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100 of the World’s Best Travel Hacks —

Advice from frequent flyers and travel experts that will make every journey easier..

Section 1: Pack Hacks

Perfect your packing technique with these easy–to–execute tips.

Whenever possible, roll your clothing. This will minimize creasing and maximize space (and may even improve your DIY sushi technique).

A couple of dryer sheets tucked in your suitcase will give clothing a fresh–from–the–dryer scent upon arrival.

Keep business shirts crisp and meeting–ready by packing belts under the collars.

Employ disposable shower caps (available at most hotels) to separate dirty shoe soles from pristine garments.

Make every inch of your carry–on count by filling small empty nooks – tiny handbags, bra cups, boots – with stuffables like socks, underwear and gloves.

To keep food chilled for the trip, frozen sponges inside Ziploc bags are a security–approved alternative to ice packs.

Slip necklaces through plastic straws so you’re not wasting a minute – or an hour – untangling on the other end.

Secure a binder clip to the danger end of your razor to avoid dulling the blades and getting any accidental nicks.

Save hotel–room shampoo bottles from previous trips to stash all of your must–have creams and potions in carry–on–approved amounts.

Section 2: Celebrity Hacks

We asked some of Canada’s famous travellers for their secret journeying tips.

Name: STACEY McKENZIE, fashion model Estimated annual travel days: 40+ Won’t leave home without: My mobile. Being connected is extremely important for work and play. No matter where I am, I’m always a phone call away, and I can capture memories of my adventures with the camera–phone. Dream destination: I’m dying to go to Kenya – not only to experience the people and the culture, but also to witness the wildebeest migration. Favourite travel hack: Shoes tend to take up a lot of room. To save space, I will tuck other smaller items like jewellery into the footwear. When you’re trying to fit things into a carry–on, every little bit of saved space counts!

Name: DAN KANTER, songwriter and musical director for Justin Bieber Estimated annual travel days: 300, if we’re touring Won’t leave home without: At least one guitar. I don’t always choose the same one. Jeans, white T–shirt, flannel shirt. It’s easy to get dressed and I avoid my instinct to over–pack. Dream destination: I would love to see a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Or I’d love to play one! Favourite travel hack: Avoid paying big bucks for bottled water by picking up a free stash when you visit the hotel gym.

Name: TIE DOMI, retired NHL player Estimated annual travel days: 100 or more Won’t leave home without: Hand wipes Favourite travel hack: Using the Global Entry, NEXUS and TSA pre–checks has become the only way for me. I like that I don’t have to take my shoes off at security when I use those methods to check in – I’m a germaphobe.

Name: CAMERON BAILEY, artistic director, TIFF Estimated annual travel days: 95 Won’t leave home without: Culling my luggage to carry–on only. Breezing through departure and arrival without checking a bag puts a smile on my face. Dream destination: Senegal. From the African–Parisian culture scene in Dakar to the beauty of Gorée Island, this is a part of Africa I’ve yet to explore. Favourite travel hack: Choose your connecting airport wisely. Some hubs are purgatory; others are heaven.

Name: DAWNA FRIESEN, Global News chief anchor Estimated annual travel days: 40 Won’t leave home without: A pashmina scarf to wrap up in – they’re as big as a blanket – because I’m always cold on the plane. Favourite travel hack: I pack clothes that are prone to creasing in tissue. Place a couple of sheets on the shirt or dress before you fold it. It works like a charm, and you can reuse the tissue every time you fly.

Name: HARLEY PASTERNAK, fitness trainer to the stars Estimated annual travel days: 90 Won’t leave home without: My Fitbit fitness tracker. I get my 10,000 steps in no matter where I am. Favourite travel hack: I stick to a single airline whenever possible. I get the highest frequent–flyer status.

Name: LIGHTS, musician Estimated annual travel days: 50 Won’t leave home without: An acoustic guitar. I use it to warm up, and it has even saved the show before. We once played a festival and it was pouring rain. All of the electrical instruments were sparking, so I went out and did the entire set acoustically. Dream destination: Iceland. I’ve heard people describe it as “alien,” and I feel an extreme change of scenery like that can be really inspiring. Also, Björk is my all–time favourite artist. Favourite travel hack: I always pack a variety of snacks to keep my daughter busy on a flight.

Name: ALAN THICKE, sitcom legend Estimated annual travel days: 60 Won’t leave home without: Dental floss and an extra phone charger Dream destination: A sandy beach Favourite travel hack: When I want to get to know a new city, I start with the tour: bus, boat, car. It helps me understand a city in a holistic sense, and I go from there.

Name: RICHARD FLORIDA, urban–studies guru Estimated annual travel days: 45 Dream destination: Italy’s Amalfi Coast Favourite travel hack: Never ever check anything. I can travel for a month out of a single rollaboard.

Name: SCOTT McGILLIVRAY, contractor and host of HGTV’s Income Property Estimated annual travel days: 100+ Won’t leave home without: A bathing suit. You never know when you might have the chance to jump in a pool or the ocean. Plus, it can double as workout clothes. Dream destination: My wife and I have always wanted to go to Bora–Bora and rent a bungalow right on the beach. Favourite travel hack: Fold blazers inside out (because you can’t roll them) to reduce wrinkles.

Name: Lainey Lui, co–host on CTV’s The Social Estimated annual travel days: 60 to 80 Won’t leave home without: A delicious romance novel. You don’t want to think too hard when you’re flying, and the angst and drama in a love story makes the time go by really quickly. Dream destination: Venice. I’ve always imagined myself on a gondola, leaning back, wearing a hat, floating up to a restaurant for dinner. Favourite travel hack: I always pack my undergarments in a separate, zippered, really cute patterned pouch. This way, if my suitcase ever falls apart, my bras aren’t flying around everywhere.

Section 3: Hacks Are for Kids

Parent–specific travel hacks from Amanda Blakley, author of The Adventures of Atticus , a kid–focused guide to globe–trotting, and creator of the new trpprmobile app.

Large North American chain hotels tend to have larger room footprints than the boutiques. When travelling with young children, pass on a suite and instead request a room with a large closet or bathroom so the crib can be wheeled in at bedtime.

If you can’t resist the gravitational pull of Walt Disney, save your hard–earned cash by visiting the dollar store in advance. Prepare gift bags for the kids and present them before entering the theme–park vortex, derailing any requests for (extraordinarily expensive) Frozen or Little Mermaid tchotchkes.

It’s always best to be overly prepared, especially if you’re dealing with a kid who is a darter. Kids’ temporary tattoos – like these from tottoos.org – that incorporate a parent’s cellphone number give everyone peace of mind for a worst–case scenario.

Book a home or apartment rental from another family in lieu of a hotel room. You’ll have a functioning kitchen and won’t have to pack any toys, books or travel beds. I love Kidandcoe.com .

Use packing cubes – zippered bags that come in various sizes and act as drawers in your suitcase. I pack one cube per child so that I don’t have to rifle through the entire bag to find a certain item. Bentley Luggage has a great selection.

Because dinner out with kids can be challenging, we love to have our nice family meal at lunch. The kids are in better spirits in the afternoon and lunch menus tend to be less expensive than the dinner versions.

Use different–coloured paper clips on each family member’s passport so you can tell whose is whose in an instant.

It’s easier said than done, but if you can restrict screen time during day–to–day life, the iPad is a travelling parent’s secret weapon. My son is allowed to watch movies only when we fly or take road trips, and he savours every second.

Lint rollers make amazing clean–all tools. Carry the travel size in your purse to handle glitter spills, rogue Cheerios and so much more.

Use everyday Band–Aids to childproof hotel–room outlets.

Whether you need a washroom (hello, potty training), a kid–friendly restaurant or a pediatrician, International SIM cards like trpprmobile help you locate tiny–traveller must–hits on your phone without the stress of high roaming fees.

Section 4: Hack Math

A + B = ultimate DIY travel hacks.

Potholder (the kind with pocket) + rubber band = heatproof holder for scalding hair–styling irons

Smartphone + empty toilet roll = instant boom box

Pillowcase + bulky garments = free neck pillow that doesn’t take up space

Umbrella + duct tape = DIY selfie stick

Section 5: Tech Hacks

The best apps, gadgets and tech tricks to solve everyday travel problems

No comprendo? No problem! Decipher most any international language in an instant with Word Lens , a camera–enabled app that instantly scans and translates written text, then presents the translation in context, right on your phone screen.

Use Google Maps even when you don’t have data. When you are online, find the point of interest (like your hotel) and load its profile. Tap the three dots in the top right corner, then click “Save offline map.” When offline, locate the place in the Google Maps app under “Your Places.”

Before giving your credit card information to a foreign Internet provider, check Foursquare and Yelp . Both sites often share Wi–Fi passwords for cafés, restaurants, malls and airports.

Banish unwanted interlopers from your travel photos by using these simple steps for Photoshop: 1. Take at least 10 snaps of your desired image. 2. When editing the image, choose File > Scripts > Statistics. 3. Select “Median” from the drop–down menu, then “Browse” to upload images. Presto, your shot of the Colosseum will look like it’s straight out of the Roman Empire.

Ensure the soundest of airborne snoozes with Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones by QuietComfort. They really live up to their name.

Avoid disappearing–suitcase disasters with Trakdot, a tiny GPS luggage–tracking device that allows you to follow your bags anywhere on Earth, right on your phone.

Securely store travel insurance policies, important numbers and other valuable information you may need when travelling with the My eVault app.

Put your smartphone on “airplane mode” for a faster charge.

You won’t have to figure out postage (or even find a mailbox) with Postagram , an app that turns your digital photos into actual postcards and puts them in the mail.

Become the most popular person at the departure gate by pulling out a power bar with multiple outlets. It takes up minimal space in your carry–on and will win endless good karma.

Section 6: Hotel Room Ninja

Sometimes, you just don’t want to leave the hotel. Here’s how to make the most of almost any room.

Turn your basic hotel room into an even more basic kitchen with these three hack–tastic recipes:

Grilled cheese or quesadilla Step 1: Wrap cheese–stuffed tortilla or bread in tinfoil. Step 2: Iron for two minutes.

Bacon and eggs Step 1: Heat iron to highest setting. Step 2: Wrap bacon tightly in foil and iron for five minutes. Step 3: Create lipped dish with tinfoil, place on hot iron. Step 4: Crack egg into foil dish.

Instant noodles Step 1: Break noodles into smaller pieces. Step 2: Add noodles and seasoning to coffee–maker carafe. Step 3: Run water through coffee maker on hottest setting.

Forgot your phone charger attachment or have the wrong voltage? Power up by plugging your cord into the USB port found on the back of most hotel TVs.

Take home as many tiny bath products as possible by packing existing bottles before they get replenished by housekeeping. These treasures can be re–gifted, or work as gym–ready cosmetics.

In hotels that require a key card insertion to activate the power, place a business card into the slot when you leave for the day. The climate control system will think you’re in the room and keep it cool or warm for your return.

Ask to see a selection of rooms when you check in. Hotels often try to unload the worst of the bunch first.

Turn a bare–bones minibar into a cocktail haven with items from the continental breakfast buffet. Orange slices and sugar cubes, for example, combine with ice and whisky for a makeshift old–fashioned. Check out more recipes here .

If you’re more worried about theft than a bedtime turndown, leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door when you go out.

Hair conditioner can substitute for everything from shoe polish to shaving cream to makeup remover to foot moisturizer.

Hang creased clothing (especially silk) in the bathroom when you shower. The steam will get rid of most wrinkles. For tough cases, trap the steam and the clothes in the washroom all night long.

After a late night, a pants hanger (the kind with clips) is a great tool for fastening curtains together and blocking out daylight.

Section 7: Frequent Flyers Club (#63–74)

enRoute’s editors, writers and other travel experts dish on their favourite ways to travel well.

“When I travel, I shop for souvenirs at the local grocery stores. It’s almost always better and cheaper than a touristy shop. I’ve bought sea salt in Reykjavik, biscuits from Marks & Spencer in London and just got some amazing olives and dried pasta in Florence for a song.” – Eve Thomas, Associate Editor, Luxury Brands, Spafax

“I haven’t checked a bag in six years, no matter the duration of the trip. I work multipurpose basics built around two suits (Tiger is my wrinkle–resistant brand of choice). I accessorize with pocket squares so it looks different every day. Three ties, four shirts, two polos, a pair of jeans and two pairs of trousers all fit in my super–roomy Mandarina Duck (12 years and 2.5 million miles and counting!).” – Raymond Girard, President, Content Marketing, Spafax

“Get a NEXUS card, but set up your application appointment at a land border, not the airport. Each station has the same number of agents. The waiting list at airports can be counted in months. Land borders can process you within days.” – Arjun Basu, Senior Vice President, Content Strategy, Spafax

“I always bring my headlamp. While it’s most useful on backcountry camping trips, you just never know when there might be a power outage, even in the City of Light.” – Susan Nerberg, Deputy Editor, Air Canada enRoute

“I travel frequently between Toronto and Montreal, so I usually get through all the North American movies on the inflight entertainment system on my must–watch list. If you book a seat on one of the wide–body aircraft (A330 or Dreamliner) that does a city hop before continuing on to an international destination, you can get the pumped–up inflight movie content not found on domestic routes, including some great art–house films.” – Ilana Weitzman, Director of Content, Air Canada Media

“I use MUJI foldable mesh garment bags . Fold, roll or otherwise jam in your clothing and zip them shut. The small size is the best, because you can make a suitcase of seven or eight of them. The medium size fits folded shirts perfectly.” – Andrew Elkin, Managing Editor, Air Canada enRoute

“When travelling in remote parts where you are unlikely to find a shared language with the locals, the book Point It: Traveller’s Language Kit is very helpful.” – Amanda Dawson, frequent traveller and Contributing Editor, Air Canada enRoute

“Think you need to pack all those beauty products? Think again. For example, the Gansevoort Hotel’s Meatpacking District location in New York has added the ‘Glamour Bar’ to its rooms. Mascara to nail polish, now available the way chips and bottled water are in a minibar.” – Candice Best, President, Siren Communications

“If I’m checking into a hotel without a reservation, I try to arrive between 4:45 and 6 p.m. – before the front–desk rush hour, but after all the rooms have been cleaned. This way I have the largest choice of available rooms and the staff’s undivided attention.” – Lara Barlow, Country Manager for Travelzoo Canada

“My trick for overcoming jet lag is a workout the morning after arrival. Thirty minutes on the treadmill and I’m in gear. For every business trip, I pack two sets of workout clothes and a separate small bag to put the clothes in following the workout. Within that bag, I store a few small bars of leftover soap from our hotel to prevent that less–than–ideal scenario of having an ‘overpowering gym bag’ in the room.” – Andrew Torriani, President & CEO, Ritz–Carlton Montreal

“To get a little extra space, I try to book a seat as far back in the plane as I can. Middle seats at the back of the plane are the least desirable, so if you book an aisle or window seat way at the back, you have slightly better odds of having a vacant seat next to you.” – Jim Byers, Canadian travel journalist

“Before laying down big bucks for a luxury spa treatment, I like to get in touch with the spa director by phone or e–mail. I will ask about their personal favourite therapist on staff, as well as the name of the therapist with the most repeat guest bookings.” – Si Si Penaloza, Jetset Magazine

“Right after checking into the hotel or the very first morning after that, I go for a run. It feels like marking my territory – and it’s a great opportunity to take in details of the surroundings that I might not otherwise notice.” – Sarah Musgrave, Executive Editor, Air Canada enRoute

Section 8: Location–specific Hacks

Make an unfamiliar destination easier to navigate with these hacks from around the world.

THAILAND: Sign up for a cooking class early in your stay. They are usually taught by locals who can share insider tips to the city. Plus, you leave with a whole whack of amazing Thai grub. Try Helping Hands , a cooking course that covers the basics of Thai cuisine and ingredients.

MONTREAL: Avoid the lineups at airport security by visiting this page on the Montreal Airports website to book a screening appointment in advance.

GERMANY: Buy a local SIM card (like Blau ) for your unlocked mobile phone – it’s way cheaper than data packs, and often comes with free megabytes.

MEXICO CITY: Choose Uber over taxis. The service is dependable and a lot safer in a city where cabbies can be fake or dodgy. It also gives you a digital record of your trip.

SYDNEY: Customs are very tight in Australia in order to preserve the ecosystem, so never travel with any food – or at least eat it all before you land.

LISBON: Drivers notoriously overcharge passengers who don’t speak Portuguese with a bogus flat rate when coming from the airport. Avoid getting gouged by insisting that the driver use the meter.

TORONTO: For NEXUS holders, it’s often faster to go up to the main departures security at Pearson on Level 3 than to transit through the connections security on Level 2, where sometimes only one lane is open.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: When possible, land at the central DCA airport instead of BWI or Dulles. The fare can be slightly more, but you’ll make it up through cheaper cabs and faster transit.

ATHENS: Never buy toiletries at pharmacies. Head to grocery stores instead, where brands like Nivea and Lancôme are half the price.

DELHI: A nod is not always an indication of the affirmative in India. The locals communicate several responses though head movement, so use this handy guide to decipher the subtleties.

MELBOURNE: Streetcars through the CBD (Central Business District) are free, so plan your neighbourhood exploration accordingly. You’ll be surprised how cheap it is to get around.

Section 9: Hack Gear

Smart travel devices make all the difference when you have limited space, limited time and limited patience.

Get in your daily downward dog fix anytime, anywhere, with YogaPaws , a set of padded mitts and footgear that mimics the padding of a giant mat but won’t take up half your suitcase.

Know the weight of your luggage before departing for the airport by using a detachable hand–held scale, like this one from Conair . The same device can pull double duty as a kitchen gadget.

Protect your devices and avoid the inevitable panic attack prompted by tangled cords by using a handy adjustable organizer from Grid–It .

The Mighty Purse is a clutch that can charge your smartphone. It’s also stylish, made of genuine leather and available in many colours.

Give your child a ride while enjoying the convenience of a detachable kid’s seat that snaps onto the back of your rolling luggage. Check out this one from Rivercreek.

When you travel often enough, unacceptable washroom facilities are inevitable. Women can avoid doing the precarious squat dance with the GoGirl – a handy device that will make any toilet hygienic.

Section 10: Audio Books (#97–100)

Flights go by quickly when you have a great book to read, but they go by even faster when you have a great book to hear. Below, our recommendations for audio books about destinations that will fit perfectly into your flight.

Vancouver–Hong Kong: 13h05m Hong Kong by Jan Morris (12h33m) In Hong Kong’s last days under British rule, author Jan Morris delves into the city’s fascinating history – and future.

Vancouver–Sydney: 14h15m True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey (13h57m) Winner of the Man Booker Prize, this novel is a riveting Australian modern classic about a bushbanger hero–cum–criminal.

Montreal–Athens: 9h10m The Iliad by Homer – narrated by Derek Jacobi (8h50m) The legendary British actor narrates a classic tale that packs much of Greek ancient history into its depiction of two weeks of the Trojan War.

Calgary–London: 8h45m Absolute Beginners by Colin MacInnes (8h31m) Post–war London comes to life in MacInnes’ elaborate portrayal of youthful rebellion in a country trying to regain its identity.

Toronto–Paris: 7h05m A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway (6h42m) Papa’s famous memoir of Paris in the 1920s explores the creative highs and lows of a man enthralled with his adopted city, and features appearances by Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ford Madox Ford and James Joyce.

Section 11: Hack vs. Hack vs. Hack

Because a good day’s travel deserves to be toasted, here are three different ways to open a bottle of wine with no corkscrew.

Method 1 If you have: Household scissors Remove foil. Open scissors all the way and push one blade down all the way to the handle (or as far as it will go). Use the other handle loop to slowly spin and pull upwards.

Method 2 If you have: A shoe Remove foil. Place bottom of bottle inside the shoe (works best with a brogue or something similar). Find a sturdy wall (brick or concrete) and repeatedly bang the shoe sole (containing the wine bottle) against it. Use force and expect to repeat banging motion about 20 times. The cork will eventually emerge.

Method 3 If you have: A toolbox Find the largest screw available. Jam into centre of cork and use a screwdriver to screw down. Using the backside of the hammer, slowly yank the screw and the cork will come with it.

Section 12: How to Get over Jet Lag from Almost Anywhere

CANADA TO EUROPE: On the day of departure, eat light and only proteins. Drink just water on the plane, and then eat a big meal when you land (and make it the proper meal at arrival time – so, if it’s breakfast time, a huge breakfast).

EUROPE TO CANADA: Fly during the day, land around dinner and eat a large meal, then force yourself to stay up (no naps) until your usual bedtime. Wake at your usual time the next morning.

WEST COAST TO EAST COAST (North America): Regardless of when you fly, make sure to get plenty of sunshine the day after your arrival. Once it gets dark, melatonin will help you sleep that night.

CANADA TO ASIA: Go to bed an hour early for a few nights before you travel to minimize shock once you land.

TO OR FROM AUSTRALIA AND CANADA: Because of the great distance, the same tactics work for going to and from the Antipodes. Adjust your sleeping schedule to your destination two days in advance, then don’t sleep much the night before a morning flight. Change your watch or phone to your destination time when you board the plane, then sleep on the plane when the clock reaches your usual bedtime.

For more advice on getting the best sleep on your next trip, check out these jet lag tips from frequent flyer and high–performance coach Peter Jensen.

Plan for your next trip.

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46 Amazing Airplane Hacks To Boost Your Flight & Travel Experience

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

343 Published Articles 50 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 28 U.S. States Visited: 29

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

33 Published Articles 3134 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

1. Be Flexible To Save Money

2. stay alert, 3. use points to book your flight, 4. get help finding award availability, 5. don’t leave miles on the table, 6. choose your seat wisely, 7. book a flexible ticket, 8. keep your suitcase organized, 9. bring the ultimate travel accessory, 10. pack vacation essentials in your carry-on, 11. don’t dry out, 12. pay attention to your toiletries, 13. know where you’re going, 14. stay entertained, 15. charge up, 16. be ready to write, 17. think about meals ahead of time, 18. book a bassinet seat, 19. pack snacks, 20. bring lollipops to help pop ears, 21. keep them entertained, 22. use up energy before the flight, 23. remember where you park, 24. skip the long tsa security line, 25. a “touchless” and even faster way to skip long security lines, 26. go left, 27. be ready for the security line, 28. don’t pay for checked luggage, 29. don’t buy water, 30. stay active, 31. get the right size carry-on bag, 32. know how to access a lounge, 33. know your luggage, 34. put your bag in the right spot, 35. block everything out, 36. brush your teeth, 37. be nice, 38. clean your tray table, 39. choose your drink wisely, 40. sleep like a pro, 41. dress in layers, 42. bring socks, 43. find your luggage quickly, 44. late bags earn points, 45. speed through customs, 46. save money on transportation, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Love it or hate it, flying on an airplane is a common part of travel. So, if you have to fly, you might as well make the experience as enjoyable as possible.

We’ve compiled this list of 46 of our best airplane and travel hacks to elevate your flight experience, including everything from flight booking hacks and packing hacks to airport hacks and inflight hacks.

We hope you’ll be able to use some of these flight tricks to make your next travel experience as awesome as possible.

Flight Booking Hacks

A great flight starts with a great booking experience. Try these tricks the next time you have to book a flight.

If you want to find cheap flights , it’s best to be flexible. When your dates aren’t set in stone, you can use the flexible date search option in Google Flights to see what dates offer the cheapest tickets. Just visit Google Flights , enter your origin and destination cities, then click on the travel dates.

You’ll see the prices for your flight every day on the calendar. Use the trip duration settings at the bottom to choose your desired trip length or play around to see if the trip length affects the ticket price. The lowest-priced tickets will be shown in green.

Another way to keep an eye out for the lowest price tickets is by signing up for flight deal alerts . Websites like Google Flights, Kayak , and Skyscanner allow you to sign up for fare alerts on your chosen route so you know if and when the price drops.

We couldn’t write a flight hack post without mentioning points and miles, could we? Of course not, since that’s our specialty! Using points to book your flight is an easy way to save on the out-of-pocket expense of travel. Plus, using points to book business and first class flights is a great way to make your entire flight experience so much more comfortable than flying in the back of the plane.

Hot Tip: If you’re brand new to the points and miles game, start with our beginner’s guide to bring you up to speed.

Using miles to book a flight is a great way to fly, but finding award availability can sometimes prove to be difficult. If you need help, look at a tool like ExpertFlyer , Award Nexus , or Seat Spy . These websites can help you find award seat availability without spending all day searching.

Whether or not this is your first trip on a specific airline or your fiftieth, sign up for the airline’s frequent flyer program and make sure your frequent flyer number is attached to your reservation. If you never plan on flying the airline again, you can credit the miles you’ll earn to a partner airline.

No one wants to get stuck in a middle seat in the back of the plane next to the bathroom, right? That one is obvious, but there are pros and cons to other seats as well.

• If you get motion sickness, choose a seat over the wing so you’ll feel less turbulence .
• Choose a seat in front of the plane if you’ve got a short connecting time.
• If you’re traveling with another person, choose a window and aisle seat toward the back of the plane. Unless the flight is sold out, you’ll have a decent chance that no one will choose the middle seat between you.
• If you want to sleep during your flight, go with a window seat.
• If you’re more comfortable having easy access to the bathroom, an aisle seat toward the back of the plane will be your best bet.
• If you definitely need a small bag with you during the flight, don’t choose a bulkhead seat because they don’t have anywhere to store a carry-on other than the overhead bins.

Use a tool like SeatGuru to find seat maps for your flight, along with notes about the pros and cons of every seat. This website is a must if you want to find the perfect seat on your next flight.

Thankfully, many airlines are offering flexible cancellation and change policies these days, but be sure to read the fine print. These policies often don’t apply to the cheapest basic economy fares. If you want flexibility, you might need to pay a little more upfront.

Packing Hacks

Packing a suitcase is an art, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. These easy packing hacks will help you save space and ensure that you’re prepared for anything.

A packing tip that many can agree on is that packing cubes are a must. These zippered bags come in lots of different sizes and colors to keep your clothes organized. When you arrive at your destination, just move the packing cubes to the drawers, unzip, and you’ve unpacked in an instant.

If you’re packing for multiple people in 1 bag, assign everyone a different color packing cube to keep everything organized.

A large scarf is a versatile item that is the perfect travel accessory. When you pack one in your carry-on bag, you can use it as a blanket to stay warm or for lumbar support to stay comfortable on the plane. Then use it as a scarf in cold weather destinations or as a beach cover-up for tropical vacations.

Picture this: your flight arrives at your vacation destination and you’re so excited to hit the pool at your resort — but your luggage didn’t make it yet! What could be a wasted vacation day for others is no big deal for you because you’re prepared. You packed an extra set of clothes in your carry-on , including important vacation items like a bathing suit, sunscreen, and flip-flops, so you can wait for your delayed luggage while sipping a tropical cocktail by the pool instead of being grumpy in your hotel room in the jeans and sneakers you wore on the plane.

Dry airplane air can easily dehydrate your body. In addition to drinking plenty of water on your flight, don’t forget to pack lip balm and hand lotion in your carry-on bag to combat uncomfortable dry skin. If you typically wear contact lenses, opt for glasses on your flight since the plane’s dry air can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable.

Make sure your toiletries are in travel-sized containers if you’re planning on using carry-on luggage only. You can invest in a good travel toiletry bag to keep everything organized, or opt for the budget route and put travel-sized containers in a Ziploc bag to keep them from leaking on your clothes.

Pre-flight Hacks

These tricks of the trade are things to think about before you get on your flight.

If you’ll be traveling somewhere where Wi-Fi might be spotty or unavailable, it’s a good idea to download offline maps of the areas you’ll be visiting so you can access them even when you can’t access the internet.

To download a Google Map for use offline, just type in your destination. Then click on the destination name at the bottom of your screen.

Then click on the 3 dots in the upper right-hand corner and select Download offline map .

While many airlines offer inflight entertainment, there’s nothing better than knowing you’ve got plenty of your favorites ready to go. Download podcasts, music, audiobooks, or Netflix shows before you take off to ensure you have plenty to keep you occupied during your flight.

If you’re planning on watching movies or shows on your phone, bring a small stand or mount to set up on your tray table so you don’t have to hold your phone for the whole flight.

Be prepared. Charge all of your electronic devices the day before you leave so they are ready to go for your flight. Keep all of your charging cords handy in your carry-on bag in case you need to charge up at the airport, or bring a portable charger if you think you’ll need more battery power during your flight.

If you’ll be traveling internationally, bring a pen . This will save you from having to rely on your fellow passengers to borrow a pen on the flight to fill out customs forms.

If you’re on a long-haul flight that will be serving a meal and you’ve got dietary restrictions, be sure to order a special meal before your flight. If you wait until you’re on the plane, you’ll be stuck with the standard options.

Flying With Kids Hacks

Flying with kids can be an adventure, but with these pro tips, it will be as stress-free as possible.

Did you know that many airplanes (especially on long-haul international flights) have a few seats that can accommodate a bassinet on board (usually the bulkhead seats)? If you’re flying with a baby , book early and call the airline to reserve one of these seats.

If you’re a parent, you know that snacks are the answer to about 85% of your kids’ problems. This is no different on a flight. Pack snacks and everything will be okay.

Air pressure changes can affect kids’ ears more than adults’ ears. To help your little one pop their ears, give them a lollipop.

We aren’t saying you should always bribe your kids with new toys, but a long flight is a great time to go ahead and bribe your kids with a new toy ! Having something new will help keep them happy and entertained for longer.

If your child is sitting in the window seat, give them a package of gel window clings to play with, or try an airplane toy for a child’s first flight. The toy itself doesn’t matter as much as the novelty of having a new toy.

If all else fails, or even if you just want to keep things simple, bring a tablet with plenty of shows or games downloaded, along with child-friendly headphones . Most adults use screens for the whole flight, so why not let your kids do the same?

Kids have a ton of energy, and it’s a great idea to get rid of as much of it as possible before you board the plane. Many airports these days have specially designed kids’ play areas for this exact purpose.

If your airport doesn’t have a play area, take kids on a walk and let them ride the people movers (making sure they don’t get in the way of others trying to quickly make it to their gate, of course). When all else fails, try to find an empty area (the far end of the terminal is probably your best bet) and let them run wild.

Pre-flight Airport Hacks

You can make the time you spend in the airport before your flight as comfortable and stress-free as possible with these airport hacks.

While you think you’ll remember where you parked, it’s not quite so easy to remember after a week-long vacation. To help your memory out, take a picture of your parking space with any recognizable features and the parking row number so you can find your car easily when you return.

How would you like to breeze through the TSA security line — without taking your shoes off ? That can all be achieved when you have  TSA PreCheck . This program essentially gives you access to shorter security lines and the ability to pass through without taking your shoes and jacket off and without having to remove your laptop and toiletries from your bag. It’ll save time and hassle each time you fly.

According to the TSA , the majority of TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than 5 minutes in security lines.

Hot Tip: While TSA PreCheck costs $78 for a 5-year membership (and many would argue it’s absolutely worth that price), you can get it for free with many credit cards .

Breeze through the security lines without having to even take your ID out of your wallet. CLEAR is a program that allows you to do just that because it uses biometrics to verify your identity. After your identity is successfully confirmed (through an eye scan), you’ll be escorted to the front of the security line.

CLEAR costs $189 annually and is available in select airports across the country. Several credit cards include a discounted or complimentary CLEAR membership as part of their benefits.

If you have a choice, choose the security lines to the left — people tend to naturally go right more often than not, so the left lines may be shorter.

Regardless of whether or not you have TSA PreCheck, be ready to get through the security line quickly . Have your ID and boarding pass ready to go — do not wait until you’re at the front of the line to get these things out. If you don’t have TSA PreCheck, make sure you have your liquids and laptop easily accessible so you can remove them quickly without holding up the line.

Hot Tip: Be prepared before your flight. Know what you can and can’t bring through TSA security and check these TSA security FAQs for the answers to some common questions.

Checking your luggage can be expensive these days. While it might be easy to just bring a carry-on bag for some trips, many of us will still need to check a bag from time to time. You can avoid paying crazy baggage fees by choosing an airline that doesn’t charge for bags, like Southwest, by having airline elite status, or by having an airline credit card. Many airline credit cards come with free checked baggage , which can save you lots of money, even if you only fly a couple of times a year.

Buying water in an airport gift shop is expensive and isn’t great for the environment. Instead, bring an empty water bottle through security and then fill it at the filling station or drinking fountain after security. You’ll save money and reduce your plastic usage at the same time.

With many of us using fitness trackers and smartwatches these days, getting a recommended number of daily steps or movement time has become commonplace. To balance out sitting on an airplane for hours at a time, take the time before your flight to walk. Getting a few laps in around the terminal before you board your flight is a great way to stay active, even on travel days, and it provides great people-watching, too.

Before you attempt to pack for a week-long trip in 1 carry-on bag, make sure it’s the right size for a carry-on , and make sure you can lift it up to get it in the overhead bin. While other passengers will often offer to help lift heavy bags into the overhead bins, savvy travelers can manage their bags on their own.

Hot Tip: Need a new bag? Check out some of our favorite carry-on luggage bags for any traveler.

Airports are places we all spend a lot of time just waiting. So, next time you fly, plan to wait in style in an airport lounge . Lounges offer quieter places to get work done or to grab a snack and drink before your flight. Some even offer luxury amenities like showers and massages.

Having a Priority Pass membership allows you to access over 1,400 airport lounge locations in over 600 cities across the world. The best part is that there are many credit cards with Priority Pass access.

While it’s not inevitable, sometimes your luggage doesn’t make it onto the same flight as you. When this happens, you’ll most likely need to fill out lost/delayed luggage paperwork that will include an area for you to describe your luggage. A description of “black suitcase” isn’t going to cut it, so make sure you know exactly what your luggage looks like. When in doubt, take a photo of it before you fly, for reference.

Airplane Hacks

We love traveling here at Upgraded Points and have picked up lots of tricks along the way. These airplane hacks will help make your flight as comfortable and as fun as possible.

When choosing a spot for your carry-on bag in the overhead bin, go for the space on the opposite side of your seat, directly across from or slightly in front of your seat (never put your bag behind you). That way you can see your bag from your seat and you’ll easily be able to grab it after the flight without having to wait for the people behind you to deplane before you can grab your bag.

One of the keys to really relaxing and enjoying a flight is the ability to block out airplane noise to enjoy your podcast, music, or movie. Because of that, having noise-canceling headphones is a great way to make your flight more enjoyable.

No, we aren’t suggesting you need to brush your teeth on that quick flight from Chicago to New York City, but brushing your teeth on long-haul flights or flights where you’ll be sleeping can really make a difference in how refreshed you feel. Be sure to pack your toothbrush and travel-sized toothpaste (or even a disposable product like Colgate Wisp ), and don’t forget to use bottled water.

While this should come easily to many people, it bears repeating. Be polite and respectful to the flight attendants. They are there to ensure your safety and to help you have a comfortable flight and they deserve your respect. If you’re having a bad flight or don’t like a policy, don’t take it out on them.

If you think you’ll need extra attention from the flight attendants during your trip, consider bringing a small, edible gift like a piece of chocolate or a cookie (prepackaged, store-bought) as a gesture of thanks.

While airplane cleaning standards have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic began, things like tray tables are not necessarily cleaned between each flight. According to Forbes , airplane seatback tray tables are the dirtiest part of the airplane , so be sure to pack some disinfecting wipes and clean your tray table before using it.

Be sure to drink plenty of water during your flight to stay hydrated. While you might not like it, it’s best to avoid alcohol on planes, since it can speed up dehydration and could lead to a fuzzy start to your vacation. It’s also best to avoid carbonated drinks as the bubbles combined with changes in air pressure can cause discomfort for some people.

There’s a definite art to sleeping on a plane, and unless you’re one of those lucky people that can fall asleep anywhere, you’ll need all the help you can get. Use a  sleeping mask and earplugs to block out light and sound, and bring along a comfortable travel pillow to give your head and neck some support. Choosing a window seat can also make sleeping easier since you can lean up against the side of the plane.

Another trick to help you sleep on airplanes is to wear a jacket or sweatshirt with a hood . Putting up the hood will help keep you warm but will also cover your ears and part of your face, giving you more of a sense of comfort and privacy. Some hoods are big enough to pull down to cover your eyes, too.

Airplanes can often be freezing… unless they are way too hot. The problem is, you never know which temperature extreme your plane might suffer from until you are on it, so it’s best to dress in layers so that you’re prepared for anything. Always bring a jacket in the summer and wear a t-shirt under your sweater in the winter.

Hot Tip: If you bring a jacket but don’t need it on the plane, you can roll it up and use it as extra lumbar support.

If you’re wearing sandals on your travel day, bring a pair of socks to wear on the plane. Your feet will stay warm and your seatmate will appreciate not being up close and personal with your bare feet.

If your feet and legs have a tendency to swell, consider bringing compression socks onboard to wear during your flight. They will help reduce fluid retention and swelling, and may even reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Post-flight Airport Hacks

The travel hacks don’t stop when your flight lands. Use these tips to travel like a pro.

Many bags can look the same, so it’s smart to use a unique luggage tag or tie a brightly colored ribbon around your checked bags to make them easily identifiable in the baggage carousel. Alternatively, you can buy luggage in a variety of colors and patterns that are easy to pick out of a crowd.

Did you know that some airlines offer bonus points if your bags are late ?

Delta Air Lines offers the “Bags On Time” guarantee. If your bags take more than 20 minutes to reach the baggage carousel after any domestic flight, you’re eligible for 2,500 bonus miles by completing this form .

Alaska Airlines offers a $25 discount code for future travel or 2,500 bonus miles when your bags take more than 20 minutes to reach the baggage carousel. To make a claim , you need to visit the Alaska Airlines baggage desk at the airport within 2 hours of your flight’s arrival.

If you travel internationally even just once or twice a year, Global Entry can save you tons of time. This program allows members to speed through customs upon re-entry back into the U.S. Instead of waiting in the long customs lines, Global Entry members scan their passports and enter customs information at a kiosk before heading to baggage claim.

Bottom Line: Global Entry is a great program that will help you speed through the airport after international flights. It costs $100 to apply and the membership lasts 5 years. The great news is that many travel rewards credit cards come with a credit for the Global Entry application fee .

If you’ll be taking a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft from the airport, make sure you download the app before you need to use it. It will be easier and quicker to get a ride if your account is already set up, and you’ll have time to see if any of your credit cards offer discounts or bonus points . Be sure to add your credit card to your account and activate any bonus offers, if needed.

We think flying is fun and we hope that by using some of these amazing plane and flight hacks, you will, too! Also, be sure to check out our best hotel hacks to get the most out of your next hotel stay. If you’ve got additional travel hacks ideas, share them in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best airplane hacks for sleeping.

If you want to sleep on your next flight, here are a few hacks that can help you out:

• Book a window seat so you can lean on the side of the plane
• Pack a neck pillow
• Bring earplugs and a sleeping mask to block out light and sound
• To stay warm, bring a jacket or large scarf that can be used as a blanket; wearing a hooded sweatshirt or jacket can also help cover your ears and eyes and keep you warm so you can catch some shut-eye

What are the best airplane hacks for toddlers?

If you’re traveling with a toddler, be sure to bring plenty of snacks and things to keep them entertained. A new toy is a great way to keep them occupied as are gel window clings if they’re sitting in the window seat. If all else fails, bring a tablet and kid-friendly headphones to keep them entertained and quiet for the trip.

What are the best airplane hacks for comfort?

There are a few things you can do to make your next airplane flight more comfortable. Wear comfortable clothes in layers so you can adjust based on the temperature of the plane. To help ease back pain, you can use a rolled-up jacket or scarf for extra lumbar support. If you’re wearing sandals, bring socks to keep your feet warm, and consider compression socks for long flights to help reduce swelling.

What are the best airplane hacks for long flights?

To make a long flight more comfortable, try these hacks on your next trip:

• Wear comfortable clothes that you can sleep in
• Dress in layers so you never get too cold or too hot
• Wear compression socks to help reduce swelling
• Brush your teeth before you go to sleep and once you wake up (but be sure to use bottled water)
• Download plenty of entertainment before the flight and bring a portable charger so your devices don’t run out of batteries
• Use airline miles to book a business or first class flight

What are the best packing hacks for flying?

To pack like a pro, you’ll want to follow these simple tips. Keep your luggage organized by using packing cubes. If you’re packing more than 1 person in a single suitcase, get a different color of packing cube for each person to keep everything separated. Use a toiletry bag or a simple Ziploc bag to pack your bathroom essentials. If your products leak, the spill will be confined to the small bag and won’t get all over your clothes. If you’re checking suitcases for vacation, always pack what you’ll need for the first day in your carry-on so you can start your vacation right away, even if your bags are late.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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Air Canada confirms it was hacked and here's what you need to know

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Air Canada is the latest homegrown company that has fallen victim to a security breach, with the airline's executives issuing a statement yesterday to verify rumours that it experienced a cyberattack.

While the leak is concerning, consumers apparently have nothing to worry about — according to the carrier, the hack only involved internal employee records and was resolved quickly.

"An unauthorized group briefly obtained limited access to an internal Air Canada system related to limited personal information of some employees and certain records," the short release reads.

"We can confirm that our flight operations systems and customer facing systems were not affected. No customer information was accessed."

Air Canada also asserts that all of its systems are fully operational and that in the wake of the scare, it has upped measures to prevent anything like this from happening again.

The public will remember that this time last month, the LCBO admitted to a data leak involving the names, email addresses, Aeroplan numbers and other personal details of customers in an incident that marked the second time such information was compromised this year alone.

The Weather Network, Sunwing, Indigo and others have also been the targets of similar crimes lately.

Fortunately for Air Canada, travellers  have very little trust in it or any other Canadian airlines anymore, so this news will likely do little to impact its reputation.

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The Ultimate Guide to Travel Hacking: Award Flight Basics

Disclosure: The Globetrotting Teacher may receive commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the The Globetrotting Teacher are from advertisers & may impact how & where cards appear on the site. The Globetrotting Teacher does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

You’ve joined airline loyalty programs, applied for credit cards, signed up for dining programs, and used shopping portals. The airline miles are beginning to flow in!

But, when it’s time to redeem air miles and other flexible points, you’ll need to know a few award flight basics.

This can feel both exciting and overwhelming.

• Where should you search for availability?
• How many miles will it “cost” to book that flight?
• How do I know I’ve gotten the best value for my miles?
• And, what about maximizing those airline alliance partnerships?

First off, knowing airline routes, which miles to use, and finding award space is much harder than earning miles and points.

If you’re feeling frustrated, you’re not alone! There’s a huge learning curve that’ll get easier the more you learn.

But, this is where you actually get to see your efforts pay off…for less!

I’ve booked a ton of flights with miles and points and still get pumped by the thrill of only paying a small amount in taxes and fees.

Before diving in, let’s just put it out there.

It’s unlikely your first award flight booking(s) will be your best.  

You’ll look back and think, “Why did I do that? I could’ve booked it this way and saved X number of miles!”

There’s always something to learn about travel hacking. Loyalty program rules change. Award charts change.

Start slowly and learn little by little.

Once you understand the basics of  airline alliances , it’s time to move on to finding routes, to learn where to search for award flights, and to compare award pricing by using what you know about airline partnerships.

In general (and despite recent changes both positive & negative),   when searching for award availability, use:

• United or Air Canada’s Aeroplan website to search for Star Alliance awards,
• American Airlines, Qantas, or British Airways, to search for Oneworld awards. (AA doesn’t show all partners but has added many to their search capabilities.), and
• Delta or Air France/KLM’s Flying Blue websites to search for SkyTeam awards.

When you search on these websites, you’ll see flights operated by AA, Delta, or United, as well as flights operated by their respective partners.

For example, Scandinavian Airlines might be operating the flight you need to  Stockholm,  which you may see while searching for flights on United’s website since they’re both Star Alliance airlines.

There are free and paid tools like Google Flights, AwardHacker, and Expert Flyer that can help you in your award flight search. A bit more on these below.

But, I’m going to focus on a more manual way to search in this guide because this is how I began and the method that helped me really gain a deeper understanding of booking award flights.

What’s the golden rule when searching this way?

Start with your destination and search for award flights working backward to your home airport.

Using this rule, first, you’ll need to know which airlines fly to where you want to go.

The easiest manual way to do this is by searching Google for the airport you want to fly to followed by the words “airport wiki.” For example, search “Minneapolis airport wiki” or “Hong Kong airport wiki.”

The result you need should be #1 in the search results.

Open the airport’s wiki page and scroll down to the “Airlines and Destinations” section where you’ll find a table listing all of the airlines that fly to this destination and from where.

If I was flying TO Minneapolis , I can now see all the airlines that fly there and from where.

For example, can you see that American Airlines and Delta fly direct from Charlotte to Minneapolis?

Now, I know to search for award flights operated by AA or Delta. But, notice I didn’t necessarily say you should search on AA or Delta for those flights…

What if you don’t have AA or Delta miles? Does this mean all hope is lost?

Sometimes the award flight you need will be even CHEAPER with an alliance partner than booking an award flight through a legacy carrier, like American or Delta.

Thinking back to what you know about airline alliances, American Airlines is part of the Oneworld Alliance and Delta is part of the Skyteam Alliance. 

Using this information :

• think about which airline miles you have,
• think about which flexible currencies you have and who their airline transfer partners are.

If you have  Chase Ultimate Rewards  or  Amex Membership Rewards  points, you have British Airways and/or Iberia Avios, Flying Blue Miles, and Virgin Atlantic Miles.

With Amex Membership Rewards points, you have these, as well as Delta miles. This is because these airlines are transfer partners of these flexible point programs.

Whether you already know or need to check out the airlines who partner with American Airlines or Delta, you’ll see that British Airways and Iberia are both in Oneworld with AA. You’ll also discover that Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic partner with Delta.

Let’s revisit the domestic flight from above going from Charlotte to Minneapolis. The Wiki chart showed that AA and Delta have a direct flight between these 2 cities.

If you started by searching for an award flight on AA, you’d see a round trip economy SAAver seat from Charlotte to Minneapolis will cost 25k AA miles.

But, using what you know about airline alliances, you know  British Airways  and Iberia Avios can be used to book award flights operated by American Airlines.

You also know Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards transfer to British Airways and Iberia.

If you search the same dates as you did on the AA website on British Airways and Iberia, you’d see:

• British Airways will charge 15k Avios for a round-trip economy seat from Charlotte to Minneapolis.
• Iberia will charge 17k Avios for a round-trip economy seat from Charlotte to Minneapolis.

Why the award price difference?  

Despite their partnerships, each airline has its own award pricing and/or award charts, as well as its own award routing rules. 

It comes back to the all-important golden rule of travel hacking. 

You follow the award chart rules of the airline whose miles you’re using, not the airline you’re flying.

Remember, though!

British Airways and Iberia don’t fly between Charlotte and Minneapolis, but luckily their alliance partner American Airlines does!

This partner booking through British Airways (the cheapest option in this case!) or Iberia will save you 10k miles  but still fly on the same exact American Airlines flights had you booked through American!

Now, repeat the process with Delta. Search on Delta and with their partners, Virgin Atlantic, and Flying Blue, using each airline’s own website for the award flight between Charlotte and Minneapolis.

Given Delta’s fluctuating award pricing, Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue may have better pricing, depending on your dates, but you won’t know until you check.

In this case, Delta proved to be the cheapest.

But remember, the award flight screenshots above from Virgin Atlantic and below from Flying Blue are flights operated by Delta on the same dates as those in the Delta search. 

Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue don’t fly between Charlotte and Minneapolis…but their partner Delta does.

It’s so important to compare award pricing to see where you’ll get the most value from your miles.  

As we saw above, American Airlines flies between Charlotte and Minneapolis but that doesn’t mean using AA miles to book the award flight is best.

How to Get Started with Award Flight Searches

Today, you can begin to improve your understanding of award chart basics. How?

Practice! I cannot stress this enough!

You want to familiarize yourself with the process and the airline websites, which can be quite quirky! Don’t wait until you’re ready to book an actual award flight.

Practice now to hone your skills!

1. Practice looking for an airport Wiki page.

Google your home city/airport with the term Wiki at the end.  

For example, if you want to find the wiki page for Denver’s airport, type “Denver Airport Wiki.”

Take a look at the chart to see which airlines fly routes into your home airport and from where they’re coming. 

Practice searching again with your travel goal destination.

Keep in mind, when it comes to booking award flights,  you need miles and points with whichever airline your booking.  This may be different than the airline operating your flight. (If you’re booking through United’s website, you need United miles.)

Think about which airlines are partners and to which airline transfer partners you have access to with your flexible points.

2. Practice searching for award flights and availability.

Visit the legacy airline (American, United, Delta) websites and do an award flight search to see which, if any, partner results show.

Then, search for that route using the website of the applicable partners.

Search with the partners that are associated with your flexible currency. These are the transfer partners to which you have access.

3. Still feeling confused about where to search?

Try out some tools that try to simplify this process.  Expertflyer  is a paid tool that lets you see how many award seats are available and will also alert you when award seats open up. 

Google Flights lets you search for the route you want. Take note of which airlines show in the search results and begin your award flight search and comparison as discussed above.

Award Hacker  is a free tool that helps you search routes, which airlines fly them, and how many miles it will take for an award ticket.

Once you generate your search results, you can head over to that airline or best alliance search website as mentioned above to check availability.

Keep in mind, Award Hacker works best with basic round-trip itineraries. It’s a helpful starting point but isn’t the Rosetta Stone for award flights.

For travel plans with stops or complex routings, you’re best using the wiki charts and working backward from your destination.

Ready to practice? Good luck!

What are your award flight basics questions?

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4 thoughts on “the ultimate guide to travel hacking: award flight basics”.

Great info as I am trying to learn how to book award flights now that I have time to take the trips. I currently have 2 million Amex Membership points and used a award service to book a trip to Ireland. We are taking a 12 night cruise from Dublin and ending in Amsterdam and then spending some time to visit Germany. Keep up the lessons.

Thanks so much for reading, Ed. 2 Million MR is quite the stash! Travel on. 🙂

I’ve recently came across AwardLogic tool that finds live award availability and it helped me book an awesome flight from LAX to Europe using my AMEX points.

Thanks for reading, Lana. I know AwardLogic and similar tools. They can be helpful. It’s still worth it though to learn how to do award searches without needing to pay to unlock search results.

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Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

How to Earn Points and Miles in Canada

Collecting points and miles is one of the best ways to lower your travel costs. Flights, accommodation represent two of the biggest expenses travelers face so getting those to zero allows you to travel more for less. When money isn’t a worry, the world is your oyster.

While I have tons of points and miles resources on this website for U.S. travelers, I get a lot of questions from Canadians about whether they can take advantage of points and miles too. And the answer is always yes!

While the U.S. has the most deals and opportunities, Canada isn’t too far behind and is the second biggest points market in the world.

To help you understand the Canadian points and miles world, I reached out to my friend and fellow travel blogger Ricky Zhang from Prince of Travel . In this interview, he shares his tips and tricks.

Nomadic Matt: Hey Ricky! Thanks for doing this! To begin, tell us about yourself. Ricky : I’m based out of Montreal and Toronto , and I’ve always loved to travel and get the best bang for my buck when doing so. For the past few years, I’ve run the Prince of Travel website, which is dedicated to helping my fellow Canadians maximize their frequent flyer miles and credit card points to travel the world at a fraction of the price.

How did you get into the points and miles game? I first became interested in points and loyalty programs back in 2013. As a university student in Canada , I was making frequent trips back home to China to visit my family and I was trying to figure out how I could get airport lounge access.

It turns out that there was a little-known opportunity to earn top-tier Star Alliance Gold status very easily with the loyalty program of Aegean Airlines, the Greek national airline. I figured out that I could simply credit the miles from one or two of my round-trip flights to Aegean and I’d end up with Star Alliance Gold, which would get me the lounge access I wanted.

That led me to the online blogs and forums, where I quickly learned that credit card points — and specifically the signup bonuses — was the key to racking up the points and funding many trips around the world (often in business class or First Class) at a fraction of the price.

From there, I was hooked and I’ve just continued honing my craft over the years!

The U.S. is known for its awesome travel credit cards. How does Canada compare? Many outside observers would probably guess that the Canadian travel credit card market is less lucrative than the US and, while that’s true in some ways, there are also ways in which Canada is the more favorable place to be.

The US has a wider range of travel credit cards, provides access to a greater number of airline and hotel programs, and also gives consumers larger quantities of signup bonuses (for example, 100,000-point bonuses are a regular occurrence whereas, in Canada, the single-highest signup bonus is 75,000 points).

However, the US credit card issuers are also stricter about limiting the number of signup bonuses that a single individual can obtain (or imposing limits on how often you can obtain them), whereas the Canadian issuers haven’t imposed such limits, making Canada much more favorable in terms of earning the signup bonuses repeatedly.

Almost all the cards in Canada let you double- or triple-dip on the bonus (although the terms and conditions may not always say so). It’s easy for issuers to update their terms and conditions to say that you’re only eligible for a once-in-a-lifetime bonus, but much more challenging for them to actually enforce that from an IT perspective.

In addition, there are ways for Canadians to apply for US credit cards as well, thus letting us play the game on both sides of the border!

Really? How can Canadians get a U.S. travel credit card? Well, to do that, you need three things:

• A US address
• A US bank account
• A social security number (or something equivalent)

The address is easy. Just use a friend or family member’s address, or a mail-forwarding service. The bank account is also easy. Just use the cross-border banking service of your favorite Canadian bank to set up a US domiciled bank account with your US address listed on it.

The social security number part is tricky. You can’t just get one unless you actually study or work in the US. Instead, you can get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which is an equivalent number that many issuers also accept in place of an SSN.

Any foreign resident can get apply for an ITIN from the IRS if they show that they’ve earned income in the US (for example, if you’ve earned $5 gambling in Vegas) but need to be exempt from withholding taxes on that income as a foreign resident. Once you have your ITIN, you can use that in place of the SSN on US credit card applications – and voilà!

What are some of the best credit cards in Canada right now? The single-highest signup bonus one can obtain in Canada is the American Express Business Platinum Card, which gives you 75,000 Membership Rewards points upon spending $7,000 (CAD) in the first three months.

This card is also very valuable for its referral bonus of 25,000 Membership Rewards points, which you earn simply for referring a friend or family member to a card of their own, and can add up very quickly after just a handful of referrals. Then you’ve also got the unlimited Priority Pass lounge access and the Marriott Gold Elite status perks as well.

However, the Business Platinum does come with an annual fee of $499. For those who are more interested in First Year Free offers to minimize their out-of-pocket cost, I’d recommend the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, which is offering 30,000 Aeroplan miles + First Year Free.

Moreover, RBC Avion points can be very valuable due to how flexible they are, so in that regard the RBC Visa Infinite Avion is another great card to pick up, offering 15,000 Avion points at signup.

In most cases, you don’t need to be a small business owner in the traditional sense to get a business card. Instead, you apply as a “sole proprietor”, which is a form of doing business in which you operate under your own name. Just enter your own name as the business name and apply, and most issuers are happy with it.

And what about debit cards? When it comes to avoiding ATM fees abroad? The frontrunner in this regard is the Stack Prepaid MasterCard, which does not impose any foreign transaction fees on foreign ATM withdrawals. Stack is free to apply for and to load funds, and only charges you the fair currency exchange rate when you withdraw money at a foreign ATM (although the local ATM fee may still be charged). It’s my go-to method for withdrawing cash while I’m traveling.

What tips do you have for new points and miles collectors in Canada? There’s always a ton of reading and scouring online blogs and forums at the start of the learning curve, but the best way to actually get started would be to think about one or two places you’d like to go over the next year (which places, what time of year, how many passengers, what class of service, etc.), then research specifically the best ways to make that trip happen using points, and then put together a strategy for earning those points using credit card signup bonuses.

Having this strategy in place will allow you to learn the ropes and reap rewards much faster than if you simply opened credit cards left, right, and center without a clear goal in mind.

Besides that, try to make it out to an in-person event or meetup at some point so that you can get to know other members of the community — that’ll accelerate your learning process by leaps and bounds. You can learn about them from some of the following groups/websites:

• Prince of Travel Elites
• PointsNerd.ca
• RedFlagDeals
• Welcome Bonuses for Canadians (Reddit)

I try to host in-person events for Prince of Travel readers about twice a year, and I’m also looking to host a larger-scale PointsCon event sometime later this year, so stay tuned for details on that one.

Otherwise, the Prince of Travel Elites community regularly hosts small informal gatherings, which are known as “Miles & Pints”, in cities all across Canada, so make sure to join the group and keep an eye out for the next event in your area!

Where can people find you online/on social media to learn more? I can be found sharing Miles & Points knowledge, industry news and analysis, travel tips, and reviews from my own trips every day at princeoftravel.com and sharing weekly videos on my YouTube channel . Also follow me on Instagram , where I post the highlights from my travels, and get to know the rest of the community on my Prince of Travel Elites group on Facebook !

Book Your Trip to Canada: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Canada? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Canada for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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How to Start Travel Hacking in Canada in 2023

By Thomas Guenther | Published on 27 Sep 2023

Travel Hacking in Canada was terrifying to me when I first heard about it. We have notoriously expensive travel costs and I didn’t think that it would be easy to do. I was wrong. What travel hacking in Canada really means is manipulating rewards programs. You find and exploit loopholes in credit card rewards programs and airline promotional offers to rack up your points and then redeem them for nearly free flights and hotel rooms. Canada: let’s do this!

How travel hacking in Canada can save you a lot of money

It saved my holiday budget. When I checked out the Air Canada website and went through the motions of booking a flight from Winnipeg to Mexico. I clicked on their Aeroplan button and found the Redeem button. From there, I selected a departure and return date and chose how many people would be travelling. The website immediately pulled up a bunch of different flights but instead of seeing exorbitant prices for round-trip tickets, I saw the costs in Aeroplan miles, and it blew my socks off.

A round-trip economy flight for 2 adults, a toddler, and an infant with two free checked bags, preferred seats, and priority boarding was only around 50,000 points each! But the site had a credit card promotion that gave me a ton of points. Just for signing up for a credit card, a quarter of the plane ticket cost is covered. A similar round-trip ticket with slightly worse perks, only one free checked bag instead of two, would cost around $1800. I am hooked.

Travel hacking in Canada: how to get started

Now, here are some basic steps for the average Canadian. That is if they want to step into travel hacking for themselves and make their next vacation cheaper than they ever thought possible. I genuinely believe this hobby can be fun and rewarding, no pun intended.

Research Your Next Vacation

The key is to do this as early as possible. Where do you want to go? Even if it’s somewhere within Canada, you can travel hack it. Don’t spend hours researching multiple credit cards, hotels, and airlines to find which ones have the sweetest deals. If you’re like me, that will be the fastest way to abandon this travel hacking game altogether. For now, start by thinking about where you actually want to go next. Start broad and narrow down your plans:

• Which country do you want to visit?
• Which area of that country?
• Which cities are in that area?
• Which airlines travel to that city?
• Which hotels are in that city?

Answer those five simple questions first, and you’ll be well on your way to making your next vacation a lot cheaper because airlines partner up with hotels and staying in these hotels is a great way to increase your rewards, either by taking advantage of a discount, sale, or promotion, or just using your rewards credit card to earn more rewards.

