How to Travel to Amsterdam from Canada on Points

You can easily travel to Amsterdam from Canada on points. Amsterdam is widely considered a fantastic travel destination, known for its picturesque canals, charming bridges, and well-preserved historic buildings. The city’s architecture is unique and diverse, with a mix of traditional Dutch styles and more modern designs.

The city is home to a rich cultural scene, including world-class museums like the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. These institutions offer insights into art, history, and the human experience. The city boasts a vibrant culinary scene with a wide range of international cuisines. Additionally, its cafes offer a cozy atmosphere to relax and enjoy the local lifestyle.

The Netherlands is a relatively small country, making it easy to take day trips from Amsterdam to places like Zaanse Schans, Keukenhof (during the tulip season), and even other cities like Utrecht or Rotterdam.

Unfortunately, the cost to travel to Amsterdam is considered too expensive by many, and Canadians simply view this amazing Dutch vacation as out of their price range. Luckily, here in Canada we have access to a number of great travel programs that can drastically reduce the cost of your Amsterdam vacation.

In this post, we’ll show you how you can travel to Amsterdam from Canada on points, and the different ways to earn and use your travel points to ensure you’re getting MAXIMUM value on your redemption.

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Our Theoretical Vacation

For the purposes of this exercise, we’ll be booking a 5-night, 6-day vacation focusing on a stay in downtown Amsterdam

Our theoretical stay will be 5 nights at the Element Amsterdam, a 4 Star hotel operated by Marriott.

We’ll show an itinerary for 1 individual. If you are traveling with someone, your traveling companion can use the same credit cards suggested below to earn even more points.

FLIGHT CASH VALUE

Below, we can see the cash value of an Air Canada economy, and business class ticket to Amsterdam from Canada’s 3 major hubs (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal).

Note: prices are subject to change

HOW TO TRAVEL TO Amsterdam FROM CANADA ON POINTS

FLIGHT OPTION #1: FLY TO Amsterdam FROM CANADA ON POINTS WITH AIR CANADA USING AEROPLAN

Your Complete Guide to Aeroplan

Aeroplan (and Air Canada) is the most popular travel currency in Canada, so it only makes sense that we determine the amount of Aeroplan points required for our flight to Amsterdam

Aeroplan leverages dynamic pricing, meaning redemptions show a range of points for Air Canada flights. More popular flights cost more.

Note: redemptions are subject to change

FLIGHT OPTION #1.B: USING AEROPLAN PARTNER AIRLINES TO FLY TO Amsterdam FROM CANADA ON POINTS

While dynamic pricing can be terrible, the good news is that Aeroplan has a number of partner airlines that only require a fixed number of points.

All Aeroplan partner flights to Europe are subject to this award chart:

While this seems like an easy way to redeem your points, there are a limited number of award seats made available by partner airlines, and certain airlines only release economy-class award space.

THERE ARE A FEW PARTNER AIRLINES YOU CAN LEVERAGE FOR YOUR TRIP TO Amsterdam

Polish LOT Airlines, Austrian Airlines or Swiss Airlines

Polish LOT Airlines offers direct connecting flights from Toronto through Warsaw. LOT releases award space roughly 6 months prior to departure

Austrian Airlines connects through Vienna out of Toronto & Montreal. Unfortunately, Austrian Airlines only releases award space only 2 weeks prior to departure (although there are times when they release space earlier than that).

LOT, United & Austrian Airlines leverage the award chart above, so redemptions will vary from 30,000 – 40,000 Aeroplan points for Economy and 60,000 – 80,000 Aeroplan points for business class.

Other Aeroplan Partners You Can Take to Amsterdam

• Lufthansa flies out of Toronto, Vancouver & Montreal, connecting through Germany, and on to Amsterdam
• United Airlines flies out of Toronto & Vancouver to the Eastern United States, and on to Amsterdam
• Brussels Airlines flies out of Toronto, to Brussels and on to Amsterdam

WHICH CREDIT CARDS DO YOU NEED TO FLY TO Amsterdam FROM CANADA ON POINTS

Regardless of whether you’re flying economy or business class, you’ll need to focus on collecting Membership Rewards and/or Aeroplan points. There are 2 credit cards that we’ll be focusing on to get you to Amsterdam

Note: credit card signup bonuses vary over the year. Please check for the latest signup offer

1. The American Express Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum Card is a great way to earn Membership Rewards, which can be transferred to Aeroplan 

The $699 annual fee (which comes with a $150 rebate through GreatCanadianRebates) is offset by the following perks & benefits:

