Annual fee
$0 first year
Then $139 annually
Best Cash Back Credit Cards in Canada
Cash back should feel simple, not like a math puzzle
Cash back cards can be one of the easiest ways to get value from everyday spending, but the best card depends on where your money actually goes. RateBuddy helps organize cash back rates, annual fees, welcome offers, grocery and gas categories, recurring bill rewards, and everyday earning potential so you can compare options with more confidence.
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Compare Top Cash Back Cards
Use the filters to shape the card results below. Adjust your monthly spend, narrow by provider, or highlight no-fee and welcome-bonus options — RateBuddy will quietly refresh the list so the results stay connected to your choices.
Ready to refine
Annual fee
$139$0
First year waived
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
TD Canada Trust
Best for
Cash Back
Rewards
Best for
Cash Back
Rewards
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$600
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$360
First-year annual fee
$139 first-year fee waiver applied
$139
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$960
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 3% | $162 |
| Dining | $300 | 1% | $36 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 3% | $54 |
| Travel | $75 | 3% | $27 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 3% | $27 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 1% | $54 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
First year free
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Purchase APR
21.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$50
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
$60,000
Minimum household income
$100,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$120$0
First year waived
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
CIBC
Best for
Cash Back
Premium
Best for
Cash Back
Premium
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$350
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$450
First-year annual fee
$120 first-year fee waiver applied
$120
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$800
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 4% | $216 |
| Dining | $300 | 2% | $72 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 4% | $72 |
| Travel | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 1% | $54 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
First year free
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0 first year
Then $120 annually
Purchase APR
21.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
—
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
$60,000
Minimum household income
$100,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$120$0
First year waived
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash advance
23.99%
BMO Bank of Montreal
Best for
Cash Back
Balance Transfer
Premium
Best for
Cash Back
Balance Transfer
Premium
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$320
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$441
First-year annual fee
$120 first-year fee waiver applied
$120
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$761
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 5% | $270 |
| Dining | $300 | 1% | $36 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 3% | $54 |
| Travel | $75 | 1% | $9 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 1% | $54 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
First year free
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0 first year
Then $120 annually
Purchase APR
21.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
23.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
—
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
$80,000
Minimum household income
$150,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
RateBuddy Tools
Estimate Your Yearly Earnings
Don't just look at rates. Enter your monthly spending to see exactly how much cash this card will pay you.
Annual fee
$99$0
First year waived
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
CIBC
Best for
Cash Back
Best for
Cash Back
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$300
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$378
First-year annual fee
$99 first-year fee waiver applied
$99
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$678
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 3% | $162 |
| Dining | $300 | 2% | $72 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 3% | $54 |
| Travel | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 1% | $54 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
First year free
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0 first year
Then $99 annually
Purchase APR
21.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
—
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
—
Minimum household income
$15,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$119.88
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash advance
21.99%
American Express(Canada)
Best for
Cash Back
Rewards
Best for
Cash Back
Rewards
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$250
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$504
First-year annual fee
Fee charged during the first year
$119.88
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$634.12
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 4% | $216 |
| Dining | $300 | 2% | $72 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 4% | $72 |
| Travel | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 2% | $108 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$119.88
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
21.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
21.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
—
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
—
Minimum household income
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
featured
Get a $100 Welcome Bonus + First-Year Annual Fee Waived
Annual fee
$149$0
First year waived
Purchase APR
19.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
Neo Financial
Best for
Cash Back
Travel Rewards
Premium
Best for
Cash Back
Travel Rewards
Premium
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$100
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$459
First-year annual fee
$149 first-year fee waiver applied
$149
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$559
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 5% | $270 |
| Dining | $300 | 1% | $36 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 3% | $54 |
| Travel | $75 | 1% | $9 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 4% | $36 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 1% | $54 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
First year free
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0 first year
Then $149 annually
Purchase APR
19.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$49
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
Very Good
Minimum personal income
$80,000
Minimum household income
$150,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$150
Purchase APR
20.99%
Servus Credit Union
Best for
Cash Back
Travel Rewards
Premium
Best for
Cash Back
Travel Rewards
Premium
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$250
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$360
First-year annual fee
Fee charged during the first year
$150
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$460
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 2% | $108 |
| Dining | $300 | 2% | $72 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 2% | $36 |
| Travel | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 2% | $108 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$150
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
20.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
—
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$40
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
—
Minimum household income
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$120$0
First year waived
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash advance
22.97%
PC Financial
Best for
Cash Back
Travel Rewards
Premium
Best for
Cash Back
Travel Rewards
Premium
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$50
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$387
First-year annual fee
$120 first-year fee waiver applied
$120
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$437
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 4% | $216 |
| Dining | $300 | 1% | $36 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 3.5% | $63 |
| Travel | $75 | 1% | $9 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 1% | $9 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 1% | $54 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
PC Optimum
First year free
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0 first year
Then $120 annually
Purchase APR
21.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.97%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
2.50%
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$0
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
$80,000
Minimum household income
$150,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
20.75%
Cash advance
22.49%
CIBC
Best for
Cash Back
No Annual Fee
Business
Best for
Cash Back
No Annual Fee
Business
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$100
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$306
First-year annual fee
No annual fee
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$406
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 1% | $54 |
| Dining | $300 | 3% | $108 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 3% | $54 |
| Travel | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 1% | $54 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
20.75%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.49%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
—
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
$15,000
Minimum household income
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
RateBuddy Choice for Newcomers and Young Adults
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
Simplii Financial
Best for
Cash Back
No Annual Fee
Student
Best for
Cash Back
No Annual Fee
Student
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$100
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$297
First-year annual fee
No annual fee
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$397
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 1.5% | $81 |
| Dining | $300 | 4% | $144 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 1.5% | $27 |
| Travel | $75 | 0.5% | $4.50 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 1.5% | $13.50 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 0.5% | $27 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
21.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$0
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
—
Minimum household income
$15,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Showing 10 of 30 cards
Top Cash Back Alternatives
Explore other highly-rated options you might have missed.
