Best credit cards for seniors and retirees in Canada
For most folks, browsing the best credit cards Canada list and applying for a credit card is as simple as picking the one you like, stating your job and income, and presto – you've likely been auto-approved. But what if you don't have a job and your income is fixed because you're retired? If you're a senior, finding a credit card that adds value to your life can get tricky—but not impossible.
For instance, when asked for your income don't limit yourself to after-tax earnings from your principal investment portfolio. Use your gross income and include all forms of income, such as rental income, book of business residuals, pension and even government assistance programs. The idea is to prove to the credit company that you can earn a sizeable sum even if you opt to live a more frugal lifestyle or to optimize tax-efficient withdrawals.
My father, for instance, successfully applied for and was auto-approved for the prestigious Amex Aeroplan Reserve, despite being retired and having a modest income.
Rest assured that there are still numerous options to explore when searching for the best credit card for seniors in Canada.
Here, I'll break it down so you can choose what suits your lifestyle and needs best.
Best credit card for seniors in Canada who need cashback at the grocery store
2.99% intro rate
Welcome Bonus
$303
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: 2.99% introductory interest rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first 6 months Expires Oct 31, 2025
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$39
Annual Fee
19.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
-
Our Take
Scotiabank Momentum® Visa* Card ReviewThe Scotiabank Momentum® Visa* Card is a cash back credit card offering cash back on eligible gas station, grocery store, drug store purchases, and recurring bill payments and other eligible purchases. Cardholders benefit from purchase security and extended warranty protection, as well as discounts on car rentals at participating AVIS and Budget locations in Canada and the U.S.; however, the card carries an annual fee, and cash back is awarded only once per year as a statement credit, which may not suit those preferring more frequent redemption options.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
-
Pros
Cons
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
19.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
2.99%
Purchase (Introductory)
2.99%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$39
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
-
Rewards cash back
2%
cash back for every $1 you spend on all eligible gas stations, grocery store, drug store purchases and recurring bill payments.
1%
cash back on all other eligible purchases.
25%
savings off base rates at participating AVIS locations and at participating Budget locations in North America.
90
days of purchase security on most items purchased with your card.
1
extra year on top of manufacturer's warranty.
-
Get a 2.99% introductory interest rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first 6 months (19.99% on purchases/22.99% on cash advances including balance transfers after that).
Our Take
The Scotiabank Momentum® Visa* Card is a cash back credit card offering cash back on eligible gas station, grocery store, drug store purchases, and recurring bill payments and other eligible purchases. Cardholders benefit from purchase security and extended warranty protection, as well as discounts on car rentals at participating AVIS and Budget locations in Canada and the U.S.; however, the card carries an annual fee, and cash back is awarded only once per year as a statement credit, which may not suit those preferring more frequent redemption options.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
19.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
2.99%
Purchase (Introductory)
2.99%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$39
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
Rewards cash back
2%
cash back for every $1 you spend on all eligible gas stations, grocery store, drug store purchases and recurring bill payments.
1%
cash back on all other eligible purchases.
25%
savings off base rates at participating AVIS locations and at participating Budget locations in North America.
90
days of purchase security on most items purchased with your card.
1
extra year on top of manufacturer's warranty.
Get a 2.99% introductory interest rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first 6 months (19.99% on purchases/22.99% on cash advances including balance transfers after that).
With the cost of groceries straining our budgets, it’s tempting to find out how we can make those groceries work for us. Cashback credit cards are a great way to do that, especially those offering special bonuses for grocery shopping.
One card to consider is the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite. It offers a whopping 4% cashback on groceries (along with subscription services like Netflix). It does come with a $120 annual fee, which certainly bites into its rewards, but if you do lots of grocery shopping, 4% cashback is hard to beat.
Bonus: To qualify for this card, you can claim either $60,000 in income or $250,000 in managed assets—something that might be easier for most retirees. Bummer: You only get paid out once per year and only as a statement credit (ugh).
Runner-up: Do annual fees and statement credit make you a bit uncomfortable? Me too. I opt for the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card. You can select 2% cashback on three categories including groceries, and that money gets deposited right into your Tangerine savings (or as a statement credit) monthly. Oh, and another perk is that there's no annual fee.
Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Momentum® Visa* Card to learn more. *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
Best credit card for seniors over 65 at the drugstore (you may not have your workplace benefits anymore)
$0
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
21.99%
Purchase
22.97%
Cash Advance
5%
Balance Transfer
-
Our Take
PC® World Elite Mastercard® ReviewThe PC Financial® World Elite Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card designed for frequent shoppers at Loblaw-affiliated stores, offering elevated PC Optimum points on purchases at these retailers, including Shoppers Drug Mart and Joe Fresh. Cardholders benefit from perks such as 24/7 concierge service and travel emergency medical insurance; however, the card has a high income requirement, and its rewards are primarily limited to Loblaw banner stores.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
-
Pros
Cons
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
22.97%
Cash Advance
5%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
-
Rewards PC points
45 points
* 45 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix
30 points
Earn 30 points per litre for gas purchased at Esso™ or Mobil™ stations
30 points
Earn 30 points per $1 spent on PC Travel services
30 points
Earn 30 points per $1 spent at Loblaw Banner Grocery Stores (includes Loblaws, No Frills, Valu-Mart, Independent Grocers, Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstore, Fortinos, etc.)
10 points
Earn 10 points per $1 spent everywhere else
Insurance Benefits
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Our Take
The PC Financial® World Elite Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card designed for frequent shoppers at Loblaw-affiliated stores, offering elevated PC Optimum points on purchases at these retailers, including Shoppers Drug Mart and Joe Fresh. Cardholders benefit from perks such as 24/7 concierge service and travel emergency medical insurance; however, the card has a high income requirement, and its rewards are primarily limited to Loblaw banner stores.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
22.97%
Cash Advance
5%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
Rewards PC points
45 points
* 45 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix
30 points
Earn 30 points per litre for gas purchased at Esso™ or Mobil™ stations
30 points
Earn 30 points per $1 spent on PC Travel services
30 points
Earn 30 points per $1 spent at Loblaw Banner Grocery Stores (includes Loblaws, No Frills, Valu-Mart, Independent Grocers, Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstore, Fortinos, etc.)
10 points
Earn 10 points per $1 spent everywhere else
Insurance Benefits
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
If you love shopping at Shoppers Drug Mart (or at least visit it frequently), the PC® World Elite Mastercard® may be right for you. It gets huge cashback from purchases at Shoppers (4.5% to be exact) and skips the annual fee, which is a massive plus in my mind. Ok, to be fair, it isn’t “cash” back per se – you’re paid out in Optimum Points, 20,000 of which can be redeemed for $20 at places like Shoppers and Loblaws. You’ll earn Earn 45 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix, effectively 4.5% cash back.
Now, the shortcomings. The income requirements for this card are surprisingly high, asking for an $80,000 personal or a $120,000 household income. But recall that most card providers will consider *all income sources* including RRIF, RRSP and TFSA withdrawals, as well as government income support such as Old Age Support (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), along with Canada Pension Plan (CPP) earnings and any private pension or annuity income. Add it all up and this will help you qualify.
Best credit card for seniors who need lower interest rates
0% intro rate
Welcome Bonus
$0
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Get 0% APR for 12 months on transfers
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
12.99%
Purchase
24.99%
Cash Advance
17.99%
Balance Transfer
-
Our Take
MBNA True Line® Mastercard® ReviewThe MBNA True Line® Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card designed for individuals seeking a low-interest option for managing their finances. It offers a competitive interest rate on purchases and balance transfers, along with benefits such as fraud protection and discounts on car rentals.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
-
Pros
Cons
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
12.99%
Purchase
24.99%
Cash Advance
17.99%
Balance Transfer
0.00%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
-
Rewards
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.
100%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
Our Take
The MBNA True Line® Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card designed for individuals seeking a low-interest option for managing their finances. It offers a competitive interest rate on purchases and balance transfers, along with benefits such as fraud protection and discounts on car rentals.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
12.99%
Purchase
24.99%
Cash Advance
17.99%
Balance Transfer
0.00%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
Rewards
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.
100%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
Credit card interest can be scary, especially if you’ve got other things on your mind and find yourself missing a payment or two. If that’s at the top of your mind, the MBNA True Line® Mastercard® or MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard are certainly your best bets.
The stock True Line has no annual fee and a 12.99% interest rate (about 8% less than standard cards). For those looking for the lowest rate, the MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard has a modest $39 annual fee but even lower interest at 10.99%. If it were me, I’d try to set up a system for making payments on time as often as possible, hedging my bets with the regular MBNA True Line® Mastercard® and skipping the $39 annual fee on the Gold version.
†, ✪, Terms and Conditions apply.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.
Sponsored advertising. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) and TD is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information on this MBNA credit card, please click on the “Apply Now” button.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank is the issuer of this credit card. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. ®MBNA and other-trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.
Best credit card for seniors with no credit
$153
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$59
Annual Fee
19.99% - 29.99%
Purchase
22.99% - 31.99%
Cash Advance
-
Our Take
Neo Secured Mastercard ReviewThe Neo Secured Mastercard is a secured credit card designed to help individuals build or rebuild their credit history. It offers cash back rewards on purchases, with earn rates that increase based on the balance maintained in a linked Neo Everyday account.
Eligibility
Poor (up to 299)
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
-
Pros
Cons
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
19.99% - 29.99%
Purchase
22.99% - 31.99%
Cash Advance
Fees
$59
Annual Fee
-
Rewards cash back
Up to 4%
Earn up to 4% on gas and groceries
up to 1%
Earn up to 1% on everything else
$680
Earn up to $680 in annual cashback
Our Take
The Neo Secured Mastercard is a secured credit card designed to help individuals build or rebuild their credit history. It offers cash back rewards on purchases, with earn rates that increase based on the balance maintained in a linked Neo Everyday account.
Eligibility
Poor (up to 299)
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
19.99% - 29.99%
Purchase
22.99% - 31.99%
Cash Advance
Fees
$59
Annual Fee
Rewards cash back
Up to 4%
Earn up to 4% on gas and groceries
up to 1%
Earn up to 1% on everything else
$680
Earn up to $680 in annual cashback
Previously, having no (or poor) credit might prevent you from accessing credit cards. But no longer – several options are available to you, even if your credit report is less-than-stellar.
Generally, prepaid is the way to go, as it is auto-approved and actually allows you to earn interest on the credit you load on your card. You just load money on the card and start spending. You load more when that money runs out, leaving you in control. A great option is the EQ Bank Card, which has no monthly fee and even gives you 0.5% back on all purchases.
If prepaid isn’t your thing, consider a secured credit card, which requires you to make a deposit. The Neo Secured Mastercard is one to consider, with a minimum security deposit of only $50. You could also look at KOHO, whose Extra credit plan starts at $9 per month and offers high-tier benefits like 1.5% cashback on various transactions and a whopping 3% cashback on select partners.
- Neo Credit and Neo Secured Credit cards are issued by Neo Financial™ pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.
Best credit card for seniors and retirees who want to travel but worry about medical coverage
up to $2500 in value
Welcome Bonus
$2,133
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $2,500* in value in the first 14 months, including up to 80,000 bonus Scene+ points. Expires Oct 31, 2025
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$399
Annual Fee
9.99%
Purchase
9.99%
Cash Advance
9.99%
Balance Transfer
-
Our Take
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card ReviewThe Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated earn rates on all eligible purchases, with additional benefits such as complimentary airport lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance. It charges no foreign transaction fees and provides access to exclusive events.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
-
Pros
Cons
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
9.99%
Purchase
9.99%
Cash Advance
9.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$399
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
-
Rewards Scene+
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$10
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
-
To qualify for this Offer make sure to open a new Scotiabank Platinum American Express credit card account (“Account”) opened between January 3, 2025 and October 31, 2025.
To qualify for the 80,000 bonus Scene+ points:
4. Earn 60,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $3,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months.
5. Plus, for a limited time, you are eligible to earn a 20,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $10,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 14 months.
Once you qualify, we’ll credit your account in 2 instalments:
4. 60,000 bonus Scene+ points will be credited to the applicable Scene+ membership account approximately 8 weeks after the qualifying $3,000 in eligible purchases being posted to your Account within the first 3 months of Account opening.
5. An additional 20,000 bonus Scene+ points will be credited to the applicable Scene+ membership account approximately 8 weeks after you have met the $10,000 spend threshold in your Account within the first 14 months of Account opening.
Note: For joint Accounts, the applicable bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the last transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases in the case of the 60,000 Point Bonus and the Additional 20,000 Point Bonus.
Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for this offer.
See terms and conditions for full details.
Our Take
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated earn rates on all eligible purchases, with additional benefits such as complimentary airport lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance. It charges no foreign transaction fees and provides access to exclusive events.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
9.99%
Purchase
9.99%
Cash Advance
9.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$399
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
Rewards Scene+
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$10
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
To qualify for this Offer make sure to open a new Scotiabank Platinum American Express credit card account (“Account”) opened between January 3, 2025 and October 31, 2025. |
The best Canadian credit card for seniors' travel offers comprehensive health insurance—that doesn't cut off for anyone over 50. Finding a travel card that has seniors covered is shockingly hard, but there are a few options out there.
For seniors 75 and under, the National Bank World Mastercard offers 60 to 64-year-olds a generous 31 days of coverage and seniors 65 to 75 a decent 15 days. But what if you're looking to travel over the age of 75?
For seniors over 75, we turn to Scotiabank, one of the few credit card providers that offers double-digit days of coverage. The Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card and the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card cards cover 10 days of coverage for 65-year-olds and up. These options are worth considering, and the CIBC cards may be slightly easier to qualify for than the Scotiabank card.
- Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card to learn more.*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
Best credit card for seniors who want to travel but want to avoid foreign exchange fees
up to $1,300* value
Welcome Bonus
$926
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $1,300* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points* Expires Jul 01, 2025
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$150
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
-
Our Take
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card ReviewThe Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card offering elevated Scene+ points on eligible grocery store purchases, dining, entertainment, and daily transit, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, six complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
-
Pros
Cons
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
-
Rewards Scene+
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Insurance Benefits
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
-
Earn up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points*.
$300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $2,000 within the first 3 months;
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months);
$50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients;
$137 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average first year annual foreign spend per account (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by othercard issuers);
$399 in first year point earn potential (30,000 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per account with an average spend of 20% in 2X accelerator categories;
$359 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on ‘Preferential’ membership valued at approx. CAD$359/USD$259). Currency conversion as at October 25, 2024.
Potential First Year Value = up to $1,345
Our Take
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card offering elevated Scene+ points on eligible grocery store purchases, dining, entertainment, and daily transit, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, six complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Scene+
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Insurance Benefits
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points*.
Potential First Year Value = up to $1,345 |
Since HSBC pulled up stakes and left Canada, there’s only been one primary no-FX fee option – Scotiabank. Notably, its Passport Visa Infinite Card is a decent travel card for many reasons (I had one!), but it may be best known for its 0% FX fees that can eat into a traveller’s budget.
If you don’t mind pre-paying, the EQ Bank Card is definitely worth considering. It has no FX fees, a modest amount of cashback and no worries about racking up way too much debt on vacation!
Rates, fees and other information are effective as of January 3, 2025. Subject to change.
Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card to learn more.
*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
Best credit card for seniors who are traveling in an RV (and need to save on gas)
10% back†
Welcome Bonus
$758
First Year Value
$558
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000†.
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$120
Annual Fee
20.99%†
Purchase
22.99%†
Cash Advance
22.99%†
Balance Transfer
-
Our Take
CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card ReviewThe CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card is a cash back credit card offering elevated earn rates on categories such as groceries, gas, transportation, dining, and recurring payments. Cardholders benefit from features like purchase security, extended protection, and optional insurance coverages. It's a good option for those seeking to maximize cash back on everyday spending.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
-
Pros
Cons
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%†
Purchase
22.99%†
Cash Advance
22.99%†
Balance Transfer
25.99%†
Penalty
Fees
$120
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$42.5
Return Penalty
-
Rewards cash back
4%
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
2%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
1%
cash back on all other purchases†
10 cents
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
-
Get a first-year annual fee rebate for you and up to three Authorized Users† and earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000†.
Our Take
The CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card is a cash back credit card offering elevated earn rates on categories such as groceries, gas, transportation, dining, and recurring payments. Cardholders benefit from features like purchase security, extended protection, and optional insurance coverages. It's a good option for those seeking to maximize cash back on everyday spending.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%†
Purchase
22.99%†
Cash Advance
22.99%†
Balance Transfer
25.99%†
Penalty
Fees
$120
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$42.5
Return Penalty
Rewards cash back
4%
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
2%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
1%
cash back on all other purchases†
10 cents
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Get a first-year annual fee rebate for you and up to three Authorized Users† and earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000†.
If you plan to spend a lot at gas stations, the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card is hard to beat. It offers 4% cashback on gas purchases, along with 2% on a host of other expenditures. But maybe you’re concerned about the environment and switched to an electric vehicle. This card also offers 4% cashback on EV charging, a perk you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
The Dividend does have an annual fee of $120, so if that puts you off, I’d once again recommend the unbeatable feeless Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card, where you can make one of your 2% cashback categories fuel purchases (and get that money paid out monthly).
- †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for the residents of Quebec.
- The information for the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best credit card for affluent seniors who want the life of luxury
up to 100k pts
Welcome Bonus
$931
First Year Value
$231
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points* after spending $10,000 on your Card within your first 3 months as a new Platinum® Cardmember.*
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$799
Annual Fee
21.99% - 28.99%
Purchase
-
Our Take
The Platinum Card® ReviewThe American Express Platinum Card® is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases, with a substantial welcome bonus for new cardholders. Cardholders enjoy exclusive benefits such as access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through the American Express Global Lounge Collection™, comprehensive travel insurance, and personalized concierge services.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
-
Pros
Cons
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
21.99% - 28.99%
Purchase
30.00%
Penalty
Fees
$799
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$45
Return Penalty
-
Rewards Membership Rewards
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
1x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
Insurance Benefits
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$85,000
Rental car insurance amount
-
Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $10,000 on your Card within your first 3 months as a new Platinum® Cardmember. That’s $700 towards your next flight.
Plus, earn 30,000 points* when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership.* That’s $300 towards dinner out with friends.
*Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for these offers. Other terms apply.
Our Take
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases, with a substantial welcome bonus for new cardholders. Cardholders enjoy exclusive benefits such as access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through the American Express Global Lounge Collection™, comprehensive travel insurance, and personalized concierge services.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
21.99% - 28.99%
Purchase
30.00%
Penalty
Fees
$799
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Membership Rewards
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
1x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
Insurance Benefits
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$85,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $10,000 on your Card within your first 3 months as a new Platinum® Cardmember. That’s $700 towards your next flight.
Plus, earn 30,000 points* when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership.* That’s $300 towards dinner out with friends.
*Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for these offers. Other terms apply.
up to $2500 in value
Welcome Bonus
$2,133
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $2,500* in value in the first 14 months, including up to 80,000 bonus Scene+ points. Expires Oct 31, 2025
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$399
Annual Fee
9.99%
Purchase
9.99%
Cash Advance
9.99%
Balance Transfer
-
Our Take
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card ReviewThe Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated earn rates on all eligible purchases, with additional benefits such as complimentary airport lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance. It charges no foreign transaction fees and provides access to exclusive events.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
-
Pros
Cons
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
9.99%
Purchase
9.99%
Cash Advance
9.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$399
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
-
Rewards Scene+
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$10
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
-
To qualify for this Offer make sure to open a new Scotiabank Platinum American Express credit card account (“Account”) opened between January 3, 2025 and October 31, 2025.
To qualify for the 80,000 bonus Scene+ points:
4. Earn 60,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $3,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months.
5. Plus, for a limited time, you are eligible to earn a 20,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $10,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 14 months.
Once you qualify, we’ll credit your account in 2 instalments:
4. 60,000 bonus Scene+ points will be credited to the applicable Scene+ membership account approximately 8 weeks after the qualifying $3,000 in eligible purchases being posted to your Account within the first 3 months of Account opening.
5. An additional 20,000 bonus Scene+ points will be credited to the applicable Scene+ membership account approximately 8 weeks after you have met the $10,000 spend threshold in your Account within the first 14 months of Account opening.
Note: For joint Accounts, the applicable bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the last transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases in the case of the 60,000 Point Bonus and the Additional 20,000 Point Bonus.
Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for this offer.
See terms and conditions for full details.
Our Take
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated earn rates on all eligible purchases, with additional benefits such as complimentary airport lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance. It charges no foreign transaction fees and provides access to exclusive events.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
9.99%
Purchase
9.99%
Cash Advance
9.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$399
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
Rewards Scene+
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$10
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
To qualify for this Offer make sure to open a new Scotiabank Platinum American Express credit card account (“Account”) opened between January 3, 2025 and October 31, 2025. |
If living luxuriously is what you’re after (and who can blame you), one card stands head and shoulder above the rest – the The Platinum Card from American Express. It offers incredible perks like 24/7 concierge service, unbeatable insurance coverage, global airport lounge access, $200 credits for travel and dining… the list goes on. There is, of course, the fee – $799, to be precise – but who’s ever had luxury without spending a bit?
Other high-end cards, like the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card or the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege, are a bit cheaper, but neither has the high-gloss luxury of the The Platinum Card® from American Express. Oh, did I mention it’s a metal card?!
- Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card to learn more.*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
- Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.
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. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
How seniors can qualify for a credit card without meeting minimum income requirements in Canada
Look for cards like those offered by Scotiabank that allow you to state your managed assets rather than an income.
If you really want a credit card and don’t quite fit into their metrics, I’d simply call customer service. Especially with Amex, the customer service of most credit card companies is extremely helpful. If you genuinely have the means to pay for and use your card, I strongly suspect you’ll be able to qualify with a bit of human assistance.
FAQs

Cam is a content marketer with a passion for saving, financial independence, and pulling off elaborate credit card point schemes. He has worked in Fintech and Finserve (specifically Group Retirement) and loves researching and writing about finance.
Compare other popular Canadian credit cards
Compare other popular Canadian credit cards
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†Terms and Conditions apply.