Your card is more than just a piece of plastic. It’s a tool to earn points, grab perks, and save money on trips. A good card rewards your spending and makes travel more enjoyable. But a bad match? It can leave you with weak earnings, hidden fees, and fewer benefits.

Many people focus only on popular brands or flashy perks. But that’s not enough. Your travel goals and spending habits should steer your choice. This guide helps you pick smartly and avoid costly mistakes.

Common Mistakes When Picking Travel Credit Cards

• Relying only on big names without checking actual rewards.
• Overlooking earning categories like groceries or gas.
• Forgetting about redemption options: Can you use points easily?
• Choosing a card based on marketing, not benefits.

Avoid these pitfalls. Keep your focus on earning power, flexibility, and the travel perks you’ll really use.

Deep Dive Into RBC’s Top Travel Credit Cards

While RBC’s travel cards look good at first, many Canadians find they fall short on rewards. Here’s what you need to know about their most popular options.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

This card offers a welcome bonus of 35,000 Avion points just for signing up. No strings attached—simply get the points after approval. That’s enough for a roundtrip flight within Canada or the US.

You can transfer Avion points to airlines like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, WestJet, or American Airlines. Transferring often gives you extra value—sometimes worth 1.5 to 2 cents per point. RBC frequently runs transfer bonuses, making this even sweeter.

• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection: upgrades, late checkout, free breakfast.
• Dining series and Wine Country programs.
• Fuel savings at Petro Canada.
• Hertz rental discounts.
• DashPass subscription for food delivery.

The earn rates are weak. You earn just 1.25 Avion points on travel and 1 point on everything else. That’s far less than other cards that give you 3-5 points per dollar on key categories. Plus, the annual fee is $120, not waived for the first year.

So, unless you’re a skier who loves the Friday friend pass or want to boost your airline miles, this card isn’t a long-term keeper.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

This card’s standout feature is its welcome bonus: up to $450 WestJet dollars. Use the card, and you’ll get $250 after the first purchase, then $200 more when you spend $5,000 in three months.

WestJet dollars are directly valid for flights and packages. If you fly WestJet often, this offers real value.

• Free checked bag for you plus eight travel companions.
• Companion voucher for steep discounts—just $119 or $399 plus taxes.
• Lounge vouchers for over 1,000 airports worldwide.
• Fuel discounts and Wi-Fi access.

The benefits are quite targeted. The partner status boost offers little unless you spend huge amounts. Also, the airline’s regional focus can limit usability outside Western Canada. If you fly WestJet regularly and in major hubs, it’s worth considering. Otherwise, it might fall flat.

Top Non-RBC Travel Credit Cards in Canada for Superior Rewards

There’s a reason why many Canadians prefer American Express for travel—more points, better perks, and bigger bonuses. Here’s a rundown of the best Amex cards.

American Express Cobalt Card

This card is a beast for earning points fast. It charges a low monthly fee ($112.99) and offers up to 1 million membership rewards points in the first year.

• Five points per dollar on food, drinks, and takeout.
• Three points per dollar on streaming services.
• Two points per dollar on transit, gas, and taxis.
• One point per dollar everywhere else.

With a simple $750 monthly spend on food and drinks, you can earn thousands of points monthly. Those points are worth 2-3 cents each, making your rewards worth 10-15% back on your favorite restaurants and cafes.

• Mobile device insurance up to $1,000.
• Flexible redemption options: flights, hotels, gift cards.
• Compatible with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay.

Ideal for city dwellers and food lovers who want to rack up points quickly without paying high fees.

American Express Gold Rewards Card

This one offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 points. You earn 5,000 points monthly for spending $1,000, stacking up to 60,000 points in the first year.

• $100 travel credit annually, usable for flights, hotels, or car rentals.
• Nexus fee credit, helping you breeze through border crossings.
• Lounge access: four visits per year at Plaza Premium lounges in major airports.
• Two times points on groceries, transit, and gas.
• Four times with American Express Travel bookings.
• One time on everything else.

It’s perfect for frequent travelers who want luxury perks without paying a premium.

American Express Platinum Card

This is the premium option. It comes with a hefty $799 annual fee but offers unmatched benefits.

• Welcome bonus of 100,000 points, split over a few months.
• Unlimited airport lounge access worldwide.
• Carries elite hotel statuses: Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold.
• $200 travel and dining credits.
• Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits: upgrades, breakfast, late checkout.
• 24/7 concierge for travel planning.

If luxury and comfort matter most, this card transforms travel into an experience. It’s a big spend, but the perks justify the cost.

While RBC offers decent travel cards, they don’t stand up against the competition when it comes to earning speed or flexible redemptions. Instead, check out American Express options—they provide more points, better benefits, and more luxurious perks.

The key is matching the right card to your travel style. Are you chasing maximum rewards? Do you want exclusive lounge access? Or are you just starting? Each goal requires a different approach.

Act now—sign-up bonuses change fast, and limited-time offers won’t wait. Review your spending habits, your travel dreams, and start building your perfect rewards strategy today.

Final Thoughts

While RBC offers decent travel cards, they don’t stand up against the competition when it comes to earning speed or flexible redemptions. Instead, check out American Express options—they provide more points, better benefits, and more luxurious perks.

The key is matching the right card to your travel style. Are you chasing maximum rewards? Do you want exclusive lounge access? Or are you just starting? Each goal requires a different approach.

Act now—sign-up bonuses change fast, and limited-time offers won’t wait. Review your spending habits, your travel dreams, and start building your perfect rewards strategy today.