The best cash back credit cards in Canada pay back for spending. Depending on your card and spending level, you could earn hundreds of dollars annually. To get the most bang for your buck, you’ll need the best cash back credit card for your spending habits and financial needs.
Compare the best cashback credit card options, learn how different types of cashback credit cards work, and compare providers to find the right cashback card for you
Quick view: The best cash back credit card in Canada by category
How we select the best cash back credit cards in Canada
The cash back credit cards included in this Finder guide are selected based on information provided to Finder as well as analysis of cash back credit card providers in the Canadian marketplace. This list does not represent the entire Canadian market for cash back credit cards (also known as cashback credit cards). When assessing credit card accounts, we consider key factors such as account fees, ease of use, accessibility, transaction fees and rewards. Since no single credit card can be considered ideal for all Canadians, we strongly recommend you compare all credit card options before selecting and opening any credit card account. For more, read our full best cash back credit card in Canada selection criteria.
The BMO CashBack Mastercard makes switching credit cards convenient with a low interest rate on balance transfers as well as a promotional cash back rate. Get 5% cash back on all eligible purchases in the first three months (up to a maximum spend of $2,500).
Get 5% cash back on all eligible purchases in the first three months (up to a maximum spend of $2,500).
This card has no annual fee.
Earn cash back at a standard rate of 3% on groceries, 1% on recurring bill payments and 0.5% on all other eligible purchases.
For the first 9 months, new customers can get a 0.99% introductory interest rate with a 2% fee on balance transfers from non-BMO credit cards. After that, balance transfers are subject to a 22.99% cash advance interest rate.
This card has a balance transfer fee of 2%.
Each statement cycle period, you can only redeem up to $ cash back on grocery purchases and up to $ cash back on recurring bill payments, after which the base cash back rate of applies.
This card has a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%. This will apply on any overseas purchases or any purchases made online with an international retailer.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
0.99% intro for the first 9 months (then 22.99% )
Welcome offer
Get 5% cash back on all eligible purchases in the first three months (up to a maximum spend of $2,500).
Rewards
Earn cash back at a standard rate of 3% on groceries, 1% on recurring bill payments and 0.5% on all other eligible purchases.
In your first 10 months, earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months. The card also offers a suite of travel insurance benefits and exclusive offers on dining and entertainment. Just watch out for the annual fee of $119.88.
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.
In your first 10 months, earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months.
Get up to $100,000 travel insurance coverage for delayed flights, lost or stolen baggage, car rentals and accidents. Plus, enjoy up to up to $5,000,000 Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance in emergency medical coverage.
This card has an annual fee of $119.88.
When you spend overseas, you'll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.
Annual Fee
$119.88
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
21.99%
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome offer
In your first 10 months, earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months.
Rewards
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.
Get up to 2% cash back on grocery store purchases, and up to 1% cash back on all other qualifying purchases and pre-authorized payments. Link your card to Petro-Canada to save 3 cents per litre on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points. Get 50 Be Well points per dollar spent at Rexall. Enjoy a free 3-month DashPass subscription with DoorDash, and get unlimited $0 delivery fees on orders of $15+ when you pay with your card.
Get up to 2% cash back on grocery purchases.
Earn loyalty points faster at Petro-Canada and Rexall. Enjoy waived delivery fees on qualifying DoorDash orders.
Comes with purchase security and extended warranty protection.
Not a low-interest credit card (20.99% purchase rate)
Limited rewards &
perks aside from cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
Welcome offer
N/A
Rewards
Get up to 2% cash back on grocery store purchases, and up to 1% cash back on all other qualifying purchases and pre-authorized payments.
Please note: All information about RBC Cash Back Mastercard has been collected independently by Finder and this card is not available through this site.
Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 spend). Plus, pay no annual fee in the first year. Apply by October 31, 2024. The card also offers a great suite of travel insurance benefits, an introductory balance transfer rate and exclusive offers on dining and entertainment – just watch out for the annual fee of $120.
Earn 4% cash back for every $1 spent on eligible grocery purchases & recurring bill payments, 2% per $1 spent on eligible gas purchases & public transit, and 1% per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 spend). Plus, pay no annual fee in the first year. Apply by October 31, 2024.
Pay for your flight with your card and get complimentary insurance for emergency medical situations up to $1,000,000, trip interruptions and cancellations, flight delays, lost and delayed baggage.
