Get money-saving tips in your inbox.

Stay on top of personal finance tips from our money experts!

News & Resources

The Best Credit Cards for People Who Don’t Have a Car in Canada for 2021

June 28, 2021
19 mins
Young family with baby son crosses road in downtown Toronto

Sure, gas is typically an accelerated rewards category on credit cards, along with groceries and drugstore purchases. But that doesn’t mean you can’t earn great rewards if you don’t own a car. Credit cards are starting to offer points or cash back for daily transit, including buses, subways, taxis, and rideshare services. So, no matter how you commute, you can get rewarded for your everyday purchases.

Whether it’s the opportunity to park your bum in a cozy lounge chair at the train station or earn cash back on daily transit, these nine credit cards offer great perks and rewards for people who don’t own a car.

Our top picks

Credit card

Top features if you don’t have a car

Annual fee

First-year value*

1. American Express CobaltTM Credit Card
  • Earn two points for every $1 spent on eligible transit, including buses, taxis, and rideshare services.
$155.88 ($12.99 per month) $1,361

2. Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card

  • Earn three Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible gas and daily transit.

$120

$1,024

3. Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card

  • Earn 2% cash back on gas and daily transit purchases.

$120 (First year waived)

$867

4. BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card

  • Earn five points for every $1 spent on gas and transit purchases.

$120 (First year waived)

$862

5. BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard*

  • Earn 4% cash back on your first $300 in transit each month.

$120 (First year waived)

$745

6. SimplyCashTM Preferred Card from American Express

  • Earn 2% cash back on all purchases.

$120

$660

7. TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card

  • Access TD Visa Infinite Lounges where available. 

$139 (First year rebated)

$675

8. Scotiabank PassportTM Visa Infinite* Card

  • Earn two Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on daily transit.

$139

$389

9. Tangerine World Mastercard®

  • Earn up to 2% cash back on public transportation purchases.

$0

$409

*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

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$362
+ Annual rewards
$1155
- Annual fee
$156
Total first year value
$1361
American Express Cobalt® Credit Card

card image
Welcome bonus
$362
AMEX Rewards points
Annual rewards
$1155
AMEX Rewards points
Annual fees:
$156
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases • 21.99% on cash advances
2024 Winner – Best Overall Rewards Credit Card, Best Credit Card for Young Professionals, and Best Credit Card for Earning Travel Points and Best American Express Credit Card.
Particularly great for individuals who live in the city, eat out often or order in.
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$362
Annual rewards
$1155
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$362
+ Annual rewards
$1155
- Annual fee
$156
Total first year value
$1361
Annual fees:
$156
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases
21.99 on cash advances
2024 Winner – Best Overall Rewards Credit Card, Best Credit Card for Young Professionals, and Best Credit Card for Earning Travel Points and Best American Express Credit Card.
Particularly great for individuals who live in the city, eat out often or order in.
Details at a glance Collapse details

The American Express CobaltTM Credit Card offers cardholders two times the points on eligible travel, transit, and gas. Grabbing the bus, a cab, or rideshare has never been so rewarding. Not only that, but this card also has you covered with car rental theft and damage insurance.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn $1,361 in points within the first year.

Credit score requirement for approval:

Fair: You have had a credit card or loan for at least one year. For the last two years or more, you have 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:

$12.99 per month ($155.88 annually)

Annual fee for additional cards: $0

Limited time offer/bonus:

  • New cardholders can earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points in the first year.

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.
  • Earn two points for every $1 spent on eligible transit, including buses, taxis, and rideshare services.
  • Earn one point for every $1 spent everywhere else you shop.

Note: Some Cobalt members have reported receiving the “eats and drinks” rate of five points for every $1 spent on Uber rides. This lucky bonus may be due to the merchant code used by both Uber Eats and Uber.

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 = 80,971 Membership Rewards® points
Monetary value = $1,417
Annual fee = $155.88*
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $1,361

*The fee for this card is charged monthly ($12.99 x 12 months = $155.88).

