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If you're a frequent traveller, you can earn points or miles towards flights and upgrades.

Last updated: 13 August 2019

Some of the biggest airlines in Canada, such as WestJet, have cobranded credit cards. While not every airline in Canada has a cobranded credit card, there are plenty of general travel cards out there that are suitable for every type of traveller. To help you determine which card is right for you, we’ve compared some airline credit cards below.

How we chose the best airline credit cards

We’ve chosen the cards on this page based on rewards points offered per $1 spent, annual fees, introductory offers and additional card benefits.

No single airline credit card will be the best choice for everyone, so compare your options before picking your new card.

Best cash back cards

Best for airline rewards and transferrable airline points: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for flying Air Canada: American Express® Gold Rewards Card
Best for earning Air Miles: BMO® AIR MILES®† World Elite®* MasterCard®*

Best for earning Aeroplan Miles: TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Best for flying WestJet: WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Best for flying Alaska Airlines: MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard

Best for airline rewards and transferrable airline points: The Platinum Card® from American Express

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With this unbeatable metal credit card, you’ll get access to some of the best travel experiences a credit card can offer. From concierge services, to an annual $200 travel credit, airport lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance, this card is a powerful travel companion. But it comes with a high annual fee of $699.

- Signup bonus. Receive 50,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on your card within the first 3 months as a cardholder.
- Points per dollar spent. Receive 3 points per $1 spent on eligible dining in Canada, 2 points per $1 spent on eligible travel and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
- Annual travel credit. Earn 3 Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible dining, 2 points on eligible travel purchases and 1 point on all other spend
- Airport lounge access. Get access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide in across 130 countries.
- Luxury Amex perks. Access to the Global Dining Collection, early bird ticket access, special experiences and much more.
- Metal Card. This premium credit card now comes in metal.
- Concierge services. Whether you need to book a table at a fancy restaurant or reserve a space for meetings, the Amex concierge service can do it for you.
- Comprehensive insurance. Get access to Emergency Medical Insurance, Trip Cancellation and a variety of other travel insurance coverage.
- Annual fee. The annual fee for this card is $699.
- Supplementary card fees. Additional Platinum Cards cost $175 annually.
- Missed payments. Any missed payments will incur increased purchase and cash advance transaction interest rates.
- Foreign transaction fees. When you spend overseas, you’ll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.

Membership Rewards

You can transfer points to select airline and hotel partners with Amex’s Membership Rewards. Amex has an edge in international airline partners, which makes it the favourite in our book. But look at the lists of partners for yourself and see what works for you.

Airline	Transfer ratio
Air Canada	1:1
British Airways	1:1
Cathay Pacific	1:0.75
Alitalia	1:0.75
Delta	1:0.75
Etihad	1:0.75

Hotel	Transfer ratio
Hilton	1:1
SPG	2:1

Best for flying Air Canada: American Express® Gold Rewards Card

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Although this card isn’t cobranded with Air Canada, you can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan at a rate of 1:1. You can then use your Aeroplan Miles with Air Canada.

- Signup bonus. Receive 25,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $1,500 in your first 3 months as a cardholder.
- Points per dollar spent. Earn 2 points per $1 spent on eligible travel and everyday purchases and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
- Additional points. Earn 1 additional Membership Reward for every $1 in eligible hotel and car rental bookings made with Amex Travel services.
- Comprehensive insurance. Get access to Emergency Medical Insurance, Trip Cancellation and a variety of other travel insurance coverage.
- Entertainment. You’ll get access to Amex perks including the Hotel Collection, early bird ticket access, shopping protection and more.
- Charge card. This is a charge card which means you’ll need to pay off your balance in full each month.
- Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $150.
- Supplementary card fees. Additional cards cost $50 annually.
- Foreign transaction fees. When you spend overseas, you’ll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.

Best for earning Air Miles: BMO® AIR MILES®† World Elite®* MasterCard®*

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With the BMO® AIR MILES®† World Elite®* MasterCard®*, you’ll earn 1 mile per $10 spend in purchases. Air Miles can be redeemed for flights, cash, merchandise and statement credit, with little to no restrictions.

To sweeten the deal, the card comes with an enticing signup bonus, the annual fee waived in the first year and plenty of travel related perks including airport lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance coverage, big gas savings at Shell stations across Canada and more.

