part is knowing where you want the points to go before you move them.

That is why I do not recommend transferring points randomly.

Before you transfer, you should know:

Which airline program you are using
Which route you want
Whether award space exists or likely to open up
How many points you need
Whether the transfer is reversible
Whether the taxes and fees make sense

Transfer partners are powerful, but they are not something to play with casually.

Have a plan first.

If you want a simple planning framework, read how to plan travel rewards points .

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

If you want to fly business class with points in Canada, avoid these beginner mistakes.

Mistake 1: Collecting Points Without a Goal

Do not collect points just because they sound valuable.

Know what you are working toward.

A trip to Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, or Australia may require different points, programs, and strategies.

Start with the destination and cabin, then work backward.

Mistake 2: Assuming Business Class Always Means Lie-Flat

Business class on a short-haul narrow-body flight is not the same as business class on a long-haul wide-body flight.

Always check the aircraft.

Mistake 3: Searching Only From Your Home Airport

If you only search from Toronto , Vancouver , Calgary , Montreal , or wherever you live, you may miss better options nearby.

Check surrounding airports and possible positioning flights.

Mistake 4: Thinking High Checkout Costs Are Always Taxes

If you do not have enough points, Aeroplan may show a higher cash amount because you are effectively buying the extra points needed to complete the booking.

Know your points target first.

Mistake 5: Transferring Points Before Checking Award Space

Do not transfer points just because you think you might book something.

Check availability first whenever possible.

Mistake 6: Ignoring Fees Completely

I do not think fees should automatically scare you away, but they should be part of the decision.

A higher fee can be worth it for an exceptional product.

But a high fee for an average experience may not be.

Mistake 7: Waiting Too Long to Book

Great premium cabin award space can disappear.

If you find a strong redemption that matches your plan, do not assume it will still be there later.

Where the First Class Calculator Fits In

The hardest part for most beginners is not wanting the business class flight.

That part is easy.

The hard part is knowing how many points you actually need.

You might be wondering:

How many points do I need to fly business class to Europe?
How many Aeroplan points do I need for Asia?
Can my current spending realistically get me there?
Am I earning the right type of points?
Do I need one card or a better card mix?
Am I close, or am I way off?

That is exactly why I created the First Class Calculator .

It helps you estimate how many points you need for your destination and cabin so you can stop guessing and start building a real strategy.

Use it before you open another credit card, transfer points, or assume your dream flight is impossible.

After you download it, plug in your dream route first.

If the number feels exciting but overwhelming, book a strategy call with me so we can look at your points, spending, timeline, and travel goals together.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flying Business Class with Points in Canada

How many Aeroplan points do I need to fly business class?

For a one-way business class flight from Canada to Europe, you may need around 60,000 to 75,000 Aeroplan points on a partner airline.

For Canada to Asia, you may need around 85,000 to 95,000 Aeroplan points.

These are approximate numbers. The exact cost depends on your route, distance, airline, and availability.

Use the First Class Calculator to estimate your target before you start collecting points.

Can I really fly lie-flat business class with Aeroplan points?

Yes, you can book lie-flat business class with Aeroplan points on Air Canada and partner airlines like Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Lufthansa, ANA, and others.

The key is checking the aircraft type before booking.

Do not assume every business class seat is lie-flat.

Is business class the same as first class?

No.

Business class and first class are different cabins, but first class is not always better in practice.

A long-haul international business class pod can be much better than short-haul domestic first class on a narrow-body plane.

Look at the aircraft, seat type, route, and total experience instead of only the cabin name.

What is award space?

Award space means the seats an airline makes available to book with points.

A flight can have seats available for cash but not have seats available with points.

This is why searching award availability is one of the most important parts of booking business class with points.

Should I book business class with points if the taxes and fees are high?

It depends.

I start looking more closely when fees approach around $500 one way, especially if the airline or product is not exciting.

But I do not automatically reject higher fees if the experience is exceptional and the cash price would be extremely expensive.

Look at the whole redemption, not just one number.

What is the best business class airline to book with Aeroplan?

For beginners, I would prioritize Air Canada Signature Class or Singapore Airlines business class if the route and availability make sense.

Swiss and Lufthansa can also be good options, but I would check the aircraft and cabin carefully before booking.

What should I do if I do not have enough Aeroplan points yet?

Start by figuring out your target number.

Then build a strategy around the right cards, spending categories, and welcome bonuses.

Read how to earn Aeroplan points faster and best travel credit cards Canada next.

The Bottom Line: Business Class with Points Is a System

Flying business class with points is not a trick reserved for people with insider knowledge.

It is a system.

And once you understand the system, it becomes much less intimidating.

You need to know what kind of business class you are looking for. You need to understand how Aeroplan works. You need to search for award space, check the aircraft, compare taxes and fees, and avoid collecting points without a plan.

But this is learnable.

And when you get it right, it can change what travel looks like for you.

For me, points are not just about getting a lie-flat seat or drinking champagne in the sky.

They are about arriving rested. Making long-haul travel feel easier. Taking people you love on trips they never thought they would experience. Turning something that felt out of reach into something you can actually plan for.

The first step is knowing how many points you need.

Download the First Class Calculator , plug in your dream route, and figure out what your first business class redemption could look like.

And if you are still building your Aeroplan balance, read how to earn Aeroplan points faster next.

Avion to Avios: How to Transfer RBC Points for 30% More Value

Sun, 31 May 2026 16:40:52 GMT

I had over 131,000 RBC Avion points sitting in my account, and instead of redeeming them through the RBC travel portal, I waited.

When a 30% transfer bonus came around again, I moved my RBC Avion points to British Airways Avios. That bonus turned my regular RBC points balance into over 170,000 Avios.

The extra Avios did not cost me anything. I did not open a new card, buy points, or spend more money. I just waited for the right time to transfer my points.

Most people aren't planning ahead and to take advantage of this opporuntiy. Instead they wait until last minute and then don't have the time to get a transfer bonus. This is the biggest rookie mistake I see...starting later than needed and rushing to use the points.

RBC Avion points can be useful through the RBC travel portal, but if you have Avion Elite points , one of the highest-upside moves is transferring them to airline partners like British Airways Avios during a transfer bonus.

Right now, RBC is offering a 30% bonus when eligible Avion Elite members convert Avion points to Avios with The British Airways Club . The current offer runs from May 11, 2026 at 00:01 PT to June 19, 2026 at 23:59 PT . During the promo, every 10 Avion points converted becomes 13 Avios, and the minimum conversion is 10,000 Avion points. RBC says to allow up to 4 weeks for the Avios to appear in your British Airways Club account. But, I've personally transferred several times and the points have come within a few days.

In this guide, I’ll show you how the Avion to Avios transfer works, why the 30% bonus matters, what I personally booked with Avios, and when you should not transfer your points.

Quick answer: RBC Avion points normally transfer to British Airways Avios at a 1:1 ratio. During a 30% transfer bonus, the effective rate becomes 1:1.3. That means 100,000 Avion points can become 130,000 Avios instead of 100,000 Avios.

Here is exactly what that looked like in practice:

Who Can Transfer RBC Avion Points to Avios?

This post assumes you have RBC Avion Elite points .

That matters because not all RBC Avion points work the same way. Some cards earn Avion Elite points, while others earn different types of Avion points with different redemption options.

The RBC cards that earn Avion Elite points include:

RBC Avion Visa Platinum
RBC Avion Visa Infinite
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege for Private Banking
RBC Avion Visa Business
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business

If you are not sure whether your card earns Avion Elite points or a different type of Avion point, check your RBC Avion Rewards account before planning a transfer.

For this article, I’m focusing specifically on transferring RBC Avion Elite points to British Airways Avios .

How the RBC Avion to Avios Transfer Works

The mechanics are simple.

RBC Avion has a transfer partnership with British Airways Club. British Airways uses a points currency called Avios .

When you transfer Avion points to British Airways, your RBC points leave your Avion account and show up as Avios in your British Airways Club account.

The standard transfer ratio is:

10,000 Avion points = 10,000 Avios

During the current 30% transfer bonus, that becomes:

10,000 Avion points = 13,000 Avios

That 30% bonus is why timing matters so much.

For example:

The transfer is one way . Once your Avion points become Avios, you cannot move them back to RBC.

That is why you should not transfer just because there is a bonus. You should transfer when you understand what you want to book, or when you are confident you can use Avios well.

My Real Avion to Avios Transfer Example

When I made my transfer, RBC showed the standard 1:1 rate during the transfer process.

That is important because it can be confusing the first time.

Even during a 30% bonus window, the RBC interface may still show the regular number of points being converted. The bonus Avios are added automatically once the transfer processes, as long as the transfer happens during the eligible promo period.

In my case, I transferred 131,700 Avion points to British Airways.

At the normal 1:1 rate, that would be 131,700 Avios.

With a 30% transfer bonus, that same transfer would become:

131,700 × 1.3 = 171,210 Avios

That bonus can completely change what you are able to book!

Why Transfer Avion Points to British Airways Avios?

The big reason is airline access.

Aeroplan and Avios are not the same thing. They belong to different airline ecosystems.

Aeroplan is connected to Air Canada and Star Alliance.

British Airways Avios gives you access to British Airways and many oneworld partner airlines.

That includes airlines like:

Qatar Airways
Cathay Pacific
Japan Airlines
American Airlines
Iberia
Finnair
Aer Lingus

For Canadian travellers, this is huge because it opens up flights that Aeroplan does not always cover well.

The most exciting example is Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways is part of oneworld, and you can book Qatar Airways flights with Avios. That includes Qatar Airways Qsuite business class, which is one of the best business class products in the world.

This is not something you book through Aeroplan.

Example: Toronto or Boston to Doha for 70,000 Avios

I found Qatar Airways business class awards from both Toronto to Doha and Boston to Doha for 70,000 Avios one way .

These were nonstop Qatar Airways flights in business class.

Not only can you find a similar redemption with other east cost Canadian airports, but you can find one from an American east coast airports as well as seen below.

This is the kind of booking where the 30% transfer bonus becomes powerful.

Normally, a 70,000 Avios flight requires 70,000 Avios.

But during a 30% RBC Avion to Avios transfer bonus, you would only need to transfer approximately:

70,000 ÷ 1.3 = 53,847 Avion points

So instead of needing 70,000 Avion points to create 70,000 Avios, you would need about 53,847 Avion points during the bonus window.

That is a massive difference.

Important note: Qatar Airways has different award pricing levels. The lower-priced seats are often called Classic Awards by Qatar. In other points programs, people might call these saver seats or saver awards. These are the seats you want because they cost fewer points (in this case Avios).

If you do not find Classic Award space, the same route can cost much more. In some cases, you may see pricing closer to double the amount.

So yes, you can find North America to Doha in Qatar business class for 70,000 Avios one way, but you need to search for the right dates and book when lower-priced award space is available.

My Montreal to Bangkok Avios Booking

This is where I started to get really excited about the Avion to Avios strategy.

I booked a trip to Bangkok, Thailand. My departure itinerary included a one-way Qatar Airways flight from Montreal to Bangkok using British Airways Avios.

The outbound itinerary was:

Montreal to Doha
Qatar Airways business class

Doha to Bangkok
Qatar Airways first class

This was not a round-trip booking. It was one way. When booking using points, I typically book my roundtrip flights on seperate itineraries in case things need to change, it has historically made my life easier.

For two passengers, the departure booking cost:

190,000 Avios + $947.04 CAD

That works out to:

95,000 Avios + $473.52 CAD per person one way

That price makes sense because I was not just flying from North America to Doha. I was continuing all the way to Bangkok, and the second segment from Doha to Bangkok was in Qatar Airways first class. I was so excited to experience this rare opportunity to fly in Qatar Airways first class...not business class...first class!

During a 30% transfer bonus, 95,000 Avios would require approximately:

95,000 ÷ 1.3 = 73,077 Avion points

So with the bonus, a Montreal to Bangkok itinerary like this could effectively require about 73,077 Avion points per person one way , plus taxes and fees, if you find the same kind of award availability.

Being able to access 5 figure flights for less than a 10% of the cost is what makes this transfer so valuable.

My Bangkok to Montreal Return Booking

My return flight was also booked with British Airways Avios on Qatar Airways.

The return itinerary was:

Bangkok to Doha
Qatar Airways business class

Doha to Montreal
Qatar Airways business class

For two passengers, the return cost:

190,000 Avios + $859 CAD

That works out to:

95,000 Avios + $429.50 CAD per person one way

So the full round trip worked out to:

190,000 Avios per person round trip
$903.02 CAD per person in taxes and fees

For two passengers, the total was:

380,000 Avios + $1,806.04 CAD

That is still a lot of points, but the cash price of a Qatar Airways premium cabin trip from Montreal to Bangkok can easily be over $15,000 CAD , especially with one segment in Qatar Airways first class.

For context, I found a Google Flights cash-price example showing the Doha to Bangkok first class segment alone pricing at about CA$6,961 one way. That was the segment I was most excited about because it was true international first class, which many aircraft do not even offer anymore.

My trip was scheduled to depart March 16, 2026 and return April 16, 2026. It was eventually cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East. I was disappointed, especially because I had been looking forward to the Doha to Bangkok first class flight, but I also would not have risked flying given the situation. Since the airline cancelled the trip, I received my Avios and taxes/fees back.

That is another reason I like using points strategically: when plans change, award bookings can sometimes be easier to unwind than expensive cash bookings, depending on the airline, program, and fare rules.

What Beginners Need to Know Before Transferring

The biggest beginner mistake is transferring points before knowing what you want to book.

Do not do that.

Avion to Avios transfers are permanent. Once your points are in British Airways Club, they stay in the Avios ecosystem.

That can be great if you know how to use Avios.

It can be frustrating if you transfer first and then realize there are no award seats on the dates you want.

Before transferring, you should:

Create a British Airways Club account
Search for the flight you want on British Airways or Qatar Airways
Confirm the route, date, cabin, number of seats, Avios price, and taxes
Check that the award is actually bookable
Then transfer your Avion points
Book as soon as the Avios arrive

RBC says to allow up to 4 weeks for the transfer to complete, so do not assume the transfer will be instant.

In practice, transfers may arrive faster, but you should plan based on the official timeline.

When I Would Not Transfer Avion Points to Avios

A 30% bonus is exciting, but it is not a reason to transfer blindly.

I would not transfer Avion points to Avios if:

You do not have a specific use for Avios
You only want to book hotels or car rentals
You prefer the simplicity of the RBC travel portal
You cannot find award availability for your route
You need maximum flexibility
You are booking economy flights where the taxes and fees erase the value
You are not comfortable searching airline award space

This is where being honest matters.

Avios can unlock amazing value, but only if you use them well. If you are not ready to learn award bookings yet, the RBC travel portal may be simpler, even if it does not offer the same upside.

When You Should Wait for a Transfer Bonus

If you are not in a rush, I would usually wait for a transfer bonus.

The 30% bonus is significant.

On a 100,000-point transfer, the bonus gives you an extra 30,000 Avios. That can be the difference between having enough for a redemption and being short.

For example, if a Qatar Airways business class flight costs 70,000 Avios, you would need:

70,000 Avion points without a bonus

But during a 30% transfer bonus, you would only need:

About 53,847 Avion points

That is why I waited.

The exception is when you find rare award space that you really want. If there are only one or two seats left, waiting for a future bonus could mean losing the flight entirely.

In that case, I would rather transfer at 1:1 and book the seat than wait for a bonus and miss the trip.

How Often Does RBC Offer an Avion to Avios Transfer Bonus?

RBC has historically offered Avion to Avios transfer bonuses more than once per year, often around spring and fall.

That said, you should not treat these as guaranteed. The timing, bonus percentage, eligibility rules, and end dates can change.

The current offer gives eligible Avion Elite members a 30% bonus when converting Avion points to Avios with The British Airways Club between May 11 and June 19, 2026.

The best way to know if a bonus is active is to check your Avion Rewards account directly.

You can also watch for announcements in Canadian points and miles communities, but always confirm the details inside RBC before transferring.

Step by Step: How to Transfer RBC Avion Points to British Airways Avios

Here is the basic process:

Log in to your RBC Avion Rewards account
Go to the points transfer or convert points section
Select British Airways Club as the transfer partner
Enter your British Airways Club membership number
Choose how many Avion points you want to transfer
Confirm the transfer
Wait for the Avios to appear in your British Airways Club account
Book your award flight

The minimum transfer for the current promo is 10,000 Avion points. RBC also says the Avios may take up to 4 weeks to appear in your British Airways Club account.

During a bonus window, do not panic if the RBC screen only shows the standard transfer amount. The bonus may not display the way you expect during the transfer process.

When I transferred, the RBC side showed the regular conversion details. The bonus was part of the promo terms, not something I manually selected.

Frequently Asked Questions About Avion to Avios Transfers

How do I transfer RBC Avion points to British Airways Avios?

Log in to your RBC Avion Rewards account, go to the convert or transfer points section, choose British Airways Club, enter your British Airways Club membership number, and select how many points you want to transfer.

Always search for award availability before transferring because the transfer cannot be reversed.

What is the RBC Avion to Avios transfer ratio?

The standard transfer ratio is 1:1.

That means 10,000 Avion points normally becomes 10,000 Avios.

During the current 30% transfer bonus, every 10 Avion points converted becomes 13 Avios.

How many Avion points do I need for 70,000 Avios during a 30% bonus?

You need approximately 53,847 Avion points .

The math is:

70,000 ÷ 1.3 = 53,847

That is why a 30% transfer bonus can be so valuable for premium cabin awards.

Can I book Qatar Airways Qsuites with RBC Avion points?

Not directly.

You first transfer eligible RBC Avion points to British Airways Avios. Then you use Avios to book Qatar Airways award flights, when available.

This is how I found Qatar Airways business class awards from Toronto and Boston to Doha for 70,000 Avios one way.

Can I transfer Avios back to RBC Avion?

No. Once you transfer Avion points to British Airways Avios, the transfer is one way. You cannot move them back to RBC. That is why you should confirm award availability before transferring.

Are all RBC Avion points eligible for British Airways transfers?

No. This post is specifically about Avion Elite points .

If you have a different RBC Avion product, check your Avion Rewards account to see which transfer options are available to you.

The Bottom Line

Transferring Avion to Avios is one of the best ways to get more value from RBC Avion points, but only if you use the strategy properly. The RBC travel portal is easier. But, Avios can be more powerful.

With a 30% transfer bonus, 100,000 Avion points can become 130,000 Avios. That opens the door to premium cabin redemptions on airlines like Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Aer Lingus, and other oneworld partners.

I used this strategy to book Qatar Airways premium cabin flights between Montreal and Bangkok. The outbound cost 95,000 Avios + $473.52 CAD per person one way, with Montreal to Doha in business class and Doha to Bangkok in first class. The return cost another 95,000 Avios + $429.50 CAD per person in business class.

The full round trip was 190,000 Avios + $903.02 CAD per person for a trip that could easily cost over $15,000 CAD in cash.

That is why I do not transfer Avion points randomly.

I build the balance, wait for the bonus when I can, confirm the award space, transfer, and book quickly.

Before you transfer, make sure you understand both sides of the Avion program: when the RBC travel portal makes sense, and when airline transfers beat it.

How to EARN Aeroplan Points Faster Without Spending More

Sun, 31 May 2026 16:33:05 GMT

Most people spend months dreaming about where they want to go.

But they spend almost no time planning how they’ll earn the Aeroplan points to get there.

That’s why they end up booking too late, using more points than they needed to, or paying cash when a better plan could have helped them avoid it.

The redemption strategy gets all the attention. But your earning strategy is what determines how fast you actually get to book the trip.

I see this all the time with clients. They’re already spending enough to earn meaningful rewards, but their points are scattered across the wrong cards, programs, or habits. They’re not spending too little. Their spending just isn’t working hard enough.

The good news? Earning Aeroplan points faster doesn’t mean spending more money.

There are five main ways to earn Aeroplan points: credit card spending, welcome bonuses, the Aeroplan eStore, everyday partner programs, and occasionally buying points when the math works.

The basic system is simple: choose the right earning card, collect a welcome bonus, route online shopping through the Aeroplan eStore, link everyday partner accounts, and only buy points when it saves you money on a specific redemption.

Before you start chasing points, it helps to know your target. If you want to figure out how many Aeroplan points you actually need for your dream trip, download the First Class Calculator first so you can work backward from a real goal.

In this post, I’ll show you how to build your Aeroplan balance efficiently, including which credit cards do the heaviest lifting, how to use the Aeroplan eStore strategically, and when buying points actually makes financial sense.

And once you’ve built up your balance, you’ll want to make sure you’re using those points wisely and avoid wasting them .

The Best Ways to Earn Aeroplan Points, Ranked

If you’re new to Aeroplan, the easiest mistake is treating every earning method like it matters equally.

It does not.

Some earning methods can add tens of thousands of points quickly. Others are useful, but only once the bigger pieces are already working.