You can redeem your points for:

  • Travel
  • Gift cards
  • Merchandise
  • Amazon.ca purchases
  • Statement credits

Insurance:

  • Out of province/country emergency medical insurance
  • Flight delay insurance
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Hotel burglary insurance
  • Lost or stolen baggage insurance
  • Car rental theft and damage insurance
  • $250,000 travel accident insurance
  • Purchase protection
  • Extended warranty

Other perks:

  • Access exclusive offers through American Express® Experiences and the Cobalt Perks program.

Jump back to the top.

credit card mascot.png

Compare the best credit cards on RATESDOTCA

Find the best credit card for your lifestyle today!

2. Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$75
+ Welcome bonus
$400
+ Annual rewards
$744
- Annual fee
$120
Total first year value
$1099
Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card

card image
Welcome bonus
$400
Scotia Scene+ Points
Annual rewards
$744
Scotia Scene+ Points
Annual fees:
$120
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases • 22.99% on cash advances
[[gift]]Get a $75 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
2024 Winner – Best No Foreign Transaction Fees Credit Card for Long Stay Travellers and Best Credit Card for Subscriptions
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$400
Annual rewards
$744
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$75
+ Welcome bonus
$400
+ Annual rewards
$744
- Annual fee
$120
Total first year value
$1099
Annual fees:
$120
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases
22.99 on cash advances
[[gift]]Get a $75 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
2024 Winner – Best No Foreign Transaction Fees Credit Card for Long Stay Travellers and Best Credit Card for Subscriptions
Details at a glance Collapse details

The Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card offers three times the rewards points on eligible gas and daily transit purchases, including buses, taxis, and rideshare services. This card also features various travel coverage like rental car collision insurance.

Based on our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn $1,024 in Scotia Rewards points within the first year.

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. Earn 30,000 Scotia Rewards points when you spend at least $3,000 in the first three months of opening the account. Earn an additional 10,000 Scotia Rewards points when you spend at least $7,500 on the card in the first 12 months.

Offer expiry date: August 31, 2021

Rewards:

  • Earn five Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, restaurant, fast food, food subscription, and entertainment purchases.
  • Earn three Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible streaming services, gas, and daily transit, including buses, taxis, and rideshare services.
  • Earn one Scotia Rewards point for every $1 spent everywhere else you shop.

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
  • Experiences
  • Merchandise
  • Gift cards
  • Statement credits
  • Convert to SCENE points

Insurance:

  • Travel emergency medical insurance
  • Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance
  • Flight delay insurance
  • Delayed baggage 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:

  • Pay no foreign transaction fees abroad or online on purchases made in foreign currency. Only the exchange rate applies.
  • Get the Best Price Guarantee on airfare through the Scotia Rewards Travel Service, as well as complimentary concierge services and a preferred discount on Priority Pass Membership.

Jump back to the top.

3. Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$75
+ Welcome bonus
$153
+ Annual rewards
$564
- Annual fee (First Year Waived)
$0
Total first year value
$792
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card

card image
Welcome bonus
$153
Scotia Cash Back Rewards
Annual rewards
$564
Scotia Cash Back Rewards
Annual fees:
$120 (First Year Waived)
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases • 22.99% on cash advances
[[gift]]Get a $75 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
A top card that earns you generous cash back in a variety of key purchase categories
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$153
Annual rewards
$564
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$75
+ Welcome bonus
$153
+ Annual rewards
$564
- Annual fee (First Year Waived)
$0
Total first year value
$792
Annual fees:
$120 (First Year Waived)
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases
22.99 on cash advances
[[gift]]Get a $75 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
A top card that earns you generous cash back in a variety of key purchase categories
Details at a glance Collapse details

The Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card offers 2% cash back on daily transit, including buses, taxis, trains, and rideshare services. Also, save on rental cars at Avis locations across the U.S. and Canada and feel reassured with rental car collision loss/damage insurance.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn $867 in the first year using this card.

Credit score requirement for approval:

Excellent: You’ve had a credit card or loan for at least 10 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 your existing credit cards for the past six months.

