Best Credit Cards in Canada for May 2026
There’s no single best credit card in Canada for everyone, because people mean different things when they say “best.” For some, “best” means earning the most rewards. For others, it means no annual fee, better travel perks or a card that’s just easy to use.
That said, we think the American Express Cobalt Card is the best credit card in Canada for most people because it rewards the kinds of things a lot of Canadians already spend on most: groceries, dining, takeout and food delivery.
But if that’s not what you want from a card, the answer changes. The best credit card for you depends on what you value most.
Looking for something specific?
Each category below has a dedicated guide with more options and deeper comparisons. Explore our picks for:
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 | |
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 | Strong rewards on common everyday spending, with flexible points. | |
SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express | High returns in everyday household categories. | |
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard | Strong everyday earning on Mastercard. | |
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | Good fit for people who want their points to turn into flights. | |
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card | Useful travel perks, no foreign transaction fees and broad acceptance. | |
Scotiabank American Express Card | No annual fee, with rewards that still feel meaningful. | |
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard | Straightforward value without much maintenance. | |
Scotiabank Value Visa Card | A debt-paydown option that still makes sense after the intro period ends. | |
MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard | Lower-rate borrowing without pretending rewards matter more. | |
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | A no-fee rewards card that can still feel worth keeping. | |
Secured Neo Mastercard | A more accessible secured option for getting started again. |
Best credit card for most people
BACK TO TOPAmerican Express Cobalt Card — Best credit card for most people
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Points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery.* Spend cap applies.
Points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
Points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada.
Point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
Additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online.
A standout everyday earner with up to 5x points on a spectrum of everyday spending categories, including eats and drinks, streaming services, gas and more. Unusually robust travel insurance for a mid-tier card makes it a decent travel companion, too. Best for: Those who spend big on groceries, entertainment or transit and want a flexible rewards program.
Pros
- Includes 10 forms of insurance.
- Points can be transferred to other rewards programs, including Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy.
- Up to $60 in Instacart statement credits.
Cons
- No lounge access.
- The 5x earn rate is capped at $2,500 monthly — purchases above the cap drop to 1x.
- 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, a room upgrade (when available), 12pm check-in and late check-out (when available), 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.
- Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Most people spend a disproportionate amount on food — groceries, restaurants, coffee, takeout, delivery. The Cobalt earns faster in those categories than almost anything else available in Canada, and its Membership Rewards points are flexible enough to work whether you want travel redemptions or just want optionality.
That combination is hard to beat as a default starting point, and why it consistently gets ranked well by our competitors and the general public, too: it ranked highest among annual-fee cards in the 2025 J.D. Power Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
But that “probably” assumes:
You spend enough on food and dining that the $191.88 annual fee pays for itself. You want points rather than straight cash back. You're comfortable with Amex acceptance — genuinely good coverage at most Canadian retailers, but not universal — and you're either fine carrying a no-fee Visa or Mastercard as a backup, or you rarely run into the gap.
And if that's not you:
You want the same everyday earning on a card that's accepted everywhere. The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard earns 5x in similar everyday categories on Mastercard. It has a spend cap on the elevated rate and a slightly more complex redemption story, but it removes the Amex friction entirely.
You want no annual fee and no backup card required. The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard earns flat cash back at no cost, works everywhere, and asks nothing of you. You earn less on food — but you pay nothing to carry it.
You want flat cash back and no FX fees in one place. The Wealthsimple Visa Infinite earns 2% on everything with no foreign transaction fees on Visa. Less upside on food spend, but a genuinely cleaner single-card setup.
You want cash back, not points. The SimplyCash Preferred earns 4% on groceries and gas and 2% on everything else — no points math, no transfer partners to learn.
Cards that nearly made this spot:
The Scotiabank Gold American Express earns well on food and has no foreign transaction fees, which is something the Cobalt lacks. It lost here because the Cobalt's earning rate is stronger, its Membership Rewards ecosystem is more flexible than Scene+, and readers considering an Amex with no FX fees are better served by the Passport for travel or the Cobalt for everyday — the Gold sits uncomfortably between them without clearly winning either comparison.
