25 Best Rewards Credit Cards in Canada for April 2024

Why we like it

The $0-annual-fee Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card earns bonus cash-back on the purchases you make almost every day.

Pros

• Earn up to 4% cash back on eligible purchases in restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
• Get cash back on fee-free global money transfers.

Cons

• The 0.5% base rate isn’t exactly impressive, but it only applies after you hit the annual spending limits of bonus categories.
• It only includes purchase security and extended protection insurance.

• Earn 4% on eligible restaurant, bar and coffee shop purchases up to $5,000 spend per year†.
• Earn 1.5% on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments, up to $15,000 per year†.
• Earn 0.5% on all other credit card purchases with no limit on how much you can earn†.
• Get 20% cashback in your first 3 months on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments (up to $500 spend)†
• Redeem cash back as a statement credit in December.†
• No annual fee.
• Cash back when you send money abroad with a Simplii Financial Global Money Transfer. No transaction fees and no interest charges.†
• Purchase security and extended protection insurance provided.†
• Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases‡, 22.99% for cash advances‡.
• To be eligible, a $15,000 (individual/household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident (excluding Quebec) that is the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
• †Terms and conditions apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
• ‡ “Purchase” means any Transaction other than a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer or Convenience Cheque. “Cash” means a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer and Convenience Cheque. Interest rates may change from time to time.

If this card doesn’t seem like a good fit for your wallet, take a look at NerdWallet’s selection of the best credit cards to help find the right option for you.

Why we like it

The American Express Cobalt Card boasts high rewards rates on everyday spending, a generous welcome bonus, comprehensive travel insurance coverage, flexible point redemption and plenty of specialty perks to keep things interesting all year long.

Pros

• Earn 150,000 points in the first year by spending up to $30,000 on eats, drinks and groceries. Combined with the 15,000 point intro offer, you could earn 165,000 points in your first year, which you could redeem for travel and more.
• Easily transfer the points you earn to popular airline and hotel loyalty programs, such as Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy.

Cons

• Airport lounge access isn’t provided, which may disappoint some frequent travellers.
• No travel medical coverage for cardmembers over the age of 65.

• In your first year as a new Cobalt Cardmember, you can earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in net purchases on your Card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.
• Earn 5x the points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap applies.
• Earn 3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
• Earn 2X the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada.
• Earn 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online.
• Earn 1X point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
• Enjoy access to hotel bookings, and up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities when charged to the room for a stay of 2 or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel.
• Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs.
• Cobalt Cardmembers receive regular Perks such as bonus reward offers and access to great events.
• Access Front Of The Line® Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with American Express® Experiences.
• *Effective August 15, 2023, Cobalt Cardmembers will earn 5x the points on all eligible eats & drinks charged to their Card up to $2,500 monthly, for the same total of $30,000 annually already in place today. Cardmembers will also continue to earn 3x on streaming subscriptions, 2x on eligible transit, gas & travel purchases and 1x on everything else. T&Cs apply. While the annual earn does not change, the new monthly construct intends to curb gaming activity. The change should have little to no impact on the majority of Cardmembers who utilize the Card and Membership Rewards program as it was intended.
• 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, NerdWallet may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Why we like it

Get rewarded at the gas station and grocery store with 4% cash back, plus enjoy a high ongoing flat-rate of 2% cash back on everything else.

Pros

• The unlimited 2% cash-back earn rate is among the highest we evaluated.
• You can earn up to $400 in the first ten months.

Cons

• The bonus rewards rate on gas and groceries drops down to 2% after a $30,000 annual spend.

• In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months.
• Earn accelerated earn rates on eligible gas and grocery purchases.
• Earn 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) and 2% cash back on all other purchases.
• Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with American Express® Experiences.
• Extensive insurance coverage and 24/7 Customer Service.
• 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. Conditions apply.

Neo Secured Credit is a no-fee card that earns cash back rewards and offers access to high-interest savings.

Pros

• A small $50 minimum deposit makes this card accessible to consumers of all budgets.
• Earn up to 15% cash back on purchases with select Neo partners.

Cons

• Interest rates could be as high as 29.99% for some users.

• Build credit history with on-time payments.
• Set your credit limit and get started with as little as $50.
• Guaranteed approval with no credit score needed to apply.
• Earn 1% cashback on all gas and grocery purchases.
• 0.5% guaranteed monthly minimum cashback.
• No monthly or annual fees.
• Upgrade to Premium and earn exclusive benefits and boosted rewards, like 3% cashback on all gas and grocery and free credit monitoring.
• Personalized Insights AI generates tailored information and recommendations designed specifically for you.

Why we like it

Not only does the Scotiabank Gold American Express card reward you with impressive rates in six popular spending categories, but it also comes with no foreign exchange fees.

Pros

• No foreign exchange fee on any foreign currency purchases while travelling abroad or shopping online — you just have to pay the exchange rate.

Cons

• The bonus rewards rates drop down to the 1x flat rate after a $50,000 annual spend. This sounds like a lot, but much of your daily spending is probably included in the six bonus categories, so you might hit the limit faster than you’d think.

• Earn up to $650* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends July 1, 2024.
• You will not pay 2.5% foreign transaction fees on any foreign currency purchases, including online shopping and when travelling abroad. Only the exchange rate applies.
• Earn 5X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible grocery stores, restaurants, fast food, and drinking establishments. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
• Earn 5X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies.
• Earn 3X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more.
• Earn 1X Scene+ point for every $1 spent on every other purchase.
• You’ll earn 6X Scene+ points for each $1 CAD charged to your account on all eligible purchases¹ at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
• Discounted Priority Pass™ membership, which grants you access to over 1200 VIP lounges around the world.
• Score deals on shopping, dining, travel and more with Amex Offers®, and experience special events and discounts with American Express Invites®.
• Access to Amex Front Of The Line® presale and reserved tickets.
• To be eligible, $12,000 (individual) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
• Terms and Conditions Apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details.

Why we like it

The BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* for Students has impressive earn rates — including 3% on groceries — and valuable perks, all without an annual fee.

Pros

• Earn flexible and easy-to-redeem cash rewards on everyday purchases.
• There’s no minimum threshold for redeeming your cash-back rewards. Redeem as little as $1 if you want.

Cons

• Accelerated earn rates for groceries and recurring bills are capped at $500 per billing cycle.
• Insurance is limited to extended warranty and purchase protection.

• Welcome offer: Get 5% cash back in your first 3 months.*
• Then get 3% cash back on grocery purchases, 1% cash back on recurring bill payments and 0.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases!*
• Now earn the highest cash back on groceries in Canada without paying an annual fee!†
• Get cash back every time you spend, plus start building a healthy credit history.
• Want to get your cash back ASAP? Now you can redeem your cash back anytime through direct deposit, as a credit on your statement or into your BMO InvestorLine account.*
• No Annual fee.*
• Extended Warranty.*
• Purchase Protection.*
• Receive a discount on car rentals.*
• *Terms and conditions apply.
• †Statement based on a comparison of the non-promotional grocery rewards earn rate on Canadian cash back credit cards as of January 4, 2023.
• 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.

Why we like it

Earn up to $1,000 in cash back on grocery shopping and recurring bill payments with a 4% rewards rate in both categories.

Pros

• It’s rare for a credit card to offer 4% cash back on two major spending categories. It’s even rarer to set a $25,000 annual limit to that 4% — a $1,000 value — before reverting to the healthy 1% base rate.
• You can waive the $120 annual fee every single year by using the Scotiabank Ultimate Package.

Cons

• The cash back earned is hands-off. You have to wait until November, and then it’s only redeemable as a statement credit. If you have a Scotiabank account, that annual payout can be deposited into your bank account.
• The 4% rate won’t mean much to you if you don’t buy a lot of groceries or often buy your food at somewhere that Visa doesn’t classify as a grocery store or supermarket, such as Canadian Tire, FreshCo, London Drugs, Walmart and No Frills.

• SPECIAL OFFER: Earn 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 supplementary cards. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
• Earn 4% for every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments, and subscription purchases.
• Earn 2% for every $1 you spend on gas purchases and daily transit purchases.
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit.
• Redeem cash back as a statement credit in November.
• Visa Infinite benefits, including Visa Infinite* Concierge, Visa Infinite* Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite* Dining Series, and entertainment and lifestyle offers.
• Save up to 25% off base rates at participating AVIS locations and at participating Budget locations in Canada and the U.S.
• Access to Scotia SelectPay™.
• To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required, or $250,000 minimum assets under management. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident that is the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
• Terms and Conditions Apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details.

Why we like it

The American Express Green Card has a simple rewards program with an accelerated earn rate on hotel and rental car bookings, and it’s easy to transfer your points to other loyalty programs for maximum redemption value. Oh, and the card itself is made from 99% recycled plastic.

Pros

• No limits on rewards spending, and more ways to redeem your points than other no-fee rewards credit cards on this list.
• Cardholders who enjoy VIP treatment will enjoy access to a multitude of perks through American Express Experiences.

Cons

• Reward earn rates are lower than some other no-fee credit cards.
• Lacks some of the travel perks and insurance options offered by other cards.

• Get the Card that lets you live in the moment while getting ready for the future.
• The American Express® Green Card lets you go for it with every swipe or tap of your Card.
• As a new American Express® Green Cardmember, you can earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards® points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. That’s $100 towards groceries or concert tickets.
• Earn 1x the points on Card purchases.
• Charge an eligible purchase to your Card and redeem your Membership Rewards points for a statement credit (All eligible purchases: 1,000 points = $10 statement credit).
• With American Express Experiences and Front Of The Line®, American Express Cardmembers get access to amazing events in Canada.
• Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs.
• 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. Conditions apply.

Why we like it

With a large welcome bonus and accelerated earn rate on travel booked through ExpediaForTD.com, the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card is perfect for travellers aiming to score free flights and hotel visits.

Pros

• A generous welcome bonus worth up to $800 in value.
• Travel expenses eligible for redemption include more than just hotel stays and flights – baggage fees, airport parking, car rentals, cruises, travel attractions, entertainment and more are all fair game.

Cons

• This card doesn’t have as many travel perks as others on the list, but you can quickly earn free flights and hotel stays.
• No free airport lounge access — you only receive an annual discount on a Priority Pass lounge membership.

• Earn up to $800 in value†, including up to 100,000 TD Rewards Points† and no Annual Fee for the first year†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.
• Earn a welcome Bonus of 20,000 TD Rewards Points when you make your first Purchase with your Card†.
• Earn 80,000 TD Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 within 180 days of Account opening†.
• Earn a Birthday Bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points†.
• To receive the first-year annual fee rebate, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening.
• To receive the first Additional Cardholder first-year annual fee rebate, you must add your first Additional Cardholder by June 4, 2024.
• Earn 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†.
• Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on Groceries and Restaurants†.
• Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on regularly recurring bill payments set up on your Account†.
• Earn 2 TD Rewards Points For every $1 you spend on other Purchases made using your Card† plus earn an annual Birthday Bonus† of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points.
• No travel blackouts†, no seat restrictions† and no expiry† for your TD Rewards Points as long as your account is open and in good standing.
• Each year, you will receive one $100.00 TD Travel Credit on your first Eligible Travel Credit Purchase of $500.00 or more made with Expedia For TD and posted to the Account in a calendar year.
• Interest Rates: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
• Go Places on Points: Your Points are worth more when you redeem through Expedia® For TD: Search over a million flights, hotels, packages and more! When you’re ready to book, you can redeem† your TD Rewards Points towards your travel purchase right away.
• Redeem your TD Rewards Points towards making purchases at Amazon.ca with Amazon Shop with Points. Conditions apply.
• Shop online through TDRewards.com Redeem your TD Rewards Points for great deals on a wide selection of merchandise and gift cards.
• Option to purchase TD Auto Club Membership†: and be covered 24 hours a day for emergency roadside assistance services in case something goes wrong when you are out on the road.
• Travel Medical Insurance†: Up to $2 million of coverage for the first 21 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first 4 days of your trip. Additional top-up coverage is available.
• Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance†: For Trip Cancellation, up to $1,500 of coverage per insured person, with a maximum of $5,000 for all insured persons, and for Trip Interruption, up to $5,000 of coverage per insured person, with a maximum of $25,000 for all insured persons on the same covered trip.
• To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
• †Terms and conditions apply.
• This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
• 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.

Why we like it

This card offers a competitive sign-up bonus and accelerated earn rates on useful categories like restaurant and grocery purchases and household utility bills.

Pros

• An impressive array of perks and insurance benefits for travellers, such as concierge services and rental car discounts.
• Flexible redemption options, including cash back, brand-name merchandise, gift cards, charitable donations and travel.

Cons

• Intro offer does not include a waived annual fee.
• The 5x bonus rewards rate on restaurants, groceries, digital media, memberships and utility drops down to a 1x flat rate after you spend $50,000.

• 20,000 bonus points†† (approximately $165 in cash back value) after you make $2,000 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
• 10,000 bonus points††(approximately $80 in cash back value) once enrolled for paperless e-statements within the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn 5 points‡ for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership, and household utility purchases until $50,000 is spent annually in the applicable category. 1 point‡ for every $1 on all other eligible purchases.
• Each year, you will receive Birthday Bonus Points‡ equal to 10% of the total number of Points the Account earned in the 12 months before the month of your birthday, to a maximum Birthday Bonus each year of 15,000 Points.
• Redeem points‡ for cash back, brand-name merchandise, gift cards from participating retailers, charitable donations, and travel.
• Standard Annual Interest Rates of 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers✪, and 24.99% on cash advances.
• Mobile Device Insurance*** With Mobile Device Insurance, you’ve got up to $1,000 in coverage for eligible mobile devices in the event of loss, theft, accidental damage or mechanical breakdown.
• $120 annual fee. $50 Additional Card Annual Fee for one authorized user (if you have one).
• To qualify, your personal annual income must be greater than $80,000, or your household annual income must be $150,000 or greater††††.
• ††, ‡, ✪, ***, ††††, Terms and Conditions apply.
• This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
• 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.

Why we like it

You can earn unlimited cash back at a 2% rate in up to three categories of your choice and 0.50% back on other everyday purchases while benefiting from exclusive Tangerine World Mastercard® perks and insurance cover.

Pros

• Choose the best 2% rewards categories for you based on your spending.
• A variety of additional perks like savings on subscription services, rental car collision/loss damage, mobile device insurance, and more.

Cons

• Higher eligibility requirement for gross income.

• Apply for a Tangerine World Mastercard® by April 30, 2024 and earn an extra 10% back* (up to $100) when you spend up to $1,000 in everyday purchases within your first 2 months.
• Earn 2% Money-Back Rewards on purchases in two 2% Money-Back Categories of your choice, and 0.50% Money-Back Rewards on all other purchases.
• Have your Money-Back Rewards deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account, and get a 3rd 2% Money-Back Category.
• No limit on the amount of Money-Back Rewards you can earn.
• Change your 2% Money-Back Categories to suit your spending.
• With Mastercard Travel Rewards, you can unlock cashback offers and get a rebate applied directly to your statement, by using your Tangerine World Mastercard at select merchants that accept Mastercard while travelling outside of Canada.
• Save on the things you love with your Tangerine World Mastercard. Enjoy special benefits and offers from a growing lineup of on-demand apps and subscription services made available to you as a Tangerine World Mastercard cardholder.
• Make the most of your travel with Mastercard® Travel Pass Provided by DragonPass. Your complimentary membership gives you exclusive dining, retail and spa offers in over 650 airports worldwide, along with access to over 1,300 airport lounges at $32 USD per visit. Learn more at Mastercard® Travel Pass.
• Rental Car Collision/Loss Damage Insurance**: Damage and theft protection for your car rental when you rent for up to 31 consecutive days and charge the full cost of your rental to your Card.
• Mobile Device Insurance**: Protection on new cell phones, smartphones or tablets when you charge the full cost to your Card, or when you purchase it through a plan and charge all of your wireless bill payments to your Card. Covers up to $1,000 if your mobile device is lost, stolen, accidentally damaged or experiences mechanical failure.
• Preferred rates: 19.95% for purchases and cash advances.
• To be eligible, a $60,000 (individual) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.

Why we like it

There’s a lot of value packed into the American Express Business Edge Card: a manageable annual fee, impressive earn rates on common business purchases, and a wide range of perks and special offers, such as business and expense management tools and payment flexibility.

Pros

• The generous welcome offer and 1,000-point monthly spend bonus should be attainable for many businesses.
• A healthy earn rate on several everyday business purchases, like office supplies, electronics and gas.
• Ability to add up to 99 supplementary cards — and up to $100,000 in coverage in case of employee misuse.

Cons

• Not all retailers accept American Express.
• Because of the relatively low spending limits associated with the 10x and 3x earn rates, the increased rewards may not be in effect for long for some businesses.
• Limited insurance coverage included.

• Earn up to 67,000 welcome bonus Membership Rewards® points.
• Earn 45,000 Welcome Bonus points when you charge $5,000 in purchases to your Card in your first three months of Cardmembership.
• Plus, earn 10x the points for every $1 spent on eligible business essentials including office supplies & electronics, rides & gas, eats & drinks within 6 months of Cardmembership, up to a maximum of 10,000.
• You can earn an extra 1,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $3,000 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to 12,000 extra points in a year.
• That’s $670 in statement credits that can be reinvested in your business.
• Earn points that you can redeem in a variety of ways.
• Earn 3x the points for Card purchases on eligible business essentials including office supplies & electronics, rides & gas, eats & drinks when your Welcome Offer ends. Caps and other conditions may apply.
• Earn 1x the points on all other purchases charged to the Card.
• Use points to offset business expenses. Membership Rewards® allows you to offset business expenses by covering the cost of purchases made on your Card, in full or in part. Redeem points for statement credits and to book flights, hotels, and car rentals.
• Transfer points to frequent flyer and hotel programs, including one-to-one to Aeroplan®* and Avios.
• Make the most out of a full suite of business management tools that give you more control over your business – anytime and anywhere.
• Leverage your cash flow with the option of carrying a balance or paying in full each month.
• Employee Card Misuse Protection is a benefit created specifically for business owners and it provides coverage of up to $100,000 per Basic Cardmember in the event an employee misuses their Supplementary Card for unauthorized charges.
• Access coverage that can protect your business purchases when you charge the full price of eligible items to your American Express Business Edge™ Card.
• Protect your eligible purchases against accidental physical damage and theft for up to 90 days with Purchase Protection® Plan.
• Double the manufacturer’s original warranty up to one additional year with Buyer’s Assurance® Protection Plan.
• 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. Conditions apply.

Why we like it

You won’t need a strategy to make the most out of this bonus-category card. The BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* spends like a flat-rate card thanks to stellar rates on four popular daily spending categories.

Pros

• Score generous cash-back rates for popular spending categories: 5% on groceries, 4% on transit, 3% on gas, 2% on recurring bills, and 1% on everything else.
• Feel protected with 13 types of insurance and fantastic travel benefits.

Cons

• Spending categories come with easily-hit spending caps, but the 1% base rate still earns you value once you hit your monthly bonus rate limits.
• The $120 annual fee is pretty steep. While we think you’ll more than make up for it through cash back savings, the no-fee BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* is a great alternative.

