Different cashback methods can help you earn money back on everyday purchases, from groceries and gas to travel and online shopping. In Canada, there are several ways to earn cashback, including cashback credit cards, cashback platforms and retailer programs. By understanding how each method works, you can choose the best cashback strategy to maximize your rewards and overall savings.
Cashback credit cards are one of the most straightforward ways to earn money back. You earn a percentage of what you spend, typically higher in categories like groceries, gas or recurring bills. Then, cashback is usually paid monthly or annually as a statement credit or deposit.
| Credit card | Cashback rate | Bonus cashback | Monthly or annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMO CashBack Mastercard | Up to 3% cashback | 5% cashback for the first 3 months | $0 |
| BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard | Up to 5% cash back | Get $40 cash back each month for your first year | $120 a year |
| BMO Cashback Business Mastercard | Up to 1.5% cash back | 10% cash back for the first 3 months | $0 |
| BMO CashBack Mastercard For Students | Up to 3% cash back | 5% cash back for the first 3 months | $0 |
| TD Cash Back Visa Card | Up to 1% | N/A | $0 |
| TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card | Up to 3% | 10% cashback for the first 3 months | $139 a year |
| RBC Cash Back Mastercard | Up to 2% cash back | N/A | $0 |
| RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard | Up to 1.5% cash back | N/A | $99 a year |
| RBC Business Cash Back Mastercard | Up to 2% cash back | N/A | $0 |
| CIBC Dividend Visa Card | Up to 2% cash back | N/A | $0 |
| CIBC Dividend Platinum Visa Card | Up to 3% cash back | Up to 10% cash back for the first 4 statements | $99 a year |
| CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card | Up to 4% cash back | Up to 10% cash back for the first 4 statements | $120 a year |
| Scotia Momentum Visa Card | Up to 2% cash back | 2.99% balance transfer for 6 months | $49 a year |
| Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card | Up to 4% cash back | 10% cash back for the first 3 months | $120 a year |
| Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card | Up to 4% cash back | Up to 20% cash back for the first 3 months | $0 |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | Up to 2% cash back | Bonus 10% cash back for the first 2 months | $0 |
| Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard | Up to 2% cash back | Get $120 if you spend $1,500 in the first 3 months | $0 |
| Neo Mastercard | Up to 1% | N/A | $0 |
| Neo World Mastercard | Up to 2% | N/A | $0 |
| Neo World Elite Mastercard | Up to 5% | N/A | $125 |
| National Bank mycredit Mastercard | Up to 1% cash back | N/A | $0 |
| National Bank Allure Mastercard | Up to 1 point per $2 spent | N/A | $0 |
| National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard | Up to 1.5% cash back | N/A | $30 a year |
The best cashback credit card in Canada depends on your spending habits, preferred reward categories and how you plan to redeem your rewards. For example, if you drive a lot, you may want a credit card that offers higher cashback on gas.
That being said, some of the most popular cashback credit cards in Canada include the BMO Cashback Mastercard, TD Cashback Visa Infinite, CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card and the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card as they offer competitive cashback rates with low or no annual fees.
Cashback websites let you earn money back by shopping through their platform. You simply visit the site, click through to a retailer and complete your purchase as usual. The site earns a commission and shares part of it with you as cashback. It’s free to sign up and use a cashback website, but it can take a few weeks or months to receive your rewards.
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| Website | Cashback rate |
|---|---|
| Finder Canada | $25 to $250+ per transaction |
| moneyGenius | $25 to $350 |
| Rakuten | 1% – 10% |
| Great Canadian Rebates | from 1% to 5% |
| TopCashback | 0.5% to 16.16% |
Cashback apps are similar to cashback websites, but they let you earn rewards on the go. Some require you to activate offers before shopping online or in person, while others reward you for uploading receipts with eligible purchases.
