TLDR
- Travel credit cards allow cardholders to earn reward points on eligible travel and purchases, which may be redeemed in accordance with the applicable rewards programs for flights, vacation packages and travel related benefits.
- You can maximize credit card points for travel by using cards that offer bonus points on high-spend categories like travel, groceries, or dining.
- Many travel credit cards include high-value perks, such as airport lounge access, travel medical insurance and free checked bags, that help offset annual fees.
- When considering what the best credit card for travel points is, take your lifestyle into account. If you prefer travel perks, booking flexibility or a low-fee card, for example, that should play a role in your decision.
Choosing the best credit card for travel points depends on your spending habits, where you want to go, how you want to get there, and where you want to stay. This guide explains how travel rewards work, from accumulating points for flights and unlocking airport lounge access to earning extra points on everyday purchases, such as groceries, and obtaining travel insurance. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional traveller, here’s what you need to know before deciding which travel credit card is right for you.
What is a travel credit card?
A travel credit card rewards you for spending by giving you points for everyday purchases. These points, which can be used to pay for travel-related expenses such as hotels, flights and rental cars, are earned at different rates depending on the card and spending category of your purchases. Some cards allow you to redeem points through their own travel portal, while others focus on specific airlines or hotel partners.
How are travel credit cards different from cash back credit cards?
Travel cards differ from cash back credit cards in a few ways. A cash back card gives you back a percentage of the money you spend on purchases as a statement credit. A travel card gives you points you can use toward your next getaway and usually comes with perks that cash back cards don’t offer. You might gain access to airport lounges, for instance, or emergency medical insurance for travel outside Canada.
How do travel credit cards and rewards points work?
Understanding credit cards with travel benefits is the first step toward turning your daily coffee run into your next vacation. Here’s a breakdown.
What are rewards points?
Think of rewards points as a strategic way to get more value out of everyday spending. Every purchase, from gas to groceries and dining out, serves as a small contribution that, over time, can build to a significant reserve. Points can typically be redeemed for flights, hotels, gift cards, or a statement credit, but options may vary by card. Check your specific travel rewards card’s terms for details. The value of your points depends on the program and what you choose to spend them on.
How to earn travel rewards points
How quickly you accumulate points depends on what you’re buying. Most cards give you one point per dollar spent, as a baseline, but travel cards often award more points when you spend on flights, hotels or car rentals. RBC’s Avion Visa Infinite, for instance, adds a 25% bonus on these travel-related categories.
How to redeem travel rewards points
Wondering how to use your credit card points for travel? Once you’ve saved enough points, you get to decide. Depending on your specific travel rewards card, you may redeem points for flights, hotel stays, or vacation packages through your card’s travel portal. However, redemption options and point values can vary between card products. There’s also the option to move those points into a partner program, which can sometimes stretch your rewards further on certain flights or hotels.
The Avion Rewards system is built for flexibility, letting you book through the travel portal, redeem points for travel booked with any provider or transfer them to airline loyalty programs, including The British Airways Club and WestJet Rewards.
The basics of travel rewards points value
Your points are worth more in some places than others, but you’ll generally get the highest redemption value for booking flights or hotels. If you’re not sure how far your points at RBC will go, the RBC Credit Card Rewards Calculator is a good place to check your options before you book.
How to maximize credit card points for travel
Consistency is a key factor to earn travel award points efficiently, while managing your card responsibly. If you pay your balance in full monthly to limit charges, consider consolidating your existing routine expenses onto your travel card. This may help you earn points without increasing your overall expenditure. It’s also worth hunting for cards that offer a high welcome bonus, as they may jumpstart your progress toward a specific trip you have planned.
Your point balance may grow faster if your card is tailored to the specific things you purchase most often. For instance, if you prefer cooking meals at home, you might want to look for a card that offers more points on groceries. If you drive a lot, you might want to consider a card that provides more points on gas. A card that offers bonus points (also called multipliers) in your top spending categories will give you a better return on your purchases.
On the redemption side, if you travel outside peak season, you may need fewer points (depending on whether your loyalty program uses dynamic pricing). See this guide on how to get the most out of your Avion points, whether you’re travelling within Canada or abroad.
What are the different types of travel credit cards?
