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Top 10 Travel Credit Cards in Canada for Frequent Flyers (2025 Edition)

 If you’re a Canadian who loves traveling, you probably know that choosing the right travel credit card can make a huge difference. From free flights and hotel stays to airport lounge access and insurance protection, the right card can save you thousands of dollars every year.

But with so many options available, the question is: Which travel credit card is best for frequent flyers in Canada in 2025?

We’ve done the research for you. In this guide, you’ll discover the Top 10 Travel Credit Cards in Canada for 2025, complete with their features, pros, cons, and who they’re best suited for.

✈️ Why Use a Travel Credit Card in Canada?

Before diving into the list, let’s quickly look at why travel credit cards are a must-have for frequent flyers in Canada:

  • Earn Points or Miles on every purchase to redeem for flights, hotels, and car rentals.

  • Exclusive Travel Perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, and airport lounge access.

  • Comprehensive Travel Insurance covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and lost baggage.

  • Generous Welcome Bonuses worth hundreds of dollars in free travel.

  • Partnerships with Airlines such as Air Canada’s Aeroplan program or WestJet Rewards.

Now, let’s get into the best options available in 2025.

🏆 Top 10 Travel Credit Cards in Canada for Frequent Flyers (2025)

1. American Express® Aeroplan Reserve Card

  • Annual Fee: $599

  • Welcome Bonus: Up to 100,000 Aeroplan points (with minimum spend).

  • Rewards:

    • 3 Aeroplan points per $1 on Air Canada purchases.

    • 2 points on dining and food delivery.

    • 1.25 points on all other purchases.

  • Perks: Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority check-in, free first checked bag, and Air Canada upgrades.

  • Best For: Frequent Air Canada flyers who want maximum benefits.

2. TD® Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

  • Annual Fee: $599

  • Welcome Bonus: Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points.

  • Rewards:

    • 2 points per $1 on Air Canada and partner airline purchases.

    • 1.5 points on gas, groceries, and dining.

    • 1.25 points on everything else.

  • Perks: Priority boarding, free checked bags, NEXUS fee rebate, airport lounge access.

  • Best For: Travelers who want strong Aeroplan perks but prefer a Visa over Amex.

3. CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege

  • Annual Fee: $599

  • Welcome Bonus: Up to 90,000 Aeroplan points.

  • Rewards: Similar structure to TD Aeroplan Infinite Privilege.

  • Perks: Extensive Aeroplan travel insurance, lounge access, priority services.

  • Best For: Aeroplan users who bank with CIBC for integrated benefits.

4. BMO® Ascend World Elite® Mastercard

  • Annual Fee: $150 (waived first year often).

  • Welcome Bonus: Up to 60,000 BMO Rewards points.

  • Rewards:

    • 5 points per $1 on travel.

    • 3 points on dining and entertainment.

    • 1 point on everything else.

  • Perks: 4 free airport lounge passes annually, comprehensive travel insurance.

  • Best For: Flyers who want strong rewards and lower annual fees compared to Aeroplan cards.

5. Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite Card

  • Annual Fee: $150

  • Welcome Bonus: Up to 40,000 Scene+ points.

  • Rewards:

    • 2 points per $1 on groceries, dining, and transit.

    • 1 point per $1 on everything else.

  • Perks: No foreign transaction fees, 6 free Priority Pass lounge visits.

  • Best For: Canadians who travel internationally and want to avoid FX fees.

6. American Express® Platinum Card

  • Annual Fee: $799

  • Welcome Bonus: Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points.

  • Rewards:

    • 3 points per $1 on dining.

    • 2 points on travel.

    • 1 point on all other purchases.

  • Perks: Unlimited Priority Pass lounge access, hotel elite status upgrades, luxury travel insurance.

  • Best For: Luxury travelers who want top-tier global perks.

7. RBC Avion Visa Infinite

  • Annual Fee: $120

  • Welcome Bonus: 55,000 Avion points.

  • Rewards:

    • 1 RBC Avion point per $1 spent (flexible redemption).

  • Perks: Flexible travel booking (any airline, no blackout dates).

  • Best For: Flyers who want flexible points that can be transferred to multiple airline partners.

8. WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

  • Annual Fee: $119

  • Welcome Bonus: $250 WestJet Dollars.

  • Rewards:

    • 2% back in WestJet Dollars on WestJet flights.

    • 1.5% on everyday purchases.

  • Perks: Free checked bag, annual companion voucher, travel insurance.

  • Best For: Frequent WestJet flyers looking for direct savings.

9. HSBC World Elite® Mastercard

  • Annual Fee: $149

  • Welcome Bonus: Up to 80,000 HSBC Rewards points.

  • Rewards:

    • 3 points per $1 on travel.

    • 2 points on dining and entertainment.

    • 1 point on everything else.

  • Perks: No foreign transaction fees, strong travel insurance.

  • Best For: International travelers seeking global flexibility.

10. Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

  • Annual Fee: $120

  • Welcome Bonus: Up to 45,000 Scene+ points.

  • Rewards:

    • 5 points per $1 on groceries, dining, and entertainment.

    • 3 points on gas, transit, and streaming.

    • 1 point on all else.

  • Perks: No FX fees, strong rewards for everyday spending.

  • Best For: Flyers who also want maximum rewards on daily categories like groceries and streaming.

📊 Quick Comparison Table (2025)

Credit CardAnnual FeeWelcome BonusBest For
Amex Aeroplan Reserve$599100,000 Aeroplan ptsAir Canada loyalists
TD Aeroplan Privilege$59985,000 Aeroplan ptsVisa perks + Aeroplan
CIBC Aeroplan Privilege$59990,000 Aeroplan ptsCIBC Aeroplan users
BMO Ascend World Elite$15060,000 BMO ptsLower fee + strong perks
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite$15040,000 Scene+ ptsIntl travel + no FX
Amex Platinum$799100,000 MR ptsLuxury travelers
RBC Avion Visa Infinite$12055,000 Avion ptsFlexible rewards
WestJet RBC World Elite$119$250 WJ$WestJet flyers
HSBC World Elite$14980,000 HSBC ptsIntl flexibility
Scotiabank Gold Amex$12045,000 Scene+ ptsEveryday + no FX

✅ How to Choose the Best Travel Credit Card in Canada

When selecting a travel card in 2025, ask yourself:

  1. Which airline do I fly most often? (Air Canada = Aeroplan cards, WestJet = WestJet RBC).

  2. Do I travel internationally? (Choose cards with no FX fees).

  3. Do I want luxury perks or savings? (Amex Platinum = luxury, BMO Ascend = value).

  4. What’s my budget for annual fees? (High-fee cards offer more perks but only worth it if you travel often).

  5. Do I prefer flexibility? (RBC Avion and HSBC points allow transfer to multiple partners).

❓ FAQs About Travel Credit Cards in Canada

1. Are travel credit cards worth it in Canada?
Yes—if you fly frequently, you can easily earn back more than the annual fee through perks, free flights, and insurance.

2. Which card is best for Air Canada flyers?
The Amex Aeroplan Reserve or TD Aeroplan Infinite Privilege.

3. Which card is best for WestJet flyers?
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard.

4. What’s the best no-foreign-transaction-fee travel card?
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite and Scotiabank Gold Amex.

5. Can I use points for any airline?
Cards like RBC Avion and HSBC World Elite allow flexible redemption across multiple airlines.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Travel credit cards in Canada are more powerful than ever in 2025. Whether you want Aeroplan perks with Air Canada, direct WestJet savings, luxury lounge access, or no FX fees, there’s a card tailored for you.

For frequent flyers, the high annual fees are worth it for the free flights, insurance, and premium benefits. But if you’re a more casual traveler, mid-tier cards like BMO Ascend or Scotiabank Gold Amex may be the smarter choice.

👉 The bottom line: Pick the travel card that matches your airline, lifestyle, and budget—and watch your rewards take you further.

Location: Canada

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