Bank card comparability instrument
Examine your choices with our interactive instrument and filter bank cards primarily based on rewards worth, annual charges, revenue necessities and extra.
Why belief us
MoneySense is an award-winning journal, serving to Canadians navigate cash issues since 1999. Our editorial group of educated journalists works carefully with main private finance consultants in Canada. That can assist you discover the very best monetary merchandise, we evaluate the choices from over 12 main establishments, together with banks, credit score unions and card issuers. Be taught extra about our advertising and trusted partners.
Canada’s greatest rewards bank cards by class
In case you’re not leveraging your on a regular basis spending to earn rewards, you’re lacking out.
Rewards bank cards show you how to earn money again or factors, which will be redeemed towards groceries, journey, merchandise, reward playing cards and extra. However to determine the very best rewards bank card for you, you’ll have to reply just a few questions. Do you favor to gather factors or get money again in your pocket? Is it value paying an annual price for premium perks, or would you reasonably a no-fee card? Regardless of your standards, you’re certain to seek out an ideal match with one (or extra!) of the rewards bank cards under.
Greatest playing cards by class | Why we find it irresistible |
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Greatest money again total SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express Annual price: $120 |
4% again on groceries and fuel, and a pair of% again on all different purchases |
Greatest no-fee money again card SimplyCash Card from American Express Annual price: $0 |
Not less than 1.25% again on all purchases, with no annual price |
Greatest flat-rate money again card Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard Annual price: $0 |
A flat 1.5% again on all of your Canadian purchases (or 2% again for Rogers, Fido and Shaw prospects), plus sufficient again on all U.S.-dollar purchases to cowl foreign exchange charges |
Greatest total journey rewards bank card American Express Cobalt Annual price: $156 |
A number of the highest earn charges in Canada (with as much as 5x the factors on eating and groceries), mixed with a versatile factors, equals your greatest return on spending |
Greatest airline journey bank card (Aeroplan) TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card Annual price: $139 |
Excessive earn charges on fuel, groceries and Air Canada purchases, simple redemptions and a $100 Nexus price rebate each 2 years |
Greatest airline journey bank card (WestJet) WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard Annual price: $119 |
1.5% earn fee paired with an annual round-trip companion voucher on WestJet |
Greatest no-fee journey bank card American Express Green Card Annual price: $0 |
Constant earnings of 1 level per greenback on all of your purchases, mixed with the flexibleness and worth of Amex Membership Rewards |
Greatest money again bank card for college students BMO CashBack Mastercard for students Annual price: $0 |
3% again on groceries and the power to redeem rewards at any time |
Greatest journey bank card for college students CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students Annual price: $0 |
Higher than common return on spending, plus just a few journey advantages and student-friendly perks |
Greatest resort bank card Marriott Bonvoy American Express Annual price:Â $120 |
Redemptions without spending a dime stays at over 30 resort manufacturers (from Marriott to Ritz-Carlton), plus level transfers to companion airline applications |
Greatest retailer bank card PC Financial World Elite Mastercard Annual price: $0 |
Highest fee of return on spending at one of many largest retail networks within the nation |
Greatest total money again bank card
At a look: On the subject of rewards, there’s nothing like money, and the SimplyCash Most popular earns additional cash again on each greenback you spend versus the competitors. Other than its profitable bonuses on groceries and fuel, what actually units the SimplyCash Most popular Card aside is that it earns a minimal of two% money on every thing you purchase.
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Amex SimplyCash Most popular
Annual price: $120
Welcome supply: Earn a bonus 10% money again on all purchases on your first three months (as much as $2,000 in purchases) and a $50 assertion credit score if you make a purchase order in month 13 (whole worth of as much as $250).
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
Revenue required | None specified |
Credit score rating | 725 or increased |
Execs
- For a lot of Canadians, fuel and groceries are main expenditures, and this card presents a whopping 4% again on each.Â
- Other than these two bonus classes, this card earns a minimal of two% on every thing else you purchase (with most playing cards, you’ll get a minimal of 1%). This implies you’ll internet double the money again on every thing from on-line purchases to garments and extra.
