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Why you can trust our Best Credit Cards Canada list and comparison tool
At Money.ca we want to give you the full picture when it comes to credit cards. We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all credit card, so we want to help you find the best card for your specific needs.
Our proprietary scoring system analyzes more than 100 data points covering all aspects of a credit card— from welcome bonuses and rewards to travel insurance, airport perks to interest rates and hidden fees— to identify the very best credit card offers across over 150 cards and 11 categories.
Also, our partnerships have no impact on our ratings, which are solely determined by the strengths of each card alone by our team of credit card industry experts. To learn more about how we researched and ranked these cards, check out our full credit card review methodology.
Best credit cards in Canada overall: Gold, silver and bronze
American Express Cobalt® Card
4.9
up to 15k pts
Welcome offerFair
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to 15,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards® points* – that’s up to $150 in value.
Gold, Best Credit Card Canada Overall
Pros
-
High earn rates (up to 5% return on spending!)
-
Flexible month-by-month fee structure
-
Free supplementary cards
-
1:1 points transfer with selected hotels, airlines and frequent flyer programs
Cons
-
Accelerated earn rates only apply to purchases in Canada (not to purchases made abroad)
-
Amex has a more limited merchant acceptance rate than Visa and Mastercard
-
Slightly higher than average annual fee
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
5x
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
3x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x
the points on everything else
1
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
$100 USD
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
5x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
3x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
2x
the points on everything else
1x
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
1
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
$100 USD
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
$155.88
Annual Fee 12.99/month
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$155.88
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Gold, Best Credit Card Canada Overall
Pros
-
High earn rates (up to 5% return on spending!)
-
Flexible month-by-month fee structure
-
Free supplementary cards
-
1:1 points transfer with selected hotels, airlines and frequent flyer programs
Cons
-
Accelerated earn rates only apply to purchases in Canada (not to purchases made abroad)
-
Amex has a more limited merchant acceptance rate than Visa and Mastercard
-
Slightly higher than average annual fee
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
5x
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
3x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x
the points on everything else
1
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
$100 USD
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
5x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
3x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
2x
the points on everything else
1x
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
1
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
$100 USD
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
$155.88
Annual Fee 12.99/month
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$155.88
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card
4.9
up to $1,300
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreJoin and get up to $1,300 in value†! And get a one-time annual fee rebate.
Silver, Best Credit Card Canada Overall
Pros
-
High value welcome offer
-
Minimal household annual income required
-
Exceptional points-redeemable travel opportunities and other perks
Cons
-
High annual fee (rebated for your first year)†
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$15,000†
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
1.5
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
2
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1.5
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
1
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents†
$139
Annual Fee First year annual fee rebate!†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Silver, Best Credit Card Canada Overall
Pros
-
High value welcome offer
-
Minimal household annual income required
-
Exceptional points-redeemable travel opportunities and other perks
Cons
-
High annual fee (rebated for your first year)†
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$15,000†
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
1.5
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
2
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1.5
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
1
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents†
$139
Annual Fee First year annual fee rebate!†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*
4.9
up to 10%
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreGet up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first anniversary*.
Expires
Nov 30, 2024
Bronze, Best Credit Card Canada Overall
Pros
-
Valuable sign-up bonus
-
High 5% cash back rate on groceries
-
Free roadside assistance
-
Excellent extended warranty and purchase protection terms
Cons
-
Restrictive spending limits for most cash back categories
-
Sign-up bonus structure is head-scratchingly complicated
-
High minimum income requirements
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
5%
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
4%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
3%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
2%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
1%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
5%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
4%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
3%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
2%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$120
Annual Fee annual fee waived in the first year*
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Bronze, Best Credit Card Canada Overall
Pros
-
Valuable sign-up bonus
-
High 5% cash back rate on groceries
-
Free roadside assistance
-
Excellent extended warranty and purchase protection terms
Cons
-
Restrictive spending limits for most cash back categories
-
Sign-up bonus structure is head-scratchingly complicated
-
High minimum income requirements
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
5%
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
4%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
3%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
2%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
1%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
5%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
4%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
3%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
2%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$120
Annual Fee annual fee waived in the first year*
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Why the Amex Cobalt wins best overall credit card in Canada
Compared to 100 cards using over 7,000 metrics, Money.ca's proprietary system scores the Amex Cobalt for:
- Well-above-average scores on most metrics
- Good points earn rates in a variety of categories
- High versatility of points
The Amex Cobalt is perfect for those with varied spending habits; in other words, most people. Here’s how the Amex Cobalt card breaks down across key credit card components: The Cobalt offers a very achievable welcome bonus for new accounts:
- Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points* by earning 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 on your Card in your first year as a new Cardmember. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year.*
Amex Cobalt disclosures:
Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Read more: How to choose a credit card by income level
Best credit cards in Canada for rewards: Gold, silver and bronze
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
4.0
up to 80K pts
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $2,900 in value† including up to 80,000 Aeroplan points†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
Expires
Jan 6, 2025
Gold, Best Credit Card for Rewards
Pros
-
Welcome bonus up to 80,000 Aeroplan® points† (up to $2,900 in value†) (enough for a round trip to Honolulu†)
-
Complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge† access and six worldwide lounge visits annually†
-
Priority Airport Services† like Boarding and Baggage Handling
-
High Aeroplan® earn rates, double points on eligible Air Canada purchases
-
Extensive travel insurance benefits
-
Free checked bags on Air Canada
-
Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan® flight rewards
-
Visa Infinite Privilege* designation perks (e.g. DragonPass membership)
-
Up to $100 CAD NEXUS credit†
Cons
-
Steep annual fee of $599
-
High eligibility requirements ($150,000 personal or $200,000 household income)
-
Additional cardholder fee of $199
-
High-value rewards mainly for Air Canada flights
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$150,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$200,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
$200,000
2 points†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.25 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
6
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
2x
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
50%
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
$100
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
1st
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
10%
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
2 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
1.25 points†
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
6
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
2x
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
50%
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
$100
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
1st
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
10%
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$599
Annual Fee Additional Cardholder† $199
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CND
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$599
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Gold, Best Credit Card for Rewards
Pros
-
Welcome bonus up to 80,000 Aeroplan® points† (up to $2,900 in value†) (enough for a round trip to Honolulu†)
-
Complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge† access and six worldwide lounge visits annually†
-
Priority Airport Services† like Boarding and Baggage Handling
-
High Aeroplan® earn rates, double points on eligible Air Canada purchases
-
Extensive travel insurance benefits
-
Free checked bags on Air Canada
-
Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan® flight rewards
-
Visa Infinite Privilege* designation perks (e.g. DragonPass membership)
-
Up to $100 CAD NEXUS credit†
Cons
-
Steep annual fee of $599
-
High eligibility requirements ($150,000 personal or $200,000 household income)
-
Additional cardholder fee of $199
-
High-value rewards mainly for Air Canada flights
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$150,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$200,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
$200,000
2 points†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.25 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
6
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
2x
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
50%
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
$100
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
1st
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
10%
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
2 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
1.25 points†
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
6
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
2x
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
50%
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
$100
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
1st
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
10%
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$599
Annual Fee Additional Cardholder† $199
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CND
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$599
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Scotiabank Gold American Express®
4.8
up to 45K pts
Welcome offerVery Good
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $950* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived.