Tips to fly at low cost

There are many air travel hacks . Certainly, travel credit cards offer rewards to help you. But it would be a mistake to limit yourself to this strategy for reducing the cost of your plane tickets.

First of all, you need to be aware that airlines use sophisticated technologies that adapt flight prices according to the frequency with which you search for a particular flight and your browsing location. Using a virtual private network like NordVPN , McAfee or PureVPN will prevent airlines from knowing where you’re browsing from, which they often use to alter prices.

A VPN lets you select a server in another country. This is particularly useful, as flight prices can vary according to the perceived economic situation of the place you’re travelling to. Compare flight prices and finalize your purchase using the VPN server in the country with the lowest price.

Next, try to make your stopovers as long as possible. Stopovers last at least 24 hours and can extend over several days. Booking a flight with a stopover is therefore an excellent way of getting two vacations for the price of one. Finally, boarding last on the plane increases the chances that you’ll be offered an incentive (such as a free night’s accommodation) to take another flight if the plane is overbooked, or a free upgrade to first class.

Research credit cards

Credit card rewards are the most important aspect of travel hacking. Airlines will usually have a partner that lets you accumulate points or miles when using their credit card. Then you can turn those rewards into flights, car rentals, hotel stays, etc. Check your preferred airline’s website for any promotional offers they might be running for credit cards. You can also use a credit card comparison tool.

Spending thousands of dollars just to qualify for points is what you might have to do. As inflation and prices are rising, you might want to be careful with your spending and set up a budget . Don’t be afraid. There are lots of credit cards on the market with various promotional offers for points and realistic spend requirements. So, you will absolutely be able to find something that fits your budget and travel needs.

Apply for the right credit card

Effective travel hacking is hinged on this crucial step: selecting the perfect credit card. The right card can unlock a trove of points, miles, and perks, catapulting your travel experiences to new heights. At the time of writing, these are the best travel credit cards in Canada:

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is one of the best credit cards RBC has to offer . You could snag up to 35,000 bonus Avion points, basically giving you a free ride anywhere within North America or the Caribbean.

Every dollar spent accumulates an Avion point, with a 25% boost on eligible travel expenditures. Enjoy no blackout dates or seat restrictions – if there’s a spot available, it’s yours, even during bustling seasons. Flexible redemption starts at just 7,500 points for one-way flights.

Winter enthusiasts will love the Friday Friend Pass, offering 2-for-1 ski passes to participating resorts. Then, enhance your everyday essentials with savings on gas, boosted Petro-Points, and elevated Be Well points at Rexall. Plus, enjoy the convenience of $0 delivery fees with a complimentary 12-month DoorDash subscription .

Eligibility requirements: Minimum annual personal income of $60,000, or minimum annual household income of $100,000, or a total minimum of $250,000 investable assets. Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.

But this card is not your only option

These cards don’t seem right for you? You may want a different travel credit card .

Pro travel hackers might apply for four or five cards every year, but don’t feel pressured. Start with one that you know you can handle. The absolute worst thing you can do when travel hacking is to carry a balance on your credit card.

Credit card churning

The trick is so well-known in the U.S. that some credit card companies have set up rules to limit credit card churning . In Canada, it’s still relatively easy to do, and groups like Churning Canada on Reddit and Credit Card Churning on Facebook can help you.

First, look for credit cards with the most attractive welcome offers and low annual fees. Take note of spending requirements and of the date you’ll earn your rewards. Then apply only for those cards you are likely to be approved by checking the eligibility criteria. To qualify for welcome rewards, you generally need to spend a specific amount over a given period. Once you’ve met the requirements, you should receive the sign-up bonus. Now redeem your travel rewards and close your account!

Use your rewards credit card a lot

One last thing about using your new rewards credit card: use it all the time. Charge every nickel you can to the credit card. For travel hacking to be most efficient, you need to rack up as many rewards as you can as fast as you can. So, put away the debit card, shove the cash under your mattress, just kidding, don’t do that, and swipe that plastic everywhere you go.

Log the date you applied, the date you were approved, the date you received the card in the mail, your passwords, the details on how you earn points with the card, your total points, etc. Doing this will help you feel much more at ease about this travel hacking process because you won’t have to worry about forgetting any valuable information or missing an important date.

Use your travel rewards

You’ve been spending money on your credit card, you’ve earned the promotional offer, and now you’ve banked enough points to pay for your vacation. Good for you! Now you have to use them correctly.

When you book your flight, you will see that points don’t cover every cost associated with travel. There are fuel taxes, airline fees, baggage fees, and surcharges that you will have to pay. On the plus side, however, depending on how many points you have, those fees might be the only things you have to pay out-of-pocket for! If I have to pay $200 for some random taxes, but I saved $2,000 because I paid my family’s tickets with points, I’m calling that a win.

Another important point to remember is to try and stay loyal to one airline and a hotel chain that partners with that airline. These companies reward loyalty. Pair that with the rewards you’re earning with your promotional or sign-up offer and the money you spend on your card, and you’ll accumulate more rewards than you can count.

Did the travel hacking bug bite? Then keep earning those rewards. Be daring and consider applying for more credit cards to nab these big sign-up bonuses then cancel the card once you have the points. Or, keep using the first card you applied for if it suits you and the annual fee is balanced by the rewards you earn. Just remember to take excellent notes and pay your credit card bills on time.

Tips to book your hotel room

As with flights, using your points is just one way of reducing the cost of your hotel stay. Start by using a last-minute booking application like Hotwire . Then, ask for an upgrade at the desk, especially if it’s a special occasion like a birthday or graduation trip. Hotels rely on customer feedback, and staff are often asked to go the extra mile to make you feel comfortable and welcome. You’re more likely to get an upgrade if you ask at the end of the day, when front desk staff have a better idea of how busy the hotel is. Finally, by becoming a CAA member, you can get discounted rates at many hotels in Canada and the U.S., such as Best Western and Hilton.

Travel hacking in Canada can be really easy. I sometimes think of it like a job, and the points are my salary. It takes a little reading, commitment, and financial discipline but you can do this! A few hours a month, sure, but that’s definitely worth some cheaper flights and hotel rooms on your next vacation, whether in Canada or outside of it.

FAQs About Travel Hacking in Canada

Unlocking the realm of travel possibilities, travel hacking embodies the myriad of techniques through which you can collect points and miles for upcoming adventures. It entails the astute use of credit card rewards, airline and hotel loyalty programs, opening pathways to discounted travels, even using the best airlines , and a plethora of enticing privileges.

There are many ways to travel hack flights. First, use a VPN when buying tickets, after you compared flights . Also use online platforms to assist you in finding the best flight at the lowest price like  Kayak ,  Skyscanner , and  Hotwire . Then, use layovers or stop-overs to visite more destinations for the price of one. Don’t forget to consolidate as much credit card loyalty points as possible.

The core of travel hacking is to use credit card rewards to pay for your trip or at least, part of your trip. Depending on your style, you might focus on air travel hacks , hotel hacks or credit card churning .

This money-saving tip that went viral on TikTok might work some times, but is not a sure thing. In short, pillows often don’t count toward your carry-on or personal item limit. As a result, the idea is to fill a pillow case with clothing or other items to beat extra baggage charges. However, be prepared to pay for extra luggage if you get caught!

You could save a lot of money thanks to travel hacking. However, there is one thing you want to be careful with. Risks arise when people get too aggressive with their credit card applications. You might end up spending too much (in order to get the sign up bonuses) and too many applications will impact your credit score .

Yes, it is perfectly legal. People apply for and cancel credit cards all the time. However, many credit card issuers have put rules in place to prevent excessive travel hacking.

Best travel hacks depend on where you are going. Great hotel hacks include switching hotel to get a better one on the cheaper nights and a more basic hotel when the prices are higher (such as weekends). The best air travel hacks almost always include using travel credit cards  that reward cardholders with points that can be redeemed for things like plane tickets, seat upgrades and lounge access. 

Thomas Guenther

Vibrant Dreamer

Globe Travel & Financial Independency Tale

Travel Hacking With Canadian Loyalty Programs

With the cost of flights and hotels at record highs, many people are turning to travel hacking to save money. Travel hacking is where people earn points and/or miles to help offset their future travel costs. However, with dozens of loyalty programs and hundreds of credit cards available, many people have no idea where to begin. If you’re a Canadian and want to start travel hacking, these are the loyalty programs you’ll want to become familiar with.

Air Canada’s loyalty program is called Aeroplan. What many people don’t realize is that Aeroplan went through a huge overhaul in 2021. These days, you can redeem any seat available on Air Canada. In addition, Aeroplan has more than 40 airline partners where you can redeem your points.

What makes Aeroplan appealing is that Air Canada has the most reach when it comes to Canadian airlines. Aeroplan points are also incredibly easy to earn since there are more than a dozen Aeroplan credit cards in Canada. Mid-tier and premium Aeroplan credit cards typically come with a welcome bonus in the 50,000 to 100,000 Aeroplan points range. That’s pretty generous, considering it’s not hard to find a return flight within Canada and the U.S. for under 30,000 Aeroplan points.

There is one downside to Aeroplan. They use dynamic pricing. That means when flights are in demand, the number of points required for an award flight also increases. It’s not uncommon to find flight prices that exceed the Aeroplan flight reward chart. Although this is highly annoying for consumers, there are always ways to save if you’re flexible.

WestJet Rewards

Air Canada may be the largest airline in Canada, but WestJet has a strong presence in western Canada, so it’ll appeal to many Canadians. Instead of earning points or miles with WestJet rewards, you earn WestJet Dollars. This effectively makes WestJet Rewards a cash back program.

While there’s no denying the simplicity of cash back, WestJet Rewards is a bit basic. Your WestJet dollars can only be used on WestJet flights and a handful of partners. In addition, you still need to pay airport transportation charges (ATC). Since you only have WestJet dollars to work with, you won’t be able to use your rewards for cheap aspirational travel such as a business class flight around the world.

That said, the strength of WestJet Rewards lies in its credit cards. The Westjet RBC World Elite Mastercard gives you your first checked bag free and an annual free companion voucher. The companion voucher is incredibly valuable since it allows a secondary passenger to travel with the primary cardholder at a fixed price.

Marriott Bonvoy

For those that want to focus on hotels instead of flights, Marriott Bonvoy will be of interest. Marriott Bonvoy is the loyalty program of Marriott International. Marriott International has more than 8,000 hotels in 140+ countries. Basically, it’s not hard to find a Marriott hotel anywhere in the world.

Marriott Bonvoy is relevant to Canadians since it’s the only major hotel chain with a co-branded credit card. With the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card, you get a good welcome bonus and a free annual night certificate. That benefit more than covers the annual fee of $120.

Similar to Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy uses dynamic pricing. This can be annoying since the price of reward nights can fluctuate quite a bit. That said, when you book five nights on points, you’ll only pay for four. This lowers the average nightly rate, which can be quite good.

American Express Membership Rewards

Finally, there’s American Express Membership Rewards. This program is excellent since you can transfer your points to various travel loyalty programs. For example, you can transfer your points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio or Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1.2 ratio. This is relevant since your points are more flexible. You would only need to transfer your points when you find a good redemption.

More importantly, American Express credit cards come with some incredible welcome bonuses. For example, the Amex Platinum Card typically has a welcome bonus worth about 100,000 points. Since you can transfer your points to Aeroplan, you can maximize your value.

For example, 100,000 Aeroplan points will get you about three to four return flights within North America in economy class. That’s a value of around $2,000. Even though the card comes with an annual fee of $699, the welcome bonus would be worth more than double that.

The Bottom Line

Travel hacking requires a little bit of research, but the goal is to focus on programs that help you reach your dreams. To earn points fast, you need to sign up for credit cards with huge welcome bonuses and then cancel them before your second annual fee posts. Not everyone will like the idea of applying for new credit cards and then cancelling them, but there’s no other way to earn points as quickly. Always keep an eye out for the best travel credit cards in Canada , as there’s usually an offer that’s worth it.

Barry Choi is a personal finance and travel expert at moneywehave.com. He makes frequent

media appearances where he talks about all things related to money and travel.

Other Posts You Might Enjoy Reading

• Best Travel Credit Cards In Canada – How to Travel For Free
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• TD Rejected My New Credit Card Application! Boo TD!
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This Air Canada Hack Allows You To Get A Seat Upgrade Without Paying Full Price

Choose what you're willing to pay!

An Air Canada plane. Right: A seat in Air Canada's signature class.

Have you always wanted to fly first class with an airline and enjoy all the perks of luxury travel? With this lesser-known travel tip, you could get a seat upgrade on your flight without having to pay full price.

Air Canada offers passengers the chance to bid on a seat upgrade , meaning that you can choose what you want to pay to upgrade your seat to a higher cabin class.

With the AC Bid Upgrade, when you purchase a flight in Air Canada's economy or premium economy class, you can make an offer before your flight to be upgraded to a higher class.

Following economy (the lowest class) and premium economy (a mid-range flight class), Air Canada also has business class and its luxurious Signature class cabins, where fliers can enjoy things like lie-flat beds in personal pod-style seats, extra space and legroom, and priority services.

If your flight is eligible, you can place a bid on Air Canada's bid page for how much you want to pay to upgrade.

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How to get an upgrade on an Air Canada flight 

At least 48 hours before the departure of your flight, you can go to Air Canada's bid upgrade page and enter your flight details (including your booking reference) to see if you're eligible for an upgrade.

Once you've determined this, you can place your offer by moving the slider to select how much you want to pay for the upgrade and enter your payment details. It's worth noting that your bid price doesn't include the original airfare.

You'll only be charged if your offer is accepted. If your offer has not yet been confirmed, you may cancel it up to 48 hours before your departure. If your offer is accepted, you'll be notified about two days before your departure time.

Your offer includes all applicable taxes and fees, Air Canada says. To have the best chance of getting your offer accepted, the airline recommends submitting the highest price that you're willing to pay

It doesn't cost you anything extra to make an offer. If your offer is accepted though, you can say hello to some seriously luxurious travel.

Is it worth it to upgrade to business class on Air Canada?

Air Canada's business class comes with perks like larger seats, access to the airline's swanky Maple Leaf Lounges and an all-inclusive meal tray on flights longer than two hours.

Passengers in this class also get to enjoy priority services like an exclusive check-in space, a dedicated boarding area and priority baggage handling.

In Signature Class, which is offered on select routes, passengers can enjoy lie-flat, pod-style seats, complete with a pillow, duvet and mattress pad in addition to an amenity kit and a CleanCare+ kit.

They can also take advantage of concierge and chauffeur services, and enjoy complimentary meals and premium amenities like Molton Brown skincare products in Air Canada's exclusive Signature Suites.

While you might think Air Canada's highest cabin class rings up at quite a pretty penny, on some flights, the cost difference between premium economy and business isn't very much, meaning it could be worth your while to try for an upgrade to the luxurious cabin.

While not all flights are necessarily eligible for an upgrade, as an example, a flight from Toronto to Vancouver in December with Air Canada could cost you $312 one-way in economy, while flying in business class would only cost an extra few hundred dollars at a total of $849.

If you could bid on seats in this class, there's the possibility you could pay even less!

• Air Canada Is Upgrading Economy Class With New Features & Your Flight Is About To Get Fancier ›
• Here's How Much Business Class Costs On Canada's Major Airlines & Some Are Surprisingly Cheap ›
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• Air Canada Launched New Facial Recognition Tech & Here's What It Means For Travel (VIDEO) - Narcity ›
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• Air Canada Is Having A Sale On Flights Across The Country & Tickets Are As Low As $59 - Narcity ›
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• Air Canada Is Having A Sale On So Many Flights & You Can Fly To Hawaii For Under $400 - Narcity ›
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Travel hacking 101: A beginner’s guide to travel hacking like a pro

When I started travel hacking 11 years ago, it was an obscure “hobby” that few had heard about and most dismissed as a scam . Nowadays, seemingly everyone is doing it to some degree. Whether getting in on the latest credit card promotion or snagging a first-class seat for the price of coach, travel hacking has become more popular than ever.

It’s the easiest way to save on travel and improve your experience. Utilizing travel hacking methods, you can fast-track your way to top-tier elite status and earn frequent flyer miles without ever stepping on a plane.

There is endless information about maximizing every dollar (and mile) spent. But if you’re new to this “game” and just want a simple explanation of how it works, you’ve come to the right place.

Here is everything you need to know about getting started with travel hacking.

What is travel hacking?

Travel hacking involves earning frequent flyer miles or points through non-traditional methods and redeeming them for nearly-free travel.

The most common travel hacks include leveraging credit card welcome bonuses for premium cabin flights and taking advantage of sweet spots and generous routing rules to get the best deal on award flights.

How much are points and miles worth?

Points are worth 1-2 cents each, depending on the loyalty program and how you use them. You’ll generally get the highest value by redeeming points for premium cabin flights and luxury hotel stays. Some programs impose a fixed value on points, depending on the fare cost. For example, Southwest Rapid Rewards points are worth 1.3 cents towards Wanna Get Away fares.

The same goes for transferrable rewards. Most of them are worth at least one cent each towards direct travel bookings. For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards® are worth 1.25 cents each towards direct travel bookings for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card  cardholders and 1.5 cents for those with a Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

The difference between points, miles, and rewards

Points, miles, and rewards are different types of loyalty currencies. There are exceptions, but airlines usually issue miles, while points come from hotel loyalty programs or bank rewards.

A good travel hacking strategy involves having a mix of all three currencies.

Transferable rewards

Thanks to their flexibility, transferable bank rewards are the gold standard of loyalty currency. You can transfer them to airline miles or hotel points, usually at a 1:1 ratio or better.

Examples of transferrable rewards include Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Venture Rewards miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards®, and Citi ThankYou® points.

Airline miles

You might be wondering if it’s worth earning airline miles when you can just transfer your bank rewards points instead.

Well, you should earn airline miles from a co-branded airline credit card for several reasons. For starters, you can supplement welcome bonuses from airline cards with a bonus from a transferrable rewards card to reach your travel goals faster.

In addition, some airlines incentivize you to earn miles (through a co-branded credit card or otherwise). For example, American Airlines counts all co-branded credit card spending towards elite status. Meanwhile, Southwest Rapid Rewards issues the Companion Pass after you earn 125,000 points in a calendar year (which increases to 135,000 next year). Earning airline miles can pay off.

Hotel points

Hotel points can go a long way in reducing out-of-pocket travel expenses. You can earn hotel points from co-branded hotel credit cards, by shopping online, and even by participating in surveys. Hotel credit cards offer generous welcome bonuses, with perks like elite status and annual free nights.

Examples of hotel points you should consider earning include World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards.

How to start travel hacking

Travel hacking is fun and rewarding but can also be a lot of work. There is a wealth of information about ways to earn and burn points for maximum value. But if you’re just learning and want to know the basics, here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started.

Step 1: Set a goal

Before you embark on your travel hacking journey, you’ll want to set a goal. Are you hoping to redeem miles for international travel ? Or perhaps you’re saving up for a family trip to Disneyland. Regardless of your goals, it’s important to identify them early on to determine which credit cards and loyalty programs will help you get there.

Step 2: Choose your rewards program(s)

Once you’ve determined your travel goals, it’s time to pick your loyalty programs. Start with your home airport; if you live in an airline hub city, that airline can be a good starting point. There’s no sense in earning Southwest points if you live in Alaska. You might be better off with the Alaska Mileage Plan program since the airline serves the region and offers domestic and international partners. You’ll have more opportunities to redeem miles, and if you fly the airline often enough, you’ll even earn elite status.

When choosing a loyalty program, keep partner airlines in mind. For example, if you’re saving up for a Hawaiian vacation and want to fly United, you should consider collecting Turkish Miles&Smiles instead. Turkish Airlines is a Star Alliance member, like United, and offers domestic United flights for just 15,000 miles round-trip in economy. Exploring partner programs can help you save on award travel, stretching your miles further.

Choosing a hotel loyalty program might be easier. Think about which hotels you like when traveling and which elite benefits you care about. Most hotel loyalty programs let you earn top-tier status from credit cards alone, so think about which programs offer the best perks and properties in the destinations you like to travel to.

Here’s a look at every major hotel program’s global footprint to help you choose:

• Marriott Bonvoy: Over 8,000 properties in 139 countries
• Hilton Honors: Over 7,000 hotels in 122 countries
• Choice Privileges: Over 7,000 hotels in 40 countries
• IHG One Rewards: Over 6,000 properties worldwide
• Radisson Rewards: Over 1,700 hotels worldwide
• World of Hyatt: Over 1,150 hotels in 70 countries

While it’s good to identify at least one airline and hotel program, you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. Try to collect at least one transferable rewards currency, so you’re not limited to only a few programs.

Transferrable rewards can also protect you against program devaluations — if one airline or hotel increases its redemption requirements, you can transfer your points to another.

Here are some of the most popular transferrable rewards programs:

• American Express Membership Rewards®
• Bilt Rewards
• Capital One Miles
• Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• Citi ThankYou® Rewards

Step 3: Choose a credit card

Once you’ve identified the loyalty program you want to earn points with (and incorporated at least one transferrable currency), it’s time to find a credit card.

When choosing a credit card, you should consider the following features:

Welcome bonus

A high welcome bonus will help you achieve your travel goals much faster. Some credit card bonuses are high enough to cover a round-trip international business class ticket. You’ll incur a 2-5 point credit score hit from every inquiry, so make it count. You should aim for a welcome bonus of at least 50,000 points, and plenty of cards meet that criteria.

Credit card application rules

Remember that some banks have strict application rules when applying for credit cards. For example, American Express limits welcome bonuses to one per lifetime. Meanwhile, Chase’s infamous 5/24 rule prevents you from being approved for a new card if you’ve had five or more in the last 24 months.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with these rules before applying for a card to avoid unnecessary rejection.

Travel perks

Many travel rewards cards come with valuable perks like elite status, airport lounge access, airline fee credits, and annual free nights. Think about which of these perks you’re likely to maximize every year. Doing so can help you choose the best credit card and figure out if the card is worth renewing every year.

Annual fees

Travel hacking can get expensive if you’re not careful about annual fees. Rewards credit card annual fees range from $89-$695. It’s easy to get tempted by a high welcome bonus, but annual fees can dent your travel budget if you’re not careful.

Before settling on a credit card, explore the lower or no-annual-fee version to see if it’s a better fit.

For example, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card may seem appealing with its welcome bonus, but you’ll pay a lower annual fee with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card .

Step 4: Other ways to earn points

Credit card welcome bonuses are the fastest way to earn points, but they’re not the only way. You can earn points from shopping portals, dining rewards programs, completing surveys, and more.

Shopping portals:

• American AAdvantage eShopping
• Alaska Mileage Plan Shopping
• Delta SkyMiles Shopping
• Free Spirit Online Mall
• Hilton Honors Shopping Mall
• JetBlue TrueBlue Shopping
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping
• United MileagePlus Shopping

Dining rewards programs:

• American AAdvantage Dining
• Alaska Mileage Plan Dining
• Delta SkyMiles Dining
• Free Spirit Dining
• Hilton Honors Dining
• IHG Rewards Club Dining
• JetBlue TrueBlue Dining
• Marriott Eat Around Town
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining
• United MileagePlus Dining

Airline companion passes

Airline companion passes are one of the best travel hacking tools to stretch your points further. Some passes are issued annually as a credit card benefit, while others have to be earned. In most cases, you can save 50% or more on airfare with a companion pass.

Here’s a look at companion passes you should consider adding to your travel hacking arsenal:

Alaska Airlines Famous Companion Fare

The Alaska Airlines Famous Companion Fare is a great travel hacking tool for west coast flyers. The pass is issued as part of the welcome bonus on the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card and reissued annually. Considering the Alaska card has a reasonable annual fee, this is a terrific benefit.

Simply book a companion on the same flight and pay just $99 (plus taxes and fees).

American AAdvantage

You can get an American Airlines Companion Certificate from one of four co-branded credit cards. The spending requirement ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 per year. Once you’ve secured the certificate, you can use it to cover a companion’s airfare for just $99 plus taxes and fees.

• Barclays Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard: Spend $20,000 in a year
• AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard: Spend $20,000 in a year
• AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard: Spend $30,000 in a year
• CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: Spend $30,000 in a year

The American Airlines Companion Certificate is only valid on round-trip economy class tickets within the contiguous U.S. For Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Island residents, the pass is good for round-trip flights originating in those destinations.

British Airways Travel Together Ticket

The British Airways Travel Together Ticket is issued to British Airways Visa Signature® cardholders who spend $30,000 in a calendar year . This perk can take the sting out of high fuel surcharges imposed on British Airways award tickets transiting through London.

The Travel Together Ticket is valid in all cabins, including first class and international fares .

Delta Companion Passes

Delta has two companion passes: one is valid on economy class tickets only, while the one issued through the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card can be applied to first-class travel. You’ll pay just $80 for your companion’s ticket, which is a bargain — especially when using it for first-class flights.

Note that the Delta companion tickets are not valid on award flights or basic economy tickets.

Here’s a list of cards you can earn the companion pass with:

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Iberia airfare discount

Iberia offers a $1,000 airfare discount on two tickets booked on the same flight. You can earn it by spending $30,000 on the Iberia Visa Signature® Card per calendar year. It’s valid in all cabins, providing ultimate flexibility.

Southwest Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most popular travel hacking tools out there. You can get one after completing 100 segments or earning 125,000 Southwest points in a calendar year, though the requirement is increased to 135,000 points in 2023. However, points earned from the Southwest credit card welcome bonuses count towards the pass.

It only takes one business or one personal card welcome bonus to earn the Southwest Companion Pass:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card : Earn 50,000 points after you spend $1,000 within the first three months of account opening
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 within the first three months of account opening
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 within the first three months of account opening
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 within the first three months of account opening

Redeeming points

You’ve accrued thousands of points and are ready to start booking your dream vacation. Now what? Redeeming points isn’t exactly easy, and that’s by design. Loyalty programs count on members not doing their due diligence to get as much out of their points and miles as possible.

While booking the first award that pops up in the search result is easy, that’s not the best way to stretch your points. Here are a few concepts you should familiarize yourself with to get the most out of your points:

Stopovers and open jaws

While a simple round-trip flight is great, you can stretch your points further by incorporating stopovers and open jaws into your flights.

A stopover is when you visit an additional destination on your way to your final destination or home. Several airline loyalty programs allow you to add a free stopover to award flights:

• Alaska Mileage Plan (free stopover on one-way awards)
• ANA Mileage Club ( one free stopover and one open-jaw on round-trip awards)
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles ( up to four destinations per itinerary)
• Emirates Skywards (one free stopover per round-trip)
• Japan Airlines Mileage Bank ( three stopovers or two stopovers and one open-jaw )
• Singapore Krisflyer ( one stopover and one open-jaw per roundtrip flight )
• United MileagePlus (one free stopover within the same region per round-trip flight)

Open jaws are another great way to add a destination to your itinerary. An open jaw is when you return from a different destination than you flew into.

One example of an open-jaw ticket is if you fly from New York to London and then return home from Paris. Many people book this route with Avios because British Airways imposes hefty fuel surcharges on flights departing from London. Savvy travelers will take a train to Paris and fly back from Charles de Gaulle to save money.

But booking an open-jaw doesn’t have to be about saving money. It’s a great way to see multiple destinations on the same trip, especially in Europe, where connecting flights are relatively cheap. Here’s a list of loyalty programs that allow open jaws on round-trip award tickets:

Fourth and fifth night free

Some hotel programs offer free nights when you redeem points for consecutive nights at one property. These deals can help you save as much as 25% on an award stay. The most generous is IHG One, which offers a fourth night free to IHG Rewards Traveler, IHG Rewards Premier, and IHG Rewards Premier Business card members. Meanwhile, Marriott members and Hilton elites get the fifth night free on award stays.

These discounted award rates can help you save thousands of points and book extra free nights at no cost. Factor this into your award-booking strategy, and you’ll stretch your points further.

Take advantage of sweet spots

Sweet spots are awards that are significantly discounted compared to other loyalty programs. Both hotels and airlines have sweet spot awards that can help up your travel hacking game.

For example, Turkish Airlines offers round-trip economy class tickets between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii for just 15,000 miles. That’s what some loyalty programs charge for a one-way ticket, making this an excellent sweet spot award.

Travel hacking is all about finding ways to stretch your points further. You can do this with tactics like searching for generous credit card welcome bonuses, booking flights with stopovers and open jaws, taking advantage of hotel programs that offer free nights, and looking for airline sweet spots.

With a little bit of effort, you can travel hack your way to (nearly) free travel.

Happy travels!

About the author

Ariana Arghandewal

Ariana is a travel reward expert and founder of her own award-winning blog., PointChaser. She has worked as an editor and covered all things points, miles, and credit cards for over a decade across a number of personal finance sites.

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5 hacks to make air travel easier

Editor's Note

Since joining TPG last June, I've traveled to a variety of destinations, including New York City , London , Paris and most recently Charlotte for an editorial trip at the headquarters of Red Ventures, our parent company.

I've learned a lot about points and miles in the past year , but I've also developed some new habits that have become essential to my travel routine.

For example, enrolling in Clear (the expedited security program) has completely changed the amount of time it takes for me to get through security and my mindset as a result.

I used to be an anxious traveler, but because of the lack of lines I've experienced thus far with Clear, I no longer feel the need to arrive two hours in advance of my flight.

Many of the inconveniences we experience during travel are sometimes due to luck. However, there are a few things you can do to facilitate a better travel experience overall and change the outcome of your travels — from one based on luck — to one based on strategy.

Here are five travel hacks my fellow TPG colleagues and I suggest for your next flight.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Enroll in TSA PreCheck and Clear

Investing $179 in a yearly Clear membership ( which now costs $189 to join ) has changed the way I travel.

I've long had TSA PreCheck — which rarely requires waiting more than five minutes to pass through security, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration . However, I decided to finally get Clear last year and have since enjoyed even shorter wait times of one to two minutes.

When I say it's the No. 1 thing that has single-handedly elevated my travel experience, I'm not exaggerating.

TSA PreCheck allows preapproved, low-risk travelers expedited entry through airport security. TSA PreCheck users pass through a special line for TSA PreCheck only, in which you do not have to remove your shoes, belt, light jacket, liquids or electronics to be scanned.

Clear users are biometrically identified via fingerprint or iris scans, eliminating the need to show their ID anytime during security screening. Once a Clear representative verifies their identity, users are escorted to the front of the TSA PreCheck line for security screening machines — if they're enrolled in both programs.

This last detail is key. If you have Clear but do not have TSA PreCheck, they'll bring you to the front of the standard security line, meaning you'll still need to take off your shoes and pull out your electronics. Because of this, I strongly suggest enrolling in both .

Related: 7 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear

With my Clear membership, I don't need to get to the airport more than an hour in advance, which is quite a departure from how I used to travel. In fact, now I often go out of my way to use Clear, especially at my home airport of O'Hare International Airport (ORD) .

Because American Airlines is the only airline I hold status on , I regularly prioritize flying the carrier or a Oneworld partner airline . While this is generally not an issue, American operates out of Terminal 3 at O'Hare, which does not offer Clear.

Using Clear to cut down my time passing through security is more important to me than visiting the closest TSA security screening area to my gate. So, instead of waiting in the TSA PreCheck line by Terminal 3, I use Clear to go through security at Terminal 2 and then walk the 15 or so minutes to Terminal 3.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, determine if your terminal is airside (the area between the boarding gates and airspace) and therefore walkable.

"Know which terminals are connected airside," said TPG executive editor Scott Mayerowitz. "If one is a complete mess, it might make sense to go to the next security checkpoint and then walk airside to your gate."

Related: Lost vs. delayed baggage: How are they different and how do you protect yourself?

Note that Clear and TSA PreCheck are not offered at every airport and only certain airlines participate .

For example, when I flew home last week from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) , Clear was not available, so I had to opt for TSA PreCheck in Terminal A. Even so, it only took five minutes.

The only long wait I've experienced thus far was at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when I flew to Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) in April to review the inaugural route launch of the low-cost airline French Bee . Unfortunately, French Bee does not participate in TSA PreCheck, nor was Clear available at Tom Bradley International Terminal, so it took 45 minutes to get through security at the terminal.

"If you're traveling late in the evening, allow some extra time to get through security because you'll likely have to go through general security," TPG director Katherine Leitch said of her experience on a Sunday night at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) . "It took me 45 minutes to get through security."

Do not check a bag, but do this if you must

While trying to cram everything you need into one carry-on bag and a personal item may seem like a challenge, I can't stress enough how important it is to do whatever it takes to not check a bag.

Even if your fare type includes one or more free checked bags, the amount of lost bags this summer should be reason enough to avoid checking one.

Related: Why do flight cancellations and delays keep happening?

I loathe checking a bag for a few reasons. To start, I'm usually ready to get off the plane upon arrival, which is also why I like to sit as close to the front of the plane in an aisle seat as possible and will pay to do so if needed.

"Book for seat assignments at the front of the aircraft and pay for a better assignment if you have to," said TPG content director Andrea Rotondo. "With a tight connection and summertime delays, it's more important than ever to disembark ASAP."

TPG credit cards writer Ryan Smith seconded Andrea's advice.

"If you have a short connection, get yourself into the front of the aircraft as much as possible," he said. "And don't be afraid to say 'My flight is boarding, can I go in front of you in line?' or ask flight attendants if they'll let you sit in a front seat just in time for landing."

In addition to minimizing my time on the plane, I also strive to limit my time in the airport, which is another reason why I'd rather not check a bag. The last thing I want to do after a flight is be forced to wait for an airline to unload my checked baggage onto the carousel.

Also, I'll never forget the bad experience I had the last time I checked a bag.

While on my way to Cuba in 2018, I had an incredibly frustrating experience with American thanks to my checked bag.

After missing my connection at Miami International Airport (MIA) due to a blizzard in Chicago , American sent my luggage from O'Hare to Havana's José Martí International Airport (HAV) without me. This resulted in me paying $50 to Uber from my airport hotel to Target, where I spent even more money on a new outfit (and snacks) to hold me over.

Related: Everything's backordered: Supply chain delays hinder hotel openings

Since then, I've never traveled without an extra shirt and socks in my backpack, along with other essentials like medication, in the off chance that my carry-on needs to be gate-checked .

"If you check a bag, make sure you have these items in your carry-on: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, clean socks, clean underwear, a clean shirt," Ryan said. "If your suitcase is lost or delayed, you'll be glad you did this."

And if you're wondering how I successfully manage to travel with just a backpack and a carry-on , know that it's fairly simple. I roll my clothes sideways, a military technique that allows me to fit more items than if I folded them, and I use packing cubes to organize my items.

Book a backup flight

If you're concerned about your flight being delayed or canceled , consider booking a backup flight.

When my TPG colleagues first shared this advice with me, I thought it seemed a bit extreme. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it's better to have a plan B than stick to one option and miss your trip.

For example, Scott is flying back to New York in August with JetBlue Airways . He used miles to book three separate backup tickets on a Delta Air Lines flight an hour later, just in case anything goes awry with JetBlue.

"The following day, we start a weeklong beach house rental with some friends. In other words, we don't have any flexibility if our flight gets canceled and the airline doesn't have a good solution readily available," he said. "This might seem like an unusual step, but given how full airplanes are and how limited rebooking options can be when an entire plane full of people is scrambling for a new flight, it somehow seems prudent."

If you don't want to go that far, TPG senior SEO associate Hannah Streck says you should at least be aware of the next flight to your destination in case your flight gets disrupted and you need to rebook.

"Have a backup flight in mind and know when the next flight to your destination is," she shared. "This is much better than scrambling in the moment to see what's available according to the gate agent."

Pack a (cheap) reusable water bottle

As someone who has a minimum of three beverages at all times, it's very important that I remain hydrated while traveling.

Although you can't bring water through TSA security, you can pack an empty reusable bottle and fill it up at water bottle filling stations, which are available at most airports after you pass through security.

Just remember to take your water bottle with you off the plane, unlike me, who has lost two Hydro Flasks (and counting) by leaving them on board. Because of this, I now travel with a cheaper reusable bottle on the off chance that I lose it again.

"Hydrate — it certainly helps upon landing after a long flight," said TPG senior director Taylor Jenkins.

Related: Mad about delays? Blame air traffic control, United says

A reusable bottle can come in handy once you step out of the airport, too. I've appreciated having mine at hotels , where you'll usually be charged for bottled water, unless you have elite status with a brand that provides it for free.

To get around this, see if there are water stations throughout the hotel, such as in the gym.

"If a hotel doesn't have free bottled water for guests, many hotel gyms have water bottle filling stations," said credit cards editor Senitra Horbrook.

Along the same lines, pack snacks, especially if you are like me and have dietary restrictions. In my case, there's usually no food I can eat at a given airport or on board the flight. I fit as many snacks as possible into a reusable bag in my backpack.

"Eat beforehand and/or pack snacks," said Taylor. "Nobody wants to pay $9 for a bag of almonds at Hudson News."

Map out your transportation to and from the airport

This month alone, I spent 20 minutes on two separate occasions attempting to find a cab on very busy downtown Chicago streets, likely due to the recent shortage of drivers .

Rather than risk missing my flight because I was unable to find a cab or an available vehicle via a ride-hailing service, I've begun scheduling my rides to and from the airport ahead of time. I either call the cab company in advance or reserve an Uber or Lyft before my trip, the latter of which you can do via their respective apps .

"If you live in the suburbs, use a scheduled car service or transfer versus Uber/Lyft to get to the airport," said TPG travel editor Erica Silverstein. "[It's] waaaaay less stressful."

An alternative (albeit more expensive) option is Blacklane , a private chauffeur service.

"I've started using Blacklane for key rides," said Scott. "It is pricey but worth avoiding the early morning stress of wondering whether I will be able to get an Uber."

If you are staying at an airport hotel and plan on relying on the property's shuttle, Senitra has some advice.

"Call the hotel in advance and confirm the shuttle is running and also confirm the hours of operation," she said. "If the shuttle only runs until 10 p.m. but you're arriving at 11 p.m., you'll have to make other arrangements. Also, if you need a hotel shuttle to the airport for departure, find out how frequent the shuttle runs and if you need to put your name on a list in advance for a ride."

Keep in mind that there may be times when ride-hailing services won't be readily available. For example, if you are traveling to a smaller airport, such as Westchester County Airport (HPN), you may find that there are no rides available when you arrive.

If that's the case, "know the transportation options other than Uber/Lyft," TPG copy editor Liz Steinke said. She also suggests considering "ponying up for airport parking if it's your home destination" to get around this challenge.

Related: 10 ways to save on airport parking

Bottom line

As is the case with many things in life, travel comes with unexpected challenges and frustrations. Odds are that at least one part of your trip will not go according to plan, so it's best to mentally prepare.

Fortunately, there are several hacks that can help keep your stress in check. By implementing some (if not all) of these tips from TPG staffers, you're bound to feel more confident (and calm) as you go knowing that you'll understand what to do when that frustrating travel headache appears.

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Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

Travel Hacking in Canada

April 19, 2018 By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

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As many of you know, we travel around Canada quite a bit, exploring the best things to do from coast to coast to coast . However, we also travel around the world as much as we can and have visited six continents, 38 countries, and over 250 cities over the last seven years. In fact, it’s our love for world travel that also led to our love for exploring Canada, as travelling around the world made us appreciate the incredible scenery, attractions, and culture of our home country.

For me, it all started with a solo trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia way back in 2009. Then, in 2012, I had the opportunity to do an exchange semester at a university in Malaysia. So, Karla and I travelled to Southeast Asia for an entire year, visiting Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines, and China. Our passion for travel multiplied and we just didn’t want to stop. At the same time, we didn’t have the money to pay for a lot of trips, so I started learning about something called travel hacking, which inevitably led to the creation of CanadianFreeFlyers.com.

Travel hacking is learning how to maximize the earning of frequent flyer miles while redeeming them for world-class trips. It’s perfect for the frugal flyer who still wants to travel a lot and experience luxurious flights. Over the last six years, I’ve earned over 2,000,000 points and have experienced a wide variety of flights including Emirates First Class, which comes with a private suite, an onboard shower, a 27-inch TV screen, and unlimited Dom Perignon champagne. Needless to say, all of these experiences were incredible and would have been impossible without points. I then started telling my family and friends how to do it, and after watching them succeed, I created Canadian Free Flyers, a site where I teach Canadians how to earn hundreds of thousands of frequent flyer miles and how to use them for free flights around the world .

There are many ways to earn miles but one of the best ways to do it is by getting credit cards and using them for everyday spending. My favourite travel points are American Express Rewards because they can be transferred to a wide variety of airlines, including Air Canada’s Aeroplan. If you’re up for trying out an AMEX card, one of the cards I always recommend starting with is the American Express Personal Gold card, which comes with  25,000 points after spending just $1,500 within the first three months. That’s enough for a round-trip flight within Canada or the continental USA. However, even if you’re not into travel points, there are so many other types of credit cards as well. The best way to find out about the best credit cards for you is to compare them with  in-depth reviews of credit cards .

Once you’ve figured out the type of points you want to earn and the credit cards you want to have, the next step is creating a travel goal and learning the best ways of maximizing the redemption of your points. The last thing you want to do is redeem all your points for a crappy flight with high taxes. There are all kinds of ways to maximize points, including free stopovers, open jaws, or using them for business class and first-class flights. Not all points are created equal, so it’s best to sign up for my travel hacking course or research some of the best methods for redeeming the points you have. There is a lot of information out there so it’s a good idea to know where you want to go and what points you want to use to get you there.

Three Important Steps To Earning Free Flights

Make it a Priority : One of the most important things that helped me become a travel hacker was prioritizing. It sounds really simple but until I made earning points a priority, it would take me years just to earn enough for a short-haul flight. Once I learned how to earn the points and then prioritized it with all my spending, that’s when my points balance exploded!

Use Credit Cards : The next important step is utilizing credit cards to earn points on everyday spending. As long as you pay off your balance in full each month and use the cards to buy only what you need, credit cards are a great way to leverage yourself to more flights and more travel.

Maximize Your Redemption : Once you have the points, don’t waste them. Generally speaking, the shorter the flight, the worse the value is. This is not always the case but it’s a general rule of thumb. Flying to further destinations or more difficult locations, or adding in a free stopover or an open jaw will greatly increase the value of your points. In addition, flying in business class will also give you much more value compared to the economy.

I hope you learned something in this short introduction to travel hacking.

Have you ever used points for a trip?

If you’re looking for places to go, here are some ideas:

• 10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary
• Things to Do in Vancouver
• Puerto Vallarta Vacations
• Things to Do in Jordan

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About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

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Explore > Florida > Miami > Expedia’s 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report: Canadian travelers should book on this day to save on airfare and avoid flight delays

Expedia’s 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report: Canadian travelers should book on this day to save on airfare and avoid flight delays

As we head into the holidays and a brand-new year, many travelers have already expanded their travel plans and aspirations. But if we’ve learned anything from 2022, traveling isn’t always so simple, as travelers encounter unpredictable flight prices, delays and cancellations. Thankfully, Expedia has released its 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report, providing six proven tips to help save travelers time and money.

The main takeaway? Timing is KEY when it comes to hacking air travel.

Air travel is on the runway to recovery

Average ticket prices began to surpass 2019 levels around May and June this year, driven by the rebound in demand and lowering of travel restrictions. After peaking during the summer months, airfare prices dropped again for fall and are expected to rise again for the busy holiday period. 1 While overall capacity (airplane seats available for a given route) has been increasing over the course of the year, it still sits below 2019 levels as airlines work to fully restore operations to pre-pandemic levels. 2

From when to book, to maximizing loyalty perks, here’s Expedia’s guide to hacking travel in 2023:

When to book

Book on a Sunday to save up to 15% 3 Travelers who book on Sundays instead of Fridays tend to save, on average, around 15% on domestic flights and 10% on international flights.

Book at least two months before domestic flights to save 40% 4 The sweet spot for snagging the best price on domestic flights falls around 71 days before departure (so about 2 months in advance of travel). Travelers who booked during that period saved nearly 40% on average compared to those who waited until a month prior to departure.

For those who prefer to plan further in advance, avoid booking any earlier than 100 days out. Domestic airfares can actually be more expensive in the 4 to 5.5-months prior to departure.

Book 3 months before international flights to save 10% 4 Travelers who booked around 3 months in advance of international travel saved 10% compared to those who waited until 2 months out or less to book.

Last-minute flight deals are increasingly rare, so it’s smart to opt into price alerts on the Expedia app and get notified when fares are expected to be at their lowest. Expedia’s price-tracking and predictions feature uses machine learning to identify patterns in historical data to forecast price changes, factoring in time of year, route details, trip length and more to give travelers the most accurate predictions possible.

How to avoid flight disruptions

Depart before 3pm to reduce chance of cancellations 5 Travelers who want the best chance for smooth travel should aim for early flights. Based on year-to-date flight-status data, flights that depart after 3pm have the highest chance of being cancelled – a 40% higher chance, on average, than those that depart earlier in the day.

Travel off-peak 6 Data shows that avoiding the peak travel periods can have more benefits than just cost-savings. On average, flight delays were shorter during February and May compared to the busy summer months, dropping by about 40 minutes. As summer wound down, delays began to shorten again, making fall an appealing time for air travel.

Overall, airlines have steadily improved their services, with total cancellations dropping from more than 10% early in the year to around 4% in August. This trend is expected to continue in a positive direction for travelers, meaning 2023 should see a significantly reduced risk of flight disruptions.

When to travel

Depart on a Friday to save up to 20% 7 In general, travelers who started a trip on a Friday, versus the beginning of the week (a Sunday or a Monday), saved 20% on domestic flights. For international flights, travelers who departed on a Thursday instead of the beginning of the week (a Sunday or a Monday) saved 5%.

How to save on every trip

When it just isn’t possible to follow every travel hack, there are still a few easy ways to knock hundreds of dollars off your trip.

• Book your airfare, hotel and car hire at the same time on Expedia. Otherwise known as bundling, this can instantly unlock hundreds of dollars in savings.
• Sign up for loyalty and frequent flier programs or risk leaving money on the table. Expedia members earn Rewards points for every booking they make, which can be redeemed as dollars off their next trip.*
• Earn air miles on top of Expedia points by entering mileage plan numbers at checkout. It’s an easy way to double-dip and rack up travel rewards even faster.

Follow Expedia on Instagram , Tiktok , Pinterest , Twitter and YouTube .

Data sources

1 Price-development information is based is on average round-trip ticket prices for January through August for 2022 and average round-trip ticket prices for January through December for 2019, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

2 Capacity-trend information is based on number of flights and seats offered by airlines domestically and internationally, originating in Canada for January 2019 through December 2022, sourced from ARC’s global airline dales database.  

3  Best day of the week to book recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through August 2022, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

4  Ideal booking window recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through August for 2022, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

5  Most reliable time of day to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2022 flight-status data for flights originating in Canada, sourced from OAG ’s global flight data platform. Percentages noted are averages.

6  Most reliable month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2022 flight-status data for flights originating in Canada, sourced from OAG ’s global flight data platform. Percentages noted are averages.

7  Best day of the week to depart recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through August for 2022, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

* Travel insurance and certain package bookings excluded. Rewards terms apply. See site for details .

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As we head into the holidays and a brand-new year, many travelers have already expanded their travel plans and aspirations. But if we’ve learned anything from 2022, traveling isn’t always so simple, as travelers encounter unpredictable flight prices, delays and cancellations. Thankfully, Expedia has released its 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report, providing six proven tips… Continue reading Expedia’s 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report: Canadian travelers should book on this day to save on airfare and avoid flight delays

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11 Must-Have Canadian Credit Cards for Travel Hackers in 2024

Last Updated March 20, 2023 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Hacking » 11 Must-Have Canadian Credit Cards for Travel Hackers in 2024

You don’t have to b e a jetsette r to collect a lot of frequent flyer points.  In fact, they key to building up a nice cachet of points is by signing up for and using the right credit cards.  The question of course most people have though is, “what Canadian credit card should I sign up for?”  In this article you’ll find a few of my top pics and a nifty little tool to help you filter down and find more information on the credit cards that are personalized to your needs.

Before we do that, I think it makes sense to talk a bit about the travel hacking strategies as it relates to credit cards.  Why do credit cards matter and how are travel hackers taking advantage to maximize on points?

Read other ways you can save money

• Dummy’s guide to new Aeroplan program
• Review of Le Meridien Bora Bora 
• The Uber airport hack that drivers don’t want you to know about
• How to travel Europe on the cheap
• Secrets to ITA routing language

Car rentals don’t need to be expensive

• If you haven’t heard about car rental coupon codes, this is going to blow your mind .

Table of Contents

Jump straight to the Canadian credit card for travel hackers.

In This Article

How to travel hack with Aeroplan

How to travel hack with hotels, key strategies to think about with canadian credit cards, wait, so what’s the catch, travel hacking with credit cards in a nutshell, 1 – american express aeroplan reserve card, 2 – american express business platinum, 3 – american express business gold rewards, 4 – cibc aeroplan visa infinite, 5 – american express marriott bonvoy.

• 6 – American Express Business Marriott Bonvoy®TM

7 – Scotiabank Gold American Express

8 – scotiabank passport visa infinite card.

• 9 – American Express Cobalt®TM

10 – CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite

11 – stack prepaid mastercard, credit cards for travel hacking comparison table, final thoughts about travel hacking credit cards, travel resources for your next trip, travel hacking credit cards for canadians.

Frequent flyer miles or hotel points kind of require you to fly a lot or stay in many hotels in a year.  That’s going to be problem for 90% of the Canadian population because well we all have normal lives and it’s just not a feasible thing.  So how come there seems to be so many travel hackers out there and how do your friends get all those points to book trip after trip?

The key to travel hacking is in credit cards.

The concept is simple.  You have to spend money on a day to day basis.  Credit cards have incentives for people to use their cards by offering bonuses.  One of those bonuses is the accruing of points.  These could be special bank-specific points or they could be direct tie-ins with other loyalty programs.  The more you spend, the more points you get.

That sounds great Will, but say you get 2 Aeroplan points per dollar and you spend $10,000 a year, that’s only 20,000 Aeroplan points.  Wait that’s enough for a short-haul flight to say New York but you’re probably thinking to yourself “That’s it??”

This is where bonuses come into play.

It’s no secret that credit cards offer bonus points when signing up and meeting some sort of minimum threshold spend.  For instance, the American Express Gold ® TM  is currently running a promotion where they’re giving away 25,000 points as long as you spend $1,500 in the first 3 months which shouldn’t be too hard.  I love this Card because their first year is free too.

So that gets you 30,000 and maybe in a year you’ll collect 15,000 points through spend so that gets you up to 45,000 in a year.  Not too shabby.

Take it the next level and you then sign up for a different card like the CIBC Aerogold Visa where you can easily get 25,000 Aeroplan points.  After this, you’re up to 75,000 points which is good enough for a round trip flight to Asia.   BOOM!

The above principles work the exact same way for hotels but the scale is a little different because there aren’t as many credit cards that you can take advantage of.

The best Canadian credit cards for hotel programs align best with Marriott Bonvoy.  With one or two of the American Express Marriott Bonvoy ® TM Cards , you can quickly build up 102,000 points just be signing up and meeting the spend thresholds in a year.

Some of the cards mentioned below also give you instant Gold Elite status so there’s that too.

Why should you care?   As much as free flights are high value, aspirational properties like Le Meridien Bora Bora and the Conrad Maldives are just a few examples of epic properties I’ve stayed at over the years thanks to points.

Combine travel hacking through credit cards for hotels and flights and you’ve got a majority of your travel expenses covered!

There are a number of other things you can do to boost your points quite quickly.

• Look for promotions – Credit cards are always boosting the bonus points to entice new customers.  Wait for these to maximize what you get.  First-year-free offers are few and far between these days but sometimes they do come around.
• Refer friends, family, and even co-workers – This is often overlooked but if you make yourself a “expert” in credit cards and points, you can start referring pretty much everyone you know.  For instance Amex Gold offers 5,000 points for every referral.  Keep referring and keep earning.
• Literally get your family in on the action – Amex is very good for this.  Think about it.  If you sign up and manage the card for multiple close family members where you work out an agreement to get their points, when the time comes to book one of those  travel hacking itinerary with Aeroplan , you just transfer them over to your Aeroplan account and there you go.
• Add supplementary cards – Some cards offer extra points for signing up for extra cards under the same account.  Typically this would be for your spouse.
• Not always about the points  – Don’t worry I haven’t forgotten about all the other cards that offer straight redemption of points to travel spending.  These are fantastic as well actually if you are the type to do a lot of travel.  These cards offer bonuses too.
• Each card has its own strengths – Some cards offer 2:1 points on travel.  Some cards offer more points for spend on grocery and drug.  Know where your cards excel at and use the right card in the right situation.  Since I know I get bonus points for gas on my Amex Gold , I always pay with my Amex.
• Channel all your spending – I think this goes without saying that you should put as much as your natural spend on your credit cards.  Cash is king but credit cards are for smart kings.
• Great Canadian Rebates   – Always check places like GCR which will give you some incentive for signing up for a credit card through their site.  Most of the time it’s some sort of cashback so annual fee credit cards become even sweeter.

I’m sure some of the above aren’t brand new to you but for those that have never dived in, I’m sure you’ve wondered what’s really happening behind the scenes or you’ve thought “I’m sure it’s not as easy as it sounds”.

• Credit ratings – This is a common question I get.  Yes, signing up for cards means hits on your credit but not necessarily in a bad way because if you’re paying on time, you’re actually building up credit.  Credit card applications do make a ping on your credit but it’s not substantial.  The truth is, I feel this is more of an urban myth than anything.  I personally have not seen any major credit implications from signing up for many cards.
• You need to keep track – You should try to stay organized here.  It’ll be easy to forget when your card renews and when those annual fees hit.  It’s also easy to forget when you signed up and cancelled for a card so write those down.  Spread out your credit card sign ups so you can make sure you meet those spend criteria for the sign up bonuses.
• Points devalue – Don’t hold on to your points for too long because it’s an inevitable fact for all loyalty programs that they will eventually devalue them.
• Annual income + credit score –  Cards will vary but the general rule of thumb is that you should have decent credit score (700+) and income ($60,000+).

If I boil down “travel hacking” from a credit card perspective, it really comes down to these 5 things.

• Take advantage of sign up bonuses.
• First year free is awesome but annual fees aren’t bad either as the prize can be worth the cost.
• It may sound counter-intuitive but signing up for more cards over a long period of time is what you’re going for (see point #1).
• American Express has great referral bonuses if you can get your friends, family and coworkers to sign up.  There are some awesome opportunities to partner up with your spouse as well.
• Spread out the signing up of cards throughout the year so you can hit those spend thresholds and you don’t put yourself in trouble.

11 of the best travel credit  cards

I’ve used all of these cards at some point in time and so I’m quite familiar with these.  I call them my favourite because each has contributed to how I was able to pull off a trip to South Africa and Seychelles for only $203 per person .

2023 Update

This is an unprecedented few years and it’s had major ripple effects in all industries including the financial sector.  All major changes you can find here.

American Express Personal Platinum – New Platinum card members earn 25,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards® points when you charge $2,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months (this is a reduction from 50,000 with $3,000 in spend).

American Express Business Platinum – Earn a Welcome Bonus of 35,000 points when you charge $7,000 in purchases to your Card in your first 3 months (this is a reduction from 40,000 with $5,000 in spend).

American Express Gold Rewards – This magically disappeared overnight although there are rumours that it’ll make a come back down the road. If you already have the card, you’re still good to use it but you won’t be able to sign up for it.

This is one of the new kids on the block with the Air Canada’s Aeroplan changes . Hot off the heels of the sweeping redesign of this loyalty program, they continued their partnership with American Express to launch 3 new American Express Aeroplan cards .

The best out of all of them is the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card because it’s clear that Amex is putting all of their focus in this premium card (yes it’s a credit card vs a charge card) where they’re offering up to a 90,000 welcome bonus of Aeroplan points. On top of that, they’re also offering a Buddy Pass.

Here’s how it works. You earn 30,000 points upon spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. You then earn 5,000 Aeroplan points for each month billing period in which you spend at least $1,000 in the first 12 months. That’s a total of 90,000 Aeroplan points.

The Buddy Pass is good for a companion ticket on a round trip flight within North America. This only covers the base fare and not the taxes and fees. You can also convert this buddy pass to 30,000 Aeroplan points if you call in but the deadline is November 30, 2021 which has been detailed on Red Flag Deals .

This is a great card for those that are looking to continue to build up their cache of Aeroplan points.

Something else that isn’t quite well marketed is the fact that I can tell that they’re really pushing the use of this card because they are putting out a ton of offers including these:

• Mobile wallet – Earn 3 bonus points for every $1 in qualifying mobile wallet purchases – up to 1,500 points.
• Grocery – Earn $150 back in your grocery spend. (yes I literally got $150 worth off free groceries)
• Grocery, dining, and food delivery – Earn 10 bonus points for every $1 in purchases (up to 50,000 points).
• Wayfair – Spend at least $100 and earn a $15 credit.
• Fairmont and Sofitel – Spend at least $350 and earn a $70 credit.
• Discover Alberta – Spend at least $250 at hotels in Alberta and earn a $50 credit (this was also replicated in Quebec, Ontario, and BC).
• Air Canada – Earn up to $250 in statement credits with Air Canada.

These are offers that I used to see more on the Amex Platinum but now showing up frequently on the Aeroplan Reserve which provides a tons of savings. In some ways, it feels like they’re cannibalizing some of their own products.

The last thing I’ll mention is that this is a metal card which has a nice premium feel to it.

CREDIT CARD FEATURES

Price:   Annual fee is $599.  Additional card is $199. No fee additional cards are free (no travel perks).

Point System:  Air Canada Aeroplan (read all the changes )

Sign Up Bonus:   90,000 Aeroplan points – 30,000 when you charge $3,000 within your first 3 months + up to 60,000 points when you spend $1,000 or more each month in the first 12 months with this special link .

Earn System:

• 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 1x the points on everything else.
• Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 in eligible net purchases charged to your Card. You can also rollover unused Status Qualifying Miles (up to 200,000) to qualify for Aeroplan Elite Status the following year.
• Save on baggage fees  – Your first checked bag is free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation (has to be an Air Canada flight).
• Maple Leaf Lounge  – Gain access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés in North America with same-day ticket on any flight operated by Air Canada or Star Alliance.
• Priority Pass  – Complimentary membership to Priority Pass’ collection of airport lounges. However usage fee still applies.
• Priority Airport Services  – This includes Air Canada priority check-in, Zone 2 priority boarding, and priority baggage handling.
• Priority Standby and Upgrades  – Get prioritized on the standby waitlist for an Air Canada flight and higher priority when you request an upgrade.
• Annual Worldwide Companion Pass  – When you spend $25,000 in net purchases in a year, you can buy an accompanying Air Canada economy class ticket at a fixed base fare from $99 to a maximum of $599 CAD (plus taxes, fees, charges, and surcharges).
• Rollover Status Qualifying Miles and eUpgrade Credits  – You can roll over up to 200,000 unused SQM to the following year. Any unused eUpgrade Credits can also be used the following year.
• Benefits at YYZ  – If you fly out of Toronto Pearson International Airport, you get to access the expedited security lane, complimentary valet service, 15% Express Park and Daily Park, and 15% off Car Services.
• Preferred pricing  – Book flight reward tickets for even fewer points.
• No expiry of Aeroplan points  – As long as you are a Cardmember, your points will never expire.
• American Express Experiences  – Get advanced tickets to concerts, shows and events through Front Of The Line and also advanced screenings to movies.
• Amex Offers  – Cardmembers will receive exclusive offers tailored to you for dining, shopping, and more.