Here’s the order I would focus on:

Welcome bonuses
Everyday credit card spending
Aeroplan eStore purchases
Transferable points from programs like American Express Membership Rewards
Everyday Aeroplan partner programs
Buying points only when topping up for a specific redemption
Flying and status bonuses if you already fly Air Canada regularly

This order matters because it keeps you focused on the actions that move your balance fastest without encouraging you to spend more than you planned.

For most people, the biggest wins come from getting the right credit card setup, using the welcome bonus well, and making sure purchases they were already going to make are earning as many points as possible.

IMAGE PLACEMENT: “How to Earn Aeroplan Points” system graphic

Create a simple visual showing the main earning paths:

Credit cards → Welcome bonuses → eStore → Partner programs → Transferable points → Buying points strategically → Flights/status

This should go here because it gives beginners the full roadmap before the detailed sections begin.

Earn Aeroplan Points With the Right Credit Card

For most people, the credit card is responsible for the vast majority of their Aeroplan points balance.

Not the eStore. Not dining partners. Not status bonuses.

The card you swipe every day is where your earning strategy either works or it does not.

The fundamental principle is simple: you want to minimize the number of dollars you spend earning one point per dollar and maximize the number of dollars you spend earning two, three, or five points per dollar.

The difference compounds significantly over time.

Someone spending $3,000 a month at 1x earns 36,000 points in a year.

The same person spending that same $3,000 at an average of 3x earns 108,000 points.

This is the same budget but 3x the points.

That kind of difference can be the gap between barely covering an economy redemption and having enough points to seriously consider a higher-value booking, like premium economy or business class, depending on your route.

This is why the card you choose matters more than how much you spend.

One client I worked with was putting groceries, restaurants, and food delivery on a basic 1x card because it was the card they had always used. They did not need to spend more to earn more. They just needed their existing spending to go through a card that rewarded the categories they actually used.

Your earning strategy should match your real life, not some idealized version of your spending.

The cards I recommend most often for Aeroplan earning are built around this principle.

The Amex Cobalt earns strong rewards on food and dining categories, including restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, and food delivery. For most Canadians, that category alone represents a significant portion of monthly spending.

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite earns directly into Aeroplan and is especially useful for Air Canada purchases and Aeroplan-specific perks, including free checked baggage when you fly Air Canada.

Together, these two cards cover different jobs.

The Amex Cobalt usually does the heavy lifting for everyday food-related spending, especially groceries, restaurants, coffee, and food delivery.

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite supports the Air Canada and Aeroplan side of the strategy. It also gives you a Visa option for places that do not accept American Express, which matters because Amex acceptance still is not universal.

I do not use the TD card as often for everyday spending, but it is useful for Air Canada-specific perks, Aeroplan earning, and the occasional promotion where having an Aeroplan card unlocks extra value.

That is the two-card strategy in practice.

I break down both of these cards, along with the other travel cards I actually think are worth considering, in The Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada I Actually Use .

One thing worth knowing about Amex Membership Rewards points earned on the Cobalt: they are a transferable currency.

That means you can move them into Aeroplan when you are ready to redeem.

You are not earning Aeroplan points directly on the Cobalt, but you are building a balance in a program that partners with Aeroplan, which gives you flexibility on when and how you consolidate.

Since the Cobalt earns transferable points rather than Aeroplan points directly, it helps to understand how flexible rewards programs work. I break that down in How Do Travel Rewards Points Work in Canada .

The broader principle behind card selection for Aeroplan earning is this: your card portfolio should reflect how you actually spend money.

A card with a high earn rate on dining does nothing for you if you rarely eat out.

A card with a strong travel multiplier does nothing for you if you put all your travel on a different card out of habit.

Before you decide which card to use for which purchase, look at your last two to three months of spending and understand where your money is actually going.

That answer should drive your card strategy, not the other way around.

Credit card offers, earn rates, welcome bonuses, and Aeroplan partner promotions change frequently, so always confirm the current terms before applying or making a purchase.

Welcome Bonuses Are the Fastest Way to Earn Aeroplan Points Quickly

If your credit card earn rate is the engine that builds your points balance over time, the welcome bonus is the turbo boost that gets you there faster.

A welcome bonus is a lump sum of points offered by a credit card issuer when you open a new card and meet a minimum spend requirement within a specified timeframe.

For many people, the welcome bonus alone covers most or all of what they need for their first meaningful redemption before they have even had the card for a year.

That’s why it’s worth understanding how Canadian credit card sign up bonuses work before choosing your next card.

The math on why welcome bonuses matter is straightforward.

If your card earns 1,000 points per month through everyday spending, it takes you 60 months, or five years, to accumulate 60,000 points organically.

A welcome bonus of 60,000 points earned in the first few months collapses that timeline entirely.

You are not waiting five years for your first big redemption. You may be able to book it before the end of your first year.

This is why I always tell people to pay attention to welcome bonuses when choosing a card.

Not as the only factor, but as a meaningful one.

A card with a strong welcome bonus and strong ongoing earn rates is the combination you are looking for.

The bonus gets you to your first redemption quickly. The earn rates keep your balance building after that.

This is also where the First Class Calculator helps. Once you know your target points number, you can see whether a welcome bonus gets you halfway there, all the way there, or whether you still need a second earning method to close the gap.

A few things are worth knowing about how welcome bonuses work with Aeroplan specifically.

The terms around bonus eligibility have changed over time and will likely continue to evolve.

When I was building my strategy earlier in my points journey, I was able to cycle strategically between cards to capture multiple welcome bonuses by timing the eligibility windows carefully.

Aeroplan and its card partners have since tightened those terms.

Most programs now have language that prevents you from earning a welcome bonus on a card you have previously held within a certain timeframe. Depending on the issuer, that could be 12 months, 24 months, or sometimes longer.

Always read the current terms before applying.

This is also a reason why getting into the points game sooner rather than later matters.

The landscape changes.

Programs that were generous with bonus eligibility a few years ago are more restrictive now. The people who benefited most from the old terms were the ones who were already in the game when those terms existed.

Every year you wait is a year of potential earning you cannot get back.

It is not a strategy on its own unless you are extremely organized, already comfortable with points earning, and committed to tracking the details carefully.

I only teach welcome-bonus-heavy strategies to clients who have the foundation dialed in first, because missed deadlines, annual fees, and unnecessary spending can quickly wipe out the value of the points.

For most people, the better starting point is choosing one or two cards you plan to keep long term because their everyday earning rates, benefits, and annual fees make sense for how you actually spend.

Use the welcome bonuses to accelerate your balance, then let the ongoing earning do the rest.

Advanced: Should You Open Cards Just for Welcome Bonuses?

Not all credit cards in the points world are held for the same reason.

Understanding the distinction will save you a lot of confusion when you start seeing advice online about opening and closing cards to maximize bonuses.

There are two types of cards in a points strategy: keeper cards and earn-and-burn cards.

Keeper cards are the ones that stay in your wallet long term because they consistently deliver value month after month.

The Amex Cobalt tends to be a keeper card.

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite can also be a keeper card.

You hold them because their ongoing earn rates, perks, and annual fee return justify keeping them year after year, not just because of the welcome bonus.

Earn-and-burn cards work differently.

You open them primarily to capture a strong welcome bonus, meet the minimum spend requirement, collect the points, and then close or downgrade the card before the next annual fee hits.

The points are the destination. The card is the vehicle to get there.

Earn and burn is a real strategy, and it can accelerate your points balance meaningfully when executed well.

I have used versions of it myself at different points in my journey.

But I want to be direct about who it is actually for.

It is an advanced strategy.

It requires you to track multiple cards at the same time, monitor minimum spend deadlines, understand the specific terms and conditions around bonus eligibility for each program, and stay on top of annual fee dates.

If you miss a step, you can end up paying an annual fee you did not intend to pay.

Or worse, you can end up spending money you would not otherwise have spent just to hit a minimum spend threshold.

That defeats the whole purpose.

It also carries a risk that most people underestimate.

Chasing welcome bonuses only works if your finances are locked in.

If you are not paying your balance in full every month, the interest charges on a card you opened for a bonus will cost you more than the bonus is worth.

It can spiral quickly.

For the majority of people, especially those who are not traveling at a very high frequency and do not need to accumulate enormous points balances every year, earn and burn is not necessary.

The two-card keeper strategy will build your Aeroplan balance steadily and predictably without the complexity and risk that comes with constantly opening and closing cards.

Start with your keeper cards.

Get comfortable with the system.

Let the welcome bonuses on those cards give you a strong head start.

Then, if you want to explore earn and burn down the line once you have the foundation dialed in, you will be in a much better position to do it without it working against you.

Earn Aeroplan Points Through the Aeroplan eStore

Most Aeroplan members know about credit card earning.

Far fewer take advantage of the Aeroplan eStore , which is a missed opportunity that costs nothing to fix.

The Aeroplan eStore is a shopping portal that lets you earn bonus Aeroplan points on purchases at participating retailers simply by clicking through to the retailer’s website from the portal before you shop.

You are buying the same products from the same stores you would have used anyway.

The only difference is that you enter through the eStore link first and earn points on top of whatever your credit card is already giving you.

Before buying tech, I always check the eStore rate first because a laptop purchase is one of the easiest ways to accidentally leave thousands of points behind.

The base earn rates are available to everyone.

Bonus earn rates, which are often higher, may be available to members who hold an Aeroplan co-branded credit card or have Aeroplan status.

This is one of the less talked about benefits of holding an Aeroplan card.

For example, if a cardholder bonus rate gives you more points per dollar at a retailer like Apple, the difference matters when you are making a $2,000 laptop purchase.

At 3x, a $2,000 purchase earns 6,000 points.

At 10x, that same purchase earns 20,000 points.

That is a 14,000-point difference without buying anything extra.

Rates change regularly, so the specific numbers will shift. But the strategy stays the same.

The strategy is not to browse the eStore looking for things to buy.

That is how you end up spending money on things you did not actually need in pursuit of points, which is the opposite of what this is about.

The strategy is to know which stores you already shop at, check whether they are on the eStore before you make a purchase, and route your spending through the portal when they are.

The timing piece is where the real leverage is.

The eStore runs bonus events throughout the year where earn rates increase significantly for limited periods.

Black Friday is typically the most dramatic example, but you will also see elevated offers at other times of year.

What this means practically is that if you are planning a bigger purchase, like a new laptop, a season’s worth of clothing, or a large household order, it is worth checking the eStore first.

If possible, time that purchase to coincide with a bonus event rather than buying at the base rate.

I will wait for Apple to run an elevated eStore promotion before buying tech rather than purchasing at the standard rate.

The points difference on a large purchase can be meaningful enough to move you closer to a flight.

A note on Amazon: the eStore may list Amazon, but the earn is usually category-specific and the fine print matters.

Always check what qualifies before assuming your full cart will earn at the advertised rate.

The rule I apply to all of it is simple: I only spend money on things I was already going to buy.

The only exception is when I can stock up on a true necessity in bulk to earn a significant bonus — but only if it is something I know I will use, the price is still fair, and it does not push me outside my budget.

The points are a bonus on top of a decision I would have made anyway.

The moment points start driving purchasing decisions on things you do not actually need, the economics flip and the program is working against you instead of for you.

Earn Aeroplan Points With Everyday Partners

Beyond your credit cards and the eStore, Aeroplan has a network of everyday retail partners where you can earn points on spending you are likely already doing.

The key word is likely.

This section is about finding the overlap between where you already spend money and where Aeroplan has a partnership.

It is not about changing your life to chase points.

The easiest wins here come from linking your existing accounts.

Starbucks is one straightforward example.

If you are already a Starbucks customer, linking your Aeroplan account to your Starbucks account can unlock bonus earning opportunities that require nothing beyond the initial setup.

I do not go to Starbucks more often for points.

But if I am already buying coffee, I want the account linked so I am not missing passive earning.

Journey, which is a gas and fuel app available in Canada, is another one worth knowing about.

Linking your Aeroplan account to Journey can unlock bonus points on fuel purchases depending on where you are filling up.

Journey also runs periodic bonus promotions where you can select rewards from a menu of options.

I consistently choose the points option over discounts like cents off per litre because when I run the math, the points often deliver more value than the fuel saving.

Gas station partnerships more broadly are worth paying attention to.

If you have flexibility in where you fill up and one option earns Aeroplan points while another does not, the choice is straightforward.

It costs you nothing extra to earn while you drive.

Dining partners are another category where the overlap between existing habits and Aeroplan earning can be meaningful.

Aeroplan has a dining program that lets you earn points at participating restaurants simply by paying with a linked card.

Check which restaurants in your area participate and register your card.

The earning happens automatically after that.

The pattern across all of these is the same as the eStore strategy.

You are not adding complexity to your life or changing your behavior in ways that cost you more money.

You are identifying where your existing spending already overlaps with Aeroplan partnerships and making sure those connections are in place so you earn on every eligible transaction.

The setup is a one-time investment of maybe an hour across all of these platforms.

The earning runs on autopilot after that.

One thing worth noting: Aeroplan’s partner network changes over time.

Partners join and leave the program. Earn rates get updated.

It is worth doing a periodic review, maybe once or twice a year, of which partnerships you have linked and whether any new ones are relevant to how you currently spend.

Five minutes of attention twice a year can make a meaningful difference to your annual points total.

Transfer Points From Other Programs Into Aeroplan

One of the most useful ways to earn Aeroplan points is not always earning Aeroplan points directly.

Sometimes, it is earning flexible points that can become Aeroplan points later.

This is why transferable points matter.

Certain rewards programs partner with Aeroplan and allow you to move points into your Aeroplan account when you are ready to book.

American Express Membership Rewards is one of the most commonly used examples in Canada.

If you hold a card like the Amex Cobalt or Amex Gold and are earning Membership Rewards points, you can transfer those points into Aeroplan when the time is right.

This is one of the reasons the Amex Cobalt works so well as part of an Aeroplan-focused earning strategy even though it does not earn Aeroplan points directly.

You are building a flexible balance first.

Then, once you know the redemption you want, you can move the points where they need to go.

That flexibility is valuable because it gives you options.

If you are still learning how travel rewards work in Canada, start with this guide before deciding which points you want to earn long term.

When Buying Aeroplan Points Makes Sense

Buying points is the one earning method that most points content either ignores entirely or treats as an always-bad idea.

The reality is more nuanced than that.

Knowing when it makes sense can be the difference between booking a redemption this year and waiting another twelve months to earn organically.

The short version: buying Aeroplan points at the base rate almost never makes financial sense.

Buying during a significant bonus promotion can make sense in the right circumstances.

Here is how to think about it.

Aeroplan periodically runs promotions where they offer bonus points on purchased points.

These bonuses can vary by promotion.

The highest bonus I have personally bought at was 85 percent, and I did it because I needed to top up my balance for a specific trip and the math worked clearly in my favor.

Before buying points at any promotion level, I run three numbers.

First, what is the total cost of the points I need to buy at the current promotion rate?

Second, what is the total cost of the redemption including those purchased points plus the taxes and fees on the flight?

Third, what is the cash price of the same flight?

If the total cost of buying the points plus the fees is a meaningful discount against the cash price, buying makes sense.

If it is not, I wait.

The scenario where buying points works best is when you are close to a redemption but short on points.

For example, maybe you have 50,000 Aeroplan points and you need 60,000 for the flight you want.

A strong bonus promotion might make it reasonable to buy the shortfall so you can book the trip now instead of waiting months to earn those final points organically.

The scenario where buying points does not work is when you are starting from zero and trying to buy your way to a large redemption.

Buying 60,000 points from scratch, even during a generous promotion, can be expensive enough that the discount against the cash price disappears.

The program is not designed to be gamed by purchasing in bulk from nothing.

It works best when you earn organically and occasionally top up for a specific redemption.

A few additional things are worth knowing about buying points.

Aeroplan may offer tiered bonuses on purchased points, meaning the larger your purchase, the higher the bonus percentage you unlock.

If you are going to buy, it can be worth consolidating into a single purchase to access the higher tier rather than making multiple smaller purchases at lower bonus levels.

Taxes may apply to purchased points in Canada, so factor that into your calculation.

The advertised bonus rate is on the points themselves, not necessarily the final cost you will see at checkout.

I have a workshop that goes deeper on the mechanics of buying points strategically , including how to calculate whether a specific purchase makes sense for your situation and how to access points quickly if your credit is not yet where you want it to be.

The bottom line on buying points: it is a tool, not a strategy.

Used in the right moment for the right redemption, it can accelerate your timeline meaningfully.

Used carelessly, it is an expensive way to accumulate points you are overpaying for.

Know the math before you commit.

Common Questions About Earning Aeroplan Points

How Many Aeroplan Points Can You Earn Per Month?

It depends entirely on your spending habits, which cards you hold, and how actively you use the eStore and partner network.

Someone spending $3,000 per month with a single card earning at base rate earns roughly 3,000 points per month.

Someone spending the same $3,000 across a strategic two-card setup with category multipliers could earn 6,000 to 9,000 points or more on the same spending.

Layer in a welcome bonus, a well-timed eStore purchase, and a few partner earning moments, and the monthly total can look very different.

The ceiling is much higher than most people realize when the full system is working together.

Can You Transfer Points From Other Programs Into Aeroplan?

Yes, certain transferable points programs partner with Aeroplan and allow you to move points in.

American Express Membership Rewards is one of the most commonly used.

If you hold the Amex Cobalt or Amex Gold and are earning Membership Rewards points, you can transfer those into your Aeroplan account when you are ready to book.

This is one of the reasons the Amex Cobalt works so well as part of an Aeroplan-focused earning strategy even though it does not earn Aeroplan points directly.

You are building a transferable balance that can become Aeroplan points when the time is right.

How Long Does It Take to Earn Enough Points for a Flight?

With a strong welcome bonus and a strategic two-card setup, many people can reach a meaningful Aeroplan redemption within their first year.

A welcome bonus alone on a premium travel card can deliver a major head start after meeting the minimum spend.

Add ongoing earn from daily spending and a few eStore purchases, and the timeline compresses further.

The honest answer is that it depends on your spending volume and your redemption target.

That is exactly why the First Class Calculator exists.

Use it to work backward from your specific dream trip and understand exactly what you are building toward before you start.

Does Aeroplan Have a Referral Program?

Aeroplan has had referral bonuses through its credit card partners at various points, where both the existing cardholder and the new applicant receive bonus points when someone is referred and approved.

The availability and terms of referral offers change frequently and vary by card issuer.

Check the current offer on the specific card you are interested in at the time you are applying.

If a referral bonus is available, it is worth using since it adds points to your balance for an action you were going to take anyway.

Do Your Points Earn Faster With Aeroplan Status?

Yes, Aeroplan elite status can help you earn points faster when you fly.

Status is earned by flying a certain number of segments or accumulating qualifying activity with Air Canada and eligible partners in a calendar year.

Aeroplan status can come with bonus points on eligible flying activity, and higher tiers may receive larger bonuses.

Status may also unlock better earn rates on certain eStore partners.

If you are flying Air Canada regularly anyway, the points acceleration from status on top of your card earning can be meaningful.

If you are not flying frequently enough to earn status organically, it is not worth chasing status specifically for the earning bonus.

What Is the Fastest Way to Earn Aeroplan Points?

The fastest way to earn Aeroplan points is usually through a strong welcome bonus combined with a card that matches your everyday spending.

After that, the easiest accelerators are the Aeroplan eStore, transferable points, and linked partner accounts.

Buying points can be fast, but it should only be used when the math works for a specific redemption.

The fastest strategy is not spending more.

It is making the spending you already do earn more efficiently.

Set Up the System Before You Spend More

Earning Aeroplan points efficiently is not about spending more.

It is about making sure the spending you are already doing is pointed in the right direction.

The credit cards do the heaviest lifting.

Choose keeper cards with strong multipliers in the categories that match your actual spending, use the welcome bonuses as a head start, and let the two-card strategy earn for you on autopilot.

Layer in the eStore for purchases you were already going to make.

Link your accounts with everyday partners.

Time your bigger purchases around bonus events.

And when you are close to a redemption and a strong bonus promotion appears, run the numbers on buying the shortfall.

None of this requires you to spend differently.

It requires you to set up the system once and then let it work.

Before you open another card or chase another bonus, use the First Class Calculator to figure out your actual points target.

That way, you are not just earning points randomly.

You are building toward a specific trip.

Ready to put those points to work? Learn how to redeem Aeroplan points for maximum value .

And if you are still building your foundation on how travel rewards work in Canada, start here:

How Do Travel Rewards Points Work in Canada .

Not sure how many Aeroplan points you need? Calculate your dream trip before choosing your earning strategy.

How to USE Aeroplan Points for Flights Without Wasting Them

Sun, 31 May 2026 00:10:06 GMT

A few years ago, I found out one of my best friends was getting married in Greece.

She told us with less than 10 months to plan for this, she asked me to be a bridesmaid, and I needed to get to Europe fast.