• Sign-up Bonus:
  • 80,000 MR points upon spending $7,500 in the first three months
• Earn Rate: 
  • 3 MR points per dollar spent at grocery stores & restaurants 
  • 2 MR points per dollar spent on travel and 
  • 1 MR point everywhere else
• Insurance:
  • Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $5,000,000
  • Car rental damage insurance 
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance- up to $3,000
  • Hotel Burglary insurance – up to $1,000
  • Baggage delay insurance – up to $1,000
  • Lost or stolen baggage insurance – up to $1,000
• Perks
  • $200 Annual Travel Credit
  • $100 Nexus credit
  • Gold Status at Marriott Bonvoy & Hilton Honours
  • Complimentary valet service at the Express Park and Daily Park at Pearson Airport
• Lounge Access
  • Priority Pass (+1 guest)
  • Plaza Premium Lounges (+1 guest)
  • Delta Sky Club
  • Airspace Lounges (+2 guests)
  • Centurion Lounges
  • SwissPort Lounges (+1 guest)

While the $699 annual fee seems daunting initially, the 80,000 Membership Rewards will get you to Amsterdam with one of Aeroplan’s partner airlines. Canadians will have to make a personal decision as to whether or not the $699 (minus the $200 travel credit) annual fee is worth spending after year two. The lounge access you receive from this card can go a long way to improving your travel experience.

2. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite. 

You can earn Aeroplan points with co-branded credit cards. The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card is a great way to earn FREE Aeroplan points.

The Cost for the Card is $0 for the first year, and then $139 annually, & comes with the following benefits:

• Sign-up Bonus:
  • 10,000 Aeroplan points upon first purchase
  • 35,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $5,000 in the first three months
  • 15,000 Aeroplan points on renewal after spending $7,500 in the first year
    • Total of 60,000 Aeroplan points
• Earn Rate: 
  • 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on food, beverage, gas & travel
  • 1 Aeroplan point everywhere else
• Insurance:
  • Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $1,000,000
  • Car rental damage insurance 
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance- up to $5,000
  • Baggage delay insurance – up to $1,000
  • Lost or stolen baggage insurance – up to $1,000
• Perks
  • First bag free on Air Canada flights
  • Preferred pricing when redeeming Aeroplan points on Air Canada flights
  • $100 NEXUS credit
  • Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 you spend on the card

While this card isn’t as strong as some of American Express’ top cards, we live in a world where AMEX isn’t accepted at many retail locations in Canada. As a result, it’s good to have a solid visa in your wallet as well. The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite provides a great, FREE way to earn a large amount of Aeroplan points, and it can be a great backup to the high annual fee cards in the market. the 50,000 Aeroplan points will get you a free economy ticket with Air Canada.

You can read which other cards offer Aeroplan points here

FLYING TO Amsterdam WITH AEROPLAN – FINANCIAL SUMMARY

The average value of 1 Aeroplan point is 2.1 cents per point. We will hope to receive a higher value when redeeming Aeroplan points.

	Economy	Redemption Value	Business	Redemption Value
Cash Fare	$999		$7,995
Aeroplan Points with Air Canada	36,800	2.71 cents/point	138,000	5.79 cents/point
Aeroplan Points with Partner Airlines	40,000	2.49 cents/point	80,000	9.99 cents/point

	Economy	Redemption Value	Business	Redemption Value
Cash Fare	$938		$7,663
Aeroplan Points with Air Canada	31,400	2.98 cents/point	120,900	6.33 cents/point
Aeroplan Points with Partner Airlines	40,000	2.35 cents/point	70,000	10.95 cents/point

	Economy	Redemption Value	Business	Redemption Value
Cash Fare	$944		$7,672
Aeroplan Points with Air Canada	31,600	2.98 cents/pont	120,900	6.34 cents/point
Aeroplan Points with Partner Airlines	40,000	2.36 cents/point	70,000	10.96 cents/point

As you can see, the best option to fly to Amsterdam from Canada on points is to leverage Air Canada’s partner airlines, especially if you can source a business-class ticket (which will take some travel flexibility on your end).

FLIGHT OPTION #2 – FLY USING AIR FRANCE FLYING BLUE MILES

In the world of points redemptions, you need a certain level of flexibility. Sometimes, you’ll be planning a vacation only to find out that there is no award availability on a particular flight, or that the number of points needed has increased drastically (especially in the case of Air Canada’s dynamic pricing).

That’s why it’s great to have another option. 

We mentioned above the value of transferring your American Express Membership Rewards to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. Thankfully, Membership Rewards can also be transferred to Air France/Flying Blue miles at a 1:0.75 ratio. 

