When we released our 2020 rankings last January we had no clue what would transpire for the remainder of that year! The Coronavirus Pandemic severely curtailed travel for all but two months of the year and that continues to be the case into 2021. In fact with recent changes to Canada's requirements for negative PCR tests to fly back here on top of the 14 day quarantine followed suit by the U.S. travel for at least the first half of this year will not be happening for a lot of people. So that brings us this years rankings and the theme this year is travel planning! Planning for that future travel is what most of us are doing right now, whether it is for the latter half of 2021 or not even until 2022, travel in the near term isn't on many people's radar. That's where these top cards come into play and can really help to cut the costs of that future travel. Getting one of these cards does not mean you have to travel right away, in fact it can be quite the opposite. Getting the right card right now allows you to spend for a longer period of time and accumulate a ton of points and/or miles that can help you pay for travel down the line. If travel is not in the cards be sure to check out Canada's Top Cash Back Credit Cards 2021
This year's rankings do see some cards move up and down the ranks and we also replace the Coalition Card category with the Ultra Premium Card category. Outside of the pandemic the biggest news on the travel rewards credit card front over the past 12 months was the launch of the new Air Canada Aeroplan program and the revamping of all the Aeroplan co-brand credit cards. The new Aeroplan program and its cards are now factored into our airline card and ultra premium card rankings. Also considered are any and all new cards and card changes that have happened over the past year from all issuers. Much like the past two years of rankings we won't list all the factors in our decision making process on this main page rather if you want more details on our consideration process you can read the factors behind our rankings right here
Top 5 Cards OverallThese are the the crème de la crème of travel rewards cards in Canada. The best cards overall from the five separate categories listed further below. |
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American Express Gold Rewards Card• New American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers can earn a Welcome Bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards® points when you charge $3,000 in purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership After running in the shadows of the Cobalt Card, this long time front running card has been transformed into a travel benefits powerhouse. Priority Pass membership and four Plaza Premium Lounge access passes each year, a $50 NEXUS Credit and an annual $100 travel credit make this card into a travellers dream. It still provides the utmost in travel rewards flexibility with its points and a nice sign up bonus of up to 60,000 points. Click here to learn more and to apply for this card |
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Top Travel Points CardsA Travel Points Credit Card earns points that can be used to book travel via that credit card's reward program travel agency and/or give you the ability to book travel how you want, with whomever you want and then you can use the points towards the charge on your account. These are the best five cards in this category. To learn more about a card or to apply for it click on the card name or scroll further below where we provide card details. |
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Top No Fee Travel Rewards Credit CardsA Travel Points Credit Card earns points that can be used to book travel via that credit card's reward program travel agency and/or give you the ability to book travel how you want, with whomever you want and then you can use the points towards the charge on your account |
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Top Hybrid Credit CardsA Hybrid card is a combination of an airline and/or hotel card and a travel points card. You can convert your points to airline and/or hotel frequent travel programs or use the points to book travel via the credit card's travel agency and/or give you the ability to book travel how you want, with whomever you want and then you can use the points towards the charge on your account. (This is Rewards Canada's favourite category of cards) |
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Top Airline Credit CardsAn airline credit card earns miles or points directly into that airline's frequent flyer program |
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Top Ultra Premium Credit CardsAn ultra premium credit card is one that carries a hefty annual fee ($200+) that can actually fit into any of our categories across the rankings. From airline to hybrid to travel points they are covered here and you get better rewards and a lot more benefits with these cards. These cards also have higher income requirements. |
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Click on the category name to see the details on the five cards in each category
Card | Previous Rankings |
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Scotiabank Gold American Express Card2024 Top Travel Points Credit Card with an annual fee | 2024 Top No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Card Earn up to $900* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points¹ and your first year annual fee waived. Offer ends Jan 2, 2025 Annual Fee: $120 | Additional Cards: $29 | Minimum Income $12,000
*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information |
2020: 1 2019: 2 2018: 1 2017: 2 2016: 3 2015: 3 2014: 3 2013: 2 2012: N/A 2011: N/A 2010: N/A |
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite CardCanada's Choice for Top No Foreign Transaction Fee Rewards Credit Card 2023 Annual Fee: $150 | Additional Cards: $0 for first card $50 for each additional | Minimum Income $60,000
*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information. Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Jan.4, 2024. Subject to change. |
2020: 2 2019: 1 |
CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* CardWelcome Offer: Join and get up $1,300 in value including a first year annual fee rebate!† Annual Fee $139 | Additional Cards (Up to 3): $50 | Annual interest rate 20.99%† on purchases and 22.99%† on cash advances and 22.99% † on balance transfers | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household annual income †
This is a digital-exclusive offer.† CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Aventura card within the last 12 months.† |
2020: 3 2019: 4 2018: 5 2017: 5 2016: 5 2015: 5 2014: 5 2013: N/A 2012: N/A 2011: N/A 2010: 2 in Hybrid |
BMO AscendTM World Elite®* Mastercard®*Welcome offer: Get up to 90,000 points and the annual fee waived in the first year for both the primary cardholder and authorized users.* Annual Fee: $150 Primary Card (Waived in first year) | $50 Secondary Card | Interest Rate: Purchases 20.99% Cash Advances 23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information |
2020: 4 2019: 3 2018: 3 2017: 3 2016: 2 2015: 1 2014: 2 2013: 5 2012: 4 2011: 3 2010: 3 |
TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* CardEarn 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. Annual Fee: $139 | Additional Cards: $50 † | Annual interest rate 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on funds advances | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household annual income
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here. † Terms and Conditions apply. |
2020: 5 2019: 5 2018: 4 2017: 4 2016: 4 2015: 4 2014: 4 2013: 3 2012: 2 2011: 3 in Hybrid 2010: 3 in Hybrid |
Card | Previous Rankings | |
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MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard®Earn up to 10,000 MBNA Rewards Points† $0 annual fee | $0 Additional Card
‡, ††, ✪, ***, Terms and Conditions apply. |
2020: 1st 2019: 1st 2018: 4th 2017: Out of the top 5 |
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American Express® Green Card2024 Top No Fee Travel Rewards Credit Card Annual Fee: $0 | Additional Card Fee: $0 | Annual interest rate 21.99% on purchases and 21.99% on funds advances; Missed payment applicable rates, 25.99% - 28.99% Variable
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2020: 2 2019: 2 2018: 5 The following rankings were in the hotel category 2017: 3 2016: 3 2015: 4 2014: 5 2013: 5 2012: 4 2011: 4 2010: 3 |
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CIBC Aventura® Visa* CardEarn up to 2,500 Aventura Points† for no annual fee. Annual Fee $0 | Additional Cards (Up to 3): $0 | Annual interest rate 20.99%† on purchases and 22.99%† on cash advances and 22.99% † on balance transfers | $15,000 household annual income
This is a digital-exclusive offer.† CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Aventura card within the last 12 months.† |
2020: 3 2019: 3 2018: Not in the top 5 |
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Scotiabank American Express CardEarn up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first year (that’s up to $50 towards travel)¹ Offer ends Oct 31, 2024 Earn 2,500 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $250 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. Annual Fee: $0 | Additional Cards: $0
*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information |
2020: 4 2019: Not in the top 5 |
Card | Previous Rankings |
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American Express Cobalt® Card2024 Top Overall Travel Rewards Card | 2024 Top Hybrid Travel Rewards Card Monthly Fee $12.99/month of Cardmembership ($155.88 annually) | Additional Cards: $0 | Annual interest rate 21.99% on purchases and 21.99% on funds advances
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2020: 1 2019: 1 2018: 1 |
American Express® Gold Rewards Card®Ranked the 3rd best overall travel rewards credit card in Canada New American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers, earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card
Annual Fee: $250 | Additional Card Fee: $0 for first additional a card, $50 for all others | Annual interest rate 21.99% on purchases and 21.99% on funds advances; Missed payment applicable rates, 25.99% - 28.99% Variable
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2020: 2 2019: 2 2018: 2 2017: 1 2016: 1 2015: 1 2014: 1 2013: 1 2012: 1 2011: 1 2010: N/A |
HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®Top No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Card for 2023 Primary Cardholder Annual Fee: $149 (1st year annual fee rebate*) | Authorized User Annual Fee: $0 Per Card | Annual interest rate: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances and balance transfers. | $80,000 personal or $150,000 household annual income
• With the HSBC World Elite Mastercard you earn 6 points for $1 in Net Purchases which are Travel Purchases, 4 Points for $1 in Net Purchases that are Gas, Grocery and Drugstore Purchases and 2 Points for $1 in Net Purchases, other than Travel, Gas, Grocery and Drugstore Purchases.
*Terms and Conditions apply |
2020: 5 2019: 4 |
RBC Avion Visa Infinite CardGet up to 55,000 Avion points* (a value of up to $1,100†), that’s enough to fly anywhere in North America or the Caribbean! Annual Fee: $120 | Additional Card Fee: $50 | 20.99% on purchases 22.99%* on cash advances and balance transfers *21.99% if you reside in Quebec.
Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process. |
2020: 3 2019: 3 2018: 3 2017: 2 2016: 2 2015: 2 2014: 2 2013: 2 2012: 2 2011: 2 2010: 1 |
The Platinum Card®2024 Top Ultra Premium Credit Card in Canada Annual Fee: $799 | Additional Card Fee: $250 for Platinum, $0 for Gold (First 2 Cards) then $50 each
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2020: 5 2019: 5 2018: 4 2017: 3 2016: 3 2015: 3 2014: 3 2013: 3 2012: 3 |
Card | Previous Rankings | |
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TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card2024 Top Airline Credit Card Annual Fee $139 | Additional Cards: $75 † | Annual interest rate 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on funds advances | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household annual income Earn up to $1,500 in value†, including up to 50,000 Aeroplan points†, no Annual Fee for the first year† and additional travel benefits. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
Earning Aeroplan Points
Quebec residents, please click here. † Terms and Conditions apply. |
2020: 1 (coalition) 2019: 1 (coalition) 2018: 1 (coalition) 2017: 1 (airline) 2016: 1 (airline) 2015: 1 (airline) 2014: 1 (airline) |
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WestJet RBC® World Elite MastercardǂWelcome bonus offer: Earn up to 450 WestJet dollars Annual Fee $119 | Additional Cards: $59 | Annual interest rate 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on funds advances | $80,000 personal or $150,000 household annual income
Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions |
2020: 1 2019: 1 2018: 1 2017: 2 2016: 2 2015: 2 2014: 2 2013: 3 2012: 3 2011: 2 2010: 2 |
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American Express® Aeroplan®* CardNew American Express® Aeroplan®* Cardmembers can earn up to 40,000 Aeroplan points Annual Fee: $120 | Additional Card Fee: $50 for each Additional Aeroplan®* Card to share some of the benefits and earn Aeroplan points faster $0 for each Additional Aeroplan®* No Fee Card to earn points faster
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2020: 2 2019: 2 2018: 2 2017: 3 2016: 4 2015: 5 2014: Out of top 5 2013: Out of top 5 2012: Out of top 5 2011: Out of top 5 2010: 5 |
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RBC British Airways Visa Infinite CardGet Up To 60,000 Aviosˆ with the RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite Annual Fee: $165 | Additional Card Fee: $75 | 20.99% on purchases 22.99%* on cash advances and balance transfers *21.99% if you reside in Quebec. Receive up to 60,000 Aviosˆ, here’s how:
Step 1: Receive 15,000 Avios as welcome bonus upon approval Step 2: 35,000 bonus Avios when you spend $6,000 CAD in the first 3 months Step 3: Another 10,000 bonus Avios after your first yearˆ
Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process. This post contains affiliate links. Please read our disclaimer for more info. |
2020: 3 2019: 3 2018: 3 2017: 5 2016: 5 2015: Out of top 5 2014: Out of top 5 2013: 5 2012: Out of top 5 2011: Out of top 5 2010: 4 (Platinum Version) |
Card | Previous Rankings |
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The Platinum Card®2024 Top Ultra Premium Credit Card in Canada Annual Fee: $799 | Additional Card Fee: $250 for Platinum, $0 for Gold (First 2 Cards) then $50 each
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The following rankings were in the hybrid category 2020: 4 2019: 5 2018: 4 2017: 3 2016: 3 2015: 3 2014: 3 2013: 3 2012: 3 2011: N/A 2010: N/A |
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve CardEarn up to 90,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan®* points. Annual Fee: $599 | Additional Card Fee: $199 for Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Cards to share some of the benefits and earn Aeroplan points faster, $0 for Aeroplan®* Business Reserve No Fee Cards to earn points faster | Annual interest rate 21.99% on purchases Earn up to 90,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan®* points
Earn Aeroplan points that you can redeem in a variety of ways.
Make the most out of a full suite of business management tools that give you more control over your business - anytime and anywhere.
Unlock business travel possibilities to make every work trip one to look forward to.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment |
New to the rankings |
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* CardCanada's Choice for Top Ultra Premium Credit Card 2024 Annual Fee $599 | Additional Cards: $199 † | Annual interest rate 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on funds advances | $150,000 annual personal income or $200,000 annual household income Earn up to $2,900 in value† including up to 80,000 Aeroplan points (enough for a round trip to Honolulu†) and additional travel benefits. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here . † Terms and Conditions apply. |
New to the rankings |
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege CardGet up to 70,000 Avion points* (a travel value of up to $1,500†). Apply by November 25, 2024. 70,000 Avion points* is enough for two roundtrip tickets to almost anywhere in Canada & the US (Alaska and Hawaii require more points). Taxes and fees extra.† Annual Fee: $399 | Additional Card Fee: $99
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New to the rankings |
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* CardWelcome offer: Get up to 120,000 points* Annual Fee: $499 Primary Card | $99 Additional Card | Interest Rate: Purchases 20.99% Cash Advances 23.99%
BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information |
New to the rankings |