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In Canada, two institutions issue American Express (AMEX) credit cards:
These American Express credit cards are ideal for travellers and those who want to earn lots of reward points.
Here is a table summarizing the different offers. For more details, read on or click on the name of a card.
Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card for free hotel nights.
With this exceptional limited-time welcome offer, you can earn up to 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points:
- 65,000 Welcome Bonus points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
- Plus, earn an additional 3 points for a total of 5 points on every $1 spent on eligible travel and gas purchases in your first 6 months (up to 15,000 points)
It’s the best time of year to get the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card. Don’t wait, this offer ends on May 6, 2024!
It’s a Card we recommend keeping because each year at renewal, you get an Annual Free Night Award (for up to 35,000 points at hotels worldwide) and 15 Elite Night Credits per year, counting towards your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.
With this Card, you earn 5 points per dollar on all purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Finally, this Card comes with comprehensive insurance: baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage, $500,000 travel accident, flight delay, hotel or motel burglary, rental car theft and damage, Purchase Security, Purchase Protection.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
American Express Cobalt® Card
The American Express Cobalt® Card is the best credit card from American Express, whether you want points for travel or cash back.
The welcome bonus is distributed monthly for the first 12 months. You’ll earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for every $750 in purchases charged to your card during the month (whether in the 1X, 2X, 3X or 5X category). That’s up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points.
You can easily use these points as statement credits for everyday or travel purchases. The value is the same for both: 1,000 points = $10.
Or you can transfer them into Aeroplan points, Avios (British Airways/Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors.
With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you can earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:
Category | Points per dollar |
Grocery stores (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.) | 5 |
Food delivery | 5 |
Restaurants and bars | 5 |
Convenience stores | 5 |
Streaming subscriptions | 3 |
Gas station | 2 |
Transportation | 2 |
Travel | 2 |
Other | 1 |
This is a 1 to 5% return on all these purchases.
For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on groceries and/or restaurants and/or food delivery, you’ll earn $50 cash back per month, or $600 cash back per year with this card for this category of purchases!
And if you decide to transfer your points to other programs like Aeroplan, you could get even more value!
In addition, this card provides excellent insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage, flight delay, $250,000 travel accident, hotel or motel burglary, Mobile Device Insurance, Purchase Security, Purchase Protection Insurance.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
American Express Platinum Card®
The Platinum Card® is the Best Premium Travel Card in Canada.
With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points:
- 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
- 30,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership
With this card, you get:
- 2 points per dollar for dining purchases
- 2 points per dollar on travel purchases
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:
- Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, etc.
- Transfer points to hotel programs (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
- Redeem points for statement credits to offset any travel purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
- Redeem points for statement credits towards other purchases (1,000 points = $10)
- And more!
With this card, you also have advantages for your travels:
- $200 Annual Travel Credit
- $200 Annual Dining Credit
- $100 NEXUS Card Statement Credit
- Complimentary and unlimited access for you and one additional traveller to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide
- Hilton Honors Gold Elite status (complimentary breakfast at all Hilton hotels)
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program
Last but not least, the Platinum Card® is distinguished by the numerous insurance coverages offered: theft and damage for rental cars, travel accident of $500,000Emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points with this welcome offer for the American Express® Gold Rewards Card. That’s a $600 value for travel or any purchase on the Card.
You can also transfer your points to airline partners such as Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).
With this Card, you get many benefits like:
- $100 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass membership and 4 complimentary Plaza Premium visits per year
- $50 NEXUS credit
You earn 2 points per dollar for travel purchases, and at:
- gas stations
- grocery stores
- drugstores
And 1 point per dollar everywhere else.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card
With this welcome offer for the American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card, you can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points. Here’s how:
- Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months
- Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in purchases in month 13
With this Card, you earn 3X the points on purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. And 2x the points on Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada. Everywhere else, you will earn 1.25X the points.
With this Card, you receive many Air Canada travel benefits such as access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for you and one guest, priority check-in, priority boarding and priority baggage handling.
Enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada®* flights.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
With this welcome offer for the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card, you can earn up to 40,000 Aeroplan points.
Here’s how:
- Earn 3,000 Aeroplan points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card for the first 10 months of Cardmembership. That could add up to 30,000 Aeroplan points
- Plus, you can also earn 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership
With this Card, you earn 2X the points on purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations.
And 1.5x the points on Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada. Anywhere else, you will earn 1X the points.
Enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada®* flights.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express
The SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express is the only credit card in Canada to earn 2% cash back on all purchases. Plus, you can get:
- 4% cash back on gas purchases
- 4% cash back on grocery purchases
And with this welcome offer, you can earn a $40 statement credit for every $750 in purchases charged to your Card in your first 10 months (up to $400 in statement credits).
The SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express Card is especially popular with those who have significant purchases to make: home improvement, furniture or appliance purchases since it offers 2% cash back at all stores.
This Card stands out for its numerous coverages offered: Theft and damage to rental cars, $100,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delay and misdirected baggage, hotel/motel burglary, Purchase Security, Purchase Protection.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card
For a limited time, when you apply for the Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card, you can earn up to 60,000 points. That’s a $600 value for travel purchases including Airbnb.
