Top 7 Best Cards in Canada
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- For more info on the top 7 best Credit Cards in Canada, join our weekly roundup (for free) at → bit.ly/46wOEKL
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What is the best card to use in Canada? What is the #1 credit card to have? What is the very best credit card to own 🤔 … these are the questions we’re so often asked and we get it because 1) there are so many cards to choose from, and 2) their details (and offers) are always changing 😡
But don’t worry because that’s what we are here for 👍
And in this video, we cover the top 7 BEST Credit Cards in Canada, including:
1️⃣ The Workhorse Card: and why its everyday earning rates make this a no-brainer 🧠
2️⃣ The NO FEE Card: and how it’s one of the best credit cards for beginners 🚀
3️⃣ The Ultimate Travel Card: and the best-in-class benefits if you use it the “right” way 😉
To learn more about these cards, visit 👇👇
🛒 The Workhorse Card → bit.ly/3Yncqqx
🍁 The Aeroplan Cards → bit.ly/4foEbVS OR bit.ly/3yhAbph
🚫 The NO FEE Card → bit.ly/46nRVfs
🏨 The Hotel Card → bit.ly/3ylmGoD
💰 The Travel Insurance Card → bit.ly/3A2myeb
✈️ the Ultimate Travel Card → bit.ly/3YiQI79
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OUR FAVORITE CARDS THIS MONTH:
💳 Best Card For NO FX Fees
bit.ly/4dknxEZ
💳 Best Card For Easy Welcome Bonus (100% guaranteed)
bit.ly/3y6o26N
💳 Best Card For Advanced Travel Enthusiasts
bit.ly/4cX3Lj5
💳 Best Card For Air Canada Loyalists
bit.ly/3LIw9JL
🫶 Don't forget to leave a comment sharing your favourite card from this list - and if you find this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up and share it with others who might benefit 👍
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🔖 Tags: Top 7 Best Credit Cards in Canada, Top 7 Best Credit Cards in Canada 2024, best rewards credit card Canada, best Canadian credit cards, best travel credit card Canada, credit cards for beginners Canada, Canadian credit cards 2024, best credit cards 2024, Canada the best credit card for miles, best credit cards for beginners, best travel credit cards, best travel credit cards for beginners, best cash back credit card Canada
Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which Prince of Travel will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Prince of Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies, or all available credit card offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
Success story here. About a year ago I took Ricky’s advice and got the Cobalt. Today I write this post from Munich, Germany. I transferred my cobalt to Air Canada, and my Marriott points. 73,000 points in total and I flew to Zurich for $163 (fees) and am flying back from Paris for a bit less in fees!! My costs were just under $300. And my reward wasn’t just flying on points. I took a train and I got to see Taylor Swift in concert in Munich!!!!!!!
Assuming you used Cobalt for eats & drinks category (this is the highest multiplier at 5x), you spent $1,460,000 to obtain those 73,000 points?
@@nataliechen5281 Nathalie, middle school must have been really hard for you. 5x points as in 5 pts/$ x 14 600$ = 73 000 pts. Wishing you all the best in lift with your subpar math skills !!
@nataliechen5281 thats pretty sad math for an Asian
amex cobalt is my best all around card i use on a daily basis!
Cobalt is still the best Amex in Canada, better than all their products for Canadians. Unfortunately it's what the Gold's supposed to be. We dont have the amazing benefits like UBER credits that the States have but It's still better than most cards in Canada. Canadian cards are always crippled compared to the States unfortunately.
Too expensive. It's crazy paying so much annual fee
@@kartikkantheti5690 the annual fee with the American Amex Gold is worth every penny. Unfortunately, ours here in Canada is just worth it. The Cobalt works exactly like their Amex Gold without the monthly Uber credit.
But there r so few stories that accept AE in Canada 😂
@@5JasonKidd2 Depends where you shop. Ive never had a problem here in Toronto. Retail, online orders or restaurants.
Cobalt's 5X points is still the best even for US cards for groceries
I’d love to see a video from ya’ll on the optimal credit card order/roadmap for collecting bonuses in the Canadian market, while explaining and working around all the rules and cooldown periods (eg. no AMEX bonuses if you’re going down a tier, CIBC 1 year cooldown).
I see a few of these videos for the American credit card market, but none for Canada.
Aeroplan card of your choice + Cobalt for Food and Gas + Rogers World Elite for Costco purchases
Colbalt is getting rid of the 2x ratio on travel in October of 2024 making it crap as a travel card but great for everyday purchases like groceries and dining.
