Frugal Flyer Presents: Best Credit Card Awards (2024)

At Frugal Flyer, we live and breathe credit cards and their rewards programs. Whether the use of points for award flights, lounge access, elite status, travel insurance benefits, or ease of purchasing when abroad, credit cards uniquely enhance nearly all aspects of travel when leveraged properly. 

In 2023, we decided to implement a yearly practice of selecting a subset of credit cards in the Canadian market and recognizing their best-in-class status across different verticals. We have now launched our 2024 credit card awards, including many of the categories from last year in addition to new awards.

We do not take these awards lightly. Each of the credit cards we select is unique and deserving of recognition, not haphazardly chosen. Read on to see how we determine these awards, which cards we’ve awarded for 2024, and why. 

Our Process for Selecting the Best Credit Cards

We make our selections at the end of each calendar year for the year ahead, based on the attributes of a given card at that point in time. We review the overall credit card market and determine which cards are the strongest contenders for a given category of award. We then compare and contrast them on a more granular basis to make a final decision. If we feel two cards are particularly close and deserving, then we may also award a card with a “runner-up” designation.

In our first iteration of awards in 2023, we started with a small subset of four categories related to both travel and lifestyle. This year, we’ve expanded to have 11 categories across insurance, bonus spending categories, travel, lounge access, and more.

Without further ado, we present…

Frugal Flyer’s Best Credit Card Awards of 2024

AwardWinner
Best Credit Card for Grocery PurchasesAmerican Express Cobalt Card
Best CashBack Card for Grocery PurchasesBMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
Best Overall Insurance Credit CardNational Bank World Elite Mastercard
Best Air Canada Aeroplan Credit CardAmerican Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
Best Foreign Transaction Credit CardScotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Best Credit Card for Airport Lounge AccessAmerican Express Platinum Card
Best Flexible Points Travel Credit CardRBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
Best Fixed Value Points Credit CardTD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card
Best No Annual Fee Cash Back Credit CardTangerine World Mastercard
Best No Annual Fee Points Credit CardMBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard
Best Balance Transfer Credit CardCIBC Select Visa Card
Best Secured Credit CardNeo Secured Credit Card

Best Credit Card for Grocery Purchases: American Express Cobalt Card

The American Express Cobalt card has been awarded “Best Credit Card for Grocery Purchases” for 2024.

American Express Cobalt Card

The American Express Cobalt card earns Membership Rewards points and gives cardholders the opportunity to earn 5x Membership Rewards on eligible restaurant, food delivery, and grocery store purchases. In 2024, we selected this card to receive the award Best Credit Card for Grocery Purchases.

Check out our American Express Cobalt card review for more details.

BONUS
15,000 Membership Rewards
MINSPEND
$9,000
NET VALUE
$174+
ANNUAL FEE
$156
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY

At an earning rate of 5 Membership Rewards (MR) points per dollar spent on grocery stores, food delivery, restaurants, bars, and convenience stores, the American Express Cobalt credit card earns at least a 5% effective return on spending. However, when redeemed wisely, the value can be significantly higher, considering the flexible options to transfer Membership Rewards to other programs such as Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, or Hilton Honors.

Although the card has suffered a few setbacks in the past year, in particular, its annual fee is charged monthly at $12.99, giving the card an approximate yearly cost of $155.88, the card still shines above others in this category.

And for those who shop at Loblaws which doesn’t accept American Express, there are even some workarounds to use American Express credit cards at Superstore and Loblaws

Read our review of the American Express Cobalt credit card to learn more.

Runner Up: Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

The American Express Cobalt card and the Scotiabank Gold American Express card are extremely close contenders when it comes to grocery shopping in Canada, which is why they both top our list of Best Credit Cards for Grocery Purchases

Apply Now Learn More Earn $75 in FlyerFunds upon approval.
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

The Scotiabank Gold American Express card earns Scene+ Rewards points and gives cardholders the opportunity to earn 5x Scene+ points on grocery, restaurant, and entertainment purchases. This card charges no foreign exchange fees.

Check out our Scotiabank Gold American Express card review for more details.

