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CashSurgeCashSurge increases the value of credit cards by introducing an additional cash bonus. We’ll pay you up to $150 every time you are approved for a CashSurge credit card.
Get a $100 Cash Bonus
Receive up to 30,000 MBNA Rewards bonus points:
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.
Get a $100 Cash Bonus
5,000 bonus points†† after you make $500 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening. Plus, 5,000 bonus points†† once enrolled for paperless e-statements within the first 90 days of account opening
And 4 points†† for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases during the first 90 days (until $10,000 is spent annually in the applicable category)
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.
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Get a $50 Cash Bonus
Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year*
Get a $50 Cash Bonus
Get up to 60,000 points worth $400 in travel rewards, a $50 anniversary lifestyle credit and the $120 annual fee waived in your first year – that's a $570 value achieved by your first anniversary.
Get a $50 Cash Bonus
Get 20,000 points when you spend $1,500 in the first 3 months - that's a $133 value!* Plus, earn up to 5,000 bonus points every year.
Get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months, 2% fee applies to balance amounts transferred.*
Get a $50 Cash Bonus
$60 cash back when you make a mobile wallet purchase within the first 90 days and 6 automatic payments within the first 8 months for your Rogers, Fido or Shaw postpaid service.
Get a $50 Cash Bonus
Earn 5% cash back for your first 3 months (up to $2,500 in spending). Plus, get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months, 2% fee applies to balance amounts transferred.*
Looking to get more out of your credit card? Rewards credit cards help you earn back valuable cash rewards, point rewards, travel rewards, or a combination on every purchase you make through your credit card. Find out which of these credit card rewards match your lifestyle and compare the best Canadian rewards credit cards on RATESDOTCA.
Many credit cards offer travel points, cash back or low interest rates for making day-to-day purchases. However, some rewards programs stand out for their extensive redemption options and more ways for cardholders to potentially save money through exclusive offers and deals.
Our top picks feature flexible reward programs to help cardholders get more in return for their daily spending. Additionally, extra perks and benefits provide users access to comprehensive travel insurance coverage, exclusive deals and, most importantly, high earn rates for everyday purchases like gas and groceries.
We compared the leading rewards credit cards using our Best of Finance methodology and ranked the cards with the highest first-year value, the most flexible rewards and robust benefits.
| First year value* | Credit score required | Winner | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,361 | Fair | American Express Cobalt® Credit Card | ||
| $1,194 | Good | Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card | ||
| $476 | Fair | President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard® | ||
| $1,361 | Fair | American Express Cobalt® Credit Card |
*The RATESDOTCA Best of Finance methodology assumes the cardholder spends an average of $2,000 a month on their card to determine the first-year value. The calculation includes all welcome bonuses and promotional offers at the time of publishing.
Many credit cards offer travel points, cash back or low-interest rates for making day-to-day purchases. However, some rewards programs stand out for their extensive redemption options and more ways for cardholders to potentially save money through exclusive offers and deals.
Our top picks feature flexible reward programs to help cardholders get more in return for their daily spending. Additionally, extra perks and benefits provide users access to comprehensive travel insurance coverage, exclusive deals and, most importantly, high earn rates for everyday purchases like gas and groceries.
We compared the leading rewards credit cards using our Best of Finance methodology and ranked the cards with the highest first-year value, the most flexible rewards and robust benefits.
| First year value* | Credit score required | Top features | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,361 | Fair | Flexible Membership Rewards® program and travel insurance. | ||
| $1,536 | Excellent | Enjoy a Priority Pass Membership with four free lounge passes annually. Get a NEXUS application fee rebate and travel insurance. | ||
| $1,194 | Good | Enjoy the flexible Scotia Scene+ rewards program, no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance coverage. | ||
| $1,451 | Good | Enjoy great travel benefits and insurance. You can redeem points for travel, statement credit and more. | ||
| $1,144 | Good | Travellers can earn points and redeem for flights through various airline rewards programs. Includes comprehensive travel insurance and mobile device insurance. |
For a monthly fee of $12.99, you can access the cards with one the best rewards programs in the market: The American Express Cobalt® Credit Card.
