Best Credit Cards in Canada for April 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.
Make everyday spending more rewarding with the American Express Cobalt Card. Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points in your first year by earning 1,250 points for each monthly billing period when you spend $750 on your Card, which is worth up to $150 toward your next weekend getaway. It’s a simple way to turn your regular purchases into travel-ready rewards. Click "Apply Now" for details.
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
View details
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.
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
View details
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.
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
View details
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.
- 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.
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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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
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 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.
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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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.
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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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 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.
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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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 Everyday 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
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.
Make everyday spending more rewarding with the American Express Cobalt Card. Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points in your first year by earning 1,250 points for each monthly billing period when you spend $750 on your Card, which is worth up to $150 toward your next weekend getaway. It’s a simple way to turn your regular purchases into travel-ready rewards. Click "Apply Now" for details.
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?
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?
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?
There’s no single right number. Multiple cards can improve flexibility and rewards — but only if managed responsibly.
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Shannon Terrell