Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information about any information on any advertiser product, please visit their website. We receive compensation from some financial institutions listed on this site. Although we are compensated for each approved financial product through our website’s affiliate links, our research and content are based on an objective analysis. †Terms and conditions apply.
Today, more and more Canadians are looking for credit cards offering annual credits. These cards reimburse part or all of the annual fees, allowing you to save while enjoying rewards. In addition, they often offer extra benefits, such as credits for subscriptions or travel. Thus, choosing the right card can maximize your savings and loyalty points. In this guide, we present the best credit cards with annual credits in Canada and tips to make the most of these benefits.
An annual credit is an amount that the credit card reimburses each year to offset its fees. This is applied to your account once the conditions are met.
For example, some cards offer credits for travel, for services like Nexus, or for expenses with a mobile service provider. This helps reduce the card’s real cost and allows you to use these funds for your purchases or travel.
Furthermore, these annual credits can sometimes be combined with other benefits, such as welcome offers, insurance, or cashback. Thus, a well-utilized annual credit can significantly improve the value of your card.
For example, an eligible purchase with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers a $150 credit. Thus, a travel expense of $327.85 comes down to only $177.85 after the credit is applied.
Another example: the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card offers a $100 credit for any accommodation booking of $500 or more. Thus, an expense of $1,081.92 comes down to $981.92 after the annual credit is applied. In my case, also using $803 in points, the net cost was only $178.92.
Here are some popular cards offering annual credits:
BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard®*
With the American Express® Gold Rewards Card, you receive an annual credit of $100 for your travels each year. First, this credit is offered shortly after you subscribe to the card. Then, a new $100 credit is granted with each renewal of your annual membership.
Thus, this $100 credit virtually reduces the annual membership fee from $250 to $150.
To use this annual credit, you must make an eligible travel booking through American Express Travel. For example, this includes an airline ticket, a hotel, a car rental, or a vacation package. Once the expense is fully charged to the card account, the annual credit is applied automatically.
With the American Express Platinum Card®, you receive an annual travel credit of $200 each year. First, this credit is offered shortly after you subscribe to the Card. Then, a new $200 credit is granted with each renewal of your annual membership.
In addition, the same principle applies to an annual $200 credit at an eligible restaurant. Furthermore, a $100 Nexus credit is offered every four years.
Thus, these credits totaling at least $400 reduce the annual membership fee from $699 to a net $299.
To use the $200 annual travel credit, you must make an eligible booking through American Express Travel. For example, this includes an airline ticket, a hotel, a car rental, or a vacation package. Then, you must check the appropriate box when booking. Once the expense is fully charged to the Card account, the annual credit is applied automatically.
With the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you receive an annual travel credit of $200 each year. First, this credit is offered shortly after you subscribe to the card. Then, a new $200 credit is granted upon renewal of your annual membership.
In addition, the same principle applies to other annual credits offered. Notably, you get $120 from a mobile provider, $200 to use at Dell, $300 for Indeed, and $100 for Nexus.
Thus, all these credits, which can amount to up to $820, virtually reduce the annual membership fee from $799 to practically zero.
To use the $200 annual credit, you must make an eligible travel booking through American Express Travel. For example, this includes an airline ticket, a hotel, a car rental, or a vacation package. Then, you must check the appropriate box when booking. Once the expense is fully charged to the Card account, the annual credit is applied automatically.
With the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, you get an annual $100 credit to reimburse Nexus membership or renewal fees at Nexus.
However, this credit is offered every 48 months. In other words, it applies each time you are eligible for your Nexus card renewal.
To take advantage of this, simply charge your Nexus membership or renewal payment to your credit card. Then, the credit will automatically appear on your account after three or four days.
With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, you receive an annual $200 credit each year. First, this credit is offered shortly after you subscribe to the card. Then, a new $200 credit is granted upon renewal of your annual membership.
In addition, this $200 credit is offered each calendar year. Thus, you can use it as you wish. Consequently, this credit reduces the annual membership fee from $499 to a net $299.
