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Best student credit cards in Canada 2024

Em Norton
Author: Jack Lawson

By Em Norton & Jack Lawson

Fact Checked: Tyler Wade

🗓️

Updated: December 06, 2024

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Here's how to pick a student credit card and our list of the best credit cards for young adults in Canada.

Establishing strong credit from an early age is crucial for your financial future. For young adults with little to no income, there are excellent student credit card options that provide benefits including cash back, travel rewards and discounts. Here's our list (part of our larger Best Credit Cards Canada list and awards) and tips on how to make your pick.

  • Why you can trust Money.ca's best student credit cards in Canada list

    +

    Money.ca rates all credit cards on a numeric scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest rating, respectively. Money.ca’s proprietary scoring formulas break down the confusing language, complex points, rewards and earn rates to give you the real data that caters to your needs first, not ours.

    Our partnerships have no impact on our ratings, which are solely determined by the merits of each card. To learn more about how we researched and ranked these cards, read our full credit card review methodology.

Best overall

Best credit card for students overall

RBC ION+ Visa

Apply now

3.7

up to 7K pts

Welcome offer

Good

Suggested credit score

Get 3,500 Welcome Points on approval and earn 3,500 bonus points when you spend $500 in your first 3 months.^ Apply by January 15th, 2025.

Expires

Jan 15, 2025

Apply now

Pros

  • Decent rewards rate in everyday spending categories.

  • Low monthly fee, (rebated for students with the no-monthly fee RBC Advantage Banking account).

  • Perks like mobile device insurance and fuel savings at Petro-Canada.

Cons

  • Complex rewards structure with less valuable Avion points in the ION tier.

  • Limited insurance benefits (but you can pay to add-on travel insurance).

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Pros

  • Decent rewards rate in everyday spending categories.

  • Low monthly fee, (rebated for students with the no-monthly fee RBC Advantage Banking account).

  • Perks like mobile device insurance and fuel savings at Petro-Canada.

Cons

  • Complex rewards structure with less valuable Avion points in the ION tier.

  • Limited insurance benefits (but you can pay to add-on travel insurance).

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Avion points† per $1 on qualifying grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions

3

Avion point per $1 on all other purchases

1

Purchase APR

20.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$48

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Why we picked the RBC ION+ Visa as the best credit card for students in Canada

    +

    If you can afford the $48 fee (charged at $4 per month), the RBC Ion+ gives you enough Avion points to claim that money back in gift cards alone. If you sign up for an RBC Signature No Limit Bank account, they'll give you a $4 rebate each month of your credit card fee.

    You'll also enter the Avion program, one of Canada's best loyalty programs. With the RBC ION+ Visa you'll earn 3x Avion points for every dollar you spent on groceries, dining and food delivery as well as commuting (gas, transit, Ubers), and streaming, digital gaming, and other subscriptions.

    You'll earn 1 Avion point for every $1 you spend elsewhere.

    RBC gives you 2 years of coverage on your mobile device (so long as you purchased it with this card) and give you purchase security and extended warranty insurance which is invaluable for students' precious laptops with all your information.

    Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.

    This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

    Disclaimer: Money.ca may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into Money.ca. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.

Best RBC

Best RBC student credit card

RBC Cash Back Mastercard

Apply now

3.0

Good

Suggested credit score

to receive the latest news, tips and offers by email

Apply now

Pros

  • No annual fee, no fee for additional cardholders

  • Up to 2% cash back on groceries², up to 1% cash back on everything else²

  • No limit on cash back earned¹

  • Save money on gas at Petro-Canada⁵

  • Easy approval requirements

Cons

  • Cash back rewards on groceries drop to 1% after you accumulate $6,000 in grocery charges

  • No travel insurance or other perks

  • No welcome bonus

  • 0.5% applies to the cash back on everything else up to $6,000 but what is impressive is that for all non-grocery spend the cash back rate actually goes up from the 0.5% to 1% on spend over $6,000, rewarding as your spend more instead of diminishing

