Which is the best credit card in Canada? The reality is that the best credit card for you will depend on your spending habits, the features and rewards you want and your credit rating.
The vast majority of Canadians own a credit card, and around half of goods and services in Canada are purchased via credit card. To help you find your best credit card, we researched and analyzed over 150 Canadian credit cards from over 30 credit card issuers in Canada, and we’ve chosen a “best credit card in Canada” pick for each major category.
Methodology: How we chose Canada’s best credit cards for 2025
We’ve chosen the best credit cards in Canada based on the providers available through Finder. These cards are not representative of the entire market. Our top credit cards generally offer a high value of rewards points, miles or cash back, exclusive perks such as comprehensive travel insurance coverage, a signup bonus and many other benefits.
We’ve also considered annual fees, interest rates, any penalty interest rates, minimum income requirements and more factors. Some cards that were chosen as a best pick for one category may also be contenders as best picks for other categories. But in order to give you a variety of options, wherever possible we avoided listing the same card multiple times on our list. No single credit card will be the best choice for everyone, so compare your options before picking your new card.
Best credit card welcome offer: BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
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 earn an additional $75 cash back bonus when you spend $25,000 in your first year. Plus, get the $120 annual fee waived by your first anniversary. After the promotional period ends, continue to enjoy rewards at the regular rate. Earn 5% cash back on groceries (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter), 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation (up to a maximum of $300 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter), 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging (up to a maximum of $300 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter), 2% on recurring bill payments (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter) and 1% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases. Plus, cardholders can enjoy a host of travel and entertainment perks.
Signup bonus. Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and earn an additional $75 cash back bonus when you spend $25,000 in your first year. Plus, get the $120 annual fee waived by your first anniversary.
Earn rewards. Earn 5% cash back on groceries (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter), 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation (up to a maximum of $300 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter), 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging (up to a maximum of $300 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter), 2% on recurring bill payments (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter) and 1% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases.
Rental car. You'll get rental car discounts. Save up to 20% on National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car, and up to 5% on Enterprise Rent-A-Car at locations worldwide using the Car Rental Booking tool.
Discounts. Get 15% off admission to Cirque du Soleil shows touring Canada, and 20% off resident shows in Las Vegas.
Travel coverage. You'll get up to $2 million Out-of-Province/Out-of-Country Emergency Medical benefits.
Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $120.
Minimum redemption value. You'll need to accrue at least $50 in cash back before you can redeem.
Currency conversion. 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.
Minimum income. 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
21.99%
Cash Advance Rate
23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
Balance transfer APR
23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
Welcome offer
Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and earn an additional $75 cash back bonus when you spend $25,000 in your first year. Plus, get the $120 annual fee waived by your first anniversary.
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on groceries (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter), 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation (up to a maximum of $300 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter), 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging (up to a maximum of $300 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter), 2% on recurring bill payments (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period—1% unlimited cash back thereafter) and 1% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases.
Best credit card for travel: Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card won a Finder Credit Card Award for Best Travel Credit Card. Book and redeem any flight for any time through Scotia Rewards Travel Service, a full-service travel agency. Plus, take advantage of the Best Price Guarantee on airfare. Enjoy peace of mind with a broad array of travel insurance options.
Bonus rewards. Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points (that's up to $780 in value). Apply by July 1, 2025. To qualify for the 40,000 bonus Scene+ points offer, earn 20,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $2,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, earn a 20,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $7,500 in purchases in your first year.
Currency conversion. This card comes with a 2.5% foreign transaction fee.
Travel coverage. Enjoy peace of mind with a broad array of travel insurance options including Emergency Medical, Travel Accident, Trip Cancellation and Interruption, Flight Delay, Delayed or Lost Baggage and Rental Car Collision Loss/Damage.
Travel perks. Book and redeem any flight for any time through Scotia Rewards Travel Service, a full-service travel agency. Plus, take advantage of the Best Price Guarantee on airfare.
Other perks. American Express rewards including early ticket access, discounts and invites to exclusive events.
Earn rewards. Earn 6x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend in Canada at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and more, 5x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible grocery, dining and entertainment purchases, earn 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, 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transportation and select streaming services, and 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on eligible purchases elsewhere.
Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $120.
Minimum income requirement. You'll need to earn a minimum income of $12,000 a year to be eligible for this card.
Annual Fee
$120
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
Welcome offer
Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points (that's up to $780 in value). Apply by July 1, 2025. To qualify for the 40,000 bonus Scene+ points offer, earn 20,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $2,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, earn a 20,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $7,500 in purchases in your first year.
Rewards
Earn 6x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend in Canada at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and more, 5x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible grocery, dining and entertainment purchases, earn 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, 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transportation and select streaming services, and 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on eligible purchases elsewhere.
Best credit card for earning rewards: American Express Cobalt Card
The American Express Cobalt Card offers a generous return on points for everyday purchases. You can collect points for every dollar you spend on dining out plus 2 points for gas and transit purchases and 1 point for everything else. This card also comes with up to a 15,000 points welcome bonus if you spend a certain amount of money each month. You'll also get a full suite of travel insurance and purchase protection when you sign up.
Welcome offer Earn up to 15,000 points in your first few months when you spend a certain amount of money.
Accelerated rewards Collect a higher return on rewards when you make dining, gas and transit purchases.
Comprehensive benefits Take advantage of benefits such as travel medical, flight and baggage delay insurance, car rental coverage and purchase protection.
Annual fee You'll have to pay $155.88 per year to maintain this card.
Annual Fee
$155.88
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance Rate
21.99%
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome offer
Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points in your first year. Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.
Rewards
Earn 5x the points on eligible groceries, dining, drinks and food delivery in Canada (spend cap applies), 3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions, 2x points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas, 1 extra point per dollar spent on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via Amex Travel Online and 1 point for every other dollar spent.
Best credit card for no annual fee: RBC Cash Back Mastercard
The RBC Cash Back Mastercard is a no-fuss card that allows you to earn cash back on everyday purchases. Get up to 2% cash back on grocery store purchases, and up to 0.5% cash back on all other qualifying purchases and pre-authorized payments.. This card also lets you earn more rewards at Petro Canada and Rexall, and save at DoorDash.
Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $0.
Earn rewards. Get up to 2% cash back on grocery store purchases, and up to 0.5% cash back on all other qualifying purchases and pre-authorized payments.
Earn more. 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.
Purchase protection. Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance protects purchases made on your card against loss, theft or damage for up to 90 days, while also doubling the manufacturer's original Canadian warranty for up to 1 extra year..
Tiered earning. Get up to 7% cash back in the first 3 months on up to $1,000 in total purchases. Get up to 5% bonus cash back up to $1,000 spend for all purchases, plus 2% cash back on groceries and 0.5% on all other purchases. Apply by July 8, 2025.
Currency conversion. This card has a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome offer
Get up to 7% cash back in the first 3 months on up to $1,000 in total purchases. Get up to 5% bonus cash back up to $1,000 spend for all purchases, plus 2% cash back on groceries and 0.5% on all other purchases. Apply by July 8, 2025.
Rewards
Get up to 2% cash back on grocery store purchases, and up to 0.5% 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.
Best credit card for balance transfers: BMO AIR MILES Mastercard
With the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard is the winner of the 2021 Finder Credit Card Award in the Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards category. This card allows you to earn Air Miles while enjoying a $0 annual fee. Get 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners, 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store, and 1 AIR MILE for every $25 spent elsewhere. Plus, the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard comes with an appealing balance transfer offer. Get a rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for 9 months. A 2% transfer fee will be charged for each transferred balance.
Balance transfer. Get a rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for 9 months. A 2% transfer fee will be charged for each transferred balance.
Signup bonus. Get 1,200 AIR MILES Bonus Miles (enough for $120 towards purchases with AIR MILES Cash).
Annual fee. This card has a $0 annual fee.
Additional cardholders. You can get an additional card for $0.
Earn rewards. Get 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners, 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store, and 1 AIR MILE for every $25 spent elsewhere.
Earn even more. Get 2X the points by presenting your BMO Air Miles Mastercard and your Air Miles Card at participating Air Miles Partners.
Rental car. Save up to 20% off rentals at participating National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car locations, and up to 5% on Enterprise Rent-A-Car at locations worldwide using the Car Rental Booking tool. Plus, enjoy a 7¢/L discount on Shell V-Power premium fuel and 2¢/L on all other Shell fuel every time you fuel up.
Foreign currency. You'll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5% every time you use your card overseas or online with international retailers.
Balance transfer fee. Should you take advantage of the balance transfer offer, you'll face a balance transfer fee of 2%.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
21.99%
Balance transfer APR
23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
Balance transfer fee
2%
Rewards
Get 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners, 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store, and 1 AIR MILE for every $25 spent elsewhere.
Best credit card for groceries and gas: Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
As a cash back credit card, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card helps you earn cash rewards on your everyday purchases, with accelerated rewards where you spend the most. 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, gas, restaurants, hotels, recurring bill payments, drug store, home improvement and entertainment. Plus, get access to a 1.95% interest rate on a balance transfer for the first 6 months.
Earn rewards fast. 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.
Annual fee. This card comes with a $0 annual fee.
Balance transfer rate. Get a 1.95% interest rate on balance transfers for the first six months. To take advantage of this offer, you must complete the Balance Transfer request within 30 days of account approval and activate your card within 45 days of approval. A balance transfer fee equaling the greater of 3% or $5 will be charged on each transferred amount (fee is waived by Tangerine if you're a resident of Quebec).
Low return on other purchases. Receive only 0.5 cash back on all other categories of spending.
Currency conversion. You'll pay a foreign transaction fee of 2.5% on all overseas purchases.
Missed payment fee. You'll pay a 24.95% rate on missed payments.
Balance trasnfer fee. Pay a balance transfer fee of 1% of the total transferred amount or $5, whichever is greater.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
20.95%
Balance transfer APR
1.95% intro for the first 6 months (then 19.95% )
Balance transfer fee
$5 or 1% of the transaction, whichever is greater
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.
