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The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada is the best hotel credit card you can get as a Canadian! It should be a staple in every traveller’s wallet.

Today we’re going to dissect the card and give you all the information you need to decide whether or not you should apply of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada card.

Hint: I think nearly every traveller can benefit from the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Canada card, and it is more a matter of adding it to your wallet at the right time rather than deciding whether or not you want to get the card at all!

The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada gives you 50,000 Bonvoy points as a sign-up bonus, a free night’s stay on your anniversary each year, and lets you earn 5x points on every $1 you spend at Marriott properties. It is the quickest way to earn free hotel stays with a Canadian credit card. The sign-up bonus alone is worth up to 3 free nights! The Marriott Bonvoy Amex Canada is a no-brainer for anybody who travels at least once a year!

I love the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada card. It is a keeper card for me, and I recommend it to all my family and friends as an essential travel credit card they should consider getting.

Highlights

The Marriott Bonvoy Amex Canada is your standard hotel credit card. You see a lot of hotel credit cards on the US market, but not many in Canada.

That is why the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada is such a special credit card.

There are a number of awesome perks that come along with this credit card, and here are just a few of my absolute favourites:

• 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points as a sign-up bonus

• Free night’s stay awarded on your anniversary each year

• Automatically awarded 15 night’s worth of stays applied to your Bonvoy profile to help you reach new reward levels

• 5x points on every Marriott purchase

• Receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status (all the rewards that come along with that)

• Hotel burglary insurance, which isn’t found on many credit cards

Pros and Cons of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada

• The best hotel credit card in Canada

• Easy to redeem points and can transfer points to a few partner programs

• Good insurances and protections

• Limited to Marriott hotels

• Some hotels are very expensive to redeem at

• Not every vendor accepts American Express

APPLY FOR THE MARRIOTT BONVOY AMEX CANADA CARD

Points

You earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points with this card.

The most common way to redeem points is for hotel stays, but you can also transfer points to a partner airline program.

This isn’t the best way to use your points, and I recommend you stick to using your Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays.

The Marriott Bonvoy program allows you to redeem points for stays at over 7,000 hotels across every continent expect Antartica. Because, well, it’s Antarctica.

As a side note: there have been numerous studies on how tourism and the increasing number of tourists visiting Antarctica every year is damaging the fragile ecosystem and environment. I know it is a super cool bucket list adventure but stick to getting your Antarctic fill by watching documentaries!

Anyways, back to what you’re actually here for.

Sign-Up Bonus

The sign-up bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Canada is quite generous. Especially considering they have basically no competition in the hotel credit card space and could have easily justified being stringent on the sign-up bonus.

You earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend at least $1,500 on the card in the first three months of holding it.

That is enough points for a three 3-night stay at a category 2 hotel!

Category 2 is one of the lowest categories in the Marriott Bonvoy rewards system, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t nice!

There are countless gorgeous hotels that fall into category 2.

It may take a little bit of searching to find the best use of your points, but no matter what hotel you use your sign-up bonus points on, it’ll be a nice stay!

If you travel multiple times per year, I recommend looking through the hotels in all the cities your visiting and picking the hotel with the most value to be the one you redeem your points at!

Earning Points

The points earning categories on the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Canada are really easy to remember.

Your purchases fall into one of two categories:

• 5x points on Marriott Bonvoy purchases (including dining and spa services at eligible hotels)

• 2x points on every other $1 spent

It doesn’t get any easier than that!

In the whole big scheme of things, those are really good earning categories!

You can wrack up an impressive number of points if you consistently stay at Marriott properties.

Bonus tip: Marriott gift card purchases count as a Marriott purchase and are eligible to receive 5x the points! A sneaky way to get the most out of your credit card is to spend the $1,500 minimum spend requirement on Marriott gift cards to use on your future travels.

You earn 7,500 Marriott Bonvoy points on top of the 50,000 point sign-up bonus if you do that!

That’s some travel hacking magic right there!

Redeeming Points

Marriott makes it super easy to redeem your Bonvoy points!

It is all done through their website. All you have to do to redeem your points is check the “use points” box before searching for your hotel, and you are shown the price in points.

You select the hotel you want to stay at, and your points are withdrawn from your account.

It is as easy as that!

The other way you can redeem points is by transferring them to a partner airline program. This isn’t recommended because you lose a lot of value per point, and you get better value when you redeem your points for hotel stays.

If you do choose to transfer your Bonvoy points to an airline partner, you receive 15,000 Bonvoy points back as a bonus when you transfer 60,000 points to a partner program.

You can easily transfer your Bonvoy points to a partner program through your Marriott Bonvoy program, and the transfer will be complete within 24 hours in most cases.

There are literally dozens of airline partners. Instead of listing all of them here, you can go to the Marriott website and check it out for yourself.

Best Way to Redeem Points

The only way you should be redeeming your Marriott Bonvoy points is for free hotel stays.

It is the best use of your points hands down.

In terms of what hotel you should redeem your points at, that requires a little bit of investigative work.

I like to look around the Marriott website and search for hotels in each city I know I’ll visit that year.

I compare all the different hotels and find the most expensive hotel in whatever category I’m looking to book.

For me, I like don’t need anything fancy and normally book a category 2 or 3 hotel, but you may prefer something more luxurious and want a category 7 or 8 hotel.

Whatever suits you and your travel style the best!

Once you find the most expensive hotel in whatever category you want to stay in, go ahead and book that hotel through the Marriott website.

It is super easy to redeem your Bonvoy points through the Marriott website! You simply search for a hotel as you normally would but check off the “use points” button before you press “search”.

The search will show you the price in points rather the price in fiat currency, and you can book from there!

Worst Way to Redeem Points

The worst way to redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points is transferring them to an airline partner.

You lose a lot of value when you do that. If you want to redeem points for flights, then get a flight-specific travel credit card.

The American Express Aeroplan card, RBC Westjet World Elite, and MBNA Alaska Airline World Elite Mastercard are all great options.

The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada is a hotel credit card, and you should use it to redeem for free nights at a hotel.

It can be tempting to transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to a partner airline program because you get 15,000 Bonvoy points back when you transfer 60,000 points to a partner program.

But it isn’t worth it!

Even with the “bonus” points you get back, you’re still losing value on each point you transfer to a partner program.

Annual Fee

The annual fee on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada card is $120.

American Express doesn’t offer a first-year annual fee waiver, so you’re stuck paying the annual fee every year you hold the card.

I think this is a very reasonable annual fee considering all the perks you get with the card. You receive a free night’s stay every year you hold the card, so you’re making up the cost of the annual fee with that free stay.

Qualifications

American Express is one those lovely (and rare) credit card issuers who don’t have a minimum income requirement.

I love and appreciate this because it makes their cards accessible to more people unlike many other Canadian travel credit cards on the market.

I’m looking at you BMO and MBNA who have outrageously high minimum income requirements.

The only requirements to get the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Canada card are:

• Be the age of majority in the province you live in

• Have a Canadian credit file

That’s it! It doesn’t get easier than that!

American Express doesn’t post a required credit score, but, in most cases, you need a pretty decent credit score to be approved for one of their cards.

I suggest having a credit score of at least 650 before you apply for the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada card.

The higher the credit score, the better chance you will be approved!

With that being said, American Express is pretty reasonable when it comes to approving people, and as long as you have a decent credit score, you should be fine.

But I can’t make any promises so try your best to have a good credit score!

Who Should Get the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada

I honestly think everybody who travels at least once a year will benefit from having the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada card in their wallet.

The card comes with so many perks that even a casual traveller will benefit from the card.

It is super easy to earn and redeem points, the sign-up bonus is incredible, and you get a free night’s stay every year you hold the card.

There is basically no down side to the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Canada card!

With an annual fee of $120, as long as you redeem your free night every single year you hold the card, you’re getting value out of the card!

Who Should NOT Get the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada

This isn’t the credit card for people who are very loyal to other hotel brands.

If you’re a die hard fan of a non-Marriott hotel chain and won’t get much use out of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada card, then I don’t recommend you add it to your wallet.

The American Express Platinum may be a better fit for you in this scenario. It gives you upgraded status at many hotel chains like Hilton, and you can even transfer your MR points to Hilton Honors points if you’re a Hilton fan.

No matter what hotel chain your loyal to (or perhaps you hate all chains and only stay in small, local hotels), if you’re not interested in Marriott properties, this card isn’t for you.

For everybody else, I think you can get a lot of value out of the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Canada card!

Alternative Credit Cards

• MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard

• American Express Platinum

Conclusion

The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada card isn’t the most versatile travel card in Canada, but it does hotel rewards perfectly.

This is hands down the best hotel credit card in Canada, and no other credit card comes closing to knocking it out of first place!

You earn points so fast when you use the card at Marriott hotels, and the earning rate for everyday purchases isn’t too shabby either.

The 50,000 Bonvoy point sign-up bonus and free night’s stay awarded every year on your anniversary are just the icing on top of an already great card.

I’m pretty impressed American Express offers this card to Canadians. It helps fill a gaping hole in the Canadian travel credit card market.

Here’s hoping American Express introduces more hotel credit cards in Canada. I really want to see a card similar to the Hilton card offered in the United States.

But until American Express offers more hotel credit cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Canada is a great option to earn free hotel nights quickly.

As I said at the start of this post, this is the type of credit card everybody can get use out of, and it is more of a question of when you’ll add it to your wallet not if you’ll add it to your wallet.

APPLY FOR THE MARRIOTT BONVOY AMEX CANADA CARD

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The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is often toted at the best no foreign transaction fee credit card in Canada.

But when you look at it closer, that may not be the case.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is one of only a handful of credit cards in Canada to not charge you that pesky 2.5% foreign transaction fee (a.k.a. fx fee) and only one of two reputable banks that offer this feature on one of their cards. The card realistically comes with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 Scotia Rewards, which has a value of up to $200. But that is where the praise stops. Scotia Rewards aren’t really that useful, and the card has an abysmal earning rate. I frankly think you should look into the HSBC World Elite Mastercard instead.

I think it is sold as the top no fx fee credit card in Canada because it is the most popular. It is the credit card everybody is talking about in the no foreign transaction fee space.

Just because it is the most popular doesn’t mean it is the best.

And just because I don’t think it is the best doesn’t mean you won’t think it is the best no fx fee credit card in Canada.

Today, we’re going to discuss all the ins and outs of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, so you can decide whether it is the right card for you or not.

Spoiler alert: it is the only credit card I’ve ever regretted getting.

What is a Foreign Transaction Fee?

Since we are going to mention it a lot and it is a huge benefit to the card, I think we should have a quick chat about what an fx fee is.

A foreign transaction fee is a 2.5% fee credit card issuers charge you for making purchases in a foreign currency.

This is on top what ever the currency conversion rate is.

Essentially, a foreign transaction fee is an arbitrary 2.5% that you get charged that goes straight into the pockets of Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and the bank.

Mastercard and Visa get 1% and the bank issuing the card gets the other 1.5%. In the case of American Express, they get the full 2.5% charges.

2.5% may not sound like a lot of money, but it can add up quickly!

If you spend $5,000 in a currency other than Canadian dollars a year, you pay $125 just in fx fees.

The banks claim a foreign transaction fee compensates them for the cost of converting currencies, but it feels like a money grab to most people.

It is a good day whenever you can avoid paying that annoying 2.5% foreign transaction fee.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is one of the few ways Canadians can avoid paying that extra 2.5% on purchases not made in Canadian dollars.

Let me know in the comments below whether or not you knew you paid an fx fee?! I know a lot of people aren’t aware the charge even exists.

Also, American Express doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on their US credit cards, so I’m more than a little grumpy they still charge it on their Canadian card! Let’s change that Amex!

