Rewards Breakdown 

• 3% cash back on grocery purchases. 

• 1% cash back on recurring bill payments (e.g., subscriptions). 

Earning Rates:
• 3% cash back on groceries
• 1% cash back on recurring bill payments
• 0.5% cash back on all other purchases

Additional Perks:
• No annual fee
• Cash back never expires and can be redeemed anytime
• Welcome: Up to 5% cash back on purchases for first 3 months (varies)
• Simple cash back structure with automatic redemption options

Criteria
• Personal/Household Income: NA (no high income required)
• Credit Score: Fair/Good typical for entry‑level cards
• Canadian Resident
• Age of Majority in province

Why It’s Best for Newcomers
It pairs easy approval criteria with helpful cash‑back rewards right from the start, and has no annual fee — ideal when you don’t yet have a long Canadian credit history.

Rewards Breakdown

• 2x Membership Rewards® Points on eligible dining, travel, and food delivery purchases in Canada.

• 1x Membership Rewards® Point on all other purchases.

• Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points:
• 70,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months.
• 30,000 points after making a purchase between months 15–17.

• $200 Annual Travel Credit (booked through American Express Travel).
• $200 Annual Dining Credit at participating restaurants in Canada.

• Airport Lounge Access: Access to 1,400+ lounges worldwide through the American Express Global Lounge Collection (includes Centurion® Lounges, Priority Pass™, Plaza Premium, and more).

• Hotel Status: Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold status.

• NEXUS Credit: Statement credit every 4 years.

• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage including emergency medical, trip cancellation/interruption, and flight delay insurance.

• $799 Annual Fee.

Earning Rates:
• 2× Membership Rewards points on eligible travel & dining in Canada
• 1× point on all other purchases

Additional Perks:
• Up to ~100,000 Membership Rewards points welcome bonus (spend‑based)¹
• $200 Annual Dining Credit & $200 Annual Travel Credit (varies)
• Comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access benefits
• Premium hotel and elite benefits through Amex programs
• Annual Fee: High premium (significantly higher than basic cards)

Criteria

• Personal Income: No officially published minimum income requirement
• Credit Score: Excellent credit typically required (720+)
• Canadian Resident
• Age of Majority in province
• Must not currently hold or have previously held this specific card to qualify for the full welcome bonus (welcome bonus eligibility rules apply)

Why It’s Best for Frequent Travellers

It offers premium lounge access, elite hotel status, and $400 in annual credits — making it ideal for Canadians who travel multiple times per year and can maximize luxury travel perks.

Rewards Breakdown
•35,000 Avion points on approval
•20,000 bonus Avion points after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months
→ Up to 55,000 Avion points total (enough for travel value of up to ~$1,100)

Earning Rates:
•1.25 Avion points per $1 on travel-related purchases
•1 Avion point per $1 on all other purchases

Flexible Redemptions:
• Points can be redeemed for travel with any airline, any flight, any time with no blackout dates. Many travelers aim for travel value ~2 ¢ per point when booking via the Avion Air Travel Redemption Schedule.

Additional Perks:
•Travel and purchase insurance coverage including emergency medical and trip cancellation/interruption insurance
•Optional benefits like DoorDash DashPass (12-month subscription) and bonus Be Well points at Rexall when linked accounts are used
•Potential fuel savings and bonus points when linked with Petro-Canada & Rexall loyalty programs

• Annual Fee: $120 (plus $50 per additional cardholder)

Criteria

• Personal/Household Income: typical RBC requirements (e.g., ~$60 k personal / ~$100 k household reported)
• Canadian Resident
• Age of Majority in province
• Good-Excellent credit typically favoured

Why It’s Best for Flexible Travellers

It pairs a strong welcome bonus and a simple earn structure with flexible redemptions that work on any airline or flight with no blackout dates — great for Canadians who want travel freedom without being locked into a single airline program.

Rewards Breakdown
• 4% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.
• 2% cash back on eligible transportation (transit, rideshare), dining purchases, and recurring bill payments.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Welcome Bonus: First‑year annual fee rebate + 10% cash back for the first 4 statements (on up to $3,000 in purchases).
• Cash back redemption available anytime with a minimum balance of $25.

