Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada
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Travel credit cards help you earn points or miles toward flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. The best travel cards in Canada offer generous earn rates on travel purchases, valuable welcome bonuses, and perks like airport lounge access and travel insurance. Here are our top picks for Canadian travellers.
Top 40 Cards
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
AmexScotiabank · $120/year
Earn up to 40,000 Scene+ points
Pros
- +Exceptional earn rate on everyday spending
- +Scene+ points are versatile (travel, movies, groceries)
- +Strong welcome bonus
Cons
- –$120 annual fee
- –American Express not accepted everywhere
American Express Cobalt Card
AmexAmerican Express · $156/year
Earn up to 30,000 Membership Rewards points
Pros
- +Industry-leading 5x on dining and food delivery
- +Monthly fee structure is easier to manage
- +Amex Membership Rewards points are very flexible
Cons
- –Annual fee of ~$156
- –Amex not accepted everywhere in Canada
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
MastercardRBC · $119/year
Earn up to 450 WestJet dollars
Pros
- +Annual companion voucher (round-trip for $119)
- +First checked bag free on WestJet
- +1.5% back in WestJet dollars on everything
Cons
- –$119/year annual fee
- –Rewards only redeemable on WestJet
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
VisaCIBC · $139/year
Earn up to 20,000 Aeroplan points
Pros
- +Valuable Aeroplan points for Air Canada flights
- +Companion buddy pass once per year
- +Insurance package included
Cons
- –$139 annual fee
- –Earn rate is modest outside of travel
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
VisaTD · $139/year
Earn up to 20,000 Aeroplan points
Pros
- +Strong earn rate on everyday categories
- +Aeroplan points for flexible travel
- +First checked bag free on Air Canada
Cons
- –$139 annual fee
- –Best perks require Air Canada loyalty
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card
VisaTD · $139/year
Earn up to 100,000 TD Rewards points
Pros
- +High earn rate on travel purchases
- +Points redeemable at Expedia for TD
- +Strong travel insurance package
Cons
- –$139 annual fee
- –Points best redeemed through Expedia for TD
American Express Platinum Card
AmexAmerican Express · $799/year
Earn up to 80,000 MR points
Pros
- +Unlimited Priority Pass + Centurion lounge access
- +$200 annual travel credit offsets fee
- +Strong travel insurance package
Cons
- –Very high $799 annual fee
- –Amex not accepted everywhere
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
AmexAmerican Express · $599/year
Earn up to 90,000 Aeroplan points
Pros
- +Maple Leaf Lounge access on Air Canada flights
- +Excellent base earn rate of 2x everywhere
- +Priority boarding on Air Canada
Cons
- –$599 annual fee is very steep
- –Amex not accepted everywhere
BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card
VisaBMO · $99/year
Earn up to 50,000 BMO Rewards points
Pros
- +Excellent 5x rate on top categories
- +Flexible redemption options
- +Strong Visa Infinite insurance
Cons
- –$99 annual fee
- –Only 1x on non-bonus spending
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
VisaScotiabank · $150/year
Earn up to 40,000 Scene+ points
Pros
- +No foreign transaction fees (saves 2.5%)
- +Strong earn rates across categories
- +Scene+ points are versatile
Cons
- –$150 annual fee
- –$60,000 minimum income
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
VisaCIBC · $139/year
Earn up to 30,000 Aventura points
Pros
- +Broad 2x category coverage
- +Flexible travel redemption
- +Visa Infinite benefits
Cons
- –$139 annual fee
- –Aventura points aren't as valuable as Aeroplan
TD Rewards Visa Card
VisaTD · No annual fee
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +Simple 1x earn everywhere
- +Good starting point for TD product-switching
Cons
- –Only 1x earn rate
- –Points value is modest
National Bank World Elite Mastercard
MastercardNational Bank · $150/year
Earn up to 40,000 bonus points
Pros
- +Excellent 5x on groceries and dining
- +World Elite Mastercard benefits
- +Good travel insurance
Cons
- –$150 annual fee
- –National Bank less widespread
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card
VisaScotiabank · No annual fee
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +5x at Cineplex theatres
