How to Maximize Travel Credit Card Rewards

You chose a travel credit card to help you save money and enhance your travel experience, but are you using it to its full potential? Before you book your next trip, make sure you aren’t leaving any valuable rewards or benefits on the table. 

Keep reading for strategies to maximize your rewards with travel credit cards in Canada. 

Use a card issuer’s travel portal

One way to maximize travel rewards is to use your credit card issuer’s travel portal to book your trip. A travel portal is an online booking platform where you can redeem points or miles for flights, hotels, car rentals or vacation packages. In some cases, the travel portal is located within the company’s overall rewards redemption portal. 

You can often find additional value or exclusive discounts this way. For example, you may be able to earn extra rewards by using the portal, or you may be able to book your trip using fewer points. Other cards may offer statement credits to offset the price of your purchase.¹

Find a card that rewards you the most

Take some time to assess your spending habits. If you spend most of your money on gas and groceries when you travel, look for a credit card that offers the highest rewards on those spending categories. If you’re a frequent flyer, like to dine out and prefer to stay in hotels, a card that rewards those purchases may work better. 

In some cases, you might want more than one credit card so you can use them strategically for different expenses and maximize your rewards.  

Review the annual fee

An annual fee is a yearly charge that you pay to use the card. To keep costs down, it’s tempting to avoid travel credit cards that charge an annual fee. But in many cases, premium cards that charge a fee offer better rewards and travel perks. Some cards may even waive the annual fee for the first year, so you can see whether you’ll get your money’s worth. 

It’s important to consider your annual fee because it can offset the rewards you earn. Read the terms and conditions carefully to understand all of the credit card rewards and benefits, and make sure you’ll take advantage of them enough to make the fee cost-effective.  

Pay off your credit card every month

You may be tempted to put all your purchases on your card to earn more credit card rewards. But if you can’t pay your card in full each month, you’ll start to owe interest, which can ultimately eat into any rewards you earn. Paying off your credit card in full each month can help you avoid interest payments and the accumulation of debt. 

Creating a monthly budget can help you determine how much you can afford to put on your credit card each month. It’s also a good opportunity to be strategic about what you charge to make the most of your reward categories.

Take advantage of a welcome offer

To entice new account holders, some credit card issuers offer a sign-up or welcome offer. A welcome offer requires new cardholders to spend a certain amount of money within a set period. For instance, a credit card might offer a $1,000 welcome bonus if you spend $3,000 or more in the first three months.  

When used strategically, welcome offers can provide significant rewards. To avoid blowing your budget, however, ensure the spending requirements align with your existing spending habits.

Take advantage of credit card perks

In addition to rewards, some travel credit cards offer additional perks that can reduce the cost of travel or increase your comfort. Some examples include airport lounge access, NEXUS™ application fee rebates, complimentary checked baggage and priority boarding.  

To get the most out of your travel credit card, review the terms and conditions document to understand all its benefits and perks. 

Careful planning can help you maximize your travel rewards

To maximize the value of your travel credit card in Canada, choose a card that aligns with your spending habits and travel goals. Then think about which strategies you can apply to help you save money and improve your travel experience.