Best First Year Free Credit Cards in Canada

Best Cards 1st Yr Free Airline Bad Credit Balance Transfer Business Cash Back Groceries

Best for: 1st Yr Fee Rebate

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TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

5.0Ratesopedia rating

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card offers a first year annual fee rebate (regular fee $139/yr). It comes with a welcome bonus of 146,000 points. You earn 6x on groceries and 6x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $1,210.

Best of Month1st Yr Fee Rebate

Annual Fee

$139 $0

Rewards rate

TD Rewards

Welcome Bonus

146,000 points

1st Year Value

$1,210

Pros

First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Welcome bonus of 146,000 points
6x on groceries
6x at restaurants

Cons

Requires good credit

Best for: 1st Yr Fee Rebate

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BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card

BMO Visa BMO Rewards

4.6Ratesopedia rating

The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card offers a first year annual fee rebate (regular fee $120/yr). It comes with a welcome bonus of 70,000 points. You earn 5x on groceries and 5x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $951.

1st Yr Fee Rebate

Annual Fee

$120 $0

Rewards rate

BMO Rewards

Welcome Bonus

70,000 points

1st Year Value

$951

Pros

First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Welcome bonus of 70,000 points
5x on groceries
5x at restaurants

Cons

Requires good credit

Best for: 1st Yr Fee Rebate

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BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard

BMO Mastercard BMO Rewards

5.0Ratesopedia rating

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard offers a first year annual fee rebate (regular fee $150/yr). It comes with a welcome bonus of 115,000 points. You earn 1x on groceries and 3x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $1,195.

Best of Month1st Yr Fee Rebate

Annual Fee

$150 $0

Rewards rate

BMO Rewards

Welcome Bonus

115,000 points

1st Year Value

$1,195

Pros

First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Welcome bonus of 115,000 points
3x at restaurants
Estimated 1st-year value of $1,195

Cons

Requires good credit

Best for: 1st Yr Fee Rebate

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Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card

Scotia VisaCash Back

4.8Ratesopedia rating

The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card offers a first year annual fee rebate (regular fee $120/yr). It comes with a welcome bonus of $300. You earn 4x on groceries and 1x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $1,025.

Best of Month1st Yr Fee Rebate

Annual Fee

$120 $0

Rewards rate

Cash Back

Welcome Bonus

$300

1st Year Value

$1,025

Pros

First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Welcome bonus of $300
4x on groceries
Estimated 1st-year value of $1,025

Cons

Fewer premium perks

Best for: Travel rewards

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CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card

CIBC Visa CIBC Aventura

4.3Ratesopedia rating

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card offers a first year annual fee rebate (regular fee $139/yr). It comes with a welcome bonus of 45,000 points. You earn 1.5x on groceries and 1x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $891.

Best of Month1st Yr Fee Rebate

Annual Fee

$139 $0

Rewards rate

CIBC Aventura

Welcome Bonus

45,000 points

1st Year Value

$891

Pros

First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Welcome bonus of 45,000 points
Estimated 1st-year value of $891

Cons

Requires good credit

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Complete Guide

Best First Year Free Credit Cards in Canada

Premium cards with no fee in year one. Get welcome bonuses, insurance, and perks risk-free.

First year free cards let you experience premium benefits — welcome bonuses, travel insurance, airport lounge access — without paying the annual fee in year one. It's a risk-free way to test whether a premium card is worth it for your spending habits.

Cards analyzed

Jun 2026

Last updated

100%

Independent

Methodology

Our team evaluates credit cards based on overall consumer value: rewards earning rates, annual fees, welcome bonuses, insurance coverage, and additional perks. Cards are ranked by estimated first-year value. We update our picks monthly.

📊Real data

🔄Updated regularly

⚖️Unbiased review

🎯Transparent criteria

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1Should I cancel after the first free year?

Calculate your annual rewards minus the fee. If rewards exceed the fee, keep it. If not, downgrade to a no-fee card from the same issuer to preserve your credit history.

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Compare the best credit cards in Canada or calculate which card's rewards actually fit your budget.

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Best First Year Free Credit Cards in Canada

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Best First Year Free Credit Cards in Canada

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Frequently Asked Questions

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