Expires
Jan 3, 2025
Silver, Best Credit Card for Rewards
Pros
-
Lots of daily spend options to earn multiplied point bonuses
-
Swanky Amex perks like Front of the Line presale concert tickets
-
Save on foreign transaction fees when abroad
-
Fantastic insurance coverage, especially for travel
Cons
-
Relatively low-value welcome bonus
-
$120 annual fee that chews into your point value substantially
-
Scene points redeem poorly for travel
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
6x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
6x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
3x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
1x
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $29 for each supplementary card
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
Silver, Best Credit Card for Rewards
Pros
-
Lots of daily spend options to earn multiplied point bonuses
-
Swanky Amex perks like Front of the Line presale concert tickets
-
Save on foreign transaction fees when abroad
-
Fantastic insurance coverage, especially for travel
Cons
-
Relatively low-value welcome bonus
-
$120 annual fee that chews into your point value substantially
-
Scene points redeem poorly for travel
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
6x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
6x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
3x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
1x
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $29 for each supplementary card
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
American Express Cobalt® Card
4.9
up to 15k pts
Welcome offerFair
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to 15,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards® points* – that’s up to $150 in value.
Bronze, Best Credit Card for Rewards
Pros
-
High earn rates (up to 5% return on spending!)
-
Flexible month-by-month fee structure
-
Free supplementary cards
-
1:1 points transfer with selected hotels, airlines and frequent flyer programs
Cons
-
Accelerated earn rates only apply to purchases in Canada (not to purchases made abroad)
-
Amex has a more limited merchant acceptance rate than Visa and Mastercard
-
Slightly higher than average annual fee
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
5x
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
3x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x
the points on everything else
1
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
$100 USD
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
5x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
3x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
2x
the points on everything else
1x
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
1
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
$100 USD
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
$155.88
Annual Fee 12.99/month
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$155.88
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Bronze, Best Credit Card for Rewards
Pros
-
High earn rates (up to 5% return on spending!)
-
Flexible month-by-month fee structure
-
Free supplementary cards
-
1:1 points transfer with selected hotels, airlines and frequent flyer programs
Cons
-
Accelerated earn rates only apply to purchases in Canada (not to purchases made abroad)
-
Amex has a more limited merchant acceptance rate than Visa and Mastercard
-
Slightly higher than average annual fee
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
5x
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
3x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x
the points on everything else
1
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
$100 USD
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
5x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
3x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
2x
the points on everything else
1x
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
1
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
$100 USD
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
$155.88
Annual Fee 12.99/month
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$155.88
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Why the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card wins best rewards card
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* wins the best rewards card overall thanks to its impressive Aeroplan bonus categories on purchases, luxurious Air Canada perks and robust travel and purchase protection insurance benefits. Add a massive welcome bonus to that, and you have the makings of an exceptional rewards credit card. Read more in our TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege review.
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* disclosures:
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button. Sponsored Content.
†Terms and conditions apply.
Read more: See Money.ca's list for best rewards credit cards
Best credit cards for cash back: Gold, silver and bronze
CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card
4.1
10% back†
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreGet a first-year annual fee rebate for you and up to three Authorized Users† and earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $3,000†.
Gold, Best Credit Cards for Cash Back
Pros
-
First-year annual fee rebate
-
10% cash back welcome bonus up to $3,000 spend
-
4% cash back on gas, electric vehicle charging and grocery stores
-
2% cash back on transportation, dining and recurring payments
-
High annual spending cap on benefits ($20,000 in bonus categories or $80,000 total)
Cons
-
High income requirement
-
Sparse travel insurance offering
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000†
4%
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
2%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
1%
cash back on all other purchases†
10 cents
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
4%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
2%
cash back on all other purchases†
1%
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
10 cents
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR non-Quebec residents†
$120
Annual Fee First year rebated. Each additional card is $30 per year, max 3.
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$120
Gold, Best Credit Cards for Cash Back
Pros
-
First-year annual fee rebate
-
10% cash back welcome bonus up to $3,000 spend
-
4% cash back on gas, electric vehicle charging and grocery stores
-
2% cash back on transportation, dining and recurring payments
-
High annual spending cap on benefits ($20,000 in bonus categories or $80,000 total)
Cons
-
High income requirement
-
Sparse travel insurance offering
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000†
4%
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
2%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
1%
cash back on all other purchases†
10 cents
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
4%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
2%
cash back on all other purchases†
1%
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
10 cents
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR non-Quebec residents†
$120
Annual Fee First year rebated. Each additional card is $30 per year, max 3.
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$120
BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*
4.9
up to 10%
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreGet up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first anniversary*.
Expires
Nov 30, 2024
Silver, Best Credit Cards for Cash Back
Pros
-
Valuable sign-up bonus
-
High 5% cash back rate on groceries
-
Free roadside assistance
-
Excellent extended warranty and purchase protection terms
Cons
-
Restrictive spending limits for most cash back categories
-
Sign-up bonus structure is head-scratchingly complicated
-
High minimum income requirements
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
5%
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
4%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
3%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
2%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
1%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
5%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
4%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
3%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
2%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$120
Annual Fee annual fee waived in the first year*
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Silver, Best Credit Cards for Cash Back
Pros
-
Valuable sign-up bonus
-
High 5% cash back rate on groceries
-
Free roadside assistance
-
Excellent extended warranty and purchase protection terms
Cons
-
Restrictive spending limits for most cash back categories
-
Sign-up bonus structure is head-scratchingly complicated
-
High minimum income requirements
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
5%
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
4%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
3%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
2%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
1%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
5%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
4%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
3%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
2%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$120
Annual Fee annual fee waived in the first year*
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Scotiabank Momentum® Visa Infinite*
5.0
10% back
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreEarn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases). No annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards.
Expires
Nov 1, 2025
Bronze, Best Credit Cards for Cash Back
Pros
-
High earn rate on everyday spending categories
-
Comprehensive travel and purchase insurance
-
Visa Infinite perks such as concierge, events, and special offers
-
25% Car rental discounts at Avis and Budget
-
Mobile device insurance
-
Up to $200 welcome bonus
Cons
-
Income requirements are higher: $60k personal or 100k household
-
Cash back can only be redeemed once a year
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
4%
For every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments and subscription purchases
2%
For every $1 you spend on gas and daily transit purchases
1%
Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit
For every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments and subscription purchases
4%
For every $1 you spend on gas and daily transit purchases
2%
Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $50 per supplementary card
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Bronze, Best Credit Cards for Cash Back
Pros
-
High earn rate on everyday spending categories
-
Comprehensive travel and purchase insurance
-
Visa Infinite perks such as concierge, events, and special offers
-
25% Car rental discounts at Avis and Budget
-
Mobile device insurance
-
Up to $200 welcome bonus
Cons
-
Income requirements are higher: $60k personal or 100k household
-
Cash back can only be redeemed once a year
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
4%
For every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments and subscription purchases
2%
For every $1 you spend on gas and daily transit purchases
1%
Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit
For every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments and subscription purchases
4%
For every $1 you spend on gas and daily transit purchases
2%
Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $50 per supplementary card
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Why the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite wins best cash back card
If we could build the ideal premium cash back rewards card, it would pretty much look like this. As far as rewards credit cards go, the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card makes earning and redeeming cash back almost effortless. Here's why it's our best cash back credit card:
- High earn rate: Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases†
- Cash back on everyday spend: Earn 2% cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
- Comprehensive Insurance: Includes travel and purchase protection, out-of-province medical insurance, and auto rental collision/loss damage coverage
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite* disclosures:
- †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for the residents of Quebec.
- The information for the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Read more: See Money.ca's list for best cash back credit cards
Best credit cards for balance transfers: Gold, silver and bronze
MBNA True Line® Mastercard®
3.0
0% intro rate
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreGet a 0% promotional annual interest rate (“AIR”)† for 12 months on balance transfers✪ completed within 90 days of account opening, with a 3% transfer fee.
Gold, Best Credit Cards for Balance Transfers
Pros
-
Solid welcome offer: 12 months of 0% APR† on balance transfers✪ made within the first 90 days (3% transfer fee applies)
-
No annual fee or minimum income requirement
-
Low standard interest rate of 12.99% for all new purchases charged to the card
-
Some extra perks like fraud protection and a discount on car rentals
Cons
-
3% balance transfer fee is comparatively high
-
Very high cash advance interest rate of 24.99%
-
No insurance benefits
-
Can’t transfer a balance owed to either MBNA or TD
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
0%
Promotional annual interest rate† (a 3% transfer fee applies) for 12 months on any balance transfer✪ completed within 90 days of opening the account.
100%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
Promotional annual interest rate† (a 3% transfer fee applies) for 12 months on any balance transfer✪ completed within 90 days of opening the account.
0%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
100%
12.99%
Purchase APR
17.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee $0
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
12.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
17.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Gold, Best Credit Cards for Balance Transfers
Pros
-
Solid welcome offer: 12 months of 0% APR† on balance transfers✪ made within the first 90 days (3% transfer fee applies)
-
No annual fee or minimum income requirement
-
Low standard interest rate of 12.99% for all new purchases charged to the card
-
Some extra perks like fraud protection and a discount on car rentals
Cons
-
3% balance transfer fee is comparatively high
-
Very high cash advance interest rate of 24.99%
-
No insurance benefits
-
Can’t transfer a balance owed to either MBNA or TD
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
0%
Promotional annual interest rate† (a 3% transfer fee applies) for 12 months on any balance transfer✪ completed within 90 days of opening the account.
100%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
Promotional annual interest rate† (a 3% transfer fee applies) for 12 months on any balance transfer✪ completed within 90 days of opening the account.
0%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
100%
12.99%
Purchase APR
17.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee $0
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
12.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
17.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card
4.0
0% intro rate
Welcome offerFair
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Silver, Best Credit Cards for Balance Transfers
Pros
-
Lengthy introductory APR on balance transfers
-
A great low rate everyday
-
Available to applicants with average credit
Cons
-
No rewards program
-
Insurance coverage is an optional extra
-
Carries an annual fee
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
13.99%
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
$29
Annual Fee $0.00 each Supplementary Card
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
13.99%
Annual Fee
$29
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Silver, Best Credit Cards for Balance Transfers
Pros
-
Lengthy introductory APR on balance transfers
-
A great low rate everyday
-
Available to applicants with average credit
Cons
-
No rewards program
-
Insurance coverage is an optional extra
-
Carries an annual fee
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
13.99%
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
$29
Annual Fee $0.00 each Supplementary Card
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
13.99%
Annual Fee
$29
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
CIBC Select Visa* Card
2.9
0% interest
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreTransfer your credit card balance - Get 0% interest for up to 10 months with a 1% transfer fee† and a first year annual fee rebate†
Bronze, Best Credit Cards for Balance Transfers
Pros
-
0% Balance Transfer rate for a generous 10 months with a low (1%) Balance Transfer fee†
-
13.99%† Purchase Annual Interest Rate
-
A first year annual fee rebate†
-
No annual fee for additional cards (up to 3)
Cons
-
There are other low interest cards available with no annual fee whatsoever
-
Few distinguishing benefits beyond its interest rates
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Household Income
$15,000†
0%
Pay 0% interest for up to 10 months with a 1% transfer fee.†
Pay 0% interest for up to 10 months with a 1% transfer fee.†
0%
13.99%†
Purchase APR
13.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%†
Cash Advance APR
$29
Annual Fee First year annual fee rebate† $0 for up to 3 additional cards.†.
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
13.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%†
Cash Advance APR
13.99%†
Annual Fee
$29
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Bronze, Best Credit Cards for Balance Transfers
Pros
-
0% Balance Transfer rate for a generous 10 months with a low (1%) Balance Transfer fee†
-
13.99%† Purchase Annual Interest Rate
-
A first year annual fee rebate†
-
No annual fee for additional cards (up to 3)
Cons
-
There are other low interest cards available with no annual fee whatsoever
-
Few distinguishing benefits beyond its interest rates
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Household Income
$15,000†
0%
Pay 0% interest for up to 10 months with a 1% transfer fee.†
Pay 0% interest for up to 10 months with a 1% transfer fee.†
0%
13.99%†
Purchase APR
13.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%†
Cash Advance APR
$29
Annual Fee First year annual fee rebate† $0 for up to 3 additional cards.†.
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
13.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%†
Cash Advance APR
13.99%†
Annual Fee
$29
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Why the MBNA True Line wins best balance transfer card
You just can't beat a 0% balance transfer offer (even with a 3% fee) because it gives you a whole year, 365 days to pay down that balance. And there's no annual fee, so it's a credit card that really helps you pay down debt without costing you a big upfront payment. If you're looking for a new balance transfer card, the MBNA True Line is a great bet with its:
- No annual fee
- 0% APR for 12 months on transfers
MBNA True Line Mastercard disclosures:
†, ✪, Terms and Conditions apply.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.
Sponsored advertising. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) and TD is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information on this MBNA credit card, please click on the “Apply Now” button.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank is the issuer of this credit card. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. ®MBNA and other-trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.
Read more: See Money.ca's list of the best balance transfer credit cards
Best credit cards with no annual fee: Gold, silver and bronze
BMO CashBack® Mastercard®*
3.4
5% cash back
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreGet 5% cash back in your first 3 months*
Expires
Nov 30, 2024
Gold, Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
Pros
-
No Annual Fee: A rare find in Canada for a cash back card
-
A generous 3% cash back on groceries (up to $500 monthly)
-
Easily redeem from $1, set up automatic redemptions, or use as a statement credit
-
Additional perks include discounts on rentals, free supplementary cards and show discounts
Cons
-
Outside of groceries and recurring payments, the standard earn rate drops to 0.5%
-
Monthly caps on top earn rates for groceries and recurring payments
-
A 2% balance transfer fee applies
-
The interest rate on the remaining balance transfer amount increases after the introductory period
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000
3%
Cardholders earn 3% (up to a monthly max of $500) cash back on groceries
1%
Cardholders can earn 1% (up to $500 per month) on any recurring bill payments*
0.5%
Cardholders can earn 0.5% (no monthly max) on all other eligible purchases*
Cardholders earn 3% (up to a monthly max of $500) cash back on groceries
3%
Cardholders can earn 1% (up to $500 per month) on any recurring bill payments*
1%
Cardholders can earn 0.5% (no monthly max) on all other eligible purchases*
0.5%
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$0
Annual Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Gold, Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
Pros
-
No Annual Fee: A rare find in Canada for a cash back card
-
A generous 3% cash back on groceries (up to $500 monthly)
-
Easily redeem from $1, set up automatic redemptions, or use as a statement credit
-
Additional perks include discounts on rentals, free supplementary cards and show discounts
Cons
-
Outside of groceries and recurring payments, the standard earn rate drops to 0.5%
-
Monthly caps on top earn rates for groceries and recurring payments
-
A 2% balance transfer fee applies
-
The interest rate on the remaining balance transfer amount increases after the introductory period
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000
3%
Cardholders earn 3% (up to a monthly max of $500) cash back on groceries
1%
Cardholders can earn 1% (up to $500 per month) on any recurring bill payments*
0.5%
Cardholders can earn 0.5% (no monthly max) on all other eligible purchases*
Cardholders earn 3% (up to a monthly max of $500) cash back on groceries
3%
Cardholders can earn 1% (up to $500 per month) on any recurring bill payments*
1%
Cardholders can earn 0.5% (no monthly max) on all other eligible purchases*
0.5%
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$0
Annual Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
MBNA Smart Cash Platinum Plus® Mastercard®
2.6
5% cash back
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreCash Back†† on eligible gas and grocery purchases for the first 6 months (until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500)
Silver, Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
Pros
-
Generous Welcome Bonus to earn accelerated rewards during the initial six months of account opening
-
No annual fee
-
Ongoing cash back rewards after the welcome bonus - up to 2% cash back on eligible purchases
-
Car rental discounts
-
MBNA Payment Plan: Flexible payment options for purchases over $100, which is a nice perk for budget management.
-
Purchase assurance and extended warranty
Cons
-
Monthly spend cap on the welcome bonus rewards earn rate
-
Limited reward categories
-
Potential fees for payment plan
-
No travel rewards or premium perks
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
2%
Cash Back‡ on eligible gas and grocery purchases thereafter (until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500)
0.5%
Get 0.5% Cash Back‡ for all other eligible purchases
Cash Back‡ on eligible gas and grocery purchases thereafter (until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500)
2%
Get 0.5% Cash Back‡ for all other eligible purchases
0.5%
19.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee Up to 9 additional card with no annual fee
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
19.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Silver, Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
Pros
-
Generous Welcome Bonus to earn accelerated rewards during the initial six months of account opening
-
No annual fee
-
Ongoing cash back rewards after the welcome bonus - up to 2% cash back on eligible purchases
-
Car rental discounts
-
MBNA Payment Plan: Flexible payment options for purchases over $100, which is a nice perk for budget management.
-
Purchase assurance and extended warranty
Cons
-
Monthly spend cap on the welcome bonus rewards earn rate
-
Limited reward categories
-
Potential fees for payment plan
-
No travel rewards or premium perks
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
2%
Cash Back‡ on eligible gas and grocery purchases thereafter (until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500)
0.5%
Get 0.5% Cash Back‡ for all other eligible purchases
Cash Back‡ on eligible gas and grocery purchases thereafter (until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500)
2%
Get 0.5% Cash Back‡ for all other eligible purchases
0.5%
19.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee Up to 9 additional card with no annual fee
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
19.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
4.0
Good
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Bronze, Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2%
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5%
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Bronze, Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2%
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5%
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Why the BMO CashBack wins for best no annual fee card
What's better than a credit card with no annual fee? One that rewards you with an impressive up to 3% (up to a monthly max of $500) cash back on groceries. Here are a few more reasons we like the BMO CashBack® MasterCard®*.
- Generous cash back
- Lucrative welcome bonus
- Balance transfer offer
- No annual fee
BMO CashBack Mastercard disclosures:
- *Terms and conditions apply.
- BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
Read more: See Money.ca's list of best no annual fee credit cards
Best low interest credit cards: Gold, silver and bronze
MBNA True Line® Gold Mastercard®
4.0
Good
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Gold, Best Low Interest Credit Cards
Pros
-
Low interest rate on purchases and balance transfers
-
Proactive fraud protection
Cons
-
$39 annual fee
-
Penalty interest rate if minimum payments are missed
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
10.99%
10.99% interest rate on purchases and 13.99% on balance transfers✪ and access cheques
100%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
Funds Transfer
Use available credit on your credit card to transfer funds right to your chequing account.
10.99% interest rate on purchases and 13.99% on balance transfers✪ and access cheques
10.99%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
100%
Use available credit on your credit card to transfer funds right to your chequing account.
Funds Transfer
10.99%
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$39
Annual Fee $39
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
10.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$39
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Gold, Best Low Interest Credit Cards
Pros
-
Low interest rate on purchases and balance transfers
-
Proactive fraud protection
Cons
-
$39 annual fee
-
Penalty interest rate if minimum payments are missed
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
10.99%
10.99% interest rate on purchases and 13.99% on balance transfers✪ and access cheques
100%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
Funds Transfer
Use available credit on your credit card to transfer funds right to your chequing account.
10.99% interest rate on purchases and 13.99% on balance transfers✪ and access cheques
10.99%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
100%
Use available credit on your credit card to transfer funds right to your chequing account.
Funds Transfer
10.99%
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$39
Annual Fee $39
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
10.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$39
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card
4.0
0% intro rate
Welcome offerFair
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Silver, Best Low Interest Credit Cards
Pros
-
Lengthy introductory APR on balance transfers
-
A great low rate everyday
-
Available to applicants with average credit
Cons
-
No rewards program
-
Insurance coverage is an optional extra
-
Carries an annual fee
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
13.99%
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
$29
Annual Fee $0.00 each Supplementary Card
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
13.99%
Annual Fee
$29
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Silver, Best Low Interest Credit Cards
Pros
-
Lengthy introductory APR on balance transfers
-
A great low rate everyday
-
Available to applicants with average credit
Cons
-
No rewards program
-
Insurance coverage is an optional extra
-
Carries an annual fee
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
13.99%
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
$29
Annual Fee $0.00 each Supplementary Card
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
13.99%
Annual Fee
$29
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card
4.4
up to 60K pts
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $2,100* in value in the first 14 months, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points
Expires
Jan 3, 2025
Bronze, Best Low Interest Credit Cards
Pros
-
The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers
-
Comprehensive insurance coverage
-
Complimentary Airport lounge access
-
No foreign transaction fees
-
Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees
-
Offers a substantial welcome bonus that can be worth up to 60,000 Scene+ points
-
Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.
Cons
-
High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders
-
Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees
-
Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities
-
Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee
-
Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
2x
No foreign transaction fees
0%
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
10
9.99%
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
$399
Annual Fee
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee No foreign transaction fee
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
9.99%
Annual Fee
$399
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
Bronze, Best Low Interest Credit Cards
Pros
-
The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers
-
Comprehensive insurance coverage
-
Complimentary Airport lounge access
-
No foreign transaction fees
-
Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees
-
Offers a substantial welcome bonus that can be worth up to 60,000 Scene+ points
-
Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.
Cons
-
High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders
-
Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees
-
Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities
-
Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee
-
Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
2x
No foreign transaction fees
0%
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
10
9.99%
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
$399
Annual Fee
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee No foreign transaction fee
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
9.99%
Annual Fee
$399
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
Why the MBNA True Line Gold wins best low APR credit card
Well, if you're looking for a low interest rate credit card in Canada, it's not subjective, it's fact. So, if you're in credit card debt now, you can snap up the balance transfer offer with the MBNA True Line to pay off the debt and use the MBNA True Line Gold as your go-to card for new expenses. The MBNA annual percentage rate (APR) is a low 12.99% for purchases.
MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard disclosures:
†, ✪, Terms and Conditions apply.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.
Sponsored advertising. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) and TD is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information on this MBNA credit card, please click on the “Apply Now” button.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank is the issuer of this credit card. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. ®MBNA and other-trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.
Read more: See Money.ca's list of best low interest credit cards
Best credit cards for groceries: Gold, silver and bronze
BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*
4.9
up to 10%
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreGet up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first anniversary*.
Expires
Nov 30, 2024
Gold, Best Low Interest Credit Cards
Pros
-
Valuable sign-up bonus
-
High 5% cash back rate on groceries
-
Free roadside assistance
-
Excellent extended warranty and purchase protection terms
Cons
-
Restrictive spending limits for most cash back categories
-
Sign-up bonus structure is head-scratchingly complicated
-
High minimum income requirements
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
5%
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
4%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
3%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
2%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
1%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
5%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
4%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
3%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
2%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$120
Annual Fee annual fee waived in the first year*
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Gold, Best Low Interest Credit Cards
Pros
-
Valuable sign-up bonus
-
High 5% cash back rate on groceries
-
Free roadside assistance
-
Excellent extended warranty and purchase protection terms
Cons
-
Restrictive spending limits for most cash back categories
-
Sign-up bonus structure is head-scratchingly complicated
-
High minimum income requirements
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
5%
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
4%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
3%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
2%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
1%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
5%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
4%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
3%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
2%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$120
Annual Fee annual fee waived in the first year*
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card
4.1
10% back†
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreGet a first-year annual fee rebate for you and up to three Authorized Users† and earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $3,000†.
Silver, Best Grocery Credit Cards
Pros
-
First-year annual fee rebate
-
10% cash back welcome bonus up to $3,000 spend
-
4% cash back on gas, electric vehicle charging and grocery stores
-
2% cash back on transportation, dining and recurring payments
-
High annual spending cap on benefits ($20,000 in bonus categories or $80,000 total)
Cons
-
High income requirement
-
Sparse travel insurance offering
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000†
4%
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
2%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
1%
cash back on all other purchases†
10 cents
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
4%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
2%
cash back on all other purchases†
1%
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
10 cents
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR non-Quebec residents†
$120
Annual Fee First year rebated. Each additional card is $30 per year, max 3.
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$120
Silver, Best Grocery Credit Cards
Pros
-
First-year annual fee rebate
-
10% cash back welcome bonus up to $3,000 spend
-
4% cash back on gas, electric vehicle charging and grocery stores
-
2% cash back on transportation, dining and recurring payments
-
High annual spending cap on benefits ($20,000 in bonus categories or $80,000 total)
Cons
-
High income requirement
-
Sparse travel insurance offering
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000†
4%
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
2%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
1%
cash back on all other purchases†
10 cents
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
4%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
2%
cash back on all other purchases†
1%
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
10 cents
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR non-Quebec residents†
$120
Annual Fee First year rebated. Each additional card is $30 per year, max 3.
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$120
SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express
4.0
up to 10% back
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreEarn a bonus 10% cash back on purchases in your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases).
Bronze, Best Grocery Credit Cards
Pros
-
Competitive cash back rates: Up to 4% on gas and groceries, and more
-
Refer-a-friend bonus up to $750 annually
-
Extra benefits like rental car insurance and travel accident coverage
-
Manufacturer's warranty doubled on purchases
Cons
-
$9.99/month fee ($119.88 annually)
-
Cash back redeemed annually in September
-
Not all benefits may be relevant to all users
-
Limited to American Express acceptance
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
4%
cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
4%
cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
2%
cash back on all other purchases
cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
4%
cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
4%
cash back on all other purchases
2%
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR *
$119.88
Annual Fee $9.99 per month. Additional cards are free.
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$119.88
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Bronze, Best Grocery Credit Cards
Pros
-
Competitive cash back rates: Up to 4% on gas and groceries, and more
-
Refer-a-friend bonus up to $750 annually
-
Extra benefits like rental car insurance and travel accident coverage
-
Manufacturer's warranty doubled on purchases
Cons
-
$9.99/month fee ($119.88 annually)
-
Cash back redeemed annually in September
-
Not all benefits may be relevant to all users
-
Limited to American Express acceptance
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
4%
cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
4%
cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
2%
cash back on all other purchases
cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
4%
cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
4%
cash back on all other purchases
2%
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR *
$119.88
Annual Fee $9.99 per month. Additional cards are free.
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$119.88
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Why the BMO CashBack World Elite wins best grocery card
While you might expect the PC World Elite Mastercard (great for Loblaws, No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart) or the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa card with rewards at FreshCo and Sobeys, the fact is, it's hard to beat the right 5% cash back on groceries with the premium BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* .
- High cash back rates on groceries: Earn 5% cash back on groceries
- Lucrative sign-up bonus: Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first anniversary*
BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* disclosures:
- *Terms and conditions apply.
- BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
Read more: See Money.ca's list of best grocery credit cards
Best credit cards in Canada for gas: Gold, silver and bronze
BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*
4.9
up to 10%
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreGet up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first anniversary*.
Expires
Nov 30, 2024
Gold, Best Gas Credit Cards
Pros
-
Valuable sign-up bonus
-
High 5% cash back rate on groceries
-
Free roadside assistance
-
Excellent extended warranty and purchase protection terms
Cons
-
Restrictive spending limits for most cash back categories
-
Sign-up bonus structure is head-scratchingly complicated
-
High minimum income requirements
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
5%
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
4%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
3%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
2%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
1%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
5%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
4%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
3%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
2%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$120
Annual Fee annual fee waived in the first year*
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Gold, Best Gas Credit Cards
Pros
-
Valuable sign-up bonus
-
High 5% cash back rate on groceries
-
Free roadside assistance
-
Excellent extended warranty and purchase protection terms
Cons
-
Restrictive spending limits for most cash back categories
-
Sign-up bonus structure is head-scratchingly complicated
-
High minimum income requirements
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
5%
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
4%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
3%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
2%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
1%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
Groceries: 5% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($25 in cash back)*
5%
Transit: 4% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($12 in cash back)*
4%
Gas: 3% cash back up to $300 spent per month ($9 in cash back)*
3%
Recurring Bills: 2% cash back up to $500 spent per month ($10 in cash back)*
2%
Everything Else: 1% cash back, unlimited*
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$120
Annual Fee annual fee waived in the first year*
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Scotiabank Gold American Express®
4.8
up to 45K pts
Welcome offerVery Good
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $950* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived.
Expires
Jan 3, 2025
Silver, Best Gas Credit Cards
Pros
-
Lots of daily spend options to earn multiplied point bonuses
-
Swanky Amex perks like Front of the Line presale concert tickets
-
Save on foreign transaction fees when abroad
-
Fantastic insurance coverage, especially for travel
Cons
-
Relatively low-value welcome bonus
-
$120 annual fee that chews into your point value substantially
-
Scene points redeem poorly for travel
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
6x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
6x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
3x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
1x
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $29 for each supplementary card
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
Silver, Best Gas Credit Cards
Pros
-
Lots of daily spend options to earn multiplied point bonuses
-
Swanky Amex perks like Front of the Line presale concert tickets
-
Save on foreign transaction fees when abroad
-
Fantastic insurance coverage, especially for travel
Cons
-
Relatively low-value welcome bonus
-
$120 annual fee that chews into your point value substantially
-
Scene points redeem poorly for travel
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
6x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
6x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
3x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
1x
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $29 for each supplementary card
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card
4.1
10% back†
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreGet a first-year annual fee rebate for you and up to three Authorized Users† and earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $3,000†.
Bronze, Best Gas Credit Cards
Pros
-
First-year annual fee rebate
-
10% cash back welcome bonus up to $3,000 spend
-
4% cash back on gas, electric vehicle charging and grocery stores
-
2% cash back on transportation, dining and recurring payments
-
High annual spending cap on benefits ($20,000 in bonus categories or $80,000 total)
Cons
-
High income requirement
-
Sparse travel insurance offering
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000†
4%
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
2%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
1%
cash back on all other purchases†
10 cents
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
4%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
2%
cash back on all other purchases†
1%
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
10 cents
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR non-Quebec residents†
$120
Annual Fee First year rebated. Each additional card is $30 per year, max 3.
