Well Surick, I am one of your neighbours (note spelling). When I was working, I belonged to Air Canada's Aeroplan, and had a CIBC Aerogold card. The accumulated points took my wife and me on several trips both far and near, in Economy and Business classes. Since retirement, our travels have been mainly to sunny destinations. I switched to the RBC World Elite MasterCard, and our trips to SXM on Westjet for the last few times have cost us nothing, except for taxes to fund the government. You don't have to wish to live somewhere else or for something you can't get; you just need to evaluate your needs and get creative. Just my tuppence (Cdn, of course!)