- +Scene+ redeemable at Sobeys/FreshCo
Cons
- –Only 1x earn rate on most purchases
- –Low point value
TD Platinum Travel Visa Card
VisaTD · $89/year
Pros
- +No minimum income requirement
- +Solid base earn of 2x everywhere
- +Flexible travel redemption
Cons
- –$89 annual fee
- –Points best redeemed via Expedia for TD
Triangle World Elite Mastercard
MastercardCanadian Tire · No annual fee
Pros
- +No annual fee with World Elite benefits
- +4% at Canadian Tire family stores
- +Good gas earn at Petro-Canada/Gas+
Cons
- –CT Money has limited redemption (Canadian Tire stores)
- –$80,000 household income for WE tier
PC Financial World Elite Mastercard
MastercardPC Financial · No annual fee
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +High earn rate at Shoppers Drug Mart
- +Great for Loblaws/No Frills shoppers
Cons
- –Points only redeemable at Loblaw stores
- –$80,000 household income requirement
Brim Financial World Elite Mastercard
MastercardBrim Financial · $199/year
Pros
- +No foreign transaction fees
- +LoungeKey airport lounge access
- +Works at Costco (Mastercard)
Cons
- –$199 annual fee
- –Brim is newer/less established
WestJet RBC Mastercard
MastercardRBC · No annual fee
Earn up to 250 WestJet dollars
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +1% back in WestJet dollars
- +Access to member-exclusive WestJet fares
Cons
- –Lower earn rate than World Elite version
- –No companion voucher
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
VisaRBC · $120/year
Earn 35,000 bonus Avion points
Pros
- +Flexible point redemption (travel, gift cards, merchandise)
- +Transfer to 10+ airline partners
- +Strong travel insurance package
Cons
- –$120/year annual fee
- –Point value varies by redemption method
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card
VisaRBC · $399/year
Earn 60,000 bonus Avion points
Pros
- +Priority Pass lounge access (6 free visits/year)
- +Concierge service
- +Best Avion earn rates
Cons
- –$399/year annual fee
- –Minimum personal income $200,000 or household $300,000
RBC Rewards+ Visa Card
VisaRBC · No annual fee
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +RBC Rewards points ecosystem
- +Available to students and newcomers
Cons
- –Low earn rate
- –Points less flexible than cashback
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
VisaCIBC · $599/year
Earn up to 100,000 Aeroplan points
Pros
- +Maple Leaf Lounge access (domestic)
- +Priority Pass (international)
- +Up to 3 Aeroplan points per $1 on Air Canada
Cons
- –$599/year annual fee
- –Minimum income $200,000 personal
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
VisaTD · $599/year
Earn up to 100,000 Aeroplan points
Pros
- +Maple Leaf Lounge access
- +Priority Pass membership
- +3 Aeroplan points per $1 on Air Canada
Cons
- –$599/year annual fee
- –Minimum income $200,000 personal
American Express Aeroplan Card
AmexAmerican Express · No annual fee
Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +Earn Aeroplan points for free
- +Priority boarding benefit
Cons
- –Low earn rate (1x everywhere)
- –Amex acceptance limitations
American Express Gold Rewards Card
AmexAmerican Express · $150/year
Earn 40,000 MR points
Pros
- +Flexible Membership Rewards points
- +2x on travel, gas, and select partners
- +Transfer to airline/hotel partners
Cons
- –$150/year annual fee
- –Amex acceptance limitations
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
AmexAmerican Express · $120/year
Earn 55,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Pros
- +Automatic Marriott Silver Elite status
- +5x on Marriott purchases
- +2x on travel and dining
Cons
- –$120/year annual fee
- –Amex acceptance limitations
BMO AIR MILES Mastercard
MastercardBMO · No annual fee
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +Earn AIR MILES for free
- +Mastercard universal acceptance
Cons
- –Low earn rate (1 Mile per $25)
- –AIR MILES devaluation concerns
BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard
MastercardBMO · $120/year
Earn 3,000 bonus AIR MILES
Pros
- +Strong AIR MILES earn rates
- +Good grocery earn rate
- +Comprehensive travel insurance
Cons
- –$120/year annual fee
- –AIR MILES devaluation concerns
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
MastercardBMO · $150/year
Earn 60,000 BMO Rewards points
Pros
- +5x on dining and groceries is excellent
- +3x on travel, gas, transit
- +Mastercard works at Costco
Cons
- –$150/year annual fee
- –BMO Rewards less flexible than Aeroplan
TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card
VisaTD · $89/year
Earn 20,000 Aeroplan points
Pros
- +Lower fee entry into Aeroplan
- +Priority boarding benefit
- +First checked bag free on Air Canada
Cons
- –$89/year annual fee
- –Lower earn rate than Infinite card
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
MastercardMBNA · $89/year
Earn 20,000 bonus points
Pros
- +2x everywhere is very competitive
- +Flexible redemption options
- +Strong travel insurance
Cons
- –$89/year annual fee
- –Point value depends on redemption type
Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Card
VisaDesjardins · $120/year
Earn 30,000 Odyssey points
Pros
- +3x earn rate on dining and entertainment
- +Comprehensive travel insurance
- +Flexible Odyssey point redemptions
Cons
- –$120/year annual fee
- –Primarily available through Desjardins/caisses
PC Financial Mastercard
MastercardPC Financial · No annual fee
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +Strong earn rate at Loblaws/Shoppers Drug Mart
- +Integrates with PC Optimum program
Cons
- –Points only for Loblaws/Shoppers redemption
- –Low earn rate outside PC stores
Scotiabank American Express Card
AmexScotiabank · No annual fee
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +Earn Scene+ points for movies and travel
- +Good Amex entry card
Cons
- –Amex acceptance limitations
- –Low base earn rate
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Privilege Card
VisaTD · $399/year
Earn 115,000 TD Rewards points
Pros
- +Priority Pass lounge access
- +Top-tier TD Rewards earn rates
- +Valet parking benefit
Cons
- –$399/year annual fee
- –Minimum income $200,000 or household $300,000
Canadian Tire Mastercard
MastercardCanadian Tire · No annual fee
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +4% back at Canadian Tire and gas bars
- +Good for CT, SportChek, Marks shoppers
Cons
- –Low earn rate outside CT family
- –CT Money only for Canadian Tire stores
RBC Avion Visa Platinum
VisaRBC · No annual fee
Pros
- +No annual fee Avion card
- +Access to RBC Avion ecosystem
- +Visa acceptance everywhere
Cons
- –Lower earn rate than Infinite tier
- –Limited travel insurance
CIBC Aventura Visa Card
VisaCIBC · No annual fee
Pros
- +No annual fee travel card
- +Aventura points for flexible travel
- +Visa universal acceptance
Cons
- –Low earn rate without annual fee
- –Aventura less valuable than Aeroplan
RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card
VisaRBC · $165/year
Earn up to 30,000 Avios
Pros
- +1.5 Avios per $1 everywhere
- +Annual companion voucher for BA flights
- +Avios usable on BA, Iberia, Qatar
Cons
- –$165/year annual fee
- –Best value for transatlantic travelers
Quick Comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Network | Groceries | Gas | Dining | Travel | Welcome Bonus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Gold American Express Card | $120/year | amex | 5x | 3x | 5x | 1x | Earn up to 40,000 Scene+ points | Apply |
| American Express Cobalt Card | $156/year | amex | 5x | 2x | 5x | 2x | Earn up to 30,000 Membership Rewards points | Apply |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | $119/year | mastercard | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.5x | 2x | Earn up to 450 WestJet dollars | Apply |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | $139/year | visa | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1.5x | Earn up to 20,000 Aeroplan points | Apply |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | $139/year | visa | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1x | 1.5x | Earn up to 20,000 Aeroplan points | Apply |
| TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card | $139/year | visa | 1x | 1x | 2x | 3x | Earn up to 100,000 TD Rewards points | Apply |
| American Express Platinum Card | $799/year | amex | 1x | 1x | 3x | 2x | Earn up to 80,000 MR points | Apply |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | $599/year | amex | 2x | 2x | 3x | 2x | Earn up to 90,000 Aeroplan points | Apply |
| BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card | $99/year | visa | 5x | 1x | 5x | 1x | Earn up to 50,000 BMO Rewards points | Apply |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card | $150/year | visa | 2x | 1x | 3x | 1x | Earn up to 40,000 Scene+ points | Apply |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card | $139/year | visa | 2x | 2x | 1x | 2x | Earn up to 30,000 Aventura points | Apply |
| TD Rewards Visa Card | No annual fee | visa | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x | — | Apply |
| National Bank World Elite Mastercard | $150/year | mastercard | 5x | 1x | 5x | 1x | Earn up to 40,000 bonus points | Apply |
| Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card | No annual fee | visa | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x | — | Apply |
| TD Platinum Travel Visa Card | $89/year | visa | 2x | 2x | 2.5x | 3x | — | Apply |
| Triangle World Elite Mastercard | No annual fee | mastercard | 1.5x | 4x | 1x | 1x | — | Apply |
| PC Financial World Elite Mastercard | No annual fee | mastercard | 3x | 1x | 1x | 1x | — | Apply |
| Brim Financial World Elite Mastercard | $199/year | mastercard | 1x | 1x | 2x | 2x | — | Apply |
| WestJet RBC Mastercard | No annual fee | mastercard | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1.5x | Earn up to 250 WestJet dollars | Apply |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card | $120/year | visa | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x | Earn 35,000 bonus Avion points | Apply |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $399/year | visa | 1.25x | 1.25x | 1.25x | 1.25x | Earn 60,000 bonus Avion points | Apply |
| RBC Rewards+ Visa Card | No annual fee | visa | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x | — | Apply |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $599/year | visa | 1.5x | 1x | 1.5x | 3x | Earn up to 100,000 Aeroplan points | Apply |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $599/year | visa | 1.5x | 1x | 1.5x | 3x | Earn up to 100,000 Aeroplan points | Apply |
| American Express Aeroplan Card | No annual fee | amex | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x | Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points | Apply |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | $150/year | amex | 1x | 2x | 1x | 2x | Earn 40,000 MR points | Apply |
| Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card | $120/year | amex | 1x | 1x | 2x | 5x | Earn 55,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | Apply |
| BMO AIR MILES Mastercard | No annual fee | mastercard | 0.4x | 0.4x | 0.4x | 0.4x | — | Apply |
| BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard | $120/year | mastercard | 1x | 0.6x | 0.6x | 0.6x | Earn 3,000 bonus AIR MILES | Apply |
| BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard | $150/year | mastercard | 5x | 3x | 5x | 3x | Earn 60,000 BMO Rewards points | Apply |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card | $89/year | visa | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1x | 1.5x | Earn 20,000 Aeroplan points | Apply |
| MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard | $89/year | mastercard | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x | Earn 20,000 bonus points | Apply |
| Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Card | $120/year | visa | 1x | 1x | 3x | 1x | Earn 30,000 Odyssey points | Apply |
| PC Financial Mastercard | No annual fee | mastercard | 1x | 0.5x | 0.5x | 0.5x | — | Apply |
| Scotiabank American Express Card | No annual fee | amex | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x | — | Apply |
| TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $399/year | visa | 1x | 1x | 3x | 9x | Earn 115,000 TD Rewards points | Apply |
| Canadian Tire Mastercard | No annual fee | mastercard | 1x | 4x | 1x | 1x | — | Apply |
| RBC Avion Visa Platinum | No annual fee | visa | 0.8x | 0.8x | 0.8x | 0.8x | — | Apply |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Card | No annual fee | visa | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x | — | Apply |
| RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card | $165/year | visa | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.5x | Earn up to 30,000 Avios | Apply |
How We Chose These Cards
We ranked travel cards based on their travel earn rates, points transferability, welcome bonus value, travel insurance coverage, and perks like lounge access and no foreign transaction fees.
We rank cards based on category fit, fees, and commonly used perks. Learn more about our methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Offers and terms can change. Always confirm details on the issuer's website before applying. We are not a bank.