If you’re headed to another country on your next work trip, you may be wondering how to take advantage of travel rewards and earn points on the road. Whether you’re travelling from Canada to the United States or further abroad, you still may be eligible for many of the same reward points and perks you enjoy domestically.
Here are some reward strategies to consider for your next cross-border trip.
Book travel early
If you plan to use your business travel credit card points to book a flight, or if you’re hoping to use your airline miles or loyalty status to get an upgrade, you’ll want to book as soon as you know your travel dates. Award seats can be limited, so booking sooner rather than later will ensure you have a better chance of securing the ticket you want for a lower number of points.
Similarly, if you’re travelling to a big city with a lot of expensive hotels or a small town with a limited number of hotel rooms, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to find somewhere to stay at a rate that makes sense for your budget.
That said, sometimes it’s worth it to use more points for long-haul travel or a pricier hotel, especially if a premium seat or added convenience will help you make the most of your time away. (Just check your company’s travel policy first before you upgrade!)
Bonus tip: Booking travel through your credit card’s awards portal may help you find a better deal than booking directly with the airline or hotel.
Look for international brands
It may be easier to use your points at hotels and car rental companies that have a global presence, since your business travel credit card may already be associated with them. You’ll be in familiar territory with a brand you already know and trust, and you’ll be able to collect or redeem points if you’re already a loyalty member.
If your preferred airline is part of a global network, check out its partner airlines for cross-border travel. You can usually earn and redeem your loyalty miles or points to book these flights.
Know when to be flexible
Sometimes, it pays to be flexible when it comes to using your rewards to travel. For example, it may not make sense to stick to your preferred airline network if there’s a more affordable or direct flight available through another airline. Flying during the middle of the week or at an off-peak time could also get you a better deal—you may even have a better chance of getting a business or first-class seat upgrade with your credit card points.
Earn wherever you go
Look out for partnerships between your business travel credit card beyond airlines, hotels, and car rental companies—you’ll likely be able to score even more discounts and deals. You may be able to earn points on taxis and rideshares and even parking, tolls, and gas if you have to rent a car at your destination.
If you’re using a business travel credit card as your main form of payment during your trip, double-check that there aren’t any foreign transaction fees, which could cost you money.
Take advantage of loyalty perks
Instead of spending cash at the airport, using your credit card may give you access to loyalty perks that could help you save. Whether you have points through a card or miles through an airline, you may be able to use either type of reward for free lounge access with free snacks and coffee and free checked bags.
Look into business travel discounts
If your business is taking on international clients or you or your colleagues spend a lot of time travelling to certain cities outside of Canada, it could be worthwhile to look into corporate discounts. Airlines, hotels, and car rental companies may offer loyalty discount programs specifically for business travellers.
Make your travel rewards work for you
No matter where you’re going for your next business trip, there are ways to earn points and make the most of your rewards as you go. Book your travel early, take advantage of loyalty perks, be thoughtful about how and when you redeem your points and enjoy your next adventure.