I could not find a direct flight to Greece that worked with my points. So instead of panicking, I did what anyone deep in the points and miles game learns to do: I got flexible.

I booked a one-way business class flight from Montreal to Germany on Air Canada for 59,000 Aeroplan points and $79 in taxes and fees .

From Germany, I booked a cheap economy flight to Greece in cash because the fare was inexpensive and it did not make sense to waste points on it.

The Air Canada business class flight alone would have cost approximately $4,000 in cash.

I paid less in taxes and fees than most people spend on a nice dinner out.

If you’ve ever opened Aeroplan, searched for a flight, and thought, “Why are the points prices so high?” or “Why does everyone else seem to find amazing redemptions and I only see terrible routes?” you’re not alone.

I used to feel the same way.

I would see those astronomical points prices and think, “This is way too much.” Sometimes I would even back out of the booking process when I saw the screen saying I did not have enough points, because I thought the dollar amounts shown were the taxes and fees.

They were not.

I just did not understand how to read the booking screen yet.

That Greece trip was not a fluke. It was Aeroplan used the way it is designed to be used. And once you understand how the program actually works, this kind of redemption becomes something you can replicate, not a lucky accident.

I spent years as an investment advisor at TD Canada Trust, helping hundreds of clients understand credit products and financial decisions. But even working inside a bank, this was knowledge I had to figure out myself.

Most people never do, which is exactly why I am writing this post.

This guide will show you how to use Aeroplan points , what they are actually worth, how to book a flight step by step, and the F.L.Y. Method I use to consistently find better redemptions without spending more points than I need to.

By the end, Aeroplan should feel less like a confusing points maze and more like a tool you actually know how to use.

My approach comes down to three things:

Flex your window. Lay your route. Know your currency.

That is the F.L.Y. Method, and it is what helps turn Aeroplan from “I have points but no idea what to do with them” into “I know exactly what kind of trip I’m building toward.”

Before you start earning, transferring, or redeeming points blindly, I recommend using the First Class Calculator to estimate how many points your dream trip may actually require.

How to Use Aeroplan Points Step by Step

Here is the simplest version of how to use Aeroplan points.

The best use of Aeroplan points is usually flights, especially international business class flights on Air Canada or Star Alliance partner airlines.

Here is the basic process:

Log into your Aeroplan account.
Search for flights using points, not cash.
Look for Lowest Reward options.
Compare the points cost and taxes against the cash price.
Choose the flight that gives you strong value.
Pay the taxes and fees.
Complete the booking and receive your confirmation.

Beginner translation: you are looking for flights where the cash price is high, but the points price is low.

A $300 flight that costs 25,000 points is usually not exciting.

A $4,000 business class flight that costs 59,000 points and $79 in fees is a very different story.

That is why learning how to search properly matters so much.

What Are Aeroplan Points Actually Worth?

This is the question most people ask first, and it is also the wrong question — at least the way most people are asking it.

When people ask what a point is worth, they are usually looking for a fixed number.

One cent per point. Two cents per point. Some tidy conversion rate they can apply universally.

The problem is that Aeroplan does not work that way, and that is actually the whole reason it is worth using.

Aeroplan points do not have a fixed value. They have a variable value that depends entirely on what you redeem them for.

Redeem them for a gift card or merchandise and you will usually get somewhere around one cent per point.

Redeem them for a business class flight on a partner airline at the right time through the right routing, and you can extract five, eight, sometimes ten cents of value per point or more.

That gap is the entire game.

Here is a simple way to think about it.

A one-way business class flight from Toronto or Montreal to Europe can retail for around $4,000 in cash.

I booked that same type of flight for 59,000 Aeroplan points.

Divide $4,000 by 59,000 and you get approximately 6.8 cents of value per point .

Compare that to redeeming 59,000 points for gift cards at one cent each, which would give you around $590.

It's the same points but the way you use it drastically changes your outcome.

Beginner takeaway: Aeroplan points are only as valuable as the redemption you choose.

Aeroplan uses dynamic award pricing, which means the number of points required for a given flight is not fixed.

It fluctuates based on demand, availability, routing, airline, cabin class, and how far in advance you are booking.

The program publishes general pricing ranges, but the actual price you see when you search can move above or below what you expect depending on conditions.

I have seen business class redemptions come in below the published floor when I was flexible on routing.

I have also seen the same routes priced at 200,000 or 300,000 points during peak periods.

Understanding this dynamic is what separates someone who uses Aeroplan occasionally with mixed results from someone who consistently gets exceptional value from it.

We will get into exactly how to navigate it in the F.L.Y. Method section.

Aeroplan gives you several redemption options.

You can redeem Aeroplan points for flights, hotels, car rentals, merchandise, gift cards, and more.

I am going to be straight with you about all of them.

Flights are where the value is. Full stop.

Every other redemption option in this program is, at best, a convenient use of leftover points. At worst, it is a significant waste of what you have accumulated.

Here is why.

When you redeem Aeroplan points for a flight, you are not paying the cash price in points. You are accessing an award rate that is deliberately disconnected from the retail price of the ticket.

That is the mechanism that allows 59,000 points to cover a $4,000 flight.

That gap between the cash price and the points price is where the outsized value lives, and it mostly exists in the flights category.

When you redeem for gift cards, merchandise, or hotel stays through the Aeroplan rewards store, you are usually getting around one cent per point in value.

You are taking a variable-value currency and locking it into a low fixed-value redemption.

The math works against you almost every time.

I know this from experience, not just theory.

The very first time I ever redeemed Aeroplan points, I used them for a gift card.

I was young, I was new to the program, and honestly, I did not fully understand what I had. I did not want to deal with taxes and fees on a flight, so the gift card felt like the smarter choice.

I cringe thinking about it now.

Not because it was a catastrophic mistake, but because I had points that could have covered a flight and I traded them for something that wasn't worth much to me.

Do not be me circa my early bank days.

I have also used Aeroplan points for Wi-Fi on a flight before.

At the time, it felt harmless because it was a small redemption. But now, I would not do that.

Due to my current spending habits, I am not sitting on an unlimited pile of Aeroplan points, so I want every point to move me closer to a flight. A little Wi-Fi redemption here and a gift card there may not feel like a big deal, but those small choices add up.

Now I exclusively use my Aeroplan points for flights.

Beginner takeaway: if you are not in an abundance of Aeroplan points, do not drain them on small convenience redemptions. Save them for flights where they can do the most work.

Hotels through Aeroplan are slightly more nuanced.

There are occasionally decent redemptions available, and if you are truly swimming in points and a specific hotel deal makes sense, it is not always a terrible choice.

But in general, for most people building toward premium travel, every point you spend on a hotel redemption through Aeroplan is a point that is not getting you into a lie-flat seat over the Atlantic or Pacific.

I am laser focused on flights.

That is what this program was built to deliver at its highest level, and that is where I direct every client who comes to me with an Aeroplan balance.

How to Book a Flight With Aeroplan Points

The actual booking process is more straightforward than most people expect.

Here is how it works step by step.

Step 1: Know Your Balance Before You Search

This matters before you search because what you see on the booking screen looks very different depending on whether you have enough points or not.

If you know you have 40,000 points and the flight you want costs 70,000 points, you already know you are short before you reach checkout.

That helps you avoid one of the most confusing screens in the Aeroplan booking process.

Step 2: Search for Reward Flights

You will automatically be taken to the flight search screen on the Air Canada website.

Enter your origin, destination, number of passengers, and travel dates you want.

Select points rather than the cash booking option.

This is where you are searching for award space, which is the inventory Air Canada and its partners make available for points redemptions.

Beginner translation: not every seat on the plane is available to book with points. You are searching for the seats the airline has released for reward bookings.

Step 3: Look for the Lowest Reward Option

When results appear, you may see flights labeled Lowest Reward .

This is the saver end of Aeroplan’s dynamic pricing range. It tells you that this seat is available at a lower points cost relative to other options on the same route.

Always start here.

A Lowest Reward flight does not mean the seat is worse.

It usually means the availability conditions are more favorable and the points cost is lower.

Step 4: Understand the Checkout Screen

This is where a lot of people get confused and give up, so I want to be specific.

If you have enough points, the checkout screen will show you the points required plus the taxes and fees in Canadian dollars for different options including ones that would allow you to book entirely with points (this is usually the worst option).

For many Aeroplan redemptions, particularly on Air Canada flights, the second last option, which is not covering taxes and fees can be very reasonable.

I have paid as little as $79 in taxes and fees on a transatlantic business class flight.

But if you do not have enough points, the screen changes entirely.

Aeroplan may show you point purchase packages — options to buy the points you are short at various price points.

The dollar amounts attached to those packages can look alarming.

They are not the taxes and fees on the flight.

They are the cost to purchase the points you need to complete the booking.

This screen has scared off more people than I can count.

It does not necessarily mean the flight is expensive or that Aeroplan is broken.

It just means your balance needs to be higher before you search for that specific redemption.

Step 5: Complete the Booking

Once you select your flight, confirm your cabin, and proceed to checkout with a sufficient points balance, the rest of the booking process works similarly to a cash booking.

You will confirm passenger details, review the points and fees breakdown, and complete the transaction.

Your points will be deducted from your balance and you will receive a booking confirmation.

If you have Aeroplan status, an eligible Aeroplan credit card, or certain fare benefits, you may receive extras like preferred seating, free checked bags, or other perks.

When I flew domestically from Saint John, New Brunswick to Toronto , I was given a seat with more space at no extra charge because of my 25K Aeroplan status, and my checked baggage was covered by my TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card .

Beginner takeaway: your Aeroplan credit card can add value beyond earning points. Benefits like checked bags can make an award booking even more useful, especially on domestic flights where baggage fees add up quickly.

Beginner takeaway: the booking process is simple once you know what the screens mean. The real skill is finding the right flight before you reach checkout.

The F.L.Y. Method: How to Find Better Aeroplan Redemptions

Most people search for award flights the same way they search for cash flights.

Fixed dates. Fixed airports. Fixed route.

Then they wonder why they cannot find availability or why the points cost seems high.

The F.L.Y. Method is the framework I use to consistently find better redemptions.

It is not about gaming the system.

It is about understanding the three variables that actually control what you pay in points, and using them to your advantage.

F — Flex Your Window

L — Lay Your Route

Y — Your Currency

This is the difference between searching “Toronto to Paris on this exact Friday” and searching like someone who knows where the value actually hides.

F — Flex Your Window

The single biggest driver of how many points a flight costs is when you are searching and when you are willing to fly.

Aeroplan uses dynamic pricing, which means the same business class seat on the same route can cost 60,000 points on one date and 200,000 points on another.

Supply and demand determines the price.

High-demand dates, peak travel seasons, and last-minute searches all push the points cost up.

Off-peak dates, less popular departure windows, and searches made well in advance tend to surface the lower end of the range.

This is what saver award pricing refers to.

You want to look for the saver seats . With the Air Canada program, this might be shown with the tag Lowest Reward. But, it doesn't mean it's always a saver seat because it could just mean it's the lowest reward for your search.

You are always hunting for saver seats.

Practically speaking, flexing your window means two things.

First, if your travel dates are not fixed, search across a range of dates rather than locking in one specific day.

The Aeroplan calendar view can help you compare availability and pricing across multiple dates, which makes it easier to spot where lower-cost options cluster.

Second, if you are planning a trip with a fixed event, give yourself as much lead time as possible.

For my Germany redemption, I booked on April 3, 2024 for a September 25, 2024 departure.

That gave me time to find a strong redemption before the trip.

Award space for popular routes can appear many months in advance, and the best availability often goes early.

Beginner takeaway: if your dates are flexible, your points can go much further.

L — Lay Your Route

Where most people leave points on the table is by only searching direct routes between their home airport and their final destination.

Repositioning, which means flying to a different departure city or arriving into a different gateway city than your final destination, can dramatically change the points cost and availability picture.

This is where you can find sweet spots .

A sweet spot is a specific routing that consistently comes in at the lower end of the award chart.

It is not a one-off lucky find.

It is a pattern you discover through regular searching that you can replicate over and over.

The Montreal to Germany routing is one of mine.

I have found it reliably at the lower end of Aeroplan’s business class range for transatlantic redemptions, often below what a direct Toronto to Germany search returns.

It costs me a short train ride or a cheap domestic flight to get to Montreal, but the points savings can more than justify it.

For my Germany trip, I saved approximately 20,000 points compared to flying direct from Toronto.

Over time, as you search regularly, you start to build a personal map of which routings work repeatedly in your favor.

That is your sweet spot toolkit.

Beginner takeaway: you are not locked into your home airport. Sometimes a short positioning flight or train ride can unlock a much better redemption.

The stopover strategy takes this one step further.

Aeroplan allows stopovers on certain eligible award bookings, meaning you may be able to stop in one city for multiple days before continuing to your final destination, all on the same booking.

This is how I flew to Switzerland and then Singapore on a single Aeroplan booking, covering two separate destinations and two exceptional airline products — Swiss Airlines and Singapore Airlines — for roughly 92,500 points and around $232 in taxes and fees per person.

At time of writing, Aeroplan stopover rules and fees can vary by itinerary, so always confirm the current terms before booking.

The key principle behind L is this: you are not locked into the obvious route.

The more willing you are to approach your destination creatively, the more options open up and the lower the points cost tends to be (unless you have so much points and don't fly regularly or you have lots of expenses that you accumulate an abundance of points, many business owners with high operating costs are in this category or those that travel infrequently like once every couple of years).

Y — Your Currency

Not every point is equally useful for every redemption.

The Y in F.L.Y. is about making sure the points currency you are building toward can actually get you the flights you want before you accumulate tens of thousands of points in the wrong program.

For Aeroplan redemptions, you are primarily earning through Aeroplan co-branded credit cards or transferring in from programs like American Express Membership Rewards that partner with Aeroplan.

Both can work.

The right choice depends on your spending patterns, your travel goals, and which other programs you may be building at the same time.

This is where the First Class Calculator becomes useful.

Before you start earning randomly, use the calculator to estimate how many points your dream trip may require.

That way, you are not collecting Aeroplan points blindly and hoping they will be enough later.

You can work backward from the trip you actually want.

Personally, I like to stay above two cents per point when deciding whether an Aeroplan redemption is worth it.

That does not mean I obsess over the cents-per-point calculation on every single booking. Sometimes the value is also in flexibility, convenience, or avoiding a painful cash fare.

But as a general rule, if a redemption gives me less than two cents per point, I am probably not booking it.

Beginner translation: do not use points just because you have them. Use them when they save you meaningful money or unlock a flight you would not reasonably pay cash for.

Where this gets strategic is when you are close to a redemption but short on points.

Buying Aeroplan points outright can make sense in specific circumstances:

when there is a bonus promotion running,
when you only need a top-up,
and when the total cost of buying the missing points plus taxes and fees still comes out to a meaningful discount against the cash price of the flight.

I have bought points during an 85 percent bonus promotion to top up for a specific trip, and the math worked clearly in my favor.

The calculation is straightforward:

Total cost of buying the missing points + taxes and fees vs. cash price of the same seat.

If the discount is significant, it may be worth considering.

Outside of bonus promotions, buying points at the base rate rarely makes sense.

The math usually does not work.

Wait for the promotion or earn the remainder through your cards.

Beginner takeaway: do not buy points just because you are short. Buy points only when the math clearly beats paying cash.

Aeroplan Taxes and Fees: What You Are Actually Paying

This is the section I wish existed when I was starting out, because taxes and fees are the number one reason people talk themselves out of Aeroplan redemptions they should absolutely be making.

Let me be direct.

I paid $79 in taxes and fees to fly business class from Montreal to Germany.

I paid $119.86 to fly round trip from Saint John, New Brunswick to Toronto when the same flights were going to cost me $1,300 in cash.

I paid approximately $232 per person in taxes and fees to fly myself and my grandmother to Switzerland on Swiss Airlines and then to Singapore on Singapore Airlines, covering two countries and two of the best airline products in the world on a single booking.

None of those numbers are typos.

The confusion around taxes and fees comes from two places.

The first is that people mix up the taxes and fees on an award booking with the point purchase screen described earlier.

Those are two completely different things.

If you see a screen showing you a large cash amount next to a points amount, you may be looking at the cost to buy points you do not have yet, not the taxes on the flight.

Once you have enough points and you proceed to a standard award booking, the dollar amount you see is the actual government taxes, airport fees, and any carrier surcharges on that specific flight.

The second source of confusion is carrier surcharges, which vary depending on which airline is operating the flight.

Some flights and partners have lower fees. Others may have higher fees.

This is one reason why routing matters beyond just points cost.

The L in F.L.Y. is not only about finding lower point prices. It is also about being aware of which partners add significant fees and factoring that into your decision.

The practical framework I use is simple.

Before any redemption, I look at three numbers:

How many points the flight costs.
What the total dollar amount in taxes and fees is.
What the same flight would cost in cash.

If the points cost plus fees represents a significant discount against the cash price, it is a good redemption.

Here is how that math looked on my Germany trip:

59,000 points + $79 in fees vs. a one-way cash price of approximately $4,000.

There was no version of that math where paying $79 was not the right answer.

Beginner takeaway: do not let taxes and fees scare you away from a good redemption. Run the math first.

In almost every premium cabin international redemption I have booked, the fees have been tiny compared to the cash price of the seat.

At time of writing, taxes, fees, and carrier surcharges can vary by airline, route, and booking rules, so always review the final total before you book.

Award Booking Cancellation: A Hidden Advantage

This is one of the most practical benefits of booking flights with points, and almost nobody talks about it.

When you book a base economy cash fare with Air Canada or most major airlines, you are often looking at a non-refundable ticket after the 24-hour cancellation window.

If your plans change, you may lose the money.

Higher fare classes like Flex offer more change and cancellation flexibility, but you pay a premium for that privilege upfront.

Award bookings can work differently.

When you cancel an Aeroplan award booking, you generally get your points back. There may be a cancellation fee, but your points are usually returned to your account.

I experienced this firsthand when I was planning a trip to Thailand.

I had booked a flight from St. John, New Brunswick to Montreal for 15,000 points and $59.18 in fees to connect to my international flight.

The trip fell through.

I cancelled the booking, paid $172.50 in cancellation fees including tax , and got my points back.

Net cost to cancel: $113 after subtracting the original fees I had already paid.

On a $900 cash ticket, the same cancellation likely would have cost me the entire fare.

Instead, I paid $113, kept my points, and those points were available for the next redemption.

Beginner takeaway: points bookings can give you flexibility that cheap cash fares often do not.

This flexibility has real financial value that most people never factor into the cost comparison between cash bookings and award bookings.

When you are deciding whether to use points or pay cash for a trip that has any uncertainty around it, the cancellation flexibility of an award booking can be a meaningful advantage.

One caveat: cancellation policies can change and vary depending on the fare rules of the specific airline, partner, or booking type involved.

Always check the cancellation terms at the time of booking rather than assuming.

Real Aeroplan Redemptions and What They Actually Cost

I have given you the framework.

Now let me show you what it looks like in practice with real numbers from real bookings.

Montreal to Frankfurt, Germany — Business Class, One Way

Year: 2024

Booked: April 3, 2024

Departure date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024

This is the bridesmaid trip.

My best friend’s wedding was in Greece and I needed to get to Europe fast with limited notice.

Route: Montreal to Frankfurt

Carrier: Air Canada

Cabin: Business class

Points: 59,000

Taxes and fees: approximately $79

Cash price: approximately $4,000

Value per point: approximately 6.7 cents

Beginner lesson: Flexible airports can unlock better redemptions.

This came in at a strong Aeroplan business class redemption because of routing flexibility.

Montreal rather than Toronto.

Frankfurt rather than a Greek airport.

From Germany, I booked a separate economy flight to Greece in cash because it was cheap and did not justify using points.

That flexibility saved me points and found me availability that did not exist on the more obvious direct search.

Saint John, New Brunswick to Toronto — Economy, Round Trip

Year: 2026

I do not typically use Aeroplan for domestic travel.

This was an exception born out of stubbornness.

The cash price for a round trip was $1,300, which I could not justify paying.

Route: Saint John, New Brunswick to Toronto, Ontario

Cabin: Economy

Points: 25,500

Taxes and fees: $119.86

Cash price: $1,300

Card benefit: checked bag covered by my TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

Status benefit: complimentary seat upgrade with more space due to my 25K Aeroplan status

Beginner lesson: Not every good redemption has to be aspirational business class. Sometimes a good redemption is the one that saves you real cash when prices are ridiculous.

This was not my most glamorous redemption.

But it saved me over $1,100 in cash at a time when that mattered.

That is the point of having a points balance.

It gives you options.

Toronto to Zurich to Singapore — Business Class Stopover Booking

Year: 2025

This is the one that always makes me smile.

I used the Aeroplan stopover program to book a single award that covered two completely separate destinations.

I flew from Toronto to Zurich on Swiss Airlines, spent several days in Switzerland, then flew from Zurich to Singapore on Singapore Airlines, and returned home from Singapore.

Two countries.

Two world-class airline products.

One booking.

And I covered the entire thing for my grandmother and myself.

Route: Toronto to Zurich to Singapore
Cabin: Business class
Points: 185,000 for two people (92,500 per person)
Taxes and fees: $464.06 for two people, ($232 per person)
Airlines: Swiss Airlines and Singapore Airlines
Experience: Swiss lounge access in Zurich, including shower facilities, and business class to Singapore

The Pattern Across All of These Redemptions

Every redemption above followed the same logic.

Know your balance before you search.

Use the F.L.Y. Method to find better availability and lower points costs.

Run the math against the cash price.

Book when the value is clear.

None of these required me to be a points expert with a spreadsheet for every transaction.

They required me to understand the program well enough to search smartly and be willing to flex on routing when the better option was available.

A Good Beginner Aeroplan Redemption to Aim For

If you have between 50,000 and 75,000 Aeroplan points , you have more options than you probably think.

You do not need to start with a complex stopover booking.

You do not need to become an award travel expert overnight.

At that points level, a good beginner goal could be a one-way business class flight to Europe , especially if you are flexible with your dates, departure airport, or arrival city.

With the right timing and availability, that could mean destinations like Switzerland, Germany, Spain, or Italy.

If you are looking at economy instead of business class, 75,000 Aeroplan points may be enough for a round-trip economy flight to Europe, depending on your dates, route, and availability.

The key is flexibility.

If you do not want to be flexible with stopovers, be flexible with your dates.

If you cannot be flexible with your dates, be flexible with your airport.

If you cannot be flexible with your airport, be realistic that you may need more points.

Beginner takeaway: you do not need hundreds of thousands of points to start using Aeroplan well. You need a clear goal, a little flexibility, and a basic understanding of what a good redemption looks like.

This is exactly why I recommend starting with the First Class Calculator .

It helps you figure out whether your current points balance is close to the trip you want, or whether you need to keep earning before you book.

Common Mistakes People Make Redeeming Aeroplan Points

Thinking You Need 200,000 Points to Fly Business Class

This is the most common one, and it keeps people from even trying.

Yes, business class award prices can reach 200,000 or 300,000 points on Aeroplan under peak demand conditions.

But the lower end of transatlantic business class pricing can be much more reasonable when you are flexible.

I flew to Germany for 59,000 points.

The belief that premium cabin travel always requires a massive points balance is the belief that keeps people in economy indefinitely.

Backing Out When You See the “Not Enough Points” Screen

This was one of my early mistakes.

I would search for a flight, get excited, click through, and then see a screen showing a large dollar amount because I did not have enough points.

I thought that number was the taxes and fees.

So I would back out and assume Aeroplan was too expensive or the points they showed me on previous screens were somehow a lie.

But that screen was not showing me the cost of the flight taxes.

It was showing me the cost to buy the missing points.

That is a huge difference.

Beginner takeaway: if the dollar amount looks outrageous, check whether you are looking at taxes and fees or a point purchase package.

Not Knowing What a Good Redemption Looks Like

When I first started, I did not have a clear benchmark.

I did not know when I was getting good value versus wasting points.

So I would see high points prices and assume that was normal. Or I would avoid booking because I was scared of making the wrong choice.

Now, I generally want to get at least two cents per point in value.

For premium cabin international flights, I often get much more than that.

You do not need to calculate the value obsessively every time, but having a rough benchmark helps you make better decisions.

Treating Aeroplan Like Other Rewards Programs

I was used to programs like TD Rewards, where points can feel more like a direct cash substitute.

You use points, they cover the cost, and the math feels simple.

Aeroplan is different.

Aeroplan is not at its best when you treat points like cash.

It is at its best when you use points to access award pricing that is disconnected from the retail price of the ticket.

That is how you get a $4,000 business class flight for 59,000 points and $79 in fees.

Redeeming for Gift Cards, Wi-Fi, Merchandise, or Non-Flight Rewards

Your Aeroplan points are worth dramatically more when used for flights than for most other redemption options.

I have redeemed for a gift card before.

I have also used points for Wi-Fi on a flight.

I would not do either now.

Those redemptions were not the end of the world, but they were not the best use of the points.

Now I save Aeroplan points for flights because I know that is where they can deliver the most value.

Searching With No Flexibility and Concluding Nothing Is Available

A fixed origin, fixed destination, fixed date search that comes back with 300,000 points or no availability is not evidence that Aeroplan does not work.

It is evidence that those specific parameters are expensive or sold out.

Apply the F.L.Y. Method.

Change the departure city.

Adjust the dates by a few days.

Try an alternate routing.

The availability picture often changes completely.

Not Booking Early Enough for Inflexible Trips

If your dates are fixed because of a specific event, early searching matters.

For my Germany redemption, I booked on April 3, 2024 for a September 25, 2024 departure.

That gave me time to find a strong redemption before the trip.

Award space on popular routes can appear many months in advance, and the best availability at the lowest points cost often disappears quickly.

Staying in the Wrong Program for Your Goals

If the flights you want are not accessible through Aeroplan or its partner airlines, accumulating Aeroplan points for years may not get you where you want to go.

Know which program gives you access to the specific airlines, routes, and cabin products you want before you decide where to focus your points.

Client Example: Using Aeroplan Points for Italy

I have also helped clients apply this same strategy to their own trips with my Dream Flight Consulting service.

One client booked an international Aeroplan redemption to Bologna, Italy after we worked through their points balance, route options, and flexibility.

That is the part I want beginners to understand: this is not just something that worked once for me.

When you understand how Aeroplan pricing, routing, and flexibility work together, you can start applying the same process to completely different destinations.

Common Questions About Using Aeroplan Points

How Many Aeroplan Points Do You Need for a Flight?

It depends on the destination, the cabin, the dates, the airline, and how flexible you are willing to be.

For economy flights within North America, redemptions can start much lower than international premium cabin flights.

For business class to Europe, the lower end can be around the 60,000-70,000 point range, but prices can move much higher based on demand and availability.

For business class to Asia, expect a higher range.

The best way to know what your specific trip requires is to search on the Aeroplan website with the routing and flexibility you have available.

You can also use the First Class Calculator to work backwards from your dream trip before you start accumulating points.

Can You Use Aeroplan Points for Hotels?

Yes, Aeroplan allows you to redeem points for hotel stays through its travel rewards portal.

However, the value per point on hotel redemptions is usually significantly lower than on flight redemptions.

For most people building toward premium travel, flights are the better use of your Aeroplan balance.

If you are sitting on a very large balance and a specific hotel deal makes mathematical sense, it is worth evaluating.

But do not let hotel redemptions become a habit that drains points you could have used for flights.

Do Aeroplan Points Expire?

Aeroplan points do not usually expire as long as your account has qualifying activity within the required activity period.

Qualifying activity may include earning points through a credit card purchase, shopping through the Aeroplan eStore, flying with Air Canada or a partner airline, or completing other eligible partner transactions.

At time of writing, Aeroplan’s inactivity period is 18 months, but you should always confirm the current policy in your account.

Beginner takeaway: do not let your account sit untouched. One small qualifying activity can help keep your points active.

Can You Use Aeroplan Points on Partner Airlines?

Yes, and this is one of the most powerful features of the program.

Aeroplan gives you access to flights on Air Canada and many partner airlines, including airlines within the Star Alliance network.

That can include airlines like Lufthansa, Swiss Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, ANA, TAP Portugal, and more, depending on availability and current partner rules.

You can often book partner airline flights directly through the Aeroplan website the same way you would book an Air Canada flight.

This is how I flew to Germany, Zurich, and Singapore using Aeroplan points.

What Is a Good Aeroplan Redemption?

A good Aeroplan redemption is one where your points save you meaningful money compared to the cash price of the same flight.

Personally, I like to stay above two cents per point .

To calculate this, divide the cash price of the flight by the number of points required.

For example, if a flight costs $4,000 in cash or 59,000 Aeroplan points, that gives you approximately 6.8 cents per point before factoring in taxes and fees.

That is a strong redemption.

But value is not only about the math.

Sometimes a good redemption is the one that saves you from paying a painful cash fare, gives you flexibility, or lets you take a trip you otherwise would not take.

As a general rule, I would avoid using Aeroplan points for low-value redemptions like gift cards, merchandise, or small convenience purchases unless you truly have no better use for them.

What Is the Best Way to Redeem Aeroplan Points?

The best way to redeem Aeroplan points is usually international flights, especially business class flights on Air Canada or partner airlines.

That is where the value gap between points cost and cash price is often the largest.

Apply the F.L.Y. Method:

Flex your window. Lay your route. Know your currency.

That will help you find redemptions that deliver far more value than gift cards, merchandise, or low-value travel redemptions.

Start with the First Class Calculator to know what you are working toward before you search.

Use Your Points With Intention

Aeroplan is not complicated once you understand what it is actually designed to do.

It is a program that allows you to access flights, especially premium cabin international flights, at a fraction of their cash price.

Everything else it offers is secondary to that core function.

The F.L.Y. Method is how you get there consistently.

Flex your window to find lower award pricing.

Lay your route to uncover sweet spots and stopover opportunities.

Know your currency so the points you are building are pointed at the flights you actually want.

I flew to Europe as a bridesmaid for $79 in fees.

I took my grandmother to Switzerland and Singapore for approximately $232 each in fees.

I flew round trip domestically from Saint John, New Brunswick to Toronto and saved over $1,100 in cash at a moment when that mattered.

I have also helped clients use Aeroplan points for international redemptions, including bookings across North America, Europe, and Asia.

None of this required them being a full-time points expert.

It required understanding the program well enough to search smartly, recognize good value, and stay flexible where it mattered.

That is available to you too.

If you want to know exactly how many points you need for your dream trip before you start building toward it, download the First Class Calculator .

It will help you work backward from the flight you actually want, so you are not collecting points without a plan.

Ready to start building your Aeroplan balance? Learn how to earn points efficiently.

And if you are still building your foundation on how travel rewards work, start here .

Is Switzerland Worth Visiting?

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:47:57 GMT

Switzerland has a reputation.

Expensive. Breathtaking. The kind of destination people pin to a dream board and then quietly talk themselves out of because it feels like it is only for other people.

The ones with old money, a trust fund, or a specific kind of life that does not include checking the exchange rate before ordering water at a restaurant.

Yes, I did check the exchange rate before ordering water at a restaurant.

And I still think Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to.

So if you are trying to decide whether Switzerland is worth the price — especially as a Canadian traveler weighing flights, food, transit, tours, and whether this trip is actually realistic — this is the honest version.

I booked this trip for my grandmother and me on Aeroplan points. We flew Swiss Airlines business class from Toronto to Zurich, then continued on to Singapore, all on one booking. It was two countries, but only one redemption. At it cost me $232 CAD each in taxes and fees.

The flight was not the expensive part (obvs).

What came after was.

For a comfortable Switzerland trip, I would budget at least $200 to $300 CAD per person per day, not including flights or accommodations. That assumes regular meals, public transit or tours, paid experiences, and enough flexibility that you are not backpacking your way through the country on the tightest possible budget.

Switzerland is expensive. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. And yes, that is relative to other parts of the world, but the comparison matters when you are deciding where your travel budget should go.

But it also delivered on the cost in a way I have not always found to be true in expensive destinations.

This post is my honest answer to the question I get asked more than almost any other about this trip: is Switzerland worth visiting?

The quick answer: yes. Switzerland is the most expensive country I have ever visited, and I would go back tomorrow.

But how worth it is depends on what you are going for, how you travel, and where you can realistically reduce costs.

I will break down what felt worth the splurge, which costs were harder to justify, where we went in Zurich, Lucerne, Mt. Pilatus, Lake Lucerne, and Appenzell. I'll share why Switzerland worked so well for a slower trip with my grandmother.

I will also explain how using Aeroplan points made the flight the cheapest part of the trip, because that is what helped make this trip feel possible.

This is the overview post for my full Switzerland travel guide, so you can decide whether Switzerland belongs on your own travel list before diving into the detailed cost breakdowns, itinerary posts, hotel review, food recommendations, day tours, and points strategy.

Is Switzerland Worth Visiting? The Honest Answer

It depends on who you are asking and what matters to you when you travel.

If you need a destination that is budget-friendly, fast-paced, and packed with nightlife and cheap street food, Switzerland is not your answer.

Go to Portugal. Go to Mexico. You will have a wonderful time.

But if you are looking for scenery that actually stops you in your tracks, food that tastes like it was grown three miles away, beautiful public transit, mountain views, lake towns, and pockets of quiet where you can slow down without feeling like you are missing the whole point of the trip, Switzerland earns every expensive franc.

I do not want to pretend Switzerland is calm everywhere.

Zurich’s central train station is busy. Mt. Pilatus still has lines. Popular viewpoints are popular for a reason. You are not walking into a silent wellness retreat the second you land.

But compared to many other European trips I have taken, Switzerland gave us more access to slower, easier moments.

The countryside. The boat rides. The smaller towns. The way the transit worked. The fact that we could base ourselves in one place and still see mountains, lakes, farms, restaurants, spas, and city streets without constantly repacking our bags.

That mattered.

I am someone who travels with chronic pain and is deeply sensitive to overstimulation. Switzerland was not magically quiet everywhere, but it offered enough slower spaces that I could actually enjoy the trip instead of feeling like I was forcing myself through it.

I did not leave Switzerland feeling like I needed to recover from my vacation.

I came home feeling like the trip had given me something back.

My grandmother was with me. Watching her take in the mountains in Appenzell, standing in the middle of a field she had never seen anything like, not saying much because she did not need to — that was worth it.

Who Switzerland Is Right For

Switzerland is a good fit for:

Slow travelers who want to absorb a place rather than check it off
Travelers who like having access to quieter towns, lake cruises, countryside, and scenic transportation
Introverts or sensitive travelers who want breaks from busier European city energy
Travelers who value food quality over food quantity
People traveling with older family members or anyone for whom comfort is not optional
Travelers who can absorb higher daily costs in exchange for a lower-stress experience
Canadians who can use points to reduce the cost of getting there

Switzerland worked especially well for us because this was not a “wake up at 6 a.m. and see eight things before dinner” trip.

I was traveling with my grandmother, managing my own chronic pain, and trying to build a trip that felt beautiful without feeling punishing.

Switzerland made that easier because there were so many slower pockets to build the trip around.

Who Might Struggle With Switzerland

Switzerland may not be the best choice for:

Budget travelers
People who need a packed itinerary to feel like they got their money’s worth
Travelers expecting the same energy as Paris or Rome
Anyone who feels stressed by expensive day-to-day costs
People who want nightlife, chaos, and cheap meals on every corner
Travelers who get frustrated by paying more for comfort, convenience, or scenery

That is not a criticism of Switzerland.

It is just not that kind of destination.

Switzerland is expensive, scenic, orderly, and very easy to structure as a slower trip if that is what you want.

That is the feature, not the flaw.

What Actually Surprised Me About Switzerland

I did not do as much research before this trip as I normally would.

In fact, I booked our hotel while we were sitting in the lounge at the Toronto airport.

So I was genuinely surprised by how much open availability there still was once we were in Switzerland. Maybe it was the time of year, because we visited in May, but I did not run into the kind of week-long waitlists or impossible booking situations I expected from a destination this expensive and popular.

That made the trip feel more manageable than I thought it would.

I expected beautiful.

Obviously. It is Switzerland.

But I did not expect Switzerland to be as easy to move through as it was.

There is a difference.

Beautiful can be chaotic, overwhelming, and loud. Paris is beautiful. Venice is beautiful. Rome is beautiful.

Switzerland was beautiful too, but the version we experienced moved at a pace where I felt like I could actually take it in.

We got to cross Lake Lucerne by boat. We spent time in the Appenzell countryside. We had space to sit after dinner without feeling rushed. One of my favorite parts was treating myself to a spa day, taking the train back to Kloten, and not feeling like we had failed the itinerary by resting.

That was the part I had not fully understood before going.

For someone who manages chronic pain and sensory overload as part of daily life, this mattered.

It meant I could enjoy the trip while I was on it instead of pushing through and collapsing later.

The other thing I did not expect was how diverse the food scene felt.

I had a very narrow idea of Swiss food before we arrived: cheese, chocolate, fondue, maybe some bread and potatoes. And yes, all of that exists.

But Switzerland, or at least the parts we visited, had far more international food than I expected.

We ate at a Middle Eastern restaurant near our hotel more than once. During the local street holiday, I noticed different kinds of food, clothing, and people moving through the streets in a way that made the country feel much more layered than the postcard version of Switzerland I had in my head.

The street holiday itself was lively.

Honestly, it was a little loud for me by that point in the day.

We did not stay long or settle in for the whole thing. We mostly passed through, took it in, noticed the food and clothes, and kept moving to dinner. If I had not been so tired, I probably would have enjoyed browsing a bit more.

But even passing through it changed my impression of Switzerland.

I had pictured the country as reserved, serious, and a lot more luxurious in a formal way. Then we walked through a street party and I realized I had only understood one version of it.

I was also surprised by how normal everyday life felt.

People were dressed casually. Public transportation was full of regular commuters, travelers, families, and people just going about their day. The trains came often enough that the system felt usable instead of intimidating.

I do not know exactly what I expected. Maybe fancier clothes. Maybe more obvious luxury. Maybe something more polished than practical.

And maybe those areas exist.

But it was nice to notice the similarities too. Even as an avid traveler, I can still make up unfounded expectations in my head about a place before I get there.

Switzerland reminded me that a country can be expensive and beautiful without feeling untouchable.

How Much Does a Trip to Switzerland Cost?

Switzerland is not a destination where you can fully escape the cost.

You can be strategic. You can use points for flights. You can stay outside the city center. You can buy some grocery meals. You can choose the experiences that matter most.

But Switzerland is still expensive once you are there.

For a comfortable trip, I would estimate $200 to $300 CAD per person per day , not including flights and accommodations.

That daily budget covers things like:

Meals
Coffee and snacks
Local transportation
Paid experiences
Day tours
Occasional rideshares
Small purchases
Entry fees or spa visits

This is not a luxury daily budget. It is a realistic comfort budget.

The biggest surprise for me was that the flight, which should have been one of the most expensive parts, ended up being the cheapest piece of the trip because we used Aeroplan points.

We paid $232 CAD each in taxes and fees to fly Swiss Airlines business class from Toronto to Zurich as part of a larger Aeroplan booking.

The country was expensive.

The flight was not.

That difference is why I think Switzerland is especially interesting for Canadian travelers who collect points. You may not be able to make Switzerland cheap, but you can make the most painful upfront cost much easier to absorb.

Where We Went in Switzerland

We based ourselves in Kloten , the municipality right next to Zurich Airport.

That turned out to be a genuinely smart choice.

We stayed at Hotel Allegra Lodge , which was one minute from the public transit hub. The prices were more reasonable than central Zurich, and every train or tour bus we needed was accessible without complicated logistics.

From that base, we visited:

Zurich
Lucerne
Mt. Pilatus
Lake Lucerne
Appenzell
A Swiss cheese factory
A chocolate factory
Hürlimannbad Spa

For a first trip to Switzerland, Zurich, Lucerne, Mt. Pilatus, and Appenzell gave us a good mix of city, lake, mountain, and countryside without making the itinerary feel frantic.

This was important to me because I was in vacation mode.

I did bring work with me, but I barely touched it. I am still figuring out how to incorporate more rest into my vacations instead of treating every trip like something I need to optimize. Being with my grandma helped with that. It made me more present and in the moment, instead of sitting on my laptop trying to get through my to-do list.

This was not a trip where I wanted to drag my grandmother through a new hotel every night.

I wanted a beautiful trip that still felt manageable.

And since we were only in Switzerland for five days, staying in one place made the whole trip easier.

Choosing Kloten helped make that happen. It gave us a simple home base, easy access to transit, and enough flexibility to see a lot without constantly packing, checking in, checking out, and starting over.

Zurich: The City That Felt Surprisingly Livable

Zurich surprised me with how livable it felt.

It did not feel like a tourist trap. It felt like a real city with real restaurants, real streets, and a pace that made it easy to exist rather than perform.

We ate well here multiple times, visited Hürlimannbad Spa, and used Zurich as our home base for everything else.

Kloten specifically is underrated for travelers who want easy airport access without the price tag of central Zurich. Staying near the airport would not be my default advice in every city, but for this trip, it worked beautifully.

If you are flying in late, traveling with an older family member, managing pain or fatigue, or trying to keep logistics simple, staying near Zurich Airport can make more sense than forcing a central hotel.

Zurich gave us convenience without chaos.

That was exactly what we needed.

Lucerne: The Place I Wish We Had Given More Time

Lucerne was a day trip, and it deserved more time than we gave it.

The old town is gorgeous in a way that feels almost too perfect to be real. Then you realize it is just genuinely that well-preserved.