BONUS
40,000 Scene+
MINSPEND
$7,500
NET VALUE
$280+
ANNUAL FEE
$120
FOREX FEES
No
EXPIRY
Jul 1, 2024

Ultimately it comes down to personal preference. If you value points for travel exclusively and are experienced at using Membership Rewards, the Cobalt wins out. But if you want the highest pure cash value points, the Scotiabank Gold earns a superior 6X Scene+ Rewards points per dollar at Empire-branded stores such as Safeway and Sobeys. 

Couple that with an often strong welcome bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and a straightforward annual fee that is sometimes waived, and you have a tough decision to make between these two cards.

Best Cash Back Credit Card for Grocery Purchases: BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard

The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard has been awarded “Best Cash Back Credit Card for Grocery Purchases” for 2024.

Apply Now Learn More Earn $75 in FlyerFunds upon approval.
BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard

The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard earns cash back and offers cardholders the opportunity to earn up to 5% cash back on all grocery purchases. As a result, for 2024 we selected this card for the award for Best Cashback Credit Card for Grocery Purchases.

Check out our BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard review for more details.

BONUS
$250 cash back
MINSPEND
$2,500
NET VALUE
$250+
ANNUAL FEE
$120 (FYF)
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY
May 31, 2024

As groceries are one of the most significant lifestyle purchases in most Canadian’s budgets, a credit card with a strong earning rate on groceries should be a staple in everyone’s wallet. However, when we ranked the best credit cards for groceries in Canada, there were several subjective drawbacks of the top contenders, namely that they all earn points towards bank loyalty programs and in the case of American Express, have lower merchant acceptance.

The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard doesn’t suffer from any of these ‘drawbacks’ and is an ideal card for someone looking to earn simple cash back on their grocery purchases. At 5% cash back on grocery purchases, you will be earning a nice return if you can maximize the $500 monthly spending cap. 

In addition, the BMO CashBack World Elite has strong earning rates in several other lifestyle categories: 

  • 4% on transit (on the first $300 you spend monthly)
  • 3% on gas and electric vehicle charging (on the first $300 you spend monthly)
  • 2% on recurring bill payments (on the first $500 you spend monthly)

The card has a promotion cash back welcome offer for the first 3 months and the annual fee is waived in the first year. The card also comes with other notable benefits including an extended manufacturer’s warranty of 2 additional years for eligible purchases, and free roadside assistance.

Read our review of the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard to learn more.  

Best Overall Insurance Credit Card: National Bank World Elite Mastercard

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard has been awarded the “Best Overall Insurance Credit Card” for 2024. 

National Bank World Elite Mastercard

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard earns À la Carte Rewards points and offers cardholders benefits such as $150 in annual travel credits and access to the National Bank VIP lounge in the YUL International terminal. Due to its stellar travel insurance and purchase protection benefits, we deemed this card the Best Overall Insurance Credit Card of 2024.

Check out our National Bank World Elite Mastercard review for more details.

BONUS
0 À la carte Rewards
MINSPEND
$0
NET VALUE
$-150+
ANNUAL FEE
$150
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY

For two years in a row, this card was a relatively easy choice as the best overall insurance card. The insurance benefits are stacked, from travel insurance, to purchase protection to mobile device insurance. 

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard would likely also win the category of ‘best travel insurance card’. Not only is the card’s travel insurance competitive in terms of coverage amounts, but its coverage is more flexible than other cards in the market, for example including medical coverage for cardholders up to 74 years of age (most cards cover up to 65 only).

Furthermore, the National Bank World Elite is one of a select few credit cards that provide coverage for award flights. So you can use this card to pay for taxes and fees on an award booking and still be eligible for coverage. 

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is no slouch when it comes to other card features too. It offers a very strong earn rate of 5 À la carte rewards points per dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants comes with a strong welcome bonus along with $150 travel enhancement credits, and offers a rebate on the $150 annual fee in the first year. 

Read our review of the National Bank World Elite Mastercard to learn more.

Best Air Canada Aeroplan Credit Card: American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve card has been awarded “Best Air Canada Aeroplan Credit Card” for 2024.

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

The Amex Aeroplan Reserve card earns Aeroplan points and offers cardholders various Air Canada benefits including priority boarding, free checked baggage, and Maple Leaf lounge access. In 2024, we awarded this card as the Best Air Canada Aeroplan Credit Card.

Check out our American Express Aeroplan Reserve card review for more details.

