Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers high earn rates for those who spend a lot on groceries, dining, entertainment and fuel.
Rewards: Get 6 points per dollar at select grocery stores, 5 points per dollar on other groceries, dining, food delivery and entertainment purchases, 3 points per dollar on fuel, transportation and streaming services and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Welcome Offer: 40,000 Scene+ points (Earn 20,000 points by making at least $1,000 in the first three months, get 20,000 points when you spend at least $7,500 in your first year). Must open card by Dec 31, 2023 to qualify.
Annual Fee: $120
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card includes flexible rewards on hotel and travel purchases with no blackout dates or foreign transaction fees. Accelerated earn rates will drop to 1 point per dollar for all bonus categories after reaching the $50,000 annual spending limit.
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American Express Cobalt® Card
The American Express Cobalt® Card can maximize the earning potential on everyday purchases to claim extra travel benefits and hotel credits.
Rewards: Earn 5 Membership Rewards per dollar spent on groceries (up to $30,000 annually), 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada, 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on rideshares, transit and gas in Canada 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases and 1 additional Membership Rewards point for every dollar spent on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel.
Welcome Offer: Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which $750 in net purchases is spent on the card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets
Annual Fee: $155.88 ($12.99 per month)
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Cardmembers will receive a one-category room upgrade and a hotel credit worth up to $100 for one room per stay. While the elevated earn rates help offset the high annual fee, they are only available on purchases in Canada.
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Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card
The Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card is a solid business card for travel rewards with versatile points and no blackout periods.
Rewards: Get 5 points per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points per dollar on gas, dining and travel and 2 point per dollar on everything else.
Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Welcome Bonus Marriott Bonvoy® points after you spend $5,000 on your card in your first 3 months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $150
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card’s annual free hotel stay and Elite Night credits can quickly recoup the annual fee. Some airlines even off a 3:1 ratio on point transfers. The value of points fluctuates with demand, so you may need more points to book trips during peak season.
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The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is an excellent option for travellers who frequently stay at Marriott hotels and resorts.
Rewards: Collect 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy Hotels and 2 points per dollar on everyday purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards points after you charge $1,500 in purchases to your card in your first three months of cardmembership. Subject to change at any time.
Annual Fee: $120
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Additional perks include complimentary Marriott Silver Elite Status, hotel credits and special events access. There is no coverage for medical care or flight cancellations, so you will need to pay extra for this while travelling.
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Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a convenient way for international travellers to save on foreign currency exchange fees.
Rewards: Earn 3 points for every dollar at eligible grocery stores and 2 points for every dollar on dining, entertainment, daily transit and purchases at other grocery stores.
Welcome Offer: Claim 25,000 Scene+ Points on $1,000 in eligible purchases during the first three months and 10,000 bonus points for spending $40,000 during the first year.
Annual Fee: $150
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Domestic travellers will likely earn better rewards with other premium hotel credit cards. For those who travel abroad, the money saved with no foreign transaction fees can cover the cost of the annual fee in just a couple of trips.
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American Express® Gold Rewards Card
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card makes it easy to earn rewards on everyday purchases and convert points for travel perks and credits.
Rewards: Collect 2 points per dollar on hotels, flights, car rentals, travel, fuel, groceries and drugstore purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Welcome Offer: Get up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points; New cardmembers earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points in each monthly billing period after spending $1,000 in net purchases on the card, this could add up to 60,000 points in a year. That’s up to $600 towards the next vacation.
Annual Fee: $250
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Beyond the lucrative welcome offer, this card offers a $100 annual travel credit. Staying two consecutive nights at eligible hotels also earns a $100 credit for amenities and a room upgrade. The rewards value is high, but there are other hotel cards with better earn rates.
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CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card is best suited for active Aventura points collectors who qualify for the income requirements.
Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar on travel, 2 points per dollar on dining, entertainment, transportation, gas and groceries and 1.25 points per dollar on everyday purchases.
Welcome Offer: Collect 50,000 Aventure Points for $3,000 in eligible spending during the first four months and 30,000 points as an anniversary bonus.
Annual Fee: $499
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The initial bonus is high for a premium card, in addition to offering free lounge passes and a $200 annual travel credit. Cardholders will have to use all of the available perks to make the annual fee and income requirements worth it.
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TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is ideal for those who want multiple redemption options for flights, hotels, gift cards and statement credits.
Rewards: Earn 8 TD Rewards Points † for every dollar you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD. Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every dollar you spend on groceries and restaurants. Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every dollar you spend on regularly recurring bill payments set up on your account. Plus, earn 2 TD Rewards Points† For every dollar you spend on other purchases made using your card. Also earn an annual Birthday Bonus† of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points.
Welcome Offer: Earn up to $1,000 in value†, including up to 135,000 TD Rewards Points, no annual fee for the first year† and additional travel benefits.
Conditions apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025. Not available for residents of Quebec.
Annual Fee: $139 (Get an annual fee rebate in the first year, account must be approved by January 6, 2025)
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card has extensive insurance and a strong return on travel purchases booked through Expedia. However, point values drop on other redemption options.
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RBC Avion Visa Infinite
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is a low-maintenance card for casual travellers who prefer flexible redemption options.
Rewards: Collect 1 Avion point per dollar, plus an extra 25% on eligible travel purchases.
Welcome Offer: Get 35,000 Welcome Points on approval. Apply by January 21, 2024.
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card earns points at a much lower rate than other hotel credit cards. However, members can convert points during a transfer bonus to get more value with loyalty programs, including WestJet dollars and Hudson’s Bay Rewards.
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The Platinum Card®
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers excellent value for frequent travellers with high spending.
Rewards: Earn 2 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent on food delivery and dining in Canada, 2 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases, 1 Membership Rewards Point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases; Earn 1 additional Membership Rewards Point per dollar spent on eligible car and hotel purchases made with American Express Travel.
Welcome Offer: New Platinum® cardmembers earn 100,000 welcome bonus points after charging $10,000 in net purchases to the card in the first 3 months of cardmembership. Plus, earn 40,000 points after making a purchase between 14 and 17 months of cardmembership. Offer ends Jan 28, 2025.
Annual Fee: $799
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The bulk of this card’s value lies in its automatic upgrades, premium travel benefits and complimentary hotel services. Although, this card is only worth it if every dollar you spend makes its way back into your pocket, including the $799 annual fee.
Data research and analysis by Tia Duncombe and Debra Toews.