Best Air Miles card: BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard
Earn accelerated AIR MILES that can be redeemed for travel perks and merchandise. Get 3 Miles for every $12 spent at participating AIR MILES Reward Partners, 2 Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store and 1 AIR MILE for every $12 spent on eligible purchases. Earn a bonus of up to 7,000 AIR MILES. Terms apply. Plus, get the annual fee of $120 waived by your first anniversary.
Get bonus Miles. Earn a bonus of up to 7,000 AIR MILES. Terms apply. Plus, get the annual fee of $120 waived by your first anniversary.
Earn Miles. Earn mile per $10 spend in purchases.
Travel coverage. Get peace of mind with a wide range of travel insurance benefits including up to $2,000,000 Out-of-Province/Out-of-Country Emergency Medical Protection as well as coverage for delayed flights, trip cancellations, interruptions and delays, rental car collision damage and baggage loss, theft or damage.
Car rental. Get up to a 20% discount at National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car locations with complimentary Collision Damage Waiver benefits (MSRP of up to $65,000). Plus, enjoy a 7¢/L discount on Shell V-Power premium fuel and 2¢/L on all other Shell fuel every time you fuel up.
Airport lounge access. Use less Miles with an exclusive 25% discount on one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption during the calendar year. Plus, get complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass..
Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $0 in the first year and $120 thereafter.
Currency conversion. 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.
Minimum income requirement. You'll need to earn a personal income of at least $80,000, or a combined household income of at least $150,000 annually.
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($120 thereafter)
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance Rate
23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
Balance transfer APR
23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
Welcome offer
Earn a bonus of up to 7,000 AIR MILES. Terms apply. Plus, get the annual fee of $120 waived by your first anniversary.
Rewards
Get 3 Miles for every $12 spent at participating AIR MILES Reward Partners, 2 Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store and 1 AIR MILE for every $12 spent on eligible purchases.
Best Aeroplan card: American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card tops our our list of best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada. It's a premium Aeroplan rewards card that comes with lots of perks and accelerated rewards. Earn 3x the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, 2x the points on eligible dining and food delivery purchases in Canada, and 1.25x the points on everything else. Earn up to 85,000 welcome bonus Aeroplan points. That's a value of up to $2,600 or more when you combine your welcome bonus points and card benefits. This card also comes with a host of travel perks and coverage, including travel medical, trip cancellation and interruption, hotel burglary, car rental and common carrier coverage.
Earn points. Earn 3x the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, 2x the points on eligible dining and food delivery purchases in Canada, and 1.25x the points on everything else.
Reach Aeroplan elite status more easily. Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 worth of eligible purchases you charge to your card. Plus, you could receive a Complimentary Hotel Room Category Upgrade, on the first and last night, and a Complimentary Upgrade from SilverLeaf to GoldLeaf class of service when you book directly with Rocky Mountaineer using your card.
Get bonus points. Earn up to 85,000 welcome bonus Aeroplan points. That's a value of up to $2,600 or more when you combine your welcome bonus points and card benefits.
Travel coverage. Travel insurance coverage includes travel medical, trip cancellation and interruption, hotel burglary, car rental and common carrier coverage
Travel perks. Get access to tons of travel perks, including free checked baggage for yourself and up to 8 companions, access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America and Air Canada Cafés for you and a guest (with same day tickets on departing Air Canada or Star Alliance flights), Priority Airport Check-In, Priority Boarding, and Priority Baggage Handling with Air Canada and priority access to eUpgrades/standby list and worldwide airport lounge access with Priority Pass.
Airport perks. If you often travel out of Toronto Pearson International Airport, this card provides you access to the Pearson Priority Security Lane, complimentary valet service, and discounts off parking rates and Car Care Services.
Special offers. Get access to special offers for music, dining, entertainment and exclusive events offered by American Express.
Metal card. The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card comes as an exclusive, precision cut and engraved 13g metal card.
Annual fee. This card comes with a hefty yearly fee of $599, so you'll need to make sure you plan to use the card enough to earn enough rewards to justify the fee.
Additional cardholder. There's an added fee of $199 for every additional card you add to your account.
Annual Fee
$599
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance Rate
21.99%
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome offer
Earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points. Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 in purchases within the first 3 months, plus earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in purchases in month 13. That's up to $2,600 or more in value when you combine your welcome bonus points and card benefits.
Rewards
Earn 3x the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, 2x the points on eligible dining and food delivery purchases in Canada, and 1.25x the points on everything else.
Best premium credit card: The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express is an engraved metal card with a hefty annual fee of $799– but the benefits can far outweigh the costs. Earn 2 points for every $1 in card purchases on eligible travel. Plus, enjoy complimentary access to airport lounges worldwide. N/A
Signup bonus. Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points - that’s up to $1,000 towards a weekend away. Earn 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in purchases in your first 3 months of cardmembership. Plus, earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of cardmembership.
Rewards points. Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada, 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel, and 1 point for every $1 spent elsewhere..
Travel insurance. Get Travel Accident Insurance, Travel Emergency Assistance and Emergency Medical Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage, Lost and Stolen Baggage Insurance, Flight and Baggage Delay Insurance, Car Rental Theft and Damage coverage and Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance. You also get access to complimentary concierge services.
Travel perks. You'll get complimentary lounge access worldwide, benefits with Fine Hotels + Resorts, personalized concierge service and Hotel Status Benefit to help fast-track points earned towards hotel loyalty programs. You'll also get access to benefits at Toronto Pearson International Airport including valet service, discounts on parking and access to Pearson Priority Security Lane.
No late payment fee. A $0 fee applies to late payments (however, a penalty interest rate may apply).
Metal Card. This premium credit card comes in precision-cut, engraved metal, which makes it incredibly durable.
Foreign transaction fees. When you spend overseas, you'll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.
Potentially high interest rate. 30% interest applies on Due in Full balances that aren't fully repaid monthly.
Annual Fee
$799
Purchase APR
N/A
Cash Advance Rate
N/A
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome offer
Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points - that’s up to $1,000 towards a weekend away. Earn 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in purchases in your first 3 months of cardmembership. Plus, earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of cardmembership.
Rewards
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada, 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel, and 1 point for every $1 spent elsewhere.
Best for no foreign transaction fees: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
In addition to no foreign transactions fees, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers a sizeable welcome bonus along with a high rewards point earn rate. Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points (that’s up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months). Apply by July 1, 2025. Earn 30,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $2,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ points when you spend at least $40,000 in purchases annually. This card also comes with a full suite of travel insurance, and other travel related perks including a complimentary DragonPass membership plus 6 free visits per year to over 1,000 airport lounges around the world.
Rewards points. Earn 3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and more, 2x Scene+ points for every $1 spent on eligible grocery store, dining, entertainment and daily transit purchases, and earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent elsewhere. 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.
Bonus. Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points (that’s up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months). Apply by July 1, 2025.
Travel insurance. Get up to $1,000,000 in Emergency Medical Insurance. Plus, get trip cancellation, trip interruption and travel accident insurance for free when you charge at least 75% of your trip costs to your card. Benefits also include coverage for flight delays, rental car collision loss/damage, hotel/motel burglaries and delayed or lost baggage.
Car rental perks. Get up to 25% car rental discount + complimentary upgrades for Avis Preferred Plus members at participating Avis locations in Canada and the US. Plus get Rental Car Collision/Loss Damage Insurance coverage (up to $65,000).
Travel perks. Receive complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion Program plus 6 free visits per year to over 1,200 airport lounges around the world.
Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $150.
Minimum income requirement. You'll need a minimum income of at least $60,000, or combined household income of $100,000, to qualify for this card.
Annual Fee
$150
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
Welcome offer
Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points (that’s up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months). Apply by July 1, 2025. Earn 30,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $2,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ points when you spend at least $40,000 in purchases annually.
Rewards
Earn 3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and more, 2x Scene+ points for every $1 spent on eligible grocery store, dining, entertainment and daily transit purchases, and earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent elsewhere. 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.
Best overall cash back card: BMO CashBack Mastercard
The BMO CashBack Mastercard helps you earn rewards points fast, which is why it won the 2021 Finder Credit Card Award for Best Cash Back Credit Card. Earn cash back at a standard rate of 3% on groceries (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period), earn 1% on recurring bill payments (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period) and earn 0.5% on all other eligible purchases (unlimited). Get 5% cash back on all eligible purchases in the first three months (up to a maximum spend of $2,500). All of these perks are available for a $0 annual fee.
Signup bonus. Get 5% cash back on all eligible purchases in the first three months (up to a maximum spend of $2,500).
Earn rewards. Earn cash back at a standard rate of 3% on groceries (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period), earn 1% on recurring bill payments (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period) and earn 0.5% on all other eligible purchases (unlimited).
Annual fee. This card has a $0 annual fee.
Car rental. Save up to 20% on National Car Rental and Alamo and up to 5% on Enterprise locations worldwide..
Travel perks. Save 20% on Cirque du Soleil shows in Canada and 15% off resident shows in Las Vegas. Get up to 7% off Booking.com prepaid hotel or property rental bookings.
Purchase coverage. This card comes with extended warranty and purchase protection.
Currency conversion. When you spend overseas, you'll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.
No travel insurance. The BMO CashBack Mastercard doesn't come with travel insurance coverage like some of its competitors do.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance Rate
23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
Balance transfer APR
23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
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 (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period), earn 1% on recurring bill payments (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period) and earn 0.5% on all other eligible purchases (unlimited).
Best no credit check card for bad credit: Neo Secured Credit Card
Build up your credit score and control your monthly spending with the Neo Secured Credit Card. With no annual fee, you can focus on rebuilding your credit score while getting access to a monthly credit limit between Min. $50. This card also comes with a standard interest rate of .
No credit check. No credit check is required for approval of this secured credit card.
No annual fee. This secured card has no annual fee.
Build your credit score. With a secured card, you're offered the chance to work on improving your credit score. Timely repayments will be reported to the credit bureau, which means you can improve your score over time.
Control your credit limit. Your monthly credit limit is determined by the amount of your security deposit, keeping you in control of your card. Credit limits start from a minimum of $50 to a maximum of $10,000.
