28-01-2025
Save money on your next road trip with these loyalty program tips
Whether you're driving your own vehicle or picking up a rental car, a road trip with family or friends is one of the best travel experiences since it offers flexibility, scenic routes and a bonding experience. But even though driving is usually cheaper than flying, the costs can add up when you factor in gas, parking fees, and in some cases, rental costs. To contain these costs, there are ways to leverage credit cards and loyalty points. Here's how.
Every major gas station in Canada has a loyalty program. If you stick to a single chain you can rack up those points quickly. In addition, many gas stations have loyalty partners, so you could potentially double up on points by adding to two programs with one purchase.
Petro-Canada/Petro Points is partnered with Canadian Tire/Triangle Rewards. If you link your accounts, you can earn CT Money and 20 per cent more Petro Points at Petro-Canada and participating Gas+ locations with every fill up. You also have the option to link your Petro-Points account to an RBC credit card, which can earn you up to 7 cents per litre in value. Link your RBC Avion account, and you earn points for both and get 20 per cent more points when paying at the pump with the RBC card. Petro-Points can be redeemed for immediate savings at Petro-Canada gas stations, while RBC Avion points can be used for travel-related redemptions, such as car rentals and hotels.
Alternatively, Aeroplan, Air Canada's loyalty program, is partnered with Journie Rewards, so you can earn Aeroplan points at gas station brands such as Pioneer, Chevron and Ultramar. While Aeroplan points are typically used for flights, you can also use them for car rentals and hotel stays, offsetting some of your road trip costs.
Admittedly, when road tripping, it may be hard to stick to a single gas station brand. However, there are credit cards that offer extra points or cash back on gas fill ups and electric vehicle charging, which is money you can put back in your pocket.
Two popular cards for gas include the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card, which gives you 5 BMO Rewards per dollar spent on gas. One BMO Rewards point has a value of 0.67 cents when used for travel, so for gas fill ups, you're getting a return of 3.35 per cent in points. You can use those points for future travel or to book any remaining hotels for your current trip. Additionally, the Tangerine Money-Back Card offers 2 per cent cash back if you select gas as one of your money-back categories. The cash back earned with Tangerine can be applied to your monthly credit card statement.
Whether you collect TD Rewards, Air Miles or CIBC Rewards, most travel loyalty programs allow you to use your points on car rentals. This redemption option can save you money, but there is a risk involved.
Most travel credit cards include insurance for car rental theft and damage, but it typically requires the full amount of the rental be charged to your card. That means if you pay for your rental on points, you won't get the free coverage from your credit card, so you will have to purchase additional insurance or check your home auto insurance policy in advance to see if you're covered for car rentals.
You're better off paying for your rental car in full with a credit card that provides insurance and using your points on a hotel stay you need during your trip instead.
Having a roadside assistance plan is essential when driving since it provides access to help if you run into any car issues along the way. Even though roadside assistance plans are relatively inexpensive, many people opt to pass on it due to the added cost. However, there is a way to get it for free.
The Triangle World Elite Mastercard comes with a free roadside assistance plan for travel in North America (and has no annual fee). Opt to cover the cardmember instead of a specific vehicle, and you're covered even when renting a car. Other credit cards that offer free roadside assistance include the TD Cashback Visa Infinite Card and BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard. These roadside assistance plans generally cover you in Canada and the continental United States. However, since each policy varies, it's essential to read the fine print.
There are a few cards that offer discounts on car rentals. Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Cardholders can save up to 25 per cent off base rates at participating AVIS and Budget locations in North America. There's also the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard, which offers up to 20 per cent off National and Alamo car rentals and up to 5 per cent on Enterprise car rentals worldwide. If you're a Visa Infinite cardholder, you get up to 30 per cent off with Auto Europe rentals.
Car rental prices fluctuate based on supply and demand and are typically fully refundable, so it's wise to book early. After making a reservation, check back every couple of weeks to see if prices have dropped. If they have, rebook right away for the lower rate.
With a bit of planning, you can save on car rentals, insurance, and gas, leaving more room in your budget for fun. All you need is the right combination of credit card benefits and loyalty programs to help reduce your costs and make your adventure more affordable.