• Welcome offer: Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year.*
• Earn more cash back on the categories that mean the most: 5% on groceries.* 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation.* 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging.* 2% on recurring bill payments like your monthly phone bill or favourite streaming service.* 1% unlimited cashback on all other purchases.*
• Get the highest cash back earn rate on groceries in Canada.†
• Get valuable benefits and offers for digital everyday services from a variety of on-demand apps and subscription services.
• Extended Warranty Plus.*
• Purchase Protection Plus.*
• Complimentary membership in Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by LoungeKey.*
• Access over 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the world – all at no added cost, and no added fees or roaming charges.*
• Complimentary Roadside Assistance Program.*
• BMO CashBack World Elite Travel and Medical Protection.*
• BMO Concierge Service.*
• Unlock Mastercard Travel Rewards cashback offers when you travel and shop outside of Canada.
• *Terms and conditions apply.
• †Statement based on a comparison of the non-promotional grocery rewards earn rate on Canadian cash back credit cards as of January 4, 2023.
• 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.

Why we like it

With airport perks, travel benefits, 24/7 concierge access, and an impressive standard earn rate — 1 AIR MILE for every $12 spent — the BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Mastercard®* offers frequent flyers a luxury travel experience at a great value.

Pros

• Airport lounge access with a complimentary membership in Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by LoungeKey.
• Strong insurance policy, including up to $2 million in out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical insurance.

Cons

• This card doesn’t offer accelerated earn rates on certain spending categories.

• Welcome offer: Get 2,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles and we’ll waive the $120 annual fee for the first year.*
• Get 3x the Miles for every $12 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners and 2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store*.
• Earn 1 reward mile for every $12 in credit card purchases, everywhere you spend.*
• Get valuable benefits and offers for digital everyday services from a variety of on-demand apps and subscription services.
• Use your card at Costco.*
• Extended Warranty.
• Access over 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the world – all at no added cost, and no added fees or roaming charges.*
• Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass.*
• Use less Miles with our exclusive 25% discount on one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption during the calendar year.*
• BMO AIR MILES World Elite Travel and Medical Protection.*
• BMO Concierge Service.*
• Unlock Mastercard Travel Rewards cashback offers when you travel and shop outside of Canada.
• *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.

Why we like it

The BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* offers attractive earn rates on everyday purchases like groceries and utility bills, making it easy to quickly rack up rewards that you can turn into cold hard cash.

Pros

• Attractive introductory offer, especially if you’re interested in a balance transfer.
• No minimum threshold for redeeming your cash-back rewards. Redeem as little as $1 if you want.

Cons

• Accelerated earn rates for groceries and recurring bills are capped at $500 per billing cycle, a ceiling that might be easy to hit if you have a family or higher monthly balances.
• Offers fewer travel perks and types of insurance than some other cards.

• Welcome offer: Get 5% cash back in your first 3 months.*
• Then get 3% cash back on grocery purchases, 1% cash back on recurring bill payments and 0.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases!*
• Now earn the highest cash back on groceries in Canada without paying an annual fee!†
• Get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months, 2% fee applies to balance amounts transferred.*
• No Annual fee.*
• Want to get your cash back ASAP? Now you can redeem your cash back anytime through direct deposit, as a credit on your statement or into your BMO InvestorLine account.*
• Extended Warranty.*
• Purchase Protection.*
• Receive a discount on car rentals.*
• *Terms and conditions apply.
• †Statement based on a comparison of the non-promotional grocery rewards earn rate on Canadian cash back credit cards as of January 4, 2023.
• 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.

If this card doesn’t seem like a good fit for your wallet, take a look at NerdWallet’s selection of the best newcomer credit cards to help find the right option for you.

Why we like it

The no-fee RBC ION Visa Card earns Avion points on every dollar spent with elevated rates for eligible grocery, gas, gaming purchases and more. Cardholders can save up to 3 cents per litre on fuel when they pay with their RBC ION Visa at Petro-Canada. It may lack lavish travel perks and robust insurance coverage, but as far as no-fee cards are concerned, the RBC ION Visa has a respectable lineup of benefits for everyday spenders.

Pros

• No annual fee.
• Petro-Canada fuel discounts.
• Earn bonus Be Well points on Rexall purchases.
• Accelerated earn rate on eligible grocery, gas, transit, streaming and digital gaming purchases.

Cons

• Insurance is limited to purchase security & extended warranty protection.

• Enjoy 3,500 Avion points upon approval.*
• Earn 1.5X Avion points¹ on:
• Grocery – Satisfy your taste buds by earning points on groceries.ⁱ
• Rides, Gas & EV Charging – Enjoy earning points on gas, rideshare, daily public transit, electric vehicle charging.ⁱⁱ
• Streaming, Digital Gaming & Subscriptions – Stay entertained while earning points on streaming, gaming, eligible digital subscriptions, eligible digital downloads, and in-game purchases.ⁱⁱⁱ
• Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases.¹
• Pay With Points – Redeem your Avion points to pay bills, your credit card balance or even send money to friends with Interac e-Transfer⁴. Minimum redemption is only $10, so you can use your points where you need them most.
• Save at Petro-Canada – Save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more points when you pay with a linked RBC card.⁶
• Earn more Be Well points at Rexall – Earn 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall when you pay with your linked RBC card and scan your Be Well card.⁷
• Save Big on Delivery with DoorDash – Get a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription – a value of almost $30.⁸ Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on qualifying orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card⁹. See how to save with DoorDash.
• Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance⁵ – Automatically protects eligible card purchases against loss, theft or damage within 90 days of purchase, and doubles the manufacturer’s original Canadian warranty by up to one additional year, to a maximum of five years.
• Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.

