Recently, I’ve had a lot of people ask me what credit cards I have. If you know me, most of my credit card decisions are based on what will give me the most travel perks; free flights, free hotels, best insurance. Traveling the world can be an incredible experience, but it often comes with a hefty price tag. With the right credit cards, you can turn your everyday spending into extraordinary travel.
What these cards have actually unlocked
Before I break down each card, here’s the most important thing to know: I booked a $4,291 roundtrip to Australia for $297.17 using the points from my cards. Taxes and fees only. The flights were covered entirely by Amex Membership Rewards transferred to Aeroplan.
That’s not a one-off. Using Aeroplan alone I’ve accessed Air Canada Business Class seats that would have cost $4,000-$6,000 in cash. I’ve booked Marriott rooms at 15,000-20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, rooms that retail at $600-$900. The math is extraordinary when you know how to use the system.
Here are the three cards in my current stack and exactly why I have each one.
American Express Cobalt Card
The Amex Cobalt is the single most powerful points-earning card available to Canadians right now. It is the foundation of my entire points strategy and the card I recommend to anyone who asks me where to start.
Key features
- 5x Amex Membership Rewards points on food and groceries – restaurants, delivery, supermarkets. If you spend $1,000/month on food (very achievable), that’s 5,000 Amex MR points per month from one category alone.
- 2x points on travel and transit purchases including flights, hotels, taxis, and public transit.
- 1:1 transfer to Aeroplan – this is the key. Amex MR points transfer directly to Aeroplan at 1:1, unlocking Air Canada Business Class, United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and every other Star Alliance partner.
- Travel insurance suite including emergency medical, trip cancellation, and flight delay coverage.
- Access to American Express Invites – exclusive event access across Canada.
Monthly fee: $12.99
RBC Avion Visa Infinite
The RBC Avion is my second core card and the one that opens up a completely different set of airlines than the Cobalt. Where Amex MR unlocks Star Alliance via Aeroplan, RBC Avion unlocks OneWorld via British Airways Avios. These two cards together cover virtually every major airline in the world.
Key features
- Transfer to British Airways Avios — this is the headline benefit. Avios unlock Cathay Pacific First Class, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Iberia, and every other OneWorld partner. Cathay Pacific First Class from Vancouver or Toronto is one of the best redemptions in the world.
- RBC Rewards earned on all purchases, redeemable for flights, hotels, and car rentals.
- Petro-Canada perks – save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points and RBC Avion points when you pay at the pump.
- Full travel insurance package including emergency medical, trip cancellation, and car rental coverage.
- Essential for Visa acceptance – many restaurants and businesses in Canada and abroad don’t take Amex. Having a Visa as your backup card ensures you never miss points.
Annual fee: $120
WealthSimple Cash Card
This one is different – it earns no points and isn’t part of my luxury travel strategy. I include it specifically as a travel spending card for use abroad. It functions more like a prepaid debit card: you load funds, then spend. The key benefit is zero foreign exchange fees, which saves 2.5% on every purchase made outside Canada.
- No foreign exchange fees – the primary reason to carry this card internationally
- No annual fees, no transaction fees
- Cashback on purchases via the WealthSimple app
Annual fee: $0
Get the WealthSimple Cash Card → (Use referral code: KBZMFW for up to $3,000 bonus)
The bottom line
The Amex Cobalt and RBC Avion together are the most powerful combination available to Canadian points collectors right now. The Cobalt earns fast on everyday spending and feeds Aeroplan. The Avion unlocks OneWorld partners via Avios. The WealthSimple card covers you abroad with no currency fees.
I’ve used this exact stack to book a $4,291 trip for $297.17. If you want to learn how to build your own points strategy, I put together a free one-page guide covering the best Canadian cards, top Aeroplan redemptions most people miss, and the exact first steps to get started.
VINTURE WITH ME 
Leave a comment