The 12 Best First-Year-Free Credit Cards – March 2025

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

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

TD First Class Travel^® Visa Infinite* Card

With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 135,000 TD Rewards^† points and a rebate on annual fees for the first year:

• 20,000 TD Rewards points for the first purchase made with your Card^†
• 115,000 TD Rewards points if you spend $5,000 within 180 days of opening^†
• A birthday bonus equal to 10% of the TD Rewards points you’ve earned in the past year, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards points^†.

Get an Annual Fee Rebate for the first year^†

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

• 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.

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

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

CIBC has an offer with which you can earn up to 45,000 Aventura points:

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

In addition, you can benefit from a rebate on the first year’s annual fee for the primary card holder ($139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each).

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
• Reimbursement of NEXUS membership fees ($100 value)

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

CIBC Aventura^® Gold Visa* Card

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

CIBC has a digital offer with which you can earn up to 45,000 Aventura points :

• 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^†

In addition, you can benefit from a rebate on the first year’s annual fee for the primary card holder ($139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each).

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:

• Access to airport lounges: one Visa Airport Companion Program membership and 4 free visits per year
• Reimbursement of NEXUS membership fees ($100 value)

TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card

With this offer for TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 40,000 Aeroplan points^† and no annual fee for the first year:

• Get a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card^†.
• Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $7,500 within 180 days of account opening^†
• Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening^†
• Enroll for NEXUS and once every 48 months get a partial application fee rebate^†
• Plus, share free first checked bags with up to 8 travel companions^†
• Get an annual fee rebate for the first year^†. To receive the discount, you must make a purchase within the first three months and add your authorized cardholders while the offer is active.

It’s the best TD credit card for occasional Air Canada travellers. With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you earn 1.5 points^† per dollar of eligible purchases for:

• Grocery stores
• Gas stations
• Air Canada purchases, including Air Canada Vacations

BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard

With this offer for the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, you’ll earn up to 70,000 VIPorter points and a round-trip companion pass. Moreover, you pay no annual fee for the first year and receive $1,000 in eligible expenses for your VIPorter status.

Here’s how to get your full welcome bonus:

• 20,000 points after $5,000 in purchases within the first 110 days of account opening
• 20,000 points, a round-trip companion pass and $1,000 in eligible VIPorter spending after $9,000 in purchases within the first 180 days of account opening.
• 30,000 points after $18,000 in purchases within the first 365 days of account opening

So, to get the full welcome bonus of 70,000 VIPorter points, you’ll need to spend $18,000 in the first year.

With the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, you earn 3 points per dollar at Porter and 2 points per dollar on gas, transportation, grocery, restaurant and hotel purchases. And 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, including Costco.

With the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, you and up to 8 companions travelling on the same booking enjoy Porter travel benefits such as:

• 1 complimentary checked bag
• 1 complimentary carry-on bag on all Porter fare types
• Free PorterClassic seat selection
• Priority security
• Priority re-accommodation for flight delays
• Dedicated check-in
• Early boarding

Also, as a BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard cardholder, your VIPorter points never expire, and you automatically earn VIPorter Venture Avid Traveller Elite Status. And you’ll earn $1 of Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend for every $25 in eligible credit card spend.

You can also earn one round-trip companion pass per year if you spend $50,000 on your BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard during your membership year.

Finally, you are covered by a wide range of insurance policies:

• 21-day out-of-province or country emergency medical insurance
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption/Delay insurance
• Car rental-collision/loss damage insurance
• Common carrier insurance
• Flight delay insurance
• Baggage insurance
• Hotel burglary insurance
• Purchase Protection
• Extended warranty insurance

TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Platinum* Credit Card

With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card, you can earn up to 20,000 Aeroplan points and no Annual Fee for the first year:

• 10,000 Aeroplan points for the first purchase made with your card^†
• 10,000 additional Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 within 90 days of Account opening^†
• An annual fee rebate for the primary cardholder (instead of $89)^†

With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card, you earn 1 point per dollar of eligible purchases for:

• Grocery stores
• Gas stations
• Air Canada purchases, including Air Canada Vacations

This TD Aeroplan credit card requires no minimum income.