| App | Cashback rate | How to earn |
|---|---|---|
| Checkout 51 | $0.50 – $5.00 cashback per specific item | Browse the app for updated offers each Thursday, add them to your shopping list, then redeem the offer and upload a photo of your receipt after purchase. |
| BeFrugal | Up to 40% | Find a cashback rate or coupon from a retailer you like, click Shop and complete your purchase on the retailer’s website as normal. |
| Snaplii | 5–12% | Purchase a gift card from a Snaplii partner retailer and you’ll receive cashback immediately. |
| Swagbucks | Up to $12 | Look through current Magic Receipts offers, add one to your list, then submit a receipt with an eligible purchase. |
| Rakuten | 1% – 10% | Rakuten is one of the only cashback apps in Canada that offers in-store cashback. To take advantage of these offers, link an eligible Visa card to your account, activate an offer, then pay in-store. For online purchases, just select an available offer, tap Continue and you’ll be redirected to the retailer’s website to make your purchase. |
| Great Canadian Rebates | from 1% to 5% | Tap on an available offer and you’ll be immediately redirected to the retailer’s website to complete your purchase. |
| TopCashback | 0.5% to 16.16% | Choose an offer, tap Get Cash Back and you’ll be redirected to the retailer’s website to make a purchase. |
Many cashback platforms have browser extensions you can install, which automatically alert you to available cashback offers when you search for a participating retailer or visit their website. With one click, you can activate the offer, ensuring your purchase is tracked so you earn cashback without needing to go through the cashback platform’s website first.
| Browser extension | Cashback rate |
|---|---|
| Rakuten | 1% – 10% |
| TopCashback | 0.5% to 16.16% |
| BeFrugal | Up to 40% |
| ShopPlus (only available for Safari) | Up to 40% |
Yes, you can have multiple cashback browser extensions installed at the same time, but you can only use one per purchase. Cashback tracking relies on cookies, and the last offer you activate before completing your purchase typically gets the credit. To maximize your earnings, use different browser extensions to find the best rate before activating an offer and completing your purchase.
Card-linked cashback programs allow you to link your debit or credit card and earn cashback automatically when shopping at participating retailers. This is a “set it and forget it” strategy since once your card is linked, you don’t need to activate offers or upload receipts to earn cashback.
| Program | Cashback rate |
|---|---|
| Avion Rewards | Varies by retailer |
| Paymi | Up to 30% |
| Rakuten | 5% |
To qualify for card-linked cashback programs, you typically need to:
Requirements for specific platforms:
Retailers often run their own loyalty programs that function like cashback systems, offering points or credits that you can redeem for future purchases or other rewards, like a flight booking or free movie.
| Program | Cashback rate |
|---|---|
| PC Optimum | Up to 40 PC Optimum points per $1 on qualifying purchases |
| Scene+ | 1–5 points for every $1 spent |
| Triangle Rewards | 0.4% base rate |
| AIR MILES | Varies by retailer |
Two of the most popular cashback programs from retailers in Canada are PC Optimum and Scene+. PC Optimum lets you earn points at participating grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations that you can then redeem for products from participating retailers, such as Loblaws or Fortinos.
With a Scene+ card, you can earn points at participating grocery stores, Cineplex theatres, gas stations and restaurants. You can then redeem these points for travel, dining, entertainment or groceries.
Yes, you may be able to stack certain cashback methods if the platform allows it. Here are some ways you can stack different cashback methods:
So, the best way to stack cashback methods is to get a cashback credit card and use it for cashback-qualifying purchases. Just be sure to check the platform’s terms and conditions before stacking different methods so you don’t invalidate your cashback.
Using a cashback credit card is the simplest option since it requires no extra steps after setup. And you can combine it with other cashback strategies, like purchasing an eligible item through a cashback platform (e.g. Rakuten or Great Canadian Rebates).
Cashback programs in Canada offer a simple, and often passive, way to earn rewards on your everyday purchases. Choose one of the cashback strategies that matches your spending habits, whether it’s a cashback credit card, app or retailer program, and try to stack methods when possible. Just review the terms and conditions of each strategy before making your purchase to ensure you qualify for cashback and compare different cashback platforms to find the best rate.
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