Best Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards in Canada For 2025

go to American Express' website

Welcome Bonus*

Up to 130,000 Aeroplan® points

Rewards Rate*

1.25x - 3x Aeroplan® points

Annual Fee*

$599

Interest Rates

21.99%* / 21.99%*

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

If you are a frequent Air Canada traveler, having an Aeroplan card for perks like free checked bags and priority service can be very beneficial. Many financial institutions offer Aeroplan cards, but I don't believe the American Express version is the best one. Opting for another option might be better. However, the Amex card does have a very large sign-up bonus, making it a great choice for those specifically seeking that.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Generous rewards rate with up to 3 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on purchases, particularly beneficial for frequent flyers.
Enjoy free checked bags when flying with Air Canada, reducing travel costs.
Access to preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight awards, maximizing the value of your points.
Unlimited access to Maple Leaf lounges when flying with Air Canada, providing a more comfortable travel experience.
Extensive insurance coverage, including 11 types of insurance, offering peace of mind during your travels.

Cons

As an American Express card, it may have limited acceptance compared to other credit cards, potentially limiting its use in some places.
The most valuable rewards are generally tied to Air Canada flights, which may not appeal to travelers who fly with other airlines.
The card comes with a high annual fee of $599, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
The unlimited lounge access is limited to Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafe lounges which don't have a great worldwide coverage.

Card Details

Rewards*

3x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible Air Canada® and Air Canada Vacations® purchases
2x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases
1.25x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on all other purchases

Insurance*

Coverage*

Emergency Out of province Medical
$5M/insured up to 15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1.5K/person, $3K/trip
Trip Interruption
$1.5K/person, $6K/trip
Flight Delay
$1,000/person after 4 hours
Baggage Delay
$1K/person after 6 hours
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1K
Travel Accident
$500,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K Up to 48 consecutive rental days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 years

Benefits*

Details*

Free first checked bag
First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on WestJet flight and up to 8 guests
Nexus Program Rebate
$100 every 4 years
Amex Experiences™
Amex Experiences™ opens doors for you to access a number of special events, including special dining experiences, VIP parties, advance film screenings and more
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore
Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and one (1) Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 of net purchases
Status lift
Complimentary upgrade to Avis® President's Club
Status lift
Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status can roll over up to 200,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) beyond the status level for which they’ve qualified, from the prior qualification year to qualify for status the next year.
Status lift
Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status will benefit from an extra 12 months to use eUpgrade credits, for a total of 24 months from issuance.
Priority Travel
At Toronto Pearson airport get benefits such as Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet, premium parking spots, priorioty taxi and limo lane and discount for parking and car care.
Priority Travel
Get Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding and Priority Baggage Handling, Priority Airport Standby & Priority Airport Upgrades for you, your authorized users and up to 8 companions on the same flight (Only AirCanada)
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes
Unlimited Access for you and one guest
Companion Voucher
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from $99 to a max of $599 After spending $25,000 on your card
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. Enjoy even more at over 300,000 hotel properties worldwide

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
N/A

^**Terms and conditions apply. If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 28.99%. American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. 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. Check here for full details and current product information.

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card offers the best overall sign-up bonus on account of its extensive intro offers with tons of Aeroplan point potential.

On top of the intro offer, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card boasts a lucrative rewards program that earns members strong Aeroplan points on eligible Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations purchases, plus solid Aeroplan points per dollar spent on eligible dining and food delivery purchases.

As for perks, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card offers various Aeroplan-affiliated status lifts, priority travel at Pearson Airport and with Air Canada, a companion voucher, a free first checked bag, and unlimited lounge access at Maple Leaf and Air Canada Cafes (including guest access). These benefits are paired with some respectable travel insurance, including trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance, hotel burglary insurance, and car rental damage and theft insurance.

When you consider the potential value of the card’s benefits in addition to its welcome bonus, cardholders can earn up to $3,500 or more in the first year alone.

Of course, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card’s value comes with a cost (and a high one at that), but luckily the card avoids any annual income requirements.

All in all, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card earns its place in the best overall category because it holds the highest welcome bonus point-potential, contributing to an amazing first year value, particularly for Air Canada travellers.

In addition to our “best overall” welcome bonus card, there are a couple of other contenders that offer massive sign-up offers. Still, meeting their spending requirements can be tricky, as they may require spending amounts that are well above the spending habits of the average person.

Our choice for: Travel Perks, Luxurious Travel, and Unlimited Lounge Access

American Express Platinum Card®

4.7

go to American Express' website

Welcome Bonus*

Up to 180,000 Membership Rewards® points

Rewards Rate*

1x - 2x Points

Annual Fee*

$799

Interest Rates

21.99% - 30%* / N/A*

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

If you're a frequent traveler, the Platinum card is an excellent choice. It's highly recommended for its extensive travel benefits, including unlimited lounge access for you and a guest at the American Express Lounge collection, making it the best card for lounge access in Canada. The card also offers unique perks not commonly found with other Canadian cards, such as status upgrades at Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton, dining and travel credits, concierge service, airport benefits, Nexus application reimbursement, and more. These benefits can more than offset the annual fee. However, if you don't travel often or are mainly looking for a card that maximizes rewards, this card may not be the best option for you.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers more perks than any other credit card in Canada, catering to premium users who value extensive benefits.
Enjoy $400 in annual travel and dining credits, which can offset some of the card's cost.
Gain unlimited access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, enhancing your travel experience.
Multiple options for redeeming points for high value, giving you flexibility in how you use your rewards.
Includes 11 types of insurance coverage, offering comprehensive protection for cardholders.
It's a metal card, who doesn't love a metal credit card?

Cons

As with other American Express cards, it may have lower acceptance in some locations compared to other networks.
The high annual fee of $799 may be a barrier for some users, especially those who do not fully utilize the card's benefits.
Some benefits are limited to specific airports and hotels.

Card Details

Rewards*

2x points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases (restaurant, fast food, coffee shop, food delivery)
2x points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (flights, hotels, tours and more)
1x point per $1 spent for all other purchases

Insurance*

Coverage*

Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$2,500
Trip Interruption
$2,500
Flight Delay
$1,000
Baggage Delay
$1,000
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000
Travel Accident
$500,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Yes
Purchase Protection
120 days
Extended Warranty
1 year

Benefits*

Details*

Airport Lounge - American Express Global Lounge
Take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge Collection™ which unlocks access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience.
Travel Credit
$200
Dining Credit
$200 at Select Restaurants
Nexus Program Rebate
$100 statement credit every 4 years
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $550 USD at over 1,600 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels + Resorts
Status lift
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold Status
Status lift
Upgrade to Marriott BonvoyTM Gold Elite status
Priority Travel
At Toronto Pearson Airport get Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet and 15% discount at the Express Park and daily park
Concierge Services
Trip and legal Assistance
American Express® Experiences
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Fair
Annual Income
N/A

^**Terms and conditions apply. This Charge Card requires full payment of the Due in Full balance each month, with a 30% interest rate on late payments. The Flexible Payment Option balance has a 21.99% interest rate, which increases to 25.99% after two missed payments and 28.99% after three or more within 12 months. A 21-day interest-free grace period applies to new transactions if the full balance is paid by the due date. American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. 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. Check here for full details and current product information.

To earn the American Express Platinum Card's welcome bonus, you'll have to pay off some significant expenses every month. If you meet the card's minimum spending criteria, your intro offer will be valued at $2,100 in the first year which can grow to $2940 a few months into the 2nd year. This is one of the biggest welcome bonuses you'll come across, second to the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.

That said, you'll want to make sure you're a high enough spender to make the card worthwhile, not only in terms of the intro offer, but also considering the high annual cost.

Overall, since this card offers more perks than any other credit card in Canada, if you plan to use all of them, then you'll get your money's worth.

Our choice for: Best Travel Value with Extremely High Travel Insurance

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Privilege Card

4.5

go to Scotiabank's website

$225 $300 Cash Rebate From FinlyWealth expiring on

Welcome Bonus*

Up to 80,000 Scene+ points (up to $800 value)

Rewards Rate*

1x - 6x Points

Annual Fee*

$599

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

For frequent flyers who want a single card that handles almost every travel need, this one’s hard to beat. It offers a hefty intro bonus of up to 80 k Scene+ points (worth roughly $800 toward travel), an annual $250 Scene+ Travel credit that’s as good as cash when you book through Expedia, and ten complimentary DragonPass lounge visits each year. Pair that with no 2.5% foreign‑currency markup, rich earn rates on travel (3x) and dining/entertainment (2x), and unusually comprehensive travel insurance, and the $599 fee can pay for itself quickly for anyone who travels a few times a year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

No foreign‑transaction surcharge on any purchase made in a currency other than CAD—saves 2.5% every time.
Up to 80k Scene+ welcome points after meeting tiered spending targets (up to $800 in value).
$250 annual travel credit you can apply to flights, hotels, cars, or packages booked through Scene+ Travel.
10 free DragonPass lounge visits per membership year (primary cardholder and each supplementary card have their own quota).
Accelerated earn rates: 3x points on travel and 2x on dining & entertainment, 1x everywhere else.
Extensive protection: $5M emergency medical (31 days, 10 days if 65+), trip‑cancel/interruption, flight & baggage delay, car rental‑LDW, mobile‑device, purchase security & extended warranty.
Premium extras such as Avis President’s Club, Relais & Châteaux, Visa Infinite Privilege concierge, wine‑country and dining‑series perks.

Cons

High annual fee: $599 for the primary card and $199 per supplementary card.
Steep qualification bar: personal income $150k, household $200k, or $400k in assets.
Scene+ points are fixed‑value, so there’s no “first‑class sweet‑spot” like with airline programs.
Not suited to carrying a balance – 20.99% purchase rate and 22.99% cash‑advance/BT.
Lounge benefit is visit‑based (no restaurant credits) and relies on DragonPass locations and capacity.

Card Details

Rewards*

Earn 3X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible travel purchases. Plus, earn an extra 3X the points on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do when you book through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia. That's a total of 6X the points!
Earn 2X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible dining and entertainment.
Plus, earn 1X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on all other eligible purchases.

Insurance*

Coverage*

Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Emergency Out of province Medical
$5M/insured up to 31 days
Emergency Medical Over 65
$5M/insured up to 10 days
Trip Cancellation
$2,500/person, $10,000/trip
Trip Interruption
$5,000/person, $25,000/trip
Flight Delay
$1000/person
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$2,500/person (max $5,000 per trip)
Baggage Delay
$1000/person
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$2,500
Travel Accident
$500,000/insured
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Covers vehicles MSRP ≤ $85k, rentals ≤ 48 days
Purchase Protection
180 days
Extended Warranty
2 years

Benefits*

Details*

No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the usual 2.5% forex fees on your purchases when you travel outside of Canada
Travel Credit
$250 annual Scene+ Travel credit – automatic statement credit on your first Expedia‑powered booking each membership year.
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
10 Free complimentary visits
Status lift
Avis President’s Club membership – two class upgrades, priority service.
Concierge Services
24/7 Visa Infinite Privilege concierge (English & French)
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Priority Travel
Dedicated security and taxi lanes, valet and parking discounts at select Canadian airports.

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
$150,000 personal or $200,000 household

^*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. Check here for full details and current product information.

Another contender for the biggest sign-up bonus is the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card. With this card, average spenders can earn up to 80,000 extra Scene+ points. This offer starts with 30,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first few months of membership when you spend at least $3,000, followed by an additional 30,000 points when you spend at least $20,000 in the first 6 months of membership, then the offer is topped off with another 20,000 points when you make at least one eligible purchase that is posted to your new account during the 14th month of membership.

If you pair that total sign-up value with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card’s rewards program, you can receive just over $1000 in your first year (based on average spending), which more than offsets the card’s high annual fee.

Compared to the American Express Platinum Card, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card earns more points on travel purchases, including extra points on hotel bookings, car rentals, and experiences booked through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia. That said, travel redemptions are typically more valuable with American Express Membership Rewards points. Both cards also earn solid points on dining, but the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card adds entertainment as a category, which is also a valuable redemption option through the Scene+ loyalty program.

Note that sometimes, American Express credit cards aren’t as widely accepted as a form of payment, particularly within Europe. This alone might make travellers lean more towards the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card.

Unsurprisingly, the American Express Platinum Card has more added benefits (plus better lounge access privileges), but the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card stands out for its inclusion of no foreign transaction fees and a higher annual travel credit (applicable towards bookings made through Scene+ Travel).

While the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card is more affordable annually than the American Express Platinum Card, it unfortunately comes with some high annual income requirements, making the American Express Platinum Card more accessible (for those who can afford it).

So, if you’re looking for a more widely-accepted and affordable premium travel card with a hefty welcome bonus on offer, you might want to consider the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card. Otherwise, if you’d like more perks, no annual income requirements, and higher annual reward potential, stick with the American Express Platinum Card.

Some cardholders prefer cashback credit cards over points cards.

If you can relate, here are some of the best sign-up bonus cards in the cashback category:

Our choice for: Highest cash back for everyday spending

SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

4.6

go to American Express' website

Welcome Bonus*

Up to $250 ($200 in first year)

Rewards Rate*

2% - 4%

Annual Fee*

$119.88

$9.99 Paid Monthly

Interest Rates

21.99%* / 21.99%*

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

The Simply Cash Preferred is one of the best cashback credit cards in Canada. The base cashback rate of 2% is great for all purchases, but the 4% on groceries and gas, which are two of the highest expenses for most people is the cherry on top of their great cashback program.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Highest cashback rate on groceries and gas in Canada
Great base cashback rate for all purchases
10 different insurance types included

Cons

Cash back is only paid out to you once a year
American Express has a lower merchant acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard

Card Details

Rewards*

4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
4% cash back on eligible grocery purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
2% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Insurance*

Coverage*

Emergency Out of province Medical
$5M/insured Person
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Travel Accident
$100,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K up to 48 days
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 year

Benefits*

Details*

Amex Experiences™
Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
N/A

If the sign-up bonus you're looking for is in the form of cashback, the SimplyCash Preferred Card is one of the best options for that purpose. As for cashback rewards in general, this card is designed to help you accumulate cashback on high-spend categories like gas and groceries.

Now back to the bonus, with this card, you can earn 10% cashback on all purchases for your first few months of membership (capped at $2,000). You'll also receive a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13, allowing you to earn up to $250 in extra value in just over the first year.

Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card

go to Scotiabank's website

$100 Cash Rebate From FinlyWealth

Welcome Bonus*

10% Cash Back (up to $200 value)

Rewards Rate*

1% - 4%

Annual Fee*

$120 $0

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

The 4% cashback offered on groceries and recurring purchases is the highest among all other credit cards. With the first year's annual fee waived, and with the right transactions used on this credit card, a high amount of cashback could be earned.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Highest Cashback rates on Groceries and Recurring purchases compared to other cashback credit cards.
High insurance coverage.
First year annual fee waived.

Cons

The base cashback rate (1%) is low for most high spent categories, especially after the first year when the card's annual fee kicks in.

Card Details

Rewards*

4% cashback on groceries, recurring payments (maximum $1000 cashback per year)
2% cashback on gas, daily transit (maximum $500 cashback per year)
1% cashback on all other credit card purchases (unlimited).

Insurance*

Coverage*

Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Travel Accident
$500,000
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Trip Interruption
$2,000
Trip Cancellation
$1,500
Flight Delay
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Car Rental Damage & Theft
48 days
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 year

Benefits*

Details*

Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Yes

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household

A remarkable cashback runner-up to the SimplyCash Preferred Card is the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card. This contender is also equipped to earn you cashback on popular categories like gas and groceries, plus recurring payments, and daily transit.

As for the card's sign up incentive, earn extra cashback in your first few months of membership (also capped at $2,000). Not to mention, the annual fee is completely waived in the first year.

Ultimately, if you want to skip your first annual fee and optimize your spending particularly on recurring payments and daily transit on top of gas and groceries, or simply avoid Amex's lower acceptance rate, the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card could be a good alternative to the SimplyCash Preferred Card, considering they both offer similar value first year bonuses.

CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card

3.5

go to CIBC's website

Welcome Bonus

Up to $200

Rewards Rate

1% - 4%

Annual Fee

$120 $0

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

The CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite Card* is an excellent choice for those who spend heavily on gas, EV charging, and groceries, offering one of the best cash back rates in those categories. The 10% cash back welcome offer sweetens the deal for new cardholders, though the high income requirements and annual fee may not make it the best fit for everyone. If you can meet the spending and income criteria, it provides solid value, especially with no limits on the total amount of cash back you can earn.

Pros & Cons

Pros

High Cash Back Rates: Get 4% cash back on gas, EV charging, and groceries, plus 2% on restaurants, transportation, and recurring bill payments.
No Limit on Total Cash Back: No maximum limit on the amount of cash back you can earn annually.
Fuel Savings: Save up to 10 cents per litre at Journie Rewards gas stations like Ultramar, Pioneer, Fas Gas, and Chevron.

Cons

High Income Requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000 is required to qualify.
Annual Fee: The card comes with a $120 annual fee, which might reduce the overall value for some users.
Lower Insurance Coverage: Compared to similar cards, the insurance offerings are less comprehensive.

Card Details

Rewards

4% cashback on Gas and Groceries if they are in the first $80K transactions of the year and $20K of categorical spends
2% cashback on Transportation, Dining and Recurring payments if they are in the first $80K transactions of the year and $20K of categorical spends
1% cashback on all other credit card purchases.

Insurance

Coverage

Emergency Out of province Medical
$5 Million per person, per trip. 10 day coverage
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65K
Travel Accident
$500K
Mobile Device Insurance
$1000 per person, per occurrence
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to a year

Benefits

Details

Gas Discount
save up to 10¢/L on fuel at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations
Car Rental Discount
Get up to 25% off auto rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations worldwide.

Eligibility

Credit Score
Very Good
Annual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household

Our last contender in this category is the CIBC Visa Infinite Card which specializes in high cashback on gas and groceries (like the SimplyCash Preferred Card), followed by decent rates on transportation, dining, and recurring payments.

Its sign-up bonus offers three authorized users 4 statement credits of extra cashback (capped at $2,000).

Like the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card, it has higher income requirements, its annual fee is waived in the first year, and it offers cashback on groceries, gas transportation, and recurring payments (although the CIBC Visa Infinite Card is better for gas, and the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card is better for recurring payments).

The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card and the SimplyCash Preferred Card also have more insurance.

Ultimately, you might select the CIBC Visa Infinite Card if you want to avoid American Express and optimize gas purchases.

Are you the type of cardholder who likes to take plenty of trips? If so, here's a compilation of travel-oriented credit cards that carry some of the best welcome bonuses:

Our choice for: Premium Travel Perks and Lounge Access

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

4.8

go to Scotiabank's website

$100 $150 Cash Rebate From FinlyWealth expiring on

Welcome Bonus*

Up to 40,000 Scene+ points ($400 value)

Rewards Rate*

1x - 3x Points

Annual Fee*

$150

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is a strong choice for frequent travelers, especially those who value flexibility and premium perks. It stands out with its rare benefit of no foreign transaction fees, making international purchases more cost-effective. Additionally, the card offers a valuable blend of travel perks, including airport lounge access, comprehensive insurance coverage, and flexible rewards, making it an ideal companion for those who frequently travel abroad and want to avoid extra fees while enjoying premium benefits.

Pros & Cons

Pros

High Rewards on Select Purchases: Earn up to 3 points per $1 spent on select categories.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Shop abroad without additional charges.
Comprehensive Insurance: Includes 11 types of insurance coverage.
Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy up to 6 airport lounge passes per year through the Visa Airport Companion program.

Cons

High Income Requirements: Requires $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income.
Lower Overall Rewards: Rewards potential is lower compared to premium credit cards.
High Annual Fee: Comes with a significant annual fee.
Average Insurance Coverage: Insurance benefits are standard, not exceptional.
Mediocre Earnings Potential: The card’s rewards structure might not offer the highest returns for every spender.

Card Details

Rewards*

Earn 3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
Earn 2x Scene+ points 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

Insurance*

Coverage*

Emergency Out of province Medical
$2M/insured up to 25 days
Emergency Medical Over 65
$2M/insured up to 3 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500/person, $10,000/trip
Trip Interruption
$2,500/person, $10,000/trip
Flight Delay
$500/person after 4 hours
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1000
Baggage Delay
$1000
Travel Accident
$500,000/insured, $1M combined
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65,000 up to 48 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 year

Benefits*

Details*

No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the usual 2.5% forex fees on your purchases when you travel outside of Canada
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
6 Free complimentary visits
Status lift
Avis® Preferred Plus membership
Concierge Services
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household

Credited as the best overall travel credit card, it’s no wonder that the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is one of the best sign-up bonus credit cards for travellers.

The card earns you 30,000 bonus Scene+ points as long as you spend at least $2,000 on eligible purchases during the first few months of membership. Additionally, cardholders will earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ points when they spend at least $40,000 annually.

This welcome incentive pairs perfectly with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card’s rewards program, which earns you tons of bonus points for every dollar spent on hotel bookings, car rentals, and experiences booked through Scene+ Travel. Not to mention, cardholders can also optimize purchases made at partnered grocers like Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and more, plus solid Scene+ points per dollar spent on purchases put towards other grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment, and transit.

On top of comprehensive travel insurance, this contender includes valuable travel perks like no foreign transaction fees, airport lounge Dragon Pass access, an Avis Preferred Plus membership, and on-call concierge services.

Sure, the card comes with an annual fee, but it’s completely waived within the first year of membership.

Therefore, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card takes first place as the best welcome bonus travel credit card because of its well-balanced trip-focused rewards and perks and its solid intro offer to help get you started.

Our choice for: Great rewards and travel benefits

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

4.9

go to Scotiabank's website

$100 Cash Rebate From FinlyWealth

Welcome Bonus*

Up to 40,000 Scene+ points ($400 value)

Rewards Rate*

1x - 6x Scene+ points

Annual Fee*

$120

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is one of our favorite cards. It has a very solid rewards program, earning one of the highest rewards among all credit cards in Canada. In addition, it offers comprehensive travel benefits, including the rare and valuable no foreign transaction fee benefit, making it a great and balanced credit card in terms of both rewards and benefits. The first-year annual fee waiver is the cherry on top, providing even greater value to cardholders.

Pros & Cons

Pros

No foreign transaction fee saves you 2.5% on all non-CAD purchases.
Rewards cover all high-spending categories, including food, groceries, entertainment, and gas.
Comprehensive coverage of all travel insurance.

Cons

The card network is American Express, which might not be widely accepted in some countries, making it a bit harder to use the no foreign transaction fee benefit.
Having a lounge pass would have made this card even more perfect, but there is access to a discount code for lounge access pass purchases.

Card Details

Rewards*

Earn 6x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
Earn 5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
Earn 5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
Earn 3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
Earn 3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
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

Insurance*

Coverage*

Emergency Out of province Medical
$1M, Up to 25 days
Emergency Medical Over 65
$1M, Up to 3 days
Trip Cancellation
$1500/person, $10000/trip
Trip Interruption
$1500/person, $10,000/trip
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500/person, $1000/trip
Baggage Delay
$500/person, $1,000/trip After 4 hours
Flight Delay
$500/person
Travel Accident
$500K/person, $1M/occurrence
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000/occurrence
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year

Benefits*

Details*

No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the 2.5% foreign transaction fees incurred when spending in non $CAD
American Express® Experiences
Concierge Services
Discount
Discount on PriorityPass Membership

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
$12,000 personal or $12,000 household

Also financed by Scotiabank, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is yet another top travel contender for welcome bonuses. The best part? It’s slightly cheaper than the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card and has much lower annual income requirements.