You won't be held liable for fraudulent charges on your account with Zero Liability coverage.
Interest rates for balance transfers are in your first .
This card has an annual fee of $120.
When you spend overseas, you'll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($120 thereafter)
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
Welcome offer
Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 spend). Plus, pay no annual fee in the first year. Apply by October 31, 2024.
Rewards
Earn 4% cash back for every $1 spent on eligible grocery purchases & recurring bill payments, 2% per $1 spent on eligible gas purchases & public transit, and 1% per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
Earn 2% cash back in two Tangerine credit card categories of your choice (or three categories if you open a Tangerine Savings Account and directly deposit your cash back into the account), and 0.5% cash back on everything else. Categories include groceries, restaurants, hotels, gas, recurring bill payments, drug store, home improvement and entertainment.
Earn accelerated cash back in 2 categories (with an optional third category).
No annual fee.
Earn 10% cash back (up to $100) when you spend $1,000 in the first 2 months. Valid until April 30, 2024.
Receive only cash back on all other categories of spending.
You'll pay a foreign transaction fee of 2.5% on all overseas purchases.
Pay a balance transfer fee of 1% of the total transferred amount or $5, whichever is greater.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
19.95%
Cash Advance Rate
19.95%
Balance transfer APR
1.95% intro for the first 6 months (then 19.95% )
Welcome offer
Earn 10% cash back (up to $100) when you spend $1,000 in the first 2 months. Valid until April 30, 2024.
Rewards
Earn 2% cash back in two Tangerine credit card categories of your choice (or three categories if you open a Tangerine Savings Account and directly deposit your cash back into the account), and 0.5% cash back on everything else.
This card offers a wide range of benefits including an attractive signup bonus and the chance to earn cash back on eligible everyday purchases. Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year. After the promotional period ends, continue to enjoy rewards at the regular rate. Earn 5% cash back on groceries, 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation, 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging, 2% on recurring bill payments and 1% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases. Plus, cardholders can enjoy a host of travel and entertainment perks.
Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year.
Earn 5% cash back on groceries, 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation, 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging, 2% on recurring bill payments and 1% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases.
Get access to extensive travel perks. Get complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass.
You'll get rental car discounts. Get up to a 25% discount at National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car locations with complimentary Collision Damage Waiver benefits (MSRP of up to $65,000).
Get 15% off admission to Cirque du Soleil shows touring Canada, and 20% off resident shows in Las Vegas.
You'll get up to $2 million Out-of-Province/Out-of-Country Emergency Medical benefits
This card has an annual fee of $120.
You'll need to accrue at least $50 in cash back before you can redeem.
This card has a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%. This will apply on any overseas purchases or any purchases made online with an international retailer.
You'll need to earn a personal income of at least $80,000, or a combined household income of at least $150,000 annually to apply.
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($120 thereafter)
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
Balance transfer APR
23.99%
Welcome offer
Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year.
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on groceries, 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation, 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging, 2% on recurring bill payments and 1% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases.
How we chose the best cash back credit cards
We’ve chosen the cards on this page based on the credit cards available in our Credit Card Finder. These cards may not be representative of the entire market. None of these picks are sponsored – we also take into account providers and cards that we aren’t partnered with – so that our winners for each category are chosen without bias.
We take these factors into account when choosing our winners:
Welcome deals and promotional offers for new cardholders.
Cash back earn rate and any earning caps.
Type of cash back (flat rate, accelerated, tiered)
Annual fees and interest rates on purchases, cash advances and balance transfers.
Additional notable features offered such as complimentary travel insurance coverage and airport lounge access.
No single card will be the best choice for everyone, so compare your options before picking your new card. Learn more about how we rate and choose the best credit cards in our credit card methodology guide here.
Compare more cash back credit cards in Canada
What is a cashback credit card?
A cashback credit card pays back a small percentage of what you spend on your credit card in cash. Cash back rewards accumulate as a separate balance on your account, typically shown under the rewards section of your credit card statement or online banking portal. You can often choose to apply your cash back rewards to reduce the balance of your credit card.
Typical features of a cashback credit card
Basic cashback credit cards. These cards often come with low or no annual fees. They usually let you earn between 0.5% and 2% in cash back, and most come with few additional benefits aside from purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. Examples include the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card and the Brim Mastercard.
