Best Canadian Credit Card
Unmatched Travel Benefits
Most of us maintain credit cards in many countries, including Canada. The goal is not credit, but rather, benefits, while using a bank’s money. Instead of paying with debit cards, we use credit cards (which we then pay in full every month to avoid any interest) and cash in on benefits.
Note that most people will only be able to get credit cards in one country, their country of residence/citizenship. Most of us have multiple citizenships allowing us to maintain some sort of presence in various countries, and thus, the ability to get credit cards.
Since we have to travel a lot commercially (in addition to privately), within the Nordics, and between the Nordics and Europe, North America as well as Japan, the right travel credit cards can make a big difference.
We tend to have the following cards as a standard:
SAS Eurobonus Premium MasterCard (Scandinavian Airlines, Norway/Denmark)
Bank Norwegian Visa (Norwegian Airlines, Norway/Denmark)
Flying Blue Premium MasterCard (Air France KLM, Norway/Denmark)
Strawberry MasterCard (Strawberry Hotels, formerly Nordic Choice, Norway/Denmark)
American Express Platinum/Centurion (Any airline, United States)
Westjet Elite Mastercard (Westjet, Canada)
CIBC Aeroplan Visa (Air Canada, Canada)
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card (Air Canada, Canada)
Of all our travel cards, the top ones for benefits are SAS Eurobonus Premium Credit card, which saves each of us about 100,000 kr annually in travel (and over a million kroner a year at unit level) for the Nordics, as well as the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.
For the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, benefits include:
Enjoy access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges, as well as Priority Airport services such as Air Canada Priority Check-In, Priority Boarding, and Priority baggage handling and more.
Earn 3X the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations.
Earn 2x the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada.
Earn 1.25X the points on everything else.
Extend the Benefits That Come with Aeroplan Elite Status. Roll over any unallocated Aeroplan Elite Status Qualifying Miles and unused eUpgrade Credits to the following year to enjoy during your travels.
Share the Joy of Travel. Receive one Annual Worldwide Companion Pass when you spend $25,000 in net purchases prior to your Card anniversary date; your Pass entitles you to buy an accompanying Air Canada economy class ticket for a companion at a fixed base fare from $99 to a maximum of $599 CAD (plus taxes, fees, charges, and surcharges).
Stay focused on getting where you need to go. Receive up to $100 CAD in statement credits every four years when a NEXUS application or renewal fee is charged to your American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.
So, for the Canadians here, if you travel (or want to), this is the one credit card you need. If you apply through one of the links, you will get up to 90,000 Aeroplan miles as welcome bonus (and I will get 20,000 miles for referral). If you play your cards well, it is almost enough to get a free return ticket between Canada/USA to Japan or Europe in Business Class (with lay flat beds).
Oh, and the card is metal…