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When it comes to the complex world of credit card rewards, there are few words as simple — or as sweet — as “cash back.” If you’re looking for a cash-back credit card in Canada, you have plenty of choices.
- The best cash-back credit cards
- Methodology
- Summary of our selections
- Other types of best credit cards
- How cash-back credit cards work in Canada
Use the filter below to select the features you care about most — such as cash back rewards in your most-common spending categories or premium extras like airport lounge access and travel insurance coverage — to reveal your best options.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards in Canada from Our Partners
Credit cards |
Intro Offer |
Rewards Rate |
Annual Fee |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Best secured cash back cardNeo Secured Credit |
$25
|
0.5%-15%
|
$0
|
|
Best overall cash back cardBMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* |
Up to $260
|
1%–10%
|
$120
Waived first year
|
|
Best for online shoppingHSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard® |
Up to $125
|
0.5%-14%
|
$0
|
|
Best intro offerSimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express |
Up to $400
|
2%-4%
|
$119.88
|
|
Best for groceries and recurring paymentsScotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card |
Up to $200
|
1%-10%
|
$120
Waived first year
|
Best cash-back credit cards in Canada
Best overall cash back card + our pick for transit
BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*
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Annual Fee$120Waived first year
-
Interest Rates20.99% / 23.99%20.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents).
-
Rewards Rate1%–10%10% intro offer, then 5% on groceries*, 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation*, 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging*, 2% on recurring bill payments like your monthly phone bill or favourite streaming service*, 1% unlimited cashback on all other purchases*.
-
Intro OfferUp to $260Receive 10% cash back in the first three months, up to $2,600 in purchases (equal to $260 cash back). Must apply by July 31, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.
You won’t need a strategy to make the most out of this bonus-category card. The BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* spends like a flat-rate card thanks to stellar rates on four popular daily spending categories.
Pros
- Score generous cash-back rates for popular spending categories: 5% on groceries, 4% on transit, 3% on gas, 2% on recurring bills, and 1% on everything else.
- Feel protected with 13 types of insurance and fantastic travel benefits.
Cons
- Spending categories come with easily-hit spending caps, but the 1% base rate still earns you value once you hit your monthly bonus rate limits.
- The $120 annual fee is pretty steep. While we think you’ll more than make up for it through cash back savings, the no-fee BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* is a great alternative.
- Welcome offer: Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year.*
- Earn more cash back on the categories that mean the most: 5% on groceries.* 4% on transit including ride sharing, taxis and public transportation.* 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging.* 2% on recurring bill payments like your monthly phone bill or favourite streaming service.* 1% unlimited cashback on all other purchases.*
- Get the highest cash back earn rate on groceries in Canada.†
- Get valuable benefits and offers for digital everyday services from a variety of on-demand apps and subscription services.
- Extended Warranty Plus.*
- Purchase Protection Plus.*
- Complimentary membership in Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by LoungeKey.*
- Access over 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the world – all at no added cost, and no added fees or roaming charges.*
- Complimentary Roadside Assistance Program.*
- BMO CashBack World Elite Travel and Medical Protection.*
- BMO Concierge Service.*
- Unlock Mastercard Travel Rewards cashback offers when you travel and shop outside of Canada.
- *Terms and conditions apply.
- †Statement based on a comparison of the non-promotional grocery rewards earn rate on Canadian cash back credit cards as of January 4, 2023.
- BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
No single rewards card is right for everyone. It’s all about how you spend money and what kind of rewards you value. See our choices for the best rewards credit cards in Canada to select the best option for you.
Best intro offer + our pick for students
SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express
-
Annual Fee$119.88$9.99 monthly fee.
-
Interest Rates20.99% / 21.99%20.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances.
-
Rewards Rate2%-4%Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 4% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually) and 2% cash back on all other purchases.
-
Intro OfferUp to $400In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months.
Get rewarded at the gas station and grocery store with 4% cash back, plus enjoy a high ongoing flat-rate of 2% cash back on everything else.
Pros
- The unlimited 2% cash-back earn rate is among the highest we evaluated.
- You can earn up to $400 in the first ten months.
Cons
- The bonus rewards rate on gas and groceries drops down to 2% after a $30,000 annual spend.
- In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months.
- Earn accelerated earn rates on eligible gas and grocery purchases.
- Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 4% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually) and 2% cash back on all other purchases.
- Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with American Express® Experiences.
- Extensive insurance coverage and 24/7 Customer Service.
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply.
Finding a student credit card with the right combination of features for your lifestyle can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time choosing a card. Compare our picks for the best student credit cards in Canada to find the best choice for you.
Best secured card
Neo Secured Credit
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Annual Fee$0
-
Interest Rates19.99%-26.99% / 22.99%-28.99%19.99%-26.99% on purchases, 22.99%-28.99% on cash advances.
-
Min. Deposit$50
-
Maximum Deposit$10,000
Pros
- A small $50 minimum deposit makes this card accessible to consumers of all budgets.
- Earn up to 15% cash back on purchases with select Neo partners.
Cons
- Interest rates could be as high as 26.99% for some users.
- While Neo plans to report card activity to TransUnion, the company has confirmed that this function isn’t fully operational yet, so the credit-building benefits of this card will be delayed.
- Earn a 0.5% cash back guarantee, an average of 5% unlimited cash back at thousands of Neo partners, and up to 15% cash back on your first purchase at participating partners.
- No annual fee for the Standard rewards plan.
- $50 minimum security fund deposit required.
- $10,000 maximum security fund deposit.
- To apply, visit member.neofinancial.com and create an account. Select “Credit”, pick either the Neo Credit or the Hudson’s Bay Mastercard, and then choose “Secured Card” as the type of credit you are looking for.
- Hard credit checks are not made on applications.
- Guaranteed approval, as long as you meet eligibility requirements.
- Ability to upgrade to an unsecured rewards credit card.
- Link your account to a Neo Money™ account and earn 2.25% interest on savings.
- Purchase rates range from 19.99%-26.99%. The standard rate on purchases and cash advances is dependent on Neo Financial’s assessment of your credit application, credit profile, and your province.
- To be eligible, you must be able to provide security funds and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
Whether you’re looking to build credit from scratch or rebuild credit after a bad setback, a secured credit card can be an invaluable tool. See our selections for the best secured credit cards in Canada to find options that will help you strengthen your credit.
Best for flat-rate cash back
RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard
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Annual Fee$99
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Interest Rates20.99% / 22.99%20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.
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Rewards Rate1%-1.5%Earn up to 1.5% on your spending (up to $25,000 in net purchases). Then, 1% unlimited cash back.
-
Intro OfferN/A
You can earn unlimited cash back at a competitive flat rate on all of your purchases.
Pros
- Flat-rate cash-back rewards are easy to understand and earn.
- Save on gas and earn 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada.
Cons
- The insurance coverage is limited when compared to similar cards.
- There’s no welcome bonus or sign-up offer.