  • No travel insurance or other perks

  • No welcome bonus

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Pros

  • No annual fee, no fee for additional cardholders

  • Up to 2% cash back on groceries², up to 1% cash back on everything else²

  • No limit on cash back earned¹

  • Save money on gas at Petro-Canada⁵

  • Easy approval requirements

Cons

  • Cash back rewards on groceries drop to 1% after you accumulate $6,000 in grocery charges

  • No travel insurance or other perks

  • No welcome bonus

  • 0.5% applies to the cash back on everything else up to $6,000 but what is impressive is that for all non-grocery spend the cash back rate actually goes up from the 0.5% to 1% on spend over $6,000, rewarding as your spend more instead of diminishing

  • No travel insurance or other perks

  • No welcome bonus

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Up to 2% unlimited cash back on groceries

2%

Up to 1% unlimited cash back on everything else

1%

Link your card and instantly save 3¢/L on fuel and 20% more Petro-Points at Petro Canada

$0.03

Get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall

50

Get $0 delivery fees for 3 months from DoorDash when you add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account

$0 Delivery Fees

Purchase APR

20.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Why we picked the RBC Cash Back Mastercard as a great student credit card

    +

    No annual fee and unlimited cash back with up to 2% on grocery store purchases are three big reasons we picked this as a great credit card for students.

    But there's more.

    You'll also get 1% cash back on all other purchases and pre-authorized payments.

    If you drive, you can link your card with Petro Canada to save 3 cents per litre and 20% more Petro points at Petro-Canada.

    For more rewards, use Rexall as your drug store of choice to earn 50 Be Well points for every $1 you spent on products there (25,000 Be Well points is worth $10).

    They even throw in a 3-month DashPass subscription meaning you'll enjoy unlimited deliveries with no fees on orders of $15 or more (worth $30).

    Finally, they give you purchase security and extended warranty protection—which is great for your brand new laptop.

    If you're more of a traveller, check out the other RBC student credit cards like the RBC Ion with no annual fee.

    Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.

    This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

    Disclaimer: Money.ca may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into Money.ca. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.

Best CIBC

Best CIBC student credit card in Canada

CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card for Students

Apply now

3.0

$50 cash back

Welcome offer

Good

Suggested credit score

Get $50 cash back after you make your first purchase within the first 4 months!†

Apply now

Pros

  • Earn cashback on everyday purchases

  • Enjoy a Welcome Bonus

  • Redeem cash back at any time when you have a minimum of $25 through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking®†

  • Included SPC+ membership for eligible students†

Cons

  • Similar APR to other non-student cards

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$0†

Pros

  • Earn cashback on everyday purchases

  • Enjoy a Welcome Bonus

  • Redeem cash back at any time when you have a minimum of $25 through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking®†

  • Included SPC+ membership for eligible students†

Cons

  • Similar APR to other non-student cards

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$0†

cash back on eligible grocery purchases†

2%

cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†

1%

cash back on all other purchases†

0.5%

Purchase APR

20.99%†

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%†

Cash Advance APR

22.99%†

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Why we picked the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card for Students

    +

    There's no annual fee and no minimum income requirements, plus they'll give you a bonus cash back reward for signing up and making your first purchase within four months.

    Arguably the most valuable category for students, outside of tuition and text books, are groceries. With this card, you get 2% cash back on groceries no matter where you shop.

    You'll also earn 1% cash back on everyday purchases like gas, transit, dining and recurring bills. You'll get 0.5% cash back on everything else.

    Bundle this card with a CIBC student chequing account and they'll give you up to $250†.

    And for your precious new electronic devices, CIBC gives you 90 day purchase protection and extended warranty insurance. Pretty sweet, right?

    This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.

    †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.

    The information for the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card for Students has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best TD

Best TD credit card for students in Canada

TD Rewards Visa* Card

Apply now

3.3

up to $50

Welcome offer

Excellent

Suggested credit score

Earn a value of $50† in TD Rewards Points† to use on eligible Amazon.ca purchases plus, no Annual Fee. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by January 6 2025.

