Tims Credit Card Review 2026: Is It Worth It?
The official Tim Hortons credit card — the Tims Mastercard — is a no-fee store card that earns Tims Rewards Points.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdown
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's take
Card details
Card detailsA good fit for frequent Timmies patrons.
Not a good fit for anyone who prefers more flexible rewards.
What our Nerds think
"If the Timmies run is a standard part of your routine, this card could be worthwhile. Rewards can be redeemed for statement credits or food and beverages at Tim Hortons restaurants in Canada. Additional card perks, however, are minimal. "
- Shannon Terrell, Lead Writer & Spokesperson
Note: This card is scored as a Points card, which means 60% of the star rating is based on the card's rewards, 30% on fees and interest rates and 10% on perks. You can read more about how we evaluate Points credit cards on our methodology page.
Rewards value
"POOR"
Tims Rewards Points have a low monetary value compared to other rewards programs. That said, few rewards cards offer earn rates as high as 15x. Those who frequently spend money at Tim Hortons restaurants will be able to rapidly build their points balance.
Reward earn rate:
0.5 - 15 points per $1 spent.
Reward value:
1 point = 0.0063 cents
Reward program:
Tims Rewards Points
🤓 Get nerdy: Read more about rewards
Earning rewards
Earn Tims Rewards Points at the following rates:
15 points per $1 spent at Tim Hortons restaurants in Canada.
5 points per $1 spent on groceries (excluding Walmart and Costco), gas (excluding Costco gas), EV charging, transit, taxi and ridesharing.
1 point per $2 spent on all other purchases.
The secured version has slightly lower reward rates:
12 points per $1 spent at Tim Hortons restaurants in Canada.
2 points per $1 spent on groceries (excluding Walmart and Costco), gas (excluding Costco gas), EV charging, transit, taxi and ridesharing.
1 point per $4 spent on all other purchases.
Note: The 15x and 12x accelerated earn rates only apply to the first $20,000 in annual spending.
Redeeming rewards
Redeem points for food and beverages at Tim Hortons (minimum 300 points).
Redeem for statement credits — 1,250 points = $5 statement credit (up to $45 per week).
Perks
"POOR"
Beyond baseline purchase protection and extended warranty coverage, additional perks are virtually non-existent.
Insurance coverage:
Basic
Travel perks:
None
Digital wallets:
Apple Wallet and Google Pay
🤓 Get nerdy: Read more about perks
Barebones insurance. Get Extended warranty, Purchase Protection and Mastercard Zero Liability.
Referral program: Refer friends or family to apply for the card and earn a $20 digital Tims Gift Card for each successful referral (up to 50 referrals).
Tim Hortons app. Manage your card and place orders, all from the Tim Hortons app.
Secured card option. For those with limited credit histories, a secured version of the card is available and does not require a hard credit check (except in Quebec).
Fees and rates
"OK"
This card’s lack of an annual fee is a point in its favour, but higher-than-average APRs detract from its score.
*20.99%—24.99% for Quebec residents.
Annual fee:
$0
Purchase APR:
20.99%—26.99*
Foreign transaction fee:
2.5%
🤓 Get nerdy: Read more about fees and rates
Annual fee: $0
The average annual fee for a Points card in Canada: $60*
Purchase interest rate: 20.99%—26.99. (20.99%—24.99% for Quebec residents)
The average purchase interest rate for a Points card in Canada: 21.18%*
Cash advance interest rate: 22.99%–27.99%. (22.99%—25.99% for Quebec residents)
Cash advances apply to cash-like transactions, such as ATM withdrawals, and start accruing interest immediately.
Foreign transaction fee: 2.5%
Foreign transaction fees are charged on any purchases made in foreign currencies or when overseas. The average foreign transaction fee for a Points card in Canada: 2.41%*
*according to NerdWallet’s analysis of over 200 credit cards, as of this writing.
Referral offer
You can a $20 digital gift card as a cardholder if you refer a friend or family member who is approved. They'll even get a $20 digital gift card too.
Estimated value of offer:
$20
Special requirement:
Successfully refer a friend or family member
Reward type:
Digital gift card
🤓 Get nerdy: Read more about the offer
Current cardholders can earn a $20 digital gift card by referring a friend or family member who's application is approved. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Tims Mastercard, you must:
✓ Be a Canadian resident
✓ Be at least the age of majority in your province or territory
✓ Have no history of bankruptcy in the past seven years
✓ Download the Tim Horton’s app (applications are made through the app)
🤓 Get nerdy: Read more about how to apply
How to apply for the Tims Credit Card
The application process for the Tims Credit card can be completed via the Tim Hortons mobile app. You’ll need to download the app, create a Tims Financial account and complete your card application with the required personal information. Approved cardholders receive a virtual card immediately with a physical card typically delivered within 2-3 weeks.
Approximate credit score needed for approval
Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. What we do know is that higher scores have better chances of approval — that’s true no matter what type of credit you’re applying for.
Want to learn more? Visit our “What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card?” page.
» MORE: How to Check Your Credit Score
Customer ratings and Reddit chatter
As of this writing, Tims Financial does not have a Trustpilot or Better Business Bureau profile. But the Tim Hortons app, which cardholders can use to manage their Tims Mastercard, does:
Good Apple App Store rating: 4.6 out of 5 possible stars based on over 368,000 customer reviews, as of this writing.
Mediocre Google Play rating: 3 out of 5 possible stars based on over 125,000 customer reviews, as of this writing.
What Reddit has to say
We know expert recommendations matter — but so do real-life experiences. On Reddit, Canadian users frequently mention the low point valuation of Tims Rewards Points.
As of this writing, Redditors give the Tims Credit Card a vehement thumbs down, with few exceptions. But the majority of negative comments are from users who dislike Tim Hortons itself, and thus, question the need for a store-branded card. So, diehard Timmies fans may still see its appeal. Some Redditors suggest helpful card alternatives, like the Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa Card, which NerdWallet generally rates highly.
Tims Credit Card vs Simplii Financial Cash Back Card
If you’re a Timmies fan but want more flexibility from your rewards, you may want to consider a credit card that earns cash back at all restaurants, like the Simplii Financial Cash Back Card.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card details
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card detailsMethodology
BACK TO TOPNerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Shannon Terrell