MBNA Canada
Desjardins Group
Scotiabank
Rogers Bank
National Bank of Canada
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Maximize Your Potential
Why use a generic card? Choosing a card that aligns with your spending habits could help you earn more value over time.
RateBuddy
Math. Not Marketing.
We calculate the true value to save you every penny.
Data-Driven Logic
Rankings based on hard numbers (fees vs rewards), not advertising budgets.
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We highlight the "gotchas" and fees just as clearly as the perks.
Direct & Secure
No data harvesting. We send you straight to the bank's secure official site.
Turn Spending into Savings
Cash is the ultimate flexible reward. Skip the blackout dates, confusing redemption charts, and expiry policies—just get paid.
Transparent Valuation
Cash back removes the guesswork and complexity from credit card rewards. Unlike points systems where value can fluctuate based on redemption methods (like flight availability), cash back offers a clear, consistent return. A 1% return on $100 is mathematically tangible and easy to calculate. You never have to worry about your rewards being "devalued" by an airline or hotel chain. It is the most honest form of loyalty reward available.
Category Accelerators
Smart cash back cards offer boosted earn rates (often 2% to 4%) on essential high-spend categories like groceries, gas, and recurring bill payments. This is designed to help you offset inflation on the things you buy most. By matching the right card to your personal spending habits, you can significantly increase your effective return. For example, a family with high grocery bills can earn hundreds more per year with a grocery-specific card than a flat-rate card. Strategy pays off.
Effortless Redemption
Most cash back cards are designed for simplicity, automatically applying your rewards to your statement. Whether it is credited annually in January or monthly, it reduces your credit card bill without you lifting a finger. This "set it and forget it" approach is perfect for busy individuals who don’t want to manage a loyalty portfolio. It effectively acts as a permanent discount on your life expenses. You simply spend as normal, and pay less when the bill comes.
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Travel Rewards
Best for frequent flyers.
Low Interest
Best for carrying a balance.
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KNOWLEDGE BASE
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Compare Top Cash Back Cards Cards and financial strategy.
Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Terms subject to change by issuers.
Payout schedules vary by issuer. Some cards accumulate rewards to be paid out once annually (often on the January statement), while others may allow for monthly redemption or on-demand credits once a minimum balance (e.g., $25) is reached. Check your cardholder agreement for specific redemption terms.
For most personal credit cards, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) typically treats cash back as a 'discount' rather than income, meaning it is generally not taxable. However, rewards earned on business credit cards or through banking signup bonuses may be treated differently. RateBuddy recommends consulting a tax professional for your specific situation.
If you return an item for a refund, the issuer will typically deduct the cash back earned on that specific transaction from your rewards balance. If you have already redeemed the cash back, this could result in a negative rewards balance on your account.
It often depends on your spending habits. 'Category' cards typically offer higher rates (e.g., 4%) on specific purchases like groceries or gas, but lower rates (e.g., 0.5%) on everything else. 'Flat-Rate' cards usually offer a consistent rate (e.g., 1.5%) across the board. Many users find value in pairing both types to maximize potential returns.
Most Canadian credit cards charge a fee (typically 2.5%) on top of the exchange rate for any transaction made in a currency other than Canadian dollars. Cards marketed as 'No Foreign Transaction Fee' generally waive this 2.5% surcharge, though the exchange rate itself is still determined by the card network (Visa/Mastercard/Amex).
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