Best credit cards for buying Canadian in 2025

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The "Buy Canadian" movement is gaining traction, fueled by recent trade tensions and a renewed sense of national pride. According to a survey by Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab, 61% of Canadians prefer local food, even if it costs 5-10% more.

The idea is simple: When you choose Canadian-made products and services, you save money, support local businesses, and help protect Canadian industries. Plus, it helps keep Canada’s unique identity strong.

From fresh local food to everyday items, picking Canadian options is an easy way to make a big difference with your spending. 

Why the right credit card makes a difference

Buying Canadian isn’t just about feeling good; it’s also a smart way to avoid any higher costs of tariffs on imported goods.  

With the right credit card, buying Canadian can become even more rewarding. Many credit cards offer benefits like cashback, reward points, or discounts for purchases made locally. This helps you save money while you support domestic producers. These cards can also provide perks like buyer protection and extended warranties, so every purchase is both smart and safe.

Learn more: How to break down the value of a credit card? 

Best overall card for shopping Canadian: Neo Financial World Elite Mastercard

The Neo Financial World Elite Mastercard helps Canadians buy local while unlocking significant rewards. With this card, you’ll earn up to 15% cashback on first-time purchases at Neo partners (many of which are Canadian brands such as Structube, Pet Valu and the Ten Spot. You’ll also get:

• 5% cashback on groceries (boost your cashback rate to 7% when you bank with Neo)
• 4% cashback on recurring bills
• 3% cashback on gas
• 1% cashback guaranteed on all other purchases

Besides cashback, the card also gives you great insurance benefits. These include protection for your purchases, longer warranties, and full travel insurance coverage. You’ll also enjoy access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass.

For an annual fee of $125, you’ll receive a $100 welcome cash bonus, and a total estimated first-year value of up to $623. If you want to upgrade your shopping experience and support Canadian businesses, the Neo Financial World Elite Mastercard is a great choice.

Related: Is credit card balance protection insurance worthwhile? 

Best card for shopping Canadian groceries: Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card helps grocery shoppers earn big rewards at Canadian chains. The 2025 RATESDOTCA Winner for ‘Best Credit Card for Subscriptions’ offers rewards like:

6x Scene+ points at select Canadian grocery stores such as, Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

• 5x Scene+ points on groceries, restaurants, and entertainment
• 3x Scene+ points on gas, transit, and select streaming services
• 1x Scene+ point on all other purchases

The card carries $1024 in first-year value, including a $400 welcome bonus (up to 40,000 Scene+ points) when spending requirements are met. Subsequent years offer $624 in added value, with ongoing benefits from its rewards.

The card also has extra perks like no foreign transaction fees, which is great for shopping online or while traveling. Plus, it comes with premium insurance coverage. Insurance benefits span emergency medical, trip cancellation, purchase protection, and more.

Enjoy Amex benefits like 24/7 concierge service and Front of the Line access. If maximizing grocery rewards and enjoying versatile benefits is your goal, this card is a top contender.

Read more: 3 easy-to-use apps that can save you money on groceries in Canada 

Best card for travelling Canadian: BMO VIPorter Mastercard

The BMO VIPorter Mastercard is a great pick for Canadian travelers, especially if you often fly with Porter Airlines. It comes with perks like:

• 2 VIPorter points per dollar on Porter Airlines purchases
• 1 VIPorter point per dollar on groceries, dining, and hotel stays
• 0.5 VIPorter points on all other spending

For smooth travelling, you get access to priority boarding, dedicated check-in, and early boarding. With summer coming, additional perks like savings on car rentals and discounts on Cirque du Soleil shows can go far with the family.  

Start strong with a $600 welcome bonus (40,000 VIPorter points) and a 35% off flight voucher in your first year. Plus, the annual fee is waived for the first year, bringing the total first-year value to $901. Ongoing rewards and perks bring more value to subsequent years.

This card includes comprehensive insurance coverage for emergencies, trip delays, lost baggage.  

For frequent Porter travelers, the BMO VIPorter Mastercard combines excellent rewards and premium services to elevate every trip. 

Best card for your big Canadian road trip: CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card

Planning for your first or next big road trip across Canada? The RATESDOTCA 2025 winner of ‘Best Overall Cash Back Card’, CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card is an ideal companion for road trippers looking to earn maximum rewards on their journeys.  

Packed with valuable perks, here’s why this card is a top pick:

• 4% cashback on gas and EV charging
• 4% cashback on groceries
• 2% cashback on dining, public transit, and recurring payments
• 1% cashback on all other purchases

You can get a $300 welcome bonus, 10% cashback in your first year, and your first-year annual fee waived (saving you $120). That adds up to $882 in value for the first year and $462 in rewards every year after.

This card also helps you save up to 10 cents per litre on gas at participating stations through its partnership with Journie Rewards. Additional perks even include a 12-month Skip+ trial, offering exclusive benefits when dining in or ordering out.

For peace of mind on the road, premium insurance coverage includes purchase protection, mobile device insurance (up to $1,000), emergency medical, and car rental collision and loss damage coverage.

By choosing to spend locally and leveraging the perks of the right credit card, you’re not just maximizing your financial benefits—you’re also supporting Canadian businesses and strengthening your community. It’s a smart, values-driven way to make your dollar work harder for you and for Canada.

Read next: Which credit card program in Canada is the best for you?