td travel visa foreign transaction fee

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TD First Class SM Visa ® Signature Credit Card

Travel rewards – Earn triple miles on travel and dining

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Read complete terms and conditions for details about APRs, fees, eligible purchases, balance transfers and program details.

Offer details, rates, fees and terms

Bonus miles offer.

Earn up to 25,000 bonus miles within the first 6 billing cycles of account opening, which equals a $250 statement credit towards travel or dining purchases

Bonus miles will be reflected on your credit card statement 6 to 8 weeks after a qualified first purchase and/or 6 to 8 weeks after $3,000 in total net purchases made within the first 6 billing cycles of your credit card account opening date. This offer is non-transferable. This online offer is not available if you open an account in response to a different offer that you may receive from us. This online offer is not available if you open an account in response to a different offer that you may receive from us.

Rewards details

3X First Class miles on travel and dining purchases , including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and dining, from fast food to fine dining

1X First Class miles on all other purchases – no categories or gimmicks and earn points that never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.

Rates and fees

Need more information?

Take a look at our terms and conditions or personal cardmember agreement .

Earn unlimited points with every purchase, and triple the miles on travel

See how many miles you can earn from travel and other purchases.

Redeem your First Class miles for a statement credit toward travel and dining purchases >

To earn and redeem points, your account must be open and in good standing.

Credit Card FAQs

Manage your card, security you can count on.

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Get the service you need, when you need it. Log in to your account or talk to a TD Bank representative 24/7 at 1-877-468-3178.

Redeem your rewards

Visit the td first class rewards site >.

TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card review

Welcome Offer Ends Jun 3, 2024

Earn up to $800 in value†, including up to 100,000 TD Rewards Points† and no Annual Fee for the first year†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.

• Rates & Fees

8 Points Earn 8 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend through ExpediaForTD†

6 Points Earn 6 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurants.†

4 Points Earn 4 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments.†

2 Points Earn 2 TD Rewards points for every $1 you spend using your card.†

10% Bonus Points Each year, received a birthday bonus equal to 10% of the total number of points earned over the 12 preceding months.†

$100 Get an annual TD Travel Credit when you book at Expedia For TD†

USD The annual fee is in USD

$139 Annual Fee Annual fee is in USD. First additional cardholder is $50, subsequent cardholders are $0.

20.99% Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†

22.99% Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†

22.99% Balance Transfer Rate APR for balance transfers 22.99%†

Good Recommended Credit Score

$60,000 Required Annual Personal Income

$100,000 Required Annual Household Income

By Money.ca & Scott Birke

Updated: March 27, 2024

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This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.

The TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card stands out among travel credit cards for its nice welcome bonus, strong rewards rate on all purchases, and particularly massive earn rate for purchases via through Expedia® For TD†. It also offers substantial long-term value for those who have a TD All-Inclusive Banking Plan, as that membership rebates the card’s annual fees for the primary cardholder and an Authorized User.

Unfortunately the card leaves a bit to be desired due to its relative lack of auxiliary travel features. This could underwhelm some travelers but may be forgivable for those who are just focused on getting as many free flights and hotel nights as possible.

Pros and Cons of the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card

Major combined value for the welcome bonus (up to $800†)

Good base earn rate on all purchases

Huge earn rate when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†

Very flexible redemption options

$100 TD Travel Credit†

Visa Infinite Benefits

Great savings on annual fees for accountholders of TD’s All-Inclusive Banking Plan

Does not provide free lounge access

Charges foreign transaction fees

Welcome bonus

Earn up to $800 in value † , including up to 100,000 TD Rewards Points, no Annual Fee for the first year † and additional travel benefits. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.

• Earn a welcome Bonus of 20,000 TD Rewards Points when you make your first Purchase with your Card † .
• Earn 80,000 TD Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 within 180 days of Account opening † .
• Earn a Birthday Bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points † .
• Get an annual TD Travel Credit † of $100 when you book at Expedia ®  For TD.
• Get an Annual Fee Rebate for the first year † .

To receive the first-year annual fee rebate, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening. To receive the first Additional Cardholder first-year annual fee rebate, you must add your first Additional Cardholder by June 4, 2024.

Earning TD Points

• Earn 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†
• Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on Groceries and Restaurants†
• Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on regularly recurring bill payments set up on your Account†
• Earn 2 TD Rewards Points For every $1 you spend on other purchases made using your card†

Points don’t expire as long as your account is active, and the card has no caps on the total amount of TD Points that can be earned.

Redeeming TD Points

Though there are a number of redemption options with TD Points, you get the best value when redeeming for travel via one of two methods:

Book Any Way†

The Book Any Way† redemption path allows you to charge eligible travel expenses to your credit card and then retroactively redeem your points for those expenses within 90 days of the expense date. Travel expenses may include but are not limited to:

• Air travel taxes
• Baggage fees
• Airport parking and shuttles
• Car rentals
• Local commuter transport, like trains, buses or subways
• Travel attractions and entertainment

Each point redeemed via Book Any Way† is worth $0.004 for the first $1,200 of any redemption and $0.005 for the remainder of any redemption above $1,200.

Expedia® For TD

Points can alternatively be redeemed† for flights, hotels, vacation packages and rental cars via ExpediaForTD.com. Redeeming with this method yields a flat value of $0.005 per point. The site will indicate the dollar value of the TD points you have on hand, and then you apply those points to your travel purchase when checking out.

Aside from the high value in earning and redeeming† rewards via ExpediaForTD.com, the platform also provides a nice price guarantee feature: If you find a cheaper Flight + Hotel package within 24 hours of booking or a cheaper hotel rate up to 48 hours before check-in, Expedia will refund the difference between what you paid and the lower rate you found.

Other redemption paths

TD Points can also be redeemed for the following, though the value you get per point tends to be lower than what you get for the above two travel redemption methods.

• Amazon’s Shop with Points†: Select your TD card  as your method of payment at Amazon.ca checkout , then automatically apply points toward your purchase. 10K TD Points can be redeemed for $33 (value of $0.0033 per point) and can be redeemed for Amazon.ca purchases either in part or in full.
• TD’s Shop the Mall†: Redeem points for clothing, electronics and computers from retailers like Roots, Zara, and the Body Shop.
• TD’s Shop the Catalogue†: Redeem points for merchandise including clothing, games, furniture, and appliances.
• Gift cards† at retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Canadian Tire, and more.
• Cash statement credit† for your TD card account. This requires a minimum 10K points to redeem. The first 10,000-point minimum is worth $0.005 per point and then each additional 400 points is worth $1 (0.0025 per point).
• Education credit† via HigherEdPoints.com. Credits must be purchased in minimum 62,500 points/$250 credit increments, for a redemption value of $0.004 per point.

Insurance and protections

The card’s suite of travel insurance, car rental insurance, and purchase coverage is adequate, though not the best in the field for its price point.

Compared to competing Canadian travel credit cards with a comparable annual fee, some notable weaknesses in the above suite of travel insurance include the relatively brief coverage periods of Travel Medical Insurance†; low-ish maximums for Trip Cancellation payouts†. A comparative strength of the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card is its Trip Interruption coverage†, which is very generous.

You can check out our  guide to credit card travel insurance  to learn more about the different types of coverage listed above, and to review other Canadian travel credit cards that might have stronger travel insurance benefits.

Fees, rates and eligibility requirements

The card’s $60,000 individual and $100,000 household annual income requirements are reasonable for a travel credit card with rewards earn rates at this level, as are the $139 annual fee for the primary cardholder and $50 annual fee for each additional authorized user. Other fees and interest rates are also standard, with a 20.99% purchase interest rate; 22.99% balance transfer rate; 22.99% cash advance rate; and 2.5% foreign transaction fee.

One very unusual card benefit is the possibility of getting both the primary cardholder’s $139 annual fee and an additional authorized user’s $50 annual fee fully rebated every year.† This feature is available to new cardholders who are also members of TD’s All-Inclusive Banking Plan. It’s rare for Canadian banks to really reward clients that  bundle together  multiple products, and it’s an incentive that other financial institutions might do well to take note of.

How does it compare to competing travel cards?

When compared to  competing travel credit cards  with comparable annual fees, the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card strengths and weaknesses are clear:

Its sign-up bonus eclipses the competition, which gives it an immediate punch of value. It’s also something of a no-brainer card for those who have TD’s All-Inclusive Banking Plan, as the annual fee rebate† effectively makes the card free to use year after year.

It’s less ideal for those who are unlikely to spend a significant amount at through Expedia® For TD. The foreign transaction fees, lack of free airport lounge access and middling travel insurance package might ultimately make it a better card for those who do a significant amount of domestic travel; those who frequently find themselves overseas might consider a different travel credit card with more globetrotter-friendly perks, such as:

Scotiabank Gold American Express® card

No foreign transaction fees, earns 6X Scene points for each $1 CAD on all eligible purchases at Sobeys and eligible grocers¹, 5X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on other eligible groceries and 3X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on gas, and has an all-encompassing travel insurance package.

BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®*

Includes complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass,* with four annual complimentary passes. That’s a ~$128 USD value that renews every year*. Plus the up to 60,000-point sign-up bonus* and first year annual fee waiver* is still competitive with the TD card’s sign-up bonus.

*Terms and conditions apply

Drawback: There are increased earn rates but you earn only 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else where they do not apply.* You can learn more about this card by reading our complete  BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®* review .

What is the difference between TD Points and TD Rewards Points?

There is no meaningful difference beyond the different names.

Do I need to notify TD when travelling?

Most banks, including TD, no longer require international travel notifications, though TD does continue to monitor its clients’ credit card activity whether they are inside or outside Canada.

What is Expedia for TD?

Expedia® For TD is a partnership between Toronto-Dominion Bank and the online travel agency Expedia. Booking travel with Expedia® For TD yields the best value possible for your TD Points, though it is a less flexible and more limited redemption method than the Book Any Way† method.

About our authors: faces of finance

The Money.ca Editorial Team is a group of passionate financial experts, seasoned journalists, and content creators who are deeply committed to providing unbiased, relevant, and accurate financial information. With years of combined industry experience, our team is dedicated to maintaining the highest journalistic standards and delivering informative and engaging content. From personal finance and investing to retirement planning and business finance, we cover a broad range of topics to suit the financial needs of our diverse readership. You can trust the Money.ca Editorial Team to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make wise financial decisions.

These articles do not include bylines, as they are intended to provide information about the company or have been written by an internal team at Money.ca, rather than stories by individual writers or contributors. Bylines are used for all other articles.

Scott Birke is a finance editor and writer with an interest in credit cards, investing, saving money and personal finance. Scott joined Wise Publishing from Finder, and his byline has appeared in the National Post, Mountain Life and Rock and Ice. When he's not trying to help Money.ca readers save money by comparing better financial products, he can be found riding his snowboard or mountain bike or listening to his small (but growing) vinyl collection.

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• $139 annual fee – First year free
• Earn 20,000 TD Rewards points after your first purchase
• 80,000 additional points when you spend $5,000 in the first 180 days
• Annual $100 travel credit (accommodations & vacation packages)
• Birthday bonus of up to 10,000 points
• Earn 8 points per $1 spent when you book on Expedia for TD
• Earn 6 points per $1 spent on groceries and dining
• Earn 4 points per $1 spent on recurring bills
• Earn 3 per $1 spent on all other purchases

Welcome bonus and earn rate

The TD First Class Visa Infinite Card is one of TD’s most popular cards. The welcome bonus is typically quite generous and hovers between 80,000 – 145,000 TD Rewards points. The welcome bonus is comparable to cards on my list of the best travel credit cards in Canada .

