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Breaking down the Canadian travel rewards credit card market into five major categories, Rewards Canada unveils its top picks for 2011.

Based on factors including annual fees, rate of return, ease of redemption, card acceptance and more, the Rewards Canada list is comprised of the best cards for travel rewards in Canada.

Since 2001, Rewards Canada has been the country’s leading source of online information on travel reward programs.

With over 70 cards on the market, the Rewards Canada list is designed to help consumers to make an informed choice about the travel rewards credit card that best suits their needs.

The following list, compiled by Rewards Canada, presents the top ranked cards for 2011, broken down into five separate categories:

Top Travel Points Credit Card (with annual fee)

1). Capital One Aspire World MasterCard

• Up to 2% return on all purchases that can be used towards travel;
• Signing bonus of 35,000 points and a yearly renewal bonus of 10,000 points;
• Excellent insurance coverage and benefits, including out of province medical coverage.

2). CUETS Platinum Class MasterCard

• 2% return on all purchases that can be used towards any travel booked through the Platinum Class Rewards website or travel agency;
• Excellent insurance coverage and benefits, including out of province medical coverage.

3). BMO World Elite MasterCard

4). BMO Air Miles Gold MasterCard

5). MBNA Travel Rewards Platinum MasterCard

Top Travel Points Credit Card (with no annual fee)

1). American Express Blue Sky Credit Card

• Points can be redeemed against travel booked up to 12 months after the charge is posted;
• 1.25% return on purchases;
• Redemption starts at as little as 10,000 points.

2). Capital One Aspire Gold MasterCard

• 1% return on all purchases that can be used towards travel booked with any provider;
• No annual fee, but still offers insurance coverage and other benefits;
• Points can also be used for cash, gift cards or merchandise.

3). American Express Air Miles Credit Card

4). BMO Air Miles MasterCard

5). Citizens Bank Visas

Top Hybrid Travel Credit Card (with annual fee)

1). American Express Gold Rewards Card (New)

• 2 Points per dollar for gas, grocery, pharmacy and travel purchases;
• 1 Point per dollar on all other spending;
• Book travel how you want and when you want;
• Option to transfer points to 9 frequent flyer programs on a 1:1 basis.

2). RBC Visa Infinite Avion

• Ability to book flights with any airline with no blackout periods;
• Option to transfer RBC Rewards Points to British Airways Executive Club, American AAdvantage or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles;
• A complete suite of insurance coverage and benefits.

3). TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite

4). CIBC Aventura World MasterCard (New)

5). Diners Club Club Rewards MasterCard

Top Airline Credit Card (*Note: Two cards tied for first)

1). CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite

• 1.5 Aeroplan miles on grocery, pharmacy and gas purchases;
• Decent redemption rates, particularly on Business Class tickets;
• Air Canada still provides the most flight coverage domestically and internationally out of Canada, which allows Aerogold holders many redemption options.

2). WestJet RBC World MasterCard

• Redeem WestJet dollars in any amount at any time towards any WestJet flight or WestJet Vacations package;
• Low annual fee of $79 with comprehensive suite of benefits;
• WestJet's flight network makes this card attractive for those looking for reward flights within Canada or to sun destinations.

3). Capital One Delta SkyMiles World MasterCard (New)

4). American Express AeroplanPlus Platinum Charge Card

5). TD AAdvantage Platinum Visa

Top Hotel Credit Card

*1). Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express

• Redeem Starpoints for hotel stays around the world;
• Transfer to 30+ airlines, including a 5,000 mile bonus when you transfer 20,000 Starpoints at a time;
• Receive SPG Gold Status after $30,000 in spending within a year and a free weekend night after $40,000.

*1). Priority Club Rewards World MasterCard from Capital One (New)

• Redeem as little as 5,000 points for a hotel stay;
• Great insurance and benefits, including trip cancellation and out of province medical coverage;
• Automatic Gold Elite Status.

3). Chase Marriott Rewards Platinum Visa

4). MBNA Best Western Rewards Platinum Plus MasterCard

5). MBNA Choice Privileges MasterCard