Best credit cards for seniors and retirees in Canada
For most folks, 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
Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card
3.7
Fair
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Pros
-
Cash back rewards: Earn 2% cash back on gas, groceries, drug stores, and recurring bill payments, and 1% on all other eligible purchases.
-
Annual cap benefits: The 2% cash back applies up to $25,000 spent annually in key categories, allowing for substantial rewards accumulation.
-
Purchase security and extended warranty: Offers protection for new purchases against theft, loss, or damage and extends the manufacturer's warranty.
-
Supplementary cards available: Although there's a fee, additional cards can be useful for shared expenses.
Cons
-
Annual fee: The card has an annual fee of $39.
-
High interest rate: The card has a high interest rate of 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
-
Limited rewards categories: The card’s rewards categories are limited to groceries, gas, and recurring bill payments.
-
Rewards paid out annually: Cash back rewards are paid out annually as a statement credit.
-
$25,000 annual cap for 2% cash back: The 2% cash back rate applies up to the first $25,000 spent annually on gas station, grocery store and drugstore purchases, and on recurring payments.
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
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.
cash back for every $1 you spend on all eligible gas stations, grocery store, drug store purchases and recurring bill payments.
2%
cash back on all other eligible purchases.
1%
savings off base rates at participating AVIS locations and at participating Budget locations in North America.
25%
days of purchase security on most items purchased with your card.
90
extra year on top of manufacturer's warranty.
1
19.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$39
Annual Fee $15 for each supplementary card
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
19.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$39
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
Pros
-
Cash back rewards: Earn 2% cash back on gas, groceries, drug stores, and recurring bill payments, and 1% on all other eligible purchases.
-
Annual cap benefits: The 2% cash back applies up to $25,000 spent annually in key categories, allowing for substantial rewards accumulation.
-
Purchase security and extended warranty: Offers protection for new purchases against theft, loss, or damage and extends the manufacturer's warranty.
-
Supplementary cards available: Although there's a fee, additional cards can be useful for shared expenses.
Cons
-
Annual fee: The card has an annual fee of $39.
-
High interest rate: The card has a high interest rate of 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
-
Limited rewards categories: The card’s rewards categories are limited to groceries, gas, and recurring bill payments.
-
Rewards paid out annually: Cash back rewards are paid out annually as a statement credit.
-
$25,000 annual cap for 2% cash back: The 2% cash back rate applies up to the first $25,000 spent annually on gas station, grocery store and drugstore purchases, and on recurring payments.
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
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.
cash back for every $1 you spend on all eligible gas stations, grocery store, drug store purchases and recurring bill payments.
2%
cash back on all other eligible purchases.
1%
savings off base rates at participating AVIS locations and at participating Budget locations in North America.
25%
days of purchase security on most items purchased with your card.
90
extra year on top of manufacturer's warranty.
1
19.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$39
Annual Fee $15 for each supplementary card
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
19.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$39
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
- Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotia 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.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
4.0
10% back
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreGet 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.
Expires
Nov 1, 2024
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
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.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
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.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
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 4.00% cashback on groceries (along with subscription services like Netflix). It does come with a $120.00 annual fee, which certainly bites into its rewards, but if you do lots of grocery shopping, 4.00% cashback is hard to beat.
Bonus: To qualify for this card, you can claim either $60000.00 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).
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 2.00% 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.
Best credit card for seniors over 65 at the drugstore (you may not have your workplace benefits anymore)
PC® World Elite Mastercard
4.0
30 pts per $1
Welcome offerFair
Suggested credit scoreEarn 30 points per $1 spent at PC grocery stores
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
High earn rates in certain stores
-
Easy, straightforward redemptions
-
Points don’t expire provided your account stays active and in good standing
-
Special events allow you to earn extra points
Cons
-
High income requirement to qualify
-
Accelerated earn rates are limited to certain partner stores, and points can be redeemed only for purchases within Loblaw banner stores
-
Points can’t be transferred to other loyalty programs
-
The included travel insurance is very limited
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
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
* 45 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix
45 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.)