GCR Eligible?:   Yes the Amex Aeroplan Reserve card is eligible for $50 in cash back with GCR .

Referral Bonus:   If you refer friends and family, you get 10,000 Aeroplan points.

Insurance Coverage:   $5 million out of province/country emergency medical insurance (15 days under 65), $500,000 travel accident insurance, trip interruption insurance, flight delay insurance, car rental theft and damage insurance, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage insurance, hotel burglary insurance, buyer’s assurance protection plan, and purchase protection plan.  Full fare/accommodations/product must be purchased with this Card for this to apply.

Why it rocks and why would you get it:

• Best bonus right now – At 90,000 Aeroplan points, this is the best offer you can get right now. Just make sure you can put the $1000/month spend on it for a year after signing up.
• Accelerate your Aeroplan growth – This is a wickedly fast way to grow your Aeroplan point balance.
• Great travel perks – For those that fly Air Canada a lot (that should be most Canadians), this gives you all of the top flying benefits.
• Great bonus Amex offers – I mentioned this earlier but it seems like they’re really focused on getting people to use this card so they’ve been pumping out a ton of “personalized” offers to individuals. This provides tons of great value and you’ll appreciate their efforts.
• Great travel insurance coverage – $5 million is top in its class but just be aware that it’s only for 15 days and only those under 65.

Who it’s not for:

• No first year free – Those days are over unfortunately and so for a premium card $599 is par for the course.
• Those that don’t travel much – This is a very Aeroplan-centric card and so if you don’t care about those points, travel perks, and insurance this might not be worth it.
• Not as flexible – Compared to the Membership Rewards program, you’re locked into Aeroplan so you won’t have the opportunity to transfer these points to something else.

What happened to the Amex Gold?: If you’re wondering where the American Express Gold Rewards card went, they temporarily discontinued the card in Canada in 2021. That said, they might be bringing it back so stay tuned!

This is a really interesting option that is honestly open to anyone even if you don’t technical run a business.  After you run through the benefits, you’re definitely going to want to sign up for this.  Considerations you’re going to have to make though is whether you can spend $7,000 in 3 months.

The annual fee is $499 but this is offset by the fact that you get Priority Pass Select membership .  This means that you get unlimited lounge access for you and a guest.

Now this isn’t anything more than vanity but what I love about the Platinum card is that it’s actually a metal Card which gives it a nice heft to it and that little nudge of bragging rights.

You’ll notice that the Personal Platinum isn’t mentioned in this list and this is because the annual fee of $699 will be a little too steep for some and the incremental benefits of it aren’t that impressive over the Business Platinum.

Price:   Annual fee is $499.  Supplementary Cards are $199.

Point System:   American Express Membership Rewards (standard tier).

Sign Up Bonus:   50,000 Membership Rewards points after you charge $7,000 in the first 3 months by signing up here .

• 1.25 point on every $1 on all spend you make on the Card.
• Complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide.   The American Express Global Lounge Collection includes The Centurion Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges.
• Receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Status (you will need to apply)
• Receive Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star Tier Membership (you will need to apply)
• Special YYZ benefits – Complimentary Valet Service at Terminal 1 and Terminal for 3 (waives the $25 valet fee).  Express Park and Daily Park is 15% off via statement credit.
• Access to Membership Rewards which has flexible conversions to airline frequent flyer programs including Aeroplan and hotel programs.
• Ability to convert points to statement credits (not a good idea).
• Fixed points travel program (not a good idea).

GCR Eligible?:   Yes the Amex Business Platinum card is eligible for $100 in cash back with GCR .

Referral Bonus:   If you refer friends and family, you get 5,000 Membership Rewards points.

Insurance Coverage:  $5 million emergency medical insurance for out of province/country (15 days and under 65), $500,000 travel accident insurance, trip cancellation insurance, trip interruption insurance, StandbyMD, travel medical concierge, travel emergency assistance, car rental theft and damage insurance, lost or stolen baggage insurance, baggage delay insurance, flight delay insurance, and hotel/motel burglary insurance.  Full fare/accommodations/product must be purchased with this Card for this to apply.

• All about the points – 45,000 is more than the 25,000 you get with the Amex Personal Gold or 40,000 with the Amex Business Gold.
• Almost as good as the personal Card – It may not be good as the Personal Platinum Card that Amex offers but you still get full lounge access.
• Strategically use this Card paired with the Gold – If you know American Express Gold gets you 2x points on gas, drug and grocery, use the Platinum card everywhere else to leverage the 1.25 accelerator.
• High threshold spend – If you don’t think you can spend $7,000 in your first 3 months, don’t risk it.  Wait until the timing is right and you have a big purchase coming up.

Now I know your hesitation.  You don’t own a business right?  Thing is, you honestly don’t need to be an official business entity to be able to get this Card. They don’t require a corporation number or anything like that.  You can literally be YourName Inc and say you’re in the business/tech consulting business and that’s all you really need.  It was easy before and it still is now.

The main consideration over the personal Gold is that you have to spend $5,000 in the first 3 months so I wouldn’t sign up for this Card and the Business Platinum at the same time.  Stagger it.

Price:   Annual fee is $250.  Supplementary Cards are $50.

Welcome Bonus:   30,000 Membership Rewards points when you charge $5,000 in your first 3 months.

• 2 points for every $1 spent at specific suppliers that you set (unfortunately not the most useful since the supplier list is quite limited).
• 1 point on every $1 for everything else.

GCR Eligible?:   Yes the Amex Business Gold Rewards is eligible for $75 in cash back with GCR .

Insurance Coverage:   $100,000 travel accident insurance (accidental death or dismemberment), Car rental theft and damage insurance, lost or stolen baggage insurance, hotel/motel burglary insurance, flight delay insurance, baggage delay insurance, and travel emergency assistance.  Note that there is no emergency travel medical.

• You don’t need to technically be official registered as a business – Anyone can sign up for this Card.
• Great welcome bonus – At 40,000, this is a good one to have in your portfolio.
• Average travel insurance coverage – It covers most things but critically lacks emergency medical insurance.
• Not a good travel card – With no emergency travel medical insurance, and no in-destination travel features, it’s not a great card to be putting your travel spend on.

This is a great basic card that still offers a waiver on the annual fee and helps you build up Aeroplan miles/points.

As you might’ve heard, Aeroplan is changing and while there are a slew of new cards, old cards like this will still exist and rebranded to the new Aeroplan program .

If you’re wondering whether you should get this or the twin version of the card offered by TD , I’d say if you’re looking for something with no annual fee, the CIBC card is excellent. If you want more points, TD is offering 35,000 bonus Aeroplan points vs the 20,000 here.

Price:   Annual fee is $139 but first year is frequently waived.  Additional supplementary cards are $50.

Point System:   Aeroplan

Sign Up Bonus:   10,000 Aeroplan miles upon first purchase and 10,000 Aeroplan miles once you spend $1,000 or more in your first 4 months.  That gives you a total of 20,000 Aeroplan miles.

• 1.5 miles for every $1 spent eligible grocery, gas and aircanada.com purchases (including Air Canada Vacation packages).
• 1 mile on every $1 for everything else.
• Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in eligible purchases.
• Baggage fees – Free first checked bag for you and authorized users and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air Canada.
• Buddy Pass – As a new cardholder, you’ll get a Buddy Pass when you spend $1,000 or more in your first 4 months.

GCR Eligible?:   None available.

Referral Bonus:   None

Insurance Coverage:  $5 million out-of-province emergency travel medical insurance (15 days under 65 or 3 days 65+), $500,000 common carrier accident insurance (accidental death or dismemberment), trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, flight delay and baggage insurance, auto rental collision and loss damage insurance, mobile device insurance, hotel burglary insurance, and purchase security & extended protection service. 

• First year free – This is one of the few first year free (FYF) card on the market right now when it comes to good travel hacking credit cards in Canada.
• It’s a Visa – We all know it, American Express is awesome but in Canada it’s not accepted everywhere so to have a Visa in your wallet is super handy.
• Part of the Aeroplan strategy – If Aeroplan is your focus in travel hacking (it is for most Canadians), it’s a perfect complement in your portfolio of cards.
• Excellent travel insurance coverage – As far as coverage goes, this gives you everything you’re looking for including $5 million in medical coverage.

The reality in Canada is that we have limited choices when it comes to credit cards that are partnered with the main hotel chains.  All we have is Marriott Bonvoy and their collaboration with American Express (sorry I’m not counting Best Western).

While this Card has seen many changes over the years, starting off as an SPG card, it’s still one of the tried and true ways to accrue Marriott Bonvoy points.  Hotel points are just as important as airline points because after all, once you get those  free flight tickets, you’re going to need an epic place to stay.  This Card allows you to do that.

If you’re not that into Marriott, well, you can just convert them to Aeroplan points so that flexibility is pretty sweet.

Price:   Annual fee is $120.  First supplementary Card is free.

Point System:   Marriott Bonvoy

Sign Up Bonus:   50,000 Marriott Bonvoy sign up bonus after $1,500 spending in the first 3 months by signing up here .

• 5 points for every $1 spent at Marriott properties.
• 2 point on every $1 for everything else.
• Receive a 15,000 points bonus from the Marriott Bonvoy program when you transfer 60,000 points to a frequent flyer program.
• Annual Free Night Award after your anniversary each year.
• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.
• Easy conversion to airline frequent flyer programs including Aeroplan.

GCR Eligible?:   Yes the Amex Marriott Bonvoy is eligible for $20 in cash back with GCR .

Referral Bonus:   If you refer friends and family, you get 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Insurance Coverage:   Travel emergency assistance (note that it does not include emergency medical insurance), $500,000 travel accident insurance (accidental death or dismemberment), car rental theft and damage insurance, flight delay insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost or stolen bag insurance, and hotel burglary insurance, buyer’s assurance protection plan, and purchase protection plan. Full fare/accommodations/product must be purchased with this Card for this to apply.

• Build Marriott Bonvoy points fast – This is one of the core ways to grow your Marriott Bonvoy points.
• Annual free night reward – This is a handy certificate to have but note that it is only good for properties up to Category 3.

6 – American Express Business Marriott Bonvoy ® TM

This Card may look almost identical to the standard Marriott Bonvoy American Express but there are a few subtle changes I’ll point out.

The annual fee may be higher but what you gain is in Gold Elite vs. Silver Elite status and you get the 3x multiplier on gas, dining and travel.

This is the perfect Card to have if you’re serious about building up your cache of Marriott Bonvoy points and is precisely one of the cards in my portfolio that allowed me to be able to stay at Le Meridien Bora Bora and how it was one of my main strategies to go there for practically free .

Price:   Annual fee is $150.  First supplementary card is $50.

Sign Up Bonus:   50,000 Marriott Bonvoy sign up bonus after $3,000 spending in the first 3 months by signing up here .

• 3 points on every $1 spent on gas, dining, and travel.
• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
• Get an automatic upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status when you reach $30,000 in purchases each year.

GCR Eligible?:   Yes the Amex Business Marriott Bonvoy is eligible for $50 in cash back with GCR .

Insurance Coverage:   Travel emergency assistance (note that it does not include emergency medical insurance), $500,000 travel accident insurance (accidental death and dismemberment), car rental theft and damage insurance, flight delay insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost or stolen bag insurance, and hotel/motel burglary insurance, purchase protection plan.  Full fare/accommodations/product must be purchased with this Card for this to apply.

• Instant Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status – Gold actually takes some work to get so this isn’t a small deal.
• Build Marriott Bonvoy points fast – It’s hard accumulating Marriott Bonvoy points unless you’re a consultant like in my previous life .  This is the next best thing especially with that extra 3x multiplier in place.

This card rebranded not long ago and it’s a great American Express card with the unique feature of completely eliminating 2.5% foreign transaction fees.  They’ve also built in a generous multiplier on common-spend categories.  This means this is a great card to have with you to use for daily use.

With the demise of the old Amazon and Capital One credit cards that touted the “no exchange fees” feature, up from the ashes came Scotiabank to become one of the de-facto cards that offer this now.  What this means is that when you use the card internationally the credit card will apply an exchange rate but not tack on an additional 2.5% fee to the rate which most people don’t realize is happening with all the other credit cards out there.

What you lose as an American Express is access to Membership Rewards since this is a Scotiabank product.  Scotia Rewards works like every other bank’s reward system and can only be used to book travel within their own platform, convert it for products in their e-store (terrible value in my opinion), or cash credit in your statement.  The point values are fixed and doesn’t have the possibility to scale as you build up more points since you can’t convert it to say, Aeroplan.

Price:   Annual fee is $120.  First supplementary card is $29.

Point System:   Scotia Rewards

Sign Up Bonus:  25,000 bonus points ($250 value) after your first $1,000 in the first 3 months.

• 5 points for every $1 spent on entertainment purchases (includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies), eligible grocery stores, restaurants, fast food, and drinking establishments (includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions).
• 3 points on every $1 spent on eligible gas and daily transit (includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more), and streaming services such as Netflix.
• Priority Pass membership but using the lounge still costs $27 per entry.
• Can redeem points at a rate of 100 points per $1 (10,000 for $100) with minimum redemption of 5,000 points on travel spend.

GCR Eligible?:   Yes the Scotiabank Gold American Express is eligible for $60 in cash back with GCR .

Referral Bonus:   None.

Insurance Coverage:   $1 million travel emergency medical insurance (25 days under 65, 3 days 65+), $500,000 travel accident insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, flight delay insurance, delayed and lost baggage insurance, rental car collision loss/damage insurance, hotel/motel burglary insurance, and purchase security & extended warranty protection.  You need to charge at least 75% of your trip cost (flight, accommodations, tickets, guides, meals, car rental).

• No foreign exchange fees – Save 2.5% on foreign currency purchases which makes it great for travel.
• Awesome point accelerators – 5x and 3x multipliers built into the card are really handy to scale up your point earnings just from spending daily.  They also have interesting bonuses on brands like Uber and Netflix.
• Good travel insurance coverage – It has all the coverage you’d need for travel but it has an exceptional $1 million on medical insurance built in.

I’ve done a full deep dive of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card but wanted to include this one for the purposes of actual travel use as opposed to signing up for bonuses.

This card is very similar the previous Scotiabank product with the no foreign transaction fee feature but the difference with this one is that you get more bonus points to start and you get 6 lounge passes.  The other huge benefit of this card is that it is a Visa instead of an American Express.  This means that you’ll have way more confidence that you’ll be able to use this card wherever you go. Another interesting feature that’s added on here is the hidden “Price Protection Service” advantage where if something you buy drops in price within 60 days, you’ll be able to make a claim of up to $100 (max of $500 a year).

What you lose compared to the Scotiabank Gold American Express are those big point multipliers and slightly cheaper annual fee.

As a result, this is the perfect card to bring with you on your travels because you’re saving money every time you’re swiping this card over another.

Price:   Annual fee is $139.  First supplementary card is free.

Sign Up Bonus:  30,000 bonus points ($300 value) after your first $1,000 in the first 3 months.

• 5 points for every $1 spent on eligible grocery stores, dining, entertainment purchases, and daily transit purchases (including buses, subways, taxis and more).
• 6 free airport lounge visits & Priority Pass membership.

GCR Eligible?:   Yes the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is eligible for $55 in cash back with GCR .

Insurance Coverage:   $1 million travel emergency medical insurance (25 days under 65, 10 days 65+), $500,000 travel accident insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, flight delay insurance, delayed and lost baggage insurance, rental car collision loss/damage insurance, hotel/motel burglary insurance, purchase security & extended warranty protection, and purchase protection service.  You need to charge at least 75% of your trip cost (flight, accommodations, tickets, guides, meals, car rental).

• It’s a Visa – Good travel cards that are Visa’s are few and far between since American Express is so dominant so if you’re needing one in your wallet, this could be the one to sign up for.
• Great travel insurance coverage – It has all the coverage you’d need for travel but it has a great $1 million on medical insurance built in and longer coverage than what other cards include.
• Best for seniors – This is the only card that covers seniors for 10 days.
• Price Protection Service – Not something you see in many cards but a pretty cool feature that you can take advantage of.
• Lounge passes – 6 free lounge passes with Priority Pass is really handy for travellers

9 – American Express Cobalt ® TM

A few years ago, I would’ve shaken my head to see make the list but after using this Card for 2+ years now, I’m a believer in the power of the Amex Cobalt Card.

I would call this a specialty Card because it has a lot of limitations but let me walk you through it.

How you should use it:   The 5x accelerator is the sweet spot for this Card because what they don’t advertise is the fact that you can use it at grocery stores.  There’s quite a number of creative ways you can leverage this but think gift cards and prepaid credit cards.  Just let this think in.  If you spend $500 on your Cobalt Card, you get 2,500 points which also then kicks in that welcome bonus.

Where it’s limited:   While you do get access to Membership Rewards, they’ve essentially nerfed it slightly by creating a lower Select tier.  Everything is practically the same for travel purposes except you can’t transfer it to Aeroplan and other airline loyalty programs.  As a result, I primarily use this Card as my supplement to the American Express Marriott Bonvoy card(s).

I’ll be the first to say that this isn’t a product for everyone but if you’re smart about it, you can make it work in your portfolio of travel hacking credit cards.

Price:   Annual fee is $120 (charged $10 per month).  Supplementary Cards are free.

Point System:   American Express Membership Rewards Select (this is their lower tier program which really means no transfer to airline programs)

Welcome Bonus:  Earn up to 45,000 Membership Rewards points – When you sign up before May 5, 2021 with this link , you can earn:

• Welcome Bonus of 15,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend a total of $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
• 2,500 points per billing period when you spend $500 in purchases on your Card each month for a total of 30,000 points in a year.
• 5 points for every $1 spent on eligible restaurants, bars, cafés, grocery stores , and even food delivery in Canada.
• 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible transit & gas purchases in Canada and eligible travel purchases.
• Receive regular Perks such as bonus reward offers and access to events.
• Get access to Amex Front Of The Line Presale & Reserved Tickets as part of American Express Experiences.

GCR Eligible?:   Yes the American Express Cobalt is eligible for $100 in cash back with GCR .

Insurance Coverage:   $5 million out of province/country emergency medical insurance (under 65, first 15 days), $250,000 travel accident insurance (accidental death and dismemberment), flight delay insurance, baggage delay insurance, hotel burglary insurance, lost or stolen baggage insurance, car rental theft and damage insurance, purchase protection plan, and buyer’s assurance protection plan.

• Great daily-use card – The 5x point accelerator
• Great travel insurance coverage – It has all the coverage you’d need for travel but it has an exceptional $5 million on medical insurance built in.

This is one of the newer players in the market and takes a unique angle as a travel hacking card.  It’s great in some ways and not one of the best in other regards.

First, let’s talk about the great features of the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite.  For one, I love that it includes a rebate on the Nexus application.  I signed up for this card literally because I knew my renewal was coming up and it worked like a charm.  I didn’t have to apply or do anything.  It picked up the fee and it refunded the amount as a statement credit.  It also includes 4 airport lounge passes with Priority Pass which is handy.

The disappointing part about the program is in CIBC’s own Aventura points program.  In theory it sounds great and if you build up enough points you could do some damage with it by redeeming points on flight tickets but if you’ve invested a ton of time in building up your Aeroplan points, this doesn’t really help you and in fact divides your efforts.  There is decent value in flight redemptions and some merchandise but I am not sure if it’s worth focusing on this.  The statement credit conversion is also pretty terrible at $1 per 160 points vs other programs which is $1 for 100 points (see Scotiabank Gold American Express )

For me, this is a get-in-and-out-quick kind of card since first year free is offered.  Use it if you’re applying for Nexus soon and maybe a quick short-haul flight that you have.  Otherwise, convert the points to cash and call it a day.

Price:   Annual fee is $139 (first year free offered).  Supplementary cards are $50.

Point System:   Aventura Points

Sign Up Bonus:  20,000 Aventura points after you make your first purchase.  Additionally, you can get 15,000 Aventura points if you spend at least $10,000 in your first year.  This means a total of 35,000 Aventura points ($187.50 in statement value or up to $800 in flight redemption value).

• 2 points for every $1 spent on travel through CIBC’s portal.
• 1.5 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drug stores.
• Priority Pass Membership and 4 complimentary airport lounge visits per  year
• Nexus application rebate of $50
• Unique to Aventura is that you can redeem points for flights using their own system which Ratehub does a great job of breaking down .  Alternatively, you can use the points as a statement credit of $25 per 4,000 points.

GCR Eligible?:   None at the moment.

Insurance Coverage:   $5 million out-of-province emergency travel medical insurance (15 days under 65 or 3 days 65+), $500,000 common carrier accident insurance (accidental death or dismemberment), trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, flight delay and baggage insurance, auto rental collision and loss damage insurance, hotel burglary insurance, mobile device insurance, purchase security and extended protection service.

• Nexus application – Covers the entire application fee.
• Mobile device insurance – This is another unique feature that they slip in.  It’s great if you can use it but it means that you must have purchased the phone with this card and either lost it, had it stolen, or accidental damage.  This covers up to $1,000.

One thing you’ll notice in this list is that Mastercards are sorely lacking in the credit cards for travel hacking space.  It’s a bit unfortunate as they’ve kind of fallen off the relevance train but this prepaid Mastercard has some interesting features for travellers.

The key feature of this card isn’t well advertised but similar to the Scotiabank cards, it also does not apply any foreign exchange fees on top which is great for travellers.

As a prepaid card, this Mastercard is fundamentally different to use because you have to load it.  You can do this by using an e-transfer or direct deposit (via cash load through Canada Post, Hasty Market, Canadian Tire Gas, Mobil, and Pharmachoice, payroll, bill pay, or through the CRA).

Another hidden feature is that you can withdraw money from Canadian ATMs for free.

This sounds pretty terrible but when you combine the fact that you can load it via bill pay (some other prepaid cards allow you to move funds this way) and withdraw money from ATM, there are some creative options for moving money around.

Price:   None

Point System:   None

Sign Up Bonus:  None

Earn System:  None but they do have rewards and offers built in that are either link-based or based on spending on the card.

• No fees including foreign exchange fees and ATM withdrawals

Referral Bonus:   $5 per referral

Insurance Coverage:   None

• No foreign exchange fees – This saves you 2.5% when travelling.
• A money mover – In the world of pre-paid cards which is a whole other topic, this card is a great option for Canadians to move money around.

SIGN UP VIA MOBILE

I get that there are a lot of choices and for those that aren’t looking to go all-in, you’ll want to make a calculated decision on what makes sense for you.  I understand that everyone has a different situation and so ultimately a comparison table is going to make things more clearly when you see everything side-by-side.

The below is a table where I’ve distilled as much of the pertinent information as possible.  It is by no means complete especially on the insurance side of things (my mind is a huge slurry after going through all those giant PDF documents) but it gives you what you need to know.

Think of travel hacking through credit cards a marathon.  It’s not the kind of thing where you’ll be able to hit your goals in one year or two.  If you want to be serious about it, you’ll be going through different cards every month and carrying them for at least 12 months or more.

At the end of the day, American Express has the most powerful portfolio of cards because of their bonuses, their ability to refer, and the flexibility in the Membership Rewards program.  However, if you’re looking for a card that’s more widely accepted, you’ll have to think about keeping a Visa in your mix.

If you ask me today , what card you should get, I’d say it’s the American Express Business Platinum .  It’s got a large welcome bonus, unlimited lounge passes with Priority Pass, and a good all-around 1.25x accelerator.

Get started today

• American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card – Claim 90K Aeroplan points
• American Express Business Platinum  – Claim your 45K MR points
• American Express Business Gold –  Claim your 40K points
• CIBC Aerogold Visa – Claim your 20K points
• American Express Marriott Bonvoy – Claim your 51K Marriott Bonvoy points
• American Express Business Marriott Bonvoy – Claim your 51K Marriott Bonvoy points
• Scotiabank Gold American Express – Claim your 25K Scotiabank rewards points
• Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite – Claim your 30K Scotiabanks rewards points
• American Express Cobalt – Claim your 50K MR Select points
• CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite – Claim your 35K Aventura points
• STACK Prepaid Mastercard – Sign up today

What you should read next

• Where and How To Buy The Best Travel Insurance
• Marriott Corporate Codes – The Best Ones and How to Use Them
• Everything You Need to Know About the New American Express Aeroplan Cards
• Air Canada’s Aeroplan Changes and the New American Express Cards

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100% .

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card . Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature . Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.

Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

Data: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices like PokeFi because their rates are so good and you can use it globally but recently, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. The best one is Airalo . Save money by getting region-specific eSIMs and use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase. Ubigi is another one that we’ve had success with where they uniquely offer 5G coverage. Use code AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts . The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. TripAdvisor is also useful for reviews and bookings.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental.

Tours: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

• Insured Nomads – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks.
• RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
• SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
• Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
• InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

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Frequent Flyers Share Their 10 Best Airport Hacks

Posted: March 28, 2024 | Last updated: March 28, 2024

People share a lot of travel hacks on an online platform. Air travel needs tips and hacks to avoid problems and have a smart experience.

1. Free Wi-Fi

Without the internet, it is impossible to proceed to an airport. All the flight details and timings are available online. Thus, people have proper internet packages before leaving for an airport. But some people forget that free Wi-Fi is available in almost all airports. So if one does not have the internet on his phone, he can easily use the free Wi-Fi at the airport.

2. Strong Bags

While traveling in the air, luggage is handed over to the airport workers and cabin crew. They arrange the bags of all passengers in luggage chambers. And while transportation and checking these bags pass through many stages. In all these, some bags get damaged, while others damage others. A hack to save your bag is to purchase a hard bag that can not be destroyed easily.

3. Do a Little Homework

Doing some homework and research before having a flight ticket is necessary. Some airports are large. And they have a bus system to go to other terminals from one terminal. The one who is flying for the time will waste all his time by understanding the terminal locations. In this, he may lose his flight. This homework is compulsory in having connecting flights.

4. Take a Picture of Parking

A parking hack shared by a traveler says to take a picture of your parking car. If one is going on a long trip and has parked his car in airport parking, he may forget the location because hundreds of cars are parked at a time. He can use pictures to find the location to save time and avoid ambiguity.

5. Dress to Egress

A woman shared her traveling hack. She said wearing an easy and formal dress is preferable at the airport. A girl with tight boots will find ease in any emergency case or evacuation. But a girl with high heels will get stuck. Similarly, in the case of fire, the synthetic cloths will melt to the skin. On the other hand, non-synthetic clothes will save the body.

6. Headphone Volume Low

One commentator shared that people use headphones to kill time at the airport. They enjoy the music at a loud volume. And then they miss the announcements of flights. Thus the wise act is to keep one ear free or keep the volume low so that that announcement is audible to the passenger.

7. Lost Chargers

The airport is a place of hustle and bustle. In a hurry, people forget or lose their things. And the charger of mobile phone is a common thing to lose. The passenger who has lost his charger can go to the lost and found section and ask them. The lost things remain there for 90 days. If not found, they must have a spare charger for you.

8. Helpline On-Phone Call

There is a department of helpline at the airport. If any passengers have questions about the flights, routes, and terminals or complain about staff, information, or facilities, they can contact this department. But the waiting line is very long. There are approximately 400 to 600 people. A wise hack is to call the online helpline. They provide the same services but faster.

9. Airport Chapels

Airport chapels are places that are religious and spiritual. But they do not have any religious symbols. These places are made to have comfort and to relax. Almost all big airports have airport chapels. But new passengers do not know about it. They can go there to pass the time till their flight announcement.

10. Keep Essentials With You

The most important tip for the passengers at the airport is here. Sometimes the luggage gets lost or gets late for about 2 to 4 days. Thus one should keep his essentials in his hand-carry bag, such as mobile phones, chargers, precious materials, and cash. 

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Telephone and Email Scams

Email scams (phishing) and telephone scams (vishing) are commonly used by fraudsters to trick people into giving them personal information that can then be used to try to take money out of a victim's bank account, use their credit cards or open new credit accounts.

Email Scams (Phishing)

Phishing is the practice of sending phony email messages that are disguised as legitimate. These phony emails often include:

• a company logo that looks real,
• a false claim about your account and
• a link or button that takes you to a phony website that mimics the website of a legitimate company.

If you receive an email claiming to be from Air Canada or Aeroplan which you believe may be fraudulent, do not respond and do not click on any links or open attachments contained within the emai l. See the ‘Reporting’ section below.

Telephone Scams (Vishing)

With telephone scams, a person typically receives a phone call, sometimes computer-generated, advising them that they have won a trip, vacation or other sort of prize from Air Canada, or another well-known company. The individual is then asked to provide a credit card number and/or other personal information.

These types of calls are scams, as  Air Canada does not engage in phone promotions .

To Report a Suspicious Email or Phone Call

Air Canada cooperates with the RCMP in the investigation of all cases in which its name is involved. You can report suspicious emails or telephone calls to the  Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Opens in New Window .

If you responded to a suspicious email, gave personal information or have lost money, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

You can also notify Air Canada by forwarding the email to: [email protected] .

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the questions you may have about email and phone scams.

What should I do if I receive an email I believe to be fraudulent?

If you receive an email thanking you for a purchase you did not make and inviting you to click on embedded links or asking you to update your personal information for any reason:

• Do not respond to the email, do not click on the link displayed and do not open any attachments contained within the email .
• Report suspicious email scams to the  Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Opens in New Window .
• If you responded to the email, gave personal information or have lost money, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Notify  Air Canada by forwarding the email to: [email protected] .

What do I do if I answered a fraudulent email?

If you believe you may have responded to a fraudulent email and provided your Aeroplan account information, change your account password immediately . Here’s how:

• Go directly to aircanada.com (never click on an embedded link in the email)
• Click on My Profile in the upper right-hand corner of the aircanada.com header,
• Click on Password Management in the left-hand menu.
• Scroll down to the Account Security section and click 'Change my password'

Immediately after you’ve changed your password, call Aeroplan at the following number: 1-800-361-5373.

What is phishing?

“Phishing" is one of the most common types of email fraud. It takes place when a perpetrator sends a phony email message that appears to come from a legitimate company in an attempt to obtain personal and/or financial information. A typical phishing email will direct recipients to click on a link that re-directs them to a phony website that looks like the real website. Once on the phony site, the email recipient is asked to disclose personal information (e.g., a credit card number or account information) that is later used to commit fraud. Sometimes a phishing email will ask the recipient to email back various personal details or can also have attachments which may contain potential email viruses.

For example, after clicking on a link or attachment in the email, users are taken to a dummy aircanada.com sign in page where account number and password fields are displayed to collect this personal information under false pretenses.

Air Canada does not send its customers email asking them for personal information by return email

What is Air Canada doing to prevent phishing?

Air Canada scrutinizes each email you submit because you believe it may be fraudulent.

Also, security measures are in place to prevent scam artists from being able to access Air Canada computer systems. That's why they are attempting to obtain your account number, password and other personal information through phishing rather than through our systems.

The aircanada.com website is secure and your personal information will remain confidential.

Why am I constantly receiving fraudulent emails?

Scam artists may have obtained your email address from a variety of sources.

• They may have used a spam mailing list on which your address is listed with or without your consent. These lists are sometimes created from online contest entries. Always be sure to check out the legitimacy of a company before you enter their online contest.
• They may have obtained your address via spyware installed without your knowledge on your PC. Make sure your computer is protected against spyware.
• They may have created hundreds of thousands of email addresses randomly by combining first and last names and known domain names, one of which happens to be your personal email address

Once scam artists find an email address that works, they may be tempted to send emails to that address over and over again.

Though phishing is generally associated with email,  some computer criminals use the phone as well.  In this case, pirates call victims on the phone and pose as a financial institution employee, an investigator or a police officer.

How can I tell that an email is fraudulent?

You must be extremely careful, because scam artists use the colours and logos of legitimate websites to make their phony emails look real.

Don't assume that you'd be able to recognize a fraudulent email right away.  Earlier phishing attempts involved badly-written emails and amateur page layouts, but today's phony emails are much sleeker and professional-looking.

To differentiate a phishing email from a legitimate one, pay specific attention to the content of the message,  instead of the attached security features. Most of the time, these logos, signatures, security elements and backgrounds are counterfeits that are identical to the originals.

If you receive an email you believe to be fraudulent, forward it to us at: [email protected] .

Should I be concerned about the security of the personal information I've provided to Air Canada?

No. There are security measures in place to prevent scam artists from being able to access Air Canada computer systems. That's why they are attempting to obtain your account number, password and other personal information through phishing rather than through our systems.

Can I protect myself against phishing attempts?

Unfortunately, you may occasionally receive fraudulent emails which appear to have been sent by Air Canada or other companies. Your best protection is to stay vigilant:

• Never respond to an email requesting personal information, regardless of who the sender is.
• Never open email attachments if you don't know the sender.
• Look for a closed padlock in your browser's status bar, ensuring you are in a secured online environment. Also make sure the address displayed has an "s" in "https". You should also be able to view the site's digital certificates by double-clicking on the little closed padlock in your browser's status bar.

Also ensure your personal computer is adequately protected with all of the necessary security software.

• Install all of your software's security updates.
• Install a version of anti-virus software that includes automatic updates.
• Install anti-spyware software.

Install anti-spam software.

What can scam artists do with my personal information?

Once scam artists have your Aeroplan number and password, they can access your account and use your Aeroplan points for travel, merchandise or experience rewards, donations or transfers.

Why was I asked to disable my VPN during enrollment to Aeroplan?

To successfully enroll in Aeroplan, please make sure you are not using an anonymizing service like a VPN or proxy. Some corporate devices use VPN to access their internal networks, so they may not work for enrolling in Aeroplan. Please consider using a personal device for enrollment to avoid any issues.

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New Air Canada seat selection fee paused following backlash

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Air Canada has paused changes to its seat selection policies following backlash from Canadian travellers.

Currently, travellers have to pay to pre-select seats before check-in on an Air Canada flight but can select seats for free during check-in. 

On April 19, Canada's largest airline announced a policy change to seating assignments that would automatically assign travellers a seat at check-in for free. But customers wanting to change their seats would have to pay a fee (see slide two).

Air Canada said the proposed change included "transparent pricing" and customers could skip the option and keep their assigned seat. 

The new seat assignment fee was slated to commence April 24 but the airline told V.I.A. that it has "paused implementation" for "operational reasons."

Air Canada noted that it sells several branded fares at various prices, including its Basic, Latitude and Business Class, and each has its advantages. 

"The ability to select your seat ahead of your flight is one such attribute (an extra bag, refundability are examples of other such attributes)," it said in an emailed statement. 

"For our branded fares that do not permit free seat selection, customers have the option to choose a seat prior to check-in and pay a seat selection fee, or wait for us to assign a seat at time of check-in for no fee."

While the airline has paused the new changes, it added that they are "consistent with our branded fares" and are similar to the policies of other carriers in Canada. 

Customers with children will not have to pay the fee to sit together, regardless of fare class. 

Air Canada will communicate further when it plans to implement the policy.

Travellers respond to Air Canada's proposed seat payment changes

Multiple people took to social media to share their frustration over the proposed changes. 

Traveller Steven Clark shared the changes in a post on X, noting that the airline can "now split your party at their discretion to force you to spend money to ensure your party sits together," adding that its current policy was "a safe gamble at 24 hours [that] you could find seats together."

JW Kite mentioned how "Delta has been doing this for a few years for those who book an Economy (lowest) fare."

Alishya Weiland  wrote, "That's quite annoying!"

Another frustrated flyer mentioned, "Westjet does this too and it’s disgusting…just another cash grab!" 

Air Canada launches program to prevent lost baggage

Air Canada recently launched a new program to  prevent travellers and their bags  from getting separated during their journey. 

A new feature in the Air Canada mobile app allows customers to track the progress of their baggage in real-time at "key points" while they travel. Travellers can see their bags move from the check-in at the airport to the plane and then through connections before arriving at their final destination. 

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Air Canada pauses new seat fee policy after barrage of complaints from Canadians

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with a new statement and additional from Air Canada reflecting their decision to pause the seat fee. 

After receiving a barrage of complaints from customers, Air Canada has walked back its decision to charge passengers with standard or basic fares to change their automatically assigned seats during check-in.

In an updated statement to Daily Hive on Friday, the airline said it had “paused the implementation for operational reasons to ensure a smooth rollout for our customers and employees and we will communicate the next steps further at the appropriate time.”

Air Canada introduced the change this week

On Wednesday, a Facebook user shared notice of a new seating assignment policy in a Canadian air passenger rights group.

The announcement from April 18 introduced the new seating assignment process for Standard and Basic Fares.

“Effective April 24, when customers begin the check-in process, a seat will automatically be assigned free of charge,” read the notice.

It goes on to specify that this will only apply to Air Canada customers who haven’t purchased a seat before check-in.

“We understand that customers may have a preferred spot. If they wish to change their automatically assigned seat, they can easily do so for a fee,” reads the notice. “This option gives them the freedom to select the seat that best suits their needs.”

In a statement to Daily Hive on Thursday, Air Canada said it offers a “variety” of branded fares at different price points, which all have different “attributes that customers can choose to pay for or not, depending on the branded fare they buy.”

“The ability to select your seat ahead of your flight is one such attribute (an extra bag and refundability are examples of other such attributes),” said the airline.

It added that for its branded fares that don’t allow free seat selections, customers “always had the option to choose a seat prior to check-in and pay a seat selection fee, or wait for us to assign a seat at time of check-in for no fee.”

“What has changed, and is consistent with our branded fares, is that after seats are assigned at check-in for no fee, customers who now wish to change to a different seat from the one we assigned them will have to pay the same fee they would have paid prior to check-in. This is the practice at other airlines, including some in Canada,” stated Air Canada.

Canadians sounded off about fee

Customers took to social media to express their dismay with what some of them referred to as a “money grab fee.”

So Air Canada can now split your party at their discretion to force you to spend money to ensure your party sits together. (Previously it was a safe gamble at 24 hours you could find seats together) pic.twitter.com/rTvxfVqqGy — Steven Clark (@TheFwordNB) April 25, 2024

@CBCNews @CTVNews have you reported on this money grab fee yet from @AirCanada ? pic.twitter.com/XuF2SiiExi — LongJohn (@goaliegirl6060) April 25, 2024

I don’t know why everyone is mad at @AirCanada for introducing another junk fee. They have been trending towards the bottom end of the discount airline market since their last bailout. Their service, food, on time rating, cleanliness, and generally quality is horrible. — Kritical Defiance (@KriticalDave) April 25, 2024

Others responded to the post in the Air Passenger Rights advocacy Facebook group, sharing their disappointment, and Gabor Lukas, the group’s president, noted that it was “lame indeed.”

“[It’s] another junk fee,” he stated.

A junk fee refers to surcharges or service fees customers have to pay on things like credit cards, concert tickets, airline tickets, hotel bookings, and bank charges.

“It’s like they want to make flying less and less attractive,” wrote a person in the comments.

“The airlines are nickel and diming passengers to death!” remarked a commenter.

“Another cash grab by a terrible over-priced and overrated airline,” reads another comment.

Some noted that other airlines also charge the fee.

“This seems to be very common in Europe. All our flights have been assigned this way,” noted one person. “We’ve been together and had seats that I wouldn’t need to change so it’s worked for us but hopefully, it doesn’t add too much stress to those who are concerned.”

“This is what most other airlines do on their basic fares. Sad that it’s happening to standard fares too though” noted a group member.

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