- Add a licensed consumer (like your companion or little one) to the account—at no further price—and earn money again sooner. Bank cards generally cost $30 to $50 per further consumer.
- This bank card comes with Amex advantages like Entrance of the Line, which will get you early entry to occasion tickets, in addition to eating and retail experiences. Plus, you’ll obtain Amex Presents, tailor-made to your spending habits.Â
- This card presents complete journey insurance coverage rivalling even the very best journey bank cards, with $5 million in protection for journeys of as much as 15 days.
Cons
- American Categorical is extensively accepted throughout Canada, however there are some necessary exceptions. Loblaw-affiliated shops, for instance, don’t settle for Amex, so you possibly can’t money in on the boosted grocery rewards there. (That you simply? Take a look at our best store credit cards.)
- You possibly can’t select if you get your rewards with this bank card loyalty program. As a substitute, you’ll get a lump sum utilized to your account as soon as per 12 months, in September.
Greatest no-fee money again card
At a look: Â If you’d like a no-fee cash back credit card, the SimplyCash Card from American Categorical presents most of the similar advantages of the SimplyCash Most popular, however with decrease earn charges. Nonetheless, with a base fee of 1.25%, and a 2% fee on fuel and groceries, your on a regular basis spending will assist enhance your checking account.
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SimplyCash from American Categorical
Annual price: $0
Welcome supply: Earn a bonus 5% money again in your first $2,000 in purchases throughout your first three months (as much as $100 in bonus money again).
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
Revenue required | None specified |
Credit score rating | 725 or increased |
Greatest flat-rate money again card
At a look: By providing a 3% return on U.S. greenback purchases, this card is successfully a no-forex-fee card with no annual price. Plus, all Canadian-currency purchases nonetheless earn at a stable 1.5% money again fee (plus, an additional 0.5% should you’re a Rogers, Fido or Shaw buyer). This card additionally comes with some good World Elite Mastercard extras, like free Boingo Wi-Fi and Mastercard Journey Cross Supplied By DragonPass, which provides you entry to some airport lounges.
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Rogers Pink World Elite Mastercard
Annual price: $0
Welcome supply: This card doesn’t have a welcome bonus at the moment.
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
Revenue required | $80,000 per 12 months |
Credit score rating | 725 or increased |
Greatest total journey rewards bank card
At a look: This card presents among the highest earn charges on incessantly used spending classes, which the corporate broadly defines. Redeeming your rewards are easy, and you may enhance the worth of your factors by utilizing them for journey and transferring them to different loyalty applications, like Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy. This card additionally contains a fairly good insurance coverage package deal.
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American Categorical Cobalt
Annual price: $156
Welcome supply: earn 1,250 factors for every month you spend $750, as much as a most of 15,000 factors.
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
Revenue required | None specified |
Credit score rating | 725 or increased |
Level worth | 1 Amex Membership Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed with the Versatile Factors Journey Program, $0.015 on common with the Fastened Factors Journey Program, and as much as $0.02 with airline factors transfers. |
Execs
- With earn charges—like 5 factors per greenback on groceries and eating, and three factors per greenback on streaming companies—this bank card is designed to allow you to construct up factors shortly.Â
- The best way that bonus classes are outlined implies that you’ll earn boosted factors on extra purchases. Take the journey and transit class, for instance: You’ll get 2 factors per greenback on flights and lodges, and on fuel and public transportation, but additionally on taxis and rideshares.Â
- Redemptions are simple and you’ve got a lot of selection in the way you spend your rewards. You possibly can put them towards any journey expense you’ve charged to your card at a fee of 1 level for $0.01 in journey financial savings. You possibly can switch them to taking part airline or resort loyalty applications, which not solely will increase the place they can be utilized, but additionally their worth. And, as a result of Aeroplan factors are sometimes value greater than different rewards, you possibly can principally double the worth of your factors. Lastly, you need to use its Fastened Factors Journey chart to discover a beneficial fee with out worrying concerning the provider or blackout dates. Â
- Further playing cards are free, so you possibly can add relations to build up extra factors, sooner.
