{"id":15,"date":"2015-09-10T10:58:02","date_gmt":"2015-09-10T00:58:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/?page_id=15"},"modified":"2026-03-02T18:53:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T23:53:06","slug":"credit-cards","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/credit-cards","title":{"rendered":"Compare credit cards in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why compare with Finder?<\/h3>

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No spam calls<\/h4>

You won\u2019t get any callbacks from Finder if you compare with us.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Perks obssessed<\/h4>

We collect & compare data on loads of cards (no, really!).<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Card types you want<\/h4>

Balance transfer? Rewards? Low rate? We cover them all.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div>Find some of the terms in this table confusing? Jump down to our glossary<\/a> to learn about key features and how to compare credit cards.

What is a credit card?<\/h3>

A credit card lets you spend money that you can pay back over time, usually with interest.<\/p>

Unlike a debit card\u2014where you need money in the bank\u2014a credit card gives you a set amount you can spend (or borrow) known as your credit limit. You also get regular statements (usually monthly) with a due date by which you need to make repayments.<\/p>

In Canada, you must be at least the age of majority in your province or territory (18 or 19 years old) to apply for a credit card in your name.<\/p>

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Our expert says<\/div>\n
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\"When comparing credit cards, decide what\u2019s most important to you. Is it a low interest rate? Low annual fee? Bonus frequent flyer points? Maybe a balance transfer deal? For instance, I pay my balance in full each month, so I ignore the interest rates and don\u2019t look at balance transfer offers. Instead, I aim to find cards with a great points earning rate. Knowing exactly what you want, makes it easier to find the right card for you.\"<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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What types of credit cards are there?<\/h3>

There are five main types of credit cards. Every card is slightly different, so you should compare credit cards to find the best credit card<\/a> that has the features that matter to you.<\/p>
Card type<\/b><\/th>Principal use<\/b><\/th>Pros<\/b><\/th>Cons<\/b><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Balance transfer<\/a><\/strong>\"balance<\/td>Pay off existing debt with no\/low interest<\/td>Save money on interest and pay down debt faster<\/td>Minimal perks and no interest-free days on new purchases<\/td><\/tr>
Rewards<\/a><\/strong>\"Picture<\/td>Earn points on your spending<\/td>Get rewarded for money you\u2019d spend anyway<\/td>High interest rates & annual fees<\/td><\/tr>
No annual fee<\/a><\/strong>\"no<\/td>Credit without an upfront cost<\/td>Costs nothing if you pay it off in full or don\u2019t use it at all<\/td>Minimal perks and higher interest rates<\/td><\/tr>
Low rate<\/a><\/strong>\"low<\/td>Pay off purchases over time while paying less interest<\/td>Saves you money if you carry a balance from month to month<\/td>Minimal perks<\/td><\/tr>
Business<\/a><\/strong>\"business<\/td>Managing cash flow and separating spending<\/td>Offer distinct features for business (like accounting feeds)<\/td>Stricter eligibility requirements<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Credit card guides and resources<\/h3>

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New to credit cards?<\/p><\/div><\/div>