How to Travel to Various Golf Destinations From Canada on Points

You can travel to North America’s top golf destinations, all on points

Golf in North America offers a unique and enriching experience for both avid golfers and enthusiasts alike. These destinations, scattered across the continent, boast picturesque landscapes, world-class golf courses, and a vibrant golfing culture that makes them a must-visit for any golf aficionado.

Firstly, these destinations provide access to meticulously designed and impeccably maintained golf courses, some of which have been crafted by renowned architects. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, playing on these courses allows you to challenge your skills in diverse settings, ranging from coastal cliffs and rolling hills to desert oases, ensuring an exciting and varied golfing experience.

Additionally, these golf destinations offer more than just golf. Many of them are nestled in regions known for their natural beauty and cultural attractions. Traveling to these places allows you to explore scenic wonders, indulge in outdoor activities, and immerse yourself in the local culture, enhancing your overall travel experience. From breathtaking national parks to charming small towns, these destinations offer a wide array of non-golfing activities that cater to different interests and preferences.

Embarking on a golfing adventure doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag. Imagine strolling down manicured fairways, soaking in the sun, and perfecting your swing at some of the world’s finest golf destinations—all without breaking the bank. For avid golfers and travel enthusiasts alike, the prospect of exploring top-notch golf courses using points is not just a dream but a tangible reality.

In this blog post, we’ll unravel the secret to turning your travel dreams into actual tee times. Join us as we delve into the art of navigating the world of travel rewards and points, uncovering how you can transform your passion for golf into an incredible journey across lush greens, scenic landscapes, and luxury resorts—all while saving your hard-earned cash.

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1. Myrtle Beach South Carolina 

Myrtle Beach is widely regarded as one of the top golf destinations in the United States. It boasts a large number of golf courses, ranging from budget-friendly options to high-end resorts designed by renowned architects. The climate in Myrtle Beach is generally favorable for golfing, making it a year-round destination for golf enthusiasts. Additionally, the area offers a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and entertainment options, making it a great destination not just for golfers, but also for families and groups with diverse interests. If you enjoy golfing and are looking for a destination with a wide range of courses and amenities, Myrtle Beach could be an excellent choice

Myrtle Beach Flights

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Canada to Myrtle Beach, but there are a number of flight options with United Airlines that allow you to leverage your Aeroplan points for a free flight.

United Airlines flies out of Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto & Quebec City

Canadians can earn a big chunk of Aeroplan points for free by signing up for the CIBC Visa Infinite Card.

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 at first purchase
  • 20,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $4,000 in the first 4 months
  • 15,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $10,000 in the first year
    • Total of 45,000 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 $5,000,000
  • Car rental damage insurance 
  • Trip cancellation insurance- up to $5,000
  • Hotel Burglary insurance – up to $1,000
  • Baggage delay insurance – up to $1,000
  • Lost or stolen baggage insurance – up to $1,000
• Perks:
  • First bag free on Air Canada flights
  • Preferred pricing when redeeming Aeroplan points on Air Canada flights
  • Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 you spend on the card

The CIBC 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 sign-up bonus is enough for a round-trip flight to Myrtle Beach, and the free checked bag that comes with the card can offset the cost of your clubs.

Canadians will have to make a personal decision as to whether or not the $139 annual fee is worth taking into the third year. You’ll receive an annual fee rebate every year if you have a CIBC Smart Plus Account

Read our review of the card

Myrtle Beach Hotels

Myrtle Beach is known for its numerous “stay and play” golf packages. Many resorts, hotels, and golf courses in the area offer these packages, allowing golfers to stay at accommodations located conveniently near golf courses. These packages often include accommodations, rounds of golf, and sometimes additional amenities such as meals, spa treatments, or access to other recreational activities.

These stay-and-play packages are designed to provide golfers with a convenient and enjoyable experience, allowing them to focus on their game without worrying about the logistics of booking tee times and accommodations separately.

There are a number of credit cards in the Canadian market that offer points that can be used against travel purchases, including stay-and-play packages. One of these is the Scotiabank Visa Infinite card

The Scotiabank Visa Infinite card is a great introductory Scotiabank travel card due to the fact that the annual fee is waived in year 1, and that Visa’s are accepted pretty much everywhere. The 30,000 Scene+ points is $300 that can be used towards travel expenses.