Cons
- American Categorical playing cards aren’t as extensively accepted throughout Canada as Visa or Mastercard.Â
- Whereas many comparable playing cards cost $120 in annual charges, at 155.88 (charged at $12.99 month-to-month), this card’s price prices fairly a bit greater than different rewards bank cards on our checklist right here.Â
- One of many key journey perks—no overseas trade charges—just isn’t on supply right here.Â
- The journey insurance coverage package deal is sort of complete with the notable exception of journey cancellation protection, which covers you in case of a sudden sickness.
Honourable point out
At a look: The Scotia Gold Amex rivals our high choose by providing tremendous aggressive earn charges, a complete journey insurance coverage package deal, and precious perks like no foreign exchange fees—which the Cobalt lacks. Nevertheless, you gained’t have the chance to switch, and subsequently probably enhance the worth of, your factors.
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Scotiabank Gold American Categorical
Annual price: $120
Welcome supply: earn as much as $950 in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 45,000 bonus Scene+ factors. To qualify, apply by October 31, 2024.
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
Revenue required | $60,000 per 12 months |
Credit score rating | 725 or increased |
Level worth | 1 Scene+ level = $0.01 when redeemed for journey on any airline or resort (together with Airbnbs). |
Execs
- Purchases at some grocers, like FreshCo and Sobeys, will return a really spectacular 6-points-per-dollar fee. And the 5-points-per-dollar class contains all kinds of outlets together with eating places, meals supply and grocery shops.Â
- You possibly can retroactively redeem your factors (as much as one 12 months). Say, for instance, you booked a resort in January, you possibly can apply your Scene+ rewards to that journey buy throughout the upcoming 12 months. Plus, you’re not restricted to lodges and flights. The journey spending class considers Airbnbs, automotive shares, public transportation fares and taxis eligible for retroactive redemption, too. As if this card’s rewards weren’t versatile sufficient, you too can pay for journey rewards with each factors and money.
- The absence of overseas transaction charges is a high perk each for Canadian travellers and cross-border customers, saving between 2% and a pair of.5% on purchases made in different currencies.Â
- This bank card has among the greatest journey insurance coverage in the marketplace.
Cons
- Your Scene+ factors are at all times valued at $0.01 per level, so there’s no room to spice up their shopping for energy.Â
- The overseas trade price waiver is barely dampened by the truth that purchases in different currencies solely earn the bottom fee of 1 level per greenback.Â
- You may need to carry a secondary Visa or Mastercard for these retailers in Canada who don’t settle for American Categorical.
Greatest airline journey bank cards
For Aeroplan
At a look: In case you’re searching for an Aeroplan card with easy redemptions, that is our choose. It’s value noting that should you use the Amex Cobalt and switch your Amex factors to Aeroplan, you will get the next worth on your rewards. However this bank card impresses us with perks just like the $100 Nexus price rebate and free first checked baggage.
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TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Annual price: $139 (waived first 12 months)
Welcome supply: Earn as much as $1,500 in worth, together with as much as 50,000 Aeroplan factors and no annual price for the primary 12 months. Circumstances apply. Account have to be accepted by Jan. 6, 2025.
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
Revenue required | Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000 |
Credit score rating | 680 or increased (advisable) |
Level worth | Aeroplan factors are value $0.02 on common. |
For WestJetÂ
At a look:Â Between a aggressive earn fee and crowd pleasing perks, the RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard is our suggestion for Canadians who fly with WestJet. Redeeming rewards is straightforward. And, with an annual round-trip companion voucher and your first checked bag is free for you and as much as eight journey companions, this journey bank card is a first-class card.
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WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Annual price: $119
Welcome supply: earn as much as $700 in WestJet {dollars} with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, Plus a Spherical-Journey Companion Voucher Each Yr
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances |
Revenue required | Private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000 |
Credit score rating | None specified |
Level worth | 1 WestJet Greenback = $1 CAD when redeemed for eligible flights or trip packages. |
Greatest no-fee journey bank card
At a look: With this card you possibly can earn versatile rewards factors which are simply redeemed for nearly something, together with journey. Plus, you possibly can switch them at a ratio of 1 to at least one to different frequent flyer or rewards applications which, relying on this system, can truly enhance their worth. This card has loads to supply, particularly for a no-fee card.Â
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American Categorical Inexperienced Card
Annual price: $0
Welcome supply: earn 10,000 Membership Rewards factors if you cost $1,000 in purchases to your card within the first three months of cardmembership.
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
Revenue required | None specified |
Credit score rating | 725 or increased |
Level worth | 1 Amex Membership Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed with the Versatile Factors Journey Program, $0.015 on common with the Fastened Factors Journey Program, and as much as $0.02 with airline factors transfers. . |
Execs
- Incomes factors is straightforward with a flat fee of 1 level per greenback in your on a regular basis spending, and also you’ll double that for purchases made by way of Amex Journey On-line.Â
- You possibly can redeem your factors at a flat fee of 10,000 factors for $10 in journey, or get extra out of your factors by utilizing Amex’s Fastened Level chart. In some instances, equivalent to with a switch to Aeroplan, you possibly can enhance the worth of your factors.Â
- With this journey rewards bank card you may have entry to Entrance of the Line the place you possibly can reap the benefits of advance entry to tickets. Amex Experiences lets you take pleasure in a wide range of curated eating, purchasing and leisure occasions.
Cons
- As is typical for a no-fee bank card, this card doesn’t supply journey perks or function insurance coverage.Â
- You should use an American Categorical card throughout Canada and overseas, however there are some shops, largely within the grocery sector, that don’t settle for it. Each Costco and Loblaw-banner shops don’t settle for Amex in Canada.
Greatest scholar bank cards
For money again
At a look: The very first thing to notice about this card is the three% cash-back return on groceries—the best fee within the nation for a no-fee card. In case you spend simply $400 per thirty days on groceries, that comes out to $144 in money again for the 12 months. Plus, there aren’t any limits to how a lot you possibly can earn, making this a stable student credit card.
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BMO CashBack Mastercard
Annual price: $0
Welcome supply: earn 5% money again in your first 3 months Circumstances apply.
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
Revenue required | None specified |
Credit score rating | None specified |
For journey
At a look: With the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for College students, you possibly can earn precious and easy-to-redeem Aeroplan rewards, journey advantages and student-friendly perks—all with out paying an annual price.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for College students
Annual price: $0
Welcome supply: earn 10,000 Aeroplan factors if you make your first buy ($200 worth)
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on money advances (21.99% in Quebec) |
Revenue required | None specified |
Credit score rating | None specified |
Level worth | Aeroplan factors are value $0.02 on common. |
Greatest resort bank card
At a look: With the power to redeem for every thing from room upgrades to spa remedies, Marriott Bonvoy factors are tremendous precious for frequent Canadian travellers. Plus, they’re transferrable to about 40 airline applications. Extras, like free resort stays and Amex advantages, make this a must-pack journey bank card on your subsequent journey.
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Marriott Bonvoy American Categorical
Annual price: $120
Welcome supply: earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
Revenue required | None specified |
Credit score rating | 725 or increased |
Level worth | 1 Marriott Bonvoy level = $0.0117 on common when redeemed for eligible flights or resort stays. |
Execs
- Marriott Bonvoy factors are versatile, incomes you upgrades throughout a wide range of lodges, together with the St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton and the Westin. Or, use them for merchandise and experiences, or for journey bills like automotive leases and flights.
- With a 2 factors per greenback base fee and 5 factors per greenback spent on all Marriott resort stays, this card enables you to construct up factors, quick.
- This card contains an annual free evening’s keep at a Marriott property. Plus you’ll get 15 Elite Evening Credit that may show you how to advance to the following degree of standing, so you possibly can entry additional advantages.
- You’ll have entry to Amex advantages like Entrance of the Line, the place you’ll have early entry to occasion tickets. Plus, you possibly can reap the benefits of curated eating, retail and wellness experiences.
Cons
- Though Marriott Bonvoy factors are transferable to airline applications, the speed is an underwhelming three-to-one for many transfers.
- Marriott Bonvoy is a dynamic loyalty program, which means you’ll want to concentrate to dates and occasions if you wish to get essentially the most out of your factors.
- As an Amex bank card, it’s much less extensively accepted in Canada than Mastercard or Visa.
Greatest retailer bank card
At a look: Quite a few retail companions, many alternatives to boosts your factors, and easy redemptions on the money register make PC Optimum one in every of Canada’s hottest factors applications. Once you spend with the PC World Elite Mastercard, you’ll get the best worth of any retailer bank card in Canada.
PC Monetary World Elite Mastercard
Card particulars
Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 22.97% on money advances (21.97% for residents of Quebec), 22.97% on stability transfers |
Revenue required | Private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000 |
Credit score rating | 560 or increased |
Level worth | 10 PC factors = $0.01 at Loblaws grocery community and Customers Drug Mart. |
Execs
- Once you use this card to pay for groceries, clothes or housewares at Loblaw-banner shops, like No Frills, Fortino’s or Actual Canadian Superstore, you’ll get 30 factors per greenback—a 3% return. Purchases at Customers Drug Mart earn 45 factors per greenback, which is a whopping 4.5% return.
- PC Optimum could have the best course of for redemption of any loyalty program in Canada. Merely present your card on the checkout of one of many above-mentioned shops, and request to make use of your factors. Even the rewards worth is simple: 10,000 factors are value $10.
- In case you don’t meet the necessities for this higher-tier World Elite card, it’s possible you’ll need to think about PC’s mid-tier and entry-level playing cards, which have decrease eligibility necessities however related perks.
Cons
- The annual revenue requirement is pretty excessive at $80,000 per 12 months (or $150,000 for the family).Â
- You keep your eligibility for this card by spending at the very least $15,000 yearly on it. In any other case, you’ll be downgraded to PC’s lower-tier World or entry-level PC Mastercard.
How we decide the very best rewards playing cards
Our editors apply their bank card experience and data of Canadians’ monetary objectives to give you choice standards that matches the wants of the meant cardholder. For rewards bank cards, which embody the buildup of journey and money again, your return on spending is a key consideration, as a result of it represents the worth you might be incomes with each buy. Relying on the spend classes, further standards are used. For instance, to seek out the very best scholar rewards playing cards, we additionally think about annual charges and eligibility necessities—as a result of, nicely, being a scholar is dear. The addition of hyperlinks from affiliate companions has no bearing on the outcomes. Learn extra about our best credit cards selection process and about how MoneySense makes money.
Often requested questions
How a lot are bank card rewards factors valueÂ
With constant rewards applications, the factors are value a hard and fast quantity and this doesn’t change. Listed here are the values of factors with constant rewards applications. Â
Bank card supplier | Level worth |
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MBNA Rewards | 1 MBNA Rewards level is value $0.01 in eligible journey purchases, whereas brand-name merchandise, reward playing cards, money again and charitable donations are value $0.005 of a cent in redemption worth. Some purchases have to be made by way of the MBNA web site. |
Scene+ Points | 1 Scene+ level is value $0.01 in redemption worth for journey, purchases at affiliated grocery, liquor and drug shops, and food and drinks at Cineplex and Scene companions. Factors are value barely much less when redeeming for film tickets, reward playing cards, assertion credit and a few merchandise. |
American Express Membership Rewards factors | With the American Categorical Versatile Factors Program, 1 level is value $0.01 in journey rewards. You can even switch your Amex factors to different journey rewards applications like Aeroplan at a one-to-one factors worth ratio, the place your factors might be value much more utilizing dynamic redemption applications. Membership rewards factors are value $0.04 to $0.07 in reward playing cards and merchandise by way of MembershipRewards.com, and $0.07 when used towards a press release credit score. |
TD Rewards | 1 TD Rewards level is value $0.005 in journey rewards booked through Expedia For TD, or $0.004 when booked by way of different journey suppliers and web sites. TD Factors are value barely much less on merchandise, assertion credit, purchases on Amazon.ca and reward playing cards. |
BMO Rewards | 1 level is value $0.007 of a cent in journey rewards, whereas the redemption worth is barely decrease for merchandise and reward playing cards. The journey redemption worth is barely decrease for BMO Rewards, however with BMO, you’re not restricted to reserving by way of its web site or with sure airways. Some playing cards, just like the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard, let you earn Air Miles factors as a substitute, which will be redeemed for flights, merchandise, and extra by way of the Air Miles portal. |
PC Optimum Points | 1 level is value $0.001 at Loblaw-affiliated grocery shops, Customers Drug Mart, and Esso and Mobil fuel stations. You possibly can stack your Optimum factors to earn at increased charges with a PC Monetary bank card just like the PC Financial Mastercard. |
How to decide on the very best rewards card
In case you’re purchasing round for a brand new bank card, it’s possible you’ll discover most boil down to 2 kinds of rewards: factors or money again. It is likely to be tempting to choose the cardboard that offers you the very best return, but it surely’s not at all times that straightforward. The place you store, how a lot you spend every month and the kind of rewards you favor, these ought to all be a part of your determination for the very best rewards bank card for you.
The case for money again
In case you desire simplicity, cash-back playing cards are the best way to go. The best cash back credit cards provide the highest return primarily based in your on a regular basis spending habits. Right here’s what to think about:
Payouts:Â Relying on the cardboard, money again is paid out month-to-month, quarterly or yearly and refunded within the type of a press release credit score, direct deposit to your checking account or a cheque within the mail.
Share earned: Money again bank cards supply fastened proportion on rewards primarily based how a lot you spend on the cardboard. Typically talking, money again playing cards with an annual price will earn you the next base proportion, so it is advisable issue that in should you’re evaluating it to a no-fee bank card.
Multipliers:Â Some money again playing cards supply multipliers, which offer you the next proportion of money again in in style spending classes equivalent to grocery shops, fuel stations, drugstores and automatic funds for recurring payments.
The case for rewards
As a substitute of incomes money, travel rewards credit cards internet factors that can be utilized to assert journey (flights, lodges), reward playing cards, or merchandise. Rewards playing cards will be fairly profitable when you know the way to earn and redeem factors successfully, however there are a number of options to think about.
Sort of rewards earned: Rewards bank cards are both linked to a selected journey model (airline or resort), or offer you flexibility to journey on any provider. In case you’re loyal to a selected model, it is sensible to choose a co-branded card. In case you desire flexibility, then choose a card that offers you essentially the most choices.
Signup bonus:Â Most rewards playing cards supply an enormous signup bonus to entice Canadians to use. Assuming you possibly can meet the minimal spend requirement, that bonus might be value just a few hundred {dollars}.
Ease of redemption: Rewards are ineffective should you can’t use them. Search for loyatly applications with out blackout dates. One other no-deal: Too many restrictions, so you possibly can’t redeem your factors everytime you need.
Worth of your factors:Â Know what your rewards (particularly factors or branded {dollars}) are literally value. For instance, should you earn 1 level for each $1 spent, and it takes 100 factors so that you can declare $1 in rewards, your factors are value 1%. When you’ve got a co-branded bank card for flights or lodges, it is advisable decide what number of factors it takes to get a free flight or resort room.
Further advantages: Other than rewards, you’ll need to take a look at the extra perks and advantages. Many rewards card supply the next as customary advantages: complete journey insurance coverage package deal, auto rental insurance coverage and value safety.