Best travel credit cards in Canada

Highlights

At first glance, there is a lot to like about the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite. I can honestly see why people enjoy this card.

Here are some of the card’s top highlights:

• Up to 30,000 Scotia Rewards as a sign-up bonus (I know I said 20,000 Scotia Rewards in the introduction, but I’ll explain why most people receive 20,000 Scotia Rewards rather than 30,000 Scotia Rewards in the points section of this post)

• No foreign transaction fee on any purchase

• 2x points for every $1 you spend on gas, transportation, groceries, and entertainment

• 6 complimentary airport lounge visits

That’s not a bad list of benefits for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite!

Another spoiler alert: if Scotia Rewards were decent, this credit card would be one of the best in Canada!

Pros and Cons of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

• No foreign transaction fees

• Bad points earning categories

• Scotia Rewards lack value

APPLY FOR THE SCOTIABANK PASSPORT VISA INFINITE

Points

Scotiabank has their own rewards points called Scotia Rewards.

They are completely internal to Scotiabank. Scotia Rewards cannot be transferred to a partner program and can only be redeemed through the Scotia Rewards portal.

They are also a fixed value point.

That means you can’t take advantage of sweet spots (spots in a points program where you get more value for your points than you normally would).

One Scotia Reward is worth between $0.03 when redeemed for merchandize and $0.01 when redeemed for travel.

That’s a pretty low value per point. Especially when compared to other programs in Canada.

Sign-Up Bonus

Scotiabank advertises a 30,000 Scotia Reward point sign-up bonus, but that is a bit click baity.

In reality, most people will only receive 20,000 Scotia Rewards as a sign-up bonus.

The points are distributed as follows:

• 20,000 Scotia Reward points when you spend $1,000 in everyday purchases in the first three months. Everyday purchases include food, transportation, and entertainment. Travel is not included in the everyday spending category.

• $10,000 Scotia Rewards points when you spend $40,000 in everyday purchases in the first year.

No average person is putting $40,000 of everyday purchases on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite.

If you have that sort of money to spend on everyday purchases, you’re probably going to put that spending on a card that earns you more and better points.

Most people will end up getting 20,000 Scotia Rewards as a sign-up bonus. If redeemed for travel, that is a value of $200.

Earning Points

The points earning on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite leave a lot to be desired.

It is honestly a bit insulting to users how low the points earning categories are!

You earn:

• 2 points per $1 spent on gas, grocery, transportation, and entertainment

• 1 point per $1 spent on every other purchase

Yup.

You read that right. You don’t earn bonus points on travel purchases even though this is a premium travel credit card!

That just blows my mind!

Needless to say, you earn points painfully slow with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite.

The low points earning and fixed-price points is a terrible combination!

I think Scotiabank thought they could rely on the no foreign transaction fees to bring in customers and put no effort into creating an attractive points program.

No foreign transaction fees is a big selling point, but it isn’t the be-all-end-all.

HSBC offers a no foreign transaction fee credit card that has an amazing points program to go along with it. So you can get the best of both worlds!

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Redeeming Points

Scotiabank makes it really easy to redeem Scotia Rewards, so that is a big plus!

You do all your redeeming through the Scotia Rewards portal.

There are three ways you can redeem your Scotia Rewards:

• Book travel directly through the portal

• Book your own travel and use your points as a statement credit

• Purchase merchandise or gift cards

It is all done through the portal, and the portal is really intuitive to use!

I really appreciate that Scotiabank put the effort into making point redemption so easy!

Best Way to Redeem Scotia Rewards Points

The best way to redeem your Scotia Rewards is to purchase a travel-related expense on your account and use your points as a statement credit.

This gives you the highest value per point and gives you a lot of flexibility on what you use your points for.

Through the Scotia Rewards portal, you are quite limited in what you can redeem your points for. Basically, you can choose between flights or a hotel.

The world is your oyster when you use your points for a travel-related statement credit.

You can use your points to get reimbursed for basically every travel expense.

Airbnb, cruises, train tickets, flights, hotels, baggage fees, airport lounge access, and travel tours all count as travel expenses, and you can redeem your Scotia Rewards as a statement credit for them.

The only catch is you have to go into the Scotia Rewards portal and redeem your points for a statement credit within 60 days of making the purchase.

Any time later than 60 days after purchase, and the item will no longer be eligible to be reimbursed by using points.

The next best way to redeem your Scotia Rewards is booking travel through the Scotia Rewards portal.

It is super easy to book flights and hotel, but, honestly, you can often find the same flights/hotel at a lower rate if you book them yourself.

It is definitely worth the effort to source out the best rate and use your points as a statement credit!

Worst Way to Redeem Scotia Rewards Points

Merchandise.

The worst way to redeem your points on any travel credit card is using your points to buy merchandise.

You get a much lower value per point, and it simply isn’t a great use of your points unless they expire soon. The only way Scotia Rewards point expire is if you no longer hold a credit card the earns Scotia Rewards.

In the case of Scotia Rewards, you get about a third of the value per point as you do when you redeem for travel.

Using your points to buy merchandise should be a last resort!

You get a slightly better value per point when you redeem for gift cards, but it is still quite low.

If you do have to redeem your points for something other than travel, I suggest going for gift cards over merchandise.

Annual Fee

The annual fee on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is $139 per year.

That is pretty much in line with other travel credit cards in Canada.

A lot of Canadian travel credit cards have an annual fee of $120, and I think the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite has a little higher annual fee because it has the unique feature of no fx fee.

Is this the best travel gadget you can buy?! Read my full review.

Qualifications

Scotiabank requires you to have one of the following income requirements in order to be approved for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite:

• Personal income of $60,000

• Household income of $100,000

• $250,000 of assets under management (e.g. stocks and other liquid assets)

Sigh.

If you’ve read some of my other credit card reviews (like the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard), you know my stance on minimum income requirements.

They are classist, discriminatory, and should be a thing of the past.

Your income has nothing to do with your ability to handle credit and use it responsibly. I understand banks justify minimum income requirements as a way to weed out “irresponsible” people and “protect” themselves, but that doesn’t negate the fact that these are bad policies.

Someone who makes $150,000 per year can be worse at managing their money than someone who makes $30,000 per year.

Don’t let a bank make you feel bad about yourself just because they say you don’t make enough to be awarded a premium credit card.

If you have trouble meeting the minimum income requirements on some of these cards, check out American Express. They don’t have a minimum income requirement!

In addition to the minimum income requirements, you have to be a Canadian resident, be the age of majority in your home province, and have a Canadian credit file.

Who Should Get the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

Anybody who spends a significant amount of money in a currency other than Canadian dollars and doesn’t want to get the HSBC World Elite Mastercard.

I think the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite caters to a unique niche, and a lot of people won’t get a huge benefit from holding the card.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is a great choice for people who have multiple Scotiabank credit cards.

You can piggyback points earning and sign-up bonuses to earn a significant amount of points in a relatively short about of time.

But to be honest, Scotiabank doesn’t have a very good selection of travel cards, so I don’t recommend that strategy.

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Who Should NOT Get the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

This is not the right credit card for people who don’t spend a lot of money in a different currency other than Canadian dollars.

It also isn’t the card for people who do spend a lot of money in foreign currencies but are cool with using a credit card not issued by one of Canada’s big 5 banks.

The HSBC World Elite Mastercard is the winner in the Canadian no foreign transaction fee space, and it is the card I recommend people look into first.

Alternative Card

• HSBC World Elite Mastercard

• American Express Gold Canada

• Marriott Express American Express Canada (read review)

Conclusion

Okay. I admit that that was a bit of a harsh review.

But I needed you to know the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite before making a decision.

I think the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite can be a good choice for a small group of people, but I think most people should pass on this credit card.

The upside benefit just isn’t there, unfortunately.

If Scotiabank beefed up their points program and increased the points earning categories on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, it would be a much more attractive card.

But until that time comes, I just can’t recommend the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card to most people.

Especially people who are interested in travel hacking and maximizing their travel rewards.

APPLY FOR THE SCOTIABANK PASSPORT VISA INFINITE

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is often toted at the best no foreign transaction fee credit card in Canada.

But when you look at it closer, that may not be the case.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is one of only a handful of credit cards in Canada to not charge you that pesky 2.5% foreign transaction fee (a.k.a. fx fee) and only one of two reputable banks that offer this feature on one of their cards. The card realistically comes with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 Scotia Rewards, which has a value of up to $200. But that is where the praise stops. Scotia Rewards aren’t really that useful, and the card has an abysmal earning rate. I frankly think you should look into the HSBC World Elite Mastercard instead.

I think it is sold as the top no fx fee credit card in Canada because it is the most popular. It is the credit card everybody is talking about in the no foreign transaction fee space.

Just because it is the most popular doesn’t mean it is the best.

And just because I don’t think it is the best doesn’t mean you won’t think it is the best no fx fee credit card in Canada.

Today, we’re going to discuss all the ins and outs of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, so you can decide whether it is the right card for you or not.

Spoiler alert: it is the only credit card I’ve ever regretted getting.

What is a Foreign Transaction Fee?

Since we are going to mention it a lot and it is a huge benefit to the card, I think we should have a quick chat about what an fx fee is.

A foreign transaction fee is a 2.5% fee credit card issuers charge you for making purchases in a foreign currency.

This is on top what ever the currency conversion rate is.

Essentially, a foreign transaction fee is an arbitrary 2.5% that you get charged that goes straight into the pockets of Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and the bank.

Mastercard and Visa get 1% and the bank issuing the card gets the other 1.5%. In the case of American Express, they get the full 2.5% charges.

2.5% may not sound like a lot of money, but it can add up quickly!

If you spend $5,000 in a currency other than Canadian dollars a year, you pay $125 just in fx fees.

The banks claim a foreign transaction fee compensates them for the cost of converting currencies, but it feels like a money grab to most people.

It is a good day whenever you can avoid paying that annoying 2.5% foreign transaction fee.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is one of the few ways Canadians can avoid paying that extra 2.5% on purchases not made in Canadian dollars.

Let me know in the comments below whether or not you knew you paid an fx fee?! I know a lot of people aren’t aware the charge even exists.

Also, American Express doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on their US credit cards, so I’m more than a little grumpy they still charge it on their Canadian card! Let’s change that Amex!

Best travel credit cards in Canada

Highlights

At first glance, there is a lot to like about the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite. I can honestly see why people enjoy this card.

Here are some of the card’s top highlights:

• Up to 30,000 Scotia Rewards as a sign-up bonus (I know I said 20,000 Scotia Rewards in the introduction, but I’ll explain why most people receive 20,000 Scotia Rewards rather than 30,000 Scotia Rewards in the points section of this post)

• No foreign transaction fee on any purchase

• 2x points for every $1 you spend on gas, transportation, groceries, and entertainment

• 6 complimentary airport lounge visits

That’s not a bad list of benefits for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite!

Another spoiler alert: if Scotia Rewards were decent, this credit card would be one of the best in Canada!

Pros and Cons of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

• No foreign transaction fees

• Bad points earning categories

• Scotia Rewards lack value

APPLY FOR THE SCOTIABANK PASSPORT VISA INFINITE

Points

Scotiabank has their own rewards points called Scotia Rewards.

They are completely internal to Scotiabank. Scotia Rewards cannot be transferred to a partner program and can only be redeemed through the Scotia Rewards portal.

They are also a fixed value point.

That means you can’t take advantage of sweet spots (spots in a points program where you get more value for your points than you normally would).

One Scotia Reward is worth between $0.03 when redeemed for merchandize and $0.01 when redeemed for travel.

That’s a pretty low value per point. Especially when compared to other programs in Canada.

Sign-Up Bonus

Scotiabank advertises a 30,000 Scotia Reward point sign-up bonus, but that is a bit click baity.

In reality, most people will only receive 20,000 Scotia Rewards as a sign-up bonus.

The points are distributed as follows:

• 20,000 Scotia Reward points when you spend $1,000 in everyday purchases in the first three months. Everyday purchases include food, transportation, and entertainment. Travel is not included in the everyday spending category.

• $10,000 Scotia Rewards points when you spend $40,000 in everyday purchases in the first year.

No average person is putting $40,000 of everyday purchases on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite.

If you have that sort of money to spend on everyday purchases, you’re probably going to put that spending on a card that earns you more and better points.

Most people will end up getting 20,000 Scotia Rewards as a sign-up bonus. If redeemed for travel, that is a value of $200.

Earning Points

The points earning on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite leave a lot to be desired.

It is honestly a bit insulting to users how low the points earning categories are!

You earn:

• 2 points per $1 spent on gas, grocery, transportation, and entertainment

• 1 point per $1 spent on every other purchase

Yup.

You read that right. You don’t earn bonus points on travel purchases even though this is a premium travel credit card!

That just blows my mind!

Needless to say, you earn points painfully slow with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite.

The low points earning and fixed-price points is a terrible combination!

I think Scotiabank thought they could rely on the no foreign transaction fees to bring in customers and put no effort into creating an attractive points program.

No foreign transaction fees is a big selling point, but it isn’t the be-all-end-all.

HSBC offers a no foreign transaction fee credit card that has an amazing points program to go along with it. So you can get the best of both worlds!

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Redeeming Points

Scotiabank makes it really easy to redeem Scotia Rewards, so that is a big plus!

You do all your redeeming through the Scotia Rewards portal.

There are three ways you can redeem your Scotia Rewards:

• Book travel directly through the portal

• Book your own travel and use your points as a statement credit

• Purchase merchandise or gift cards

It is all done through the portal, and the portal is really intuitive to use!

I really appreciate that Scotiabank put the effort into making point redemption so easy!

Best Way to Redeem Scotia Rewards Points

The best way to redeem your Scotia Rewards is to purchase a travel-related expense on your account and use your points as a statement credit.

This gives you the highest value per point and gives you a lot of flexibility on what you use your points for.

Through the Scotia Rewards portal, you are quite limited in what you can redeem your points for. Basically, you can choose between flights or a hotel.

The world is your oyster when you use your points for a travel-related statement credit.

You can use your points to get reimbursed for basically every travel expense.

Airbnb, cruises, train tickets, flights, hotels, baggage fees, airport lounge access, and travel tours all count as travel expenses, and you can redeem your Scotia Rewards as a statement credit for them.

The only catch is you have to go into the Scotia Rewards portal and redeem your points for a statement credit within 60 days of making the purchase.

Any time later than 60 days after purchase, and the item will no longer be eligible to be reimbursed by using points.

The next best way to redeem your Scotia Rewards is booking travel through the Scotia Rewards portal.

It is super easy to book flights and hotel, but, honestly, you can often find the same flights/hotel at a lower rate if you book them yourself.

It is definitely worth the effort to source out the best rate and use your points as a statement credit!

Worst Way to Redeem Scotia Rewards Points

Merchandise.

The worst way to redeem your points on any travel credit card is using your points to buy merchandise.

You get a much lower value per point, and it simply isn’t a great use of your points unless they expire soon. The only way Scotia Rewards point expire is if you no longer hold a credit card the earns Scotia Rewards.

In the case of Scotia Rewards, you get about a third of the value per point as you do when you redeem for travel.

Using your points to buy merchandise should be a last resort!

You get a slightly better value per point when you redeem for gift cards, but it is still quite low.

If you do have to redeem your points for something other than travel, I suggest going for gift cards over merchandise.

Annual Fee

The annual fee on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is $139 per year.

That is pretty much in line with other travel credit cards in Canada.

A lot of Canadian travel credit cards have an annual fee of $120, and I think the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite has a little higher annual fee because it has the unique feature of no fx fee.

Is this the best travel gadget you can buy?! Read my full review.

Qualifications

Scotiabank requires you to have one of the following income requirements in order to be approved for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite:

• Personal income of $60,000

• Household income of $100,000

• $250,000 of assets under management (e.g. stocks and other liquid assets)

Sigh.

If you’ve read some of my other credit card reviews (like the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard), you know my stance on minimum income requirements.

They are classist, discriminatory, and should be a thing of the past.

Your income has nothing to do with your ability to handle credit and use it responsibly. I understand banks justify minimum income requirements as a way to weed out “irresponsible” people and “protect” themselves, but that doesn’t negate the fact that these are bad policies.

Someone who makes $150,000 per year can be worse at managing their money than someone who makes $30,000 per year.

Don’t let a bank make you feel bad about yourself just because they say you don’t make enough to be awarded a premium credit card.

If you have trouble meeting the minimum income requirements on some of these cards, check out American Express. They don’t have a minimum income requirement!

In addition to the minimum income requirements, you have to be a Canadian resident, be the age of majority in your home province, and have a Canadian credit file.

Who Should Get the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

Anybody who spends a significant amount of money in a currency other than Canadian dollars and doesn’t want to get the HSBC World Elite Mastercard.

I think the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite caters to a unique niche, and a lot of people won’t get a huge benefit from holding the card.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is a great choice for people who have multiple Scotiabank credit cards.

You can piggyback points earning and sign-up bonuses to earn a significant amount of points in a relatively short about of time.

But to be honest, Scotiabank doesn’t have a very good selection of travel cards, so I don’t recommend that strategy.

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Who Should NOT Get the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

This is not the right credit card for people who don’t spend a lot of money in a different currency other than Canadian dollars.

It also isn’t the card for people who do spend a lot of money in foreign currencies but are cool with using a credit card not issued by one of Canada’s big 5 banks.

The HSBC World Elite Mastercard is the winner in the Canadian no foreign transaction fee space, and it is the card I recommend people look into first.

Alternative Card

• HSBC World Elite Mastercard

• American Express Gold Canada

• Marriott Express American Express Canada (read review)

Conclusion

Okay. I admit that that was a bit of a harsh review.

But I needed you to know the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite before making a decision.

I think the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite can be a good choice for a small group of people, but I think most people should pass on this credit card.

The upside benefit just isn’t there, unfortunately.

If Scotiabank beefed up their points program and increased the points earning categories on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, it would be a much more attractive card.

But until that time comes, I just can’t recommend the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card to most people.

Especially people who are interested in travel hacking and maximizing their travel rewards.

APPLY FOR THE SCOTIABANK PASSPORT VISA INFINITE

There is a lot of hype around the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard. Heck! I even included it in my list of the best travel credit cards in Canada as the winner of the Air Miles category.

Today we’re going to investigate whether or not the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard is worth the hype or if you should be looking at a different travel credit card instead.

There is no doubt that the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard is one of the best Air Miles credit card in Canada. It has the best Air Miles sign-up bonus, a simple point earning structure, and a first year annual fee waiver. However, the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard isn’t a great choice in general. When compared to other travel credit cards in Canada, it falls short. This is a good card for Air Miles loyalists, but everybody else should give it a pass.

Okay. Clearly you now know that I’m not a big fan of the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard.

It isn’t so much that the card itself isn’t great, but it is more that the Air Miles program itself is terrible.

There are high taxes and fees on airfare, lots of blackout dates and seats, you have to depart from Canada, and you don’t earn points very quickly.

All in all, it is difficult to find a positive spin to put on the Air Miles program.

But! We’ll get deeper into the Air Miles program later on in this article.

We’re still going to go through a complete breakdown of the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard, so you can decide whether or not it is the right travel credit card for you.

Highlights

While I don’t love the Air Miles program, there are some really cool features and perks that come with the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard.

BMO, in general, is known to have unique perks associated with their travel credit cards, and this card is no exception!

Here are some of my favourite perks and features of the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard:

• 15% discount on North American flights booked with Air Miles

• 15% discount on Cirque du Soleil shows touring Canada

• 20% discount on Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas

• Extended warranty and purchase protection

• Two complimentary Lounge Key passes

• $40 yearly annual fee rebate when you have a BMO Performance Plan bank account

Pros and Cons of the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard

• Best Air Miles credit card in Canada

• Unique and beneficial extra perks

• Mastercard extended by a Big 5 bank and widely accepted/trusted

• Only collect and redeem Air Miles

• Have to deal with BMO, which in my experience is often unpleasant

APPLY FOR THE BMO AIR MILES WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD

Points

You earn and redeem Air Miles with this credit card.

There is no option to transfer your points to a partner program like many other Canadian travel credit cards have.

This puts you at a disadvantage because Air Miles is one of the least flexible travel rewards points in Canada.

With Air Miles, you have to book a flight that originates from Canada. That means you don’t have the option to book a one-way flight from, say, Europe to Canada to get home.

If you wanted to use your Air Miles for a one-way flight for your European vacation, your only option is to use it on the outbound flight that departs from Canada.

The Air Miles program is one of the easiest programs to use, but it is also frustrating when you have to work within their rules and don’t have much travel flexibility.

Sign-Up Bonus

You earn 2,000 Air Miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months of holding the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard.

That is a fairly generous sign-up bonus, and you can book an ultra short-haul round trip flight with 2,000 Air Miles.

A round-trip flight from Edmonton to Calgary, Vancouver to Victoria, or Toronto to Thunder Bay can all be booked using the 2,000 Air Mile sign-up bonus.

This sign-up bonus is comparable to other sign-up bonuses on travel credit cards in Canada, and there is nothing to complain about there!

Earning Points

The BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard has a really straightforward and easy points earning structure.

It is a great card for beginners because you don’t have to worry about using the card strategically in different categories.

No matter what you purchase, you earn 1 Air Mile for every $10 you spend on the card.

Yup! It is really that easy and straighforward!

The downside to that is there aren’t any special categories where you earn 1.5x or 2x points on your purchases.

This really slows down how quickly you can earn points!

The other way you can earn extra Air Miles is by showing your Air Miles card in participating stores or shopping through the Air Miles Shop.

The Air Miles Shop allows you to earn extra Air Miles when you shop online at some of the most popular retailers in Canada. Stores like Chapters, The Bay, and David’s Tea are all on the Air Miles Shop.

You have to log into the Air Miles Shop and shop through their link to earn your extra Air Miles. If you go directly to the store’s website, you won’t earn those extra Air Miles.

Best travel credit cards in Canada

Redeeming Points

One of the best parts of the Air Miles program is how easy it is to redeem points!

No matter what you want to redeem your points for, all it takes is a few clicks of your mouse!

They even have free skipping if you purchase merchandise with your Air Miles!

You can redeem your Air Miles for flights, hotels, car rentals, travel experiences, merchandise, and gift cards.

It is all done through the Air Miles website, and you search for the hotel or flight just as you would if you were using cash and going through a traditional travel website.

You really have to give it to Air Miles for making it so easy to redeem your points!

Best Way to Redeem Air Miles

Air Miles is known for having high taxes and fees, so the best strategy for redeeming Air Miles is to use them for rewards that cost you the least out-of-pocket.

I personally like to use my Air Miles for travel experience like theme park and museum tickets. You get a pretty good value for your points, and you don’t have to pay any cash in addition to the Air Miles you redeem.

Other great options include hotels, short-haul flights within the same province, and last-minute flights.

All of these redemptions will get you the best bang for your points.

You do have to be careful when redeeming your points for flights though! Pay attention to how much you’re being charged in taxes and fees and really do the math to figure out if that redemption is the best use of your points or not.

You should strive to be getting at least 10 cents worth of value out of every point you redeem. Anything below that is considered a less than desirable redemption rate.

With that being said, I always say that it is better to use your points for anything than to let them go to waste and not use them at all.

That isn’t common advice you’ll hear in the travel hacking community, but it is the truth!

Most people tell you to get the most value possible out of every point, and it can lead to people letting their points go to waste because they’re waiting for the perfect moment to redeem their points.

Don’t be that person!

Use your points for what suits your needs, and try to get the most value for your points in whatever way you choose to use them!

Worst Way to Redeem Air Miles

On a value per points basis, one of the worst ways you can use your Air Miles is to redeem them for long-haul international travel.

The value per point tends to be much lower than on shorter fights, hotels, or travel experiences.

Outside of not getting a great value on long-haul international flights, the absolute worst way you can use your Air Miles is redeeming them for a flight that has extremely high taxes and fees.

I know I keep going on and on about the taxes and fees, but it is honestly shocking at how high some of them are!

There have been multiple times where I’ve gotten to the last screen in the redemption process and aborted the mission because the taxes and fees were too high.

I’m talking over $600 worth of taxes and fees!

You’re using potentially thousands of points with an approximate value of 10 cents per point and then are expected to pay hundreds of dollars of taxes and fees on top of it!

It just doesn’t sit right.

Many travel points programs require you to pay taxes and fees, but they are so much higher with the Air Miles program.

The taxes and fees really bring down your value per point value so make sure you do updated calculations taking into consideration the taxes and fees before you pull the trigger and redeem your points!

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Why I Don’t Like the Air Miles Program

By now it should be pretty clear that I don’t love the Air Miles program.

It may be one of the most popular travel points programs in Canada, but it doesn’t deserve the popularity it has.

Here are just a few reasons I dislike the Air Miles program:

• Flights have to originate in Canada

• Points earning is quite slow even if you have an Air Miles credit card

• Lack of flight customization and normally get stuck with long layovers

• Rental car option not available in many countries

Annual Fee

The annual fee on the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard is $120.

The first year’s annual fee is rebated, and you receive a $40 rebate on your annual fee every year going forward if you have a BMO Performance Plan bank account.

Qualifications

This is one of those cards where they require a minimum income. If you’ve read a number of my blog posts, you know that I am opposed to minimum income requirements.

I think they are elitist and exclude far too many people who would use the card responsibly. I completely understand that it is a tactic credit card issuers use to protect themselves from having people abuse their cards, but it is an outdated and classist practice.

American Express has the best travel credit cards in Canada and doesn’t have a minimum income requirement. More credit card issuers should follow suit and eliminate the need for a minimum income.

But I digress.

BMO is one of the worst when it comes to minimum income requirements. All of their annual fee credit cards have an outrageously high minimum income requirement.

BMO requires you to earn at least $80,000 in personal income or $150,000 in household income.

The average Canadian household income in a household where two adults are working is $84,900!

That means the majority of Canadians won’t have access to this credit card. BMO’s personal income requirement is just a few thousand dollars lower than the average household income in Canada.

Just because you’re underpaid at your job does not mean you shouldn’t have access to travel credit cards.

Don’t let a credit card issuer make you feel like you don’t deserve their credit card just because they have elitist requirements and only cater to the financially privileged.

Who Should Get the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard

This is a great card for Air Mile die hards.

There are people who swear by Air Miles, and it is their favourite travel point in Canada.

If you’re not an Air Mile enthusiast, I don’t see any harm in getting this card and then cancelling it before your first year is up.

The annual fee is waived in the first year, so you’re not shelling any cash out for this card.

The only thing you need to consider is the opportunity cost of holding this card.

You have to spend $3,000 in the first three months to get the sign-up bonus. You could spend that $3,000 to meet the minimum spend on the American Express Gold, TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, or American Express Aeroplan and get points that will potentially benefit you more.

But if it works with your current travel hacking strategy, then there is no harm in getting the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard.

Just make sure you cancel it before the second year, so you don’t have to pay an annual fee!

Who Should NOT Get the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard

I think people serious about travel hacking and getting the most value out of their travel rewards should pass on the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard.

It lacks the flexibility that most travel points programs have, and you’re really limited in your options since the flight has to originate from Canada.

Additionally, it is quite difficult to earn a lot of Air Miles quickly. The BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard doesn’t offer any bonus categories, and you earn a flat 1 point per $10 spent across the board.

This is a decent option for people wanting to redeem points for experiences, but it really isn’t a viable option for people looking to redeem for flights- especially luxury flights in business or first class.

Alternative Credit Cards

• American Express Cobalt (read review)

• American Express Aeroplan

• RBC Westjet World Elite Mastercard (read review)

Conclusion

I know this review is a little harsh, but I want you to know the good and the bad before you apply for any credit card.

The BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard just falls short.

It is a great credit card when compared to its peers and fellow Air Miles cards. However, when you review the card objectively and compare it to other travel credit cards on the market, it comes in as one of the most disappointing travel cards on the market.

You don’t get a ton of value each year to justify paying a $120 annual fee. Outside of the first year with the sign-up bonus, the perks you get with the card aren’t worth paying $120 for.

In my (humble) opinion, I see no harm in getting the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard for the first year and then promptly canceling it before the second year annual fee kicks in.

I would only get it if I had exhausted the other travel credit cards I’m eyeing up and would not prioritize it over a more robust and versatile credit card like the American Express Cobalt, HSBC World Elite Mastercard, or American Express Aeroplan.

APPLY FOR THE BMO AIR MILES WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD

The MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard is one of the most underrated but powerful travel credit cards in Canada.

I certainly hadn’t heard of it before I got into the travel hacking game!

The MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard really only benefits people living in Western Canada. For Western Canadians, the MBNA Alaska Mastercard is the best travel card in Canada for inexpensive reward flights to Asia. Alaska Airlines has a sweet spot from Western Canada to Asia you can take advantage of, and the trip costs you far fewer points than on any other airline. The MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard is a secret tool that makes travel to Asia more accessible than ever!

The MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard comes with other benefits like a 30,000 points sign-up bonus, a companion fare, and free checked luggage that only sweeten the deal.

It is a more advanced travel credit card, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be reaping the rewards in no time!

The MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard is one of the first travel credit cards I got, and I love it.

It isn’t for everybody, but if you’re a Western Canadian looking to travel to Asia or Western United States, this is a great option for you!

I have to admit that I’ve flown Alaska Airlines a number of times and think they are an underrated carrier in North America. I’ve always had good service, and the staff are so kind!

Highlights

The MBNA Alaska Airlines Mastercard has similar benefits to the RBC Westjet World Elite Mastercard.

Just like the RBC Westjet Mastercard, it lacks a little bit in the points earning categories.

But it makes up for it with the other benefits offered with the card.

Some of the top highlights of the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard are:

• 30,000 Alaska Airlines miles sign-up bonus

• Free first checked bag for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation

• Complimentary “world famous” companion fare awarded each year you hold the card

• 3 miles for every $1 spent at Alaska Airlines

• 1 mile for every $1 spent on every other purchase

Pros and Cons of the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard

• Great redemption price for flights to and from Asia

• Free checked luggage and companion fare

• Decent points earning on Alaska Airlines purchases

• Points most beneficial to people living in Western Canada

• Very high minimum income requirement

• Bad points earning on non-Alaska Airlines purchases

APPLY FOR THE MBNA ALASKA AIRLINES WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD

Points

You earn Alaska Airlines miles with the MBNA Alaska Mastercard.

The best part about Alaska Airlines miles that they can be used to book on a plethora of partner airlines. The redemption rate for partner airline flights are significantly lower than you will find with other programs.

You get a ton of benefit out of Alaska Airlines miles, and you get a pretty high value per mile when you book with a partner airline.

Unlike some other credit card points, you don’t transfer your Alaska Airlines miles to partner programs.

Instead you go through the Alaska Airlines portal and redeem your miles on partner airlines directly through Alaska Airlines.

It eliminates that pesky middle step of transferring points from one program to another, which is sometimes a headache.

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Sign-Up Bonus

The sign-up bonus on the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard is 30,000 Alaska Airlines miles.

This is a very generous sign-up bonus, and you can do a lot with those points!

Here are a few examples of what 30,000 Alaska Airlines miles can get you (as of January 2021):

• One-way economy flight from Western Canada to Asia on Cathay Pacific

• One-way economy flight from Western Canada to Europe on American Airlines

• One-way business class flight from Western Canada to South America Zone One (e.g. Ecuador)

Not too shabby, eh!

To get your sign-up bonus points, you have to spend $1,000 on the card in the first 90 days of opening it.

That’s pretty doable for most people!

Just make sure you have a plan and budget to spend $1,000 in the first three months of having the card. You don’t want to miss out on getting your sign-up bonus!

Earning Points

The points earning structure on the MBNA Alaska Airlines Mastercard is pretty straightforward and easy to keep track of!

You earn:

• 3 points for every $1 spent at Alaska Airlines (including purchasing points and gift cards)

• 1 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases

As you can see, the points earning on everyday purchases is pretty sad.

It takes a long time to earn any significant amount of points if you use the MBNA Alaska Mastercard for everyday purchases.

For that reason, I don’t recommend using this card for everyday purchases once you spent enough on the card to get the sign-up bonus.

There are other credit cards on the market that give you a much higher reward in everyday spending categories.

You may be interested in the American Express Cobalt card if you spend a lot of groceries and dining out. You can read my full review of the card here.

When I hold the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard in my wallet, I spend when I need to meet the minimum spend and then tuck the card away.

After that, I only use it for Alaska Airlines purchases.

The value just isn’t there in the everyday spending categories.

I don’t anticipate MBNA increasing the points offered on everyday spending, but it would be nice if they did!

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Redeeming Points

This is where things get fun!

Redeeming Alaska Airlines miles is very easy and most redemptions can be done via the Alaska Airlines website.

There are a few exceptions where you have to call to redeem points, but they are few and far between.

Alaska Airlines is one of the few airlines that still allows one-way stopovers, and you need to call them to book a trip with a stopover.

Speaking of stopovers, the offering of a one-way stopover is one of the best features of the Alaska Airlines program!

You have the option to book a one-way flight with a stopover in a city for up to 364 days. This means you can fly from North America to Hong Kong, spend a few weeks or months in Asia, and then continue your booking and fly from Hong Kong to Dubai, South America, or Israel.

All for one low, low price!

The redemption process outside of booking a stopover on a one-way flight is very easy. As I said above, most of your bookings can easily be done alone through the Alaska Airlines website!

You simply sign into your Alaska Airlines account, go to the redeem points section, and search for the flight you want.

Once you select your flight, you book it as you would book any normal flight. The only difference is you use your points to pay rather than fiat money.

There may be some taxes and fees to pay on top of your point redemption, but they will be negligible.

The entire process is seamless, and it is nice to have everything on the Alaska Airlines portal and not have to worry about transferring points to a different program.

Best Way to Redeem Alaska Airlines Miles

The Alaska Airlines miles program has two sweet spots where you get a really high value per point:

• Flying any class of service from Western North America to Asia

• Flying economy from Western Canada to Western United States destinations

One-way economy flights from Vancouver to Asia start at just 35,000 Alaska Airlines miles and business class flights start at just 50,000!

That’s a very good redemption price. One of the best in the industry by far!

One-way flights from Canada to the US start at just 5,000 miles!

I highly recommend you use your Alaska Airlines miles to redeem for travel to either Asia or the US. It is by far the best value per point and some of the best value in the entire industry!

That being said, it is always better to use your points for something than to let them gather dust.

You lose your miles if there is no activity in your account for two years. That means if you don’t earn or spend miles for two years, you lose them all!

Don’t let that happen!

A lot of times people in the travel hacking game try to squeeze the very most value out of every single point and end up not using their points because they haven’t found the perfect value for them yet.

Don’t be that person!

Find the best way to use your miles that compliments your travel style and needs.

