The Best First-Year Free Credit Cards – April 2024

Best Credit Cards With A First-Year Annual Fee Rebate - Summary

Best Credit Cards With A First-Year Annual Fee Rebate - Travel Points

National Bank World Elite Mastercard

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard® is NBC’s best Mastercard credit card.

Right now, with our exclusive welcome offer:

• Get up to 35,000 reward points
• Save on annual fees for the first year
• Get a chance to win $2,000 in travel credits courtesy of Transat

It’s the best time of year to apply for the National Bank World Elite Mastercard®!

With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:

• 5 points per dollar on grocery and restaurant purchases
• 2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
• 2 points per dollar on recurring bills
• 2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases

And since it’s a National Bank Mastercard credit card, you can use it at Costco.

With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:

• Airport parking
• Baggage fees
• Seat selection
• Access to airport lounges
• Flight upgrades

In addition, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and free Wi-Fi with Boingo. And unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.

Finally, Milesopedia voted the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® the Best Travel Credit Card and the Best Credit Card for Insurance in 2023 and 2024.

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa credit cards with travel rewards.

You can earn up to 45,000 Aventura points with this CIBC digital exclusive offer for Milesopedia readers.

• 15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase^†
• 30,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods^†

Plus, you can get a first-year annual fee rebate for you (a $139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each; $150 value).

With this CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:

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

The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card also offers:

• Airport lounges access: Visa Airport Companion Program membership with 4 complimentary visits per year
• A NEXUS application fee rebate (a $50 value)

The minimum annual income required for this card is $60,000 (personal) or $100,000 (household).

CIBC Aventura^® Gold Visa* Card

If you don’t meet the income requirements for the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card, you can apply for the CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card. The minimum annual income required for this card is $15,000 (household).

You can earn up to 45,000 Aventura points with this CIBC digital exclusive offer for Milesopedia readers.

• 15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase^†
• 30,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods^†

Plus, you can get a first-year annual fee rebate for you (a $139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each; $150 value).

With this CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:

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

The CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card also offers:

• Airport lounges access: Visa Airport Companion Program membership with 4 complimentary visits per year
• A NEXUS application fee rebate (a $50 value)

Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you earn up to 40,000 welcome bonus points (a $400 value) as well as a first-year annual fee waiver (a $150 value):

• 30,000 points after just $1,000 in purchases
• 10,000 points after $40,000 in annual purchases in the first year

Then, each year, if you make at least $40,000 in purchases on the card, you’ll earn an annual bonus of 10,000 points, a value of $100.

With the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* 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 earn 2 points per dollar for:

• grocery purchases
• dining purchases
• Entertainment
• Transportation

The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card is an excellent Visa credit card for this type of purchase.

You can redeem your points for any travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.

The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card also offers:

• no foreign transaction fee
• 6 complimentary passes to airport VIP lounges
• Premium insurance for your travels or purchases
• Concierge services

We voted this credit card the Best No-FX Fee Credit Card of 2024. Knowing that the annual fee is waived in the first year, there’s never been a better time to get this credit card for your international travels over the next year!

TD First Class Travel^® Visa Infinite* Card

With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 100,000 TD Points^† and a first year annual fee rebate:

• Welcome Bonus of 20,000 TD Points when you make your first Purchase with your Card^†
• Earn 80,000 TD Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 within 180 days of Account opening^†.
• A Birthday Bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points^†

Get an Annual Fee Rebate for the first year^†.

With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you get:

• 8 TD Rewards Points^† for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD
• 6 TD Rewards Points^† for every $1 you spend on Groceries and Restaurants
• 4 TD Rewards Points^† for every $1 you spend on regularly recurring bill payments set up on your Account
• 2 TD Rewards Points^† For every $1 you spend on other Purchases

This TD credit card is one of the best TD travel rewards cards.

National Bank Platinum Mastercard

Unlike the other two National Bank travel rewards cards, the National Bank Platinum Mastercard® does not require a minimum income.

