Best credit cards in Canada for December 2023
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Fact Checked: Scott Birke
Updated: December 07, 2023
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We appreciate the perks of the best credit cards here at Money.ca, but we can't claim there’s one best credit card in Canada for everyone.
The range of best Canadian credit cards available is vast, spanning cards that earn flexible cash back and travel rewards to those with low interest rates and low credit score requirements. But how do you separate the best Canadian credit cards from the rest?
To help you actually choose which is the best credit card for you, here's our list of the best credit cards in Canada broken down by category.
Best credit card in Canada: American Express Cobalt
5x Earn 5x the points on food and drinks at restaurants and with food delivery
3x Earn 3x the points on streaming subscriptions
2x Earn 2x the points on travel and transit
1x Earn 1x the points on everything else
$100 Up to $100 USD to use on hotel amenities (e.g. dining, spa) when you stay two or more consecutive nights
20.99% Purchase APR
21.99% Balance Transfer Rate
21.99% Cash Advance APR
$155.88 Annual Fee 12.99/mo
Fair Recommended Credit Score
$0.00 Required Annual Personal Income
Compare other top credit cards in Canada
| Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | CIBC Aventura Gold Visa |
|---|---|---|
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| Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite review | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite review | CIBC Aventura Gold Visa review |
| Apply now | Apply now | Apply now |
Best credit card for travel points: Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card
2x Earn 2x the Scene+ points for every you spend
0% No foreign transaction fees
10 Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
9.99% Purchase APR
$399.00 Annual Fee
0.00% Foreign Transaction Fee
Good Recommended Credit Score
Welcome Offer Ends Oct 31
Earn up to $2,100* in value in the first 14 months, including up to 60,0004 bonus Scene+ points.
Compare other best credit cards for travel points
| Scotiabank Passpoint Visa Infinite | BMO Ascend | American Express The Platinum |
|---|---|---|
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Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite review
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BMO Ascend World Elite review
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Amex The Platinum review
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| Apply now | Apply now | Apply now |
Read more: Best travel credit cards
Best credit card for cash back: CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card
4% Earn 4% cash back on gas, EV charging, and groceries.
2% Earn 2% cash back on dining, transportation, recurring payments or bills.
1% Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases with no limit.
10 cents Save 10 cents per litre with CIBC and Journie Rewards (Ultramar, Chevron, Pioneer, Fas Gas)
20.99% Purchase APR
22.99% Balance Transfer Rate
22.99% Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$120.00 Annual Fee First year free. Each additional card is $30 per year, max 3.
Good Recommended Credit Score
$60,000.00 Required Annual Personal Income
Compare other great credit cards for cash back
| Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite | BMO cash back World Elite | Amex Simply Cash |
|---|---|---|
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Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite review
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BMO Cash Back World Elite review |
Amex Simply Cash review
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| Apply now | Apply now | Apply now |
Read more: Best cash back credit cards in Canada
Best credit card for students: BMO CashBack® MasterCard®
3% Cardholders earn 3% (up to a monthly max of $500) cash back on groceries
1% Cardholders can earn 1% (up to $500 per month) on any recurring bill payments and 0.5% (no monthly max) on all other eligible purchases
0.5% Cardholders can earn 0.5% (no monthly max) on all other eligible purchases
20.99% Purchase APR
22.99% Cash Advance APR
$0.00 Annual Fee
Fair Recommended Credit Score
$15,000.00 Required Annual Personal Income
Welcome Offer Ends May 31
Get 5% cash back in your first 3 months and 0.99% on balance transfers for 9 months
Compare other fantastic credit cards for students
| Tangerine money-back | Neo Secured | American Express Cobalt |
|---|---|---|
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| Tangerine Money-Back |
Neo Secured review
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Amex Cobalt review
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| Apply now | Apply now | Apply now |
Read more: Best student credit cards
Best credit card for balance transfers: MBNA True Line® Mastercard®
0% New cardholders can enjoy a 0% promotional annual interest rate† (a 3% transfer fee applies) for 12 months on any balance transfer✪ completed within 90 days of opening the account
12.99% Purchase APR
12.99% Balance Transfer Rate
24.99% Cash Advance APR
$0.00 Annual Fee
Good Recommended Credit Score
Compare other top credit cards for balance transfers
| CIBC Select Visa | BMO Air Miles Mastercard | BMO Preferred rate |
|---|---|---|
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| CIBC Select Visa review | BMO AIRMILES Mastercard review | BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard review |
| Apply now | Apply now | Apply now |
Read more: Best balance transfer credit cards
Best credit card for rewards: CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card
2 Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
1 Earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1 Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
20.99% Purchase APR
22.99% Balance Transfer Rate
22.99% Cash Advance APR
$139.00 Annual Fee
Good Recommended Credit Score
$15,000.00 Required Annual Household Income
Compare other best credit cards for rewards
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® | American Express Cobalt® Card |
|---|---|---|
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| Scotia Gold Amex | MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard | American Express Cobalt |
| Apply now | Apply now | Apply now |
Read more: Best rewards credit cards
Best credit card for airport lounge access: American Express The Platinum Card
2 Earn two points for every $1 in card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada and on eligible travel, and one point for every $1 in all other Card purchases.
20.99% Purchase APR The Preferred rate of 20.99% applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance.
$799.00 Annual Fee Includes $200 annual travel credit and $200 annual dining credit
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Excellent Recommended Credit Score
Compare other great credit cards for airport lounge access
| Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card | TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card | Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card |
|---|---|---|
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| Scotia Passport Visa Infinite review | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege review | Scotiabank Platinum Amex |
| Apply now | Apply now | Apply now |
Read more: best airport lounge access credit cards
Best credit card with no annual fee: Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
2% Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3 Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5% Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
19.95% Purchase APR
1.95% Balance Transfer Rate 1.95% interest for first 6 months, 19.95% after that.
19.95% Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
3.00% Balance Transfer Fee 3.00% of the amount transferred, or minimum of $5.00
$0.00 Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Fair Recommended Credit Score
$12,000.00 Required Annual Personal Income
Welcome Offer Ends Jan 31
Get 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in everyday purchases made within 2 months. Pay only 1.95% balance transfer interest for the first 6 months.
Compare the other best credit cards with no annual fee
| MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard® | American Express® Green Card | RBC Cash Back Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
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| MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard | American Express Green review | RBC Cash Back review |
| Apply now | Apply now | Apply now |
Read more: Best no annual fee credit cards
Best credit card for bad credit: Neo Secured Credit
15% Up to 15% on first new purchases with Neo partners
5% With Neo Partners
1%-3% on gas and groceries
3%-4% Streaming, ridesharing, and food delivery services
2%-3% With retail partners
0.5% On everything else
19.99% - 26.99% Variable APR
24.99% - 28.99% Cash Advance APR Plus a $2.50 fee in Canada, $5 fee anywhere else
$0.00 Annual Fee Option to pay $4.99/month for premium membership to unlock higher cash back rewards
Poor Recommended Credit Score
$0.00 Required Annual Personal Income
Other best credit cards for bad credit (secured cards)
| Capital One® Guaranteed Secured Mastercard review | Home Trust Secured Visa | KOHO Extra |
|---|---|---|
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| Capital One Guaranteed Secured Mastercard review | Home Trust Secured Visa review | KOHO Extra review |
| Apply now | Apply now | Apply now |
Read more: Best secured credit cards
How do credit cards work?
Let’s get back to basics for a moment and talk about how credit cards actually work from the application process to paying off your balance.
Applying for a credit card
When you apply for a credit card, you are typically authorizing a credit card issuing to do a hard credit check to determine your eligibility. They’ll analyze your credit file for the following:
- Borrowing history and payments
- Credit history and mix of accounts
- The total amount of debt you owe
- The age of your credit accounts
Overall, they’re looking for your creditworthiness, or how likely you are to repay your debt.
If you’re approved, you’ll be assigned a credit limit based on what the issuer believes you would reasonably be able to pay back based on your credit experience and cash flow. This credit limit, also referred to as a credit line or spending limit, is the total amount you’re permitted to spend on your card. You may not be permitted to exceed this limit.
Traditional credit cards are unsecured, meaning they don’t require you to make a deposit when opening. Instead, they have credit and income criteria they’re looking for to decide if you’re a good candidate for new credit. Secured cards, on the other hand, work differently. They do require you to make a deposit as a form of collateral, which protects the issuers in the event that you’re not able to pay back what you owe. Issuers are far more likely to accept applicants with lower credit scores and more imperfect credit histories for secured cards because of this.
While many secured card applications still include a credit check, these cards typically determine your credit limit based on the amount you deposit rather than your credit. Usually, your security deposit is equal to your credit line. So if you deposit $1,000, you can spend up to $1,000.
Spending with a credit card
A credit card is a revolving line of credit. Essentially, you can use it and pay it off for as long as your account is still open. Each time you pay back what you owe, your credit limit resets and you can borrow up to your credit limit again. In some cases, you can exceed your credit limit, but this depends on what your card issuer is willing to let slide.
Every time you put money on your card, you’re going into debt until you repay your balance. How long you carry that debt is up to you.
Making credit card payments
You make credit card payments every month to repay some or all of your balance. You can either make the minimum payment, which is calculated as a percentage of your balance (usually 2% or 3%), a full payment of the statement balance, or a custom amount between these two. Paying off your full balance each month is key to avoiding debt and interest.
Most issuers grant cardholders an interest-free payment grace period (usually 21 days), after which at least the minimum payment is required. After the grace period, interest begins to accrue on any remaining debt.
Building credit with a credit card
Using credit affects your credit. Issuers report your payment activity to the credit bureaus, which can work against you or in your favour depending on if you’re staying on top of your payments.
If you make your credit card payments on time every month, your score should steadily increase. If you make your payments after the due date or miss them entirely, your score may rapidly fall. Other factors such as how much of your credit limit you use, how many other credit accounts you have, and how old your credit cards are can affect your credit.
The more responsible you are with your credit card and the less debt you carry, the more creditworthy you appear in the eyes of lenders. Remember that everything lands on your report eventually and avoid maxing out your cards, missing payments, etc.
Read more: 7 Ways To Improve Your Credit Score
How does credit card interest work?
Credit card interest is charged when you don’t pay off your balance in full. You’ll pay the regular purchase APR on whatever portion of your credit card balance remains on your account after its posted due date. Every month, you’ll receive a statement that tells you how much you’ve spent and what you owe. More specifically:
- What your full statement balance is or the total amount you spent in the previous statement period
- The minimum payment you’re required to make
- When the minimum payment is due
You need to pay at least the minimum payment to keep your account in good standing. But if you pay only the minimum, you’ll owe interest on what remains of your statement balance.
Take this example. Say your credit card charges a regular purchase APR of 19.99%. Over the course of a month, you spend $2,000 on that card. Your minimum payment is $20, and this is what you pay on the due date. You carry the remaining balance of $1,980 into the next statement period. You’ll continue owing interest on this amount until it’s paid off in full. If you take six months to repay the balance and don’t spend any more on the card until then (or for the sake of this example make other payments), you will pay a total of $117.09 in interest for a grand total of $2,097.09.
Credit card interest rates are usually variable, so they can change at the issuer’s discretion. Click the link below for more information about how interest is calculated.
Read more: Understanding and Calculating Credit Card Interest
Types of credit cards in Canada
As you can probably guess from the fact that we’ve chosen 14 different credit cards just for this list, there are a lot of different types of credit cards. On the surface, credit cards all serve the same purpose of giving us an easy way to spend money and borrow. But when you get down to the details, different cards can help borrowers achieve very different end goals.
Take a look at the seven main categories of cards.
Rewards credit cards
Rewards cards pay you in some way when you spend. This can be in the form of cash back, travel, or points. Redemption options and earnings rates will vary by card, but the general idea is that you’re earning something on some or all of your spending. Rewards cards often earn the most rewards in a certain category such as groceries or travel.
Branded credit cards
Branded credit cards are offered by credit card issuers in partnership with other corporations such as retailers, airlines, or hotels. These typically earn the most rewards for loyalty programs specific to the associated brand and may also offer perks like preferred bookings, discounts, or priority treatment.
Student and beginner credit cards
Credit card issuers for student and starter cards don’t expect to see applicants with polished, well-rounded credit histories and shiny credit scores. There’s definitely a time and a place for starter cards. College students, new immigrants to Canada, and people rebuilding after bankruptcy are just a few examples of those who might benefit from these cards.
Balance transfer cards
Balance transfer credit cards are different from your typical credit card. They’re not meant to replace your other cards but rather provide a vehicle for debt repayment. By transferring multiple card balances to one single balance transfer credit card, you can save on interest and make your life easier as you work to pay back what you owe. These cards often offer promotional 0% APRs for a set number of months from account opening so you don’t have to start paying interest right away.
Low-interest credit cards
Like a balance transfer credit card, a low-interest credit card is designed to give you a break. But rather than a low introductory rate, these have regular APRs that are lower than comparable cards so that when you do carry a balance, you won’t owe as much interest in the long run. These can be smart for people who struggle with debt and overspending.
Secured credit cards
Secured cards are unlike unsecured cards in that they require refundable security deposits when you sign up. But functionally, secured and unsecured cards work in the same way.
You can spend up to your limit and will owe a portion of your balance each statement period. You’re responsible for making your payments on time and your activity is reported to the bureaus. Secured cards are easier to get, so they can be better for those with bad or brand-new credit.
Business credit cards
Business cards can help business owners and entrepreneurs simplify their business-related spending and save money on certain expenses. For example, if you travel a lot for work, you could get a business card that offers benefits for frequent travel. If you spend a lot on marketing, you could get a rewards card that earns points in this category.
Business cards can fit into almost any of the categories already mentioned but are specifically for business owners.
5 ways to compare the best credit cards in Canada
When choosing the right credit card for you, you should be mindful of the good and the bad. Try to look into all of the following details when comparing your options.
Fees
Any fees your card has will eat into your rewards earning – and budget. This is why it’s important to be mindful of annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and more when thinking about signing up for a card.
But free isn’t always better. Often, great cards are worth paying for. A card’s value can easily cancel out an annual fee in just a month or two if it includes a variety of statement credits, discounts, and perks. Consider what fees you’re willing to pay for the benefits of having a particular card.
Read more: Why Pay for a Credit Card with an Annual Fee?
Credit card rewards
One of the most significant features of any reward/cash-back card is how fast and easy it is to earn rewards/cash. Overall, the higher the earn rate, the better.
However, to really understand a card’s value, it’s essential to know what points are actually worth in real-world terms as well as how easy they are to use. Flexible redemption is almost always more important than higher rates. Bonus points (sorry) if rewards can be transferred to other programs.
Credit card perks
Cards can offer a wide variety of perks. Often, the type of card dictates what types of perks you may get. For example, a card that earns travel rewards may include complimentary travel insurance. Low-interest credit cards may include purchase protection.
Whenever you get to the perks section of a card’s sales page, you should think as realistically as possible. Sure free stuff is nice, but which perks are you actually going to use and which ones are you going to forget you have? Which ones do you already pay for that you could save money on and which ones would you never pay for but use if you had them for free?
Examples of credit card perks include:
- Extended warranties
- Insurance (e.g. travel interruption insurance)
- Emergency assistance services (e.g. roadside dispatch)
- Airport lounge access
- Free checked bags
- Hotel upgrades
- Early/Late check-in
- Concierge services
Credit card interest
APRs are a huge factor for any kind of credit card, especially for people who don’t pay off their balance in full each statement period. Pay close attention to how much interest you might pay if you carry a balance, make a balance transfer, request a cash advance, or miss a due date on your card payment.
Credit card sign-up bonuses
The bigger the welcome bonus, the better. But we generally favour substance over flash, and we’re critical of cards that won’t deliver repeated value over time. Even the best credit card sign-up bonus won’t make a mediocre card worth signing up for, so don’t sign up for a card to get a bonus unless you would sign up if it didn’t have that bonus too.
Read more: Best credit card offers
How to sign up for a credit card in Canada
When signing up for a credit card, you’ll need to fill out an application. Typically, this asks for the following items:
- Your personal information including your full legal name and date of birth
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Your permanent address
- Details about your income and employment (often including how much you earn and the terms of your employment)
After providing these details, the issuer of the card you’re applying for will review your application. If you qualify or disqualify automatically, you’ll receive a near-instant decision. If the issuer has concerns about some of the information you’ve given or just needs to take a closer look at your application, you may be asked to wait a few business days for a final decision.
Before you fill out any application, check for prequalification if it’s an option. This is a good idea because applications almost always do hard credit checks, which can negatively impact your credit, especially if you have several new ones together on your credit report. Prequalification uses a soft credit check, which doesn’t impact your credit.
If you’re approved, you’ll usually receive your physical card in the mail a week or two after applying. Some cards offer a digital version you can start using right away.
Note: Got a sign-up bonus you think you can easily qualify for? Make sure to adjust your spending as needed to hit the spending requirements for the bonus, within reason. Maybe swap a bill payment or two over to this new card or use this one for the majority of your grocery purchases for a few weeks.
Activate your card when it arrives and start using it right away.
