Best Mastercard Credit Cards in Canada
Mastercard credit cards are accepted in more than 210 countries and territories worldwide, making them a reliable option for Canadians at home and abroad. With offerings ranging from no-fee cards to premium World Elite options, there’s a Mastercard for nearly every type of spender.
While Mastercard operates the payment network, rewards, insurance and fees are set by individual card issuers.The best Mastercard credit cards balance value, rewards and practical benefits, such as purchase protection, travel insurance and mobile wallet compatibility.
Best Mastercard in Canada: Top 5
Rewards breakdown
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NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's take
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Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
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Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
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Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
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Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card detailsOther Great Mastercards in Canada
| Card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Interest rates | Rewards rate | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBNA True Line® Gold Mastercard® | APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | 3.9/5 | $39 | 10.99%/24.99% | N/A | |
| Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard® | |||||
 | 4.5/5 | $0 | 20.99%-25.99%/22.99%-27.99% | 1.5%-3% | |
| Scotia Momentum® Mastercard®* Credit Card | |||||
 | 4.3/5 | $0 | 20.99%/22.99% | 0.5%-1% | |
| Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard® | |||||
 | 4.6/5 | $0 | 19.99%/22.99% | 1%-2.5% | |
| Triangle™ World Elite Mastercard® | |||||
 | 4.6/5 | $0 | 19.99%/22.99% | 1%-4% | |
| Walmart Rewards™ World Mastercard® | |||||
 | 3.5/5 | $0 | 20.89%-26.99%/22.97%-27.99% | 1%-3% Cash back | |
| BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®* | APPLY NOW on BMO's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on BMO's website | 3.9/5 | $150 Waived first year | 21.99%/23.99% | 1x-5x Points | |
| Brim Mastercard | |||||
 | 4.0/5 | $0 | Rates vary by card member | 0.5x Points | |
| MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® | APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on MBNA's website | 3.9/5 | $120 | 21.99%/22.99% | 1x-5x Points | |
| National Bank World Elite Mastercard | |||||
 | 4.1/5 | $150 | 20.99%/22.49% | 1x-5x Points | |
Methodology
BACK TO TOPMastercard credit card tiers
BACK TO TOPMastercard credit cards in Canada are grouped into three main tiers. Higher tiers typically offer better perks and insurance, but often require higher income and charge annual fees.
Standard
Standard Mastercards are entry-level cards with low or no annual fees and easier approval requirements. They’re best suited for first-time cardholders or anyone looking for a simple, no-frills option.
World
World Mastercards offer stronger rewards and insurance than Standard cards, but usually come with income requirements and annual fees. They’re a good middle ground for frequent spenders.
World Elite
World Elite Mastercards are premium cards with the richest perks, such as enhanced travel insurance, lounge access and concierge services, which vary by issuer. These cards typically require higher household income and charge higher annual fees.
Common Mastercard perks and protections
BACK TO TOPSome benefits are tied to the Mastercard network, while others depend on the card issuer and tier. Availability can vary.
Zero Liability Protection. All Mastercard cardholders are protected from unauthorized transactions, provided reasonable care is taken and lost or stolen cards are reported promptly.
ID Theft Protection. Eligible Mastercard holders can opt into free identity theft monitoring and alerts, with 24/7 support if suspicious activity is detected.
Global Service. Mastercard Global Service provides 24/7 assistance for lost or stolen cards, emergency card replacement and help locating ATMs while travelling.
Travel & Lifestyle Services (World and World Elite). Premium Mastercard tiers may include access to travel booking assistance, select hotel benefits and airport concierge services (typically for a fee). Specific perks vary by card.
Issuer-provided insurance and benefits usually matter more than network perks when choosing a card.
How to choose a Mastercard credit card
BACK TO TOPWhen comparing Mastercard credit cards, focus on the features that affect your day-to-day value:
Annual fee. Higher fees may be worth it if the rewards and perks offset the cost.
Rewards structure. Cash back, points and co-branded programs all work differently.
Interest rate. Low-rate cards are better if you tend to carry a balance.
Income requirements. World and World Elite cards often have minimum income thresholds.
Insurance coverage. Travel insurance, extended warranty and purchase protection vary widely.
Major Canadian issuers offering Mastercard credit cards include:
BMO, CIBC, National Bank, Scotiabank, RBC, Tangerine, Rogers Bank, MBNA, President’s Choice Financial, Canadian Tire Bank, Brim Financial and Walmart Canada Bank, among others.
Who should get a Mastercard credit card?
BACK TO TOPA Mastercard credit card is a strong fit for Canadians who want broad acceptance, flexible rewards and plenty of issuer options.
Mastercard is especially popular for no-fee and mid-tier cards, making it a good choice for everyday spending, newcomers and value-focused cardholders. It’s also the dominant network for several major Canadian co-branded programs, including Rogers, PC Optimum and Canadian Tire.
If you want fewer acceptance concerns than American Express and more card variety across banks and credit unions, Mastercard is a reliable pick.
Mastercard vs. Visa and American Express
Mastercard and Visa offer similar global acceptance, but Mastercard stands out for its wide issuer diversity and strong presence in Canadian retail and telecom co-brands. American Express often delivers richer rewards, but with more limited acceptance.
For many Canadians, Mastercard strikes a practical balance between convenience, choice and value.
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Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell