Flights to Florida: the credit card strategy (2026)
Short answer
A travel credit card can lower the real cost of your Florida flights in three ways: free checked bags (often the biggest win for a family), points, and the insurance that applies when you pay for the trip with the card. Do the math against the card's annual fee, and always compare the total price: fares, bags, seats and exchange fees.
Leave without forgetting anything: the 2026 checklist (65+ items) and its Excel calculator for OHIP, RAMQ and IRS days. See the checklist ($9)
The easiest win: free checked bags
| Card | Airline | Benefit | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan cards (TD, CIBC, American Express) | Air Canada | First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same booking | The cardholder travels; card linked to their Aeroplan account; Aeroplan number on the booking |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | WestJet | First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to 8 guests on the same booking | The cardholder travels on the same booking |
Example: a family of 4 on Air Canada Basic or Standard fares, Montreal–Florida round trip. The first bag costs $45 (before tax) per person, each way: $360 for the family. If the card costs less per year and you fly at least once, the math is quick.
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Points: when are they worth it?
A point's value changes from date to date. Before booking with points, do this simple calculation:
Value per point = (cash fare − taxes you pay on the points ticket) ÷ number of points.
Example: a $420 fare, or 20,000 points + $80 in taxes. ($420 − $80) ÷ 20,000 = 1.7¢ per point.
Example: a $420 fare, or 20,000 points + $80 in taxes. ($420 − $80) ÷ 20,000 = 1.7¢ per point.
- Aeroplan: Air Canada flights use dynamic pricing (with published minimums); partners follow a fixed chart. The June 1, 2026 changes didn't affect Canada–Florida flights.
- If points are worth little that day, pay cash and keep your points for the holidays or March break, when fares are high.
- WestJet companion voucher (WestJet RBC World Elite): a round trip from $119 (base fare, plus taxes and fees) within North America, every year, if you spend at least $5,000 a year on the card.
- Welcome bonuses change often: read the conditions (minimum spend, first-year fee) and don't buy anything extra to earn them.
Insurance: pay for the trip with the right card
- Trip cancellation and interruption: most cards require the full trip cost, or a set share (for example 75%), to be charged to the card. Some also cover a points ticket if the taxes go on the card. Read the insurance certificate.
- Medical insurance: it's often limited in days. If your stay goes over the limit, the whole trip may not be covered: see the long-trip trap.
- Flight delay and baggage: often included on premium cards, as long as you paid for the ticket with the card.
US airlines charge in US dollars
Allegiant, Breeze and other US airlines sell in US dollars. A regular card adds about 2.5% in exchange fees on the fare and every extra. Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card: see paying in US dollars.
The rules that protect you
| Rule | What it says | Flights covered |
|---|---|---|
| 24-hour rule (US) | Hold the booking without paying, or cancel it without penalty, for 24 hours if you book at least 7 days before departure | Flights to or from the US |
| Automatic refunds (US) | A cash refund if the flight is cancelled or significantly changed (more than 3 hours on a domestic flight, more than 6 hours on an international flight) and you decline the alternative | Flights to, from or within the US |
| Air Passenger Protection (Canada) | Compensation of $400 (3 to 6 h), $700 (6 to 9 h) or $1,000 (9 h or more) for a late arrival caused by a large airline, for a reason within its control | Flights to, from or within Canada |
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When to buy?
- About 7 weeks before departure: that's the best time on average for Montreal–Orlando (KAYAK). For the holidays and March break, book months ahead.
- Wednesday is the cheapest day on average, Saturday the most expensive.
- Set price alerts (Google Flights, KAYAK) as soon as your dates are set.
- Book with the airline rather than a travel site: changes and refunds are simpler.
Our 6-step strategy
- Pick your dates and 2 or 3 possible airports (see which airport to choose).
- Compare the total price for the whole group: fares, bags, seats, booking fees, exchange.
- Work out what your points are worth for those dates.
- Pay with the card that gives free bags and insurance, or with a no-FX-fee card for a US airline.
- Book at least 7 days before departure to benefit from the 24-hour rule.
- Keep the card's insurance certificate and the receipt on your phone.
Key takeaways
- For a family, the card's free bags can be worth more than the points.
- Value per point = (cash fare − taxes) ÷ points. Compare every time you book.
- To be insured, pay for the trip with the card, following its certificate.
- US airline = US dollars: use a no-FX-fee card.
Leave without forgetting anything
The complete checklist: more than 65 items to tick off, from 2 months before you leave until you're back. 8-page PDF, 2026 rules.
See the checklist ($9)Sources
- Milesopedia — Air Canada bag fees and Aeroplan cards (updated October 2026)
- Milesopedia — WestJet RBC World Elite benefits
- Prince of Travel — Aeroplan chart, June 2026
- Milesopedia — Card insurance and points tickets
- US Department of Transportation — Automatic refunds
- US regulation — 24-hour rule (14 CFR 259.5)
- Air Passenger Protection Regulations (Canada)
- KAYAK — Montreal–Orlando fares
General information current as of October 2026. Card benefits change often: check with the issuer. Escale Floride receives no commission from card issuers. This is not financial advice.