Best Rewards Credit Cards in Canada for 2023

- No annual fee
- Unlimited rewards
- Automatic monthly cash back redemption
- Flexibility
- Get more rewards
Apply for a Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card by May 2nd, 2023 and earn an extra 10% back (up to $100) when you spend up to $1,000 in everyday purchases within your first 2 months.*
1.95% interest on the transferred balance for the first 6 months
Regarded as one of the best credit card in Canada, Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card provides no annual fee, a lucrative 2% cash back in up to 3 merchant categories, and 0.5% on all other purchases with no caps, tiers or limits. It provides choice, value and convenience to beginner credit card users and even works great as a secondary credit card.
- No annual fee -The no annual fee for both primary and secondary holders means that you are not paying for your cash back.
- Unlimited rewards -Earn as much cash back rewards regardless of the category.
- Automatic monthly cash back redemption -Every month, Tangerine will either apply your cashback dollars against your credit card balance or deposit it directly into your Tangerine Savings Account.
- Flexibility - You can choose 2-3 categories for the 2% cash back and change categories once every 90 days to match your spending pattern.
- Get more cash back rewards -Maximize your credit card rewards by choosing another cash back credit card that has bonus categories and using your Tangerine card to expand and get more bonus categories.
If you've been looking for a credit card that offers money-back rewards, then the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card might be right for you. The card has no annual fee and is designed to offer cash back on all purchases made with the card - anytime during the year!
Great credit card for those who would like to maximize the cashback they earn by choosing their spend categories to earn more cashback.
Viewed as one of the best credit cards in Canada, Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card provides no annual fee, a lucrative 2% cash back in up to 3 merchant categories, and 0.5% on all other purchases with no caps, tiers or limits. It provides choice, value and convenience to beginner credit card users and even works great as a secondary credit card.
Apply for a Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card by May 2nd, 2023 and earn an extra 10% back (up to $100) when you spend up to $1,000 in everyday purchases within your first 2 months.*
The most notable feature is the cash back rewards. Who wouldn't want to earn money while they spend! In order to determine an estimate of how much you'll earn using this card, take your total credit card spending per month and multiply it by 1%. Typically, these card users average out to 1% cash back on purchases between the special 2% categories and 0.5% on all other purchases. If you spend $1,000 a month, you'll earn $10 ($1,000 x 0.01)!
Tangerine's Money Back Credit Card has lower than average fees as well. In addition, they are an excellent bank to work with since they're owned by Scotiabank. More often than not, Tangerine's clients benefit indirectly from Scotiabank's services without paying the big bank fees. That being said, Tangerine's services are so affordable because they don't offer in person services the way traditional banks do. If that's something you value, this card might not be right for you.
Wondering what's the difference between the 2 cards Compare the Tangerine Money Back vs World Mastercard®

- Generous first-year rewards
- Redeem anything you want
- Transferability of points
- Monthly fee
- Free supplementary card
While geared towards young people, the American Express Cobalt® Card has plenty features and benefits that make it appealing to a wide range of people. It offers 5x more points on eats and drinks from grocery shopping to dining out, and 2x points on travel and transit. Additionally, the ability to transfer points to hotel partners or to the Fixed Points Travel Program makes this the best travel credit card in Canada with a fee. If you spend a lot on food and travel, then this credit card deserves a place in your wallet.
- Generous first-year rewards - You have the ability to earn up to 30,000 bonus points in the first year.
- Redeem anything you want -Reward points can be redeemed for travel, restaurant, movies, and merchandise. Unlike other rewards card, you can use your points for almost anything you want.
- Transferability of points -You can transfer points into the Marriott Bonvoy rewards system which unlocks access to amazing rewards programs like British Airways, Aeroplan, and more than 30 other airline partners. You can also transfer to the Hilton Honors rewards program at 1:1 ratio.
- Monthly fee - Instead of paying for a one-time annual fee, you are charged every month, giving you time to test out the card and cancel it if it's not the right fit for your spending habits.
- Free supplementary card - This usually costs an additional $50 on most rewards card. Get one for an immediate family member and boost your earning potential.
The American Express Cobalt® Card started out as a credit card designed for millennials and young professionals. Today, it’s one of the most flexible and versatile credit cards out there. In fact, it’s now commonly used by people from all walks of life because of the lucrative benefits.