Oh no really?
@ Yes which is a huge loss for them because now I put a majority of my travel (except for anything related to Air Canada which goes on the AMEX Aeroplan)on my other credit cards. The only one AMEX Card that pays 2x the points on travel is the Platinum Card which has gone so far down as a valuable card while raising the annual fee that it’s now a joke of a card IMHO.
Too bad. I was considering the cobalt. Any recommended reward cards in 2025? I only have cash back cards now.
@@YK-nm8dj I would still seriously consider the card. The annual cost is low, and it is paid monthly (about $12-13). For that, you get 5x the points on food purchases and restaurants for a max of $2500 monthly. This alone will get 125,000 AMEX points a year. There are also 3x the points on Streaming products and 2x the points on transportation like Uber and Public Transit. That means you can easily make over 150,000 AMEX points a year that you can transfer to anything from Aeroplan to Marriot to One World. Even without the 2x for travel, you can still accrue more points on everyday items than AMEX Platinum. I find the AMEX Platinum and Gold a HUGE waste of money for what you get. Amex Platinum still uses Priority Pass for lounge access, but more and more European lounges are opting out of Priority Pass as I see more and more Dragon Pass.
Ricky, how can us Canadian cardholders push the card companies to do better? It feels like the Cobalt is the only game in town, and it has only gotten worse over the years. Is the market really so small that no new entrant can do better?
very clear and details ... thank you !!
Love using points in early retirement to travel the world!
I'd have preferred a chart-like comparison comparing fees and rewards ratios. This video sold the cards just like bank workers do.
you’re literally my comfort person i love you kislux !
Crazy to me just how bad credit card offers have gotten. Not to mention the restrictions on aeroplan sign ups. Glad I was earning during the hay days. Been lucky enough to travel around the world sevveral times on points. Just got back from a trip to the Maldives as well as the JW Marriott Masai Mara. All on points. Used tips from this Prince of Travel to do it. Qatar Qsuites were a highlite :)
Crazy playing this video at 0.75x is more audible than at normal speed.
Probably he has a flight to catch right after this video
How is Rogers card missing... flat 3% back, and 3.5% foreign currency, with no fees. Near unbeatable.
I was thinking the same, but it's prob because it's not really a travel card, but just an every day cash back card
BMO world elite master card is also very strong in relation to travel benefits / insurance
Hey folks, Cobalt is defifnitley amazing but with the recent change on travel category from 2x -> 1x, it definitely not as competitive. What are people switching to for their travel card? Collecting MR points is usually the best because you can transfer so much. Is aeroplan branded card worth it getting? Amex platinum or TD Visa infinite privilege?
Been researching a bit and stuck between Amex Platinum and TD Aeroplan Visa Infiite. I like that TD has 1.5 on travel and groceries and 2x on Air Canada but I spend about 50/50 on AC and non-AC travel but would also love to optimize on grocery spending. Im slightly inclincled towards the TD because Visa is accepted everywhere especially at loblaws, but losing points the points on big travel purchases kinda hurts. What do people think?
I got the TD visa. He did not mention this but this card give you some perks with AC. 1 free luggage for you and anyone on your booking, priority check-in, baggage and boarding.
Everyone always mentions the TD & American Express premium card but not the CIBC one which is better because of the connection to Journie rewards which has many benefits and offers for those who use the CIBC Aeroplan card to pay for things inside the depanneur + a stackable gas discount when paying for gas. Sure the TD one has a better one time welcome bonus but the CIBC one gives you a partial annual fee refund too which the TD one does not offer. Overall the CIBC Aeroplan privilege card is the best long term keeper premium card
- CIBC Aeroplan privilege (for EDQ if you only usually go for 25K for 4 lounge passes + Avis president + Journie Rewards / Gas discount, travel purchases can redeem points for all flights that don't have 100% + accruel bonuses)
- Scotiabank Passport (for 6 additional lounge passes, free secondary card + foreign non USD grocery, uber, food, entertainment purchases & Scene related purchases in Canada. Save SCENE points to redeem against all Uber purchases)
- Scotiabank AMX regular or gold (for Scene related stuff & AMX offers
- American Express Marriott card (business or personal for AMX offers & the yearly discounted 35000 point certificate)
- Rogers WE Mastercard (for BOINGO, AIR MILES linked offers + all USD purchases, paying & redeeming against Rogers phone bill, 5 free daily cellphone use passes a year outside of Canada, USA & Mex + Carribean if you have that phone plan.
