Best Flexible Credit Cards in Canada
Sara Skodak
Author
Kevin Shahnazari
Editor10 min read
These days, we’re expected to cover a variety of costs, and, ideally, we’d like to optimize as many of those expenses as possible. That’s what makes credit card reward flexibility so valuable.
Whether you’re looking for a credit card with multiple reward categories and redemption options, or you’re simply seeking something with a decent flat rate on all purchases, we’ve got a comprehensive line-up of the best flexible credit cards in cashback, travel, and no-annual-fees.
Keep scrolling to find the perfect card for nearly every type of purchase.
Best Overall Flexible Credit Card
Our choice for: Overall Best Credit Card in Canada, great at earning points to be used for travelling
American Express Cobalt® Card
American Express Cobalt® Card
go to American Express' website
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 15,000 points
Annual Fee*
$155.88
$12.99 Paid Monthly
Interest Rates
21.99%* / 21.99%*
This card was voted the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
Pros
- Points can be transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan® at a 1:1 ratio, making this card a solid Aeroplan® points earner as an alternative to Aeroplan® branded credit cards
- Generous welcome bonus of up to 15,000 points
- 4+ different ways of redeeming your points for great value
- 10 different types of insurance, including travel
- Often referred to as the Best Credit Card in Canada
Cons
- Less acceptance of American Express at different merchants across Canada
- Not all types of travel insurance are covered, especially trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Rewards*
- 5x points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (up to 12,500 points per month)
- 3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Flight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Travel Accident
$250,000.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Amex Experiences™
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™.svg)
Travel Credit
Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.
Eligibility*
Credit Score
FairAnnual Income
N/A
This card earns multiple first place titles on account of being well-balanced in terms of rewards, coverage, and perks. In this particular case, we’re recognizing the Cobalt Card for its flexibility.
For starters, cardholders earn competitive American Express Membership Rewards points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery services, followed by solid cashback on eligible Canadian streaming subscriptions, gas, transit and ride share programs.
Just like its rewards, its redemption categories are also quite versatile. With the Cobalt Card, you can use your American Express Membership Rewards points towards transfers to airline partners, a fixed point travel program, transfers to hotel partners, statement credits, gift cards, Amazon.ca purchases, and eligible merchandise.
Overall, the American Express Cobalt Card earns its place at the top in terms of flexibility because it provides multiple opportunities to optimize everyday purchases and it grants cardholders various ways to spend those points later on.
Best Flexible No-Fee Credit Cards
For some, the most ideal flexible credit card is one that comes with no annual fee.
Here are the top picks for budget-friendly flexibility:
Scotiabank American Express® Card
Scotiabank American Express® Card
3.2
go to Scotiabank's website
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 7,500 Scene+ points ($75 value)
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates
19.99% / 22.99%
If you're looking to earn travel rewards without an annual fee, the Scotiabank American Express® Card is a great choice. It offers flexible Scene+ points on everyday purchases, allowing you to redeem rewards for travel, entertainment, and more—all while enjoying plenty of perks at no extra cost.
Pros
- Strong Rewards: Earn flexible Scene+ points on all everyday purchases.
- Mobile Device Insurance: Comes with coverage for your mobile devices.
- Exclusive Perks: Access special offers, experiences, and more through American Express Invites.
- No Annual Fee: Enjoy all these benefits without paying an annual fee.
Cons
- Limited Insurance Coverage: Insurance is confined to mobile devices and purchase security & extended warranty protection.
- Lower Acceptance: Due to being an American Express network card, less merchants may accept it.
Rewards*
- Earn 3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco and more
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on restaurants, fast food, drinking establishments and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
- Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend 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*
Mobile Device Insurance
$500Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a year
Benefits*
Details*
American Express® Experiences
Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$12,000 personal
Plenty of Scene+ credit cards offer an extensive and flexible rewards program, the Scotiabank American Express Card is no exception – plus it has no yearly cost!
To begin, let’s break down your reward opportunities with this no-fee contender. With this card, you’ll earn respectable Scene+ points on every dollar you spend on:
- Groceries at partnered grocers like Sobeys, Safeway, and Freshco
- Other groceries at eligible grocery stores
- Restaurants, fast food, drinking establishments, and popular food delivery and food subscriptions
- Gas
- Daily transit like ride shares, buses, subways, and taxis
- Select streaming services
- Travel expenses like hotel bookings, car rentals, and arrangements made through Scene+ Travel
After you collect these points, you can spend them on multiple redemption categories like entertainment, travel, groceries, restaurants, merchandise, gift cards, and statement credits.
So, if you’re a budget-conscious everyday spender, traveller, or entertainment enthusiast, the Scotiabank American Express Card has you covered.
Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
4.4
go to Simplii Financial™'s website
Welcome Bonus*
8% cash back† up to $1,000 in spending
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates
20.99%* / 22.99%*
If you dine out a lot and don't want to pay an annual fee for your credit card, the Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card will undoubtedly be one of your best friends with its 4% cashback. Additionally, the card offers a decent cashback rate (1.5%) for gas, pharmacy, and groceries, making it one of the best no-annual-fee cashback credit cards in Canada. However, there are limits on how much you can earn in these categories. Therefore, you need to be careful not to exceed those limits; otherwise, your cashback rate will drop to 0.5% after those spending limits are reached.
Pros
- Highest cashback rate on restaurant purchases in Canada!
- Decent cashback rate on high spent categories such as groceries and gas.
- No annual fee for a card with great rewards.
Cons
- No insurance and benefits other than the standard purchase protection and extended warranty.
- Cap on the rewards that can be earned on each category.
