Best Rewards Credit Cards in Canada
Rewards cards can return value as cash back, flexible points, travel savings or useful perks. The best choice depends on what you’ll use it for, how much effort you want to put in, and whether the card rewards your regular spending.
Compare our nine featured picks below, or answer a few questions to search a wider selection with our rewards card matching tool.
Compare our top picks
BACK TO TOPOur shortlist of nine featured rewards cards cover different priorities, from no-fee cash back to transferable points, airline rewards, retail rewards and travel benefits.
Want other options? Skip ahead to our rewards card matching the tool and compare across a wider selection.
| Card | NerdWallet rating | Picked for: | Rewards rate | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®* | APPLY NOW on Tangerine's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on Tangerine's website | 4.5/5 | Cash back in categories you choose | 0.5%-2% | |
| American Express Cobalt® Card | APPLY NOW on American Express' website | |||
 APPLY NOW on American Express' website | 5.0/5 | Transferable travel points from food spending | 1x-5x Points | |
| Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card | APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | 5.0/5 | Lounge visits and no foreign transaction fees | 1x-3x Points | |
| BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* | APPLY NOW on BMO's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on BMO's website | 5.0/5 | High cash back on groceries, transit and gas | 1%–5% | |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | 5.0/5 | Everyday Scene+ points for groceries or travel | 1x-6x Points | |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | APPLY NOW on RBC's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on RBC's website | 4.9/5 | Flexible travel points without airline loyalty | 1x-1.25x Points | |
| TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | APPLY NOW on TD's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on TD's website | 5.0/5 | Air Canada rewards and a first checked bag | 1x-1.5x Points | |
| Wealthsimple Visa Infinite+* Credit Card | APPLY NOW on Wealthsimple's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on Wealthsimple's website | 4.5/5 | Flat 2% cash back and no FX fees | 2% | |
| PC World Elite Mastercard | APPLY NOW on PC Financial's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on PC Financial's website | 4.2/5 | No-fee rewards for Loblaw and Shoppers shoppers | 10x-45x Points | |
Rewards card match: find your fit
BACK TO TOPFind your fit
A few quick questions to narrow your options.We'll ask you about five things:
- 1What you want your rewards to do
- 2Whether you'll pay an annual fee
- 3How much effort you'll put in
- 4Where you actually spend
- 5What kind of travel value matters (if any)
Note: This matcher filters cards using your preferences. It does not calculate your exact annual return, check your eligibility or guarantee approval. Review the fees, income requirements and other terms before applying.
Best rewards credit cards in Canada
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Cash back in two 2% categories of your choice.
Cash back on all your other everyday purchases.
You can earn unlimited 2% cash back in up to three categories of your choice, making it one of the more flexible cash-back programs in Canada. The card comes with more perks than the Money-Back version — mobile phone and rental car coverage, as well as discounted airport lounge access and a complimentary data roaming plan with Flexiroam. But the $50,000 minimum income requirements may be restrictive for some users. Best for: Travellers who spend big in unique categories and want a flexible cash-back program.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Choose the 2% cash-back categories based on your spending.
- Mobile phone and rental car insurance.
Cons
- Must have a Tangerine savings account to unlock 3rd cash-back category.
- Get $100 with a Money-Back World Mastercard®* Spend $1,500 in your first 3 months to enjoy this Bonus. It’s the no annual fee Credit Card with the most cash back categories to choose from ††. 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.◊
- 0.5% on everything else.
- With Mastercard Travel Rewards, you can unlock cashback offers and get a rebate applied directly to your statement, by using your Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®* at select merchants that accept Mastercard while travelling outside of Canada.
- Save on the things you love with your Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®*. Enjoy special benefits and offers from a growing lineup of on-demand apps and subscription services made available to you as a Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®* cardholder.
- Make the most of your travel with Mastercard® Travel Pass Provided by DragonPass. Your complimentary membership gives you exclusive dining, retail and spa offers in over 650 airports worldwide, along with access to over 1,300 airport lounges at $32 USD per visit. Learn more at Mastercard® Travel Pass.