As for the earn rate, you’ll get 8 points per dollar spent on Expedia for TD purchases. 6 points per dollar spent on groceries and dining. 4 points per dollar spend on recurring bills and 3 points on all other purchases.

To give you some perspective, when using TD Rewards points on Expedia for TD purchases, 1 point is worth $0.50. That means the base earn rate gets you 1.5% back in travel rewards, which is quite good.

Although the card has an annual fee of $139, it’s usually waived for the first year. You can also get the annual fee waived every year if you have a TD All-inclusive bank account. 

Benefits and perks

If you’re reading my TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card review, then you’ll want to know about all the benefits. What’s interesting is that this card recently had an update and now comes with some pretty fun perks.

$100 annual travel credit

When you book accommodations or vacation packages on Expedia for TD worth at least $500, you’ll get a $100 credit back on your credit card. This is a pretty unique benefit that puts money back in your pocket, but it does not apply to all travel categories. In addition, this benefit only applies to individual bookings and is not cumulative.

10% birthday bonus

One unique perk is the birthday bonus worth up to 10,000 TD Rewards points. To earn this bonus, TD will give you 10% of the points you’ve earned in the year leading up to your birthday. Welcome bonuses don’t count. For example, if you earned 93,000 TD Rewards points in the year leading up to your birthday, you’d earn 9,300 extra TD Rewards points on your birthday.

Save on rental cars

Cardholders get at least 10% off the base rate when renting vehicles in Canada and the U.S at Avis or Budget and paying with your TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card. If you’re travelling internationally, you’ll save at least 5% at participating locations.

Travel insurance

• Travel medical – $2,000,000 for 21 days / 4 days if you’re 65 or older
• Trip cancellation – up to $1,500 per person / $5,000 total
• Trip interruption – up to $5,000 per person / $25,000 total
• Flight/trip delay insurance – $500 per person – 4 hours
• Delayed and lost baggage – up to $1,000 / 6 hours
• Auto rental collision/loss damage – 48 consecutive days / $65,000
• Hotel/motel burglary insurance – $2,500
• Common carrier travel accident – $500,000

The travel insurance included is competitive and comparable to my list of the best credit cards with travel insurance , but it does lack two major types of travel insurance.

The 21 days of travel medical insurance is pretty good, but like many other credit cards, it only gives 4 days if you’re 65 or older. You’ll obviously need more coverage if you fall into that age range.

Note that was this card, you only need to charge 75% of your trip costs for your flight/trip delay and hotel/motel burglary insurance to apply. However, for trip cancellation and auto rental collision, you need to charge 100% of the cost to your card.

Mobile device insurance

Many people aren’t aware that the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card comes with mobile device insurance. When you charge at least 75% of the total device or monthly plan cost to your card, you’ll be insured for up to $1,000. That said, like other mobile device insurance plans, depreciation applies when making a claim. Both cellular phones and tablets count as mobile devices.

Purchase insurance

• Purchase security – 90 days
• Extended warranty – Up to 1 additional year

The purchase security insurance covers your good from theft, loss, and damage for 90 days. With extended warranty, you your warranty doubled up to one additional year.

Visa Infinite benefits

• Concierge service –  The Visa Infinite Concierge is available 24/7 and can help you secure concert tickets, make dinner reservations and more.
• Luxury Hotel Collection – You’ll get exclusive benefits such as resort credits and room upgrades when booking accommodations through the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection.
• Dining Series –  Get access to some culinary events, such as celebrity chef meetups and tasting menus.
• Wine Country program –  Your Visa Infinite Card gets you discounts and free wine tastings at participating wineries in British Columbia, Ontario and Sonoma Valley.
• Entertainment access –  Throughout the year, cardholders get invites and exclusive access to the Toronto International Film Festival.
• Troon Golf –  Troon Rewards Silver Status is given to cardholders. With your status, you’ll get 10% off green fees, merchandise and lessons.

How to redeem your points

TD Rewards allows you to book travel in multiple ways, giving you more options. Given the flexibility, many people love TD Rewards. However, your points will have a different value depending on how you redeem them.

Expedia for TD

Expedia for TD is TD’s main travel redemption option. 200 TD Rewards points get you $1 off Expedia for TD travel bookings. This essentially makes one TD Reward point worth .5 cents. Expedia for TD is nearly identical to Expedia.ca. That means you’ll get access to a large inventory of flights, hotels, car rentals, all-inclusive packages and attraction tickets.

To redeem TD Rewards points on Expedia for TD, you have to log in to TD Rewards and click on the Expedia for TD link. When you’re ready to pay, you’ll be given the option to use your TD Rewards points. Generally, Expedia has very competitive prices.

Booking on your own

TD Rewards points can also be used to offset travel expenses you charge directly to your TD First Class Travel Visa. The redemption rate is 250 points = $1 (or a value of .4 cents per point). That means you get 20% less value than using your points on Expedia for TD. That said, when you make a travel purchase on your own that’s more than $1,200 in value, any amount that’s $1,201 or above would have a redemption value of 200 points for $1.

Even though you get less value by booking on your own, there are a few reasons to consider this option. The first reason is that you are not restricted to what is available on Expedia for TD, so you can use points for bookings on Airbnb or booking.com. The second reason why booking on your own travel is handy is that most hotel chains will require that you book directly with them to enable loyalty membership status and perks.

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card eligibility

• You’re a Canadian citizen, or you’re a permanent resident
• You’re at least the age of majority in the province or territory where you reside
• You have a minimum annual personal gross income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000

As a Visa Infinite card, there are very specific eligibility requirements. Even though there’s no formal credit score requirement listed, you’ll likely need your credit score to be at least 700 to be approved. That’s because a credit score of at least that number would put you in good standing or higher.

How the TD First Class Visa Infinite compares

As a mid-tier travel rewards credit card, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card has a lot of competition. Not only does it compete with other bank credit cards, but there are also airline credit cards worth looking at too.

TD First Class Visa Infinite Card vs. Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is a very popular travel credit card since it gives you get six free annual airport lounge passes and has no foreign transaction fees. The earning rate of this card is similar to what TD offers. The overall insurance package offered by TD is slightly better.

TD First Class Visa Infinite Card vs. American Express Gold Rewards Card

Another great mid-tier travel card is the American Express Gold Rewards Card . Although the card has an annual fee of $250, you get an annual $100 travel credit and a Priority Pass Membership with four free annual Plaza Premium airport lounge passes. What makes this card stand out is the fact that you earn American Express Membership Rewards points. These points can be transferred to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.

TD First Class Visa Infinite Card vs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

If your goal is to travel for less, then the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card should also be considered. With this card, you’ll earn Aeroplan points on all eligible purchases. This is relevant because Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program and one point can easily be worth between 1.5 – 2 cents each. In addition, by having this card, you get your first checked bag free and preferred pricing on Aeroplan redemptions.

Final thoughts

My TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card review is positive. It’s an ideal card for people in the following situations:

• You want to save on travel – TD Rewards points are highly flexible and best used via Expedia for TD.
• You bank with TD – If you have an All-Inclusive Banking Plan, the annual fee is waived for this card.
• You want insurance – The included travel and purchase insurance with this card is excellent.

Although Expedia for TD may not be the best rewards program out there, it’s easy to understand and there are no blackout dates. Plus, the overall insurance package you get with this card is excellent. That said, the earn rate for this card is not as good as other cards out there.

About Barry Choi

Barry Choi is a Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert who frequently makes media appearances. His blog Money We Have is one of Canada’s most trusted sources when it comes to money and travel. You can find him on Twitter: @barrychoi

Hi Barry! Thanks for another great post. I currently use the AMEX cobalt as my everyday card and wanted to get a supplementary card to use when AMEX is not accepted. I currently have an All-Inclusive banking plan with TD, which would waive the annual fee for the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card & the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card. Which one would you recommend between the two?

Hey Sylvia.

It sort of depends on your goals. If you got the TD Aeroplan VI card, you could pool the points with your Cobalt since those points can be converted to Aeroplan. The TDFCTVI is good if need to make non-Aeroplan bookings such as car rentals or hotel bookings.

You state the following: “Note that was this card, you only need to charge 75% of your trip costs for your travel insurance to be valid.” However, my review of the wording indicates that under Trip Cancellation, you must charge the full cost of your trip to the card to get coverage. This is under the definition of Covered Trip.

You’re right. the 75% only applies to hotel/motel burglary and trip delay.

Calculating rewards with the new and improved TD First Class Travel makes it a good competitor to the Aeroplan card. I feel like it’s hard to get a good value with Aeroplan (2 cpp). More than often international travel gives around 1.4 cpp making the First Class card more valuable (if booking something via Expedia to get the $100 credit that is. Am I missing something? Would the Aventura or RBC Avion otherwise be better?

Hey Philippe,

I haven’t had too much trouble finding Aeroplan value between 1.8 – 2 CPP. Then again, I booked most of my travel before there was crazy demand.

Aventura and Avion both have a fixed travel program where you can get a higher CPP, but I personally find Aeroplan to be more valuable. I typically try to collect American Express Membership Rewards points and then transfer them to whatever program gives me good value when I need to make a redemption.

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TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card Review for 2024

Last Updated on January 21, 2024

Written by Enoch Omololu

Snappy Rates is reader-supported. This means if you click on some of our links, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the objectivity of our evaluations. Read our disclosure .

If the topic is about the best travel credit cards in Canada , the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card won’t be missed.

It’s ideal for travellers who often book their tickets through Expedia and want generous TD Reward Points for their daily purchases. 

This TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card review goes over the card’s main benefits and disadvantages, as well as its point redeeming and application processes.

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card – Summary

Td first class travel visa infinite card.

Rewards : Earn up to 9 TD Points for every $1 spent.

Interest rates: 19.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.

Annual fee: $120

Recommended credit score:

Good to Excellent

On TD’s website

• Earn 9 TD Points for every $1 spent on travel purchases through Expedia for TD.
• Earn 3 TD Points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• No limits to how many points you can earn. Points don’t expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
• Redeem points for travel at ExpediaForTD.com, purchases at Amazon.ca, statement credits, and more.
• Earn 50% more Stars at participating Starbucks.
• Comprehensive travel insurance includes travel medical, trip cancellation/interruption, common carrier travel accident, and delayed and lost baggage insurance.
• Receive a discount on an annual Priority Pass membership.
• Auto rental collision/loss damage insurance, along with purchase security and extended warranty protection, are included.
• Get savings of up to 10% off at Avis and Budget car rental locations.
• A minimum personal income of $60,000 or household income of $150,000 is required to apply.

Earn unlimited TD Points on everyday purchases

Flexible points redemption options

Comprehensive travel insurance

High income requirement

No travel benefits besides insurance

$120 annual fee

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is a top choice if you want to earn points that can be flexibly redeemed for travel, cash back, and more. There’s no limit to the number of points that you can earn.

Benefits Of The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

Below are the top TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card benefits.

Earn TD Rewards Points

This credit card offers generous TD Reward Points for your travel and everyday purchases.

When booking through Expedia, you can earn 8 TD Rewards Points per dollar you spend.

For other spending categories, use the table below to know how many Rewards Points you can earn.

Note: Each year, only the first $25,000 you spend on recurring bill payments, as well as grocery and restaurant purchases, will earn TD Rewards Points at their original rate. However, there is no limit on the amount of TD Rewards Points you can earn on all other purchases.

Birthday Bonus

On your birthday, your Travel Visa Infinite Account will receive bonus Rewards Points equal to 10% of the total points you’ve accumulated for the past 12 months. The maximum birthday bonus you can get is 10,000 TD Rewards Points.

Travel-Exclusive Benefits And Insurance 

As a travel rewards card, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card offers many travel-exclusive benefits. The most notable ones are listed below.

Receive up to $2 million in medical insurance during the first 3 weeks of travel away from your territory or province of residence. Seniors 65 years old and older only get 4-day coverage.

Receive up to $500 trip/delay insurance per person if the trip or flight you booked through the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card is delayed for over 4 hours.

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card car rental insurance gives you insurance coverage for unexpected collisions or loss damage to the cars you rent for a maximum of 48 continuous days.

Visa-Infinite Benefits

As part of Visa Infinite cards, this TD credit card allows you to enjoy various Visa Infinite benefits, including access to exclusive gourmet events, luxury hotel benefits, and Toronto International Film Festival offers.

Top-level Security

TD prioritizes your security. Hence, when using TD Rewards credit cards, you’ll get extensive purchase security, extended warranty protection, and instant fraud alerts on your mobile phone.

You’ll also receive up to $1,000 insurance coverage for your mobile device and up to $2,500 in case of a motel/hotel burglary.

Downsides Of The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

Despite being one of the best credit cards for travel rewards, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card has several downsides.

High-income requirement: To have this credit card, you must have a personal annual income of at least $60,000 or an annual household income of $100,000 or more.

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card foreign transaction fee: Unlike many other best travel credit cards in Canada, this TD card doesn’t waive your foreign transaction fees.

A $139 annual fee: This credit card isn’t the most budget-friendly with its $130 annual fee.

How To Apply For The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

Canadian residents over the provincial age of majority can apply for this card as long as they have at least $60,000 annual personal income or at least $100,000 annual household income. Having a valid and working email address is also mandatory.

You may apply for this card online , via phone, or by visiting a local branch.

How To Redeem TD Points

The TD Rewards program allows you to earn Rewards Points whenever you make eligible purchases. You may then redeem your accumulated points in multiple ways, giving you flexibility and options.

Some of the most common ways to redeem TD points are redeeming:

• For gift cards
• At popular retailers like Amazon or Starbucks
• For a cash credit to reduce your TD credit card balance

Travellers also have the choice to redeem their Rewards Points through the Expedia for TD platform, which allows you to seamlessly use your points to pay for a portion or the entirety of your online travel purchases on Expedia.

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card Alternatives

If you’re open to other credit card options, you may want to consider the alternatives below.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

Rewards : Earn up to 3x Scene+ points on groceries, dining, and entertainment.

Welcome offer : Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year (up to $400 towards travel).

Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances

Annual fee: $150

Very Good to Excellent

On Scotiabank’s website

• Earn 3 Scene+ points for every $1 spent on groceries at participating retailers like Safeway, Sobeys, Foodland, and FreshCo (up to $50,000 annually).
• Earn 2 Scene+ points for every $1 spent on dining, other eligible grocery stores, and daily transit (up to $50,000 annually).
• Earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Redeem Scene+ points for virtually anything, including travel, merchandise, dining, groceries, statement credits, and more.
• No foreign transac tion fees are charged on purchases outside of Canada.
• 6 complimentary airport lounge passes per year.
• Book and redeem travel through Scene+ Travel.
• Get a complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership, which includes complimentary upgrades and discounts of up to 25% off.
• Visa Infinite benefits, like a 24/7 concierge service and guaranteed best hotel rates, are included.
• Insurance includes: travel emergency medical, trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, delayed or lost baggage, travel accident, hotel/motel burglary, and rental car collision/loss damage insurance.
• Purchase security and extended warranty protection are included.
• A minimum income requirement of $60,000 personal or $100,000 household is required to be eligible.

No foreign transaction fees

6 free airport lounge visits per year

Flexible redemption options for Scene+ points

$50,000 spend cap on the 3x and 2x categories

High income requirement of $60,000 or $100,000

High annual fee

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is your travel companion wrapped up into a credit card. For a $150 annual fee, you don’t pay FX fees, get 6 complimentary airport lounge visits per year, an Avis Preferred Plus membership, various travel insurance benefits, and more on top of earning and redeeming Scene+ points.

Tangerine World Mastercard

Rewards : Earn 2% unlimited cash back in up to 3 spending categories of your choice, plus 0.50% on all other purchases.

Welcome offer : Get 15% cash back on up to $1,000 in the first 2 months ($150 value).

Interest rates: 19.95% for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.

Annual fee: $0

Fair to Excellent

On Tangerine’s website

• Earn 2% cash back on up to 3 spending categories of your choice with no limits.
• Earn unlimited 0.5% cash back on all other purchases outside those categories.
• Cash back is earned daily and paid out monthly.
• Promotional balance transfer interest rate of 1.95% for 6 months.
• Stay connected to over 1 million wifi hotspots with Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard.
• Receive a complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass.
• Access on-demand and subscription services as a Tangerine Cardholder.
• $1,000 mobile device insurance and rental car collision/loss damage insurance are included.
• Purchase assurance and extended warranty benefits are included.
• No annual fee.
• Track and categorize your spending with the Tangerine mobile app.
• To be eligible, you must make a minimum of $60,000 personal or $100,000 household annual income.

Earn 2% cash back in up to 3 categories

No annual fee

Includes Mastercard travel benefits and mobile device insurance

High income requirement needed to qualify

No physical bank branches

No travel insurance included

The Tangerine World Mastercard requires a higher annual income but comes with more travel benefits and insurance coverage than the Money-Back Credit Card. The Mastercard Travel Rewards, Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard, and Mastercard Travel Pass make it worth applying for.

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

Rewards : Earn up to 6x Scene+ points for every $1 spent.

Welcome offer : Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year, plus the first year annual fee waived.

Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.

• Earn 6 Scene+ points for every $1 spent at Sobeys, FreshCo, Safeway, Foodland, and other participating grocery stores.
• Earn 5 Scene+ points for every $1 spent on dining, food delivery, other grocery stores, and at Cineplex theatres and Cineplex.com.
• Earn 3 Scene+ points for every $1 spent on daily transit, gas, and select streaming services.
• Earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on everything else.
• Accelerated earn rates (6, 5, and 3 Scene+ points for every $1 spent) are capped at $50,000 annually.
• Redeem Scene+ points at participating grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment purchases, movie tickets, statement credits, and more.
• Pay no FX fees when travelling abroad.
• Access Amex Invites, Offers, and Front of the Line perks.
• Get a discount on the Priority Pass Membership.
• Access complimentary concierge services 24/7.
• Travel insurance includes: travel emergency medical, trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, delayed or lost baggage, travel accident, hotel/motel burglary, and rental car collision/loss damage insurance.
• New mobile device insurance up to $1,000 is included.
• Purchase security and extended warranty benefits are included.
• Each supplementary card costs $29 yearly.
• Minimum credit limit: $5,000.
• The minimum personal income requirement is $12,000 per year.

High earn rate on groceries, dining, and Cineplex purchases

Comprehensive travel insurance included

Earn rates on most categories are capped at $50,000 per year

$120 annual fee + $29 for supplementary cardholders

$12,000 minimum personal income requirement

For a moderate $120 annual fee, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers a high earning potential in categories like dining, groceries, and entertainment. It has a flexible redemption program and comprehensive travel insurance, plus no FX fees.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

Rewards : Earn 5 points per $1 spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Interest rates: 19.99% for purchases, 21.99% for cash advances.

On American Express’s website

• Earn 5x Marriott Bonvoy points on all eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
• Earn 2x Marriott Bonvoy points on all other purchases.
• Existing Marriott Bonvoy members earn points twice when using this card.
• Redeem points for free hotel stays at over 30 hotel brands with no blackout dates.
• Transfer points to frequent flyer miles at various airlines.
• Receive one free hotel stay per year.
• Enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.
• After spending $30,000 or paying for 10 hotel stays per year in combination with 15 Elite Credits, automatically upgrade to Gold Elite status.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each year to attain the next level of Marriott Bonvoy status.
• Refer your friends and get up to 150,000 bonus points each year.
• Travel coverage includes flight delay, baggage delay, hotel burglary, lost or stolen baggage, and $500,000 travel accident insurance.
• Car rental damage and theft insurance are also included.
• Shop confidently with buyer’s assurance and purchase protection plans.
• Access American Express Experiences and Events.
• No minimum income is required to apply.

Earn 5x the points on Marriott Bonvoy hotels with no limits

Complimentary Silver Elite status that can be upgraded

Points can only be redeemed at Marriott Bonvoy hotels

Only 1 free hotel night per year

You must spend $30,000 to upgrade to Gold Elite status

For a $120 annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card comes with many travel perks and insurance benefits. This is the perfect card for those loyal to the Marriott Bonvoy program, as you earn an unlimited 5 points for every $1 spent at participating hotels.

American Express Cobalt Card

Rewards : Earn up to 5x Membership Rewards points on purchases.

Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases, 21.99% for cash advances.

Annual fee: $155.88 ($12.99 paid monthly)

On American Express’ website

• Earn 5x the points on eligible restaurants and food delivery in Canada (up to $30,000 annually).
• Earn 3x the points on streaming subscriptions in Canada.
• Earn 2x the points on travel and transit purchases.
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases.
• Earn 1 additional point on eligible car rental and hotel bookings through Amex Travel Online.
• Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, Amazon.ca purchases, gift cards, or statement credits.
• You can optionally transfer your points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and loyalty programs.
• New mobile device insurance is included.
• Receive regular perks with the Cobalt Perks program.
• Get one $100 USD hotel credit to use plus a one-category room upgrade when staying at eligible hotels.
• Out-of-province/country emergency medical, flight delay, baggage delay, hotel burglary, lost or stolen baggage, car rental theft and damage, and $250,000 travel accident insurance are included.
• Stay connected with American Express Front of the Line presales and reserved tickets, as well as American Express Experiences.
• No minimum income requirement.

High rewards rate on food and streaming subscriptions

Redeem your points for almost anything or transfer 1:1

Various travel insurance and shopping coverage included

$12.99 monthly fee

$30,000 annual spend cap on the 5x earn category

American Express isn’t accepted at some retailers

The American Express Cobalt Card offers high earn rates on restaurants, food delivery, and select streaming subscriptions in Canada. Points can be redeemed for almost anything, and it includes comprehensive travel and shopping coverage as well as a $100 USD annual hotel credit.

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card: Conclusion

Overall, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite card stands out as a top-tier option not only among TD rewards credit cards but also compared to other banks’ offerings.

Despite the $139 annual fee, this card’s extensive range of benefits, tailored specifically for travellers, make it a worthwhile investment for optimizing travel experiences, safety, and Reward Points.

 TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card vs Alternative Cards

• CIBC Select Visa Card Review
• SimplyCash Card from American Express Review
• How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt
• Best Credit Cards to Build Your Credit

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Free prepaid card with up to 5% cashback. No credit check & $20 bonus when you deposit $50 and complete first purchase.

Earn average of 5% unlimited cashback. No annual fees and $25 bonus.

Get a $100 cashback bonus in the first 2 months. No annual fee credit card.

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Enoch Omololu

Enoch Omololu is a personal finance expert. He has a master’s degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School (Scotland) and has completed several courses and certificates in finance, including the Canadian Securities Course. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and has written about money matters for over a decade. He has been featured or quoted in The Globe and Mail, CBC News, Yahoo Finance, GO Banking Rates, Financial Post, Bankrate, Forbes, Toronto Star, CTV News, and other personal finance publications. He founded Savvy New Canadians, one of Canada’s top financial education platforms.

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TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.

NerdWallet Rating

NerdWallet CA

Best for travellers who fly Air Canada and want to earn points on groceries and gas.

