American Express Cobalt Card: 5 Alternatives for Earning Points

Updated Nov 9, 2024
Fact checked by
Alexandrine Bertrand
Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand
A passionate solo traveler, Alexandrine is an expert on loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Avios, AIR MILES, Flying Blue and Marriott Bonvoy. With a budget-conscious approach, she helps travelers maximize their points and miles for low-cost, off-the-beaten-path getaways. A food lover, she enjoys discovering the local flavors and culinary traditions that enrich her adventures.
All posts by Alexandrine Bertrand
Cartes de Crédit
To the point Let's explore the five best alternatives to the American Express Cobalt card, to help you choose a card that will maximize your rewards.

The American Express Cobalt® Card is one of the best credit cards in Canada for points enthusiasts, especially thanks to its generous rapid accumulation on restaurant and grocery store purchases.

However, it has undergone some changes in recent months, notably with the monthly cap on the grocery and restaurant category, the lowering of the multiplier on travel spending, and more recently, the end of multipliers on foreign currency spending. Although the American Express Cobalt® Card remains an excellent credit card for quickly accumulating points, it’s important to explore other options as well. Here are five solid alternatives when the card is not accepted at your preferred retailer, or simply to complement your strategy.

For Subscriptions and Utility Payments - MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard

The American Express Cobalt® Card gives 3 points per dollar on subscriptions to eligible streaming services.

While the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® gives you 5 points per dollar on any qualifying purchases at the following shops:

  • Digital media (Amazon Prime, Google Play, Microsoft Store, Spotify, YouTube Premium, etc.);
  • Subscriptions (Cardio energy, gym, Strava, Crave, Disney+, Netflix, etc.);
  • Utilities (Fido, Fizz, Hydro Québec via PaySimply, Koodo, Rogers, Telus, Videotron, etc.).

In addition, MBNA Rewards pays a 10% anniversary bonus on all points accumulated in the previous 12 months, up to a maximum of 15,000 points. It’s like earning 5.5 points per dollar.

This accumulation of 5 points is valid up to a maximum of $50,000 spent annually in these categories. That’s an average of about $4,167 per month. Over $50,001 in a calendar year, you’ll earn 1 point for every dollar spent.

Then, redeem your MBNA Reward points as follows:

  • Cash back to pay off your credit card: 120 points = $1 account credit
  • To reimburse a travel purchase made on the MBNA platform: 100 points = $1 Statement credit to your account

For Restaurants - National Bank World Elite Mastercard

The American Express Cobalt® Card gives 5 points per dollar for restaurant, bar or bistro purchases. After $2,501 per month in spending, the accumulation is 1 point per dollar.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard card offers 5 points per dollar spent at restaurants and grocery stores. This card also has a limit. For monthly purchases of $2,501 or more, you earn 2 points per dollar in this category. Plus, this credit card has the added benefit of being accepted everywhere, even at Costco (with an accumulation of one point per dollar).

NBC Rewards points can be used to treat yourself to:

For Groceries - Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

The American Express Cobalt® Card gives 5 points per dollar for grocery store purchases and food delivery services. After $2,501 per month of spending, the accumulation falls to 1 point per dollar.

With the Scotiabank® Gold American Express® Card, it’s the same thing … with a little more! You earn:

  • 6 Scene+ points per dollar spent at Sobeys Group grocery stores (IGA, Voilà par IGA, Rachelle-Béry, Les Marchés Traditions, Sobeys, Safeway, Thrifty Foods, etc.);
  • or 5 Scene+ points per dollar spent at all other grocery stores, restaurants, and home food delivery.

This accumulation of 5 or 6 points is valid up to a maximum of $50,000 spent annually in these categories. That’s an average of about $4,167 per month. Over $50,001 in a calendar year, you’ll earn 1 point for every dollar spent.

We love Scene+ points for reimbursing any travel expenses (hotel, plane ticket, Viator, car rental, etc.) or to pay your grocery bill at IGA and other stores.

For International Purchases - Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

The American Express Cobalt® Card accumulates 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on all foreign purchases, regardless of category. In addition, it applies a foreign currency conversion fee of at least 2.5%, which is disadvantageous.

To replace these inconveniences, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card offers to keep its multiplier of 2 Scene+ points per dollar at grocery stores, restaurants, on transportation and for entertainment purchases, both in Canada and around the world! For all other types of purchases, it accumulates 1 Scene+ point per dollar.

Advantage, its foreign currency conversion charge is 0%.

For Travel - BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard

Since October 8, 2024, the accumulation rate for travel expenses of the American Express Cobalt® Card has been reduced from 2 points to 1 point per dollar.

To get around this problem for large travel expenses, there’s the BMO Ascend™ World Elite® Mastercard® BMO Points for Travel, which earns 5 BMO points per dollar on travel purchases (airfare, car rentals, cruises, hotels, trains, guided tours, travel agencies, etc.). For annual purchases of $15,001 or more, you earn 1 BMO point per dollar in this category.

Redeem your BMO Rewards points to treat yourself to:

  • Book a trip using your points on the BMO Rewards platform;
  • Reimbursing any travel expense;
  • Investing;
  • Purchasing merchandise or a gift card.

Bottom Line

While the ever-popular American Express Cobalt® Card is a wonderful option for many people, there are equally interesting alternatives to consider depending on your specific needs. Take the time to evaluate your expenses and needs, and see which credit card will best meet your objectives.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Caroline Tremblay

Caroline Tremblay

Caroline Tremblay
Caroline, a loyalty program specialist, helps families maximize their points to travel more frequently and affordably. With expertise in Disney, AIR MILES, and Costco, she travels the world with her partner and two children through rewards. Passionate about the latest in loyalty programs, Caroline shares tips to help you earn more points and turn your travel dreams into reality.
All posts by Caroline Tremblay
Credit Cards
Region
Canada

Suggested Reading

Receive our newsletter every week!

Savings are here:

Milesopedia