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The Essential Guide to the Best Everyday Travel Credit Cards in Canada
Looking to collect travel points faster with your everyday purchases? Two cards stand out for Canadians right now, especially if you’re just getting started or ready to level up your points game.
The American Express Cobalt® Card
Your Everyday Powerhouse
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If you want a single go‑to card to quickly earn travel rewards from your everyday spending, the American Express Cobalt® is one of the best choices to keep in your wallet. It earns top points on groceries, dining, and transit, helping you accumulate rewards fast. You’ll also collect flexible American Express Membership Rewards® points, which can be transferred to major airline and hotel programs, making it a favourite for daily use.
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The best card in Canada for everyday spending with 5X points per dollar on groceries, dining, and food delivery.
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Strong earnings of 2x points per dollar on gas, transit, and ride share.
- Earn American Express Membership Rewards®, the most flexible points with easy transfers to top reward programs like Air Canada Aeroplan®, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy®, Hilton Honors and more.
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Extra perks, up to $60 in statement credits with Instacart.
At-a-Glance and Key Benefits
Earning Points Rate
- Groceries, dining & food delivery: 5x points per dollar, up to $2,500 per month.
- Gas, transit, ride & sharing: 2x points per dollar.
- Streaming subscriptions in Canada: 3x points per dollar.
- Everything else: 1x point per dollar.
Signup Bonus
- Earn 15,000 bonus points in your first year by spending $750 each month, with 1,250 points awarded monthly.
Fee
- $156 Annual Fee ($12.99 Monthly)
First Year Value
- Estimated first‑year value: $1,584 (approx. $1,440 in rewards + $300 in welcome bonus) after the $156 fee.
Referral Bonus
- 5,000 points per referral, up to 75,000 points per calendar year.
Card Type
- Credit Card
Don’t Miss Out
- Now is the best time to apply for the American Express Cobalt Card®. It comes with valuable perks, and you can take advantage of the signup welcome bonus offer while it is still strong.
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Aeroplan® Visa Infinite
Optimize Your Travel Rewards: Why Aeroplan® Visa Infinite are Essential
If you want to maximize travel rewards in Canada, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite or CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite cards are the best mid-tier Aeroplan® Visa card options to pair with your American Express® Cobalt in Canada. This combination helps you earn the most rewards on all your purchases, including at merchants where American Express® Cobalt is not accepted. Aeroplan® Visa Infinite is the best mid-tier Aeroplan® card given the mix of annual fee, wider acceptance and great travel perks.
Aeroplan® points are among the most valuable for booking air travel in Canada. You can redeem Aeroplan® points for flights with Air Canada and over 25 Star Alliance partner airlines, making them an excellent choice for any traveller who wants to save money on flights, whether you travel often or just a few times a year.
Both the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite and CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite are very comparable, with a similar strong earn rate, comprehensive travel insurance, and overall benefits. The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite often offers a higher welcome bonus, and if you bank with TD or CIBC, you may qualify for extra annual fee discounts.
Why Add an Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card?
- Wider Acceptance: Not all retailers accept American Express®, so having a Visa ensures you earn valuable points everywhere you shop.
- Aeroplan® Points Value: Aeroplan® points are among the most valuable air travel rewards currency in Canada, offering excellent redemption options for flights and travel experiences.
- Extensive Travel Insurance: Enjoy robust travel insurance coverage for your household on cash and Aeroplan points booking, including emergency medical, trip cancellation/interruption and lost or delayed baggage.
- Travel Perks with Air Canada: free first checked bags for you and up to 8 companions on Air Canada flights.
- Competitive Welcome Bonuses: Both cards often offer a higher welcome bonus and first-year annual fee rebates.
Both the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite and CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite are very comparable and have very similar benefits. TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite typically offers a slightly elevated welcome signup offer, you may have a relationship with one of the financial institutions that will provide you further reduction in teh annual fee.
📌One Signup Bonus per Card Tier
Keep in mind that the welcome bonus can only be earned once per Aeroplan card tier, such as the Infinite, regardless of how many financial institutions issue the card.
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CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Why It’s Great
- Widely accepted, best overall Air Canada Aeroplan® Card.
- Excellent Air Canada perks, such as free checked bags for you +8.
- Comprehensive Air Canada travel insurance.
- $100 NEXUS Fee rebate every 48 months.
- A reasonable annual fee.
Earning Points Rate
- 1.5x Aeroplan points per $1 on
gas, 
groceries, 
electric vehicle charging, and 
Air Canada purchases. - 1X Aeroplan point per $1 on everything else.
Signup Bonus
- Get 20,000 Aeroplan points sign-up bonus in your first year.
- Get 10,000 Aeroplan points after your first Purchase.
- Get 10,000 Aeroplan points after spending $6,000 within 6 months of Account opening.
- Get 20,000 Aeroplan points as an anniversary bonus after spending $12,000 wit.hin 12 months of opening.
- First year annual fee rebate ($139 value)
Heads-Up: You can only get one lifetime welcome bonus from the same Aeroplan® tier credit card (Platinum, Infinite, Privilege) across all institutions.
Fee
$139 Annual Fee
First Year Value
- $1,340 First-Year Value: $540 Annual Rewards Value + $800 First Year Signup Bonus Value – $0 Annual Fee Rebate
Don’t Miss Out
- Sign-up bonuses don’t last forever, while this isn’t the highest we’ve seen, this is a fair one.
- If it fits your spending plans, it’s a solid time to apply.
- For a limited time, you get an Annual Fee Rebate worth $139.
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TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Why It’s Great
- Widely accepted, best overall Air Canada Aeroplan® Card.
- Excellent Air Canada perks, such as free checked bags for you +8.
- Comprehensive Air Canada travel insurance.
- $100 NEXUS Fee rebate every 48 months.
- A reasonable annual fee.
Earning Points Rate
- 1.5x Aeroplan points per $1 on gas, groceries, electric vehicle charging, and Air Canada purchases.
- 1X Aeroplan point per $1 on everything else.
Signup Bonus
- Get 25,000 Aeroplan points sign-up bonus in your first year.
- Get 10,000 Aeroplan points after your first Purchase.
- Get 15,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 within 180 days of Account opening.
- Get 15,000 Aeroplan points as an anniversary bonus after spending $12,000 within 12 months of opening.
- First year annual fee rebate ($139 value)
- Heads-Up: You can only get one lifetime welcome bonus from the same Aeroplan® tier credit card (Platinum, Infinite, Privilege) across all institutions.
Fee
$139 Annual Fee
First Year Value
- $1,340 First-Year Value: $540 Annual Rewards Value + $800 First Year Signup Bonus Value – $0 Annual Fee Rebate
Don’t Miss Out
- Sign-up bonuses don’t last forever, while this isn’t the highest we’ve seen, this is a fair one.
- If it fits your spending plans, it’s a solid time to apply.
- For a limited time, you get an Annual Fee Rebate worth $139.
