Rewards Redemption Guide

Aeroplan is Air Canada's loyalty program and one of the most versatile in Canada. Points can be used on Air Canada and 40+ partner airlines including United, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines. The program uses a distance-based award chart, so the farther you fly the more points you use — but sweet spots exist for savvy travellers, especially on partner business-class routes.

American Express Membership Rewards is the most flexible points currency in Canada. Points transfer to Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, British Airways Avios, and several other programs — usually at a 1:1 ratio. This flexibility means MR points can unlock outsized value on premium flights and hotels when used strategically via transfer partners.

Blue Rewards is BMO's loyalty program, the rebrand of the former AIR MILES program. Points are earned through BMO credit and debit cards (with bonus categories on gas, EV charging, groceries, wholesale clubs, and alcohol), partner retailers, receipt scanning, and the Blue Rewards Shops online portal. The standard redemption benchmark is 1,500 pts = $10 (0.67¢/pt), which applies to eGift cards, in-store rebates, and most travel bookings. Statement credits redeem at a much weaker 15,000 pts = $50 (0.33¢/pt).

BMO Rewards points can be redeemed for travel through the BMO Travel Centre, merchandise, gift cards, and cash back. The program is straightforward but lacks the transfer partners that make programs like Amex MR exciting. Travel redemptions through the BMO portal offer the best value at around 1¢/pt.

CIBC Aventura points are redeemed through the Aventura Travel Centre using a fixed-price award chart. The chart prices flights based on ticket cost rather than distance, which means you get consistent value regardless of airline. Points can also be used for merchandise and gift cards, but travel is where value peaks.

Marriott Bonvoy points are earned at over 8,000 Marriott properties worldwide. Value varies widely based on property category and dynamic pricing. Points can be transferred to 40+ airline programs at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 points transferred. Best redemptions are at high-category properties during off-peak periods.

National Bank's À la carte Rewards program lets you redeem points for gift cards, merchandise, travel, and statement credits. Value varies significantly by redemption type — here's how the tiers actually compare: $50 gift card = 7,250 pts (0.69¢/pt); wireless headphones starting from 9,380 pts (merchandise value varies); $100 off your card balance = 25,000 pts (0.40¢/pt); round-trip Montreal–Toronto ($375 value) starting from 37,500 pts, or $100 off per 10,000 pts on À la carte Travel (1.00¢/pt). Travel is the clear winner — card balance payments nearly cut your points' value in half.

PC Optimum points are earned at Loblaw-banner grocery stores (Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore), Shoppers Drug Mart, Esso, and Mobil. Points are worth a flat 0.1¢ each (10,000 pts = $10), but Shoppers Drug Mart regularly runs 10× to 20× multiplier events that supercharge earning. Points are redeemable only within the Loblaw network.

RBC Avion Points are among the most flexible bank points in Canada. They can be redeemed directly for travel through the Avion Travel program using a fixed award chart, or transferred to British Airways Avios, WestJet Dollars, and a handful of other partners. The fixed award chart gives predictable value and is often competitive for North American flights.

Scene+ is Scotiabank's loyalty program, spanning grocery stores (Sobeys, IGA, FreshCo), Cineplex, Home Hardware, travel, and more. Most redemptions deliver a flat 1¢ per point — here's how the tiers actually work: 1,000 pts = $10 off Cineplex tickets; 5,000 pts = $50 off at Home Hardware; 10,000 pts = $100 off at eligible grocery stores; 20,000 pts = $200 off travel through Scene+ Travel (Powered by Expedia). The exception is account credits — 3,000 pts = $20, which works out to only 0.67¢/pt and should be avoided.

TD Rewards points are a flexible bank currency redeemable for travel, merchandise, cash back, and more. The best value comes from booking travel through Expedia for TD, where points are worth 1¢ each. Statement credits drop value to 0.5¢/pt. TD Rewards has no airline or hotel transfer partners, limiting upside compared to Amex MR or Aeroplan.

WestJet Dollars are the simplest rewards currency in Canada — each dollar earned is literally worth $1 toward WestJet flights, vacation packages, and seat upgrades. There's no award chart, no blackout dates, no transfer partners, and no complex redemption strategy required. What you earn is what you spend.