2025 marks our second year of two cash back rewards categories! We look at cards that offer cash back rewards with annual fees in one category and the other category is for no annual fee cards that offer cash back rewards. And while our title is Top Cash Back Credit Card this ranking is truly a look at the cards with the best "cash back rewards" as we also take into account travel rewards cards that have cash back options. As you'll see in the annual fee category we actually have two travel rewards cards that make it into the Top 5 - for cash back rewards that is!
Nearly 24 years of coverage and research of Canadian credit cards and loyalty programs
Full analysis of the cash back value including monthly/annual spending caps
(5% cash back may seem great but if it's limited to $500 in spend per month that's not so great!)
We also consider travel rewards cards in our rankings as some have more rewarding cash back options than true cash back cards!
We look at card benefits, insurance coverage, costs and everything in-between!
For 2025 the winners in the two cash back rewards categories remain the same as in 2024 however we do have some shifting of cards between positions 2 and 5 in both categories. The new Neo World and World Elite Mastercards each broke into the top 5 for no fee and fee cards and as a result cards like the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite and Roger Red Mastercard fell out of the top 5. And then it was only fair of us to consider the travel based MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard for the rankings since we do consider the American Express Cobalt Card - and by doing so the MBNA card actually takes second spot away from the Cobalt Card!
That is the RWRDS Canada difference - you'll find most other cash back rankings do not give consideration to travel or other rewards cards as cash back options!
With well over 40 cash back cards and many travel rewards cards with cash back options, selecting the right one can be a daunting task but we've made that easier by narrowing down the best of the best fee and no fee cash back cards.
Looking for a travel card? Check out Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2025!
While the RWRDS Canada rankings rely heavily on the actual cash back earned, the best card for you may not be the best card on this list. Some key aspects to take into consideration when choosing a cash back credit card are:
While Rewards Canada takes into account all aspects of the cards (value, benefits etc.) most Canadians get cash back cards for the cash back rewards first and foremost, with all other features and benefits being secondary to that. Hence our rankings weigh heavily on the cash back earned. You'll find the breakdown of the cash back calculation below the rankings and card details.
The best cash back rewards cards with annual fees in Canada are:
The SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express takes the top spot for the fourth year in a row thanks to up to $250 in welcome bonus cash back in the first 13 months, 4% back on gas and groceries and 2% back on all other spending. In the first year it blows the competition away with its cash back earning and still eclipses all other cards year after year with its everyday earn rates. We just wish they would move away from awarding the cash back once per year with this card!
Cash back earnings*:
Year 1: $350 to $1,430+
Each year after that: $200 to $1,280+
Cash Back Access (Liquidity): Once per year
After the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express, here's how the rest of this category plays out:
The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard, which is the 5th best overall travel rewards credit card is also the second best cash back card in Canada! With a cash back redemption rate of 120 points for $1, this card's 1 to 5.5 points earn rates translate to 0.833% to 4.58% cash back on spending. The MBNA Card's welcome bonus of up to 30,000 points is worth $240 in cash back alone.
Cash back earnings*:
Year 1: $376 to $1,403+
Each year after that: $136 to $1,163+
Cash Back Access (Liquidity): Cash out anytime your reward balance reaches 6,000 points ($50)
Click here to apply for the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Card for eight years running, the American Express Cobalt Card, is also the third best cash back card in Canada! With a Use Points for Purchases (statement credit) redemption rate of 1,000 points for $10, this card earns a healthy 1%, 2%, 3% and 5% cash back on spending. Even with its $12.99 monthly fee this card's cash back earning beats most of the other cards on the list and many of those cards offer their first year free! The Cobalt Card's welcome bonus of up to 15,000 points is worth $150 in cash back alone.
Cash back earnings*:
Year 1: $264 to $1,344+
Each year after that: $114 to $1,194+
Cash Back Access (Liquidity): Cash out anytime your reward balance reaches 1,000 points ($10)
Click here to apply for the American Express Cobalt Card
Released this past November, the new
Neo World Elite Mastercard debuts in fourth spot in our cash back rankings. The card offers an excellent 5% cash back on groceries, 4% cash back on recurring bills and 3% on gas. It also has additional cash back earning opportunities when using the card at Neo's partner network of merchants. All other spending earns 1% cash back. The accelerated earn rates can be increased if you hold funds in a Neo Everyday account. For example if you hold $10,000 with them you'll receive 7% cash back on groceries, 5% on recurring bills and 4% on gas. The grocery and gas categories having monthly spending caps of $1,000 while recurring bills are capped at $500 per month.
