5 Travel Credit Cards to Consider for Summer Travel in 2026

Summer travel is approaching quickly, and if you are planning a trip in the coming months, now can be a great time to think about applying for a travel credit card.

Many Canadian travel credit cards offer generous welcome bonuses, which can help you earn points quickly. By applying now, you may have enough time to earn the welcome bonus and redeem points for flights, hotels, or travel experiences before summer travel begins.

The best travel credit card for you depends on your goals. Some cards offer flexible travel rewards, while others provide airline perks, airport lounge access, or strong earning rates on everyday spending.

Here are five travel credit cards available in Canada that stand out in 2026, each offering unique benefits depending on your travel style.

Note: The referral links mentioned in this blog post help support Canadian Jetsetter at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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1. Scotiabank® Gold American Express® Card

The following promotion ends July 1st, 2026.

Welcome bonus + other perks: Up to 45,000 Scene+ Points. The $120 CAD annual fee will also be waived with an eligible Scotiabank chequing account.

You will not pay 2.5% in transaction fees on any foreign currency purchases, including online shopping and when travelling abroad. Only the exchange rate applies.

Estimated first-year value: Up to $850 CAD in value in the first year.

Earning rates

• Earn 6x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
• Earn 5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on restaurant, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores.
• Earn 5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend in Canada on eligible entertainment purchases.
• Earn 3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options.
• Earn 3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services.
• Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

Income requirement: Extremely low – minimum $12,000 CAD personal/household income.

Best for:

Travellers who want strong earning rates on everyday purchases and no foreign transaction fees when spending abroad, saving you the typical 2.5% FX fee.

Not a good match for:

Travellers who regularly shop at stores that do not accept American Express, or who do not travel frequently outside of Canada where the no foreign transaction fee benefit would matter most.

If this card sounds like a good fit for your travel style, you can explore the full offer below.

Click here to access the credit card page.

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2. TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

The following promotion is currently available for a limited time.

Welcome bonus + other perks: Up to 45,000 Aeroplan points + first year annual fee rebate ($139 CAD).

Receive a rebate of up to $100 for the NEXUS application fee every 48 months, and enjoy valuable Air Canada travel perks.

Free first checked bag on Air Canada flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions travelling on the same reservation.

Estimated first-year value: Up to $1,450 CAD in value in the first year.

Earning rates

• Earn 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, electric vehicle charging and purchases made directly with Air Canada.
• Earn 1 Aeroplan point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Income requirement: $60,000 CAD personal or $100,000 CAD household income.

Cardholders can also earn points twice when paying with their card and providing their Aeroplan number with Aeroplan partner brands vis the Aeroplan eStore.

Best for:

Frequent Air Canada travellers who want perks like free checked bags and the ability to earn Aeroplan points quickly.

Not a good match for:

Travellers who rarely fly with Air Canada or who prefer earning flexible travel rewards rather than airline-specific points.

If this card sounds like a good fit for your travel style, you can explore the full offer below.

Click here to access the credit card page.

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3. BMO VIPorter World Elite® Mastercard®

The following promotion ends June 30th, 2026.

Welcome bonus + other perks: Up to 70,000 VIPorter points + one round-trip companion pass + first year annual fee rebate ($199 CAD).

Cardholders automatically receive VIPorter Avid Traveller status, which comes with valuable benefits when flying with Porter Airlines.

Enjoy perks like priority boarding, free seat selection, and a complimentary checked bag.

Estimated first-year value: Up to $2,400 CAD in value in the first year.

Earning rates

• Earn 3 VIPorter points per $1 spent on Porter purchases.
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on gas and transportation.
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on groceries and dining.
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on hotel accommodations.
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Additional travel benefits

• One round-trip companion pass every year.
• Complimentary carry-on and checked bag on Porter flights.
• Priority security, early boarding and priority re-accommodation during flight delays.

Income requirement: $80,000 personal income or $150,000 household income.

Best for:

Travellers who frequently fly with Porter Airlines and want airline perks and strong earning rates on everyday spending.

Not a good match for:

Travellers who rarely fly with Porter Airlines or who live in regions where Porter has limited routes.

If this card sounds like a good fit for your travel style, you can explore the full offer below.

Click here to access the credit card page.

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4. TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card

The following promotion is currently available for a limited time.

Welcome bonus + other perks: Up to 165,000 TD Rewards Points + first year annual fee rebate ($139 CAD)

Cardholders also receive an annual $100 TD Travel Credit when booking through Expedia for TD.

Enjoy four complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program.

Estimated first-year value: Up to $1,400 CAD in value in the first year.

Earning rates

• Earn 8 TD Rewards points for every $1 spent when booking travel through Expedia for TD.
• Earn 6 TD Rewards points for every $1 spent on groceries, dining and public transit.
• Earn 4 TD Rewards points for every $1 spent on recurring bill payments and streaming services.
• Earn 2 TD Rewards points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Income requirement: $60,000 personal income or $100,000 household income.

Best for:

Travellers who want flexible travel rewards that can easily be redeemed for flights, hotels and vacation packages.

Not a good match for:

Travellers who are already strategically earning points on another rewards program and don’t want to manage a second travel rewards platform.

If this card sounds like a good fit for your travel style, you can explore the full offer below.

Click here to access the credit card page.

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5. Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card

The following promotion ends July 1st, 2026.

Welcome bonus + other perks: Up to 60,000 Scene+ Points. The $150 CAD annual fee will also be waived with an eligible Scotiabank chequing account.

This card is particularly appealing for travellers because it does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Cardholders also receive six complimentary airport lounge visits per year, making it a strong option for frequent travellers.

Estimated first-year value: Up to $1,500 CAD in value in the first year.

Earning rates

• Earn 3x Scene+ points for every $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating co-ops.
• Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 spent on other eligible grocery stores, dining, entertainment purchases and daily transit.
• Earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Income requirement: $60,000 personal income or $100,000 household income.

Best for:

Travellers who want airport lounge access and no foreign transaction fees when spending internationally.

Not a good match for:

Travellers who are already focused on earning airline-specific points like Aeroplan, or who may not benefit enough from the card’s lounge access and no foreign transaction fee to justify the annual fee.

If this card sounds like a good fit for your travel style, you can explore the full offer below.

Click here to access the credit card page.

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Critical Warnings Every Canadian Should Know

Before jumping into any of these cards, a few rules matter:

• Never carry a balance just to earn points
• Set calendar reminders before the second-year fee posts
• Only apply for cards where you can naturally hit the minimum spend
• Use your points; don’t hoard them while programs quietly devalue

These cards are tools, not traps — but only if used correctly.

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The Bottom Line

The right travel credit card can make a meaningful difference when planning your next trip.

If you are planning a summer trip, applying for a travel credit card now can give you time to meet the minimum spending requirements and earn the welcome bonus before your departure. In many cases, these points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, or travel purchases, helping stretch your travel budget further.

Before applying, it is always worth considering your travel habits, income requirements, and how you plan to redeem points.

Choosing the card that best aligns with your travel style can help you get the most value from your rewards.

Happy travels!

Note: The referral links mentioned in this blog post help support Canadian Jetsetter at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!