Canada's best credit cards ranking reveals top picks for cash back, travel rewards & more
If you're looking to up your personal finance game and wondering what the best credit cards in Canada are, you're in luck — a brand-new ranking of the top Canadian credit cards for 2025 has dropped, and it's stacked with options for every kind of spender.
Whether you're into travel rewards, want to earn cash back on purchases or just need a solid no-fee card, these picks have something to offer.
This year's Gold Standard of Canadian Credit Cards awards from personal finance site Money.ca analyzed over 200 credit cards and more than 27,000 data points to find the best offers on the market in 2025.
From low-interest to student cards, the winners are packed with perks like insurance, rewards points and even free airport lounge access.
To calculate the annual value of each card, the platform used data like average Canadian household spending to get an idea of what rewards the average Canadian family might earn in a year of using the card as their primary payment method.
Let's take a look at the top credit cards in Canada for 2025 — you might just find one that's better than the card sitting in your wallet right now.
Best credit card in Canada overall
This card is still the one to beat. It scored a perfect 5/5 in Money.ca's review — the only card to score this high this year — thanks to its unmatched versatility and its top-notch rewards on groceries, dining and streaming, plus flexible travel perks.
- Annual fee: $155.88 ($12.99/month)
- Welcome bonus: Up to 15,000 points (worth about $150)
- Annual value: $480
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Fair" or higher
- Interest rate: 21.99% on purchases and cash advances
Why it stands out: You earn up to 5 points per dollar on food and 2 on travel, gas and transit. You can redeem for flights, hotel stays, gift cards or even apply the points as a credit to your bill. It also comes with strong insurance coverage and access to Amex's exclusive perks.
"Put simply, the Amex Cobalt is perfect for those with varied spending habits," the ranking explains. "In other words, most people."
Best welcome bonus
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
This luxury Visa Infinite Privilege (VIP) card makes a splash with a jaw-dropping welcome offer worth up to $3,000 — including up to 85,000 Aeroplan points — making it a top pick for frequent travellers looking to maximize their rewards right out of the gate.
- Annual fee: $599 (additional card: $199)
- Welcome bonus: Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points (worth up to $3,000)
- Annual value: $67
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Excellent" and income of $150,000 (personal) or $200,000 (household)
- Interest rate: 21.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers and cash advances
Why it stands out: This premium card includes free airport lounge access, a partial NEXUS fee rebate, free checked bags for up to eight people on Air Canada flights and priority everything — check-in, boarding and baggage handling.
Best cash-back credit card
BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
This card delivers serious cash-back power — especially on groceries and gas — plus a first-year bonus that makes it a smart pick for high-income earners looking for maximum return on everyday spending.
- Annual fee: $120 (waived in the first year)
- Welcome bonus: Up to 10% cash back
- Annual value: $570
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Excellent" and income of $80,000 (personal) or $150,000 (household)
- Interest rate: 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on balance transfers and cash advances
Why it stands out: Earn 5% back on groceries, 4% on transit, 3% on gas, 2% on recurring bills and 1% on everything else. There's also travel insurance, roadside assistance and the ability to redeem cash back at any time.
Best for groceries
BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
This card didn't just win best cash back — it also snagged top honours for grocery rewards, thanks to its unbeatable 5% cash-back rate on supermarket spending.
- Annual fee: $120 (waived in the first year)
- Welcome bonus: Up to 10% cash back for the first 3 months
- Annual value: $570
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Excellent" and income of $80,000 (personal) or $150,000 (household)
- Interest rate: 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on balance transfers and cash advances
Why it stands out: With Mastercard's high grocery store acceptance and a generous earn rate, this card helps you earn serious rewards wherever you shop for food.
Best dining credit card
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
This card shines for foodies and frequent diners with one of the highest earn rates on restaurant spending in Canada — and no foreign transaction fees to worry about when dining abroad.
- Annual fee: $120 (+$29 for each supplementary card)
- Welcome bonus: Up to 40,000 Scene+ points (worth up to $780)
- Annual value: $732
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Very Good"
- Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers and cash advances
Why it stands out: You'll earn 5x Scene+ points on dining, food delivery, subscriptions, groceries and entertainment — and save 2.5% on every international purchase. The Scene+ points can be redeemed for everything from groceries to travel, and the card includes strong insurance coverage too.
Best travel credit card
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
This one's a must for Air Canada fans, offering premium Aeroplan perks and strong point-earning potential on everyday purchases — including gas, groceries and EV charging.
- Annual fee: $139 (waived in the first year for new accounts, and permanently for some CIBC clients)
- Welcome bonus: Up to 40,000 Aeroplan points (worth up to $1,100)
- Annual value: $546
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Very Good" and income of $60,000 (personal) or $100,000 (household)
- Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers and cash advances
Why it stands out: With up to 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar on essentials, plus free checked bags and Maple Leaf Lounge access on Air Canada flights, this card makes flying more rewarding and more comfortable.
Best no-fee credit card
No annual fee and decent rewards on daily spending? This card is a no-brainer for anyone who wants perks without the price tag.
- Annual fee: $0
- Welcome bonus: Up to 20,000 BMO Rewards points (worth about $133)
- Annual value: $241
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Poor" or higher
- Interest rate: 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on balance transfers and cash advances
Why it stands out: You get 5 BMO Rewards points for every $2 spent on recurring bills, groceries, dining and more — and mobile device insurance to boot. You can also transfer balances at 0.99% for 9 months (with a 2% fee).
Best student credit card
Students get a solid mix of rewards, insurance and savings with this low-fee card — and the monthly structure makes it easy to manage.
- Annual fee: $48 ($4/month, waived for RBC student accounts)
- Welcome bonus: Up to 7,000 Avion points (worth about $50)
- Annual value: $456
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Good" or higher
- Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers and cash advances
Why it stands out: You'll earn 3x Avion points on top student spending categories like groceries, gas, streaming and rideshares — plus get mobile phone insurance and extended warranties.
Best for balance transfers
If you're looking to pay off debt, this card gives you a full year of 0% interest on balance transfers — with no annual fee.
- Annual fee: $0
- Welcome bonus: 0% intro rate for 12 months on balance transfers completed within the first 90 days
- Annual value: $0
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Good" or higher
- Interest rate: 12.99% on purchases, 17.99% on balance transfers, 24.99% on cash advances
Why it stands out: It's the only Big-Five bank card that offers 12 months of 0% on balance transfers. After that, the regular rate is still low — making it a smart long-term pick for managing debt.
Best low-interest credit card
MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard
This card is all about keeping costs down for anyone who carries a balance. While it may not have the bells and whistles the others on this list offer, its one perk is a big one: an exceptionally low interest rate.
- Annual fee: $39
- Welcome bonus: None
- Annual value: $0
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Good" or higher
- Interest rate: 10.99% on purchases, 13.99% on balance transfers, 24.99% on cash advances
Why it stands out: The 10.99% purchase rate is among the lowest in Canada. Add in the modest fee and solid insurance benefits, and this is a budget-friendly choice for those who don't pay off their balance in full every month.
Best loyalty program credit card
If you spend lots of money at Loblaws banner stores — including No Frills, Your Independent Grocer, Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart and more — this card provides optimal points value.
- Annual fee: $0
- Welcome bonus: Up to 100,000 PC Optimum points (worth $100)
- Annual value: $282
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Good" and income of $15,000+
- Interest rate: 21.99% on purchases, 22.97% on balance transfers and cash advances
Why it stands out: With no fee and accelerated earn rates with one of Canada's favourite loyalty programs, the PC Mastercard helps you rack up useful rewards without paying extra.
Best for gas
This no-fee card is perfect for frequent drivers, offering solid rewards at the pump.
- Annual fee: $0
- Welcome bonus: Up to 5% cash back for the first 3 months
- Annual value: $276
- Eligibility: Credit score of "Good" and income of $15,000+
- Interest rate: 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on balance transfers and cash advances
Why it stands out: You'll earn 3% cash back on gas, EV charging and groceries — with no minimum income requirement and the ability to redeem your cash back anytime. It's simple, flexible and free.
Best guaranteed-approval credit card
Capital One Guaranteed Secured Mastercard
If you're building or rebuilding credit, this card offers guaranteed approval with a low deposit.
- Annual fee: $0
- Welcome bonus: None
- Annual value: $0
- Eligibility: Guaranteed approval (with a deposit)
- Interest rate: 21.9% on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances
Why it stands out: You can start building credit with a deposit as low as $75. The card reports to credit bureaus and includes perks like purchase protection and extended warranty coverage — rare for a secured card.
Whether your goal is to travel more, pay off debt or just make your everyday spending go further, there's a card on this list that can help. With rankings like these, it's easier than ever to find the best credit card in Canada for your lifestyle — and maybe even upgrade from the one you've got.
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