Don’t go booking a flight to Asia you don’t want to take just because it is one of the best ways to use your miles!

Do what is right for you and your travel style, and that is the ultimate best use of your points!

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Worst Way to Redeem Alaska Airlines Miles

You have the option to redeem Alaska Airlines miles for hotel rooms, and that is the worst way to redeem your miles.

You simply don’t get a very good value per point when you redeem Alaska Airlines miles for hotel stays.

While there may be different flight paths that give you the highest value per point, no matter what flight you book, you will get a value for a flight than you do for a hotel room.

So keep it simple and use your Alaska Airlines miles for flights and don’t even think about using your miles to book a hotel stay.

There are better credit cards for that! Check out the MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard or Marriott Bonvoy American Express card if you want to redeem points for hotel stays!

Annual Fee

The annual fee on the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard is $99.

That is a very fair rate and one of the lowest annual fees on a travel credit card in Canada!

To make the deal even sweeter, if you apply for the card through the Great Canadian Rebates link, you get $50 back on your annual fee!

It does take two billing cycles for your rebate to show on your MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard statement. Be sure to contact Great Canadian Rebates within 3 months if your rebate doesn’t show on your card statement!

Effectively, your annual fee for the first year of holding this card is $49!

That is a tiny price to pay for all the benefits you get out of the card!

Qualifications

You have to meet the following requirements to be eligible for the MBNA Alaska Airlines Mastercard:

• Be the age of majority in your home province

• Have a Canadian credit profile

• Have a minimum personal income of $80,000 or minimum household income of $150,000

• Abide by the 5/24 rule where you haven’t applied for more than 5 credit cards in the past 24 months

Just like every other time a credit card issuer demands such a high minimum income for approval, I’m going to complain about it.

I hate these high minimum income requirements, and I wish banks would do away with them.

The discriminate against young people, single people, women, and less educated people.

Just because you’re underpayed at your job doesn’t mean you aren’t good with your money and you don’t deserve a premium travel credit card.

Having a high minimum income requirement that is significantly higher than the income of an average Canadian is an outdated practice that should be done away with!

Don’t let a credit card issuer make you feel bad about yourself just because you don’t meet their minimum income requirements!

It is their problem and not yours.

MBNA’s 5/24 Rule

MBNA is the only credit issuer in Canada that has a rule surrounding how many credit inquiries you can have on your profile.

No matter how good your credit score, MBNA will not approve you for one of their credit cards if you have more than 5 hard credit inquiries in the past 24 months.

This means you have to be strategic when applying for MBNA credit cards.

The best strategy is to apply for the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard at the start of your travel hacking journey, so you don’t get denied.

After you’re done with the Alaska Airlines Mastercard, call MBNA and downgrade your card to the MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard (read the review here).

This allows you to have a profile open with MBNA at all times, and you can use that to your advantage in the future.

If you want to sign up for the MBNA Alaska Airlines Mastercard again in the future and are denied because of the 5/24 rule, there is a way around it!

Simply call MBNA and ask them to split the credit from the MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard with the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard.

MBNA is normally more than happy to do that, and you beat the system to get the credit card you want!

Who Should Get the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard

Canadians living in the western provinces can benefit from the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard.

It is especially useful for people who want to travel to Asia or to Western United States destinations.

Asia and Western United States destinations are where you’ll find the best value for your points, and you can easily take advantage of them as a Western Canadian.

It is also a great option for travel hackers that have taken advantage of some of the more traditional and well known travel credit cards in Canada.

The MBNA Alaska Airlines Mastercard offers unique redemption opportunities for a very fair price.

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Who Should NOT Get the MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard

Anybody who lives in Eastern Canada probably isn’t going to find much value out of this card.

There are some flights from Eastern Canada to Europe or South America you can hop on, but the you miss out on the best sweet spots of the program.

If you live in Eastern Canada and want to travel to Europe, there are better cards on the market. Any card that gets you British Airways Avios miles is your best option.

They have fabulous redemption prices from Eastern Canada to Western Europe.

Cards like the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite, HSBC World Elite Mastercard, or American Express Gold are great options for earning Avios miles.

Alternative Credit Cards

• RBC Westjet World Elite Mastercard (read review)

• American Express Aeroplan card

• American Express Gold card

Conclusion

The MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard is a hidden gem in the Canadian travel hacking game.

It is super underrated and offers a lot of benefits for a relatively low cost.

If you use the Great Canadian Rebates link, you’re paying a $49 annual fee and getting hundreds of dollars of benefits out of the card.

It is hard to beat that!

I personally use my Alaska Airlines miles to book a business class one-way stopover trip from Vancouver to Hong Kong and then Hong Kong to Dubai.

I think it is the best way to use your Alaska Airlines miles, and gives you the most value per point.

The MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard is very user friendly (minus the minimum income requirement). You only have to spend $1,000 on the card to get the sign-up bonus, and MBNA is helpful when you want to change products and transfer credit limits.

This is a genuinely good credit card for Canadians and a very good an underrated points program.

Most people don’t realize how versatile the Alaska Airlines program is, and how easily it can be leveraged to book the trip of your dreams!

APPLY FOR THE MBNA ALASKA AIRLINES WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD

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Congratulations on booking your trip to Iceland in May! Now comes the difficult part: deciding what to pack. Will it be cold? Hot? Snowing or raining? It is difficult to predict the weather in Iceland in May.

I’ve been to Iceland in May, and I know what the weather is like, so I’m here to help you make sure you pack appropriately! A trip to Iceland is always more enjoyable when you have the appropriate clothing. Especially a trip to Iceland in May when the weather is unpredictable.

The following packing list will ensure that you pack everything you need in order to have an amazing time in Iceland!

A Warm, Rainproof Jacket

You will without a doubt need a rainproof jacket. You will want a jacket that has a hood and some insulation to keep you warm. The wind cuts right through you in Iceland no matter what time of year it is!

This is probably the most essential item for you to pack. You will be miserable if you don’t have the proper jacket. It is no fun to rush a trip to see a waterfall simply because you’re too cold to get out of the car and walk to the viewpoint.

Hiking Shoes

Hiking shoes are a must-pack item as well. They may not be cute, but your feet will thank you. You will be walking on a lot of uneven terrain in Iceland. You will also probably do at least a little bit of hiking/walking to viewing points.

I always travel with a really good hiking shoe in Iceland. I find hiking shoes more flexible, versatile, and cute than hiking boots. They work great and prevent your feet from aching from all the walking.

Having a good pair of hiking shoes is even more important in Iceland in May. The paths are normally quite wet, slushy, snowy, and icy. The conditions simply aren’t made for a normal pair of flats. You need the grip of the hiking shoes. Everybody else will be wearing hiking shoes or boots, so you’ll fit in with the rest of the crowds!

Gloves

You will need a good pair of gloves in Iceland in May. You want to get a pair that has some insulation in them rather than the flimsy, cheap gloves you can find at your local drug store.

Getting gloves that have individual fingers rather than a shared pocket for all four fingers and another for the thumb is important. You will have a lot more freedom and mobility.

Most of the tourist sights are outside in Iceland, so you’ll be outdoors a lot. Your fingers will be freezing if you don’t have the proper style of glove. You’ll never be able to snap the perfect picture if your fingers are freezing! Think of how your Instagram feed will suffer if you can’t get that picture!

A Headband/Touque (or Beanie for Non-Canadians)

You need to protect your ears from the wind and cold when you’re in Iceland in May. Iceland is windy all year round, but it will be a colder wind in May.

You need to pack a headband or toque (a.k.a. a beanie). It is best to get a something that covers your ears fully and has a tight knit, so the wind doesn’t cut through the fabric. As a Canadian, I know how quickly you get cold when your ears aren’t covered so be sure to cover them up!

A Warm Sweater

You should pack a warm sweater to layer underneath your jacket. This will help you stay warm and gives you the option to remove or add layers depending on the weather.

As mentioned, the weather in Iceland in May can change quickly. One hour you could need a jacket and a sweater and the next just a sweater could be more than enough.

Layers are key! They make adjusting to the changing weather quick and easy.

A Blindfold

It is daylight for nearly 21 hours every day in Iceland in May. This means that the sun will be shining while you’re trying to sleep.

Most hotels in the capital Reykjavik have blackout curtains that make it easy to sleep, but most of the hotels outside the capital do not have blackout curtains. This means the light is always shining into your room, and it is incredibly difficult to sleep.

Packing a blindfold is the best way to combat this! Blindfolds are inexpensive, and they are basically a lifesaver in places like Iceland where the sun only sets for a few hours per day.

I personally get headaches if there is too much light in the room, so a blindfold is an absolute must-pack for me!

Thick Socks (and Extra Socks!)

Warm socks are an absolute necessity in Iceland in May! Your feet will thank you for keeping them warm. It can be wet in Iceland in May, so it is quite possible that your socks and feet will get wet through your hiking shoes.

You should pack multiple extra pairs of socks just in case your feet get wet. There is nothing worse than spending the day in wet socks and shoes all because you accidentally stepped in a puddle. Not pleasant.

Having good socks and extra pairs of socks takes away your worry of having to spend the day with uncomfortably wet and cold feet.

Lip Balm

This may seem like an odd thing to add to this list, but lip balm is essential. People often get dry lips in Iceland due to the wind. The elements can be quite harsh on your lips, so you need to make sure you take precautions.

I always bring two or three tubes of lip balm with me to Iceland. I personally use DHC lip balm. It is a Japanese brand, and it is the most moisturizing lip balm I have ever used in my life. It is definitely worth the money in my opinion. Just stay away from the flavoured varieties- they aren’t nearly as hydrating as the original formula!

Final Thoughts

It is easy to pack for a trip to Iceland in May as long as you know what you need to pack! I hope this list has helped you decide what to pack and gave you a realistic expectation of how the weather will be and how to prepare for it.

In addition to the items listed, you should always pack the standard items you would take on any trip as well as what you would normally pack in your carry-on luggage.

You will be all set for an amazing trip to Iceland when you combine your normal packing habits with the specialized items listed above.

A trip to Iceland should be an amazing experience, and it would be horrible to have to miss out on some of the experiences just because you didn’t pack properly.

A good rule of thumb is always pack more layers than you think you will need! You can never have enough warmth!

Paris is one of the most visited countries in the world. It is a huge city with lots to see and do, so you will be using the public transportation system when you’re in Paris. The Paris transportation system is extremely easy to use even if you’re not used to using public transportation.

The most common form of Paris transportation is their underground subway system. It is an extensive system that can get you anywhere in Paris you want to go and even has lines that take you outside of Paris.

The Paris transportation system is incredibly well built and efficient. Did you know that the Paris metro system is the fourth largest metro system in the world?!

With such a large metro system, you’ll need some help to get around the city! These 10 tips will help you use the Paris transportation system like a local.

1. Consider Purchasing a Carnet

A Carnet is a book of 10 single ride transportation tickets. You save you a little bit of money buying a carnet, but they save you a lot of time because you don’t have to purchase a ticket every time you ride public transportation.

A book of 10 tickets costs €14.90. You are able to purchase a carnet at the vending machines or from the ticket windows. A carnet is a great option for people that plan on using the Paris transportation system quite a bit while in Paris or for people that will be in Paris for more than a couple of days.

2. Inside versus Outside of Paris

If you choose to purchase a carnet, you need to understand how the ticketing works. There is a difference between inside and outside of Paris. The carnet tickets are single use tickets that you are only able to use in areas that are designated to be inside Paris.

This means that you will not be able to use a ticket from your carnet booklet if you are using the public transportation system to go to Disneyland Paris or Versailles. You will also not be able to use a ticket from the carnet book if you are going to and from CDG airport.

A basic rule of thumb is that if you are using the RER and going outside the central part of Paris, you will need to buy an individual ticket rather than using a ticket from the carnet booklet.

