- Use your points to shop directly through Amazon.ca with the American Express Cobalt™ Credit Card.
- Pay your hydro bills and property taxes with the Triangle™ Mastercard® and earn CT Money®.
- Earn and redeem points online at your favourite President’s Choice brands using the President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard®.
Most major retailers offer online shopping, allowing customers to add to their carts from almost anywhere and get the items they want straight to their doorstep. Even small at-home businesses can have a global reach with e-commerce portals like Shopify or Etsy.
Some sites offer special perks with memberships but most allow access at no additional cost, which is convenient if you’re on a budget. However, there is one minor drawback: you can’t use cash from the comfort of your own home. On the other hand, a credit card can help you shop on the web and may provide extra protection for your purchases.
Most credit cards have security features, enabling cardholders to dispute transactions and feel more confident shopping through digital stores. In addition, shopping coverage can provide a barrier between potential fraudsters and your money.
Here is a list of the best credit cards for online shopping in Canada.
| Our top picks | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Credit card |
Top features for online shopping |
Annual fee |
First-year value* |
|
$119.88 ($9.99 per month) |
$940 |
|
|
$120 |
$924 |
|
|
$0 |
$534 |
|
|
$30 |
$255 |
|
|
$0 |
$240 |
|
*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.
1. American Express CobaltTM Credit Card
Best of Finance Winner: Best Overall Rewards Credit Card
The American Express CobaltTM Credit Card offers a great return on everyday spending and exclusive member perks. Use points to shop directly through Amazon.ca or apply rewards as a statement credit toward eligible purchases charged to the card.
This card also features basic shopping coverage like the Buyer’s Assurance® Protection Plan, also known as extended warranty, and purchase protection for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
Credit score requirement for approval:
Fair: You’ve had a credit card or loan for one or more years. For the last two years, you’ve paid back debts to creditors (with no defaults). You haven’t missed more than two payments on your credit in the last three months.
Annual fee:
$120 ($10 per month)
Annual fee for additional cards: $0
Limited time offer/bonus:
- Earn up to 30,000 Membership Rewards® points in the first year. Earn 2,500 points for each monthly billing period in which you spend at least $500 on your card for 12 months.
Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)
Rewards:
- Earn five points for every $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks, including restaurant and food delivery purchases in Canada.
- Earn two points for every $1 spent on eligible travel and transit, including rideshare services.
- Earn one point for every $1 spent everywhere else.
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 = 96,000 Membership Rewards® points
Monetary value = $1,680
Annual fee = $120*
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $1,560
*The annual fee is the combined total of the $10 monthly fee over the year.
You can redeem your points for:
- Travel
- Merchandise
- Gift cards
- Streaming services
- Amazon.ca purchases
- Statement credits
Insurance:
- Out of province/country emergency medical
- Flight delay insurance
- Baggage delay insurance
- Hotel burglary insurance
- Lost or stolen baggage insurance
- $250,000 travel accident insurance
- Car rental theft and damage insurance
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty
Other perks:
- Access benefits at over 600 hotels and resorts, including credits for hotel amenities and complimentary room upgrades when available.
- Get exclusive access to events, tickets, and special offers through the American Express® Experiences program.
Compare the best credit cards on RATESDOTCA
Find the best credit card for your lifestyle today!
2. Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
Best of Finance Winner: Best Credit Card With No Foreign Transaction Fees for Long Stay Travellers
The Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card provides cardholders with endless redemption options through the Scotia Rewards website, including merchandise, exclusive travel offers, gift cards and more. Not only that, but this card also features no foreign transaction fees, usually around 2.5% — saving you money on foreign currency purchases abroad and online.
Credit score requirement for approval:
Good: You’ve had a credit card, or loan for at least six years. You’ve had good credit for the last seven years (no bankruptcies or no defaults on credit as a result of failing to pay debts back to creditors). You haven’t opened a new credit card account, loan, or line of credit in the last nine months. You’ve made the minimum payments on my existing credit cards for the past three months.
Annual fee:
$120
Annual fee for additional cards: $29
Limited time offer/bonus:
- Earn up to 40,000 Scotia Rewards points in the first year. Get 30,000 Scotia Rewards points when you spend at least $1,000 in the first three months and an additional 10,000 Scotia Rewards if you spend at least $7,500 in the first 12 months.
Offer expiry date: August 31, 2021
Rewards:
- Earn five Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, dining, food delivery, food subscription and entertainment purchases.
