by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 11:10 AM ET, Tue January 6, 2026
Rewards Canada has been researching and evaluating credit cards for Canadians for 25 years. The organization has released a top travel rewards card ranking for 18 years, but this year marks the first time they have added a top travel card category. So while the top travel rewards card indicates which card will help consumers get the most usable points the fastest to redeem for travel rewards, the top travel card is the best to use while travelling. “Top Travel Credit Cards are the ones you want in your wallet for travel benefits like airport lounge access, travel discounts and no foreign transaction fees all the while still providing decent travel rewards,” Rewards Canada explains.
Other categories in the awards include top travel rewards credit card (both with and without a fee), top airline card, top hybrid card (where points can be converted from airline points to travel rewards), top no foreign currency fee card, top ultra premium card and top travel rewards card for small business.
When it comes to collecting and redeeming points for travel, the best card according to Rewards Canada is the American Express Cobalt Card. Points add up quickly using this card. The evaluation states, “even if you just put 50% of your spending on this card (which is very easily accomplished as upwards of 90% of Canadian retailers accept Amex) and 50% on another card, you will earn more rewards than putting 100% of your spending on that other card.”
Rewards Canada cites the rate at which points can be converted (1:1 for Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France KLM Flying Blue and The British Airways Club, and 1:1.2 for Marriott Bonvoy) as further reasoning for its selection for the top spot.
As far as the top travel card, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card takes the inaugural honours. Rewards Canada was impressed by the card, stating, “With this card you get great balance of it all: it's a good points earner, has very flexible redemption options and provides the extra benefits and insurance that travellers need and want.”
Specifically, the card was lauded for the ease of using points and its on-the-road travel benefits. “You can redeem points for any travel you book on the card with no restrictions of having to book via a credit card travel agency. Benefits wise it features the all important No Foreign Transaction fees, it has an excellent travel insurance package and offers airport lounge access membership with 6 free visit passes yearly.”
To learn more about the rankings, please visit www.rewardscanada.ca/TopTravelCreditCard.
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