The card features travel as a top redemption category for your hard-earned Scene+ points (specifically on grocery, gas, food, and entertainment purchases), extensive travel insurance, and no foreign transaction fees (a rarity).

The welcome bonus ushers in 20,000 extra Scene+ points when you spend $2,000 during the first few months of membership, plus an additional 20,000 Scene+ points when you spend at least $7,500 in your first year (for a limited time only). In total, this welcome bonus offer matches the potential value of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card (with differing spending milestones to qualify).

With a higher value rewards program, however, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card has better annual reward potential, contributing to a higher first year value than the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card.

That said, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card has better travel coverage overall and more perks, including airport lounge access.

As previously mentioned, American Express is also less widely accepted internationally, which might make the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card continually more appealing.

So, if you want to avoid lower acceptance rates, a higher annual fee, and higher annual income requirements, all while sporting a stronger rewards program, then the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is the travel welcome bonus credit card for you. Alternatively, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card comes with better travel coverage and more luxurious perks with the same potential intro offer.

Our choice for: Travel Perks, Luxurious Travel, and Unlimited Lounge Access

American Express Platinum Card®

4.7

go to American Express' website

Welcome Bonus*

Up to 180,000 Membership Rewards® points

Rewards Rate*

1x - 2x Points

Annual Fee*

$799

Interest Rates

21.99% - 30%* / N/A*

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers more perks than any other credit card in Canada, catering to premium users who value extensive benefits.
Enjoy $400 in annual travel and dining credits, which can offset some of the card's cost.
Gain unlimited access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, enhancing your travel experience.
Multiple options for redeeming points for high value, giving you flexibility in how you use your rewards.
Includes 11 types of insurance coverage, offering comprehensive protection for cardholders.
It's a metal card, who doesn't love a metal credit card?

Cons

As with other American Express cards, it may have lower acceptance in some locations compared to other networks.
The high annual fee of $799 may be a barrier for some users, especially those who do not fully utilize the card's benefits.
Some benefits are limited to specific airports and hotels.

Card Details

Rewards*

2x points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases (restaurant, fast food, coffee shop, food delivery)
2x points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (flights, hotels, tours and more)
1x point per $1 spent for all other purchases

Insurance*

Coverage*

Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$2,500
Trip Interruption
$2,500
Flight Delay
$1,000
Baggage Delay
$1,000
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000
Travel Accident
$500,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Yes
Purchase Protection
120 days
Extended Warranty
1 year

Benefits*

Details*

Airport Lounge - American Express Global Lounge
Take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge Collection™ which unlocks access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience.
Travel Credit
$200
Dining Credit
$200 at Select Restaurants
Nexus Program Rebate
$100 statement credit every 4 years
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $550 USD at over 1,600 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels + Resorts
Status lift
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold Status
Status lift
Upgrade to Marriott BonvoyTM Gold Elite status
Priority Travel
At Toronto Pearson Airport get Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet and 15% discount at the Express Park and daily park
Concierge Services
Trip and legal Assistance
American Express® Experiences
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Fair
Annual Income
N/A

Although it's a premium card that comes with a high annual cost, the American Express Platinum Card provides the airport lounge access that previous cards have been lacking. By taking advantage of the American Express Global Lounge Collection, you can gain access to over 1,400 airport lounges across the globe. Top that off with a travel credit, hotel status lifts, and priority travel at Toronto Pearson Airport, and you've got yourself the optimal travel credit card.

The catch? As we said earlier, you have to work for the welcome bonus. By this, we mean you must meet the minimum spending requirement to earn the high-value intro offer. If you do, you'll get your hands on one of Canada's highest sign-up bonus.

Our choice for: Best Travel Value with Extremely High Travel Insurance

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Privilege Card

4.5

go to Scotiabank's website

$225 $300 Cash Rebate From FinlyWealth expiring on

Welcome Bonus*

Up to 80,000 Scene+ points (up to $800 value)

Rewards Rate*

1x - 6x Points

Annual Fee*

$599

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

Pros & Cons

Pros

No foreign‑transaction surcharge on any purchase made in a currency other than CAD—saves 2.5% every time.
Up to 80k Scene+ welcome points after meeting tiered spending targets (up to $800 in value).
$250 annual travel credit you can apply to flights, hotels, cars, or packages booked through Scene+ Travel.
10 free DragonPass lounge visits per membership year (primary cardholder and each supplementary card have their own quota).
Accelerated earn rates: 3x points on travel and 2x on dining & entertainment, 1x everywhere else.
Extensive protection: $5M emergency medical (31 days, 10 days if 65+), trip‑cancel/interruption, flight & baggage delay, car rental‑LDW, mobile‑device, purchase security & extended warranty.
Premium extras such as Avis President’s Club, Relais & Châteaux, Visa Infinite Privilege concierge, wine‑country and dining‑series perks.

Cons

High annual fee: $599 for the primary card and $199 per supplementary card.
Steep qualification bar: personal income $150k, household $200k, or $400k in assets.
Scene+ points are fixed‑value, so there’s no “first‑class sweet‑spot” like with airline programs.
Not suited to carrying a balance – 20.99% purchase rate and 22.99% cash‑advance/BT.
Lounge benefit is visit‑based (no restaurant credits) and relies on DragonPass locations and capacity.

Card Details

Rewards*

Earn 3X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible travel purchases. Plus, earn an extra 3X the points on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do when you book through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia. That's a total of 6X the points!
Earn 2X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible dining and entertainment.
Plus, earn 1X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on all other eligible purchases.

Insurance*

Coverage*

Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Emergency Out of province Medical
$5M/insured up to 31 days
Emergency Medical Over 65
$5M/insured up to 10 days
Trip Cancellation
$2,500/person, $10,000/trip
Trip Interruption
$5,000/person, $25,000/trip
Flight Delay
$1000/person
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$2,500/person (max $5,000 per trip)
Baggage Delay
$1000/person
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$2,500
Travel Accident
$500,000/insured
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Covers vehicles MSRP ≤ $85k, rentals ≤ 48 days
Purchase Protection
180 days
Extended Warranty
2 years

Benefits*

Details*

No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the usual 2.5% forex fees on your purchases when you travel outside of Canada
Travel Credit
$250 annual Scene+ Travel credit – automatic statement credit on your first Expedia‑powered booking each membership year.
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
10 Free complimentary visits
Status lift
Avis President’s Club membership – two class upgrades, priority service.
Concierge Services
24/7 Visa Infinite Privilege concierge (English & French)
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Priority Travel
Dedicated security and taxi lanes, valet and parking discounts at select Canadian airports.

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
$150,000 personal or $200,000 household

In addition to one of the highest potential welcome bonus values, this contender offers plenty of Scene+ points per dollar spent on travel, plus bonus points specifically on hotel bookings, car rentals, and experiences booked through Scene+ Travel. That’s more travel earning potential than the Amex Platinum!

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card also has more extensive and comprehensive travel coverage, specifically in categories like trip interruption insurance.

Still, if it’s travel perks you’re after, the American Express Platinum Card is still the most stacked, contributing to its higher annual reward value, along with the fact that American Express Membership Rewards points are generally worth more than Scene+ points.

As previously concluded then, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card is best for those who want to avoid American Express, spend less on annual fees, and have better travel coverage alongside their welcome bonus. On the other hand, the Amex Platinum offers more travel perks, no annual income requirements, and higher-value annual rewards overall.

American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card

4.7

go to American Express' website

Welcome Bonus*

Up to 130,000 Aeroplan® points

Rewards Rate*

1.25x - 3x Aeroplan® points

Annual Fee*

$599

Interest Rates

21.99%* / 21.99%*

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

Pros & Cons

Pros

Generous rewards rate with up to 3 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on purchases, particularly beneficial for frequent flyers.
Enjoy free checked bags when flying with Air Canada, reducing travel costs.
Access to preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight awards, maximizing the value of your points.
Unlimited access to Maple Leaf lounges when flying with Air Canada, providing a more comfortable travel experience.
Extensive insurance coverage, including 11 types of insurance, offering peace of mind during your travels.

Cons

As an American Express card, it may have limited acceptance compared to other credit cards, potentially limiting its use in some places.
The most valuable rewards are generally tied to Air Canada flights, which may not appeal to travelers who fly with other airlines.
The card comes with a high annual fee of $599, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
The unlimited lounge access is limited to Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafe lounges which don't have a great worldwide coverage.

Card Details

Rewards*

3x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible Air Canada® and Air Canada Vacations® purchases
2x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases
1.25x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on all other purchases

Insurance*

Coverage*

Emergency Out of province Medical
$5M/insured up to 15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1.5K/person, $3K/trip
Trip Interruption
$1.5K/person, $6K/trip
Flight Delay
$1,000/person after 4 hours
Baggage Delay
$1K/person after 6 hours
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1K
Travel Accident
$500,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K Up to 48 consecutive rental days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 years

Benefits*

Details*

Free first checked bag
First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on WestJet flight and up to 8 guests
Nexus Program Rebate
$100 every 4 years
Amex Experiences™
Amex Experiences™ opens doors for you to access a number of special events, including special dining experiences, VIP parties, advance film screenings and more
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore
Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and one (1) Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 of net purchases
Status lift
Complimentary upgrade to Avis® President's Club
Status lift
Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status can roll over up to 200,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) beyond the status level for which they’ve qualified, from the prior qualification year to qualify for status the next year.
Status lift
Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status will benefit from an extra 12 months to use eUpgrade credits, for a total of 24 months from issuance.
Priority Travel
At Toronto Pearson airport get benefits such as Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet, premium parking spots, priorioty taxi and limo lane and discount for parking and car care.
Priority Travel
Get Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding and Priority Baggage Handling, Priority Airport Standby & Priority Airport Upgrades for you, your authorized users and up to 8 companions on the same flight (Only AirCanada)
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes
Unlimited Access for you and one guest
Companion Voucher
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from $99 to a max of $599 After spending $25,000 on your card
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. Enjoy even more at over 300,000 hotel properties worldwide

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
N/A

Let’s bring back our first place contender: the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.

On top of offering the highest welcome bonus, this card earns members solid Aeroplan points per dollar spent on eligible Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations purchases, admirable trip coverage (although not as comprehensive as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card), and tons of travel benefits (an amount that’s comparable to the Amex Platinum and well surpasses the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card).

Compared to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card’s loyalty program is less flexible, and the most valuable way to redeem your Aeroplan points is of course towards Aeroplan flights. With this is mind, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card – along with its welcome bonus – is most valuable to those who fly with Air Canada. Overall, the general travel redemption categories offered by the Scene+ program, or even those offered by the American Express Membership Rewards program when considering the Amex Platinum, are a bit more worthwhile.

Thus, while the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card has the highest welcome bonus on this list, it’s the most valuable to travellers that are loyal to Air Canada. Other loyalty programs, like Scene+ or American Express Membership Rewards are more valuable in their travel flexibility.

Our choice for: Premium card for frequent Porter airline travelers

BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard®∗

4.5

go to BMO's website

$75 $125 Cash Rebate From FinlyWealth expiring on

Welcome Bonus*

Get up to 70,000 VIPorter points and a round-trip companion pass.* Plus receive $1,000 in Qualifying Spend.*

Rewards Rate*

1x - 3x points

Annual Fee*

$199 $0

Interest Rates

21.99% / 23.99%□

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

This is easily the best credit card in Canada for frequent Porter airline (and its partners) travelers. Earning 2x VIPorter points on common everyday purchases like groceries, dining and transportation is a massive benefit, allowing you to rack up points really fast and enjoy travel via Porter and it's airline partners. The premium benefits of this card make your travels smooth as you get priority security screening, early boarding and priority re-accommodation for flight delays, one complimentary checked bag, a carry-on bag with every fare type (including Basic), and complimentary PorterClassic seat selection.

Pros & Cons

Pros

No annual fee in the first year!
A massive welcome bonus with a value that easily exceeds $1,000, especially with the one companion pass
Points can be redeemed across Porter's expanding North American network, as well as Porter's growing list of global airline partners, currently featuring flights operated by Air Transat and Alaska Airlines sold on flyporter.com.
2x points on common everyday purchases such as groceries, dining, gas, transportation, etc. where points are valued at 1.5 cents per point on average

Cons

Annual fee of $199 is definitely on the higher side for an airline loyalty card
Having to spend $50,000 in the first year just to qualify for the annual companion pass
Points can only be redeemed towards flights currently
Spending caps on common categories like groceries and dining for earning 2x multiplier may be low for large families

Card Details

Rewards*

Earn 3 VIPorter points for every $1 spent on eligible Porter purchases via flyporter.com (up to $20,000 in spending annually)
Earn 2 VIPorter point for every $1 spent on eligible gas and transportation purchases (up to $5,000 in spending annually combined)
Earn 2 VIPorter point for every $1 spent on eligible groceries and dining purchases (up to $10,000 in spending annually combined)
Earn 2 VIPorter point for every $1 spent on eligible hotel accommodation purchases (up to $5,000 in spending annually)
Earn 1 VIPorter point for every $1 spent everywhere else
Primary cardholders will receive an annual companion pass after spending a minimum of $50,000 (less refunds and excluding cash advances, cash-like transactions, interest charges, fees, credit or debit adjustments) within the first 365 days after the account open date. On the anniversary date of your card, the calculation of the purchases will reset to zero and primary cardholders must qualify again for the new annual period.

Insurance*

Coverage*

Extended Warranty
1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Emergency Out of province Medical
Up to $5M per insured person, per trip, for 21 days per trip
Travel Accident
Up to $500,000 per insured person
Trip Cancellation
Up to $1,500 per insured person, per trip (maximum of $5,000 per trip for all insured persons combined)
Trip Interruption
$2,000 per insured person
Flight Delay
Up to a maximum of $500 per trip for all insured persons combined
Baggage Delay
Up to $500 per insured person, to a maximum of $1,000 per trip for all insured persons combined, for the purchase of essential items
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Up to $500 per insured person to a maximum of $1,000 per trip for all insured persons combined
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Up to $1,000 per occurrence for all insured persons combined
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Rental period up to 48 days, with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of up to $65,000

Benefits*

Details*

Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass. As a member enjoy lounge access for a fee of just US$32 per person, per visit.*
Free first checked bag
1 complimentary checked bag as well as 1 complimentary carry-on bag on all Porter fare types up to 8 companions travelling on the same booking
Companion Voucher
A round-trip companion pass per year
Priority Travel
Priority check-in, security, and early boarding for up to 8 companions travelling on the same booking
Car Rental Discount
Save up to 20% on National Car Rental®†† and Alamo Rent A Car®†† and up to 5% on Enterprise Rent-A-Car®†† at locations worldwide using the Car Rental Booking tool
Discount
Get 20% off admission to Cirque du Soleil shows touring Canada* and 15% off resident shows in Las Vegas
Hotel Booking Discount
Save up to 7% on your Booking.com prepaid hotel or property rental bookings at booking.com/mastercardcanada*
Mastercard On-Demand and Subscription Services

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household

^**BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information. Check here for full details and current product information.

For a much lower annual fee (one that’s waived in the first year), the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard earns you up to 70,000 VIPorter welcome bonus points when you meet specified spending requirements. On top of extra points, cardholders also receive $1,000 in Qualifying Spend when they meet certain spending requirements, which is ultimately credited to their VIPorter account to assist them in reaching the next VIPorter Avid Traveller membership.

But why restrict bonuses to the beginning of membership? Impressively, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard also provides an annual companion pass to those who spend at least $50,000 within the first 365 days of account opening.

Compared to the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard’s rewards program is a bit more extensive, earning generous points on travel such as Porter purchases made via flyporter.com and eligible hotel accommodations. Other categories include gas, transportation, groceries, and dining.

The BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard’s travel redemption categories are even more limiting than the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, as the only option is to use points towards Porter airline and partner flights.

As far as insurance goes, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card has some coverage categories that are more comprehensive than those shared by the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard. Likewise, while the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard also includes perks like free first checked bags and priority travel arrangements, plus car rental discounts, an airport lounge Dragon Pass, and hotel booking discounts, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is equipped with more benefits, including better inclusions like unlimited lounge access.

While the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is more expensive than the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard comes with high annual income requirements, making it less accessible to some.

At the end of the day, deciding between the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard and the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card comes down to which airline network you frequent, Porter or Air Canada.

Our choice for: Travels to Asia

Neo Cathay World Elite® Mastercard®

4.2

go to Neo Financial's website

$100 Cash Rebate From FinlyWealth

Welcome Bonus*

Up to 60,000 Asia Miles (35,000 upon approval)

Rewards Rate*

1x - 5x Asia Miles

Annual Fee*

$180

Interest Rates

19.99% - 26.99%* / 22.99% - 28.99%*

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

The Cathay World Elite Mastercard is a top choice for frequent travelers to Asia, offering up to 60,000 bonus Asia Miles, high earn rates at Neo retail partners, and exclusive Cathay Pacific benefits like priority check-in and lounge access. With 12 types of insurance coverage, airport lounge access through DragonPass, and the ability to earn up to 15 miles per dollar spent at select partners, this card provides substantial value for those who regularly fly with Cathay Pacific and its partners. However, the card does require a higher income and comes with a $180 annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Generous Bonus: Earn up to 60,000 bonus Asia Miles.
Discount on flights: Up to 15% discount on flights to Asia and beyond with code CXNEO15OFF (valid until Dec 31, 2025).
High Earn Rates: Get an average of 5 miles, and up to 15 miles per $1 spent (first time purchases) at Neo retail partners.
Cathay Pacific Perks: Enjoy several exclusive benefits with Cathay Pacific.
Comprehensive Insurance: Comes with 12 types of insurance coverage.
Airport Lounge Access: Gain entry to airport lounges with a Mastercard Travel Pass membership.