BONUS
85,000 Aeroplan
MINSPEND
$10,000
NET VALUE
$1,186+
ANNUAL FEE
$599
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY

As a premium credit card, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card offers some excellent benefits including unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access, a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights, a NEXUS membership credit, and the ability to earn an Air Canada Worldwide Companion Pass

Not to mention, cardholders can earn status qualifying miles and status qualifying segments through credit card spend in addition to being able to roll over status qualifying miles and the ever-valuable eUpgrade credits. Needless to say, all of these benefits make this card stand out within the Canadian travel credit card landscape.

Part two of why we awarded this credit card is a result of it being accessible to all Canadians. As Daniel mentioned in his guide to premium Aeroplan credit cards, both the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card and the American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve card have no minimum income requirements which is a major plus over the premium TD & CIBC counterparts. 

The lack of income requirement is a major benefit for those Aeroplan members who want a credit card that offers a wealth of benefits on Air Canada but can’t meet the astronomical income requirements of the Visa Infinite Privilege series of cards.

While the American Express Aeroplan Reserve credit card is the best Aeroplan credit card in Canada, there are alternatives if it doesn’t fit your needs. For example, if you are still looking for a card with some Air Canada benefits and a lower annual fee, consider the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card or the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite card as alternatives.

Simply put, if you are Canadian, you need to be collecting Aeroplan points as they are a core component of the miles and points world in Canada and if you have yet to add an Aeroplan credit card to your wallet, there is no better time than now.

Best Credit Card for Foreign Transactions: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card has been awarded “Best Credit Card for Foreign Transactions” for 2024.

Apply Now Learn More Earn $60 in FlyerFunds upon approval.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card earns Scene+ Rewards points and offers cardholders benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and six complimentary airport lounge access passes annually.

Check out our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card review for more details.

In 2024, we awarded this card as the Best Foreign Transaction Credit Card.

BONUS
40,000 Scene+
MINSPEND
$1,000
NET VALUE
$400+
ANNUAL FEE
$150 (FYF)
FOREX FEES
No
EXPIRY
Jul 1, 2024

Credit cards that offer no foreign transaction fees are one and the same, as they all give cardholders the opportunity to save 2.5% on all international purchases. We gave the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card a spot on our list of best no foreign transaction fee credit cards for Canadians, so it is no surprise that it won this award for 2024.

The deciding factor for this award was credit card network acceptance. Visa cards will typically be accepted more prominently worldwide, which is a major deciding factor when choosing a credit card that you want to keep in your wallet for all international travel. While American Express continues to grow in acceptance, it still can be spotty in certain parts of the world.

After all, what is the point in having a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees, if you run into issues finding vendors that accept it? With that in mind, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card fits the bill best for international travelers who are looking to save money on all purchases made during their travels.

Best Credit Card for Airport Lounge Access: American Express Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum card has been awarded “Best Credit Card for Airport Lounge Access” for 2024.

American Express Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum card earns Membership Rewards and offers cardholders a variety of benefits including an annual $200 travel credit, complimentary airport lounge access, an annual $200 dining credit, and instant elite status with many hotel loyalty programs.

In 2024, we awarded this card as the Best Credit Card for Airport Lounge Access.

BONUS
100,000 Membership Rewards
MINSPEND
$10,000
NET VALUE
$1,401+
ANNUAL FEE
$799
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY

Simply put, this card offers unrestricted airport lounge access to all lounges within the American Express Global Lounge Collection which consists of over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. Cardholders can also access the American Express Centurion Lounges for themselves and guests which is a major benefit if you want to enjoy a custom cocktail and some great food before your next flight.

Airport lounge access rules and the number of guests you can bring vary based on the lounge, so we recommend always checking the American Express lounge database before heading to the airport. The American Express Platinum card always allows at least the cardholder plus one guest, even for Centurion lounges, so if you travel with a significant other you will always have lounge access. At larger airports, you can even get creative and check out multiple lounges in one visit if you are feeling adventurous.

If you own a small business or qualify as a sole proprietor, the American Express Business Platinum card is a great alternative that has the same annual fee and offers different perks but the comes with the same unrestricted lounge access. Both cards are considered two of the best credit cards with airport lounge access for Canadians, so check either out if you are looking to up your travel game.

Runner Up: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

We recognize that high annual fees can be hard to swallow, especially if you aren’t a frequent traveler who can truly maximize the benefits of a premium credit card. With that in mind, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite credit card is a great option for those interested in airport lounge access at a much more reasonable cost.

