You can earn plenty of points with reward credit cards through welcome bonuses, everyday spending, and more. To earn points faster without overspending, you’ll want to understand the credit card application rules.
Credit cards can be extremely rewarding when used responsibly. You’ll protect your credit score by paying in full and checking your credit report regularly to make sure it’s accurate.
Different banks like American Express® and TD® have their own application rules. They’re simple to learn, and knowing them keeps you ahead of surprises. You’ll save money and redeem points for flights and hotels for nearly free.
Here’s how you can make the most of credit card applications and earn plenty of points.
What Are Credit Card Application Rules
You’ll find that most banks have simple rules for credit card applications. These include how often you can apply, how many cards you can hold, and whether you’re eligible for a welcome bonus.
You’ll want to get familiar with these rules to maximize your points earning. It will increase your chances of getting your applications approved and avoid surprises.
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Fuel your adventures with points
Sign up to get your free guide. Get our newsletter with credit cards and points tips. See how easy it is to travel for nearly free.
The AWP Newsletter
Fuel your adventures with points
Sign up to get your free guide. Get our newsletter with credit cards and points tips. See how easy it is to travel for nearly free.
Best Welcome Offers
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Welcome Points: 90,000
Welcome Value: $3,380
Annual Fee: $599
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Welcome Points: 85,000
Welcome Value: $3,280
Annual Fee: $599
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Welcome Points: 85,000
Welcome Value: $3,580
Annual Fee: $599
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Welcome Points: 85,000
Welcome Value: $3,580
Annual Fee: $599
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Welcome Points: 50,000
Welcome Value: $1,919
Annual Fee:$139. 1st Year Rebate
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Welcome Points: 120,000
Welcome Value: $5,100
Annual Fee: $799
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Welcome Points: 45,000
Welcome Value: $1,819
Annual Fee:$139. 1st Year Rebate
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Welcome Points: 15,000
Welcome Value: $590
Annually Fee: $191.88 ($15.99 Monthly)
American Express® Cards
You’ll find American Express® cards are some of the most rewarding in Canada. You’ll have access to valuable Membership Rewards® cards plus co-branded options with Marriott Bonvoy® and Aeroplan®.
You can earn large welcome bonuses and strong everyday cards like the American Express® Cobalt, earning 5 points per dollar on food and groceries. You’ll also have plenty of flexibility to redeem for flights and hotels through transfer partners.
Before you apply, it’s important to know the rules around card limits, application timing, and welcome bonus eligibility.
Top American Express® Cards
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Best Marriott Bonvoy® Card
$500 Annual Value
Annual Fee: $120
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Best Business Marriott Bonvoy® Card
$500 Annual Value
Annual Fee: $150
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Best Luxury Business Travel Card
Annual Value: $2,385
Annual Fee: $799
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Best Everyday Card
Annual Value: $260
Annually Fee: $191.88 ($15.99 Monthly)
Amex® Cards Limits – Rule of 4 Cards
You can hold up to four American Express credit cards at one time in Canada.
Plus, you can have an unlimited number of American Express® charge cards. These don’t have preset spending limits. Charge cards excluded from the credit card limit include the American Express® Platinum, Business Platinum, and Business Gold cards.
If you’ve already reached your credit card limit, consider charge cards for more earning opportunities.
Amex® Application Rules – Rule of 1 in 90 days
You can only apply for one new American Express® credit card every 90 days in Canada.
The Membership Reward® Business Gold and Business Platinum count as one for this rule. If you apply for one, you can’t apply for the other within 90 days.
Amex® Welcome Bonus Eligibility – Rule of 1 in a Lifetime
American Express® applies a once-in-a-lifetime rule for welcome bonuses. This means you can only earn a welcome bonus once per card.
The good news is that authorized users don’t count toward this limit, so you can still apply as a primary or supplementary cardholder and be eligible.
Aeroplan® card bonus rules are more complex since they combine both bank rules and Aeroplan program restrictions. We’ll cover those details separately here.
Personal and business versions of the same card are treated as separate products.
I opened both the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® and the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express® and earned the welcome bonus on each. That gave me enough points to book a family vacation with the 5th night free.
Plus, I now get an annual free night certificate from both cards every year. It’s a benefit that keeps paying off long after the welcome bonus.
Top Offers
Wondering which credit card to get next?
Our recommendations for the best credit card offers in Canada for November 2025.
Top Offers
Wondering which credit card to get next?
Our recommendations for the best credit card offers in Canada for November 2025.
TD® Credit Cards
TD® credit cards often require a minimum personal income of about $60,000, or a household income of $100,000, for approval on many premium cards.
You should keep in mind that household income can include your spouse’s or other household earnings. This can be especially helpful for students, homemakers, or anyone with a lower personal income.
TD® Welcome Bonus Eligibility – 12 Months Rule
TD® requires that you have not activated or closed the same card in the past 12 months to qualify for a new welcome bonus.
AWP TIP
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum*, Aeroplan® Visa Infinite*, and Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* are all treated as separate products for welcome bonus eligibility.
This means you could potentially earn a welcome bonus on each within the same 12-month period.
Best Aeroplan® Card Offers
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Welcome Points: 90,000
Welcome Value: $3,380
Annual Fee: $599
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Welcome Points: 85,000
Welcome Value: $3,580
Annual Fee: $599
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Welcome Points: 100,000
Welcome Value: $2,660
Annual Fee: $180. 1st Year Rebate
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Welcome Points: 85,000
Welcome Value: $3,580
Annual Fee: $599
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Welcome Points: 50,000
Welcome Value: $1,919
Annual Fee:$139. 1st Year Rebate
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Welcome Points: 45,000
Welcome Value: $1,819
Annual Fee:$139. 1st Year Rebate
Aeroplan® Credit Card Rules
Aeroplan® credit card welcome bonus rules work a little differently than most. Eligibility depends on the level of the card, not the bank. Whether your Aeroplan® card is from TD®, CIBC, or American Express®, the same rules apply.
Aeroplan® Welcome Bonus Eligibility – Rule of 1 in a Lifetime
Aeroplan® allows you to earn one welcome bonus per card level for life. Levels are split between personal and business cards.
No worries though. Across the 11 Aeroplan® cards, you can still earn up to four welcome bonuses, one from each level:
Beginner’s Guide
From points newbie to booking your first trip.
Learn how easy it’s for Canadians to earn and redeem points with the best reward credit cards and programs. Make your first redemption for almost free travel in no time.
Beginner’s Guide
From points newbie to booking your first trip.
Learn how easy it’s for Canadians to earn and redeem points with the best reward credit cards and programs. Make your first redemption for almost free travel in no time.
Bottom Line
You can earn plenty of points with credit cards through welcome bonuses, everyday spending, and more. Knowing the application rules makes it easier to qualify and get the most out of these offers without surprises.
Credit card issuers update their policies often, so make sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay on top of the latest updates.
