RateBuddyCredit card guide

Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada

Fact checked
Travel perks
Rewards & coverage

RateBuddy Card Insight Written by Reviewed Sep 12, 2026

Travel rewards are better when the value is easy to understand

Travel cards can be powerful, but points, insurance, lounge access, foreign transaction fees, and redemption rules can make comparison harder than it should be. RateBuddy helps bring the key travel card details together so you can review rewards, benefits, fees, and real-world usefulness before choosing a card.

Useful travel details in one place

Points and travel reward potential
Insurance and airport benefits
Foreign transaction fee considerations
Welcome offers and annual fees

Why RateBuddy? Confidence starts with clarity. 100+ data points analyzed By the RateBuddy team, for Canadian choices. Benefits and tradeoffs, explained Rewards, fees and ongoing value together. Less homework. More confidence. Clear comparisons to inform your choice. Our approach & integrity

Built by Canadians. Built for Canadians.

RateBuddy is a Canadian fintech platform built to help Canadians make informed financial decisions. We’ve partnered with banks and other financial institutions to bring you valuable product offers, opportunities to save and available RateBuddy rebates.

We do the homework. You make the choice.

The RateBuddy team analyzes more than 100 data points across rewards, benefits, fees, eligibility and important terms. We turn that work into clear comparisons and plain-language pros and cons, helping you make an informed decision without spending hours doing all the homework yourself.

The research behind your comparison

Our analysis covers reward earning rates and categories, points and redemption options, welcome-bonus conditions, annual fees and fee waivers, interest rates, insurance and travel benefits, and eligibility requirements. We bring these details together to explain a card’s strengths and potential drawbacks.

Understand what you get and what it costs

We consider both first-year appeal and ongoing value: the spending needed to earn a bonus, fees that can reduce rewards, benefits you might use and what changes after an introductory offer ends. That helps you weigh the upside against the tradeoffs.

Understand the numbers

Where we estimate value, the result depends on the spending inputs, rates and assumptions shown. Your spending and redemption choices can produce a different result. Use the comparison tools to explore your own situation.

Be open about commercial relationships

RateBuddy may earn a commission from certain links or receive payment for featured placements. A commercial placement is a promotional position, not a promise that a card fits everyone. Consider the product details alongside the placement label.

Explain clearly and welcome corrections

Our editorial aim is to explain both benefits and tradeoffs in plain language. Offers and product terms can change. If something looks unclear or out of date, let us know at support@ratebuddy.ca. Your feedback helps us improve.

Canadian context. Your personal choice.

We focus on products available in Canada, with amounts in the currency shown. Your needs guide your choice; the issuer sets eligibility, pricing and approval decisions. Card benefits and RateBuddy rebates have their own requirements, explained with the relevant offer.

A buddy for your wallet. We put in the research to help you spend less time sorting through the details and feel more confident about your next step.

RateBuddyOFFERS AT A GLANCE

Featured Credit Card Offers of October 2026

Limited Time: Get RateBuddy Cash Rebate Previous rebate ~~$150~~ Now $200 RateBuddy rebate

Scotiabank®

Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite +* Card

Featured

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

Welcome-offer value Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements $300

Estimated rewards from spending Based on $1,500 in monthly spending $0

First-year annual fee $120 first-year fee waiver applied ~~$120~~ $0

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $300

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

RateBuddy cash rebate This separate rebate is not included in the card value or ranking above. +$200

Potential first-year value with RateBuddy rebate $500

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.

Earn 15% cash back for the first 3 months, get 0% on balance transfers for 12 months, plus get the first-year annual fee waived.*. Welcome offer ends Oct 31, 2026

Welcome bonus (up to): $300

RateBuddy rebate: $200

Get from RateBuddyPrevious rebate ~~$150~~ Now $200

Rebate ends Oct 31, 2026

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Get Ratebuddy Cash Rebate $200 RateBuddy rebate

Scotiabank®

Scotiabank® Gold American Express® Card

Featured

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

Welcome-offer value Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements $950

Estimated rewards from spending Based on $1,500 in monthly spending $0

First-year annual fee Fee charged during the first year $120

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $830

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

RateBuddy cash rebate This separate rebate is not included in the card value or ranking above. +$200

Potential first-year value with RateBuddy rebate $1,030

Estimate notes

No usable reward rate is configured, so spending rewards were not estimated.

