Top Canadian Travel Credit Cards

After numerous request from all my Canadian followers, thank you for all your requests, I have come up with a list of Credit Cards Sign Up Bonuses you can take advantage of. I will start out by saying after some serious research, the American Credit Cards do offer way better sign-up bonuses and benefits but that doesn’t mean I didn’t find some with good benefits for you. Keep in mind the points still hold the same value and that is what will get you in a first class seat.

* I flew Emirates First Class on points only paid airport tax and fees, W Verbier stayed using Starwood points.

Alaska Airlines World Elite - MasterCard

New card members earn 25,000 bonus miles when they sign up, in addition to Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months of opening your account. Every Year on your cards anniversary buy one round trip ticket and get a companion fare from $121(USD) on either an Alaska or Virgin American flight booked on alaskaair.com (No blackout dates)

One benefits of Alaska Miles is that it is the only airline that allows you to transfer points to Emirates Airline. For those avid travellers you know Emirates is not part of any alliance so you can only accumulate miles with the Emirates program, however, they have an agreement with Alaskan Airlines. This loophole is how I booked my First Class Seats on Emirates. The points required are a lot there is no denying that, but the experience is well worth it.

Credit Card Benefits: $75 annual fee, 1 mile for every dollar spent, 3 miles for every dollar spent on eligible Alaska and Virgin America purchases

*I do not own this card personally, however through research and knowledge of the benefits associated with Alaskan miles I truly believe this card is one of Canada's top travel credit cards.

Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card – American Express

New card members earn 25,000 bonus Starpoints when they sign up and spend $1,500 in the first three months. That’s enough points for 2 free nights at a category 5 hotel. If any of these are your favourite hotel you should definitely get this credit card: W Hotels, Westin, Aloft, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Le Méridien, Element, Four Points by Sheraton, Tribute Portfolio and Design Hotels.

If you’re a big spender and spend over $30,000 you can reap the benefits of achieving Starwood Gold Preferred Guest Status which is the second highest level below Platinum (I have had Platinum status for over 4 years now and the benefits are undeniable when you travel frequently, from free internet, room upgrades and free breakfast) The credit card offers a $500,000 travel accident insurance, most cards offer various travel insurance, delayed flight insurance, lost luggage insurance you just need to read the fine print which most people don’t. And last but not least, should you wish to transfer your points to an airlines flyer program, for every 20,000 points transferred Starwood gives you 5,000 for free who wouldn’t want to take advantage of that.

Benefits of the card: Annual Fee $120 (annual fee is waived for the first year), 5,000 Starpoints when you transfer 20,000 to an airline program.

* I own the United States version of this credit card and it is one of my go to credit cards when travelling. I don't own the Canadian one but can still speak to all its benefits.

Blue Sky Credit Card – American Express

New card members earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Blue Sky points and spending $500 in the first three months. The low spend on this card to get the 10,000 makes this, an amazing card for someone starting off the travel journey and might not have a lot of money to spend. Another huge benefit for someone who doesn’t have expendable income is there is no annual fee for this card.

This card also offers $100,000 in travel accident insurance that covers you and your spouse when travelling. In order to reap the benefits, you need to purchase the ticket on this card, but that a no brainer as you will want to accumulate more points for future free travel.

Benefits of the card: No Annual Fee, $100,000 in Travel Accident Insurance.

*I do not own this card personally, however through research and knowledge of the benefits associated with Alaskan miles I truly believe this card is one of Canada's top travel credit cards.

Marriott Rewards Premier - VISA

Earn 30,000 sign up bonus after your first purchase on your card. That’s enough for a 4-night free stay at a Category 1 hotel (note Marriott has 9 Category levels). You also receive a free anniversary night stay, this helps balance out the annual fee of $120. The e-certificate is valid for one year and can be used at a Category 1-5 hotel, in order to find a descent Mariott Category 5 hotel you would have to travel abroad, I used mine at the Renaissance hotel in Koh Samui Thailand and it was fabulous, in North America the category 5 hotels are nothing special, but hey it’s a free night.

A huge benefit to take note of, this card comes with NO foreign transaction fees. In Canada, unlike the United States, this is not a common feature with credit cards. This was one of the only cards I found with this feature, Starwood doesn't offer this luxury so if you travel abroad often this is something to keep in mind.

Benefits of the card: $120 annual fee (Annual fee is waived for the first year), No foreign transaction fees, Anniversary free night stay, 5 points for every dollar spent at Marriott 2 point and participating SPG hotels,

* I own the United States version of this credit card and it is one of my go to credit cards when travelling. I don't own the Canadian one but can still speak to all its benefits.

#TopCanadianTravelCreditCards #Starwood #Alaskan #Mariott #AmericanExpress #TravelCreditCards #TopCanadianCreditCardSingupbonus