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CREDIT CARD
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Compare Cards with Free Bags
Comparing results based on your preferences.
Auto-updates
Annual Fee
$599
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Adv.
22.99%
TD Canada Trust
Best For
[
Travel Rewards
]
[
Premium
]
[
Rewards
]
Est. 1st Yr Value: $2660
Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points ($3,000 estimated value).
Highlights:
Airport Lounge Access
•
Travel Medical Insurance
•
Free Checked bag
•
Mobile Device Insurance
+5 more
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$599
Foreign Tx Fee
—
Personal Income
$150,000
Household Income
$200,000
Credit Score
—
Add. Card Fee
$199
Annual Fee
$149
$0
1st yr Fee Waived
Purchase
14.99%
Cash Adv.
22.99%
TD Canada Trust
Best For
[
Travel Rewards
]
[
Business
]
[
Rewards
]
Est. 1st Yr Value: $1963
1st Yr Free
Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 60,000 Aeroplan points + First-year fee waived for you and 2 employees.
Highlights:
Travel Medical Insurance
•
First-Year Fee Waived
•
Free Checked bag
•
Mobile Device Insurance
+6 more
Purchase APR
14.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$149
Foreign Tx Fee
—
Personal Income
—
Household Income
—
Credit Score
—
Add. Card Fee
$49
Annual Fee
$139
$0
1st yr Fee Waived
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Adv.
22.99%
TD Canada Trust
Best For
[
Travel Rewards
]
[
Rewards
]
Est. 1st Yr Value: $1532
1st Yr Free
Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 45,000 Aeroplan points + First-year fee waived.
Highlights:
Travel Medical Insurance
•
First-Year Fee Waived
•
Free Checked bag
•
Mobile Device Insurance
+6 more
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Tx Fee
—
Personal Income
$60,000
Household Income
$100,000
Credit Score
—
Add. Card Fee
$75
Annual Fee
$599
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Adv.
21.99%
American Express(Canada)
Best For
[
Travel Rewards
]
[
Business
]
[
Premium
]
Est. 1st Yr Value: $1442
Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus: Up to 90,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan points
Highlights:
Airport Lounge Access
•
Travel Medical Insurance
•
Free Checked bag
•
Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver
+6 more
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$599
Foreign Tx Fee
—
Personal Income
—
Household Income
—
Credit Score
—
Add. Card Fee
$199
Annual Fee
$599
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Adv.
21.99%
American Express(Canada)
Best For
[
Travel Rewards
]
[
Premium
]
[
Rewards
]
Est. 1st Yr Value: $1369
Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus: Up to 85,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan points
Highlights:
Airport Lounge Access
•
Travel Medical Insurance
•
Free Checked bag
•
Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver
+5 more
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$599
Foreign Tx Fee
—
Personal Income
—
Household Income
—
Credit Score
—
Annual Fee
$120
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Adv.
21.99%
American Express(Canada)
Best For
[
Travel Rewards
]
[
Rewards
]
Est. 1st Yr Value: $987
Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus: Up to 45,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan points
Highlights:
Free Checked bag
•
Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver
•
Extended Warranty Insurance
•
Purchase Security Insurance
+5 more
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Tx Fee
—
Personal Income
—
Household Income
—
Credit Score
—
Add. Card Fee
$50
Annual Fee
$139
Purchase
20.99%
Cash Adv.
22.99%
RBC Royal Bank
Best For
[
Travel Rewards
]
Est. 1st Yr Value: $622
Welcome Bonus: Get up to 45,000 WestJet points, that's a value of up to $450 off travel.
Highlights:
Free Checked bag
•
Mobile Device Insurance
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Tx Fee
—
Personal Income
$80,000
Household Income
$150,000
Credit Score
—
Add. Card Fee
$59
Annual Fee
$89
Purchase
19.99%
Cash Adv.
22.99%
Neo Financial
Best For
[
Travel Rewards
]
[
Premium
]
[
Rewards
]
Est. 1st Yr Value: $448
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 25,000 MileagePlus miles (5,000 miles on card activation and first transaction and 15,000 miles when you spend $3,000 net of refunds within 3 months of application)
A premium Canadian airline co-brand credit card that helps everyday Canadians turn their daily spending into real travel rewards, backed by the global reach of the United MileagePlus program and the Star Alliance network.
Highlights:
Travel Medical Insurance
•
World Elite Mastercard Benefits
•
Free Checked bag
•
NEXUS Application Fee Rebate
+2 more
View Offer
Secure provider site
ELIGIBILITY
Rec. Score:
660 - 724
Personal Inc:
$80,000
Household Inc:
$150,000
Purchase APR
19.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$89
Foreign Tx Fee
3%
Personal Income
$80,000
Household Income
$150,000
Credit Score
Good
Add. Card Fee
$0
No credit score required. Instant approval and access to virtual card to start using immediately
Annual Fee
$89
Purchase
19.99%
Cash Adv.
22.99%
Neo Financial
Best For
[
Travel Rewards
]
[
Secured Cards
]
[
Newcomer
]
Est. 1st Yr Value: $448
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 25,000 MileagePlus miles (5,000 miles on card activation and first transaction and 15,000 miles when you spend $3,000 net of refunds within 3 months of application)
A premium Canadian airline co-brand credit card that helps everyday Canadians turn their daily spending into real travel rewards, backed by the global reach of the United MileagePlus program and the Star Alliance network.
Highlights:
Travel Medical Insurance
•
World Elite Mastercard Benefits
•
Free Checked bag
•
NEXUS Application Fee Rebate
+2 more
Earn Up to 25,000 MileagePlus miles
Secure provider site
ELIGIBILITY
Rec. Score:
300 - 574
Personal Inc:
$80,000
Household Inc:
$150,000
Purchase APR
19.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$89
Foreign Tx Fee
3%
Personal Income
$80,000
Household Income
$150,000
Credit Score
Poor
Add. Card Fee
$0
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Adv.
22.99%
CIBC
Best For
[
No Annual Fee
]
[
Student
]
[
Rewards
]
Est. 1st Yr Value: $393
Welcome Bonus: Join and earn up to $150 in value with no annual fee
Highlights:
No Annual Fee
•
Free Checked bag
•
Extended Warranty Insurance
•
Purchase Security Insurance
+1 more
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Tx Fee
—
Personal Income
$0
Household Income
$0
Credit Score
—
Showing 10 of 11 cards
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Why Choose a Credit Card?
Beyond simple convenience, the right credit card offers a layer of consumer protection, financial leverage, and rewards that debit cards or cash simply cannot match.
Zero Liability Protection
Canadian credit cards come with robust federal protections against unauthorized transactions. Unlike cash, which is gone forever if lost, or debit cards which are directly linked to your bank funds, a credit card offers a buffer. If your card is used fraudulently, you are generally not held liable for those charges once reported. This keeps your actual bank account safe and liquid while the bank investigates the issue. It provides peace of mind in an era of increasing digital fraud.
Value-Added Rewards
Every purchase you make is an opportunity to earn a return on your spending. Whether you prefer travel points, merchandise, or cash back, using a credit card allows you to get value back on expenses you were going to pay anyway. Over the course of a year, a standard 1-2% reward rate can accumulate into hundreds of dollars in free groceries or flights. It is effectively a discount on your entire lifestyle, provided you pay your balance in full. Why pay full price with cash when you can earn a rebate with credit?
Building Credit History
Your credit score is your financial passport in Canada, dictating your ability to rent apartments, get a mortgage, or finance a car. Responsible credit card use is one of the most effective and fastest ways to establish this history. By using a card and paying it off on time every month, you demonstrate reliability to future lenders. A long, positive history with a credit card accounts for a significant portion of your credit score calculation. Without this history, obtaining major loans later in life can be difficult or much more expensive.
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Cash Back
Earn money on daily spend.
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Best for frequent flyers.
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ISSUERS
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KNOWLEDGE BASE
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Compare Cards with Free Bags 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.
In Canada, you will often see AIR (Annual Interest Rate) used. It represents the yearly cost of borrowing on the card. Standard cards typically have purchase interest rates around 20.99%, while Low Interest cards can be significantly lower. Cash advances often carry higher interest rates than purchases.
It can be, depending on your usage. Premium cards with annual fees often come with higher reward earn rates, comprehensive insurance, and perks like lounge access. If the value of the rewards and benefits you utilize exceeds the cost of the fee, the card may offer a positive net value.
A cash advance occurs when you withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card or transfer funds from the card to a bank account. These transactions typically incur a fee (e.g., $5) and interest starts accruing immediately (no grace period), often at a higher rate than purchases.
Using comparison tools or checking your own credit report is typically considered a 'Soft Inquiry,' which does not affect your score. However, submitting a formal application to a bank results in a 'Hard Inquiry,' which may cause a temporary, minor decrease in your credit score.
Yes, many major banks offer specific programs for newcomers that do not require a Canadian credit history. You may need to visit a branch in person and provide immigration documents (such as a Permanent Resident card or Work Permit) to be approved.
Still have questions?
Visit our Financial Education Hub
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