This edition of our testimonials feature with concrete examples of travel rewards redemptions is completely different, because it’s the first one for rewards of the more simple type. The record-high offer on the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is one of the best ever seen in Canada for simple points, and you should take advantage of it right away, so I wanted to share a very concrete example from my current trip to Europe.
The number of points required when you redeem simple points is simply tied to the cash price, so there’s absolutely nothing complicated about it. It’s less lucrative, but more simple. And all travelers clearly still need this type of points for certain travel expenses!
Our previous testimonials are for rewards of the more lucrative type, where having concrete examples is certainly more useful: for Aeroplan points in business class, Avios points in business class, and Avios points in economy class.
I’ll have many more soon, because I just took another business class flight for 60,000 Aeroplan points last Sunday, I have dozens for Aeroplan points in economy class, and even more for Marriott points (and the increased offer available once a year is back… you should get it after the TD deal or at the same time if you spend more).
Here’s an example of a TD Rewards points redemption, rewards of the more simple type.
Me
This section will be especially useful for when our fans, like you, will share a testimonial — so you can know at least a little bit about them.
In my case, for those who haven’t been following my travel stories over the last 8 years since I co-founded Flytrippers, my priority is traveling more — I used to travel about 10 times per year. So I made decisions accordingly and tried to save on almost everything. But now I’ve slowed down somewhat. And finally, I travel solo more often than with my girlfriend or friends.
My trip
This trip is with my girlfriend for our European summer vacation.
We’re mostly visiting Montenegro and Dubrovnik (in Croatia), but since she wanted to try business class flights for the first time (that’ll be the next testimonials in this feature), we also have a few days in Munich (in Germany) and Copenhagen (in Denmark) before and after.
I shared all the context and itinerary for this trip.
My free hotel experience
Since rewards of the more simple type can be redeemed for literally any hotel in the world, this section is certainly not as relevant as with testimonials for redemptions of rewards of the more lucrative type.
I booked 4 nights at the Hotel Cocoon Stachus in Munich, Germany, because it was well-rated and located a 5-minute walk from the old town.
But it could have been literally any hotel, it makes absolutely no difference when it comes to redeeming TD Rewards points! None at all. The value never changes! Choose any hotel! Simple!
I’ll share a review of all the hotels from this trip separately soon, as I did for my 15 Marriott hotels (and 3 hostels) from my round-the-world trip in November-December (and as I’ll do for my Asia trip in February-March too).
My hotel’s cash price ($397 (CAD 546))
Munich is an expensive city, like the rest of Western Europe, so this fairly mid-range hotel cost $397 (CAD 546) for 4 nights. That’s $100 (CAD 137) per night, or $50 (CAD 69) per night per person.
My travel rewards redemption ($0 and a $73 (CAD 100) credit)
Here are the details of my travel rewards redemption:
- Program: TD Rewards
- Price: 109,200 TD Rewards points
- Taxes/fees: $0
- Cash price: $397 (CAD 546)
- Savings: $397 (CAD 546)
- Value obtained: 0.5¢/pt
- Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ 0.5¢/pt
TD Rewards points have a simple, guaranteed fixed value, so obviously, that’s the value I got.
That’s a value of 0.5¢/pt because I saved $397 (CAD 546) with 109,200 points. If you don’t understand this important calculation, you can read the basics of reward value.
However, I made sure to redeem the points for a booking that reached a $364 (CAD 500) minimum, because that automatically activated my annual TD travel credit of $73 (CAD 100) for 2025. Yes, you get it even when the booking is paid with points!
This is a benefit offered by the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card that’s included in our Flytrippers Valuation of the offer because it’s so easy to use for all travelers!
So the $397 (CAD 546) hotel cost me $0, but on top of that, I have a credit on my monthly statement that gives me $73 (CAD 100) for free!
I could have redeemed my TD Rewards Points for any booking with any provider (instead of their Expedia for TD platform), but that’s frankly not very savvy because the fixed value of the points is lower that way (0.4¢/pt).
I obviously prefer to get 25% more value so easily; Expedia has almost every hotel in the world (and almost always at the lowest price)!
My strategy to earn these travel rewards (TD Rewards points)
Even as someone who wants to maximize the value I get and who therefore obviously focuses on points of the more lucrative type… I make sure every single dollar I spend is used to unlock welcome bonuses (the most basic thing!), so I can also get some points of the more simple type when there are huge bonuses!
It’s very useful, especially for hotels!
I simply did what all travelers should do if they’re eligible: I applied for the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card during the increased offer. Welcome bonus eligibility rules are always clearly listed in the summary table that’s at the very top of our Flytrippers resource pages for each card, along with all the vital details.
How you too can do the exact same thing right now
In Flytrippers’ infographic with all the basics of travel rewards, you can read THE most important thing to understand in the entire wonderful world of travel rewards: the best way to earn a lot of rewards is always with welcome bonuses.
Here’s Flytrippers’ ranking of the best credit cards for TD Rewards points right now (the easiest simple points to earn in Canada right now).
| Best credit cards for TD Rewards points |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Valuation (BONUS)(20.5% back on $5k)
Rewards: $1025
Annual fee: $0 $139
Spend required:$5k in 6 mos.
Best for: 165,000 pts (135,000 with bonus + 30,000 on min. spend) + excellent insurance coverage
 SIMPLE
60k/100k
|
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Valuation (BONUS) (27.3% back on $1k)
Rewards: $273
Annual fee: $0 $89
Spend required:$1k in 3 mos.
Best for: 54,500 pts (50,000 with bonus + 4,500 on min. spend) + excellent insurance coverage
SIMPLE
No min. inc.
|
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Valuation (BONUS) (16.6% back on $500)
Rewards: $83
Annual fee: $0
Spend required:$500 in 3 mos.
Best for: 16,652 pts (15,152 with bonus + 1,500 on min. spend) + no annual fee
SIMPLE
No min. inc.
|
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| Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. |
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Best credit cards for TD Rewards points |
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|
SIMPLE 60k/100k
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: $1025
Annual fee: $0 $139 (20.5% back on $5k)
Spend required:
$5k in 6 mos.
Best for: 165,000 pts (135,000 with bonus + 30,000 on min. spend) + excellent insurance coverage
|
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SIMPLENo min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: $273
Annual fee: $0 $89 (27.3% back on $1k)
Spend required:
$1k in 3 mos.
Best for: 54,500 pts (50,000 with bonus + 4,500 on min. spend) + excellent insurance coverage
|
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SIMPLENo min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: $83
Annual fee: $0 (16.6% back on $500)
Spend required:
$500 in 3 mos.
Best for: 16,652 pts (15,152 with bonus + 1,500 on min. spend) + no annual fee
|
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| Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. |
The only one that’s interesting is the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card (it also gives 4 free annual passes to VIP airport lounges)!
Don’t miss our detailed guide on TD Rewards points, our invitation for a free webinar about the basics of travel rewards, and so much more soon! In the meantime, you can read the best redemptions of TD Rewards points and our review of this card’s record offer.
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Summary
Flytrippers continues its feature to present concrete examples of travel rewards redemptions. This testimonial for TD Rewards points is a good first one for rewards of the more simple type, especially with the record-high offer on the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card that you should get now. And email us if you have a travel rewards testimonial to share so you can inspire others and even receive a $18 (CAD 25) gift card.
What would you like to know about sharing your examples of travel rewards redemption? Tell us in the comments below.
See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights
Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards
Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration
Learn pro tricks: Travel tips
Featured image: My hotel in Munich (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)