The $150 fee (waived in the first year) comes with the following benefits:

• Sign-up Bonus:
  • 30,000 Scene+ points upon spending $1,000 in the first three months
  • 10,000 Scene+ points upon spending $40,000 in the first year
• Earn Rate: 
  • 3 Scene+ pts/dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway and FreshCo
  • 2 Scene+ pts/dollar spent on transit, food and entertainment
  • 1 Scene+ pt/dollar spent everywhere else
• Insurance:
  • Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $1,000,000
  • Car rental damage insurance 
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance- up to $2,500
  • Flight Delay insurance – up to $500 if your flight is delayed >4 hours
• Perks
  • No foreign transaction fees
• Lounge Access
  • 6 complimentary DragonPass visits

Scene+ points can be redeemed against travel at a rate of 1 cent per point, so this card is essentially $300 off your stay-and-play package, and the Dragonpass lounge visits will help make your layover a bit less stressful. This card, combined with your Aeroplan branded credit card will be more than enough to cover your travels in Myrtle Beach

2. Bend Oregon

Bend, Oregon, located ~2 hours from Portland, is often considered a fantastic golf destination. The city and its surrounding area boast several high-quality golf courses set against stunning natural backdrops, including the Cascade Mountains and Deschutes River. The region’s diverse terrain provides opportunities for a variety of golf experiences, from challenging courses to more relaxed and scenic ones.

Many golf enthusiasts appreciate Bend for its well-maintained courses, pleasant weather during the golf season, and the overall beauty of the landscape. Some of the notable golf courses in the Bend area include Tetherow Golf Club, Pronghorn Resort, Brasada Ranch Golf Club, and Widgi Creek Golf Club, among others.

Bend Oregon Flights

Air Canada offers flights from Toronto & Vancouver directly to Portland

Canadians can earn a big chunk of Aeroplan points for free by signing up for the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card.

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
  • 25,000 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 50,000 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

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 sign-up bonus is enough for a round-trip flight to Portland, and the free checked bag that comes with the card can offset the cost of your clubs.

Canadians will have to make a personal decision as to whether or not the $139 annual fee is worth taking into the third year.

Read our review of the card

Bend Oregon Hotels

Bend is known for its quantity of golf courses, so staying in a hotel that allows you to travel to different courses might be the way to go. For that reason, looking at Marriott Bonvoy makes, as they have plenty of hotels in the region.

The cost to say 3 nights at Element Hotel in Bend is 84,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

Canadians can transfer American Express Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1.2 ratio. You can earn a large amount of Membership Rewards by signing up for the American Express Platinum card

The $799 annual fee (which comes with a $150 rebate through GreatCanadianRebates) is offset by the following perks & benefits:

• Sign-up Bonus:
  • 70,000 MR points upon spending $10,000 in the first three months
  • 30,000 MR points upon making a purchase between months 14-17 of cardmembership
• Earn Rate: 
  • 2 MR points per dollar spent on travel, groceries & dining
  • 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
  • $200 annual dining credit
  • Special discounts for cardholders, which are sent via email
  • $100 Nexus credit
  • Instant Gold status at Marriott Bonvoy
  • Instant Gold status at Hilton Honours
  • Access to Pearson Priority Security Lane during peak operating times
  • 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)

Read our review of the card

This card will not only provide you with enough points to cover your hotel costs, but will also give you instant Gold Status with Marriott Bonvoy which provides you with a bunch of great benefits including room upgrades. The $200 travel credit that you receive with the Platinum card can also help offset the cost of a rental car.

3. Scottsdale Arizona 

Scottsdale, Arizona, is widely regarded as one of the top golf destinations in the United States and even the world. There are several reasons why golf enthusiasts consider Scottsdale a great place to play. Scottsdale enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine annually, making it an ideal destination for year-round golfing. The warm, dry climate ensures that golfers can enjoy the courses in comfortable conditions most of the time.