- Rental Car Collision/Loss Damage Insurance**: Damage and theft protection for your car rental when you rent for up to 31 consecutive days and charge the full cost of your rental to your Card.
- Mobile Device Insurance**: Protection on new cell phones, smartphones or tablets when you charge the full cost to your Card, or when you purchase it through a plan and charge all of your wireless bill payments to your Card. Covers up to $1,000 if your mobile device is lost, stolen, accidentally damaged or experiences mechanical failure.
- Preferred rates: 20.95% for purchases, 22.95% for cash advances (including balance transfers).
- To be eligible, a $50,000 (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.
Tangerine lets you choose two categories that earn 2% cash back, or three if you deposit your rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account. Rewards are paid monthly, so there is no points program to learn. The World card also includes benefits not available on the standard card.
The trade-off? Other purchases earn 0.5%, and the World card requires at least $50,000 in personal income. This works best when your chosen categories cover a meaningful share of your spending.
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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.
Cobalt's grocery and dining earning can be especially useful if you want to transfer Membership Rewards points to travel programs such as Aeroplan. It is our starting point for readers willing to compare travel redemptions and learn how transfers work.
The trade-off? It costs $191.88 a year, and the 5x food earn rate has a monthly spending cap. Check Amex acceptance where you shop. Transfers add flexibility, but getting more value from them takes work; Scotia Gold is worth comparing if you prefer straightforward redemptions.
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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 $1,250 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings*, including up to 35,000 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 Aug 4, 2026. Subject to change.
Passport suits travellers who expect to use airport lounges and make foreign-currency purchases. It includes six lounge visits per membership year after enrolment and charges no foreign transaction fee; the exchange rate still applies.
The trade-off? Count the visits and foreign-currency savings you will actually use. Guest visits use the same allowance, and income requirements apply. Scotia Gold also has no foreign transaction fees, so Passport's included lounge visits and Visa acceptance should matter to your choice.
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Cash back on groceries.*
Cash back on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation.*
Cash back on gas and electric vehicle charging.*
Cash back on recurring bill payments.
Cash back on all other purchases*.
A category-strong cash-back card that shines on essential spending categories, including a whopping 5% back on groceries, 4% on transit and 3% on gas. Lofty annual income criteria could be a dealbreaker, though. Best for: Canadians who spend big on groceries or commutes seeking simple cash-back returns.
Pros
- Redeem cash back at any time.
- Discounted airport lounge access for $32 USD per visit.
Cons
- $80,000 individual or $150,000 household annual income requirement.
- Get up to $650 in value and the annual fees waived in the first year. Plus, get a 0% introductory interest rate on Balance transfers for 12 months with a 2% transfer fee.*
- Earn more cash back on the categories that mean the most: 5% on groceries.* 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation.* 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging.* 2% on recurring bill payments like your monthly phone bill or favourite streaming service.* 1% unlimited cashback on all other purchases.*
- Extended warranty and purchase protection*
- Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass.*
- Complimentary Roadside Assistance Program*; Including battery boosts, flat-tire change, lockout service and towing – a $75/year value.
- BMO CashBack World Elite Travel and Medical Protection.*
- Unlock Mastercard Travel Rewards cashback offers when you travel and shop outside of Canada.
- Enjoy six months of Instacart+ and a $10 monthly Instacart credit when you enroll your eligible BMO Credit Card.*
- *Terms and conditions apply.
- BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
BMO CashBack World Elite earns 5% cash back on groceries, 4% on transit, 3% on gas and EV charging, 2% on recurring bills and 1% on other purchases.
The trade-off? The highest rates have monthly spending caps, and the card requires at least $80,000 in personal income or $150,000 in household income. Compare your return after the fee and caps with a no-fee card such as Tangerine.
Want more cash-back options? Compare the best cash-back credit cards.