- Signup bonus. Receive up to 3,000 bonus Air Miles when you spend at least $3,000 in your first 3 months as a cardholder.
- Annual fee waived. Avoid paying the annual fee of $120 in your first year.
- Miles per dollar. Get 1 mile per $10 spend in purchases.
- Fuel savings. Save 3 cents per litre at participating Shell stations across Canada when you pay using your card.
- Airport lounge access. Get access to airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Mastercard Airport Experiences by Lounge Key membership. Plus, receive 4 complimentary passes a year.
- Travel insurance coverage. Enjoy emergency medical, car rental, trip delay/interruption, lost/delayed baggage, out-of-province medical insurance and more.
- Twice the Miles. Get double the Miles at Air Miles partners when you pay with your credit card and show your Air Miles card.
- Flight discounts. Get 15% off on all flights in North America booked using Air Miles – with no blackout dates.
- Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $120.
- Foreign transaction fee. This card has a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%. This will apply on any overseas purchases or any purchases made online with an international retailer.
- Eligibility requirements. You’ll need to earn a personal income of at least $80,000, or a combined household income of at least $150,000 annually.

Best for earning Aeroplan Miles: TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

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When it comes to Air Canada, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card is a great alternative to the American Express® Gold Rewards Card. You’ll get plenty of Air Canada perks, however the earn rate is not as high as the Amex card which has us choosing it as the best Aeroplan Miles card instead.

- Signup bonus. Receive up to 25,000 Aeroplan bonus miles. Receive 15,000 Aeroplan miles upon first purchase and an additional 10,000 miles when you spend a minimum of $2,000 in the first 3 months as a cardholder.
- Annual fee waived in the first year. The annual fee of $120 will be waived in the first year.
- Aeroplan Miles for every dollar. Earn 1.5 Aeroplan Miles for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, drug store and Air Canada purchases and get 1 Mile for every $1 spent elsewhere.
- More Aeroplan Miles. You’ll get miles twice when you pay with your card and show your Aeroplan card.
- No expiry on points. As long as you’re a cardholder, your Aeroplan Miles won’t expire.
- Air Canada benefits. Get one complimentary checked bag, priority check-in and boarding privileges.
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge™** access. Get access to Maple Leaf Lounges and an annual one-time complimentary pass for a friend or family member.
- Travel insurance coverage. Get a host of travel insurance coverage with your card including Travel Medical, Trip Cancellation and much more.
- Extra luxury benefits. Get access to concierge services, unique food and wine experiences and Luxury Hotel Collection benefits.
- Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $120.
- Minimum income requirements. You’ll need to earn at least $60,000 annually or have a minimum annual household income of $100,000.
- Foreign transaction fees. When you spend overseas, you’ll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.

Best for flying WestJet: WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

If you fly WestJet often, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard can reward you with airline specific perks. Earn WestJet dollars on all purchases and enjoy a free checked bag on your WestJet flights.

- Signup bonus. Receive $250 WestJet dollars as a welcome bonus with your first card purchase.
- WestJet dollars. Earn 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights and vacation packages and 1.5% for everything else.
- Annual companion voucher. Get an annual round-trip companion voucher starting at $99.
- Free checked bag. Get your first checked bag free on WestJet flights.
- Fuel savings at Petro-Canada. Link your RBC card to your Petro-Canada card and save 3 cents per litre on gas.
- Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $119.
- Supplementary cards. Extra cards will cost $59 annually.
- Minimum income requirements. You’ll need to earn $80,000+ annually or have a minimum annual household income of $150,000.
- Foreign transaction fees. When you spend overseas, you’ll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.

Best for Alaska Airlines: MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard

If you live in British Columbia or Alberta and find yourself travelling on Alaska Airlines frequently, the cobranded MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard can help you reap the rewards of being a frequent flyer.

- Signup bonus. Receive 30,000 bonus miles when you spend at least $1,000 within your first 90 days as a cardholder.
- Miles per dollar spent. Earn 3 miles per $1 spent with Alaska Airlines and 1 mile per $1 spent everywhere else.
- Companion fare. Each year get $99 toward a companion round-trip with Alaska Airlines.
- Travel perks. Get a free checked bag on eligible flights, price protection, upgrades, discounts and other rewards.
- Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $99.
- Minimum income requirements. You’ll need to earn $80,000+ annually or have a minimum annual household income of $150,000.
- Foreign transaction fees. When you spend overseas, you’ll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.

