CORINNE'S NOTEBOOK · CARDS & TRAVEL

Less hesitating.
More travelling.

My 5 favourite cards, and more importantly:
why I'd pick them.

A lounge before takeoff, points for the next getaway, insurance worth a close look… Each card has its own good reason to be in your wallet.

See my 5 picks A personal selection · Data by Milesopedia

Corinne, creator of Milesococo — Hi, I’m Corinne.
Points, without the headache.

MY TOP 5, BASED ON WHAT YOU'RE AFTER

One card. One good reason.

Start with what matters to you.
I’ll explain the rest.

01Flying out of Montréal

Your vacation starts in Montréal.

Montréal → Athens

You've cleared security at Montréal-Trudeau. Your flight to Athens leaves in two hours, and Paros is waiting for you tomorrow. Instead of sitting at the gate, picture yourself at the National Bank Lounge, coffee in hand. That quiet moment is what speaks to me with this card. And before I leave, I take the time to look at its travel insurance: it matters as much as the lounge.

The first coffee of the trip is at the lounge.

WHAT THIS CARD ADDSUnlimited access to the National Bank Lounge

At Montréal-Trudeau, before an international departure outside Canada and the U.S. The travel coverage is another strength worth a look.

What I’d check before choosing

The lounge is in the international departures area, not the U.S. departures area. The insurance has age limits, trip length limits and payment conditions.

Check the issuer’s terms ↗

CORINNE'S PICK · 01 National Bank World Elite Mastercard

National Bank World Elite® Mastercard®

Welcome offer$150 annual fee rebated: First Year Annual Fee Rebate; Ends Nov 4, 2026

Annual feeNo annual fee the first year: $0 $150

Apply Now All card details →

My picks in Montréal

02Everyday spending

Your dinners here.Your next trip there.

From everyday spending to New York

Sunday’s grocery run. Dinner out with friends. Coffee before work. You’re already spending that money. With the Cobalt, I like the idea that it can go toward the next plan: say, a few days in New York, walking around without checking the time. Not by spending more. By making your usual budget work harder.

The getaway starts at your neighbourhood grocery store.

WHAT THIS CARD ADDSYour points → Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy

Transferable points to plan a flight or a stay, on top of the higher earn rate on eligible food and grocery purchases in Canada.

What I’d check before choosing

I make sure the places I shop take Amex. The bonus rate depends on the merchant category and a monthly cap. I compare value and availability before transferring to Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy.

Check the issuer’s terms ↗

CORINNE'S PICK · 02 American Express Cobalt Card

American Express Cobalt® Card

Welcome bonusGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months: Up to 15,000 points

Annual fee: $191.88

Apply Now All card details →

My picks in New York

03With Air Canada

Your suitcase flies.The baggage fees, less so.

Off to Greece

Destination Greece: a flight to Athens, then the ferry to Paros and Naxos. From one island to the next, the suitcase comes along, with the summer dresses, the sandals and room for souvenirs. Not everything fits in a carry-on. On an eligible Air Canada flight, a free first checked bag is the kind of perk I can see myself using right away. Especially if these trips come back every year.

One island, then the next. The suitcase follows.

WHAT THIS CARD ADDS$0 for your first checked bag

On eligible flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express, according to the card’s terms.

What I’d check before choosing

I link my Aeroplan account to the card and check the flight’s conditions. This perk doesn’t mean all bags are free.

Check the issuer’s terms ↗

CORINNE'S PICK · 03 TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

Welcome bonusAfter $12,000 in 12 months: Up to 50,000 points

Annual feeNo annual fee the first year: $0 $139

Apply Now All card details →

My picks in Greece

04Abroad

Enjoying Nice, right down to the bill.

Nice, in euros

A coffee in Old Nice, a beach day on the Promenade, a long dinner by the port. When you travel, payments in euros add up fast. What I find handy with the Passport card: no Scotiabank foreign transaction fees added to every purchase. And on the way home, a lounge visit can give you one last break before the flight.

Socca by the port. A simpler bill.

WHAT THIS CARD ADDS0% Scotiabank foreign transaction fees

On purchases in foreign currencies. The network exchange rate applies. Plus six lounge visits per membership year for breaks along the way.

What I’d check before choosing

The network exchange rate always applies. Guests use up visits too, and you need to enrol in the lounge program.

Check the issuer’s terms ↗

CORINNE'S PICK · 04

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card

Welcome bonusAfter $2,000 in 3 months: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

Annual fee: $150

Apply Now All card details →

My picks in Nice

05Flexible points

Paris on your mind.Your options open.

Paris in the spring

Picture spring in Paris: a café terrace, a long walk, then back to the comfort of your hotel. What I like about the Gold Card is being able to plan this trip without locking in my points right away: Aeroplan for the flight, or Marriott Bonvoy for hotel nights. I compare the options before choosing.

The flight. The hotel. And the freedom to choose.

WHAT THIS CARD ADDS4 complimentary Plaza Premium visits

In Canada, per calendar year, for the primary cardholder. Guest visits come out of the same total.

What I’d check before choosing

I check availability and redemption value before transferring my points. The ratio varies by program. For Plaza Premium lounges, the four annual visits are shared with guests; access conditions apply.

Check the issuer’s terms ↗

CORINNE'S PICK · 05 American Express Gold Rewards Card

American Express® Gold Rewards Card

Welcome bonusAfter $12,000 in 12 months: Up to 60,000 points

Annual fee: $250

Apply Now All card details →

My picks in Paris

DREAMING OF ELSEWHERE

And you, where would it be?

From Montréal to Paris, by way of New York, Greece and Nice… Where would you go next?

AI-generated scene of Corinne, seen from behind, Montréal — **Montréal**Where the trip begins

Corinne on a rooftop, facing Manhattan — **New York**The energy of the city

Corinne hiking on Naxos — **Greece**The islands of Paros and Naxos

Corinne above the Baie des Anges in Nice — **Nice**The Baie des Anges

AI-generated scene of Corinne, seen from behind, Paris — **Paris**Taking your time

THE RIGHT CHOICE IS YOURS

You don’t need all five.
Start with the one that fits you.

Fees, your habits and your plans matter as much as points. Compare cards against your budget and pay your balance in full so interest doesn’t wipe out the value of your rewards.

Compare based on my spending

Bonuses don’t guarantee a flight or a stay: availability and program terms apply.

Less hesitating.More travelling.

Your vacation starts in Montréal.

National Bank World Elite® Mastercard®

My picks in Montréal

Your dinners here.Your next trip there.

American Express Cobalt® Card

My picks in New York

Your suitcase flies.The baggage fees, less so.

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

My picks in Greece

Enjoying Nice, right down to the bill.

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card

My picks in Nice

Paris on your mind.Your options open.

American Express® Gold Rewards Card

My picks in Paris

And you, where would it be?

You don’t need all five.Start with the one that fits you.

Less hesitating.
More travelling.

You don’t need all five.
Start with the one that fits you.