Annual fee:

$120

Annual fee for additional cards: $50

Limited time offer/bonus:

  • New cardholders can earn 10% cash back for the first three months, up to $2,000 in total purchases. Plus, Scotiabank will waive the annual fee for the primary and additional cardholders for the first year.
  • For a limited time, also get a $150 e-Gift Card from RATESDOTCA upon approval when you apply before July 31, 2021.

Offer expiry date:

  • Scotiabank offer: August 31, 2021
  • RATESDOTCA offer: July 31, 2021

Rewards:

  • Earn 4% cash back on groceries, subscription purchases, and recurring bill payments.
  • Earn 2% cash back on gas and daily transit, including buses, taxis, and rideshare services.
  • Earn 1% back 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 = $717
RATESDOTCA bonus = $150 e-Gift Card
Annual fee = $0*
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $867

*The $120 annual fee is waived for the first year.

You can redeem your points for:

  • Deposit cash back into an eligible Scotiabank account.
  • Get a statement credit annually.

Insurance:

  • Mobile device insurance
  • Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance
  • Travel emergency medical insurance
  • Flight delay insurance
  • Delayed and lost baggage insurance
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Rental car collision loss/damage insurance
  • Purchase security
  • Extended warranty
  • Scotia Credit Card Protection (optional)

Other perks:

  • Save on rental cars at participating AVIS locations across the U.S. and Canada.
  • Get complimentary Visa Infinite concierge services and access Visa Infinite benefits.

Jump back to the top.

4. BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$50
+ Welcome bonus
$450
+ Annual rewards
$546
- Annual fee (First Year Waived)
$0
Total first year value
$1046
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card

card image
Welcome bonus
$450
BMO Rewards points
Annual rewards
$546
BMO Rewards points
Annual fees:
$120 (First Year Waived)
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases • 23.99% on cash advances
Get a $50 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
Designed for the lifestyle of the urban digital millennial
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$450
Annual rewards
$546
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$50
+ Welcome bonus
$450
+ Annual rewards
$546
- Annual fee (First Year Waived)
$0
Total first year value
$1046
Annual fees:
$120 (First Year Waived)
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases
23.99 on cash advances
Get a $50 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
Designed for the lifestyle of the urban digital millennial
Details at a glance Collapse details

The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card offers five points for every $1 spent on gas and transit. Earn 10% more rewards with an authorized user or 5.5 points for every $1 spent on rideshare and public transit purchases.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn $862 in the first year.

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:

$120

Annual fee for additional cards: $50

Limited time offer/bonus:

  • New cardholders can earn up to 40,000 BMO Rewards points. Get 25,000 points after you spend at least $3,000 in the first three months. Get 15,000 points on your first anniversary. Plus, BMO will waive the annual fee for the first year.

Offer expiry date: October 31, 2021

Rewards:

  • Earn five points for every $1 spent on groceries, gas, dining, and transit purchases.
  • Earn one 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 BMO Rewards points
Monetary value = $812
Lifestyle credit = $50
Annual fee = $0*
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $862

*The $120 annual fee is waived for the first year.

You can redeem your points for:

  • Travel
  • Merchandise
  • Gift cards
  • Statement credits
  • Eligible financial products

Insurance:

  • Out of province/country emergency medical insurance
  • Common carrier insurance
  • Car rental collision loss/loss damage insurance
  • Mobile device insurance
  • Purchase security
  • Extended warranty

Other perks:

  • Get a $50 annual lifestyle credit to spend however you want.
  • Get Visa Infinite benefits, including concierge services and access to exclusive hotel and dining collections.

Jump back to the top.

5. BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard*

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$50
+ Welcome bonus
$150
+ Annual rewards
$594
- Annual fee (First Year Waived)
$0
Total first year value
$794
BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard*

card image
Welcome bonus
$150
BMO Cash Back Rewards
Annual rewards
$594
BMO Cash Back Rewards
Annual fees:
$120 (First Year Waived)
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases • 23.99% on cash advances
[[gift]]Get a $50 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
Generous cash back rewards in a number of key categories
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$150
Annual rewards
$594
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$50
+ Welcome bonus
$150
+ Annual rewards
$594
- Annual fee (First Year Waived)
$0
Total first year value
$794
Annual fees:
$120 (First Year Waived)
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases
23.99 on cash advances
[[gift]]Get a $50 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
Generous cash back rewards in a number of key categories
Details at a glance Collapse details

The recently revamped BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard* offers cardholders 4% cash back on the first $300 in transit purchases each month.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn $745 in the first year with this card.

Credit score requirement for approval:

Excellent: You’ve had a credit card or loan for at least 10 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 your existing credit cards for the past six months.

Annual fee:

$120

Annual fee for additional cards: $50

Limited time offer/bonus:

  • Get up to 10% cash back in your first three months. Plus, BMO will waive the $120 annual fee for the first year.

Offer expiry date: October 31, 2021

Rewards:

  • Earn 5% cash back on your first $500 in groceries per billing cycle.
  • Earn 4% cash back on your first $300 in ground transportation per billing cycle, including taxis and rideshare services.
  • Earn 3% cash back on your first $300 in gas purchases per billing cycle, including electric charging.
  • Earn 2% cash back on your first $500 in recurring bill payments per billing cycle.
  • Earn 1% cash back 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 = $745
Annual fee = $0*
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $745

*The $120 annual fee is waived for the first year.

You can redeem your points for:

  • Redeem cash back whenever you want for as little as $1.
  • Set up automatic deposits into an eligible BMO account starting at $25.

Insurance:

  • Out of province/country emergency medical benefits
  • Purchase protection
  • Extended warranty

Other perks:

  • Access roadside assistance, including battery boosts and towing.
  • Save on rental cars at participating National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car locations.

Jump back to the top.

6. SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$400
+ Annual rewards
$660
- Annual fee
$120
Total first year value
$940
SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express

card image
Welcome bonus
$400
AMEX Cashback Rewards
Annual rewards
$660
AMEX Cashback Rewards
Annual fees:
$120
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases • 21.99% on cash advances
2024 Winner – Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card
Earn accelerated earn rates on eligible gas and grocery purchases
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$400
Annual rewards
$660
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$400
+ Annual rewards
$660
- Annual fee
$120
Total first year value
$940
Annual fees:
$120
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases
21.99 on cash advances
2024 Winner – Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card
Earn accelerated earn rates on eligible gas and grocery purchases
Details at a glance Collapse details

The SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express offers 2% cash back on all purchases, no matter the spending category. That means you can earn a great flat rate on rideshare services, taxis, buses, and other transportation options.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn $701 in cash back in the first year 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:

$99

Annual fee for additional cards: $0

Limited time offer/bonus:

  • In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months.

Offer expiry date: N/A (subject to change without notice)

Rewards:

  • Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station an grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
  • Earn 2% cash back on everything else you buy.

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 = $1,060
Annual fee = $120
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $940

You can redeem your points for:

  • Cash back is applied as a statement credit annually.

Insurance:

  • Out of province/country emergency medical insurance
  • Flight delay insurance
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Hotel burglary insurance
  • Lost or stolen baggage insurance
  • $100,000 travel accident insurance
  • Car rental theft and damage insurance
  • Purchase protection
  • Extended warranty

Other perks:

  • Access exclusive offers and events through American Express® Experiences.

Jump back to the top.

7. TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$284
+ Annual rewards
$492
- Annual fee (First Year Rebated)
$0
Total first year value
$776
TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card

card image
Welcome bonus
$284
TD Cash Back Dollars
Annual rewards
$492
TD Cash Back Dollars
Annual fees:
$139 (First Year Rebate)
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases • 22.99% on cash advances
Cash back rewards will never expire
Includes complimentary travel perks and benefits
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$284
Annual rewards
$492
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$284
+ Annual rewards
$492
- Annual fee (First Year Rebated)
$0
Total first year value
$776
Annual fees:
$139 (First Year Rebate)
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases
22.99 on cash advances
Cash back rewards will never expire
Includes complimentary travel perks and benefits
Details at a glance Collapse details

The TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card offers a complimentary Deluxe TD Auto Club Membership; however, it won’t be of much use if you don’t have a car. What this card can provide, in this case, is extra savings. Get discounts on rental cars through Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car across the U.S. and Canada and access auto rental collision and damage insurance. Plus, TD Visa Infinite* cardholders can access exclusive Visa Infinite* Credit Card Lounges, conveniently located at major transit hubs like Toronto’s Union Station.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn $675 in the first year with this card.

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:

$139

Annual fee for additional cardholders: $50

Limited time offer/bonus:

  • Earn 10% Cash Back on all Purchases for the first 3 months† up to a total spend of $2,000.

This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.

Offer expiry date: May 28, 2023

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 = $675
Annual fee = $0*
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $675

*The $139 annual fee is rebated for the first year.

You can redeem your points for:

  • Apply Cash Back Dollars as a statement credit whenever you want.

Insurance:

  • Travel medical insurance
  • Delayed and lost baggage insurance
  • Auto rental collision and loss damage insurance
  • Purchase security
  • Extended warranty

Other perks:

  • Access exclusive Visa Infinite benefits, including complimentary concierge services, the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection and Visa Infinite Food and Wine Experiences.
  • Get a free Deluxe TD Auto Club Membership for 24/7 roadside assistance.
  • Save with Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car across the U.S. and Canada.

Jump back to the top.

8. Scotiabank PassportTM Visa Infinite* Card

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$60
+ Welcome bonus
$300
+ Annual rewards
$354
- Annual fee (First Year Waived)
$0
Total first year value
$714
Scotiabank PassportTM Visa Infinite* Card

card image
Welcome bonus
$300
Scotia Scene+ Points
Annual rewards
$354
Scotia Scene+ Points
Annual fees:
$150 (First Year Waived)
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases • 22.99% on cash advances
[[gift]]Get a $60 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
Enjoy comprehensive travel insurance and no FX fees
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$300
Annual rewards
$354
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$60
+ Welcome bonus
$300
+ Annual rewards
$354
- Annual fee (First Year Waived)
$0
Total first year value
$714
Annual fees:
$150 (First Year Waived)
Interest rates:
20.99% on purchases
22.99 on cash advances
[[gift]]Get a $60 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
Enjoy comprehensive travel insurance and no FX fees
Details at a glance Collapse details

The Scotiabank PassportTM Visa Infinite* Card offers two Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on daily transit purchases, including buses, subways, taxis, and passenger railways. Plus, cardholders can save on rental cars and access rental car collision loss and damage insurance.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn $389 in the first year with this card.

Credit score requirement for approval:

Excellent: You’ve had a credit card or loan for at least 10 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 your existing credit cards for the past six months.

Annual fee:

$139

Annual fee for additional cards: $0 (first supplementary card only), $50 after that

Limited time offer/bonus:

  • New cardholders can earn 30,000 bonus Scotia Rewards points when they spend at least $1,000 within the first three months. That’s a $300 travel value!
  • Earn an additional 10,000 Scotia Rewards points when you spend at least $40,000 in eligible purchases on the card annually.

Offer expiry date: July 1, 2021

Rewards:

  • Earn two Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, dining, entertainment, and daily transit purchases.
  • Earn one Scotia Rewards point for every $1 spent everywhere else you shop.

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 = 52,800 Scotia Rewards points
Monetary value = $528
Annual fee = $139
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $389

You can redeem your points for:

  • Travel
  • Experiences
  • Merchandise
  • Gift cards
  • Statement credits
  • Convert to SCENE points

Insurance:

  • Travel emergency medical insurance
  • Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance
  • Flight delay insurance
  • Delayed and lost baggage insurance
  • Rental car collision loss/damage insurance
  • Hotel/motel burglary insurance
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Purchase security
  • Extended warranty
  • Price protection service
  • Scotia Credit Card Protection (optional)

Other perks:

  • Get a complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership and save on rental cars.
  • Book travel through the Scotia Rewards Travel Service for the Best Price Guarantee on airfare.
  • Pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases made online or abroad in foreign currency. Only the exchange rate applies.
  • Get a complimentary Priority PassTM Membership and six free airport lounge visits per year.
  • Access Visa Infinite benefits like the Visa Infinite Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite Dining and Wine Country program, and Visa Infinite concierge services.