Premium cashback credit cards. Premium cards usually come with fees between $120 and $150 per year. They may let you earn between 3% and 5% cash back on purchases, and many come with extra benefits such as car rental insurance, travel insurance and mobile device protection. Examples include the TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card and the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard.
How does a cashback credit card work?
You’ll typically earn between 0.5% and 5% cash back on purchases, depending on whether you have a basic or premium card. This percentage may be applied as a flat rate to any amount spent on your card. You may also earn different percentages for individual purchases based on the spending category.
Once you’ve earned enough money on your account, you can redeem your cash back towards a statement credit on your account. Some credit card companies may also let you exchange your cash for rewards such as gift cards or merchandise, though this is less common.
Three types of cashback cards
There are three main types of cashback credit card in Canada, each coming with a slightly different rewards structure:
Flat-rate cashback cards
Flat rate cards let you earn a set cashback rate on all of your purchases. For example, you might earn 1.5% cash back on everything you buy regardless of which spending category your purchase applies to.
Best for people who want to earn a higher flat rate across all purchases instead of earning accelerated cash back in certain spending categories.
Tiered cashback cards
Tiered cards usually offer different cashback rates based on which categories you spend money in. For example, you may be able to earn a fixed rate of 3% on travel purchases, 2% on gas and grocery purchases, and 1% on everything else.
Best for people who want to earn accelerated rewards for spending money on targeted categories such as gas, groceries or travel.
Rotating categories cashback cards
These are similar to tiered cards, except you get to choose which categories you earn more cash in. For example, you may be able to choose a high cashback rate for gas and travel in one month, followed by a high rate for groceries and bill payments in the next month.
Best for people who spend money in different categories each month, and want to choose their accelerated rewards accordingly.
How to choose the best cash back credit card in Canada for you
Fee-free vs extra benefits. Pay an annual fee for a higher rate of cash back and perks or search for a fee-free card to save money up-front.
Flat-rate vs accelerated cash back. Figure out if you want to get a flat return rate on all spending categories, or if you want a higher rate on some purchases (like gas, groceries or dining out). Some providers let you choose your own categories too.
Generous welcome bonus. Optimize your cash back with a card that offers a generous welcome bonus.
Comprehensive benefits. Find out about extra perks on offer like travel insurance coverage, airport lounge access, concierge services, roadside assistance and more.
How to redeem your cash back
Here’s how often popular banks and credit card providers in Canada allow cash back redemption.
Provider
Redemption frequency
American Express
Once per year in September
BMO
Any time ($1 min, or $25 min for recurring deposits)
CIBC
Any time (or automatically after the end of the year)
Scotiabank
Once per year in November
Tangerine
Once every month
TD
Any time (in $25 increments)
What else should I know about cash back credit cards?
Annual fee. For the most part, if you pay more for your annual fee, you’ll get a higher rate of cash back.
High interest rates. Many cash back cards come with high interest rates, so you should try to pay your balance off in full every month.
Cash back limits. Some credit cards cap the amount of cash back you can earn per year.
Expiration dates. Your cash back rewards may expire if you don’t use them within a certain time period.
Excluded purchases. Some purchases aren’t eligible for cash back, such as cash advance transactions, so you should look into your rewards program to find out where you stand to earn the most.
Cash back cards are some of the most popular on the market because they offer flexible rewards and can offer a high-end return on spending, particularly if you spend a lot on your card and clear your balance each month.
Where can I get a cashback credit card in Canada?
You can get a cashback credit card from banks, credit unions and private institutions. Check out the table below for samples of the types of cashback cards offered by popular institutions in Canada:
Which cashback credit card type has the best value?
You’ll earn a percentage of any money you spend on your credit card in cash back, with variable rates based on which type of card you have. Here’s a quick comparison of the cash back you might earn from the different card types based on our sample budget:
$3,000 per year on dining and entertainment
$6,000 per year on groceries
$5,000 per year on other purchases
Remember that signup bonuses and annual fees can change the amount of cash back you earn, as well as any restrictions the provider places on annual allowable earn rates.
1. Flat rate cashback credit card
Category
Annual spending
Reward rate
Cash back
Dining and entertainment
$3,000
1.4%
$45
Groceries
$6,000
1.5%
$90
Other purchases
$5,000
1.5%
$75
A flat rate cashback card with a 1.5% flat cashback rate would give you $210 in rewards.
