Credit Card Mastery for Airmiles and Aeroplan Enthusiasts

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Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Airmiles and Aeroplan are two popular travel rewards programs in Canada, but they have different features and benefits.
Avion is a travel rewards program owned by RBC that competes with Aeroplan, while Airmiles is a more general rewards program that offers cash and dream rewards.
Choosing the right credit card for your travel goals depends on factors such as your spending habits, preferred airlines, redemption options, and annual fees.
You can maximize your travel rewards by using credit card strategies such as combining cards, transferring points, and taking advantage of promotions and bonuses.

Credit cards with Airmiles and Aeroplan logos fanned out, symbolizing travel rewards maximization. — ^{Maximize Your Travel Rewards: The Ultimate Credit Card Strategy for Airmiles & Aeroplan Enthusiasts.}

Introduction

If you love to travel, you probably want to earn as many rewards points as possible to save money on your trips. But with so many travel rewards programs and credit cards available in Canada, how do you choose the best one for you?

In this article, we will compare two of the most popular travel rewards programs in Canada: Airmiles and Aeroplan. We will also look at Avion, a travel rewards program owned by RBC that competes with Aeroplan. We will explain how each program works, what are the pros and cons, and how to choose the best credit card for your travel needs. We will also share some credit card strategies that can help you boost your point accumulation and get the most value out of your rewards.

Airmiles vs. Aeroplan: What’s the Difference?

Airmiles and Aeroplan are both travel rewards programs, but they have different features and benefits. Here are some of the main differences:

Airmiles is a more general rewards program that allows you to earn miles on purchases at participating retailers, online, and with co-branded credit cards. You can redeem your miles for cash rewards, which can be used as an instant discount at partner stores, or for dream rewards, which include travel, merchandise, and event tickets. Airmiles offers two types of credit cards: BMO Airmiles Mastercard and American Express Airmiles Card.
Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program that allows you to earn points on flights with Air Canada and its partner airlines, as well as on purchases with co-branded credit cards and other partners. You can redeem your points for flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and merchandise. Aeroplan offers a large selection of co-branded credit cards from CIBC, TD, and American Express.

Avion vs. Aeroplan: What’s the Difference?

Avion is a travel rewards program owned by RBC that competes with Aeroplan. Here are some of the main differences:

Avion is exclusive to RBC customers who have an eligible RBC Avion Visa card. You can earn Avion points on all purchases with your card, and you can also transfer your RBC Rewards points to Avion points. You can redeem your Avion points for flights, hotels, car rentals, gift cards, merchandise, and more. Avion offers three types of credit cards: RBC Avion Visa Infinite, RBC Avion Visa Platinum, and RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege.
Aeroplan is open to anyone who signs up for a free membership. You can earn Aeroplan points on flights, purchases, and transfers from other loyalty programs. You can redeem your Aeroplan points for flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, merchandise, and more. Aeroplan offers a large selection of co-branded credit cards from CIBC, TD, and American Express.

How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Your Travel Goals

Choosing the best credit card for your travel goals depends on several factors, such as:

Your spending habits: How much do you spend on your credit card each month, and what categories do you spend the most on? Some credit cards offer higher earn rates on certain categories, such as gas, groceries, or travel. You should choose a card that matches your spending patterns and gives you the most rewards for your purchases.
Your preferred airlines: Which airlines do you fly with the most, and where do you want to travel? Some credit cards are affiliated with specific airlines or alliances, which can give you access to more flight options, perks, and discounts. You should choose a card that aligns with your travel preferences and gives you the most flexibility and value for your flights.
Your redemption options: How do you want to use your rewards points? Some credit cards offer more redemption options than others, such as cash, travel, merchandise, or gift cards. You should choose a card that gives you the most choice and value for your rewards.
Your annual fees: How much are you willing to pay for your credit card each year? Some credit cards charge annual fees, which can range from $0 to over $500. Annual fees can be worth it if you get enough benefits and rewards from your card, but you should always compare the fees with the value you get from your card.

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How to Maximize Your Travel Rewards with Credit Card Strategies

Once you have chosen the best credit card for your travel goals, you can use some credit card strategies to maximize your travel rewards. Here are some tips:

Combine cards: You can use more than one credit card to earn rewards on different categories and redeem them for different purposes. For example, you can use an Airmiles card for cash rewards and an Aeroplan card for flight rewards. Or you can use an Avion card for travel rewards and a cash back card for everyday spending. By combining cards, you can diversify your rewards portfolio and get the best of both worlds.
Transfer points: You can transfer your rewards points from one program to another, or from one card to another, to get more value or flexibility. For example, you can transfer your RBC Rewards points to Avion points, or your American Express Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan points. By transferring points, you can take advantage of better redemption rates, promotions, or bonuses.
Take advantage of promotions and bonuses: You can boost your rewards points by taking advantage of promotions and bonuses offered by your credit card or rewards program. For example, you can sign up for a new credit card and get a welcome bonus, or shop at partner retailers and get extra points. By taking advantage of promotions and bonuses, you can increase your point accumulation and get closer to your travel goals.

Conclusion

Travel rewards programs and credit cards can help you save money and enjoy your trips. But you need to choose the best one for you, based on your spending habits, preferred airlines, redemption options, and annual fees. You also need to use some credit card strategies, such as combining cards, transferring points, and taking advantage of promotions and bonuses, to maximize your travel rewards. By following these tips, you can master the art of earning Airmiles and Aeroplan points and boost your travel rewards portfolio.

Meta description: Avion vs Aeroplan: Which travel rewards program is better for you? Find out in this expert guide on credit card selection and strategies to maximize your points.