Best Credit Cards in Canada for June 2026
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is the best credit card in Canada for most people, especially Canadians who want a single, simple card. Sure, it's not the highest-earning card, and it won't be "best" for everyone. But for people who want one card that's free, simple, widely useful, and worth using every day, it's Tangerine.
Of course, "best" might mean something else to you. We compared 100+ Canadian credit cards to find the best for different needs, use cases, and priorities.
Looking for something specific?
Carrying a balance, rebuilding credit or trying to travel better? Your best card is probably in a different category.
Explore our guides for:
Summary: Best credit cards in Canada
BACK TO TOP| Card | NerdWallet rating | Intro offer | Rewards rate | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | APPLY NOW on Tangerine's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on Tangerine's website | 4.9/5 | Up to $100 | 0.5%-2% | |
| MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard® | APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | 4.0/5 | Up to 10,000 Points | 1x-4x Points | |
| CIBC Adapta™ Mastercard® | APPLY NOW on CIBC's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on CIBC's website | 5.0/5 | Up to 6,000 Points | 1x-2x Points | |
The best credit cards in Canada for most people
BACK TO TOPTangerine Money-Back Credit Card — Best overall credit card for most people
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Cash back on up to three categories.
Cash back on everything else.
Tangerine lets you pick up to three categories from a pool of 10 that you’ll earn 2% back on, making it one of the more flexible cash-back programs on the market. Other cash-back cards offer higher earn rates on similar categories, but the Tangerine Money-Back card doesn’t have caps — so, you could earn unlimited 2% back on furniture, for example, throughout the year. Best for: People who spend big in unusual categories and want a simple cash-back card.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Choose the 2% cash-back categories based on your spending.
- 15% off H&R Block.
Cons
- Other cards offer higher rates on similar categories.
- Must have a Tangerine savings account to unlock 3rd cash-back category.
- Earn 10% cash back¹⁰ for 2 months (Up to $100) – That’s on top of regular cash back. Plus, get a promo rate on balances you transfer for a limited time. Offer Expires September 30, 2026.
- Two Categories – 2% Money-Back Rewards on purchases in two categories of your choice. OR Three categories Deposit your Rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account and get a third 2% Money-Back category. 13 Categories to explore – Groceries, gas, and beyond, choose from 13 categories to suit your spending. And change them up every 90 days to match your purchases.◊
- 0.50% on everything else.
- Redeem cash back monthly as a statement credit or deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account.
- No annual fee.
- Transfer balances within your first 30 days and pay only 1.95% interest on the transferred balance for the first six months (22.95% after that). 1% balance transfer fee applies to the amount transferred.
- Get free cards for any authorized users on your account.
- It only includes purchase assurance and extended protection insurance. For more insurance, consider the Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®* which requires a minimum personal income of $60,000. If you meet this requirement, you will automatically be considered for the World card if you apply for the Money-Back card.
- Preferred rates: 20.95% for purchases, 22.95% for cash advances (including balance transfers).
- To be eligible, a $12,000 (individual) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
- *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is the card most Canadians should probably look at first.
You choose two 2% cash-back categories, such as groceries, restaurants, gas, drugstores, recurring bills, home improvement, hotels, public transportation and parking. If you have your rewards deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account, you unlock a third 2% category. Everything else earns 0.5% cash back. Rewards are paid monthly, either to your credit card account or to a Tangerine Savings Account.
That is the appeal. No annual fee. No points program to interpret. No rewards portal to remember. No annual payout to wait for. You choose the categories that match your spending and let the card do its job.
Why it wins:
Tangerine asks for very little and gives enough back to matter. It is not trying to be the most powerful credit card in Canada. It is trying to be useful for a wide range of people who want one good card and no homework.
It also has a relatively accessible income requirement compared with many premium cards: a $12,000 personal income requirement, along with age, residency and bankruptcy-history requirements.
The trade-offs:
The base earn rate is only 0.5%, so Tangerine is strongest when your chosen 2% categories match your real spending. Getting the third 2% category requires a Tangerine Savings Account. The insurance is useful but basic: the public product page lists purchase assurance and extended warranty coverage, but not the kind of full travel insurance package you’d expect from a premium card.
Skip it if you want the highest possible return and are willing to pay an annual fee, use points strategically or carry multiple cards. In that case, start with the American Express Cobalt Card, Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ Card or Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card, depending on your goal.
