Annual fee
$399
Primary cardholder
Best Low Purchase Interest Credit Cards in Canada
A lower purchase rate can be more important than rewards
If you may carry a balance, a lower purchase interest rate can matter more than points or cash back. RateBuddy helps compare rates, annual fees, transfer options, and card features in a practical way.
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Annual fee
$399
Purchase APR
9.99%
Cash advance
9.99%
Scotiabank
Best for
Travel Rewards
Low Interest
Premium
Best for
Travel Rewards
Low Interest
Premium
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$2,500
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$360
First-year annual fee
Fee charged during the first year
$399
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$2,461
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.
Rewards program
Scene+
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Purchase APR
9.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
9.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$99
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
$12,000
Minimum household income
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$149$0
First year waived
Purchase APR
14.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
TD Canada Trust
Best for
Travel Rewards
Business
Rewards
Best for
Travel Rewards
Business
Rewards
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$1,900
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$211.50
First-year annual fee
$149 first-year fee waiver applied
$149
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$2,111.50
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 1% | $54 |
| Dining | $300 | 1.5% | $54 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 1% | $18 |
| Travel | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 1.5% | $13.50 |
| 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
Aeroplan
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
14.99%
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
$49
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
$295
Purchase APR
11.90%
Cash advance
12.90%
Desjardins Group
Best for
Travel Rewards
Low Interest
Balance Transfer
Best for
Travel Rewards
Low Interest
Balance Transfer
Welcome-offer value
No current monetary welcome-offer estimate was included
$0
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$454.50
First-year annual fee
Fee charged during the first year
$295
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$159.50
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 3% | $162 |
| Dining | $300 | 4% | $144 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 1.5% | $27 |
| Travel | $75 | 3% | $27 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 1.5% | $13.50 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 1.5% | $81 |
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
$295
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
11.90%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
12.90%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$95
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
$150,000
Minimum household income
$200,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$29$0
First year waived
Purchase APR
13.99%
Cash advance
13.99%
Scotiabank
Best for
Low Interest
Balance Transfer
Best for
Low Interest
Balance Transfer
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$29
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$0
First-year annual fee
$29 first-year fee waiver applied
$29
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$29
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 0% | $0 |
| Dining | $300 | 0% | $0 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 0% | $0 |
| Travel | $75 | 0% | $0 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 0% | $0 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 0% | $0 |
Estimate notes
- No usable reward rate is configured, so spending rewards were not estimated.
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 $29 annually
Purchase APR
13.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
13.99%
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
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$29$0
First year waived
Purchase APR
13.99%
Cash advance
13.99%
Scotiabank
Best for
Low Interest
Balance Transfer
Student
Best for
Low Interest
Balance Transfer
Student
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$29
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$0
First-year annual fee
$29 first-year fee waiver applied
$29
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$29
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 0% | $0 |
| Dining | $300 | 0% | $0 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 0% | $0 |
| Travel | $75 | 0% | $0 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 0% | $0 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 0% | $0 |
Estimate notes
- No usable reward rate is configured, so spending rewards were not estimated.
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 $29 annually
Purchase APR
13.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
13.99%
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
$0
Minimum household income
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$29$0
First year waived
Purchase APR
13.99%
Cash advance
15.99%
BMO Bank of Montreal
Best for
Low Interest
Balance Transfer
Best for
Low Interest
Balance Transfer
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$29
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$0
First-year annual fee
$29 first-year fee waiver applied
$29
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$29
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 0% | $0 |
| Dining | $300 | 0% | $0 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 0% | $0 |
| Travel | $75 | 0% | $0 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 0% | $0 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 0% | $0 |
Estimate notes
- No usable reward rate is configured, so spending rewards were not estimated.
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 $29 annually
Purchase APR
13.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
15.99%
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.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
12.99%
Cash advance
24.99%
MBNA Canada
Best for
Low Interest
No Annual Fee
Balance Transfer
Best for
Low Interest
No Annual Fee
Balance Transfer
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
12.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
24.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
17.99%
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
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
6.99%
Cash advance
6.99%
Home Trust
Best for
Low Interest
No Annual Fee
Best for
Low Interest
No Annual Fee
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
6.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
6.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
0%
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.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
10.90%
Cash advance
12.90%
Desjardins Group
Best for
Low Interest
No Annual Fee
Best for
Low Interest
No Annual Fee
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
10.90%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
12.90%
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
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
11.99%
Cash advance
11.99%
TD Canada Trust
Best for
Low Interest
No Annual Fee
Business
Best for
Low Interest
No Annual Fee
Business
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
11.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
11.99%
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
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Showing 10 of 18 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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Earn money on daily spend.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Compare Low Rate 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.
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.
Most credit cards offer a grace period (typically 21 days) from the statement date to the payment due date. If you pay your 'New Balance' in full by the due date, you generally will not be charged interest on new purchases. Note that cash advances and balance transfers usually accrue interest immediately, with no grace period.
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).
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.
Providing your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is usually optional for credit card applications, though it can help the issuer verify your identity and locate your credit file more accurately. You can generally apply without it, provided you supply other identification details.
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