30 points
Earn 10 points per $1 spent everywhere else
10 points
21.99%
Purchase APR
5.00%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.97%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee
Purchase APR
21.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
5.00%
Cash Advance APR
22.97%
Annual Fee
$0
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
High earn rates in certain stores
-
Easy, straightforward redemptions
-
Points don’t expire provided your account stays active and in good standing
-
Special events allow you to earn extra points
Cons
-
High income requirement to qualify
-
Accelerated earn rates are limited to certain partner stores, and points can be redeemed only for purchases within Loblaw banner stores
-
Points can’t be transferred to other loyalty programs
-
The included travel insurance is very limited
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
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
* 45 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix
45 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.)
30 points
Earn 10 points per $1 spent everywhere else
10 points
21.99%
Purchase APR
5.00%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.97%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee
Purchase APR
21.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
5.00%
Cash Advance APR
22.97%
Annual Fee
$0
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
4.0
10% back
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreGet 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.
Expires
Nov 1, 2024
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
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.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
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.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
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 $80000.00 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. I’d also recommend the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card as a solid alternative, especially if there are pharmacies other than Shoppers you frequent.
Best credit card for seniors who need lower interest rates
MBNA True Line Mastercard
3.0
0% intro rate
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreGet a 0% promotional annual interest rate (“AIR”)† for 12 months on balance transfers✪ completed within 90 days of account opening, with a 3% transfer fee.
Pros
-
Solid welcome offer: 12 months of 0% APR† on balance transfers✪ made within the first 90 days (3% transfer fee applies)
-
No annual fee or minimum income requirement
-
Low standard interest rate of 12.99% for all new purchases charged to the card
-
Some extra perks like fraud protection and a discount on car rentals
Cons
-
3% balance transfer fee is comparatively high
-
Very high cash advance interest rate of 24.99%
-
No insurance benefits
-
Can’t transfer a balance owed to either MBNA or TD
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
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
Promotional annual interest rate† (a 3% transfer fee applies) for 12 months on any balance transfer✪ completed within 90 days of opening the account.
0%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
100%
12.99%
Purchase APR
17.99%
Balance Transfer Rate You could get a 0% promotional annual interest rate (“AIR”)† for 12 months on balance transfers✪ completed within 90 days of account opening.
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee $0
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
12.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
17.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
Pros
-
Solid welcome offer: 12 months of 0% APR† on balance transfers✪ made within the first 90 days (3% transfer fee applies)
-
No annual fee or minimum income requirement
-
Low standard interest rate of 12.99% for all new purchases charged to the card
-
Some extra perks like fraud protection and a discount on car rentals
Cons
-
3% balance transfer fee is comparatively high
-
Very high cash advance interest rate of 24.99%
-
No insurance benefits
-
Can’t transfer a balance owed to either MBNA or TD
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
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
Promotional annual interest rate† (a 3% transfer fee applies) for 12 months on any balance transfer✪ completed within 90 days of opening the account.
0%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
100%
12.99%
Purchase APR
17.99%
Balance Transfer Rate You could get a 0% promotional annual interest rate (“AIR”)† for 12 months on balance transfers✪ completed within 90 days of account opening.
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee $0
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
12.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
17.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard
4.0
Good
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Pros
-
Low interest rate on purchases and balance transfers
-
24/7 customer service
-
Proactive fraud protection
Cons
-
$39 annual fee
-
Penalty interest rate if minimum payments are missed
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
10.99%
10.99% interest rate on purchases and 13.99% on balance transfers✪ and access cheques
100%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
Funds Transfer
Use available credit on your credit card to transfer funds right to your chequing account.
10.99% interest rate on purchases and 13.99% on balance transfers✪ and access cheques
10.99%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
100%
Use available credit on your credit card to transfer funds right to your chequing account.
Funds Transfer
10.99%
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$39
Annual Fee $39
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
10.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$39
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
Pros
-
Low interest rate on purchases and balance transfers
-
24/7 customer service
-
Proactive fraud protection
Cons
-
$39 annual fee
-
Penalty interest rate if minimum payments are missed
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
10.99%
10.99% interest rate on purchases and 13.99% on balance transfers✪ and access cheques
100%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
Funds Transfer
Use available credit on your credit card to transfer funds right to your chequing account.
