Collecting Points Is Easy — Maximizing Them Takes Strategy
Anyone can sign up for a card and collect points. The difference between casual collectors and maximizers comes down to a few key practices.
1. Know Your Point Values
Not all points are equal:
- 2¢+ per point: Amex MR, RBC Avion, Aeroplan (when used well)
- 1¢ per point: Aventura, MBNA Rewards, Scene+
- 0.5¢ per point: TD Rewards (yes, really)
A 60,000 point signup bonus could be worth $1,200 (Amex) or $300 (TD). Always do the conversion.
2. Stack Everything
Every purchase should hit multiple layers:
- Base points: Use the right card for the category
- Portal bonuses: Check Aeroplan eStore, Rakuten, or airline portals
- Card-linked offers: Amex Offers, CIBC rewards often have extra points
- Gift card discounts: Buy discounted gift cards for merchants you shop at anyway
3. Time Your Transfers
Most point programs run transfer bonuses:
- RBC → Avios: 30% bonus (happens 2-3x/year)
- Amex → Marriott: 30% bonus (usually fall)
- Amex → Aeroplan: occasional bonuses
A 30% transfer bonus turns 50,000 points into 65,000. That’s a free hotel night.
4. Watch for Sweet Spots
Certain redemptions offer outsized value:
- Aeroplan mini-RTW (Round The World) for 180K points in business class
- Short-haul Avios flights (YYZ-NYC for 9K points)
- Marriott off-peak Category 1-2 hotels (5K-10K points/night)
5. Don’t Hoard Points
Points aren’t investments — they depreciate. Airlines devalue programs. Hotels raise award prices. Have a plan to use them within 12-18 months of earning.
The 80/20 Rule
80% of your value will come from 20% of your activity: signup bonuses and a few high-value redemptions. Don’t obsess over optimizing every dollar of spend. Focus on the big wins.
What’s your best points redemption story?