- Unlimited cash back on your spending*.
- Earn up to 1.5% cash back on your spending† – big or small.
- Premium benefits and insurances.
- Stay connected with a complimentary Boingo‡ Wi-Fi accountΔ.
- Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership and instantly save on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points.
- Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash¹⁷ – Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to: Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription¹⁸ – a value of almost $120. Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
- To be eligible, $80,000 (individual) or $150,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident that is the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
- Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.
Best for tiered rewards rates
TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card
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Annual Fee$139Apply online by May 28, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.Waived first year
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Interest Rates20.99% / 22.99%20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.
-
Rewards Rate1%-10%Earn 10% on all purchases for the first 3 months (ends May. 28). Earn 3% on eligible grocery† and gas purchases†, and on regularly recurring bill payments† set up on your account. Earn 1% on everything else†.
-
Intro OfferUp to $290Earn 10% Cash Back on all Purchases for the first 3 months† up to a total spend of $2,000. After your first $2,000 in Purchases, Gas Purchases, Grocery Purchases and Pre-Authorized Payments will continue to earn 6% up to a total spend of $3,500 for the first 3 months. Terms and conditions apply. Must apply online by May 28, 2023.
The TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card is a smart card for families who spend a lot on gas, groceries and automatic monthly purchases.
Pros
- Fantastic welcome offer with a $479 value.
- Up to $2 million of Travel Medical Insurance coverage for the first 10 days of your trip (four days if you or your spouse are over the age of 65).
Cons
- A $139 annual fee often comes with more perks and insurance. However, you can waive this cost every year if you’re a TD member with an All-Inclusive Chequing Account holding a minimum balance of $5,000.
- The accelerated earn rate of 3% cash back is limited to $15,000 annual spend across all categories. After that, you’ll earn a flat rate of 1% cash back on all purchases.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 10% Cash Back on all Purchases for the first 3 months† up to a total spend of $2,000. Plus, first year no Annual Fee for the Primary and Additional Cardholders†. Must apply online by May 28, 2023.
- Earn 3% in Cash Back Dollars on eligible grocery Purchases and gas Purchases†, and on regularly recurring bill payments† set up on your account.
- Earn 1% Cash Back Dollars on all other Purchases made with your Card.†
- Redeem your Cash Back Dollars to help pay down your Account balance whenever you please – the choice is yours!†
- Your Cash Back Dollars never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
- Interest Rates: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
- Travel Medical Insurance† – Up to $2 million of coverage for the first 10 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first 4 days of your trip. Additional top-up coverage is available.
- Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance† – Up to $1,000 overall coverage per insured person toward the purchase of essentials such as clothes and toiletries if your baggage is delayed more than 6 hours or lost.
- Emergency Travel Assistance Services† – Help is just a call away. Toll-free access to help in the event of a personal emergency while travelling.
- Complimentary Visa Infinite* Concierge†: On call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help you get the most from life whenever you travel, shop and use your Card.
- Emergency Road Services with Deluxe TD Auto Club Membership is included with the product.
- To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
- †Terms and conditions apply.
- This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
- The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button.
Best for groceries and recurring payments + our pick for newcomers to Canada
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
-
Annual Fee$120Open a new Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* credit card account by June 30, 2023 to qualify.Waived first year
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Interest Rates20.99% / 22.99%20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.
-
Rewards Rate1%-10%10% intro offer (Ends June 30, 2023), Earn 4% for every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments, and subscription purchases. Earn 2% for every $1 you spend on gas purchases and daily transit purchases. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit.
-
Intro OfferUp to $200Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first three months (up to $2,000 in total purchases). Must open a new account by June 30, 2023.
Earn up to $1,000 in cash back on grocery shopping and recurring bill payments with a 4% rewards rate in both categories.
Pros
- It’s rare for a credit card to offer 4% cash back on two major spending categories. It’s even rarer to set a $25,000 annual limit to that 4% — a $1,000 value — before reverting to the healthy 1% base rate.
- You can waive the $120 annual fee every single year by using the Scotiabank Ultimate Package.
Cons
- The cash back earned is hands-off. You have to wait until November, and then it’s only redeemable as a statement credit. If you have a Scotiabank account, that annual payout can be deposited into your bank account.
- The 4% rate won’t mean much to you if you don’t buy a lot of groceries or often buy your food at somewhere that Visa doesn’t classify as a grocery store or supermarket, such as Canadian Tire, FreshCo, London Drugs, Walmart and No Frills.
- SPECIAL OFFER: Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases). No annual fee in the first year, including on supplementary cards. Offer ends June 30, 2023.
- Earn 4% for every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments, and subscription purchases.
- Earn 2% for every $1 you spend on gas purchases and daily transit purchases.
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit.
- Redeem cash back as a statement credit in November.
- Visa Infinite benefits, including Visa Infinite* Concierge, Visa Infinite* Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite* Dining Series, and entertainment and lifestyle offers.
- Save up to 25% off base rates at participating AVIS locations and at participating Budget locations in Canada and the U.S.
- Access to Scotia SelectPay™.
- To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required, or $250,000 minimum assets under management. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident that is the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
- Terms and Conditions Apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details.
Best for online shopping
HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard®
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Annual Fee$0
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Interest Rates20.99% / 22.99%20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances (if you reside in Quebec 21.99%).
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Rewards Rate0.5%-14%Earn an additional 12.5% on all purchases for the first 180 day (Up to $1000 in total purchases; ends May 31). 1.5% cash back on online purchases, 1% on gas, grocery and drugstores, 0.5% on everything else. Conditions apply.
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Intro OfferUp to $125Earn an additional 12.5% cash back on all purchases for the first 180 days (up to $1,000 in total purchases). Must apply by May 31, 2023. Conditions apply.
An accelerated cash back rate on online purchases means those that prefer to shop online will get the most bang for their buck — up to an annual spend of $6,000. And the inclusion of mobile device insurance provides peace of mind should your phone be damaged, lost or stolen.
Pros
- Mobile device insurance.
- Earn cash back on all purchases.
Cons
- You can only earn cash back rewards for up to $6,000 in online purchases annually.
- Special offer: Earn an additional 12.5% cash back* on all purchases for the first 180 days (up to $1,000 in total purchases). Must apply by May 31, 2023. Conditions apply.
- For the first 180 days, earn up to: 14% cash back on eligible online purchases, 13.5% cash back on eligible gas, grocery and drugstore, 13% cash back on all other everyday purchases.
- 1.5% cash back on up to $6,000 of your online purchases (including streaming services, online subscriptions and food delivery).
- 1% cash back on your gas, grocery and drugstore purchases.
- 0.5% cash back on (almost) everything else you buy with your card.
- Redeem sooner – You only need to reach $25 in cash back to redeem.
- Redeem when you want – Redeem for cash back as a statement credit online. See how easy it is at rewards.hsbc.ca.
- Redeem to pay down or save up – Use your cash back for a credit towards your residential mortgage account, or credit card, or to top up your savings account.
- Primary cardholder annual fee: $0
- Annual Interest on Purchases: 20.99%.
- Authorized User Annual Fee: $0 Per Card.
- *Terms and Conditions Apply.
- ®/TM Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Used pursuant to license.
Best for fair credit + our pick for customized bonus rewards categories
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
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Annual Fee$0
-
Interest Rates19.95%19.95% on purchases and cash advances.
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Rewards Rate0.5%-10%10% intro offer, 2% unlimited cash back on up to three categories. 0.50% unlimited cash back on everything else.
-
Intro OfferUp to $100Apply for a Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card by July 5, 2023 and earn an extra 10% back* on up to $1,000 in everyday purchases made within your first 2 months.
You can earn unlimited cash back at a 2% rate in up to three categories of your choice — all while earning 0.50% back on everything else.
Pros
- You can tailor the 2% rewards to your spending by choosing up to three categories from Tangerine’s list of 10, which includes basics like gas and groceries as well as unusual picks like furniture and home improvement.
- Transfer balances within your first 30 days and pay only 1.95% interest on the transferred balance for the first six months (19.95% after that).
Cons
- 2% cash back is a competitive rate, but many cards offer double the rewards on specific categories.
- Tangerine is a virtual bank with no physical bank branches.
- 2% on two categories of your choice: grocery, furniture, restaurants, hotel-motel, gas, recurring bill payments, drug store, home improvement, entertainment, or public transportation and parking.
- Get a third cash-back category by choosing to have your rewards deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account.
- 0.50% on everything else.
- Redeem cash back monthly as a statement credit or deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account.
- No annual fee.
- Transfer balances within your first 30 days and pay only 1.95% interest on the transferred balance for the first six months (19.95% after that). 1% balance transfer fee applies to the amount transferred.
- Get free cards for any authorized users on your account.
- It only includes purchase assurance and extended protection insurance. For more insurance, consider the Tangerine World Mastercard which requires a minimum personal income of $60,000. If you meet this requirement, you will automatically be considered for the World card if you apply for the Money-Back card.
- Preferred rates: 19.95% for purchases and cash advances.
- To be eligible, a $12,000 (individual) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
While the Tangerine Money-Back card may be suitable for applicants with fair credit, sometimes called “average” credit, those with less-than-ideal credit scores should consider the secured cards and more basic unsecured options included on our list of the best Canadian credit cards for bad credit.
Best prepaid card
KOHO Extra Reloadable Prepaid Mastercard
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Annual Fee$84$9 monthly fee/$84 annual fee, + a 30-day free trial.
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Rewards Rate0.5%-8%Up to 6% extra cash back at select KOHO partners. 2% on transportation, groceries and restaurants, and 0.5% on everything else.
-
Min. Deposit$0No minimum purchase amount required.
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Maximum Deposit$200,000KOHO Maximum Card Balance Limit for KOHO users who have opted into earning interest is $200,000. For users who have not opted into earning interest, the maximum card balance is $40,000.
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Intro OfferFree 30-day trialTry KOHO Extra at no cost with a 30-day free trial.
KOHO offers four tiers of prepaid cards: Easy, Essential, Extra, and Everything. All four combine the benefits of a debit card and a credit card with cash back rewards, limited fees and the ability to build credit. Plus, KOHO doesn’t charge interest — instead, they let you earn interest on every dollar you save in your KOHO account.
Pros
- An app that tracks your spending, helps with budgeting, offers free financial coaching, and the ability to earn 2.00% interest on your entire account.
- Access to a credit building service that reports your payments for only $7 per month — a rare feature for a prepaid card.
Cons
- KOHO is a tech-focused company, so if you’re uncomfortable with digital banking, it may not be the right choice.
- KOHO isn’t a credit card, which means you can’t borrow any money. You can only access the funds already in your account.
- Up to 6% extra cash back when shop with partnered merchants.
- 2% cash back on groceries, transportation, eating & drinking.
- 0.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Cash back is instantly added to your KOHO Savings account.
- $9 monthly fee/$84 annual fee, + a 30-day free trial.
- No foreign exchange fees.
- 1 free international ATM withdrawal per month.
- Subscribe to Credit Building for $10/month in-app.
- Earn 2% interest on all balances (no minimum deposit requirement).
- To be eligible, you must be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
A prepaid credit card, more accurately known as a “prepaid card, ” can be a budgeting tool or an easy way to make convenient online or in-store purchases. Many of our choices for the best prepaid cards in Canada even earn rewards.
Best business card
Meridian Visa Infinite Business Cash Back Plus Card
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Annual Fee$110Waived first year
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Interest Rates19.50%19.50% on purchases, 19.50% on cash advances.
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Rewards Rate1.5%-3%3% cash back on net purchases in foreign currencies and 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limits.
-
Intro OfferN/A
It may be short on perks, but by offering 1.5% cash back on all purchases, the Meridian Visa Infinite Business Cash Back Plus Card provides a reliable way for businesses to take a bite out of their expenses.
Pros
- The earn rates will be there no matter how much you spend.
- No annual fee in the first year.
- Internationally-minded businesses will love the extensive range of travel insurance offerings and 3% cash back on foreign currency purchases.
Cons
- No welcome bonus or introductory earn rates.
- The income and earnings threshold required for approval may be too high for newer or smaller businesses.
- The 3% earn rate won’t benefit businesses who deal solely in Canadian currency.
- Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases.
- Earn 3% unlimited cash back on net purchases in foreign currencies.
- Cash back earnings can be redeemed at any time for account credits, travel, event tickets, gift cards and other merchandise.
- Annual fee: $110, but free for the first year.
- Additional card fee: $49.
- Access to Visa expense management tools.
- Visa Infinite Benefits, which include concierge services and exclusive access to luxury hotels, dining events and wine tastings.
- Full suite of travel insurance and services, including: trip cancellation and interruption insurance (up to $2,000 per person), baggage insurance (up to $1,000 per person), common carrier accident protection (up to $1,000,000), auto rental collision/loss insurance, mobile device insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and 24/7 travel assistance.
- Preferred rates: 19.50% on purchases, 19.50% on cash advances.
- Eligibility requirements: either $60,000 annual personal income, $100,000 annual household income, minimum annual spend of $30,000 on current issuer’s card, assets under management of $250,000, or minimum business annual sales revenue of $500,000.
From flat-rate rewards on office expenses to credit cards boasting low-interest rates, see our choices for Canada’s best business credit cards.
Best no-fee business card
BMO CashBack Business Mastercard
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Annual Fee$0
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Interest Rates19.99% / 22.99%19.99% on purchases, and 22.99% on cash advances.
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Rewards Rate0.75%-10%10% intro offer. Earn 1.75% when you pay at the pump or shop in-store at Shell®. Earn 1.5% on gas, office supplies and cellphone and internet bill payments. Earn 0.75% on all other card purchases.
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Intro OfferUp to $150Earn 10% cash back for each dollar you spend at qualifying gas stations, office supply stores, and on your cell phone/internet (phone) bill payments in the first 3 months from the account open date up to a maximum of $150 cash back. Offer expires December 31, 2023.
The BMO CashBack Business Mastercard offers strong earn rates on gas, office supplies and bill payments, making it a smart no-fee choice for businesses looking to be rewarded for buying daily essentials.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Rewarding intro offer.
- Automatic rebates through the Mastercard Easy Savings program.
Cons
- If you don’t frequent Shell gas stations you’ll miss out on the most savings.
- Get 10% cash back on gas, office supplies and cellphone and internet bill payments for 3 months!
- $0 annual fee.
- 19.99% interest on purchases, and 22.99% interest on cash advances.
- Earn more cash back on your most common expenses:
- Earn 1.75% when you pay at the pump or shop in-store at Shell®.
- Earn 1.5% on gas, office supplies and cellphone and internet bill payments.
- Earn 0.75% on all other card purchases.
- Enjoy 90-day purchase protection and extended warranty protection of up to one additional year on items you charge to the card.
- Get protection against employee card abuse with BMO’s Liability Waiver Program.
Best cash-back cards for bonus category spending
Best for dining, restaurants & food delivery + our pick for a no-fee cash back card
Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa Card
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Annual Fee$0
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Interest Rates19.99% / 22.99%19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.
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Rewards Rate0.5%-20%20% intro offer. 4% at restaurants, bars and coffee shops, 1.5% on gas, groceries, drugstores and pre-authorized payments, and 0.5% on everything else.
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Intro OfferUp to $100Earn 20% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments made within your first 3 months (up to $500 spend).
The $0-annual-fee Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card earns bonus cash-back on the purchases you make almost every day.
Pros
- New cardmembers can earn a 9.99% introductory annual interest on purchases for the first six months.
Cons
- The 0.5% base rate isn’t exactly impressive, but it only applies after you hit the annual spending limits of bonus categories.
- It only includes purchase security and extended protection insurance.
- 4% on restaurant, bar and coffee shops, up to $5,000 per year.
- 1.5% on gas, groceries, drugstores and pre-authorized payments, up to $15,000 per year.
- 0.5% on everything else.
- Plus, for your first 3 months, enjoy 20% bonus cash back on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments (up to $500 spend).
- Redeem cash back as a statement credit in December.
- No annual fee.
- Cash back when you send money abroad with a Simplii Financial Global Money Transfer. No transaction fees and no interest charges.
- Purchase security and extended protection insurance provided.
- Preferred rates: 19.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
- To be eligible, a $15,000 (individual) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident (excluding Quebec) that is the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
You don’t need to pay an annual fee for impressive rewards and perks. See our selections for Canada’s best no-fee credit cards.
Best for gas
CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite Card
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Annual Fee$120Waived first year
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Interest Rates20.99% / 22.99%20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents).
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Rewards Rate1%-4%4% on gas, electric vehicle charging, and groceries and , 2% on transportation, dining and recurring payments, and 1% on everything else.
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Intro OfferN/A
You can earn some extremely attractive rates on gas and groceries with the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card — up to a $3,200 cash-back value.
Pros
- Flexible and easy redemption. You can redeem cash back anytime through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking.
- Generous cash back rates on five popular spending categories.
Cons
- You’ll only earn 1% cash back after spending $80,000 across bonus categories. Most credit cards have specific limits for each category, but the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite collectively caps all bonus rates with an $80,000 limit.
- Insurance offerings are limited compared to what you might expect from a card with a $120 annual fee. However, you can avoid this cost every single year with a CIBC Smart Plus™ Account.
- 4% on groceries, gas, and electric vehicle charging, and 2% on transportation, dining and recurring payments. Accelerated rates apply to the first $80,000 spent per year.
- 1% on everything else, and after spending $80,000.
- 0.25% cash back for every $1 spent on a CIBC Global Money Transfer, with no foreign transaction fees.
- Redeem a minimum of $25 cash back at any time through CIBC Online and Mobile Banking.
- $120 annual fee.
- Visa Infinite benefits, including Visa Infinite Concierge, Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite Dining Series, and entertainment and lifestyle offers.
- Save up to 10 cents per litre at Chevron, Ultramar and Pioneer gas stations when you link your card with Journie Rewards.
- Access to CIBC Pace It.
- Five types of insurance provided, including 10-day out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical benefits — up to $5 million in coverage.
- Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
- To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
Best for drug store and pharmacy purchases
Meridian Visa Platinum Cash Back Card
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Annual Fee$49No annual fee for the first year, then $49.Waived first year
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Interest Rates19.50% / 21.99%19.50% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances.
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Rewards Rate1x-2x Points2x on gas, grocery, pharmacy store purchases and utility bill payments (up to $25,000 per year). 1x on everything else.
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Intro OfferN/A
Benefit from a full suit of insurance coverage, plus rewards on everyday spending, with the Meridian Visa Platinum Cash Back Card.
Pros
- Full suite of insurance, including mobile device insurance.
- Earn competitive rewards on spending at the gas station, grocery store, pharmacy, and utility bill payments.
Cons
- Accelerated earn rates for bonus category spending are restricted to a $25,000 maximum annual spending limit.
- $49 annual fee, waived for the first year.
- 2x cash back rewards points on gas, grocery, pharmacy store purchases and utility bill payments (up to $25,000 per year).
- 1x cash back rewards point on everything else, including after you’ve exceeded your annual spending limits in bonus categories.
- Redeem your cash back rewards for gift cards, merchandise, travel, account credits, and more.
- Delayed Baggage and Lost/Damaged Baggage Insurance: Coverage of up to $500 per person per trip for replacement of essential items in the event of delayed baggage and up to $1,000 per person per trip in the event of loss, theft or damage to checked baggage.
- Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance: Up to $500,000 of coverage per person in the event of the accidental death or injury of you, your spouse or eligible children while passengers on a common carrier (air, sea or ground).
- Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance: Coverage for rental periods of up to 48 consecutive days in the event your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen when you charge the full cost of your rental to your card and decline the rental agency’s collision/loss damage waiver.
- Mobile Device Insurance: Coverage of up to $1,000 in the event your cell phone, smartphone or tablet is lost, stolen, accidentally damaged or experiences mechanical breakdown.
- Purchase Protection Insurance: Provides coverage for 90 days from the purchase date in the event of loss, theft or damage when you purchase eligible items with your card. Maximum of $10,000 per item up to a maximum of $50,000 lifetime per account.
- Extended Warranty Insurance: Coverage automatically doubles the original manufacturer’s warranty for up to a maximum of one additional year for eligible items purchased with your card. Maximum of $10,000 per item up to a maximum of $50,000 lifetime per account.
- Travel Assistance Service: Anywhere in the world at any time 24/7 Travel Assistance is there to help.
