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Published May 22, 2024
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Tims Credit Card Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

The Tim Hortons credit card earns up to 15 Tims Rewards Points on each eligible dollar spent.

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3.5

NerdWallet Rating

Best for Timmie’s enthusiasts who frequently spend money at this iconic Canadian restaurant chain.

Anyone who wants a credit card that earns Tims Rewards Points will want to consider the Tims Credit Card.

Learn more about our star rating methodology.

    This no-fee store credit card earns Tims Rewards Points. Timmie’s patrons are best positioned to get the most from this card as redemption options are limited to food and beverages at Tim Hortons restaurants.

    Tims Credit Card

    Tims Credit Card
    • Annual Fee
      $0
    • Interest Rates
      20.99-25.99% / 22.99%-27.99%
    • Rewards Rate
      0.5x-15x Points
    • Intro Offer
      Up to 5,000 Points
    Card Details
    • Earn Tims Rewards Points on everyday purchases with no annual fees.
    • With the Tims Credit Card, you’ll earn points everywhere you shop and get 5 points per $1 on groceries, gas, EV charging, and transit (including taxis and ridesharing). Plus, earn 15 points per $1 at Tim Hortons restaurants when you scan for Tims® Rewards.
    • Use your points to get free coffee and other menu items from Tims.
    • Get up to $10 back when you use a Tims Credit Card to tap and pay on PRESTO devices for your Monday rides in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas.
    • Use your Tims Credit Card to stream the latest originals from Crave™, HBO and HBO Max, with exclusive access to the entire HBO library, and the biggest Hollywood blockbusters.
    • 24-hour TimBot chat support and live team members available 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. EST.
    • Extend the manufacturer’s warranty for most items purchased on your Tims Credit Card for up to one year. Repair, replace or get reimbursed up to $1,000 per incident.
    • ​​Most items purchased with your Tims Credit Card can be repaired, replaced, or reimbursed up to $1,000 per incident. Protection is valid for 90 days after your purchase.
    • Terms and conditions apply.

    Tims Credit Card full review

    The Tims Financial Credit Card is a rewards credit card with no annual fee. Cardholders earn Tims Rewards Points on eligible purchases with accelerated rates on Tim Hortons restaurant purchases, groceries, gas, EV charging and transit spending. 

    Benefits of the Tims Credit Card

    The Tims Credit Card earns up to 15 Tims Rewards Points per eligible dollar spent. It has no annual fee and offers a sizable welcome bonus that’s sure to entice Tims Rewards collectors. 

    Drawbacks of the Tims Credit Card

    This credit card may not fit the bill unless you frequent Tim Hortons restaurants. Its rewards points can only be redeemed for food and drink at Timmie’s. Plus, its insurance coverage is limited to extended warranty and purchase protection. 

    Who should get the Tims Credit Card?

    Those who enjoy dining at Tim Hortons stand to benefit most from the Tims Credit Card. The card offers its highest earn rate on money spent at Tim Hortons, and redemption options are limited to Tim Hortons food and beverages.  

    Is the Tims Credit Card worth it?

    The Tims Credit Card may be worthwhile for those who frequently spend money at Tim Hortons restaurants. There’s no annual fee to recoup, but the card will only benefit those who want to earn Tims Rewards points.

    What Reddit has to say

    NerdWallet’s credit card experts rigorously review every detail of a card to determine its rating. But our Nerds know it can also be helpful to hear what everyday cardholders think. So, we took to Reddit to find out what users are saying about the Tims Credit Card across multiple threads.

    Redditors mostly disagree with NerdWallet’s review.

    As of this writing, Redditors give the Tims Credit Card a vehement thumbs down, with few exceptions. But the majority of negative comments are from users who dislike Tim Hortons itself, and thus, question the need for a store-branded card. So, diehard Timmie’s fans may still see its appeal. Some Redditors suggest helpful card alternatives, like the CIBC Costco Mastercard and Simplii Financial Cash Back Card, which NerdWallet generally rates highly.

    Tims Financial customer ratings

    As of this writing, Tims Financial does not have a Trustpilot or Better Business Bureau profile. But its parent company, Tim Hortons, does:

    Tims Credit Card eligibility

    Who qualifies for the Tims Credit Card?

    To qualify for the Tims Credit Card, you must:

    Approximate credit score needed for approval

    Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. However, higher scores generally mean better chances of approval, and that’s true regardless of the type of credit you’re applying for.

    Want to learn more? Visit our “What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card?” page.

    Tims Credit Card rewards

    Earn up to 10,000 Tims Rewards Points.

    • Earn 4,000 points when you make your first purchase within 30 days of card membership.
    • Earn 2,000 points when you spend at least $200 in the second month of card membership.
    • Earn 2,000 points when you spend at least $200 in the third month of card membership.
    • Earn 2,000 points when you spend at least $200 in the fourth month of card membership. 

