American Express Cobalt® Card vs Rogers Red Mastercard
Which one is better? Both cards worked out on the same spending: rewards, welcome bonus, fees and perks, line by line.
Welcome bonus
Each offer as the issuer words it. The numbers below show whether your spending reaches it.
The offer
The offer
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.
Bank may have varied Welcome Bonus offers from time to time. Visit their compare cards page to learn more.
What each card is worth
Rewards, the welcome bonus and any Finly rebate in, the annual fee and FX fees out, all on your spending.
Worked out on a typical $2,000 a month of spending. Enter yours to see your own numbers.
$1,147
First-year value
$240
$787
Every year after
$240
Amex Cobalt is worth $907 more to you in year one.
It stays ahead after that, by $547 a year.
How the first year adds up
Rogers Red
Rogers, Fido, Shaw or Comwave customer?
Eligible customers unlock boosted rewards on this card
Annual rewards
$979.03
51,528 points a year
Welcome bonus
+ $285
first year only
Annual fee
− $191.88
Finly rebate
paid by FinlyWealth
First-year value
$1,147.15
Annual rewards
$240
cash back a year
Welcome bonus
+ $0
no welcome offer
Annual fee
− $0
no annual fee
First-year value
$240
Where each card earns
A year of your spending at each card's own reward rates, most first.
5xFood, drinks and groceries in Canada
32,604 pts
$619.48
2xGas, transit & ride share in Canada
4,692 pts
$89.15
3xStreaming subscriptions in Canada
1,440 pts
$27.36
1xAll other purchases
12,792 pts
$243.05
1%All other purchases
$240
Fees, rates and eligibility
What each card costs to hold and to use abroad, and who it's for.
Annual fee
Additional cards
Interest rates
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%.
Purchase:
21.99% - 25.99%2
Cash Advance:
22.99% - 27.99%2
Balance Transfer:
22.99% - 27.99%2
2 Standard rate on Purchases and Fees: 21.99%. Standard rate on Cash Advances, Cash-like Transactions and Balance Transfers: 22.99%. If you are not approved for an Account at the above rates and you reside outside Quebec, Rogers Bank may still issue you an Account at their alternate interest rates, as follows: Rate for Purchases and Fees: 25.99% Rate for Cash Advances, Cash-like Transactions and Balance Transfers: 27.99%
Recommended credit score
Recommended credit score
Income required
Income required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
How each card earns
The earn rates and caps, as each issuer sets them.
- 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
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido, Shaw or Comwave. Otherwise, earn 1% cash back on eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases.
- Earn 2% cash back in all eligible purchases made in U.S. dollars.
Points and how we value them
Points become dollars at each card's best redemption. Here's the value we used, and every other way to spend them.
Loyalty program
Loyalty program
We count each point at 1.9¢ a point, what it's worth redeemed for Transfer to Airline Partners, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.
Cash back: every dollar it earns counts as a dollar, so there's nothing to convert.
Point redemption options
Point redemption options
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
1.9¢ / point
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.16¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.08¢ / point.svg)
Flexible Points Travel Program
1¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.91¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Merchandise
0.63¢ / point
Nothing to redeem: it pays cash back.
Insurance and perks
What both cards include comes first in each list.
Insurance
Insurance
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$250,000
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Extended Warranty
1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)
15 days, up to $5M (if under age 65)Flight Delay
$500
No insurance included.
Perks
Perks
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™
Roam Like Home Days
Get 5 Roam Like Home days at no cost, every year, with an eligible Rogers mobile plan.
Our take
Why we like it
Why we like 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.
This card is one of our top-ranked options in terms of rewards, especially if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido, Shaw or Comwave. With a qualifying service, you can effectively receive up to 2% cashback, which is competitive among other no-fee contenders. 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
Pros
- Impressive optimization
- 1:1 Aeroplan point transfer
- Generous welcome bonus
- Flexible high value redemptions
- Comprehensive coverage
- Highly ranked
- Instant decision. No credit impact.
- No annual fee
- Member boosting opportunities
- USD optimization
- Roam Like Home days
- Wide acceptance
Cons
Cons
- Limited acceptance
- Lacks valuable coverage categories
- No insurance
- Low non-member rewards
- Annual spending caps
American Express Cobalt® Card vs Rogers Red Mastercard: When to go for one over the other
Annual Fees and Requirements
The American Express Cobalt® Card carries an annual fee, while the Rogers Red Mastercard® does not, making the latter an attractive option for those looking to avoid an extra yearly expense. Neither card has a specified minimum income requirement, making them accessible to a wide range of applicants. The Cobalt® Card’s fee might be justified for users who can fully leverage its robust rewards and benefits.
Rewards
In terms of rewards, the American Express Cobalt® Card significantly outperforms the Rogers Red Mastercard® for most spending categories, particularly in areas like dining and groceries. It also offers a substantial welcome bonus that could enhance the card's value in the first year. The Rogers Red Mastercard®, however, offers a straightforward cash-back program with a higher multiplier if you are a Rogers, Fido, or Shaw customer, making it a compelling choice for those who already use these services.
Reward Redemption Options
The American Express Cobalt Card offers a variety of redemption options, including transfers to airline and hotel partners, which can yield significant value for those who travel frequently. Additionally, points can be used for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise, though the value may vary. The Rogers Red Mastercard does not offer a point redemption system but instead provides flexible cashback that can be used on anything, making it more straightforward and versatile for everyday expenses.
Benefits and Insurance
The American Express Cobalt® Card stands out with its comprehensive insurance coverage, including travel, purchase protection, and mobile device insurance, which the Rogers Red Mastercard® lacks. The Rogers Red Mastercard® does offer a unique roam-like-home benefit that is not available with the Cobalt® Card, but its overall insurance offering is minimal, limited to balance protection.
Conclusion
For users who prioritize high rewards in specific categories and comprehensive insurance coverage, the American Express Cobalt® Card is the better choice, despite its annual fee. It’s ideal for frequent travelers, diners, and those who value extensive insurance. However, the Rogers Red Mastercard® is better suited for individuals who prefer a no-fee card with simple, effective cashback rewards, especially if they are Rogers, Fido, or Shaw customers.
More comparisons
Other cards we've put each of these up against.
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vs Scotia Momentum Visa
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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.
Rogers Bank is not responsible for maintaining or controlling the accuracy of the information published on this website. For full and up-to-date product information and applicable terms and conditions, visit Rogersbank.com. ®/TM Mastercard, World Elite and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. Used under License. TM Rogers and Mobius Design, Rogers Bank and related marks, logos and brand names are trademarks of Rogers Communications Inc., or an affiliate, used under license. © 2026 Rogers Bank. Rogers Bank is the issuer of this credit card.
