Best Credit Cards in Canada for March 2026
The best credit cards in Canada right now offer strong options for rewards, travel, cash back and low interest rates. Our top overall pick is the American Express Cobalt Card, thanks to its high rewards on groceries and dining and flexible Membership Rewards points.
But the best credit card for you ultimately depends on how you plan to use it — whether that’s earning rewards on everyday purchases, collecting travel points, carrying a balance or avoiding annual fees.
To help narrow your search, NerdWallet Canada’s editorial team reviewed hundreds of credit cards available to Canadians and selected the options that deliver the strongest value across several common needs.
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Summary: Best credit cards in Canada
BACK TO TOP| Card | NerdWallet rating | Intro offer | Rewards rate | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Cobalt® Card | APPLY NOW on American Express' website | |||
 APPLY NOW on American Express' website | 5.0/5 | Up to 15,000 Points | 1x-5x Points | |
| Scotiabank American Express® card | APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | 5.0/5 | Up to 5,000 Points | 1x-3x Points | |
| Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card | APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | 5.0/5 | Up to 60,000 Points | 1x-3x Points | |
| SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express | APPLY NOW on American Express' website | |||
 APPLY NOW on American Express' website | 5.0/5 | Up to $250 | 2%-4% | |
| MBNA True Line® Gold Mastercard® | APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | 3.9/5 | N/A | N/A | |
| Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card | APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | 4.8/5 | N/A | N/A | |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | APPLY NOW on Tangerine's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on Tangerine's website | 4.9/5 | Up to $100 | 0.5%-2% | |
| Secured Neo Mastercard | APPLY NOW on Neo's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on Neo's website | 4.1/5 | N/A | 1%-5% | |
The TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card is a great choice for turning daily purchases into your next getaway. Special offer: Earn up to $1,400 in value, including up to 165,000 TD Rewards Points and receive an annual fee rebate for the first year (conditions apply). Earn flexible travel rewards on everyday spending with the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite and redeem easily for flights, hotels, and more. Apply now for details.
Browse by goal
BACK TO TOPIf you already know what you want from your card, start with the option that best matches your goal.
Card | Best for | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
American Express Cobalt Card | Best overall for its balance of rewards, flexibility and cost. | |
Scotiabank American Express Card | No annual fee plus everyday rewards. | |
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card | Travel perks, no foreign transaction fees and broad Visa acceptance. | |
SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express | High cash back on everyday spending with a straightforward rewards structure. | |
MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard | Low purchase APR, no annual fee and a 0% balance transfer intro offer. | |
Scotiabank Value Visa Card | Low ongoing rates and a balance transfer offer. | |
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | Customizable cash back and no annual fee. | |
Secured Neo Mastercard | Refundable security deposit and more accessible approval. |
Best credit card for most people
BACK TO TOP
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Why we picked it
The American Express Cobalt Card delivers some of the strongest rewards available on everyday spending in Canada. Cardholders earn up to 5 points per dollar on groceries and dining, two categories that make up a large share of many household budgets.
The card's flexible Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for travel, statement credits, or transferred to partner loyalty programs. This flexibility offers strong long-term value compared to single-program rewards cards, which is why it's also earned our spot as the best overall rewards credit card in Canada.
And, while some cards are better suited to specific priorities, the Cobalt is a strong starting point for many Canadians because it delivers exceptional value on everyday purchases. It’s especially appealing for people who want one main rewards card and don’t mind carrying a backup Visa or Mastercard for places that don’t accept American Express (we suggest a no-fee option). It also ranked highest among annual-fee cards in the 2025 J.D. Power Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
If you’re not sure where to start, this is a solid pick for most people.
Best credit cards in Canada
BACK TO TOPScotiabank American Express Card — Best no-fee credit card
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The Scotiabank American Express Card offers everyday rewards without charging an annual fee, making it a strong option for people who want to keep costs low while still earning rewards. What separates it from other solid no-fee cards is that it still feels like a real everyday rewards card (complete with travel perks), not just a fee-free backup.
If avoiding annual fees is your main priority, compare more options in our guide to the best no-fee credit cards in Canada.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card — Best travel credit card
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The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card stands out for travellers thanks to its combination of travel-friendly perks and rewards. It can be an especially practical choice for people who want a card that works well while travelling, not just one that earns travel rewards. No foreign transaction fees, broader Visa acceptance and lounge access all add to its appeal.
If travel rewards are your main goal, explore more options in our guide to the best travel credit cards in Canada.
SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express — Best cash-back credit card
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The SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express is our pick for the best cash-back credit card because it offers strong rewards with a structure that’s easy to understand. For people who prefer straightforward rewards instead of points programs, it delivers consistent value on everyday spending.
If you’re focused specifically on cash-back rewards, compare more options in our guide to the best cash-back credit cards in Canada.
Scotiabank Value Visa Card — Best balance transfer credit card
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The Scotiabank Value Visa Card is designed for people who want to reduce interest costs while paying down existing credit card balances. Its balance-transfer features can make it easier to manage and pay off debt compared with standard rewards cards.
If you’re considering moving a balance, explore current offers in our guide to the best balance transfer credit cards in Canada.
MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard — Best low-interest credit card
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The MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard is our pick for the best low-interest credit card for people who expect to carry a balance and want to reduce borrowing costs. Instead of prioritizing rewards, the card focuses on keeping interest rates lower than most standard credit cards.
If minimizing interest charges is your priority, see our guide to the best low-interest credit cards in Canada
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card — Best credit card for fair credit
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The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a strong option for applicants with fair credit who want a card that offers rewards and long-term usefulness. It’s likely to appeal most to people who care primarily about the earning setup: no annual fee, familiar cash-back rewards and bonus categories they can tailor to their spending.
If you’re comparing cards for limited or less-than-good credit, explore our guide to the best credit cards for bad credit.
Secured Neo Mastercard — Best credit card for building credit
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The Secured Neo Mastercard provides a way for people with limited or damaged credit to access a credit card while working to build their credit history. Because it requires a security deposit, approval is typically more accessible than with traditional unsecured cards.
If you’re rebuilding your credit, see more options in our guides to the best credit cards for bad credit or the best secured credit cards in Canada.
Other credit cards to consider
BACK TO TOPThe cards above are our top picks, but they’re not the only strong options available. Depending on how you prefer to earn and redeem rewards — or which banks and retail ecosystems you already use — other cards may be worth considering.
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card: A solid option for people who prefer TD Rewards and flexible travel redemptions.
RBC ION Visa Credit Card: A no-fee option for people who want to earn Avion points on everyday spending.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card: Worth considering if you want Air Canada-linked perks and a card built more directly around the Aeroplan ecosystem.
Triangle World Elite Mastercard: A good fit for people who spend heavily in the Canadian Tire ecosystem and want a strong no-fee alternative.
PC World Elite Mastercard: A strong everyday option for people who regularly shop in the PC Optimum ecosystem.
Earn 1.5X the Avion points on groceries, gas and more! SPECIAL WELCOME OFFER: receive up to 11,000 Avion points - 4,000 Welcome Points and earn 7,000 bonus points when you spend $500 in your first 3 months! Equivalent to $75 in gift card value. With no annual fee and flexible redemption options, the RBC ION Card spending allows you to earn points on the everyday purchases that matter most to you. Apply now and start earning right away.
Methodology
BACK TO TOPHow to choose a credit card in Canada
BACK TO TOPHow credit cards works
A credit card lets you borrow money from an issuer to make purchases now and pay for them later.
Each month, you’ll receive a statement showing your transactions, minimum payment and due date. If you pay your full balance by the due date, you won’t pay interest on purchases. If you carry a balance, interest applies.
Why people use credit cards:
Convenient and widely accepted.
May earn rewards.
Often include insurance and purchase protections.
Can help build credit when used responsibly.
What to watch for:
Can lead to debt — quickly and easily.
High interest rates if you carry a balance.
Missed payments can hurt your credit score.
Credit cards work best as a payment tool — not a form of long-term debt.
How credit card interest works
Interest applies only when you carry a balance past your due date. Most cards charge around 19%–21% on purchases. Interest accrues daily and compounds if unpaid.
If you expect to carry a balance, a low-interest card may cost less than a rewards card. And, if you need to pay down existing debt, a balance transfer card is worth considering.
If you pay in full each month, interest shouldn’t factor too much into your decision — rewards and perks matter more.
How credit card rewards work
Rewards cards give you something back for spending — typically cash back, points or travel rewards. Most cards have:
A base earn rate on general purchases.
Higher earn rates in specific categories, like groceries or gas.
The best rewards structure depends on where you naturally spend. Higher bonus rates only matter if they match your real spending.
How to compare credit cards
When deciding which card is right for you, focus on the factors that affect your overall value:
Rewards structure and earn rates.
Interest rates (if you may carry a balance).
Welcome offer.
Insurance and additional perks.
Eligibility requirements.
It also helps to think beyond the headline earn rate, acceptance, redemption style and whether a card works best as your primary card or as a specialist card in your wallet.
Types of credit cards in Canada
Credit cards generally fall into a few broad categories:
Rewards cards: Earn cash back, points or travel rewards.
Low-interest or balance transfer cards: Designed to reduce borrowing costs.
No-fee cards: Skip the annual fee.
Credit-building cards: Secured or student cards designed to establish credit.
Business cards: Tailored to business expenses.
If you’re not sure which category fits you best, the picks above show strong options across major card types.
Frequently asked questions
Which credit cards are most accepted in Canada?
Which credit cards are most accepted in Canada?
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted. American Express is accepted at many retailers but not all — carrying a backup can help.
What credit score do you need?
What credit score do you need?
Issuers don’t publish exact cutoffs, but better credit generally improves approval odds. Premium cards typically require good to excellent credit.
Learn more about how your credit score affects credit card approval.
How many credit cards should you have?
How many credit cards should you have?
There’s no single right number. Multiple cards can improve flexibility and rewards — but only if managed responsibly.
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Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell