Best Mastercard Credit Cards in Canada
Mastercard credit cards are accepted in more than 210 countries and territories worldwide, making them a reliable option for Canadians at home and abroad. With offerings ranging from no-fee cards to premium World Elite options, there’s a Mastercard for nearly every type of spender.
While Mastercard operates the payment network, rewards, insurance and fees are set by individual card issuers.The best Mastercard credit cards balance value, rewards and practical benefits, such as purchase protection, travel insurance and mobile wallet compatibility.
Best Mastercard in Canada: Top 5
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownCash back on groceries.
Cash back on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation.*
Cash back on gas and electric vehicle charging.*
Cash back on recurring bill payments.
Cash back on all other purchases*.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeA category-strong cash-back card that shines on essential spending categories, including a whopping 5% back on groceries, 4% on transit and 3% on gas. Lofty annual income criteria could be a dealbreaker, though. Best for: Canadians who spend big on groceries or commutes seeking simple cash-back returns.
Pros
- Redeem cash back at any time.
- Discounted airport lounge access for $32 USD per visit.
Cons
- $80,000 individual or $150,000 household annual income requirement.
Card details
Card details- Get up to $650 in value including $40 cash back each month in your first year. Plus we’ll waive the $120 annual fee in the first year.¹ Plus, get a 0% introductory interest rate on Balance transfers for 12 months with a 2% transfer fee.*
- 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 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.
- Enjoy six months of Instacart+ and a $10 monthly Instacart credit when you enroll your eligible BMO Credit Card.*
- *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.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownPoints per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores.
Points per $1 at Loblaw-affiliated grocery stores.
Points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations.
Points per $1 every else.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeThis co-branded card generously rewards Loblaw shoppers with up to 4.5% back on everyday spending categories, like gas, groceries and drugstore purchases. That said, points are only redeemable at Loblaw stores, and steep income criteria limits this card’s accessibility. Best for: High-income earners who frequently shop Loblaw-affiliated stores.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Up to 4.5% back in everyday spending.
- Some travel insurance.
Cons
- High $80,000 individual or $150,000 household annual income requirement.
- Highest earn rate limited to drugstore spending.
- Points only redeemable at participating Loblaw-owned stores, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmapix, and Esso gas stations.
Card details
Card details- 45x PC Optimum points per dollar on Shoppers Drug Mart purchases.
- 30x PC Optimum points per dollar on Loblaw-brand grocery store purchases.
- 30x PC Optimum points per dollar per litre of gas purchased at Esso Mobil.
- 10x PC Optimum points per dollar on all other purchases.
- Redeem a minimum of 10,000 points for free products and groceries at participating stores (in person and online).
- No annual fee.
- 24/7 concierge service to make dinner reservations, reserve event tickets, deliver gifts and more.
- Access to identity theft services to help you avoid identity theft or restore your identity if stolen.
- Four types of insurance provided, including 10-day travel medical benefits for those under age 65.
- Preferred rates: 20.97% for purchases, 21.97% for cash advances.
- To be eligible, $80,000 (individual) or $150,000 (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.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownCash back on up to three categories.
Cash back on everything else.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeTangerine lets you pick up to three categories from a pool of 10 that you’ll earn 2% back on, making it one of the more flexible cash-back programs on the market. Other cash-back cards offer higher earn rates on similar categories, but the Tangerine Money-Back card doesn’t have caps — so, you could earn unlimited 2% back on furniture, for example, throughout the year. Best for: People who spend big in unusual categories and want a simple cash-back card.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Choose the 2% cash-back categories based on your spending.
- 15% off H&R Block.
Cons
- Other cards offer higher rates on similar categories.
- Must have a Tangerine savings account to unlock 3rd cash-back category.
Card details
Card details- Earn 10% cash back¹⁰ for 2 months (Up to $100) – That’s on top of regular cash back. Plus, get a promo rate on balances you transfer for a limited time. Offer Expires April 30, 2026.
- Two Categories – 2% Money-Back Rewards on purchases in two categories of your choice. OR Three categories Deposit your Rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account and get a third 2% Money-Back category. 13 Categories to explore – Groceries, gas, and beyond, choose from 13 categories to suit your spending. And change them up every 90 days to match your purchases.◊
- 0.50% on everything else.
- Redeem cash back monthly as a statement credit or deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account.
- No annual fee.
- Transfer balances within your first 30 days and pay only 1.95% interest on the transferred balance for the first six months (22.95% after that). 1% balance transfer fee applies to the amount transferred.
- Get free cards for any authorized users on your account.
- It only includes purchase assurance and extended protection insurance. For more insurance, consider the Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®* which requires a minimum personal income of $60,000. If you meet this requirement, you will automatically be considered for the World card if you apply for the Money-Back card.
- Preferred rates: 20.95% for purchases, 22.95% for cash advances (including balance transfers).