Compare airline credit cards

Some airlines offer cobranded credit cards with airline-specific perks. If you fly with different carriers, you might like a general travel card instead that offers Air Miles, Aeroplan Miles or rewards points that can be used toward flights and travel experiences.

Name	Welcome Offer	Reward	Purchase Interest Rate	Cash Advance Rate	Annual Fee
BMO® AIR MILES®† World Elite®* MasterCard®*	Get up to 3,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles with minimum spend of $3,000 in the first three months, plus a first year annual fee waiver. Ends 31 October 2019.	Earn 1 mile per $10 spend in purchases.	19.99%	22.99%	$0 annual fee for the first year ($120 thereafter)	Get a 3¢ discount per litre at participating Shell stations. Ends 31 October 2019.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® AIR MILES® Platinum Credit Card	Receive 2,000 bonus AIR MILES® when you spend $1,500 within the first three months of membership.	Offers 1.99% balance transfer rate in the first 6 months. No balance transfer fee upon application.	19.99%	22.99%	$65	Offers 1.99% balance transfer rate in the first 6 months. No balance transfer fee upon application.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® AeroplanPlus® Platinum Card	Offers 40,000 bonus Aeroplan Miles when you spend $3,000 within the first three months.	Get free annual partner ticket and unlimited access to Air Canada® Maple Leaf Lounges as well as Air Canada® priority check-in.	N/A	N/A	$499	Get free annual partner ticket and unlimited access to Air Canada® Maple Leaf Lounges as well as Air Canada® priority check-in.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® AeroplanPlus® Card	Offers 5,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you spend $500 in the first three months of membership. For new cardmembers only.	Earn 1 Aeroplan Mile for every dollar spent. Double your miles on purchases at over 170 Aeroplan partner brands.	N/A	N/A	$60	Earn 1 Aeroplan Mile for every dollar spent. Double your miles on purchases at over 170 Aeroplan partner brands.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card	Get up to 15,000 Aeroplan Miles and pay no annual fee for the first year. Conditions apply. Ends 3 September 2019.	Earn 1 Aeroplan Mile for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, gas and drugstore purchases and 1 mile for every $1.50 spent on other purchases.	19.99%	22.99%	$89	Earn 1 Aeroplan Mile for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, gas and drugstore purchases and 1 mile for every $1.50 spent on other purchases.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card	Get up to 50,000 Aeroplan Miles. Conditions apply. Ends 3 September 2019.	Get 1.5 miles for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, gas, drugstore and Air Canada®** purchases and 1.25 miles for every $1 spent elsewhere.	19.99%	22.99%	$399	Get 1.5 miles for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, gas, drugstore and Air Canada®** purchases and 1.25 miles for every $1 spent elsewhere.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card	Get up to 25,000 Aeroplan Miles and pay no Annual Fee for the first year. Conditions apply. Ends 3 September 2019.	Earn 1.5 miles for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, gas, drugstore and aircanada.com purchases and 1 mile for every $1 spent elsewhere. T&C's apply.	19.99%	22.99%	$120	Earn 1.5 miles for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, gas, drugstore and Air Canada purchases and 1 mile for every $1 spent elsewhere. T&Cs apply.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Shell AIR MILES®† Mastercard from BMO	Get up to 800 bonus AIR MILES reward miles with minimum spend of $1,000 in the first three months. Ends 31 October 2019.	Earn 2x AIR MILES reward miles per $20 spent at eligible partners and 1 mile for all other purchases.	19.99%	22.99%	$0	Get 3¢ discount per litre at participating Shell stations. Ends 31 October 2019.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO® Sobeys AIR MILES®† MasterCard®*	Get up to 800 bonus AIR MILES reward miles with minimum spend of $1,000 in the first three months. Ends 31 October 2019.	Earn 2x AIR MILES reward miles per $20 spent at Sobeys stores and 1 miles for all other purchases.	19.99%	22.99%	$0	Get 3¢ discount per litre at participating Shell stations. Ends 31 October 2019.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® AIR MILES® for Business Card	Offers 2,000 bonus AIR MILES® when you spend $5,000 within the first 3 months of membership.	Earn 1 AIR MILES® for every $10 spent at eligible AIR MILES® Partners* and 1 mile for every $15 spent anywhere else	N/A	N/A	$180	Earn 1 AIR MILES® for every $10 spent at eligible AIR MILES® Partners* and 1 mile for every $15 spent anywhere else.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Shell AIR MILES World MasterCard from BMO	Get 3¢ discount per litre at participating Shell stations. Ends 31 October 2019.	Earn 1.25 AIR MILES reward miles at Shell stations in Canada.	19.99%	22.99%	$99	Earn 1.25x Miles on card purchases at participating Shell stations in Canada.	Go to site	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® AIR MILES® Reserve Credit Card	Receive 2,400 AIR MILES® when you spend $3,000 within first three months of membership.	1.99% balance transfer offer in the first 6 months. No balance transfer fee upon application	19.99%	22.99%	$299	Offers 1.99% balance transfer rate in the first 6 months. No balance transfer fee upon application.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO® AIR MILES®† MasterCard®*	Earn up to 800 AIR MILES bonus miles with minimum spend of $1,000 in the first three months. Ends 31 October 2019.	Earn 2x AIR MILES reward miles per $20 spend at eligible AIR MILES partners.	19.99%	22.99%	$0	Get 3¢ discount per litre at participating Shell stations. Ends 31 October 2019.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® AIR MILES® Gold Business Card	Offers 150 AIR MILES® when you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months of membership.	Earn 1 mile for every $15 you spend at official sponsors and 1 mile for every $20 you spend anywhere else.	19.99%	22.99%	$0	Earn 1 mile for every $15 you spend at official sponsors and 1 mile for every $20 you spend anywhere else.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® AeroplanPlus® Gold Card	Offers 15,000 bonus Aeroplan Miles when you spend $1,500 within your first 3 months of membership.	Earn 1 Aeroplan Mile for every dollar you spend up to $10,000 and 1.25 Aeroplan Miles for every dollar spent over $10,000 per year.	N/A	N/A	$120	Earn 1 Aeroplan Mile for every dollar you spend up to $10,000 and 1.25 Aeroplan Miles for every dollar spent over $10,000 per year.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® AeroplanPlus® Reserve Card	Offers 50,000 bonus Aeroplan®* Miles when you spend $3,000 within the first three months of card membership.	Earn 1.25 Aeroplan®* Miles for every $1 charged on card purchases and 2 miles on eligible Air Canada purchases.	19.99%	22.99%	$899	Receive a bonus $200 in annual travel credit to use towards flights, car rentals, hotels and more.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO® IGA AIR MILES®† MasterCard®*	Get up to 800 bonus AIR MILES reward miles with minimum spend of $1,000 in the first three months.	Earn 2x AIR MILES reward miles per $20 spent at eligible partners and IGA stores and 1 miles for all other purchases.	19.99%	22.99%	$0	Get a 3¢ discount per litre at participating Shell stations. Ends 31 October 2019.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How to choose the best airline credit card to meet your needs