» Want a different no-fee card? See our guide to the best no-fee credit cards in Canada.
MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard — Best if you want fixed bonus categories chosen for you
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Points†† for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases during the first 90 days.
Points†† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases in those categories thereafter – in both cases, these earn rates apply until $10,000 is spent annually in the applicable category.
Point‡ for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
With no annual fee, rewards on everyday essentials like household utility purchases and the opportunity to earn bonus points on your birthday, this simple rewards card checks a lot of boxes. But the top 4x earn rate drops to 2x after the first 90 days. And there are minimal perks beyond car rental discounts. Best for: Budget-conscious Canadians looking for a simple points card.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Up to 10,000 Birthday Bonus Points every year.
- Mobile device insurance.
Cons
- Top 4x earn rate drops to 2x after the first 90 days.
- No travel insurance.
- Earn 4 points†† for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases during the first 90 days, and 2 points‡ for every $1 spent on eligible purchases in those categories thereafter – in both cases, these earn rates apply until $10,000 is spent annually in the applicable category. 1 point‡ for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
- 5,000 bonus points†† ($25 in cash back value) after you make $500 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
- 5,000 bonus points††($25 in cash back value) once enrolled for paperless e-statements within the first 90 days of account opening.
- Each year, you will receive Birthday Bonus Points‡ equal to 10% of the total number of Points earned in the 12 months before the month of your birthday, to a maximum Birthday Bonus each year of 10,000 Points.
- Redeem points‡ for cash back, brand-name merchandise, gift cards from participating retailers, charitable donations, and travel.
- Standard Annual Interest Rates of 21.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers✪ and 22.99% on cash advances.
- Mobile Device Insurance*** With Mobile Device Insurance, you’ve got up to $1,000 in coverage for eligible mobile devices in the event of loss, theft, accidental damage or mechanical breakdown.
- No annual fee.
- ‡, ††, ✪, ***, Terms and Conditions apply.
- This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
- Sponsored advertising. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) and TD is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information on this MBNA credit card, please click on the "Apply Now" button.
Tangerine asks you to choose where you want to earn more. The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard makes that decision for you.
It earns 2 points per dollar on eligible restaurants, groceries, digital media, memberships and household utilities, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. It also includes up to $1,000 in mobile device insurance, a rare benefit on a no-fee card.
The trade-off versus Tangerine is flexibility. Points are not as simple as cash back, and they are worth more when redeemed for travel than for cash. If you know you’ll redeem for travel, that can work well. If you would rather see money deposited to your account, Tangerine is the cleaner fit.
» Want a different rewards card? See our guide to the best rewards credit cards in Canada.
CIBC Adapta Mastercard — Best if you want your categories to adjust automatically
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With no annual fee and an intuitive rewards program, the CIBC Adapta Mastercard is a practical choice for cardholders with fluctuating spending habits. Adapta points can be redeemed for cashback, but when compared to other no-fee cash-back options, this card’s 1% cash-back rate isn’t hugely competitive. Best for: Those who want a no-fee, set-and-forget earn structure with straightforward, cash-style redemptions.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Flexible earn rates that are automatically applied to your top spending categories monthly.
Cons
- Less competitive earn rates than other no-fee cashback cards.
- Welcome Offer: Join and get up to $100 in value† with no annual fee.† Here’s how it adds up–
- Receive a Welcome Bonus of 3,000 Adapta points after your first purchase (up to $25 value)†
- Get 3,000 Adapta points when you spend $1,000 in the first 4 monthly statement periods (up to $25 value)†
- Includes membership to Roadside Assistance† after you make your first purchase. Services include battery boosting, gas delivery, towing and more, offered by Dominion Automobile Association ($50 value)†
- How do Adapta points work? Each month, you’ll automatically earn–
- 1.5 Adapta points for every dollar you spend in your top 3 spend categories.†
- 2 Adapta points for every dollar you spend on eligible travel purchases made through CIBC by Expedia†; or
- 1 Adapta point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases.†
- What are Adapta points worth? 1,500 Adapta points are worth $10 when redeemed towards your credit card balance or a recent purchase.† 1,200 Adapta points are worth $10 when redeemed towards select CIBC financial products.†
- Save over $600 with CIBC and Skip – Get a 12-month Skip+ free trial and other exclusive benefits when you link your CIBC Adapta Mastercard with Skip.†
- Save on gas with CIBC and Journie Rewards – Link and use your CIBC Adapta Mastercard with Journie Rewards to save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
- CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Adapta card within the last 12 months.†
- †Terms and Conditions Apply. Select Apply Now to learn more.