TD Infinite Visa Cashback or BMO WE MC cashback or Canadian Tire WE MC if you need a card with include road side assist either of these would combine with the above cards.
All this above is probably the best average person minimal effort longer term keeper combo.
You are spot on with the CIBC card here. The reason we gave the TD Aeroplan VI the slight edge was due to the Nexus Credit, which is more relevant to many travellers. But we could go with your case also if our angle is more towards what you described
TD also offers a annual discount if you have the all inclusive chequing account.
The biggest problem for these Amex card is the Amex low acceptance in Canada, still a tons of places that Amex is not accepted.
For everyday purchases that are NOT in the accelerated categories... If I'm not wrong the Marriott Bonvoy AMEX is the best base earn rate.
It's misleading because the 2x is bonvoy points which are worth significantly less per point vs MR. I'd rather 1.25MR vs 2BP.
HSBC Jade/Metal Mastercard would've killed all these cards if HSBC was still around.
Maybe thats wht its not around. It killed itself
Cobalt doesnt earn you 5X on international spending anymore and they recently removed the 2X on travel expenses, the value proposition is dropping by the day…
Maple leaf lounges (domestic) in Canada are nothing to write home about...
So is a card giving lounge access worth it to someone with a family? My wife and I have three kids aged 7, 4 and a baby. Would they all get in or would they tell the family to wait outside? And would the kids even like it?
Usually children under certain age can enter for free. It depends on the lounge and lounge network
~Chris
Yes amex cobalt is #1
Hey
What is the conversion rate for AMEX MR to Aeroplan points? is it 1 to 1?
Also what do think about TD Rewards? can these be converted into Aeroplan points too?
Thanks for your response.
AMEX MR convert 1:1 to Aeroplan. TD Rewards are a good way to pay for things like non-chain hotels. No, TD Rewards cannot be converted to any other program. We have guides for all of the above mentioned programs on our website: princeoftravel.com/points-programs/
Amex platinum is definately not worth it in Canada. the Canadian Amex platinum benefits are very mediocre compared to the US counterpart. Their travel insurance covers only the first 15 days of travel :/
Ditched it for the 2nd time in 5 years. If you aren’t doing a lot of travel, it’s not worth it. Not at $900 annually.
I have Amex Cobalt ,Scotia Bank passport infinite visa , and no annual fee airmiles master card from BMO. Is there any benefit getting the no annual fees CIBC areoplan Card?. - Thanks
Well besides the sign-up bonus and the lack of an annual fee, you will also receive slightly preferred Aeroplan points pricing.
- Steve
Can you have a cobalt and platinum at the same time? I assume so.
Yes, that’s no problem. American Express Canada generally limits you to four credit cards - distinct from charge cards:
princeoftravel.com/guides/navigating-the-american-express-four-credit-card-limit/
- Steve
Wife runs the Cobalt Amex and she made me get the TD Visa Infinite Privilege... Just because the Prince of Travel said so... I now watch my Aeroplan points grow.
Don't forget that you also get 6x lounge passes to use also :)
Amex Cobalt, RBC ion plus with an avion card for transfers, 2 marriott amex cards and MAYBE a platinum card if you can make it work.
The Ion + and Avion Card with RBC is a good combination. I also have the no annual fee Amex Simplycash cash card and a Mastercard to use at Costco. Maybe I’ll up my points game with Amex but, at this time, the no-fee cashback makes more sense than a card with monthly fee.
Hi have a question on the TD Aeroplan privilege card that's $599. I understand that you get your first checked bag for free with air Canada booking but do you still get your first bag free if your book with one of the affiliated company's or you are only able to use your pts towards the flight but would have to pay for your first check bag if it's not a air Canada flight . Hope you can answer this thanks
Your first checked bag benefit is only valid on Air Canada flights, or when the first leg of your itinerary begins with Air Canada (ie. Air Canada connecting to United gives you a free checked bag). The free baggage benefit comes from the Aeroplan credit card linked to your Aeroplan number. To receive the free baggage benefit, your Aeroplan number must be linked to the booking - regardless of how you book your flight (cash, points, 3rd party website).
- Steve
Hmmm did you miss the Scotiabank passport visa infinite with 6 free lounge passes worldwide and no foreign exchange fee or I just missed it somehow?
It’s definitely on the list for travel related. But as an overall card has nothing special :)
@@Kevin_Cohen thanks for the feedback. I respectfully disagree ! I think there's a lot of value on not paying foreign exchange fees and that the lounge access provide by the card despite been few are not restricted to premium plaza in Canadian airports like the Amex gold.