One reason the American Express Cobalt® Card is so popular is because of the quick rewards that come with it. Points can be earned on everyday purchases which is what makes the earnings accumulate so rapidly. On food and drinks, such as grocery, restaurant, food delivery, bar and cafe purchases, cardholders earn five points per dollar spent.
On transit and travel, cardholders earn two points per dollar spent. These rewards are not limited to vacation only, cardholders will earn points when they spend on public transit, taxis and Ubers too. All other purchases earn one point per dollar spent. As you can see, no matter what your lifestyle is, you’ll quickly rack up points!
Points can be redeemed to cover the cost of flights and accommodation with 1,000 points being equivalent to $10. Flights don’t have any blackout dates and you can choose any airline you’d like. In addition, the points can be used to cover fees and taxes. If you don’t have an upcoming trip, you can also spend your points on events through Ticketmaster at a rate of 2,000 points to $20. As you probably noticed, the rate of return is the same when you spend on travel and events which is fantastic! For less bang for your buck, you can also use your points for gift cards or merchandise purchases.
Cardholders benefit from travel insurance as well. The insurance covers things like travel accidents, car rental insurance, medical emergencies, flight interruption or delay among others. Last but not least, cardholders gain access to American Express Invites which are limited offer, exclusive events.
All of these benefits sound amazing but there’s a cost for all the wonderful benefits. There’s a monthly fee of $12.99, which works out to be $155.88 per year. The monthly payment makes it easy for most to manage. Also, you need to make between $60,000 and $80,000 per year and have decent credit. The only disadvantage is the cap rate on the bonus points is 30,000. Another downside to this bonus is the points can’t be redeemed in a lump sum. This means there is a delay between when you earn the points and when you can redeem them.
That being said, the American Express Cobalt® Card is still an excellent option for those who travel a lot and make lots of eligible purchases.
If everything about this card sounds good to you, sign up today and receive an extra 2,500 points each month you spend $500 or more, an achievable spending rate for most! You can earn up to 30,000 Membership Rewards® points.

- High cashback rewards
- Complete suite of insurance and protection plans
If you are comfortable with shelling out a small fee of $99 per year, then the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express is one of the best cashback rewards cards. Those who want to maximize their rewards can take advantage of the limited-time 10% cashback rewards. It also offers a comprehensive insurance package that's worth more than $100 in value.
Why We Like It:
- High cashback rewards One of the highest we've seen, the 10% promo cash back is a welcome opportunity for people who have a major purchase coming up. After the four-month promotional period is up, it returns to a still high 2% cash back with no limits. Cash back is applied as a statement credit to your account each September.
- Complete suite of insurance and protection plans This Amex card offers extensive insurance that includes insurance against rental car damage, travel accident, foreign medical, and baggage theft as well as double manufacturer's warranty and insurance against theft or damage for purchases.
The SimplyCash Preferred credit card allows you to earn while you spend. There are no categories or limitations - wherever you spend, you’ll earn cash back with no earning caps. While the credit card does come with an annual fee of $99, you’ll benefit from numerous perks in addition to cash back.
SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American ExpressThe American Express SimplyCash Preferred Card offers cardholders an incredible range of benefits that include high cashback rates and a referral bonus. American Express offers exceptional customer service to its cardholders, with customer care professionals that are available to answer questions and deal with card problems, such as lost or stolen cards, 24 hours a day.
Features and Benefits of the SimplyCash® Preferred Card- Fantastic Welcome Offer. Earn up to $400 in Statement Credits
- Cash Back Rate. Earn 2% cash back on all purchases.
- Up to $1,500 cashback annually for approved referrals
- No Limit on Earnings. After the welcome offer expires, there are no limitations on earnings with the 2% rate.
- Travel and Shopping Insurance. Travel abroad and shop around with peace of mind. Insurance coverage includes travel accident, car rental theft and damage, buyers assurance protection and much more.
- Entertainment Benefits. Access special event offers from American Express, such as theatre, music, fine dining, fashion and shopping.