Apply Now Learn More Earn $60 in FlyerFunds upon approval.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card earns Scene+ Rewards points and offers cardholders benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and six complimentary airport lounge access passes annually.

Check out our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card review for more details.

In 2024, we awarded this card as the Best Foreign Transaction Credit Card.

BONUS
40,000 Scene+
MINSPEND
$1,000
NET VALUE
$400+
ANNUAL FEE
$150 (FYF)
FOREX FEES
No
EXPIRY
Jul 1, 2024

With a much lower $150 annual fee, this card offers six complimentary airport lounge passes via the Dragonpass lounge program. These lounge passes can be used by the cardholder and their guests at any lounge within the Dragonpass network, which encompasses over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.

Best Flexible Points Travel Credit Card: RBC Avion Visa Infinite

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card has been awarded “Best Flexible Points Travel Credit Card” for 2024.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card earns Avion Elite points and gives cardholders the opportunity to earn 1.25x Avion Elite points on all travel purchases. In 2024, we awarded this card as the Best Flexible Points Travel Credit Card.

Check out our RBC Avion Visa Infinite card review for more details.

BONUS
55,000 Avion
MINSPEND
$5,000
NET VALUE
$925+
ANNUAL FEE
$120
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY
Apr 30, 2024

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card is a favorite at Frugal Flyer. We love the flexibility this card offers when it comes to redeeming Avion points.

Avion points can be redeemed for a number of travel-related options, including:

  • Flights utilizing the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule
  • Redemptions through the flexible travel rewards chart
  • Transferring to other frequent flyer loyalty programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage, British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and WestJet Rewards

While we have found the most value in transferring to British Airways Avios for sweet spot redemptions, there is also great value in transferring to WestJet Rewards, Cathay Asia Miles, or even redeeming Avion points for gift cards to use at Fairmont hotels. With the wide range of redemption options available, cardholders should be able to easily find a redemption option that fits their travel needs while still allowing them to get great value out of their Avion points.

The Avion Visa Infinite card runs on the Visa network, meaning you can expect strong merchant acceptance wherever you choose to make purchases. While this might seem like a minor piece, it does ensure that you won’t miss out on earning Avion points based on what types of credit cards a merchant chooses to accept.

Finally, as a flexible travel rewards credit card, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card has a relatively low annual fee of $120 and a reasonable personal income requirement of $60,000 or $100,000 household income. Between the low annual fee and income requirements, this card should be attainable for a large range of individuals making it the perfect flexible points travel credit card to add to your wallet.

If you don’t meet the income requirements for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card, there is also the RBC Avion Visa Platinum card which offers a similar sign-up bonus and the same transferable Avion points.

Runner Up: American Express Gold Card

While we have selected the American Express Gold card as the runner-up, the reality is that any of the American Express Membership Rewards earning cards would be in the running for this award.

American Express Gold Card

The American Express Gold card earns Membership Rewards points and offers cardholders a variety of benefits including an annual $100 travel credit, $50 NEXUS credit, and four complimentary Plaza Premium airport lounge passes per year.

BONUS
60,000 Membership Rewards
MINSPEND
$12,000
NET VALUE
$1,070+
ANNUAL FEE
$250
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY

American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to a number of valuable currencies at various rates, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, British Airways Avios, and more. Similar to Avion points, they can also be redeemed directly towards travel if you don’t want to transfer to an airline or hotel loyalty partner.

Best Fixed Value Points Credit Card: TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card has been awarded “Best Fixed Points Credit Card” for 2024.

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

The TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* card earns TD Rewards points and gives cardholders the opportunity to earn 8x TD Rewards on purchases at Expedia for TD. In 2024, we awarded this card as the Best Fixed Value Points Credit Card.

BONUS
100,000 TD Rewards
MINSPEND
$5,000
NET VALUE
$500+
ANNUAL FEE
$139 (FYF)
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY
Jun 3, 2024

While we have touched a lot on flexible miles and points currencies on Frugal Flyer, sometimes knowing exactly how much your points are worth and how much value you can expect to receive goes a long way. 

For those miles and points enthusiasts who prefer certainty in their rewards programs and points valuations, we have selected the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card for this award as TD Rewards points have two fixed redemption values based on the travel redemption.