To use this annual $200 credit, simply charge an eligible purchase of $200 or more to the card account. Then, the credit will automatically appear on your statement.
Finally, you also get a $200 credit to reimburse Nexus membership or renewal fees during the first year.
With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card, you get an annual $50 credit each year. First, this credit is offered shortly after you subscribe to the card. Then, a new $50 credit is granted upon renewal of your annual membership.
In addition, this $50 credit is offered each calendar year. Thus, you can use it as you wish. Consequently, this $50 credit virtually reduces the annual membership fee from $120 to $70.
To use this annual $50 credit, simply charge an eligible purchase of $50 or more to the Card account. Then, the credit will automatically appear on your statement.
With the BMO AscendMD* MastercardMD World EliteMD* Card, you get a $200 credit to reimburse Nexus membership or renewal fees during the first year.
Each year, the cardholder benefits from a $250 travel credit per membership year to use on Scene+ Travel, administered by Expedia.
In addition, this credit can be used for purchasing airline tickets. It also applies to hotel stays. Furthermore, it is valid for vehicle rentals. Finally, it can be used for travel packages worldwide.
With the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, you benefit from an annual credit of up to $150 each calendar year. First, this credit is offered shortly after you subscribe to the card. Then, a new credit of up to $150 is granted on January 1st.
Thus, since the annual membership fee for this card is $150, this annual credit fully offsets it.
To use this annual credit, you must charge certain types of eligible travel expenses to the card account. Notably, this includes:
Finally, to take advantage of this, you must submit a reimbursement request on the National Bank website.
With the CIBC AventuraMD Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, you receive an annual $200 credit each year. First, this credit is offered shortly after you subscribe to the card. Then, a new $200 credit is granted upon renewal of your annual membership.
Thus, this $200 credit reduces the annual membership fee from $499 to a net $299.
To use this credit, you must make your booking through CIBC’s travel agency. Then, the credit is applied to your account only after the trip has been completed.
The CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card and the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card each offer an annual $160 credit to reimburse Nexus membership or renewal fees at Nexus.
However, this credit is available every 48 months, meaning each time you are eligible for your Nexus card renewal.
To take advantage of this, simply charge your Nexus membership or renewal payment to your credit card. Then, the credit will automatically appear on your account after three to four days.
With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you get an annual $100 credit each year. First, this credit is offered shortly after you subscribe to the card. Then, a new $100 credit is granted on January 1st of each year.
In addition, you will receive a $100 TD travel credit on the first eligible travel purchase charged to the account during a given calendar year.
An eligible travel credit purchase includes:
See our guide Expedia for TD to find out how to use it.
Thus, this $100 credit reduces the annual membership fee from $139 to $39.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card offers an annual $100 credit to reimburse Nexus membership or renewal fees at Nexus.
To make the most of your annual credits, plan your expenses and use them before the end of the billing year. For example, if your card reimburses subscriptions, make sure to register them to get the credit.
In addition, some credits apply to specific purchases; prioritize these categories to maximize savings.
Finally, combine your annual credits with your reward points to get a double benefit. Thus, you reduce your fees and increase the value of your cards.
Choosing a credit card with annual credits allows you to save on your fees while accumulating rewards. Furthermore, optimizing the use of these credits can transform your expenses into tangible benefits. Therefore, carefully compare cards and prioritize those that match your needs. Thus, every dollar spent can generate additional savings and points.
It is an amount that the card reimburses each year to offset its fees or specific purchases.
No. Only certain cards include this benefit to reduce the annual cost.
Plan your eligible purchases or subscriptions before the end of the billing year.
Yes. They must often be used before the due date or the end of the billing year.
Savings are here (if you don’t see the sign-up form, please click here):
You can change your preferences or opt out at any time by clicking on one of the hyperlinks available at the bottom of each newsletter.
If you are already a subscriber and would like to unsubscribe, you can click on the link at the bottom of any of our e-mails.