Earn up to $950 in welcome offers, first-year rewards and savings value, including up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points.

Welcome bonus (up to): $950

RateBuddy rebate: $200

Get from RateBuddy$200

Rebate ends Oct 31, 2026

Get this offer View Offer Learn more

Get Ratebuddy Cash Rebate $125 RateBuddy rebate

Scotiabank®

Scotiabank® Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card

Featured

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

Welcome-offer value Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements $1,250

Estimated rewards from spending Based on $1,500 in monthly spending $0

First-year annual fee Fee charged during the first year $150

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $1,100

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

RateBuddy cash rebate This separate rebate is not included in the card value or ranking above. +$125

Potential first-year value with RateBuddy rebate $1,225

Estimate notes

No usable reward rate is configured, so spending rewards were not estimated.

Earn up to $1,250 in first-year welcome offers, rewards and savings,* including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points. Welcome offer ends Nov 1, 2026

Details

Open a new account between August 4 and November 1, 2026. Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points after at least $2,000 in eligible purchases are posted within the first three months. Plus, earn an annual 10,000-point bonus after at least $40,000 in eligible purchases during the applicable 12-month annual period. Points are generally credited approximately eight weeks after qualification. Eligibility restrictions and conditions apply.*

Welcome bonus (up to): $1,250

RateBuddy rebate: $125

Get from RateBuddy$125

Rebate ends Oct 31, 2026

Get this offer View Offer Learn more

Get Ratebuddy Cash Rebate $50 RateBuddy rebate

Scotiabank®

Scotiabank® American Express® Card

Featured

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

Welcome-offer value Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements $100

Estimated rewards from spending Based on $1,500 in monthly spending $0

First-year annual fee No annual fee $0

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $100

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

RateBuddy cash rebate This separate rebate is not included in the card value or ranking above. +$50

Potential first-year value with RateBuddy rebate $150

Estimate notes

No usable reward rate is configured, so spending rewards were not estimated.

Earn up to 10,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months—up to $100 toward travel.*

Details

Earn up to 10,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first three months. That is up to $100 in value when redeemed toward eligible travel. Eligibility restrictions and conditions apply.*

Welcome bonus (up to): $100

RateBuddy rebate: $50

Get from RateBuddy$50

Rebate ends Oct 31, 2026

Get this offer View Offer Learn more

Get Exclusive Ratebuddy Cash Rebate $100 RateBuddy rebate

Neo Financial

Neo World Elite Mastercard

Featured

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

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 Fee charged during the first year $149

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $410

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

RateBuddy cash rebate This separate rebate is not included in the card value or ranking above. +$100

Potential first-year value with RateBuddy rebate $510

Get Neo’s $100 welcome bonus + Get Exclusive RateBuddy cash rebate $100! Conditions apply.

Welcome bonus (up to): $100

RateBuddy rebate: $100

Get from RateBuddy$100

Get this offer View Offer Learn more

Get Ratebuddy Cash Rebate $75 RateBuddy rebate

Neo Financial

United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard®

Featured

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

Welcome-offer value Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements $375

Estimated rewards from spending Based on $1,500 in monthly spending $162

First-year annual fee Fee charged during the first year $89

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $448

View spending and reward-rate details

Spending category	Monthly spend	Rate	Annual value
Groceries	$450	1%	$54
Dining	$300	1%	$36
Gas and transit	$150	0.75%	$13.50
Travel	$75	1.25%	$11.25
Recurring bills	$75	0.75%	$6.75
Other purchases	$450	0.75%	$40.50

RateBuddy cash rebate This separate rebate is not included in the card value or ranking above. +$75

Potential first-year value with RateBuddy rebate $523

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)

Welcome bonus (up to): $375

RateBuddy rebate: $75

Get from RateBuddy$75

Rebate ends Oct 31, 2026

Get this offer View Offer Learn more

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Annual fee $399 Primary cardholder

Purchase APR 9.99% Regular purchase rate

Cash advance APR 9.99% Cash transaction rate

Balance transfer APR — When available

Foreign transaction fee 0% 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.