Jump back to the top.

9. Tangerine World Mastercard®

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$125
+ Welcome bonus
$100
+ Annual rewards
$309
- Annual fee
$0
Total first year value
$534
Tangerine World Mastercard®

card image
Welcome bonus
$100
Money-Back Rewards
Annual rewards
$309
Money-Back Rewards
Annual fees:
$0
Interest rates:
19.95% on purchases • 19.95% on cash advances
[[gift]]Get a $125 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
2024 Winner – Best No-Fee Cash Back Credit Card
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$100
Annual rewards
$309
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Cash bonus
$125
+ Welcome bonus
$100
+ Annual rewards
$309
- Annual fee
$0
Total first year value
$534
Annual fees:
$0
Interest rates:
19.95% on purchases
19.95 on cash advances
[[gift]]Get a $125 CashSurge from RATESDOTCA
2024 Winner – Best No-Fee Cash Back Credit Card
Details at a glance Collapse details

The Tangerine World Mastercard® offers up to 2% cash back for public transportation purchases. Plus, this card comes with rental car collision and loss damage insurance.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian would earn around $309 in cash back in the first year.

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:

  • Get 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in everyday purchases for the first two months. That is up to $100 cash back.

Offer expiry date: August 16, 2021

  • Get a 1.95% promotional interest rate on balance transfers made within the first 30 days of opening the account for six months. A 1% balance transfer fee does apply.

Offer expiry date: N/A (Subject to change without notice)

Rewards:

Earn 2% cash back in up to three categories of your choice. Start with two categories and earn the third when depositing your rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account. Earn 0.5% cash back on all other purchases.

The 10 Tangerine Money-Back Rewards categories include:

  • Restaurants
  • Grocery
  • Gas
  • Entertainment
  • Home Improvement
  • Furniture
  • Hotel-Motel
  • Recurring Bills
  • Drug Store
  • Public Transportation and Parking

Switch up your selected Money-Back Rewards Categories as your spending habits change to maximize your 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 = $409
Annual fee = $0
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $409

*Assumes the cardholder earns the third category by depositing their rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account, and they have chosen the grocery, restaurant, and gas categories.

You can redeem your points for:

  • Deposit cash back into your Tangerine Savings Account each month.
  • Apply cash back as a statement credit monthly.

Insurance:

  • Rental car collision/loss damage insurance
  • Mobile device insurance
  • Purchase assurance
  • Extended warranty

Other perks:

  • Get complimentary membership to Mastercard Airport Experiences Provided by LoungeKey for exclusive offers in over 400 airports worldwide.
  • Stay connected with Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard®* and access over one million Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide.

Jump back to the top.

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 28, 2021. Read our full disclaimer.

Hayley Osmond

Hayley Osmond is an editor and writer in the personal finance space, where she uses her eight years of media and marketing experience to bring content to life. She specializes in money products, including mortgages, home and auto insurance, and credit cards. Hayley holds a Broadcast Journalism diploma from Sheridan College and was awarded the Shaw Media Journalism and Media Award for graduating at the top of her class. Her work has appeared in Global News and diverse digital corporate training materials behind the scenes.

Hayley is passionate about making complex subjects, such as home buying and financial literacy, concise and intriguing. Her work has garnered media coverage from The Globe and Mail, blogTO, Yahoo! News, and CityNews 680 and has been syndicated across other publications.

Latest credit card articles

Do you need personal cybercrime insurance?
In 2022, Canadians lost $530 million to fraud and cybercrime. Learn how to shield your digital life and finances against these threats.
4 mins read
How to break down the value of a credit card
It’s not about finding the ‘best’ credit card in the market, but rather the best one for you. 
7 mins read
Credit Card Perks: Extended warranty and purchase protection
Many credit cards offer purchase protection and extended warranty. Familiarizing yourself with these extra features can save you money and prepare you to make a claim.
5 mins read

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay on top of our latest offers, relevant news and tips!

Thanks for joining!

You'll be hearing from us shortly - stay tuned.