- Price Protection Service: Reimbursement of the price difference if a new eligible item purchased with your card is found advertised at a lower price in Canada within 60 days of purchase, up to $100 per item and $500 per account per year.
- No minimum income requirement
- Membership with Meridian Credit Union is a regulatory requirement to hold a Meridian Visa. You are not required to have other Meridian Credit Union products.
Best for travel spending
Desjardins Odyssey® Visa Infinite Privilege
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Annual Fee$295-$395$295 for Desjardins members, $395 for non-members.
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Interest Rates10.90%10.90% for purchases and cash advances
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Rewards Rate1.75%-4%4% on restaurants, entertainment and public transportation, 3% on groceries and travel, and 1.75% on everything else.
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Intro OfferN/A
Not only does this low-interest card feature accelerated rates on daily spending, but the Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege comes with truly impressive insurance coverage.
Pros
- Comprehensive travel insurance includes emergency medical worth $5 million per person, covering 60 days for ages 59 and under and 15-days for ages 75 and under.
- 18 airport lounge visits included.
Cons
- No intro offer.
- There’s a high annual fee and $150,000 (individual) or $200,000 (household) annual income is required, making this card inaccessible for many.
- 4% in BONUSDOLLARS per dollar spent on restaurants, entertainment and public transportation.
- 3% in BONUSDOLLARS per dollar spent on groceries and travel.
- 1.75% in BONUSDOLLARS per dollar spent on everything else.
- Redeem BONUSDOLLARS for statement credits, financial products and services, charity, rewards, gift cards, purchases, and travel.
- 1 BONUSDOLLAR earned = $1 you can redeem. BONUSDOLLARs do not expire.
- $295 annual fee for Desjardins members, $395 annual fee for non-members.
- Airport lounge access through a complimentary Priority Pass membership, plus 6 free visits per year. 12 visits per year to the Desjardin Odyssey Lounge in the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport.
- Visa Infinite Privilege benefits including Visa Infinite Privilege Concierge, Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite Dining Series, and Entertainment & Lifestyle Offers.
- Up to 25% off Hertz car rentals and up to 10% off Thrifty or Dollar rentals.
- Access to Accord D financing up to $5,000 a day cash advances at a rate of 9.9%.
- 12 types of insurance provided, including 60-day travel medical benefits — up to $5,000,000 in coverage per person under age 59. 31-day coverage is available for ages 60-64. 15-day coverage is available for ages 65-75.
- Preferred rates: 9.9% for purchases and cash advances.
- To be eligible, $150,000 (individual) or $200,000 (household) annual income, or assets under management of $400,000 is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
Best for USD purchases
Rogers™ World Elite® Mastercard®
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Annual Fee$0
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Interest Rates19.99% / 22.99%19.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
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Rewards Rate1.5%-3%% on purchases made in U.S. dollars. 1.5% on everything else.
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Intro Offer$25Get $25 in cash-back rewards when you make your first card purchase within 3 months of receiving your card.
The Rogers World Elite Mastercard is a no-fee card with an easy-to-understand cash-back rewards program with an accelerated earn rate on U.S. dollar purchases. And unlike some no-fee cards, it still offers valuable perks for those who like to travel.
Pros
- Rewards are easy to understand, $1 in cash-back rewards = $1 toward an eligible purchase or bill credit, and you can redeem rewards instantly using the Rogers Bank app.
- Attractive travel benefits are included, like access to over 1,000 LoungeKey airport lounges, free Boingo Wi-Fi at over 1 million hotspots worldwide, and several types of travel insurance.
Cons
- A more modest intro offer than some cards, at just $25 in cash-back rewards when you make your first purchase.
- You must spend at least $15,000 each year to maintain the card.
- 1.5% in unlimited cash-back rewards for eligible regular purchases.
- 3.5% in unlimited cash-back rewards for eligible U.S. dollar purchases.
- Cash-back rewards can be redeemed for purchases or applied directly to your Rogers, Fido, or chatr mobile phone bill. Cash-back rewards can be redeemed using the Rogers Bank app or Pay with Rewards app. You must accrue at least $10 in cash-back rewards before you can redeem them on a purchase, and redemptions do not count toward minimum payment amounts.
- $0 annual fee.
- Earn unlimited cash-back rewards anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
- Free Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard® Cardholders at over 1 million hotspots worldwide.
- Access to over 1,000 LoungeKey airport lounges in over 100 countries with Mastercard Airport Experiences.
- No charge to add additional cardholders.
- Security features like transaction monitoring and alerts, zero liability for unauthorized use and balance protection.
- Eight types of insurance provided, including 10-day travel medical benefits for those up to age 64 — up to $1 million in coverage. Three days of medical benefits are provided for those age 65 to 75.
- Preferred rates: 19.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
- To be eligible, $80,000 (individual) or $150,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
Best for in-store shopping
Triangle™ World Elite Mastercard®
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Annual Fee$0
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Interest Rates19.99% / 22.99%19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash transactions (21.99% in Quebec).
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Rewards Rate1%-4%4% at Canadian Tire or its affiliated stores, 3% at grocery stores (on the first $12,000 per year), and 1% on grocery stores after that. Plus, collect 5¢-7¢1 per litre at Gas+/Essence+ locations.
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Intro OfferN/A
The Triangle™ World Elite Mastercard® is the ideal choice for shoppers hoping to collect and redeem as much Canadian Tire Money as possible. The roadside assistance package cardholders get access to is a nice perk, too.
Pros
- Solid Canadian Tire Money earn rates on groceries, sports equipment and other merchandise at participating stores.
- No annual fee.
- Access to various insurance plans.
Cons
- Not much added value if you don’t shop at Canadian Tire or its affiliated stores.
- Large families could burn through their accelerated earn rates on groceries sooner than they’d like.
- Earning Canadian Tire Money on gas purchases could be challenging if you don’t live near an eligible gas station.
- Collect 3% in Canadian Tire Money on the first $12,000 spent at eligible grocery stores per year and 1% on eligible grocery purchases after that.
- Collect 4% in Canadian Tire Money on qualifying purchases at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s/L’Equipeur, Atmosphere, Party City, Sports Rousseau, Hockey Experts, L’Entrepot du Hockey and participating Sports Experts stores.
- Collect 7 cents in Canadian Tire money per litre of premium fuel, and 5 cents per litre on all other fuel types purchased at Gas+/Essence+ locations.
- Canadian Tire Money can be redeemed at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Atmosphere, Sports Rousseau, Hockey Experts, L’Entrepot du Hockey and participating Mark’s/L’Equipeur and Sports Experts stores.
- No fee, no interest financing on qualifying purchases of $150 or more at participating stores. Conditions apply.
- No-receipt returns at participating stores.
- Access to member-only events and personalized offers.
- Priority queuing when calling the Triangle call centre.
- Enrollment in the Triangle World Elite Mastercard Roadside Assistance Gold Plan, which includes 5 service calls per year and unlimited tows to any Canadian Tire Auto Service Centre within towing limits.
- Car rental collision/loss damage waiver insurance.
- Extended warranty insurance for eligible purchases.
- Eligibility: Must be a Canadian resident and the age of majority in the province/territory of residence.
- No annual fee.
- No fee for obtaining a supplementary card on the same account.
- Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash transactions (21.99% in Quebec).
Best for Amazon online shopping
Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®
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Annual Fee$0
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Interest Rates19.99% / 22.99%19.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
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Rewards Rate1%-5%5% intro offer. 2.5% on Amazon.ca and Whole Foods Market store purchases for Prime members (1.5% for non-Prime members). 1% on eligible foreign currency transactions and everywhere else Mastercard is accepted.
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Intro OfferUp to $150Get 5% back at Amazon.ca, Whole Foods Market stores in Canada, grocery stores and restaurants! Valid for the first 6 months, on your first $3,000 in eligible purchases.
Ideal for Amazon shoppers with 2.5% back on all eligible Amazon.ca and Whole Foods purchases. Plus, Amazon Prime members get 2.5% back on eligible foreign currency transactions.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Apply rewards to eligible Amazon.ca purchases.
Cons
- Amazon Prime membership required for higher earn rate.
- Welcome offer: Get 5% back at Amazon.ca, Whole Foods Market stores, grocery stores, and restaurants for 6 months after approval, on first $3,000 in eligible purchases.
- Earn rewards on eligible purchases at Amazon.ca — including Whole Foods Market stores in Canada.
- After the welcome offer ends, eligible Prime members get 2.5% back on eligible purchases at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods Market stores.
- Eligible Prime members always get 2.5% back on eligible foreign currency transactions to help cover foreign transaction fees.
- After the welcome offer ends, non-Prime members get 1.5% back on eligible purchases at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods Market stores. Always get 1% back on eligible foreign currency transactions to help cover foreign transaction fees.
- Receive 1% back on eligible purchases everywhere else Mastercard is accepted.
- Rewards can be redeemed at Amazon.ca and applied directly to eligible Amazon.ca items.
- No annual credit card fee.
- The MBNA Payment Plan can make it more convenient to pay for large purchases and manage a budget. Pay for eligible credit card purchases of $100 or over by making monthly payments. Choose from three Payment Plan terms: 6, 12 or 18 months. Conditions and fees apply.
- Preferred rates: 19.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
- To be eligible, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
Summary: best cash-back credit cards
CATEGORY | CARD NAME | ANNUAL FEE | INTRO OFFER |
---|---|---|---|
• Best overall cash-back card • Best for transit | BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard® | $120 | Up to $260 |
• Best intro offer • Best for students | SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express | $119.88 | Up to $400 |
Best for flat-rate cash back | RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard | $99 | N/A |
Best for tiered rewards rates | TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card | $139 | Up to $290 |
Best business card | Meridian Visa Infinite Business Cash Back Plus Card | $110 | N/A |
Best no-fee business card | BMO CashBack Business Mastercard | $0 | Up to $150 |
• Best no-fee cash-back card • Best for dining, restaurants & food delivery | Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa Card | $0 | Up to $100 |
• Best for newcomers to Canada • Best for groceries and recurring payments like bills and streaming subscriptions | Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* card | $120 | Up to $200 |
Best for gas | CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite Card | $120 | N/A |
Best for drug store and pharmacy purchases | Meridian Visa Platinum Cash Back Card | $49 | N/A |
Best for travel spending | Desjardins Odyssey® Visa Infinite Privilege | $295-$395 | N/A |
Best for USD purchases | Rogers™ World Elite® Mastercard® | $0 | $25 |
Best for in-store shopping | Triangle™ World Elite Mastercard® | $0 | N/A |
Best for Amazon online shopping | Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard® | $0 | Up to $150 |
Best for online shopping | HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard® | $0 | Up to $125 |
• Best for fair credit • Best for customized bonus rewards categories | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | $0 | Up to $100 |
Best secured card | Neo Secured Credit | $0 | $25 |
Best prepaid card | KOHO Extra Reloadable Prepaid Mastercard | $84 | Free 30-day trial |
BEST CASH-BACK CREDIT CARDS BY ISSUER AND NETWORK
NETWORK OR ISSUER | CARD NAME | ANNUAL FEE | INTRO OFFER |
---|---|---|---|
Best American Express | SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express | $119.88 | Up to $400 |
Best Visa | Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa Card | $0 | Up to $100 |
Best from BMO Best Mastercard | BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard® | $120 | Up to $260 |
Best from CIBC | CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite Card | $120 | N/A |
Best from RBC | RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard | $99 | N/A |
Best from Scotiabank | Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* card | $120 | Up to $200 |
Best from TD Bank | TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card | $139 | Up to $290 |
Methodology to choose the best cash-back credit cards
NerdWallet Canada selects the best cash-back credit cards based on overall consumer value as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include each card’s cash-back earning rates, rewards structure (such as flat-rate or bonus categories), annual fee, redemption options, promotional APR period for purchases, bonus offers for new cardholders, and noteworthy features such as insurance, loyalty bonuses or the ability to choose one’s own rewards categories.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEST CREDIT CARDS
Looking for certain types of credit cards? Check out more of our picks for different categories of best credit cards:
How cash-back credit cards work in Canada
By Barry Choi and Clay Jarvis
Before deciding which cash-back credit card is right for you, it’s helpful to understand how the cash-back redemption process works, the many categories cash-back rewards can fall into, and how cash-back cards compare to other types of credit cards.
What is a cash-back credit card?
Cash-back credit cards are pretty straightforward: you use them as you would any other credit card, and in exchange for making eligible purchases, you get a certain percentage of what you’ve spent back in cash.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a cash-back credit card?
Advantages
- Simplicity — cash-back cards make it easy to earn valuable rewards.
- Welcome bonuses and introductory offers can be quite generous.
- Accumulated rewards can help pay down your card balance.
- High earn rates for items you buy regularly can yield big rewards.
Disadvantages
- You may not typically buy items that yield above-average earn rates.
- Amassing rewards can be slow depending on how much you spend each month, and whether you pay your bill in full.
- Bonus and introductory offers tend to come with conditions, including spending minimums, which may be challenging to meet.
- Should I choose cash-back or rewards points?
Types of cash-back credit cards
All cash-back credit cards work similarly, but even minor differences are worth noting as they can affect your earn rate.
Flat-rate
This type of cash-back credit card earns cash-back at the same rate for all purchases made.
Bonus rewards categories
Some cash-back credit cards offer an increased earn rate for rewards on select spending categories, such as groceries and restaurants.
Flexible bonus cash-back cards
Some cards allow you to choose the spending categories to earn your bonus rewards. By selecting categories that align with the types of items you buy frequently, you can maximize your cash-back rewards.