Why we like it

Comprehensive travel insurance, Air Canada benefits, impressive earn rates and unlimited rewards make the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card a strong choice for frequent travellers.

Pros

• Strong earn rates with unlimited rewards.
• Air Canada airport benefits, like Maple Leaf Lounge access, a free checked bag, Priority Airport Check-In, Priority Boarding for you and up to eight travel companions.

Cons

• A high $599 annual fee.
• The highest earn rate only applies to Air Canada travel purchases, so this card might not be a good fit if you prefer another airline.

• New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points.
• Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months.
• Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in purchases in month 13.
• That’s up to $2,600 or more in value when you combine your welcome bonus points and card benefits.
• New Offer: Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 consecutive hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. Offer ends December 31, 2024.
• Highest Air Canada earn rate on an Aeroplan payment card in Canada: Earn 3X the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada Vacations®*.
• Standard Earn Rate: Earn 2X the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada and earn 1.25X the points on everything else.
• Get through the airport quicker with Air Canada Priority Check-In, Air Canada Priority Boarding and Air Canada Priority Baggage Handling.
• Enjoy access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges™* and Air Canada Café™ in North America for you and a guest, with a same day ticket on a departing Air Canada or Star Alliance flight.
• Enjoy your eligible first checked bag free for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada flights.
• Roll over any unallocated Aeroplan Elite™* Status Qualifying Miles and unused eUpgrade Credits to the following year to enjoy during your travels.
• Get access to more than 1,200 Priority Pass™ airport lounges and enjoy an oasis of comfort before your flight, regardless of your airline or cabin class.
• Insurance Coverage: whether you’re shopping nearby or travelling abroad, you can feel confident knowing you can be taken care of.
• 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, NerdWallet may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Why we like it

The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card boasts a generous intro offer, competitive rewards rates on popular daily spending categories and point-boost incentives for adding an authorized user.

Pros

• You can earn up to 10% more points by adding an authorized user to your account.
• Mobile device insurance up to $1,000.

Cons

• Limited travel insurance may disappoint frequent travellers.
• The bonus rewards rate drops down to the 1x flat rate after a $50,000 annual spend. Considering how many categories fit into the cap, hitting the limit will be easy for families and big spenders.

• Welcome offer: Get up to 60,000 points worth $400 in travel rewards, a $50 lifestyle credit and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year – that’s a $570 value in your first year!*
• Earn 5x the BMO Rewards points on groceries, dining, gas and transit.*
• Get 1 BMO Reward for every $1 spent on everything else.*
• Get a $50 annual lifestyle credit to spend however you want.*
• Mobile Device Insurance that covers you for up to $1,000.*
• Earn 10% more points when you add an authorized user to your account.*
• Pay with Points by browsing your recent transactions & redeem your points for as little as $1.
• *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.

Why we like it

The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard provides frequent WestJet flyers with free checked bags, Status Lift benefits, an annual companion voucher, and the ability to earn rewards on travel and everyday purchases.

Pros

• Enjoy an annual World Elite round-trip companion voucher that can be used anywhere WestJet flies.
• Free checked bags for the cardholder and up to eight guests when flying WestJet on the same reservation.
• Status Lift benefits make it easier to get closer to tier status with WestJet.

Cons

• No free airport lounge access, but cardholders will receive a complimentary membership to DragonPass Airport Lounges Program and can access select lounges for US$32 per person, per visit.
• Partner airlines are limited to Delta, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Qantas Airways.

• Get up to $450 in WestJet dollars¹ with the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard. Plus, get a Round-Trip Companion Voucher Every Year – for any WestJet destination starting from $119 CAD³ (plus taxes, fees, charges and other ATC).
• Get free first checked bags for the primary cardholder and up to 8 guests on the same reservation⁴
• Earn WestJet dollars 1.5% on everyday purchases and 2% on flights or packages with WestJet or WestJet Vacations⁸
• WestJet dollars never expire¹⁰ Use your WestJet dollars to book flights anytime so you can travel when and where you want.
• No blackout periods.
• Travel coverage including emergency medical insurance²⁰ as well as trip interruption insurance²¹, hotel burglary¹⁸ and rental car insurance¹⁸. Even eligible purchases you make on the card are protected.
• Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to and instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel¹² and always earn 20% more Petro-Points¹³ at Petro-Canada.
• Free Boingo Wifi for Mastercard holders¹¹ at over 1 million hot spots.
• Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash^. Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to: Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription± – a value of almost $120. Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
• Eligibility: This card requires a minimum personal income of $80,000 or a minimum household income of $150,000. Must also be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory of residence.
• Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.

