Welcome! If you’ve ever wondered how people fly business class to Europe for a fraction of the cash price, this is the page for you. Here’s the beginner’s path I wish someone had handed me.
What is churning?
Churning means opening credit cards for their welcome bonuses, meeting the minimum spend with purchases you were going to make anyway, and then redeeming the points for travel. Do it responsibly and one good welcome bonus can cover a big chunk of a flight.
The golden rules
- Pay in full, every month. Interest on most of these cards is 21.99% or more. One month of interest wipes out the value of the points.
- Only spend what you’d spend anyway. Time new cards around big planned costs like insurance, taxes, or a reno project.
- Track every card. I keep a simple spreadsheet: open date, minimum-spend deadline, annual fee date.
- Mind your credit. Space out applications and keep your oldest cards open.
How points work in Canada
Most Canadian churners focus on American Express Membership Rewards. Many Amex cards let you transfer points to frequent flyer programs (Amex says 1:1 to several programs on cards like the Green Card). Transfer partners and ratios change, so check Amex’s current list before you move points.
Bank programs like RBC Avion also have airline transfer options and are worth having in your toolkit. Check RBC’s current partner list before converting.
A simple first-year plan
- Start with one solid Membership Rewards card (see my card reviews).
- Hit the minimum spend on time, then let your score settle.
- Add a second card a few months later, ideally one from a different program.
- Pick a dream redemption early. A goal makes the whole thing fun.
Ready?
Read the card reviews, then grab a link from my referrals page if one fits.
Heads up: some links on this page are my personal referral links. If you are approved through one, I may earn points at no cost to you. Full disclosure.