2025's Best Rewards Credit Cards for Canadians
Compare the best rewards credit cards to get the perks you actually want.
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Rewards credit cards 101
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.
Best Credit Cards for 2025: Best Rewards Credit Cards
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 and ranked the cards with the highest first-year value, the most flexible rewards and robust benefits.
| First-year value* | Credit score required | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,257 | Fair | American Express Cobalt® Credit Card | |
| $1,024 | Good | Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card | |
| $476 | Fair | President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard® | |
| $996 | Good | BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* 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.
Best Overall Rewards Credit Card for 2025
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,257 | 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. | |
| $1,024 | 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. | |
| $924 | Good | One of the best cards out there for earning rewards on groceries and restaurants purchases. |
Winner: American Express Cobalt® Credit Card
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 other purchases.
According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn $1,257 in rewards in the first year. 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
- In your first year as a new Cobalt® Cardmember, you can earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in net purchases on your Card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.
Offer expiry date: Ongoing offer
Rewards
- Earn five points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, restaurants, cafés, bars and food delivery purchases.
- Earn three points for every $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
- Earn two points for every $1 spent on transit, gas, and other eligible travel purchases.
- Earn one point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
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:
- Flights through the Fixed Points Travel Program
- Travel
- Streaming services
- Movie tickets
- Retail purchases
- Events
- Amazon.ca purchases
- Statement credits
Insurance
- Out-of-province/country emergency medical insurance
- Flight delay insurance
- Baggage delay insurance
- Lost and stolen baggage insurance
- Hotel burglary insurance
- Travel accident insurance
- Car rental theft and damage insurance
- Mobile device insurance
- Purchase security
- Extended warranty
Runners-up: Best Overall Rewards Credit Card
2. CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card
For a limited time, new CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* 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
- Get a total of up to 45,000 Aventura Points (up to $900 in travel value†):
- 15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase†
- 30,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods†
- Get a one-time annual fee rebate ($139) for you (the primary cardholder) and up to three authorized users ($50 each): over $189 value.†
- Elevate your airport experience with 4 complimentary visits at 1,200+ lounges globally through Visa Airport Companion Program: over $277 in value.†
- Plus, get a NEXUS◊ Application Fee rebate†: A $100 value†
Offer expiry date: Ongoing offer
Rewards
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
- Earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
3. Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card
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 $1,024 in rewards in the first year.
Annual fee
$120
Limited time offer/bonus
- Earn 20,000 bonus Scotia Scene+ points when you spend at least $2,000 in the first three months.
- Get an additional 20,000 Scotia Scene+ points when you spend at least $7,500 in everyday purchases in the first year.
Offer expiry date: July 1, 2025
Rewards
6x Scotia Scene+ points:
- Select grocery stores
5x Scotia Scene+ points:
- Groceries
- Restaurants
- Entertainment
3x Scotia Scene+ points:
- Gas
- Daily transit
- Select streaming services
1x Scotia Scene+ point:
- All other purchases
4. American Express® Gold Rewards Card
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
- Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points: This could add up to 60,000 points in a year. That’s up to $600 towards your next vacation.
- New American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your card.
Offer expiry date: Ongoing offer
Rewards
2 AMEX Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on:
- Gas
- Grocery
- Drugstore
- Travel purchases
1 AMEX Membership Rewards point per $1 spent on:
- All other purchases
5. MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
The MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® offers five points for every $1 spent on groceries, restaurants, streaming services and utilities. Earn one point for every $1 spent on everything else. You also get great insurance perks, such as mobile device insurance and travel accident insurance.
According to our Best of Finance methodology, you can earn up to $924 during the first year of using this card.
Annual fee
$120
Welcome bonus
Receive up to 30,000 MBNA Rewards bonus points:
- 20,000 bonus points ($200 in travel value or $165 cash back value) after you make $2,000 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
- 10,000 bonus points ($100 in travel value or $80 cash back value) once enrolled for paperless e-statements within the first 90 days of account opening
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.
Offer expiry date: Ongoing offer
Rewards
5 points for every $1 spent on
- Groceries
- Restaurants
- Memberships and Digital Media
- Household Utilities
1 point for every $1 spent on
- All other eligible purchases.
Other perks
- Annual Birthday Bonus Points‡ equal to 10% of the total number of Points earned in the 12 months before the month of your birthday (maximum 15,000 Points)
- Save with Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Best Credit Card for Subscriptions
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,024 | 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 |
$1,572 | 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. |
Winner: Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card
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
Welcome bonus
Earn up to $780* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points.¹ Offer ends July 1, 2025.
Rewards
6x Scotia Scene+ points:
- Select grocery stores
5x Scotia Scene+ points:
- Groceries
- Restaurants
- Entertainment
3x Scotia Scene+ points:
- Gas
- Daily transit
- Select streaming services
1x Scotia Scene+ point:
- All other purchases
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 = $1,144
Annual fee = $120
Total earned over a 12-month period (rewards minus annual fee) = $1,024
Benefits
- No foreign transaction fees - including online shopping
- Amex exclusive benefits (Front Of The Line)
- 24/7 concierge service
- Discount on the Priority Pass membership
Insurance coverage
- Purchase Protection - 90 days
- Extended Warranty - 1 year
- Travel Accident - $500,000
- Emergency Medical Term - 25 days
- Trip Cancellation - $1,500
- Trip Interruption - $1,500
- Flight Delay- $500
- Baggage Delay - $1,000
- Lost or Stolen Baggage - $1,000
- Rental Car Theft & Damage
Runners-up: Best Credit Card for Subscriptions
RBC Avion® Visa Infinite Card
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 $1,572 in rewards in the first year.
Annual fee
$120
Welcome bonus
Get up to 55,000 Avion points* (a value of up to $1,100), that’s enough to fly anywhere in North America or the Caribbean! Get 35,000 Welcome Points on approval and 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first 6 months*
Offer Expiry Date: June 3, 2025
Rewards
- 1.25 Avion points for every $1 spent on travel
- 1 Avion point for every $1 spent on all purchases
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 = $1,178 + $514 = $1,692
Annual fee = $120
Total earned over a 12-month period (rewards minus annual fee) = $1,572
Benefits
- Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash - Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:
- Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription – a value of almost $120
- Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $12 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card
- Instant fuel savings at Petro-Canada
- Link your card to earn more Be Well points at Rexall
- Access to luxury Visa Infinite events
- Help protect your RBC credit card balance when you need it most – with optional BalanceProtector Max.
Scotiabank American Express® Card
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 $434 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
- 2 points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, restaurants and food delivery, entertainment, transit and select streaming services
- 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases
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
- Amex Invites and reserved tickets access
- Rental car discounts at participating AVIS and Budget locations
- Discounts through Scotia Rewards Program
- Full-service travel agency