View Terms & Conditions

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Annual fee $89 Primary cardholder

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 $0 Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score Good

Minimum personal income $80,000

Minimum household income $150,000

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

View Terms & Conditions

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Annual fee $120 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 0% Foreign-currency purchases

Additional card fee $29 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.

View Terms & Conditions

featured

Get Exclusive Ratebuddy Cash Rebate: $100

Annual fee $149

Purchase APR 19.99%

Cash advance 22.99%

Neo Financial

Best for Cash Back Travel Rewards Premium

Neo World Elite Mastercard

Best for Cash Back Travel Rewards Premium

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

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 Fee charged during the first year $149

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $410

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

RateBuddy cash rebate This separate rebate is not included in the card value or ranking above. +$100

Potential first-year value with RateBuddy rebate $510

Rewards program Cash Back

Get $100 Ratebuddy Cash Rebate

Get a $100 welcome bonus + Ratebuddy Cash Rebate $100. Conditions apply.

Card highlights

Everyday Cash Back Airport Lounge Access Travel Medical Insurance World Elite Mastercard Benefits Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Annual fee $149 Primary cardholder

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.

View Terms & Conditions

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card

Annual fee $599

Purchase APR 21.99%

Cash advance 22.99%

TD Canada Trust

Best for Travel Rewards Premium Rewards

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card

Best for Travel Rewards Premium Rewards

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

Welcome-offer value Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements $3,000

Estimated rewards from spending Based on $1,500 in monthly spending $258.75

First-year annual fee Fee charged during the first year $599

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $2,659.75

View spending and reward-rate details

Spending category	Monthly spend	Rate	Annual value
Groceries	$450	1.5%	$81
Dining	$300	1.5%	$54
Gas and transit	$150	1.5%	$27
Travel	$75	2%	$18
Recurring bills	$75	1.25%	$11.25
Other purchases	$450	1.25%	$67.50

Rewards program Aeroplan

Metal card

Earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points ($3,000 estimated value). Earn up to $3,000 in value, including up to 85,000 points. Get 20,000 points on first purchase. Earn an additional 35,000 points after spending $12,000 within 180 days. Earn an anniversary bonus of 30,000 points after spending $24,000 within 12 months.

Card highlights

Airport Lounge Access Travel Medical Insurance Free Checked bag Mobile Device Insurance Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Annual fee $599 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 $199 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.

View Terms & Conditions

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Business* Card

Annual fee $199

Purchase APR 20.99%

Cash advance 22.99%

Scotiabank®

Best for Travel Rewards Business Premium

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Business* Card

Best for Travel Rewards Business Premium

RateBuddy 4.50

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

Welcome-offer value Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements $2,600

Estimated rewards from spending Based on $1,500 in monthly spending $0

First-year annual fee Fee charged during the first year $199

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $2,401

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.

Rewards program Scene+

Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points with qualifying spending, included in up to $2,600 in advertised first-year savings and reward value. Conditions apply. Open an eligible new account from May 1 to October 31, 2026. Earn 30,000 bonus Scene+ points after $5,000 in eligible purchases posts within three months, plus 10,000 after $60,000 posts within 12 months. Bonuses generally arrive within approximately eight weeks after qualification; the account must remain open and in good standing. Current Scotiabank business cardholders and those who held a primary or secondary business card within the previous two years are excluded. Terms and conditions apply. Expires Oct 31, 2026

Card highlights

No Foreign Transaction Fees Airport Lounge Access Travel Medical Insurance Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance Extended Warranty Insurance

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Annual fee $199 Primary cardholder

Purchase APR 20.99% Regular purchase rate

Cash advance APR 22.99% Cash transaction rate

Balance transfer APR 22.99% When available

Foreign transaction fee 0% 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.

View Terms & Conditions

Annual fee $149$0 First year waived

Purchase APR 14.99%

Cash advance 22.99%

TD Canada Trust

Best for Travel Rewards Business Rewards

TD Aeroplan Visa Business Card

Best for Travel Rewards Business Rewards

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

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

Rewards program Aeroplan

First year free

Earn up to 60,000 Aeroplan points + First-year fee waived for you and 2 employees. Earn up to $1,900 in value. 10,000 pts on first purchase; 30,000 pts after spending $15k in 180 days; 20,000 pts after spending $25k in 365 days. Plus, a first-year annual fee rebate for the Primary Business Cardholder and first two Additional Cardholders.

