Best credit cards by category
The Best Cash back Credit cards
These credit cards are the best cashback credit cards in Canada.
Here is a table summarizing the different offers. For more details, read on or click on the name of a card.
National Bank World Elite Mastercard®
The National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard® is the best credit card from NBC.
For a limited time, you can get a $300 cashback after $4,000 spending in the first three months. And no annual fee the first year (a $150 saving)!
You can earn up to 2 points per dollar in Card purchases, including at Costco.
Besides, you get up to $250 in travel credits per calendar year:
- Airport parking: $100
- Baggage fees: $100
- Seat selection: $50
The National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard® is a credit card to keep, year after year, for several reasons:
- it has one of the best travel and purchases credit card insurance on the market
- up to $250 travel credit per year
- Unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau airport
BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite®* Mastercard®*
With this exclusive offer for the BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite®* Mastercard®*, you can earn 3,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles after $3,000 in Card purchases, representing a $310 cash value. In addition, the $120 annual fee is waived in the first year!
With the BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite®* Mastercard®*, you get 1 mile for every $10 you spend, Costco included.
And it’s the only AIR MILES credit card in Canada to offer a 15% discount on AIR MILES flights within North America with no blackout periods.
The BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite®* Mastercard®* card also offers:
- 2 complimentary passes to airport VIP lounges
- Premium insurance for your travels or purchases
- Double the miles for car rentals with National or Alamo
- Concierge services
SimplyCash Preferred from American Express
SimplyCash™ Preferred from American Express is one of the only credit cards in Canada to earn a 2% cashback on all purchases. And there’s no limit to how much cash back you can earn!
Besides, with this welcome offer, you earn 10% cashback in your first 4 months (up to $400 cash back).
This Card stands out for its premium insurance: Car Rental Theft and Damage, $100,000 travel accident, Emergency medical insurance (outside the province or country), Lost or Stolen Baggage, Flight delay insurance and misdirected baggage, Hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection® Plan, Buyer’s Assurance® Protection Plan.
American Express® AIR MILES®* Platinum Credit Card
With the American Express® AIR MILES®* Platinum Credit Card, you can earn a Welcome Bonus of 3,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles. That’s enough to redeem for $310 towards your purchases with AIR MILES Cash!
With this credit card, you can earn 1 Mile for every $5 in Card purchases in:
- Grocery stores
- Gas stations
- restaurants and bars
- Transit
Besides, you get an annual travel credit.
Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card
The Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card is recognized year after year as one of the best cash back credit cards in Canada.
Currently, there is no annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards. Plus, you earn 10% cash back in the first three months.
After, with the Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card, you earn:
- 4% cash back on groceries and recurring bills
- 2% cash back on gas and transit
- 1% on all other purchases
And this card has outstanding insurance.
BMO® CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*
The BMO® CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* is one of the best Mastercard credit cards with cash back in Canada.
With the BMO® CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*, you get 1.5% on all your purchases, Costco included, with no annual limit.
Currently, for a limited time, you will get 10% cash back on all your purchases during the first 3 months.
In addition, the $120 annual fee is waived in the first year!
And this card has premium insurance.
SimplyCash™ from American Express
Would you like a cashback credit card with no-annual-fee and a high earning rate on all your purchases? Here is an option for you: SimplyCash™ from American Express.
With this Card, you earn a 1.25% cashback on all purchases.
Besides, during the first 6 months, you can get a 2.5% cash back, up to $150, with the SimplyCash™ from American Express.
And you’ll get insurance with it: $100,000 travel accident insurance, Purchase Protection® Plan, Buyer’s Assurance® Protection Plan.
MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard®
The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard® is one of the best cashback credit cards with no annual fee in Canada.
With this card you can get 2% for some purchases:
- gas
- grocery stores
Until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500. And 0.5% everywhere else.
For a limited time, you can get 5% cash back for the first 6 months, up to $150.
BMO® AIR MILES® MasterCard®
With this exclusive offer for the BMO® AIR MILES® Mastercard®*, you earn 1,500 AIR MILES Bonus Miles after $1,000 in Card purchases, representing a $150 cash value. Besides, it’s a no-annual-fee credit card.
With the BMO® AIR MILES® Mastercard®*, you get 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners. And 1 mile for every $20 you spend, Costco included.
BMO® CashBack® Mastercard®*
The BMO® CashBack® Mastercard®* is a cash back credit card with no annual fee.
With this card, you can get 5% cash back in your first 3 months. It’s a maximum welcome bonus of $100.
Then you get:
- 3% on grocery purchases, including Walmart Supercenters
- 1% cash back on recurring bill payments
Finally, you can also get a 1.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months.
Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card
The Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card is recognized year after year as one of the best cash back credit cards in Canada.
Currently, there is no annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards. Plus, you earn 10% cash back in the first three months.
After, with the Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card, you earn:
- 4% cash back on groceries and recurring bills
- 2% cash back on gas and transit
- 1% on all other purchases
And this card has outstanding insurance.
Other great offers
Frequent Asked Questions about credit cards
Here are frequently asked questions in the milesopedia community about credit cards in Canada.
Why choose a credit card with cash back?
For every dollar you spend, your cash back credit card gives you a discount that can range from 0.5% to 10%! So it’s essential to choose your cash back credit card, as it could save you a lot more than one of these competitors. Here are some great cash back credit cards in Canada:
When would I receive my credit card cash back?
Depending on the financial institution, your cashback will either be deposited in your bank account or applied to your credit card statement. Different institutions, different conditions that will influence your choice.
You’ll earn your cashback on an annual or monthly basis for some banks. And for some, it can be at any time as soon as a minimum amount is reached, ranging from $10 to $25.
Why choose a cash back credit card with an annual fee?
An annual fee comes with benefits. Depending on the offer, you’ll get a welcome bonus, earn greater cashback, no or less limit on eligible purchase amounts, better insurance and some benefits for hotels by example. This is the case, for example, with the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card.
Compare cards to match your lifestyle.
Is it worthwhile to pay some interest fess on a cash back credit card?
Like other credit cards, to take advantage of the benefits, you have to pay your balance each month fully. No cashback could offset the interest costs incurred.
What is the best credit card in Canada?
There are more than 200 credit cards in Canada. There is no “one best credit card” in Canada.
Several credit cards can match your needs: