Welcome to the 2022 Prince of Travel Awards, our third edition of annual community awards to recognize excellence in travel, rewards, and loyalty programs.
Across 37 different categories over four weeks of voting, we invite you to make your voice heard on which issuers, programs, airlines, hotels, products, and promotions have impressed you the most this year as you’ve progressed along your journey with travelling the world.
Together, let’s take stock of how things have played out over the past year and which offerings are looking the most appealing as we head into 2023.
2022 Prince of Travel Awards Categories
The 37 categories for the 2022 Prince of Travel Awards are as follows (new categories for this year are highlighted in italics):
Week 1: Credit Cards
- Best Premium Credit Card
- Best Travel Credit Card
- Best Small Business Credit Card
- Best Credit Card Signup Bonus
- Best Visa Card
- Best Mastercard
- Best Credit Card Perk
- Best Cash Back Credit Card
- Best No-Fee Credit Card
- Best No FX Fee Credit Card
- Best New Financial Product
- Best US Credit Card
Week 2: Loyalty Programs
- Best Transferable Points Currency
- Best Fixed-Value Points Currency
- Best Airline Loyalty Program
- Best Hotel Loyalty Program
- Best Hotel Elite Status
- Best International Award Sweet Spot
- Best Promotion
- Best Positive Change
- Best New Aeroplan Partner
Week 3: Airlines & Lounges
- Best Domestic Business Class
- Best Domestic Economy Class
- Best International Business Class
- Best International First Class
- Best Airport Lounge in Canada
- Best Business Class Lounge
- Best First Class Lounge
- Best New Aviation Product
Week 4: Hotels & Destinations
- Best Hotel in Canada (Points)
- Best Hotel in Canada (Cash)
- Best Resort in Canada (Points)
- Best Resort in Canada (Cash)
- Best International City Hotel
- Best Overwater Villa
- Best Aspirational Hotel (Points)
- Most Exciting Destination Reopening
Week 1: Credit Cards
In Week 1 of voting, it’s time to cast your vote on the 12 Credit Cards categories, with a shortlist of nominees among each category for you to choose from.
Best Premium Credit Card
Among travel rewards credit cards that command a $399+ annual fee in exchange for stronger travel benefits, which product is the best?
- American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
- American Express Platinum Card
- BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
Best Travel Credit Card
Among travel rewards credit cards that command an annual fee in the range of $119–150, which product is the best?
- American Express Cobalt Card
- HSBC World Elite Mastercard
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
- WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Best Small Business Credit Card
Among travel rewards credit cards geared towards small business owners, which product is the best?
- American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card
- American Express Business Edge Card
- Business Platinum Card by American Express
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business Card
- TD Aeroplan Visa Business Card
Best Credit Card Welcome Bonus
What was the best credit card signup bonus this year? Which welcome incentive did you capitalize on the most?
- 115,000 MR / Aeroplan points on the American Express Platinum Card / Aeroplan Reserve Card
- 120,000 MR points on the Business Platinum Card by American Express
- 75,000 MR points on the American Express Gold Rewards Card
- 55,000 Avion points on the RBC Avion Visa Infinite
- 45,000 Aventura points + First Year Free on the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
Best Visa Card
Of the major Visa products in Canada issued by the Big 5 banks, which one is the best?
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
- CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
- BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Best Mastercard
Of the major Mastercard products in the Canadian market, which one is the best?
- BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard
- Brim World Elite Mastercard
- HSBC World Elite Mastercard
- National Bank World Elite Mastercard
- WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Best Credit Card Perk
Travel rewards credit cards are coming up with all sorts of creative perks to entice people to sign up. Which credit card perk have you gotten the most value from?
- Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Centurion Lounge access on the American Express Platinum / Business Platinum Cards
- Maple Leaf Lounge access on the Aeroplan premium credit cards
- WestJet companion voucher on the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
- Anniversary free night certificate worth 35,000 points on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express cards
- $200 lifestyle credit on the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Best Cash Back Credit Card
Of the major cash back credit cards in the Canadian market, which one is the best?
- SimplyCash Preferred Card by American Express
- BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
- Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite Card
- CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card
- Tangerine World Mastercard
Best No-Fee Credit Card
Of the major Canadian credit cards with no annual fees, which one is the best?
- RBC Ion Visa
- Tangerine World Mastercard
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card
- American Express Green Card
- TD Rewards Visa Card
Best No FX Fee Credit Card
Of the major Canadian credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, which one is the best?
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
- Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
- HSBC World Elite Mastercard
- Brim Mastercard
- Rogers World Elite Mastercard
Best New Financial Product
Several new financial products have been launched or relaunched in Canada over the course of 2022. Which new or refreshed entrant to the market has impressed you the most?
- Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard
- American Express Air Canada Card
- CIBC Costco Mastercard
- HSBC Travel Rewards Card
- RBC Ion+ Visa
Best US Credit Card
With excellent credit card welcome bonuses and perks on both sides of the border, let’s set our sights to the south. Which US credit card do you like the most?
- American Express US Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card
- American Express US Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Credit Card
- American Express US Gold Card
- Capital One Venture X
- Chase Aeroplan Card
Week 1: Vote Now
As part of the voting process, you are invited to select your top choice among the candidates in each category.
It’s up to you how you vote: feel free to vote based on either your personal experience with any of the candidates or your impressions of each candidate as a savvy points collector.
If you’d like to abstain from voting in any category, simply leave it blank.
The order of the candidates is randomized as part of the survey to avoid introducing bias into your vote. After you’ve completed your vote and picked the winner in all 12, hit the Submit button and your vote will be counted!
Without further ado, you can submit your vote for Week 1 of the 2022 Prince of Travel Awards below:
Week 1 of voting will close at the end of Sunday, November 20.
Weeks 2, 3, and 4 will take place the following weeks, and the winners will be announced on Monday, December 12. Happy voting!