Card highlights

Travel Medical Insurance First-Year Fee Waived Free Checked bag Mobile Device Insurance Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

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.

View Terms & Conditions

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

Annual fee $139$0 First year waived

Purchase APR 21.99%

Cash advance 22.99%

TD Canada Trust

Best for Travel Rewards Rewards

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

Best for Travel Rewards Rewards

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

Welcome-offer value Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements $1,400

Estimated rewards from spending Based on $1,500 in monthly spending $396

First-year annual fee $139 first-year fee waiver applied ~~$139~~ $0

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $1,796

View spending and reward-rate details

Spending category	Monthly spend	Rate	Annual value
Groceries	$450	3%	$162
Dining	$300	3%	$108
Gas and transit	$150	1%	$18
Travel	$75	4%	$36
Recurring bills	$75	2%	$18
Other purchases	$450	1%	$54

Rewards program TD Rewards

First year free

Earn up to 165,000 TD Rewards Points + First-year fee waived. Earn up to $1,400 in value. Earn 20,000 points on your first purchase. Earn 145,000 points when you spend $7,500 within 180 days. Plus, get a first-year annual fee rebate.

Card highlights

Airport Lounge Access Travel Medical Insurance First-Year Fee Waived Mobile Device Insurance Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Annual fee $0 first year Then $139 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 $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.

View Terms & Conditions

Annual fee $199$0 First year waived

Purchase APR 21.99%

Cash advance 23.99%

BMO Bank of Montreal

Best for Travel Rewards Premium Rewards

BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard

Best for Travel Rewards Premium Rewards

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

Welcome-offer value Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements $1,400

Estimated rewards from spending Based on $1,500 in monthly spending $306

First-year annual fee $199 first-year fee waiver applied ~~$199~~ $0

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $1,706

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	3%	$27
Recurring bills	$75	1%	$9
Other purchases	$450	1%	$54

First year free

Up to $2,400 in value including 70,000 VIPorter points and a round-trip companion pass

Card highlights

Airport Lounge Access Travel Medical Insurance First-Year Fee Waived Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance Extended Warranty Insurance

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Annual fee $0 first year Then $199 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.

View Terms & Conditions

Annual fee $139$0 First year waived

Purchase APR 21.99%

Cash advance 22.99%

TD Canada Trust

Best for Travel Rewards Rewards

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

Best for Travel Rewards Rewards

How RateBuddy estimates this value A transparent first-year snapshot

Welcome-offer value Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements $1,450

Estimated rewards from spending Based on $1,500 in monthly spending $220.50

First-year annual fee $139 first-year fee waiver applied ~~$139~~ $0

Estimated first-year card value Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee $1,670.50

View spending and reward-rate details

Spending category	Monthly spend	Rate	Annual value
Groceries	$450	1.5%	$81
Dining	$300	1%	$36
Gas and transit	$150	1.5%	$27
Travel	$75	1.5%	$13.50
Recurring bills	$75	1%	$9
Other purchases	$450	1%	$54

Rewards program Aeroplan

First year free

Earn up to 45,000 Aeroplan points + First-year fee waived. Earn up to $1,450 in value. Get 10,000 points on first purchase. Get 15,000 points after spending $3,000 in 90 days. Get an anniversary bonus of 20,000 points after spending $12,000 in 12 months. Plus, get a first-year annual fee rebate.

Card highlights

Travel Medical Insurance First-Year Fee Waived Free Checked bag Mobile Device Insurance Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Annual fee $0 first year Then $139 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 $75 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.

View Terms & Conditions

Showing 10 of 20 cards

Get Ratebuddy Cash Rebate$125

Scotiabank®
Scotiabank® Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card
Credit card

Earn up to $1,250 in first-year welcome offers, rewards and savings,* including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points. Welcome offer ends Nov 1, 2026

Offer details
Open a new account between August 4 and November 1, 2026. Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points after at least $2,000 in eligible purchases are posted within the first three months. Plus, earn an annual 10,000-point bonus after at least $40,000 in eligible purchases during the applicable 12-month annual period. Points are generally credited approximately eight weeks after qualification. Eligibility restrictions and conditions apply.*

Get from RateBuddy$125Rebate ends Oct 31, 2026
Get this offer
Learn more about Scotiabank® Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card Apply now for Scotiabank® Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card (opens in a new tab)
Get Ratebuddy Cash Rebate$200

Scotiabank®
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite +* Card
Credit card

$0 First-year annual fees | 15% cash back for 3 months | $200 Exclusive Ratebuddy Cash Rebate Welcome offer ends Oct 31, 2026

Get from RateBuddy$200Rebate ends Oct 31, 2026
Get this offer
Learn more about Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite +* Card Apply now for Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite +* Card (opens in a new tab)
Ratebuddy Cash Rebate$50

Neo Financial
Secured Neo World Elite Mastercard
Credit card

Get from RateBuddy$50
Get this offer
Learn more about Secured Neo World Elite Mastercard Apply now for Secured Neo World Elite Mastercard (opens in a new tab)
Get Ratebuddy Cash Rebate$150

Scotiabank®
Scotiabank® Passport® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
Credit card

Earn up to 80,000 bonus Scene+ points in your first 14 months—that’s up to $800 in value.*

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Earn up to 80,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 14 months, providing up to $800 in value. Receiving the maximum bonus is subject to applicable offer requirements, eligibility restrictions and conditions.*

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Neo Financial
Neo World Mastercard
Credit card

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Scotiabank®
Scotiabank® American Express® Card
Credit card

Earn up to 10,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months—up to $100 toward travel.*

Offer details
Earn up to 10,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first three months. That is up to $100 in value when redeemed toward eligible travel. Eligibility restrictions and conditions apply.*

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Scotiabank®
Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card
Credit card

Earn up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points in your first 3 months.* Pay No Annual Fee. Welcome offer ends Nov 1, 2026

Offer details
Open a new Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* account between July 2 and November 1, 2026. Earn 2,500 bonus Scene+ points after $250 in eligible purchases within the first three months, plus another 2,500 points after reaching $1,000 in total eligible purchases during the same period. Points are generally credited approximately eight weeks after qualification if the account remains open and in good standing. Current or former primary or secondary Scotiabank personal credit-card holders within the past two years, card switchers and Scotiabank employees are not eligible. Other conditions apply.*

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TD Canada Trust
TD Business Travel Visa Card
Credit card

Earn up to 200,000 TD Rewards Points + First-year fee waived for you and 4 employees.

Offer details
Earn up to $1,300 in value. 30,000 pts on first purchase; 120,000 pts after spending $15k in 180 days; 30,000 pts after spending $25k in 365 days; 20,000 pts on your 15-month anniversary. Plus, a first-year annual fee rebate for the Primary Cardholder and first four Additional Cardholders.

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BMO Bank of Montreal
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Credit card

Up to $2,300 including up to 200,000 points and NEXUS Statement Credit

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American Express(Canada)
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
Credit card

Up to 85,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan points

Offer details
Enjoy Maple Leaf Lounge access, Annual Worldwide Companion Pass, and Priority Airport Services.

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Wallet Optimization

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.

Daily Spending

Cash Back on Essentials

Many cards offer higher earn rates on daily categories like groceries and gas. Maximize your return on money you already spend.

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Travel & Points

Turn your purchases into flights or hotels. Look for cards with flexible redemption options or airline-specific benefits.

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Budget Friendly

No Annual Fee Rewards

You don’t always need to pay a fee to earn points. Discover cards that offer rewards value with $0 annual cost.

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Intro Offers

Welcome Bonuses

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We highlight the "gotchas" and fees just as clearly as the perks.

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Upgrade Your Travel Experience

The right travel card does more than just earn points—it protects your trip, saves you fees, and upgrades your comfort level.

Comprehensive Trip Protection

Travel cards often include valuable insurance suites that would cost significant money to purchase separately. Coverage like Trip Cancellation, Flight Delay, and Lost Baggage insurance protects your financial investment if things go wrong. Importantly, many cards also include Travel Medical insurance, which is essential for Canadians traveling abroad. You can also decline the expensive collision insurance at rental car counters, relying on your card instead. This coverage alone can justify an annual fee.

Foreign Currency Savings

Savvy travelers specifically look for cards with "No Foreign Transaction Fees." Standard credit cards charge a 2.5% surcharge on every non-Canadian currency purchase, which adds up quickly on a trip. By using a No-FX card, you save that fee on every meal, hotel, and souvenir you buy abroad. For a $2,000 trip spend, that is $50 kept in your pocket. It ensures you get the real exchange rate, not an inflated one.

Airport Luxury & Comfort

Premium travel cards unlock access to airport lounges worldwide through programs like DragonPass or Priority Pass. Instead of waiting at a crowded gate, you can relax in a quiet lounge with complimentary food, drinks, and Wi-Fi. Some cards also offer benefits like priority security screening at Canadian airports or Nexus application fee rebates. These perks transform the most stressful parts of travel into a comfortable, VIP experience. It makes the journey as enjoyable as the destination.

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A little clarity, before you choose

Make the card fit your life.

Explore the bigger picture, check the numbers and find the tradeoffs that matter to you.

The Canadian picture

The Bank of Canada’s 2025 survey estimates that 89% of adults owned a credit card. Credit cards accounted for 48.2% of purchases recorded in its diary by number; 31% of cardholders reported not paying their full balance in the previous month.

Source: Bank of Canada · 2025 Methods-of-Payment Survey (published August 2026)

What this means for your comparisonOur interpretation: a card can be an everyday payment tool or an expensive way to borrow. The right comparison starts with how you repay, then considers rewards and benefits.

How do points work — and what are they worth?Compare real redemptions, cash back and travel benefits using the same dollars.

Points are a program currency. They become useful when you can exchange them for something you would otherwise pay for. A card earning more points per dollar is not necessarily more rewarding: the redemption value and your ability to use the points matter just as much.

Separate earning from redemption

Begin with three numbers: your eligible spending, the points earned on that spending and a realistic value for the redemption you want. A fixed redemption gives a predictable relationship between points and dollars under its current rules. A variable redemption requires comparing a specific booking. Transfers to another program add another step and should be evaluated using the destination program’s rules.

Aeroplan illustrates why a single universal point value can mislead. Its terms allow dynamic pricing for certain rewards, influenced by availability and other factors. Its flight-redemption information also distinguishes points from taxes and third-party charges. This is a program example, not a claim that every rewards system works the same way.

Worked example: compare the trip you would really buy

Suppose a comparable flight costs $500 in cash, including taxes, or 25,000 points plus $100. Assume both options have equivalent baggage, cancellation and change terms.

($500 cash price − $100 cash still payable) ÷ 25,000 points = $0.016 per point, or 1.6 cents.

If the comparable cash fare falls to $350, the same award now saves $250, giving 1 cent per point. If you would only have bought a $300 alternative, valuing the award against a $900 premium fare you would never purchase overstates your personal saving.

These are hypothetical bookings. Include unavoidable booking charges and compare equivalent travel before using this calculation. The result is a decision estimate, not money you can withdraw from the points account.

Turn points into an effective earning rate

For illustration, 2 points per dollar redeemed at 1 cent each equals a 2% gross return. At 0.6 cents per point, it becomes 1.2%. Subtract fees afterwards. This lets you compare a points card with a cash-back card on the same spending, rather than comparing unrelated numbers such as “2 points” and “1.5%.”

Use a conservative redemption value for the first pass. Then run a stronger-value case that reflects a trip you can genuinely book. If the points card only wins in a rare ideal scenario, decide whether the extra planning and flexibility are realistic for your household. A family travelling on school-break dates may face different choices from a traveller with open dates.

Travel benefits and rewards solve different problems

Points help pay for travel. A checked-bag benefit, lounge access or travel credit may reduce another cost, but should be counted only when you would use it. Keep those benefits in a separate line so you do not count them twice through the cash fare comparison. Read who can use them and what booking conditions apply.

Coverage is also a separate decision. A travel-card label does not establish that a policy fits your trip. Compare the current certificate with your itinerary before treating coverage as a replacement for another policy. A large points balance cannot cover an uninsured event merely because it came from a travel card.

Manage the program as well as the card

Check expiry or inactivity rules, transfer ratios, refund treatment and what happens when an account closes. An irreversible transfer should be based on a redemption you have checked, not just an attractive conversion headline. Keep enough time to complete a booking, and avoid counting future points toward an expense that needs cash today.

Welcome points can improve the first year, but the regular earning structure determines the years after that. Our analysis favours points when the program matches travel you already want and you can redeem without stretching your budget. Cash back can be the clearer option when flexibility and predictable value matter more.

Compare a real outcome: the cost you avoid on a usable redemption, after the cash charges and account costs.

How much cash back will you really keep?Look beyond the headline rate to spending categories, fees and year-two value.

Cash back is easy to understand once it is earned: a dollar is a dollar. The harder part is estimating how much you will earn. A headline rate describes a particular slice of spending. Your result depends on the mix of purchases, how they qualify and what it costs to keep the account.

Compare a household, not a headline

Two households with the same total spending can get different results from the same card. One may spend heavily in an accelerated category, while the other buys at merchants that earn a lower rate. For an honest comparison, apply each rate to its own spending bucket, then subtract the annual fee. Treat welcome offers separately from ongoing earnings.

Merchant classification matters. Scotiabank’s published cash-back terms, for example, explain that category codes are assigned by the merchant or payment network and may change. A store’s name or the items in your basket are not enough to confirm its reward category. Check the program rules and a posted transaction before relying on a higher earning rate.

Worked example: the blended rate in dollars

Assume every purchase below qualifies for the stated hypothetical rate, with no caps, interest or additional fees.

Illustrative spending of $24,000 a year
Spending bucket	Annual spend	Rate	Reward
Qualifying groceries	$6,000	3%	$180
Qualifying fuel and transit	$3,000	2%	$60
Other purchases	$15,000	1%	$150
Total before the annual fee	$24,000	1.625%	$390

After a $120 annual fee, you keep $270: an effective net return of 1.125%. A hypothetical no-fee card earning a flat 1.5% on the same spending returns $360. In this example, the flat-rate option is $90 ahead, before assigning any value to other benefits.

Stress-test the attractive categories

First, move some spending out of the highest-rate bucket. Does the card still look worthwhile? Then apply any cap and its reset period. An annual cap, monthly cap and statement-period cap can produce different results for a household with seasonal expenses. Spending over a cap needs its own calculation at the applicable rate.

Look at exclusions and the treatment of returns, fees and third-party bill payments. A category total is only useful when the purchases are eligible. For a recurring-payment category, confirm what the issuer means by recurring; a purchase you manually repeat each month may not have the same treatment as a merchant-authorized recurring charge.

Timing and friction belong in the comparison

Read when rewards are available, how redemption works and whether an account must remain open or in good standing. Someone who wants small, frequent redemptions may prefer a different program from someone comfortable waiting for a scheduled payout. Predictable access can be worth more to you than a slightly higher projected total.

Include purchase-specific costs when they exist. As a purely illustrative example, paying a 2% service charge to earn 1.5% cash back loses 0.5% before any other benefit. This is arithmetic, not a statement that every merchant charges a fee. Compare the amount you actually pay at checkout.

Check the second year

Recalculate with the regular earning rules and full renewal fee. Do not increase spending just to chase a bonus: an extra $300 purchase made solely to earn $9 of cash back still uses $291 of your money. Our view is that a cash-back card works best as a rebate on a planned budget, with a simple annual check that the benefit still exceeds the cost.

The number to compare: eligible rewards you can use, minus account and transaction costs, on spending you already planned.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Compare Top Travel Rewards 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.

This coverage generally allows you to decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver (CDW), potentially saving you money. However, it typically covers damage to the vehicle only, not liability for injuries or damage to other property. You must usually charge the full rental cost to the card and decline the agency's coverage to activate this benefit.

Credit card travel insurance can provide valuable coverage, but it often has limitations regarding trip duration (e.g., 15 days) and the traveler's age (often under 65). It may also exclude pre-existing medical conditions. We strongly advise reviewing your certificate of insurance to ensure the coverage meets your specific medical needs before traveling.

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.

Some loyalty programs (like Aeroplan or Scene+) allow for points pooling or transfers between family members, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee. Check the specific terms and conditions of your loyalty program to see if transfers are permitted.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance usually covers specific unforeseen events, which may include sudden illness or injury. However, coverage is subject to specific exclusions and requires that the trip was paid for (in whole or in part) with the eligible card. Always verify the definition of 'covered causes' in your insurance booklet.

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