How to earn cash-back
You’ll need to make purchases to earn cash-back rewards with a credit card. For example, let’s say you have a card that offers 2% cash back on groceries. If tomorrow’s weekly run to the supermarket winds up costing you $100 and you pay with your card, you’ll earn $2 in cash-back rewards.
Cash-back rewards will accumulate as you continue using your cash-back credit card. The running total of how much cash you’ve earned should be easy to find on your monthly statement or via your online account.
Make sure to stay within your credit limit, keep your account in good standing, and look closely at your cash-back credit card’s details to find out how much you can earn on your purchases. Earn rates can vary based on time, such as when an introductory offer provides a higher rate of rewards and what kinds of products you purchase.
How to redeem cash-back
Once you have accumulated enough cash-back rewards, you can redeem them for statement credits, bank deposits, gift cards, or other rewards. Make sure to understand the redemption options and requirements of your card. Some may require you to meet a minimum threshold of cash-back rewards before redemption. If you don’t have enough points available, you’ll have to sit on them until you do.
Redemption requirements by issuers
Every credit card provider has different rules when it comes to redeeming your cash back. Some allow monthly redemption, while others pay out annually. Other providers allow redemption only after you’ve hit a certain threshold. The following are the payout requirements for the major cash-back credit card issuers:
- American Express. All cash back earned is paid out annually on your September statement.
- BMO. Redeem as little as $1 in cash back as a statement credit. You can also set up automatic direct deposits to your BMO chequing or savings account starting at $25.
- CIBC. Cash-back redemptions start at $25. Any unredeemed cash back will appear on your January statement annually.
- RBC. Once you earn $25 in cash back, you can have the balance credited to your account at any time by calling in. Alternatively, all accumulated cash back will be credited to your account every January.
- Scotiabank. All cash back earned appears as a credit on your November statement.
- Tangerine. Paid monthly to your savings account or applied to your credit card balance.
- TD. You can redeem your cash back when you have a minimum amount of $25. Another option is to take your cash back annually every January where there is no minimum amount required.
» MORE: Read our in-depth TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Review
When is a good time to redeem my cash-back rewards?
Many cash-back credit cards will allow you to redeem your rewards as soon as they reach a minimum threshold. But you can also save them up over time and cash them in for a more significant, single-shot pay-down of your credit card balance, for example.
Choosing to redeem cash rewards on a regular basis is certainly satisfying. But it could mean dipping below your minimum threshold. The next time you want — or need — to use your rewards, you may not have enough at your disposal. Saving your cash back rewards to generate more impact — to ease the blow of a particularly big purchase — is a worthy strategy, too. But know that if you fail to keep your account in good standing or decide to close it suddenly, you could lose out on accumulated rewards.
cash-back bonus rewards categories
Cash-back bonus rewards categories refer to the specific spending categories or types of purchases that earn higher cash-back rewards on a credit card.
For example, let’s say your credit card gives you 4% cash back on gas. If the card has a flat rate of 1%, this means you’ll earn cash back on gas with a bonus rate of 3%, making it so all your gas purchases would give you 4% cash back. Since many gas stations sell other things, such as snacks and gift cards, you’d also earn 4% cash back on any of those items.
Generally speaking, Canada’s best cash-back credit cards offer multiple bonus categories. Getting a cash-back card that aligns with your spending patterns can be pretty lucrative. For example, if you spend a lot on groceries, getting a cash-back credit card with an increased earn rate on groceries can significantly benefit you.
You’ll earn cash back at an increased rate when making purchases in specific spending categories, but you’ll still earn the base earn rate when you make purchases that don’t fall under a bonus category or after you have reached the bonus category cash-back limit. The base earn rate differs for each cash-back credit card but typically ranges between 0.5% and 2%.
Common rewards categories
Cash-back categories can vary depending on the credit card and issuer, but here are some common categories in Canada:
- Grocery. Any purchase made at grocery stores, such as Loblaws, No Frills and Metro.
- Gas. Includes any purchase made at a gas station or service station, like Shell, PetroCanada and Esso.
- Restaurants and dining. This usually includes takeout and food delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes.
- Travel spending. Airline tickets, hotels, car rentals, etc.
- Transit and transportation. This may include taking an Uber, a taxi, or paying for public transportation.
- Streaming services. Monthly subscriptions to products like Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, etc.
- Drug stores and pharmacies. This may include purchases made at a drug store, like Shoppers Drug Mart.
- Entertainment. This may include money you spend on tickets to the movies, theater, or a live music concert.
- Bills and recurring payments. Including wireless phone, internet, and utility bills paid with a credit card.
The key thing to understand is that each credit card defines its categories differently and employs its own merchant category codes. For example, some cards may group gas and transportation. Some cards lump groceries and restaurants into a “food and drink” category. To further complicate things, some merchants don’t fall into the categories you would think they would. For example, Costco is not considered a grocery store. As far as credit card processors are concerned, Costco is a wholesale store.
Credit card companies do not typically reveal all of the stores associated with a merchant category publicly. Still, you should be able to contact your credit card provider’s customer service to ask about a specific store. Overall, it’s pretty easy to figure out what category your purchases will fall under, but you may need some trial and error.
How to choose a cash-back card
Before applying for a cash-back credit card, select the right one for you and ensure you’re eligible.
Compare cash-back credit card options
With dozens of cash-back credit cards available, comparing them all can be time-consuming. That said, there are a few things you should look at when considering any cash-back card.
- Interest rates. It’s important to look closely at the interest rates associated with any cash-back credit cards you’re considering; many start out in the 19.99% range. Zero interest is charged on balances paid in full every month, but if you don’t, it can significantly add to your debt and erode the benefit of any cash-back rewards you earn.
- Annual fee. Decide if you want to pay an annual fee or not. In most cases, paying a yearly fee means earning more cash back and getting better benefits. On the other hand, no-fee cash-back cards may have a lower earn rate, but if you don’t charge much to your card, you could come out ahead compared to a card with a fee.
- Welcome bonus or intro offer. Cash-back credit cards in Canada commonly offer a sign-up bonus for new applicants. The welcome bonus usually comes as a higher cash-back rate for a set period. For example, you might get 10% cash back on all purchases up to $3,000 in spending. If the earn rates are similar with two cards, but one has an excellent welcome bonus, then you might as well take advantage of the promotion. Credit card bonus offers nearly always come with terms and conditions to be met, but be sure you read over the offer thoroughly and understand how much you may need to spend to qualify.
- Bonus rewards categories. The increased earn rate on bonus categories is arguably the most critical factor when comparing cash-back cards. It’s ideal to choose a card that gives you the most cash-back in the categories where you do the most spending. Remember that the amount you spend in bonus categories every year could earn you more than any welcome bonus offered.
- Credit card insurance and additional perks. Many cash-back credit cards offer various forms of insurance and additional benefits that may appeal to you. Some perks to look out for include:
- Travel insurance.
- Roadside assistance.
- Mobile device insurance.
- Credit card concierge services.
- Extended warranties.
- Purchase protection.
Make sure you qualify
Even though the benefits of a cash-back credit card are relatively simple to understand, you’ll still have to reckon with a few eligibility requirements to consider before applying.
- Age and residency status. Most cash-back credit cards require you to be both a Canadian resident and the legal age of majority in the province where you live to apply for your own card. The age of majority is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan. It’s 19 everywhere in all other provinces.
- Credit score. A good credit score is required in most cases to qualify for a cash-back credit card. In Canada, a credit score that ranges between 660 and 724 is considered good. If you do not have a good credit score, consider a credit card designed for bad or no credit, a prepaid card, or a secured credit card instead of a cash-back credit card.
- Personal or household income requirements. Some cash-back credit cards come with relatively lower income requirements, but if you want a higher-tier cash-back credit card, you’ll likely need a higher income.
How to maximize your cash-back rewards
There are plenty of tricks to help you get the most out of your cash-back credit cards. The more tips you adopt, the more cash back you’ll earn. That said, it’s best only to follow the advice that you’re comfortable with.
- Apply for a new card ahead of major expenses. Since many of Canada’s best cash-back credit cards have a generous welcome bonus, it’s often worth your trouble to apply for a new card before you make a major purchase. For example, let’s say you need to renew your home and auto insurance, which will cost you about $2,000. You could apply for a cash-back credit card offering 10% cash back as the welcome bonus. Then, when you charge your insurance to your card, you’d get $200 back.
- Keep your eye out for attractive intro offers and sign-up bonuses. Welcome offers are constantly changing, so watch for any current promotions. Getting 10% cash back for a set period is generous, but if the card also waives the annual fee for the first year, they’re practically paying you to sign up. When you get close to 12 months of card membership, you might cancel the card before your annual fee posts. You could then apply for a new cash-back credit card with a strong bonus.
- Pay attention to intro offer limits. Keep in mind that many cash-back credit cards have a limit on their sign-up offer. If you have a substantial purchase, you could apply for more than one card and split up your purchase to maximize your cash back. However, if you need to pay an annual fee for the new card, it may negate the cash back you earn, so pay attention to the details.
- Carry multiple cards. Many people focus on a single cash-back credit card, but there’s nothing wrong with having multiple credit cards. In fact, having more than one card is the easiest way to maximize your cash back. Start with a primary card that gives you an increased earn rate where you spend most of your spending. You could then complement that card with a no-fee card that gives you bonus categories where your primary card doesn’t. Just use the credit card that gives you the most cash back whenever you shop.
- Buy gift cards in bonus categories. Groceries and gas are two of the most popular merchant categories where you’ll earn additional cash back. Here’s the thing: grocery stores and gas stations sell gift cards that can be used at many retailers. That essentially allows you to earn extra cash back.
- Add supplementary users. Most credit cards allow you to add supplementary users. The advantage is that all authorized cardholders earn cash back on their purchases, including any bonus. Best of all, the cash back gets combined into a single pool, so you’ll be racking up that cash back in no time.
- Use cash-back websites. Various online sites allow you to earn additional cash whenever you shop online. First, you need to create an account. Afterwards, you would select the partner retailers through their online portal. When you do your shopping, eligible purchases will earn you cash back. You’ll earn cash back twice if you pay with your cash-back credit card.
Should I choose cash-back or rewards points?
Answering this question depends on what you’re looking to get out of your credit card.
- Cash-back rewards may be the route to take if you’re hoping for a little help paying your credit card bills, or want to earn rewards that are typically easy to calculate, collect and apply toward your balance.
- Rewards points, however, can generally be redeemed in a wider variety of ways, including discounts on travel or merchandise. That flexibility can be very attractive to some consumers. However, the value of the points you collect can fluctuate, making tracking your points a more complicated endeavour than cash-back rewards.
Are cash-back credit cards worth it?
There are two situations where a cash-back card might not be the right choice:
- If you’ll pay more in annual fees than you’d earn in cash-back.
- If you can get a better return with a points-based rewards card. For example, let’s say you got a travel rewards credit card and did the same spending. Would the points you earn be worth more than the cash back you could potentially earn? If so, it makes more sense to get a travel credit card.
FAQs for Canada’s cash-back credit cards
Most cash-back credit cards have limits on the cash back you can earn. Look at your card’s terms and conditions for rates and limits. Most cash-back credit cards set the limit per category, but they may also lump some categories together. Additionally, the limit would factor in any purchases made by supplementary users on the account.
Some cards give you unlimited cash back, even on bonus categories. That means you would get the full earn rate, regardless of how many purchases you put on your card. Shopping around and reviewing the terms and conditions of cards you’re interested in, will help you pick the right card.
Cash-back rewards are considered a rebate/discount by the Canada Revenue Agency, so you won’t be taxed. Cash back is really no different from a coupon, which is obviously not taxable.
That said, if you earn cash as part of your employment, it may be taxable. For example, let’s say you have a company cash-back credit card. Your employer allows you to deposit the cash back earned directly into your bank account. In this case, the cash back would be taxable since it’s a form of income.
Cash-back credit card companies in Canada
Here are some widely known credit card issuers in Canada, along with their networks and notable cash-back cards.
Credit Card Issuer | Network | Notable Cash-Back Cards |
---|---|---|
American Express | American Express | SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express |
ATB | Mastercard | ATB Gold Cash Rewards Mastercard® |
BMO | Mastercard | Cash-Back: BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard® |
Brim Financial | Mastercard | Brim World Elite Mastercard |
Canadian Tire | Mastercard | Triangle™ World Elite Mastercard® |
Capital One | Mastercard | SavorOne Rewards for Good Credit |
CIBC | Visa | Cash-Back: CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite Card |
Coast Capital Savings | Visa | SavorOne Rewards for Good Credit |
Desjardins | Visa & Mastercard | Desjardins Cash Back World Elite® Mastercard® |
Home Trust | Visa | Home Trust Preferred Visa |
HSBC | Mastercard | HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard |
Manulife | Visa | ManulifeMONEY+ Visa Infinite |
MBNA | Mastercard | MBNA Smart Cash Platinum Plus® Mastercard® |
Meridian | Visa | Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card |
National Bank | Mastercard | mycredit Mastercard |
Neo Financial | Mastercard | Neo Rewards™ Money back credit card |
PC Financial | Mastercard | President's Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard |
Plastk | Visa | Plastk Secured Rewards Card |
RBC | Visa & Mastercard | RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard |
Refresh Financial | Visa | - |
Rogers | Mastercard | Rogers™ World Elite® Mastercard® |
Scotiabank | Visa & American Express | Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite Card |
Simplii Financial | Visa | Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa Card |
Tangerine | Mastercard | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card |
TD Bank | Visa | TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card |
Vancity | Visa | enviro Visa Infinite* card |
Walmart | Mastercard | Walmart Rewards World Mastercard |
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