Earning Rates:
• 4% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases
• 2% cash back on dining, transit, and recurring bills
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Additional Perks:
• Cash back can be redeemed anytime (minimum $25)
• Welcome: 10% extra cash back for first 4 statements
• Strong insurance coverage including travel and purchase protection

Criteria
• Personal/Household Income: ~$60,000 personal or $100,000 household income typical.
• Credit Score: Good–Excellent.
• Canadian Resident.
• Age of Majority in province.

Why It’s Best for Everyday Cash Back on Essentials
Excellent high earn rates on everyday essentials — especially gas and groceries — with the ability to redeem cash back quickly (anytime $25+) and a sizable first‑year bonus. Makes this a top Visa option for everyday Canadian spending.

Rewards Breakdown
• 4% cash back on eligible restaurant, bar, and coffee shop purchases (up to $5,000/year).
• 1.5% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases, and pre‑authorized payments (up to $15,000/year).
• 0.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• Welcome Bonus: Up to 20% cash back for 3 months on up to $500 in eligible gas, grocery, drugstore, and pre‑authorized payment purchases (equal to up to ~$100).

Earning Rates:
• 4% cash back on eligible restaurants, bars, and coffee shops (up to $5,000/year)
• 1.5% cash back on groceries, gas, drugstores, and pre-authorized payments (up to $15,000/year)
• 0.5% cash back on all other purchases

Additional Perks:
• No annual fee
• Welcome: 20% cash back on first 3 months (up to $500 in spend)
• Quick and easy cash back redemption

Criteria
• Personal Income: ~$15,000+ minimum.
• Credit Score: Typically Good.
• Canadian Resident.
• Age of Majority in province.

Why It’s Best for No‑Fee Cash Back & Dining
A no annual fee cash back card with strong earn rates on restaurants and a competitive cash bonus makes this ideal for lower‑income or fee‑averse Canadians who want meaningful rewards without a yearly charge.

Rewards Breakdown
• Welcome Bonus: ~$360 value potential ($40 cash back each billing cycle after $2,000 spend for first 12 cycles + first year fee waived).
• 5% cash back on groceries.
• 4% cash back on transit & recurring bill payments.
• 3% cash back on gas.
• 1% cash back on everything else.

Earning Rates:
• 5% cash back on groceries
• 4% cash back on transit & ride‑sharing
• 3% cash back on gas & EV charging
• 2% cash back on recurring bills
• 1% cash back on everything else

Additional Perks:
• Welcome offers can include monthly cash back bonuses + first year annual fee rebate
• Travel insurance and roadside assistance included
• Cash back redeemable anytime (no expiry)
• Higher earn rates across major everyday categories

Criteria
• Personal Income: ~$80,000 (individual) or $150,000 (household).
• Credit Score: Good–Excellent
• Canadian Resident
• Age of Majority

Why It’s Best for Cash Back Earners
Excellent ongoing rates in major everyday spend categories and a solid cash back welcome bonus — great for high spenders who want simple, rich cash back value.

Rewards Breakdown
• Earn up to 12,500 Aventura Points as a welcome offer (by completing specified activities within a set timeframe after approval and making your first purchases).
• 1 Aventura Point per $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
• 1 Aventura Point per $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging stations, grocery stores, and drug stores.
• 1 Aventura Point per $2 on all other purchases.
• Points don’t expire and can be redeemed for travel (flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages) or towards purchases using Shop With Points/Pay With Points.
• No annual fee for the primary cardholder or additional authorized users.

Earning Rates:
• 1 Aventura point per $1 on travel, gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases
• 1 Aventura point per $2 on all other purchases

Additional Perks:
• Points never expire and can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages
• No annual fee for primary or additional cardholders
• Welcome Bonus: ~12,500 Aventura points

Criteria
• Personal/Household Income: None required (specifically designed for students).
• Credit Score: Fair/Good (typical for student cards).
• Must be a Canadian or international student studying in Canada (varies by offer).
• Age of Majority in province.

Why It’s Best for Students Starting Rewards
This card offers a true no‑annual‑fee travel rewards option for students, with flexible points that don’t expire and can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or other travel experiences , making it a great first rewards card while building credit and earning on everyday purchases.

Rewards Breakdown
• Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points in your first year (1,250 points for each monthly billing period you spend at least $750).
• 5× points per $1 on eligible eats & drinks in Canada (restaurants, cafés, grocery stores, food delivery), up to the monthly cap.
• 3× points per $1 on eligible streaming subscription purchases in Canada.
• 2× points per $1 on eligible gas, transit, and ride‑share purchases in Canada.
• 1× point per $1 on everything else.
• 1 additional point per $1 on eligible hotel and car rental bookings through American Express Travel Online.
• Extra Member Extras‑type statement credits may be available through offers such as monthly Instacart credits or seasonal dining credits (varies over time).

Earning Rates:
• 5× points on eligible eats & drinks in Canada (restaurants, cafés, grocery stores, food delivery)
• 3× points on eligible streaming subscriptions
• 2× points on gas, transit, and rideshare
• 1× point on all other purchases

Additional Perks:
• Points can be redeemed for travel, statement credits, or transferred to airline/hotel partners
• Monthly welcome bonus: up to 15,000 points in first year
• Flexible redemption options for maximum value

Criteria
• Personal/Household Income: Not explicitly required, but applicants with stronger incomes have better approval odds.
• Credit Score: Good–Excellent typically expected.
• Canadian Resident
• Age of Majority in province.

Why It’s Best for Everyday & Category Rewards
The American Express Cobalt® Card is widely regarded as one of Canada’s best for everyday spending, especially on dining, food delivery, groceries, and streaming, earning some of the highest points rates in those categories.

Rewards Breakdown
• 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada.
• 4% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to ~$1,200 cash back annually).
• 2% cash back on all other purchases.
• Welcome Bonus: Typically 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in spend) + often a $50 statement credit later in year 1 (total up to ~$250).
• Extra perks include refer‑a‑friend cash bonuses (up to ~$750) and some insurance benefits.

Earning Rates:
• 4% cash back on eligible grocery and gas purchases in Canada
• 2% cash back on all other purchases

Additional Perks:
• Welcome: 10% cash back for first 3 months (up to $2,000 spend)
• Refer-a-friend bonus up to ~$750
• Includes insurance coverage for travel, purchase, and fraud protection

Criteria
• Personal/Household Income: Not explicitly required
• Credit Score: Good–Excellent typically expected.
• Canadian Resident.
• Age of Majority in province.

Why It’s Best for High Cash Back Across Many Categories
One of Canada’s strongest cash back cards if you spend a lot on gas and groceries — plus solid earn (2%) on everything else. The combination of elevated earn rates and a welcome bonus makes it great for everyday rewards if you don’t mind the annual fee.

Rewards Breakdown
• Welcome Bonus: Up to ~45,000 Scene+ points (25,000 after $2,000 in first 3 months + 20,000 more with higher yearly spend).
• 6× Scene+ points per $1 at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo & other eligible grocery stores.
• 5× Scene+ points per $1 on dining, food delivery & eligible grocery.
• 3× Scene+ points per $1 on gas, transit, streaming.
• 1× Scene+ points per $1 on everything else.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Earning Rates:
• 6× Scene+ points at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo & certain grocery stores
• 5× Scene+ points on dining & food delivery
• 3× Scene+ points on gas, transit & streaming
• 1× Scene+ point on all other purchases

Additional Perks:
• Generous Scene+ points welcome bonus available³
• No foreign transaction fees — great for travel abroad³
• Comprehensive travel & purchase insurance
• Points can be redeemed for travel, entertainment, gift cards

Criteria
• Personal/Household Income: ~$12,000 minimum.
• Credit Score: Good–Excellent typical.
• Canadian Resident
• Age of Majority in province

Why It’s Best for Foodies & Everyday Spenders
High earn rates on groceries and dining, strong travel rewards, and no foreign transaction fees make this ideal for people who want everyday spending power plus travel value.