How I Booked Our Trip to Quebec City Using Points
European charm without crossing the Atlantic — and booked almost entirely on points.
Looking for a European‑style getaway without the long flight or jet lag? Quebec City is one of the easiest international trips you can book with points, and it’s perfect for families, couples, or anyone who loves history, architecture, and walkable cities.
I recently took this trip with my son, Finn. He loves history and old‑world architecture, and we only had a few days before he headed back to university. Quebec City gave us the European feel we wanted — without crossing the ocean.
This guide covers exactly how we booked the trip using points, where we stayed, and our full 3‑day itinerary.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend things I truly use.
⭐ Quick Facts: Quebec City on Points
Destination: Quebec City, Canada
Trip Length: 3 days
Who This Trip Is Perfect For: Families, couples, history lovers, architecture fans, first‑time international travelers Points Used: 30,000 American Airlines miles (round‑trip for two!)
Hotel: Hotel PUR Quebec City Cash Price vs What We Paid:
Flights: ~$800 cash value → 30,000 AA miles
Hotel: ~$600 → booked through Capital One Travel (10X points)
Best Time to Visit: May–October for mild weather; December for holiday magic
Vibe: European charm, cobblestone streets, walkable, safe, historic
⭐ How We Booked This Trip Using Points & Miles
Flights to Quebec City (YQB)
I booked our flights using American Airlines miles — one of the easiest ways to get to Canada on points.
Total: 30,000 AA miles round‑trip for both of us
Routing: Nashville → Chicago O’Hare → Quebec City
Cash price: ~$800
What we paid: Taxes + 30,000 miles
AA has great award availability to Canada, and even though it wasn’t nonstop, the routing was easy and predictable.
If you’re new to booking flights on points, start with my Beginner’s Guide to Points & Miles.
Where We Stayed: Hotel PUR Quebec City
We stayed at Hotel PUR, a modern Marriott property in the Saint‑Roch neighborhood — walkable, safe, and close to great restaurants.
Originally, I booked directly with Marriott, but when the price dropped, I rebooked through the Capital One Travel Portal to earn 10X points.
Cost: ~$600
Earned: 6,000+ Capital One miles
Status: I’m only Marriott Gold, so I wasn’t missing out on major perks by booking through a portal.
If you want to learn how to choose the right hotel program, check out Hotels on Points.
⭐ Our 3‑Day Quebec City Itinerary
Day 1: Explore Old Quebec on Foot
We arrived mid‑afternoon, grabbed a taxi to the hotel, dropped our bags, and headed straight into Old Quebec.
This area feels like stepping into Europe — cobblestone streets, stone buildings, cafés, and the iconic Château Frontenac towering above the city.
What we did:
Walked through Upper Town
Explored the city walls
Visited the Dufferin Terrace
Wandered through Petit Champlain
Grabbed dinner in Old Quebec
Quebec City is incredibly walkable, so this was the perfect low‑key first day.
Day 2: Old Quebec Walking Tour + Funicular Ride
I booked us the Old Quebec City Walking Tour with Funicular through Viator — a small‑group tour that covers both Upper and Lower Town.
Highlights included:
Notre‑Dame de Québec Basilica‑Cathedral
The city fortifications
Quartier Petit Champlain
The Funicular ride down to Lower Town
Architecture + history insights from our guide
This tour was perfect for Finn — he loves history, and this gave him context for everything we were seeing.
If you want to explore more tours, check out my review Quebec City Walking Tour Review: Best Old Quebec Tour
Day 3: Montmorency Falls & Sainte‑Anne‑de‑Beaupré
For our final day, we booked the Half‑Day Trip to Montmorency Falls and Ste‑Anne‑de‑Beaupré through Viator.
This was a great way to get outside the city and see more of the region.
Stops included:
Basilica of Sainte‑Anne‑de‑Beaupré — stunning architecture
Montmorency Falls — taller than Niagara!
Albert Gilles Copper Art & Museum
Île d’Orléans — countryside views and local shops
This was a relaxing, scenic way to end the trip. Check out my full review → Quebec City Bus Tour: Countryside & Montmorency Falls
⭐ Tips for Visiting Quebec City
1. Wear comfortable shoes You’ll be walking up and down hills and cobblestone streets.
2. Book tours early Small‑group tours fill up quickly, especially in summer.
3. Bring a light jacket Even in summer, evenings can be cool.
4. Use points for flights AA, Aeroplan, and United all have great award availability to Canada.
5. Stay in Saint‑Roch or Old Quebec Both are walkable and safe.
⭐ Related Posts You’ll Love
✨ About the Author
Julie Davis is the creator of No Point Left Behind — a travel‑hacking educator and content strategist who helps families turn everyday spending into unforgettable trips. With more than twenty years of experience optimizing points and miles, Julie teaches readers how to travel smarter, not harder, through approachable, real‑life examples and transparent strategies.
As an Amazon Influencer and Princess Cruises Elite member, she shares beginner‑friendly guides, step‑by‑step booking tutorials, and resource‑rich hubs designed to make travel rewards accessible to everyone. Julie travels 12–15 times a year across the U.S., Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean — often with her husband Brandon and their sons Finn and Tanner — proving that luxury travel on points is possible for real families.
Follow her journey and explore more guides at NoPointLeftBehind.net.