We did a one-hour boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, which was one of the most peaceful hours of the entire trip.

We made friends on that boat. In such a short time, we talked about everything from love to work to money, while still getting to take in the stunning views around us.

Mt. Pilatus was the big experience that day.

We booked through Viator, which I will talk about more in the getting around section. Even with tickets in hand, the line for the gondola was long.

We still got up there.

The aerial cable car to the top was worth every minute of waiting. As we ascended, I finally saw the version of Switzerland most people picture in their heads: mountains, valleys, and views that look almost too perfect to be real.

If I were doing this trip again, I would either stay overnight in Lucerne or make it the slowest day of the itinerary instead of trying to fit too much around it.

Lucerne is not a place I would rush next time.

Appenzell: The Day That Stayed With Me Most

Appenzell was the day that stayed with me the longest.

We booked a Viator day tour that covered the countryside, a cheese factory, and a chocolate factory in the Appenzell region.

I had no idea what I was walking into.

I thought it would be a pleasant tourist experience.

It ended up being one of the most genuinely beautiful things I have ever seen.

The rolling green countryside. The cows with bells. The farms that looked like they had not changed in a hundred years. The raw milk at the cheese factory. The best cheese I have ever tasted — and I promise I am not being dramatic. I still dream about that cheese, and about sitting in a barn in Switzerland with my grandmother, who looked like she had stepped into another life entirely.

The countryside photos we took that day are the ones that will stay in my memory forever.

Her standing in that field and posing was so cute.

That is the image I think of when I think about this trip.

If your idea of Switzerland is green hills, bells on cows, cheese, tiny villages, and the kind of scenery that makes everyone go quiet for a minute, Appenzell is the part of the itinerary I would protect first.

Getting Around Switzerland

Switzerland’s public transit system is genuinely impressive.

Trains run on time in a way that feels almost surreal if you are used to North American transit. Zurich’s central train station connects almost everything, and most of the tour buses we needed to catch left from there too.

We used Viator for the Appenzell day tour and for the Mt. Pilatus and Lucerne trip. Both were worth booking through them rather than trying to piece together the logistics independently.

Could we have done it ourselves?

Probably.

Would I have wanted to do that while traveling with my grandmother, managing timing, train connections, gondola lines, and my own anxiety about missing something?

No.

For this trip, paying for ease was part of the value.

We also used Uber a couple of times when tour timing made me anxious. It worked, and it was not dramatically expensive by Swiss standards.

I do not regret it.

Sometimes the peace of mind is part of what you are buying.

What I Would Do Differently

I would have gotten a Swiss Travel Pass for the full duration.

The transit options are extensive, and if you plan to use trains, boats, and public transportation frequently, the pass can make the logistics much easier.

I will break this down properly in my full getting around Switzerland post, but my short version is this: if you are planning more than one city, multiple day trips, or scenic transportation, price out the Swiss Travel Pass before you go.

Or just get it and do not worry about it.

I know that is not the most mathematically optimized answer, but this trip reminded me that peace of mind is worth a lot. When you are somewhere as expensive as Switzerland, the ability to get on the train, take the boat, or change plans without mentally calculating every single fare can be part of what makes the trip feel easier.

When to Visit Switzerland

We visited Switzerland in May, and I would recommend it without hesitation.

The countryside was an intense, vivid green. The weather was cool enough to be comfortable but warm enough that outdoor experiences like the gondola, boat cruise, and Appenzell countryside were genuinely pleasant.

The crowds were manageable.

Not empty, but not the wall-to-wall feeling of peak summer either.

The street holiday we stumbled into was also in May, so there was clearly some local festivity happening around that time. That was one of the best surprises of the trip.

Before you go, look up what is happening during your exact travel dates.

Best Months to Visit Switzerland

For a first trip, I would look at:

May
Early June
September
Early October

These shoulder-season months give you a better chance of comfortable weather, beautiful scenery, and fewer peak-season crowds.

Summer is the most popular and usually the most expensive time to visit.

Winter is beautiful for Christmas markets and skiing, but it is cold and still expensive.

Spring was right for us because it gave us the Switzerland I had imagined — green, chill, fresh, and scenic — without making the trip feel overwhelming.

The Food in Switzerland

I am going to say something that surprised me when I realized it was true: Switzerland has some of the best food standards I've been exposed to around the world.

It is fresh in a way you may not be used to if you shop from North American grocery stores.

Everything tasted like it was grown near where it was sold.

The cheese. The bread. The fruit. Even casual meals had a quality to them that would have passed for considered cooking at home.

The one thing I did not get to try was fondue.

Not because I did not want to.

And not only because of the price.

I would have paid for it if I thought we would actually eat it. But when we asked about fondue, the waiter explained that it was basically an entire meal of cheese. I was intrigued, but also a little intimidated. A full meal of melted cheese sounded like something I wanted to experience in theory, but not necessarily something my grandmother and I would finish.

And I really did not want to waste food.

So we skipped it.

I am not going to pretend I was above the price, either. Switzerland will make you pause before ordering things, and fondue was one of those moments for us. But the bigger issue was that it felt like too much food, too much cheese, and too much risk of ordering something just because it felt like the “Swiss” thing to do.

What we ate instead was still excellent.

There was the Middle Eastern restaurant near our hotel that we went back to twice. The Old Inn in Zurich after the spa, which was exactly the kind of quiet, cozy, genuinely good dinner a slower travel day deserves. Street food we noticed during the local holiday. Cheese from the factory in Appenzell that I am still thinking about.

And yes, we also tried Swiss Burger King.

It cost about $40 to $50 CAD for the two of us, which still makes me laugh because even the fast food was expensive. My grandma said she could taste the difference in quality.

Admittedly, I could not.

But it was tasty.

That pretty much sums up eating in Switzerland: even the casual meals cost more than you expect, but the food quality was consistently high enough that I rarely felt disappointed.

If you care about food quality more than huge portions or cheap meals, Switzerland is exceptional.

But you need to budget for it.

Is Switzerland Worth It When It Is This Expensive?

Here is what I know: Switzerland is the most expensive country I have ever visited.

That is not a rumor.

Water costs money. Fondue costs a lot of money. A spa day costs money. Getting around costs money. The exchange rate will humble you.

And I would go back tomorrow.

Not because I am casual about money.

Because the quality of the experience matched the cost in a way I have not always found to be true in expensive places.

Switzerland delivered on every single thing it promised.

The scenery. The calm. The food. The feeling at the end of the trip of having actually rested rather than just relocated.

For my grandmother, this trip was something she will carry for the rest of her life.

She was amazed by everything and calm about all of it, somehow at the same time. She has that rare quality of being fully present in extraordinary moments without needing to perform her reaction.

Watching her take in the countryside in Appenzell, holding that cheese, standing in the Swiss Airlines business class cabin at the start of it all — those are not moments I can put a price on.

What I can tell you is that the flight did not add to the cost the way you might expect.

What If Getting to Switzerland Was the Affordable Part?

This is the part that tends to surprise people when I talk about this trip.

I paid $232 CAD each in taxes and fees to fly my grandmother and me to Switzerland in Swiss Airlines business class.

The country was expensive.

The flight was not.

That gap exists because I used Aeroplan points built through everyday Canadian spending on a travel credit card.

The flight to Switzerland is one of the biggest barriers people mention when they are thinking about going. Long-haul economy is genuinely brutal, especially if you have any health considerations. Business class feels aspirational to the point of unreachable for most people.

But that price gap closes fast when you understand how points work.

If you have never looked at what your current spending could already be building toward, the First Class Calculator is the fastest way to get a real answer.

The First Class Calculator shows you exactly how many points your dream trip requires, whether you want to fly economy, premium economy, business class, or first class — and how close you already are.

FAQs

Is Switzerland worth visiting for first-timers?

Yes, with realistic expectations about cost. Switzerland rewards travelers who slow down, value scenery and food quality over sightseeing volume, and are not on a tight daily budget. It is one of the calmest countries in Europe for sensitive or introverted travelers, and it delivers on every piece of its reputation. Go knowing what you are signing up for and it will not disappoint.

How much money do you need for a trip to Switzerland?

For a comfortable trip, budget at least $200 to $300 CAD per person per day , not including flights and accommodation. This assumes regular meals, local transportation, paid experiences, and some flexibility, not a strict backpacker budget. Switzerland is consistently one of the most expensive countries in the world, and food, transportation, and experiences add up quickly. The one place Canadians can genuinely reduce costs is the flight itself by using travel rewards points.

What is the best time of year to visit Switzerland?

May through early June is excellent. The countryside is at its greenest, crowds are manageable, and the weather is comfortable for outdoor activities. We visited in May and stumbled into a local street holiday, which became one of the best unplanned moments of the whole trip. Summer is peak season with higher prices. December is beautiful for Christmas markets but cold and expensive.

Is Switzerland a good destination for introverts or sensitive travelers?

Genuinely yes. Switzerland is quieter and less chaotic than most major European destinations. The cities are calm, the natural spaces are immense, and the overall pace rewards slow travel. I have chronic pain and am sensitive to sensory overwhelm. Switzerland was one of the few international destinations where I came back feeling restored rather than depleted.

Can you fly to Switzerland without spending a fortune on flights?

If you are building Aeroplan points through everyday Canadian spending, yes. I flew Swiss Airlines business class to Zurich for $232 CAD in taxes and fees per person , using a single Aeroplan booking that also covered getting us to Singapore on the same reservation. The First Class Calculator can show you how many points your specific trip requires and how far your current spending has already taken you.

Use the First Class Calculator to find out how close you already are!

The Trip I Would Book Again Tomorrow

Switzerland is expensive.

That is a fact, and I am not going to soften it.

It is also one of the most beautiful, calm, and genuinely restorative places I have ever been.

I took my grandmother there. She stood in a field in Appenzell and looked like she was somewhere she had always been meant to see.

We ate the best cheese either of us had ever tasted, watched the mountains from a gondola, and drifted across Lake Lucerne on a boat with strangers who became temporary friends.

We had dinner at a small inn in Zurich after a spa day that cost less than a decent hotel room in many North American cities.

None of that required cash I did not have.

It required understanding how to use the points I was already earning.

So, is Switzerland worth visiting?

Yes.

But the better question is not whether Switzerland belongs on your list.

It does.

The question is how to make the trip feel possible.

Before you decide Switzerland is out of reach, run your numbers through the First Class Calculator . It will show you how many points your dream route needs and whether your current spending could realistically get you there.

Ready to go deeper? Start with the full cost breakdown of our Switzerland trip, or choose the experience you are most curious about from the guide above.

Best Travel Credit Cards Canada: The Ones I Actually Use

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:38:35 GMT

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. All credit cards mentioned are ones I personally hold or have held. This is not financial advice — it is my honest experience and perspective to help you think more critically about your own decisions.

There is no shortage of people telling you which travel credit card is the best in Canada.

Every bank has a recommendation. Every points blogger has a ranking. And somehow, every list seems to conclude that whatever card pays the highest affiliate commission is the one you should apply for.

I am going to do this differently.

This post is for Canadians who want their everyday spending to turn into actual travel, not just a points balance they never know how to use.

I spent years as an investment advisor at TD Canada Trust starting at 19, helping hundreds of clients make financial decisions, including credit products.

I have personally held every card I am recommending in this post. And I have worked with enough clients to know that the wrong card, even one with a massive welcome bonus, can cost you years of wasted earning potential.

One of my clients came to me after spending years (from university through her early thirties), earning CIBC Aventura points. She had never been able to use them for a single premium flight.

It wasn't that she did not accumulate enough, but because she had the wrong card for her goals from the beginning, and nobody told her.

That decade of spending cannot be recovered.

The cards I am recommending here are not universally the best cards in Canada. They are the ones I personally use, the ones I recommend most often to my clients, and the ones I can speak to honestly based on real experience.

I’ll tell you exactly who each card is for and who it is not for, whether you care most about premium flights, flexible points, lounge access, or avoiding cards that look better on paper than they are in real life.

Because the best travel credit card in Canada is the one that gets you where you want to go. Understanding how travel rewards points work is very important when making your pick.

My Best Travel Credit Card Picks in Canada at a Glance

Accurate as of April 2026: Credit card offers, welcome bonuses, earn rates, annual fees, and perks can change often. Always confirm the current offer and terms directly with the card issuer before applying.

Before we get into the strategy, here are my honest picks based on who each card is best for.

Best Beginner Travel Credit Card in Canada

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite

Best for Canadians who want an easy, low-friction way to understand how travel rewards work without learning award charts, transfer partners, or complicated redemption strategies.

Best Travel Credit Card for Food and Dining Spend

American Express Cobalt

Best for Canadians who spend heavily on groceries, restaurants, coffee shops, food delivery, and subscriptions, and want to build flexible points for future travel.

Best Travel Credit Card for Aeroplan and Air Canada

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite

Best for Canadians who fly Air Canada or Star Alliance partners and want to build toward international redemptions, including premium cabin flights.

Best Premium Travel Credit Card for High Travel Spend

American Express Gold Rewards Card

Best for travelers with significant travel spending who want to earn transferable points on flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, gas, groceries, and drugstores.

Best Business Travel Credit Card in Canada

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business

Best for business owners who want to turn business expenses into premium travel, especially on airlines outside the Aeroplan and Star Alliance ecosystem.

The important thing is not just which card is “best.” The important thing is whether the card earns the type of points that can actually get you the trip you want.

The biggest mistake beginners make is asking, “Which card is best?” before asking, “Which points do I actually need?”

Before You Pick a Card, Know What You Are Picking It For

Most people approach travel credit cards the same way they approach choosing a restaurant on a Friday night.

They Google the best options, pick the one that looks good, and commit without really thinking about whether it fits what they actually wanted.

That works fine for dinner.

It can cost you years when you do it with a credit card.

There are three main types of travel points in Canada that actually matter when you are choosing a card for travel rewards: fixed value points, airline loyalty programs, and transferable points.

Cash back exists, and it can be useful for simple savings, but it is not usually the system that gets you into premium cabins.

For this post, I am focusing on the points systems that matter most if your goal is turning everyday spending into better travel.

I cover this in depth in my travel rewards points guide How Do Travel Rewards Points Work in Canada , but here is the short version as it applies to choosing a card.

There are three main types of travel points in Canada that matter most when you are choosing a travel credit card:

Fixed value points
Airline loyalty program points
Transferable points

The card you choose determines which type of points you earn. And the type of points you earn determines what is actually possible when it is time to redeem.

That is why you should never start with the card.

You start with the trip.

Fixed Value Points

Fixed value points, like TD Rewards or Scene+, usually have a predictable redemption value.

For example, a program might value points at something like 100 points = $1, depending on the redemption method and program rules.

These points are best for offsetting lower-cost travel expenses like economy flights, hotels, rental cars, vacation expenses, and sometimes even meals abroad.

They are easy to use, but they usually do not unlock the highest-value redemptions because it takes a long time to earn enough for a premium cabin flight.

That does not make them bad.

It just means you need to know what they are good for.

Fixed value points helped me save thousands of dollars over the years. When I first started using points, I was definitely an economy flyer. I was not thinking about first class. I was thinking, “How do I make these points stretch as far as possible?”

And for that stage, fixed value points served me really well.

I used them for flights, hotels, car rentals, and even meals abroad.

So I do think they have a place in a smart travel rewards strategy.

But if your goal is business class to Europe or a premium cabin flight to Asia, fixed value points are usually not the most efficient tool.

I still like having access to fixed value points for certain travel costs, especially hotels, car rentals, or cheap short-haul economy flights.

But I would not build my entire premium travel strategy around them.

Airline Loyalty Programs

Airline loyalty program points, like Aeroplan, are earned through co-branded cards and redeemed through the airline’s loyalty program.

This is where outsized value starts to appear.

These points can unlock international flights, partner airline redemptions, and premium cabin seats that would cost thousands of dollars in cash.

The tradeoff is that you are usually working within a specific airline or airline alliance.

In plain English: airline loyalty programs are best when you are willing to stick to an airline or alliance because that is where the redemption value lives.

That can sound restrictive at first, but it is not always as limiting as beginners think.

For example, I have used Aeroplan points to fly partner airlines like United, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines.

Even though Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program, Air Canada is part of Star Alliance, which gives you access to a much larger airline network.

Air Canada boasts that the Star Alliance is the most comprehensive airline network.

That is why Aeroplan can be so strategic for Canadians.

You are not limited to only flying Air Canada. You are often using Air Canada’s loyalty program to access partner airlines, different routes, and different cabin products.

You should also know that Aeroplan is free to join. You do not need an Aeroplan credit card to have an Aeroplan account, and you can earn Aeroplan points in other ways through everyday spending partners.

But if Aeroplan is part of your premium travel strategy, the right credit card can help you earn those points much faster.

Transferable Points

Transferable points, like American Express Membership Rewards and RBC Avion, are the most flexible.

You earn them through a credit card and can move them to multiple airline or hotel programs depending on where you want to go.

In plain English: transferable points give you more doors to walk through.

If one airline program does not have the flight you want, another one might.

This matters because some routes are competitive. Flights to places like Japan, Italy, or other popular long-haul destinations can be hard to find at the exact dates and cabin class you want.

The more options you have, the better.

That is why transferable points are so powerful. With American Express Membership Rewards, for example, you can transfer points to different airline partners, including programs connected to multiple airline alliances.

This gives you more flexibility than being locked into one redemption path.

I have personally used transferable points to top up another program when I did not have enough points for the flight I wanted. For example, when I needed more Aeroplan points to fly to Germany in business class, I transferred some of my Amex points to Aeroplan.

A lot of people do not even realize this is possible.

And it is one of the most slept-on strategies in Canadian travel rewards.

The key is that you usually get better value by transferring points to the right travel partner instead of redeeming them through a basic points portal.

Not always.

But often enough that it is one of the first strategies I want beginners to understand.

Before you choose a card, figure out the trip you are actually building toward. The First Class Calculator helps you estimate how many points you need before you commit to a card strategy.

The Annual Fee Myth

Before we get into the individual cards, I need to address something I hear constantly:

“I only want a card with no annual fee.”

I understand the instinct.

Why pay for something when you can get it for free?

But here is the reality: not one no annual fee travel card in Canada will get you a premium cabin flight in a reasonable timeframe. Not one.

Unless you are spending an unusually high amount every year, the earn rates on no annual fee cards simply do not accumulate points fast enough to make premium travel achievable.

I had a friend who told me she did not want to switch her card because she got free groceries from her current no annual fee card.

I understood the appeal.

Free groceries are tangible and immediate.

But she travels regularly and has always wanted to fly in premium cabins.

So I asked her to think about it differently.

When you learn how to use travel rewards strategically, you are paying pennies on the dollar for travel.

We are talking about nearly free travel. People are paying less in taxes and fees for premium cabin flights than they would pay in cash for an economy ticket.

You are not just saving on the ticket price.

You are getting a completely different and far more luxurious experience for less than the cost of what most people consider the budget option.

The opportunity cost of staying in a no annual fee program when premium travel is your goal is not just financial.

It is experiential.

Every year you spend earning slowly toward nothing meaningful is a year you are not arriving rested, comfortable, and ready for the trip you worked hard to take.

Groceries are useful. But if your real goal is premium travel, your card needs to be earning toward that goal.

The cards I hold have annual fees ranging from around $120 to $250. None of them feel expensive to me because every single one is paying for itself many times over through points earned, perks used, and travel covered.

The question is never just, “How much is the annual fee?”

The question is:

Is this card delivering more value than it costs me?

That is the only number that matters.

And depending on your banking setup, there may be ways to reduce or waive certain annual fees. Some premium bank accounts include annual fee rebates for eligible credit cards, so this is worth checking if you already bank with the issuer.

That does not mean you should open a bank account only for a fee waiver without doing the math.

It means the annual fee is one piece of the larger system.

I used to think differently about this.

When I worked at the bank, I had access to cards without paying the annual fees, so I became very resistant to paying for a different card elsewhere. I thought, “Why would I pay for a card when I can get one for free?”

But that mindset kept me stuck in programs that were not helping me get outsized travel value.

Now I look at it differently.

If a card costs $150 but helps me unlock $1,000 or more in travel value, that fee is not the problem. The problem would be refusing to pay the fee and staying in a program that does not get me where I actually want to go.

That does not mean every annual fee is worth it.

It means you need to look at the numbers.

If the card gives you more value than it costs, it is doing its job.

If it does not, it is not the right card for you.

The Two-Card Strategy

The points and miles world has a tendency to make everything more complicated than it needs to be.

You will find people online juggling eight cards, tracking rotating bonus categories, and optimizing every single transaction down to the cent.

That is a hobby in itself. There is nothing wrong with it if that level of detail excites you.

But most people do not need it.

And honestly, most people will not stick with a system that requires that much maintenance.

I go through phases where I track everything closely. I am not going to pretend I never optimize or chase points.

But even as someone who is immersed in this world, there are seasons where I want a laid-back strategy too.

Recently, I have been focusing on my two-card strategy and not overcomplicating it. That gives me a simple system I can fall back on while still earning meaningful points toward the trips I actually want.

And it works.

I travel multiple times a year, more than the average person, and I still use points for long-haul flights that would cost thousands of dollars in cash.

I have even booked Qatar Airways from Montreal to Bangkok in business and first class using points — a trip that would have cost around $20,000 in cash. That particular trip had to be canceled because of the geopolitical climate, but the point still stands: the strategy made that redemption possible, and my out-of-pocket cost was under $1,000 round trip.

That is what most beginners need to understand.

You do not need to do everything.

You need a system that works.

When you try to do too much too quickly, it becomes easy to make mistakes. I have seen people get excited, open too many cards, forget about annual fees, miss deadlines, or get declined because they moved too fast without a plan.

That is not the goal.

The goal is to build a system you can actually maintain.

My philosophy is simple: two personal cards that work together toward your travel goals, and a business card if you own a business.

That is it.

Why Two Cards Works

No single card is the best card for every situation.

Practically speaking, not everywhere accepts every card. If your main earner card is an Amex, your second card might be a Visa or Mastercard backup.

It might also be a card that adds perks like free checked bags, airline bonuses, or access to points your everyday card does not earn.

There is also the practical reality that if there is ever an issue with one card, you are not stuck earning nothing while you sort it out.

I have had moments where I went to use a card and, lo and behold, it did not work. In those moments, having a second card is not just strategic. It is practical.

Could you use debit instead?

Sure.

But I personally hate using debit for a big purchase because it means I am earning nothing back. If I am already spending the money, I want that purchase moving me closer to a trip.

But the real reason for two cards is strategic.

The two cards need to work together to earn you the points you actually need for the flights you actually want.

Your two cards do not need to earn into the same points ecosystem either.

Depending on where you want to fly and which cabins you want to access, you may intentionally build toward two different programs because certain airlines and cabin products are only available through specific transfer partners.

What matters is that every card in your portfolio is earning toward a flight you actually want to take.

How Business Cards Fit In

On the business side, your card strategy is entirely separate.

Business expenses run through a business card, full stop.

Mixing personal and business spending muddies your financial picture and leaves points on the table.

If you own a business, your business card strategy runs parallel to your personal strategy, not on top of it.

Depending on your business structure, spending patterns, and travel goals, it may involve one card or more than one.

And just like with personal cards, your business card should match your actual travel goals.

The RBC Avion Business earns transferable points, which can be incredibly powerful. But if your goal is specifically to fly Air Canada or Star Alliance partners as often as possible, RBC Avion may not be the most efficient business card for your strategy.

That is why I always come back to the same point: the card follows the goal.

Some people are loyal to a specific airline or cabin product. I have had clients who only want to fly one airline and are not interested in alternatives. There are British Airways loyalists, Delta loyalists, and people who simply prefer the cabin experience they already know.

That is not wrong.

But it does mean the card strategy needs to match that preference.

If you are loyal to a specific airline, you do not want to spend years earning points in a program that does not help you book the flights you actually want.

The RBC Avion Business is the card I recommend most often as the anchor of a business card strategy for premium travel, but it is a starting point, not necessarily the whole picture.

There is one exception to separating your business from personal expenses that I use personally, but it is an advanced strategy that requires having your financial and accounting systems completely dialed in and a close working relationship with your accountant.

It is not something I recommend until you are firmly at that stage.

My Honest Picks for the Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada

Every card I am recommending below is one I personally hold or have held.

I am going to tell you what I use it for, who it makes sense for, and just as importantly, who it does not make sense for.

Because a card that is wrong for your situation is not a good card, no matter how many points it promises.

If You Are a Beginner or Want to Prove Travel Rewards Actually Work

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite

This is where I started.

My very first credit card was a TD Rewards card, and when I became eligible, I moved up to the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite.

It was a natural progression and it served me well for years.

This is a fixed-value TD Rewards card, which means the points have a set value rather than being redeemed through an airline award chart.

That sounds like a limitation, and in some ways it is.

But for a beginner, it is actually an advantage.

You do not need to learn how to navigate award availability, transfer partners, or redemption sweet spots. You charge a travel purchase to the card, you redeem your points against it, and the cost comes off.

Simple. Immediate. Satisfying.

In 2023, I used this card to book six flights for zero dollars.

One of the things that makes this card particularly useful is that it does not charge taxes and fees on redemptions the way some other programs do, which means your points genuinely cover the full cost.

For those six flights, I was not limited to one airline alliance. I could book across different airlines, and my points still covered the flights.

That is where fixed-value points can be incredibly beginner-friendly.

They may not unlock the same outsized premium cabin value as airline loyalty programs or transferable points, but they are simple, flexible, and easy to use.

At the time of writing, the welcome bonus is 145,000 TD Rewards points after spending $7,500 within the first six months.

At a redemption rate of 200 points per dollar, that is approximately $725 in travel value from the welcome bonus alone.

This offer is listed as ending September 4, 2026. The card also currently includes perks like a $100 hotel credit on eligible bookings through Expedia for TD and a birthday bonus.

When I held this card, it also came with limited-time promotions that added extra value for me, including a free Uber Eats benefit for a period of time.

Those kinds of promotions change, so I would never choose a card based only on a temporary perk. But they can make a good card even more valuable when the timing lines up.

Always check the current offer before applying, as these details shift periodically.

Who This Card Is For

This card is best for beginners who want a low-friction way to see travel rewards work.

It is also a good fit for people who want to offset economy flights, hotel stays, and car rentals without learning a complex system.

The TD Rewards card can also make sense for students or people who are not yet eligible for premium cards and want to start building their travel rewards foundation.

Who This Card Is Not For

This is not the card I would choose for someone chasing international business class or first class.

It is not the card that gets you into premium cabins efficiently.

It is the card that proves the system works and gets you comfortable with using points for travel.

If You Spend a Lot on Food, Dining, and Subscriptions

American Express Cobalt

In Canada, the Amex Cobalt is what I call an earn card .

This is not a card you get because the welcome bonus is the entire strategy.

It is a card you get because over time, if your spending patterns align with it, it can accumulate American Express Membership Rewards points faster than almost anything else available to Canadians.

The earn rates are 5x points on eligible food and dining, including restaurants, quick service restaurants, coffee shops, stand-alone grocery stores in Canada, and food and grocery delivery services.

That 5x rate applies up to a combined maximum of $2,500 in net purchases per month across those categories. Once you hit that $2,500 monthly threshold, additional spending in those categories earns at the base rate.

The card also earns 3x on eligible streaming subscriptions and 2x on gas, transit, and rideshare.

For a lot of Canadians, food is one of their biggest monthly expenses.

If that is true for you, this card works exceptionally hard on your behalf without you having to think about it.

American Express Membership Rewards points are a transferable currency, which means they are not locked into one program.

You can transfer them to Aeroplan, Air France KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Executive Club, and several other partners depending on where you want to go.

I have personally transferred Amex points to Aeroplan and British Airways, and that flexibility is exactly why I value the program so much.

In plain English: this card helps turn everyday spending into points that can eventually become premium flights.

That is why it is one of the first cards I look at when someone tells me they spend a lot on groceries, restaurants, takeout, or coffee.

What About Amex Acceptance in Canada?

I hear this concern less and less.

The reality is that many restaurants, grocery stores, and everyday retailers in Canada now accept Amex. It is not the barrier it once was.

And since this card works best in exactly the categories where Amex is commonly accepted, it is rarely an issue in practice for the way I use it.

That said, I still recommend pairing it with a Visa or Mastercard so you are covered when Amex is not accepted.

Who This Card Is For
This card is best for anyone with high food, dining, grocery, coffee, restaurant, or delivery spend.

It is also a strong fit for people building toward transferable points for international travel.

For many Canadians, this is the natural first card in a two-card Amex strategy.

Who This Card Is Not For

This card is not ideal for travelers who primarily do all-inclusive trips where they are not putting much food spend on the card.

It is also not the best fit if your spending does not align with the bonus categories.

And because it is an Amex, I would not rely on it as your only card. It works best as part of a two-card setup.

If You Want to Fly Air Canada and Star Alliance Partners

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite

This is my core Aeroplan card and the one I pair with the Amex Cobalt as my two-card personal strategy.

Where the Cobalt earns aggressively on food and everyday spending, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite builds my Aeroplan balance through travel purchases and Air Canada flights specifically.

Aeroplan is the program that unlocks the outsized redemptions.

Business class to Europe. Star Alliance partners across dozens of international routes. Long-haul flights that would cost thousands of dollars in cash.

This is the card that sits at the foundation of a premium travel strategy for many Canadians who fly Air Canada or its partners.

One perk that gets overlooked is that simply holding this card can give you free checked baggage when flying Air Canada. You do not necessarily need to book the flight with the card to access the checked bag benefit, as long as the card is properly linked to your Aeroplan account and the terms are met.

That alone can make a meaningful difference if you fly Air Canada regularly.

Since I also have Aeroplan Elite Status, I personally get additional Air Canada benefits, including two checked bags, Zone 2 boarding, and occasional preferred seats with extra legroom when flying economy.

Those perks come from my status, not just the card, but they are part of why Aeroplan has become such a core program in my travel strategy.

The TD Aeroplan card can also be useful when Aeroplan runs promotions through the Aeroplan eStore, especially when there are bonuses for using an Aeroplan credit card on eligible purchases.

If you fly Air Canada even a handful of times a year, the checked bag benefit alone can cover a significant portion of the annual fee.

At $30 to $65 per checked bag per flight, it adds up faster than most people realize.

A Note on Welcome Bonuses

I will be transparent about the welcome bonus landscape here.

When I was building my points strategy earlier in my journey, I was able to maximize welcome bonuses by strategically cycling between cards within TD’s lineup and timing the 12-month Aeroplan eligibility window.

That approach worked well for me for years.

The terms have since changed, and Aeroplan no longer allows you to earn a welcome bonus on a card you have previously held.

The landscape evolves and what worked then does not work now, which is exactly why staying current on program terms matters.

Who This Card Is For

This card is best for anyone whose primary travel is on Air Canada or Star Alliance partner airlines.

It is also a strong fit for people building toward Aeroplan redemptions for international premium travel.

And if you fly Air Canada regularly and want to stop paying for checked baggage, this card can quickly become worth it.

Who This Card Is Not For

This card is not ideal for travelers who primarily fly WestJet or airlines outside the Star Alliance network.

It is also not the best fit if your dream flights require programs Aeroplan cannot access, like Qatar Airways or certain other premium carriers.

If You Travel Heavily and Want to Maximize Every Dollar Spent on Travel

American Express Gold Rewards Card

The Amex Gold is the card I reach for when my travel spend is high and I want to make sure every dollar is earning meaningfully.

It earns 2x American Express Membership Rewards points on eligible travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and cruises.

It also earns 2x on gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases.

Here is how it fits into my strategy.

The Amex Cobalt earns 5x on food and dining up to its $2,500 monthly threshold.

When I hit that threshold in a heavy spending month, I switch to the Amex Gold for the remainder of that category and still earn 2x rather than dropping to the Amex Cobalt base rate of 1x per dollar.

It is a natural complement rather than a duplicate.

Where the Gold really earns its place in my portfolio is on travel charges.

I travel a lot, and I do not always book flights with points, especially domestic and short-haul flights.

For a long time, I used the Gold as part of my broader travel strategy. My approach is to prioritize points for international premium cabin travel and use cash for other travel expenses when that makes more sense.

When I do pay cash for eligible travel expenses, I like charging them to the Amex Gold so I can still earn 2x points.

I have also used it for travel expenses while abroad, which helped me keep building my Amex Membership Rewards balance even when I was not redeeming points for that specific trip.

Over the course of a year of heavy travel, that can accumulate into a meaningful points balance.

Who This Card Is For

This card is best for frequent travelers with high travel spend who want to earn transferable points on those purchases.

It also makes sense for existing Amex Cobalt holders who want a complementary card for overflow spending in bonus categories.

If you are building a larger American Express Membership Rewards balance for flexible redemptions, this card can fit well.

Who This Card Is Not For

This card is not the best fit for light travelers who do not charge significant travel expenses to their card.

It also makes more sense as a complement than as a standalone card.

If you do not already have a clear Amex strategy in place, I would usually start with the Cobalt first.

If You Own a Business and Want to Fly Premium Cabins

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business

This card changed my points game entirely.

The RBC Avion Business earns 1.25 Avion points for every dollar spent, up to $75,000 per year.

That can be significant if you have regular business operating costs.

At the time of writing, it has one of the strongest flat earn rates I have found on a Canadian business card.

When you are running a business and putting significant expenses through a card every month, that consistent 1.25x on everything adds up to a substantial points balance faster than most people expect.

Within one year of getting this card, I used the Avion points I had accumulated to pay for an international flight .

Here is what makes this card strategically important beyond the earn rate.

RBC Avion points transfer to a set of partners that includes some programs Aeroplan cannot access.

Qatar Airways, widely considered one of the best airlines in the world for premium cabin travel, is bookable through British Airways Executive Club, which is an Avion transfer partner.

So are Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and American Airlines AAdvantage.

If your aspirational travel involves carriers outside the Star Alliance network, Avion gives you a pathway that Aeroplan simply does not.

I am planning multiple trips to Asia, and having access to those carriers through Avion is a core part of how I am building toward those redemptions.

You cannot fly Qatar Airways with Aeroplan.

You can with a strategy that includes RBC Avion.

Who This Card Is For

This card is best for business owners who want to earn premium travel points on business expenses.

It is also a strong fit for anyone with aspirational flights on carriers outside the Star Alliance network, like Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, or Japan Airlines.

If you own a business and want a strong flat earn rate on a Canadian business card, this is one I would look at closely.

Who This Card Is Not For

This card is not for employees without business expenses.

It is also not necessary for someone whose travel goals are fully covered by Aeroplan and Star Alliance partners.

And if you are not yet ready to manage a separate business card strategy, I would focus on getting your personal card setup right first.

How to Know If Your Travel Credit Card Is Actually Worth It

This is the question most points content never asks, and it is the most important one.

Getting a card is step one.

Knowing whether it is actually delivering for you is what separates someone who dabbles in travel rewards from someone who consistently gets value from them year after year.

Add Up What the Card Has Actually Given You

Not what it could theoretically give you.

What it has actually given you.

Look at:

Points earned
Perks used
Travel covered
Statement credits applied
Lounge visits taken
Baggage fees saved
Insurance benefits actually used

Every card in your portfolio should have a real number attached to it that represents the value you extracted from it in the past twelve months.

Compare the Value to the Cost

Then compare that number to what the card cost you.

That includes:

Annual fee
Any interest paid if you ever carried a balance
Foreign transaction fees
Any other costs tied to keeping or using the card

That is your total cost.

If the value you received is higher than the cost, the card is working.

If it is not, something needs to change: your card, your spending habits, or how you are redeeming.

Check Whether Your Points Are Moving Toward Your Actual Goals

This is where a lot of people get stuck without realizing it.

They are earning consistently, but the program they are earning in cannot deliver the flights they want.

Points sitting in a program that does not serve your goals are not working for you, no matter how many you have accumulated.

I have seen clients come to me with hundreds of thousands of points they cannot use for a single flight they actually want to take.

That is why the card always follows the strategy.

Not the other way around.

Do Not Ignore the Perks

The cards in this post all carry perks that contribute to their value in ways that are easy to overlook.

Free checked baggage on Air Canada. Travel credits. Purchase protection. Emergency travel insurance.

I have personally received value from perks like free checked bags, lounge access, temporary memberships like Uber One, and discounts or credits at stores where I already planned to shop.

These perks are not the whole reason to choose a card, but they have real dollar values and should count toward your return on investment calculation.

I have a calculator I use with my clients and students that walks through exactly this exercise, showing you whether a card is delivering based on your specific spending and travel patterns.

It takes the guesswork out and gives you a clear answer on whether to keep a card, upgrade, or move on.

The goal is not to have the most cards.

It is to have the right cards and know with confidence that each one is earning its place in your portfolio.

Common Questions About Travel Credit Cards in Canada

What Is the Best Travel Credit Card in Canada for Beginners?

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite is where I point most beginners.

It is straightforward, the points have a fixed value, and there is no complex redemption strategy to learn.

It is the card that proves the system works without requiring you to become a points expert overnight.

Once you are comfortable with how travel rewards function in practice, you can layer in more strategic cards from there.

What Is the Best Credit Card for Travel Points in Canada?

The best credit card for travel points in Canada depends on the kind of points you need.

If you want simple travel credits, a fixed-value card like the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite can work well.

If you want premium cabin flights, transferable points and airline loyalty points usually matter more.

That is why I like cards like the Amex Cobalt, TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, Amex Gold, and RBC Avion Business. Each one earns points that can support a specific travel strategy.

Is the Annual Fee Worth It on Travel Credit Cards?

For premium travel, yes, if the card is being used correctly.

Every card in this post charges an annual fee, and every one of them delivers more value than it costs when used for its intended purpose.

The calculation is simple: add up the points earned, perks used, and travel covered over the past year.

If that number exceeds the annual fee, the card is worth it.

If it does not, either you are not using the card correctly for your spending patterns, or it is the wrong card for your situation.

Can I Hold More Than One Travel Credit Card?

Yes, and for most people building toward premium travel, you should.

The two-card strategy I outlined in this post exists precisely because no single card optimizes every spending category or every travel goal.

Your two cards do not need to earn into the same points ecosystem either.

The key is that every card in your portfolio is earning toward a flight you actually want to take.

If it is not doing that, it does not belong in your wallet.

How Do I Know Which Card Is Right for Me?

Start with your travel goals, not the card.

Where do you want to go?

How do you want to fly?

Which airlines operate those routes?

Once you know the destination and the experience you are building toward, you can identify which loyalty program gives you access to it, and then find the card that feeds that program most efficiently.

The card always follows the strategy.

Why Have I Earned Travel Points but Still Cannot Book Premium Flights?

Usually, it is because you are earning the wrong type of points for your goal, earning too slowly, or collecting points in a program that does not access the flights you want.

This is exactly what happened with the client I mentioned earlier who spent years earning Aventura points but could not use them for the premium flights she wanted.

The issue was not that she failed to earn points.

The issue was that her points were not connected to the travel goal she actually had.

That is why I recommend reverse-engineering your points strategy from the trip you want to take, not from the card a bank happens to be promoting.

What Is a Welcome Bonus and How Does It Work?

A welcome bonus is a lump sum of points offered by a credit card issuer to new cardholders who meet a minimum spend requirement within a specified timeframe.

Welcome bonuses are one of the fastest ways to accumulate a meaningful points balance quickly.

For many people, they cover the bulk of what is needed for a first redemption.

One thing worth knowing: welcome bonus chasing is a real strategy, but it is an advanced one.

It requires a thorough understanding of program terms, credit implications, and timing.

For most people who are not traveling at a very high frequency, it is not necessary and can get complicated fast.

Focus on building a solid card portfolio first.

The welcome bonus is a great head start, not the whole strategy.

Do Travel Credit Cards Affect Your Credit Score?

Applying for a new credit card results in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your score by a small amount.

Holding a card responsibly, meaning paying your balance in full every month and keeping your utilization low, generally has a positive effect on your credit score over time.

Travel rewards cards are designed for people who pay their balance in full.

That is the only context in which they make financial sense.

The Right Card Is the One That Gets You There

There is no universally best travel credit card in Canada.

Anyone who tells you otherwise is either selling something or has not thought carefully enough about what you are actually trying to accomplish.

The cards in this post are my keeper cards.

The ones I hold, use, and recommend because they have delivered real value in my own travel and for my clients.

But what makes them work is not the cards themselves.

It is having a strategy that connects your spending to your goals and your goals to the right program.

If you are a beginner, start with something that proves the system works and gets you your first win.

If food and dining is your biggest expense, earn 5x on every dollar of it.

If Air Canada is how you fly, build your Aeroplan balance intentionally.

If you own a business, put your business expenses to work in a program that can get you the cabins you want.

And if you have been earning points for years in a program that cannot deliver the flights you actually want, it is not too late to change course.

The thing that makes me most passionate about this is not the points.

It is what the points make possible.

Arriving in a flat bed seat on a twelve-hour flight and stepping off the plane feeling rested and ready.

Experiencing a cabin product you saved up for years and paid almost nothing for in cash.

Traveling more, traveling better, and keeping the money you save working for you in other ways.

That is what this is actually about.

Before you apply for a card, figure out how many points you actually need for the trip you want to take.

The First Class Calculator helps you reverse-engineer your points goal so you are not guessing, collecting the wrong points, or wasting years on a card that cannot get you where you want to go.

And if you are still building your foundation on how travel rewards work before diving into specific cards, learn how travel rewards points work in Canada !