Rewards*
- 4% cash back on eligible restaurant, bar, and coffee shop purchases up to $5,000 spent per year†
- 1.5% cash back on gas, groceries, drugstore, and pre-authorized payments up to $15,000 spent per year†
- 0.5% cashback on all other purchases†
Insurance*
Coverage*
Purchase Protection
Up to 90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$15,000 personal or $15,000 household
Maybe you want flexibility that’s a bit less complex. In that case, take a look at the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card.
This no-fee contender allows you to optimize plenty of popular spend categories like eligible restaurant, bar, and coffee shop purchases, gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases, plus pre-authorized payments.
Ultimately, the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card is a good alternative to the Scotiabank American Express Card if you prefer cashback over points, since you can literally pick your own redemption options. The American Express network's lower acceptance rate is also something to consider in favour of the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card, as it is not as widely accepted in places across Europe or through small-scale retailers.
Tangerine World Mastercard
Tangerine World Mastercard
4.1
go to Tangerine's website
I currently have or may soon have a Tangerine Savings account
Welcome Bonus
10% Cash Back up to $100 value
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
20.95%* / 22.95%*
While we think Tangerine World Mastercard isn't the best single credit card to own, it's still a valuable card to have in your arsenal for maximizing your rewards. It offers one of the highest cashback rates for pharmacy and recurring bill payments, areas where your other credit cards might not provide significant rewards. For no annual fees
Pros
- Allows you to change the categories, and you get a 2% reward depending on how your spending is changing every 90 days.
- 2% cashback on recurring Transactions and pharmacy purchases. One of the highest cashback rates on these categories among credit cards in Canada.
- Has cashback on Furniture and Home Improvement categories. Two categories that are not covered by any other card in Canada.
- Overall, it is a good no-annual-fee cashback credit card, especially if you have a Tangerine Savings account.
- A few benefits such as free DragonPass for lounge access, Boingo Wi-Fi, and insurances like mobile insurance and car rental theft and damage insurance.
Cons
- With these income and credit score requirements, there are cards with no annual fees that offer much higher rewards and benefits.
- Very low cashback rate on the other categories not selected.
Rewards
- 2% on the choice of two categories chosen from the 10 offered by Tangerine (3 if you have Tangerine's Savings account)
- 0.5% cashback on all other credit card purchases.
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a yearMobile Device Insurance
$1000Car Rental Damage & Theft
31 days
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
Speaking of choosing things for yourself, the Tangerine World Mastercard is the best flexible no-fee credit card for customization.
What do we mean by this? Well, with the Tangerine World Mastercard, you have the rare opportunity to pick your own two reward categories from the ten offered by Tangerine. The best part? You’ll get to select a third bonus category if you have a Tangerine savings account.
Tangerine earn category options include:
- Groceries
- Restaurant purchases
- Gas
- Recurring bill payments
- Entertainment
- Home improvement
- Drug store purchases
- Public transportation and parking
- Furniture purchases
- Hotel/motel bookings
Since the Tangerine World Mastercard is a cashback credit card like the Simplii Fianancial Cashback Visa Card, your redemption options are as flexible as they can get – because they’re completely up to you.
Keep in mind, however, that outside of your selected specialized categories, you’ll be subject to a below-average base rate on all other credit card purchases.
Therefore, if you’re the type of cardholder who likes complete control over their cashback, the Tangerine World Mastercard could be your top contender. Otherwise, if you’d like multiple earn categories picked for you, covering most of your everyday expenses, then you may want to stick with flexible no-fee options like the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card.
MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard®
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††
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates
19.99% / 24.99%
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
- 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
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
$1000Purchase Protection
Up to 90 daysExtended 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
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
Another simple no-fee option is the MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard.
This card earns you a couple of points on common spend categories like restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership, and household utility purchases (capped annually). So, while you won’t have the power to pick your own rewards program like you can with the Tangerine World Mastercard, you will receive more earn categories that are pre-selected for you (ones that satisfy many frequent spending habits).
These MBNA Rewards points can then be used towards travel bookings, gift card purchases, merchandise purchases, or statement credits.
So, if you’re looking for simplicity but still some more structure than the Tangerine World Mastercard, then the MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard is a good option.
Our choice for: Flat cash back rate with some travel perks
Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
4.8
go to Rogers Bank's website
I currently have or may soon have an eligible Rogers, Fido or Shaw service as the primary or level 1 authorized user
Welcome Bonus*
N/A
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates
20.99% - 25.99%* / 22.99% - 27.99%*
This card is one of the best in Canada, especially if you are a Rogers, Fido, or Shaw customer. With those services, you can effectively get a 3% cashback rate, which is higher than what almost any other card offers, even those with annual fees! Additionally, for a no-fee card, you gain access to an extensive list of travel benefits, many of which are typically offered only with cards that have annual fees. Therefore, we recommend this card to anyone who meets the income requirements, even if you are not a Rogers customer!
Pros
- Voted the Best Cash Back Card in Canada for Rogers, Fido and Shaw customers by FinlyWealth.
- Voted the Best No Annual Fee Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth.
- There is no annual fee which is a notable benefit for a card with such high rewards. Most cards with slightly lower reward rates typically include yearly fees.
- Many favorable benefits for travelers.
- Many benefits, such as trip cancellation insurance, are only available on credit cards with an annual fee. It is rare to see these benefits on a no-annual-fee card!
- Offers the flexibility to redeem cash towards Rogers, Shaw, or Fido services, potentially increasing your rewards.
- The roam-like benefit is a benefit unique only to this card.
