For students in British Columbia, turning 19 is more than just a birthday—it is the gateway to financial independence. With the ability to apply for a credit card, students can begin building their credit history while unlocking valuable perks like free flights. With the right credit card, daily expenses can be converted into travel benefits, adding fun to a student’s life.
Step One: Start with a No-Fee Student Credit Card
A credit card with no annual fees is the ideal first step for students just starting to use credit. The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card and the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students are two great options for starters. Both cards offer welcome bonuses that increase initial earnings and reward Aeroplan points on everyday purchases.
Imagine this: You pay your tuition—around $12,000—with your new CIBC Aeroplan Visa Credit Card. Since the card offers 1 Aeroplan point per $1.50 spent, that alone earns you 8,000 points. Add the 10,000-point welcome bonus, and suddenly, you are sitting on 18,000 Aeroplan points—all from one smart transaction.
Step Two: Using a Loophole to Overcome Credit Limits
Most students assume a low credit limit (generally in the $1,000 range) bars them from making large payments such as tuition. However, an effortless way around this is to prepay your credit card before making a large payment. For example, adding $12,000 to your credit card account effectively raises the amount of available credit, making it possible for you to charge tuition without exceeding your limit. Your balance continues to be zero after the payment is processed, preventing interest charges.
Key Tip: Keep your outstanding balance under 30% of your credit limit at the statement generation time. This strategy will increase your credit score within weeks.
Step Three: Turning Points into Free Flights
To understand the real value of these points, let’s break it down:
| Expense Category | Amount Spent | Points Earned (1 per $1.50) | Bonus Points | Total Points |
| Tuition | $12,000 | 8,000 | 10,000 | 18,000 |
| Prince George – Vancouver Round Trip | (12,000) | |||
| Points Remaining for Future Use | 6,000 | |||
A round-trip from Prince George to Vancouver during off-peak is less than 12,000 Aeroplan points. With 18,000 points, you can redeem a free return ticket and still have points to use towards travel in the future—all from paying tuition strategically.
If you don’t want to redeem your points for travel, you can also use your Aeroplan points for gift cards to over 300+ brands, including Save-On-Foods, Sephora, Lululemon, Best Buy, and many more.
Step Four: Upgrade to a High-Reward Card
Once you have built a credit history, it’s time to level up. The American Express Cobalt™ Card is a game-changer. With a $12.99 monthly fee, it offers an unbeatable 5 points per dollar spent on dining, groceries, and food delivery—essential categories for students. If you spend just $500 a month on grocery and dining, you could rack up 30,000 points annually, enough for several domestic flights or even international travel when redeemed strategically.
Why Credit Cards Matter for Students
Credit cards are an essential financial instrument that isn’t simply for spending. Applying for loans, renting an apartment, or even getting a job all benefit from having a high credit score. Here’s how to make good use of your card:
- Always pay your balance in full to avoid interest charges.
- Maintain credit utilization below 30% in order to acquire a strong credit score.
- Use the ‘prepay’ technique to make large payments without harming your score.
- Treat points as a bonus, not an excuse to spend more.
- Set up auto-pay to ensure you never miss a payment.
Final Thoughts: Travel Smart, Spend Smarter
University life is expensive, yet it can be well worth it with some planning. Start with a no-fee student credit card, utilize it responsibly, and upgrade when the time is right; earn free flights, redeem valuable rewards, and build a long & strong credit history. When used responsibly, a credit card is not merely a spending card—it’s a passport to financial independence.