Air Miles vs Aeroplan: The Honest Comparison

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 02:04:41 GMT

If you live in Canada, you’ve probably heard of both Air Miles and Aeroplan. They’re familiar, widely used, and easy to assume are worth collecting.

But familiar does not mean right for you.

If you’ve spent years swiping a loyalty card, checking random app balances, and hoping your points eventually turn into something useful, you should know this: a loyalty program is not the same thing as a travel rewards strategy.

I spent years as an investment advisor at TD Canada Trust, starting when I was 19, helping clients navigate credit products and financial decisions. Air Miles was also one of the first rewards programs I used myself.

I tried it. I collected it. I redeemed it. And eventually, I walked away from it.

I didn’t leave it behind because Air Miles has no value at all.

I left it behind because for the kind of travel I care about now — long-haul flights, premium cabins, lie-flat seats, and travel that makes hard trips physically easier — Air Miles is not the program I would build around.

In this post, I’ll compare Air Miles vs Aeroplan honestly. I’ll explain how each program works, where they differ, what the Air Miles transition to Blue Rewards means, and which one makes the most sense if your goal is premium travel.

Spoiler: if luxury cabins are the goal, Aeroplan wins. Not just because it’s attached to Air Canada, but because it gives you access to the kind of flight redemptions Air Miles simply is not built for.

Do not collect points just because a program is well known, your best friend uses it, or an influencer speaks highly of it.

Collect points because they move you toward the trip you actually want.

What Is Air Miles?

Air Miles is a Canadian loyalty rewards program that lets members earn Miles through participating retailers, online shopping, travel bookings, promotional offers, and certain BMO credit cards.

For a long time, Air Miles was the program many Canadians collected almost by default.

You swiped your card at the grocery store. You collected at the gas station. You checked your balance once in a while and hoped it eventually added up to something useful.

That is exactly how I used to think about it.

Air Miles was one of the first programs I paid attention to because it felt easy. Everyone was talking about it, and it was just something you had. It did not feel like I had to learn a whole points system, and I definitely did not have any strategic thinking behind it either.

And easy and strategic are not the same thing.

Historically, Air Miles had two types of Miles: Cash Miles and Dream Miles. Cash Miles were used for cash-like rewards, while Dream Miles were used for travel, merchandise, and experiences.

According to AIR MILES , as of January 25, 2026, Air Miles combined Cash Miles and Dream Miles into one unified Miles balance, so collectors no longer need to split their earning between the two categories. Air Miles says existing Miles are combined into one balance with no loss of value.

That makes the program simpler, but it does not fix the main issue for premium travel.

Air Miles still works more like a fixed-value rewards program than an airline award program.

That value can be useful.

But it is capped.

And that cap is the problem if your dream is business class to Europe, first class to Japan, or a lie-flat seat across the ocean.

With Air Miles, you are not really looking for sweet spots. You are not using an airline award chart. You are not turning a $9,000 flight into a redemption where the out-of-pocket cost feels almost ridiculous compared to the cash price.

You are earning a discount.

That can be fine.

It just is not the same thing as building a premium travel strategy.

What Is Aeroplan?

Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program, and for Canadians who want to use points for flights, it is usually one of the most important programs to understand.

Aeroplan points can be earned through Air Canada flights, partner flights, Aeroplan credit cards, the Aeroplan eStore, retail partners, hotel partners, and transferable credit card points programs.

Air Canada also has Star Alliance and other airline partners, which gives Aeroplan more flight redemption potential than a closed retail rewards program.

This is where Aeroplan becomes structurally different from Air Miles.

Aeroplan is not just a retail rewards program.

It is an airline loyalty program with access to award flights.

That matters because the cash price of a flight and the points price of a flight do not always move together.

A business class ticket might cost thousands of dollars in cash, but it may be bookable for a much smaller number of Aeroplan points if you understand the program, the route, the partners, and the availability.

That gap between the cash price and the points price is where the real value lives.

This is why Aeroplan can make sense for premium travel in a way Air Miles does not.

Aeroplan is not perfect. Award availability can be frustrating. Air Canada dynamic pricing can make some routes expensive in points.

Some partner bookings have taxes, fees, or surcharges that are a bit much — in my opinion, hello Emirates. And like every loyalty program, Aeroplan can change over time.

But if you are a Canadian trying to build toward premium cabin travel, Aeroplan is usually the foundation I would start with.

Not because everyone should collect Aeroplan blindly.

Because for premium international flights, Aeroplan has the structure, airline partners, and redemption options that can actually get you there. You are not limited to Air Canada flights, which is a big part of why the program can be so useful.

Air Miles is built for everyday rewards and fixed-value-style redemptions.

Aeroplan is usually used most efficiently when you book award flights, which are flights booked with points, and leverage airline partners.

That distinction matters more than anything else.

If you want a small discount from shopping you were already doing, Air Miles may be fine.

If you want to use points for premium cabins, Aeroplan is the program with the better structure.

This is the mistake I see people make all the time.

They collect points because a program is familiar. They join everything. They swipe every card. They let points scatter across six different accounts.

Then, when they finally want to book something meaningful, they realize none of those balances are large enough or flexible enough to get them where they actually want to go.

That is not a strategy.

That is how you end up with a bunch of points and nothing meaningful to book.

Earning Points: Retail Habits vs Travel Strategy

Air Miles is mainly built around partner retailers.

You earn by shopping with participating brands, using offers, scanning receipts, booking through the Air Miles travel options, shopping through the Air Miles eStore, and using eligible BMO Air Miles cards.

That can work well if you shop regularly with Air Miles partners.

But it can also be slow.

And if the earning is slow, scattered, and not tied to a trip you actually want, it becomes very easy to stop caring.

This is the part people do not always want to hear: a program being free to join does not mean it is worth your attention.

Yes, it is free to swipe.

Yes, you might eventually get something.

But attention is also a cost.

What I have seen with clients is that when people collect too many random rewards programs, they get overwhelmed.

They forget which points they have.

They forget where they earn.

They forget to redeem before the value becomes irrelevant to them.

But when they focus on specific programs that are tied to a real travel goal, they are more likely to stay engaged.

They remember the program because the program is getting them something they actually care about.

Aeroplan earning is more travel-strategy focused.

You can earn Aeroplan points through co-branded credit cards, Air Canada and partner flights, the Aeroplan eStore, retail partners, and transferable points programs.

That gives you more ways to intentionally build toward a flight redemption instead of slowly accumulating a scattered balance from occasional retail swipes.

This is why I do not want beginners chasing every program.

I want them asking:

What trip am I trying to book, and which points actually help me get there?

Redemption Value: Discount Program vs Premium Travel Potential

This is where Air Miles vs Aeroplan becomes very clear.

Air Miles has value, but that value is limited.

If you are using points as a discount against a cash price, then a very expensive flight still requires a very expensive amount of rewards.

That is not how premium cabin sweet spots usually happen.

When I say “sweet spot,” I mean a route or redemption where you can regularly find strong value for your points. For example, Montreal to Germany is a route where I often find business class availability around 60,000 points, which can be low compared to cash prices that retail for thousands of dollars.

Aeroplan is different because Aeroplan points can be used for flight rewards with Air Canada, Star Alliance airlines, and other airline partners.

That partner access is what creates opportunity.

A cash ticket in business class might be wildly expensive.

But the points price may be much more reasonable if there is award availability and you know which partner to book.

That does not mean every Aeroplan redemption is amazing.

Some are bad.

Some are average.

Some are not worth your points.

But Aeroplan gives you the possibility of outsized value.

Air Miles does not really play that game.

And if premium travel is your goal, that possibility is the whole reason to bother learning points in the first place.

Premium Travel: Which Program Actually Gets You There?

I am going to be direct.

Air Miles is not the program I would use for premium travel.

It is not the program I would recommend to someone who wants business class to Europe, a lie-flat seat to Asia, or a premium cabin experience that would cost thousands in cash.

That is not me being dramatic.

That is just the structure of the program.

Air Miles is better understood as a passive rewards or discount program. You collect, you redeem, and eventually you may get money off groceries, merchandise, travel bookings, or other rewards.

That can be useful for some people.

But useful is not the same as powerful.

Aeroplan is the better fit for premium cabin travel because it has airline award redemptions, Air Canada access, Star Alliance partner access, and more opportunities to use points against flights where the cash price is high.

This is why I personally leave Air Miles behind.

It takes too long for what I want from a rewards program.

And if I am going to put energy into learning, tracking, earning, and redeeming points, I want that energy going toward programs that can actually get me the kind of travel I care about.

For me, that means Aeroplan.

Flexibility: Closed System vs Airline Partner Network

Air Miles is a closed system.

You cannot transfer Air Miles to Aeroplan. You cannot move them into airline partners. You cannot combine them with Aeroplan points when you are short for a flight.

That matters.

Because the moment you decide you want to book something specific, flexibility becomes everything.

Aeroplan is not transferable out to other programs either, but it has a much larger airline redemption ecosystem inside the program itself.

Air Canada is part of Star Alliance , which means Aeroplan points can connect you to far more flight options than a closed retail rewards program.

That does not make Aeroplan perfect.

But it makes it much more useful for the type of person who wants international flights, premium cabins, and more route options.

Air Miles asks you to stay inside Air Miles.

Aeroplan gives you access to an airline network.

And in travel rewards, more options are usually a very good thing.

What the Blue Rewards Rebrand Means for Air Miles Collectors

Air Miles is changing.

On June 1, 2026, the Air Miles program is expected to transition to Blue Rewards. Existing Air Miles balances will automatically convert to Blue Points with no action required and no loss in value.

Blue Points are expected to be available for redemption starting June 2, 2026. The conversion is not a simple “one Air Mile becomes one Blue Point” situation in terms of point count.

The better way to understand it is equivalent value.

Air Miles says AIR MILES Reward Miles will convert to Blue Points with no loss of value, and that 1,500 Blue Points will equal $10.

For example, 95 Air Miles currently equals $10, and under Blue Rewards, the comparable structure is expected to be about 1,500 Blue Points for $10.

BMO has also said current BMO Air Miles credit and debit cardholders can continue using their cards during the transition, with more card-specific updates expected.

So, should Air Miles collectors panic?

No.

Based on the current information, your balance is not disappearing. The value is meant to be maintained through the transition.

But should premium-travel-focused Canadians suddenly get excited about Blue Rewards?

Also no.

At least not yet.

The rebrand may make the program simpler. It may improve the app. It may add partners. It may be a better version of Air Miles.

But a better version of a fixed-value rewards program is still not the same thing as Aeroplan and other non-fixed-value rewards programs.

The issue with Air Miles was never only the name.

The issue was that it was not built for premium cabin redemptions, if that is what you are looking for.

Blue Rewards may become a better passive rewards program. I will update this post once the program is fully live and we can see how it actually performs.

But for now, if your goal is luxury cabins, Aeroplan is still where I would put my energy.

Should You Choose Air Miles or Aeroplan?

The answer depends on your goal.

Should You Choose Air Miles or Aeroplan?

If you want a simple program where you can collect passively and eventually redeem for a discount, Air Miles or Blue Rewards may be fine.

If you already shop with participating partners, remember to use the program, and do not care about maximizing for premium flights, there is nothing wrong with collecting.

But I would not go out of my way for it.

And I definitely would not let it distract you from a stronger points strategy.

If you want premium travel, choose Aeroplan.

Business class to Europe.

A lie-flat seat to Asia.

A long-haul flight where you arrive feeling like a human instead of spending the first two days recovering.

Those are Aeroplan goals.

Not Air Miles goals.

This is where I want you to be honest with yourself.

Are you collecting points because the program is familiar?

Or are you collecting points because they are getting you closer to a specific trip?

They are not the same thing, and being financially savvy means knowing the difference.

When Air Miles Might Still Make Sense

Air Miles is not completely useless.

It may still make sense if:

you already shop with Air Miles partners
you will not get overwhelmed by multiple programs
you want a passive discount program
you are not interested in premium travel
you do not want to learn airline award redemptions
you remember to use your Miles and do not let the balance sit forever
you are comfortable treating it as a secondary or tertiary rewards program

That last point really matters.

Air Miles should not be the main program for someone who says they want luxury travel.

It can be a background program.

It can be a “sure, I’ll swipe if I’m already here” program.

I am all for that as long as it does not take away from your actual goals.

It can be a small discount program.

But I would not let it become the place where your best spending, attention, and strategy go.

If you only have so much mental bandwidth for points, use it where the upside is higher.

When Aeroplan Makes More Sense

Aeroplan makes more sense if:

you want to use points for flights
you want to travel internationally
you care about premium cabins
you want access to Air Canada and partner airlines
you are willing to learn some redemption basics
you want a program that can connect to a larger travel strategy

Aeroplan is not always the easiest program.

But it is the one I would rather see a beginner learn if their real goal is premium travel.

The learning curve is worth it because the potential outcome is better.

That is the difference.

Air Miles teaches you to collect slowly and redeem for something eventually.

Aeroplan can teach you to choose a destination, understand a route, earn the right points, and book a flight that would have been expensive in cash.

That is a strategy.

The Simplicity Argument

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is thinking more programs means more rewards.

It usually does not.

More programs often means more confusion.

More logins.

More expiry rules.

More balances that are too small to use.

More “I think I have points somewhere, but I do not remember where” energy.

I do not want that for you.

What I have seen over and over again is that people are more likely to actually use their points when the points are attached to a clear goal.

When someone knows, “I am earning Aeroplan points because I want to fly business class to Europe,” they pay attention.

They check availability.

They understand why the card matters.

They care enough to learn the system.

But when someone is collecting Air Miles, Scene+, random hotel points, a little cash back, and three different bank currencies with no plan, they usually get overwhelmed and disengaged.

That is not a personal failure.

That is just too much noise.

It is also worth thinking about your spending power.

You can only put one purchase on one card, so dividing your everyday spending across too many programs can make it take longer to see meaningful results.

Think of your spending like water filling a bucket.

If you keep pouring a little bit into five different buckets, it takes much longer for any one of them to fill.

But if you focus on the bucket that gets you closer to the trip you actually want, you will usually see progress faster.

A good points strategy should make your travel goal clearer.

Not create another chore.

FAQs

Can You Use Air Miles for Flights?

Yes, you can use Air Miles for flights and other travel redemptions through the Air Miles travel options.

Under Blue Rewards, travel booking is expected to continue with a new program experience, though the actual value will depend on the program’s redemption structure once it is fully live.

But using Air Miles for flights is not the same as booking an airline award with Aeroplan.

With Air Miles, think of it more like using rewards toward travel.

With Aeroplan, you are using an airline loyalty program to book flight rewards.

That difference matters most when the cash price is high.

Can You Transfer Air Miles to Aeroplan?

No. You cannot transfer Air Miles to Aeroplan.

They are separate loyalty programs.

This is one of the main reasons I do not recommend building both programs equally if your goal is premium travel.

You cannot combine them when it matters.

Are Air Miles Worth Anything?

Yes, Air Miles are worth something.

The better question is not “are they worth anything?”

The better question is:

Are they worth your attention compared to other programs?

For premium travel, my answer is no.

Is Aeroplan Better Than Air Miles?

For premium travel, yes.

Aeroplan is better than Air Miles if your goal is flights, international travel, airline partners, or premium cabins.

Air Miles may be easier for passive retail rewards, but Aeroplan has a stronger structure for travel redemptions because it connects to Air Canada, Star Alliance, and other airline partners.

The programs are built for different outcomes.

Choose based on the outcome you actually want.

What Happens to My Air Miles When It Becomes Blue Rewards?

Your Air Miles are expected to automatically convert to Blue Points when the program transitions to Blue Rewards on June 1, 2026.

The conversion is expected to happen with no loss in value, and Blue Points should be available for redemption starting June 2, 2026.

You do not need to do anything for the conversion.

Just be aware that redemptions and account access may be unavailable on June 1 during the transition.

Should I Still Collect Air Miles if I Already Have Aeroplan?

Maybe, but I would not prioritize it.

If you are already at an Air Miles partner and it is effortless to collect, fine.

But I would not make Air Miles your main focus if your real goal is premium travel.

Every program you collect requires attention. Even free programs create mental clutter.

If Aeroplan is the program that gets you closer to the flight you actually want, focus there first.

The Bottom Line

Air Miles and Aeroplan are both well-known Canadian loyalty programs, but they are not built for the same purpose.

Air Miles can be fine for passive rewards, small discounts, and people who want something simple.

Aeroplan is the stronger program for Canadians who want to use points for flights, especially premium cabin travel.

That is the honest comparison.

Air Miles is not bad because it has no value.

It is limited because it is not built for the kind of travel many people imagine when they start collecting points.

And that is why I do not want you blindly collecting it just because it is familiar.

Your points should have a job.

If the job is “eventually get a small discount,” Air Miles may be enough.

If the job is “get me into a lie-flat seat across the ocean,” Aeroplan is the better place to start.

Do not spread yourself thin chasing programs that do not match your goal.

Pick the program that gets you closer to the trip you actually want, then build toward it with intention.

If you are not sure how many points you actually need to make your dream trip happen, the First Class Calculator takes the guesswork out of it. Plug in your destination and preferred cabin, and it will show you what you are working toward.

And if you are still building your foundation on how travel rewards points work before diving into a specific program, learn how travel points work in Canada .

How Do Travel Rewards Points Work in Canada?

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 03:00:07 GMT

Travel rewards points in Canada let you earn points or miles on purchases, usually through credit cards. Then you can redeem these points for flights, hotels, upgrades, and other travel costs.

But if you’ve ever looked at a travel rewards credit card and wondered, “What does 60,000 points actually get me?” you’re not alone.

That is usually where beginners get stuck, because figuring out what is “worth it” can feel impossible at first.

Points can be powerful, but they are not free money. Banks and airlines offer rewards because they make money from merchant fees, annual fees, interest charges, and customer loyalty.

If you pay your credit card balance in full every month, points can help you travel better for less. If you carry a balance, the interest will usually cost more than the rewards are worth.

Quick note: this post is educational, not personalized financial advice.

Credit cards are only worth using for rewards if they fit your budget, credit situation, and ability to pay your balance in full.

That is the part a lot of people get wrong: they chase points at all costs, even when they’re taking on debt to do it.

Travel rewards are not about applying for random credit cards or chasing every welcome bonus. They work best when you understand the system, choose the right program for your goals, and only spend money you were already planning to spend.

I learned this because travel stopped feeling optional for me.

After a car accident left me dealing with chronic pain and migraines, long-haul economy flights became physically difficult. One upgrade from Egypt to Dubai showed me that premium travel was not just luxury for me.

It meant I could actually fulfill my dreams of frequent travel without the fear of totally wrecking myself in the process!

That moment is why I stopped treating points like random credit card perks and started learning them like a system.

I paid for consulting, attended conferences, tested strategies, and learned how travel rewards actually work.

I had even worked as an Investment Consultant at TD Canada Trust, advising clients on financial products, including credit cards. And I still did not understand how powerful points could be when used strategically until after I left the bank.

Since then, I have flown to Germany for $79 in taxes and fees, taken my grandmother to Switzerland and Singapore for $232 each, and covered six flights in a single year for zero dollars out of pocket.

This guide explains how travel rewards points work in Canada, the four main types of rewards programs, who points are actually worth it for, and how to choose where to start before opening a single credit card application.

What Are Travel Rewards Points?

Quick Answer: Travel rewards points in Canada are points or miles earned through credit cards, airlines, hotels, and bank loyalty programs. You can redeem them for flights, hotels, upgrades, and other travel costs. They are most valuable when you pay your credit card balance in full and use the right program for your travel goal.

Travel rewards points are a type of rewards currency earned through credit cards, airline programs, hotel programs, and bank loyalty programs.

Instead of receiving cash back, you earn points or miles that can be redeemed for travel.

In Canada, travel rewards points are commonly used for:

flights
hotel stays
seat upgrades
car rentals
vacation packages
statement credits for travel purchases

The basic idea is simple: spend money, earn points, and redeem points for travel.

But the value of those points depends heavily on the program.

Some points are worth a fixed amount, like one cent per point. Others can be worth much more when transferred to airline partners and used for premium cabin flights (business and first class).

That difference is where the strategy begins.

This is also why I do not like telling beginners to start with “the best travel rewards credit card in Canada” before they know what kind of trip they want. A card can look amazing on paper and still be wrong for your actual travel goal.

How Do Travel Rewards Points Actually Work?

Quick Answer: Travel rewards points work by rewarding you for everyday spending through a credit card, airline, hotel, or bank loyalty program. You earn points based on the program’s rules, then redeem them for travel through a bank portal, airline program, hotel program, transfer partner, or eligible travel statement credit.

Travel rewards points work by rewarding you for spending through a specific credit card or loyalty program.

You earn points based on the card’s earning rate, then redeem those points through a bank portal, airline program, hotel program, or transfer partner.

For example, a card might earn:

1 point per dollar on regular purchases
2 points per dollar on groceries
3 points per dollar on dining
bonus points after meeting a minimum spend requirement

Once you earn the points, you can redeem them based on the rules of that program.