Pros
- Cashback is earned on every purchase made with your card
- There are no limits on the amount of cashback you can receive
- Travel insurance limits are generous
- Early access to concerts and other events
Cons
- Amex isn't accepted as widely as Visa and Mastercard
The Takeaway
The American Express SimplyCash Preferred Card is an excellent option for those who are looking for a generous cashback program. Individuals who travel frequently for business or pleasure can also benefit from this card's included travel insurance, which covers accidents, medical expenses, and even lost baggage. Although this card comes with great benefits, it's important for potential users to consider the downfalls, which is the fact that some retailers across Canada don't accept American Express cards.It is always good to have a Visa or Mastercard credit card as a backup.

- Generous welcome bonus
- Wide variety of rewards
- Sufficient travel and shopping insurance
If you pay all your credit card balance monthly and is good at managing money, it makes perfect sense to get a credit card that rewards you – especially if it means free flights. Delivering the right mix of rewards and a low annual fee, the American Express AIR MILES Platinum Credit Card is a sensible credit card for people with mid to high spending. It gives you a lucrative welcome bonus, a generous rewards and referral program, and a good earn rate for an affordable annual fee.
Good value – For a $120 annual fee, this credit card provides more than enough travel benefits, rewards and insurance coverage.- Generous welcome bonus – This credit card comes with a 2,000 MILES sign-up bonus that is worth $200 as cash AIR MILES. This is already enough for a short-haul flight.
- Wide variety of rewards – With more than 1000 rewards to choose from, you can redeem everything from travel to movie tickets, electronics, and more.
- Sufficient travel and shopping insurance – You get car rental theft and damage insurance, $100,000 travel accident insurance, purchase protection plan, and buyer’s assurance protection plan.
Owners of the American Express Air Miles Platinum credit card earn one Air Mile for every $5 spent on eligible expenses. These expenses include food, drinks, groceries, gas, ride share and transit purchases in Canada, to name a few. Card holders also earn 1 Mile for every $10 spent on non-eligible purchases.
Card holders also have the opportunity to earn 2,000 bonus Air Miles.
New American Express® AIR MILES®* Platinum Credit Card Cardmembers, earn a Welcome Bonus of 2,000 AIR MILES®* Bonus Miles when you charge a total of $1,500 in purchases to your Card within your first three months of Cardmembership. That’s enough to redeem for $200 towards your purchases with AIR MILES®* Cash
When it comes to points redemption, card holders can use them to purchase flights, merchandise, electronics, hotels, car rentals, among many other things. In addition, card holders will get 25% bonus Miles, based on how many you’re spending, on their first single flight or vacation package purchased through Air Miles once per calendar year. This once a year offer caps at 750 Air Miles, but still will contribute to one of your annual trips!
Card holders also benefit from Front of the Line, Insider Access, travel insurance and shopping insurance from American Express. There are also no income requirements, aside from paying the annual fee of $120.
In conclusion, the American Express Air Miles Platinum credit card is an excellent choice, particularly if you’re already invested in Air Miles’ loyalty program. You’ll also reap the benefits of low commitment balance transfers and other American Express benefits. Keep in mind that if you’re not keen on the annual fee of this credit card, American Express offers a basic Air Miles credit card with no annual fees.

- Generous sign-up bonus
- Flexible redemption options
- Travel convenience
- Additional protection
With a generous rewards rate of up to 6 points per dollar on gas, groceries, restaurants and entertainment, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card will help make your travel plans a reality. Plus, with a flexible points program, you can book you flights on your own schedule.
- Generous sign-up bonus -The Scotiabank Gold American Express® offers a way for new cardholders to quickly stockpile points. It lets you earn up to 45,000 bonus Scene+™ points in your first year (that’s up to $450 towards travel)
- Flexible redemption options - With the Scotia Rewards Program, you can book your travel with any airline or hotel through its full-service travel agency. You can use your points to cover the whole cost of the trip, including taxes and fees, or combine your points and a charge to your card. Points can also be used to book hotels and rental cars.
- Travel convenience - Added features such as rental car discounts and hotel room upgrades are designed to make travel as convenient and comfortable as possible.
- Additional protection - This Amex credit card provides has one of the most comprehensive travel protection benefits with insurance against flight delays and lost baggage even insurance against burglaries.