KLM & Air France have flights to Amsterdam out of Vancouver Toronto and Montreal. You can either fly directly to Amsterdam with KLM or connect through Paris with Air France

Note: Air France also flies out of Ottawa & Quebec City

Note: KLM also flies out of Calgary & Edmonton

WHICH CREDIT CARDS DO YOU NEED TO FLY TO Amsterdam FROM CANADA ON POINTS USING AIR FRANCE/KLM

1. The American Express Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum Card is a great way to earn Membership Rewards, which can be transferred to KLM/Flying Blue

The $699 annual fee (which comes with a $150 rebate through GreatCanadianRebates) is offset by the following perks & benefits:

• Sign-up Bonus:
  • 90,000 MR points upon spending $7,500 in the first three months
• Earn Rate: 
  • 3 MR points per dollar spent at grocery stores & at restaurants 
  • 2 MR points per dollar spent on travel and 
  • 1 MR point everywhere else
• Insurance:
  • Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $5,000,000
  • Car rental damage insurance 
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance- up to $3,000
  • Hotel Burglary insurance – up to $1,000
  • Baggage delay insurance – up to $1,000
  • Lost or stolen baggage insurance – up to $1,000
• Perks
  • $200 Annual Travel Credit
  • Access to Pearson Priority Security Lane during peak operating times
  • Complimentary valet service at the Express Park and Daily Park at Pearson Airport
  • $100 Nexus credit
  • Gold Status at Marriott Bonvoy & Hilton Honours
• Lounge Access
  • Priority Pass (+1 guest)
  • Plaza Premium Lounges (+1 guest)
  • Delta Sky Club
  • Airspace Lounges (+2 guests)
  • Centurion Lounges
  • SwissPort Lounges (+1 guest)

While the $699 annual fee seems daunting initially, the 90,000 Membership Rewards will get you to Amsterdam in either Economy or Business Class

HOTEL OPTION #1 = MARRIOTT BONVOY POINTS

Marriott Bonvoy points are the easiest hotel currency to collect in Canada. They also have the benefit of being a transfer partner of American Express. If you want to use points for your hotel stay, this is the easiest way to do it

If you’re traveling on points for an extended period of time, it’s you should leverage Marriott’s “Fifth Night Free” promotion, which can go a long way in enhancing the value of your vacation. 

4 nights paid for with points = 5th night free.

If your goal is to use Bonvoy points for the entire duration of your hotel stay, staying 5 nights enhances your redemption by 20%. It’s something you should seriously consider if you’re going the points route

Below we can see the cash & points value of a 5-night stay at the Element Amsterdam

The Element Hotels brand is part of the Marriott International portfolio and is generally well-regarded for its focus on sustainability, wellness, and modern design. Here are some key features that often contribute to the positive reputation of Element Hotels:

• Sustainability: Element Hotels are known for their commitment to sustainability. They often incorporate eco-friendly practices, such as energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and recycling programs.
• Wellness Focus: The brand emphasizes a healthy and balanced lifestyle for guests. This includes features like fitness centers, healthy food options, and spacious rooms designed to promote well-being.
• Spacious Rooms with Kitchenettes: Element Hotels typically offer spacious rooms with kitchenettes, making them suitable for guests who prefer a more extended stay or those who appreciate the convenience of preparing their own meals.
• Contemporary Design: The hotels often feature modern and stylish designs, creating a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for guests.
• Free Breakfast: Many Element Hotels offer complimentary breakfast for guests, providing a convenient and budget-friendly amenity.
• Marriott Bonvoy Rewards: Staying at Element Hotels allows guests to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy loyalty points, which can be beneficial for frequent travelers.

WHAT CREDIT CARDS DO YOU NEED TO STAY 5 NIGHTS IN Amsterdam ON POINTS

1. The American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card

The American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card is Marriott’s sponsored card in Canada. 

Sign up here

The annual fee of $120 (reduced to $60 if you sign up through Great Canadian Rebates) is offset by the following benefits:

• Sign-up Bonus:
  • 50,000 Bonvoy points upon spending $1,500 in the first 3 months
• Earning Rate: 
  • 5 Bonvoy Points per dollar spent on Marriott Bonvoy properties
  • 2 Bonvoy Points per dollar spent everywhere else
• Insurance:
  • Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $500,000
  • Car Rental Damage Insurance 
  • Baggage Delay Insurance – up to $1,000
• Perks
  • 15 Elite qualifying nights & instant Silver status within Marriott’s loyalty program
  • Annual free night, up to 35,000 points

2. American Express Business Edge

The American Express Business Edge card offers a strong signup bonus, along with strong everyday earnings.

The cost for the card is $99 ($24 with a $75 rebate through Great Canadian Rebates), & comes with the following benefits:

• Sign-up Bonus:
  • 45,500 Membership Rewards upon spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
  • 1,000 Membership Rewards each month in which you spend $3,000
  • 10 Membership Rewards on office supplies & electronics, rides & gas, eats & drinks within 6 months of cardmembership (up to 10,000 points)
    • Total of 67,000 Membership Rewards
• Earn Rate: 
  • 3 Membership Rewards per dollar spent on eligible food & drink (groceries not included), office supplies, electronics & gas
  • 1 Membership Reward for everywhere else
• Insurance:
  • Car rental damage insurance 
  • You can be insured for eligible items charged to your American Express Business Edge Card for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of accidental physical damage or theft
  • Automatically extend the manufacturer’s original warranty up to one additional year 
• Perks
  • Occasional discounts on select products

Here are a few considerations you should make for your trip:

1. One of the best (and cheapest) ways to fly business class to Amsterdam is with KLM or Air France. You’ll need flexibility when booking, but this will provide you with optimal value. Flying Blue offers a Mastercard, which at times has offered a great sign-up bonus (other times it does not offer a sign-up bonus) 

2. If you have Aeroplan elite status, this would be a great opportunity to leverage your e-upgrade credits for an Air Canada flight (if you can’t get on a partner airline), as the cost of business class Air Canada tickets can be extremely high given Aeroplan’s dynamic pricing. 

3. If you have a large number of Aeroplan points, you can fly to Amsterdam with one of their partner airlines. Unfortunately, award seats can be difficult to find, so your dates may need to be flexible if you’re flying with partner airlines.

4. If are satisfied with economy bookings, the American Express Platinum and the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite will be all that you need to fly to (and from) Amsterdam

FINANCIAL SUMMARY TABLE 

Credit Cards	Sign up Bonus	1st Year Annual Fee (with GCR rebate)
American Express Platinum	80,000 Membership Rewards (60,000 Flying Blue Miles)	$549
American Express Marriott Bonvoy	50,000 Bonvoy Points	$60
American Express Business Edge	57,000 Membership Rewards (68,400 Bonvoy Points)	$24
Total		$

Flying economy, you can fly to and from Amsterdam from Canada on Points, and stay 5 nights at the Element Amsterdam all for $633 + taxes & fees.

Credit Cards	Sign up Bonus	1st Year Annual Fee (with GCR rebate)
American Express Platinum	80,000 Membership Rewards (60,000 Flying Blue Miles)	$549
American Express Marriott Bonvoy	50,000 Bonvoy Points	$60
American Express Business Edge	57,000 Membership Rewards (68,400 Bonvoy Points)	$24
Total		$633

Flying business, you can fly to Amsterdam from Canada on Points, and stay 5 nights at the Element Amsterdam all for $633 + taxes & fees.

What Should I do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a vibrant and culturally rich city with a variety of activities to suit different interests. Here are some recommendations for things to do in Amsterdam:

1. Visit the Anne Frank House: Explore the museum dedicated to Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who went into hiding during World War II. The museum is located in the house where Anne and her family hid.
2. Rijksmuseum: This renowned museum is home to an extensive collection of Dutch art and history, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Don’t miss the iconic “Night Watch” painting.
3. Van Gogh Museum: Housing the largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings, this museum provides insight into the life and work of the famous artist.
4. Canal Cruise: Take a boat tour through Amsterdam’s picturesque canals. It’s a great way to see the city from a different perspective and learn about its history.
5. Explore Jordaan: This trendy neighborhood is known for its narrow streets, boutique shops, cafes, and art galleries. It’s a charming area to wander around.
6. Dam Square: Visit the heart of the city, where you’ll find the Royal Palace, the National Monument, and the Nieuwe Kerk. Dam Square is a central hub for events and activities.
7. Vondelpark: Amsterdam’s most famous park is a great place to relax, have a picnic, or take a leisurely stroll. In the summer, it hosts concerts and outdoor performances.
8. Heineken Experience: Discover the history of the famous Dutch beer brand through an interactive and entertaining tour of the former Heineken brewery.
9. Red Light District: Explore the historic and infamous Red Light District, known for its nightlife, entertainment, and unique atmosphere.
10. Bike Tour: Join a bike tour to experience Amsterdam like a local. The city is bike-friendly, and cycling is a popular and efficient way to get around.

For more tourism options in Amsterdam, please check out this link

Here is a video about Amsterdam Tourism options by YouTuber Travelling with Kristin