Canadians have no shortage of options when it comes to selecting a new credit card. Whether you’re looking at a Visa, Mastercard, or Amex from a fintech, big bank, or credit union, we’re here to help you sort through all your choices.
To make it easier to find the best credit card for you, we’ve broken the best credit cards down based on the financial goals and categories they best align with. Once you’ve decided what you’re looking for from a new credit card, check out our top picks and apply today.
Compare popular credit cards in Canada
The best credit card depends on how you plan to use the card and what you’re hoping to get from it. For instance, someone who’s looking to score a lot of Aeroplan points might look for the best travel card option, while a balance transfer credit card might be the best for a person trying to pay down debt.
Take a moment to determine what you’re looking for in a credit card: cash back, premium perks, savings opportunities, or credit building. Then, use our interactive tool or read through our list of the best cards to find the one that suits your needs.
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Best credit cards in Canada to earn rewards
Let’s start by looking at credit cards that earn you various rewards, from all-around cash back to travel, gas, and groceries.
| Rewards category | Our top credit card pick | Why we love it | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash back | Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard | * Earns 1.5% back on all Canadian purchases (2% if you’re a Rogers, Fido, or Shaw customer)* Earns 3% back on USD purchases | $0 |
| Travel | Scotiabank Gold American Express | * No foreign transaction fees* Includes robust travel insurance coverage | $120 (first year waived) |
| Rewards points | Scotiabank Gold American Express | * Earns up to 6 Scene+ points per $1* Flexible redemption options, including Scene+ Travel by Expedia | $120 (first year waived) |
| Aeroplan | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | * Reach Aeroplan Elite status faster* Enjoy free checked bags on Air Canada flights | $139 (first year waived) |
| Air Miles | BMO Air Miles Mastercard | * Automatic Air Miles Gold status* Earn double Miles when shopping with partners | $0 |
| Grocery | Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite | * Earn 4% back on groceries* Earn 10% back on all purchases in the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases) | $120 (first year waived) |
| Gas | CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite | * Earn 4% back on gas and EV charging* Save up to 10 cents per litre at select gas stations with Journie Rewards | $120 (first year rebated) |
| Store | PC World Elite Mastercard | * Earns points at one of the largest retail networks in Canada* Earn 3% to 4.5% back in PC points at Shoppers and Loblaws banner stores on select purchases | $0 |
Best cash back card: Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is truly the best cash back credit card in Canada, offering a high earn rate of 1.5% on all purchases, which means there’s no need to worry about maximizing bonus categories. The accelerated rate of 3% on all U.S. purchases is enough to cover foreign transaction fees. What’s more, this no-fee option also provides valuable travel perks, including airport lounge access, emergency medical, and trip cancellation insurance.
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Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 1.5% to 3% cash back
- 3% cash back on all U.S. dollar purchases
- 1.5% on all other purchases (2% for Rogers, Fido and Shaw customers)
Welcome offer: None at this time.
Card details
| Interest rates | 25.99% on purchases, 27.99% on cash advances, 27.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | $80,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Solid rewards: Earn 1.5% on all purchases in Canada. As a Mastercard, this is one of the best cards to use at Costco, which doesn’t accept Visa or American Express.
- Rogers, Fido, and Shaw customers earn more: Customers get 2% cash back on all purchases (instead of the standard 1.5%). Plus, when they redeem cash back with Rogers, Fido, or Shaw, the rewards are worth 1.5 times more.
- U.S. shopping bonus: Earn 3% cash back on U.S. currency purchases, easily offsetting the standard 2.5% foreign transaction fee.
- No annual fee: This is uncommon for World Elite Mastercards in Canada.
- Flexible redemptions: Redeem rewards against purchases on your card for as little as $10.
Cons
- High income requirement: As a World Elite Mastercard, this card carries eligibility requirements that put it out of reach for some Canadians.
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Best travel credit card in Canada: Scotiabank Gold American Express
The Scotiabank Gold American Express is the best travel credit card in Canada thanks to its impressive rewards program, comprehensive insurance package, and suite of travel perks, including no foreign transaction fees. The card includes a generous welcome bonus and allows you to redeem points for travel through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia, or request statement credits to put towards travel purchased elsewhere.
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Scotiabank Gold American Express
Annual fee: $120
Rewards: 1 – 6 Points per dollar
- 6 points per $1 at Sobeys-affiliated stores
- 5 points per $1 on dining, entertainment and groceries
- 3 points per $1 on gas, transit and streaming
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
- Pay no FX fees on foreign purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,050 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends January 1, 2026.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | $12,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, store purchases and food and drink at Cineplex and Scene partners |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Straightforward redemptions: Redeem for travel purchases through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia, in increments of 100 points (valued at $1). There are no complicated rules or exceptions to manage.