Penalty rate. If you don't pay your balance in full by the end of the month, you'll be charged a interest rate.
Annual fee
$60
Purchase APR
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Recommended minimum credit score
N/A
Best credit card for entertainment: Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card
If you've have no credit history and are looking for a rewards card with a $0 annual fee, the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card is worth taking a look at – especially if you're a big movie buff. Earn 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. Earn 2x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Cineplex theatres, cineplex.com, Home Hardware and participating grocery stores like Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and Foodland & Participating Co-ops. Earn 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. Redeem your SCENE points for movie tickets or take advantage of discounts at participating restaurants.
Annual fee. This card has a $0 annual fee.
Rewards points. Earn 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. Earn 2x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Cineplex theatres, cineplex.com, Home Hardware and participating grocery stores like Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and Foodland & Participating Co-ops. Earn 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. Redeem points for free movies and discounts at participating restaurants.
Additional cardholders. Pay $0 to add another authorized user to your account, so you can rack up points faster.
Earn more. Earn up to 5,000 Scene+ points in the first 3 months. Apply by October 31, 2025.
Rental cars. Get a discount of up to 25% off at participating Budget and Avis car rental locations in Canada and the US..
Extra insurance available. Optional insurance is available for a fee to help pay your balance in the event of death, critical illness, hospitalization, disability, job loss, strikes or lockouts. Depending on the type of coverage, your balance or repayments could be covered up to a maximum of $10,000 per month or $50,000. Terms apply.
Missed payment fee. You'll be charged a rate on any missed payments.
Foreign conversion fee. Every time you charge a purchase to your card in a foreign currency, you'll incur a 2.5% fee.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
Welcome offer
Earn up to 5,000 Scene+ points in the first 3 months. Apply by October 31, 2025.
Rewards
Earn 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. Earn 2x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Cineplex theatres, cineplex.com, Home Hardware and participating grocery stores like Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and Foodland & Participating Co-ops. Earn 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
Best hotel card: Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
Experience discounts at a variety of luxurious hotel chains around the world with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. Even though this card has an annual fee of $120, the rewards can quickly outpace the cost if you frequently visit Marriott Bonvoy™ hotels and their partners. The signup bonus alone is worth more than the annual fee of the card. Earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you charge $1,500 in purchases to your card in the first three months. Subject to change at any time.
Earn rewards. Earn 5 points per $1 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, and 2 points per $1 spent elsewhere..
Signup bonus. Earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you charge $1,500 in purchases to your card in the first three months. Subject to change at any time.
Additional cardholders. Although this card has an annual fee, you can get up to 9 additional cards for $0.
Travel coverage. Enjoy peace of mind with up to $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance. Plus, get coverage for travel accidents, lost/stolen/damaged baggage, car rental theft and damage, flight delays and hotel/motel burglaries.
Car rental. Get complimentary Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance (MSRP of up to $85,000). Terms apply.
Annual fee. This card comes with an annual fee of $120.
Penalty rate. Any missed payments will incur a penalty interest rate of 25.99% - 28.99% Variable.
Currency conversion. When you spend overseas, you'll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.
Annual Fee
$120
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance Rate
21.99%
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome offer
Earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you charge $1,500 in purchases to your card in the first three months. Subject to change at any time.
Rewards
Earn 5 points per $1 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, and 2 points per $1 spent elsewhere.
Best student credit card: BMO CashBack Mastercard For Students
The BMO CashBack Mastercard For Students is cash back credit card designed specifically for students. Earn cash back at a standard rate of 3% on groceries (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period), earn 1% on recurring bill payments (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period) and earn 0.5% on all other eligible purchases (unlimited). You'll earn even more with its sign up bonus. Get up to 5% cash back in the first three months (up to a maximum spend of $2,500, and earn 3% cash back on groceries, 1% on recurring bill payments and 0.5% on all other eligible purchases thereafter).
All that comes with a $0 annual fee.
Annual fee. This card comes with a $0 annul fee.
Earn cashback. Earn cash back at a standard rate of 3% on groceries (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period), earn 1% on recurring bill payments (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period) and earn 0.5% on all other eligible purchases (unlimited).
Signup bonus. Get up to 5% cash back in the first three months (up to a maximum spend of $2,500, and earn 3% cash back on groceries, 1% on recurring bill payments and 0.5% on all other eligible purchases thereafter).
Car rental discount. Save up to 20% on National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car, and up to 5% on Enterprise Rent-A-Car at locations worldwide using the Car Rental Booking tool.
Purchase protection. Eligible items charged to your card are automatically insured against theft and damage. Plus, double the original manufacturer's warranty on eligible items purchased with your card by up to 1 additional year.
Low return on other purchases. You'll only receive 0.5 cash back on all other categories of spending.
Missed payment fee. You'll have to pay a 24.99% rate on any missed payments.
Currency conversion. You'll have to pay a foreign transaction fee of 2.5% on any overseas purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance Rate
23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
Balance transfer APR
23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
Welcome offer
Get up to 5% cash back in the first three months (up to a maximum spend of $2,500, and earn 3% cash back on groceries, 1% on recurring bill payments and 0.5% on all other eligible purchases thereafter).
Rewards
Earn cash back at a standard rate of 3% on groceries (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period), earn 1% on recurring bill payments (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period) and earn 0.5% on all other eligible purchases (unlimited).
Best business card: American Express Business Gold Rewards Card
Although the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card has an annual fee of $199, it comes with a range of valuable benefits for business owners including purchase protection, travel benefits, Employee Card Misuse Protection and rewards points on all business purchases. Earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every $1 spent on purchases.
Signup bonus. Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points. Earn a Welcome Bonus of 40,000 points after spending $7,500 in purchases within the first 3 months. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus points when you charge $20,000 in net purchases to your card each calendar quarter (that's up to $400 in value every year).
Earn rewards.Earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every $1 spent on purchases..
Potentially long interest-free period. Enjoy an interest-free period of up to 55 days. The exact amount of time varies based on the closing date of your statement, the number of days in the calendar month in which the closing date occurs, when charges are posted to your account and whether your account is in good standing.
Variety of redemption options. Redeem your points for statement credit, merchandise, gift cards, flights and more. You can also transfer points to other eligible frequent flyer programs.
Travel insurance coverage. Access Travel Emergency Assistance, and up to $100,000 Travel Accident Insurance, Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance, Flight Delay Insurance and Baggage Delay Insurance when you fully charge your tickets to your card. Plus, save money when travelling with complimentary Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance.
Additional insurance benefits. Protect your eligible purchases against accidental physical damage and theft for up to 90 days with Purchase Protection Plan. Plus, double the manufacturer’s original warranty up to 1 additional year with the Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan.
Car rental perks. Get a one class car upgrade, additional driver fee waiver and up to 10% discount on car rental rates for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® members at participating Hertz locations (T&C's apply). Plus, get complimentary Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance (MSRP of up to $85,000).
Business tools. Manage your cash flow better with a generous interest-free repayment period, and take advantage of Expense Management Reports that make it simpler to track expenses and prepare your taxes.
Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $199.
Supplementary card fees. Any additional cards will cost $50 annually.
Foreign currency conversion fee. Pay 2.5% for transactions conducted in a foreign currency.
Annual Fee
$199
Purchase APR
N/A
Cash Advance Rate
N/A
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome offer
Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points. Earn a Welcome Bonus of 40,000 points after spending $7,500 in purchases within the first 3 months. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus points when you charge $20,000 in net purchases to your card each calendar quarter (that's up to $400 in value every year).
Rewards
Earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every $1 spent on purchases.
If you're looking for a $0 annual fee credit card with unlimited cash back rewards and a competitive balance transfer offer, then the Tangerine World Mastercard could be right for you. Earn unlimited 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 unlimited 0.5% cash back on everything else. Conditions apply. Earn 10% cash back (up to $100) when you spend $1,000 in the first 2 months. Valid until August 31, 2025.
Annual fee. This card has a $0 annual fee.
Additional cardholders. Add up to 5 additional cardholders for $0.
Earn rewards. Earn unlimited 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 unlimited 0.5% cash back on everything else. Conditions apply.
Earn even more. You can unlock cashback offers while travelling outside of Canada and get rebates which you can apply to your statement with Mastercard Travel Rewards by using your card at select merchants.
Balance transfer. Get a 1.95% interest rate on balance transfers for the first six months. You must request a balance transfer within 30 days of approval and activate your card within 45 days of approval. A 1% fee applies (waived for Quebec residents). Other terms and conditions apply.
Travel perks. Enjoy exclusive dining, retail and spa offers in over 650 airports worldwide with a complimentary Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass. Get free car rental insurance, and access over 1,300 airport lounges for $32 USD per visit. Stay connected with access to more than 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots globally through Boingo.
Rental car. Charge the full cost of a rental vehicle to your card, and get complimentary damage and theft protection for up to 31 consecutive days.
Apps and subscription access. As a cardholder, you'll have access to special benefits and offers from on-demand apps and subscription services.
Minimum income requirement. You need a minimum personal income of $50,000 or a combined household income of at least $80,000 to apply for this card.
Foreign transaction fee. You'll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5% every time you use your card overseas or online with international retailers.
Limited travel benefits. Though this card offers some nice travel perks, it doesn't come with many of the travel benefits offered by more premium credit cards such as complimentary travel insurance, free flight and hotel upgrades and discounted car rentals.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
20.95%
Cash Advance Rate
22.95%
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 August 31, 2025.
Rewards
Earn unlimited 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 unlimited 0.5% cash back on everything else. Conditions apply.
Best Visa credit card: Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card
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, 2025. As one of the best credit cards in Canada, the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite 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.
Rewards points. 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 more. 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, 2025.
Trip coverage. 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.
Purchase coverage. You won't be held liable for fraudulent charges on your account with Zero Liability coverage.
Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $120.
Currency conversion. When you spend overseas, you'll face a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.
Minimum income requirement. In order to qualify for this card you must have a personal income of at least $60,000 or a household income of $100,000 or higher.
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, 2025.
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.
