Best Cards for Hotel and Airline Transfers in Canada

Why transferability matters

Transferable points systems let cardholders move bank-issued points into partner loyalty programs — typically hotels and airlines — and then redeem there. The practical advantage is optionality: a transferable balance can be routed to the program that offers the best redemption value for a specific trip. American Express states how transfers operate: “Transfer your points. Enjoy more ways to travel the world. Add your favourite partner loyalty programmes and transfer your Membership Rewards points.” American Express Membership Rewards (Canada)

A transferable approach changes program exposure. Co-branded cards lock value to a single program; transferable cards permit hedging across airline alliances and hotel chains. Independent guides and aggregators list transferable programs in Canada and show the growing set of hotel and airline partners available to Canadian cardholders. Prince of Travel, MoneySense

The major transferable pools and what they do

• American Express Membership Rewards. Amex Canada publishes a list of airline and hotel partners and describes the transfer process and timing. Transfers to Aeroplan are frequently instantaneous for eligible cards, which is a tactical advantage when award space is limited. American Express Membership Rewards (Canada)
• RBC Avion. RBC’s Avion program permits transfers to a set of airline partners (Avios, Asia Miles, WestJet, AAdvantage in some tiers), offering alternate award pathways beyond bank portals. Specialist guides enumerate RBC Avion transfer options and any tier restrictions. RBC Avion
• Hotel-chain programs and co-brands (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton). Hotel points are often earned via co-branded cards; some bank programs also support transfers into hotel programs. Marriott Bonvoy is a prominent hotel partner for redemptions and for which Canadian cardholders can accumulate nights through hotel cards or point transfers. Marriott Bonvoy

Collectors should map which transfer partners are accessible from each issuer and whether transfers are instant or delayed — a critical operational consideration for last-minute award bookings.

How transfer ratios and bonuses change value

Not all transfers are one-to-one. Amex global pages and Canadian product pages show that many Membership Rewards transfers execute at 1:1 to major partners, but exceptions and promotional bonus periods occur. American Express notes that transfers require an active linked account and that timing varies by partner. American Express Membership Rewards (Canada)

Transfer promotions — temporary bonus percentages when moving points into specific partner programs — materially affect the cents-per-point outcome. Travel analysts track promotions because a 20–30% transfer bonus can change a mediocre redemption into a high-value booking. Independent platforms list momentary transfer promotions and historical trends, enabling collectors to act when a bonus appears. Prince of Travel

Co-branded hotel and airline cards: the alternative

Co-branded cards (for example, airline-branded or hotel-branded cards) offer direct earning into the target program and often include on-property or onboard benefits. These cards remove a conversion step and can yield faster status accrual for frequent users. The trade-off is concentration: co-brands limit flexibility but can provide targeted benefits such as elite night credits, free night certificates and branded elite perks. Chain-specific pages and issuer lists enumerate those benefits and the costs of acquisition. Marriott Bonvoy

A working rule of thumb: co-brands suit users who concentrate spend in one program and expect to extract outsized value from program-specific perks; transferable cards suit those who value routing flexibility and tactical arbitrage across airline alliances or hotel chains.

Tactical considerations for airline transfers

• Immediate availability vs. transfer time. If award space opens at the last minute, instant transfers matter. Amex notes that Aeroplan transfers for eligible products are often instantaneous, which can be decisive for seat capture. American Express Membership Rewards (Canada)
• Calculate cents per point. Monetize award redemptions by dividing the cash fare or published retail value by the number of points required; compare that to a conservative value-per-point baseline for the transferable pool. Industry analyses offer reference values; MoneySense and specialist sites publish working averages that collectors use as a floor when valuing transfers. MoneySense
• Watch fuel surcharges and carrier surcharges. Some partner redemptions carry high carrier-imposed surcharges; these can erode the apparent value of a transferred award.

Tactical considerations for hotel transfers

• Redemption volatility. Hotel point pricing can fluctuate widely; transfers should align with confirmed award availability that yields attractive cents-per-point. Marriott Bonvoy and other chains publish award charts or dynamic pricing calendars that inform this math. Marriott Bonvoy
• Free-night certificates vs. point transfers. Some cards provide annual free-night certificates that can dominate transfer economics for specific stays. Compare the certificate’s allowed properties and blackout rules against transfer-based redemptions.
• Elite status credits. Co-branded hotel cards may accelerate status attainment through elite-night credits that transferable points alone cannot produce.

Which Canadian cards are most relevant now

A non-exhaustive list of issuer classes and strong candidates:

• American Express Membership Rewards earners (Amex Cobalt, Platinum, etc.). Primary transferable engine with a broad set of airline and hotel partners; useful where transfer timing and partner availability justify conversion. American Express Canada
• RBC Avion and RBC premium products. Transfers into Avios, Asia Miles and WestJet in certain tiers; Avion’s flexibility has made RBC cards a repeated recommendation in Canadian comparative guides. RBC Avion
• Co-branded hotel cards (Marriott Bonvoy). For collectors focused on hotel nights and upgrades, Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards provide direct earning and certificates that can exceed point-transfer value in specific cases. Marriott Bonvoy
• Other bank transfer offerings and multi-purpose travel cards. Some banks offer portal-based redemptions (Expedia-for-bank portals) that convert points to travel at fixed rates; these are less flexible than direct transfers but simpler for users who prefer convenience. TD and CIBC publish their redemption options and portal mechanics. TD Canada, CIBC credit cards

Aggregators (MoneySense, Prince of Travel, NerdWallet Canada) maintain current tables of product features and transfer partners and should be consulted prior to a high-stakes transfer or large welcome-offer decision. MoneySense, Prince of Travel, NerdWallet Canada

Execution checklist: transfer decision workflow

1. Confirm award availability. Before transferring points, verify the desired award space on the airline or hotel site.
2. Estimate cash vs. points value. Calculate the cents-per-point for the redemption and compare it to the working baseline used for the transferable pool. MoneySense
3. Check transfer ratio and timing. Confirm the issuer’s transfer ratio and whether transfers are instant or delayed. Amex documentation instructs cardholders to link accounts and verify transfer timing by partner. American Express Membership Rewards (Canada)
4. Assess fees and surcharges. Factor in carrier-imposed surcharges, taxes and any hotel resort fees that are not covered.
5. Execute the transfer. Move points only when the math supports the transfer and award space is confirmed.

Final Considerations

Points transfer strategy in Canada is an exercise in options management: transferable cards such as American Express Membership Rewards deliver routing flexibility and tactical opportunities, while co-branded hotel and airline cards provide concentrated benefits and status acceleration. Collectors who combine a flexible transferable engine with a targeted co-brand (hotel or airline) can optimize both availability and perks. Essential preparatory steps are simple yet decisive: confirm award availability, calculate cents-per-point against a conservative baseline, verify transfer ratios and timing, and account for surcharges and taxes. For current partner lists and issuer terms consult primary resources such as American Express Membership Rewards partner pages, RBC Avion program materials and hotel loyalty program guides prior to initiating transfers. Amex Membership Rewards, RBC Avion, Marriott Bonvoy