BMO VIPorter Mastercard

With this offer for the BMO VIPorter Mastercard, you’ll earn up to 40,000 VIPorter points and a 35% off flight voucher. Plus, you pay no annual fee for the first year.

Here’s how to get your full welcome bonus:

• 10,000 points after $3,000 in purchases within the first 110 days of account opening
• 15,000 points and a 35% off flight voucher after $6,000 in purchases within the first 180 days of account opening
• 15,000 points after $10,000 in purchases within the first 365 days of account opening

So, to get the full welcome bonus of 40,000 VIPorter points, you’ll need to spend $10,000 in the first year.

With the BMO VIPorter Mastercard, you earn 2 points per dollar at Porter and 1 point per dollar on gas, transportation, grocery, restaurant and hotel purchases. And 0.5 points per dollar on all other purchases, including Costco.

With the BMO VIPorter Mastercard, you and up to 8 companions travelling on the same booking enjoy Porter travel benefits such as:

• Priority re-accommodation for flight delays
• Dedicated check-in
• Early boarding

Also, as a BMO VIPorter Mastercard cardholder, your VIPorter points don’t expire, and you automatically have VIPorter Passport Avid Traveller Elite Status. And you’ll earn $1 of Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend for every $25 in eligible credit card spend.

Finally, you are covered by a wide range of insurance policies:

• 8-day out-of-province or country emergency medical insurance
• Car rental-collision/loss damage insurance
• Common carrier insurance
• Flight delay insurance
• Baggage insurance
• Hotel burglary insurance
• Purchase Protection
• Extended warranty insurance

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
• 2,500 points each month after $2,000 in purchases, from month 4 to month 15 (for a total of 30,000 points)

What’s more, you’ll receive a $50 anniversary credit to use as you wish!

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

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 this welcome offer, get a 10% welcome bonus in the form of up to $250 cash back (period covered by your first 4 statements) and a rebate on your first year’s annual fees^†!

Plus, receive $50 cash back when you set up a pre-authorized payment within the first 4 months.

With this CIBC cash back credit card, you earn:

• 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

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 this offer, get a 10% welcome bonus in the form of up to $250 cash back (period covered by your first 4 statements) and a rebate for your first year’s annual fees!^†

Plus, receive $50 cash back when you set up a pre-authorized payment within the first 4 months.

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

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% cash back 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).

If you rent, for example, you could use the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card on the Chexy website to pay your rent and get 4% cash back!

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

And its insurance benefits are excellent!

TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card

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

• Grocery stores
• Gas stations
• Recurring invoices

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^®*

BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* is one of Canada’s best cash back Mastercard credit cards.

Right now, for a limited time, you’ll get up to 10% cash back for the first 3 months, for a maximum return of $260 on $2,600 in purchases.

You’ll also receive an additional $75 bonus if you spend at least $25,000 in the first year.

Plus, there is no annual fee for the first year!

With BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*, you get between 2% and 5% cash back on many categories of purchases:

• 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.

BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard

With this exclusive offer for the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard, earn up to 7,000 bonus AIR MILES:

• 3,000 miles after $4,500 in purchases in the first 110 days
• 2,000 additional miles after $10,000 in total purchases (including the $4,500 from the previous condition) within 180 days
• 2,000 additional miles after $20,000 in total purchases (including all expenses under the previous conditions) in the first year

What’s more, you pay no annual fee for the first year. This is the highest offer ever seen for this card! Plus, save up to 32¢/L at Shell for a limited time only!

With this card, you earn 3 miles for every $12 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners. Then, earn 2 miles for every $12 in purchases at any eligible grocery store and wholesale club (warehouse like Costco) or alcohol retailer (SAQ, LCBO, etc.). Everywhere else, you’ll earn 1 AIR MILES mile for every $12 in purchases, including Walmart.

What’s more, it’s the only AIR MILES credit card in Canada to offer a 25% discount on AIR MILES flights to any destination during the calendar year.

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

• 7 ¢/L discount on Shell V-Power fuel and 2 ¢/L discount on all other Shell fuels
• Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
• 2X miles for car rentals with National or Alamo

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

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