How To Activate Your Credit Card

Updated May 8, 2026
Fact checked by
Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc 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
How To Activate Your Credit Card - activer carte de credit
To the point Learn how to activate your credit card in Canada for major banks like CIBC, TD, BMO, and others.

Have you received your new credit card? Before you can take advantage of it, you need to activate it. Whether you’re a CIBC, TD, BMO, RBC, Scotia or American Express customer, each bank has its own methods for activating a credit card. Let’s take a look at each of them.

Why activate your credit card?

Activating a credit card guarantees that the rightful cardholder receives and wishes to use it. This is a crucial step in security and fraud prevention.

What you need to activate your credit card

As a general rule, the following information is required to activate a credit card:

  • Your credit card number (15 or 16 digits)
  • Card expiry date
  • CVV (3 digits on the back for Visa and Mastercard, 4 digits on the front for Amex)
  • Your address
  • Date of Birth

How to activate your credit card by issuer

Generally, there are three main ways to activate a credit card in Canada:

  • By phone: The traditional method of credit card activation. Follow the voice instructions or speak to a representative.
  • Online: More and more banks are offering this option for fast, hassle-free credit card activation.
  • Mobile application: A modern way to activate your credit card quickly, sometimes in seconds.

Activate an American Express credit card

The easiest way to activate an American Express credit card is to use the AMEX mobile application.

If you are a new user, create your online profile and activate your American Express credit card. You can also visit this site or call 1-800-869-3016.

Activate a Scotiabank credit card

Activation of your Scotiabank credit card can be started online, especially if you already have access to Scotiabank online banking. If you have a Scotiabank credit card, call 1-866-220-5355 or go to this page.

Activate a National Bank credit card

You can activate your National Bank credit card via NBC online banking:

  1. Log in to your online bank.
  2. Click on Overview
  3. Select your National Bank credit card and click on Activate my NBC card.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Alternatively, you can activate your NBC credit card by calling 1-800-268-0808.

Activate a BMO credit card

To activate your BMO credit card, you can do so via the BMO website or the mobile application. For BMO credit card activation by phone, the numbers vary depending on the type of card.

For example, for BMO Mastercard credit cards, call 1-800-263-2263.

Activate a CIBC credit card

Online activation of a CIBC credit card is available but requires creating a CIBC online account. If you prefer a traditional method of activating your CIBC Credit Card, call 1-800-385-2582.

Activate an RBC credit card

Start the activation process for your RBC credit card online if you already have access to RBC Online Banking. Otherwise, call 1-877-900-5900 to activate your RBC credit card.

Activate a TD Credit Card

Unlike other banks, TD does not offer online activation. To activate your TD credit card, call 1-877-491-6062.

Activate a Mastercard credit card

Your Mastercard credit card will be activated directly with your Visa credit card issuer (BMO, National Bank, MBNA, etc.).

Activate a Visa credit card

Your Visa credit card will be activated directly with your Visa credit card issuer (BMO, RBC, Desjardins, etc.).

Frequently asked questions about credit card activation

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Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien Voisine is the President and Founder of Milesopedia and a leading expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel across Canada, France, and the U.S.A. Now 40 years old and a father of two, he has explored more than 100 countries—many of them alongside his wife Audrey and their children. Specializing in loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, Jean-Maximilien helps travellers unlock the full potential of their points and benefits. His mission: empower others to travel better and smarter across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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