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The holiday season is upon us, and spending on gifts, travel, and entertainment can easily add up, making December the most expensive month of the year. But with the right credit card, the holidays can also be rewarding – think of it like a gift to yourself.

Your credit card can get you rewards or cashback even when you use it for everyday purchases. Compare the best credit cards in Canada using our extensive list of welcome offers for December. That way, you can find the card that matches your spending habits and maximize your rewards or cash back potential.

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The best credit card welcome offers for December 2023

^†Terms and conditions apply.

1. TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite^* Card

The TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite^* Card offers up to 50,000 Aeroplan points and up to $1,400 in value, no annual fee for the first year, and additional travel benefits:

• Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase using your card^†.
• Get 25,000 points when you spend at least $5,000 in the first 180 days (about six months)^†.
• Earn an anniversary bonus of 20,000 points when you spend at least $7,500 in the first 12 months of opening the account^†.
• Enroll for NEXUS and once every 48 months get an application fee rebate^†.
• Share free first checked bags with up to eight travel companions.
• Plus, get an annual fee rebate for the first year^†.

(This offer is not available to residents of Quebec). Account must be approved by January 3, 2024.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Annual fee: $139
• Annual fee for additional cards: $75
• Earn 1.5 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery, and Air Canada purchases.
• Earn one Aeroplan point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Also, access exclusive Visa Infinite benefits for hotel perks and experiences and Air Canada benefits for savings on baggage fees^†.

This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.

^† Terms and conditions apply.

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2. CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite^* Card

Winning RATESDOTCA’s award for Best Overall Travel Credit Card of 2023, the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite^* gets you a total of up to 40,000 Aventura Points (up to $850 in travel value^†) when you sign up.

This includes 20,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase and 20,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in the first four months. Plus, get the first year $139 annual fee rebated.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on: travel (purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre)
• Earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent on eligible: gas, EV charging, grocery, and drugstore purchases.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.

Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)

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3. American Express Cobalt^® Credit Card

Winner of the Best Overall Rewards Credit Card category in RATESDOTCA’s Best Credit Cards in Canada 2023 contest, the American Express Cobalt^® Credit Card can earn you 1,250 points for each monthly billing period in which you spend at least $750 on the card for the first year. This could add up to 15,000 points.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Monthly fee: $12.99 ($156 annually)
• Annual fee for additional cards: $0
• Earn five Membership Rewards^® points for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant and food delivery purchases.
• Earn three Membership Rewards^® points for every $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions.
• Earn two Membership Rewards^® points for every $1 spent on eligible travel and transit purchases.
• Earn one Membership Rewards^® point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

This card features mobile device insurance, shopping coverage, and exclusive access to presale tickets, events, and experiences.

Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)

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4. TD First Class Travel^® Visa Infinite^* Card

The TD First Class Travel^® Visa Infinite* Card offers up to 115,000 TD Rewards points and up to $1,000 in value, no annual fee for the first year, and additional travel benefits. Conditions apply.

• Earn 20,000 TD Rewards Points when you make your first purchase with your card^†.
• Earn 95,000 TD Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 in the first 180 days of account opening^†.
• Get a birthday bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points^†.
• Earn an annual TD Travel Credit of $100 when you book at Expedia^® for TD.
• Get a free 12 month^† Uber One membership) (that's a $120 in value^†).
• Get an Annual Fee Rebate for the first year^†.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Annual fee: $139^†
• Annual fee for additional cards: $50
• Earn eight TD Rewards Points for every $1 spent on travel through Expedia for TD
• Earn six TD Rewards Points for every $1 spent on groceries and restaurant purchases^†.
• Earn four TD Rewards Points for every $1 on recurring bills^†.
• Earn two TD Rewards Points for every $1 spent on all other purchases^†.
• Earn 50% more points (1.5 TD Points per $1) at Starbucks.

This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.

Offer expiry date: Must be approved by January 3, 2024.

^† Terms and conditions apply.

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5. RBC Avion^® Visa Infinite Card

With the RBC Avion^® Visa Infinite Card, get up to 35,000 points as a Welcome Bonus upon approval, which is equivalent to flight ticket to a destination in Canada and the U.S.

RBC Avion users are also eligible for the Friday Friend Pass promo this winter. Buy one regular priced Friday lift ticket at select ski resorts in Canada on TheAvionCollection.com and get a second ticket free.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Annual fee: $120
• Annual fee for additional cards: $50
• Earn one RBC Rewards point for every $1 spent on the card.
• Earn 25% more RBC Rewards points on eligible travel-related purchases. That is 1.25 RBC Rewards points for every $1 spent.

Get instant fuel savings at Petro-Canada when you link your card to the Petro-Points program and get additional savings at Rexall. Plus, for a limited time, you can get a free 12-month DashPass subscription when you pay with your eligible card.

Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)

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6. American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card

The American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card offers up to 40,000 welcome bonus Aeroplan points. Earn 3,000 Aeroplan points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card for the first 10 months of Card membership. That could add up to 30,000 Aeroplan points. Plus, you can also earn 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Card membership. That’s up to $900 or more in value when you combine your welcome bonus points and card benefits.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Annual fee: $120
• Annual fee for additional cards: $0 for additional cardholders without shared benefits; $50 for additional cardholders to share some of the benefits.
• Earn two Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on purchases made directly through Air Canada^® and Air Canada Vacations^®.
• Earn 1.5 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and food delivery purchases in Canada.
• Earn one Aeroplan point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Get additional Air Canada benefits with this card. You and up to eight travelling companions can save on baggage fees when your flight originates with Air Canada. Also, get eight types of travel insurance and shopping coverage.

*This card is a charge card, meaning the balance must be paid in full each month, or a 30% annual interest rate applies to unpaid balances.

Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)

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7. Scotiabank^®* Gold American Express^® Card

Winning RATESDOTCA’s award for Best Credit Card for Staying Home and Ordering In 2023, the Scotiabank^®* Gold American Express^® Card earns up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points. Scotiabank will waive the annual fee for the first year. Plus, for a limited time, receive a $125 Cash Bonus from RATESDOTCA upon approval*. This offer ends on December 22, 2023.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Annual fee: $120
• Annual fee for additional cards: $29
• Earn five Scene+ points for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, restaurant, food delivery, food subscription, and entertainment purchases.
• Earn 6X Scene+ points for each dollar charged to your account on all eligible purchases at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
• Earn three Scene+ points for every $1 spent on eligible gas and daily transit purchases and select streaming services.
• Earn five Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Access excellent travel perks with this card. Get travel insurance and concierge services, pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad or at foreign merchants online, and access Scene+ Travel (a full-service travel agency).

Offer expiry date: July 1, 2024

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8. CIBC Dividend^® Visa Infinite^* Card

When you sign up for the CIBC Dividend^® Visa Infinite* Card, earn a 10% cash back welcome bonus of up to $200 on your first four statements. Plus, get your first $120 annual fee rebated.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• 4% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging and grocery purchases^†
• 2% cash back on eligible transportation and dining purchases, as well as recurring payments^†
• 1% cash back on all other purchases^†

This offer does not apply to customers in Quebec.

Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)

^†Terms and conditions apply.

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9. BMO Cashback World Elite^* Mastercard^*

Winner of RATESDOTCA’s Best Overall Cashback Credit Card of 2023 award, the BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard*, helps you earn up to 10% cash back for the first three months. Plus, BMO will waive the $120 annual fee for the first year.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Annual fee: $120
• Annual fee for additional cards: $50
• Earn 5% cash back on your first $500 in grocery purchases monthly.
• Earn 4% cash back on your first $300 in ground transportation purchases monthly.
• Earn 3% cash back on your first $300 in vehicle fuel purchases monthly.
• Earn 2% cash back on your first $500 in recurring bill payments monthly.
• Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.

The BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard* offers handy perks like roadside assistance and concierge services.

Offer expiry date: May 31, 2024 

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10. Scotia Momentum^® Visa Infinite^* Card

With the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases). Plus, Scotia Bank will waive the annual fee for the first year, and the fee for additional cards. To qualify for this offer, your account should be approved by October 31, 2024. Plus, for a limited time, receive a $125 Cash Bonus from RATESDOTCA upon approval*. This offer ends on December 22, 2023.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Annual fee: $120
• Annual fee for additional cards: $50
• Earn 4% cash back on recurring bill payments and grocery purchases.
• Earn 2% cash back on gas and transit purchases.
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

This card offers excellent travel, dining, and entertainment perks. Get concierge services, access to over 900 Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection properties, access to Visa Infinite Dining Series and Visa Infinite Music Series, and access to wineries with the Visa Infinite Wine Country program. Moreover, get travel insurance and mobile device coverage on this card.

Offer expiry date: October 31, 2024 

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11. MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus^® Mastercard^®

The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus^® Mastercard^® offers four points for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership, and household utility purchases for 90 days (about three months), up to the $10,000 annual spend cap.

Plus, earn 5,000 bonus points after you spend at least $500 on eligible purchases during the first 90 days and another 5,000 bonus points for signing up for paperless e-statements within the same period. That is up to 10,000 bonus points.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Annual fee: $0
• Annual fee for additional cards: $0
• Earn two points for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership, and household utility purchases until $10,000 is spent annually.
• Earn one point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

This card features a birthday bonus (up to 10,000 points annually), mobile device insurance, extended warranty benefits, and purchase assurance.

Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)

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12. Tangerine World Mastercard^®

The Tangerine World Mastercard^® won RATESDOTCA’s Best No-Fee Cash Back Credit Card of 2023. New cardmembers can earn 10% cash back for the first two months on up to $1,000 in total purchases. That is up to $100 cash back.

Plus, for a limited time, receive a $125 Cash Bonus from RATESDOTCA upon approval*. This offer ends on December 15, 2023.

Regular features and benefits of this card include:

• Annual fee: $0
• Annual fee for additional cards: $0
• Earn 2% cash back in up to three categories of your choice. Start with two Money-Back Categories and earn the third when you deposit your rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account. The 10 Money-Back Categories include groceries, furniture, restaurants, hotel-motel, gas, recurring bill payments, drugstore, home improvements, entertainment, and public transportation and parking.
• Earn 0.50% cash back on all other purchases.