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Best of Finance Nominees: The best credit cards in Canada for 2022

Jan. 24, 2022
5 mins
Best of Finance 2022 Nominees

Ever year at RATESDOTCA, we provide a list of the best credit cards in Canada after a rigorous comparison process. We analyze more than 100 credit cards, Canada’s top rewards programs, perks and benefits to bring you our Best of Finance Award winners.

We put our nominees to the test by comparing interest rates, welcome bonuses, annual fees, rebates and waivers within lifestyle-specific categories — so you don’t have to.

Here are the leading nominees for 2022’s Best of Finance Awards:

Best Overall Rewards Card

Rewards credit cards offer many redemption options to suit any lifestyle.

Best No-Fee Cash Back Card

No-fee credit cards have no annual fees and offer savings and additional benefits like shopping coverage, discounts, and exclusive perks.

Best No-Fee Travel Card

No-fee travel cards provide excellent value and allow you to redeem rewards for flights or vacation packages — and many come with travel insurance.

Best Overall Travel Card

Top travel credit cards offer insurance coverage and travel perks, such as international airport lounge access and free Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide.

Best Overall Cash Back Card

Cash back credit cardholders earn cash with every purchase. Depending on the card, deposit cash directly into your bank account or apply it as a statement credit.

Best Low Interest Card

Low interest credit cards allow you to pay less interest on your balance and make missing a payment less expensive.

Best Balance Transfer Card

Low interest balance transfer credit cards can help you pay off debt quicker by accruing less interest on your balance.

Best Secured Card for Building Credit

A secured credit card generally requires a deposit; however, this type of card has high approval rates, allowing cardholders to improve their credit score with every payment.

Best Card for Young Professionals

Young working professionals need a credit card that can offer rewards for dining, entertainment and transportation purchases.

Best Card for Students

These credit cards allow students to earn cash back or points on everyday purchases.

Best Card for Earning Travel Points

Earn travel points with these cards that offer redemption flexibility and high reward rates for programs like Aeroplan, AIR MILES, and American Express Membership Rewards®.

Best Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees for Long-Stay Travellers

Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees can save snowbirds and frequent international travellers time and money.

Best Family Card for Gas and Groceries

These credit cards are best for those looking for the highest reward rates for gas and grocery purchases.

Best Credit Card for Staying at Home and Ordering In

This category offers rewards for food delivery, takeout, and subscription purchases.

Best No-Frills Cash Back Card

No-fee, flat-rate rewards credit cards offer excellent cash back rates on all purchases, no matter the spending category.

Best Overall Mastercard

These top-ranking Mastercard credit cards are among our favourites in Canada.

Best Overall Visa Card

Visa credit cards are one of the most widely accepted payment networks worldwide. Find a Visa credit card that fits your lifestyle.

The winners of the 2022 Best of Finance Awards will be announced in early February. Stay tuned.

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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, January 24, 2022. Read our full disclaimer.

Michelle Bates

Editor and Writer

Michelle Bates is an editor and writer in the personal finance space. She has seven years of content writing experience.

She has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Queen's University in English Literature and Sociology along with a Publishing - Book, Magazine and Electronic graduate certificate from Centennial College. Michelle specializes in personal finance content, including mortgages, home, auto, and travel insurance, and credit cards. Her work has been covered by notable Canadian news sources like the Financial Post, the Globe and Mail, CTV News, and Narcity.

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