Ratesopedia
Ranking · Updated May 2026

Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada

Earn points for flights, hotels, and experiences. Compare travel rewards, airport lounge access, and travel insurance benefits.

39
cards
Best for: Overall value
Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Business Platinum Card® from American Express
4.8Ratesopedia rating

It comes with a welcome bonus of 120,000 pts. You earn 1.25x on groceries and 1.25x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,351.

Best of MonthAmerican Express Canada

Annual Fee

$799

Rewards rate

1.25x

American Express Membership Rewards

Welcome Bonus

120,000 pts

1st Year Value

$2,351

Pros

  • Welcome bonus of 120,000 pts
  • Estimated 1st-year value of $2,351

Cons

  • High annual fee ($799)
Best for: Aeroplan travel
CIBC® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
CIBC® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
5.0Ratesopedia rating

It comes with a welcome bonus of 100,000 pts. You earn 1.5x on groceries and 1.25x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,283.

Visa

Annual Fee

$599

Rewards rate

1.25x

Aeroplan

Welcome Bonus

100,000 pts

1st Year Value

$2,283

Pros

  • Welcome bonus of 100,000 pts
  • Estimated 1st-year value of $2,283

Cons

  • High annual fee ($599)
  • Requires good credit
Best for: Aeroplan travel
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card
5.0Ratesopedia rating

It comes with a welcome bonus of 90,000 pts. You earn 1.25x on groceries and 1.25x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,226.

Best of MonthAmerican Express Canada

Annual Fee

$599

Rewards rate

1.25x

Aeroplan

Welcome Bonus

90,000 pts

1st Year Value

$2,226

Pros

  • Welcome bonus of 90,000 pts
  • Estimated 1st-year value of $2,226

Cons

  • High annual fee ($599)
Best for: Aeroplan travel
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card
5.0Ratesopedia rating

It comes with a welcome bonus of 75,000 pts. You earn 1x on groceries and 1.5x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,215.

Visa

Annual Fee

$180

Rewards rate

1x

Aeroplan

Welcome Bonus

75,000 pts

1st Year Value

$2,215

Pros

  • Welcome bonus of 75,000 pts
  • Estimated 1st-year value of $2,215

Cons

  • High annual fee ($180)
  • Requires good credit
Best for: Overall value
American Express Platinum Card®
American Express Platinum Card®
4.8Ratesopedia rating

It comes with a welcome bonus of 100,000 pts. You earn 1x on groceries and 2x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,170.

Best of MonthAmerican Express Canada

Annual Fee

$799

Rewards rate

1x

American Express Membership Rewards

Welcome Bonus

100,000 pts

1st Year Value

$2,170

Pros

  • Welcome bonus of 100,000 pts
  • 2x at restaurants
  • Estimated 1st-year value of $2,170

Cons

  • High annual fee ($799)
Best for: Aeroplan travel
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card
5.0Ratesopedia rating

It comes with a welcome bonus of 85,000 pts. You earn 1.5x on groceries and 1.5x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,161.

Best of MonthVisa

Annual Fee

$599

Rewards rate

1.25x

Aeroplan

Welcome Bonus

85,000 pts

1st Year Value

$2,161

Pros

  • Welcome bonus of 85,000 pts
  • Estimated 1st-year value of $2,161

Cons

  • High annual fee ($599)
  • Requires good credit
Best for: Aeroplan travel
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
5.0Ratesopedia rating

It comes with a welcome bonus of 85,000 pts. You earn 1.25x on groceries and 2x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,130.

Best of MonthAmerican Express Canada

Annual Fee

$599

Rewards rate

1.25x

Aeroplan

Welcome Bonus

85,000 pts

1st Year Value

$2,130

Pros

  • Welcome bonus of 85,000 pts
  • 2x at restaurants
  • Estimated 1st-year value of $2,130

Cons

  • High annual fee ($599)
Best for: Overall value
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
5.0Ratesopedia rating

It comes with a welcome bonus of 60,000 pts. You earn 2x on groceries and 1x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $1,609.

Best of MonthAmerican Express Canada

Annual Fee

$250

Rewards rate

1x

American Express Membership Rewards

Welcome Bonus

60,000 pts

1st Year Value

$1,609

Pros

  • Welcome bonus of 60,000 pts
  • 2x on groceries
  • Estimated 1st-year value of $1,609

Cons

  • High annual fee ($250)
Best for: Aeroplan travel
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
4.7Ratesopedia rating

It comes with a welcome bonus of 45,000 pts. You earn 1.5x on groceries and 1x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $1,603.

Visa

Annual Fee

$139

Rewards rate

1x

Aeroplan

Welcome Bonus

45,000 pts

1st Year Value

$1,603

Pros

  • Welcome bonus of 45,000 pts
  • Estimated 1st-year value of $1,603

Cons

  • Requires good credit
Best for: Aeroplan travel
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
4.7Ratesopedia rating

It comes with a welcome bonus of 45,000 pts. You earn 1.5x on groceries and 1x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $1,603.

Best of MonthVisa

Annual Fee

$139

Rewards rate

1x

Aeroplan

Welcome Bonus

45,000 pts

1st Year Value

$1,603

Pros

  • Welcome bonus of 45,000 pts
  • Estimated 1st-year value of $1,603

Cons

  • Requires good credit

Complete Guide

Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada

Earn points for flights, hotels, and experiences. Compare travel rewards, airport lounge access, and travel insurance benefits.

Travel credit cards earn points that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, and experiences. The best travel cards offer 2–5x the value per point compared to cash back, making them ideal for frequent travellers.

Fixed vs Flexible Points

Some cards earn points in a specific airline program (Aeroplan, WestJet), while others earn flexible points (Amex MR, CIBC Aventura) transferable to multiple programs. Flexible points offer more redemption options.

Travel Insurance

Premium travel cards include trip cancellation, medical insurance, baggage coverage, and flight delay protection — potentially saving you hundreds on separate travel insurance policies.

39

Cards analyzed

May 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

1What's the best travel credit card in Canada?

The American Express Cobalt is consistently rated #1 for its 5x points on food/drink and flexible transfer partners. For Aeroplan specifically, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite is excellent.

2Do I need to pay an annual fee for a good travel card?

Generally yes. The best travel cards ($120–$800/yr) offer welcome bonuses, insurance, and earn rates that far exceed the fee. First-year fee waivers are common.

3Which loyalty program is best in Canada?

Aeroplan (Air Canada) has the best airline coverage. Amex Membership Rewards offers the most flexibility with transfer partners. Scene+ is best for everyday rewards.

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