- To be eligible, a $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.
- *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeWith no annual fee and an intuitive rewards program, the CIBC Adapta Mastercard is a practical choice for cardholders with fluctuating spending habits. Adapta points can be redeemed for cashback, but when compared to other no-fee cash-back options, this card’s 1% cash-back rate isn’t hugely competitive. Best for: Those who want a no-fee, set-and-forget earn structure with straightforward, cash-style redemptions.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Flexible earn rates that are automatically applied to your top spending categories monthly.
Cons
- Less competitive earn rates than other no-fee cashback cards.
Card details
Card details- Welcome Offer: Join and get up to $100 in value† with no annual fee.† Here’s how it adds up–
- Receive a Welcome Bonus of 3,000 Adapta points after your first purchase (up to $25 value)†
- Get 3,000 Adapta points when you spend $1,000 in the first 4 monthly statement periods (up to $25 value)†
- Includes membership to Roadside Assistance† after you make your first purchase. Services include battery boosting, gas delivery, towing and more, offered by Dominion Automobile Association ($50 value)†
- How do Adapta points work? Each month, you’ll automatically earn–
- 1.5 Adapta points for every dollar you spend in your top 3 spend categories.†
- 1 Adapta point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases.†
- What are Adapta points worth? 1,500 Adapta points are worth $10 when applied to your credit card balance or a recent purchase.† 1,200 Adapta points are worth $10 when used toward an eligible CIBC financial product.†
- Save over $600 with CIBC and Skip – Get a 12-month Skip+ free trial and other exclusive benefits when you link your CIBC Adapta Mastercard with Skip.†
- Save on gas with CIBC and Journie Rewards – Link and use your CIBC Adapta Mastercard with Journie Rewards to save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
- CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Adapta card within the last 12 months.†
- †Terms and Conditions Apply. Select Apply Now to learn more.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownPoints for every dollar you spend on WestJet flights, WestJet Vacations, and Sunwing Vacations².
Points for every dollar you spend at grocery stores and on transportation including gas, EV charging, public transit and rideshare³.
Points for every dollar you spend on all other everyday purchases².
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeFree checked bags, airport lounge access, an annual companion voucher, and the ability to earn WestJet points on everyday purchases are just a few of the perks this card has to offer — not to mention the full suite of insurances. But if you don’t fly WestJet often, or don’t meet the minimum $80,000 annual income requirement, this card won’t be worth your while. Best for: Frequent travellers who are loyal to WestJet and its partner airlines.
Pros
- Annual companion pass from $119.
- Free checked bags for you and up to 8 guests.
- Full suite of travel insurance.
Cons
- DragonPass membership only — airport lounge visits cost extra.
- High $80,000 minimum income requirement.
Card details
Card details- Get up to 45,000 WestJet points¹: 25,000 welcome WestJet points upon your first purchase and an additional 20,000 WestJet points when you spend a minimum of $5,000 in the first 3 months.
- Check your first bag for free for the primary cardholder and up to 8 guests on the same reservation when you pay with your WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard⁴
- Cardholders can now achieve Silver, Gold and even Platinum Status with a Status Lift up to 50 times per year – you’ll earn 200 CAD in tier qualifying spend for every $5,000 in purchases on your card⁵
- Receive an annual round-trip companion voucher starting from $119 CAD (plus taxes, fees, surcharges and other ATC) when you spend a minimum of $5,000 annually on your card⁵, or choose to exchange it for one of the following: a 30% flight discount for one traveller⁸, a $200 credit towards a WestJet Vacations package or Sunwing Vacations package⁹, or two airport lounge passes¹⁰
- Earn 2 points for every dollar you spend on WestJet flights, WestJet Vacations, and Sunwing Vacations²
- Earn 2 points for every dollar you spend at grocery stores and on transportation including gas, EV charging, public transit and rideshare³
- Earn 1.5 points for every dollar you spend on all other everyday purchases²
- WestJet points can now be redeemed to cover taxes, fees and surcharges⁹
- You can truly relax while you’re travelling with comprehensive coverage, now including Trip Cancellation insurance⁶.
- WestJet points never expire. Use your WestJet points 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 insurance¹⁹. Even eligible purchases you make on the card are protected.
- Save at Petro-Canada – Save 3¢/L on gas and earn 20% more Petro-Points when you pay with a linked RBC card.⁷
- 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 credit card.⁸
- Enjoy unlimited $0 delivery fees with DoorDash – Get a complimentary DashPass subscription⁹ from DoorDash for up to 12 months and enjoy unlimited deliveries from qualifying restaurants you love. Enjoy $0 delivery fees10 on orders of $15+ when you pay with an eligible RBC credit card.
- Enjoy airport lounges worldwide: Your WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard entitles you to membership in the Mastercard Travel Pass Program provided by DragonPass.¹¹ This program offers access to more than 1,300 airport lounges globally, plus valuable airport dining and spa offers. Download the Mastercard Travel Pass app and register at mastercardtravelpass.dragonpass.com
- 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.
Other Great Mastercards in Canada
| Card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Interest rates | Rewards rate | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBNA True Line® Gold Mastercard® | APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | 3.9/5 | $39 | 10.99%/24.99% | N/A | |
| Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard® | |||||
 | 4.5/5 | $0 | 20.99%-25.99%/22.99%-27.99% | 1.5%-3% | |
| Scotia Momentum® Mastercard®* Credit Card | |||||
 | 4.3/5 | $0 | 20.99%/22.99% | 0.5%-1% | |
| Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard® | |||||
 | 4.6/5 | $0 | 19.99%/22.99% | 1%-2.5% | |
| Triangle™ World Elite Mastercard® | |||||
 | 4.6/5 | $0 | 19.99%/22.99% | 1%-4% | |
| Walmart Rewards™ World Mastercard® | |||||
 | 3.5/5 | $0 | 20.89%-26.99%/22.97%-27.99% | 1%-3% Cash back | |
| BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®* | APPLY NOW on BMO's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on BMO's website | 3.9/5 | $150 Waived first year | 21.99%/23.99% | 1x-5x Points | |
| Brim Mastercard | |||||
 | 4.0/5 | $0 | Rates vary by card member | 0.5x Points | |
| MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® | APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | 3.9/5 | $120 | 21.99%/22.99% | 1x-5x Points | |
| National Bank World Elite Mastercard | |||||
 | 4.1/5 | $150 | 20.99%/22.49% | 1x-5x Points | |
Methodology
BACK TO TOPMastercard credit card tiers
BACK TO TOPMastercard credit cards in Canada are grouped into three main tiers. Higher tiers typically offer better perks and insurance, but often require higher income and charge annual fees.
Standard
Standard Mastercards are entry-level cards with low or no annual fees and easier approval requirements. They’re best suited for first-time cardholders or anyone looking for a simple, no-frills option.
World
World Mastercards offer stronger rewards and insurance than Standard cards, but usually come with income requirements and annual fees. They’re a good middle ground for frequent spenders.
World Elite
World Elite Mastercards are premium cards with the richest perks, such as enhanced travel insurance, lounge access and concierge services, which vary by issuer. These cards typically require higher household income and charge higher annual fees.
Common Mastercard perks and protections
BACK TO TOPSome benefits are tied to the Mastercard network, while others depend on the card issuer and tier. Availability can vary.
Zero Liability Protection. All Mastercard cardholders are protected from unauthorized transactions, provided reasonable care is taken and lost or stolen cards are reported promptly.
ID Theft Protection. Eligible Mastercard holders can opt into free identity theft monitoring and alerts, with 24/7 support if suspicious activity is detected.
Global Service. Mastercard Global Service provides 24/7 assistance for lost or stolen cards, emergency card replacement and help locating ATMs while travelling.
Travel & Lifestyle Services (World and World Elite). Premium Mastercard tiers may include access to travel booking assistance, select hotel benefits and airport concierge services (typically for a fee). Specific perks vary by card.
Issuer-provided insurance and benefits usually matter more than network perks when choosing a card.
How to choose a Mastercard credit card
BACK TO TOPWhen comparing Mastercard credit cards, focus on the features that affect your day-to-day value:
Annual fee. Higher fees may be worth it if the rewards and perks offset the cost.
Rewards structure. Cash back, points and co-branded programs all work differently.
Interest rate. Low-rate cards are better if you tend to carry a balance.
Income requirements. World and World Elite cards often have minimum income thresholds.
Insurance coverage. Travel insurance, extended warranty and purchase protection vary widely.
Major Canadian issuers offering Mastercard credit cards include:
BMO, CIBC, National Bank, Scotiabank, RBC, Tangerine, Rogers Bank, MBNA, President’s Choice Financial, Canadian Tire Bank, Brim Financial and Walmart Canada Bank, among others.
Who should get a Mastercard credit card?
BACK TO TOPA Mastercard credit card is a strong fit for Canadians who want broad acceptance, flexible rewards and plenty of issuer options.
Mastercard is especially popular for no-fee and mid-tier cards, making it a good choice for everyday spending, newcomers and value-focused cardholders. It’s also the dominant network for several major Canadian co-branded programs, including Rogers, PC Optimum and Canadian Tire.
If you want fewer acceptance concerns than American Express and more card variety across banks and credit unions, Mastercard is a reliable pick.
Mastercard vs. Visa and American Express
Mastercard and Visa offer similar global acceptance, but Mastercard stands out for its wide issuer diversity and strong presence in Canadian retail and telecom co-brands. American Express often delivers richer rewards, but with more limited acceptance.
For many Canadians, Mastercard strikes a practical balance between convenience, choice and value.
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell