Credit cards
Compare best bank loyalty and rewards credit cards in Canada
Canadian credit cards can look similar at first, but the right comparison depends on how you use the card. Compare bank rewards credit cards, cash back cards, travel rewards cards, no annual fee cards, balance transfer cards, student credit cards, and credit-building options before choosing where to apply.
Use the guides below to compare annual fees, APR, welcome bonuses, loyalty points, reward redemption rules, credit score requirements, insurance, grace periods, and eligibility. Always confirm current rates, rewards, and offers with the card issuer.
Compare before applying
Quick comparison: rewards, cash back, no-fee, balance transfer and credit-building cards
| Goal | Cards to compare | Compare these details | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| No annual fee credit cards | Tangerine Money-Back, BMO CashBack, Scotia Momentum No-Fee | $0 fee, reward categories, regular interest rate, minimum income, issuer eligibility. | No-fee cards can still have high purchase interest rates if a balance is carried. |
| Best cash back credit cards | CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite, Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite, Tangerine Money-Back | Grocery, gas, bill payment, recurring payment, and category cap rules. | Premium cash-back cards usually need enough annual spending to justify the fee. |
| Best travel rewards credit cards | RBC Avion, TD First Class Travel, Scotiabank Passport | Annual fee, redemption flexibility, insurance, foreign transaction fees, and travel perks. | Point values can vary depending on how flights, hotels, and statement credits are redeemed. |
| Balance transfer credit cards | 0% APR or low-rate promotional balance transfer cards | Promotional APR, transfer fee, end date, regular rate, payment plan, and new-purchase rules. | A 0% APR balance transfer works only if the debt can be repaid before the promotion ends. |
| Student and credit-building cards | Student cards, secured cards, starter cards, and pre-check tools | Annual fee, credit limit, approval criteria, credit reporting, deposit requirement, and payment reminders. | For bad or fair credit, approval odds and responsible repayment matter more than rewards. |
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Tangerine Bank - $0 annual fee
Apply on issuer site ->
BMO CashBack Mastercard
BMO - $0 annual fee
Apply on issuer site ->
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
RBC Royal Bank - Around $120
Apply on issuer site ->
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Scotiabank - Around $150
Apply on issuer site ->
Find the right credit card topic
Popular Canadian credit card searches
These are the high-intent comparison topics Canadians often search before applying: best credit cards for travel, groceries or dining, best cash back credit cards, no annual fee credit cards, 0% APR balance transfer cards, rewards credit cards, student credit cards, secured cards, and cards for bad or fair credit.
Transactional comparisons
Start here when you are comparing card categories before applying.
Credit building and approval
Useful if your credit score is new, limited, fair, damaged, or recovering.
Educational credit card topics
Use these before choosing a card if interest, limits, or debt repayment are part of the decision.
Canadian credit card guides
Learn before you apply
No-fee cards
Best No-Fee Credit Cards in Canada: Cash Back, Rewards and Costs to Compare
Learn how to compare the best no-fee credit cards in Canada, including no-fee cash back cards, rewards, interest rates, insurance, foreign transaction fees, and credit-building features.
Read guide ->
Cash back
Cash Back Credit Cards in Canada: How to Compare Rewards
Compare Canadian cash back credit cards by grocery, gas, recurring bill, dining, and base earn rates, plus fees, caps, and redemption rules.
Read guide ->
Travel cards
Travel Credit Cards in Canada: Points, Insurance, and Fees
Understand Canadian travel credit cards, including point value, redemption flexibility, insurance, foreign transaction fees, and annual fee trade-offs.
Read guide ->
Students
Student Credit Cards in Canada: A Beginner Guide
Learn how students in Canada can compare starter credit cards, build credit history, avoid debt, and understand interest, limits, and rewards.
Read guide ->
Seniors
Credit Cards for Seniors in Canada: Simple Features to Compare
Compare credit card features seniors may value in Canada, including low fees, fraud protection, travel insurance, simplicity, and payment flexibility.
Read guide ->
Balance transfers
Balance Transfer Credit Cards in Canada: What to Watch
Understand balance transfer credit cards in Canada, including promotional rates, transfer fees, end dates, interest rules, and repayment planning.
Read guide ->
Credit building
Capital One Quick Check in Canada: See Card Options Without Hurting Your Credit Score
Learn how Capital One Quick Check can help Canadians estimate credit card eligibility with a soft check before applying, especially when rebuilding credit.
Read guide ->
Mastercard cards
Mastercard Credit Cards in Canada: Cards from Banks and Issuers to Compare
Compare Mastercard credit cards in Canada from banks and issuers, including no-fee, cash-back, retail, credit-building, and premium options.
Read guide ->
Visa cards
Visa Credit Cards in Canada: Cards from Banks to Compare
Compare Visa credit cards in Canada from major banks, including no-fee, cash-back, travel, student, and premium Visa options.
Read guide ->
Everyday cash back cards
Cards focused on cash back for groceries, gas, recurring bills, and everyday spending.
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card
CIBC
Annual fee: Around $120, with promotions that may change
Key idea: Cash back on gas, groceries, and everyday purchases, depending on current offer terms.
May fit: Households with regular grocery and gas spending.
Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card
Scotiabank
Annual fee: Around $120, with promotions that may change
Key idea: Cash back on groceries, recurring bills, and selected everyday categories.
May fit: People who put bills and groceries on one card and pay in full.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Tangerine Bank
Annual fee: $0 annual fee
Key idea: Selectable spending categories for boosted cash back, subject to current terms.
May fit: Users who want no annual fee and flexible reward categories.
Travel rewards and points cards
Cards that earn points for flights, hotels, statement credits, or travel portal redemptions.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
RBC Royal Bank
Annual fee: Around $120
Key idea: Flexible travel rewards, with insurance and redemption terms that vary by offer.
May fit: Frequent travellers who value flexible point redemption.
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card
TD Canada Trust
Annual fee: Around $139
Key idea: TD Rewards points that may be redeemed through travel portals and other options.
May fit: Travellers comfortable comparing portal value and annual fees.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Scotiabank
Annual fee: Around $150
Key idea: Travel-focused card with foreign transaction and lounge benefits on many offers.
May fit: Canadians who travel outside Canada and compare total trip costs.
No-fee, starter, and low-interest options
Cards that prioritize simplicity, lower annual cost, credit building, or reduced interest.
Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card
Scotiabank
Annual fee: $0 annual fee
Key idea: Basic cash back structure with no annual fee and promotional terms that may vary.
May fit: First-time cardholders or anyone who wants a no-fee backup card.
BMO CashBack Mastercard
BMO
Annual fee: $0 annual fee
Key idea: No-fee cash back card, often with changing promotional cash back or balance transfer terms.
May fit: Budget-conscious users who want a simple no-fee card.
Low-rate Visa or Mastercard
Multiple Canadian issuers
Annual fee: Often lower than premium rewards cards
Key idea: Lower purchase interest rates than standard cards, usually with fewer rewards.
May fit: People focused on reducing interest costs rather than maximizing rewards.
This page is for general education only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation. CanadianBankNews may link to issuer or educational pages, but card details can change without notice.