With a generous rewards rate of up to 6 points per dollar on gas, groceries, restaurants and entertainment, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card will help make your travel plans a reality. Plus, with a flexible points program, you can book you flights on your own schedule.Excellent credit card with 7 types of travel coverage and great reward earn rates.
- Generous sign-up bonus -The Scotiabank Gold American Express offers a way for new cardholders to quickly stockpile points. It lets you earn 45,000 bonus Scene+™ points in your first year.
- Flexible redemption options - With the Scotia Rewards Program, you can book your travel with any airline or hotel through its full-service travel agency. You can use your points to cover the whole cost of the trip, including taxes and fees, or combine your points and a charge to your card. Points can also be used to book hotels and rental cars.
- Travel convenience - Added features such as rental car discounts and hotel room upgrades are designed to make travel as convenient and comfortable as possible.
- Additional protection - This Amex credit card provides has one of the most comprehensive travel protection benefits with insurance against flight delays and lost baggage even insurance against burglaries.

- Welcome bonus
- No-nonsense rewards
- Enhanced insurance package
For people who love to eat and drive, the Scotia Momentum VISA Infinite Card is the best rewards credit card with a fee. It provides an unrivaled 4% cash back on food and gas along with 2% on recurring payments and drugstore purchases, and 1% on the rest. On top of that, this card also comes with comprehensive insurance benefits and concierge benefits.
- Welcome bonus: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.
- No-nonsense rewards Rewards are clear, transparent, easy to earn and easy to redeem. Cash back rewards are paid out annually either as a deposit to eligible chequing or savings account or credited to your credit card statement.
- Enhanced insurance package The improved insurance package is comparable with other more premium cards. It provides comprehensive coverage on travel, including rental car collision loss or damage as well as purchase security and extended warranty protection.
- Additional Perks. Obtain exclusive offers from Scotiabank including concierge service, competitive hotel rates and upgrades, and access to dining and wine country programs.
- Annual Fee. Gain access to all of the above perks at the cost of $120 after the first year.
The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite card was the winner of the MoneySense best cashback card with a fee in 2020 - and for good reasons! Card holders earn cash back on all purchases at varying rates. There are also other perks of card ownership including access to exclusive Scotiabank events and offers, plus ample insurance coverage.
- Special Welcome 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.
- Tiered Cash Back Rates. Earn 4% cash back for every dollar spent on groceries and recurring bill payments. Earn 2% cash back for every dollar spent on gas and daily transit. Finally, earn 1% cash back for every dollar spent elsewhere.
- Additional Perks. Obtain exclusive offers from Scotiabank including concierge service, competitive hotel rates and upgrades, and access to dining and wine country programs.
- Insurance Coverage. Ample coverage comes with this credit card, such as new mobile device, trip cancellation, trip interruption, purchase protection insurance and much more.
- Annual Fee. Gain access to all of the above perks at the cost of $120 after the first year.

- Free hotel stays
- Loyalty rewards
- Airline conversion
- Shopping and travel protection
- No foreign transaction fees
- Upgraded status
While geared towards hotel rewards, the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Credit Card is also a great card for travelers with a multitude of redemption options as well as valuable travel and shopping benefits. The free hotel stays are enough to pay for the annual fee. And when combined with the flexible travel points, this credit card is one of the best choices for both hotel and travel benefits.
- Welcome bonus-New Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Cardmembers, earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy™ points after you charge $1,500 in purchases to your Card in your first three months of Cardmembership.Subject to change at any time
- Earn 5 points for every dollar in eligible Card purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- Free hotel stays – Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 affiliated hotels. Plus, this credit card gives you a Free Night Award every year after your membership anniversary.
- Loyalty rewards – Earn 6x base points per dollar at Marriott-affiliated properties when you use the card and 11x base points per dollar for being a Marriott member. This gives you 17x points per dollar or more!
- Airline conversion – Points are transferrable to more than 40 airlines.
- Shopping and travel protection – Get protected against travel emergencies and accidents, car rental theft and damage, flight and baggage delay, and hotel or motel burglary.
- No foreign transaction fees – Perfect for online and overseas purchases.
- Upgraded status – Get complimentary Silver Elite Member Status or a fast track to Gold Elite status by spending $30,000 in a calendar year.Earn 5 points for every dollar in eligible Card purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
As the credit card’s name implies, spending on this card allows you to collect points towards the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program. This loyalty program allows you to redeem points on Marriott, Delta, Renaissance, Sheraton and Westin hotels, to name a few. Points can be used towards the base cost, taxes and fees. In addition, there are no restrictions or blackout dates, you can book whichever dates you want. Last, but definitely not least, this is the only Canadian credit card that earns Marriott Bonvoy points!
If you don’t want to use your points for a hotel room, you can transfer your points to an airline loyalty program. There are tons of participating airline programs, including Aeroplan. Receive a 15,000 point bonus from the Marriott BonvoyTM program when you transfer 60,000 points to a frequent flyer program. There are several other uses for the points you earn using this credit card, but the hotels and flights are where you’ll get the best value. Given how many options there are, you likely won’t be redeeming your points elsewhere!
Card holders earn five points for every dollar spent at a Marriott property and two points for every dollar spent elsewhere. You’ll also receive a welcome bonus of 50,000 points once you spend $1,500 in the first 3 months of Cardmenbership. Finally, card holders receive fifteen Elite Night credits every calendar year, Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status when you spend $30,000 on your credit card in a year, guaranteed in-room internet and basic travel insurance. All of these benefits come with a $120 annual fee.
Unlike most AMEX credit cards, this one is not a charge card. That means that the credit card’s balance can revolve from month to month without additional repercussions. If you don’t pay your full credit card balance every month, not having a charge card is ideal. In addition, there are no income requirements aside from paying the annual fee. On the contrary, the only pitfall is that American Express isn’t as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard. This can be challenging when travelling or even using your credit card on a day to day basis.
Overall, the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card is one of Canada’s finest credit cards. The versatility of the credit card allows you to use your points towards hotels and flights which truly is the best of both worlds. If you’re an avid traveler, this may be the credit card of your dreams!

This card is the most exclusive credit card in the market however it comes with a $699 annual fee which is one the highest for a Canadian credit cards. The Platinum Card® is perfect for those who are looking for a luxury credit card with outstanding benefits, rewards, insurances, and platinum experiences. The annual fee is high however a frequent traveler will enjoy every single benefit on this card.
Platinum Card's rewards earn rate:
- Earn 3 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
- Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
- Earn 1 point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
Pros
Earn up to 80,000 Membership Rewards® points - that’s up to $800 towards a weekend away
No credit limit: There is no preset credit limit with this credit card
Premium airport lounge access: Complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges across 130 countries.
Premium insurance: The Platinum Card® offers different types of insurance like below:
- $500,000 Travel Accident
- Travel Emergency Assistance
- Trip Cancellation /Trip Interruption
- Car Rental Theft/Damage
- Lost or Stolen Baggage
- Flight Delay
- Baggage Delay
Cons
High annual fees: The Platinum Card has an annual fee of $699. Each additional card is $175.

If you love to get a lot of cash back on your purchases and you want to see those dollars pouring in, then you'll simply love the Simplii Financial® Cash Back Visa* Card. This "simple" cash back card offers some of the best rewards on the Canadian market, giving you cash back of up to 10%.
This amazing card comes with no annual fee and allows you to add up to 3 additional cardholders. It offers you a wide range of rewards, including unlimited cash back, payment app integration, extended protection insurance, purchase security, and extras.
In terms of cash back, you'll earn 4% on eligible restaurants and coffee shops, 1.5% on groceries, pre-authorized payments, gas & drugstore purchases, and 0.5% on all other credit card purchases. You can quickly calculate your cash back with the tool on their website.
Optionally, you can add CIBC payment protector insurance and emergency travel medical insurance. To become eligible for this card, all you need to have is a minimum of $15k household income.

Insurance Coverage
Price Protection Service
Insurance Coverage: Shop confidently knowing that your eligible purchases are well-protected when you make them using your card.
Price Protection Service: If you find a lower price within 60 days of your purchase the difference will be refunded – up to $500.
If you are looking for a card with low interest and annual fees, the HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® could be a good option. One of the main draws to this card is that not only do you have low fees and interest, but also the opportunity to earn points on every purchase. Not everyone is familiar with HSBC as a bank, as it is more internationally focused.
However, Canadians can find an excellent credit card with flexible redemption as well as an enticing welcome bonus offer that could be just what they are looking for in a credit card. Here’s our review of the HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® to help you decide if it will meet your needs.
It’s always smart to look at welcome bonuses credit cards offer new cardholders. You will find a pretty generous offer for becoming a HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® holder with a first year annual fee waiver for the Primary Cardholder and 35,000 bonus HSBC Rewards points with a minimum purchase of $2,000 within 180 days of account opening. Earn 5,000 points*when you start your application online ($25 travel value)
This is twice as much time to get your bonus points, as many banks often require the spend within the first three months. As well, an HSBC Rewards point is worth $0.005 when redeemed for travel, so you start off right out of the gate with up to $150 available. All of this for a low annual fee of just $25.
In hand with the above-mentioned bonus, although not an extensive list of perks, there are many other benefits and features with the HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® including:
- Low yearly fees of $25
- Low interest rate of 11.99%
- Double points on eligible dining and entertainment
- Price Protection for comparison shoppers
- Purchase insurance
- No minimum income requirement so anyone can apply
- Contactless payment perfect for pandemic shopping
The card is accepted worldwide and offers optional travel insurance for those who need it.
As mentioned, you have very reasonable low fees with the HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® at just $25 a year for the primary cardholder and $10/year for associated cards issued. Other fees include:
- 2.5% foreign currency fee
- 5% of your balance transfer
- $2 withdrawal fees for ATM withdrawals in Canada
- $2 wire transfer fee
Where you really see a difference is in the low interest rate of just 11.9%. This represents exceptional savings for those who tend to carry a balance.
HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® is designed to make it easy for people to both earn and redeem points. As with other cards, your points earned are broken down into categories, with 2 points for every $1 on eligible dining or entertainment purchases and 1 point for every $1 spent on everything else.
Some people might find it confusing for points redemption as the value varies based on the rewards you choose. You can redeem for travel, gift cards, merchandise or financial rewards. If you were travelling 30,000 points is equal to about $150.
On the other hand, what people love about this approach is they have more flexibility and can use their points where they need them most or to suit their lifestyle. You can also use the Mastercard Pay App if you want to build up your cashback automatically then redeem your points to make purchases from their online rewards catalogue.
As mentioned, many people choose the HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® due to its flexibility on how points are redeemed whether it is travel rewards, gift cards, or merchandise. Your choices include:
- Personal Finance such as your mortgage, credit card or savings account
- Rewards towards gift cards, electronics and exciting experiences
- Travel points towards flights, hotels, car rentals, etc.
As long as your account is in good standing, you never lose your points. That means you can continue to use your card to earn the number of points needed to meet certain goals whether it is planning a trip, paying down your mortgage or buying something special.
HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® Eligibility and Requirements
You just need to meet the age of majority in your home province and be a Canadian resident to apply. With no minimum income, it becomes easier to be eligible as long as you have a fair credit score of 680 or higher. Just be sure you have proof of identity and residency such as a driver’s license. You can apply online with an ID ready to go for instant verification.
Another popular choice in this category of credit cards is the Scotia Value Visa card. Here’s how it lines up with the HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard®:
- Welcome offers: 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months
- Annual fee: $29, $0 for supplementary cards
- ARP interest rate: 12.99% on purchases, cash advances, balance transfers and Scotia Credit Card Cheques
- Credit Limit: $500.00 minimum
- Tap your Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card or your smartphone
- Save up to 25% off base car rental rates at participating AVIS and Budget locations in Canada and the U.S.
One of the biggest advantages of the Scotia Value Visa card is if you have a balance owed on a high-interest rate card you can balance that transfer to your new card and pay only 0.99% interest for six months. Planned right you can save tons of money, especially if you can completely pay down the balance in that period. However, the card doesn’t offer the same benefits and features as the HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® such as rewards, price protection, extended warranties and more. It all depends on your goals and what is most important to you.
This is the best card for people who want a card with rewards, don’t mind paying a low annual fee and are looking to reduce the interest they pay. If you have a fair to good credit score, but no income, you can reap the rewards of the points program, enjoy a low interest rate and use your reward points to help establish your financial health.