- It is accepted at nearly all locations as it's a Mastercard.
Cons
- Harder to qualify due to the high credit score and income requirements.
- Out of all possible travel insurances, this card is missing Baggage delay and Hotel Burglary insurance. If these two insurances are essential to someone, this card needs to be paired with another travel card to cover them.
Rewards*
- Earn 3% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases made in U.S. dollars.^
- Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw.^
- Otherwise earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases.^
- Get 1.5 times more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases.^
- 5 Roam Like Home days at no cost with an eligible Rogers mobile plan ever year (up to $80 value).^
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
$1M, Up to 10 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$1M, Up to 3 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,000/person, $5,000 maximum
Trip Interruption
$1,000/person, $5,000 maximumCar Rental Damage & Theft
31 days, $65,000 car MSRPPurchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Pass only, complimentary visits not included
No Cost roaming
5 days
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
While the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard might not seem like the most flexible no-free credit card – considering it earns you the most cashback if you have a qualifying Rogers, Fido, or Shaw service – it can still earn you a little bit of cashback on all purchases if you don’t have a qualifying service.
If you happen to shop frequently within the U.S. or through U.S. retailers, you can also earn competitive cashback on all U.S. dollar purchases.
At the end of the day, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard may be a helpful option for those who want a budget-friendly card with some optimization on all purchases and great optimization on U.S. dollar purchases.
American Express® Green Card
American Express® Green Card
3.9
go to American Express' website
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 10,000 points ($210 value)
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates
21.99%* / 21.99%*
The American Express® Green Card is a great option for those looking for a no-frills card that earns rewards on all purchases without any annual fee or minimum income requirement. It's an accessible card with no cap on rewards, making it ideal for those who want to earn points without the higher costs and complexities of premium cards. However, it does come with lower rewards earnings across most categories and a modest welcome bonus.
Pros
- No Spending Limits: Earn unlimited rewards with no caps.
- Flexible Redemption: Transfer points to other loyalty programs for maximum value.
- VIP Perks: Access a variety of exclusive benefits through Amex Experiences™.
- Eco-Friendly: The card is made from 99% recycled plastic.
Cons
- Lower Reward Rates: Earn rates are lower compared to other no-fee cards.
- Limited Travel Perks: Lacks some of the travel benefits and insurance options provided by other cards.
Rewards*
- 1x point per $1 spent on all purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a year
Benefits*
Details*
Amex Experiences™
With Amex Experiences™ and Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets, American Express Cardmembers get access to amazing events in Canada
Extra points
2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
This card comes with a flat rate of an American Express Membership Reward point per dollar spent on all purchases.
As with other American Express Membership Rewards cards, these points can then be used towards multiple redemption categories like transfers to airline partners, a fixed point travel program, transfers to hotel partners, statement credits, gift cards, Amazon.ca purchases, and eligible merchandise.
So, the American Express Green Card might be best suited to budget-friendly cardholders who are less concerned about the quantity of the points they’ll receive, and more concerned about earning a reward every time they tap their credit card – no matter what they’re purchasing. If you prefer this type of flexibility in the form of cashback, you can always go for the Rogers Red World Mastercard instead.
Best Flexible Cashback Credit Cards
As previously mentioned, cashback credit cards provide a lot of flexibility in general since the money you receive back can be applied to anything you’d like.
Still, there are some credit cards that are more flexible when it comes to what types of purchases you can optimize.
In this category, we’ll cover all the top cashback credit cards with multiple redemption categories that cover most of your expenses, plus a couple of contenders that offer a flat rate of cashback on any purchase you make.
Our choice for: Highest cash back for everyday spending
SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
4.6
go to American Express' website
Welcome Bonus*
Up to $250 ($200 in first year)
Annual Fee*
$119.88
$9.99 Paid Monthly
Interest Rates
21.99%* / 21.99%*
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
- 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
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 PersonFlight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$500Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500Travel Accident
$100,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K up to 48 daysMobile Device Insurance
$1,000Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Amex Experiences™
Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
At first glance, the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express might not seem overly flexible, that’s because, if you look closely, this card only optimizes gas and grocery purchases which are popular, sure, but that doesn’t offer much variety.
Still, the SimplyCash Preferred Card is considered to be one of the best cashback credit cards in Canada, so it must fit into this list somehow. But how?
One small feature of the SimplyCash Preferred Card that makes it so appealing is the fact that it offers competitive cashback rates on popular spend categories and above-average base rate cashback on all other eligible purchases.
To top it off, cardholders receive significant bonus cashback on all purchases within the first few months of membership – talk about a flexible optimizing welcome offer!
So, if you’re wondering if one of the best cashback credit cards in Canada is a top contender in terms of flexibility – the answer is yes – especially in those first months of membership.
BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®
BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®
go to BMO's website
Welcome Bonus*
10% cash back in your first 3 months up to $200
Annual Fee*
$120 $0
Interest Rates
21.99% / 23.99%□
If you're seeking a cashback credit card, the BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard® stands out for its excellent balance between rewards and benefits. It offers a robust rewards program and a comprehensive benefits list, making it a solid choice. The high first-year value is enhanced by the annual fee waiver, and those with a BMO Premium Chequing Account can enjoy continued fee waivers. While it's highly ranked for rewards alone, it may not be the absolute top choice if benefits are less important to you.
Pros
- Offers one of the highest cashbacks on groceries and gas, two of the most frequently spent categories, compared to other credit cards in Canada.
- Includes roadside assistance, a rare but valuable benefit for people on the road.
- Provides a comprehensive list of insurance coverage and benefits.
- High first-year value.
Cons
- Does not include restaurant purchases as a reward category, which is one of the most important spending categories.
- Monthly limits on cash back could be higher
Rewards*
- 5% cash back on groceries (capped at $500 spending per statement, maximum of $25 in cashback per statement cycle)
- 4% cash back on daily transit (capped at $300 spending per statement, maximum of $12 in cashback per statement cycle)
- 3% cash back on gas (capped at $300 spending per statement, maximum of $9 in cashback per statement cycle)
- 2% cash back on recurring payments (capped at $500 spending per statement, maximum of $10 in cashback per statement cycle)
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
$5M up to 8 days per covered personTravel Accident
$500,000Flight Delay
$500 After 4 hours delayLost or Stolen Baggage
$500/person, $1,000 maximumBaggage Delay
$500/person, $1,000 maximum After 6 hoursHotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 daysPurchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
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.
Roadside Assistance
Including battery boosts, flat-tire change, lockout service and towing – a $69/year value.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
Hotel Booking Discount
Save up to 7% on your Booking.com prepaid hotel or property rental bookings at booking.com/mastercardcanada.Global Data Roaming plan
With FlexiRoam, stay connected around the world without a SIM card and get up to 15% off a Global Data Roaming plan plus up to 3GB of data, without any additional charges, if apply..svg)
Gas Discount
Get up to 7 cents off per litre on Shell® fuel, only for BMO cardholders.
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
If you want even higher cashback rewards on groceries, nearly as much cashback on gas, and better cashback on transit, then the BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard may be a better flexible cashback credit card alternative to the SimplyCash Preferred Card. The BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard also optimizes recurring payments, but the cashback rate for this specialized category is the same as the base rate for all other eligible purchases on the SimplyCash Preferred Card. Comparatively, the BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard has a lower base rate on all other eligible purchases than the SimplyCash Preferred Card.
Being a World Elite Mastercard, the BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard also comes with more benefits – which might explain its higher income requirements, something the SimplyCash Preferred Card lacks altogether.
Still, the SimplyCash Preferred Card has slightly a more extensive insurance program by including mobile device insurance. However, certain shared insurance categories like hotel burglary insurance and travel accident insurance have better coverage overall on the BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard.
While the BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard has a higher annual fee than the SimplyCash Preferred Card, the BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard’s annual fee is completely waived in the first year of membership.
Something you may want to note in terms of flexibility with the SimplyCash Preferred Card is that it’s an American Express credit card. American Express credit cards are less widely accepted, particularly in places within Europe or at smaller retailers.
Therefore, if you’re a high-earner who wants better cashback on groceries and transit, plus tons of extra perks and more coverage in certain insurance categories, then the BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard might be the superior flexible option for you. Otherwise, the SimplyCash Preferred Card offers better cashback on gas, a better base rate on all other purchases, and mobile device insurance.
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
go to Scotiabank's website
Welcome Bonus*
10% Cash Back (up to $200 value)
Annual Fee*
$120 $0
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%
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
- 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.
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
$1,000Travel Accident
$500,000Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysTrip Interruption
$2,000Trip Cancellation
$1,500Flight Delay
$500Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500Baggage Delay
$500Car Rental Damage & Theft
48 daysPurchase Protection
90 daysExtended 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
GoodAnnual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
When compared to the BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard, the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card offers less cashback on gas, groceries, and daily transit, but better cashback on recurring payments. Both cards share the same standard base rate, so all other purchases will be optimized at the same rate.
Beyond cashback, the BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard is still superior when it comes to benefits, but the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card has more insurance like mobile device insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and trip interruption insurance.
While these two contenders have some income requirements, the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card’s income requirements are lower, making the card slightly more accessible.
Overall, you’d likely pick the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card as your flexible cashback credit card if you’re particularly interested in optimizing recurring payments, if you want more insurance, and if you can’t meet the BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard’s higher income requirements. Alternatively, the BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard is a better flexible option for higher spenders looking for more optimization on their gas, grocery, and daily transit expenses, plus extra travel benefits.
Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
4.4
go to Simplii Financial™'s website
Welcome Bonus*
8% cash back† up to $1,000 in spending
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates
20.99%* / 22.99%*
If you dine out a lot and don't want to pay an annual fee for your credit card, the Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card will undoubtedly be one of your best friends with its 4% cashback. Additionally, the card offers a decent cashback rate (1.5%) for gas, pharmacy, and groceries, making it one of the best no-annual-fee cashback credit cards in Canada. However, there are limits on how much you can earn in these categories. Therefore, you need to be careful not to exceed those limits; otherwise, your cashback rate will drop to 0.5% after those spending limits are reached.
Pros
- Highest cashback rate on restaurant purchases in Canada!
- Decent cashback rate on high spent categories such as groceries and gas.
- No annual fee for a card with great rewards.
Cons
- No insurance and benefits other than the standard purchase protection and extended warranty.
- Cap on the rewards that can be earned on each category.
Rewards*
- 4% cash back on eligible restaurant, bar, and coffee shop purchases up to $5,000 spent per year†
- 1.5% cash back on gas, groceries, drugstore, and pre-authorized payments up to $15,000 spent per year†
- 0.5% cashback on all other purchases†
Insurance*
Coverage*
Purchase Protection
Up to 90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$15,000 personal or $15,000 household
As you’ll remember from our no-fee flexible credit card category, the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card offers impressive cashback on eligible restaurant, bar, and coffee shop purchases, plus decent cashback on gas, groceries, drugstore purchases, and pre-authorized payments. This optimizes plenty of everyday spend categories, contributing to the card’s flexibility.
