Updated February 2026
Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada
Earn points for flights, hotels, and more
Travel credit cards help you earn free flights, hotel stays, and travel experiences faster. The best cards offer accelerated earning on travel purchases, valuable welcome bonuses, and perks like airport lounge access and travel insurance.
We've evaluated dozens of cards to bring you the top picks in this category. Our recommendations are based on reward rates, fees, welcome bonuses, and overall value for Canadian consumers.
Top Travel Credit Cards in Canada for 2026
Scotiabank
Scotiabank Gold American Express
Annual Fee
$120
Welcome Bonus
$450
Base Rate
1%
Network
amex
Earn up to 6 points per $1 at Sobeys, 5 on dining/groceries. No foreign transaction fees. Comprehensive travel insurance.
American Express
American Express Cobalt Card
Annual Fee
$192
Welcome Bonus
$150
Base Rate
1%
Network
amex
Earn 5x points on food and drinks, 3x on streaming, 2x on transit and gas. Transfer points to Aeroplan for maximum value.
Rogers Bank
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Annual Fee
Free
Base Rate
1.5%
Network
mastercard
Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, 2% for Rogers/Fido/Shaw customers, and 3% on USD purchases. No annual fee with World Elite benefits.
Annual Fee
$139
Welcome Bonus
$1,350
Base Rate
1%
Network
visa
Earn 1.5 Aeroplan points on gas, groceries, and Air Canada. Free checked bags for you and 8 companions.
Scotiabank
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
Annual Fee
$150
Welcome Bonus
$1,500
Base Rate
1%
Network
visa
Six free airport lounge visits per year. No foreign transaction fees. Comprehensive travel insurance.
American Express
American Express Aeroplan Reserve
Annual Fee
$599
Welcome Bonus
$1,700
Base Rate
1.25%
Network
amex
Premium Aeroplan card with unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access. Annual companion voucher. Priority boarding and free bags.
National Bank
National Bank World Elite Mastercard
Annual Fee
$150
Welcome Bonus
$150
Base Rate
1%
Network
mastercard
Best travel insurance in Canada with 60-day emergency medical coverage. Unlimited Montreal lounge access.
Annual Fee
$399
Welcome Bonus
$1,500
Base Rate
1.25%
Network
visa
Unlimited emergency medical coverage. Six airport lounge passes. Premium concierge service.
Annual Fee
$120
Welcome Bonus
$750
Base Rate
1%
Network
visa
Flexible travel rewards with points worth up to 2.3 cents. $1500 mobile device insurance. Transfer points to partners.
American Express
Marriott Bonvoy American Express
Annual Fee
$120
Welcome Bonus
$1,300
Base Rate
2%
Network
amex
Earn 5 points per $1 at Marriott properties. Free night stay annually. Silver Elite status included.
Annual Fee
$120
Welcome Bonus
$200
Base Rate
1%
Network
mastercard
Earn 5 points per $1 on restaurants, groceries, digital media, utilities. 10% annual birthday bonus.
Annual Fee
$120
Welcome Bonus
$500
Base Rate
1.5%
Network
visa
Earn 3 points per $1 on travel, dining, and entertainment. Redeem for any travel expense with no blackouts.
Annual Fee
$139
Welcome Bonus
$450
Base Rate
1%
Network
visa
Flexible travel redemption with no blackout dates. First year annual fee rebated. Comprehensive travel insurance.
American Express
American Express Green Card
Annual Fee
Free
Welcome Bonus
$100
Base Rate
1%
Network
amex
Earn 1 point per $1 on all purchases, 2x on hotel and car bookings. Transfer points 1:1 to Aeroplan.
✈️ Tips for Choosing the Right Card
- ✓Match your spending: Choose a card that rewards the categories where you spend most.
- ✓Consider the annual fee: Higher fees often mean better rewards—make sure you'll earn enough to justify the cost.
- ✓Check welcome bonuses: Sign-up offers can be worth hundreds of dollars in the first year.
- ✓Read the fine print: Look for category caps, minimum spend requirements, and redemption restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which card is best for me?
Look at your monthly spending patterns. If you spend $500+ on groceries, a card with 5% grocery rewards will earn you $300+/year. Compare that against the annual fee to see your net benefit.
Can I have multiple credit cards?
Yes! Many Canadians use 2-3 cards strategically—one for groceries, one for dining, one for everything else. Just ensure you can manage payments and keep utilization low.
Will applying hurt my credit score?
Each application causes a small, temporary dip (usually 5-10 points). This recovers within a few months. Avoid applying for multiple cards in a short period.