Decide if you want a general or cobranded card.
- A general card can be effective if you fly with different airlines. Depending on the provider, you may be able to transfer your points or miles to partner airlines. This gives you a lot of flexibility that you wouldn’t get with a cobranded card.
- If you’re loyal to a certain airline and they offer a card, you might like a cobranded card. You probably shouldn’t get the card for its rewards, as you’ll often find stronger points or miles from a general card. However, the cobranded credit card might offer airline-specific perks such as priority boarding, free checked baggage and access to the airline’s lounges.

Think about how much you want to pay.
- Airline credit cards usually have an annual fee. Fees tend to range from $79 to $120 annually.
- If you’re looking for a general travel credit card, it’s possible to find a no annual fee card. That said, the best travel credit cards typically have annual fees as high as $700, although some will be more reasonably priced at $150 annually.

Apply for the card.
- Before applying, be sure you meet the eligibility requirements.
- You’ll need information like your full name, contact details, Social Insurance Number (SIN), date of birth, annual income and employment information.
Wait for your card.
- Many credit card providers will give you a decision on your application immediately. If a provider needs to review your application manually, it may take a few days to a few weeks to hear back.
- If you’re approved, look for your card in the mail within seven to ten days.

Bottom line

If you want to earn flexible points or miles on flights, consider a general travel credit card. If you’re loyal to a certain airline and they offer a card, you might prefer to choose a cobranded card.

Not sure if an airline credit card is right for you? Check out our guide to travel credit cards for more options.

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Emma Balmforth

Emma Balmforth is an Associate Editor at Finder. She is passionate about cryptocurrency, credit cards and loans, and enjoys helping people understand the often confusing world of finance. Emma has a degree in business and psychology from the University of Waterloo. She wants to help people make financial decisions that will benefit them now and in the future.

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