For a limited time, you can earn up to 30,000 points, and the annual fee is reimbursed for the first year for the primary cardholder and the first additional cardholder via our exclusive welcome offer.

With the National Bank Platinum Mastercard®, you can earn 2 points per dollar on grocery store and restaurant purchases, and 1.5 points per dollar on gas and electric vehicle charging, recurring bill payements and À la Carte Travel. And since it’s a National Bank Mastercard credit card, you can use it at Costco.

In addition, you get premium insurance usually dedicated for high-end credit cards:

• 180-day Purchase protection in the event of theft or damage
• Possibility of tripling the manufacturer’s warranty (up to 2 additional years)
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Trip Interruption Insurance
• Out-of-province hospital insurance
• Flight Delay Insurance
• Baggage insurance in case of delay, theft or loss
• Car rental insurance
• Mobile Device Insurance

We voted the National Bank Platinum Mastercard® as the best credit card for young professionals in 2024.

BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card

When you sign up for our exclusive offer on the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 70,000 BMO Rewards points as well as a$120 annual fee waiver for the first year:

• 40,000 points after $3,000 in purchases in the first three months
• 30,000 points at annual renewal if you have made $25,000 in purchases with the card in the first 12 months

Plus, you’ll get a $50 annual lifestyle credit – per calendar year – to spend however you want.

With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn 5 BMO Rewards points per dollar spent on:

• Groceries
• Dining
• Food delivery
• Gas
• Transit

And 1 BMO Rewards point for every $1 spent on everything else. Plus, if you add an authorized user to your account, you’ll earn 10% more points.

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

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard is one of the best World Elite Mastercard credit cards with travel points in Canada. With our exclusive offer, you can get up to 100,000 bonus points:

• 55,000 points after $4,500 in Card purchases in the first 3 months
• 3,750 points per month after $2,500 in monthly purchases from the 4th to the 15th month (up to 45,000 points)

Plus, the annual fee is waived in the first year for both the primary cardholder and authorized users.

With the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard, a premium credit card from BMO, you get:

• 5 points per dollar on travel purchases
• 3 points per dollar on dining purchases
• 3 points per dollar for entertainment purchases
• 3 points per dollar on recurring bill payments

And 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else, including at Costco. You can use BMO Rewards points for all travel purchases made through the agency or website of your choice (flights, hotels, car rentals, all-inclusive resorts, Airbnb, etc.) or for rewards and gift cards on the BMO Rewards platform.

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard also offers:

• Four annual complimentary passes to airport VIP lounges
• Excellent Premium insurance for your travels or purchases
• a premium concierge service

Best Credit Cards With A First-Year Annual Fee Rebate - Cash Back

TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card

With the TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card, you earn 3% cash back on:

• Grocery stores
• Gas stations
• Recurring bill payments

And 1% cash back on all other purchases.

It’s the best TD cash back credit card, especially for gas purchases.

With this new welcome offer, you could earn 10% cash back on gas and grocery purchases and pre-authorized payments for the first three months (up to $3,500 in purchases). So you can earn up to $350 cash back!

Plus, a first-year annual fee rebate for the Primary and Additional Cardholders.

Finally, you have good insurance coverage, such as travel medical insurance, delayed or lost baggage insurance, collision/loss damage insurance for car rentals and mobile device insurance.

BMO^® CashBack^® World Elite^®* Mastercard^®*

The BMO® CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* is one of the best cash back Mastercard credit card in Canada.

For a limited time, you will earn up to 10% cash back on select purchases for the first 3 months (that’s up to $260 cash back). Besides, the annual fee is waived in the first year!

With the BMO® CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*, you earn between 2% and 5% cash back on many spending categories:

• 5% on grocery purchases (on the first $500 you spend monthly)
• 4% on transit (on the first $300 you spend monthly)
• 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging (on the first $300 you spend monthly)
• 2% on recurring bill payments (on the first $500 you spend monthly)

Everywhere else, you’ll earn 1% cash back, including at Costco.