The CIBC Adapta Mastercard automatically identifies your top three spending categories each month and earns 1.5 points per dollar in those categories. Everything else earns 1 point per dollar.
Eligible categories include groceries and drugstores, pet stores, dining and drinks, gas and EV charging, transit and parking, entertainment, e-games and subscriptions, home improvement, electronics, clothing, health and beauty, and hotels and motels. No choosing. No remembering. No category maintenance.
It is also a Mastercard, which means it works in Costco Canada warehouses, and it includes purchase security, extended warranty protection and roadside assistance.
The difference between MBNA and Adapta is functional and meaningful. MBNA gives you a fixed set of strong everyday categories. Adapta changes with your spending each month. MBNA is better if its bonus categories already fit your life. Adapta is better if your spending shifts around and you do not want to manage anything.
Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa — Best no-fee card for dining
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Cash back for your first 3 months on up to $500 spend on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments.
Cash back on eligible restaurant, bar and coffee shop purchases up to $5,000 spend per year†.
Cash back on eligible gas purchases (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on eligible grocery purchases (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on eligible drugstore purchases (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on eligible pre-authorized payments (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on all other credit card purchases with no limit on how much you can earn†.
With no annual fee, no fees on global money transfers and up to 4% back on purchases, this card offers solid rewards for people on a budget. But the top cash-back rate of 4% on restaurants, bars and coffee shops is capped at $5,000 a year, which may be too restrictive for people who spend big on dining out. Best for: Foodies who send money overseas and don’t want to pay an annual fee.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- 4% back on restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
- Get cash back on fee-free global money transfers.
Cons
- Low 0.5% cash-back base rate.
- No complimentary travel insurance.
- Earn 20% cashback† for your first 3 months on up to $500 spend on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments.
- Earn 4% on eligible restaurant, bar and coffee shop purchases up to $5,000 spend per year†.
- Earn 1.5% on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments, up to $15,000 per year†.
- Earn 0.5% on all other credit card purchases with no limit on how much you can earn†.
- Redeem cash back as a statement credit in December.†
- No annual fee.
- Cash back when you send money abroad with a Simplii Financial Global Money Transfer. No transaction fees and no interest charges.†
- Purchase security and extended protection insurance provided.†
- Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases‡, 22.99% for cash advances‡.
- To be eligible, a $15,000 (individual/household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident (excluding Quebec) that is the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
- †Terms and conditions apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details. Banking services are not available in Quebec.
- ‡ “Purchase” means any Transaction other than a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer or Convenience Cheque. “Cash” means a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer and Convenience Cheque. Interest rates may change from time to time.
The Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa has one of the strongest restaurant earn rates on a no-fee card in Canada: 4% cash back at eligible restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
It also earns 1.5% on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments, and 0.5% on everything else. Cash back is applied as an annual credit on the January statement.
If dining out is a meaningful slice of your monthly spending, Simplii can beat a more balanced card where it matters most. If your spending is spread more evenly across categories, Tangerine’s flexibility will likely return more. The insurance is thin, so look elsewhere if coverage is a priority.
» Want a different cash-back card? See our guide to the best cash-back credit cards in Canada.
More credit cards that might be "best" for you
BACK TO TOPAmerican Express Cobalt Card — Best for points people who want big food rewards.
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Points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery.* Spend cap applies.
Points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
Points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada.
Point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
Additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online.
A standout everyday earner with up to 5x points on a spectrum of everyday spending categories, including eats and drinks, streaming services, gas and more. Unusually robust travel insurance for a mid-tier card makes it a decent travel companion, too. Best for: Those who spend big on groceries, entertainment or transit and want a flexible rewards program.
Pros
- Includes 10 forms of insurance.
- Points can be transferred to other rewards programs, including Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy.
- Up to $60 in Instacart statement credits.
Cons
- No lounge access.
- The 5x earn rate is capped at $2,500 monthly — purchases above the cap drop to 1x.
- In your first year as a new Cobalt Cardmember, you can earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in net purchases on your Card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.
- Earn 5x the points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap applies.
- Earn 3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
- Earn 2X the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada.
- Earn 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online.
- Earn 1X point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
- Enjoy access to hotel bookings, a room upgrade (when available), 12pm check-in and late check-out (when available), and up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities when charged to the room for a stay of 2 or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel
- Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs.
- Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
The American Express Cobalt Card earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on eligible groceries, restaurants, bars, cafés and food delivery in Canada, up to the monthly cap. Those points can become especially valuable if you transfer them to airline programs such as Aeroplan.
It also ranked highest among annual-fee cards in the 2025 J.D. Power Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study. We have even called it the best credit card in Canada before. For the right person, it still might be.
The catch is acceptance. Amex acceptance in Canada is good, but not universal. A no-fee Visa or Mastercard as a backup costs nothing to carry. If you would rather avoid a two-card setup, the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is worth comparing for strong food-related earn rates on the Mastercard network.
SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express — Best for premium cash back without points math.
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cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada.
Cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually).
Cash back on all other purchases.
Getting 2% back on everything is very rare, which makes this card one of our favourites. It also offers 4% back on gas and groceries, comes with comprehensive travel coverage and offers up to $60 in statement credits with Instacart. But the $119.88 annual fee ($9.99 a month) may be too steep for some users. Best for: People who value earning cash back over extensive travel perks.
Pros
- Unlimited 2% cash back.
- Up to $60 statement credit with Instacart.
- Comprehensive travel insurance.
Cons
- $119.88 annual fee is higher than average for a cash-back card.
- Earn a bonus 10% cash back on all purchases for your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases). Plus, earn a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13. This could add up to $250 in bonus value in your first 13 months.
- Earn accelerated earn rates on eligible gas and grocery purchases.
- Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 4% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually) and 2% cash back on all other purchases.
- Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
- Extensive insurance coverage and 24/7 Customer Service.
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment
If points sound like homework, the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express is the cleaner answer. It earns 4% cash back on eligible groceries and gas in Canada, and 2% cash back on everything else. No categories to choose. No points to convert. No redemption strategy required.
It makes the most sense if you want cash back and can justify paying an annual fee for stronger returns. The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard is worth comparing if your spending lines up with its bonus categories. The Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa makes more sense if dining is the real story.
Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ Card — Best for high cash back with strong insurance + broad acceptance.
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Cash back on every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments, and subscription purchases.
Cash back on every $1 you spend on gas purchases, daily transit purchases, and food delivery.
Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit.
You can earn a lot of cash back with this card if you max out the spending categories — for example, get up to $1,000 back each year when you spend $25,000 on groceries and recurring payments. The catch: Cash back is only deposited into your account once a year, in November, and the $120 annual fee is higher-than-average for a cash-back card. Best for: Big spenders on groceries and gas who don’t mind reaping their rewards annually.
Pros
- High 4% cash-back rate on groceries.
- Comprehensive insurance coverage included.
Cons
- Can only redeem cash back once a year.
- Earn 15% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases)¹.
- No annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards.¹
- 4% for every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments, and subscription purchases.
- 2% for every $1 you spend on gas purchases and daily transit purchases.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit.
- New! 2% Cash Back on Food delivery
- New! Cash Back Anytime feature: Redeem your Cash Back anytime ($25.00 minimum required) instead of having to wait for an annual payout in November.
- Travel with confidence using 10GB of free GigSky global mobile data for 15 days with unlimited Travel Essentials by GigSky for essential travel apps. Visa Infinite cardholders also continue to receive one complimentary 1GB/15-Day GigSky global mobile data plan each year, plus 20% off future GigSky purchases with their Scotiabank Visa Infinite+ card.
- Visa Infinite* Concierge Services
- Visa Infinite* Hotel Collection
- Visa Infinite* Dining and Wine Country program
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance & New Mobile Device Insurance coverage
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of October 31, 2025. Subject to change.
- *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ Card earns 4% cash back on groceries and recurring bill payments, 2% on gas, EV charging, daily transit, rideshares and eligible food delivery, and 1% on everything else. Plus, it comes with a nice insurance package: travel emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, flight delay, delayed and lost baggage, rental car coverage, mobile device insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty are all included.
