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.
*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.
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:
Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)
Rewards:
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:
Insurance:
Other perks:
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:
Offer expiry date: August 31, 2021
Rewards:
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:
Insurance:
Other perks:
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:
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.
Offer expiry date: August 16, 2021
Rewards:
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:
Insurance:
Other perks:
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:
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:
Redeem rewards when you have as little as 10,000 points, a $10 monetary value.
Insurance:
Other perks:
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.
Best of Finance Winner: Best No-Frills Cash Back Credit Card
The SimplyCash™ Card from American Express offers 1.25% cash back on all purchases made on the card, no matter the spending category. Earn cash back for shopping in-store and online and get basic shopping coverage.
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:
$0
Annual fee for additional cards: $0
Limited time offer/bonus:
Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)
Rewards:
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 = $465
Annual fee = $0
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $465
You can redeem your points for:
Insurance:
Other perks:
These annual interest rates are not applicable for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.
The Triangle™ Mastercard® offers CT Money® back for all purchases made to the card. Cardholders can also access no fee, no interest financing on eligible purchases of $150 or more at participating stores to make payments more manageable.
Related read: Top 7 Credit Cards With Specialty Rewards
This card is also associated with the Canadian Tire Bank, which allows cardholders to pay for property taxes, hydro bills and even tuition expenses with their credit card — bills that don’t usually permit that payment option.
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:
Offer expiry date: N/A
Rewards:
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 = $368 in CT Money®
Monetary value = $368
Annual fee = $0
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $368
You can redeem your points for:
Insurance:
Other perks:
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card offers up to 2% cash back for everyday purchases. Choose up to three Money-Back Categories, including groceries, recurring bill payments, public transportation, entertainment, and more. Switch up the categories to match your spending habits and maximize your rewards.
Credit score requirement for approval:
Good: You’ve had a credit card or loan for six or more 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 for existing credit cards for the past three months.
Annual fee:
$0
Annual fee for additional cards: $0
Limited time offer/bonus:
Offer expiry date: August 16, 2021
Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)
Rewards:
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. Earn 0.50% cash back on all other purchases.
You can change your selected Money-Back Categories to suit your spending habits, which could increase your earning potential.
The 10 Tangerine Money-Back Categories include:
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 = $409
Annual fee = $0
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $409*
*This calculation is based on the RATESDOTCA Best of Finance methodology and assumes the chosen categories are groceries, pharmacy, and gas.
You can redeem your points for:
Insurance:
Other perks:
Many retailers have partnered with credit card companies, creating special offers and rewards for their loyal customers. Choosing a credit card well suited to your shopping habits may save you money as you indulge in your favourite brands.
Compare credit cards at RATESDOTCA to find the best rewards credit card for your lifestyle. Whether you are an avid traveller, a handyperson, or love binge-watching Netflix, there is a credit card that can treat you for your hobbies and spending habits.
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 21, 2021. Read our full disclaimer.