Best American Express card: American Express Cobalt Card
The American Express Cobalt Card offers a generous return on points for everyday purchases. You can collect points for every dollar you spend on dining out plus 2 points for gas and transit purchases, 2 points on travel and 1 point for everything else. This card also comes with up to a 15,000 points welcome bonus if you spend a certain amount of money each month. You'll also get a full suite of travel insurance and purchase protection when you sign up.
Earn rewards. Earn 5x the points on eligible groceries, dining, drinks and food delivery in Canada (spend cap applies), 3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions, 2x points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas, 1 extra point per dollar spent on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via Amex Travel Online and 1 point for every other dollar spent.
Signup bonus. Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points in your first year. Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.
Earn more. Collect a higher return on rewards on everyday purchases like dining, gas and transit.
Protection. Enjoy peace of mind with complimentary protection against fraudulent charges to your card. Additionally, items charged to your card will be covered against theft and accidental physical damage, plus the original manufacturer's warranty will be extended by up to one additional year. Terms and conditions apply.
Travel coverage. Get up to $5,000,000 in emergency medical coverage plus coverage for travel accidents, lost or stolen baggage, car rental theft and damage, flight delays and hotelburglary.
Car rental. Get complimentary Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance (MSRP of up to $85,000). Terms apply.
Annual fee. You'll have to pay $155.88 per year to maintain this card.
Currency conversion. You'll be charged a currency conversion rate of 2.5% when you spend overseas.
Missed payment penalty. Missed payments will be charged a penalty interest rate of 25.99% - 28.99%.
Annual Fee
$155.88
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance Rate
21.99%
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome offer
Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points in your first year. Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.
Rewards
Earn 5x the points on eligible groceries, dining, drinks and food delivery in Canada (spend cap applies), 3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions, 2x points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas, 1 extra point per dollar spent on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via Amex Travel Online and 1 point for every other dollar spent.
What’s the best credit card in Canada for me?
To choose the best credit card in Canada, you need to look at how you plan to use the card as well as your current and prospective financial situation. If you want a credit card that offers rewards and perks, look at travel rewards cards or cash back options. Or, if you want a card to help manage your expenses, look into a low interest option or balance transfer card.
Balance transfer credit cards
Balance transfer credit cards let you pay off an existing debt from a credit card with low or 0% interest for a set period of time (usually up to 10 months). You might also be able to consolidate other debts with a balance transfer card, such as personal loans. If you have existing credit card debt that’s accumulating high interest, a balance transfer can help you pay off that debt faster. Check out our pick of the best credit card in Canada for balance transfers above.
Travel rewards credit cards
Travel rewards credit cards, otherwise known as frequent flyer credit cards, help you earn points or miles on everyday purchases, which can then be used for a variety of different rewards including travel and merchandise. Anyone who wants to maximize their points or miles to enjoy free flights, hotels and other benefits. You can see our pick of the best credit card in Canada for travel above.
Low interest rate cards
These credit cards offer a lower ongoing, variable interest rate on purchases when compared to other cards. If you plan on paying off purchases over time and want to keep your interest charges to a minimum, a low rate credit card could be a good option. See our top low interest rate card pick above in our list of the best credit cards in Canada.
Rewards credit cards
Rewards credit cards offer reward points (or rewards miles) based on the amount you spend. You can redeem your points for shopping, travel, gift vouchers and many other rewards. Frequent credit card users who want to maximize points or miles for everyday spending without being tied to a single airline rewards scheme. See our pick above for best credit card in Canada for earning rewards.
Premium credit cards
Premium credit cards provide access to luxury features such as complimentary insurance and concierge services. Black cards are considered the highest tier of credit cards and are typically invitation-only in Canada, with the highest earners and biggest spenders in the country swiping them. Still, there are plenty of premium credit cards that come with a host of perks that you can apply for. Check out our pick above for best credit card in Canada for premium benefits.
No annual fee credit cards
No annual fee credit cards have low or no fees, often $0 to $39 annually. This gives you the convenience of a credit card without high costs. If you regularly pay off your balance each month, a low fee card will be your cheapest option. This type of card is also practical if you rarely pay with plastic. You can see our top no annual fee card pick in our list of the best credit cards in Canada above.
Business credit cards
Business credit cards give your business access to a convenient line of credit to help you manage fluctuations in your cash flow. Additional cards and spending caps also mean you can manage your employees’ spending. There are business credit cards for individuals, small businesses and corporations that provide access to credit to help manage finances. Check out our top pick above for the best credit card in Canada for for business.
Popular credit card providers in Canada
When choosing the best credit card in Canada for your needs it can help to compare offerings from some of the most popular credit card providers in Canada. For a full list, here’s our of A-Z list of credit card providers in Canada.
American Express has cards for all types of customers, including some of the best credit cards in Canada. It also offers its exclusive Experiences rewards program.
As one of Canada’s Big Five banks, BMO has some of the best balance transfer and low rate credit card options, as well as a range of travel, cash back and rewards cards.
A subsidiary of TD, MBNA offers a wide range of credit cards including co-branded cards, rewards, travel, low rate, balance transfer and cash back cards.
President’s Choice Bank powers the President’s Choice Financial Mastercard. Earn and redeem PC Optimum points at 4,500 locations across Canada including Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws.
RBC is the largest of the Big Five banks in Canada by market capitalization. RBC offers a range of credit cards including rewards, travel, cash back, balance transfer, no annual fee, business and low rate cards.
Finding the right card may seem daunting, but to choose the best card for your situation, consider the following:
Do you need to rebuild your credit? Fighting through financial difficulties is made easy with a secured credit card. These are often better options than the standard, bank-issued cards, because of the lower interest rates and fewer fees.
Where do you spend most of your money? The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a no-annual-fee rewards credit card that lets you earn cash back on many everyday expenses. Check out other cards if you’re looking for travel rewards or flat rewards on all purchases.
Other credit options for veterans
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all option. But as a veteran, you have access to special military benefits like preferred banking plans with BMO and preferred pricing on BMO lines of credit and mortgages.
Bear in mind that if you have a good credit score, a healthy debt-to-income ratio and regularly pay your balance before it’s due, you can safely apply for any credit card you want, regardless of the card issuer. You’ll likely be able to qualify for a wide range of cards, assuming all other aspects of your application meet the issuer’s requirements.
Compare the best credit cards for veterans
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Perks & benefits of the best credit cards in Canada
The best credit cards in Canada tend to come with a suite of perks, most of which fall into 1 of 3 categories: travel, shopping or entertainment. The best credit card for you offers perks that match your spending habits and lifestyle. Frequent flyers may want a travel card that comes with travel insurance or airport lounge access. Online shoppers can benefit from cards with fraud protection.
Here are some of the popular perks you may get with a credit card. To learn more about your rights as a credit card holder, check out this Government of Canada guide.
Our comparison tables are completely free to use. We link you directly to the lender's secure application page. Sometimes, we have exclusive offers that you won't find on any other site.
We're experts
We've researched 150+ cards and published hundreds of financial guides. Our work has been referenced in major media outlets like The Globe and Mail, BNN Bloomberg and the Financial Post.
We're independent
We're not owned by a bank or lender. That means our opinions are our own, and you can compare a wide selection of Canadian credit cards on Finder.
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Are Canadians getting new credit cards? 2023 statistics
In our January 2023, survey Finder asked more than 1,850 Canadians about their financial plans in 2023 and the types of financial products they were planning to open that year. Around 1 in 7 Canadians (14%) said they planned to open a new credit card account, while 3% planned to open a prepaid credit card account.
While men and women were equal in their intent to open a credit card account (14% and 14%, respectively), men were more interested in opening a prepaid credit card account (5%), compared to women (2%). Here are the other financial product accounts Canadians say they were considering opening in 2023.
Canadian credit cards come with a broad range of features, perks, fees, and add-ons. Carefully comparing the best credit cards in Canada will help you find the right option for your needs. Check out our detailed credit card guide to learn more.
Best credit card in Canada FAQs
The best credit card for you depends on your financial needs and what type of credit card you want. To review all the Finder Credit Card Awards winners for best credit cards by category, click on our guide here.
Finder chose the BMO CashBack Mastercard as the best cashback credit card in Canada since it has the following earn rate: Earn cash back at a standard rate of 3% on groceries (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period), earn 1% on recurring bill payments (up to a maximum of $500 per statement cycle period) and earn 0.5% on all other eligible purchases (unlimited).. For more read the whole BMO Cashback Mastercard review here.
Our experts chose the BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students as the best student credit card in Canada since it has no fee, a high cashback earn rate and a great welcome bonus. For more, read the whole BMO Cashback Mastercard for Students review here.
Required credit scores can vary. If you have a good or excellent score of 660 or higher, you may qualify for some of the best credit cards in Canada. If you have fair credit of 659 or lower, explore your options in our guide on credit cards for fair credit.
You may be limited to secured or prepaid cards if you have bad or nonexistent credit. These require initial deposits but will help you build your credit and qualify for a non-secured regular credit card if you make timely payments.
Loyalty program points and miles tend to change in value based on how you spend them and the individual program. Our full guide lets you get more information on how travel rewards credit cards work.
The top credit card signup bonuses fluctuate monthly as providers introduce new offers.
Basic credit cards often come with low-interest rates, low or no annual fees and little to no additional features. These are suitable for people who don't use their credit cards often or don't qualify for premium cards.
Premium credit cards such as gold and platinum cards typically have higher fees. Suitable for those who frequently use and pay off their cards, these come with more perks like discounted travel services, rewards points, complimentary insurance coverage and purchase protection.
Looking for a no annual fee credit card that rewards you with money for your spending? Find out if the BMO® CashBack® MasterCard®* for students is right for your needs.
Chelsey Hurst is a publisher at Finder, specializing in banking and investments. She loves empowering people to avoid financial pitfalls and make better decisions with their money. Chelsey has a Bachelor of Science from Redeemer University, a Master of Science from McMaster University, and has won multiple awards for research communication. In her spare time, Chelsey enjoys cooking and taking long walks in nature. See full bio
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Compare some of the top low-interest credit cards on the market, and find out how these types of cards work.
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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 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 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.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
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