Expires

Jan 6, 2025

Apply now

Pros

  • Wide range of point redemption options, including travel†, Amazon.ca†, online retailers†, card statement credits†, etc.

  • Good rate of return on spending and redeeming via the travel platform Expedia® For TD†

  • Decent value for those that have a high volume of recurring bills

Cons

  • Point redemption values are moderate to poor

  • Low spending limits for earning extra points on groceries and restaurants

  • High credit score requirement

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

Pros

  • Wide range of point redemption options, including travel†, Amazon.ca†, online retailers†, card statement credits†, etc.

  • Good rate of return on spending and redeeming via the travel platform Expedia® For TD†

  • Decent value for those that have a high volume of recurring bills

Cons

  • Point redemption values are moderate to poor

  • Low spending limits for earning extra points on groceries and restaurants

  • High credit score requirement

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

Earn 4 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on travel through ExpediaForTD.com†

4 Points

Earn 3 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurants†

3 Points

Earn 2 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on recurring bills†

2 Points

Earn 1 TD Rewards Point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases†

1 Points

Earn 50% more TD Rewards Points and 50% more Stars at Starbucks†

50%

Purchase APR

19.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Why we picked the TD Rewards Visa* Card

    +

    A no annual fee card that helps you rack up travel points for a weekend getaway with roommates.

    You'll quickly earn points, with 3 points for every $1 spent on groceries and restaurants, 2 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments and 1 TD Rewards point on all other purchases using your card.

    As a welcome bonus, earn Earn a value of $50 in TD Rewards Points.

    Book your travel through Expedia® For TD† for the best prices and even more rewards potential.

    You'll also get a free 6 month† Uber One membership, a $60 value, to save on Ubers and Uber Eats fees—a big bonus for students.

    †Terms and conditions apply.

Best Scotiabank

Best Scotiabank student credit card

Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card

Apply now

3.6

5% cash back

Welcome offer

Fair

Suggested credit score

Earn 5% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases); Plus, get a 0% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months (22.99% after that; annual fee $0)

Expires

Nov 1, 2025

Apply now

Pros

  • No annual fee: The card does not charge an annual fee, making it cost-effective for users.

  • Cash back rewards: Offers 1% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and recurring bill payments.

  • Welcome bonus: There is a welcome bonus of 5% cash back on up to $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months.

  • Promotional balance Transfer Rate: A promotional 0% annual interest rate on balance transfers for the first six months (with a 2% balance transfer fee).

  • Rental car discounts: Cardholders can save up to 25% off base rates at participating AVIS and Budget locations in Canada and the U.S.

Cons

  • Limited insurance: No included insurance coverage, though optional insurance bundles are available for a fee.

  • Low base rewards rate: After exceeding the $25,000 spending cap, the cash back rewards drop to a base rate of 0.5%.

  • Rigid redemption process: Cash back is accumulated monthly but can only be redeemed once annually in November.

  • Balance transfer fee: There is a 2% balance transfer fee when utilizing the promotional balance transfer rate.

  • Foreign transaction fee: The card charges a 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency.

  • Limited perks: Compared to other no-fee cards, the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card offers fewer perks and lower reward rates.

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Pros

  • No annual fee: The card does not charge an annual fee, making it cost-effective for users.

  • Cash back rewards: Offers 1% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and recurring bill payments.

  • Welcome bonus: There is a welcome bonus of 5% cash back on up to $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months.

  • Promotional balance Transfer Rate: A promotional 0% annual interest rate on balance transfers for the first six months (with a 2% balance transfer fee).

  • Rental car discounts: Cardholders can save up to 25% off base rates at participating AVIS and Budget locations in Canada and the U.S.

Cons

  • Limited insurance: No included insurance coverage, though optional insurance bundles are available for a fee.

  • Low base rewards rate: After exceeding the $25,000 spending cap, the cash back rewards drop to a base rate of 0.5%.

  • Rigid redemption process: Cash back is accumulated monthly but can only be redeemed once annually in November.

  • Balance transfer fee: There is a 2% balance transfer fee when utilizing the promotional balance transfer rate.

  • Foreign transaction fee: The card charges a 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency.

  • Limited perks: Compared to other no-fee cards, the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card offers fewer perks and lower reward rates.

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Cash back at gas stations, grocery stores, drugs stores, and on recurring payments.

1%

Cash back on all other eligible purchases.

0.5%

Off base rates at Avid and Budget locations in North America.

25%

Purchase APR

19.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Why we picked Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card as a great student credit card

    +

    If you like cash back, look no further than Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card.

    For the first 3 months, you can earn a whopping 5% cash back on all purchases (up to $2,000 in total purchases), so Scotia is essentially paying you to use their card—that's something we can root for.

    After that, you'll earn 1% cash back on every day purchases from gas to groceries, drug store purchases and recurring bill payments. You'll earn 0.5% on everything else.

    If you're currently carrying credit card debt, the Momentum is one of the best balance transfer credit cards, too. You'll pay 0% for the first 6 months which makes paying off credit card debt much easier.

Best international

Best credit card for international students in Canada

Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card

Apply now

3.0

up to 7,500 pts

Welcome offer

Good

Suggested credit score

Earn up to 7,500 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months.

Expires

Mar 3, 2025

Apply now

Pros

  • No annual fee

  • Generous rewards with 2X points at Cineplex and grocery stores

  • Low redemption thresholds for various rewards

  • 7,500 bonus Scene+ points as a sign-up bonus

  • Points don't expire

  • Car rental savings up to 25%

Cons

  • Limited earning potential for high spenders

  • Limited travel-related benefits compared to travel cards

  • Focus on entertainment and dining rewards may not suit all users

  • Limited sign-up bonus compared to cards with annual fees

  • Car rental savings limited to specific locations

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Pros

  • No annual fee

  • Generous rewards with 2X points at Cineplex and grocery stores

  • Low redemption thresholds for various rewards

  • 7,500 bonus Scene+ points as a sign-up bonus

  • Points don't expire

  • Car rental savings up to 25%

Cons

  • Limited earning potential for high spenders

  • Limited travel-related benefits compared to travel cards

  • Focus on entertainment and dining rewards may not suit all users

  • Limited sign-up bonus compared to cards with annual fees

  • Car rental savings limited to specific locations

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, participating Co-ops, Freshco and more

2x

Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on Home Hardware, Home Building Center, Home Furniture locations in Canada and online at homehardware.ca

2x

Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend at Cineplex theatres or online at cineplex.com

2x

Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases

1x

Save up to 25% off base rates at participating Avis locations and participating Budget locations in North America.

25%

Purchase APR

20.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Why we love the Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card for students

    +

    The Scene+ program is super flexible in its rewards where you can redeem for travel, shopping, dining and more.

    As a welcome bonus, Earn up to 7,500 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months.

    Earning is easy, too. You earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 you spend on everyday purchases and 2 Scene+ points per dollar when you spend at Cineplex theatres and at Sobey's brand grocery stores (FreshCo, Foodland, Safeway, IGA, etc.)

    For newcomers, Scotiabank has a StartRight® Program† which approves newcomers for a credit card for up to $15k. They also have no-fee chequing accounts and high interest savings accounts which could prove useful.

Best travel

Best travel credit card for students

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card

Apply now

4.3

up to 10K pts

Welcome offer

Fair

Suggested credit score

Join and get up to $200 in value in your first year!† Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points!†

Apply now

Pros

  • Earn one Aeroplan point per dollar spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, and with Air Canada directly, including Air Canada Vacations

  • Earn twice the points at over 150 Aeroplan partners and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore

  • No annual fee

Cons

  • You only earn one point for every $1.50 spent on everything else

  • No travel insurance

  • No lounge access

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Required Annual Household Income

$15,000

Pros

  • Earn one Aeroplan point per dollar spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, and with Air Canada directly, including Air Canada Vacations

  • Earn twice the points at over 150 Aeroplan partners and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore

  • No annual fee

Cons

  • You only earn one point for every $1.50 spent on everything else

  • No travel insurance

  • No lounge access

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Required Annual Household Income

$15,000

for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®

1 point

for every $1.50 you spend on all other purchases.