10.99% interest rate on purchases and 13.99% on balance transfers✪ and access cheques
10.99%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
100%
Use available credit on your credit card to transfer funds right to your chequing account.
Funds Transfer
10.99%
Purchase APR
13.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$39
Annual Fee $39
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
10.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
13.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$39
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
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). 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 $39.00 annual fee on the Gold version.
Best credit card for seniors with no credit
Neo Secured Mastercard
2.7
Poor
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Pros
-
Low minimum security deposit
-
Cash back rewards on purchases
-
No hard credit check
Cons
-
High APR range
-
$5 monthly fee
-
Best cash back offer requires high balance
Eligibility
Poor
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Poor
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
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
Earn up to 4% on gas and groceries
Up to 4%
Earn up to 1% on everything else
up to 1%
Earn up to $680 in annual cashback
$680
19.99% - 29.99%
Variable APR For Quebec 19.99%-24.99%
22.99% - 31.99%
Cash Advance APR For Quebec 22.99%-25.99%
$59
Annual Fee $5 monthly fee
Variable APR
19.99% - 29.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99% - 31.99%
Annual Fee
$59
Pros
-
Low minimum security deposit
-
Cash back rewards on purchases
-
No hard credit check
Cons
-
High APR range
-
$5 monthly fee
-
Best cash back offer requires high balance
Eligibility
Poor
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Poor
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
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
Earn up to 4% on gas and groceries
Up to 4%
Earn up to 1% on everything else
up to 1%
Earn up to $680 in annual cashback
$680
19.99% - 29.99%
Variable APR For Quebec 19.99%-24.99%
22.99% - 31.99%
Cash Advance APR For Quebec 22.99%-25.99%
$59
Annual Fee $5 monthly fee
Variable APR
19.99% - 29.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99% - 31.99%
Annual Fee
$59
KOHO Extra
4.0
Fair
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Pros
-
2% cash back on on groceries, restaurants, food delivery, bars, coffee shops, and transportation
-
0.25% cash back on all other purchases
-
No foreign transaction fees
-
No everyday banking fees
-
Credit Building by KOHO optional paid add-on
-
Earn interest
Cons
-
$84 annual fee
-
Deposits capped at $40,000
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
2%
cash back on groceries, transportation, food, and drink
0.25%
cash back on all other purchases
5%
interest on your entire balance
5%
cash back extra at partnered merchants
30%
off Credit Building
$7
for credit building, instead of $10 (save 30%)
cash back on groceries, transportation, food, and drink
2%
cash back on all other purchases
0.25%
interest on your entire balance
5%
cash back extra at partnered merchants
5%
off Credit Building
30%
for credit building, instead of $10 (save 30%)
$7
0.00%
Purchase APR
$84
Annual Fee or $9 per month
0.00%
Foreign Transaction Fee No fx fees
Purchase APR
0.00%
Annual Fee
$84
Foreign Transaction Fee
0.00%
Pros
-
2% cash back on on groceries, restaurants, food delivery, bars, coffee shops, and transportation
-
0.25% cash back on all other purchases
-
No foreign transaction fees
-
No everyday banking fees
-
Credit Building by KOHO optional paid add-on
-
Earn interest
Cons
-
$84 annual fee
-
Deposits capped at $40,000
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
2%
cash back on groceries, transportation, food, and drink
0.25%
cash back on all other purchases
5%
interest on your entire balance
5%
cash back extra at partnered merchants
30%
off Credit Building
$7
for credit building, instead of $10 (save 30%)
cash back on groceries, transportation, food, and drink
2%
cash back on all other purchases
0.25%
interest on your entire balance
5%
cash back extra at partnered merchants
5%
off Credit Building
30%
for credit building, instead of $10 (save 30%)
$7
0.00%
Purchase APR
$84
Annual Fee or $9 per month
0.00%
Foreign Transaction Fee No fx fees
Purchase APR
0.00%
Annual Fee
$84
Foreign Transaction Fee
0.00%
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 5.00% 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
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card
4.4
up to 60K pts
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $2,100* in value in the first 14 months, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points
Expires
Nov 1, 2024
Pros
-
The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers
-
Comprehensive insurance coverage
-
Complimentary Airport lounge access
-
No foreign transaction fees
-
Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees
-
Offers a substantial welcome bonus that can be worth up to 60,000 Scene+ points
-
Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.
Cons
-
High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders
-
Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees
-
Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities
-
Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee
-
Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
2x
No foreign transaction fees
0%
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
10
9.99%
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
$399
Annual Fee
0.00%
Foreign Transaction Fee No foreign transaction fee
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
9.99%
Annual Fee
$399
Foreign Transaction Fee
0.00%
Pros
-
The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers
-
Comprehensive insurance coverage
-
Complimentary Airport lounge access
-
No foreign transaction fees
-
Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees
-
Offers a substantial welcome bonus that can be worth up to 60,000 Scene+ points
-
Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.
Cons
-
High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders
-
Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees
-
Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities
-
Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee
-
Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
2x
No foreign transaction fees
0%
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
10
9.99%
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
$399
Annual Fee
0.00%
Foreign Transaction Fee No foreign transaction fee
Purchase APR
9.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
9.99%
Cash Advance APR
9.99%
Annual Fee
$399
Foreign Transaction Fee
0.00%
- 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.
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
4.8
up to 60K pts
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreGet a total of up to 60,000 Aeroplan® points (up to $1,200 in travel value†)
Pros
-
60,000 bonus reward points
-
Earn up to two points per dollar spent
-
Free checked bags with Air Canada
-
A NEXUS application rebate
-
Lounge access with Maple Leaf Lounges
-
A great travel insurance package
-
Get up to $2,200 in value in your first year
Cons
-
A high cost of $599 per year
-
High income requirements of $150,000 per year individual or $200,000 per year household
-
The highest redemption category for points is when you spend directly with Air Canada, which might deter some users
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$150,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$200,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
$200,000
1.5 points
for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel and dining.
2 points
for every $1 you spend with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1.25 points
for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
2x
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel and dining.
1.5 points
for every $1 you spend with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
2 points
for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
1.25 points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
2x
20.99%
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents
22.99%
Cash Advance APR non-Quebec residents†
$599
Annual Fee $149 each for up to 9 additional cards
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$599
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
Pros
-
60,000 bonus reward points
-
Earn up to two points per dollar spent
-
Free checked bags with Air Canada
-
A NEXUS application rebate
-
Lounge access with Maple Leaf Lounges
-
A great travel insurance package
-
Get up to $2,200 in value in your first year
Cons
-
A high cost of $599 per year
-
High income requirements of $150,000 per year individual or $200,000 per year household
-
The highest redemption category for points is when you spend directly with Air Canada, which might deter some users
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$150,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$200,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
$200,000
1.5 points
for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel and dining.
2 points
for every $1 you spend with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1.25 points
for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
2x
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel and dining.
1.5 points
for every $1 you spend with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
2 points
for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
1.25 points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
2x
20.99%
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents
22.99%
Cash Advance APR non-Quebec residents†
$599
Annual Fee $149 each for up to 9 additional cards
2.50%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$599
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.50%
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.
Best credit card for seniors who want to travel but want to avoid foreign exchange fees
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
4.3
up to 35K pts
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $1,100* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points
Expires
Nov 1, 2024
Pros
-
No FX fees means the card saves you significant expenses on foreign transaction fees
-
Earn up to 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
-
Flexible and straightforward redemption program
-
Visa acceptance globally compared to American Express, especially outside major cities.
-
Enjoy six annual visits to airport lounges
-
Robust insurance offerings, including extended travel emergency medical coverage
-
Access to Visa Infinite Program benefits, with added advantages like a free supplementary card
Cons
-
High annual fee
-
Limited rewards categories for earning reward max rate on purchases
-
Primarily best for travel within Canada
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
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)
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
3x
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)
2x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
1x
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$150
Annual Fee First supplementary Card is $0/year ($50/year on each additional Card)
0.00%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$150
Foreign Transaction Fee
0.00%
Pros
-
No FX fees means the card saves you significant expenses on foreign transaction fees
-
Earn up to 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
-
Flexible and straightforward redemption program