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Side by Side Credit Cards Comparison
American Express Cobalt® CardVSWalmart Rewards™ Mastercard®
Which one is better?
American Express Cobalt® Card
5.0
Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®
1.7
Welcome Bonus
Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your amex cobalt credit card in the first Year. That's up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points.
Welcome Bonus
Start with a welcome bonus of $25 reward dollars¹. Just spend $75 in a single purchase at Walmart with your new Walmart Rewards Mastercard in the first 30 days¹.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$1,030.99
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus Value
+
$300
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
-
$155.88
First Year Value
$1,175.11
$875.11 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$263.22
First Year Bonus Value
+
$25
Annual Fee
-
$0
First Year Value
$288.22
$263.22 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
How to Earn 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
How to Earn Rewards
- Earn 3% in reward dollars at any Walmart store in Canada or online at Walmart.ca2
- Earn 1% everywhere outside Walmart3
- Get 3 months free on Delivery pass annual subscription every year.4
Insurance Included
Purchase Protection
90 days
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Travel Accident
$250,000
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Emergency Medical Term
15 days, up to $5M (if under age 65)Flight Delay
$500
Insurance Included
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extra Benefits
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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.
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™
Extra Benefits
N/A
Interest Rates
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
1 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 29.99%.
Interest Rates
Purchase:
21.89%
Cash Advance:
22.97%
Balance Transfer:
22.97%
Annual Fee
$155.88 (paid monthly)⁕
⁕ For Quebec residents, $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.
Annual Fee
$0
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Loyalty Program
Loyalty Program
N/A
Point Redemption Options
Most Optimal
Aeroplan® Flights
2¢ / point
Transfer to Airline Partners
1.6¢ / point
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.16¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.16¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.91¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Merchandise
0.63¢ / point
Point Redemption Options
Not Applicable
Is this card worth it?
This card was voted one of 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.
Is this card worth it?
The Walmart Rewards Mastercard is ideal for frequent Walmart shoppers who want to spread out payments on larger purchases without paying much interest. It offers 1.25 Walmart Reward Dollars for every dollar spent at Walmart stores and the ability to pay in installments. Additionally, you can earn up to $45 in Walmart Reward Dollars when you sign up. However, the rewards can only be redeemed at Walmart, and the card lacks additional benefits or insurance coverage beyond purchase assurance and extended warranty.
Pros
- Amex cobalt credit card 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 amex cobalt bonus points of up to 15,000
- 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
Pros
- Installment Payments: Allows you to pay for Walmart purchases in installments over six months.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Get up to $25 in Walmart Reward Dollars when you sign up.
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
Cons
- Limited Redemption: Rewards can only be redeemed at Walmart and Walmart.ca.
- Lower Rewards: Offers lower rewards compared to other store and cashback credit cards.
- Minimal Benefits: No additional benefits or insurance coverage aside from purchase assurance and extended warranty.
vs Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card
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vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card
vs CIBC Costco Mastercard
vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®
vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
vs Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®
vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
vs TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege*
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
vs PC World Elite Mastercard
vs American Express® Green Card
vs Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
vs RBC ION+ Visa
vs Neo Mastercard®
vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®
vs Walmart Rewards™ World Mastercard®
vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
vs RBC ION Visa
vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
vs Rogers Red Mastercard®
vs TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
American Express Cobalt® Card vs Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®: When to go for one over the other
Annual Fees and Requirements
The American Express Cobalt® Card charges a higher annual fee, which reflects its extensive rewards and benefits package. In contrast, the Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® has no annual fee, making it more accessible to budget-conscious consumers. Neither card has specific income requirements, allowing a wide range of applicants to be eligible.
Rewards
The American Express Cobalt® Card offers a higher rewards rate, particularly in categories like dining and groceries, which can lead to significant value over time. It also provides a substantial welcome bonus, making it appealing for those who spend regularly in its high-reward categories. The Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® offers straightforward cashback rewards, particularly on Walmart purchases, but the overall value is significantly lower compared to the Cobalt® Card.
Reward Redemption Options
The American Express Cobalt Card offers multiple redemption options, including transfers to airline and hotel partners, statement credits, and gift cards. These options provide flexibility and value. The Walmart Rewards Mastercard, however, limits rewards redemption to Walmart, reducing flexibility compared to the cashback versatility of the Cobalt Card.
Benefits and Insurance
The American Express Cobalt® Card comes with a robust package of benefits and insurance, including travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty. It also offers unique perks like access to American Express Experiences. The Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® is more basic, with limited benefits primarily focused on purchase protection and an extended warranty, and lacks the extensive insurance coverage provided by the Cobalt® Card.
Network Differences
The American Express Cobalt® Card operates on the American Express network, which is less widely accepted compared to Mastercard which the Walmart Mastercard is on.
Conclusion
For most users, especially those who value high rewards in dining, groceries, and travel, the American Express Cobalt® Card is the superior choice due to its extensive benefits and higher rewards potential. However, the Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® may be better suited for frequent Walmart shoppers who prefer a no-fee card with straightforward rewards and broader acceptance.
Legal
*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 29.99%.
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.
1 A $25-dollar Welcome Bonus in Walmart Reward Dollars will be awarded to your Walmart Rewards account within five business days after an eligible single purchase reaching a total spend of $75 (including taxes) using your Walmart Rewards Mastercard is made at Walmart retail locations in Canada or online at Walmart.ca. To qualify for this offer you must (1) apply and be approved for a Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® account in-store or online at walmartrewards.ca; and (2) make a single-receipt purchase of at least $75 (including taxes) at Walmart retail locations in Canada or online at Walmart.ca. Qualifying purchase must be made within 30 days of your application approval. Offer cannot be used with any other offer or promotion and is limited to one welcome bonus per new account. This offer is subject to the full Walmart Reward Dollars Program Terms and Conditions
2 Earn 3% in Walmart Reward Dollars on eligible purchases charged to your Walmart Rewards Mastercard at Walmart retail locations in Canada and online at Walmart.ca before taxes. Some exclusions apply. See Walmart Reward Dollars Program Terms and Conditions for details.
3 Earn 1% in Walmart Reward Dollars on all eligible purchases charged to your Walmart Rewards Mastercard outside of Walmart retail locations in Canada and online at Walmart.ca. Some exclusions apply. See Walmart Reward Dollars Program Terms and Conditions for details.
4 Use your Walmart Rewards Mastercard to pay for a regularly priced annual Walmart Delivery Pass when purchasing it online at Walmart.ca and receive a 3-month statement credit plus applicable taxes for Walmart Rewards Mastercard or 6-month statement credit plus applicable taxes for Walmart Rewards World Mastercard. Your statement credit will be posted to your Walmart Rewards Mastercard account within 45 business days after the qualifying annual Delivery Pass plan purchase is made. Only one statement credit per account, per year. The account must be in good standing at the time the statement credit is awarded. See Delivery Pass Terms for details and exclusions.