You can use a ticket from the carnet booklet if you are only using the metro and not transferring to the RER. All metro stations are considered to be inside Paris.

You are able to transfer from one subway line to another with a single-use ticket as long as the stop you get off from is inside the Paris zone.

If you need more information about whether your stop is considered inside or outside Paris, you can ask a Paris transportation employee at the station you are departing from.

My Experience Using the Wrong Paris Transportation Ticket

I have had an instance where I used a ticket from the carnet and got off at a stop that was considered outside Paris because I was unfamiliar with the rules. The gate did not open for me when I put my ticket in to leave the station, and I had to wait for an employee to come over.

The employee was incredibly kind and explained to me why my ticket didn’t work then took me over to the ticket counter to purchase the proper ticket for my return journey. You shouldn’t get in too much trouble if you explain to the Paris transportation employee that it was a mistake. You may be required to purchase a proper ticket, but you shouldn’t get fined as long as it was a genuine mistake.

3. Consider Getting the Paris Visite Pass

The Paris Visite Pass is a card that allows you to use the public transportation system as much as you want for 1-5 consecutive days. The prices vary depending on how many days you want and your age. A list of prices can be found here.

The Paris Visite Pass includes transportation to and from CDG and Versailles, so it can be a good deal. It can also be a waste of money if you don’t use it enough. You have to use public transportation quite a bit in order for this pass to be worth it. A single-day ticket for an adult costs €13.20.

You should figure out how much you’re planning on using public transportation in Paris and calculate how much it would cost you to purchase individual tickets, a carnet, and the Paris Visite Pass. You should purchase whatever ticket is the most cost effective for you.

I have never used public transportation enough in Paris to make the Paris Visite Pass worth it. It may be beneficial to you if you have a short amount of time in Paris and will be rushing from sight to sight and using Paris transportation a lot. I like to take my time and walk a lot, so the pass isn’t worth it for me.

4. Buy Tickets in Advance

This tip is for people that have decided that purchasing individual tickets is the most cost effective thing for them. You are able to purchase tickets in advance and use them later in the day or the next day.

This means that if you know you’re going to be using the subway to get from central Paris back to where you are staying, you can purchase your return ticket at the same time you purchase your ticket when you take the subway in the morning.

You will have to know what stop you will be departing from in order to purchase tickets in advance. This is a great tip for people who are taking a day trip to Versailles or Disneyland Paris and know exactly what stop they will be departing from.

You will save a lot of time if you purchase your return ticket in advance- especially if you are leaving a busy station during a busy time of day. You won’t have to wait in a long queue just to purchase a ticket. Pre-purchasing your return ticket means you can just get onto the train and get home earlier and with fewer crowds.

This is one of my favourite hacks when I use the Paris transportation system.

5. Keep Your Ticket Until You Leave the Station

You should hold onto your ticket until you are out of the station. Paris transportation employees often ask to see your valid ticket even once you’re outside the turnstile.

It is safest to always have your ticket ready to show an employee. This is especially true if you’re departing at a station where you don’t need to insert your ticket to open a gate when you leave. These are the stations where you are most likely to be asked for your ticket.

6. Avoid Transferring at Large Stations

It is best to avoid transferring lines at large stations if at all possible. You will have to walk a long ways to get from one line to another, and it can be quite time consuming.

You should try to transfer lines at smaller stations if at all possible. It will save you a lot of time if you don’t have to spend 5 or more minutes walking from one line to another. You are also more likely to get a seat if you don’t get on at the most popular stations.

7. Avoid Paris Transportation Rush Hour if Possible

The subway in Paris gets incredibly busy during rush hour. You should try to avoid using Paris transportation during rush hour in order to have a better experience.

Rush hour on Paris transportation is from 8-10am and 5-8pm.

The trains will be extremely crowded during this time, and you may even have to wait for a train or two for there to be enough room for you to get on. You will be crammed onto a train with basically no room to move during rush hour. It is an overall unpleasant situation that can easily be avoided.

8. Be Aware of Pickpockets

There are a lot of pickpockets all around Paris at the popular tourist attractions. There are also a lot pickpockets in the subway stations and on the trains.

You should be sure to keep your valuables in your eyesight and hang onto your bags and purses. You won’t get pickpocketed if you are being cautious of your personal belongings.

9. You Have to Ask for a Map

You have to ask for a map of the Paris transportation system at a ticket window. They are not freely displayed for you to grab a map as you’re walking through a station.

You can download a map to your phone or look at the maps on the station walls, but it is always nice to have a paper copy for when you’re planning your journey without access to wifi.

10. Stand on the Right

You should stand on the right-hand side of the escalators. The left-hand side is used by people who want to walk up or down the escalator rather than standings.

You will frustrate people if you are standing on the left-hand side. People are often in a rush to get to their next train to make it to work on time, so they don’t have time to stand on escalators. You should watch the people around you and do as they do.

Conclusion

You should have no problem using the Paris transportation system. It is extremely user-friendly and easy for tourists to understand.

There are signs and announcements in English, so you don’t have to worry about a language barrier, which makes it even easier to use.

The most difficult part of using the Paris transportation system is figuring out what type of ticket is best for you. I prefer to purchase a carnet because it is more convenient than buying individual tickets. I never use the Paris transportation system enough to purchase the Paris Visite Pass, but it is a good option for people who plan on using the train a lot.

Once you decide what ticket option is best for you, the rest of the Paris transportation journey is a breeze and super easy!

It can be difficult to decide what to pack in your carryon bag versus your checked luggage. There are some things that can’t be packed in your carryon bag, so that makes it a bit easier. But it can still be difficult to decide what to put in your carryon bag.

You don’t have much room in your carryon bag, so you need to make sure you pack things you will need. It isn’t a good use of space if you pack things that you won’t use is not efficient.

The following 10 items will help you make the most out of the space you have in your carryon bag as well as abide by airport security rules.

1. Camera

You should always pack your camera in your carryon bag. Your camera is delicate, and it has a chance of getting broken if you pack it in your checked luggage that is thrown around.

You should pack your camera in a protective case in your carryon luggage. This is an added safety precaution you can take to ensure you camera is safe.

2. Cellphone and/or Tablet

You should always put your cellphone and/or tablet in your carryon bag. This is another safety precaution, but you will probably use these devices while on the flight.

You will undoubtably use your cell phone before you board and will probably use it once you land at your destination. You can also use your cellphone and tablet to play games or listen to music while on the plane.

Many airlines now offer their in-flight entertainment via an app rather than through a tv screen in the seat back in front of you. This means you will have to download the app before you board and watch tv and movies on your cellphone or tablet.

You should make sure your phone is charged before you leave the plane. Nearly every plane has a USB charging station at every seat. You should plug your phone in before you land to ensure it is charged and ready to be used when you land. You will probably use your phone for directions to find your hotel, so you don’t want to run out of battery part way there!

3. A Book

I always bring a book with me on the plane. Actually, I normally bring 2-3 books, but I’m a bibliophile and plow through books on planes.

Bringing a book gives you another entertainment option while on the plane. It especially comes in handy when you’re on a short-haul flight where there isn’t enough time to watch a movie.

There are some budget airlines that don’t offer in-flight entertainment (like RyanAir), so books come in handy when using airlines like these.

Always be sure to research what entertainment options your airline offers and come prepared with the appropriate number of books.

Reading along the river in Prague

4. Headphones

You will need to bring headphones if you plan on using the in-flight entertainment system. You can often purchase headphones on your flight, but they are always cheap earbuds that you won’t want to reuse. Save your money and purchase a good pair of headphones that you can use over and over again.

This comes in especially handy on long-haul flights. Your ears will get sore if you are using cheap, airline earbuds for 8-12 hours on a long-haul flight.

5. Medication

You should always bring your medication in your carryon luggage. You are allowed to bring any prescription medication on the plane with you. If you have prescription medication that is over the 50ml liquid allowance, be sure to bring your prescription slip with you. You may not need it, but it is always something you should bring just in case.

6. Laptop

You must bring your laptop with you in your carryon bag. In fact, you can’t check it. You wouldn’t want to check your laptop anyways because there is a high probability of it getting broken.

Your laptop is easy to pack in a backpack and doesn’t take up much space, so it isn’t an inconvenience to bring it in your carryon bag. You should be sure to put it in a protective case to make sure it is safe. Laptops are expensive, so you need to take care of it!

7. Extra Underwear

There is always the possibility that your flight will be cancelled or delayed or your checked luggage could be lost. You should always pack an extra pair of underwear in your carryon bag. You can easily reuse the clothing you wear on the plane the next day, but you should have an extra pair of underwear.

Pyjamas are another item of clothing you may want to consider packing in your carryon bag. They will come in handy if you need to unexpectedly spend a night in a hotel without your checked luggage.

8. A Pen

You should be in the habit of packing a pen in your carryon bag. It is quite common for you to have to fill in a paper immigration form when you land in a country. It saves you a lot of time if you are able to fill out the form when you are on the plane rather than when you get off the plane. But you can’t fill out the immigration form without a pen.

You don’t want to be the person asking the people in your row who came prepared if you can visit their pen. That person is annoying- especially since they rarely give you your pen back.

A pen takes us no space, so throw one in your dedicated carryon bag and leave it there. You will never be without a pen if you keep one in your carryon bag and never remove it.

9. A Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Packing a toothbrush and toothpaste in your bag comes in handy after long-haul flights when you want to refresh your breath or if you unexpectedly have to spend a night in a hotel or your checked luggage gets lost.

There is even a such thing as a travel toothbrush you can pack. It is a single-use toothbrush that is tiny but also comes with toothpaste built in. All you have to do is add water, and you are good to brush your teeth. They are a truly incredible invention.

10. An Empty Water Bottle

It is expensive to purchase bottled water at the airport! You can bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it at a water fountain or in the bathroom (as long as it is safe to drink tap water wherever you are filling your water bottle).

This is a great airport hack! It is ecological and saves you money. Its a win-win situation! You can easily use the same water bottle for your entire trip and save a significant amount of money.

Conclusion

It can sometimes be difficult to determine what to pack in your carryon bag, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. You need to make sure you have anything that you will need on the plane as well as anything you may need if you unexpectedly don’t have your checked luggage for a night.

You want to pack your carryon bag wisely in order to optimize the limited space you have. If you pack it wisely, you shouldn’t have any trouble making the most out of your carryon bag.

If you want more packing tips, be sure to check our my 10 Travel Essentials to Never Leave Home Without article!

Shanghai Disneyland is the newest Disney park in the world. It is the only Disney park in mainland China. Planning a Shanghai Disneyland trip can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. This guide gives you all the information you need to make your Shanghai Disneyland trip magical.

Chinese Visa

The first thing you need to know when planning a Shanghai Disneyland trip is whether you need a visa to be allowed entry into China or not. Most people are required to have a visa. If you are a citizen of one of these 53 countries, you are able to enter China visa-free and stay for 144 hours. That is the equivalent of 6 days.

You have to fly into certain airports to be eligible to stay for 144 hours. If you land at an illegible airport, you will only have 72-hours visa-free.

People that are not citizens of the 53 eligible countries are required to apply for and receive a Chinese visa before they land in China. You need to check with your consulate to see what the visa requirements are. The requirements are different for each country, so make sure you do your research before applying.

I always recommend getting a visa before you arrive in China because it makes the entry process much smoother. Check out my 20 Things to Know Before You Visit China post to learn more about why I suggest having a visa before arriving in China.

How to Get to Shanghai Disneyland

You should fly into Pudong airport in Shanghai. This will give you the easiest commute to Shanghai Disneyland.

Taking a Taxi

If you want the easiest and quickest commute, you should take a taxi. Taxis from Pudong to Shanghai are relatively inexpensive. The ride should cost you between $15-25USD. The ride should take approximately 35-40 minutes depending on traffic.