It makes the most sense once you spend enough in the 4% categories for the annual fee to fade into the math. The income requirement rules it out for some; for those who qualify and spend heavily on groceries and bills, it is hard to ignore.
The difference versus SimplyCash Preferred comes down to network and categories. Momentum wins on recurring bills and broader Visa acceptance. SimplyCash wins on gas and simplicity. Neither is ideal for Costco shoppers, where Mastercard is the key credit card network.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card — Best for premium travel perks that show up in real life.
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Points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more.
Points for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining purchases, entertainment purchases, and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways, taxis and more).
Point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
A competitive travel card that earns up to 3x Scene+ points on everyday purchases, and comes with six complimentary airport lounge visits and no foreign transaction fees. While you can earn accelerated points (3x) on travel purchases, they must be made through the Scene+ Travel platform, which may feel limiting for some users. Best for: Frequent travellers who shop regularly at Scene+ partner grocery stores, spend big abroad and are looking for airport lounge access.
Pros
- Free airport lounge membership and six free visits per year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Free Avis Preferred Plus membership.
Cons
- An above-average $150 annual fee for a travel card.
- Top earn rate (3x on groceries) only applies to Sobeys and its subsidiary stores.
- Must book through Scene+ Travel platform to earn 3x points on travel.
- Earn up to $1,500 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points¹
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways, taxis and more).
- Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
- Earn additional benefits + up to 4X Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia.
- Travel with confidence using 10GB of free GigSky global mobile data for 15 days with unlimited Travel Essentials by GigSky for essential travel apps. Visa Infinite cardholders also continue to receive one complimentary 1GB/15-Day GigSky global mobile data plan each year, plus 20% off future GigSky purchases with their Scotiabank Visa Infinite+ card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee.
- 6 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access.
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage.
- Visa Infinite* Concierge Services.
- Visa Infinite* Hotel Collection.
- Visa Infinite* Dining and Wine Country program.
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Jan 2, 2026. Subject to change.
- *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card is built for travellers who want practical perks, not just points.
No foreign transaction fees can save about 2.5% on purchases made in a foreign currency. Six complimentary airport lounge visits through the Visa Airport Companion Program, powered by DragonPass, can be useful if you fly a few times a year. The card also includes comprehensive travel insurance, including emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, flight delay, delayed and lost luggage, rental car coverage and more.
It makes the most sense if you travel internationally a few times a year and want one card for both everyday Canadian spending and airport benefits. If flights specifically are the goal and Air Canada is central to your travel plans, an Aeroplan card may return more.
» Want a different travel card? See our guide to the best credit cards for travel in Canada.
Methodology
BACK TO TOPHow did we choose the “best credit cards" in Canada?
Most "best credit card" rankings reward maximum possible value. That usually means assuming you'll carry several cards, track category rules, watch caps, redeem points strategically, and reach for the right card every time you pay. That's a valid way to rank cards — it just isn't how most people use them.
So for this page, our best overall pick prioritizes the card that works as a low-cost, low-maintenance daily card for the widest range of Canadians: no annual fee, useful everyday rewards, simple redemption, basic protection, and low maintenance. Other cards may earn more, travel better, transfer balances more cheaply, or help rebuild credit more directly — those belong in their own categories.
Tangerine wins because it asks for very little and gives back enough to matter.
What we looked for
Low cost: A best overall card should be free to carry, or close enough that the fee is easy to justify. For this ranking, no annual fee carries a lot of weight.
Useful rewards: We prioritized cards that earn on common spending, not niche situations — groceries, restaurants, gas, bills, drugstores, transit and household expenses matter more than theoretical upside.
Simple redemption: Cash back beats points for most people because the value is easier to understand. Points can be worth more, but only when you know how to use them.
Basic protection: At minimum, a strong everyday card should include purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. Mobile device insurance is a meaningful bonus.
Broad usefulness: A best overall card shouldn't lean too heavily on one store, one loyalty program or one kind of spender.
Other good cards that didn't make our list
BACK TO TOPThese cards are not bad. Some are excellent. They just make the most sense when a specific spending pattern, loyalty program or financial need already applies to you.
Cards worth considering if...
You already spend in one ecosystem:
PC Financial World Elite Mastercard. Strong rewards if you regularly shop at Loblaws-family stores or Shoppers Drug Mart. Less useful if you want rewards you can use more broadly.
Triangle World Elite Mastercard. Strong value if Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s, Gas+ or Petro-Canada are already part of your routine. Too retailer-specific to work as the broadest “best” card.
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard. Strong no-fee cash back, especially for Rogers, Fido or Shaw customers. The catch is that the best value is tied to the Rogers ecosystem.
Travel is the actual goal:
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite. Better fits if you want rewards that lead to Air Canada flights. These cards make more sense as travel-rewards picks than everyday default cards.
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card. A flexible travel-rewards pick that earns accelerated points on travel booked through Expedia For TD. Best if that's already how you book.
The Platinum Card from American Express. Powerful for frequent travellers who can use the credits, lounge access and premium perks. Too expensive and specialized for most people looking for one everyday credit card.
Interest matters more than rewards:
MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard. A better fit when you may carry a balance and want a lower ongoing interest rate. Rewards should not be the priority if interest is part of the equation.
Scotiabank Value Visa Card. A balance-transfer option for people focused on debt repayment. It makes sense when the goal is giving higher-interest debt a cheaper place to land.
You are building or rebuilding credit:
Secured Neo Mastercard. A starting point for people who need a secured card and credit-bureau reporting. Best for access and rebuilding, not rewards.
Home Trust Secured Visa. A more traditional secured-card option for building or rebuilding credit. Worth comparing if you want a secured card without some of the extra moving parts.
Compare these options:
| Card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | APPLY NOW on TD's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on TD's website | 5.0/5 | $139 First year rebate | 1x-1.5x Points | |
| MBNA True Line® Gold Mastercard® | APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | 3.9/5 | $39 | N/A | |
| Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card | APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | |||
 APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | 4.8/5 | $29 Waived first year | N/A | |
What to know about choosing the best credit card in Canada
BACK TO TOPIs there such a thing as the “best credit card” in Canada?
Yes, but only when you define “best.”
For some people, best means the highest possible rewards. For others, it means no annual fee, simple cash back, travel perks, lower interest, better approval odds, or a card that helps rebuild credit. A premium cash-back card can earn more. A travel card can deliver better value. A points card can be more powerful if you know how to use it.
That's why a single overall pick for a credit card is useful but incomplete. Tangerine is our best answer for most people who want one simple daily card. It isn't the best answer for someone who travels constantly, carries a balance, shops mostly at one grocery chain, or wants to optimize points.
How to choose your best credit card
Start with the job you want the card to do
"Best" usually means one of a few things: best for earning rewards, best for simple cash back, best for travel perks, best for avoiding fees, or best for lowering borrowing costs. The clearer you are about the job, the easier it is to rule cards in or out.
Think beyond the earn rate
A high earn rate is only useful if it matches the way you actually spend. Acceptance, redemption style, annual fees, interest rates and whether a card works best as your main card or as part of a two-card setup can all matter just as much as the number in the ad.
Know when an annual fee is worth it
A fee can make sense if the rewards and perks clearly outweigh the cost. But many people are better served by a no-fee card that they will actually use well than by a premium card that looks better on paper than it feels in practice.
If you may carry a balance, interest matters more than rewards
Rewards usually stop mattering the moment interest enters the picture. If you expect to carry a balance, a low-interest or balance transfer card is often the better financial choice than a higher-rewards card.
Approval odds can change the answer
Some of the strongest rewards cards require good to excellent credit. If your credit is still developing or recovering, the right answer may be a no-fee mainstream card or a secured card rather than one of the premium options at the top of the market.
Frequently asked questions
Which credit cards are most accepted in Canada?
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted. American Express is accepted at many retailers, but not all, which is one reason many Canadians treat cards like the American Express Cobalt Card as a great main card with a backup Visa or Mastercard.
What is the best credit card if you carry a balance?
It depends where you shop. Costco Canada warehouses and gas stations accept Mastercard, debit, Costco Shop Cards and certain other payment methods. Costco.ca accepts both Mastercard and Visa.
What credit score do you need?
There is no single right number. One card can be enough. Multiple cards can improve flexibility and rewards. The right setup depends on whether you want simplicity or are willing to manage a more deliberate wallet strategy.
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Georgia Rose