Cash back earnings*:
Year 1: $135 to $1,025+
Each year after that: $135 to $1,025+
Cash Back Access (Liquidity): Cash back can be redeemed anytime your rewards balance reaches $1
Click here to apply for the Neo World Elite Mastercard
In fifth place is the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card which currently features a first-year annual fee rebate and a 10% cash back welcome bonus of up to $300. Add in a strong 4% cash back on groceries and gas plus 2% cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments and you have a high earning cash back card. You do want to be aware the 4% and 2% categories are capped $20,000 spend annually, which should be fine for most Canadians. It also has very good insurance benefits for a cash back card!
Cash back earnings*:
Year 1: $461 to $1,288+
Each year after that: $110 to $930+
Cash Back Access (Liquidity): Cash out anytime your reward balance reaches $25.
Click here to apply for the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card
The best no annual fee cash back rewards cards in Canada are:
The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard takes the top spot in no fee cash back cards for the second year in a row. This card offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual caps. Purchases in US$ get bumped up to 3% cash back making it an excellent card for travelling to the U.S. and for online shopping out of the U.S.. If you are a Rogers customer the 1.5% cash back rates gets bumped up to 2% on all spending and when the cash back is redeemed towards Rogers services or purchases they give 50% extra value for a total of 3% cash back (4.5% on U.S. purchases!) With it being a World Elite Mastercard it also comes with an airport lounge membership which provides discounted entry fees and free global data roaming. It also has a very good insurance benefits package for a no fee cash back card.
Cash back earnings*:
Year 1: $150 to $750+
Each year after that: $150 to $750+
Cash Back Access (Liquidity): Cash out anytime your rewards balance reaches $10.
After the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard, here's how the rest of this category plays out:
Coming a close second is the SimplyCash Card from American Express. This card actually earns slightly more cash back than the Rogers World Elite Mastercard based on our spending breakdown but the Rogers Card edges it out for the top spot with a better acceptance rate and more benefits. Still, the SimplyCash Card is an excellent choice that offers 2% cash back on gas and grocery purchases (grocery is capped at $12,000 in spend annually) and then 1.25% on all other purchases. It's welcome bonus also provides up to $100 extra in cash back rewards.
Cash back earnings*:
Year 1: $251.25 to $856.25+
Each year after that: $151.25 to $756.25+
Cash Back Access (Liquidity): Once per year
Click here to apply for the SimplyCash Card from American Express Card
In third place is the very popular Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card. This card is at its best when you combine it with a free Tangerine savings account so that you can earn 2% cash back in three categories of spending instead of only two if you do not have a savings account. Being able to select which categories you can earn 2% cash back is great as you can really maximize your returns on the places where you spend the most. All other spending on the card earns 0.5% cash back which is what keeps this card from being even higher up the ranks. The cards offers a welcome bonus of 10% cash back on up to $1,000 of spending in the first two months of having it.
Cash back earnings*:
Year 1: $225 to $725+
Each year after that: $125 to $625+
Cash Back Access (Liquidity): Cash back is awarded automatically on a monthly basis
Click here to apply for the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Moving up one spot for 2025, the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card provides an excellent 4% cash back on eligible restaurant, bar and coffee shop purchases (up to $5,000 spend annually) †. It also earns 1.5% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, drug stores and and pre-authorized payments (up to $15,000 spend annually) † and then 0.5% on all other spending †.
Cash back earnings*:
Year 1: $217 to $663+
Each year after that: $130 to $575
Cash Back Access (Liquidity): Once per year
Click here to apply for the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card
Rounding out the top 5 is the new Neo World Mastercard which makes its debut into our rankings this year. The card offers an excellent 2% cash back on groceries, recurring bills and gas. It also has additional cash back earning opportunities when using the card at Neo's partner network of merchants. All other spending earns 0.5% cash back. The accelerated earn rates can be increased if you hold funds in a Neo Everyday account. For example if you hold $10,000 with them you'll receive 4% cash back on groceries, recurring bills and gas. The grocery and gas categories having monthly spending caps of $1,000 while recurring bills are capped at $500 per month.
Cash back earnings*:
Year 1: $117 to $527+
Each year after that: $117 to $527+
Cash Back Access (Liquidity): Cash back can be redeemed anytime your rewards balance reaches $1
Click here to apply for the Neo World Mastercard
There you have it! Canada's Top Cash Back Rewards Credit Cards for 2025! With well over 40 cash back credit cards and many more travel cards with cash back options to choose from - our rankings should definitely help narrow down the selection to find the right card or cards to add to your portfolio. By using any of the cards listed above you will be ensuring you are earning the most cash back possible on your everyday spending.
Not interested in cash back rewards or want to supplement the cash back cards in your wallet with travel rewards? Be sure to check out our Top Travel Credit Card rankings!