You can get a taxi at the airport. You need to have the address of where you’re staying written in Chinese characters to show your driver. Your driver will probably not be able to understand where you want to go if the address is written in English.

Taking the Metro

It will take you about 2 hours to get it Shanghai Disneyland if you take public transportation.

You start by taking Line 2 on the metro for 4 stops. Get off at Chuanshan Road Station and take exit 2. Next you get onto bus 50 for 7 stops and get off at Beifu Road Station at Guanghuang Road.

You will be at Shanghai Disneyland after you get off the bus. You can either walk to Shanghai Disneyland or the Shanghai Disneyland shuttle bus.

I recommend you take a taxi. It is way easier and doesn’t cost much more than taking public transportation.

From Shanghai

If you are travelling to Shanghai Disneyland from Shanghai rather than the airport, you need to take metro line 11 to the last stop. You need to figure out how to get to line 11 from wherever you are staying. You will probably need to transfer once or twice, but once you’re on line 11, you ride it all the way to the end. After you get off the metro, you can either walk or take the shuttle bus after you get off the metro.

Where to Stay During Your Shanghai Disneyland Trip

On Shanghai Disneyland Property

I always recommend staying at a Shanghai Disneyland hotel. You can stay at either Toy Story Hotel or Shanghai Disneyland Hotel. The Toy Story Hotel is the less expensive option, and the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel is the expensive option.

Staying on property during your Shanghai Disneyland trip comes with a lot of advantages and conveniences. It will cut down on your commute time and allow you to get extra sleep, which might be the best benefit of all.

Benefits of Staying at a Shanghai Disneyland Hotel

• Free transportation from the park to the hotel and back
• Exclusive hotel guest only entrance
• Can pre-book fastpasses
• Guaranteed entrance even on busy days
• Disney-level guest service
• Cute Disney in-room souvenirs to take home

Staying Off Disney Property

You should book a hotel along metro line 11 or bus 50’s route if you are not staying on Disney property. This will make your commute to and from the park easy because you will not have to transfer lines.

There are not many hotels along metro line 11 near Shanghai Disneyland because the area is newly developed. You will have a fairly long commute if you choose to stay off property. It can take 45-60 minutes to get to Shanghai Disneyland from many hotels.

You need to give yourself extra time to get to the parks if you are taking the metro because it is a long walk from the metro exit to the park.

You will also be standing in the general entrance line, which is normally really long. If you are standing in the general entrance, you need to arrive at the park at least 1 hour early. This will give you enough time to get through security and be one of the first into the park.

Hotels with Public Transportation to Shanghai Disneyland

Tickets

You can purchase either 1 or 2 day tickets for your Shanghai Disneyland trip. You need to purchase a 2 day and a 1 day ticket if you want to spend three days in the park. It is inconvenient, but Shanghai Disneyland is still a new park and is still figuring everything out.

You can also purchase an annual pass if you are planning to visit the park multiple times during the year. There are multiple types of annual passes that cost varying amounts of money. You have to purchase an annual pass either through the official Shanghai Disneyland WeChat or at the entrance to the park.

If You’re Staying on Property

I recommend purchasing your ticket directly through Shanghai Disneyland if you are staying at a Disney hotel. You can purchase it either when you are booking your hotel or when you arrive at the hotel. You need to purchase your tickets directly though Disney in order to use some of the benefits like the exclusive hotel guest entrance.

If You’re Not Staying on Property

I still recommend buying tickets directly through Disney if you aren’t staying on property. This will ensure you are getting legitimate tickets and not counterfeit tickets.

If you choose to purchase discount tickets from someone other than Disney, do your research to ensure it is a reputable company.

Klook is one site that sells discounted Shanghai Disneyland tickets. I have never used this company, but TDRExplorer the ultimate guru on all Asian Disney parks recommends them, so they must be reputable.

How Many Days in the Park

You need at least 2 days at Shanghai Disneyland to experience everything. If you’re a huge Disney fan, you will want to spend 3 days in the park.

You will be able to experience nearly everything and ride your favourite attractions multiple times in 2 days. Having 3 days will allow you to take your time as you explore.

Shanghai Disneyland App

You need to download the Shanghai Disneyland app before you enter the parks.

You can make fastness reservations and check wait times directly from the app, so it is extremely useful. In order to make fastpass reservations, you need to scan the ticket of everybody in your party after everybody enters the park. When all the tickets are scanned, you are able to make fastpass reservations for everybody in your party from a single phone.

The app is a must-have item on your Shanghai Disneyland trip. It helps you maximize your time and plan your day.

What to See and Do

You will have lots to see and do on your Shanghai Disneyland trip. The park isn’t huge, but it has a number of unique attractions and shows that you don’t want to miss.

The lines are often long- especially in the afternoon. You should get to the park right when it opens to make the most of your time. The afternoon is a great time to go to shows, meet characters, or explore Disney Town while the lines for attractions are long.

Must-Do Attractions

• Tron Lightcycle Power Run: You will want to ride this multiple times because it is amazing!
• Pirates of the Caribbean: This ride uses new technology and is incredible.
• Seven Dwarves Mine Train: it is the same as the Magic Kingdom version but still a great attraction for the entire family.
• Soaring Over the Horizon: This is also identical to the versions in Disney California Adventure and Epcot, but it is still a fan favourite.
• Voyage to the Crystal Grotto: This is a boat ride that takes your through a number of fairytales and through the castle.
• Once Upon a Time Adventure: This is a walk-through attraction that lets you go up the castle.
• Camp Discovery: These are obstacle courses of varying degrees of difficulty.

Characters to Meet

There are a lot of characters to meet while on your Shanghai Disneyland trip. Most of the characters you can meet can be found in other Disney parks around the world, but there are a couple that are unique.

Mickey

You can meet Mickey in his Shanghai outfit. This is a unique meeting, and Mickey looks super handsome in his blue jacket and gold shoes. You should definitely make the time to meet Mickey while on your Shanghai Disneyland trip. His line gets long, so you should try to meet him in the morning.

Star Wars

You can meet a number of Star Wars characters at Shanghai Disneyland. They are located in the Star Wars Launch Bay near Tomorrowland. The Star Wars characters normally have a short wait, so they are perfect to meet when the park is busy.

Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, and a number of droids are all waiting for you to meet them. There are even a number of interactive things to do in the Star Wars Launch Bay.

Marvel

You can meet Spider-Man and Captain America from the Marvel Universe. They are located in a pavilion near Star Wars Launch Bay, so you can see characters from 2 of the most iconic franchises of all time one after the other.

The Marvel characters tend to be busier than the Star Wars characters, so be sure to check your app to see how long the wait is.

Happy Circle

Happy Circle is located in Adventure Isle near Soaring Over the Horizon. You are able to meet more obscure jungle/animal characters here. There is hardly ever a wait, so it is a great place to go during peak hours.

Nick and Judy from Zootopia, Rafiki from the Lion King, and King Louis from the Jungle Book are frequent characters that are greeting guests. This is a great location for Disney fans that are wanting to meet characters that are more difficult to find in the US parks.

Woody and Jessie from Toy Story

Toy Story Land was the first Shanghai Disneyland extension. It has 3 attractions as well as a place to meet Woody and Jessie.

You can also meet the characters from Toy Story if you’re staying at the Toy Story Hotel. The characters roam around the lobby area throughout the day. Check with the concierge if you want to know when they will be out and about meeting guests.

The Princesses

What would a Shanghai Disneyland trip be without meeting a Disney princess or two? You can meet the princesses at the back of the castle. Different princesses meet at different times during the day, so you will have to go by the line to see who is meeting guests.

The line to meet princesses is always long. From park open to park close, there is always a line. You aren’t able to get a fastpass to meet them either.

If you want to meet the princesses, you should check the app to see how long their line is. Normally first thing in the morning and at the end of the night are when the lines are the shortest.

The princesses are not in any special outfits, so it you have already met them in other parks, it may not be the best use of your time to wait to meet them on your Shanghai Disneyland trip.

Characters on Mickey Avenue

Mickey Avenue is the equivalent of Main Street in other Disney parks. It is the part of the park that you first see when you enter through the main guest entrance. If you enter through the hotel guest entrance, you will be entering the park near Tomorrowland and will not see Mickey Avenue when you walk in.

Mickey Avenue is where you will be able to meet your favourite classic Disney characters like Minnie, Donald, Chip ‘n’ Dale, and Goofy. They meet at varying times throughout the day, so check your app or guide map to see when they greet guests.

The lines on Mickey Avenue can be long or short depending on the time of day and how busy the park is. If the character you want to meet has a long time, find something else to do for 30-60 minutes then go back to meet that character. The line should be shorter by then.

The classic Disney characters normally wear their standard costumes; however, during special times of the year like Easter, Christmas, and Lunar New Year, they wear special costumes. Getting a picture with your favourite character is a special outfit is an amazing memory.

Shows and Entertainment

There are a number of shows and entertainment you can enjoy on your Shanghai Disneyland trip. Most of the shows are unique to Shanghai Disneyland, and you won’t be able to see them anywhere else.

Shanghai Disneyland Shows and Entertainment Options

• Songs of Arbori: A 15 minute dance show
• Tarzan Call of the Jungle: An acrobatic show and my personal favourite entertainment at Shanghai Disneyland
• Frozen A Sing-Along Celebration: The most popular show
• Baymax Super Exercise Expo: A exercise show for children lead by Baymax from Big Hero 6
• Eye of the Storm Captain Jack Stunt Show Spectacular: I have never seen this show but have hear you stand for most of it, so it isn’t a good option if you are looking to rest your feet.
• Fantasy Festival: A castle stage show featuring all your favourite characters
• Tai Chi with Characters: Chip ‘n’ Dale lead guests through Tai Chi

The Parade

The parade in Shanghai Disneyland is called Mickey’s Storybook Express. It takes place at 12pm and 3:30pm most days, and it is 14 minutes long.

It starts by Toy Story Land, goes by Tomorrowland, around the castle by the Gardens of Imagination, and ends between Treasure Cove and Fantasyland.

You can normally get a good viewing location 5-10 minutes before the parade starts. The best place to get a last-minute viewing location is in Tomorrowland.

The parade has catchy music and a couple good floats, but it isn’t a great Disney parade. It certainly isn’t worth staking out a spot and waiting an hour to see. It is worth seeing if you are able to get a decent last-minute viewing spot though.

The Nighttime Show

The Shanghai Disneyland nighttime show is called Ignite the Dream, and it is 20 minutes long. It is a castle projection show that also has fireworks. It is a pretty good show all things considered.

Unlike the parade, the nighttime show is extremely popular, and you need to get a viewing spot early. I have seen people saving a spot 2 hours before the show began.

You should try to get a spot near the Gardens of Imagination. The nighttime show projects images onto the castle, so you want to have a good view of the castle. The further back you are, the more likely it is that you will have an obstructed view of the show.

Where to Eat

Your Shanghai Disneyland trip would not be complete without trying all the great snacks and meals the park has to offer. Many of the restaurants inside the park have a heavy Asian influence, but trying new foods will make your Shanghai Disneyland trip unforgettable.

Inside Shanghai Disneyland

Remy’s Patisserie is the best place to get breakfast. It has lots of delicious pastries to choose from. Most of the pastries are shaped like Disney characters, so they are delicious and cute. My favourite is the Mike Wazowski bun (I think is better than the Tokyo Disneyland version).

There are lots of great quick service restaurants to choose from in Shanghai Disneyland. Mickey and Pals Market Cafe is one of the most popular locations. It offers a variety of dishes including rice bowls, noodle bowls, chicken, and ribs.

If you’re looking for a unique place to eat lunch, go to the Royal Banquet Hall. You get to eat inside the castle and meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy in their royal outfits.

The best place to grab a sweet snack is Il Paperino. This is the only place in the world you can get Donald waffles rather than Mickey waffles! This location also serves a variety of ice cream treats and sweet pastries.

In Disney Town

Disney Town is Shanghai Disneyland’s version of Downtown Disney or Disney Springs. It is a shopping and restaurant destination that is steps away from the park. It should definitely be on your must-do list for your Shanghai Disneyland trip.

Disney Town is where you are going to find more Western options. Most of the restaurants inside the park are Asian, but there are a couple of sit down restaurants in Disney Town that have classic American food.

My personal favourite is the Cheesecake Factory, but there is also a Wolf Gang Puck Kitchen & Bar. Both of these locations are normally busy, so you should try to eat during off-peak hours to cut down on your wait time.

There is a Starbucks in Disney Town, so if you are craving Starbucks during your Shanghai Disneyland trip, that is where you can find it.

There is a bakery in Disney Town located adjacent to the World of Disney store that sells great baked goods. The green tea cake pop is amazing, so you be sure to check it out if you have a sweet tooth.

Souvenirs to Buy

No Shanghai Disneyland trip is complete without purchasing a few Disney souvenirs to remember your trip by.

A lot of the merchandise at Shanghai Disneyland is standard and can be found at any park around the world; however, there is lots of merchandise exclusive to Shanghai Disneyland as well.

The merchandise at Shanghai Disneyland costs roughly the same as it does in every other Disney park, so I recommend only purchasing items that are exclusive to Shanghai Disneyland.

You can determine what is exclusive to Shanghai Disneyland by looking at the tag. If it exclusive to Shanghai, it should be marked on the tag and easily identifiable.

All the merchandise that is branded with the Shanghai Disneyland logo is exclusive. It is normally easy to tell what items are exclusive to Shanghai Disneyland because they tend to look more traditionally Chinese than the other merchandise.

Language Challenges

A lot of people are concerned that there is going to be a language barrier during their Shanghai Disneyland trip. This isn’t the case at all.

Many cast members speak English, and the ones that don’t will find an English-speaking cast member to assist you when you need help.

The signs are all in English as well as Mandarin, so you will be able to identify what the restaurants, attractions, and stores are easily. At quick-service restaurants, there are pictures of the food as well as English menus the cast members can give you. There are English menus at all sit-down restaurants. You will never have a problem ordering food at a restaurants during your Shanghai Disneyland trip.

There are also English guide maps you can get. You normally have to ask a cast member for one when you enter the park, but you will be able to get a map you can read.

The shows and attractions are in Mandarin, but you will still be able to enjoy the show or attraction even if you don’t understand what is being said. You will be able to understand what is going on by the context and visual effects.

All in all not being able to communicate or understand cast members is not something you should be concerned about when planning your Shanghai Disneyland trip. It isn’t much different than going to any other international park where English is not the first language.

Travel Insurance

Shanghai Disneyland is all fun and games until someone gets hurt. While it is unlikely that you will get hurt, you should always purchase travel insurance rel=”nofollow” when you travel.

Travel insurance is essential if you fall ill in another country, but it also covers you for unexpected things like toothaches, lost baggage, and having to cancel your trip before you leave because you’re sick.

It is an inexpensive investment that you hope you never need to use but are always happy to have if you ever need it.

Conclusion

Shanghai Disneyland is on of the most unique Disney parks in the world. It has lots of unique attractions and experiences as well as a lot of local, Chinese theming that cannot be found in any other Disney park in the world.

A Shanghai Disneyland trip should be on every Disney lover’s bucket list. Casual Disney fans will love it too! I have been to every Disney park in the world, and Shanghai Disneyland is my favourite park. I promise you won’t regret your Shanghai Disneyland trip and will want to go back again and again after you experience it!

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Most of the conversation in the travel hacking world is centred around getting free flights. Free flights are great, but it is also important to talk about the hotel credit cards in Canada.

Hotel credit cards offer great perks and can save you a lot of money. It is in your best interests to have at least on Canadian hotel credit card in you wallet!

Most people will tell you that there are only two hotel credit cards in Canada, but they are wrong. In addition to the widely known Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada card and MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard, there is also the American Express Cobalt Canada card. The Amex Cobalt Canada card earns MR Select points that can only be transferred to hotel partner programs. This essentially makes it a hotel credit card as well.

The three hotel credit cards in Canada allows Canadians to mix and match cards to earn the points that suit their needs.

If you don’t need anything fancy and hate annual fees, go for the MBNA Best Western Rewards Credit card.

Enjoy luxury? The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada is the card for you!

Enjoy luxury and choice? Go for the American Express Cobalt Canada card. You can transfer your MR Select points to either Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors.

Better yet! Have a combination of two cards or even get all three if you’re a hardcore travel hacker.

Hopefully more travel credit cards will come on the market in Canada, but, for now, this is a good start!

In this post, we’re going over the pros and cons of all three hotel credit cards in Canada. This helps you choose the right hotel credit card for you and your travel needs!

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada

The Marriott Bonvoy Amex Canada card is the crème de la crème of hotel credit cards in Canada.

It has the best sign-up bonus, comes with an annual free night stay, and earns points at a decent rate.

The Marriott Bonvoy American Express is the first hotel credit card in Canada I suggest you target when you first get into travel hacking.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada Card Highlights

• Earn 50,000 Bonvoy points as a sign-up bonus

• Get a free night’s stay certificate every year you hold the card

• Earn 5 Bonvoy points for every $1 spent at Marriott

• Earn 2 Bonvoy points for every other $1 spent

• Receive 15 nights towards Marriott status every year

• Automatically receive Silver Bonvoy status every year

Other Important Information

• You have to spend $1,500 in the first 3 months to earn the sign-up bonus

• There is no minimum income requirement

• You need an excellent credit score to be approved for Amex cards

APPLY FOR THE MARRIOTT BONVOY AMERICAN EXPRESS CANADA CARD

MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard

I love the MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard and think it is highly underrated.

Of all the hotel credit cards in Canada, it is the only one that doesn’t have an annual fee, and it even comes with healthy sign-up bonus!

This is definitely one of those credit cards you get and hold onto forever!

I don’t really see a reason why people wouldn’t hold the MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard in their wallet.

It is completely free to hold, and you get a lot more out of the card than most other no annual fee credit cards in Canada!

Highlights of the MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard

• Receive 20,000 Best Western Rewards as a sign-up bonus

• Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at Best Western

• Automatically upgraded to gold statue

Other Important Information

• Only earn 1 point per $1 spent on non-Best Western purchases

• MBNA has a 5/24 rule where you won’t be approved if you have applied for 5 or more credit cards in the past 24 months

• There is no minimum income requirement

APPLY FOR THE MBNA BEST WESTERN REWARDS MASTERCARD

American Express Cobalt Canada Card

The Amex Cobalt Canada card is always left out of the best hotel credit cards in Canada discussion.

People don’t mention it because it isn’t branded to a specific hotel chain like the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Canada and MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard.

But that is a mistake!

You should not overlook this card! It is one of the best best credit cards in Canada.

I consider the Amex Cobalt Canada card a hotel credit card because you earn MR Select points rather than the standard MR points other Amex cards earn.

MR points can be transferred to partner airline and hotel partner programs, but MR Select points can only be transferred to hotel partner programs.

This makes the Amex Cobalt Canada card a hotel credit card in my mind.

You can transfer your MR Select points to either Marriott Bonvoy points or Hilton Honors points.

These are both great hotel chains, and it is nice to have an option that is more flexible than having to redeem points just for the chain that is co-branded on the credit card.

Highlights of the American Express Cobalt Canada

• Earn up to 30,000 MR points as a sign-up bonus

• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on eligible grocery, restaurant, and food delivery purchases in Canada

• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on travel and transportation

• Receive a $100USD hotel credit to be used on hotel amenities like the spa and dining

Other Important Information

• The annual fee is billed monthly at $10

• The sign-up bonus is awarded monthly, and you have to spend $500 per month to earn that month’s 2,500 point award

• You need an excellent credit score for American Express to approve you

• There is no minimum income requirement

APPLY FOR THE AMERICAN EXPRESS COBALT CANADA

How to Choose the Right Hotel Credit Card for You

It can be a bit tricky to decide which of the hotel credit cards in Canada is right for you.

There aren’t many options, but it can still be a tricky decision!

You have to consider a number of factors:

• What hotel chain best suits your preferences

• How much you’re willing to pay in annual fees

• What card gets you the most points based on your spending habits

I suggest you going onto the Marriott website, Best Western website, and Hilton website and play around with searching different locations.

See what hotels appeal to you, are in your price range, and what you likely will stay at most and use this information to help guide your decision.

There is no sense getting one of the hotel credit cards in Canada if you aren’t likely to stay at their properties semi-regularly.

You won’t earn many points that way!

You may be drawn to the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada because of the sweet sign-up bonus and free night’s stay every year.

The card may still be worth getting if you never stay at Marriott properties, but it also may not be.

Take the time to consider what card is best for you and don’t automatically go for the most popular one!

Who is the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Canada Best for?

The Marriott Bonvoy Amex is without a doubt the most attractive hotel credit card in Canada.

It is hard to pass up getting a free night’s stay every year you hold the card!

I think most people can benefit from holding this card, and there is a reason it is so popular.

If you travel frequently and enjoy Marriott properties, you should seriously consider getting this credit card.

The perks are hard to pass up, and even if you only stay at a Marriott hotel once or twice a year, you can still earn points pretty quickly.

Even if you don’t collect a lot of points with this card, the free night’s stay every year normally makes up for the $120 annual fee.

Who is the MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard Best for?

This is the perfect hotel credit card for young people who budget travel or people who don’t have a super high credit score.

I love that it doesn’t have an annual fee, comes with a sign-up bonus, and has decent points earning on Best Western purchases.

It is a great introduction into travel hacking and hotel credit cards in Canada!

That being said, I think everyone can benefit from having the MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard in their wallet.

It has no annual fee, so there is no downside to holding this credit card for years.

The no annual fee combined with the sign-up bonus makes this card very attractive even if you don’t frequent Best Western properties.

I personally find myself staying at Best Western properties when I’m in transit. They often have hotels near airports and train stations, so they are the perfect choice when you have an early morning departure!

Who is the American Express Cobalt Canada Best for?

American Express has Millennials and Gen Zers in mind when they designed the Amex Cobalt Canada card!

The high earning categories in food and travel means young people who tend to spend a lot of money in those categories can earn points like no tomorrow!

I highly suggest young people seriously consider applying for this card. You will be stunned at how quickly you can earn points and how many free hotel stays you can get!

There is hardly a better feeling than earning tons of points and getting free travel just for spending your money like you normally do!

It is also nice to have the option to choose between Marriott and Hilton.

You can choose to transfer your points to the program you use the most or split them between the two programs and redeem your points at whatever hotel is the best value!

Other Credit Cards You Might Like

• American Express Gold Canada

• HSBC World Elite Mastercard

• American Express Aeroplan

Conclusion

There aren’t many hotel credit cards in Canada, but the ones we have are pretty decent.

I would love for American Express to introduce a Hilton credit card similar to the ones they have in the US, but, for now, I’m satisfied with what we have.

My strategy when it comes to hotel credit cards in Canada is to hold at least one of the premium American Express cards with an annual fee and the no annual fee MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard.

It is the best way to maximize your rewards, and it gives you a bit more flexibility in where you can redeem points.

It is nice to be able to choose between the higher end hotels offered by the American Express cards and the mid-range and more affordable Best Western hotels.

No matter what, I think it is important that everybody holds at least one hotel credit card in their wallet. It is part of a well-rounded travel hacking strategy!