Summer (June–August) is Canada’s peak travel season. Whether you’re flying domestically, driving to the US, or taking an international trip, the right credit card can save hundreds in fees and earn you enough points for your next trip.
Best Travel Credit Cards for Summer 2026
| Card | Annual Fee | Best Benefit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | $150 | No FX fee + 6 lounge visits/year | International travel with lounge access |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | Aeroplan on Air Canada; travel insurance | Flying Air Canada this summer |
| Amex Cobalt | $155.88/yr | 5x on food/drink; MR transfers to Aeroplan | Flexible summer spending |
| Amex Platinum | $899 | Unlimited Centurion lounge; NEXUS rebate | Frequent flyers with lounge needs |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite | $139 | Aventura on all travel; no FX abroad | Domestic and international travel |
| Scotiabank Gold Amex | $120 | No FX fee; 3x Scene+ on dining abroad | Budget-friendly international travel |
No Foreign Transaction Fee Cards: Essential for US and International Travel
Most Canadian credit cards charge a 2.5% foreign transaction (FX) fee on purchases in USD or other currencies. For a $3,000 US summer trip, that’s $75 extra in fees.
Best no-FX cards for summer travel:
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite — No FX + 6 lounge visits
- Scotiabank Gold Amex — No FX + bonus on dining/grocery
- Home Trust Preferred Visa — No FX, no annual fee
- KOHO Mastercard — Prepaid, no FX option
See: Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards in Canada
Domestic Summer Travel: Best Cards for Road Trips
Canadian road trips — driving to Banff, the Maritimes, or cottage country — still benefit from the right card for gas and dining.
Best for gas:
- BMO CashBack World Elite — 4% on gas
- Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite — 4% on gas
Best for restaurants on the road:
- Amex Cobalt — 5x MR on any dining
- Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa — 4% restaurant
Travel Insurance That Matters in Summer
Summer travel means emergency medical, trip cancellation, and travel delay coverage matters. Cards with the best travel insurance for summer:
- Amex Platinum — Out-of-province medical (unlimited trip length); $500 hotel after 6-hour delay
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite — 21-day out-of-province medical; trip cancellation $1,500/person
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite — 25-day emergency medical; trip interruption $2,000/person
Tip: Most card travel insurance only covers trips of 3–10 days (for medical). If you’re travelling for a month, verify your card’s trip length limit or consider standalone travel insurance.
Lounge Access for Summer Travel
Canadian airports are busy in summer — lounge access is a meaningful comfort upgrade.
- Amex Platinum — Unlimited Priority Pass + Amex Centurion lounges (Toronto, Vancouver, New York, etc.)
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite — 6 complimentary Priority Pass visits/year
- National Bank World Elite — 6 Priority Pass visits/year
See: Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada
Summer Travel Card Strategy
- Use a no-FX card for all purchases in the US or abroad
- Book flights with an Aeroplan card for priority boarding and travel insurance
- Use a 5x dining card (Amex Cobalt) at restaurants during your trip
- Check travel insurance coverage before you leave — some cards exclude pre-existing conditions
Related Articles
- Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards
- Best Credit Cards for Snowbirds
- NEXUS Card Credit Card Reimbursement
- Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Review
Details current as of June 2026. See our Advertiser Disclosure.