The Best Credit Cards for Airline or Hotel Perks
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Image Credit: Marriott.com |
To get status or equivalent perks without work travel, you just have to sign up for the right credit cards. Here are the best credit cards in Canada that provide airline and/or hotel status!
Last Updated: April 19, 2022
Disclaimer: Some of the links below are referral links, which means I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This post is not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned. All opinions are my own.
American Express Platinum Card
Best for: Hotel and car rental status
![](https://icm.aexp-static.com/Internet/internationalcardshop/en_ca/images/cards/The_Platinum_Card.png)
Minimum Welcome Bonus: 25,000 Membership Rewards points via referral, after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, $200 travel credit
Minimum Income Required: None
Application Link(s): American Express
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT? This is the only card in Canada that provides both hotel elite status and car rental status. You will need to do this manually, but by having this card you get status in the following programs:
- Avis Preferred
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star
- Marriott Gold Elite Status
- Hilton Gold Status
- Radisson Rewards Gold Status
- Shangri-La Golden Circle Jade Membership
- Match Marriott or Hilton Gold Status to Wyndham Diamond Status, which can then be matched to Caesars Diamond Status (great for Las Vegas redemptions)
- Match Marriott or Hilton Gold Status to Choice Privileges Platinum Status
- Match Marriott Gold Elite Status to Best Western Diamond Select Status
- Match Shangri-La Golden Circle Jade Membership with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Silver Elite status and Taj Hotels Inner Circle Gold Status
- Match Hilton Gold Status to National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive Elite Status, which can then be matched to Hertz President's Circle.
CIBC Aerogold or TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
Best for: Air Canada benefits
![](https://www.visainfinite.ca/content/dam/canadaimages/issuer-cards/card-cibc-aerogold-en-privilege-429x269.png)
Minimum Welcome Bonus: 45,000 after spending $3,000 in the first 4 monthly statements (CIBC); 105,000 Aeroplan miles after spending $1,000 per month in the first 10 months (TD)
Minimum Income Required: $200,000 household income
Application Link(s): CIBC, TD
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT? While you don't necessarily receive Altitude status with this card, you do get a lot of the same benefits such as:
- Priority Check-In at Air Canada counters
- Zone 2 boarding for you and your companions
- Complimentary first checked bag on all Air Canada flights
- Four (4) annual one-time guest access benefits to an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
- One 50% discount on a companion ticket on an Air Canada Business Class (Flexible) flight
RBC WestJet World Elite MasterCard
Best for: WestJet benefits
Best for: WestJet benefits
![](https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/credit-cards/app/assets/cards/mc4_wjwe_worldelite_en_sm@2x.png)
Minimum Welcome Bonus: up to 450 WestJet dollars = 250 WestJet dollars upon first purchase + 200 after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months via the RBC website
If you have access to Perkopolis through work or professional affiliations, you can get 300 WestJet dollars upon first purchase + 200 after $5,000 in the first 3 months
Minimum Income Required: $80,000 personal income or $150,000 household income
Application Link(s): RBC, Perkopolis (up to 500 WestJet dollars)
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT? While you don't directly receive any of WestJet's tiered member statuses (Silver, Gold, Platinum) with the current offer, you do receive some of the benefits with the credit card:
Minimum Income Required: $80,000 personal income or $150,000 household income
Application Link(s): RBC, Perkopolis (up to 500 WestJet dollars)
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT? While you don't directly receive any of WestJet's tiered member statuses (Silver, Gold, Platinum) with the current offer, you do receive some of the benefits with the credit card:
- Annual round trip companion voucher starting at $119 + taxes
- Complimentary first checked bag up for you and up to eight (8) additional guests traveling on the same reservation
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
Best for: Air Canada and Toronto Pearson Airport benefits
Best for: Air Canada and Toronto Pearson Airport benefits
Annual Fee: $599
Minimum Welcome Bonus: 50,000 Aeroplan miles = 20,000 Aeroplan miles after spending $3,000 in 3 months + 5,000 Aeroplan miles each month you spend at least $1,000 up to 6 months
Minimum Income Required: None
Application Link(s): American Express
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT? As with the Visa Infinite Privileges, you get some benefits with Air Canada. This could be a good option if you want Air Canada benefits but you don't meet the income requirements of the cards above.
- Priority Check-In at Air Canada counters
- Zone 2 Priority Boarding
- First free checked bag on Air Canada flights for you and up to eight (8) companions
- Unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges
- Rollover of unused eUpgrade credits
Some other perks include an annual round trip companion flight reward after spending $25,000 by the card anniversary date, and the following benefits at Toronto Pearson Airport:
- Complimentary valet service
- Pearson Priority Security Lane
Marriott Bonvoy Card by American Express
Best for: Marriott Bonvoy benefits
Best for: Marriott Bonvoy benefits
![](https://icm.aexp-static.com/Internet/internationalcardshop/en_ca/images/cards/marriott-bonvoy-card.png)
Annual Fee: $120
Minimum Welcome Bonus: 68,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months
Application Link(s): American Express, Great Canadian Rebates ($60 cash back)
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT? This is the best card in Canada for earning Marriott Bonvoy points, which is probably the most flexible loyalty program out there. In addition, you get Marriott Silver Elite status with the card, which automatically credits you 15 nights every year. This means you only need 10 nights to reach Marriott Gold Elite Status.
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Alaska Airlines World Elite MasterCard
Best for: Alaska Airlines benefits
Best for: Alaska Airlines benefits
![](https://www.greatcanadianrebates.ca/images/largelogo/MBNA-Alaska-Airlines.gif)
Annual Fee: $99, reduced to $49 for the first year with $50 cash back via Great Canadian Rebates
Minimum Welcome Bonus: 31,000 Alaska miles after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
Other Perks: $121 USD companion fare with Alaska Airlines
Application Link(s): Great Canadian Rebates ($50 cash back)
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT? You get the following benefits with Alaska Airlines:
- Complimentary first checked bag on all Alaska Airlines flights for all passengers traveling on the same reservation, up to six (6) passengers
- Annual round trip companion fare voucher of $121 USD
RBC Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum
Best for: Cathay Pacific benefits
Best for: Cathay Pacific benefits
![](https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/credit-cards/app/assets/cards/pca_cathaypacific_en_sm.png)
Annual Fee: $120
Minimum Welcome Bonus: 47,000 Asia Miles after spending $7,000 in the first 3 months if you apply before October 31, 2022
Minimum Income Required: None
Application Link(s): RBC
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT? The only credit card in Canada that earns Asia Miles, you also receive complimentary Green Tier membership to Cathay Pacific's Marco Polo Club for the first year, worth $100 USD.
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