That said, certain rates on popular categories like gas and groceries could be higher – especially if you’re willing to pay for credit cards like the previous Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card. The Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card’s base rate is also below average – which isn’t the case with all no-fee options.
So, the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card is a good no-fee flexible cashback contender for those who tend to eat out, fuel up, stock up on groceries, shop for wellness products, and pay their bills – which covers most of the day-to-day bases. Still, as mentioned, there may be some other cards out there that can optimize categories like gas and groceries even further and the base rate on all other purchases – even those also with no annual fee.
Our choice for: Flat cash back rate with some travel perks
Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
4.8
go to Rogers Bank's website
I currently have or may soon have an eligible Rogers, Fido or Shaw service as the primary or level 1 authorized user
Welcome Bonus*
N/A
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates
20.99% - 25.99%* / 22.99% - 27.99%*
This card is one of the best in Canada, especially if you are a Rogers, Fido, or Shaw customer. With those services, you can effectively get a 3% cashback rate, which is higher than what almost any other card offers, even those with annual fees! Additionally, for a no-fee card, you gain access to an extensive list of travel benefits, many of which are typically offered only with cards that have annual fees. Therefore, we recommend this card to anyone who meets the income requirements, even if you are not a Rogers customer!
Pros
- Voted the Best Cash Back Card in Canada for Rogers, Fido and Shaw customers by FinlyWealth.
- Voted the Best No Annual Fee Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth.
- There is no annual fee which is a notable benefit for a card with such high rewards. Most cards with slightly lower reward rates typically include yearly fees.
- Many favorable benefits for travelers.
- Many benefits, such as trip cancellation insurance, are only available on credit cards with an annual fee. It is rare to see these benefits on a no-annual-fee card!
- Offers the flexibility to redeem cash towards Rogers, Shaw, or Fido services, potentially increasing your rewards.
- The roam-like benefit is a benefit unique only to this card.
- It is accepted at nearly all locations as it's a Mastercard.
Cons
- Harder to qualify due to the high credit score and income requirements.
- Out of all possible travel insurances, this card is missing Baggage delay and Hotel Burglary insurance. If these two insurances are essential to someone, this card needs to be paired with another travel card to cover them.
Rewards*
- Earn 3% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases made in U.S. dollars.^
- Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw.^
- Otherwise earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases.^
- Get 1.5 times more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases.^
- 5 Roam Like Home days at no cost with an eligible Rogers mobile plan ever year (up to $80 value).^
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
$1M, Up to 10 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$1M, Up to 3 daysTrip Cancellation
$1,000/person, $5,000 maximumTrip Interruption
$1,000/person, $5,000 maximumCar Rental Damage & Theft
31 days, $65,000 car MSRPPurchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Pass only, complimentary visits not includedNo Cost roaming
5 days
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
Back for a second time, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is one of those cards that might not seem flexible at first, but with a base rate that is slightly above average for no annual fee – it certainly offers some budget friendly versatility. Not to mention, U.S. dollar shoppers luck out on strong cashback on any cross-border purchases.
Of course, if you happen to have an eligible Rogers, Fido, or Shaw account, or if you use your earned cashback on Rogers, Fido, or Shaw purchases, the card becomes extremely beneficial by boosting your cashback on all purchases even further. However, this loyalty takes away some flexibility and freedom.
Still, the base rate on this card is higher than both the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card and the Tangerine World Mastercard – its two no-fee cashback competitors.
So, even if you don’t affiliate yourself with Rogers, Fido, or Shaw, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is still a good flexible no-fee cashback credit card on account of its above-average base rate on all purchases.
Best Flexible Everyday Rewards Credit Cards
These next two credit cards focus on high-value everyday rewards.
The first contender may look a little familiar.
Our choice for: Overall Best Credit Card in Canada, great at earning points to be used for travelling
American Express Cobalt® Card
American Express Cobalt® Card
go to American Express' website
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 15,000 points
Annual Fee*
$155.88
$12.99 Paid Monthly
Interest Rates
21.99%* / 21.99%*
This card was voted the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
Pros
- Points can be transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan® at a 1:1 ratio, making this card a solid Aeroplan® points earner as an alternative to Aeroplan® branded credit cards
- Generous welcome bonus of up to 15,000 points
- 4+ different ways of redeeming your points for great value
- 10 different types of insurance, including travel
- Often referred to as the Best Credit Card in Canada
Cons
- Less acceptance of American Express at different merchants across Canada
- Not all types of travel insurance are covered, especially trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Rewards*
- 5x points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (up to 12,500 points per month)
- 3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysFlight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$500Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500Travel Accident
$250,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
yesMobile Device Insurance
$1,000Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Amex Experiences™
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™Travel Credit
Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.
Eligibility*
Credit Score
FairAnnual Income
N/A
Recognizable from the “best overall” category, the American Express Cobalt Card offers some of the highest American Express Membership Reward points on some of the most popular spend categories – specifically dining, groceries, and food delivery, with solid points as well on select Canadian streaming subscriptions, gas, and transit.
These American Express Membership Rewards points can then be used towards plenty of redemption categories such as transfers to airline partners, a fixed point travel program, transfers to hotel partners, statement credits, gift cards, Amazon.ca purchases, and eligible merchandise.
Thus, the American Express Cobalt Card’s flexibility comes from its wide-range of high optimizing-potential and its abundance of redemption options.