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Points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more.
Points for every $1 you spend on dining & food delivery. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
Points for every $1 you spend at other eligible grocery stores.
Points for every $1 you spend in Canada on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
Points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas purchases.
Points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more.
Points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services.
Point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
A well-rounded rewards earner that stands out for its top-tier rates in popular categories, like groceries and entertainment spending. Its waived foreign exchange fees and travel insurance will appeal to travellers, but there’s no complimentary airport lounge access, just discounted membership to Priority Pass. Best for: Travellers and families who spend big on groceries, restaurants and commuting and want to collect Scene+ points.
Pros
- Generous rewards rates of up to 6x Scene+ points.
- No FX fees.
- Priority Pass airport lounge membership discount.
Cons
- No complimentary airport lounge access.
- Highest earn rate only applies to dollars spent at Sobeys and its subsidiary stores.
- Earn up to $950 in welcome offers, first year rewards and savings value and up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points.¹
- Earn 6x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
- Earn 5x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
- Earn 5x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada 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.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage
- AMEX Offers®
- AMEX Front of the Line®
- American Express Invites®
- Complimentary Concierge Services
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2026. Subject to change.
Scotia Gold is a useful fit if you want to earn Scene+ points on routine spending and redeem them without learning airline transfers. You can use points at participating grocery stores or apply them against eligible travel booked with your preferred provider.
The trade-off? Check your stores' Amex acceptance, the spending limits and the value of your preferred redemption. Choose this over Cobalt when straightforward grocery or travel redemptions matter more to you than airline-transfer options.
Want points without an annual fee? The Scotiabank American Express Card earns Scene+ points with no annual fee and lower earn rates. Start there if the Gold card's additional rewards would not cover the difference in cost. Compare our best no-fee credit cards.
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Points on eligible travel-related purchases.
Points on everything else.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite simplifies reward accrual with 1 Avion point per $1 spent and boosted rates of 1.25x on travel purchases. A broad swath of insurance coverage, paired with value-adding extras like gas, car rental and food delivery discounts, makes this a well-rounded card for travellers. Best for: Travellers who want flexible rewards points and built-in travel protections.
Pros
- Car rental discounts of up to 20% at Hertz.
- Fuel discounts of 3 cents per litre at Petro-Canada.
Cons
- No airport lounge access.
- Highest earn rate only applies to travel spending.
- Get up to 70,000 Avion points1 - a travel value of up to $1,500!† Apply by November 25, 2026.
- Earn 1.25 Avion points on travel related purchases.¹² Earn 1 Avion point on all other eligible purchases.²
- Use your Avion points to book any flight, anytime, on over 500 airlines. No blackouts or seat restrictions, even during peak season†!
- Avion Visa Infinite Cardholders earn points that never expire so your points will be waiting for your next adventure.
- Redeem your points for travel and more. Use points for anything from paying bills and paying your card balance to redeeming for Gift Cards and Merchandise at top brands like Apple. The Avion Rewards program gives you the freedom of choice to use your points your way, and helps you make the most as an Avion Visa Infinite Cardholder.
- Eligible Avion Rewards members can also convert points to other loyalty programs including WestJet dollars, British Airways Avios points and Hudson’s Bay Rewards points.
- Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel⁴ at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points⁵ and 20% more Avion points⁶.
- Link your RBC card with a Rexall Be Well account and get 50 Be Wellᵀᴹ points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall¹³. Redeem Be Well points faster for savings in store on eligible purchases where 25,000 Be Well points = $10.
- Get access to RBC offers which provides access to earn points faster at specified brands.
- Extensive insurance⁷ including: mobile device insurance, travel insurance (trip cancellation, interruption and emergency medical) and other eligible purchases to protect you and your family.
- Avion Visa Infinite Cardholders get access to luxury Visa Infinite benefits including first in line for exclusive events, and hotel and dining benefits.
- Avion Visa Infinite Cardholders no longer need 14-days to book travel using the RBC grid.
- Add your credit card to your DoorDash account and get a free 12 monthly DashPass subscription¹⁶
- Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
- Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.
- 1 This offer only applies to new applications for an RBC Avion Visa Infinite or RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card (each, an “Eligible Credit Card”) received between “August 13, 2026” and “November 25, 2026” (“Offer Period”) and approved by Royal Bank of Canada (“Royal Bank”) subject to the conditions below. Additional cardholders(s) (co-applicant and authorized user(s)) on the Eligible Credit Card account, as well as existing cardholders on any RBC Royal Bank personal credit card account transferring to an Eligible Credit Card account during the Offer Period, are not eligible for the offer. 35,000 welcome Avion points (“Welcome Points”) will appear on your monthly credit card statement within sixty (60) days after your application has been approved, provided that your Eligible Credit Card account remains open and in good standing at the time the Welcome points are credited to your account, “good standing” meaning that your Eligible Credit Card account must not be past due for more than two (2) consecutive credit card account statement periods, closed, charged off or in credit revoked status. You will receive 20,000 bonus Avion points (“Bonus Points”) if a total of $5,000 or more (“Qualifying Transaction Amount”) in qualifying net purchases and/or pre-authorized bill payment transactions (“Qualifying Transactions”) are posted to your Eligible Credit Card account within the first six (6) months from your Eligible Credit Card account opening date (“Period”). The Bonus Points will appear on your monthly credit card statement within sixty days (60) after you reach $5,000 in Qualifying Transactions, provided your Eligible Credit Card account remains open and in good standing at the time the Bonus Points are credited to your account. Qualifying Transactions exclude cash advances (including balance transfers, cash-like transactions and bill payments that are not pre-authorized charges that you set up with a merchant), interest charges and fees. Credits for returns and adjustments posted to your Eligible Credit Card account during the Period will reduce the amount of your Qualifying Transactions. The Qualifying Transaction Amount is based on the transaction posting date of each Qualifying Transaction, not the transaction date. This means that transactions that take place prior to the last day of the Period will not be considered for the Qualifying Transaction Amount if they have not yet been posted or processed by the merchant, the payment network (Visa) or Royal Bank by the last day of the Period. 15,000 additional Avion points (“Anniversary Points”) will appear on your monthly credit card statement within twelve (12) to sixteen (16) weeks after the one- year anniversary of your account opening, provided that your Eligible Credit Card account remains open and in good standing at the time the Anniversary Points are credited to your account. If you close or change your Eligible Credit Card Account for another type of RBC Royal Bank credit card before the Welcome Points, the Bonus Points and/or the Anniversary Points have been credited to your account, you may lose the benefit of this offer. This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other offer. Royal Bank reserves the right to cancel, modify or withdraw this offer at any time without notice, even after your application has been approved, including if we suspect that you may be manipulating or abusing it, or engaging in any suspicious or fraudulent activity, as determined by Royal Bank in its sole discretion. For complete terms and conditions that apply to the Avion Rewards Program, please visit www.avionrewards.com or call 1-800-769-2512.
- † Based on the Air Travel Reward redemptions from the Air Travel Redemption Schedule starting at 35,000 Avion points for one round-trip long-haul flight to almost anywhere in Canada or the United States with a maximum ticket price of $750, you will need a minimum of 70,000 Avion Points for two round-trips long-haul flights to almost anywhere in Canada or the United States, exclusive of Hawaii and Alaska. All applicable taxes, service fees and surcharges are the responsibility of the traveler. For more details, including information on redeeming for first class and business class seats, visit: www.avionrewards.com/travel/index.html. For general redemption terms, conditions and restrictions that apply to the Avion Rewards program, please visit: www.avionrewards.com or call 1-800 ROYAL 1-2 (1-800-769-2512).
- ^ Based on the Air Travel Reward redemptions from the Air Travel Redemption Schedule starting at 15,000 Avion points for a round trip within or to an adjacent Canadian province/territory or U.S State with a maximum ticket price of $350. You will need a minimum of 60,000 Avion Points for four round-trips within or to an adjacent Canadian province/territory or U.S State. All applicable taxes, service fees and surcharges are the responsibility of the traveller. For more details, including information on redeeming for first class and business class seats, please visit: www.avionrewards.com/travel/index.html. For general redemption terms, conditions and restrictions that apply to the Avion Rewards program, please visit: www.avionrewards.com or call 1-800 ROYAL 1-2 (1-800-769-2512).
RBC Avion Visa Infinite earns 1.25 Avion points per dollar on eligible travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. Its points can cover flights without tying you to one airline and can also be used for other rewards or converted to select loyalty programs.
The trade-off? Most spending earns only 1 point per dollar, redemption value varies, and the card does not include airport lounge access.
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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 $1,550 in value† including up to 50,000 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 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening†.
- Apply for the NEXUS program and once every 48 months get an application fee rebate (up to $100 CAD per eligible cardholder).†
- Share free first checked bags for you and up to 8 travel companions†
- Get an Annual Fee rebate for the first year†.
- 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. To receive the first Additional Cardholder first-year Annual Fee rebate, you must add your first Additional Cardholder 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.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite earns 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar on eligible groceries, gas, EV charging and purchases made directly through Air Canada and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. The card also includes a first checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight travel companions on the same Air Canada reservation.
The trade-off? Its most useful travel benefit is tied to Air Canada, and it does not include airport lounge access. Consider it when you already fly Air Canada often enough to use the baggage benefit — not simply because you selected travel in the matcher and think you'll make the most of Aeroplan points.
Want more travel options? Compare our best travel credit cards.
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Cash back on everything: no categories to track, no cap.
The Wealthsimple Visa Infinite+ Credit Card is one of Canada’s strongest flat-rate cash-back cards if you can avoid the fee. You’ll earn 2% cash back on eligible purchases, pay no foreign transaction fees and get a useful package of travel and purchase insurance.
Pros
- Earn 2% cash back on eligible purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Cash back can be deposited into eligible Wealthsimple accounts.
- Includes travel, purchase and mobile phone insurance.
Cons
- High eligibility requirements.
- No traditional welcome bonus.
- 2% cash back on everything: no categories to track, no cap
- No fees – No annual fee (if you have $100K with us, or a qualifying direct deposit) no FX fees
- Premium insurances and benefits, plus 24/7 travel concierge and access to 1,200 airport lounges, and lifestyle perks like Visa’s Luxury Hotel Collection benefits, the Visa Infinite Dining series events and access to prime-time reservations
- Insurance benefits - Out-of-province travel medical insurance ($1MM); Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $3,000 per trip); Delayed and lost baggage insurance (up to $1,000 per trip); Flight delay insurance; Purchase protection; Mobile phone insurance; Extended warranty; Fraud protection
- Metal card & no digital tap limit
- Free 15-day, 1GB global mobile data plan with Gigsky
- Protection + Security – lock your card instantly, view and change your pin in app, and get notified for every transaction
- Airport lounge access: Enrollment in Visa Airport Companion Program
- Access to prime-time reservations at top-tier resturants via OpenTable
Wealthsimple Visa Infinite+ earns 2% cash back on eligible purchases, with no categories or caps, and charges no foreign transaction fees. It is a strong fit for readers who want one flat rate and already use — or are willing to open — a Wealthsimple chequing account.
The trade-off? The card costs $20 a month, or $240 a year, unless you hold at least $100,000 in individual assets with Wealthsimple or direct deposit at least $4,000 a month into a Wealthsimple chequing account. So, it is not a broadly accessible option.
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Points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores.
Points per $1 at Loblaw banner grocery and Joe Fresh stores.
Points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations.
Points per $1 everywhere else.
This co-branded card generously rewards Loblaw shoppers with up to 4.5% back on everyday spending categories, like gas, groceries and drugstore purchases. That said, points are only redeemable at Loblaw stores, and steep income criteria limits this card’s accessibility. Best for: High-income earners who frequently shop Loblaw-affiliated stores.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Up to 4.5% back in everyday spending.
- Some travel insurance.
Cons
- High $80,000 individual or $150,000 household annual income requirement.
- Highest earn rate limited to drugstore spending.
- Points only redeemable at participating Loblaw-owned stores, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmapix, and Esso gas stations.
- 45x PC Optimum points per dollar on Shoppers Drug Mart purchases, equivalent to 4.5% back.
- 30x PC Optimum points per dollar on Loblaw banner grocery store purchases, equivalent to 3% back.
- 30x PC Optimum points per dollar per litre of gas purchased at Esso and Mobil gas stations, equivalent to 3 cents/L back.
- 10x PC Optimum points per dollar on all other purchases, equivalent to 1% back.
- Redeem 10,000 points for free products and groceries at participating stores. Redeem 10,000 for a $7 statement credit to pay down your balance or for any car wash (including premium) at Esso stations.
- No annual fee.
- 24/7 concierge service to make dinner reservations, reserve event tickets, deliver gifts and more.
- Access to identity theft services to help you avoid identity theft or restore your identity if stolen.
- Four types of insurance provided, including comprehensive travel insurance, car rental collision/loss damage waiver insurance, extended warranty and purchase assurance.
- Preferred rates: 21.99% for purchases, 22.97% for cash advances.
- To be eligible, $80,000 (individual) or $150,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
PC World Elite earns PC Optimum points at Loblaw-banner grocery stores, Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix, and Esso and Mobil stations, plus a lower rate on other purchases. It has no annual fee, making it most useful if you already shop with these partners and plan to redeem for their products or groceries.
The trade-off? The rewards are much less flexible than cash back or general travel points, and the card requires at least $80,000 in personal income or $150,000 in household income. Grocery spending alone is not a reason to choose it: you need to shop where PC Optimum matters. If you know, you know.
Methodology
BACK TO TOPHow did we select cards for this roundup?
For this roundup, we focused on credit cards that earn points, cash-style rewards or loyalty rewards that can be useful for everyday spending, travel, statement credits, merchandise, entertainment, groceries or retail purchases.
Factors in our evaluation include:
Rewards earn rates.
Rewards structure.
Annual fee.
Welcome offer.
Redemption options.
Bonus category caps.
Insurance and card benefits.
Travel perks.
Program flexibility.
Card acceptance.
Suitability for specific spending goals.
How to choose a rewards card
BACK TO TOPThe matcher uses four decisions that can also guide your own comparison.
1. What do you want from the card?
Cash back is easy to value and can help reduce your card bill. Flexible points may cover everyday purchases or travel, while some programs let you transfer points to airline or hotel partners. Travel benefits such as lounge visits, insurance and no foreign transaction fees can provide value outside the rewards you earn.
A card may offer more than one kind of value. Start with the benefit you are most likely to use.
2. How much are you willing to pay?
Compare the ongoing annual fee with the rewards and benefits you expect to use after the welcome offer ends. A paid card should return enough additional value to beat a suitable no-fee alternative.
» MORE: When is an annual fee worth it?
3. How much effort will you put in?
Some cards pay straightforward cash back. Others ask you to choose bonus categories, learn a points program, book through a travel portal or compare transfers.
A card with greater theoretical value may still be a worse fit if you will not put the time in to use its rewards well.
4. Where do you spend most?
Look for bonus rates on purchases you already make, then check the spending caps, eligible merchants and rate on everything else. Confirm that the stores you use accept the card.
Before applying, check the issuer’s income, credit and other eligibility requirements. If you expect to carry a balance, prioritize a lower interest rate: interest charges can quickly exceed the rewards you earn.
» MORE: Understanding and paying your credit card balance
How to compare the value of cash back and points
BACK TO TOPCash back provides the simplest benchmark: 1% cash back returns $0.01 for every $1 you spend. A card earning 2% returns two cents per dollar.
To estimate the return from points, multiply the points earned per dollar by the value of each point for the redemption you plan to use. If one point is worth one cent, earning 1 point per dollar is roughly equivalent to 1% cash back; earning 5 points per dollar is roughly equivalent to 5%. If one point is worth 0.7 cents, earning 5 points per dollar works out to about 3.5 cents per dollar, or 3.5%.
One cent per point is a useful comparison benchmark, but it is not a universal point value. Some programs have fixed values, while others vary by how and where you redeem.
Before choosing a card, check:
How many points you earn per dollar on your actual spending.
What each point is worth for the redemption you expect to use.
Whether bonus categories have spending caps.
What you will earn after subtracting the annual fee.
Whether points expire or redemptions are restrictive.
Common credit card rewards and programs in Canada
BACK TO TOPRewards program or type | Best for | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
Aeroplan | Air Canada loyalists | Flights, Air Canada travel, partner redemptions and travel extras |
American Express Membership Rewards | Flexible or transferable points | Travel, statement credits, gift cards, merchandise and transfers to select programs |
Aventura Rewards | CIBC travel rewards users | Travel, gift cards, merchandise and other rewards |
Avion Rewards | Travellers who want booking options | Travel, statement credits, gift cards, merchandise and transfers to select programs |
Blue Rewards | Blue Rewards collectors | Travel, merchandise, eGift cards, in-store purchases and partner redemptions |
BMO Rewards | Flexible everyday rewards | Travel, statement credits, merchandise and gift cards |
Cash back | Easy-to-value rewards | Statement credits, deposits or other issuer-defined cash redemptions |
CIBC Adapta points | Low-effort category matching | Statement credits and other options available through the program |
MBNA Rewards | Everyday spending | Travel, cash back, merchandise and gift cards |
PC Optimum | Loblaw and Shoppers loyalists | Groceries, drugstore purchases and other redemptions at participating stores |
Scene+ | Everyday and travel redemptions | Groceries, dining, entertainment, travel and statement credits |
TD Rewards | Casual travel planners | Travel through Expedia for TD, statement credits, gift cards and merchandise |
WestJet Rewards | WestJet loyalists | WestJet flights, vacation packages and other eligible travel redemptions |
Frequently asked questions
How do rewards credit cards work?
Rewards cards earn cash back, points or miles on eligible purchases. Some pay the same rate everywhere, while others offer higher rates in specific categories. You redeem what you earn according to the card program's rules. Paying the balance in full helps prevent interest from erasing the value of the rewards.
Do credit card rewards expire?
It depends on the program. Some rewards do not expire while the account remains open and in good standing, but inactivity, account closure or a program rule may affect them. Check the current terms before applying and before closing a card.
Is cash back a type of credit card reward?
Yes. Cash back is one type of reward; points and miles are others. Benefits such as insurance and lounge access are additional card features, rather than a reward balance you redeem.
Is cash back better than points?
It depends on how you use the rewards. Cash back is easier to value, while points may offer several redemption options. Compare the value of redemptions you would actually use — not a travel redemption you are unlikely to make.
For more detail, see our cash back versus points guide.
Does a higher points multiplier mean a better return?
Not necessarily. Points from different programs can be worth different amounts, and their value may also change with the redemption.
For a simple comparison, multiply the points earned per dollar by the dollar value of each point for your intended redemption. Also account for spending caps and the annual fee.
Do I need more than one rewards card?
No. One card that fits most of your spending can be enough. A second card may cover a gap, but only if the added value is worth any extra fee and the work of managing another account.
Is a rewards card worth it if I carry a balance?
Usually not. Credit card interest can cost much more than the rewards you earn. If you regularly carry a balance, a low-interest card and a repayment plan are generally more valuable than a higher rewards rate.
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