How do I get a credit card?

To get a card, first compare offers, then apply with a financial institution. You generally need a good credit score and a stable income. Approval will also depend on the type and amount of credit requested.

What's the best credit card in Canada?

There isn't one single best card. The choice depends on your needs. For some, it will be the best no-fee cash back credit card; for others, the best no-fee travel credit card. Always compare according to your priorities.

What's the best no-annual-fee credit card?

The best card will always depend on your needs. Do you prefer to receive cash back, travel rewards, or points to reduce your grocery bill?

The 10 best no-annual-fee credit cards in December 2025

Credit Cards The 10 best no-annual-fee credit card offers – December 2025

To the point Here are the 10 best free, or no-annual-fee, credit cards to keep year after year to build your credit history.

To build a good financial record in Canada, it’s essential to start on the right foot. Opting for a no-annual-fee credit card is often the best choice when starting out or looking to improve your credit history. By keeping the same card year after year, you lay a solid foundation for your credit score.

To help you navigate through the many options available, we’ve selected the best free credit cards for you, with no annual fee.

Browse our comparison to discover the benefits of each card and click on the name or image to get all the details you need before choosing a no-annual-fee credit card.

What are the best no-annual-fee credit cards?

The best free credit cards in Canada, with no annual fee, are the following:

Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®*

If you have an individual income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000, you can choose the Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard.

This credit card has no annual fee and offers cashback. With this limited-time welcome offer, you get $120 when you spend $1,500 in the first 3 months.

You can choose up to three spending categories that interest you (groceries, gas, home furnishings, home improvement, recurring bills, pharmacy, etc.) to earn 2% cash back! And there’s no annual cash back limit.

In addition, the Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard comes with several insurance coverages for your purchases and travel:

90 days purchase insurance
One year extended warranty
Mobile Device Insurance
Rental Car Collision/Loss Damage Insurance

Finally, during the first 30 days you hold the card, transfer credit card balances and pay only 1.95% interest on these balances for the first 6 months.

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card has no annual fee and offers cash back.

With this limited-time welcome offer, you can earn an additional 10% cash back (up to $100) when you spend up to $1,000 on everyday purchases during the first 2 months.

You can choose two to three purchase categories that interest you (groceries, gas, home furnishings, renovations, recurring bills, pharmacy, etc.) to earn 2% cash back ! And there’s no annual cash-back limit. It is one of the best credit cards for renovations.

In addition, the Tangerine Mastercard offers several insurance coverages for your purchases :

90 days purchase insurance
One year extended warranty

Finally, during the first 30 days you hold the card, transfer credit card balances and pay only 1.95% interest on these balances for the first 6 months.

Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card

Are you looking for a Scene+ credit card with no annual fee? The Scotiabank^® Scene+™ Visa Card is ideal for students or those who don’t want to pay an annual fee.

For a limited time, you can earn up to 5,000 Scene+ points after spending $1,000 in the first three months. That’s enough to buy $50 worth of travel or groceries.

With the Scotiabank^® Scene+™ Visa Card, you earn 2 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

You’ll also earn 2 points for every dollar you spend at Home Hardware stores!

And you get 1 point Scene+ on all your other purchases.

It’s a great Visa credit card with no annual fee to get Scene+ points.

BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card

The new BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card is a no-annual-fee credit card with travel points, requiring no minimum income.

With this offer, you can earn up to 25,000 points as a welcome bonus:

20,000 points after $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months
2,500 points when you redeem 12,000 points with the Pay with Points option over a 12-month period
2,500 points when you pay the balance on time for 12 months

What’s more, you can benefit from an interest rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for nine months (a 2% balance transfer fee applies).

With the new BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card, you earn :

5 points for every two dollars spent on recurring bill payments
5 points for every two dollars spent at the grocery store
5 points for every two dollars spent at restaurant and for takeaway
1 point per two dollars of purchases for all other purchase categories

You can use BMO Rewards points for all travel purchases made through theagency or website of your choice (airline tickets, hotels, car rentals, all-inclusives, Airbnb, etc.) or for rewards and gift cards on the BMO Rewards platform.

The new BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card also offers:

Mobile Device Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended warranty insurance

CIBC Aventura® Visa* Card

The CIBC Aventura^MD Visa* Card is one of the best no-fee Visa credit cards with travel rewards in Canada.

Get up to 10,000 Aventura Points (up to $100 in travel value^†)

2,500 Aventura Points when you complete all five activities within 60 days of your CIBC Aventura^® Visa* account approval.^†
7,500 Aventura Points after you make your first purchase within first 4 months.^†

With this no annual fee CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:

1 point for every dollar spent at gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, and eligible grocery and drug stores^†
1 point for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
1 point for every $2 spent on all other purchases

And this no-annual-fee CIBC Credit Card offers some insurance coverage:

$100,000 Common Carrier Accident Insurance
Purchase Security and Extended Protection Insurance

BMO AIR MILES Mastercard®*

With this exclusive offer for the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard, you get 1,600 AIR MILES after $1,500 in purchases within the first 110 days of account opening.

Plus, earn 900 additional AIR MILES after $450 in purchases at eligible warehouse clubs, grocery stores, or alcohol retailers within the first 110 days.

This credit card has no annual fee.

With the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard, you earn 3X miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners.

Plus, you’ll earn 2X miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store, wholesale club (warehouse like Costco) and liquor retailer.

For everything else, you earn 1 AIR MILES for every $25 in purchases.

Best no annual fee credit cards – When to use a credit card with no annual fee

The best free credit cards, i.e. with no annual fee, are aimed at various groups of people, including :

Beginners and students: Those new to the world of credit cards, such as university students or young adults, can opt for a no-fee card as a way of establishing and building their credit history without incurring additional costs.
People on a budget: Those who don’t want to or can’t pay an annual fee for a credit card may prefer a no-fee card. These cards avoid unnecessary costs for people who don’t use their cards regularly or who don’t spend enough to justify an annual fee.
Occasional users: Those who don’t use their credit card frequently, or who have another main card with fees, may opt for a no-fee card as a back-up or for specific expenses.
People looking for simple rewards: Many no-fee cards offer simple rewards programs. These programs can be interesting for those who want to accumulate points or cashback without the hassle of complex reward structures or limitations.
Travellers: Some travellers opt for no-annual-fee cards with no foreign transaction fees. These cards are ideal for occasional travellers who don’t want to pay extra for purchases abroad.
People looking for a complementary card: Some credit cardholders choose a no-fee card as a complementary card for specific spending categories not covered by their main card.
Individuals in transition: For those who have just closed another credit card or are looking for a temporary solution, a no-annual-fee card may be an attractive option while they determine their long-term credit card needs.

It’s always important to note that even if a credit card has no annual fee, other costs may be associated, such as high interest rates on outstanding balances or payments for different types of transactions. It is, therefore, essential to read the terms and conditions carefully and understand all the features and potential charges before applying for a credit card.

Best free credit cards – Conclusion

No-fee credit cards are ideal for optimizing your finances without paying annual fees. They represent an excellent way to build or improve your credit history, as regular, responsible use of a no-fee card helps establish a good credit score over time and offers various benefits, such as travel expense reimbursement.

Before making your choice, take the time to compare welcome bonuses, annual interest rates, and applicable terms and conditions. This way, you benefit from the advantages offered by the best no-fee credit cards, while keeping control over your budget. However, be careful not to use your card for purchases you cannot repay.

Feel free to check out our rankings of the best credit cards in Canada by different categories, such as Aeroplan, AIR MILES, Airbnb, Business, Groceries, Cash Back, No Annual Fee, No Foreign Transaction Fee, Scene+, Travel and more.

Best free credit cards – Frequently asked questions

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Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.

All posts by Marie-Ève Leclerc

Advertiser disclosure

The 10 best no-annual-fee credit card offers – December 2025

What are the best no-annual-fee credit cards?

Best no annual fee credit cards – When to use a credit card with no annual fee

Best free credit cards – Conclusion

Best free credit cards – Frequently asked questions

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