If you want travel rewards without making Aeroplan your main program, compare American Express Membership Rewards, RBC Avion and Scotiabank Scene+. They offer different ways to earn and use points: Amex documents transfers to participating airline and hotel programs, while the reviewed RBC and Scotiabank pages describe travel redemptions. No one option is best for everyone; your spending, preferred airlines, card acceptance and willingness to search for award availability matter.
Which travel rewards card is best if you don’t want Aeroplan?
Start by deciding what you want “alternative” to mean. You might want points that can go to several airline programs, travel rewards that are easier to redeem through an issuer, or a card whose bonus categories fit your everyday spending. Those are different goals, and the programs below are not directly comparable by points earned per dollar alone.
- Consider American Express Membership Rewards if airline and hotel transfer options are important and you are comfortable checking partner award availability and terms.
- Consider RBC Avion if you want an RBC-issued rewards card and travel redemption options. The official RBC guide reviewed documents travel redemptions, but does not establish a current transfer-partner roster or current partner eligibility.
- Consider Scotiabank Scene+ if the listed everyday spending categories suit you and you prefer issuer-described travel redemptions rather than airline award transfers.
These are program-fit considerations, not a ranking of card value. The available issuer pages do not establish a common points valuation or a like-for-like realized return across the three programs.
How do Membership Rewards, Avion and Scene+ differ?
| Program | Documented travel route | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| American Express Membership Rewards | American Express Canada says eligible Membership Rewards points can be used for Pay with Points travel options or transferred to participating third-party airline and hotel loyalty programs. Its partner pages list options such as Avios and Marriott Bonvoy. American Express Canada and partner options. | Eligible card and account requirements, current partners and transfer ratios, transfer timing, award availability, and the terms of the partner program. Pay with Points is a separate option from transferring to a partner. |
| RBC Avion | RBC’s Avion Visa Infinite benefits guide describes redemptions for flights, travel packages, hotels, cruises and other travel. RBC Avion Visa Infinite benefits guide. | The guide is several years old; confirm current redemption terms, qualifying cards and any transfer-partner details directly with RBC before relying on them. |
| Scotiabank Scene+ | Scotiabank describes category-based earning and travel redemption options, including Scene+ Travel and Apply Points to Travel. Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card. | Which purchases qualify for each rate, any category or annual thresholds, and the terms applying to the redemption route you plan to use. |
American Express says, “You can transfer your Membership Rewards points to a third-party points program, like your favourite partner airline and hotel loyalty programs.” Transfers are subject to eligible-card and participating-program terms. Check the live issuer and partner pages before moving points: partner lists and conditions can change, and a transfer may not be reversible under the applicable terms.
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When does Scotiabank Scene+ fit everyday spending?
Scene+ Visa
Scotiabank’s Scene+ Visa page lists 2 points per dollar at named grocery partners and Home Hardware, and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. The same page gives a travel example: 20,000 points can be used for $200 off travel through Scene+ Travel and Apply Points to Travel. These are issuer-published rates and an example, not a general valuation for every Scene+ redemption.
Scotiabank Gold American Express
Scotiabank’s Gold American Express card page lists 6 Scene+ points per dollar at named grocery banners including Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and Foodland; 5 points per dollar on eligible dining, food delivery, food subscriptions, other eligible grocery stores and entertainment; 3 points per dollar on eligible gas, transit and streaming; and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. The accelerated categories are subject to an annual spend threshold, after which the standard rate applies. The listed annual fee is $120. See Scotiabank’s Gold American Express card page for qualifying purchases and current terms.
The page lists an offer for eligible new accounts opened from July 2 through November 1, 2026: up to 50,000 bonus points through spend requirements, with separate first-year value claims. It is time-limited, subject to eligibility and offer terms, and should be checked on the issuer page before applying.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
How should you compare value without mixing up points?
A higher earn rate does not automatically mean a better return. One program may offer a transfer to an airline award program; another may let you redeem points against travel through an issuer’s portal or specified option. A meaningful comparison requires a redemption you would actually use, with its rules and costs included. The issuer pages cited here do not establish a shared cents-per-point value for Membership Rewards, Avion and Scene+.
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For context, American Express Canada states that 1,000 Membership Rewards points equal a $10 Air Canada Pay with Points travel credit. That is the issuer’s stated conversion for this specific option, not a valuation of points transferred to partner programs. The older RBC guide gives a business-class air redemption figure of 100 Avion points per $1 CAD, but it is not a reliable current general valuation without confirmation from RBC.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
What should you check before choosing?
- Your spending: Estimate how much you actually spend in eligible categories rather than assuming every grocery, dining or travel purchase earns an accelerated rate.
- Your preferred travel: Consider airlines, destinations, dates and cabin preferences. Transfer choices only help if a suitable award is available under the partner’s rules.
- How you want to redeem: Decide whether you are willing to compare partner awards or would rather use issuer-described travel redemption options.
- Fees and offer terms: Compare the annual fee with benefits you will use. Read welcome-offer eligibility and spend requirements rather than treating the headline bonus as guaranteed.
- Acceptance where you shop: Check that the card network works at your regular merchants; acceptance can vary, and the cited issuer pages do not quantify it.
- Current terms: Recheck issuer pages for rates, qualifying cards, partner rosters and redemption rules before applying or transferring points.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