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Check them out hereTips & Tricks for making the most of your loyalty programs and credit card reward programs.
Check them out hereThe best Cash Back Rewards Credit Card in Canada for 2025
Earn accelerated earn rates on eligible gas and grocery purchases
Earn a bonus 10% cash back on all purchases for your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases). Plus, earn a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13. This could add up to $250 in bonus value in your first 13 months.
Monthly Fee: $9.99 ($119.88 annually) | 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%
Earn up to 30,000 MBNA Rewards Points†
20,000 bonus points†† (approximately $165 in cash back value) after you make $2,000 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
10,000 bonus points†† (approximately $80 in cash back value) once enrolled for paperless e-statements within the first 90 days of account opening.
$120 annual fee. $50 Additional Card Annual Fee for one authorized user (if you have one).
††, ‡, ✪, ***, ††††, Terms and Conditions apply.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.
Sponsored advertising. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) and TD is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information on this MBNA credit card, please click on the “Apply Now” button.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank is the issuer of this credit card. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. ®MBNA and other-trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank..
Top Overall Travel Rewards Card 2025 | Top Hybrid Travel Rewards Card 2025 | #3 Best Cash Back Card in Canada
In your first year as a new Cobalt Cardmember, you can earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in net purchases on your Card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets
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
Get up to 15% cashback on your first time purchase on Neo's partner network
Annual Fee: $125 Primary Card | Interest Rate: Purchases 19.99% - 26.99% (19.99% - 23.99%for Quebec & Newfoundland residents) | $80,000 personal or $150,000 annual household income
1 Average based on current offers at select partners. Cashback varies per plan, offer and partner.
Offer is subject to the Rewards Policy, the Neo Platform Terms and Conditions and all other applicable terms and conditions. Offer may be amended or cancelled at any time without notice
* Neo World Elite Mastercard and Neo Secured World Elite Mastercard credit cards are issued by Neo Financial™ pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.
Mastercard® is a registered trademark, and the circle design is a trademark of Mastercard International Inc.
The best cash back rewards Visa card in Canada
Get a first-year annual fee rebate for you and up to three Authorized Users† and earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $3,000†
Annual Fee $120 | Additional Cards (Up to 3): $30 | 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 †
CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Dividend card within the last 12 months.†
† Terms & Conditions Apply. The information for the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card has been collected independently by Rewards Canada. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Enjoy 3% cash back value when you redeem with Rogers plus insurance benefits
Annual Fee: $0 | Additional Card Fee: $0 | Annual interest rate 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on funds advances | $80,000 personal or $150,000 annual household income
In your first 3 months as a new SimplyCash® Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a bonus 5% cash back on all purchases (up to $2,000 in purchases). That’s on top of your everyday cash back earn rates. That’s up to $100 in bonus cash back.
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%
Apply for the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card by January 31, 2025. If you’re approved, you’ll earn an extra 10% back on up to $1,000 in everyday purchases made within your first 2 months*.
Annual Fee: $0 | Additional Cards: $0 |
Earn up to 10% cash back† for your first 3 months up to $1,000 eligible spend
Annual Fee: $0 | Additional Card Fee: $0 | Annual interest rate 20.99%‡ on purchases and 22.99%‡ on cash advances/balance transfers| $15,000 annual household income
† Terms and conditions apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details.This offer is not available for residents of Quebec
‡ "Purchase" means any Transaction other than a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer or Convenience Cheque. "Cash" means a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer and Convenience Cheque. Interest rates may change from time to time.
Get up to 15% cashback on your first time purchase on Neo's partner network
Annual Fee: $0 Primary Card | Interest Rate: Purchases 19.99% - 29.99% (19.99% - 23.99%for Quebec & Newfoundland residents) | $50,000 personal or $80,000 annual household income
1 Average based on current offers at select partners. Cashback varies per plan, offer and partner.
Offer is subject to the Rewards Policy, the Neo Platform Terms and Conditions and all other applicable terms and conditions. Offer may be amended or cancelled at any time without notice
* Neo World Mastercard and Neo Secured World Mastercard credit cards are issued by Neo Financial™ pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.
Mastercard® is a registered trademark, and the circle design is a trademark of Mastercard International Inc.
Our cash back earning is based on spending assumptions of $10,000, $30,000 and $50,000 annually, broken down as follows:
Legal disclaimers:
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
MBNA: Sponsored advertising. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) and TD is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information on this MBNA credit card, please click on the “Apply Now” button.
Scotiabank: *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
TD: Sponsored advertising. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button
Simplii: †Terms and conditions apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec