What Is a Point Actually Worth? A Reality Check

Not all points are created equal. The difference between the best and worst programs can mean leaving hundreds of dollars on the table.

The 2¢ Club (Tier 1)

Amex MR, Aeroplan, RBC Avion — ~$200 value per 10K points

• Aeroplan: Sweet spot is international premium cabin redemptions. Domestic economy: 1.5–2¢.
• Amex MR: Earns premium through flexibility. Transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan, or use Fixed Points Travel.
• RBC Avion: Similar transfer flexibility to British Airways, Cathay Pacific.

The Workhorses (Tier 2)

Scene+, Aventura, MBNA, NBC, BMO, TD Rewards — ~$50–$100 per 10K points

• BMO Rewards: 0.67¢ — fixed redemption through BMO’s travel agency
• TD Rewards: 0.5¢ — most restrictive of the bunch
• CIBC Aventura: 1.0¢ baseline, up to 2.2¢ via airline chart (aspirational)

Why This Matters

60K Aventura > 165K TD Rewards — that’s not marketing, that’s math.

When comparing offers: Always convert to dollar value using true cpp. A higher point count ≠ higher value.