Scottsdale boasts a diverse selection of golf courses designed by renowned architects such as Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, and Robert Trent Jones Jr. These courses vary in difficulty, style, and scenery, offering options for golfers of all skill levels. Many of the golf courses in Scottsdale are set against the backdrop of stunning desert landscapes, providing a unique and picturesque golfing experience. The Sonoran Desert scenery, with its saguaro cacti and rugged mountains, adds to the overall appeal.

Scottsdale Flights

WestJet operates flights to Phoenix from a number of Canadian cities including Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, Kelowna & Vancouver

Canadians can earn a large amount of WestJet rewards by signing up for the RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard

If you regularly fly with WestJet or intend on taking a trip with WestJet over the next year, the WestJet World Elite Mastercard is a great tool you can leverage to reduce the cost of your flight. 

The $119 annual fee is offset by the following benefits: 

• Sign up Bonus
  • 250 WSJ after your first purchase
  • 200 WSJ upon spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn Rate:
  • 1.5% return in WestJet Dollars (with 3% return at Petro Canada gas stations) 
  • 2% return in WestJet Dollars when purchasing from WestJet Vacations
• Insurance
  • Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $5,000,000
  • Car rental damage insurance 
  • Hotel burglary  insurance – up to $2,500
  • Trip interruption insurance – up to $5,000
• Perks
  • A Free checked bag on WestJet flights
  • Additional 20% in Petro Points on purchases made at Petro Canada
  • Boingo Wi-Fi on West Jet Fligts

The $450 sign-up bonus is virtually a $450 WestJet gift card, so it’s easily worth the $119 annual fee. The card comes with a number of great benefits including a free checked bag (your clubs) and a $199 round trip companion voucher.

Scottsdale Hotels

Much like Bend, Scottsdale is known for its quantity of golf courses, so staying in a hotel that allows you to travel to different courses might be the way to go. We’re once again looking at Marriott Bonvoy

The cost to say 3 nights at Scottsdale Marriott Old Town is 117,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

Canadians can transfer American Express Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1.2 ratio. You can earn a large amount of Membership Rewards by signing up for the American Express Platinum card

The $799 annual fee (which comes with a $150 rebate through GreatCanadianRebates) is offset by the following perks & benefits:

• Sign-up Bonus:
  • 70,000 MR points upon spending $10,000 in the first three months
  • 30,000 MR points upon making a purchase between months 14-17 of cardmembership
• Earn Rate: 
  • 2 MR points per dollar spent on travel, groceries & dining
  • 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
  • $200 annual dining credit
  • Special discounts for cardholders, which are sent via email
  • $100 Nexus credit
  • Instant Gold status at Marriott Bonvoy
  • Instant Gold status at Hilton Honours
  • Access to Pearson Priority Security Lane during peak operating times
  • 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)

This card will not only provide you with enough points to cover your hotel costs but will also give you instant Gold Status with Marriott Bonvoy which provides you with a bunch of great benefits including room upgrades. The $200 travel credit can also help offset the cost of a rental car.

4. Cape Breton Nova Scotia 

Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia is considered a fantastic golf destination, especially for enthusiasts looking for a combination of challenging courses and stunning natural scenery. One of the most renowned golf courses in Cape Breton is Cabot Links, which has received international acclaim for its design and picturesque coastal location. Cabot Cliffs, another course by the same team, is also highly regarded.

Additionally, Cape Breton offers a variety of other golf courses catering to different skill levels, all set amidst breathtaking landscapes including ocean views, cliffs, and rolling hills. The island’s mild climate during the golf season (typically from May to October) adds to its appeal as a golfing destination

Cape Breton Flights

Cape Breton is a 3-hour drive from Halifax International Airport. In addition to Air Canada (which you can use Aeroplan points), Halifax also offers a number of flights with Flair Airlines, which flies out of Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Kitchener, London, Windsor & Vancouver.

Considering we’ll be making a cash purchase, we’ll be focusing on a program that allows you to leverage your points for cash purchases. In this situation, the Scene+ program through Scotiabank is where we’ll focus our attention.