Nope, Kevin was right. This card is nothing special.
@@YYZDaniel I’m speaking from experience man, I got 11 credit cards and both Amex gold Scotia and had passport visa. The passport wasn’t worth keeping past first year unless retention offer, so I shifted to Scotia Amex gold for churning purposes as I already have cobalt.
Because you cant bet more value than 1cpp. No transfer partner, no status
To anyone who sees this, I am an 18yr old who is currently planning to apply for 2 credit card. I am planning to get a TD card without annual fee, I also plan on getting an Amex without annual fee. Until I get a stable job I will use these to build my credit score. Later in life I will definitely move to an infinite for TD and Cobalt for Amex. I’m open to any suggestions.
Sounds like an excellent plan. Start your credit file young, always pay your balance in full,’and never close your oldest cards.
-Steve
What about the Amex Business Platinum? How would that stack up against the regular Platinum?
The perks of the Business Platinum (status and lounge access) are largely the same, with different multipliers on spending (1.25x everywhere with Business Platinum) and different credits (Dell vs. restaurants).
I got declined for both TD Aeroplan cards, despite being immediately accepted for the Amex reserve card and having a good credit rating and salary. Any tips? Am I more likely to get the TD cards if I open a bank account with TD, or should I just write off TD altogether now that I have been declined on two separate cards?
TD’s online approvals are notoriously bad - especially if you’re not an existing TD customer. You will likely have better luck applying in-branch.
- Steve
@@PrinceofTravel Thanks, Steve. I'll consider giving TD one more try. However, my experience with TD, both credit card applications and a previous insurance account I had with them, don't fill me with hope that I'll have a good experience. Want those points though...
It's really sad that the US credit cards have so much more perks/benefits compared to Canadian credit cards :(
The US Amex gold/plat is head and shoulders above the Canadian gold/plat in so many ways that it isn't even funny. I wish Canada had a competitive credit card scene.
The AMEX Cobalt would’ve been so perfect for me, but I do my groceries at Fortinos and they don’t accept AMEX, neither does Costco😢
Then you will have to decide if it is worth it for you to switch grocery chain. Costco isn't all that cheap to be honest
If I get the basic Amex, do I qualify for the welcome bonus point if later I decide to get a Platinum Amex?
Yes. American Express sign-up offer eligibility in Canada in based on if you have held the specific card before. In the US, however, they have instituted “family language” to be aware of.
How do you partially pay from a credit card especially on online flight tickets??
You mean using points award flights? There is always a tax or surcharge that needs to be paid by cash. That is where you can paid your flight partially with credit cards
~Cris
@@PrinceofTravel Ah I see ! Thank you!
What happened to your credit card points-tracking spreadsheet? I tried to download it from your website and I get a 404 error.
What about the AMEX GOLD card?
The Canadian AMEX Gold card has mediocre earning rates and a relatively high annual fee compared with its benefits. The sign-up bonus also requires a high monthly spend over a long period of time.
- Steve
175k+ points using my cobalt...no sure how to maximize and spend them yet.
Start here: princeoftravel.com/points-programs/american-express-membership-rewards/
isnt cobalt changing the policy sometime in Oct this year to not have 2x for travel and transportation?
Just the travel part getting reduced to 1x
~Cris
Problem: A lot of restrurants using squre or clove, they do not charge on credit as restrurants. I lost quite some cash back/points due ti shis reason.
Then perhaps you may want to change the restaurant you want to visit 🍲
@@PrinceofTravel I use Rogers Mastercard World Elite. As a Fido-Rogers user i get 3% cash back on all purchases no limitations, no categories when redeemed.
Reserve, not reserved.
How do i register / use the gold status on hilton and bonvoy if i have the amex plat?
Call American Express or message them with the chat feature.
Hi what about the Scotiabank travel visa that collect scene points can use for Expedia travel? Thanks
Absolutely every form of travel expense are eligible for scene+ points to redeem
If i purchase my tickets with the AMEX reserve card, do i still get the insurance from my VISA infinite privilege card?
No.
Amex cobalt may be the workhorse however Amex from my experience is not widely accepted. This should be a primary concern, there is limited value in a card that is difficult to use.
Not sure where you live but here in Vancouver it is widely accepted.
@@majinraptor Ottawa, most grocery stores do not accept Amex. Walmart yes. Most restaurants do not.
@@marcelmed4574 But Save on foods/Safeway is probably $20 more than Superstore each grocery shop, so does this make sense to switch stores to use cobalt?
Can you get the BONVOY business card in Canada ?
yes but its not special. same as regular bonvoy.
Cobalt is not as great as before
Is Costco considered grocery / food when it comes to eating 5x points?
Costco only accepts MasterCard, so Amex cobalt cant be used regardless.
Take a shot everytime he says credit card
This would be a dangerous channel to play that game ;)
- Steve
@@PrinceofTravelhahah, my favourite evening activity 😆. glad i subscribed
but theres not many places that take amex in Toronto =/
I buy gift cards at 7-11 and spend them at Walmart, gas stations etc. you get 5 points for each $ spent at 7-11.
@@lauriedavis7471 would it be the same if i were to use the cobalt to buy visa gift cards then spend the visa GCs at restos and stuff like that
@@taeyeung007 sure, just remember to activate the prepaid visa or mc and it also has a $2-5 fee to use but ai use the mc one for Costco bc I need to.
@@lauriedavis7471 not sure why, $2 cans of pop and $1 chocolate bars. What’s the point.
@@marcelmed4574 i purchase $200 in Mobil/Esso gas gift cards. My truck is over 100 litres to fill up. So, it works out for me really well. The 200 dollars turns into a 1000 points, when 7-11 makes each dollar 5 reward pints. I buy gas 2-3 a month.
Aeroplan is trash go on Air Canada and you put aeroplan in the price is so much higher then it would be just paying for it. If you account for the points you're spending
The Aeroplan program can offer incredible value once you get the hang of it: princeoftravel.com/points-programs/aeroplan/
I had the same experience when trying to book for Spain. I couldn't understand what was going on, so I paid cash... I have lots of points now, so I'll try and figure it out for our next trip.
Ya it's really more arts than science. The longer you are exposed to this industry, the more skills you accumulate to book flights with points. Remember, points system is meant to be convoluted by design. Imagine if it's so easy, then airlines will never be able to see cash tickets, everybody will just be flying business for free. So hang in there with the steep learning curve at the beginning. We have all been there :) Good luck
No RBC cards mentioned? More flexible and no blackout dates compared to Aeroplan. Also points don’t expire.
garbage earn rates. Aeroplan doesnt have blackout dates and points ya expire after over a year of no activity but won't if you have a Aeroplan card your using same as the Avion expiry
@@aselwyn1 I agree with you on that but how about having a trifecta of Amex and RBC to accelerate points like this:
Amex Cobalt (Main Card where Amex Is accepted)
RBC Avion Infinite Visa
RBC ION+ (Paired with the Avion Infinite, you now can get 3x the points in categories similar to the cobalt. You would use this card where amex isn’t accepted and transfer the premium points gained from the ION+ and transfer them to elite points.)
Excellent strategy.
Anyone who actually thinks Amex is the best CANADIAN card is in denial or something. Its only good outside of Canada really, as not nearly as many merchants take Amex cards here. There are FAR better card brands out there.
I am sorry have to correct you, recently went for a road trip from Ontario, quebec,Nova scotia,pei and New Foundland...every where amex was accepted...I made kost out of my points...the places I went were normal food places and shops...
I live in Montreal and can easily put more than 95 % of my expenses on Amex
Like what cards are better than?
You must live in a small town because Amex is accepted nearly everywhere here in Vancouver. And the Cobalt is easily the best card available right now.
Im in montreal and its accepted in most places. You can also buy gift cards at grocerie stores and get 5x points on all your purchases... all my amazon purchases have 5x points, if redeemed with travel partners thats equal to 10% return.... good luck beating that
Cash is the best; Chinese restaurants give you a 10% discount if you pay cash. D. Better than any credit card
If you transfer Amex points gained on the Cobalt to Aeroplan and book a business class flight at a value of 0.05 $ / point, you get the equivalent of 25 % cash back on your restaurant expenses ...
😂
Who still acceptsAmerican Express?
2nd
1st?
Its pretty obvious you’re getting paid by AMEX
Amex has the best credit card options so what’s wrong with what he said
Amex is the best card by far. I've had a cobalt card for 6 years and now nearly all my friends have gotten Cobalt cards as well. It's soo good.
❤i beg you @ricky @princeoftravel❤plz bring back the card welcome offer history graph. That was what literally made you better than pointsguy and the others in canada/us in your space
I am starting to wish u never changed your site. Because articles arent in google anymore. Your seo got ruined. And articles i used to quickly google and give to friends dont come up
So brother you reduced the number of new viewers to your site from word of mouth
Now i know this the cost of any change
I just hope you fix all that soon😢