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$120
Bronze, Best Gas Credit Cards
Pros
-
First-year annual fee rebate
-
10% cash back welcome bonus up to $3,000 spend
-
4% cash back on gas, electric vehicle charging and grocery stores
-
2% cash back on transportation, dining and recurring payments
-
High annual spending cap on benefits ($20,000 in bonus categories or $80,000 total)
Cons
-
High income requirement
-
Sparse travel insurance offering
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000†
4%
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
2%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
1%
cash back on all other purchases†
10 cents
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
4%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
2%
cash back on all other purchases†
1%
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
10 cents
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR non-Quebec residents†
$120
Annual Fee First year rebated. Each additional card is $30 per year, max 3.
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$120
Why the BMO CashBack World Elite wins best gas card
Again?! Yup, the BMO CashBack World Elite credit card is our top pick for gas and EV charging rewards, too. Ok, so the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite or Amex Simply Cash Preferred credit cards have a higher cash back rate on gas compared to BMO card. However, if you're on the road enough where you value gas, you can save even more with roadside assistance with a free membership in the Dominion Automobile Association (DAA).
BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* disclosures:
- *Terms and conditions apply.
- BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
Read more: See Money.ca's list of best gas credit cards
Best credit cards for travel: Gold, silver and bronze
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
4.5
up to 40K pts
Welcome offerVery Good
Suggested credit scoreJoin and get up to $1,100 in value in your first year!†
Gold, Best Credit Cards in Canada for Travel
Pros
-
Earn up to 40,000 bonus Aeroplan points in the first year
-
Earn up to 1.5 Aeroplan points on purchases
-
Free checked bags on Air Canada flights
-
Special pricing on Aeroplan flight rewards
-
Includes travel insurance
Cons
-
High income requirement of either $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
-
Rewards go furthest when redeeming for Air Canada flights, so that can limit your travel options
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
1.5 pts
for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1 pt
for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
2x
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and more than 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1.5 pts
for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
1 pt
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and more than 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
2x
20.99%
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$139
Annual Fee Free with CIBC Smart Plus™ Account. $50 for each additional card (up to 3).
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Gold, Best Credit Cards in Canada for Travel
Pros
-
Earn up to 40,000 bonus Aeroplan points in the first year
-
Earn up to 1.5 Aeroplan points on purchases
-
Free checked bags on Air Canada flights
-
Special pricing on Aeroplan flight rewards
-
Includes travel insurance
Cons
-
High income requirement of either $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
-
Rewards go furthest when redeeming for Air Canada flights, so that can limit your travel options
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
1.5 pts
for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1 pt
for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
2x
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and more than 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1.5 pts
for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
1 pt
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and more than 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
2x
20.99%
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$139
Annual Fee Free with CIBC Smart Plus™ Account. $50 for each additional card (up to 3).
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card
4.4
up to 60K pts
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $2,100* in value in the first 14 months, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points
Expires
Jan 3, 2025
Silver, Best Credit Cards in Canada for Travel
Pros
-
The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers
-
Comprehensive insurance coverage
-
Complimentary Airport lounge access
-
No foreign transaction fees
-
Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees
-
Offers a substantial welcome bonus that can be worth up to 60,000 Scene+ points
-
Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.
Cons
-
High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders
-
Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees
-
Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities
-
Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee
-
Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
2x
No foreign transaction fees
0%
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
10
9.99%
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
$399
Annual Fee
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee No foreign transaction fee
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
9.99%
Annual Fee
$399
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
Silver, Best Credit Cards in Canada for Travel
Pros
-
The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers
-
Comprehensive insurance coverage
-
Complimentary Airport lounge access
-
No foreign transaction fees
-
Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees
-
Offers a substantial welcome bonus that can be worth up to 60,000 Scene+ points
-
Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.
Cons
-
High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders
-
Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees
-
Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities
-
Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee
-
Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
2x
No foreign transaction fees
0%
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
10
9.99%
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
$399
Annual Fee
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee No foreign transaction fee
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
9.99%
Annual Fee
$399
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card
4.9
up to $1,300
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreJoin and get up to $1,300 in value†! And get a one-time annual fee rebate.
Bronze, Best Credit Cards in Canada for Travel
Pros
-
High value welcome offer
-
Minimal household annual income required
-
Exceptional points-redeemable travel opportunities and other perks
Cons
-
High annual fee (rebated for your first year)†
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$15,000†
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
1.5
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
2
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1.5
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
1
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents†
$139
Annual Fee First year annual fee rebate!†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Bronze, Best Credit Cards in Canada for Travel
Pros
-
High value welcome offer
-
Minimal household annual income required
-
Exceptional points-redeemable travel opportunities and other perks
Cons
-
High annual fee (rebated for your first year)†
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$15,000†
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
1.5
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
2
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1.5
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
1
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents†
$139
Annual Fee First year annual fee rebate!†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Why the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite wins best travel card
Among all the best travel credit cards in Canada, we like the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card for its exceptional welcome bonus, massive array of Air Canada travel perks and airport lounge access passes. Here's why it's our best credit card for travel.
- Great for Air Canada flyers: Maximize points on Air Canada purchases and frequent travel categories.
- Generous welcome bonus: Get up to 30,000 Aeroplan points in your first year.
- Travel insurance: Extensive coverage for flight delays, baggage, medical emergencies, trip cancellations, auto rentals, and more.
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* disclosures:
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button. Sponsored Content.
†Terms and conditions apply.
Read more: See Money.ca's best travel credit cards list
Best credit cards for welcome bonus offers: Gold, silver and bronze
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
4.0
up to 80K pts
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $2,900 in value† including up to 80,000 Aeroplan points†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
Expires
Jan 6, 2025
Gold, Best Credit Card Welcome Bonus
Pros
-
Welcome bonus up to 80,000 Aeroplan® points† (up to $2,900 in value†) (enough for a round trip to Honolulu†)
-
Complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge† access and six worldwide lounge visits annually†
-
Priority Airport Services† like Boarding and Baggage Handling
-
High Aeroplan® earn rates, double points on eligible Air Canada purchases
-
Extensive travel insurance benefits
-
Free checked bags on Air Canada
-
Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan® flight rewards
-
Visa Infinite Privilege* designation perks (e.g. DragonPass membership)
-
Up to $100 CAD NEXUS credit†
Cons
-
Steep annual fee of $599
-
High eligibility requirements ($150,000 personal or $200,000 household income)
-
Additional cardholder fee of $199
-
High-value rewards mainly for Air Canada flights
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$150,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$200,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
$200,000
2 points†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.25 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
6
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
2x
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
50%
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
$100
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
1st
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
10%
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
2 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
1.25 points†
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
6
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
2x
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
50%
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
$100
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
1st
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
10%
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$599
Annual Fee Additional Cardholder† $199
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CND
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$599
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Gold, Best Credit Card Welcome Bonus
Pros
-
Welcome bonus up to 80,000 Aeroplan® points† (up to $2,900 in value†) (enough for a round trip to Honolulu†)
-
Complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge† access and six worldwide lounge visits annually†
-
Priority Airport Services† like Boarding and Baggage Handling
-
High Aeroplan® earn rates, double points on eligible Air Canada purchases
-
Extensive travel insurance benefits
-
Free checked bags on Air Canada
-
Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan® flight rewards
-
Visa Infinite Privilege* designation perks (e.g. DragonPass membership)
-
Up to $100 CAD NEXUS credit†
Cons
-
Steep annual fee of $599
-
High eligibility requirements ($150,000 personal or $200,000 household income)
-
Additional cardholder fee of $199
-
High-value rewards mainly for Air Canada flights
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$150,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$200,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
$200,000
2 points†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.25 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
6
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
2x
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
50%
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
$100
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
1st
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
10%
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
2 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
1.25 points†
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
6
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
2x
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
50%
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
$100
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
1st
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
10%
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$599
Annual Fee Additional Cardholder† $199
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CND
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$599
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card
4.4
up to 60K pts
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $2,100* in value in the first 14 months, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points
Expires
Jan 3, 2025
Silver, Best Credit Card Welcome Bonus
Pros
-
The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers
-
Comprehensive insurance coverage
-
Complimentary Airport lounge access
-
No foreign transaction fees
-
Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees
-
Offers a substantial welcome bonus that can be worth up to 60,000 Scene+ points
-
Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.
Cons
-
High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders
-
Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees
-
Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities
-
Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee
-
Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
2x
No foreign transaction fees
0%
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
10
9.99%
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
$399
Annual Fee
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee No foreign transaction fee
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
9.99%
Annual Fee
$399
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
Silver, Best Credit Card Welcome Bonus
Pros
-
The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers
-
Comprehensive insurance coverage
-
Complimentary Airport lounge access
-
No foreign transaction fees
-
Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees
-
Offers a substantial welcome bonus that can be worth up to 60,000 Scene+ points
-
Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.
Cons
-
High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders
-
Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees
-
Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities
-
Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee
-
Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
2x
No foreign transaction fees
0%
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
10
9.99%
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
$399
Annual Fee
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee No foreign transaction fee
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
9.99%
Annual Fee
$399
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
The Platinum Card®
3.5
up to 140k pts
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to 140,000 Membership Rewards® points* – that’s up to $1,400 in value.
Bronze, Best Credit Card Welcome Bonus
Pros
-
Access to a wide range of luxury perks, including premium concierge service
-
Complimentary lounge membership providing access to over 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide
-
Annual statement credits: $200 annual travel credit, $200 annual dining credit
-
Special insurance coverages like trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, lost or stolen baggage and rental car theft & damage.
-
Provides extended warranty (2 years) and purchase protection (120 days).
Cons
-
High annual fee of $799, one of the heftiest among Canadian cards
-
The rewards system can be complicated, especially for users not familiar with maximizing credit card points
-
Requires good to excellent credit for eligibility
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
1x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
2x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1x
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
1
21.99% - 28.99%
Variable APR Applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance. This charge card has both Due in Full and Flexible Payment Option balances.
$799
Annual Fee Supplementary Platinum Cards: $250 each
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
21.99% - 28.99%
Annual Fee
$799
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Bronze, Best Credit Card Welcome Bonus
Pros
-
Access to a wide range of luxury perks, including premium concierge service
-
Complimentary lounge membership providing access to over 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide
-
Annual statement credits: $200 annual travel credit, $200 annual dining credit
-
Special insurance coverages like trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, lost or stolen baggage and rental car theft & damage.
-
Provides extended warranty (2 years) and purchase protection (120 days).
Cons
-
High annual fee of $799, one of the heftiest among Canadian cards
-
The rewards system can be complicated, especially for users not familiar with maximizing credit card points
-
Requires good to excellent credit for eligibility
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
1x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
2x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1x
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
1
21.99% - 28.99%
Variable APR Applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance. This charge card has both Due in Full and Flexible Payment Option balances.
$799
Annual Fee Supplementary Platinum Cards: $250 each
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
21.99% - 28.99%
Annual Fee
$799
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Why the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege wins best welcome bonus card
It's the welcome bonus: Earn up to $2,900 in value† including up to 80,000 Aeroplan points†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025. and how the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* earns its points:
- Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®)
- Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery, travel and dining purchases
- Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 spent on all other purchases made with your Card
- Earn points twice when you pay with your Card and provide your Aeroplan number at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and at 170+ online retailers via the Aeroplan eStore (www.aeroplan.com/estore)
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* disclosures:
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button. Sponsored Content.
†Terms and conditions apply.
Read more: See Money.ca's best credit card offers
Best credit cards in Canada for students: Gold, silver and bronze
RBC ION+ Visa
3.2
up to 7K pts
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreGet 3,500 Welcome Points on approval and earn 3,500 bonus points when you spend $500 in your first 3 months.^ Apply by January 15th, 2025.
Expires
Jan 15, 2025
Gold, Best Credit Card for Students
Pros
-
Decent rewards rate in everyday spending categories.
-
Low monthly fee, (rebated for students with the no-monthly fee RBC Advantage Banking account).
-
Perks like mobile device insurance and fuel savings at Petro-Canada.
Cons
-
Complex rewards structure with less valuable Avion points in the ION tier.
-
Limited insurance benefits (but you can pay to add-on travel insurance).
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
3
Avion points† per $1 on qualifying grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions
1
Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
Avion points† per $1 on qualifying grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions
3
Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
1
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for residents of Quebec
$48
Annual Fee $4 per month
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$48
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Gold, Best Credit Card for Students
Pros
-
Decent rewards rate in everyday spending categories.
-
Low monthly fee, (rebated for students with the no-monthly fee RBC Advantage Banking account).
-
Perks like mobile device insurance and fuel savings at Petro-Canada.
Cons
-
Complex rewards structure with less valuable Avion points in the ION tier.
-
Limited insurance benefits (but you can pay to add-on travel insurance).
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
3
Avion points† per $1 on qualifying grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions
1
Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
Avion points† per $1 on qualifying grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions
3
Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
1
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for residents of Quebec
$48
Annual Fee $4 per month
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$48
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* for students
4.2
5% cash back
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreGet 5% cash back in your first 3 months.*
Silver, Best Credit Card for Students
Pros
-
No annual fee: this makes it cost-effective for students looking to build credit without incurring additional expenses.
-
Earn cash back on everyday purchases, including up to 5% cash back on every purchase in your first three months.
-
Credit building: If you’re responsible, you can build a positive credit history, which helps you get better credit cards and more
Cons
-
Higher interest rates: If you can’t pay off your balance in full, opt for a low interest credit card
-
Limited additional benefits: While there are some benefits, it’s not the full suite of perks, but then again, there’s no annual fee.
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
3%
Earn 3% cash back on groceries
1%
Earn 1% cash back on recurring bill payments like your mobile phone, streaming and subscription services
0.5%
Earn 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
Earn 3% cash back on groceries
3%
Earn 1% cash back on recurring bill payments like your mobile phone, streaming and subscription services
1%
Earn 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
0.5%
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$0
Annual Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Silver, Best Credit Card for Students
Pros
-
No annual fee: this makes it cost-effective for students looking to build credit without incurring additional expenses.
-
Earn cash back on everyday purchases, including up to 5% cash back on every purchase in your first three months.
-
Credit building: If you’re responsible, you can build a positive credit history, which helps you get better credit cards and more
Cons
-
Higher interest rates: If you can’t pay off your balance in full, opt for a low interest credit card
-
Limited additional benefits: While there are some benefits, it’s not the full suite of perks, but then again, there’s no annual fee.