- Earn three Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible gas and daily transit purchases and select streaming services.
- Earn one Scotia Rewards 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 = 114,400 Scotia Rewards points
Monetary value = $1,144
Annual fee = $120
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $1,024
You can redeem your points for:
- Travel
- Merchandise
- Gift cards
- Convert to SCENE points
- Statement credits
Insurance:
- Travel emergency medical insurance
- Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance
- Flight delay insurance
- Delayed and lost baggage insurance
- Travel accident insurance
- Rental car collision loss/damage insurance
- Hotel/motel burglary insurance
- Purchase security
- Extended warranty
- Scotia Credit Card Protection (optional)
Other perks:
- Get the Best Price Guarantee on airfare through the Scotia Rewards Travel Service.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases made in a foreign currency online or abroad. Only the exchange rate applies.
- Access the American Express Invites® program, featuring special offers and exclusive experiences.
3. TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card
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Earn Cash Back Dollars on all purchases with the TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card, and use them to pay down your account balance whenever you want. Also, access shopping coverage and Visa Infinite* benefits with this card.
Credit score requirement for approval:
Good: You’ve had a credit card, or loan for at least six years. You’ve had good credit for the last seven years (no bankruptcies or no defaults on credit as a result of failing to pay debts back to creditors). You haven’t opened a new credit card account, loan, or line of credit in the last nine months. You’ve made the minimum payments on my existing credit cards for the past three months.
Annual fee:
$120
Annual fee for additional cards: $50
Limited time offer/bonus:
- Earn up to 6% cash back for the first three months, up to $2,000 in total purchases. Plus, get an annual fee rebate for the primary and the first additional cardholder for the first year.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.
Offer expiry date: August 16, 2021
Rewards:
- Earn 3% in Cash Back Dollars on eligible grocery and gas purchases and recurring bill payments.
- Earn 1% in Cash Back Dollars 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 = $571
Annual fee = $0*
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $571
*The $120 annual fee is rebated for the first year.
You can redeem your points for:
- Statement credits
Insurance:
- Travel medical insurance
- Delayed and lost baggage insurance
- Auto rental collision/loss damage insurance
- Purchase security
- Extended warranty
Other perks:
- Get Visa Infinite* benefits, including concierge services and exclusive access to wine and dining collections.
- Get a free Free Deluxe TD Auto Club Membership for 24/7 roadside assistance.
4. President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard®
Best of Finance Winner: Best Family Credit Card for Gas and Groceries
The President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard® rewards loyal PC customers for making everyday purchases at participating grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations. PC Optimum members can also earn more rewards for shopping online through PC Express and other banner brands like Joe Fresh.
Credit score requirement for approval:
Fair: You’ve had a credit card or loan for one or more years. For the last two years, you’ve paid back debts to creditors (with no defaults). You haven’t missed more than two payments on your credit in the last three months.
Annual fee:
$0
Annual fee for additional cards: $0
Limited time offer/bonus:
Get 20,000 PC Optimum points after making your first purchase using the card.
Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)
Rewards:
- Earn 30 points for every $1 spent at PC Financial stores.
- Earn 45 points for every $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart.
- Earn at least 30 points per litre with Esso and Mobil gas stations.
- Earn 30 points for every $1 spent on PC Travel.
- Earn 10 points for every $1 spent on everything else.
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 = 476,000 PC Optimum points
Monetary value = $476
Annual fee = $0
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $476
*Assuming all groceries are purchased at PC Financial stores, all pharmacy products are purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart, private transportation is through PC Travel, and gas is purchased through Esso Mobil.
You can redeem your points for:
- Merchandise at participating stores
- Online at pexexpress.ca, joefresh.com, pharmaprix.ca and shoppersdrugmart.ca
Redeem rewards when you have as little as 10,000 points, a $10 monetary value.
Insurance:
- Travel emergency medical insurance
- Car rental collision/loss damage waiver insurance
- Identity theft assistance
- Purchase assurance
- Extended warranty
Other perks:
- Get 24/7 concierge service to make reservations, deliver gifts and more.
- Mastercard Global Service has cardholders covered in the event of an emergency, replacing lost or stolen cards within 48 hours from anywhere in the world.
A similar option:
For those who may not meet the income requirement for this card, the President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard® is also an excellent choice for loyal PC shoppers. It has many of the same benefits but with a little less earning power.