CREDIT CARD REWARD TICKETS
"Diners Club Stands Out"
by Patrick Sojka - Editor Rewards Canada | Posted Mar 2, 06
Please note since the posting of this article some redemption rates have changed for these cards please see this revised chart for an up to date comparison. Posted Aug 19, 08
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In today's world of earning and redeeming points there is no shortage on the options available to the consumer. One option is collecting points on credit cards that offer their own airline reward tickets, that is the points don't go into a frequent flyer program rather you redeem the points through the credit card's respective travel agency. In Canada there are a number of credit cards available that offer this option, some are hybrid cards (where you can redeem the points through the Card's travel agency or transfer the points to a frequent flyer program) and the rest are strictly point cards (where those points can only be redeemed through the Card's travel agency).

Out of the major players in this arena, three Credit Cards have their own reward charts much like frequent flyer programs with set point redemption values for Short Haul, North America, Europe, Asia etc. airline tickets. These cards are the Royal Bank Platinum Avion Visa, Diners Club MasterCard, and the CIBC Aventura Visa. All of the other cards offer a set dollar amount credit for a certain amount of points redeemed that can be used towards airline tickets or other travel. These point cards include the TD Gold Travel Visa, Scotiabank Preferred Visa, National Bank of Canada MasterCard and American Express Membership Rewards.

From all the cards that offer their own reward tickets it is the Diners Club MasterCard that comes out on top. Diners Club has ensured that their redemption dollar value for each set reward ticket is C$50 higher then the Avion or Aventura card. The cards which don't have set reward charts don't even come close in terms of value. For example by spending $15,000 you would earn a short haul ticket worth up $400 with Diners Club, $350 with Avion or Aventura while the TD Visa would only give you a $225 credit to travel. Even though RBC Avion advertisements state you can travel when you want where you want they are restrictions, if you want to fly three days from now that is not possible as their tickets require a 14 day advance booking plus you are required to have a Saturday night stay. These tickets then also have athe airline fare class rules and restrictions on top. Diner's Club on the otherhand does not require you to book fourteen days out or include a Saturday night stay with your airline tickets. With the Diners Club card and the cards like the TD Visa you are simply restricted by the airline fare class rules & restrictions for the particular ticket you are redeeming for.

The chart below shows a complete comparison of the cards in terms of points redeemed but remember this is only one part of what these credit cards offer and each card has their own benefits like car rental insurance, business class lounge access, hotel redemptions and the list goes on. It is up to you the consumer to do your due diligence and see which credit card suits you the best in terms of benefits and rewards.

For more credit card and mileage earning tips see Rewards Canada's other articles in the never ending race to be rewarded.

Please note since the posting of this article some redemption rates have changed for these cards please see this revised chart for an up to date comparison Posted Aug 19, 08
Diners Club
RBC Avion
CIBC
Aventura
TD Gold Travel ^
Scotia Preferred Visa ^
National Bank of Canada ^
Amex Membership Rewards ^
Short-Haul: Canada / United States
(Neighbouring Prov/State)
Points Required
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
Max $ Value
$400
$350
$350
$225
$150
**
$150
Long-Haul: Canada/United States
Points Required
30,000
30,000
30,000
30,000
30,000
30,000
30,000
Max $ Value
$800
$750
$750
$450
$300
**
$300
Long-Haul: Bermuda, Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska
(Bermuda from Eastern Canada | Mexico, Hawaii & Alaska from Western Canada)
Points Required
45,000
45,000
45,000
45,000
45,000
45,000
45,000
Max $ Value
$950
$900
$900
$675
$450
**
$450
Long-Haul: Bermuda, Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska
(Bermuda from Western Canada | Mexico, Hawaii & Alaska from Eastern Canada)
Points Required
55,000
55,000
55,000
55,000
55,000
55,000
55,000
Max $ Value
$1150
$1100
$1100
$825
$550
$550
$550
Long-Haul: Europe
Points Required
65,000
65,000
65,000
65,000
65,000
65,000
65,000
Max $ Value
$1350
$1300
$1300
$975
$650
$650
$650
Long-Haul: Asia, Australia, Middle East, Africa and South America
Points Required
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
Max $ Value
$2050
$2000
$2000
$1500
$1000
$1000
$1000
Conditions
Refundable?
No
No
No
*
*
*
*
Sat Stay Required?
*
Yes
*
*
*
*
*
Advance Booking?
*
14 Days
*
*
*
*
*
^ = These cards dos not have set point values for redemption, you simply redeem points for a travel credit. Above values are for comparison purposes only
* = Subject only to airline fare class rules
** = NBC offers $100 for every 11,000 points redeemed up to 50,000 points, then it goes to $100 for each 10,000
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