Cardholders can redeem TD Rewards points towards travel expenses via:

  • Expedia For TD at a rate of 0.5 cents per point (meaning you will book directly with Expedia For TD)
  • Book any way travel at a rate of 0.4 cents per point (meaning you can book travel directly with the provider and receive reimbursement after paying)

Redeeming points for either travel redemption method is very straightforward and the type of travel expenses you can apply points towards is vast. TD Rewards points are easy to earn with bonus categories that award extra points on purchases at ExpediaForTD.com, grocery purchases, and recurring bill payments.

While there are other redemption opportunities such as gift cards and merchandise, you definitely want to avoid these methods and it diminishes the value of your TD Rewards points. Stick to travel redemptions only if you want to maximize the value that TD Rewards offers.

While not necessarily a component of why we gave the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card this award, this card historically has had very strong welcome bonuses which is very complimentary to being the best fixed points credit card. Not only are you able to earn a large number of points as a welcome bonus, but the currency is very easy to peg to a valuation, and making travel redemptions is simple as well.

Best No Annual Fee Cash Back Earning Credit Card: Tangerine World Mastercard

The Tangerine World Mastercard has been awarded “Best No Annual Fee Cash Back Earning Credit Card” for 2024.

Apply Now Learn More Earn $170 in FlyerFunds upon approval.
Tangerine World Mastercard

The Tangerine World Mastercard earns cash back and allows cardholders to choose three accelerated spending categories to increase their cash back earnings. In 2024, we awarded this card as the Best No Annual Fee Cash Back Credit Card.

Check out our Tangerine World Mastercard review for more details.

BONUS
$100 cash back
MINSPEND
$1,000
NET VALUE
$100+
ANNUAL FEE
$0
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY
Apr 30, 2024

If you aren’t looking to pay an annual fee and want a credit card that earns cash back on all purchases versus a more complex miles or points program, the Tangerine World Mastercard earns 2% cash back on three categories of the cardholder’s choice.

When selecting the elevated cash back categories, cardholders can choose from the following types of purchases: grocery, furniture, restaurants, hotel/motel, gas, recurring bill payments, drug store, home improvement, entertainment, and public transport/parking. 

Even better, cardholders can change their bonus categories as they wish and it will only take one billing cycle for the new category to take effect. This means that if you have a big furniture purchase coming up in the near future, it can make sense to switch to that category to maximize your cash back earnings.

As an alternative, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card also has the same cash back earning structure and no annual fee making it a very similar choice to the World Mastercard.

Best No Annual Fee Points Earning Credit Card: MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard

The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard has been awarded “Best No Annual Fee Points Earning Credit Card” for 2024.

MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard

The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard earns MBNA Rewards points and gives cardholders the opportunity to earn 4x MBNA Rewards on restaurant, grocery, digital media purchases, and more. In 2024, we awarded this card as the Best No Annual Fee Points Credit Card.

BONUS
10,000 MBNA Rewards
MINSPEND
$500
NET VALUE
$100+
ANNUAL FEE
$0
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY

This card earns 4 MBNA Rewards points for all eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, memberships, and household utility purchases. This 4x multiplier is available for up to $10,000 in purchases per category, per calendar year.

Since MBNA Rewards points can be redeemed for travel at a rate of one cent per point, this works out to a 4% return on all spend in the above categories which is a phenomenal rate of return for a credit card with no annual fee. This is unmatched by any other points earning credit card with no annual fee in Canada, and it is highly recommended to add this card to your wallet if you are looking to still collect miles and points on a budget.

Not to mention, MBNA Rewards points will soon be transferable to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan at a rate of 1:1 if redemptions like Japan Airlines Business Class or Qatar Airways QSuites are more up your alley. No matter the redemption, this card can be a valuable asset for your miles and points journey while not breaking the bank on fees.

Best Balance Transfer Credit Card: CIBC Select Visa Card

The CIBC Select Visa card has been awarded “Best Balance Transfer Credit Card” for 2024.

CIBC Select Visa Card

The CIBC Select Visa card is a low annual fee credit card with low purchase and cash interest rates, and a promotional balance transfer rate of 0% for 10 months (1% transfer fee). Consequently, we selected this card as the Best Balance Transfer Credit Card of 2024.

