Canadians spend thousands of dollars every year on their credit cards and if your card offers rewards, those benefits can really add up. But what about the restrictions and that annual fee? Is it really worth it?

Travel expert loren christie is here to help you choose the card that fits your lifestyle.

Q: Are there certain cards that are better for you…depending on what kind of traveler you are?

A: For sure….

CIBC Aeroplan Infinite Visa - is for relentless point junkies. You need to be focused on how to maximize your points through Aeroplan's preferred partners – hotels, airlines…even grocery stores …so that you are maximizing your bonus point opportunities. If you will drive an extra 10 minutes to a different gas station for those bonus points…then this card is for you. Frequent fliers who use Air Canada and Star Alliance so that you are accumulating your rewards quicker.

WestJet RBC Mastercard – is for the occasional traveler who wants to keep it simple. It's not for the hardened road warrior..because West Jet's system is much smaller than Air Canada's…. they only offer North American and Carribean destinations for you to reap your rewards on. 68 cities and 24 sun destinations. It's a simple program where you simply accumulate dollars on a West Jet account for the money you put on the credit card. You can then apply that money to a WestJet flight or WestJet vacation.

Starwood Preferred Guest AMEX card – people who prefer to enjoy the perks of the destination vs. the journey! Great opportunities for privileges and free hotel stays at Starwood brand hotels, such as Westin, Sheraton, W. It is possible to book flights instead of hotels through spgflights.com, but really you should be getting this card for the hotels, not the flights.

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite – is for people who want flexibility. This card allows you to credit your points against any travel provider charge on your credit card no matter where you go, how go or how you book. You can even apply your points toward the taxes.

Q: So how do they stack up in terms of costs/ benefits? Is one better than another?

Well so many perks and points with each one in terms of extras on travel insurance, front of the line access, bonus options, signing bonuses…you name it!…so it is hard to compare…they are not apples to apples. That being said the bare essentials comparison is as follows:

CIBC Aeroplan Infinite Visa - $1 = 1 pt

Annual fee $120

So….$25,000 = 25,000 pts and you could buy a round trip ticket within North America on Air Canada

WestJet RBC Mastercard- $1 = $0.01

Annual fee $39

So…..$25,000 = $250 and you could put $250 toward a flight or WestJet vacation

SPG AMEX – $1 = 1 SPG pt

Annual fee - $120

$25,000 = 25,000 SPG and you could buy 3 and ½ nights at the Sheraton Centre Toronto

TD First Class Visa - $1 = 3 pts.

Annual fee $120

$25,000 = 75,000 pts and you could get a $375 travel

Q: So what else then should people keep in mind?

A: Look at your lifestyle and see which fits….. like mentioned above the WestJet Mastercard is dollar for dollar so it's easy to see where you stand on your account and how much you have to apply toward your next booking. Conversely if you are meticulous about looking at how to maximize…Aeroplan Visa offers 1.5 pts if you shop at grocery stores, there are numerous opportunities to get bonus pts through retail partners…but if you don't watch and play and take advantage not much pt.

Look at where you are allowed to redeem and the flexibility…with Aeroplan from a travel perspective – you need to use partner travel providers.. Starwood is restrictive on the hotels, but spgflights.com allows you to book flights all over.

Look at the restrictions placed on you….. no blackout dates are imp. With the Starwood card…you can redeem hotel stays as long as there is availabilty….you want to be able to book your travel where and when you want too. All of these premium cards mentioned promise no blackouts vs some of the lower tiered travel cards, which do not.

Focus on one rewards card…. maximize your spending. If you don't, it's not really worth it.

Consider the extras….look at some of the other extras you are given..eg. travel insurance. CIBC Aerogold VISA infinite gives you several tiers of travel coverage that might otherwise cost you $100…think about those savings as well. Also – that coverage may not apply if you are above a certain age. E.g 64.

Check the thresholds….for example WestJet…you need to have at least $1500 built up to start redeeming. Whereas some of the other cards do not.