Best hotel credit cards in Canada
Updated: April 18, 2024
Airbnbs aren’t for everyone. Some travellers prefer daily housekeeping visits, turn-down service and all the travel-sized toiletries they can stuff in their suitcase. For these people, we have some good news, some bad news, and some more good news. The good news: Canada does have a hotel credit card. The bad news: There’s only one—the American Express Marriott Bonvoy—that lets you earn and redeem points with Marriott hotels. The good news again: we’ve got a tonne of credit cards where you can build points by staying at hotels and that offer hotel perks.
Opting for a hotel credit card means unlocking exclusive perks typically reserved for frequent travelers, like free nights and room upgrades, ensuring every trip is more rewarding. Let’s take a closer look at the best hotel credit cards in Canada so that you can start travel tripping in style.
Best hotel credit cards in Canada
| Hotel credit card | Travel and hotel perk | More information |
|---|---|---|
| American Express Marriott Bonvoy |
● Annual fee: $120
● Only hotel credit card in Canada ● Annual free night on your card anniversary ● Complimentary Silver Elite status |
Apply now |
| Platinum Card from American Express |
● Annual fee: $799
● Elite travel card with all the perks ● $200 annual dining credit ● $200 annual travel credit ● Unlimited access to Airport lounges ● Transfer to Bonvoy Points ● Get 4th night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points ● $100 NEXUS credit ● Priority airport benefits ● Annual worldwide companion voucher ● Maple Leaf Lounge access |
Apply now |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve |
● Annual fee: $599
● Annual travel credit of $100 with Expedia for TD ● Birthday bonus of 10,000 TD Rewards points ● Points are worth more when booking travel through Expedia |
Apply now |
| TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite |
● Annual fee: $120
● High earn rate on everyday spending ● No foreign transaction fees ● Fantastic insurance coverage |
Apply now |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite |
● Annual fee: $150 (first year free)
● Complimentary airport lounge passes ● No foreign transaction fees |
Apply now |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express |
● No annual fee
● 7,000 welcome bonus rewards points ● Limited insurance coverage |
Apply now |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege |
● Annual fee: $499
● $200 annual travel credit ● 2 NEXUS fee rebates ● Best credit card for hotel insurance |
Apply now |
| BMO Ascend World Elite |
● Annual fee: $150 (first year free)
● 4 airport lounge passes ● Excellent travel and medical protection |
Apply now |
Best hotel credit card in Canada
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card
5 points for every dollar in eligible Card purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
2 points for every $1 in all other Card purchases
$120 Annual Fee
20.99% Purchase APR
21.99% Cash Advance APR
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Good Recommended Credit Score
Best hotel credit card in Canada
The American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card stands out as the premiere choice for Canadians seeking a hotel credit card thanks to its close partnership with the Marriott hotels—the only true hotel card in Canada. And it also helps that it’s the only hotel-dedicated credit card in Canada.
The Marriott Bonvoy program offers an annual free night award after each account anniversary, redeemable at a wide range of Marriott properties. In most cases, this perk surpasses the card’s annual fee when used at higher-tier properties where room rates can be steep.
You’ll also be granted complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, unlocking a suite of perks designed to elevate your travel experience. We’re talkin’ about late checkout times and bonus points on stays, which helps you earn points faster.
And the more you use it, the more attractive perks, such as room upgrades and welcome gifts—making you feel like a VIP every stay.
No matter where you are in the world, you’ll find accommodations that perfectly match your travel style and needs, tastes and preferences. This is thanks to the brand’s broad spectrum of brands in its hotel umbrella, from luxurious to budget-friendly options. The Marriott portfolio includes:
- Luxury offerings (e.g., Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, St. Regis)
- Premium (e.g., Marriott Hotels, Sheraton)
- Select (e.g., Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn)
- and longer stays (e.g., Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites)
These hotels span the globe across countries in North America, Europe, Asia and more. For the most current and detailed list, see all of Marriott’s brands.
Flexibility in redemption options further enhances the card's value. It allows points to be used not just for hotel stays, but also for experiences and flights through airline transfer partners like Aeroplan, Cathay Pacific, Delta and others (where most Marriott points transfer 3:1 for airline miles).