Finally, it is one of the only credit cards in its category to offer an extended warranty of 2 additional years.

CIBC Dividend^® Visa Infinite* Card

The CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa credit cards with cash back in Canada.

Right now, with our exclusive welcome offer, get a 10% welcome bonus in the form of up to $250 cash back (period covered by your first 4 statements). And you’ll get a first-year annual fee rebate^†!

With this CIBC Cash Back Credit Card, you get:

• 4% cash back on gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases^†
• 2% cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments^†
• 1% cash back on all other purchases^†

For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on groceries and/or gas and/or electric vehicle charging, you’ll earn $40 cash back per month or $480 cash back per year with this card for this category of purchases!

And that’s not counting the other purchases you’ll make with this card and the advantages it offers (particularly in terms of insurance).

And this CIBC Cash Back Credit Card offers many insurance coverages:

• Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
• $500,000 Common Carrier Accident Insurance
• Out-of-Province Emergency Travel Medical Insurance
• Purchase Security and Extended Protection Insurance

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. And you can earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first three months (up to $2,000 in total purchases).

With the Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card, you get:

• 4% on groceries and recurring payments
• 2% on gas and daily transit
• 1% on all other purchases

For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on groceries and/or recurring payments, you’ll earn $40 cash back per month, or $480 cash back per year with this card for this category of purchases! And that’s not counting the other purchases you’ll make with this card and the advantages it offers (particularly in terms of insurance).

The Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card is an excellent Visa credit card for cash back.

And its insurance benefits are excellent!

BMO AIR MILES^®† World Elite^®* Business Mastercard^®*

The BMO AIR MILES® World Elite Business Mastercard particularly rewards AIR MILES collectors who wish to separate their personal and business spending.

You can earn 3,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles in your first year! In addition, there is no annual fee for the first year.

You earn 4x the Miles when you use your card at participating AIR MILES Partners. And 1 Mile for every $12 you spend everywhere else, including Costco.

With the BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Business Mastercard, you benefit from various travel protections:

• Collision Damage Waiver
• Car Rental Personal Effects & Business Property
• Car Rental Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• Baggage & Personal Effects
• Baggage insurance in case of delay
• Flight Cancellation
• Trip Interruption/Trip Delay
• Flight delay
• Common Carrier Insurance

And for your purchases:

• Extended Warranty
• Purchase Protection

CIBC Dividend Platinum^® Visa* Card

If you don’t meet the income requirements for the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card, you could apply for the CIBC Dividend® Platinum Visa* Card. The minimum annual income required for this card is $15,000 (household).

With our exclusive welcome offer, receive a 10% welcome bonus in the form of up to $250 cash back (period covered by your first 4 statements). And you’ll get a first-year annual fee rebate!^†

With the CIBC Dividend® Platinum Visa* Card, you get:

• 3% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.^†
• 2% cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments^†
• 1% cash back on all other purchases^†

And this CIBC Cash Back Credit Card offers some insurance coverage:

• Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
• $500,000 Common Carrier Accident Insurance
• Purchase Security and Extended Protection Insurance

BMO^® AIR MILES^® World Elite^®* Mastercard^®*

With this exclusive offer for the BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite Mastercard®*, you earn 3,000 Miles after $3,000 in card purchases, that’s a $315 cash value.

Besides, the annual fee is waived in the first year!

With this card, you earn 3 miles for every $12 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners. Everywhere else, you’ll earn 1 Mile for every $12 spent, including at Costco and Walmart.

And it’s the only AIR MILES credit card in Canada to offer a 25% discount on one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption during the calendar year

The BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite®* Mastercard®* card also offers:

• Premium insurance for your travels or purchases
• Double the miles for car rentals with National or Alamo
• Concierge services

Best Credit Cards With A First-Year Annual Fee Rebate - Conclusion