    Welcome offer valid through Feb. 2, 2024.

    Earn Tims Rewards Points at the following rates:

    • 15 points per $1 spent when you scan for Tims Rewards at Tim Hortons restaurants.
    • 5 points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, EV charging, transit, taxi and ridesharing purchases.
    • 1 point per $2 spent on all other purchases.

    Points can be redeemed for food and beverages at Tim Hortons restaurants.

    The Tims Credit Card welcome bonus is straightforward. The 10,000 Tims Rewards points can be unlocked by strategically using your card to meet spending requirements across the first four months of card membership. The welcome offer could net you a number of free Tim Hortons products. If you spent your entire welcome bonus on one product, the points could be redeemed for:

    • 33 classic or specialty donuts.
    • 25 cups of hot coffee or tea.
    • 16 iced coffees. 
    • 12 boxes of 10 Timbits.
    • Nine breakfast sandwiches. 
    • Seven lunch sandwiches.
    • Five Loaded Bowls or wraps. 

    Beyond its welcome offer, the Tims Credit Card earns Tims Rewards Points on every eligible dollar spent. Additional value can be squeezed from the card’s extended warranty and purchase protection, should they ever need to be put to use.

    How much do I need to spend to get free items at Tim Hortons?

    The value of a Tims Reward Point depends on how it is earned and redeemed. But you can expect to spend at least:

    How to apply for the Tims Credit Card

    The application process for the Tims Credit Card must be completed through the Tims Hortons mobile app:

    1. Download the Tim Hortons app from your mobile device through Google Play or the Apple App Store. 
    2. Sign up for Tims Financial by selecting the Join now button from the Tim Hortons app home screen. 
    3. Enter your first name and email address. Select Create an Account.
    4. Start a Tims Financial profile by selecting Sign Up. 
    5. Create a password, enter your phone number and review the Tims Financial terms and conditions and financial privacy policy.
    6. Continue your application by selecting the Tims Credit Card.
    7. Enter your personal information, including your full name, date of birth, residential address, employment information, monthly housing expenses and annual income.  
    8. Review your information and submit your application.

    Tims Credit Card vs Simplii Financial Cash Back Card

    If you’re a Timmie’s fan but want more flexibility from your rewards, you may want to consider a credit card that earns cash back at all restaurants, like the Simplii Financial Cash Back Card. You’ll accrue elevated rewards with more than one establishment, and you can still use cash back to cover Tim’s purchases.

    Tims Credit CardSimplii Financial Cash Back Card
    Annual fees$0.$0.
    Reward typeTims Rewards Points.Cash back.
    Rewards rates• 15 points per $1 spent when you scan for Tims Rewards at Tim Hortons restaurants.

    • 5 points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, EV charging, transit, taxi and ridesharing purchases.

    • 1 point per $2 spent on all other purchases.
    • 4% cash back on restaurant, bar and coffee shop purchases, up to $5,000 annually.

    • 1.5% cash back on gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments, up to $15,000 annually.

    • 0.5% cash back on all other purchases.
    Redemption optionsRedeem Tims Rewards Points for food and beverages at Tim Hortons restaurants. Cash back is automatically redeemed on the last day of the cardholder's December statement and applies as a statement credit the following January.

    Reasons you might want a different card

    The Tims Credit Card may not be a practical fit if:

    Tims Credit Card facts

    Tims Credit Card
    Card TypeRewards credit card.
    Fees and Interest Rates
    Annual fee$0.
    Regular/purchase APR20.99%-25.99.
    (20.99%-24.99% for Quebec residents.)
    Cash advance APR22.99%–27.99%.
    (22.99%-25.99% for Quebec residents.)
    Cash advance fee$2.50 to $5 per transaction.
    Foreign transaction fee2.5% of the transaction amount.
    Rewards and Benefits
    Intro offerEarn up to 10,000 Tims Rewards Points. Get 4,000 points when you make your first purchase within 30 days of card membership. Get an additional 2,000 points each time you spend at least $200 in your second, third and fourth months of card membership.

    Welcome offer valid through Feb. 2, 2024.
    Reward earn rates• 15 Tims Rewards points per $1 spent when you scan for Tims Rewards at Tim Hortons restaurants.

    • 5 Tims Rewards points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, EV charging, transit, taxi and ridesharing purchases.

    • 1 Tims Rewards point per $2 spent on all other purchases.
    Other perksCrave streaming. Get three free months of Crave, HBO and HBO Max when you sign up for a Tims Credit Card. Offer valid through Feb. 28, 2024.
    Insurance coverage
    Extended warrantyUp to one additional year.
    Purchase protection90 days.

    Rating Methodology

    NerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.

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