The travel card market has grown to cover nearly every type of traveller, from those who fly once a year to those who seem to live at the airport. The categories below should help you figure out where you fit on that spectrum.
| Category | Best For | Key benefits | Drawbacks | RBC example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | Travellers who want flexibility to earn rewards across multiple programs | Transfer points or use the bank’s booking portal; use points for things like car rentals, gift cards and statement credits | Annual fee; potential blackout periods; fewer perks | RBC Avion Visa Infinite |
| Co-branded | Travellers who have an affinity to a specific airline or hotel chain | Earn points directly with specific airline or hotel loyalty program; travel perks like free checked bags and annual companion voucher | Some limit points to one brand or specific partner brands | WestJet RBC Mastercards or British Airways Visa Infinite |
| Luxury | Frequent travellers who want perks | Airport lounge access, annual travel credits, higher earn rates, better insurance coverage | Higher annual fees | RBC’s Avion Visa Infinite Privilege |
What are the benefits of travel credit cards?
Travel cards offer more than just points. Depending on the card, you might get access to perks that can make your trip smoother, cheaper and more enjoyable, such as:
- Airport lounge access: Wait for your flight in a quieter space with free food, drinks and Wi-Fi. Check card details to see how many passes you’ll get each year.
- Travel medical insurance: Emergency medical coverage outside Canada is expensive to buy separately, so this perk may add value for some international travellers.
- Travel credits: Some premium cards offer annual credits that automatically apply to travel purchases, helping to offset their annual fee.
- Free checked baggage: Some co-branded airline cards waive baggage fees for you (and your companions).
- Status upgrades: Some cards offer a way to reach higher reward levels that unlock premium benefits such as priority services, lounge access or increased earn rates on your purchases.
- Concierge services: Luxury cards often include a concierge line that can help with restaurant reservations, event tickets or travel arrangements.
How to choose the best travel credit card for you
The right card for you depends on how you travel and what you value most. Here are a few things to consider.
- Frequency of travel: The more often you fly, the more value you get from a premium or luxury card. Occasional travellers may want to stick with something simpler.
- Airline or hotel loyalty: Travellers who prefer one airline or hotel brand may benefit from a co-branded card, which earns points directly in that loyalty program.
- Spending habits: Bonus points are only useful if they line up with how you spend. Someone who eats out four nights a week may get more value from a dining multiplier than a bonus for groceries.
- Earning potential: Two cards can look similar but earn points at different rates. Make sure the card’s multipliers align with your goals before you make your decision. For example, while certain cards accelerate point accumulation, the redemption value of those points may be low.
- Income requirements: Some cards require a minimum household income for applicants to qualify. Check before you apply.
- Perks that matter to you: Access to airport lounges is wasted if you never use it. Try to focus on benefits that align with how you like to travel.
- Insurance needs: Many travel cards include emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation protection or both. If you need more details on what’s typically covered, read this guide on how to find the best credit card for travel insurance.
- Preferred redemption style: Some travel cards let you transfer your points to airline partners, while others only allow bookings through a specific portal. Look for the approach that fits how you like to plan your adventures.
| RBC’s Travel Cards at a Glance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features | RBC Avion Visa Platinum | RBC Avion Visa Infinite | RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | WestJet RBC Mastercard | WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | RBC British Airways Visa Infinite |
| Best suited for | Travellers looking for flexible rewards without a high income requirement | Frequent travellers who want flexibility and everyday perks | Travellers with a minimum annual income of $200,000 who value airport perks | Travellers with an affinity to WestJet and other WestJet partner airlines who want travel savings and flexibility and no income requirement and a low annual fee | Travellers with an affinity to WestJet and other WestJet partner airlines who want travel savings and flexibility | Travellers with an affinity to British Airways or Oneworld partner airlines who want travel savings and flexibility |
| Annual Fee | $120 | $120 | $399 | $39 | $139 | $165 |
| Minimum Annual Income | None | Personal: $60,000 or household: $100,000 | Personal or household: $200,000 | None | Personal: $80,000 or household: $150,000 | Personal: $60,000 or household: $100,000 |
| Rewards currency | Avion points | Avion points | Avion points | WestJet points | WestJet points | Avios |
| Welcome offer | Get up to 70,000 Avion points1 - a travel value of up to $1,500!† Apply by July 15, 2026. | Get up to 70,000 Avion points1 - a travel value of up to $1,500!† Apply by July 15, 2026. | Get up to 100,000 Avion points1Legal Disclaimer + 6 airport lounge passes**Legal Disclaimer - a value of up to $2,375!‡Legal Disclaimer Apply by July 15, 2026. | Get up to 15,000 WestJet points1 Legal Disclaimer, that's a value of up to $150 off travel. | Get up to 70,000 WestJet points1 Legal Disclaimer, that's a value of up to $700 off travel. | Get up to 60,000 Avios1Legal Disclaimer |
| Base earn rate | 1 Avion point per $1 | 1 Avion point per $1 | 1.25 Avion points per $1 | 1 WestJet point per $1 | 1.5 WestJet points per $1 | 1 Avios per $1 |
| Bonus earn categories | None | 1.25 Avion points per $1 on eligible travel related purchases | Higher earn on all purchases | 1.5 WestJet points per $1 on WestJet flights and dining and subscriptions | 2 points per $1 on WestJet Flights and Vacations, Sunwing Vacations, groceries, and transportation | 3 Avios per $1 on British Airways purchases and 2 Avios per $1 on dining |
| Travel redemption flexibility | Any airline, no blackout dates | Any airline, no blackout dates | Any airline, no blackout dates | WestJet flights and WestJet Vacations, Sunwing Vacations and other partner airline flights including on taxes and fees | WestJet flights and WestJet Vacations, Sunwing Vacations and other partner airline flights including on taxes and fees | Reward Flights on British Airways and oneworld partners |
| Points transfer partners | Eligible airline partners via Avion | Eligible airline partners via Avion | Eligible airline partners via Avion | Not transferable | Not transferable | Avios usable across Oneworld airlines |
| Booking method | Avion Rewards travel portal, or book anywhere, then redeem points | Avion Rewards travel portal, or book anywhere, then redeem points | Avion Rewards travel portal, or book anywhere, then redeem points | WestJet booking channels | WestJet booking channels | British Airways booking channels |
| Airport lounge access | None | None | Yes | None | Ability to exchange card companion voucher to 2 lounge passes | None |
| Priority airport services | No | No | Priority security, airport benefits | No | Priority boarding & advance seat selection (dependent on status) | No |
| Travel medical insurance | Included (limited) | Included | Included (higher limits) | Included (limited) | Included | Included |
| Trip cancellation / interruption | Included | Included | Included | Limited coverage | Included | Included |
| Flight delay / baggage insurance | Included | Included | Included | Limited coverage | Included | Included |
| Rental car insurance | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
For current rates and full card details, see RBC’s travel credit cards page.
For more tips on finding the right card, check out this guide to choosing the best travel credit card for you.
Is a travel credit card worth it for you?
Using credit cards with travel perks can make sense if you take at least one or two trips a year and want your everyday spending to work harder for you. The points can add up faster than people often expect, and the perks can make your travels much more enjoyable. Remember to read the fine print to help yourself choose the option that best suits your lifestyle.
Travel credit card FAQs
Do travel rewards points expire?
Expiry rules vary, but Avion Rewards points are valid as long as your RBC card is active and in good standing. If your credit card account is closed (either by you or RBC), you have 12 months to spend your points before they are considered forfeited. WestJet points are also valid as long as your WestJet Rewards account remains active, meaning you earned, redeemed, transferred or converted WestJet points within the preceding 24-month period. It is as easy as making at least one purchase with your WestJet co-brand card within 24 months. See the applicable terms for more details.
Can I redeem points for cash instead?
Many cards let you redeem points for gift cards or to pay down your credit card balance, but you will usually get better value when you use them for travel. Avion points can be used to pay bills, donate to charity and more. Find a list of ways you can use your Avion points here.
How do I use travel credit card insurance?
Your travel medical coverage activates automatically when you pay for travel with your card, but you’ll have to contact the insurer directly if you need to make a claim.
How many travel credit cards should I have?
One card is enough for most people, but some travellers carry two or three to maximize earnings across different spending categories.
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This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. The information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.