Cons

High Income Requirement: Requires a minimum personal income of $80,000 or $150,000 household income.
Annual Fee: The card comes with a high annual fee of $180.
Limited Redemption: Asia Miles cannot be redeemed for flights within Canada.

Card Details

Rewards*

Earn 4x Asia Miles per $1 spent on Cathay Pacific flights
Earn 2x Asia Miles per $1 spent on purchases made in foreign currencies
Earn 1x Asia Miles per $1 spent in Canada
Earn an average of 5x the Asia Miles when you spend at thousands of Neo partners nationwide
Save up to 15% off on flights to Asia and beyond when you pay with your Cathay World Elite Mastercard and enter the discount code CXNEO15OFF (valid until Dec 31, 2025)

Insurance*

Coverage*

Car Rental Personal Effects
$1,000/person, $2,000 combined
Car Rental Accident
$100K for Cardholder, $10K spouse and child
Car Rental Damage & Theft
48 days
Baggage Delay
$1,000 after 4 hours
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000
Trip Cancellation
$5,000
Trip Interruption
$5,000
Emergency Out of province Medical
14 days
Flight Delay
$250/day, $500 Maximum
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 year

Benefits*

Details*

Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
DragonPass only. No Complimentary visits!
Priority Travel
Online priority check-in and extra baggage redemption for Cathay Pacific, and Cathay Pacific Business class lounge redemption access
Priority Travel
Airport Security Fast Track with and professional and punctual airport with Mastercard benefits
Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot
Discount
Save up to 15% off on flights to Asia and beyond when you pay with your Cathay World Elite Mastercard and enter the discount code CXNEO15OFF (valid until Dec 31, 2025)

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household

^*The Cathay World Elite® Mastercard is issued by Neo Financial™ pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard, World Elite® and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. The Cathay World Elite® Mastercard is not available in Quebec. Check here for full details and current product information.

Maybe you frequent Cathay Pacific flights instead. In that case, the Neo Cathay World Elite Mastercard will cater more to your criteria, offering plenty of Asia Miles points at Neo Partners, and solid points on Cathay Pacific and foreign purchases.

The card also sports solid insurance, including car rental personal effects, car rental accident, and flight and baggage delay coverage. However, it's missing some valuable categories like trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance.

Regarding benefits, the Neo Cathay World Elite Mastercard features the airport lounge Dragon Pass, priority travel perks, and the Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot.

As for the sign-up bonus, earn a generous amount of Asia Miles after approval, plus more after meeting a specified spending goal in the first few months of membership.

Overall, the Neo Cathay World Elite Mastercard is your intro offer card of choice if you're looking to earn Asia Miles and redeem them primarily through Asian Airlines.

Perhaps the best sign-up bonus credit card for you is one that boasts no annual fee.

If so, consider the following:

MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard®

3.4

go to MBNA's website

Welcome Bonus*

Up to 10,000 bonus points†† + 4x points on restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases††

Rewards Rate*

1x - 4x Points

Annual Fee*

Interest Rates

19.99% / 24.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Our Take

The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus MasterCard is a solid no-annual-fee card choice with high returns on restaurant and grocery purchases, which are the most common spending categories for most people. Additionally, it offers one of the highest signup bonuses for a no-annual-fee card. However, there are two main considerations before choosing this card. If you are open to a card with an annual fee, many other cards offer better rewards. Furthermore, the points earned need to be used for travel to fully benefit from this card; otherwise, if you are not planning to use the points for travel, you are better off with a cashback or another type of card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

One of the best no-annual-fee credit cards in Canada, both in terms of rewards and signup bonus.
Both restaurants and groceries, two of the most commonly spent categories, earn decent rewards.
Great annual birthday bonus with up to $100 in value.

Cons

Points must be used for travel otherwise the points won't have much value
There are better alternative cards both for cashback and paid cards that have higher reward rates

Card Details

Rewards*

Earn 4 points^†† for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases during the first 90 days (these earn rates apply until $10,000 is spent annually in the applicable category)
2 points^‡ for every $1 spent on restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases (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
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

Insurance*

Coverage*

Mobile Device Insurance
$1000
Purchase Protection
Up to 90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to a year

Benefits*

Details*

Annual Birthday Bonus
10% of the Points earned the 12 months prior to the primary cardholder's birthday month (up to a max 10,000 bonus points per year)
Car Rental Discount
10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car in Canada and US and 5% internationally

Eligibility*

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
N/A

^*‡, ††, ✪, ***, 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. The Toronto-Dominion Bank is the issuer of this credit card. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. ®MBNA and other-trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. Check here for full details and current product information.

The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard has the potential to welcome cardholders with up to $10,000 bonus points (5,000 bonus points for going paperless and 5,000 bonus points after spending $500 in 90 days). Additionally, for the first few months of membership, cardholders receive extra points per dollar spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases before the boosted rate drops back to its initial rate (capped at $10,000 annually).

Each year, cardholders will also receive an annual birthday bonus that rewards them with 10% of the points earned during the 12 months prior to the primary cardholder’s birthday month – adding even more value to the first year and all of the years that follow.

Other card benefits include car rental discounts at Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car locations, plus mobile device insurance on top of standard extended warranty and purchase protection insurance.

In summary, the MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard gives budget-conscious cardholders plenty of opportunities to boost their card value in the beginning stages of their membership.

American Express® Green Card

3.9

go to American Express' website

Welcome Bonus*

Up to 10,000 points ($210 value)

Rewards Rate*

1x point

Annual Fee*

Interest Rates

21.99%* / 21.99%*

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent