Best cards for shopping in Canada: Check out these tips!

Choosing the right credit card for shopping can maximize your rewards, offer travel perks, and improve your financial management.

Whether you’re focused on cashback, travel points, or low exchange rates, selecting a card that aligns with your lifestyle is essential.

To help you understand the best credit cards for shopping in Canada, we’ve compiled a short list with great recommendations.

If you want to know more about the best cards for shopping in Canada, keep reading to learn all the details!

1. Scotiabank Gold American Express

The Scotiabank Gold American Express stands out with its 5x points on grocery, dining, and entertainment purchases, without foreign transaction fees.

If you frequently spend in these categories or travel internationally, this card offers great value.

Additionally, you earn 3x points on gas and public transit and 1x on everything else, with points redeemable for travel or merchandise via Scene+.

• Annual Fee: $120
• Interest Rate: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances
• Pros: High reward rates on food and travel expenses, comprehensive insurance coverage, and no foreign transaction fees.
• Cons: Limited acceptance; American Express cards are not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard in Canada.
• Best for: Frequent travelers and shoppers who spend heavily on food and entertainment.

2. Amex SimplyCash Preferred

The Amex SimplyCash Preferred offers 4% cashback on gas and groceries and 2% on all other purchases.

With no limit on the 2% rewards, this card provides excellent value for families with recurring expenses.

It also includes extensive insurance coverage and access to Amex Experiences, offering early access to shows and events.

• Annual Fee: $119.88 (or $9.99 per month)
• Interest Rate: 21.99% on purchases and cash advances
• Welcome Bonus: 10% cashback for the first three months (on spending up to $2,000), plus a $50 credit when you make a purchase in the 13th month
• Pros: High cashback rates, free supplementary cards, excellent insurance coverage.
• Cons: Rewards can only be redeemed annually; Amex has limited acceptance compared to Visa and Mastercard.
• Best for: Those seeking flat-rate rewards across various spending categories with occasional travel perks.

3. TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum

The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum is perfect for those who want to earn Aeroplan points for flights, hotels, and vacation packages.

This card includes travel insurance, flight delay protection, and priority boarding perks when flying with Air Canada.

• Annual Fee: $89 (waived for the first year)
• Interest Rate: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances
• Pros: Great for earning flight rewards, priority travel benefits, and travel insurance coverage.
• Cons: Limited redemption options outside the Aeroplan ecosystem.
• Best for: Frequent flyers and loyal Air Canada customers looking to maximize travel rewards.

4. Rogers Red World Elite

The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is designed for online shoppers and those who frequently make purchases in foreign currencies.

It offers 3% cashback on U.S. dollar purchases and 1.5% on other transactions in Canada.

• Annual Fee: $0
• Interest Rate: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances
• Eligibility: Minimum personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000
• Pros: No annual fee, attractive cashback on foreign currency transactions.
• Cons: Higher eligibility requirements compared to other cards.
• Best for: Online shoppers who frequently buy in U.S. dollars or travel abroad.

5. CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite

The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite offers 4% cashback on gas and groceries, plus 2% on dining and recurring bill payments.

You can redeem cashback anytime after accumulating $25, providing more flexibility than many other cards.

• Annual Fee: $120 (first year free)
• Interest Rate: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances
• Pros: Flexible redemption options, great for families with high food and utility expenses.
• Cons: Requires a personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000.
• Best for: Shoppers seeking convenience and high-value rewards for daily purchases.

6. Visa RBC ION+

The RBC ION+ Visa card is one of the best cards for shopping in Canada, offering bonus points on streaming services, groceries, and gas.

Points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or even bill payments, making it a versatile option for various spending needs.

• Annual Fee: $48
• Interest Rate: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances
• Pros: Flexible reward redemption options, great for entertainment expenses.
• Cons: Points may lose value if not redeemed within the RBC ecosystem.
• Best for: Those looking to earn rewards on entertainment and everyday expenses.

7. Amazon Rewards Mastercard

The Amazon Rewards Mastercard is ideal for Amazon shoppers, offering 2.5% back on purchases at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods.

It also provides 1% back on all other purchases and, with no annual fee, is a simple option for daily use.

• Annual Fee: $0
• Interest Rate: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances
• Pros: No annual fee, seamless integration with Amazon and Whole Foods purchases.
• Cons: Limited reward value if you don’t shop frequently on Amazon.
• Best for: Frequent Amazon shoppers looking to earn rewards without paying an annual fee.

Each of these cards offers personalized benefits to suit different spending habits, whether you’re a frequent traveler, an online shopper, or looking for high cashback rates on groceries and gas.

For those focused on travel rewards, the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum and Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard are top choices.

If you prefer cashback rewards, both the Amex SimplyCash Preferred and CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite offer excellent value.

Meanwhile, the Amazon Rewards Mastercard and RBC ION+ provide niche benefits for entertainment and online shopping.

By aligning your card choice with your spending habits and financial goals, you can maximize rewards and minimize costs, improving your credit score.

Explore these cards further to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and start enjoying the perks with every purchase!

We guarantee that these are some of the best cards for shopping in Canada, and whichever one you choose, you’ll be pleased.

We hope you enjoyed this content! Check out more finance-related posts to stay updated.

Also, take a look at this post showcasing the best credit cards for students.