Why we like it

Beginner investors interested in learning more about building wealth will feel right at home with the Wealthsimple Card, a no-fee prepaid Mastercard that earns 1% cash back on purchases. Use the rewards to support your TFSA, invest in stocks, ETFs and crypto, or fund your linked spending (Cash) account, where you can send, spend and receive money instantly with the Wealthsimple Cash app.

Pros

• Use a Visa or Mastercard debit card to instantly deposit up to $3,500 per day (up to a maximum of $35,000 per month).
• Effortlessly build an investment portfolio by transforming cash back rewards into stocks, ETFs or cryptocurrency deposited directly into a trading account.

Cons

• There’s no brick-and-mortar location for Wealthsimple customers, so you need to be comfortable managing your money with an online-only company.
• $5,000 per day spending limit; ATM withdrawals are limited to $500 per transaction/$1,000 per day.
• Cash rewards invested into cryptocurrency are subject to Wealthsimple Crypto’s 1.5-2% fee.

• General fees and features: Wealthsimple does not charge any fees to use the Wealthsimple Card.
• Currency conversion fee: Mastercard will determine the applicable exchange rate from the range of rates available in wholesale currency markets for the applicable processing date, which may vary from the rate Mastercard itself receives.
• ATM withdrawals: Wealthsimple does not charge any fees for withdrawing cash, but you may see a standard ATM withdrawal fee (usually about $3.00) when you make a withdrawal at an ATM. ATM Withdrawal limits are $500 per transaction and $1,000 per day.
• Reload methods: Add funds to your card by making a deposit via a linked bank account, a wire transfer, your Visa or Mastercard debit card, or an institutional transfer to move an account from another institution.
• Rewards: Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases. Cash back rewards can go directly into your Spend account, be added to the cash balance of a stock trading or crypto trading account, or be used to auto-purchase the cryptocurrency of your choice in your crypto trading account. Use the card anywhere Mastercard is accepted — in-store, in apps, or online. Pay bills, use direct deposit, and e-Transfer.
• The Wealthsimple Card is available as part of the everyday spending account, which comes with both a digital and physical card that you can manage right from the Wealthsimple app.
• Use the app to manage your rewards and spending preferences, or lock your card if something happens to it. Your balances are all updated in real-time, too — even if you’re using the physical card
• Add your Wealthsimple Card to Apple, Samsung or Google Pay digital wallet.
• Use the Wealthsimple Cash app to send and receive payments to anyone else who uses the Cash app without paying fees. You can also send money to people who don’t have the Cash app yet. They will receive a prompt to download the app and claim the money you sent them.
• Your money is protected for up to $100,000 through CDIC.
• To be eligible, you must be a Canadian resident with a Social Insurance Number of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.

Why we like it

Access flexible rewards, travel insurance and a generous welcome offer worth a flight from any location in Canada or U.S. to any location in Canada or U.S. (except Hawaii and Alaska) — no established Canadian credit history required.

Pros

• Annual fee waived for the first year.
• Flexible rewards program.
• Airport lounge access and additional travel perks.

Cons

• $139 annual fee.

• Earn up to 35,000 Aventura Points (up to $800 in value) during your first year. Receive 15,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods.
• Get a one-time annual fee rebate ($139) for you (the primary cardholder) and up to three authorized users ($50 each): over $189 value.
• Enjoy 4 complimentary visits with the Visa Airport Companion Program.
• Plus, get a NEXUS Application Fee rebate: a $50 value.
• Offer applies to newly approved card accounts only.
• 2x for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
• 1.5x on for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, grocery stores and drug stores, up to $80,000 annual spend.
• 1x for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• 1x for every $4.00 spent on a CIBC Global Money Transfer, through June 30, 2022.
• Redeem points for airline tickets, merchandise, gift cards and more.
• Apply points to your CIBC Aventura card balance or select CIBC financial products.
• $139 annual fee.
• Access to more than 1,300 airport lounges across the globe. Priority Pass membership with 4 complimentary lounge visits a year. Zip in and out of the country with a rebate on one NEXUS™ application fee every 4 years.
• Fly any airline with points that don’t expire.
• Use Aventura Points to cover full airfare including taxes and fees.
• Link your Journie Rewards card to save on every fill-up at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stationsabout the features of this card.
• Visa’s Zero Liability Policy and Fraud Alerts.
• Valuable insurance included: Out-of-Province Emergency Travel Medical Insurance, Flight Delay and Baggage Insurance, Auto Rental Collision and Loss Damage Insurance, $500,000 Common Carrier Accident Insurance, Purchase Security and Extended Protection Insurance, Hotel Burglary Insurance and Mobile Device Insurance.
• Access to installment plans through CIBC Pace It.
• Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, and 22.99% for cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents).
• To be eligible, a $15,000 individual annual income is required and you must be a Canadian resident that has reached the age of majority in your province.

Why we like it

You can earn some extremely attractive rates on gas and groceries with the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card — up to a $3,200 cash-back value.

