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Best Credit Card Welcome Offers for December 2021
Table of Contents
December is typically the most expensive month of the year. With travel, groceries, clothing, and wish lists piling up, the costs can add up. However, with the right credit card, the winter holidays can also be extremely rewarding.
While racking up debt is not recommended, using your credit card strategically can save you money. Cardholders can earn rewards for everyday spending and miscellaneous items like gifts and decorations.
At the same time, many credit card welcome bonuses have minimum spending requirements, and cardholders can use holiday shopping to their advantage.
For example, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card offers up to 25,000 Aeroplan points and a bonus Buddy Pass. Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase using your card. Earn an additional 15,000 points and a bonus Buddy Pass when you spend at least $1,000 in the first 90 days of opening the account (this offer is not available to residents of Quebec).
The spending cap for this card is quite reasonable. In comparison, other cards may have higher minimum spending requirements closer to $3,000 or even $5,000. Holiday spending can help people reach the requirements faster, nonetheless.
Compare the best credit cards in Canada using our extensive list of welcome offers for December. Find the card that matches your spending habits and maximize your rewards or cash back potential.
| Our top picks | ||
|---|---|---|
Credit card | Welcome offer | Annual fee |
| $156 ($12.99 per month) | |
| $139 (First year rebated) | |
| $250 | |
| $120 (First year waived) | |
| $120 | |
| $120 (First year waived) | |
| $119 | |
| $149 | |
| $0 | |
| $120 (First year rebated) | |
| $0 | |
| $0 | |
| $0 | |
† Terms and conditions apply
1. American Express CobaltTM Credit Card
Apply for the American Express CobaltTM Credit Card to earn up to 50,000 Membership Rewards® points in the first year. You can earn 2,500 points for each monthly billing period in which you spend at least $500 on the card. This could add up to 30,000 points. Earn 20,000 points when you spend at least $3,000 in the first three months of opening the account.
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.
From experiences and travel to statement credits and gift cards, the American Express CobaltTM Credit Card allows you to redeem rewards for almost anything. This card also features mobile device insurance, shopping coverage, and exclusive access to presale tickets and events.
Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)
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2. TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
New TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card customers can earn up to 25,000 Aeroplan points and a bonus Buddy Pass. Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase using your card†. Earn an additional 15,000 points and a bonus Buddy Pass when you spend at least $1,000 in the first 90 days of opening the account†. (This offer is not available to residents of Quebec). Must apply by March 6, 2022.
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.
Enroll for NEXUS and get an application fee rebate every 48 months (up to a $100 value). This card also features 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.
Offer expiry date: March 6, 2022
† Terms and conditions apply.
3. American Express® Gold Rewards Card
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card offers up to 60,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points. Earn a Welcome Bonus of 50,000 points when you charge at least $3,000 in purchases to your card in the first three months. Earn an additional 10,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of membership.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $250
- Annual fee for additional cards: $50
- Earn two Membership Rewards® points for every $1 spent on eligible travel, including flights, car rentals, and more.
- Earn two Membership Rewards® points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases in Canada.
- Earn one Membership Rewards® point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
This card is chock-full of travel perks. Get a $100 annual travel credit to use toward any single travel booking of $100 or more charged to your card. Access more than 1,200 airport lounges globally with a Priority Pass and get four complimentary lounge visits to Plaza Premium Lounges annually. Plus, receive a $50 statement credit when a NEXUS application or renewal fee is charged to the card.
Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)
4. Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card
The Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card offers up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points. Earn 20,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $1,000 in purchases to the card in the first three months. Earn an additional 20,000 Scene+ points when you spend at least $7,500 in everyday purchases in the first 12 months. Plus, pay no annual fee for the first year.
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 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.
The Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card is an excellent travel companion and lifestyle card. Earn rewards for everyday items and pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad or from foreign merchants online. Cardholders can also access travel and shopping insurance, concierge services, and Scene+ Travel (a full-service travel agency).
Offer expiry date: January 1, 2022
5. RBC Avion® Visa Infinite Card
Apply for the RBC Avion® Visa Infinite Card and get 35,000 welcome points upon enrolment. Points will appear on your first monthly credit card statement.
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, for a limited time, you can get a free 12-month DashPass subscription when you pay with your eligible card.
Offer expiry date: April 18, 2022
6. BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard*
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The BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard* offers up to 10% cash back for the first three months. Plus, BMO will waive the 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 automobile and 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.
Get everyday benefits like roadside assistance and concierge services and travel perks like insurance coverage and Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by LoungeKey.
Offer expiry date: December 6, 2022
7. WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡
Get up to 450 welcome WestJet dollars with the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡. Earn 250 welcome WestJet dollars upon approval and an additional 200 welcome WestJet dollars when you spend at least $5,000 on your card within the first three months.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $119
- Annual fee for additional cards: $59
- Earn 2% in WestJet dollars for every $1 spent on WestJet flights or WestJet Vacations packages.
