SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express vs CIBC Costco Mastercard: Which one is better?
SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
CIBC Costco Mastercard
Welcome Bonus
Earn a bonus 10% cash back on all purchases for your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases). Plus, earn a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13. This could add up to $250 in bonus value in your first 13 months.
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$534.23
First Year Bonus Value
+
$200
Annual Fee
-
$119.88
First Year Value
$614.35
$414.35 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$347.33
First Year Bonus Value
+
$0
Annual Fee
-
$0
First Year Value
$347.33
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
How to Earn 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
How to Earn Rewards
- 3% cash back on Restaurants
- 3% cash back on Costco Gas stations and 2% cash back on non-Costco Gas up to a combined maximum of $5,000 in spending (max $150 cashback per year)
- 2% cash back on Costco.ca purchases up to $8,000 in spending (max $160 cashback per year)
- 1% on everything else
Insurance Included
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Extended Warranty
1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K up to 48 days
Travel Accident
$100,000
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Emergency Out of province Medical
$5M/insured PersonFlight Delay
$500
Insurance Included
Mobile Device Insurance
$1000Extended Warranty
Up to a yearPurchase Protection
Up to 90 days
Extra Benefits
Amex Experiences™
Access events and special offers 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:
20.75%
Cash Advance:
22.49%
Balance Transfer:
22.49%
Annual Fee
$119.88 (paid monthly)⁕
⁕ For Quebec residents, $119/year.
Annual Fee
$0
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$15,000
Min Household Income:
N/A
Is this card worth it?
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.
Is this card worth it?
The CIBC Costco Mastercard offers one of the highest cashback rates on restaurant purchases in Canada, making it an excellent choice for optimizing rewards in this specific category, especially since it has no annual fees. If you use Costco Gas or shop on Costco Online, there is a decent cashback rate as well. However, for other categories, the cashback rate is average. Notably, you will be better off using other credit cards for warehouse Costco purchases, as you will only earn 1% cashback. If you are looking for no annual fee credit cards only, this is a good card to go for.
Pros
- Highest cashback rate on groceries and gas in Canada
- Great base cashback rate for all purchases
- 10 different insurance types included
Pros
- Decent reward rate for a no annual fee credit card
- One of the highest cashback rates for restaurant purchases in Canada
- Has Mobile insurance
Cons
- Cash back is only paid out to you once a year
- American Express has a lower merchant acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard
Cons
- Doesn't come with a lot of benefits
- Doesn't earn much on Costco Warehouse purchases!
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
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vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®
vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
vs Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®
vs PC World Elite Mastercard
vs American Express® Green Card
vs Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
vs RBC ION+ Visa
vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®
vs Rogers World Elite® Mastercard®
vs Rogers Red Mastercard®
vs American Express Cobalt® Card
vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card
vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®
vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
vs Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
vs PC World Elite Mastercard
vs American Express® Green Card
vs Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
vs RBC ION+ Visa
vs Rogers World Elite® Mastercard®
vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
vs Rogers Red Mastercard®
vs American Express Cobalt® Card
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.