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Visa Credit Cards

Take advantage of great Visa credit card offers today.

Visa credit card network

Visa is a payment processing network, with its HQ located in California. Visa facilitates billions of electronic funds transfers throughout the world, most commonly through their Visa-branded credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards.

Visa payments are accepted in more than 200 countries, by vendors of all sizes. If a company accepts credit cards, then they accept Visa! This vast network makes Visa a great option for just about anyone seeking the security and convenience of a credit card.

Visa credit cards

Visa credit cards are issued by financial institutions based on the applicant’s creditworthiness. The better your credit rating, the higher your spending limit will be. You can find a wide array of Visa credit cards in Canada, as they are offered by almost every Canadian bank.

Here are the five categories of Visa credit cards:

  • Visa Classic: Visa Classic credit cards offer you convenience, reliability, and worldwide acceptance.
  • Visa Gold: Visa Gold credit cards offer you a variety of great rewards and perks.
  • Visa Platinum: Visa Platinum credit cards come with higher spending limits. Visa Platinum cards have exclusive rewards and perks.
  • Visa Infinite: Visa Infinite credit cards allow you to access exclusive experiences and premium benefits such as concierge services, travel rewards and perks such as trip cancellation insurance and airport lounge access.
  • Visa Infinite Privilege: Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards come with top tier rewards such as exclusive entertainment access, travel benefits including access to the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, not to mention the ultimate purchasing power.

Best Credit Cards for 2023: Best Overall Visa Card

When it comes to picking a credit card, Visa is a popular choice amongst Canadians. Visa partners with top Canadian financial institutions to offer a large selection of credit cards, from travel cards to rewards cards. The best Visa credit cards provide flexible rewards options, generous welcome bonuses and perks.

Due to the sheer amount of Visa credit cards on the market, picking the best card may be confusing. We have selected the top Visa credit cards for Canadians using our Best of Finance methodologyand ranked the cards that provided the highest first year value.

  First year value* Credit score required Great features  
$1,525 Excellent Earn points on eligible purchases and redeem them for a variety of rewards. Great travel perks and benefits such as, travel insurance and mobile device insurance. Access to the Visa Infinite program.
$1,460 Good Redeem reward points for flights, gift cards, merchandise or cash back. No travel blackout dates.
$468 Good Earn Scotia Scene+ points and redeem them for free movie tickets, gift cards, dining discounts and statement credit.

Winner: CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite*

The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card helps you save money while travelling as it gives you a NEXUS application fee rebate. This unique feature is rare and only applies to very few travel cards. On top of a strong, flexible rewards structure, you also get a complimentary Priority Pass Membership and four free airport lounge visits annually. As a cardholder, you become a part of the Visa Infinite program, accessing luxury travel upgrades and complimentary breakfast at over 900 hotel properties worldwide. Best of all, members can redeem Aventura Points for the total cost of airfare, including taxes and fees.

According to our Best of Finance Methodology, you can earn up to $1,525 during the first year of using this card.

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 40,000 Aventura Points (up to $850 in travel value):
  • 20,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase
  • 20,000 Aventura Points when you spend $1,000 monthly or more during the first year.
  • 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 $190 in value.
  • Plus, get a NEXUS Application Fee rebate: A $50 value

Offer expiry date: NA

Rewards

  • Earn two 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 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 = $1,525

Annual fee = $139 (First year rebated)

Interest rate= Purchase – 20.99%, Cash Advance – 22.99% (21.99% for QC residents), Balance Transfer – 22.99%

Total earned over a 12-month period (rewards minus annual fee) = $1,525

Benefits

  • Access to the Aventura Travel Assistant
  • Access to the Visa Infinite Travel program and the Visa Infinite Concierge services
  • NEXUS application fee rebate once every 4 years

Insurance 

  • Travel insurance with out-of-province emergency travel medical coverage
  • Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance
  • Car rental collision/loss damage insurance
  • Flight delay and baggage insurance
  • Hotel burglary insurance charge
  • Mobile device insurance

Runners-up: Best Overall Visa Card

RBC Avion® Visa Infinite

With the RBC Avion® Visa Infinite, you can redeem points for a variety of great rewards such as flights, gift cards, merchandise or cash back. And unlike other travel credit cards, you won’t be subject to blackout dates 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 $1,460 in rewards in the first year.

Annual fee

$120

Limited time offer/bonus: Receive up to 55,000 welcome RBC Rewards points upon approval (up to a $1,10 value).

Offer Expiry Date: January 31, 2023

Rewards

  • Earn one RBC Rewards point for every $1 spent on the card.
  • Earn an extra 25% on eligible travel-related purchases.
  • Earn an extra 20% at Petro-Canada.

Scotiabank®* Scene+™  VISA* Card

The SCENE®* VISA* Card rewards devoted moviegoers with free tickets, restaurant discounts, gift cards, and merchandise, all for making everyday purchases. Earn twoScotia Scene+ points for every $1 spent at Cineplex theatres and Cineplex.com. Get one Scotia Scene+ point for every $1 spent everywhere else you shop.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn $418 in Scotia Scene+ points over the first year. That is roughly 25 general admission tickets. You can also redeem Scene+ points for travel, gift cards, entertainment, dining and statement credit.

Annual fee

$0

Limited time offer/bonus

  • Earn 5,000 bonus Scene+ points with your first $750 in everyday purchases in first 3 months.
  • Plus, for a limited time, you are eligible to earn a 5,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $5,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first year.

Offer expiry date: April 30, 2023

Rewards

  • Earn one Scotia Scene+ point per dollar spent on eligible everyday purchases.
  • Earn two Scotia Scene+ points per dollar spent at Cineplex theatres and Cineplex.com.

*A maximum of 300 points can be earned per transaction, up to a daily maximum of 600 points. When redeeming SCENE points at the theatre, additional SCENE points are earned, up to a maximum of one adult ticket and two child tickets per transaction and two transactions per day.

Visa credit card security

When you pay with your Visa card, your transactions are recorded and traceable, unlike cash purchases. If you’re a victim of fraudulent credit card activity, Visa will ensure that you are protected with their zero liability policy.

Visa credit card has an account number and the cardholder's name embossed on the front of a Visa card. The cards also feature a special three-digit validation code on the back, providing you with additional security.

Visa also uses an AIS program which helps ensure that merchants who process your Visa transactions are protecting your credit card and personal data properly. Compare the best Visa credit cards available in Canada to find the perfect Visa card for you.

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