- Earn 1.5% in WestJet dollars for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Get instant savings on fuel at Petro-Canada when you link your card and earn 20% more Petro-Points. Also, access free Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard and connect to more than one million hotspots worldwide.
Offer expiry date: January 5, 2022
8. HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®
Apply for the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® to earn up to 100,000 points ($500 travel value).
Get a 20,000-point welcome bonus when you make your first purchase using the card. Earn an additional 50,000 points when you spend at least $6,000 in the first 180 days (about six months) and 10,000 points for adding your first authorized user. Receive another 20,000 points as an Anniversary Bonus. Plus, HSBC will rebate the annual fee for the primary cardholder for the first year.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $149
- Annual fee for additional cards: $50
- Earn six points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases.
- Earn three points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
This card is ideal for travellers, providing a $100 annual travel enhancement credit, no foreign transaction fees, and travel insurance coverage.
A separate offer is available for residents of Quebec.
Offer expiry date: January 31, 2022
9. Tangerine World Mastercard®
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With the Tangerine World Mastercard®, you can get 15% cash back when you spend up to $1,000 in purchases within the first two months. That is up to $150 cash back.
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 Money-Back Categories of your choice. Start with two categories and earn the third when depositing your rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account. Choose from the following 10 Money-Back Categories: grocery, furniture, restaurants, hotel-motel, gas, recurring bill payments, drugstore, home improvement, entertainment, and public transportation and parking.
- Earn 0.50% cash back on all other purchases.
Get free additional cards for authorized users and basic car rental insurance.
Offer expiry date: January 31, 2022
10. TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card
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The TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card offers 6% cash back in your first three months, up to $2,000 in total purchases†. Plus, TD will rebate the annual fee for the primary cardholder and one additional cardholder for the first year†. (This offer is not available to residents of Quebec). Must apply by May 29, 2022.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $120
- Annual fee for additional cards: $50
- Earn 3% in Cash Back Dollars for every $1 spent on eligible grocery and gas purchases and regularly recurring bill payments.
- Earn 1% in Cash Back Dollars for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Get a free Deluxe TD Auto Club Membership for emergency roadside assistance and auto rental collision/loss damage insurance, among other travel insurance coverage. Plus, access Visa Infinite benefits, including culinary experiences and concierge services.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.
Offer expiry date: May 29, 2022
† Terms and conditions apply.
11. MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard®
Apply for the MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard® to earn 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 in 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 now features a birthday bonus of up to a maximum of 10,000 points annually. The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard® also offers mobile device insurance, extended warranty benefits, and purchase assurance.
Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)
12. SimplyCash™ Card from American Express
The SimplyCash™ Card from American Express offers 4% cash back on all purchases (up to $5,000 spent) for the first six months. That is up to $200 cash back.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $0
- Annual fee for additional cards: $0
- Earn 1.25% cash back on all purchases, with no limit to how much you can earn.
Access American Express® Experiences for exclusive offers, presale tickets, and curated events. This card also features travel accident insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protection.
Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)
13. BMO CashBack Mastercard®*
New members of the BMO* CashBack® Mastercard®* can earn 5% cash back on up to $2,500 in total purchases in the qualified categories ($500 groceries, $500 recurring bill payments, $1,500 on all other purchases) for the first three months.
This card also offers a 1.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for nine months. A 1% balance transfer fee does apply.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $0
- Annual fee for additional cards: $0
- Earn 3% cash back on your first $500 in monthly grocery purchases.
- Earn 1% cash back on your first $500 in recurring monthly bill payments.
- Earn 0.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.
Save up to 25% off rental cars at participating National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car locations. This card also provides shopping insurance, including an extended warranty and purchase protection.
Offer expiry date: December 6, 2022
Rates, product information and reward estimates are subject to change at any time and do not constitute financial advice. This post was not sponsored. RATESDOTCA may receive a referral fee from our partners or affiliate links featured on the site; however, our editorial choices are objective and free from bias. The opinions expressed in this article are purely those of RATESDOTCA; thus, the credit card issuers and partners are not responsible for any editorials or reviews that may appear. Please visit the associated brand’s website for complete and current terms and conditions on any product or service mentioned. The information in this article is accurate as of the date of this posting, December 6, 2021. Read our full disclaimer.
This article was originally published on December 1, 2021, and has since been updated.
Hayley Osmond, Freelance writer
Hayley Osmond is an editor and writer in the personal finance space, where she uses her eight years of media and marketing experience to bring content to life. She specializes in money products, including mortgages, home and auto insurance, and credit cards. Hayley holds a Broadcast Journalism diploma from Sheridan College and was awarded the Shaw Media Journalism and Media Award for graduating at the top of her class. Her work has appeared in Global News and diverse digital corporate training materials behind the scenes.
Hayley is passionate about making complex subjects, such as home buying and financial literacy, concise and intriguing. Her work has garnered media coverage from The Globe and Mail, blogTO, Yahoo! News, and CityNews 680 and has been syndicated across other publications.
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