More credit cards in Canada that might be "best" for you
BACK TO TOPSimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express — Best cash-back credit card
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cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada.
Cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually).
Cash back on all other purchases.
Getting 2% back on everything is very rare, which makes this card one of our favourites. It also offers 4% back on gas and groceries, comes with comprehensive travel coverage and offers up to $60 in statement credits with Instacart. But the $119.88 annual fee ($9.99 a month) may be too steep for some users. Best for: People who value earning cash back over extensive travel perks.
Pros
- Unlimited 2% cash back.
- Up to $60 statement credit with Instacart.
- Comprehensive travel insurance.
Cons
- $119.88 annual fee is higher than average for a cash-back card.
- Earn a bonus 10% cash back on all purchases for your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases). Plus, earn a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13. This could add up to $250 in bonus value in your first 13 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 Amex 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. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment
If points sound like homework, this is the cleaner answer. SimplyCash Preferred pays especially well where household budgets usually hurt most — groceries and gas — and still keeps earning on everything else without category babysitting.
It makes the most sense if you actually want cash back and can justify paying for stronger everyday returns. The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard can look more appealing if your spending lines up neatly with its bonus categories and you are willing to live with the caps. The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is the easier answer if you want simpler, no-fee cash back. The Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa makes more sense if dining is the real story. And the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is better if you actually want to manage your categories. If you’re focused specifically on cash-back rewards, compare more options in our guide to the best cash-back credit cards in Canada.
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard — Best general rewards credit card
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Points‡ for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant purchases.
Points‡ for every $1 spent on eligible grocery purchases.
Points‡ for every $1 spent on eligible digital media purchases.
Points‡ for every $1 spent on eligible membership purchases.
Points‡ for every $1 spent on eligible household utility purchases.
Point‡ for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
This card offers a flexible reward program and decent travel perks. Get up to 5x the points on everyday purchases, which can be redeemed for a range of products and services, from cash back to travel bookings. But the $80,000 minimum income requirement may be too high for some users. Best for: Big spenders on everyday essentials with busy travel schedules.
Pros
- High 5x earn rate on everyday expenses.
- Decent range of travel insurance.
- A minimum of 5% off rental car bookings at Avis and Budget.
Cons
- Steep $80,000 income requirements for individuals, or $150,000 per household.
- 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 21.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers✪, and 22.99% 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.
If Cobalt sounds great until you remember it is an Amex, this is where things get interesting. The MBNA Rewards World Elite earns well on the kinds of purchases that show up month after month, and Mastercard acceptance makes it easier to picture as your actual everyday card, not just a great card in theory.
It looks best if you still want real rewards upside and do not mind a slightly busier setup. If you want the cleaner points story, American Express Cobalt is still the smoother answer. If no foreign transaction fees matter more than network acceptance, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is the better detour. And the RBC ION Visa Credit Card is worth a look if you want a no-fee way into Avion points rather than a higher-fee everyday earner.
If you want rewards that offer maximum optionality, compare more options in our guide to the best rewards credit cards in Canada.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card — Best credit card for travel rewards
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Points for every $1 spent on eligible gas and electric vehicle charging purchases.
Points for every $1 spent on eligible grocery purchases.
Points for every $1 spent on eligible direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®) made with your card.
Point for every $1 spent on all other Purchases made with your Card.
With a full suite of travel insurances, free checked bags for up to 8 companions, family point sharing, rental car perks and no blackouts or restrictions on travel bookings, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card checks a lot of boxes. However, the $139 annual fee may be too steep for some users, and anyone looking for airport lounge access won’t find it here. Best for: Families who fly Air Canada and spend big on everyday purchases.
Pros
- Rental car discounts.
- Free checked bags.
- NEXUS rebates.
Cons
- Low max earn rate (1.5x points).
- Slightly higher than average $139 annual fee for a travel card.
- Up to $1,450 in value† including up to 45,000 Aeroplan points† could be yours and receive an annual fee rebate for the first year†. Conditions Apply. Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first Purchase with your new Card†. Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,000 within 90 days of Account opening†. Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening†.
- 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 and you must add your Additional Cardholders while this offer is in effect.
- Offer may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise indicated.
- Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, grocery and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®) made with your card.
- Earn 1 point† for every $1 spent on all other Purchases made with your Card.
- Earn points twice when you pay with your Card and provide your Aeroplan number at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and at 200+ online retailers via the Aeroplan eStore (www.aeroplan.com/estore).
- Interest Rates: 21.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
- Earn more at Starbucks: Link your eligible Card to earn more Starbucks Stars at participating Starbucks stores. Conditions apply.
- Your Aeroplan Points do not expire as long as you are a TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Cardholder in good standing.
- Travel lightly through the airport and save on baggage fees†: Primary Cardholders, Additional Cardholders, and travel companions (up to eight) travelling on the same reservation will all enjoy their first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lbs) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
- 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.
- To be eligible, a $60,000 annual personal income or $100,000 household annual income is required. You must also be a Canadian resident and be 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.
Travel rewards are only exciting if you can picture the trip. TD Aeroplan works because Aeroplan is already a familiar destination for a lot of Canadian travellers, and the card comes with Air Canada-linked perks that make the points feel a little more real.
It makes the most sense if flights are the point and Air Canada is at least part of your world. If you want the same program through a different bank, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is the close cousin. If you would rather earn flexible travel rewards that are simpler to redeem through a bank portal, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is the better fit.
And for people building a two-card setup, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card pairs especially well with the American Express Cobalt Card: Cobalt can do more of the everyday earning heavy lifting, while TD Aeroplan adds Air Canada perks and gives some readers a clearer flight-focused outlet for travel value.
If travel rewards are your main goal, explore more options in our guide to the best travel credit cards in Canada.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card — Best premium travel credit card
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Points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more.
Points for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining purchases, entertainment purchases, and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways, taxis and more).
Point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
A competitive travel card that earns up to 3x Scene+ points on everyday purchases, and comes with six complimentary airport lounge visits and no foreign transaction fees. While you can earn accelerated points (3x) on travel purchases, they must be made through the Scene+ Travel platform, which may feel limiting for some users. Best for: Frequent travellers who shop regularly at Scene+ partner grocery stores, spend big abroad and are looking for airport lounge access.
Pros
- Free airport lounge membership and six free visits per year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Free Avis Preferred Plus membership.
Cons
- An above-average $150 annual fee for a travel card.
- Top earn rate (3x on groceries) only applies to Sobeys and its subsidiary stores.
- Must book through Scene+ Travel platform to earn 3x points on travel.
- Earn up to $1,500 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points¹
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways, taxis and more).
- Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
- Earn additional benefits + up to 4X Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia.
- Travel with confidence using 10GB of free GigSky global mobile data for 15 days with unlimited Travel Essentials by GigSky for essential travel apps. Visa Infinite cardholders also continue to receive one complimentary 1GB/15-Day GigSky global mobile data plan each year, plus 20% off future GigSky purchases with their Scotiabank Visa Infinite+ card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee.
- 6 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access.
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage.
- Visa Infinite* Concierge Services.
- Visa Infinite* Hotel Collection.
- Visa Infinite* Dining and Wine Country program.
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Jan 2, 2026. Subject to change.
- *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.
Some travel cards are better at earning travel. This one is better at making travel less annoying. No foreign transaction fees, lounge access, insurance and broad Visa acceptance are all the kind of perks you notice at the airport, in a hotel lobby or while paying for dinner abroad.
It looks best if you travel often enough to use those perks and care more about smoother trips than maximum points upside. If you want a more premium airport and lounge experience, the American Express Platinum Card is the bigger swing. If you want flexible bank points first and travel perks second, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card is the cleaner alternative. And if avoiding foreign transaction fees matters more than premium perks, a simpler no-FX card may make more sense than paying for this full package.
Scotiabank American Express Card — Best no-fee credit card
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Points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco and more.
Points for every $1 you spend on restaurants, fast food, drinking establishments. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
Points for every $1 you spend on eligible grocery stores.
Points for every $1 you spend on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
Points for every $1 you spend on eligible gas.
Points for every $1 you spend eligible daily transit. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more.
Points for every $1 you spend on eligible select streaming services.
Point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
The Scotiabank American Express Card offers solid Scene+ point rewards on everyday purchases like groceries and dining — all with no annual fee and a few built-in perks.
Pros
- Great earn rates on everyday purchases.
- Includes mobile device insurance.
- Enjoy special offers, experiences and more with American Express Invites.
Cons
- Limited insurance — only includes mobile device coverage, purchase security, and extended warranty.
- No Amex Membership Rewards — only earns Scene+ points, which have limited redemption options and can’t be transferred to airline or hotel programs.
- Earn up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months (that’s up to $50 towards travel).¹
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco and more
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on restaurants, fast food, drinking establishments and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible select streaming services
- Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
- Earn additional benefits + up to 4X Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia.
- Mobile Device Insurance coverage
- American Express Invites®
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of October 31, 2025. Subject to change.
- *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.
A lot of no-fee rewards cards are either dull or weirdly fussy. This one lands in a better middle ground. It gives you Scene+ points without an annual fee, so it feels like a real rewards card, not just a fee-free placeholder you forget about three weeks later.
It makes the most sense if you want no-fee rewards without turning your wallet into a project. If you want to choose your own bonus categories, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is the better fit. If you care more about low-effort cash back and wider acceptance, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is the simpler answer.
If avoiding annual fees is your main priority, compare more options in our guide to the best no-fee credit cards in Canada.
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard — Best no-fee credit card for simplicity
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Unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases made in U.S. dollars.
Unlimited cash back on all eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw. Otherwise, earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases.
The Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard® is a no-fee card with an easy-to-understand cash-back rewards program with an accelerated earn rate on U.S. dollar purchases. And unlike some no-fee cards, it still offers valuable perks for those who like to travel.
Pros
- Rewards are easy to understand, $1 in cash-back rewards = $1 toward an eligible purchase or bill credit, and you can redeem rewards instantly using the Rogers Bank app.
- Attractive travel benefits are included, like access to over 1,300 DragonPass airport lounges and several types of travel insurance.
Cons
- Travel insurance isn't comprehensive.
- Missing some travel perks like priority boarding and free checked bags.
- Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw.
- Otherwise, earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases.
- Earn 3% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases made in U.S. dollars.
- Get 5 Roam Like Home days at no cost every year for Rogers mobile plans (up to $80 value).
- 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases.
- No Annual Fee.
- Complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass – Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide ($32 USD per person per visit).
- Eight types of insurance provided, including 10-day travel medical benefits for those up to age 64 — up to $1 million in coverage. Three days of medical benefits are provided for those age 65 to 75.
- Standard rate on Purchases and Fees: 20.99%
- Standard rate on Cash Advances, Cash-like Transactions and Balance Transfers: 22.99%
- Rates may increase to 25.99% (purchases) and 27.99% (cash-like transactions) if you miss the required payment by the due date twice in 12 months. See Disclosure Summary for details.
- If you are not approved for an Account at the above rates and you reside outside Quebec, we may still issue you an Account at our alternate interest rates, as follows: Rate for Purchases and Fees: 25.99% Rate for Cash Advances, Cash like Transactions and Balance Transfers: 27.99%
- 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.
- Rogers Bank is not responsible for maintaining or controlling the accuracy of the information published on this website. For full and up-to-date product information, visit Rogersbank.com.
- ^ Terms and conditions apply. For full and up-to date product information and applicable terms and conditions, visit Rogersbank.com. Rogers Bank is not responsible for maintaining or controlling the accuracy of the information published on this website.
- ®/TM Mastercard and World Elite are registered trademarks and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Used under license.
- TM Rogers and Mobius Design, Rogers Bank and related marks, logos and brand names are trademarks of Rogers Communications Inc., or an affiliate, used under license. © 2025 Rogers Bank.
- Rogers Bank is the issuer of this credit card.
Some people want their credit card to do tricks. Others just want it to work. Rogers Red World Elite is for the second group: no annual fee, straightforward cash back, broad acceptance and no category babysitting.
It looks best if simplicity is the point. If you like steering spending into bonus buckets, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card will feel smarter. If you still want a no-fee card but care more about rewards upside than low-maintenance peace, the Scotiabank American Express Card is the better bet.
The Triangle World Elite Mastercard is a good fit for people who spend heavily in the Canadian Tire ecosystem, the PC World Elite Mastercard is stronger for people who regularly earn and use PC Optimum points, and the Wealthsimple Visa Infinite is a more interesting alternative if flat rewards plus no foreign transaction fees matter enough to change the answer.
Scotiabank Value Visa Card — Best balance transfer credit card
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The card’s low 13.99% interest rate on purchases, cash advances and balance transfers can help you pay down debt quicker compared to a card with higher interest rates. But that’s all you're getting from this card. Besides discounts at participating car rental companies, there are no perks, no rewards and no complimentary insurances. Best for: Cardholders who typically carry a balance and want a simple, no-frills credit card.
Pros
- Low 13.99% APR.
- Low $29 annual fee.
Cons
- No rewards.
- No insurance coverage.
- 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 9 months (2% fee per cash advance, 13.99% after that annual fee $29).¹ Plus no annual fee in the first year.¹
- Plus no annual fee for the first year.¹
- Save hundreds of dollars in interest a year.
- Pay down balances faster.
- Simplify your monthly payments.
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of October 31, 2025. Subject to change.
- *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.
A balance-transfer card only does its job if it helps the debt actually shrink. The Value Visa makes sense because it gives higher-interest balances a cheaper place to land and still has a lower-rate story once the promo stops doing the selling.
This is for someone trying to get out of interest trouble, not maximize rewards. But this is also one of the few categories where the right answer can change quickly depending on the promotional offer available when you apply. If another card is running a meaningfully stronger transfer offer, that may be the better short-term move. If the bigger need is not a transfer window but lower borrowing costs over time, a low-interest card is usually the cleaner fit.
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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This card’s low 10.99% interest rate on purchases and low $39 annual fee make it easier for cardholders to pay down debt. But besides the car rental discounts, there are no other rewards or perks. Best for: Cardholders who carry a balance.
Pros
- Low $39 annual fee.
- Low 10.99% interest rate on purchases.
- Low ongoing 13.99% interest rate on balance transfers.
Cons
- No rewards.
- No travel insurance.
- $39 annual fee.
- Standard Annual Interest Rates of 10.99% on purchases, 13.99% on balance transfers✪, and 24.99% on cash advances.
- Use available credit on your credit card to transfer funds right to your chequing account.
- Around-the-clock-fraud protection.
- Access to 24/7 customer service.
- This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
- ✪, 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.
When interest matters, rewards are mostly a distraction. True Line Gold is the straightforward answer for people who may carry a balance and would rather pay less to do it.
If your problem is ongoing borrowing cost, this is the cleaner fit. If your main move is shifting debt from somewhere more expensive under a promotional offer, the Scotiabank Value Visa Card is usually the better first stop. The RBC RateAdvantage Visa Credit Card is another low-rate option worth comparing. And the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card only really enters the conversation for people willing to pay for the rarer mix of lower rates and rewards.
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 for personalized cash back (with fair credit)
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Cash back on up to three categories.
Cash back on everything else.
Tangerine 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.
- 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 September 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.
Tangerine is here because it does not feel like a consolation prizea and offers an unusual amount of control. It is a no-fee card with customizable cash-back categories, which means it can feel useful and tailored to your specific spending habits (like furniture or home improvement) rather than locking you into standard grocery or gas categories.
It looks best when your credit is already in good standing and your spending fits the categories you choose. Still, it’s worth knowing that Tangerine's approval criteria can be surprisingly strict. If your credit is recovering, don’t risk the hit to your credit score by applying. Instead, consider a secured option, like the Neo Secured Mastercard or Home Trust Secured Visa, for a more realistic starting point.
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 secured credit card for building or rebuilding credit
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Cashback on groceries.
Cashback on gas & electric vehicle charging.
This cash-back earning secured card offers 1% back on gas and grocery purchases alongside credit monitoring tools and ATM fee reimbursements. Less appealing is its monthly fee that amounts to near $100 annually. Neo says that you may be able to have the monthly fee waived by maintaining a minimum balance in a Neo Chequing or Neo Savings account, though it doesn’t state what the minimum is. For cash-strapped credit-builders on a budget, the cost of this card could be a dealbreaker. Best for: Anyone building their credit who doesn’t mind paying for some nice-to-have extras.
Pros
- Earns 1% cash back on gas and grocery purchases.
- Credit score monitoring and credit building tools.
Cons
- $7.99 monthly fee.
- Purchase interest rates as high as 29.99%.
- Guaranteed approval and no credit score required to apply
- International IDs accepted
- 1% cashback on groceries
- 1% cashback on gas & electric vehicle charging
- Average of 5% cashback at 10,000 partner locations nation-wide—on top of the base cashback rates
- Start with a security fund of as little as $50
- Can help builds credit history with consistent, on-time payments
- Track your monthly spending with real-time insights
- Instant cashback that can be redeemed anytime
- Pay your bill instantly with Neo's #1 rated financial app
Secured cards are not supposed to be exciting. They are supposed to be open, clear and useful as a way back in. Neo works because it offers a secured-credit-limit path, reports to both major bureaus and is fairly upfront about the refundable security funds.
This is the card for someone who needs a real starting point, not a prettier version of a rewards card. If you want a more traditional secured setup without a monthly fee, the Home Trust Secured Visa is the obvious alternative.
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.
Methodology
BACK TO TOPWhat to know about choosing the best credit card in Canada
BACK TO TOPStart with the job you want the card to do
“Best” usually means one of a few things: best for earning rewards, best for simple cash back, best for travel perks, best for avoiding fees or best for lowering borrowing costs. The clearer you are about the job, the easier it is to rule good cards in or out.
Think beyond the earn rate
A high earn rate is only useful if it matches the way you actually spend. Acceptance, redemption style, annual fees, interest rates and whether a card works best as your main card or as part of a two-card setup can all matter just as much as the number in the ad.
Know when an annual fee is worth it
A fee can make sense if the rewards and perks clearly outweigh the cost. But many people are better served by a no-fee card that they will actually use well than by a premium card that looks better on paper than it feels in practice.
If you may carry a balance, interest matters more than rewards
Rewards usually stop mattering the moment interest enters the picture. If you expect to carry a balance, a low-interest or balance transfer card is often the better financial choice than a higher-rewards card.
Approval odds can change the answer
Some of the strongest rewards cards require good to excellent credit. If your credit is still developing or recovering, the right answer may be a no-fee mainstream card or a secured card rather than one of the premium options at the top of the market.
Frequently asked questions
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, which is one reason many Canadians treat cards like the American Express Cobalt Card as a great main card with a backup Visa or Mastercard.
What credit score do you need?
Issuers do not usually publish exact approval cutoffs, but stronger credit generally improves your odds. Premium rewards 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?
There is no single right number. One card can be enough. Multiple cards can improve flexibility and rewards. The right setup depends on whether you want simplicity or are willing to manage a more deliberate wallet strategy.
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