- Redeem points retroactively: Through the “apply points to travel” option, you can redeem your points for up to 12 months after you make a travel purchase.
- Generous insurance package: This card includes 12 types of insurance coverage, including emergency medical (including for those over 65), travel accident, hotel burglary, and more.
- No foreign transaction fees: Enjoy savings on foreign currency transactions when travelling or online shopping, since this card waives the usual 2.5% foreign transaction fee.
- Basic eligibility requirements: You will need an income of $12,000 per year to qualify, making it accessible to most Canadians.
Cons
- Fixed point redemption value: Although earning rates are high, points are always valued at 1 cent and cannot be transferred to airline frequent flyer programs.
- No free airport lounge passes: While the card offers a discount on Priority Pass memberships for airport lounge access, it doesn’t include any free lounge visits.
Best rewards points credit card: Scotiabank Gold American Express
Yes, we’re listing the Scotiabank Gold Amex twice. Not only is it the best travel card, but it’s also the best if you want to earn rewards points. The card starts you with plenty of Scene+ points as a welcome bonus. From then on, you’ll earn 6 points per $1 at Sobeys, Safeway, and Freshco; 5 points per $1 on groceries, entertainment, and dining; 3 points per $1 on gas, streaming, and transit; and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else (including foreign currency purchases).
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Scotiabank Gold American Express
Annual fee: $120
Rewards: 1 – 6 Points per dollar
- 6 points per $1 at Sobeys-affiliated stores
- 5 points per $1 on dining, entertainment and groceries
- 3 points per $1 on gas, transit and streaming
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
- Pay no FX fees on foreign purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,050 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends January 1, 2026.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | $12,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, store purchases and food and drink at Cineplex and Scene partners |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Variety of redemption options: You can redeem your points for high-value rewards, including movie tickets and concessions, dining at restaurants, shopping at Sobeys, travel, statement credits, Apple products, and merchandise.
- Redeem points retroactively: Through the “apply points to travel” option, you can redeem your points for up to 12 months after you make a travel purchase.
- Basic eligibility requirements: You will need an income of $12,000 per year to qualify, making it accessible to most Canadians.
Cons
- Fixed point redemption value: Although earning rates are high, points are always valued at $0.01 and cannot be transferred to airline frequent flyer programs, unlike some other cards.
- No free airport lounge access: While the card offers a discount on Priority Pass memberships for airport lounge access, it doesn’t include any free lounge visits.
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Best Aeroplan card: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
If you frequently fly with Air Canada, consider the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite—our pick for the best Aeroplan credit card in Canada. It comes with easy redemptions and extras like a $100 Nexus fee rebate every four years. As a welcome bonus, the Aeroplan Visa Infinite offers 10,000 Aeroplan points, and an additional 15,000 points if you spend $7,500 in the first 180 days after opening your account.
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TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Annual fee: $139 (waived first year)
Rewards: 1 – 1.5 Points per dollar
- 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on gas, EV charging, groceries and purchases
- 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on purchases made directly through Air Canada (including vacation packages)
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,450 in value including up to 45,000 Aeroplan points could be yours. Plus, enjoy no annual fee for the first year. Conditions Apply.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances (21.99% in Quebec), 22.99% on balance transfers (21.99% in Quebec) |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000 |
| Credit score | 680 or higher (recommended) |
| Point value | Aeroplan points are worth $0.02 on average |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free checked bags for up to nine people: Cardholders and up to eight companions travelling on the same reservation get their first checked bag free on Air Canada flights.
- Flexible redemptions: Redeem your points for Air Canada flights or on a dozen Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa and United.
- NEXUS fee rebate: Receive a partial reimbursement of your NEXUS fee every 48 months, making it easier to travel over the Canada-U.S. border.
- Competitive insurance package: This card includes emergency medical travel coverage for up to 21 days—longer than many comparable cards—or up to four days for Canadians 65 and older.
Cons
- High annual fee: This card charges a slightly higher fee than some other cards in its category at $139 per year.
Best Air Miles card: BMO Air Miles Mastercard
The no-fee BMO Air Miles Mastercard is the best option for casual Air Miles collectors. With decent rewards and a standard set of perks, this is a great entry-level card, especially for Canadians who participate in multiple loyalty programs and aren’t interested in paying an annual fee. The card comes with a nice Air Miles bonus and a steady earn rate, allowing you to earn even more miles when shopping with Air Miles partners.