Finally, the Marriott Bonvoy card includes travel insurance and purchase protections. It’s important to have peace of mind with coverage like travel accident insurance and baggage delay insurance.
Calculating your free nights with Marriott Bonvoy
With The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card, your annual free night award received every year after your first anniversary (valid for 12 months and includes taxes but not any eligible resort fee) lets you stay in any category 1 to 5 hotel up to a value of 35,000 points. It’s worth noting that the annual certificate is only good for a single night; you can’t, for example, break it down into 5,000-point amounts and use it for multiple stays.
Generally speaking, it can be hard to calculate an exact dollar value of any hotel point program, as they can vary so much based on location, time of year and intangible elements like a hotel’s exclusivity. Overall, Marriott Bonvoy points are valued at approximately $0.01 each; so a category 5 hotel stay could be worth $350 or more.
Maximizing your free night
To get the most value from your bonus, you’ll want to stay at the highest category of hotel (hence the highest monetary value) possible.
Marriott introduced peak and off-peak redemption rates so you’ll also need to consider what time of year to redeem your annual stay—a category 5 hotel will actually be 40,000 points during peak season, outside the 35,000-point value cap of your annual free night.
If all this talk of categories and point value leaves you with a bit of a headache, you can always check the up-to-date, real-world value of your points by comparing what it would cost you to pay for a hotel night in cash versus redeeming points for the exact same stay. So, for example, if you did a search for a Marriott property and found a great sale that got you a category 5 hotel room for say $250 (instead of $350), it would be better to pay cash and save your annual free night certificate.
Other key features of the Marriott Bonvoy credit card
In addition to its annual free night award, The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card has a number of other attractive features, despite a lack of competition from other hotel credit cards in Canada. Here are its main offerings:
- Points can be redeemed and earned at upwards of 7,000 of the world’s most desired hotels around the world with no blackout dates.
- Earn up to 80,000 Points: New Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Cardmembers, earn 65,000 Welcome Bonus points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first three months of Cardmembership. Plus, earn an additional three points for a total of five points on every $1 spent on eligible travel and gas purchases in your first six months (up to 15,000 points). Offer ends May 6, 2024.
- Earn five points for every dollar in eligible card purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- Earn two points for every $1 in all other card purchases
- Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status membership
- Each year, when you reach $30,000 in purchases, you’ll get an automatic upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (Gold Elite has attractive benefits like 25% extra points at Marriott properties, late checkout, eligibility for room upgrades and more)
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card. These can be used towards attaining an automatic upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (25 required)
- Points can be transferred (most at a 3:1 transfer ratio) to more than 40 airline partners
- Includes a range of insurance coverage, like travel accident, car rental, flight delay, baggage delay/theft and hotel/motel burglary insurance. (Note: it has travel emergency assistance but no actual travel emergency medical insurance)
To sum it all up, the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card's hotel-focused rewards, coupled with its broad travel benefits, position it as the best pick for Canadians keen on maximizing their travel experiences—providing value that extends well beyond hotel bookings.
Best American Express hotel credit card
Platinum Card from American Express
2x Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
1x point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
$799 Annual Fee Includes $200 annual travel credit and $200 annual dining credit
20.99% Purchase APR The Preferred rate of 20.99% applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance.
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Excellent Recommended Credit Score
Best hotel credit card with Aeroplan
American Express Aeroplan Reserve
3X the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada Vacations®*
2X the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada
1.5X the points on everything else
$599 Annual Fee
21.99% Purchase APR on purchases
21.99% Cash Advance APR on funds advances
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Good Recommended Credit Score
$0 Required Annual Personal Income
Welcome Offer
New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points.
Learn moreAeroplan partner hotels
Other awesome Aeroplan cards for hotels
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card
Earn up to 10,000 Aeroplan points (up to $200 in value)
$0 Annual Fee
Fair Recommended Credit Score
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Earn up to $1,200 in value† including up to 50,000 Aeroplan points†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.
$139 Annual Fee
Excellent Recommended Credit Score
$60,000 Required Annual Personal Income
American Express ® Aeroplan ®
Earn up to 50,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan®* points
$120 Annual Fee
Good Recommended Credit Score
$0 Required Annual Personal Income
Best hotel credit card with TDRewards
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite
8 Points Earn 8 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend through ExpediaForTD†
6 Points Earn 6 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurants.†
4 Points Earn 4 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments.†
2 Points Earn 2 TD Rewards points for every $1 you spend using your card.†
10% Bonus Points Each year, received a birthday bonus equal to 10% of the total number of points earned over the 12 preceding months.†
$100 Get an annual TD Travel Credit when you book at Expedia For TD†
USD The annual fee is in USD
$139 Annual Fee Annual fee is in USD. First additional cardholder is $50, subsequent cardholders are $0.
20.99% Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99% Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
22.99% Balance Transfer Rate APR for balance transfers 22.99%†
Good Recommended Credit Score
$60,000 Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000 Required Annual Household Income
Welcome Offer Ends Jun 3, 2024
Earn up to $800 in value†, including up to 100,000 TD Rewards Points† and no Annual Fee for the first year†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.
Learn moreBest hotel credit card with RBC Avion
RBC Avion Visa Infinite
1 Earn 1 Avion point for every dollar you spend*.
25% extra Avion points on eligible travel purchases
$1,500 mobile device insurance
3¢/L savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and always earn 20% more Avion points
50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall
20% off at Hertz and earn 3x the Avion points
$0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
$120 Annual Fee $50 for each additional card
20.99% Purchase APR
22.99% Cash Advance APR
22.99% Balance Transfer Rate
Very Good Recommended Credit Score
$60,000 Required Annual Personal Income
Best hotel credit card with Scotiabank and Scene+
If you’re loyal to Scotiabank and its Scene+ points program, there are four options for your hotel aspirations.
Scene+ Rewards can be used for flights and hotels at equivalent rates, with the flexibility of booking through the Scene+ travel service or by using the “apply points to travel” option on its website.
However, booking through Scene+ travel allows you to pay any points shortage with your credit card, whereas you must cover the entire cost in points if you don’t use the portal. The downside of the portal is it doesn't offer price matching, so be sure to check pricing elsewhere before booking.
You earn three points for every $1 spent on hotel stays and car rental when booked through Scene+ travel.
You can earn one Scene+ point for every $5 spent with a Scotia Rewards Passport debit card (it’s not great, but at least you’re earning).
Then there are three credit cards we recommend to book your hotel accommodation where the annual fee equates to better earn rates.
Scotiabank Gold American Express
6x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agency stores.
3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes ride shares, buses, subway, taxis and more.
3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services.
1x Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
$120 Annual Fee $29 for each supplementary card
20.99% Purchase APR
22.99% Cash Advance APR
22.99% Balance Transfer Rate
0.00% Foreign Transaction Fee
Very Good Recommended Credit Score
Welcome Offer Ends Jul 1, 2024
Earn up to $650* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points.
Learn moreScotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
1x Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
$150 Annual Fee
20.99% Purchase APR
22.99% Cash Advance APR
22.99% Balance Transfer Rate
5.00% Balance Transfer Fee
0.00% Foreign Transaction Fee
Good Recommended Credit Score
$60,000 Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000 Required Annual Household Income
Welcome Offer Ends Jul 1, 2024
Earn up to $1,300* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived
Learn moreScotiabank American Express
3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco and more
2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on restaurants, fast food, drinking establishments and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes ride shares, buses, subway, taxis and more
2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible select streaming services
1x Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
$0 Annual Fee Additional cards are $0
19.99% Purchase APR
22.99% Cash Advance APR
22.99% Balance Transfer Rate
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Good Recommended Credit Score
Best hotel credit card with CIBC Aventura
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege
2 Earn 2 points per $1 spent on travel purchases through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
1.5 Earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores, and drug stores. Available on the first $80,000 in net annual card purchases on your account.
1 After exceeding $80k in purchases, cardholders will earn 1 point per $1 spent in these categories until the annual limit resets each December.
