Finest rewards bank cards in Canada for November 2023

The most effective rewards bank cards for on a regular basis spending

Scotiabank Gold American Categorical*

At a look: The Scotiabank Gold American Categorical card allows you to earn boosted Scene+ factors once you use it to purchase groceries, restaurant meals and supply, fuel and transit, journey and extra. One of many massive advantages is that Scene+ rewards are straightforward to redeem, and the cardboard comes with helpful perks for journey and new cellular machine insurance coverage.

• Annual price: $120
• Earn fee: 6 Scene+ factors per $1 spent on groceries at Sobeys banner shops (together with Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and Foodland), 5 factors per $1 spent on eating, leisure and purchases in any respect different grocery shops, 3 factors per $1 on fuel, public transit and eligible streaming companies, and 1 level per $1 on the whole lot else
• Level worth: 1 Scene+ level = $0.01 when redeemed for journey, retailer purchases and food and drinks at Cineplex and Scene companions.
• Welcome provide: You possibly can earn as much as $650 in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 40,000 bonus Scene+ factors. Should apply by July 1, 2024.
• Further advantages: No international transaction charges; insurance coverage, together with journey emergency medical and journey accident, journey cancellation or interruption, and rental automotive collision or harm protection; low cost on Precedence Go Lounge entry
• Annual revenue requirement: $12,000
• Advisable credit score rating for approval: 660 or larger
• Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances

Professionals

• One of many few bank cards that waives the two.5% international transaction price, so that you’ll save on cross-border buying (together with on-line) in different currencies.
• It comes with a reasonably complete journey insurance coverage package deal that provides journey emergency medical, journey cancellation and interruption, flight delay, delayed or misplaced baggage, and journey accident insurance coverage. It additionally contains automotive rental loss/harm insurance coverage, resort/motel housebreaking, and new cellular machine protection.
• A straightforward and versatile Scene+ factors redemption program. With many companions in quite a few classes already on board, this system is quickly increasing, making assortment straightforward.
• Scene+ factors might be redeemed for groceries, eating, leisure, merchandise, journey, retail and extra.
• You possibly can apply your Scene+ to journey spends as much as a yr after you’ve charged them.

Cons

• That is an American Categorical card, so it’s not accepted at sure retailers, like Superstore or Costco.
• Among the shops within the boosted class aren’t out there in sure elements of the nation.
• Precedence Go lounge entry provide is a reduction solely—no lounge visits are included.

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Finest rewards bank card with no price

Tangerine World Mastercard*

At a look: The Tangerine World Mastercard allows you to earn 2% money again on purchases in as much as three spending classes (and 0.5% again on the whole lot else), plus it provides you entry to a handful of extras, all for no annual price. In case you spend $1,000 in one in every of your two designated buy classes in a single month, for instance, you’ll get $20 money again as an announcement credit score on the billing date for that month. You will get a 3rd class at 2% again when you select to have rewards deposited into your Tangerine Financial savings Account.

• Annual price: $0
• Earn fee: 2% money again in as much as three spending classes; 0.5% again on the whole lot else
• Welcome provide: You possibly can earn an additional 10% again on as much as $1,000 in on a regular basis purchases inside the first 2 months. Should apply by January 31, 2024.
• Further advantages: Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard; rental automotive collision/loss harm waiver; new cellular machine insurance coverage; airport lounge entry with DragonPass; buy assurance and prolonged guarantee
• Annual revenue requirement: Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000
• Advisable credit score rating for approval: 725 or larger
• Rates of interest: 19.95% on purchases, 19.95% on money advances, 19.95% on stability transfers

Professionals

• The earn fee of two% money again in as much as three classes is aggressive for a no-fee card. 
• Although this can be a no-fee card, there are a number of good extras included like as much as $1,000 in new cellular machine protection, entry to free Wi-Fi internationally with Boingo, and airport lounge entry with DragonPass.
• You possibly can change your boosted 2% spending classes with 30 days discover, so that you might be strategic about what you earn on (eg. planning for vacation spending or for a visit).

Cons

• The DragonPass will get you entry to airport lounges however doesn’t embrace passes, which you’ll must buy individually.
• Journey insurance coverage shouldn’t be included.
• The bottom earn fee of 0.5% is kind of low.
• You have to have a private annual revenue of $60,000 or a family revenue of $100,000 to qualify. In case you earn much less, you may apply for the Tangerine Cash-Again Credit score Card that has the identical earn charges however fewer perks.

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Finest rewards bank card for money again

Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite*

At a look: In case you’re seeking to earn as a lot money again as attainable, the Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite ought to be in your radar. Cardholders get 4% again on groceries, recurring payments and subscription companies, 2% again on public transit and fuel, and 1% again on all different purchases—with no money again restrict. The cardboard additionally comes with a strong insurance coverage package deal and different extras.

• Annual price: $120
• Earn fee: 4% again on groceries and recurring payments; 2% again on public transit and fuel; 1% money again on all different purchases
• Welcome provide: You possibly can earn 10% money again on all purchases for the primary 3 months (as much as $2,000 in whole purchases). No annual price within the first yr, together with on extra playing cards. Provide ends October 31, 2024.
• Further advantages: Complete journey insurance coverage together with emergency medical, journey accident, journey cancellation or delay, delayed or misplaced baggage and rental automotive loss or harm; new cellular machine insurance coverage; Visa Infinite Companies together with concierge and Visa Infinite Eating and Wine Nation program
• Annual revenue requirement: Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000
• Advisable credit score rating for approval: 660 or larger
• Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers

Professionals

• The 4% earn fee on groceries is without doubt one of the strongest within the nation.
• What you get in journey insurance coverage protection alone is value greater than the annual price.
• Stand up to $1,000 in new cellular machine insurance coverage to guard towards loss, theft and harm.

Cons

• Though there isn’t a restrict to the amount of money again you may earn, there may be an annual cap of $25,000 for the 4% and a pair of% classes. Purchases past the restrict will earn on the 1% base fee.
• Rewards are solely deposited yearly, versus month-to-month with another money again bank cards.
• The minimal revenue requirement will put this card out of attain for some.

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Finest for journey rewards

American Categorical Cobalt*

At a look: The American Categorical Cobalt is a beautiful card for on a regular basis spending, due to its sturdy rewards charges in a broad vary of classes and vital journey perks like insurance coverage. The final one contains emergency medical, misplaced or stolen baggage, flight or baggage delay and automotive rental theft and harm protection. Membership Rewards factors might be redeemed for merchandise, journey, buying, assertion credit and extra. Plus, the pliability of redemptions is a serious perk—you may select assertion credit, or for journey redemptions, you may switch your factors to different airline rewards applications like Aeroplan.

• Annual price: $156
• Earn fee: 5 factors per $1 spent on eating out and groceries (most month-to-month spend applies); 3 factors per $1 on streaming companies; 2 factors per $1 spent on transit, fuel and journey shares; 1 level per $1 spent on resort and automotive leases booked via the American Categorical Journey On-line portal and 1 level per $1 on all different purchases
• Level worth: 1 Amex Membership Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed with the Versatile Factors Journey Program, $0.015 on common with the Mounted Factors Journey Program, and as much as $0.02 with airline factors transfers
• Welcome provide: You possibly can earn 1,250 factors for every month you spend $750, as much as a most of 15,000 factors.
• Further advantages: A strong insurance coverage package deal that features emergency medical, misplaced or stolen baggage, flight or baggage delay, resort or motel housebreaking and automotive rental theft and harm protection; advance entry to Entrance of the Line by American Categorical Invitations, in addition to advance film screenings
• Annual revenue requirement: None
• Advisable credit score rating for approval: 660 or larger

• Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances
• Be aware: The earn fee on meals, groceries and eating places will apply as much as a most of $2,500 month-to-month

Professionals

• Excessive earn charges throughout on a regular basis spending classes like groceries, eating, streaming, fuel and transit.
• Contains as much as $1,000 in new cellular machine insurance coverage, which protects towards loss, theft and harm.
• Switch your factors at a ratio of 1:1 to a number of frequent flyer and loyalty applications.
• Further playing cards are free, so you may enhance your incomes with purchases with approved cardholders, equivalent to household.

Cons

• The overall annual price of $155.88 ($12.99 monthly) is barely larger than different playing cards on this class. 
• Boosted earn charges in groceries and eating are capped month-to-month at $2,500, after which level you earn 1 level per $1. 
• As an American Categorical card, the Cobalt shouldn’t be accepted at some shops like Costco or Loblaw banner shops.

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Finest Visa bank card for journey

TD First Class Journey Visa Infinite*

At a look: The TD First Class Journey Visa Infinite stands out because of its distinctive partnership with Expedia For TD, which lets you simply ebook on the portal and to earn factors in your journey purchases at accelerated charges. Included journey insurance coverage and perks, just like the annual $100 journey credit score and birthday bonus, make this a card to contemplate.

• Annual price: $139 (first yr rebate out there—circumstances apply to qualify.) 
• Earn fee: 8 factors per $1 on journey booked via Expedia For TD; 6 factors per $1 for groceries and eating places; 4 factors per $1 spent on recurring invoice funds; 2 factors per $1 for the whole lot else 
• Level worth: 1 TD Rewards level = $0.005 when redeemed for journey through Expedia For TD or $0.004 when redeemed via different suppliers and web sites.
• Welcome provide: You possibly can earn as much as 115,000 TD Rewards factors. Situations apply. Account should be accepted by January 3, 2024. Plus, get an annual birthday bonus of 10% of your earlier yr’s factors (as much as 10,000 factors).
• Further advantages: Insurance coverage together with journey medical, journey cancellation or interruption, journey accident and automotive rental loss or collision; Precedence Go membership low cost; financial savings with Avis and Funds automotive leases
• Annual revenue requirement: Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000
• Advisable credit score rating for approval: 725 or larger
• Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers

Professionals

• There are not any journey blackouts and no seat restrictions, and your TD factors don’t expire.
• You get an annual birthday bonus of 10% of your earlier yr’s factors (as much as 10,000 factors).
• Yearly, you’re eligible for a $100 journey credit score once you spend $500 or extra at Expedia For TD.
• Comes with a robust insurance coverage package deal.

Cons

• This card may not be appropriate for individuals who don’t want to ebook their journey via Expedia For TD.
• This card doesn’t provide airport lounge entry, however somewhat a reduction on Precedence Go membership.

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Finest rewards bank card for fuel and groceries

CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite

At a look: Gasoline and groceries are two of the most well-liked spending classes for Canadians so it is smart to make use of a bank card with accelerated rewards for these purchases. At 4% money again, the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite matches the invoice. Robust earn charges on eating, transit, and recurring payments, plus worthwhile perks like journey insurance coverage, make this card a strong throughout selection.

• Annual price: $120 (rebated for the primary yr). 
• Earn fee: 4% money again on groceries, fuel and EV charging, 2% on eating, day by day transit and recurring payments, and 1% again on the whole lot else
• Welcome provide: earn 10% money again welcome bonus of as much as $200 (first 4 statements). Provide not out there to QC residents. Phrases and circumstances apply.
• Further advantages: Emergency journey medical; automotive rental collision and loss harm insurance coverage; cellular machine insurance coverage; plus save as much as $0.10 per litre at taking part Chevron, Ultramar and Pioneer fuel stations once you hyperlink your card with Journie Rewards
• Annual revenue requirement: Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000
• Advisable credit score rating for approval: 725 or larger
• Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances (21.99% for Quebec residents), 22.99% on stability transfers

Professionals

• This card’s earn charges are among the many highest within the nation, notably for groceries and fuel.
• It can save you as much as $0.10 per litre on fuel at Chevron, Ultramar and Pioneer fuel stations once you hyperlink your card with Journie Rewards.
• You possibly can earn 4% again on electrical car (EV) charging, which is comparatively uncommon for bank card rewards applications.
• You possibly can redeem your money again everytime you need (minimal $25) somewhat than having to attend for an annual payout, and there’s no restrict to the quantity you may earn.

Cons

• The minimal annual revenue requirement could have this card out of attain for some Canadians.
• Whereas there isn’t a cap to how a lot money again you may earn, there are limits within the boosted spending classes. For example, you’ll earn 4% again on fuel and groceries as much as the primary $20,000 spent in these classes, or the primary $80,000 spent in all places, yearly. After that, purchases in these classes earn you 1% money again.

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Finest rewards bank card for PC Optimum factors:

PC Monetary Mastercard*

At a look: A broad retail accomplice base and worthwhile redemptions on on a regular basis gadgets like groceries and pharmacy purchases make the PC Optimum rewards program probably the most well-liked in Canada. The no-fee PC Monetary Mastercard helps you speed up your earnings with no minimal annual revenue requirement, and people with larger incomes can apply for the PC World Mastercard or the PC World Elite Mastercard which include larger earn charges.

• Annual price: $0
• Earn fee: Based mostly fee of 10 factors per $1 spent; 30 factors per $1 at Esso and Mobil; 25 factors per $1 at Buyers Drug Mart; 20 factors per $1 at PC Journey; 10 factors per $1 at Loblaw banner shops
• Level worth: 1 PC level is value $0.001 at Loblaw-affiliated grocery shops, Buyers Drug Mart, and Esso and Mobil fuel stations.
• Welcome provide: Get 20,000 PC Optimum factors (a $20 worth).
• Further advantages: Buy assurance
• Annual revenue requirement: None
• Advisable credit score rating for approval: 560 or larger
• Rates of interest: 21.99% on purchases, 22.97% on money advances, 22.97% on stability transfers

Professionals

• Stack your factors by buying along with your PC Mastercard and exhibiting your PC Optimum card at checkout. Personalised gives and in-store bonus occasions allow you to earn much more factors. 
• Redeem PC optimum factors in increments of 10,000 (a $10 worth) on the money register at Loblaw banner tales.
• PC Optimum factors by no means expire.

Cons

• On condition that groceries is without doubt one of the largest spending classes, the earn fee of 10 PC factors per $1 spent at Loblaw shops isn’t as sturdy because it may very well be.
• You possibly can solely redeem PC factors on purchases from retailers affiliated with PC. 
• There are not any perks or extras included with this card.

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Finest rewards bank card for Aeroplan factors

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite*

At a look: A strong all-round journey bank card that features a well-prepared suite of insurance coverage, a number of engaging perks, and gives probably the greatest earn charges round for Aeroplan factors.

• Annual price: $139 (annual price rebate—circumstances apply to qualify)
• Earn fee: 1.5 factors per $1 on eligible fuel, grocery, and Air Canada purchases; 1 level per $1 on all different eligible purchases
• Level worth: Aeroplan factors are value $0.02 on common.
• Welcome provide: You possibly can earn as much as 35,000 Aeroplan factors. Situations apply. Account should be accepted by January 3, 2024. Plus, as an anniversary bonus, earn 15,000 Aeroplan factors once you spend a minimum of $7,500 inside 12 months of opening the account.
• Further advantages: Journey medical, journey cancellation/interruption, and flight/journey delay insurance coverage; free first checked bag; NEXUS software price; emergency journey help
• Annual revenue requirement: Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000
• Advisable credit score rating for approval: 660 or larger
• Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers

Professionals

• The first cardholder and as much as eight journey companions get their first checked bag without spending a dime on eligible Air Canada flights in North America. 
• Use your Aeroplan factors to ebook on Air Canada with out restrictions or blackout intervals.
• You possibly can stack your factors once you pay along with your TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite and supply your Aeroplan quantity at accomplice manufacturers. 
• This card comes with a robust journey insurance coverage package deal.

Cons

• This card doesn’t embrace airport lounge membership or free lounge entry.
• Aeroplan factors can’t be redeemed for money or for flights exterior the Star Alliance community.
• The $139 annual price is a bit larger than different playing cards on this class.

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Finest rewards bank card for Air Miles

BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard*

At a look: With its attractive welcome bonus and engaging earn charges, the BMO World Elite Mastercard works properly for avid Air Miles collectors. The cardboard features a sturdy insurance coverage package deal and some extras, like Boingo Wi-Fi entry.

• Annual price: $120 (waived for the primary yr). 
• Earn fee: 1 Mile per $12 spent; 3 times the Miles for purchases at companions
• Level worth: 1 Dream Mile = $0.0121 on common when redeemed for journey. 1 Money Mile = $0.105
• Welcome provide: You possibly can earn 3,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles and we’ll waive the $120 annual price for the primary yr.
• Further advantages: Journey insurance coverage together with emergency medical, journey cancellation/interruption, and flight delay protection; automotive rental insurance coverage; 15% low cost on North American Air Miles flights; free membership in Mastercard Airport Experiences offered by LoungeKey; different particular gives and reductions
• Annual revenue requirement: Private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000
• Advisable credit score rating for approval: 760 or larger
• Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 23.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers

Professionals

• The earn fee on Air Miles is aggressive, permitting you to achieve your targets quicker. 
• Cardholders get one annual low cost of 25% of the quantity of Air Miles to ebook a flight.

Cons

• The DragonPass lounge membership doesn’t embrace free lounge passes; these should be bought individually.
• Doesn’t embrace resort/motel housebreaking insurance coverage.
• This card has a excessive minimal annual revenue eligibility requirement.

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Finest rewards bank card for versatile rewards

MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard*

At a look: The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is a versatile rewards card that allows you to earn MBNA factors which you’ll redeem for merchandise, reward playing cards, journey, money and even charitable donations. The benefit of a money again rewards card that additionally allows you to redeem on journey, merchandise and different spending classes is that you’re not restricted to protecting your purchases with an announcement credit score—you may flip your factors into chilly onerous money or use your factors on the checkout. Plus, you get a number of the advantages of a journey rewards card with the power to make use of your factors on flights, inns and extra.  Be mindful, although, that you’re restricted to redeeming via the MBNA Rewards Redemption Centre portal for journey purchases—however you aren’t restricted to sure airways or journey companions as you’d be with different applications like Aeroplan. Distinctive perks—just like the birthday bonus factors and included advantages like journey insurance coverage—make this card stand out.

• Annual price: $120
• Earn fee: 5 factors per $1 spent on groceries, eating places, digital media, memberships, and family utilities as much as $50,000 per class yearly; 1 level per $1 is the bottom fee
• Factors worth: 1 MBNA Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed for journey
• Welcome provide: You possibly can earn 20,000 bonus factors (roughly $165 in money again worth) after you make $2,000 or extra in eligible purchases inside the first 90 days. This provide shouldn’t be out there for residents of Quebec.
• Further advantages: Journey and automotive rental insurance coverage; MBNA fee plan; 10% factors again in annual birthday bonus
• Annual revenue requirement: Private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000
• Advisable credit score rating for approval: 660 or larger
• Rates of interest: 19.99% on purchases, 24.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers

Professionals

• This card contains $2 million in journey medical insurance coverage. It additionally has included flight/journey delay and delayed/misplaced baggage protection.
• You possibly can defend your new cellular machine towards loss, harm and theft with as much as $1,000 included protection.
• The annual birthday bonus factors perk is a present of a further 10% on the variety of factors you earned within the earlier yr.
• Your MBNA factors by no means expire.

Cons

• The included journey insurance coverage providing is incomplete, so that you’ll have to purchase additional protection to be absolutely protected.
• There’s an annual cap of $50,000 per class within the accelerated spending classes. Purchases past that may earn on the base fee of 1 level per $1 spent.
• The annual minimal revenue requirement places this card out of attain for some candidates.

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Regularly requested questions

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Video: Promotional charges: What to search for within the tremendous print

How a lot are bank card rewards factors value 

With constant rewards applications, the factors are value a set quantity and this doesn’t change. Listed here are the values of factors with constant rewards applications.  

How to decide on the most effective rewards card

In case you’re buying round for a brand new bank card, it’s possible you’ll discover most boil down to 2 sorts of rewards: factors or money again. It is perhaps tempting to choose the cardboard that provides you the most effective return, however it’s not that straightforward. The place you store, how a lot you spend, and the kind of rewards you like are all a part of the decision-making course of.

The case for money again

In case you choose simplicity, cash-back playing cards are the best way to go. The greatest money again bank cards provide the highest return primarily based in your on a regular basis spending habits. Right here’s what it is best to contemplate.

Payouts: Relying on the cardboard, money again is paid out month-to-month, quarterly or yearly and refunded within the type of an announcement credit score, direct deposit to your checking account or a cheque within the mail.

Proportion earned: Money again bank cards earn you a set share primarily based how a lot you spend. Usually talking, money again playing cards with an annual price will earn you the next base share, so it’s good to issue that in when you’re evaluating it to a no-fee card.

Multipliers: Some money again playing cards provide multipliers, which offer you the next share of money again in well-liked spending classes equivalent to grocery shops, fuel stations, drugstores, and recurring payments.

The case for rewards

As a substitute of incomes money, journey rewards bank cards internet factors that can be utilized to assert journey (flights, inns), reward playing cards, or merchandise. Rewards playing cards might be fairly profitable when you understand how to earn and redeem factors successfully, however there are a number of options to contemplate.

Sort of rewards earned: Rewards playing cards are both linked to a particular journey model (airline or resort), or offer you flexibility to journey on any service. In case you’re loyal to a particular model, it is smart to choose a co-branded card. In case you choose flexibility, then choose a card that provides you probably the most choices.

Signup bonus: Most rewards playing cards provide an enormous signup bonus to entice you to use. Assuming you may meet the minimal spend requirement, that bonus may very well be value a number of hundred {dollars}.

Ease of redemption: Rewards are ineffective when you can’t use them. Search for applications that don’t have blackout dates or many restrictions so you may declare your factors once you need to.

Worth of your factors: Know what your factors are literally value. For instance, when you earn 1 level for each $1 spent, and it takes 100 factors so that you can declare $1 in rewards, your factors are value 1%. If in case you have a co-branded bank card for flights or inns, it’s good to decide what number of factors it takes to get a free flight or resort room.

Further advantages: Apart from rewards, you’ll need to take a look at the extra advantages supplied. Many rewards card provide a complete journey insurance coverage package deal, auto rental insurance coverage, and worth safety as customary advantages.

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Extra of Canada’s greatest bank cards: