Jun 9, 2026
If you carry a Tim Hortons credit card, the clock is ticking. The company has confirmed that it will shut down its co-branded Mastercard program on October 1 and transfer cardholders to a replacement Neo Financial credit card.
For many Canadians whose daily coffee run has become part of their rewards strategy, this raises a practical question: what happens to the points, and what should you do before the program closes?
Why co-branded cards get cancelled
Co-branded credit cards exist because of a partnership between a retailer and a financial institution. In this case, that partnership was between Tim Hortons and Neo Financial. When that partnership ends, the card goes with it, regardless of how long you have been a cardholder. These cancellations are very common. Issuers and brands renegotiate licensing agreements regularly, and when commercial terms no longer work for both sides, the program disappears.
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The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), the federal regulator responsible for protecting consumers in the banking sector, requires that cardholders receive advance written notice before a credit card account is closed. But the required timeframe can be as short as 30 days, and it does not guarantee that points will retain their value after the transition.
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What happens to your Tims Rewards points?
The good news is that you won’t lose your existing Tim’s Rewards points, as they are added to your TimsRewards account as soon as they are earned.
According to Neo Financial, while your card will stop earning new Tims Rewards points on October 1, you will still be able to spend the points you’ve accumulated up to that date. Keep in mind that the points expire 12 months after you earn them.
Now is probably a good time to log into your Tims Rewards account before October to confirm your current balance.
Stop leaving rewards on the table. Compare Canada's top credit cards to see how much you could be earning on your everyday spending.
How will this affect my credit score?
According to Neo Financial, the credit card closure will not affect cardholders’ credit scores, and account histories are being transferred to the replacement card. It’s welcome news, because normally when a cardholder decides to close a credit card account, it can affect two factors in their credit profile: their credit utilization ratio and the average age of their accounts.
Credit utilization, which is the percentage of available revolving credit that you are using, is one of the most heavily weighted factors in your credit score. The average age of your accounts also factors into your score. A card you’ve held for several years contributes positively to that average; losing it shortens your credit history.
Neither effect is catastrophic and is usually temporary if you have other credit products, but it is worth noting in case you decide to close any other credit card you may have.
What to do now
Thankfully, cardholders won’t wake up on October 1 to find their credit card has suddenly stopped working. According to information provided by Neo Financial, eligible Tims Mastercard cardholders can act now to switch to a Neo Financial cash back credit card without a new application or credit check.
If you don’t act before October 1, Neo will send you a separate, Neo-branded credit card with no cash back or rewards.
Since you don’t need to find a replacement card immediately, you should take these steps to make sure you’re prepared for the transition:
- Log in to your Tims Rewards account and confirm your points are properly linked to your loyalty account.
- Watch for communications from Neo Financial about your card conversion options and any available upgrade offers.
- Review your spending habits and compare the new card’s features with those of other rewards cards on the market before deciding whether to keep what’s being offered.
While the end of the Tim Hortons credit card program may be disappointing, it’s an opportunity to take a fresh look at whether a retailer-specific rewards card still makes sense for your wallet. For some Canadians, the converted Neo card may remain a good fit. For others, a more flexible cash back or travel rewards card could deliver greater long-term value. Either way, the key is to review your options before the transition happens rather than reacting after the fact.
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Colin Graves is a Winnipeg-based financial writer and editor whose work has been featured in publications such as Time, MoneySense, MapleMoney, Retire Happy, The College Investor, and more. Before becoming a full-time writer, Colin was a bank manager for over 15 years.
News • Jun 03