You can earn a large number of Scene+ points with the Scotiabank Visa Infinite Card

Apply Here

The $150 fee (waived in the first year) comes with the following benefits:

• Sign-up Bonus:
  • 30,000 Scene+ points upon spending $1,000 in the first three months
  • 10,000 Scene+ points upon spending $40,000 in the first year
• Earn Rate: 
  • 3 Scene+ pts/dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway and FreshCo
  • 2 Scene+ pts/dollar spent on transit, food and entertainment
  • 1 Scene+ pt/dollar spent everywhere else
• Insurance:
  • Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $1,000,000
  • Car rental damage insurance 
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance- up to $2,500
  • Flight Delay insurance – up to $500 if your flight is delayed >4 hours
• Perks
  • No foreign transaction fees
• Lounge Access
  • 6 complimentary DragonPass visits

Scene+ points can be redeemed against travel at a rate of 1 cent per point, so this card is essentially $300 off your flight, and the dragonpass lounge visits will help make your layover a bit less stressful. The travel insurance associated with this card should give you some comfort when flying with this discount airlines

Cape Breton Hotels

Cape Breton doesn’t have many of the brand name hotels, but that doesn’t mean you can’t leverage travel programs to offset the cost of your stay. There are a number of hotels in Cape Breton, ranging from motels to luxury hotel properties. There are also a number of houses you can rent on the island for a weekend.

Here is an example of a house for rent for $339 per night through Expedia. Fortunately for Canadians, Expedia has a partnership with the TD Rewards program, which can help offset the cost of your trip. Within the Expedia for TD portal, TD rewards can be redeemed at a rate of 200 points/dollar.

This gives this redemption option a value of 0.5 cents/point

You can earn TD Rewards through TD’s credit cards. TD offers a basic, core & premium version of their TD Rewards cards

	Basic	Core	Enhanced
Card Name	TD Rewards Visa	TD Platinum Travel Visa	TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite
Sign up Bonus	up to 19,697 TD Rewards	up to 50,000 TD Rewards	up to 115,000 TD Rewards
Annual Fee	$0	$89	$139
Earn Rate	4 points per dollar spent in the Expedia for TD portal 3 point per dollar on gas, groceries & dining 2 points per dollar on recurring bill payments 1 point per dollar spent on everything else	6 points per dollar spent in the Expedia for TD portal 4.5 points per dollar on grocery & dining 3 point per dollar on recurring bill payments 1.5 points per dollar spent on everything else	8 points per dollar spent in the Expedia for TD portal 6 points per dollar on grocery & dining 4 points per dollar on recurring bill payments 2 points per dollar spent on everything else
Card Benefits	Save up to 10% with Budget & Avis car rental in Canada or the US, and 5% internationally	Save up to 10% with Budget & Avis car rental in Canada or the US, and 5% internationally	Cardholders receive a $100 credit on accommodations and vacation packages booked through Expedia for TD. Save up to 10% with Budget & Avis car rental in Canada or the US, and 5% internationally
Out-of-Province Emergency Travel Medical Insurance	No	No	Yes
Flight Delay and Baggage Insurance	No	Yes	Yes
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance	No	No	Yes
Auto Rental Collision Coverage	No	Yes	Yes

Our recommendation would be to get the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite.

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite will give you $675 towards any Expedia for TD booking and has a partnership with Avis & Budget that can help save you money with your rental car.

5. Banff Alberta

Banff, Alberta a great golf destination. The Banff and Lake Louise area in the Canadian Rockies offers some stunning golf courses amidst breathtaking natural scenery. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy playing in the midst of picturesque mountains, with crisp, fresh air and beautiful landscapes surrounding them. Many golf courses in Banff offer challenging holes and well-maintained facilities, making it an excellent choice for golfers of all skill levels.

Banff Alberta Flights

Banff is 2 hours away from Calgary, and Calgary is a hub for WestJet, so that’s an airline to consider. However, flying direct to Calgary from the East Coast is a long flight, and the extra legroom that Air Canada business class offers is something that you might want to consider.

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card allows you to earn Aeroplan points that be used towards a first-class flight to Calgary

The $599 (which comes with a $100 rebate through GreatCanadianRebates)is offset by the following perks & benefits:

• Sign-up Bonus:
  • 7,500 Aeroplan points for each of the first 6 months in which you spend $2,000
  • 5,000 Aeroplan points when adding a supplemental card-owner (up to a maximum of 10,000 Aeroplan points)
  • 35,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $6,000 during months 13-17 of cardmembership
    • Total of 90,000 points
• Earn Rate: 
  • 3 Aeroplan points per dollar spent with Air Canada 
  • 2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on food & beverage 
  • 1.25 Aeroplan points everywhere else
• Insurance:
  • Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $5,000,000
  • Car rental damage insurance 
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance- up to $2,500
  • Hotel Burglary insurance – up to $2,000
  • Baggage delay insurance – up to $1,000 if your baggage is delayed >4 hours
  • Lost or stolen baggage insurance – up to $2,500
  • Flight Delay insurance – up to $1,000 if your flight is delayed >4 hours
• Perks
  • Preferred pricing when redeeming Aeroplan points on Air Canada flights
  • Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 you spend on the card
  • Priority check-in on Air Canada flights
  • First bag free on Air Canada flights
  • Earn an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass after spending $25,000 on the card per year
• Lounge Access
  • Maple Leaf Lounge (+1 guest)

This card will not only allow you to earn enough Aeroplan points for the flight, but will also provide you with Maple Leaf Lounge access, but since you’re travelling business class, you’ll also have the luxury of having 2 free checked bags.

Banff Hotels

Banff has a number of great hotels, but many of them are not part of major hotel chains. For that reason, we’ll once again be looking at Expedia for TD to provide us with some great savings.

Within the Expedia for TD portal, TD rewards can be redeemed at a rate of 200 points/dollar. This gives this redemption option a value of 0.5 cents/point

You can earn TD Rewards through TD’s credit cards. TD offers a basic, core & premium version of their TD Rewards cards

	Basic	Core	Enhanced
Card Name	TD Rewards Visa	TD Platinum Travel Visa	TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite
Sign up Bonus	up to 19,697 TD Rewards	up to 50,000 TD Rewards	up to 115,000 TD Rewards
Annual Fee	$0	$89	$139
Earn Rate	4 points per dollar spent in the Expedia for TD portal 3 points per dollar on gas, groceries & dining 2 points per dollar on recurring bill payments 1 point per dollar spent on everything else	6 points per dollar spent in the Expedia for TD portal 4.5 points per dollar on grocery & dining 3 points per dollar on recurring bill payments 1.5 points per dollar spent on everything else	8 points per dollar spent in the Expedia for TD portal 6 points per dollar on grocery & dining 4 points per dollar on recurring bill payments 2 points per dollar spent on everything else
Card Benefits	Save up to 10% with Budget & Avis car rental in Canada or the US, and 5% internationally	Save up to 10% with Budget & Avis car rental in Canada or the US, and 5% internationally	Cardholders receive a $100 credit on accommodations and vacation packages booked through Expedia for TD. Save up to 10% with Budget & Avis car rental in Canada or the US, and 5% internationally
Out-of-Province Emergency Travel Medical Insurance	No	No	Yes
Flight Delay and Baggage Insurance	No	Yes	Yes
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance	No	No	Yes
Auto Rental Collision Coverage	No	Yes	Yes

Our recommendation would be to get the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite.

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite will give you $675 towards any Expedia for TD booking and has a partnership with Avis & Budget that can help save you money with your rental car.

Conclusion

Golf courses are often located in beautiful settings, such as near the ocean, in lush forests, or against mountain backdrops. The natural beauty of these locations enhances the overall experience. In North America, we have access to some of the best golf courses on the planet

Going on a golf trip with friends or family provides an opportunity to bond, share experiences, and create lasting memories.

In summary, golf trips combine physical activity, natural beauty, social interaction, challenge, relaxation, and sometimes even a bit of healthy competition, making them a delightful and memorable experience for many people.

By leveraging some of Canada’s top travel programs, Canadians can drastically reduce the cost of your trip, while also allowing you to travel in style