Our choice for: Highest rewards on groceries & dining
MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
go to MBNA's website
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 30,000 points ($245 in cash back value or $300 when redeemed for MBNA Travel)††
Annual Fee*
$120
Interest Rates
19.99% / 24.99%
The MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® is one of the best reward credit cards in Canada, offering high rewards on frequently spent categories such as groceries and restaurant purchases. The annual birthday bonus, unique to this card, also provides a significant boost to your yearly earnings. Additionally, the card features a comprehensive list of benefits, including price protection—a rare and valuable perk not found with many other cards in Canada. These factors make this card one of the best to have in Canada.
Pros
- Both restaurants and groceries, two of the most commonly spent categories, earn the most rewards.
- Great annual birthday bonus with up to $150 in value.
- A solid list of travel insurance and benefits.
- Price protection, a rare feature not offered by many other cards.
- Good value for many of the card's redemption options.
Cons
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance, two great benefits are missing from this card.
- Not the best card for gas purchases.
Rewards*
- Earn 5 points‡ for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership, and household utility purchases until $50,000 is spent annually in the applicable category.
- 1 point‡ for every $1 on all other eligible purchases.
- Each year, you will receive Birthday Bonus Points‡ equal to 10% of the total number of Points the Account earned in the 12 months before the month of the primary cardholder's birthday, to a maximum Birthday Bonus each year of 15,000 Points.
Insurance*
Coverage*
Mobile Device Insurance
$1000Purchase Protection
Up to 90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a yearCar Rental Damage & Theft
31 daysFlight Delay
$500/person after 4 hoursTravel Accident
$1,000,000Emergency Out of province Medical
$2M for 21 daysLost or Stolen Baggage
$1000/personBaggage Delay
$1000/person
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 15,000 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
Trip and legal Assistance
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Concierge Services
Price Protection
$500/item, $1000/account per year
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
Another card that earns you tons of points on multiple spend categories is the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard.
This card optimizes dining, groceries, digital media, membership, and household utility purchases – five everyday categories that may complement your day-to-day spending. Its reward-rate on dining and groceries is the same as the Cobalt Card (though keep in mind that you’ll be receiving MBNA Rewards points instead of American Express Membership Rewards points – which have their own values for different redemption categories).
Ultimately, the Cobalt Card actually comes with a more flexible redemption program by offering redemption options like transfers to airline partners, a fixed point travel program, transfers to hotel partners, statement credits, gift cards, Amazon.ca purchases, and eligible merchandise. Alternatively, the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard only offers point redemptions towards travel, gift cards, statement credits, and merchandise.
All things considered, the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard offers great earn-flexibility when it comes to plenty of everyday categories, however, the Cobalt Card also offers great earn flexibility (even on some more common categories like gas and transit) and it provides even more flexibility when it comes to redeeming its American Express Membership Rewards points. Still, you should always consider the lower acceptance rate of American Express Credit Cards – making these cards less flexible when you shop in certain places in Europe and at some small retailers.
Best Flexible Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Next up, we’re going to cover the best flexible travel rewards credit cards. While many of these cards boast everyday earning flexibility, they prioritize travel optimization.
Our choice for: Great rewards and travel benefits
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
4.9
go to Scotiabank's website
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 40,000 Scene+ points ($400 value)
Annual Fee*
$120
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%
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
- 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.
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 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$1M, Up to 3 daysTrip Cancellation
$1500/person, $10000/tripTrip Interruption
$1500/person, $10,000/tripLost or Stolen Baggage
$500/person, $1000/tripBaggage Delay
$500/person, $1,000/trip After 4 hoursFlight Delay
$500/personTravel Accident
$500K/person, $1M/occurrenceCar Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1000/occurrenceMobile Device Insurance
$1,000Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits*
Details*
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the 2.5% foreign transaction fees incurred when spending in non $CADAmerican Express® Experiences
Concierge Services
Discount
Discount on PriorityPass Membership
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$12,000 personal or $12,000 household
Starting with the best travel credit card in Canada, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card earns you tons of points on multiple everyday spend categories and travel purchases.
Because there are literally so many reward categories on this card, we’re going to break them down below for your convenience. With this card, expect to earn plenty of Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on:
- Groceries at partnered grocers like Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, and Foodland
- Groceries purchased at other eligible grocery stores
- Dining, food delivery, or food subscriptions
- Tickets for eligible Canadian entertainment, like the movies, theatre performances and so on
- Eligible gas
- Eligible daily transit, including ride shares, buses, subways, and taxis
- Eligible Canadian streaming services
- Travel expenses like hotel bookings, car rentals, and arrangements made through Scene+ Travel
As with any Scene+ credit card, you can then use these Scene+ points towards multiple redemption categories like entertainment, travel, groceries, restaurants, merchandise, gift cards, and statement credits.
To complement your travel earnings and redemptions even further, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card also features 13 insurance categories with valuable travel coverage like trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance, plus emergency medical coverages.
You’ll also receive exclusive travel benefits like no-foreign transaction fees, allowing you to avoid the 2.5% transaction fee incurred while shopping internationally.
So, if you want a flexible credit card that also offers you some of the best travel rewards, redemptions, coverage, and benefits, there’s no better option than the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card.
Our choice for: Premium Travel Perks and Lounge Access
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
4.8
go to Scotiabank's website
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 40,000 Scene+ points
Annual Fee*
$150
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%
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
- 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.