Pros

• Flexible and easy redemption. You can redeem cash back anytime through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking.
• Generous cash back rates on five popular spending categories.

Cons

• You’ll only earn 1% cash back after spending $80,000 across bonus categories. Most credit cards have specific limits for each category, but the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite collectively caps all bonus rates with an $80,000 limit.
• Insurance offerings are limited compared to what you might expect from a card with a $120 annual fee. However, you can avoid this cost every single year with a CIBC Smart Plus™ Account.

• 4% on groceries, gas, and electric vehicle charging, and 2% on transportation, dining and recurring payments. Accelerated rates apply to the first $80,000 spent per year.
• 1% on everything else, and after spending $80,000.
• 0.25% cash back for every $1 spent on a CIBC Global Money Transfer, with no foreign transaction fees.
• Redeem a minimum of $25 cash back at any time through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking.
• $120 annual fee.
• Visa Infinite benefits, including Visa Infinite Concierge, Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite Dining Series, and entertainment and lifestyle offers.
• Save up to 10 cents per litre at Chevron, Ultramar and Pioneer gas stations when you link your card with Journie Rewards.
• Access to CIBC Pace It.
• Five types of insurance provided, including 10-day out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical benefits — up to $5 million in coverage.
• Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
• To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.

Why we like it

The CWB World Elite Mastercard comes with perks travellers will appreciate, like airport lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance and free global Wi-Fi. But steep annual income criteria means not everyone will qualify.

Pros

• Free global Wi-Fi and airport lounge access.
• Robust travel insurance.

Cons

• High annual income and card spending requirements.
• Rewards that are limited by annual spending caps.

• Reward yourself faster by earning 2 points for every $1 spent on your purchases, up to a $25,000 annual spending limit. After that, earn 1 point per $1 spent.
• Earn more with CWB Rewards partners by earning up to 30 rewards points on every $1 spent.
• Redeem CWB Rewards powered by Brim as cash back or to pay for purchases.
• Free Global Wi-Fi access to over 1 million Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots.
• Lounge access, exclusive restaurant offers, airport transfers and security fast track with Mastercard Travel Pass.
• Feel fully protected with 15 types of insurance coverage, including mobile device insurance.
• To be eligible, an $80,000 annual income or $150,000 household income is required.

Why we like it

Ideal for Amazon shoppers with 2.5% back on all eligible Amazon.ca and Whole Foods purchases. Plus, Amazon Prime members get 2.5% back on eligible foreign currency transactions.

Pros

• No annual fee.
• Apply rewards to eligible Amazon.ca purchases.

Cons

• Amazon Prime membership required for higher earn rate.

• Get up to a $65 Amazon.ca Gift Card instantly upon approval.
• Plus earn 5% back on your first $3,000 in eligible purchases at Amazon.ca, Whole Foods Market stores, grocery stores, and restaurants.
• Earn rewards on eligible purchases at Amazon.ca — including Whole Foods Market stores in Canada.
• After the welcome offer ends, eligible Prime members get 2.5% back on eligible purchases at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods Market stores.
• Eligible Prime members always get 2.5% back on eligible foreign currency transactions to help cover foreign transaction fees.
• After the welcome offer ends, non-Prime members get 1.5% back on eligible purchases at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods Market stores. Always get 1% back on eligible foreign currency transactions to help cover foreign transaction fees.
• Receive 1% back on eligible purchases everywhere else Mastercard is accepted.
• Rewards can be redeemed at Amazon.ca and applied directly to eligible Amazon.ca items.
• No annual credit card fee.
• The MBNA Payment Plan can make it more convenient to pay for large purchases and manage a budget. Pay for eligible credit card purchases of $100 or over by making monthly payments. Choose from three Payment Plan terms: 6, 12 or 18 months. Conditions and fees apply.
• Preferred rates: 19.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
• To be eligible, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.

Why we like it

This card is ideal for Costco members with its cash back program that rewards everyday spending with cash back rewards that can be redeemed at Costco.

Pros

• Can serve as your Costco membership card.
• Payment plans available for purchases of $100 or more.

Cons

• Must have an existing Costco Wholesale membership to be eligible.
• Cash back gift certificates are only issued once annually.

• 3% cash back at restaurants and at Costco gas.
• 2% cash back at other gas stations and at Costco.ca.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases, including at Costco.
• No annual fee.
• Pay for purchases of $100 or more with CIBC Pace It low-rate Installment Plans, spreading payments over a fixed term. Take advantage of special Installment Plan interest rates with no installment fees on eligible Costco purchases in Canada and at Costco.ca.
• Make quick and secure payments using Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ and Samsung Pay® when you add your new card to your mobile wallet.
• Redeem your annual cash back gift certificate at any Canadian Costco warehouse.
• Get 0.25% cash back for every $1 spent on a CIBC Global Money Transfer™. There are no transaction fees, and interest won’t be charged, as long as the balance is paid by the payment due date.
• Preferred rates: 19.75% for purchases, 21.49% for cash advances.
• To be eligible, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live. You must also have a valid Costco Wholesale membership.