Some programs let you apply points directly against travel purchases. Others let you book flights through airline partners. Some give you a fixed value. Others give you flexible value depending on the route, cabin, and availability.

This is why two people can earn the same number of points and get completely different results.

One person might redeem 75,000 points for $750 in travel credit. Another person might use 75,000 points for a business class flight that would have cost thousands of dollars in cash.

Same number of points.

Very different outcome.

The Simple 5 Step Version

If you are brand new to travel rewards points in Canada, think of the system like this:

Choose a goal.
Decide what you want to use your points for before choosing a card.
Earn the right type of points.
Use a travel rewards credit card or loyalty program that earns points connected to that goal.
Keep the points in the right place.
Your points may live in a bank program, airline account, hotel account, or transferable points program.
Compare redemption options.
Do not assume every redemption gives the same value.
Book when the value makes sense.
Use your points for travel when they save you money or unlock an experience you would not otherwise pay cash for.

That is the basic answer to how credit card points work for travel.

The real strategy comes from choosing the right points before you earn them.

I would rather see a beginner earn fewer points with a clear plan than collect six different points currencies they do not know how to use.

Are Travel Rewards Points Worth It in Canada?

Quick Answer: Travel rewards points are worth it in Canada if you pay your credit card balance in full every month, have stable spending, and choose a rewards program that matches your travel goals. They are usually not worth it if you carry credit card debt because interest charges can cost more than the points are worth.

Travel rewards points can be worth it in Canada if you pay your credit card balance in full, have stable spending, and choose a program that matches your travel goals.

They are usually not worth it if you carry credit card debt.

Most rewards credit cards charge high interest rates. If you carry a balance, the interest can quickly erase the value of any points you earn.

In that situation, focusing on debt repayment, lower-interest products, and financial stability should come first.

Points will still be here when you are ready.

Travel rewards work best for people who:

already use a credit card responsibly
pay the full balance every month
have predictable monthly spending
want to travel within the next 12 to 24 months
are willing to learn the basics before applying for cards

They are especially powerful for people who want premium travel without paying premium cash prices.

For me, that was the turning point. I was not trying to become a luxury traveler for the sake of luxury. I wanted flights that did not wreck my body for days after I landed.

That is why I care so much about strategy.

The goal is not to earn the most points possible. The goal is to earn the right points for the trip you actually want.

The 4 Types of Travel Rewards in Canada

Quick Answer: The four main types of travel rewards in Canada are cash back, bank proprietary points, loyalty program points, and transferable points. Cash back is the simplest, bank points are usually easy to redeem, loyalty points are tied to specific airline or hotel programs, and transferable points are often the most flexible.

Not all travel rewards points are equal.

In Canada, most rewards fall into four categories:

cash back
bank proprietary points
loyalty program points
transferable points

Understanding the difference is one of the most important things you can do before choosing a travel rewards credit card.

1. Cash Back

Cash back gives you a percentage of your spending back as money. It is simple, flexible, and easy to understand.

For example, if your card earns 2% cash back and you spend $1,000, you earn $20 back.

Cash back is great if you want simplicity. The value is clear, and you are not tied to a specific airline or hotel program.

The downside is that cash back has a fixed ceiling.

If a business class flight costs $8,000, you need $8,000 in cash back to cover it. That makes cash back useful for reducing travel costs, but less powerful for unlocking premium flights.

I do not hate cash back for beginners. For someone who feels overwhelmed by points, cash back can be a safe first step.

But once I started comparing cash back against the actual flights I wanted to take, I realized it capped my upside fast.

Best for: people who want simplicity, flexibility, and no complicated redemption rules.

2. Bank Proprietary Points

Bank proprietary points are rewards earned through a bank’s own loyalty program.

In Canada, examples include TD Rewards, CIBC Aventura, RBC Avion, and Scene+.

These points are often easy to use because you can redeem them through the bank’s travel portal or apply them toward eligible purchases.

Many bank points have a relatively fixed value. For example, some programs value points around one cent per point when redeemed for travel.

That makes them straightforward, but it can also limit upside.

If your points are worth one cent each, 75,000 points equals about $750 in travel value. That is useful, but it probably will not unlock a lie-flat business class seat on its own.

This is where a lot of beginners get confused. They hear someone say they booked a $5,000 flight with points, then assume all points work that way.

They do not.

A fixed-value bank point and a transferable point used strategically through an airline partner are not the same thing.

Best for: people who want easy redemptions and do not want to learn airline award charts or transfer partners.

3. Loyalty Program Points

Loyalty program points are earned directly with a specific airline or hotel program.

Examples include Air Canada Aeroplan points, Marriott Bonvoy points, WestJet Rewards, and Hilton Honors.

These programs can offer stronger value than fixed bank points, especially when used for flights or hotel stays that would be expensive in cash.

For example, Aeroplan points can be used for Air Canada flights and partner airline flights through Star Alliance and other partners. That means you are not limited only to Air Canada-operated routes.

The tradeoff is that you are working inside one program’s rules.

Availability, fees, partner access, and redemption prices can vary.

This is the part I wish more beginners understood before collecting points. A loyalty program can be incredibly valuable, but only if it matches where you actually want to go.

If you live somewhere with limited routes, or you usually fly from a smaller Canadian airport, your strategy may look very different from someone based in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal.

Best for: people who already know which airline or hotel program matches their travel habits.

4. Transferable Points

Quick Answer: Transferable points are often the most flexible travel rewards points because you can move them from a credit card rewards program to eligible airline or hotel partners. This can make them especially useful for booking flights, premium cabins, or higher-value redemptions.

Transferable points are often the most flexible and powerful type of travel rewards points.

You earn them through a credit card program, then transfer them to airline or hotel partners when you are ready to book.

In Canada, major transferable points programs include American Express Membership Rewards and RBC Avion.

Transferable points are valuable because they give you options.

Instead of locking yourself into one airline program immediately, you can wait until you know which partner has the best redemption for your trip.

Think of transfer partners as the booking programs your points can move into. You do not need to understand all of them today.

The key idea is that transferable points keep your options open until you know which program works best for your trip.

For example, depending on the card program, you may be able to transfer points to programs like:

Aeroplan
Air France KLM Flying Blue
British Airways Executive Club
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Marriott Bonvoy
other airline or hotel partners

This flexibility can create outsized value.

A flight that costs thousands of dollars in cash might be bookable for a much smaller number of points through the right airline partner. That is why transferable points are often the best starting place for people who want international premium cabin travel.

This is also where Amex points can be useful for flights. American Express Membership Rewards can transfer to certain airline partners, but the best transfer depends on your route, cabin, dates, and award availability.

That is a whole strategy on its own, which is why I would not try to learn every Amex transfer partner in your first week.

Start with the trip.

Then figure out which points can get you there.

Best for: people who want flexibility, premium travel, and higher-value redemptions.

Why Not All Points Are Worth the Same

Quick Answer: Not all travel rewards points are worth the same amount. Some points have a fixed value, such as one cent per point, while others can be worth more when used for flights, hotels, or premium travel redemptions. The value depends on the program and how you redeem the points.

Points are not worth the same amount across programs.

Their value depends on how you redeem them.

A point used for a gift card might be worth less than one cent. A point used for a fixed travel credit might be worth around one cent. A point used for a strong airline redemption could be worth several cents.

That is why “how many points do I need?” is not the full question.

The better question is:

“What kind of points do I need for the trip I actually want?”

This is also why redeeming airline points for gift cards is usually a weak use of points.

It may feel easy, but it often gives up the value that makes travel rewards powerful in the first place.

I know because I made that mistake early.

I once used Aeroplan points for a gift card because I did not understand how valuable they could be for flights. I would not make that redemption today.

At the time, I thought I was being practical. I had points, I saw a redemption option, and I used it.

Now I know that ease and value are not always the same thing.

That is one of the biggest lessons I want beginners to take from this post: just because you can redeem points a certain way does not mean you should.

Why Do Banks and Airlines Offer Travel Rewards?

Banks and airlines offer travel rewards because loyalty programs are profitable.

They encourage spending, build customer loyalty, and generate revenue through merchant fees, annual fees, interest charges, and program partnerships.

This is not generosity.

It is business.

Every time you use a credit card, the merchant pays a processing fee. Banks also make money from annual fees, foreign transaction fees, late fees, and interest from people who carry balances.

Airlines benefit because points encourage customers to stay loyal to their network. Banks benefit because rewards cards make people more likely to spend on their products.

That does not make points bad.

It just means you need to understand the rules.

You are either using the system intentionally, or the system is using you.

The goal is simple: spend only what you were already going to spend, pay your balance in full, and earn rewards from money already moving through your life.

That is why I never recommend opening a card just because the welcome bonus looks exciting.

A big bonus attached to the wrong strategy can still be a bad starting point.

How to Start With Travel Rewards Points in Canada

Quick Answer: The best way to start with travel rewards points in Canada is to choose your travel goal before choosing a credit card. Decide where you want to go, what airport you usually fly from, what kind of travel you want, and whether you prefer simple redemptions or maximum value.

The best way to start with travel rewards points is to choose your travel goal before choosing a credit card.

Most people do this backwards.

They apply for a card because they saw a big welcome bonus, liked the bank, or heard someone online recommend it.

But the right card depends on the trip you want.

Before I recommend any card, I look at the trip, the route, the spending pattern, and the points program.

That is the difference between collecting points and having a plan.

Start with these questions.

1. Where Do You Want to Travel?

Your destination determines which points are useful.

A person who wants to fly from Toronto to Paris may need a different strategy than someone who wants to fly from Calgary to Vancouver or from Halifax to Tokyo.

Before looking at credit cards, choose one realistic travel goal.

For example:

“I want to fly business class to Europe.”
“I want to visit Japan in the next two years.”
“I want to cover domestic flights within Canada.”
“I want to take my parents on one big international trip.”

The clearer your goal, the easier it is to choose the right program.

This is what changed everything for me. Once I stopped asking, “What card has the best bonus?” and started asking, “What flight am I trying to book?” the entire process became less overwhelming.

2. What Airport Do You Usually Fly From?

Your home airport matters more than most beginners realize.

If you live in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal, you may have access to more direct international routes and airline partners.

If you live in a smaller city, your options may depend heavily on Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, Flair, or a connecting airport.

For example, someone in Calgary may care more about WestJet than someone in Toronto. Someone in New Brunswick may have fewer airline options and need to plan around available routes.

Your best points strategy should match the flights you can actually take.

This matters a lot in Atlantic Canada.

A strategy that looks perfect for someone in Toronto can fall apart when your real trip starts with a positioning flight. I always want to know where someone is actually starting from before deciding which points make sense.

3. Do You Want Simplicity or Maximum Value?

There is usually a tradeoff between simplicity and maximum value.

Cash back and fixed-value bank points are easier to understand. Transferable points and airline programs can unlock better value, but they require more learning.

Neither option is automatically better.

If you want a simple way to reduce travel costs, fixed-value points may be enough.

If you want international business class flights, lie-flat seats, or premium cabins without paying premium cash prices, you will likely need to learn transferable points and airline loyalty programs.

I would not push a complete beginner into the most complicated strategy if they are still nervous about using a rewards card at all.

But I also would not tell someone dreaming of business class to rely only on basic cash back.

The right answer depends on the goal.

4. How Much Do You Naturally Spend?

Travel rewards work best when you earn points from spending you were already going to do.

That can include groceries, gas, dining, recurring bills, insurance, or business expenses, depending on the card and merchant acceptance.

The key word is already .

Do not spend more just to earn points.

If a welcome bonus requires a minimum spend, make sure you can meet it comfortably with normal expenses.

A card bonus is not worth buying things you do not need.

This is one of the most common mistakes I see beginners make. They get excited about the bonus and forget to ask whether the spending requirement fits their actual life.

Points should support your budget.

They should not distort it.

5. What Kind of Travel Do You Actually Want?

Some people want as many free economy flights as possible.

Some want one big luxury trip.

Some want to visit family more often.

Some want hotel stays.

Some want upgrades because economy is physically difficult.

Those are different goals, and they may require different points strategies.

For me, premium cabins matter because of pain, migraines, and accessibility. That does not mean everyone needs to chase business class.

It means your strategy should fit your real reason for traveling.

If your goal is to take your kids to Disney, your points plan will look different from someone who wants a lie-flat seat to Singapore.

Neither is wrong.

But they are not the same strategy.

If you already have points and do not know what they can realistically get you, start by calculating your target trip before choosing another card.

Use the First Class Calculator to see how many points your dream flight may require before applying for another card

What Is the Best Way to Use Credit Card Points to Travel?

Quick Answer: The best way to use credit card points to travel is to match your points to a specific trip. Choose your destination, decide what cabin you want to fly, check which airlines serve the route, then earn points that can be used with the right airline, hotel, or transfer partner.

The best way to use credit card points to travel is to match the points to a specific trip.

For beginners, that usually means choosing one travel goal, figuring out which program can book that trip, then earning points that transfer to or work with that program.

A simple process looks like this:

Choose your destination.
Decide whether you want economy, premium economy, business class, or first class.
Check which airlines fly that route.
Identify which points programs can book those airlines.
Earn the points that give you the best combination of flexibility and value.
Compare the points cost, taxes, fees, and cash price before booking.

This is how to use credit card points to travel strategically instead of randomly.

The mistake is collecting points first and trying to find a use for them later.

I have done that, and it is frustrating.

You end up with points scattered across programs, not enough for the flights you want, and no clear next step.

A goal-first strategy avoids that.

What Is the Best Travel Rewards Credit Card in Canada?

Quick Answer: There is no single best travel rewards credit card in Canada for everyone. The best card depends on your travel goal, home airport, spending habits, preferred airlines, and whether you want simple redemptions or maximum value. Start with the trip first, then choose the points program and card that can help you book it.

There is no single best travel rewards credit card in Canada for everyone.

The best card depends on:

your travel goals
your home airport
your monthly spending
your preferred airlines
whether you travel domestically or internationally
whether you want simplicity or maximum value
whether you pay your balance in full every month

Anyone who gives one universal answer is skipping the most important part: your strategy.

The right process is:

choose your travel goal
identify the best loyalty program for that goal
choose the card that earns those points efficiently
use the card only for planned spending
pay the balance in full every month

That is how points become a tool instead of a trap.

This is also why I do not like “best card” lists as a starting point for beginners.

They can be useful once you know what you are looking for. But if you do not know whether you need Aeroplan points, Amex Membership Rewards, RBC Avion points, WestJet dollars, hotel points, or cash back, a best-card list can send you in the wrong direction.

Do Travel Rewards Points Expire?

Quick Answer: Travel rewards points can expire depending on the program. Airline and hotel points often require account activity within a certain period, while bank points may stay active as long as your account is open and in good standing. Always check the expiry rules for each program you use.

Travel rewards points can expire, depending on the program.

Many airline and hotel programs require account activity within a certain period to keep points active.

Activity can include:

earning points
redeeming points
using a shopping portal
making a small purchase with a linked credit card
transferring points from an eligible partner

Bank points may be tied to your credit card account and may remain active as long as the account is open and in good standing.

The safest habit is to check your loyalty accounts regularly and understand each program’s expiry policy.

I recommend beginners keep a simple note with the programs they belong to, approximate points balances, and any expiry rules.

You do not need a complicated spreadsheet at the beginning.

You just need to know what you have and when you might lose it.

Common Beginner Mistakes With Travel Rewards Points

Travel rewards points can feel overwhelming at first, but most beginner mistakes come from skipping the strategy step.

Here are the big ones to avoid.

Applying for a Card Before Choosing a Goal

This is the most common mistake.

A card can have a huge welcome bonus and still be the wrong card for your trip.

Before applying, ask:

“What trip am I trying to book, and do these points help me get there?”

Redeeming Points for Low Value Options

Gift cards, merchandise, and statement credits can be easy, but they are often not the best value.

That does not mean you can never use them.

It means you should understand the tradeoff before redeeming.

I used Aeroplan points for a gift card early on because I did not know better. Now I would save those points for flights instead.

Ignoring Taxes and Fees

Points do not always make a flight completely free.

You may still pay taxes, carrier surcharges, airport fees, or booking fees.

That does not mean the redemption is bad, but you need to compare the full cost.

A flight that costs 70,000 points plus $900 in fees may not be as good as it looks.

Earning Points You Cannot Easily Use

A points program is only useful if it helps you book travel you actually want.

If you live near an airport with limited airline options, or you have strict travel dates, some programs may be harder to use than others.

This is why your home airport and travel flexibility matter.

Spending More to Earn Points

Never buy things you do not need just to earn rewards.

If you would not have spent the money without the points, the points are not really free.

They are a rebate on spending, not a reason to overspend.

Final Thoughts: Travel Rewards Are a System

Travel rewards points are not just for frequent flyers, finance experts, or people with unlimited money.

They are a system.

And like any system, they work best when you understand the rules before you start.

You now know the four main types of rewards in Canada: cash back, bank points, loyalty program points, and transferable points.

You know why transferable points can be powerful, why not all redemptions are equal, and why carrying credit card debt makes points a bad trade.

Most importantly, you know that the right starting point is not a credit card application.

It is your goal.

Once you know where you want to go, how you want to fly, and what programs can get you there, the card decision becomes much easier.

If you are ready to figure out how many points you need for your dream trip, use the First Class Calculator to map your destination, cabin, and points target before applying for anything.

And if you want to build a full strategy from goal to redemption, start with the T.R.I.P. System .

3 Key Insights I Wish I Knew About Credit Sooner

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 01:54:31 GMT

If you were never taught about how credit works, you're not alone. Here are 3 things you need to know...

In the world of personal finance, understanding credit can be a game-changer. From buying a home to financing a car or simply managing everyday expenses, your credit score can significantly impact your financial well-being. Reflecting on my own journey, there are three crucial insights about credit that I wish I had known earlier:

1. Credit Utilization: The Silent Player in Your Score

One of the most underrated aspects of credit is the role of credit utilization. This term refers to the percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. What many people don't realize is that maintaining a low credit utilization ratio is essential for a healthy credit score. Ideally, you should aim to keep your credit utilization below 30% of your available credit limit at all times (but most importantly right before your next statement comes out).

For instance, if your credit card has a limit of $10,000, try to keep your outstanding balance below $3,000. High credit utilization can signal to lenders that you may be overextended financially, which can negatively impact your credit score. By keeping your credit utilization in check, you can demonstrate responsible borrowing behavior and maintain a positive credit profile.

2. The Power of Payment History: Consistency is Key

Another critical factor that influences your credit score is your payment history. This aspect accounts for the largest portion of your credit score and reflects your track record of making on-time payments. Payment history is a reflection of your reliability as a borrower and plays a significant role in shaping your creditworthiness.

Missing payments can have detrimental effects on your credit score and may take years to recover from. On the flip side, consistently making on-time payments can help you build a strong credit history and boost your credit score over time. Prioritize timely payments on all your credit accounts, including credit cards, loans, and mortgages, to maintain a positive payment history and reap the benefits of a higher credit score.

3. The Importance of Credit Monitoring: Stay Informed and Empowered

Lastly, I've come to appreciate the value of credit monitoring in managing my financial health. Regularly checking your credit report allows you to stay informed about your credit standing and detect any errors or fraudulent activity early on. Many credit monitoring services offer free access to your credit report and score, making it easier than ever to keep tabs on your credit profile.

By staying proactive and vigilant, you can take control of your credit journey and address any issues promptly. Whether it's disputing inaccuracies on your credit report or identifying unauthorized charges, credit monitoring empowers you to safeguard your financial reputation and make informed decisions about your credit.

Empowering Yourself with Credit Knowledge

In hindsight, these three insights have been instrumental in shaping my understanding of credit. By prioritizing low credit utilizati on, maintaining a positive payment history, and embracing credit monitoring, you can empower yourself to achieve financial success. The banks would be happy to give you more credit when you're ready (if your income can support it).

Remember, credit is not just a number; it's a reflection of your financial habits and responsible behavior. By mastering these key principles and implementing actionable strategies, it can help pave the way for a prosperous financial future.

Creating Good Credit Habits: Actionable Steps for Success

In addition to understanding these key insights, it's essential to implement actionable strategies to create good credit habits. Here are some steps you can take to maintain a positive credit profile:

Set Up Payment Reminders: Use reminders or automatic payments to ensure you never miss a payment deadline.
Monitor Your Credit Regularly: Check your credit report at least once a year and report any discrepancies or suspicious activity.
Keep Credit Card Balances Low: Aim to pay off your credit card balances in full each month to maintain a low credit utilization ratio.
Diversify Your Credit Mix: Consider having a mix of different types of credit accounts, such as credit cards, loans, and mortgages, to demonstrate responsible borrowing behavior.

By incorporating these actionable steps into your financial routine, you can proactively manage your credit and pave the way for a brighter financial future.

Xo,

Jess