The Beginner’s Guide to Travel Hacking in Canada: Save on Flights & Hotels Using Points

What Is Travel Hacking and How Does It Work?

Travel hacking — sometimes called reward travel — is the strategy of using credit card points, loyalty programs, and promotions to save money on travel. In some cases, you can even pay nothing at all for flights and hotel stays.

At its core, travel hacking is about being intentional with how you spend. Instead of just swiping your card and earning nothing, you use the right credit cards to earn big rewards on your everyday purchases — groceries, gas, streaming services, even bills.

Then, you redeem those points in smart ways to get outsized value — like a $1,200 flight for just 60,000 points and $70 in taxes. Or a $600-per-night hotel room for free using a free night certificate.

If that sounds too good to be true, you’re not alone — I thought the same. Before I got into this, I assumed those stories about people flying in lie-flat business class for pennies were just internet hype. But after dipping my toes in with one travel card, I was hooked. I quickly saw just how real — and accessible — these savings can be.

The truth is, you don’t need to travel constantly or be some finance genius to make this work. You just need the right strategy and a bit of guidance to get started.

Is Travel Hacking Right for You?

If you’ve ever heard people talk about “points” or “travel rewards” and thought, that sounds great, but I have no idea how it works — you’re in the right place.

Travel hacking is for regular people. You don’t need to be a frequent flyer, a finance expert, or someone with a six-figure income. If you’ve got a credit card (or are thinking of getting one), and you want to travel more without draining your savings — this is for you.

Here are a few signs travel hacking might be a perfect fit:

• You want to travel more often, but hate paying full price for flights and hotels
• You’re curious about points and rewards but feel overwhelmed by all the programs and jargon
• You’ve seen others get incredible travel deals and thought, how do they do that?
• You’re a beginner and just want someone to explain it in plain English, step by step
• You already use a credit card for everyday spending — but haven’t been earning rewards that actually matter

The truth is, if you’re spending money each month, you could be earning points toward your next trip — without changing your lifestyle.

Travel hacking works for families, solo travelers, couples, students, and even busy parents like me. If you’re willing to learn a few simple strategies, you’ll be amazed how quickly the savings can add up.

Why You Should Start Travel Hacking Today

Yes — travel hacking still works in 2025. And it’s not just for seasoned pros or frequent flyers. But here’s the catch: it’s getting more competitive.

Airlines and hotel programs are quietly raising the number of points it takes to book free flights and hotel stays. Perks like free checked bags, upgrades, and lounge access are being trimmed back. And those generous credit card signup bonuses that used to be everywhere? They’re slowly shrinking. Offers that once gave you 75,000 or even 100,000 points are starting to drop — and in some cases, disappear completely, especially in Canada. The truth is, the best deals don’t stick around forever. The longer you wait to start, the more value you could miss out on.

But when you start now, you get ahead of those changes. You can:

• Lock in great offers while they’re still available
• Learn how to earn points efficiently before rules tighten
• Start building your points balance so you’re ready when a great deal pops up
• Take advantage of limited-time promotions that disappear quickly

Travel hacking rewards early action. You don’t need to know everything to begin — but the sooner you start, the more value you’ll get over time.

Think of it like investing in future travel freedom. Every smart move you make today sets you up for cheaper, better trips tomorrow.

How Travel Hacking Saves You Money on Flights and Hotels

One of the biggest myths about travel hacking is that you need to spend a fortune to get free travel. But the truth is, most of the savings come from smart strategies — not more spending.

By using points and rewards wisely, you can unlock thousands of dollars in travel value each year. We’re talking about flying in business class for less than an economy ticket… or staying in $600-per-night hotels for next to nothing.

Here’s how it works:

• Credit Card Signup Bonuses
  These are the fastest way to earn a huge stash of points. When you sign up for a card and meet a minimum spend (usually a few thousand dollars in 3 months), you can earn 50,000 to 100,000+ points — often enough for a round-trip flight or multiple hotel nights.
• Promos and Perks
  Many cards and programs offer built-in travel perks: free checked bags, lounge access, hotel upgrades, late checkout, and more. These can save you hundreds without using a single point.
• Redeeming Points Strategically
  Not all redemptions are created equal. Using your points for gift cards or cash back might give you low value — but redeeming them for flights or hotel stays at the right time can get you 5–10x more value per point.
• Transfer Bonuses
  Sometimes, programs offer limited-time deals where you’ll get extra points when transferring between partners (e.g., from Amex to Aeroplan). These bonuses can stretch your points even further if you time it right.

✅ When you combine these strategies — earning big bonuses, stacking perks, and redeeming points at high value — you can book trips that feel totally out of reach… all without changing how much you spend day to day.

That’s the power of travel hacking: getting way more out of the money you already spend.

Common Myths About Travel Hacking (and the Real Truth)

Let’s debunk some common misconceptions that stop people from starting.

❌ Myth #1: Applying for multiple credit cards will destroy my credit
✅ Truth: If done responsibly, opening new cards can actually help your credit. It increases your available credit and lowers your utilization ratio — which are both factors that support a higher credit score. Most travel hackers see their score go up over time, not down.

❌ Myth #2: You need to spend a ton of money to earn enough points
✅ Truth: The majority of your points will come from signup bonuses — not from overspending. Most travel cards offer 50,000 to 100,000 points just for meeting a minimum spend, often on things you already buy like groceries, gas, and bills.

❌ Myth #3: The annual fees on travel credit cards aren’t worth it
✅ Truth: One smart redemption can easily cover years of annual fees. If you use a $120 card to book a $600 hotel night or a $1,000 flight, it more than pays for itself.

❌ Myth #4: Travel hacking only works if you want business class flights
✅ Truth: While premium seats can offer great value, economy flights often give the best bang for your buck — especially for families. You don’t need luxury redemptions to save a ton. Even simple economy redemptions can save you hundreds.

❌ Myth #5: It only works for solo travelers or couples
✅ Truth: This is one of the most common misconceptions. Travel hacking works for families too — I’ve personally booked 7 business class seats to Europe using points. With a bit of planning, group travel becomes not just possible, but incredibly rewarding.

Travel hacking isn’t just for high-flyers or frequent travelers — it’s for anyone who wants to travel more and spend less. And once you understand how the system works, the opportunities open up fast.

How Long Does It Take to See Results from Travel Hacking?

Travel hacking isn’t instant — but it doesn’t take years to pay off either. In fact, many people see real savings in just a few months.

How quickly you earn points depends on your spending habits and which credit cards you start with. But for most beginners, this is a realistic timeline:

• You can earn 100,000+ points within your first 3 to 6 months
• You could be sitting on 300,000+ points by the end of your first year

And what do those points actually get you?

• That could mean $5,000 to $6,000 worth of economy flights
• Or over $15,000 in business or first class travel, if you redeem wisely
• Or a mix of free flights, hotel nights, and travel perks — all without paying full price

Personally, I tend to redeem points as soon as I’ve built up a few hundred thousand — usually for one big trip each year. But if you’re the type who likes to save and plan long-term, hitting 1 million+ points is totally doable. It just takes a bit more time (or using strategies like a two-player mode with a partner and earning referral bonuses).

The point is: you don’t have to wait long to see the benefits. With a few smart moves and a little consistency, travel hacking starts working faster than most people think.

Real Travel Hacking Examples You Can Replicate

Let’s move from theory to real-life savings. These are actual redemptions that show what’s possible when you use points strategically — and they’re totally achievable for beginners using one or two credit card signup bonuses.

Aeroplan Example: Toronto to Tokyo in Peak Season

• Points used: 50,700 + $77 in taxes
• Cash price for similar flight: ~$1,100
• Savings: Roughly $1,000

Booking a flight from Toronto to Tokyo during peak travel season can easily cost over a grand — but with Aeroplan points, this same flight was booked for under $80 out of pocket. This is a perfect example of how even economy redemptions can offer massive value. With just one or two good travel cards, you could earn enough points for a trip like this more than once.

Marriott Bonvoy Example: Free Hotel Night in Hawaii

• Cash price: $800-$1,000 per night
• Points used: 35,000 free night certificate from the Bonvoy card + up to 15,000 point top-up
• Your cost: Just the annual fee on a Bonvoy card ($120–$150)

Staying at a beachfront resort in Hawaii might seem out of reach — but with a Bonvoy credit card, it’s more attainable than most people think. This redemption covered a night at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, using the annual free night certificate that comes with the card. That’s nearly $800 in value from a perk many cardholders don’t even realize they have. And if you’re in a two-player setup with a travel partner, you could unlock up to four free nights a year. I break down exactly how that works — and how to make the most of it — in this post: Amex Bonvoy Cards: The Key Ongoing Hotel Savings

These aren’t edge cases or once-in-a-lifetime finds. These are real, repeatable examples that anyone can achieve with smart signup bonuses and strategic redemptions. Whether you’re dreaming of Japan, Hawaii, or somewhere else entirely, travel hacking gives you a way to get there for a fraction of the price — or even for free.

Luxury travel doesn’t have to come with luxury prices. It just takes the right strategy.

Take the Next Step: Learn the Key Programs and Strategies

These guides break down the programs, cards, and tactics I use to get the most value out of every point.

👉 Aeroplan 101 – Learn how to earn and redeem points like a pro.

🏨 Bonvoy 101 – Get the most out of Marriott’s rewards program.

💳 What You Really Need to Know About Credit Card Offers – Don’t miss the fine print (and the big wins).

💳 Best Travel Credit Card Offers This Month in Canada

🍁 How To Earn 1 Million Points (Canadian Edition) – A real-life strategy you can follow, step by step.

Reward travel works—and you can start today.