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
3%
Earn 3% cash back on groceries
1%
Earn 1% cash back on recurring bill payments like your mobile phone, streaming and subscription services
0.5%
Earn 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
Earn 3% cash back on groceries
3%
Earn 1% cash back on recurring bill payments like your mobile phone, streaming and subscription services
1%
Earn 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
0.5%
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$0
Annual Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
4.0
Good
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Bronze, Best Credit Card for Students
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2%
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5%
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Bronze, Best Credit Card for Students
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2%
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5%
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Why the RBC Ion+ wins best student card
The RBC ION+ Visa understands what students need. Here's why it's our best student card:
- Generous welcome offer
- High earn rate where it matters for students
- Annual fee waiver with an RBC Advantage Banking account for students
The welcome bonus is particularly generous and easy to reach for most Canadians: Get 3,500 Welcome Points on approval and earn 3,500 bonus points when you spend $500 in your first 3 months.
RBC ION+ Visa disclosures:
Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.
This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclaimer for more info.Disclaimer: Money.ca may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into Money.ca. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.
Read more: See Money.ca's best student credit cards list
What are the best credit cards networks in Canada by popularity?
The best credit cards by popularity vary depending on the type, such as travel rewards, cashback offers, or low-fee options. Recent insights from YouGov categorize the top cards by their payment networks, including Visa and Mastercard, with an additional analysis by age group to assist you in choosing the most suitable option for those within your age bracket.
For younger demographics, specifically ages 18-24 and 25-35, Visa emerges as the preferred provider, capturing 33% and 41% of the market share in these age groups, respectively. In contrast, Mastercard holds a 16% and 27% share for the same age ranges. Conversely, among the older population (55 and over), Mastercard leads with a 37% market share, surpassing Visa's 33%. When considering all age groups combined, both payment networks maintain nearly equal market shares, with Mastercard at 33.44% and Visa slightly ahead at 34.4%.
What's the best credit card company for customer service?
When selecting the best credit card, it's crucial to evaluate the quality of customer service, which encompasses the ease of accessing support and the variety of contact methods available. As we reflect on our own experiences at Money.ca, customer service and hold times are critically important. When we ask some of our writers about their best and most frustrating moments, long wait times is a consistent theme.
To shore up our best credit card rankings, we charted J.D. Power’s Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Studies from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. In addition to some credit card issuers consistently performing better than others, like Tangerine, 2023 highlights a declining trend in customer satisfaction across Canadian issuers.
If customer satisfaction was the only determining factor, the best credit card issuers in Canada would continually be Tangerine, Canadian Tire Financial, and PC Financial. Traditional issuers like RBC credit cards and BMO credit cards consistently rank in the middle or the bottom with MBNA bringing up the rear.
Before you compare credit cards in Canada, do these 5 things:
1. Check your credit score
Before you start comparing credit cards start by checking your credit score. Why? Because your number determines your eligibility to apply for certain credit cards. If you don’t meet the minimum credit score requirement, strike a prospective card from your list.
Generally speaking, credit scores in Canada vary from 300 to 900 and are calculated based on a range of factors. The higher your number, the more appealing your credit application. Once you know your number, it will either shrink or widen the pool of credit cards that are available to you. If your score is poor or below average, consider it a wake-up call: apply for one of the best bad credit credit cards in Canada and prioritize re-building your credit history.
2. Consider the amount of debt you're carrying
If you’re dealing with debt, a balance transfer credit card may be the right credit card for you. Because the introductory interest rate on balance transfers is so low, it buys you more time to pay down the principal and save a bundle on interest charges. A balance transfer credit card may be your best bet if you carry a balance on your cards or if your current credit cards have an ongoing purchase APR of 18% or higher.
There are plenty of excellent balance transfer credit cards in the Canadian market, but ideally, find one that offers both a low introductory interest rate (0% to 12.99%) and a long promotional period (9 months or more). It’s even better if the card has no annual fee and a low-interest rate after the promo expires just in case you’re still carrying a balance.
| Comparing Canadian credit card to a great balance transfer offer | Current card | MBNA True Line Mastercard (in promo period) |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding balance | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Interest rate | 19.99% | 0% for 12 months |
| Annual fee | $120 | $0 |
| Fixed payment to pay off card in 12 months | $463.15 | $416.67 |
| 1-year interest paid | $557.78 | $0 |
| Total cost to pay off balance (including annual fee) | $5,677.78 | $5,000 |
3. Examine your payment practices
Take a peek at your payment practices to help find a credit card that suits your budget. For instance, if you regularly pay your balance in full every month, a high-interest rate may be acceptable. But one of the best low-interest rate credit cards might be your best bet if you plan to carry a balance or want flexibility on payments.
Comparison of the total cost of current credit card vs. low-interest rate card over 12 months
| Credit card comparisons - average card vs. low interest rate | Current card | MBNA True Line Gold Low interest card at 8.99% |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding balance | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Interest rate (% and $ monthly) | 19.99% | 8.99% |
| Annual fee | $0 | $39 |
| Average monthly payment (to clear balance in 12 months) | $463.15 | $437.23 |
| 1-year interest paid | $557.78 | $246.61 |
| Total cost to pay off balance (including annual fee) | $5,557.78 | $5,285.81 |
This table depicts how much a low-interest credit card can save you overall on interest. Although the “current card” doesn’t have an annual fee, the low-interest card saves you almost half the interest paid over the year, despite its annual fee (which is quite low considering.)
4. Scrutinize your spending
Choosing the best Canadian credit card can be confusing, but studying your spending habits can help nail down what card will benefit you the most. Do you make frequent purchases at one particular retailer (like Costco, Loblaws, or Canadian Tire)? Is your credit card statement filled with flight, hotel, and other travel-related expenses? Or are the bucks going towards groceries and gas? There are credit cards that reward specific spending categories, so if you understand where your money is going, you could save (or even earn!) a bundle by putting the right card in your pocket.
Realistically, you probably won’t find one credit card that ranks #1 in every spending category, but you can cover all your bases by reading our guide: How many credit cards should I have?
5. Consider the credit card’s value
If you’re struggling to choose between credit cards, take a step back and assess the card’s overall value. Here are some questions to ask:
- What is the welcome bonus worth?
- Is the annual fee justifiable?
- Are the premium perks worth it?
Add up the actual cost of what a card is offering. For instance, what would travel medical insurance cost per year? What’s the running rate for mobile phone repairs? How much is an airline lounge membership? What’s a first-year annual fee waiver worth? Then, compare the value of the top credit cards you’re considering. The numbers don’t lie and can help you decide whether (and which) credit card is worth it.
Canadian credit cards by category
Your friends may want a travel credit card to book an upcoming vacation, while you'd rather earn cash back. Not to worry, there are hundreds of Canadian credit cards to serve each unique purpose. Here's what to look for in credit card categories.
Compare credit cards by network
In Canada, we have three major credit card networks: Amex, Mastercard, and Visa. Each network has its own requirements from income to credit score and offer a variety of perks to match your dreams and desires.
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Compare credit cards by bank
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FAQs: Comparing the best credit cards in Canada
Cory Santos is a finance writer, editor and credit card expert with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance. Cory joined Wise Publishing from BestCards, with bylines in numerous print and digital publications across North America, including the Miami Herald, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Debt.ca, AOL, MSN and Medium as well as financial podcasts like KOFE Talk.
Lisa Jackson is a freelance personal finance and travel journalist, editor, and blogger who contributes to various online and print media outlets in Canada and abroad, including The Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Islands Magazine, Fodors, BRIDES, Huffington Post Canada, CAA Magazine, The Food Network, West Jet Magazine, NUVO Magazine, and many others. When she's not writing from her home office, she's busy globe-trotting to new destinations in search of her next story.
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