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Published Sep 12, 2025 5:37 AM UTC • 12 min read
Data-driven rankings of 120+ credit cards using a proprietary algorithm
Comprehensive analysis using 25+ data points including terms and conditions, points programs, and more
Objective editorial approach - we strive for unbiased reviews following our editorial guidelines
FinlyWealth's credit cards content, including rankings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of engineers and writers who specialize in credit cards, banking, and personal finance. Our work has been featured in The Globe and Mail, GoBankingRates, and AOL. Our proprietary analysis systems evaluate product features, terms, and conditions to deliver comprehensive reviews and comparisons while maintaining strict editorial standards for accuracy and integrity.
Our choice for: Best Overall Grocery Credit Card
on MBNA's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 30,000 points ($245 in cash back value or $300 when redeemed for MBNA Travel)††
Rewards Rate
1x - 5x Points
Points
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
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Mobile Device Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Flight Delay
Travel Accident
Emergency Out of province Medical
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage Delay
Benefits
Details
Annual Birthday Bonus
Car Rental Discount
Trip and legal Assistance
Concierge Services
Price Protection
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best for Cashback
on Neo Financial's website
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Rewards Rate
1% - 7% cashback
Cash Back
Annual Fee
$125
Interest Rates
19.99% - 26.99%□ / 22.99% - 28.99%
This card offers one of the highest cash back rates in Canada for gas (up to 4%), grocery (up to 7%) and recurring purchases (up to 5%) which is pretty hard to beat. While the cash back rates are very high, you need to mind the spend caps set for each category to see if your earning potential is really that high compared to most other credit cards. However, for a typical person who's spending is generally below $12k per year in grocery, $6k per year in recurring bills and $12k per year in gas then you'll be doing pretty well, especially with the great insurance and benefit offers as outlined in our neo world elite mastercard review below.
Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Out of province Medical
Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Flight Delay
Baggage Delay
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Car Rental Accident
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Car Rental Personal Effects
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Cashback Specifically on Groceries
on Scotiabank's website
Welcome Bonus
10% Cash Back (up to $200 value)
Rewards Rate
1% - 4%
Cash Back
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
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Mobile Device Insurance
Travel Accident
Emergency Out of province Medical
Trip Interruption
Trip Cancellation
Flight Delay
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage Delay
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
Car Rental Discount
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Loblaws related stores
on PC Financial's website
Welcome Bonus
20,000 PC points ($20 value)
Rewards Rate
10x - 45x Optimum Points
Points
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
21.99% / 22.97%
This is a great card to have in your arsenal if you frequently shop at Shoppers Drug Mart®, Loblaw's owned chains, and ESSO and Mobil gas stations, as you will earn significant rewards in these categories. The additional benefits, such as out-of-province medical insurance, car rental damage insurance, and concierge service, are impressive and typically only come with cards that have annual fees; however, you can access these benefits for free with this card. We do not recommend using this as your primary credit card but as a supplement to another primary card, especially because there are no fees. This is because the rewards on purchases outside the mentioned shops are very average, and many other cards offer much more substantial rewards for general use.
Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Out of province Medical
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
Concierge Services
Identity Theft Assistance
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Earning Points for Traveling
on American Express' website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points
Rewards Rate
1x - 5x points
Points
Annual Fee
$155.88⁕
$12.99 Paid Monthly
⁕ For Quebec, $150/year
⁕ IMPORTANT NOTICE: Effective November 5, 2025, the monthly fee for non-Quebec residents will increase to $15.99 per month ($191.88 annually), and the annual fee for Quebec residents will increase to $191.88 per year.
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 amex cobalt bonus 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
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Out of province Medical
Flight Delay
Baggage Delay
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Travel Accident
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Mobile Device Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
Amex Experiences™
Travel Credit
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best for Sobeys, Safeway, and more*
on Scotiabank's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 50,000 Scene+ points ($500 value)
Rewards Rate
1x - 6x Scene+ points
Points
Annual Fee
$120 $0
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
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Out of province Medical
Emergency Medical Over 65
Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage Delay
Flight Delay
Travel Accident
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Mobile Device Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
No Foreign Transaction Fees
American Express® Experiences
Concierge Services
Discount
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best for Save On Foods and more*
on RBC's website
More Rewards is a loyalty program with over 700 participating locations primarily based in Western Canada is best suited for residents in this region. This product is not available to residents of Quebec.
Welcome Bonus
Get up to 50,000 bonus More Rewards points[1]
Rewards Rate
3x - 5x points
Points
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%□
The More Rewards RBC Visa is a decent no annual fee entry card that can earn you More Rewards points really fast on all your purchases. Points are best used for travel, groceries or gift cards. If you frequently shop at More Rewards partner stores like Save-On-Foods, Urban Fare, etc. then you can rack up points really quickly and save a lot each year on groceries when you redeem your points.
Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Mobile Device Insurance
Extended Warranty
Purchase Protection
Benefits
Details
Gas Discount
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best for Walmart
on BMO's website
Welcome Bonus
Get up to $335 in additional cash back**
Rewards Rate
1% - 5%
Cash Back
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
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Out of province Medical
Travel Accident
Flight Delay
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage Delay
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Roadside Assistance
Car Rental Discount
Hotel Booking Discount
Global Data Roaming plan
Gas Discount
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
Our choice for: Best for Costco
on Rogers Bank's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to $60 cash back ($90 if redeemed for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases)^
Rewards Rate
1% - 3%
Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
20.99% - 25.99%* / 22.99% - 27.99%*
This card is one of our top-ranked options in terms of rewards, especially if you are a Rogers, Fido, or Shaw customer. With those services, you can effectively get a 3% cashback rate, which is a higher rate than almost any other card offers, even those with annual fees! If you have a high income of $80K or a household income of $150K, you can apply for the World Elite version of this card, which comes with additional insurance and benefits like a lounge pass.
Pros
Cons
Rewards
Insurance
Coverage
Balance Protection
Benefits
Details
No Cost roaming
Eligibility
Credit Score
Annual Income
The MBNA World Elite Mastercard stands out as one of the best credit cards in Canada overall, not just for groceries. It’s widely accepted at virtually all grocery stores, including those that often exclude certain networks and offers top-tier rewards thanks to Mastercard’s broad merchant coding, covering even retailers like Walmart Supercenters. With a generous cap on bonus rewards, cardholders can earn consistently without worrying about limits. Beyond groceries, it also delivers strong value through competitive earn rates in other categories, comprehensive insurance coverage, and even a birthday bonus, making it a well-rounded choice for maximizing everyday spending. Learn more in our MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard review.
The Neo World Elite Mastercard offers solid cashback on grocery purchases, with the potential for even higher returns if you maintain a certain balance in a Neo everyday account. Its reward structure becomes especially attractive when used at Neo’s partnered grocery retailers, such as Loblaws and the Real Canadian Superstore, where additional cashback is layered on top. While the card comes with an annual fee and notable income requirements, it could be a worthwhile option for those who shop frequently at partner stores and are willing to leverage Neo’s banking ecosystem to maximize their grocery rewards. Learn more in our Neo World Elite Mastercard review.
The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card is best for cashback specifically on groceries, offering strong returns at major retailers like Loblaws and the Real Canadian Superstore, thanks to Visa’s recognition of these stores as eligible grocery merchants. While it doesn’t include bonus opportunities through savings accounts or partnered boosts like the Neo World Elite Mastercard, it still delivers nearly comparable cashback on grocery purchases. With a lower annual fee that’s waived in the first year and more accessible income requirements, it’s a compelling choice for those focused on maximizing grocery rewards without needing to meet premium eligibility criteria. Learn more in our Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card review.
If you prefer earning points over cashback and frequently shop at Loblaws-owned stores, the PC World Elite Mastercard is a top no-fee option. It lets you earn PC Financial points at a wide range of grocery chains like No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Fortinos, and more, and also rewards purchases at Shoppers Drug Mart, ESSO, Mobil, and PC Travel, making it a versatile everyday and travel-friendly card. Despite having no annual fee, it carries income requirements similar to premium cards like the Neo World Elite Mastercard. Still, for those who qualify, it’s a strong budget-friendly alternative for grocery rewards, especially within the Loblaws ecosystem.
The American Express Cobalt Card is one of the best credit cards in Canada, thanks to its high points-earning potential on groceries and everyday spending like dining, gas, and transit. While it’s not accepted at Loblaws, Costco, or Walmart, it shines at eligible grocers and offers excellent value through the Membership Rewards program. It’s also one of the best cards for earning travel points, with flexible redemptions that make it easy to turn daily purchases into travel rewards. Learn more in our American Express Cobalt Card review.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is a strong option for Sobeys shoppers who want to earn generous Scene+ points on groceries at stores like Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, and Foodland. It also offers solid rewards at non-partner grocery stores and allows points to be redeemed for future grocery purchases or entertainment. With a lower annual fee and modest income requirements, it’s an accessible and rewarding choice for those who frequently shop at Sobeys-owned chains and want to turn their spending into everyday value. Learn more in our Scotiabank Gold American Express Card review.
The More Rewards RBC Visa Card is a no-fee, no-income-requirement grocery credit card tailored for shoppers who frequent More Rewards partner grocers like Save On Foods, Buy-Low Foods, Quality Foods, Nesters Market, Urban Fare, and PriceSmart Foods. It offers strong points per dollar on grocery purchases at these stores, along with bonus rewards on gas, EV charging, and dining. Cardholders also benefit from standard purchase protection, extended warranty, and mobile device insurance. Plus, linking the card to Petro-Canada rewards unlocks additional gas discounts and Petro-Points, making it a well-rounded and budget-friendly choice for regional grocery shoppers.
The BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard is a strong choice for Walmart grocery shoppers, offering competitive cashback on grocery purchases and a valuable welcome bonus that boosts your earnings in the first few months. It also includes bonus rewards in other everyday spending categories and provides standard benefits like extended warranty and travel insurance. With a slightly lower annual fee that’s waived in the first year and high cashback potential from the start, this card is a budget-friendly option for those looking to maximize grocery rewards at Walmart without ongoing partner programs or extra conditions. Learn more in our BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard review.
Costco is one of the trickiest grocery retailers to earn rewards at, as it’s often classified as a department store, even when using Mastercard, the only credit card accepted at its warehouses. However, the Rogers Red Mastercard offers a clever workaround. While it doesn’t have a dedicated grocery category, it provides a high base cashback rate on all purchases, which applies to Costco grocery transactions. This makes it one of the most budget-friendly and effective options for earning strong rewards at Costco. If you’re looking to maximize your grocery spend at Costco without jumping through hoops, this card is a smart choice. Learn more in our Rogers Red Mastercard review.
Many factors were considered when choosing the best grocery credit cards. The biggest factor was the amount of cashback or points earned on grocery-related purchases minus the annual fees that come with the cards. The next biggest factor was acceptability, as some networks are accepted more throughout grocery stores in Canada. And lastly, for those who regularly buy groceries at a specific chain, cards that earn the most at those specific chains are recommended.
Grocery-optimizing credit cards are a great way to earn money back or rewards towards other expenses simply for purchasing your daily necessities.
Since groceries are one of the most common (and these days some of the most expensive) purchases we make on a day-to-day basis, why wouldn’t we want some extra cash or points in return?
In the long run, using a grocery credit card allows you to earn, save, and optimize money.
Many credit cards will either highlight partnered grocers in their rewards program or simply mention “grocery purchases” as a specialized earn category.
Most of the time, you can refer to your credit card network’s merchant category codes to determine which retailers are considered grocery stores under your card. The Canadian merchant code for grocery stores and supermarkets in Canada is 5411.
There are also certain stores where only some credit cards count purchases as grocery purchases. Two popular gray-area-grocery examples are Walmart and Costco. Only Mastercard recognizes Walmart as a grocery store rather than a department store. As for Costco, while Costco warehouses only accept Mastercards, Mastercard likely won’t recognize Costco purchases as grocery purchases. So, you’ll have to use a high base-rate-earning Mastercard to optimize your Costco groceries like the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard.
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Since graduating from the University of Western Ontario, Sara has built a diverse writing portfolio, covering topics in the travel, business, and wellness sectors. As a self-started freelance content ...
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