You can also use the rewards to work towards something like a trip or purchase. The HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® might have limited perks but compared to the Scotia Value Visa card you really are seeing much more value. You get a good base card that helps you save not just on interest but also on purchases in many categories allowing you to compare shop and still see savings if you find a better offer within 60 days of your purchase. It also offers excellent protection for this category of card.
You can also enjoy more nights out with double points earned on dining and entertainment, with those points used to pay for future meals and fun. All in all it is a nice rounded card for those looking to collect points on a low fee, low interest card.
As with any credit card you can apply online using their online application form. Be prepared to provide ID to prove you are a Canadian resident such as a driver’s license or something with your address and a photo as well as your social insurance number. The process is quick and painless and if approved you should receive your card within a few days via mail.
The bottom line is that the HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® is a solid card offering enough perks to make it worth the low $25 annual fee. It is really a great starter card, but also allows you to reduce how much interest you pay if you tend to carry a balance. If you are looking for basic perks including a very respectable and flexible rewards program, you can use your card to work towards a dream trip or to help you out financially.
You can also simply use your rewards towards purchases, and everything you purchase provides points. However, if you are interested in no fees or extensive benefits and insurance, this isn’t the card for you. Although you will find cards with many more benefits that also help you earn rewards more quickly, this is the perfect choice for a starter card, or for people looking for the best of both worlds: Low annual fees and interest rates plus a way to collect rewards to go towards financial support or living life to the fullest.

American Express Aeroplan Card
The American Express Aeroplan Card is a charge card that allows users to also collect points towards the Aeroplan loyalty program. Check out the features of the credit card below.
Rewards
The Aeroplan Card allows users to earn points towards Air Canada’s Aeroplan loyalty program. With this credit card, you will earn points at the following rates:
- Earn 2 points per dollar spent on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
- Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on dining and food delivery in Canada
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent elsewhere
Currently, there is a welcome bonus for this credit card of up to 50,000 Aeroplan®* Points.New American Express® Aeroplan®* Cardmembers can earn up to $1,100 in value within your first year and a bonus Buddy Pass:
Fees
Before applying for the Aeroplan Card, you should be mindful of the fees. Below is a list of fees that are associated with this credit card.
- Annual fee: $120
- Interest rate: 30%*
- Additional cards: $50 each
* Note: This credit card is a charge card which means the balance must be paid in full each month. If the balance is not paid in full, interest will be charged.
Other Features
Given that the Aeroplan Card is a travel-based credit card, it comes with an array of travel perks. Below are some additional benefits that come with this card.
- Your first checked bag is free on Air Canada flights for up to 9 people.
- Earn Aeroplan Elite Status faster.
- No pre-set spending limit.
- Access to AMEX special offers including Front Of The Line and exclusive experiences.
- Travel insurance coverage.
- Purchase protection and extended warranty.

HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard
The HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard allows you to earn points towards travel expenditures. For every dollar you spend on eligible travel, cardholders earn 3 points. This includes car rentals, hotels, flights, RV rentals, campground fees and more. For every dollar you spend on gas and daily transportation, such as taxis and subways, cardholders earn 2 points. For every other dollar spent, cardholders earn 1 point.
If you apply for the credit card before May 31, 2023, you can earn 25,000 points, which has a $125 value. The only requirement is you must spend $1,000 on the card within the first 180 days of opening your account. In Quebec, the special offer differs slightly. If you apply before May 31, 2023, you can earn 25,000 points as well. However, the only requirement is to keep the account open and active for 180 days.
Redemption of rewards is flexible with the HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard. You can use your points as a statement credit or to book your next trip. In addition, you can use your points for gift cards and merchandise through HSBC’s rewards portal. Alternatively, points can be put towards a mortgage or savings account.
There is no annual fee to use this credit card. The annual interest rate is 20.99%. On balance transfers and cash advances, the interest rate is 22.99% (21.99% in Quebec). Finally, the HSBC Travel Rewards credit card comes with baggage delay, hotel/motel burglary and trip interruption insurance coverage. It also includes extended warranty and purchase assurance. Travel and medical insurance can be added on at an additional cost.
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