Tips for using a credit card
Credit cards can empower you to spend more freely and even save money on your expenses. But they can also be dangerous. If you’re not careful, you can quickly go into debt or damage your credit with a credit card.
Here are five tips for using credit safely.
Pay your bill on the same day every month – Rather than trust yourself to remember to pay your bill when it’s due, set yourself a reminder for the same day each month. Or, better yet, schedule your payments to come out of a linked bank account automatically before or on the due date.
Make more than your minimum payment – Whenever you can, try to pay off your full statement balance each month rather than the minimum payment. Though you can get away with only paying the minimum, you’ll get charged interest on the rest of your balance.
Check your statements often – Get into a habit of reading through your credit card transactions on a regular basis, maybe weekly or biweekly. This way, you have a better idea of your spending habits and can catch any suspicious charges as early as possible.
Watch your credit score – You can check your credit score at any time without impacting your credit, and this is an especially great idea if you’re working to improve your score. Even if your credit is in good shape, it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on how it’s changing.
Use it like a debit card – Some of the best advice we can give credit card users new and old is to pretend your card is actually a debit card. Use only what you know you have in the bank and pay it off right away. Do your best to stay well under your credit limit.
Should you get a credit card?
Above all, a credit card is a convenient tool that can have serious consequences on your financial life. It’s important to remember that when you use a card, you’re taking out a temporary loan from your issuer. This is a big deal and you shouldn’t take using your credit card lightly.
Credit cards have both pros and cons. They, of course, offer purchasing convenience, and smart use of a card can help you build a solid credit score and thus make it easier to be approved for a loan or a mortgage in the future. Add to that the potential for rewards and freebies and there are a lot of reasons to sign up for one.
But the possible downsides are just as dramatic, often even more. Poor credit card use can lead to overspending, unsustainable debt levels, and bad credit that can take years to repair.
If you feel nervous about your ability to use a credit card safely and responsibly, consider an alternative until you’re ready.
Read more: Credit Card Alternatives: Debit Cards, Prepaid Cards and Charge Cards
American vs. Canadian credit cards
American and Canadian credit card products are surprisingly different. Some cards are available to both Americans and Canadians while others are available in only one country.
Many U.S. credit cards do permit Canadian citizens to apply, but there are a few barriers to consider. One is your credit. U.S. and Canadian credit histories are separate, and your Canadian credit history (unfortunately) won’t usually count when you’re applying for a U.S. card. So if you’ve got your eye on an American credit card as a Canadian citizen, get to work on your U.S. credit for a better chance of approval.
Read more: U.S. Credit Cards That We’re Unabashedly Jealous of in Canada
Credit card issuer vs. credit card network
If you’re going to make the most of your credit cards, it’s important to understand the distinction between an issuer and a network. A credit card issuer is a financial institution (like a bank or credit union) that issues and manages your credit card. They approve or deny your application, establish a card’s earning rate and perks, and process your payments.
While there are hundreds of different issuers in Canada, there are only three main networks: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. (Discover is also a network somewhat popular in the U.S., but few Canadian merchants accept their cards.) Networks set the fees that merchants pay for processing a credit card transaction. American Express is both an issuer and a network while Visa and Mastercard are networks only.
For a breakdown of the best of each network, check out our top credit card picks for Visa, Mastercard and American Express in Canada.
Best Canadian credit card FAQs
Summary: Best credit cards in Canada
| Best Canadian credit cards | Best credit card by category | Apply now |
|---|---|---|
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American Express Cobalt
Best credit card in Canada |
Apply now |
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Scotiabank Platinum American Express
Best credit card for travel |
Apply now |
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CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite
Best credit card for cash back |
Apply now |
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BMO CashBack Mastercard
Best credit card for students |
Apply now |
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MBNA True Line Mastercard
Best credit card for balance transfers |
Apply now |
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CIBC Aventura Gold
Best credit card for rewards |
Apply now |
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American Express The Platinum
Best credit card for airport lounge access |
Apply now |
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Tangerine Money-Back
Best credit card with no annual fee |
Apply now |
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Neo Secure credit
Best credit card for bad credit |
Apply now |
Canadian credit cards come in many different shapes and sizes. Okay, so they’re all pretty much the same shape and size, but they’re really varied in terms of what they require, what they offer, and who they’re best for.
If you’re searching for your next credit card or your very first one, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to make the decision. Finding the right card for you is well worth it.
Other types of best credit cards in Canada
BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply.
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