1 point

Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.

2x

Purchase APR

20.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Why the CIBC Aeroplan Visa is a top credit card for students

    +

    A no-fee travel card that turns your everyday purchases into a dream vacation.

    Aeroplan is one of the best loyalty travel programs in Canada, so why not foray into it with CIBC's Aeroplan card which has no minimum income requirement.

    As a welcome bonus, get up to $200 in value in your first year.

    You earn 1 Aeroplan point for every $1.50 you spend on gas, groceries, and Air Canada flights. You can also earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore (a great place to look for student discounts, too!)

    They're also throwing in purchase security and extended warranty protection insurance, travel accident insurance and rental car insurance.

    †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer it not available to the residents of Quebec.

    The information for the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* 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 foreign students

Best credit card for foreign students in Canada

KOHO Essential

Apply now

Poor

Suggested credit score

to receive the latest news, tips and offers by email

Apply now

Pros

  • A no-fee account option

  • Earn up to 5% cash back on your purchases

  • Accepted worldwide, wherever Mastercard is accepted

  • Three account tiers, so there’s something for everyone

  • Earn interest on your account

  • RoundUps feature helps you save

  • Financial coaching is available

  • Features like Credit Building (to help you build your credit history) and Cover (to protect you from overdrawing your account)

  • Compatible with Apple Pay

  • Joint account option for families and couples

Cons

  • No physical branches or tellers

  • No RRSP, TFSA or RESP accounts

  • Customer service not on par with the big banks

  • Missing some banking features, like wire transfers, currency exchanges and multiple lines of business like financial planning, mortgages and insurance

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Poor

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

Pros

  • A no-fee account option

  • Earn up to 5% cash back on your purchases

  • Accepted worldwide, wherever Mastercard is accepted

  • Three account tiers, so there’s something for everyone

  • Earn interest on your account

  • RoundUps feature helps you save

  • Financial coaching is available

  • Features like Credit Building (to help you build your credit history) and Cover (to protect you from overdrawing your account)

  • Compatible with Apple Pay

  • Joint account option for families and couples

Cons

  • No physical branches or tellers

  • No RRSP, TFSA or RESP accounts

  • Customer service not on par with the big banks

  • Missing some banking features, like wire transfers, currency exchanges and multiple lines of business like financial planning, mortgages and insurance

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Poor

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

cash back on groceries, eating & drinking, and transportation

1%

interest earned on your account balance

3.5%

extra cash back at selected merchants

up to 5%

Annual Fee

$48

Foreign Transaction Fee

1.5%

  • Why we picked KOHO Essential for students

    +

    KOHO has 3 credit card tiers, all of them are prepaid meaning you have to put money on the card to use it.

    KOHO is more than just a prepaid card. It’s made up of multiple products that help you get a good overview of your finances, manage your money, and save more.

    Your KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® connects to a digital account that can be accessed via the KOHO app. The app breaks down your spending by showing you where your money is going so you can stay on top of your financial health.

    Not only that, but when you use KOHO you earn cash back. With KOHO Essential you earn 1% cash back on groceries, eating & drinking, and transportation, and you can also earn saving interests on your entire KOHO account balance, up to 5% depending on your KOHO version. By upgrading to KOHO Extra for a higher annual fee, $108 (or $9/month), you can earn up to 1.5% cash back on select categories, like transportation, groceries, and eating and drinking, which has the potential to earn you a lot more each year.

    KOHO’s RoundUp feature is particularly helpful if you’re trying to save money on a student budget. If you choose to use this feature, every time you swipe your KOHO card and make a purchase, it will round up your bill to the nearest $1, $5, or $10 and put the difference into your savings account. It’s a really easy way to save money without having to monitor funds going in and out or transferring between accounts.

    With their paid programs, you can access their credit building product. So, while you may find it hard to get credit, KOHO helps you build credit so you can access an unsecured credit card and unlock more rewards faster.

Best Mastercard

Best student Mastercard in Canada

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

Apply now

3.8

Good

Suggested credit score

to receive the latest news, tips and offers by email

Apply now

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

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$12,000

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

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$12,000

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%

Variable APR

19.95% - 24.95%

Balance Transfer Rate

1.95%

Cash Advance APR

19.95%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Why we picked the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card for students

    +

    Unlike other credit cards, the Tangerine student credit card allows you to earn unlimited Money-Back Rewards on everyday purchases — with no annual fee.

    You also choose which categories where you want higher cash back. You can get 2% cash back on groceries, restaurants, gas, recurring bills, drug stores, public transportation and more. Two categories not enough? Get a third by opening a Tangerine Savings Account.

    Tangerine's app also helps you track, organize and categorize your spending so you have a better idea of where you're spending your money.

Best Amex

Best American Express credit card for students

SimplyCash® Card from American Express

Apply now

3.8

bonus 5% back

Welcome offer

Good

Suggested credit score

Earn a bonus 5% cash back on purchases in your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases).

Apply now

Pros

  • No annual fee for primary or additional cardholders

  • Solid regular cash back rate on all eligible purchases - up to 2% cash back on all eligible purchases

  • No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn at the base rate

Cons

  • Cash back is only applied as a statement credit once a year

  • Amex cards aren’t accepted by every merchant

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Pros

  • No annual fee for primary or additional cardholders

  • Solid regular cash back rate on all eligible purchases - up to 2% cash back on all eligible purchases

  • No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn at the base rate

Cons

  • Cash back is only applied as a statement credit once a year

  • Amex cards aren’t accepted by every merchant

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada

2%

cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually)

2%

cash back on all other purchases

1.25%

Purchase APR

21.99%

Cash Advance APR

21.99%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Why we picked the SimplyCash® Card from American Express as the best American Express card for students

    +

    A no annual fee card that gives you 2% back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 2% back on eligible groceries in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually) and 1.25% back on everything else is great.

    As a new SimplyCash® Card from American Express member, you can a bonus 5% cash back on purchases in your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases).

    They also give you $100,000 in travel accident insurance, $1,000 purchase protection insurance for items bought within 90 days, and buyer's assurance which gives you an additional year from the manufacturer's original warranty.

    Throw in the Amex privilege with their Front Of The Line presale and reserved tickets, some world-class customer service, and their Plan It™ Installment program which splits large purchases into monthly payments and you've got a solid student credit card.

    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.

Best young adult

Best credit card for young adults

American Express® Green Card

Apply now

3.5

earn 10,000 pts

Welcome offer

Good

Suggested credit score

Earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards® points – that’s $100 in value

Apply now

Pros

  • No annual fee

  • No income requirements (unlike many other no-fee cards)

  • Welcome bonus up to 10,000 points (a $100 value)

  • American Express® Experiences

Cons

  • The card only offers basic extended warranty and purchase protection insurance. No travel insurance or rental car coverage

  • Some places might not accept American Express®. However, most major retailers do (more small businesses are starting to as well)

  • Fewer perks: No specific benefits for travel or dining and no accelerated earning rates on grocery

  • Lower earn rates: The reward earn rates are lower than some other no-fee credit cards

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

Pros

  • No annual fee

  • No income requirements (unlike many other no-fee cards)

  • Welcome bonus up to 10,000 points (a $100 value)

  • American Express® Experiences

Cons

  • The card only offers basic extended warranty and purchase protection insurance. No travel insurance or rental car coverage

  • Some places might not accept American Express®. However, most major retailers do (more small businesses are starting to as well)

  • Fewer perks: No specific benefits for travel or dining and no accelerated earning rates on grocery

  • Lower earn rates: The reward earn rates are lower than some other no-fee credit cards

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

the points on Card purchases

1x

additional Membership Rewards® point for every $1 you charge to your American Express® Green Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel

1