$139 Annual Fee
20.99% Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99% Cash Advance APR for non-Quebec residents†
22.99% Balance Transfer Rate for non-Quebec residents†
Good Recommended Credit Score
Welcome Offer
Join and get up to $1,500 in value including a first year annual fee rebate!†
Learn moreBest hotel credit card with AIR MILES
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
5x 5x the points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases*
3x 3x the points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and entertainment purchases and recurring bill payments*
1x 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else*
$150 Annual Fee
20.99% Purchase APR
23.99% Cash Advance APR
23.99% Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Excellent Recommended Credit Score
$80,000 Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000 Required Annual Household Income
Welcome Offer Ends May 31, 2024
Get up to 90,000 points and the annual fee waived in the first year for both the primary cardholder and authorized users.*
Learn moreWhat are hotel rewards? Why get a hotel credit card?
Hotel rewards are incentives offered by hotel loyalty programs to encourage repeat business. These rewards accumulate as points through stays, services, or spending on affiliated credit cards. Points can then be redeemed for various benefits, enhancing the overall travel experience. Key aspects include:
- Earning points: For every dollar spent on stays, dining, or other services at the hotel.
- Redemption options: Free nights, room upgrades, late checkouts, dining, and spa services.
- Additional perks: Free cancellations, Complimentary Wi-Fi, exclusive member rates, no resort fees, and special offers like fifth night free.
Hotel rewards programs aim to build customer loyalty by rewarding frequent stays with valuable perks and services.
Free night vs. annual free night
Let’s look at what many cardholders would say is a hotel credit card’s most important benefit: a free stay. In Canada, there are three main ways credit cards offer free hotel nights:
- An annual complimentary night just for being a cardholder (Bonvoy);
- A one-time-only sign-up point bonus that allows for one free night or multiple free nights (Bonvoy again);
- Accumulating enough points through regular spending to redeem for free nights (Bonvoy for the win).
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card is presently the only card in Canada that offers an automatic annual free night.
How to pick the right hotel credit card: Things to consider
- 1.
Determine where your loyalty lies. We love the Homewood Suites for our family. Homewood Suites is part of the Hilton Chain, so even if we were to travel as a couple or individually, we could book at a Waldorf Astoria Hotel for its unforgettable experiences, at Conrad Hotels & Resorts for smart luxury travel, at a Signia Hotel for business meetings and events, or a DoubleTree if we’re more budget conscious. It makes sense for us to get any American Express credit card because Amex’s Membership Rewards points transfer to hotel partners, including Hilton Honors.
- 2.
The sign up bonus. Whatever you want to call it—the promotional offer or welcome bonus—these point windfalls upon approval can lead to free nights right away, just like you can use a travel card to fly somewhere immediately with points. The other important factor is the earn rate.
- 3.
The earn rate. How quickly can you accumulate new points? Where can you earn? Typically, with hotel cards, you earn more when you spend with the hotel chain. However, if you’re using an Amex and transferring points, the Amex Cobalt has one of the best earn rates in a variety of places from gas and groceries to restaurants and streaming services.
- 4.
Status and VIP experiences. An Aeroplan card gives you the 4th night free. The Amex Cobalt doesn’t give you lounge access, but the Scotiabank Platinum Amex gives you 10 passes a year. Consider insurance—emergency medical, hotel burglary coverage and rental car insurance. The best credit cards for rental car insurance give you more coverage (access to vehicles up to $85,000), longer days of coverage and have discounts to a loyalty program with Hertz, Avis or Budget. Also look for cards that give you the VIP treatment at the airport with NEXUS fee rebates, free checked bags and priority boarding.
- 5.
Specific hotel rewards. Look for bonus points on spending at the hotel chain of choice, annual free night certificates, annual credits at different properties, how easy it is to qualify for elite status (and how many free nights you get once you become elite).
Should you get a hotel credit card?
If you’re not loyal to a hotel chain and prefer browsing by price or meeting specific criteria, you may want to stick with one of the best travel rewards cards and use them to book your accommodation. For example, the Avion Rewards program allows you to book any hotel or TD Rewards you can book any hotel using Expedia. An American Express cardholder may benefit by booking through their American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, a Visa Infinite cardholder may benefit from booking through the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel collection.
We hope you enjoy your stay!
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
Best travel credit cards
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