Best Rewards Credit Cards in Canada for 2020

The MBNA Smart Cash Platinum Plus MasterCard is great for families and people want to earn cash back on gas and groceries without paying for an annual fee. With a generous accelerated cashback promotion on the first six months and 2% cash back on groceries and gas the succeeding months, it remains the best no-fee rewards credit card in Canada.

Get it if you want to apply for a credit card that has a lower personal income requirement, don?t spend more than $500 on gas and groceries per month, and want the flexibility to redeem your rewards.

• Accelerated cash back - This credit card gives 6% cash back on eligible gas and groceries for the first 6 months with a $500 cap per month.
• No annual fee - This feature gives you a chance to test this card out with no risk on your part.
• Low income requirement - A great credit card for those who are starting out, the lower income requirement makes it easier to qualify and apply for this card. It's perfect for young families.

Regarded as one of the best credit card in Canada, Tangerine 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.

• Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 Bonus with a Tangerine Money-Back 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 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.

While geared towards young people, the American Express Cobalt^TM 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.

If you’re looking for a basic credit card that will earn Air Miles while you spend, look no further! The American Express Air Miles card allows card holders to earn Miles everywhere they spend. Card holders obtain insurance and special offers with this card too, all these benefits come with no added cost to you.

• No Annual Fee. This credit card is one of the few American Express credit cards with no annual fee.
• Earn Air Miles. For every $15 spent, earn 1 Air Mile on purchases made with Air Miles Partners. Earn 1 Air Mile for every $20 spent elsewhere.
• Travel and Shopping Insurance. Card holders benefit from travel accident, buyer’s assurance and purchase protection insurance with this card.
• Entertainment Exclusive Offers. Gain access to special American Express events and experiences with this credit card.

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.

• Generous welcome bonus – This credit card comes with a 2,000 MILES sign-up bonus that is worth $210 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.

For the avid traveller, this credit card has everything you need, including special travel offers and insurance. The card has an annual fee of $150, but you definitely get your money's worth. Even if you have a period of no travel, you can redeem your points for statement credits or transfer them to another loyalty program for future use. You can also bank them for your next trip!

• Bonus Offer. When you spend $1,500 on this credit card within the first three months of ownership, you’ll obtain 25,000 bonus points.
• Earn While You Spend. For every dollar spent on eligible travel and everyday purchases, earn 2 points. For every dollar spent elsewhere, earn 1 point.
• Travel Perks. Gain access to American Express’ hotel collection and special offers from Hertz car rental with this credit card.
• Travel Insurance. Enjoy your vacation worry free with ample insurance coverage including trip interruption, car rental theft and damage, flight delay and much more.

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card is jam-packed with benefits with an alluring starting bonus, NEXUS application rebate, travel and mobile device insurance, and perks that make travelling easier and more comfortable. Plus, with the waived annual fee on the first year, there is no reason not to get this great travelers and rewards card.

• Lucrative welcome offer ? With a special offer of up to 20,000 points and $120 credit, this travel credit card will fast track your travel plans.
• Upgraded travel experience ? Free memberships to Priority Pass airport lounges and the NEXUS program will take your airport experience to the next level. This means that you can skip line ups between the US and Canada and gain access to over 1,200 international airport lounges that commonly feature topnotch perks such as showers, free Wi-Fi and more!
• Premium travel insurance ? Get covered with emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation and bag loss insurance, rental car coverage, and hotel burglary insurance.
• Mobile device protection ? This credit card reimburses you up to $1000 for a mobile device that is lost, stolen or accidentally damaged.

For an annual fee of $139, card holders obtain an array of travel benefits including point travel redemption, travel insurance and airport lounge access. Scotiabank boasts about this credit card because it is the only major bank in Canada that offers a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

• Amazing Welcome Offer. When you spend $1,000 on the credit card within the first three months of ownership, you’ll earn 40,000 bonus points (worth about $400).
• Bonus Earning Offers. If you spend $40,000 in a year with this credit card, you’ll earn an additional 10,000 points (worth about $100).
• Scotia Rewards Earnings. Earn 2 Scotia points for every dollar you spend on groceries, dining, entertainment and daily transit. Earn 1 Scotia point for every dollar spent on other purchases.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. While the exchange rate of your foreign purchases will still apply, you’ll save money on foreign transaction fees which would typically be 2.5%.
• Airport Lounge Access. A complimentary Priority Pass membership is provided with this credit card along with six free lounge visits per year.

With a generous rewards rate of 5 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 20,000 bonus 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.

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  The whooping 10% cashback bonus on the first three months is a very delicious offer to refuse.
• 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 per year.

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.

• 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.