Frequent fliers with big grocery bills or multi-vehicle households will be able to make the most of this travel rewards credit card. Learn more about how we evaluate cards .

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is a travel rewards credit card that earns Aeroplan points from Air Canada’s loyalty program. Cardholders earn one Aeroplan point per dollar spent, with accelerated earning rates on eligible grocery stores, gas stations and Air Canada purchases.

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

• Annual Fee $139
• Interest Rates 20.99% / 22.99% 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.
• Rewards Rate 1x-1.5x Points Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®) made with your card. Earn 1 point† for every $1 spent on all other Purchases made with your Card.
• Intro Offer Up to 50,000 Points Earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points†: Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card†. Earn 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $6,000 within 180 days of Account opening†. Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $10,000 within 12 months of Account opening†. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.
• Earn up to $1,200 in value†, including up to 50,000 Aeroplan points† (enough for a round trip to New York City†), and additional travel benefits. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.
• Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card†.
• Earn 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $6,000 within 180 days of Account opening†.
• Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $10,000 within 12 months of Account opening†.
• Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®) made with your card.
• Earn 1 point† for every $1 spent on all other Purchases made with your Card.
• Earn points twice when you pay with your Card and provide your Aeroplan number at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and at 170+ online retailers via the Aeroplan eStore (www.aeroplan.com/estore).
• Interest Rates: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
• Earn big rewards on the little things: Earn 50% more Aeroplan Points and 50% more Stars at participating Starbucks® stores. Simply link your TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card to your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions apply.
• Your Aeroplan Points do not expire as long as you are a TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Cardholder in good standing.
• Travel lightly through the airport and save on baggage fees†: Primary Cardholders, Additional Cardholders, and travel companions (up to eight) travelling on the same reservation will all enjoy their first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lbs) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
• Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge†: On-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Visa Infinite Concierge can help with any Cardholder request — big or small, to help you get the most out of life whenever you travel, shop and use your Card.
• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection†: Receive seven exclusive benefits when you book your stay through the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection featuring over 900 of the world’s most intriguing properties.
• Travel Medical Insurance†: Up to $2 million of coverage for the first 21 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first 4 days of your trip. Additional top-up coverage is available.
• Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance†: For Trip Cancellation coverage of up to $1,500 per insured person, with a maximum of $5,000 for all insured persons, and for Trip Interruption coverage of up to $5,000 per insured person, with a maximum of $25,000 for all insured persons on the same covered trip.
• To be eligible, a $60,000 annual personal income or $100,000 household annual income is required. You must also be a Canadian resident and be the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
• †Terms and conditions apply.
• This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
• The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button.
• Full review
• Customer ratings
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• How to apply

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card vs TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

• Rating methodology

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card full review

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is one of four TD Bank credit cards that earn Aeroplan points. You can redeem your points for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, merchandise, gift cards and more.

Benefits of the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

• Robust travel insurance offerings. 
• One free checked bag per person on Air Canada flights. 
• NEXUS fee rebates of up to $100 every 48 months. 
• Access to the Visa Infinite program, which offers a 24/7 concierge and gourmet food and wine event opportunities, and more.

Drawbacks of the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

• Annual fee for average perks. While this card’s $139 annual fee is on par with other rewards cards, it’s possible to get a credit card without a yearly fee . 
• Minimum annual income requirements, which may exclude some applicants.
• No airport lounge access. 

Who should get the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card?

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite earns Aeroplan points and offers its highest earn rate on groceries, gas and Air Canada purchases. With that in mind, frequent fliers with big grocery bills or multi-vehicle households will be able to make the most of this credit card’s travel rewards program.

Is TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card worth it?

Whether the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is worth it comes down to your spending habits. One Aeroplan point has an average value of 2.23 cents, according to NerdWallet’s analysis. So, you’d need to earn at least 6,233 Aeroplan points to recoup the card’s annual fee of $139.

TD Bank customer ratings

• Low in customer satisfaction: TD Canada Trust ranks 10th out of 13 in J.D. Power’s 2023 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study [1] .
• Low Trustpilot rating: TD Bank scored 1.3 out of 5 possible stars based on over 2,100 customer reviews, as of this writing.
• Low Better Business Bureau customer rating: TD Bank scored 1.1 out of 5 possible stars based on over 280 customer reviews, as of this writing. 

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card eligibility

Who qualifies for the td aeroplan visa infinite card.

You must be a Canadian resident and at least the age of majority for your province or territory to be eligible for the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card. You’ll also need to meet the following income requirements:

• A minimum annual income of $60,000 for an individual, or; 
• $100,000 for a household.

Approximate credit score needed for approval

Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores , which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. However, higher scores generally mean better chances of approval, and that’s true regardless of the type of credit you’re applying for. Want to learn more? Visit our “ What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card? ” page.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card rewards

Earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points. Conditions apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.

• Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with the card. 
• Earn 20,000 points when you spend $6,000 within 180 days of account opening. 
• Earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 20,000 points when you spend $10,000 within 12 months of account opening.
• 1.5 points for every $1 spent on groceries, gas and Air Canada purchases, like flights.
• 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Twice the points when you use the card at eligible retailers and provide your Aeroplan number. 
• 50% more points at Starbucks when you link your card to a Starbucks account.  

According to NerdWallet analysis, the average value of 1 Aeroplan point is 2.23 cents. So, the 50,000 Aeroplan points may be worth a little under $1,115 on average, depending on how the points are redeemed.

A quick caveat: You don’t receive any bonus points until you start spending with the card. You’ll earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase; 20,000 points when you spend $6,000 within 180 days of account opening; plus, an anniversary bonus of 20,000 points when you spend $10,000 within 12 months of account opening.

You also get NEXUS application fee rebates of up to $100 every 48 months with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite.

And, you (plus up to eight companions) get one complimentary checked bag per traveller on Air Canada flights, which could save you upwards of $60 on an economy round trip ticket across Canada, the US and the Caribbean. Plus, the travel insurance that comes with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite could be worth thousands, should you ever need to put it to use.

Point value breakdown

NerdWallet searched more than 75 flights in 2021 and 2022 to determine the average value for Air Canada flights. Based on our analysis, the average value of 1 Aeroplan point is worth 2.23 cents.

More specifically, you can expect to get around:

• 1.69 cents in value per Aeroplan point for economy class awards on Air Canada, and
• 2.81 cents in value per Aeroplan point for business class awards on Air Canada flights.

How to apply for the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

You can complete the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card application from TD Bank’s website:

• Select the Apply Online button from the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card’s page on TD Bank’s website.
• Select your province of residence.
• Review the card’s terms and conditions and select I Agree to continue.
• Enter your personal details, including your full name, date of birth, phone number, email address and residential address.
• Tell TD Bank about your employment status.
• Tell TD Bank about your finances, including your annual personal income, household income, residential status and mortgage or rent payments.
• Review the information you’ve submitted and select your preferred credit limit.
• Add personal information for any additional cardholders you’d like to add to the account.
• Review the card’s insurance coverage and terms and conditions.
• Submit your application.

Both of these travel cards earn rewards, but their rewards programs differ.

Reasons you might want a different card

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card has plenty to offer, but it may not be the right choice for you if:

• You don’t want a credit card with an annual fee.
• You don’t travel with Air Canada very often.
• You don’t meet the minimum income requirements.
• You want airport lounge access or other travel perks the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card doesn’t offer.
• You’d prefer to earn a different reward, like cash back.

If you bank with TD and are looking for a credit card, you can review the credit card types, rewards and perks that come with other TD Bank credit cards. If you are specifically interested in a travel card that includes lounge access, you can review NerdWallet’s list of the best credit cards that offer lounge access .

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card facts

Rating methodology.

NerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.

Frequently asked questions about TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

No, there is currently no airport lounge access with this card.

Visa Infinite Privilege cards tend to come with more perks and higher rewards earn rates than Visa Infinite cards. But with those benefits comes steeper annual fees and income requirements.

Interested in a Visa Infinite Privilege card? Check out our full review of the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege for more information.

Article Sources

• J.D. Power , “ J.D. Power 2023 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study ,” accessed October 12, 2023.

About the Authors

Shannon Terrell is a lead writer and spokesperson for NerdWallet, where she writes about credit cards and personal finance. Previously, she was a writer, editor and video host for financial…

Georgia Rose is a lead writer on the international team at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Independent and The Associated…

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How to Choose a Travel Credit Card

With so many cards, rewards programs and benefits available, choosing the right travel credit card can be overwhelming. However, once you’ve got one in your wallet, you can reap the rewards on your next trip.

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• TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite Card

TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite Card review

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Am I eligible?

To get this card, you must also:.

Note: This information is only intended as a guide. The final decision is up to the bank and your application could still be rejected even if you can answer 'Yes' to all the minimum criteria above. Always consider your options and your financial situation before you apply for a credit card.

What the Critics Are Saying...

The TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card is a decent travel card. It’s easy to earn and redeem points and the suite of travel insurance is a huge perk. However, it has the best value for those who like to book their travel via Expedia. If you prefer to book directly with hotels or airlines or... - Hannah Logan, Courtney Reilly-Larke, Forbes

The TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card stands out among travel credit cards for its nice welcome bonus, strong rewards rate on all purchases, and particularly massive earn rate for purchases via through Expedia® For TD. It also offers substantial long-term value for those who have a TD All-I... - Money.ca

This card makes good in its promise to earn points on the little things. If you want to travel and don’t want to use Aeroplan, this travel card is a good choice. If you are interested in Amazon purchases and love your Starbucks, this is the only card for you. - Stefani Balinsky, Hardbacon

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is a popular travel rewards credit card that is popular with TD and non-TD customers alike. Its overhaul in 2022 help the card regain some traction as a strong option in our very competitive credit card market. By having accelerated earn rates coupled wit... - Rewards Canada

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is a personal credit card targeted toward high-income earners in Canada. With the best reward points available when you book travel via Expedia for TD, the card is an excellent option for folks who like traveling. The card also has comprehensive travel insura... - Victor, Yore Oyster

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The best no foreign transaction fee credit cards in Canada for 2024

If you’re a frequent traveller or online shopper, you could save a lot of money by using a no FX fee card on your next trip.

No foreign transaction fees, plus airport lounge access (with 6 annual passes). Get $25 gift card upon approval with Ratehub.ca.

No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and earn 1% cash back on all Canadian purchases.

No forex fees, and earn 5x the points on groceries and dining in Canada. Get an $80 gift card upon approval with Ratehub.ca.

MoneySense is an award-winning magazine, helping Canadians navigate money matters since 1999. Our editorial team of trained journalists works closely with leading personal finance experts in Canada. To help you find the best financial products, we compare the offerings from over 12 major institutions, including banks, credit unions and card issuers.  Learn more about our advertising and trusted partners .

By Keph Senett and Winston Sih on April 15, 2024 Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Canadians love travel and shopping, but when using their credit cards outside of Canada, many pay foreign transaction fees—as much as 2.5%—on every purchase. The good news is there’s a good selection of credit cards for Canadians that either offer no foreign transaction fees or reward with more than enough cash back to cover the fees.

Best no forex cards with no annual fee

At a glance: The Home Trust Preferred Visa is a true no-foreign-exchange-fee card that also charges no annual fee. This means it waives the forex on purchases in all foreign currencies, not just U.S. dollars.

Home Trust Preferred Visa

• Annual fee: $0
• Earn rates: 1% on all purchases in Canada and pay no FX fees on foreign currency purchases
• Welcome offer: You can earn 1% cashback on eligible purchases in Canada, with no caps on cashback earn.
• Annual income requirement: None
• Recommended credit score for approval: 660 or higher
• Interest rates: 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances
• This is the no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card available in Canada that doesn’t charge an annual fee.
• Earn 1% cash back on everything you buy in Canadian dollars with no limits on how much you can earn.
• Like most no-fee cards, it comes with basic perks like zero liability policy insurance and purchase security insurance
• You won’t earn any cash back on purchases made abroad in a non-Canadian currency, which is a slight drawback but remember: you also won’t pay foreign transaction fees which means you’ll still end up saving a considerable to 2.5% when using this card abroad versus most other cards.
• Cash back is only redeemed once annually in January (as opposed to anytime of the year).

At a glance:  With much higher earn rates than most no-fee cards, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard actually nets you cash back on purchases in U.S. dollars. However, demanding personal income levels and spending requirements make this card inaccessible to some applicants.

Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard

• Annual fee:  $0
• Earn rate:  1.5% cash back on all purchases, or 2% back for Rogers, Fido and Shaw customers; 3% cash back on all purchases in U SD
• Welcome bonus: You can This card does not have a welcome bonus at this time.
• Annual income requirement:  Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000
• Recommended credit score for approval: 725 or higher
• Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
• This card earns a minimum of 1.5% cash back on everything you buy, an impressive rate more often seen in cards which charge an annual fee.
• The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard earns an accelerated 3% cash back on purchases made in U.S. dollars, which offsets the roughly 2.5% foreign transaction fee, making this an ideal card for snowbirds or anyone who regularly travels to the United States.
• You can redeem your cash back rewards anytime, in increments of $10, using the Rogers app.
• Despite being a no-fee card, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard gives you benefits like rental car collision damage coverage and travel insurance.
• Unlike “true” no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards which help you save on all non-Canadian currency purchases, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard will only help you avoid foreign transaction fees on purchases made in U.S. dollars.
• A glaring drawback of this card is that you must charge at least $15,000 in purchases on the card every 12 months or you are automatically downgraded to the entry-level Rogers Platinum Card that earns a less impressive 1% cash back on everything.
• You’ll need an income of at least $80,000 per year (or $150,000 per household) to qualify for the card—the highest income requirement on our ranking of best no foreign transaction fee credit cards.

Best no forex cards for rewards and perks

At a glance: As the first card from one of Canada’s big banks to waive its foreign transaction fees, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite offers strong rewards, an easy-to-understand and flexible rewards system, and seriously impressive airport lounge benefits.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

• Annual fee: $150 (waived for the first year)
• Earn rate : 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys stores; 2 points per $1 on groceries, dining, entertainment and transit; 1 point per $1 on everything else. Plus, pay no FX fees
• Welcome offer: earn up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived. Offer ends July 1, 2024.
• Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
• Point value: 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, store purchases and food and drink at Cineplex and Scene partners
• Recommended credit score   for approval : 700 or higher
• The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is the only no-forex-fee card in Canada to also offer airport lounge access . With this card, you’ll receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership with six free airport lounge visits per year; that’s the most lounge passes available on a card with an annual fee below $200.
• Redeeming Scene+ points for travel rewards is intuitive and as easy as cash back in your wallet. There are no complicated travel charts or maps (1,000 points is always worth $10 in travel savings wherever you travel).
• Scotia’s Scene+ points are extremely flexible. You can redeem points using Scotia’s travel agency or apply points on any travel purchase from virtually any airline or hotel provider up to 12 months later (even for travel purchases booked through Google Travel and Airbnb).
• The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite rewards high-volume spenders. Every year that you charge $40,000 or more, you’ll earn an additional 10,000 bonus points ($100 value toward travel).
• This card offers a full range of travel insurance benefits including travel emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance and more.
• While the Scotiabank Passport offers considerable perks, its annual fee is $150, which is among the highest on this list.
• Perks aside, the card’s rewards on everyday purchases in Canada—1 or 2 points per $1 on most purchases—isn’t all that impressive for a premium annual-fee card, even when compared to other Scotiabank credit cards on this list.
• You’ll need to earn an income of at least $60,000 (or $100,000 as a household) to qualify.

At a glance: The Scotiabank Gold American Express has an impressive everyday earn rate, especially on food and transit. Combined with its lack of foreign transaction fees, this card is not just one of the best no-forex-fee cards but one of the best overall rewards cards in Canada.

Scotiabank Gold American Express

• Annual fee: $120 (waived for the first year)
• Earn rates: 6 points per $1 spent at Sobeys-affiliated stores; 5 points per $1 on dining, entertainment and groceries; 3 points per $1 on gas, transit and streaming; 1 point per $1 on everything else
• Welcome offer: You can earn up to $650 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points. Must apply by July 1, 2024.
• Annual income requirement: $12,000
• This credit card’s earn rate is seriously impressive, with an outstanding 5 points on groceries and dining, and 6 points when you shop at Sobeys-affiliated stores.
• Scene+ points are flexible, easy to use and good for up to 12 months after you make a travel purchase, which means you can book when you want and reap the rewards later.
• Redeem for travel in easy increments of 1,000 points (valued at $10). There are no complicated rules or exceptions to manage, and you will get the same value no matter where you go.
• Scotia’s definition of travel is extremely broad so you can redeem for purchases even at Uber, UberEats and Airbnb.
• The Scotiabank Gold American Express offers a full range of travel insurance benefits, including travel emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance and more.
• This card comes with Amex Experience perks. Amex grants early access to presale tickets to a wide range of events (including concerts and sports events), while Amex Offers get you additional discounts and savings on a rotating roster of retailers.
• The card’s minimum income requirement is $12,000, making it accessible to most Canadians.
• While American Express is accepted at thousands of locations across Canada, there are some notable exceptions. For example, Loblaws doesn’t accept Amex and you might not be able to use this card at some smaller independent shops, groceries, convenience stores and restaurants. Depending on where you’re travelling, Amex acceptance may be even more limited.
• When you buy in a foreign currency, you only earn points at the base rate. This means, for example, that if you buy groceries in a foreign currency, the foreign-transaction fee will be waived but you will only earn 1 point per $1 spent rather than the 5 points usually offered in the grocery category for purchases in a Canadian currency.

At a glance:  This is a competitive mid-tier credit card with a below-average annual fee, offering impressive travel insurance and bonus points on non-Canadian purchases which will help you save on foreign transaction fees. 

Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards 

• Annual fee: $99 (waived for the first year)
• Earn rate: 1.5 points per dollar; 3 points per dollar on purchases made in foreign currencies
• Welcome offer: Earn 6 points per $2 spent on purchases made outside Canada in foreign currencies, and 3 points per $2 on all other purchases.
• Points value: 1 point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel
• Interest rates: 19.50% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances
• The 3 points per $1 earn rate on foreign purchases means you’ll net roughly 0.5% back on anything in a non-Canadian currency (after offsetting foreign transaction fees).
• The strong base rate of 1.5% on Canadian purchases means you’ll earn an above-average return on all purchases, regardless of the category.
• The annual fee for the Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards card is only $99, which is less than many comparable cards on this list with no foreign transaction fees.
• The travel coverage on the Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards card is outstanding and includes up to $5,000,000 in emergency travel coverage for up to 48 days, which manages to beat out travel coverage offered by even the best travel credit cards.
• While many credit card travel insurance benefits only apply to those 65 and older, the emergency travel insurance coverage on the Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards credit card applies to those up to 75 years old.
• This card offers no bonus categories, so it may not be the best rewards structure for those who spend big in common categories like groceries, gas or recurring bills.
• Rewards points can’t be used to offset the cost of airline taxes or surcharges.
• The income requirement makes it out of reach for some Canadians.

At a glance: Attention Amazon shoppers—which means, listen up to pretty much everyone. The Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard is a no-fee retailer credit card. So if you are a Prime member and order from amazon.ca, you can earn 2.5% for Amazon rewards points using the card.

Amazon Rewards Mastercard

• Annual fee: $0 (Prime subscription required for full card benefits)
• Earn rate: Prime members earn 2.5% on Amazon.ca and foreign currency transactions. Non-Prime members earn 1.5% back on Amazon.ca. Get 1% everywhere else
• Welcome offer: 5% back at Amazon.ca, Whole Foods Market stores for 6 months up to $3,000 in eligible purchases (for a value of $150)
• Income requirement: None specified
• Points value: Rewards come in the form of points which can be redeemed for Amazon.ca gift cards (1 point is worth 1% cash back savings off Amazon purchases)
• If you’re an Amazon Prime Member, any foreign currency purchase made with the Amazon.ca Mastercard will earn you 2.5% in Amazon points (which effectively acts to offset the foreign transaction fee).
• Amazon points are extremely easy to understand: 1% in Amazon.ca rewards points is 1 cent that can be used towards an Amazon gift card.
• Regular Amazon shoppers can earn lucrative savings with 2.5% savings on Amazon.ca (if you’re a Prime Member) and 1% on all other Canadian purchases.
• While technically a no annual fee credit card, the boosted  2.5% earn rate on foreign purchases is available exclusively to cardholders who also have a Prime membership ($99 year). If you’re not a Prime Member, you’re out of luck and have to pay the annual fee.
• Non-Prime members will also earn fewer rewards on Amazon.ca purchase (1.5% versus the 2.5% afforded to Prime members).
• As a retail card, naturally you’re restricted to redeeming rewards only on Amazon purchases by redeeming for Amazon.ca gift cards.

Best no forex fee credit card alternative

At a glance: OK, OK, this isn’t a credit card, but a prepaid debit card. Still, the EQ Bank Card can help you avoid costly fees when you’re withdrawing or spending money in a foreign currency by waiving all foreign exchange fees charged by EQ (transactions are still subject to Mastercard’s currency conversion rate). This is a great back-up card for those purchases where credit cards aren’t accepted.

EQ Bank Card

• Annual fee: None
• Earn rate: 0.5% cash back on all your spending
• Welcome offer: This card does not currently have a welcome offer.

This is a prepaid Mastercard, not a credit card. You will be using your own cash.

• Recommended credit score for approval : No credit check required
• Interest rates: None
• As a pre-paid Mastercard (but can be used like credit card), your essentially pay with the money you already put on the card. So this card is ideal those Canadians who want to avoid using credit and better manage debt.
• You can use the card to take out cash from a foreign ATM without the withdrawal fees seen on credit cards.
• Pay no fees, including foreign exchange.
• You’ll earn 0.5% cash back on your international purchases, as well as on any spends in Canadian dollars, too.
• EQ Bank is an online bank, which means you can’t visit brick and mortar branches for in-person support, though support is available online.
• To access your cash, you have to preload the card by transferring funds from your savings account. You’ll be fine as long as you plan ahead and remember to do this.

How we determine the best cards

The MoneySense editorial team selects the best credit cards by assessing the value they provide to Canadians across various categories. Our best no foreign transaction fee credit cards ranking is based on an extensive list of card details and features—with a focus on those that matter to international travellers and shoppers—including foreign transaction fees, annual fees, interest rates, welcome offers, rewards earn rates and redemption options, annual income requirements, and perks such as insurance coverage and purchase protection. We have also considered the pros and cons of each card to help you determine which ones best suit your financial needs. Our rankings are an unbiased source of information for Canadians. The addition of links from affiliate partners has no bearing on the results. Read more about how MoneySense makes money .

A credit card conversion rate is a surcharge you pay for purchases in a foreign currency. These rates are set by your credit card network such as American Express, Visa and Mastercard. These rates are usually pretty close to market rates, but they’re often better than what you’d get at a currency exchange. You can find the conversion rate for your card in your credit card agreement. 

Should you pay using local currency or converted currency?

Sometimes, you’ll be given the option to pay in a local currency or have the price converted to your home currency. In general, it’s in your financial interest to buy in the local currency, because converting to another currency can incur fees that are tacked onto the purchase price. This is true whether or not you are using a card that charges transaction fees, so in either case, you’ll be saving money by keeping the currency local. 

What if using my no foreign transaction fee credit card isn’t an option while I’m abroad?

Using a no foreign transaction fee credit card is great–until you want to make a purchase from a business that doesn’t accept credit cards. It’s always smart to carry some cash on you just for these occasions, but withdrawing money from an ATM can also come with costly fees. One good solution is to use a debit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, like the EQ Bank Card . Note that while your card might waive the fees, the ATM probably won’t. Also be aware that using a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM incurs the highest fees of all and should be avoided except for emergencies. 

Frequently asked questions

The fee (typically 2.5%) charged by many credit cards for purchases you make in a foreign currency might not seem like much, but it can add up quickly. To be clear: The fee is applied to every purchase made in a currency that’s not Canadian dollars—even when you shop online. For context, that’s $25 in transaction fees for every $1,000 you spend on your card, and you have to pay the exchange rate as well.

The foreign transaction fee is an additional charge added on top of the current exchange rate. Exchange rates are determined by the credit card companies, using the up-to-date value of the Canadian dollar and the value of whichever currency you’re converting to. 

Your foreign transaction fee will vary according to which credit company you choose, so it’s worth it to look into the various options if you’re a frequent traveller or you often find yourself shopping in another currency. Ultimately, choosing a credit card with no foreign transaction fee—or one which offers a rebate on foreign transaction fees—is one of the best ways to save money when shopping in a foreign currency. 

As long as credit cards are widely accepted at your destination, you can avoid taking out large amounts of cash at currency exchange kiosks, airports or ATMs. Plus, purchasing with your card helps you earn rewards on every dollar spent, you get purchase protection and PIN protection, and you can easily cancel your card if it’s stolen while you’re abroad.

More of Canada’s best credit cards :

• Best travel credit cards in Canada
• Best cash back credit cards in Canada
• Best low-interest credit cards in Canada
• Overall best credit cards in Canada
• Best travel insurance credit cards in Canada

Table of contents

• The best cards at a glance
• The best cards in more detail
• About no FX fee cards
• Check out: The best travel credit cards in Canada

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About Keph Senett

Foreign Transaction Fees by Bank

T here's no doubt that traveling abroad can be expensive. Accounting for expenses including airfare, hotel stays, meals and excursions, you'll need to budget and save for a big trip so you don't rack up debt.

In addition to these more obvious expenses, there is another potential cost of international travel you may not be aware of: foreign transaction fees. These fees can add up , so it's important to understand how they work and how to avoid them.

What Fees Can You Be Charged When Traveling Internationally?

There are a few fees you may have to pay when making purchases outside of the U.S. Collectively, they’re considered foreign transaction fees , although specific types of fees are charged in different situations. It's important to know when certain fees apply.

Foreign Transaction Fees

A foreign transaction fee is a charge that your credit card issuer or bank adds to your bill when you use your credit or debit card to make a purchase in a foreign currency. This fee is usually a percentage of the purchase amount and typically around 1% to 3%. For example, if you make a $100 purchase while traveling abroad and your foreign transaction fee is 3%, you'll pay an extra $3, which will show up as a separate line item on your bill.

Foreign transaction fees can apply to all kinds of transactions made abroad, including those at restaurants, hotels and retailers. "You may also incur this fee when making online purchases from companies that are based overseas," says Scott Lieberman, founder of personal finance website TouchdownMoney.com and extensive international traveler.

It's important to note that not all cards impose these fees. Some cards are specifically designed for international travel and don't charge foreign transaction fees.

Dynamic Currency Conversion Fees

Your credit card or debit card issuer, payment network or ATM network may charge this fee for converting one currency to another . It isn't the same as a foreign transaction fee, but your card issuer or bank may roll the dynamic currency conversion fee into the total foreign transaction fee. Typically, a DCC fee is around 1% of the transaction amount.

You have a choice when it comes to paying a DCC fee. Merchants usually aren't allowed to perform a currency conversion without your consent. For example, say you're shopping in London and want to buy a gift for 125 euros, but you aren't sure what that would cost you in U.S. dollars. The merchant may offer to perform a DCC and allow you to pay in your home currency, but you can decline this service and pay in euros to avoid the fee. Depending on your payment method, however, you may still have to pay the foreign transaction fee.

International ATM Fees

There are a few fees to be aware of when withdrawing money from an ATM abroad. You might have to pay a DCC fee to convert the transaction from your home currency to the local currency (or the ATM operator may give you a bad conversion rate). Your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee, even if you're using an in-network ATM. If you're using an ATM that is outside of your bank's network, you may pay an additional out-of-network ATM fee. Finally, the ATM operator could charge you a fee for using its machine.

Banks With No Foreign Transaction Debit Card or ATM Fees

Many credit card issuers offer cards with no foreign transaction fees. Debit cards with no foreign transaction fees are less common, but they do exist.

Foreign Transaction Fees by Bank 

If you're planning to travel internationally, it's a good idea to review your debit cards and determine what types of fees you may incur on foreign transactions.

The following is a look at debit card and ATM foreign transaction fees for many of the largest banks in the country.

The Right Way to Use Your Debit Card Abroad

Lieberman advises against using a debit card for purchases when traveling outside of the U.S. "Try to use cash or a credit card," he says. "Credit cards offer more consumer protections than debit cards."

Even so, there may be instances when you can't avoid using your debit card. In those cases, consider these tips to save money on fees.

• Use a bank that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. Ideally, you have a checking account that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees or it reimburses you for them. If not and you have a big trip coming up, it may be worth opening a new account.
• Use a Global ATM Alliance bank. Some banks, including Barclays, Scotiabank and Bank of America, are part of the Global ATM Alliance, which allows customers to use ATMs of other alliance banks throughout the world without paying out-of-network fees.
• Withdraw larger amounts less frequently. If your bank charges a flat fee to use a foreign ATM, consider withdrawing larger amounts of money less frequently rather than making multiple smaller withdrawals.
• Decline currency conversions: When making purchases with your debit card or withdrawing from an ATM abroad, you may be asked if you want the transaction to be converted into your home currency. It's typically best to decline, as the exchange rate provided by your bank will usually be better.

Austin Cole contributed to the reporting for this article.

Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report

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TD First Class SM  Visa Signature® Credit Card

Earn 25,000 bonus miles  when you spend $3,000 within the first 6 billing cycles 1

What you get

Rewards & offer details:

3X First Class miles on travel and dining purchases , including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and dining

1X First Class miles on all other purchases  – miles never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing*

25,000 bonus miles  equals a $250 statement credit towards travel or dining purchases 1

* Read terms and conditions  for important information about APRs, fees, eligible purchases, balance transfers and program details.

Rates and fees for TD First Class Card

Need more information? Take a look at our  terms and conditions  or the  Personal Credit Card Agreement for TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card .

Travel and everyday spending add up to big rewards

Unlock even more of what your card has to offer. Earn unlimited miles for every eligible purchase 2, and 3X miles on travel and dining.

Say you spend $1,500 a month:

• $500 on travel and dining (3X miles)
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That’s 30,000 miles a year –  add the 15,000 and 10,000 bonus miles special offers and that’s 55,000 miles! 3

Redeem your miles for travel, cash, entertainment and more. Start adding up your rewards today.

Services with your TD Credit Card

Digital wallet.

Add your TD cards to your mobile device to simplify your online, in-store and in-app purchases

Contactless Payments

Learn more about the convenience and security of contactless payments

Visa Zero Liability 4

Enjoy Visa security on purchases, plus protection against unauthorized charges

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View your balance, pay your bill and more with Online Banking and the TD Bank app

Important Disclosures

View the Personal Credit Card Agreement for the TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card . View the TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card Application for Cross-Border Clients .

* Read important terms and conditions  for details about APRs, fees, eligible purchases, balance transfers and program details. Balance transfer 0% introductory APR for first 12 billing cycles after account opening. After that, 18.24% variable APR based on your creditworthiness. There is a balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of each transfer, whichever is greater. Eligible purchases do not include purchases of any cash equivalents, money orders, and/or gift cards or reloading of gift cards. Groceries purchased from superstores and/or warehouse clubs may only earn 1 mile for each dollar spent.

1 Bonus miles will be reflected on your credit card statement 6 to 8 weeks after a qualified first purchase and/or 6 to 8 weeks after $3,000 in total net eligible purchases made within the first 6 billing cycles of your credit card account opening date. This offer is non-transferable. This online offer is not available if you open an account in response to a different offer that you may receive from us.

2 To earn and redeem points, your account must be open and in good standing.

3 Potential Cash Back examples are for illustrative purposes only. Actual Cash Back rewards varies by your monthly spending. To calculate these Cash Back rewards, we assumed $500/month spend on travel and dining, and $1,000/month spend on other eligible purchases* resulting in an $18,000 spend/year.

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Best Cash Back Credit Cards With No Annual Fee In Canada For April 2024

Updated: Apr 10, 2024, 9:28am

Cash-back credit cards make tapping your plastic even more tempting, since they turn some of your everyday purchases into cash rewards. They do so by allowing cardholders to earn back a percentage of their eligible credit card spending, either as a deposit into their bank account or as a statement credit.

That all sounds well and good, but some of the best cash-back credit cards have a major catch: They come with an annual fee that ends up eating into your rewards. And while some of these earn enough cash back that they cancel out said fee, spending enough to cover (or even surpass) the fee can be a big commitment—especially if you’re not sure how much you’ll spend each year on the card in question.

If thinking about such a prospect gives you anxiety, there are cash-back cards that have no annual fee —meaning their rewards don’t come with a yearly cost, so it’s pure reward. These cards can be a way to earn cash back without any kind of barrier hindering your earning potential. Here are the best cash back credit cards with no annual fee in Canada.

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Best Cash Back Credit Cards With No Annual Fee in Canada for April 2024

Rogers red world elite® mastercard®, simplycash card from american express, cibc costco mastercard, triangle world elite mastercard, neo standard mastercard, tangerine money-back credit card, tangerine world mastercard, rbc cash back mastercard, simplii financial cash back visa, bmo cashback mastercard, here’s a summary of best cash back credit cards with no annual fee in canada for april 2024, methodology, what is cash back on a credit card, how to choose a no annual fee cash back credit card, how to apply for a cash back credit card with no annual fee, frequently asked questions (faqs).

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TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card

On TD’s Website

Welcome Bonus

Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points†

Regular APR (Purchases) / Regular APR (Cash Advances)

20.99% / 22.99%

American Express Cobalt® Card

On American Express’s Secure Website

Up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points

$155.88 ($12.99 per month)

Regular APR

MBNA True Line Mastercard

On MBNA’s Website

0% interest for 12 months on balance transfers within 90 days of account opening, with a 3% transfer fee

12.99%-19.99%

Best For U.S. Dollar Purchases

Regular APR (Purchases)

Not only do you get flat-rate cash back on all purchases, a great 3% cash back rate on all purchases made in U.S. dollars, airport lounge access and five types of insurance, you get all that for no annual fee.

• No annual fee
• Earn 2% cash back on all purchases if you have one qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw
• Earn 1.5% cash back if you do not have a qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw
• Earn 3% cash back on U.S. dollar purchases
• Complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass provided by Dragon Pass
• Includes some travel insurance coverage
• High income requirements to qualify
• The highest cash-back rate is for U.S. purchases only
• Airport lounge visits cost $32 USD per person, per visit, on top of the complimentary lounge access membership
• 2% unlimited cash back (exclusively for eligible Rogers, Fido or Shaw customers); otherwise, earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on non-U.S. dollar purchases
• 3% unlimited cash back on U.S. dollar purchases
• 5 Roam Like Home days at no cost with an eligible Rogers mobile plan (up to $75 value)
• 50% more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
• Annual income requirements of $80,000 personal and $150,000 household
• Complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass with access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide at a cost of $32 USD per person, per visit
• Included insurance benefits: Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection, Rental Car Collision/Damage, Out-of-Province/Out-of-Country Emergency Medical, Trip Interruption and Trip Cancellation

best for groceries and gas

Up to $100 in statement credits

This card offers a 2% rate on the two areas hardest hit by inflation in Canada: groceries and gas. The icing on the cake is that it comes with no annual fee, a slightly above average 1.25% base rate and even has some other perks like a little travel insurance.

Learn more: Read our SimplyCash Card from American Express Review

• 2% cash back on groceries and gas
• Includes consumer insurance and some travel insurance
• American Express is not accepted at some retailers
• In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a $10 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $300 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to $100 in statement credits in the first 10 months
• Earn accelerated earn rates on eligible gas and grocery purchases
• Earn 2% cash back on eligible gas purchases in Canada, 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually)
• Earn 1.25% cash back on all other eligible purchases
• Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with American Express® Experiences
• Insurance coverage and 24/7 Customer Service
• American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply

best for restaurants and costco

$0 (requires a Costco membership)

If you’re a Costco member, this card racks up cash back as your stock up on winter essentials. With no annual fee (aside from your Costco membership, of course) there’s no commitment and you can reap oversized rewards at this major retailer.

Learn more: Read our CIBC Costco Mastercard Review

• Earns 3% cash back on restaurants and at Costco Gas
• Includes mobile device insurance, purchase security and an extended warranty
• No welcome bonus
• Only offers 1% cash back at Costco (the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card earns 2%, for instance)
• Earns 3% cash back at restaurants and at Costco Gas
• Earns 2% at other gas stations and on Costco.ca
• Earns 1% cash back on all other purchases (including at Costco brick and mortar stores)
• Your rewards could add up to $367.62 a year in rewards value (or $422.58 with Costco purchases), according to Forbes Advisors calculations based on average spending among Canadians
• Comes with valuable mobile device insurance
• Includes purchase security and extended warranty insurance

Best For Roadside Assistance

This card has no annual fee, yet it earns Canadian Tire Money on your spending and offers a Gold Roadside Assistance plan with up to 250 km towing distance in Canada or the U.S, as well as emergency fuel delivery, battery boosts, accident assistance, flat tire changing and lock-out service.

• High cash back rewards at Canadian Tire
• Built-in car rental insurance
• Complimentary roadside assistance
• Only grants cash-back rewards from specific store chains
• Only gives digital Canadian Tire Money as cash-back rewards
• Gives 4% back in Canadian Tire Money on qualifying pre-tax purchases at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s/L’Équipeur, Atmosphere, Party City, Sports Rousseau, Hockey Experts, L’Entrepôt du Hockey, and participating Sports Experts stores
• Gives 3% Canadian Tire money on groceries up to $12,000 per year (does not include Walmart or Costco)
• Gives 0.5% per litre in Canadian Tire money at gas stations and on all other purchases
• Forbes Advisor estimates $327.64 in annual rewards value based on average Canadian spending
• Car rental collision/loss damage waiver insurance
• Extended warranty protection and return protection
• Roadside assistance with up to 250 km towing distance in Canada or the U.S.
• Requires a minimum annual income of $80,000, or $150,000 in household income

best for retail shopping

Welcome bonus

Up to 15% cash back on the first purchase at a Neo retailer

This card’s earn rate and flexibility are impressive, as are its lack of any annual fee and its welcome bonus offer.

Learn more:  Read our Neo Standard Mastercard Review

• Average of 5% unlimited cash back at Neo partners
• The welcome bonus and cash back only applies to Neo partners
• Does not include travel insurance or other perks
• Welcome bonus of up to 15% cash back on your first purchase at a Neo retail partner. The exact amount depends on what the partner is willing to offer
• Average of 5% instant and unlimited cash back at over 10,000 Neo partners
• Forbes Advisor estimates $577.22 in annual cash back based on average Canadian spending

best for customizable cash back

10% cash back ($100 value)

This card is unique in that it allows you to customize where you earn the most cash back. Users can choose two of 10 spending categories that will earn 2% cash back (without limits) and get 0.5% on everything else. If you opt to deposit your cash-back rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account, you get to add a third category that earns 2% cash back as well.

That said, it is a bit sparing when it comes to other perks, but if you meet the income requirements for its high-end counterparts, the Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard, you can get a few more frills, like travel perks, rental car collision loss/damage insurance and mobile device insurance.

Learn more:  Read our Tangerine Money-Back Card Review

• Welcome bonus of 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases in your first two months ($100 value) when you apply by April 30, 2024
• Earns 2% back in two spending categories of your choosing
• Get 2% cash back in a third category when you deposit your savings into a Tangerine Savings Account
• Cash back is unlimited and paid monthly
• Includes extended warranty and purchase protection
• No additional perks, aside from extended warranty and purchase protection
• Welcome bonus of 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases in your first two months ($100 value) when you apply by January 31, 2024
• 2% cash back in two spending categories of your choice, including grocery, furniture, restaurants, hotel or motel stays, gas, recurring bill payments, drug store, home improvement, entertainment, public transportation and parking
• Earn 2% cash back in a third category of your choice when you opt to deposit cash-back rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account
• 0.5% cash back on all other spending with no limit
• Forbes Advisor estimates based on average Canadian spending that you can earn $302.69 in cash back per year by using this card
• Balance transfers made in your first 30 days get a 1.95% interest rate on the transferred balance for six months

best for travel perks

The Tangerine World Mastercard is similar to the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card in that cardholders can choose two of 10 spending categories that will earn 2% cash back (without limits) and get 0.5% on everything else. They can also add a third category if they deposit cash back into a Tangerine Savings Account. The only real difference is that the World Mastercard gets you a few more frills, like travel perks, rental car collision loss/damage insurance and mobile device insurance.

• A customizable rewards program
• No annual spending cap for any categories
• Minimum income requirements
• Mediocre rewards for most purchases
• The welcome bonus offers an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases made within the first two months of owning the card when you apply by April 30, 2024.
• Earn 2% cash back in two spending categories of your choice, including groceries, furniture, restaurants, hotels, gas, recurring bill payments, drug stores, home improvement, entertainment, public transportation and parking
• If you deposit your rewards into a Tangerine Bank savings account, you get a third 2% cash-back spending category
• All other spending categories earn 0.5% cash back
• The card carries an estimated annual net earnings of $302.69 per year based on average Canadian spending
• The card requires an annual minimum income of $60,000 personal, $100,000 in household income or $250,000 or more in Tangerine Bank Savings Accounts or Investment Fund Accounts
• A balance transfer rate of 1.95% for six months
• Credit card balance protection
• Rental car insurance
• Cell phone insurance
• Airport lounge access provided by DragonPass
• Checked baggage insurance

best for groceries

This low-maintenance cash back card earns 2% on groceries and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee.

• Unlimited 1% cash back
• Cash-back rewards only apply to every $100 purchase
• $6,000 cap on 2% earn rate
• 2% cash back for every $100 grocery store purchase (up to $6,000)
• 5% cash back for every $100 on qualifying purchases, up to $6,000 (1% cash back applies after)
• Forbes Advisor estimates a rewards value of $338.51 in annual earnings, based on average Canadian spending, with the annual fee factored in

best for restaurants, bars and coffee shops

Up to 20% cash back† ($100 value)

Interest Rate (Purchases) / Interest Rate (Cash Advances)

20.99% / 22.99%‡

This card gives you great cash back at bars and restaurants with no annual fee.

Learn more:  Read our  Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Review

• 4% cash back at bars and restaurants
• $15,000 in minimum household annual income
• A low selection of insurance options
• Low base rate cash back
• Get 20% cashback in your first 3 months on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments (up to $500 spend)†
• Get a 20.99% interest rate on purchases‡
• Get a 22.99% interest rate on cash advances ‡
• Earn 4% cash back at bars, coffee shops and restaurants up to $5,000 annually, after that 0.5% unlimited†
• Earn 1.5% on eligible gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases, as well as pre-authorized payments up to $15,000 per year, after that 0.5% unlimited†
• Earn 0.5% on all other purchases†
• Purchase security and extended protection insurance are included†
• †Terms and conditions apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.”
• ‡ “Purchase” means any Transaction other than a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer or Convenience Cheque. “Cash” means a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer and Convenience Cheque. Interest rates may change from time to time.

best for balance transfers

5% cash back

A basic no-fee cash back card that offers high returns on groceries and has a competitive welcome bonus and balance transfer offer. It even offers discounts on Cirque du Soleil shows.

• Balance transfer offer of 0.99% for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee
• Flexible redemption options
• No minimum income requirement
• Low spending caps
• 0.5% base earn rate
• Welcome offers of 5% cash back on $2,500 in total purchases for three months and 0.99% interest on balance transfers with a 2% fee for nine months
• 3% cash back at eligible grocery stores (up to $500 monthly)
• 1% cash back on recurring bills (up to $500 monthly)
• 0.5% cash back on every other purchase
• Forbes Advisor estimates a rewards value of $289.24 in annual earnings based on average Canadian spending, with the annual fee factored in
• 15% off Cirque du Soleil shows in Canada and 20% off shows in Las Vegas
• Up to 25% off rentals at National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car participating locations

When determining a rating for individual credit cards, the Forbes Advisor Canada editorial team factors in an exhaustive list of data points. With no-annual-fee cash back, the scoring model used takes into account factors such as, but not limited to, cash-back rates and categories, fees, welcome bonuses, and other rewards and features. Keep in mind, what may be best for some people might not be right for you. Conduct informed research before deciding which cards will best help you achieve your financial goals.

It offers 3% for purchases made in American dollars.

Rewards: Earn unlimited 2% cash back (exclusively for eligible Rogers, Fido or Shaw customers) on non-U.S. dollar purchases, otherwise earn 1.5% unlimited cash back. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on U.S. dollar purchases.

Welcome Offer: N/A

Annual Fee: $0

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: With this card, you get access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, extended warranty and purchase protection on select items, rental car collision/damage insurance, out-of-province/country emergency medical care and trip Interruption and cancellation insurance. A drawback: To qualify, your annual personal income must be over $80,000, or your household income over $150,000.

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This American Express card is the only Canadian card offering 1.25% cash back on everything—and 2% on groceries and gas, up to a limit of $300 per year.

Rewards: Get 2% cash back on gas and groceries up to $300 cash back annually, and 1.25% cash back for everything else with no limit.

Welcome Offer: In your first 10 months with the card, you can earn a $10 statement credit for each monthly billing period when you spend $300 on your card, which could add up to a total of $100.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The card’s benefits include $100,000 travel accident insurance, automatic extended warranty on select purchases made with the card, 24/7 customer service, a fraud protection guarantee and emergency card replacement. One drawback is that American Express still isn’t as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard .

Related: SimplyCash Card from American Express Review

This card earns you 3% cash back at restaurants and Costco gas stations, 2% at other gas stations and when you shop at Costco.ca and 1% everywhere else.

Rewards: Earn 3% cash back when you dine out at selected restaurants and fill-up at Costco gas stations on the first $5,000 net annual card purchases. You’ll earn 2% at other gas stations and Costco.ca until you hit $8,000 in purchases when it will revert back to the base rate of 1% on all other purchases.

Welcome Offer: None.

Annual Fee:  $0

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card offers up to $1,000 in repair or replacement coverage for your phone for up to two years, as well as purchase security and extended warranty insurance for some new items purchased with your card.

Related: CIBC Costco Mastercard Review

This card gives you 4% back in Canadian Tire (CT) Money on select items at a range of retailers beyond CT, five to seven cents  per  litre in CT Money on fuel, and 3% back in CT Money when you buy groceries.

Rewards: Earn 4% cash back in CT Money on select items at retailers including Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s and Party City. Also, earn five to seven cents when you pump gas, 3% at grocery stores on the first $12,000 you spend per year (excluding Costco and Walmart) and 1% in CT Money everywhere else.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: With this card, you get roadside assistance , purchase security, extended warranty and rental car insurance . But the cash-back earnings are in CT Money, making this only a card for those who frequent the home improvement store.

This card earns you up to 15% cash back on the first purchase from a Neo retail partner, then an average of 5% cash back at Neo partner locations.

Rewards: Collect an average of 5% cash back when shopping at Neo partner locations and an extra 0.5% cash back when you meet a minimum spending requirement (until you reach $50 in earnings).

Welcome Offer: Earn up to 15% cash back on the first purchase from a Neo retail partner.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: With this card, you can choose one or multiple rewards packages for boosted cash back and app subscriptions, but it doesn’t come with any basic insurance or other benefits.

Related: Neo Standard Mastercard Review

This card offers unlimited 2% cash back in two or three purchase categories of your choice and 0.50% cash back on all eligible everyday purchases.

Rewards: Get unlimited 2% cash back in up to three categories of your choice (like groceries , gas and entertainment) and 0.50% cash back on all everyday purchases. Plus, get extra rewards when your earnings are deposited into your Tangerine Savings Account.

Welcome Offer: Receive an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 worth of everyday purchases made in the first two months of owning the card.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: While this card is unique, in that it allows you to choose your cash back categories, it does not offer any additional perks like travel insurance .

Related: Tangerine Money-Back Card Review

Like the above card, this one offers unlimited 2% cash back in two or three categories of your choice and 0.50% cash back on all everyday purchases with a few Mastercard network benefits thrown in.

Rewards: Get unlimited 2% cash back in up to three categories of your choice (like groceries, gas and entertainment) and 0.50% cash back on eligible everyday purchases. Plus, get extra rewards when your cash-back earnings are deposited into your Tangerine Savings Account.

Welcome Offer: Be rewarded with an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 worth of everyday purchases made in the first two months of owning the card.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Unlike Tangerine’s Money-Back Card, this one offers rewards when travelling outside Canada, access to select airport lounges for a fee and special offers for on-demand and subscription services. However, to apply, your annual personal income must be $80,000 or $150,000 per household.

Collect up to 2% cash back on groceries and unlimited 1% cash back on everything else.

Rewards: Earn 2% cash back on every $100 you spend at grocery stores, up to a maximum reward of $120 per year or $6.000 in annual spend. After that spend threshold is crossed, get 1% cash back per $100 spent on in-store grocery purchases with no spending limit. Also earn an unlimited 0.5% cash back on all purchases other than those at the grocery store, including recurring bill payments, until a maximum of $6,000 net purchases is made for a maximum reward of $30 per year., After the $6,000 limit is reached on all purchases outside of groceries, earn an unlimited 1% on all non-grocery purchases after that.

Welcome Offer: None

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Get  purchase security, extended warranty protection and special discounts and offers at Petro-Canada, Rexall and DoorDash for no annual fee. However, the low earn rates on this card and restrictive $6,000 spending limits on those rates ensure you won’t be earning a lucrative cash back return with this card.

This card earns a whopping 4% cash back at restaurants, bars and cafes—making it a great card for any foodie to have in their wallet.

Rewards: Earn 1.5% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments for an annual cash-back earnings maximum of $150.

Welcome Offer: Be rewarded with 20% cash back on eligible gas, groceries and drugstore purchases and any pre-authorized payments, during your first three months, up to a $500 spend ($100 value).

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Get purchase security and extended protection insurance with this card, but you can only cash in cash back at the end of the year, when it’s automatically applied to your December statement.

Related: Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Review

The BMO CashBack Mastercard is an ideal choice for individuals that spend less than $500 on groceries and recurring bills every month.

Rewards: 3% cash back on groceries, 1% on monthly bills and 0.5% on other eligible purchases.

Welcome Offer: 5% cash back for the first three months and 0.99% interest on balance transfers for the first nine months.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card offers a pretty high earn rate on groceries—a major spending category. It also has a competitive balance transfer offer. That said, it has low spending caps and has little to offer in the way of other perks.

Some credit cards offer cash-back rewards, meaning cardholders can receive a small percentage of their purchases back in cash. For instance, if your card offers 4% cash back on groceries, and you spend $100 at the grocery store, you’d receive $4 in cash back. The cards act as a way to help you to “save” a little on everyday spending, while helping to pay off your credit card bill or fund your bank account (depending on how you redeem it).

Typically, cardholders can redeem their cash back earnings for a cash deposit in their bank account or a credit towards their monthly bill.In some instances, you can only redeem cash back once per year and it’s applied to your credit card statement automatically. Often, if you redeem as you go, you’ll have to earn a certain amount of cash back to redeem (like a $25 minimum) but some cash-back cards allow you to redeem smaller amounts.

Typically, cash back credit cards have a base earn rate—usually 0.5% to 1%—that applies across all eligible purchases.Often, they’ll allow you to earn more cash back—typically 1% to 4—in select purchase categories, like gas, groceries, restaurants or recurring bills. Some cards have a cap on how much of your spending is eligible. For example, you may get 2% cash back on gas transactions when you spend $500 or less filling up your tank each month, but after that, you’ll only earn the 1% base rate on gas purchases.

How Does Cash Back on a Credit Card Work?

Every time you use your cash back credit card, you earn back a percentage of your spending in cash, which accumulates in your cardholder account. You can typically see how much you’ve accumulated on your online bank account or mobile banking app. Some purchases you make will earn you a higher percentage of cash back rewards than others, depending on the card you have. It’s worth noting that your card may require you to accumulate a minimum amount of cash back before cashing in on the rewards. Once eligible to collect, you can get your rewards deposited into your bank account or credited towards your next monthly bill. You may also be able to get the cash back on a gift card.

What Does No Annual Fee on a Cash Back Credit Card Mean?

Some credit cards charge you an annual fee, which could be as low as $25 or over $500. With a no-annual-fee cash-back card, that fee doesn’t exist—but there may be other fees to consider. Foreign transaction fees, interest charges, balance transfer fees, and cash advance fees are all common with credit cards. Read your card agreement carefully to learn the details about fees so you can avoid those fees when possible.

Why Do Some Cash Back Credit Cards Have an Annual Fee?

Cash back credit cards that have an annual fee typically offer higher rewards rates, more attractive welcome bonuses , and/or other perks. Before selecting a card with an annual fee, carefully evaluate if its extra benefits justify the additional cost. If they don’t, there are many cash-back credit cards that don’t come with an annual fee that also offer fair rewards and perks.

Not every cash-back credit card with no annual fee is perfect for everyone. Since each card offers different perks based on purchasing habits, you’ll need to consider your lifestyle and find the credit card that best compliments it.

Forbes Advisor simply highlights the key facts about each credit card to make it easier for you to compare them and find the best one for you. It’s up to you to do the math and consider which one makes the most sense based on your spending history and plans. Here’s what you should consider:

• Fees: Do you often do balance transfers? Make purchases outside of Canada? You may want to consider a card with low balance transfer and FX fees .
• Annual percentage rate (APR): Will you be paying off your credit card in full every month? Credit card interest rates are often higher than other loans. The best card for you may be one with a low interest introductory APR offer.
• Earn rate: Do you drive a lot? Like to dine out? Consider yourself a frequent flyer? Choose a card that’ll give you the greatest percentage back in those areas.
• Bonus categories: If a card offers 5% on rotating categories (meaning you can swap out the categories from which you get a large percentage of cash back) but you don’t want to keep track of them, it’s probably not the card for you.
• Redemption and rewards: Is it easy to redeem your cash back? Is there a minimum or maximum redemption amount? Make sure you can get your rewards in the way that is ideal for you.
• Other perks: Does the card offer other perks you could benefit from? Some offer rental car insurance, built-in travel insurance, extended warranties and more that could help save you money.

Once you’ve read through all of the card details, found out how much you spend in different categories, and considered the bonus features that could be beneficial to you, you’re better equipped to make a well-informed decision.

Applying for a cash-back credit card with no annual fee is the same as applying for any other credit card. Once you find one that is right for you and you’re eligible for (meaning, your credit score and income requirements align), you can visit a bank to apply in-person or sign up by yourself online. No matter the option you choose, you’ll be asked to provide personal information, including your Social Insurance Number and financial details. Once finished, you could get approved instantly or you may have to wait for your application to be reviewed manually. Once approved, you’ll receive your card in a few days or weeks.

What are the benefits of a no annual fee cash back credit card?

The benefits of a no annual fee cash-back credit card depend on the card. Common benefits include:

• The ability to earn cash back with no annual fee
• Consumer protections like purchase protection and extended warranties
• Travel protections such as rental car insurance

Before choosing the right no annual fee cash back credit card for you, consider your lifestyle, spending habits and compare the offerings of all cards, including the earning rates, fees and other benefits.

How do I choose the best no annual fee cash back credit card for me?

To choose the best cash-back card with no annual fee, take a look at where you spend your money most—groceries, gas, entertainment, etc.—and find a card that offers the greatest cash back for those categories. Also take into account the extra benefits the card offers (such as rental car insurance) to discover if they could be of use for you, as well as its fees (like low FX fees) to decide if they could be an extra perk for your lifestyle.

How do I redeem my cash back rewards?

How you redeem your cash-back rewards will depend on the card you have. Each card has different rules that will dictate how you can use and manage your cash backs. For example, some cards have a minimum redemption amount, meaning you’ll have to wait until you accumulate a certain amount of points before you can retrieve your points, which again, will depend on the card. You can have the cash back deposited into your bank account and/or credited to your monthly bill. Sometimes, you can get them back on a gift card.

What are the drawbacks of a no annual fee cash back credit card?

By choosing a no-annual-fee cash-back credit card, you could miss out on larger amounts of cash back in the long run. That’s because credit cards that charge an annual fee have higher rates and more benefits. To determine if a card with an annual fee makes sense for you, estimate how much cash back you could earn—if it’s higher than the annual fee, it may be the right option.

But remember: Most cash-back cards charge high APRs—so if you don’t think you’ll pay off your card each month in full, you’ll pay a hefty sum in interest. In that case, a credit card or loan with a lower interest rate may be a better option.

How can I improve my chances of getting approved for a no annual fee cash back credit card?

If you want to improve your chances of getting approved for a no-annual-fee cash-back credit card, first check your credit score and report so you know where you stand. If you have a poor credit score, you may not get approved for the card you’re interested in. In that case, work on paying down existing debt to prove you’ll be able to pay off your card balance. You can also find out if you prequalify for a card, which means your credit score and financial profile matches its eligibility criteria.

Renée Reardin is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience in the lifestyle and wellness spaces. She's the former senior digital editor at Best Health magazine and Canadian Living magazine, where she handled content that covered everything from food and fitness to fashion and finance. She currently freelances for publications like Allure, Glossy, InStyle, The Toronto Star, and Teen Vogue.