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Best Companion Ticket Credit Cards in Canada
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Best companion ticket credit cards in Canada

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Money.ca

By Money.ca

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Updated: October 21, 2024

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Frequent fliers are always on the hunt for travel credit cards with welcome bonuses generous enough to let you soar the skies for free. But one step up from that is an even rarer beast: Cards that come with a low-cost companion fare ticket, allowing you to fly a friend, family member, or significant other alongside you–on top of a regular welcome bonus!

While these companion fares usually do come with some kind of a price tag (albeit low), if you’re smart you can use a cheap companion fare for a flight that has a significantly higher cost on the regular market, saving you quite a bit of dough. Imagine flying your companion from Vancouver to Hawaii or from Toronto to Orlando, round trip, for only $121 USD! The savings are massive. But what makes some of these offers truly delectable is the fact that they give you a round-trip companion ticket each and every year you keep the card open and in good standing, and there is no minimum spend required.

There are usually no blackout dates for a companion seat and you can use it for any flight associated with the card’s partner airline. That said, there are subtle variations between each companion fare program, variations that you’ll want to pay attention to before you finalize which card you go with.

Annual round-trip companion ticket credit cards

Credit Card
Companion Fare Cost
Companion Fare Type
Annual Fee
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
$0-$399 CAD(3)
Annual
$119
RBC British Airways Visa Infinite
$0 base fare (must pay taxes, fees, and surcharges)
Annual
$165
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
$99-$599 CAD
Annual
$599

†Terms and conditions apply.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

Apply now

4.7

Up to $700

Welcome offer

Good

Suggested credit score

to receive the latest news, tips and offers by email

Apply now

Pros

  • A generous welcome bonus of up to 700 WestJet dollars; Cover a round-trip fare to many WestJet destinations, that's up to $700 in savings! (plus taxes, fees, charges and other ATC)

  • Good earn rate of up to 2% back in WestJet dollars

  • Good travel insurance coverage

Cons

  • High annual income requirement: Personal: $80,000 or Household: $150,000

  • Insurance doesn't include trip cancellation coverage or lost baggage

  • Reward redemptions are restricted to WestJet

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$80,000

Required Annual Household Income

$150,000

Pros

  • A generous welcome bonus of up to 700 WestJet dollars; Cover a round-trip fare to many WestJet destinations, that's up to $700 in savings! (plus taxes, fees, charges and other ATC)

  • Good earn rate of up to 2% back in WestJet dollars

  • Good travel insurance coverage

Cons

  • High annual income requirement: Personal: $80,000 or Household: $150,000

  • Insurance doesn't include trip cancellation coverage or lost baggage

  • Reward redemptions are restricted to WestJet

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$80,000

Required Annual Household Income

$150,000

Earn 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet vacation packages.

2%

Earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars for everyday purchases.

1.5%

access to over 1 million Wi-Fi hotsports around the world with Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard

Wi-Fi

annual companion voucher (starting at $119)

1

savings at Petro-Canada and 20% more Petro-Points

3¢/L

delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash

$0

Purchase APR

20.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$119

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard offers two different annual companion voucher options: You can pay $119 (plus taxes, fees and charges) for a companion to fly with you within Canada and the Continental U.S. or pay $399 for a ticket to anywhere else WestJet flies (like Hawaii, Mexico, or Europe). The only notable restrictions are that the primary cardholder has to fly on the same itinerary as the companion, and the ticket must be for a Basic, Econo, EconoFlex, Premium, or PremiumFlex fare; the voucher is not valid on Premium, PremiumFlex, Business, BusinessFlex or Member Exclusive fares. And it’s only valid for new bookings made through westjet.com or via WestJet’s contact centre. That’s nonetheless a great deal for a card with an annual fee of $119.

Outside the companion voucher the card earns 1.5% WestJet dollars per $1 you spend on everyday purchases8 and 2% back per $1 spent on WestJet flights or WestJet Vacations packages8. There are also some nice perks like a free checked bag for the primary cardholder and as many as eight additional guests travelling on the same reservation4, as well as comprehensive travel insurance, including emergency medical insurance20 as well as trip interruption insurance21, hotel burglary18 and rental car insurance19. Even eligible purchases you make on the card are protected. 

Key features

  • Annual fee: $119
  • Companion voucher cost: $119-$399 CAD3
  • Welcome offer: Get up to 700 WestJet dollars (a value of up to $700 off the base fare)
  • Regular rewards earn rates: 1.5% WestJet dollars per $1 on everyday purchases8 and 2% WestJet dollars per $1 on WestJet flights or WestJet Vacations packages8
  • Other travel benefits: Comprehensive insurance; free checked bag4

Apply for the card or learn more by reading our complete WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard review.

RBC British Airways Visa Infinite

4.0

up to 60k pts

Welcome offer

Good

Suggested credit score

Get Up To 60,000 Aviosˆ with the RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite card (with minimum spend, conditions apply).

Pros

  • Earn a Companion Award eVoucher when you spend $30,000 CAD annually˜

  • Comprehensive Insurances convenient for during travel

  • Generous welcome bonus

  • Can use Avios with British Airways and oneworld partner airlines

Cons

  • Companion award comes with stringent requirements and expensive additional fees

  • Only one accelerated earn category

  • Can’t transfer Avios to other loyalty programs

  • Higher-than-average annual fee

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$60,000

Required Annual Household Income

$100,000

Pros

  • Earn a Companion Award eVoucher when you spend $30,000 CAD annually˜

  • Comprehensive Insurances convenient for during travel

  • Generous welcome bonus

  • Can use Avios with British Airways and oneworld partner airlines

Cons

  • Companion award comes with stringent requirements and expensive additional fees

  • Only one accelerated earn category

  • Can’t transfer Avios to other loyalty programs

  • Higher-than-average annual fee

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$60,000

Required Annual Household Income

$100,000

for every $1 CAD spent on British Airways and BA Holidays*

3 Avios

for every $1 CAD spent on qualifying dining spend*

2 Avios

for every $1 CAD spent on qualifying net purchases*

1 Avios

Earn 1 annual companion voucher when you spend $30,000 annually (or 50% off a solo ticket).

1

Purchase APR

20.5%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$165

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

The Companion Award eVoucher offered by the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite is, in some ways, the most lucrative among all companion fares offered in Canada—it can be redeemed for a $0 base fare, and it can be earned annually. But it does come with a number of important caveats that transatlantic travel mavens should consider before they sign up. To start with, the companion fare is only awarded if you make at least $30,000 worth of purchases with the card each year˜, which is no small chunk of change, even if you direct all your spending onto the card. And the fare can only be matched to flights redeemed with Avios, not flights purchased with cash or even a combination of cash and Avios. Finally it can be redeemed only for British Airways flights (no flights with Oneworld alliance partners) that originate in and return to Canada.

All that said, if you do see yourself meeting the aforementioned requirements you can save quite a bundle: The base fare of an Economy class, Vancouver-London return flight with British Airways can easily reach $800+ during peak travel periods like Christmas/New Year’s, and savings are of course even more substantial for Business or First Class fares.

  • Get Up To 60,000 Aviosˆ with the RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite card (with minimum spend, conditions apply). Apply Today

    Receive up to 60,000 Aviosˆ, here’s how:
    Step 1: Receive 15,000 Avios as welcome bonus upon approval
    Step 2: 35,000 bonus Avios when you spend $6,000 CAD in the first 3 months
    Step 3: Another 10,000 bonus Avios after your first yearˆ

Key features

  • Annual fee: $165
  • Companion voucher cost: $0 base fare˜ (must pay taxes, fees, and surcharges)
  • Welcome offer:  Get Up To 60,000 Aviosˆ with the RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite card (with minimum spend, conditions apply).
  • Regular rewards earn rates: Earn 3 Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways and BA Holidays*; 2 Avios on dining* and 1 Avios on all other purchases
  • Other travel benefits: 10% off British Airways flights you pay for with your card∞; link with a Petro-Points membership to save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada; comprehensive insurances including 31-day out of country/province emergency medical insurance1
  • Eligible members who spend a minimum of $30,000 CAD on qualifying purchases on their card in a calendar year (“calendar year” refers to the time period starting from January 1 and ending December 31) will receive a maximum of one Companion Voucher for that calendar year. See ba.com/rbc-visa for full terms and conditions.

Apply for the card or learn more by reading our complete RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card review. 

Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.