BONUS
0 None
MINSPEND
$0
NET VALUE
$0+
ANNUAL FEE
$29 (FYF)
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY

Balance transfers can be a useful tool for reconsolidating or reorganizing debt, and this is particularly the case with promotional balance transfer rates which can be as low as 0% for a short period of 6-12 months. 

The CIBC Select Visa card is arguably the best balance transfer card in Canada today, offering a promotional 0% interest rate for 10 months with only a 1% transfer fee. This offer is only available at the time of applying and imposes a limit of 50% of your approved credit limit.  The card comes with a $29 annual fee but this is rebated for the first year.

Alternatively, if you already have a CIBC credit card, CIBC offers targeted transfer promotions. You may receive one of these offers in your online portal or while on the phone with customer service, perhaps while doing a product change. The rates can vary but are commonly 0% APR for 10 months with a 1-2% transfer fee, making them competitive with the CIBC Select Visa offer as well.

As mentioned, CIBC’s policy is typically to only offer 50% of the credit limit as a transfer (the so-called ‘cash limit’), however, there are data points of people being allowed to do the full limit when requesting over the phone. 

Runner Up: Scotiabank Value Visa Card

Scotiabank Value Visa Card

The Scotiabank Value Visa card is a low interest rate credit card with a purchase and cash interest rate of 12.99%, and an introductory balance transfer rate of 0% for the first 10 months (1% transfer fee applies).

BONUS
0 None
MINSPEND
$0
NET VALUE
$0+
ANNUAL FEE
$29 (FYF)
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY
Oct 31, 2024

In close second place with an almost identical promotional offer is the Scotiabank Value Visa card, with an introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 10 months and a 1% transfer fee. Likewise, the card’s $29 annual fee is waived for the first year.

Best Secured Credit Card: Neo Secured Credit Card

The Neo Secured Credit Card has been awarded “Best Secured Credit Card” for 2024.

Apply Now Learn More Earn $30 in FlyerFunds upon approval.
Neo Secured Credit

The Neo Financial Secured credit card earns up to 5% cashback at partner retailers, a minimum of 0.5% across all purchases, has no annual fees, and is guaranteed approval with only a $50 minimum deposit. In 2024, we selected this card as the Best Secured Credit Card.

Check out our Neo Secured Credit Card review for more details.

BONUS
$25 cash back
MINSPEND
$0
NET VALUE
$25+
ANNUAL FEE
$0
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY

The Neo Secured Credit Card stands out amongst the secured credit card market in Canada due to having no annual fee, a low minimum security deposit of $50, and most importantly, a cash back rewards program:

  • Average 5% cash back at partner retailers
  • 1% cashback on gas and groceries
  • Minimum of 0.5% cash back across all other purchases

This card is ideal for individuals looking to build or repair credit in Canada, while still earning a return on spending. Do note that the card solely reports to TransUnion and not Equifax. This could pose potential challenges when transitioning to unsecured credit cards, depending on which bureau future lenders rely on.

The card also offers a premium upgrade option for $4.99 per month which comes with increased cash back earning rates in some categories, enhanced credit score monitoring, and some insurance benefits. Learn more about this option on Neo’s website. Check out our Neo Secured Credit Card review for everything you need to know about this card.

Conclusion

Year-over-year, the credit card market in Canada only continues to improve and consumers have many choices when it comes to choosing the right credit card for their wallet. We are thrilled to be able to award what we consider the best credit cards in Canada and hope that you are able to find the best credit card that meets your personal financial needs and goals within this list.

Josh Bandura

Josh Bandura

Co-Founder at Frugal Flyer
Josh has been involved in the miles and points game since 2015 but has scaled up his knowledge and points earning potential in recent years. With a consistent attitude of "min-maxing" in many aspects of his life, Josh has transferred this mindset over to the miles and points game. Always looking for the next big opportunity, he aims to share content on a variety of topics including his travels, miles and points, and most importantly, how to get the most out of your credit cards
Reed Sutton

Reed Sutton

Founder at Frugal Flyer
Reed is addicted to the art of earning and redeeming travel points, and frequently pairs his trips with his other hobby: photography. Through Frugal Flyer, Reed aims to distill some of the complex and esoteric points strategies into digestible information. Furthermore, he hopes to use his technical expertise to develop invaluable applications and tools for the travel community.

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