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 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$2M/insured up to 3 daysTrip Cancellation
$1,500/person, $10,000/tripTrip Interruption
$2,500/person, $10,000/tripFlight Delay
$500/person after 4 hoursLost or Stolen Baggage
$1000Baggage Delay
$1000Travel Accident
$500,000/insured, $1M combinedCar Rental Damage & Theft
$65,000 up to 48 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Benefits*
Details*
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the usual 2.5% forex fees on your purchases when you travel outside of CanadaAirport Lounge - Dragon Pass
6 Free complimentary visits.svg)
Status lift
Avis® Preferred Plus membershipConcierge Services
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
For a slightly higher annual fee and higher income requirements, you can opt for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card instead.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card doesn’t offer quite as many earn categories as the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, making it a little less flexible. That said, it still offers cardholders plenty of optimization opportunities on every dollar they spend on:
- Groceries at partnered grocers like Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, and Foodland
- Groceries purchased at other eligible grocery stores
- Dining
- Tickets for eligible Canadian entertainment
- Eligible daily transit, including ride shares, buses, subways, and taxis
- Travel expenses like hotel bookings, car rentals, and arrangements made through Scene+ Travel
As you can see then, the main earn categories missing from the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card that we see on the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card are gas and streaming.
So, if the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card has less earn categories than the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, why is it harder and more expensive to get? This comes down to coverage and benefits.
In regards to coverage, while the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card technically has more insurance categories (adding mobile device insurance to the mix), certain categories, like trip interruption, lost or stolen baggage, baggage delay, and emergency medical insurances have higher coverage values on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card.
As for benefits, while the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card also includes the no foreign transaction fee perk and concierge services (both included on the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card) it adds more valuable perks like some complimentary visits to Dragon Pass airport lounges – a luxury travel opportunity.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking for slightly more flexibility on what you earn your Scene+ points on, stick to the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card as your flexible travel card. Otherwise, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is still quite flexible, and includes more travel perks and better coverage. You also might prefer a Visa card over an American Express card, considering Amex’s lower acceptance rates.
American Express Gold Rewards Card®
American Express Gold Rewards Card®
4.2
go to American Express' website
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 60,000 points
Annual Fee*
$250
Interest Rates
21.99%* / 21.99%*
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.
Pros
- Flexible Rewards: Enjoy flexible Membership Rewards point conversion with up to 2 points per $1 spent.
- Travel Perks: Includes $100 annual travel credit and 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Comes with 11 types of insurance coverage.
- Multiple Redemption Options: Offers 4 ways to redeem points for maximum value.
Cons
- High Annual Fee: The card comes with a $250 annual fee.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: A 2.5% fee applies to foreign transactions.
- Limited Travel Insurance for Seniors: No travel medical insurance coverage for those over 65.
- Lower Acceptance: As an American Express card, it may have lower acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard.
Rewards*
- 2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
- 2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysTrip Cancellation
$1,500 per person, $3,000 combinedTrip Interruption
$1,500 per person, $6,000 combinedFlight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$500Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500Travel Accident
$500,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
yesPurchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Travel Credit
$100
Nexus Program Rebate
$50 statement credit every 4 yearsAirport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express TravelStatus lift
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty programAmerican Express® Experiences
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
Eligibility*
Credit Score
FairAnnual Income
N/A
There’s another flexible Amex Card worth comparing to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card.
The American Express Gold Rewards Card is a bit pricier, but it doesn’t have any income requirements, unlike the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card.
This Amex card covers a handful of popular everyday spend categories like gas, groceries, drugstore purchases, and travel (think flights, hotels, tours and more) – offering cardholders decent optimization flexibility – but not quite as much as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card. You can also earn better grocery rates at partnered grocers and better travel points with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, but you miss out on gas and drugstore optimization.
Both loyalty programs (Scene+ and American Express Membership Rewards) offer plenty of redemption options, so it really just comes down to what you prefer to spend your points on and if the point value for your desired redemption category is worth it to you. For travel redemption options, American Express Membership Rewards points tend to be worth a little more, plus there are more travel-related redemptions to choose from (like transfers to airline partners, the fixed point travel program, and transfers to hotel partners).
The coverage on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is also more extensive (since it includes emergency medical over 65 insurance) and certain insurance categories have higher coverage (like trip interruption, hotel burglary, and baggage delay insurance).
That said, the American Express Gold Rewards Card has more benefits (which makes sense given the higher annual cost). It adds valuable perks like an annual travel credit, complimentary hotel benefits, a Nexus Program rebate and a Priority Pass membership with a few visits (although not as many visits as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card gets with the Dragon Pass).
In summary, in terms of reward earning flexibility, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers more reward categories, but the American Express Gold Rewards Card offers better redemptions in travel with its flexible rewards program, plus a few more travel perks. There’s also the low Amex acceptance rate with the American Express Gold Rewards Card, which is always something to consider.
TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
3.9
go to TD's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 135,000 TD Rewards Points
Annual Fee
$139 $0
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%
The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is an excellent option for frequent travelers who book through Expedia For TD and want to maximize rewards on travel purchases. The high welcome bonus and extensive insurance coverage make this card stand out. However, the high income requirements and limited value of TD points may not make it the best fit for everyone.
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus of up to 135,000 points, which can be worth up to $675 in travel rewards.
- Earn 8 points per $1 spent on travel booked through Expedia For TD, making it a great card for frequent travelers.
- First year annual fee rebate, making it free for the first year.
- Extensive insurance coverage, including trip cancellation, emergency medical, baggage delay, and more.
- Annual $100 travel credit on a purchase of $500 or more through Expedia For TD.
Cons
- High income requirements: You need to earn at least $60,000 personally or $100,000 as a household.
- TD Rewards points are only worth 0.5 cents each, limiting their value compared to some other rewards programs.
- The Expedia For TD platform might not always offer the best prices or availability compared to booking directly with airlines or hotels.
Rewards
- 8x points per $1 spent on travel booked online through Expedia for TD
- 6x points per $1 spent on eligible grocery and restaurant purchases
- 4x points per $1 spent on eligible recurring bill payments
- 2x points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Out of province Medical
21 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
4 daysTrip Cancellation
$1,500Trip Interruption
$5,000Flight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$1,000Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000Travel Accident
$500,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
yesHotel Burglary Insurance
$2,500Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 yearMobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Benefits
Details
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Concierge Services
Golf Benefit
Troon Rewards Golf benefits like discounts at over 95 resorts and courses around the world plus access to select private clubs across the U.SExtra points
Earn 50% more Stars and 50% more Aeroplan points at participating Starbucks storesAnnual Birthday Bonus
Earn a Birthday Bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards PointsCar Rental Discount
10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A CarTravel Credit
Get an annual TD Travel Credit of $100 when you book at Expedia For TD
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
If you want to steer away from the Amex network yet again, you can turn towards the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card instead.
This card has a lower annual fee than the American Express Gold Rewards Card, plus that fee is completely waived in the first year of membership. It’s worth mentioning though that unlike the American Express Gold Rewards Card, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card has some income requirements for applicants.
With the American Express Gold Rewards Card, we got plenty of earn categories but fewer points per category. The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card also has its fair share of flexible earning opportunities, plus plenty of points to go with them. The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card earns cardholders tons of TD Rewards points on travel booked online through Expedia for TD, plus eligible groceries, restaurant purchases, and recurring bill payments – that’s more points on groceries and travel than you receive with the American Express Gold Rewards Card. Likewise, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card has a better base rate on all other eligible purchases.
That said, TD Rewards points are typically worth less than American Express Membership Rewards points – including when it comes to travel.
Still, there are ways the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card could still appeal to travellers on account of having more extensive insurance coverage, with some better coverage on categories like trip interruption, hotel burglary, and emergency out of province medical.
Besides an annual travel credit that's similar to the one offered by the American Express Gold Rewards Card, and car rental discounts at Avis and Budget rental locations, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card doesn’t include many travel-oriented perks, but it still has some valuable benefits like an annual birthday bonus of extra TD Rewards points.
So, if you want the flexibility of earning TD Rewards points on everyday categories like groceries, dining, recurring bill payments and travel, plus an above-average base rate on all other eligible purchases – then the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is a good pick (plus it’s a Visa card instead of an Amex card). However, if you’d rather optimize your gas, groceries, drugstore purchases, and travel bookings with points with better redemption values and receive more travel perks, then the American Express Gold Rewards Card should still be your top choice.
National Bank World Elite® Mastercard®
National Bank World Elite® Mastercard®
3.6
go to National Bank's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 35,000 points
Annual Fee
$150
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.49%
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is a strong choice for frequent travelers who value rewards and comprehensive insurance coverage. With a generous earn rate on everyday spending categories like groceries and restaurants, it offers substantial value, especially if you redeem points for travel. The $150 annual travel credit effectively offsets the card's $150 annual fee, making this card almost "fee-free" if fully utilized. Additionally, the card’s airport lounge access, superior purchase protection, and extended warranties make it a great companion for those who prioritize convenience and peace of mind during their travels.
Pros
- High Earn Rates: Earn up to 5 points per $1 spent on groceries and restaurants, and 2 points per $1 on gas, recurring bills, and travel booked through National Bank’s À La Carte Rewards.
- Annual $150 Travel Credit: Get reimbursed for common travel expenses such as checked bag fees, airport parking, and seat selection.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Includes 10 types of insurance, making it one of the most robust insurance packages for travel and purchase protection.
Cons
- High Income Requirements: Requires a personal income of $80,000 or a household income of $150,000, limiting eligibility for some.
Rewards
- 5x points per $1 spent on eligible grocery and restaurant purchases
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, recurring bills, and travel booked through À La Carte Rewards
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
180 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 2 yearsEmergency Out of province Medical
60 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
15 daysTrip Interruption
$5,000Trip Cancellation
$2,500Baggage Delay
$500Flight Delay
$500Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
yesMobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - National Bank
Unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau AirportTravel Credit
$150 refund per year on travel expenses (seat selection, airport parking, baggage fees, airline ticket upgrades and lounges)Extra points
2 points on À La Carte Rewards
Eligibility
Credit Score
Very GoodAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
Compared to the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard is a bit more expensive annually (without a first year rebate), plus it comes with higher income requirements.
Still, this card gets you plenty of National Bank À la Carte Rewards on every dollar spent on groceries and dining, plus solid rewards on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, recurring bills, and travel booked through À la Carte Rewards. In terms of shared categories like groceries, dining, travel, and recurring bills, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card still earns you more TD Rewards points and a better base rate on all other eligible purchases.
When it comes to overall redemption options, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card has more redemption categories. These include travel via Expedia, other travel, education, Amazon.ca purchases, statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise. On the other hand, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers travel through À la Carte Travel, other travel, financial products, gift cards, and statement credits. Note as well that National Bank À la Carte Rewards points are typically worth more than TD Rewards points, even when it comes to travel.
While the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card has more insurance coverage than the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard has better coverage in certain categories like trip cancellation, emergency out of province medical, and emergency medical over 65 coverage.
As for benefits, even though the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card has more benefits than the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard has better travel-oriented benefits like a higher annual travel credit and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau Airport.
All in all, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard has more reward categories, better coverage, and better travel perks. However, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card has more redemption opportunities and a better base rate on all other eligible purchases – making its flat rate flexibility superior.
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