Points can be put towards flights (through the Fixed Points Travel Program Travel), streaming services, movie tickets, events, statement credits, and purchases on Amazon.ca.
Here’s how the earn rate on the Cobalt® Card breaks down.
Earn five points for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery and food delivery purchases in Canada. Get three points for every $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions. Earn two points for every $1 spent on eligible travel and transit purchases and get one point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Cardholders should notice their reward balance growing steadily from their typical everyday purchases, with no major change in spending habits required.
According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn $1,361 in rewards in the first year and $999 in rewards in the second year, and that’s after fees. Many other rewards credit cards have jacked-up welcome bonuses, but Cobalt® Card rewards are structured to keep delivering value, and you don’t need an exceptional income or credit score to qualify for it.
Annual fee
$155.88 ($12.99 per month)
Annual fee for additional cardholders: $0
Limited time offer/bonus
Offer expiry date: Ongoing offer
Rewards
Earning potential
How does this card stack up to other rewards credit cards? We crunched the numbers using our Best of Finance methodology to see how much an average Canadian could earn over a 12-month period.
Rewards earned over a 12-month period = 86,971 Membership Rewards® points
Monetary value= $1,417
Hotel Booking Credit= $100
Annual fee = $156*
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $1,361
* The American Express Cobalt® Credit Card has a $12.99 monthly fee ($155.88 per year).
You can redeem your points for:
Insurance
For a limited time, new CIBC Aventura® Visa InfiniteTM Card cardholders can earn 45,000 Aventura Points when they sign up, a value of about $900. Cardholders regularly earn two points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre, 1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores, and one point for every $1 spent everywhere else.
Cardholders also get a complimentary visit to one of the 1,200+ lounges available globally through the Visa Airport Companion Program, a NEXUS application fee rebate every four years, and comprehensive travel insurance coverage.
According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn around $1,536 in rewards in the first year.
Annual fee
$139 (First year rebated)
Interest rate
Purchase – 20.99%
Cash advance – 22.99% (21.99% for QC residents)
Balance transfer – 22.99%
Welcome bonus
Offer expiry date: Ongoing offer
Rewards
The Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card offers accelerated rewards categories that are similar to the American Express CobaltTM Credit Card but with its own twist. If you have the Scotiabank Gold American Express, you can redeem points for movie tickets: earn five Scotia Scene+ points for every $1 spent on groceries, restaurants, food delivery, food subscriptions, and entertainment purchases. Get three Scotia Scene+ points for every $1 spent on gas, daily transit, and streaming services, and one Scotia Scene+ point for every $1 spent anywhere else.
This card also features excellent travel benefits. Get the Best Price Guarantee on airfare through the Scotia Rewards Travel Service. Access a full line of travel insurance coverage. Plus, pay no foreign transaction fees, usually around 2.5% of foreign currency purchases. Only the exchange rate applies.
According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn around $1,194 in rewards in the first year.
Annual fee
$120 (First year waived)
Limited time offer/bonus
Offer expiry date: January 2, 2025
Rewards
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is a great rewards card with a generous bonus offer, complimentary airport lounge access, a NEXUS discount and travel insurance benefits. If you’re an avid traveller, this Amex will help you rack up points you can later redeem for travel discounts, air tickets and much more.
According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn around $1,451 in rewards in the first year.
Annual fee
$250
Welcome bonus
Offer expiry date: Ongoing offer
Rewards
With the RBC Avion® Visa Infinite, you can redeem points for many great rewards, including travel tickets, gift cards, merchandise or cash back. You also won’t need to worry about blackout periods or seat restrictions; if you find an open seat, you can use your rewards to book it, even during peak seasons. Best of all, flights start as low as 15,000 RBC rewards points. According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn around $1,144 in rewards in the first year.
Annual fee
$120
Limited time offer/bonus
Get 35,000 welcome Avion points on approval** (travel value of up to $750†)- Enough to fly anywhere in Canada & the U.S† (Alaska and Hawaii require more points)
Offer Expiry Date: N/A - Ongoing Offer
Rewards
Other perks
As we move deeper into a subscription–based economy, you may have found yourself attached to several accounts – whether on a streaming platform, food delivery app or something else. Either way, all the accompanying expenses are likely taking a toll on your reward balance.
If your current rewards card isn’t specifically designed for online subscriptions and other expenses, you may be receiving a lower number of rewards or cash back than you would’ve if your lifestyle was more ‘old-school.’ Luckily, our top picks reward cardholders for their subscriptions as well as takeout and delivery purchases, while offering some great perks for maintaining your favourite subscriptions.
We compared the best credit cards for delivery and takeout purchases using our Best of Finance methodology and ranked the cards that provided the highest first-year value.
| First year value* | Credit score required | Top features | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,194 | Good | Earn five Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on fast food, food delivery and food subscriptions. Earn three Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible subscription purchases like Netflix. | |
|
Runner-up |
$1,144 | Good | Make use of flexible redemption on points, plus generous welcome bonuses of up to $1,100 in travel. |
|
Runner-up |
$434 | Good | For no annual fee, earn 2 Scene+ points on select streaming services, in addition to discounts at participating rental car agencies. |
The Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card rewards cardholders for their everyday purchases, from takeout and delivery to streaming services. Get five Scotia Scene+ points for every $1 spent on eligible groceries, takeout, food subscription boxes, and entertainment purchases. Earn three Scotia Scene+ points for every $1 spent on gas, transit and select streaming services, like Netflix. Get one Scotia Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Rack up rewards quickly and redeem them for thousands of options, including travel, merchandise, gift cards and statement credits. Plus, pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad or online in foreign currency. Only the exchange rate applies.
According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn around $1,024 in rewards in the first year.
Annual fee
$120 (First year waived)
Welcome bonus
Earn up to $950* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived.1 . Offer ends January 2, 2025
Rewards
6x Scotia Scene+ points:
5x Scotia Scene+ points:
3x Scotia Scene+ points:
1x Scotia Scene+ point:
Earning potential
How does this card stack up to other rewards credit cards? We crunched the numbers using our Best of Finance methodology to see how much an average Canadian could earn over a 12-month period.
Rewards earned over a 12-month period + Welcome Bonus = $744 + $450 = $1,194
Annual fee = $120 (First year waived)
Total earned over a 12-month period (rewards minus annual fee) = $1,194
Benefits
Insurance coverage
With the RBC Avion® Visa Infinite Card, you can earn reward points and redeem them for a variety of great rewards such as travel tickets, gift cards, merchandise or cash back. Thanks to this card, you will have no blackouts or seat restrictions. And if you find an open seat, you can use your rewards to book it – even during peak seasons. Best of all, flights start as low as 15,000 RBC rewards points.
According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn around $1,144 in rewards in the first year.
Annual fee
$120
Welcome bonus
Get 35,000 welcome Avion points on approval** (travel value of up to $750†)- Enough to fly anywhere in Canada & the U.S† (Alaska and Hawaii require more points)
Offer Expires - N/A - Ongoing Offer.
Rewards
Earning potential
How does this card stack up to other rewards credit cards? We crunched the numbers using our Best of Finance methodology to see how much an average Canadian could earn over a 12-month period.
Rewards earned over a 12-month period + Welcome Bonus = $750 + $514 = $1,264
Annual fee = $120
Total earned over a 12-month period (rewards minus annual fee) = $1,144
Benefits
With Scotiabank American Express® Card, for a limited time only, you can earn up to 7,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first year (which is up to $70 towards travel).
This card is a good fit for people who want a convenient and secure payment method for all their everyday purchases that also helps them build their credit history – as long minimum payments are made on time each month. In addition, Scotiabank American Express® Card allows you to earn numerous rewards and benefits – while charging $0 in annual fees.
According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn around $454 in rewards in the first year.
Annual fee
$0
Welcome bonus
Earn up to 5.000 bonus Scene+ points within your first year (that’s up to $50 towards travel)1. Offer ends July 1, 2025
Rewards
Earning potential
How does this card stack up to other rewards credit cards? We crunched the numbers using our Best of Finance methodology to see how much an average Canadian could earn over a 12-month period.
Rewards earned over a 12-month period + Welcome Bonus = $384 + $50 = $434
Annual fee = $0
Total earned over a 12-month period (rewards minus annual fee) = $434
Benefits
The right credit card can benefit the entire family. Whether it’s redeeming points for groceries at your favourite store or putting them towards streaming services, Canada’s top credit cards can save you money where you least expect it.
We compared the leading credit cards for grocery and gas purchases using our Best of Finance methodology and ranked the cards that provided the highest first-year value.
However, sometimes, there are other, more important, characteristics that make a credit card great. That’s why our top pick for the best family credit card may surprise you.
Despite not having the best value by our own standards, we feel that the President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard® is the best credit card for families. Why? This no-fee offers families the ability to combine their PC Optimum points into a household pool, meaning families can earn and spend their rewards together. Plus, you can get supplementary cards for free.
With that in mind, your total for rewards earned on the President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard® could eclipse the earning potential of the other cards on the list.
Keep reading to see the full ranking.
| First year value* | Credit score required | Top features | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $476 | Fair | The card has no annual fee, allowing customers get it as a secondary card to shop for groceries and gas and save money in the process. | |
| $1,194 | Good | Earn points on groceries, dining, entertainment, gas, streaming services and public transportation purchases. | |
|
Runner-up |
$1,361 | Fair | Earn 5 AMEX Membership Rewards for every $1 spent on food and groceries. |
Cardholders of the President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard® can earn and redeem points on their purchases at President’s Choice banner brands including, Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore and Zehrs, as well as their drugstore purchases at Shoppers Drug Mart. Earn at least 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations. You can now also redeem your points at Esso.
Cardholders also have two ways to earn rewards faster. The first way is to present their PC Optimum card at the checkout and double dip on points. The second is by creating a “household” within the PC Optimum app and pooling points to earn and redeem rewards as a family.
According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn around $476 in rewards in the first year.
Annual fee
$0
Welcome bonus
20,000 PC Optimum™ points after your first purchase
Rewards
Earn:
Earning potential
How does this card stack up to other rewards credit cards? We crunched the numbers using our Best of Finance methodology to see how much an average Canadian could earn over a 12-month period.
Rewards earned over a 12-month period + Welcome Bonus = $456 + $20 = $476
Annual fee = $0
Total earned over a 12-month period (rewards minus annual fee) = $476
Benefits
Insurance coverage
The Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card offers rewards and benefits that are well-suited for families. Get rewarded with bonus points for meal kits like HelloFresh and Chefs Plate or streaming services like Netflix. Earn five Scotia Scene+ points for every $1 spent on grocery, fast food, food delivery, food subscription and entertainment purchases.
Earn three Scotia Scene+ points for every $1 spent on gas, transit purchases and select streaming services. Get one Scotia Scene+ point for all other purchases.
This card also features travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees — both fantastic perks for a family on vacation.
According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn around $1,194 in rewards in the first year.
Annual fee
$120 (First year waived)
Welcome bonus
Earn up to $950* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived.1 Offer ends January 2, 2025.
Rewards
Earning potential
How does this card stack up to other rewards credit cards? We crunched the numbers using our Best of Finance methodology to see how much an average Canadian could earn over a 12-month period.
Rewards earned over a 12-month period + Welcome Bonus = $744 + $400 = $1,194
Annual fee = $120 (First year waived)
Total earned over a 12-month period (rewards minus annual fee) = $1,194
Benefits