With the Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card, you earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases. You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). And you can also use them for other rewards in the Scene+ program, such as cash back rewards.
Plus, with this card, you will not pay 2.5% foreign transaction fees on any foreign currency purchases, and you get ten complimentary visits to airport VIP lounges with the Priority Pass and Premium Plaza networks.
And you get excellent insurance for your travels or purchases, concierge service, and exclusive American Express Offers (American Express Invites Program).
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card only requires a $12,000 minimum income, making it accessible to as many people as possible.
For a limited time, you can earn up to 40,000 points in the first year, which is a $400 value on travel purchases, including Airbnb.
With the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you earn 6 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.
Also, you earn 5 points per dollar for:
- grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Entertainment
And 3 points per dollar on gas, transit and streaming services purchases.
You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card also offers no foreign currency transaction fees, excellent travel and purchase insurance, concierge service and exclusive American Express benefits (Front of the Line Program).
Scotiabank American Express® Card
The Scotiabank American Express® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee credit cards in Canada.
For a limited time, you can earn up to 7,500 points in the first three months, representing a $75 value for travel, including Airbnb.
With the Scotiabank American Express® Card, you earn 3 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.
Also, you get 2 points per dollar for:
- grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Entertainment
- Gas stations
- Transit
- streaming services
And 1 point per dollar of purchase for all other purchases.
You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). Or with Scene+ partners for cash back.
Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn up to 120,000 points with this welcome offer for the Business Platinum Card® from American Express:
- 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you charge $15,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
- 40,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership
You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:
- Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, etc.
- Transfer points to hotel programs (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
- Redeem points for statement credits to offset any eligible purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
- And more!
120,000 points have a minimum value of $1,200 for a statement credit and much more if you transfer your points to a partner.
With this Card, you earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar on all purchases. What’s more, you’ll enjoy a host of travel and business benefits:
- Complimentary and unlimited access for you and an additional traveller to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
- $200 Annual travel credit
- $100 Card Statement Credit for Nexus
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- Hilton Honors Gold Status
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program
- Up to $120 in eligible Wireless Credits each year
With this Card you can maximize your cash flow with up to 55 interest free days. It is a card that is particularly appreciated by contractors when making large purchases in home improvement stores, for example.
Last but not least, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express is distinguished by the numerous insurance coverages it offers: theft and damage for rental cars, travel accident from $500,000Emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card
With this welcome offer for the American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card, you can earn up to 90,000 Aeroplan points.
Here’s how:
- Earn 65,000 Aeroplan points after spending $10,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months.
- Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,500 in purchases in month 13.
With this Card, you earn 3X the points on purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. And 2X the points on hotels and car rentals. Everywhere else, you will earn 1.25X the points.
With this Card, you receive many Air Canada travel benefits, such as access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for you and one guest, priority check-in, priority boarding and priority baggage handling.
Enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada®* flights.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®
Earn up to 110,000 Membership Rewards points with this outstanding limited-time welcome offer for the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®:
- 70,000 Membership Rewards points after $5,000 in Card purchases within the first 3 months
- 10,000 bonus points when you charge $20,000 in net purchases to your Card account each calendar quarter (up to 40,000 Membership Rewards points)
With this Card, you earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on your purchases.
You can then use your points in many ways:
- Statement credit for travel purchases
- Statement credit for all purchases
- Transfer to partner programs (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Delta Skymiles, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, etc.)
- Book your flight with American Express Travel at a special rate
Also, as a cardmember, you get many advantages such as up to 55 interest-free days to maximize your cash flow.
Finally, you are covered with reliable insurance for your travels and purchases.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
American Express Business Edge™ Card
The American Express Business Edge™ Card is an excellent credit card for businesses in Canada. The annual fee is only $99 and this American Express credit card offers up to 67,000 Membership Rewards points in the first year, a value of $670.
You can also transfer your points to airline partners (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue, etc.) and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).
With this Card, you can get 3x the points on purchases:
- Office supplies (Staples, etc.)
- Electronic (Apple, Dell, etc.)
- Rides
- Gas
- Eats & Drinks
Besides, you can add up to 99 supplementary cards at no cost.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
Frequent Asked Questions about credit cards
Here are some frequently asked questions in the milesopedia community about American Express credit cards in Canada.
What is the best American Express credit card in Canada?
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There are more than 30 credit cards in the American Express network in Canada. Here is our selection of the best American Express cards in Canada:
- American Express Cobalt® Card: the American Express card offering the most flexible points on everyday expenses such as groceries.
- Platinum Card®: the American Express card offering the most benefits for travellers.
- Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card: the American Express card with the most Scene+ points for everyday expenses such as groceries at IGA/Sobeys.
- American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card: the American Express card offering the most benefits and points for Air Canada travellers.
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FR
What are the best American Express Business Cards?
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FR
Here are the best American Express Business Cards in Canada:
- Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card
- American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®
- American Express Business Edge™ Card
- Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card
This post is also available in:
FR
This post is also available in: FR