- Earn up to 35,000 Aventura points with the CIBC Aventura® Visa InfiniteTM Card. That is a travel value of up to $800.
- New welcome offer: The SimplyCashTM Card from American Express offers 4% cash back for the first six months, up to $5,000 in total purchases.
- Apply for the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card and earn a $150 e-Gift Card from RATESDOTCA upon approval until July 31, 2021.
Do not miss the welcome offers for this month — we feature some of the biggest promotions yet!
We have searched high and low to bring you the top sign-up bonuses and welcome offers before they expire, sorting through the very best credit cards in Canada and weeding out the rest.
Get thousands of points worth hundreds of dollars in savings in the first year alone, and access great features like shopping coverage, travel insurance and even roadside assistance. These credit cards have a lot to offer apart from more money in your pocket.
Cardholders can use our exhaustive list to find a credit card that matches their lifestyle and spending habits. Compare our top picks to see the rewards, perks and benefits that offer the best everyday value.
| Our top picks | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credit card | Welcome offer | Annual fee |
|
$139 (First year rebated) |
|
|
$120 |
|
|
$120 |
|
|
$120 (First year waived) |
|
|
$120 |
|
|
$120 (First year rebated) |
|
|
$120 (First year waived) |
|
|
$99 |
|
|
$149 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$29 |
|
1. CIBC Aventura® Visa InfiniteTM Card
Best of Finance Winner: Best Overall Travel Credit Card in Canada for 2021
The CIBC Aventura® Visa InfiniteTM Card offers up to 35,000 bonus Aventura Points. Get 20,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase. Get an additional 1,250 points each monthly statement period you spend at least $1,000 on your card in the first 12 months. That is up to 15,000 points. Plus, get an annual fee rebate for the first year, a $139 value.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $139
- Annual fee for additional cards: $50
- 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 everywhere else.
This card also features top-tier travel benefits, including travel insurance coverage, a complimentary Priority PassTM membership with four free lounge visits annually and one NEXUS application fee rebate every four years.
Offer expiry date: N/A subject to change without notice
Compare the best credit cards on RATESDOTCA
Find the best credit card for your lifestyle today!
2. RBC Avion® Visa Infinite Card
Apply for the RBC Avion® Visa Infinite Card to get 35,000 welcome points when your application is approved. That is a travel value of up to $750.
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 an extra 25% on travel-related purchases; that is 1.25 points for every $1 spent.
Find additional savings. Pay less for fuel at Petro-Canada and earn 20% more Petro-Points. Plus, when you link your card to the Be Well program through Rexall, you can score more Be Well points for everyday essentials.
Offer expiry date: July 26, 2021
3. Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card
Best of Finance Winner: Best Credit Card With No Foreign Transaction Fees in Canada for 2021
The Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card offers up to 40,000 Scotia Rewards points in the first year. Earn 30,000 Scotia Rewards points when you spend at least $1,000 in the first three months and another 10,000 points when you spend at least $7,500 in the first 12 months.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $120
- Annual fee for additional cards: $29
- Earn five Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on grocery, restaurant, food delivery and entertainment purchases.
- Earn three Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible gas and daily transit purchases, as well as select streaming services.
- Earn one Scotia Rewards point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Pay no foreign transaction fees with this card and access travel insurance.
Offer expiry date: August 31, 2021
4. BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard*
Apply for the BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard* to 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 spent on groceries each month.
- Earn 4% cash back on your first $300 spent on ground transportation each month.
- Earn 3% cash back on your first $300 spent on automobile and vehicle fuel purchases each month, including electric vehicle charging.
- Earn 2% cash back on your first $500 spent on recurring bill payments each month.
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
This recently revamped card features travel insurance, exclusive savings and roadside assistance.
Offer expiry date: October 31, 2021
5. American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Card offers up to 15,000 Aeroplan points and a bonus Buddy Pass. Earn 9,000 Aeroplan points and a bonus Buddy Pass when you spend at least $1,500 on your card in the first three months. Earn 1,000 Aeroplan points for each monthly billing period you spend at least $500 on your card in the first six months. That could add up to 6,000 Aeroplan points.
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.
This card also features comprehensive travel insurance coverage and Air Canada benefits. You and up to eight travelling companions can save on baggage fees when your flight originates with Air Canada.
*This card is a charge card. Cardholders must pay the balance in full each month, or a 30% annual interest rate applies to unpaid balances.
Offer expiry date: N/A subject to change without notice
6. CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card
The CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card offers up to 10% cash back for the first four statement periods, up to $2,000 in total purchases. That is up to $200 cash back. Plus, CIBC will rebate the annual fee for the first year.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $120
- Annual fee for additional cards: $30
- Earn 4% cash back for every $1 spent on gas and groceries.
- Earn 2% cash back for every $1 spent on transportation, dining and recurring bill payments.
- Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else.
This card also features comprehensive travel insurance coverage and mobile device insurance.
Offer expiry date: N/A subject to change without notice
7. Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
Best of Finance Winner: Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card in Canada for 2021
Apply for the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card to earn 10% cash back for the first three months, up to $2,000 in total purchases. You could earn up to $200 cash back. Plus, pay no annual fee for the primary and additional cardholders for the first year.
Not only that but for a limited time, also earn a $150 e-Gift Card from RATESDOTCA upon approval until July 31, 2021. That is our biggest bonus to date!
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $120
- Annual fee for additional cards: $50
- Earn 4% cash back for every $1 spent on groceries, recurring bill payments and subscription purchases.
- Earn 2% cash back for every $1 spent on gas and daily transit purchases, including rideshare services.
- Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent everywhere else.
This card also features extensive insurance coverage, including shopping coverage, travel insurance and mobile device insurance.
Offer expiry date:
- Scotiabank offer: August 31, 2021
- RATESDOTCA offer: July 31, 2021
8. SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
The SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express offers up to 10% cash back for the first four months, up to $4,000 in total purchases. That is up to $400 cash back.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $99
- Annual fee for additional cards: $0
- Earn 2% cash back on all purchases, with no limit to how much you can earn.
This card features shopping coverage and travel insurance. Cardholders can also access American Express® Experiences for exclusive offers, presale tickets and curated events.
Offer expiry date: N/A subject to change without notice
9. HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®
New cardholders of the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® can earn up to 70,000 bonus points. Get 20,000 welcome bonus points when you make your first purchase; 20,000 points when you spend at least $5,000 in the first 180 days (that’s about $834 per month for six months); 10,000 points when you add an authorized user to your account and 20,000 points as an Anniversary Bonus. Plus, get an annual fee rebate for the primary cardholder for the first year, a $149 value.
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 also features no foreign transaction fees, a $100 annual travel enhancement credit, 31-day insurance coverage and exclusive offers through Expedia and Agoda.
This offer is only available to residents of Canada other than the province of Quebec (Quebec residents eligible for separate offer).
Offer expiry date: September 27, 2021
10. SimplyCash™ Card from American Express
Best of Finance Winner: Best No-Frills Cash Back Credit Card in Canada for 2021
New cardholders of the SimplyCash™ Card from American Express can earn up to 4% cash back for the first six months, up to $5,000 in total purchases. 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.
This card also features basic shopping coverage and up to $100,000 of travel accident insurance.
Offer expiry date: N/A subject to change without notice
11. BMO CashBack Mastercard®*
Best of Finance Winner: Best No-Fee Cash Back Credit Card in Canada for 2021
The BMO CashBack Mastercard®* offers up to 5% cash back on all purchases for the first three months. Plus, get a 1.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for nine months with a 1% transfer fee.
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 grocery purchases each month.
- Earn 1% cash back on your first $500 in recurring bill payments monthly.
- Earn 0.5% cash back on all other purchases.
This card also features basic shopping coverage and financial insights through the app.
Offer expiry date: October 31, 2021
12. Scotia Momentum® No-Fee VISA* Card
Apply for the Scotia Momentum® No-Fee VISA* Card to earn 5% cash back on all purchases for the first three months, up to $100 cash back. Plus, get a 7.99% introductory interest rate on purchases for the first six months.
Bonus: Earn a $50 e-Gift Card from RATESDOTCA upon approval until July 31, 2021.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $0
- Annual fee for additional cards: $0
- Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and recurring bill payments.
- Earn 0.5% cash back for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Save up to 25% off base rates at participating AVIS locations across the U.S. and Canada.
Offer expiry date:
- Scotiabank offer: July 1, 2021
- RATESDOTCA offer: July 31, 2021
13. CIBC Select VisaTM Card
Best of Finance Winner: Best Balance Transfer Credit Card in Canada for 2021
Transfer your credit card balance to the CIBC Select VisaTM Card to get a 0% interest rate for up to 10 months with a 1% balance transfer fee. Plus, CIBC will rebate the annual fee for the first year.
Regular features and benefits of this card include:
- Annual fee: $29
- Annual fee for additional cards: $0
- Interest rate (purchases): 13.99%
- Interest rate (cash advances): 13.99%
Pay no transaction fees when you send a CIBC Global Money Transfer™.
Offer expiry date: N/A subject to change without notice
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 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, June 1, 2021. Read our full disclaimer.