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American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

Apply now

5.0

up to 85k pts

Welcome offer

Good

Suggested credit score

Earn up to 85,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan®* points

Apply now

Pros

  • Generous signup bonus where you can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points

  • High earn rates on Air Canada, dining, and food delivery

  • Extensive travel perks like priority check-in, boarding, and free first eligible checked bag on Air Canada flights

  • Complimentary access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges within North America

  • Toronto Pearson Airport benefits including priority security, complimentary valet parking, and discounts on parking and car care services

  • Annual worldwide companion pass at a fixed base fare between $99 and $599 CAD (plus taxes and fees)

  • $100 NEXUS statement credit every 4 years

  • Robust insurance coverage including emergency medical

  • Access to Amex Experiences such as movie premieres

  • No minimum income requirement

Cons

  • High annual fee of $599

  • Lower acceptance when compared to Visa and Mastercard

  • High spending to unlock signup bonus

  • Limited high-earning categories

  • 2.5% foreign transaction fee

  • Priority perks limited to Air Canada flights

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

Pros

  • Generous signup bonus where you can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points

  • High earn rates on Air Canada, dining, and food delivery

  • Extensive travel perks like priority check-in, boarding, and free first eligible checked bag on Air Canada flights

  • Complimentary access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges within North America

  • Toronto Pearson Airport benefits including priority security, complimentary valet parking, and discounts on parking and car care services

  • Annual worldwide companion pass at a fixed base fare between $99 and $599 CAD (plus taxes and fees)

  • $100 NEXUS statement credit every 4 years

  • Robust insurance coverage including emergency medical

  • Access to Amex Experiences such as movie premieres

  • No minimum income requirement

Cons

  • High annual fee of $599

  • Lower acceptance when compared to Visa and Mastercard

  • High spending to unlock signup bonus

  • Limited high-earning categories

  • 2.5% foreign transaction fee

  • Priority perks limited to Air Canada flights

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada Vacations®*

3X

the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada

2X

the points on everything else

1.25X

Purchase APR

21.99%

Cash Advance APR

21.99%

Annual Fee

$599

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card’s annual companion fare feature allows you to choose from a variety of base fares for an economy ticket on an Air Canada flight, making it the most flexible companion fare on this list. Air Canada has a far greater number of global flight itineraries than, say, WestJet or Alaska Airlines, and the Aeroplan Reserve Card’s companion fare can be redeemed for a round-trip itinerary within Canada and the continental U.S. ($99 CAD); to/from Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean ($299 CDN); to/from South America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa ($499 CDN); or to/from Asia, Australia, and New Zealand ($599 CDN).

The fare voucher does have some limitations: It’s only awarded to those who make at least $25,000 in purchases within a given year, and the cardholder of course must pay for taxes and fees in addition to the base fare cost. However, you can save quite a bundle depending on what flight you redeem your fare for—the open-market base fare for a Vancouver-Dubait flight, for example, can easily run upward of $1,200. Use your annual voucher for that kind of ticket, and you can potentially save enough to make up for the card’s high annual fee.

Key features

  • Annual fee: $599
  • Companion fare cost: $99-$599 CAD
  • Welcome bonus: Earn up to 85,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan®* points (conditions apply)
  • Earn rate: Highest Air Canada earn rate on an Aeroplan payment card in Canada: Earn 3x Aeroplan points on eligible Air Canada®* and Air Canada Vacations®* purchases; Standard Earn Rate 2X the points on eligible dining and food delivery purchases in Canada and earn 1.25X the points on everything else.
  • Additional perks: Unlimited access to Priority Pass airport lounges; special Air Canada travel benefits including your first bag checked for free; and comprehensive travel insurance.†
  • New Offer: Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 consecutive hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. Offer ends December 31, 2024

Apply for the card or learn more by reading our complete American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card review.

The gift that keeps on giving

More Canadians should consider taking advantage of companion fares, which offer a simple alternative to the headache focusing on new welcome offers. The fact that some of these cards give companion vouchers out every year on a cardholder’s anniversary is like getting an annual welcome bonus. Just keep your card open, active and in good standing, and an annual companion voucher can be yours – that’s quite the deal. While we continue to advocate the value of credit card sign-up bonuses, especially those with annual fee waivers, there is no doubt companion fare programs can offer as much, or more value, even with an annual fee attached.

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. 

Refer to RBC Page for up to date offer terms and conditions.

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