2. Tiered cashback credit card
Category
Annual spending
Reward rate
Cash back
Dining and entertainment
$3,000
4%
$120
Groceries
$6,000
2%
$120
Other purchases
$5,000
1%
$50
A tiered cashback credit card would give you $290 in cash back with a higher rate for dining and groceries and a lower rate for all other purchases.
3. Rotating categories cashback credit card
Category
Annual spending
Reward rate
Cash back
Dining and entertainment
$3,000
2%
$60
Groceries
$6,000
2%
$120
Other purchases
$5,000
1%
$50
A rotating categories card would give you $230 in cash back. Ultimately, the cash back you earn depends on your preferred categories and how you allocate your spending.
It’s important to note that you’ll only receive cash back for “eligible purchases.” Other transactions such as cash advances, buying gift cards or spending money in a casino may not give you a cashback return.
Is a cashback credit card right for you?
While the opportunity to earn cash back may sound appealing, cashback credit cards aren’t for everyone. A cash rewards credit card may be ideal for you if you:
Pay your balance in full every month. Paying interest on a cashback credit card can add up quickly. Spending money on interest negates the cashback rewards you earn on your credit card.
Earn more in cash back than you spend on your annual fee. You’ll want to make sure that you earn enough cash back to justify spending money on an annual fee. If you don’t, it could make sense to opt for a low or no fee cashback credit card with a lower cashback return rate.
Can responsibly use a credit card. Earning the maximum amount of cash back means using your credit card as frequently as possible. However, you should spend only what you can afford to pay back and to use your income to pay off your credit card balance rather than to make additional purchases.
How to maximize your rewards
You can maximize your cashback credit card rewards in the following ways:
Choose a credit card with a solid signup bonus. Some credit cards will let you earn up to 10% on all purchases in your first 3-10 months. Find a card that offers a long-term welcome bonus with a solid return rate, and reserve large purchases for your intro period.
Spend enough to earn the signup bonus. Make sure you spend enough on your credit card to actually earn the welcome bonus on your card. For many cards, you may need to spend up to $3,000 in your first 3 months of card ownership to take advantage of your welcome bonus.
Choose a card that offers accelerated rewards. Find a card that lets you earn higher cashback rates in the categories where you spend money most often. For example, if you regularly spend large amounts on groceries, you could benefit from a card that offers higher rewards at grocery stores.
Align rotating categories with your spending habits. Align your spending categories with the way you spend money each month if you sign up for a rotating categories cashback credit card in Canada. This will ensure that you earn the maximum number of rewards for every dollar spent.
Pay off your balance and avoid cash advances. Pay off your balance every month to save money on interest and avoid making transactions on your card that won’t earn you cash back. These include non-eligible purchases such as gift cards and cash advances.
You can expect to enjoy the following benefits with a cashback credit card: Decent return. Earn cash back on purchases (0.5% to 5%).
Low fees. Many cashback credit cards come with no or low annual fees. Accelerated rewards. Earn more cash for categories such as groceries, dining, travel and entertainment
Signup bonuses. Earn up to 10% in your first few months of card ownership.
What to watch out for with a cashback credit card
You should watch out for the following drawbacks with a cashback credit card in Canada:
High interest rates. You’ll typically need to pay between 19.99% and 21.99% on purchases and cash advances.
Foreign transaction fees. You may have to pay foreign transaction fees between 1% and 3%.
No points. You won’t earn points that you can collect to exchange for travel, merchandise or gift cards.
Cashback limitations. You may lose out on rewards if you exceed cashback limits on your account.
How to choose the best cash back credit card for your needs
You can compare the following features to find the best cashback card for your needs:
Annual fee. Basic cashback cards come with no annual fee while more premium cards usually cost between $120 and $150 per year.
Signup bonus. Most cashback credit cards come with a signup bonus that lets you earn between 6% and 10% in your first few months.
Redemption options. The majority of cashback credit cards let you redeem your cash for a statement credit on your account while a few let you exchange your rewards for merchandise, travel rewards or gift cards.
Base cashback rate. You’ll usually earn a base rate of between 0.5% and 1.5% when you spend money on purchases that don’t qualify for accelerated rewards.
Additional benefits. Many basic cards come with purchase protection or extended warranty coverage. Premium cards may come with extra benefits such as mobile device protection, roadside assistance and travel insurance.
Who are cashback credit cards best for?
You may want to consider a cashback credit card if you fall into these categories:
You would prefer to earn cash. You could benefit from a cashback credit card if you want to earn cash to pay down your credit card.
You want more flexible rewards. You might prefer a cashback card if you’d like to use your cash to pay down your balance or get yourself out of debt.
You don’t travel regularly. You may have more use for a cashback card if you don’t travel regularly and have no desire to collect points or miles.
You don’t want your rewards to expire. You’ll likely appreciate that cash rewards don’t expire after a certain period unless you close your credit card.
How do I redeem cash back?
You can redeem cash back by applying it as a credit on your credit card balance. Your total cash back will often be showcased somewhere on your credit card statement or in your online banking app. You simply need to click “Redeem Rewards” to have it applied to your account.
Cashback redemption options
Many providers will pay out your cash rewards on request, while others will transfer your rewards balance onto your statement on a monthly or yearly basis. A handful of providers may also let you exchange your cash for gift cards, merchandise, travel rewards or charitable donations (though this is uncommon).
Bottom line
A cashback credit card may be a good fit for you if you want a simple and transparent way to collect credit card rewards. You can choose from flat rate, tiered and rotating category cashback credit cards. Finding the right cashback credit card will allow you to collect as much as 0.5% to 5% in cash back on every dollar you spend, plus even more when you factor in welcome bonuses and accelerated rewards.
Cash back credit cards FAQ
Earning cash back means you earn back some of the money you spend on purchases. For example, if you earn 2% cash back on gas and you spend $100 to fill up your tank, you would get $2 back for your purchase. This may not seem like much, but it can add up quickly.
That depends what type of credit card you have. If it's a cashback card, you'll earn cash back on your purchases. If it's a points card, you won't typically be able to exchange your points for cash. However, some providers will let you apply your points to your account as a statement credit.
It depends on the card. Some providers set limits or caps on how much you can earn while others give you unlimited earning potential. It's up to you to read the fine print for your cashback credit card to make sure that you won't lose out on rewards if you spend too much.
Typically, you can get your cash back as a statement credit or a deposit to your eligible account. Depending on the cashback credit card, you may be able to take advantage of redemption options such as gift cards or merchandise—though these are much less common.
No, your cashback rewards won't expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. Any rewards not redeemed by the time you close your account may be lost.
You can, but you should avoid cash advances wherever possible. That's because you'll pay a higher interest rate when you withdraw cash from an ATM using your cashback credit card. You also won't earn rewards for any money you withdraw as a cash advance.
Your provider may set a minimum amount of cash back that you must earn before you can redeem your rewards. A common minimum is $25, though some providers may allow you to redeem as little as $1.
It depends on your spending habits. Tiered cash back cards or rotating category cards can offer a much higher return on specific spending categories like gas and groceries. If your monthly spending is high in these categories, it might be worth switching from a flat-rate card. If you spend fairly evenly across categories, a flat-rate card might be more beneficial.
That said, it's important to consider all aspects of a card, including fees, interest rates and eligibility requirements, before choosing the best card to meet your needs. To learn more, read our guide on credit card churning.
It depends on the card. Some providers limit how much cash back you can earn, especially during the signup bonus period. However, some providers will not set a limit once the signup bonus has ended. Read the terms and conditions before you commit to a card.
Rewards points are often more lucrative than cash back rewards, although it ultimately depends on how you use your points. Depending on the rewards program, each rewards point spent is typically worth more than a real Canadian dollar.
The value of your rewards maybe higher if you redeem your points for, say, travel than statement credit. That said, spenders enjoy cash back rewards because the value is easy to understand and even easier to redeem.
Yes, you can usually redeem your cash back for statement credit, merchandise, gift cards or simply save the money in your bank account. Not all providers will allow you to use your cash back however you please, so again read the terms and conditions for the card.
Claire Horwood is a writer at Finder, specializing in credit cards, loans and other financial products. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from the University of Victoria, and an Associate’s Degree in Science from Camosun College. Much of Claire’s coursework has focused on writing and statistics, with a healthy dose of social and cultural analysis mixed in for good measure. In her spare time, Claire enjoys rock climbing, travelling and drinking inordinate amounts of coffee.
Earn cashback on your purchases with the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card.
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finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
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