American Express offers several well-rated credit cards in the travel, cash back, business, and general rewards categories.
While Amex credit cards are not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard, their exceptional welcome bonuses, insurance benefit coverage, and perks make them a worthy addition to most wallets.
Read on to learn about the best American Express Credit Cards in Canada for 2023.
Top 10 American Express Credit Cards in Canada
| Credit Card | Best For | Welcome Bonus | Annual Fee | Apply |
| American Express Cobalt Card | Overall best | Up to 30,000 bonus points | $155.58 | Apply |
| SimplyCash Preferred Card from Amex | Cash back rewards | $40 monthly statement credit for the first 10 months ($400 value) | $119.88 | Apply |
| American Express Platinum Card | Premium perks | Up to 80,000 bonus points ($800 value) | $699 | Apply |
| SimplyCash Card from Amex | No annual fee | $10 monthly statement credit for the first 10 months ($100 value) | $0 | Apply |
| American Express Green Card | No annual fee | 10,000 bonus points | $0 | Apply |
| Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card | Hotel stays | 50,000 bonus points | $120 | Apply |
| Scotiabank Gold Amex Card | Travel | Up to 40,000 points ($400 value) | $120 | Apply |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | Travel | Up to 50,000 points ($500+ value) | $250 | Apply |
| Business Platinum Card from Amex | Business | 80,000 bonus points ($800 value) | $499 | Apply |
| American Express Business Edge Card | Business | Up to 67,000 bonus points | $99 | Apply |
1. Best American Express Credit Card
American Express Cobalt Card
Rewards: Earn 5x pts per $1 spent on food & drinks; 3x pts on streaming subscriptions; 2x pts on travel; 1x pts everywhere else.
Welcome offer: Get up to 30,000 bonus points in the first year.
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Annual fee: $155.88
The American Express Cobalt Card can serve as your go-to for travel rewards as well as a card you use for earning rewards when you make everyday purchases.
It offers:
- 5 points per $1 spent on restaurant and food delivery purchases
- 3 points per $1 spent on streaming services
- 2 points per $1 spent on travel and transit
- 1 point per $1 spent on everything else
Cardholders get 2,500 points each month they spend at least $500 in the first year, for a total of 30,000 bonus points.
The Amex cobalt provides comprehensive travel insurance benefits along with other perks.
Learn more in this review or apply here.
2. Best American Express Credit Card for Cash Back
SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express
Rewards: Earn 4% cash back on gas and grocery purchases ($1,200 annual limit); 2.00% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn a $40 statement credit each month you spend $750 in purchases on your Card in the first 10 months (up to $400 value).
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Annual fee: $9.99/month or $119.88/year
The SimplyCash Preferred Card from Amex is one of the best cash back credit cards in Canada.
It offers 4% cash back on gas and grocery purchases ($1,200 annual cash back limit at this rate) and unlimited flat-rate 2% cash back on all other purchases.
New cardholders enjoy a $40 statement credit each month they spend at least $750. This bonus applies to the first 10 months and is valued at up to $400.
Like many of the other American Express Canada cards on this list, the SimplyCash Preferred Card also includes comprehensive travel insurance and other perks.
Learn more in this review or apply here.
3. Best Premium American Express Credit Card
The American Express Platinum Card
Rewards: Earn 3 pts per $1 spent on dining & food delivery; 2pts per $1 spent on travel; 1pt/$1 everywhere else.
Welcome offer: Get up to 80,000 bonus points in the first year.
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Annual fee: $699
The Platinum Card from Amex is all about premium perks and rewards.
You earn:
- 3 points per $1 spent on restaurant, Cafés, and food delivery purchases
- 2 points per $1 spent on travel
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
New cardholders get 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months, and an extra 20,000 points when they make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership.
In all, the sign-up bonus is up to 80,000 points ($800 value).
The Platinum Card also offers $100 in statement credits towards a NEXUS application or renewal, comprehensive travel insurance coverage, exclusive benefits at Toronto Pearson International Airport, hotel benefits, and more.
For these premium perks, you pay a $699 annual fee.
Learn more in this review or apply here.
4. Best No Fee American Express Credit Card # 1
SimplyCash Card from American Express
Rewards and benefits: Earn up to 2% cash back on gas and groceries; 1.25% cash back on all other purchases; travel accident insurance.
Welcome offer: Earn a $10 statement credit each month you spend $300 in purchases on your Card in the first 10 months (up to $100 value).
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Annual fee: $0
The SimplyCash Card from Amex is a strong contender for the best no-annual-fee cash back credit card in Canada.
It offers 2% cash back on gas and grocery purchases ($300 annual cashback cap at this rate and 1.25% after) and 1.25% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.
This card also includes a $100,000 travel accident insurance coverage which is rare for a no-fee-annual credit card.
Learn more in this review or apply here.
5. Best No-Fee American Express Credit Card # 2
American Express Green Card
Rewards: Earn 1x pts per $1 spent on all purchases.
Welcome offer: Get 10,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Annual fee: $0
The American Express Green Card was previously known as the Choice Card from Amex.
It has no annual fee and offers 1 point per $1 spent. You can redeem your points for travel, gift cards, and merchandise or convert them to your favourite frequent flyer program (e.g. Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, and Avios).
New cardholders get 10,000 bonus points after charging $1,000 to the card in the first 3 months.
Learn more in this review or apply here.
Here are the best Aeroplan Credit Cards in Canada.
6. Best American Express Credit Card for Hotel Stays
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
Rewards: Earn 5x the points on purchases at Marriott Bonvoy; 2x points everywhere else; 1 free night each year; Elite Night credits.
Welcome offer: Get up to 50,000 bonus points in the first year.
Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Annual fee: $120
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is great for earning Marriott Bonvoy points you can redeem for free nights, transfer to frequent flyer miles, or book travel getaways.
It pays:
- 5 points per $1 spent on purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties
- 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Cardholders get one free night at the card’s annual anniversary, a free upgrade to Gold Elite status after spending $30,000, or staying 10 nights in one calendar year.
For its welcome bonus, you receive 50,000 points after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months.
Learn more in this review or apply here.
7. Best American Express Credit Card For Travel #1
Scotiabank Gold American Express
Rewards: Earn 5x Scene+ points/$1 on restaurants, food delivery, and grocery (up to 6x at some stores); 3x points/$1 in gas & travel; 1x points/$1 everything else.
Welcome offer: Get up to 45,000 points ($450 value).
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases; 22.99% on cash advances.
Annual fee: $120
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is one of the top travel credit cards in Canada.
It is also one of a few credit cards that waive FX fees when you spend abroad (a 2.5% fee savings).
This card offers:
- 5 Scene+ points per $1 spent on grocery, restaurants, and fast food
- 3 points per $1 spent on gas and daily transit
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Cardholders enjoy several premium perks, including a discounted Priority Pass membership, comprehensive travel insurance coverage, and more.
When you sign up, you receive 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; plus an extra 20,000 points if you spend $7,500 in the first year.
Learn more in this review or apply here.
8. Best American Express Credit Card for Travel #2
American Express Gold Rewards Card
Rewards: Earn 2x the points on travel, gas, drugstore, and grocery purchases; 1x point everywhere else.
Welcome offer: Get up to 50,000 bonus points in the first year.
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Annual fee: $250
The American Express Gold Rewards Card will cost you $250 annually in exchange for premium rewards and perks.
You earn:
- 2 points per $1 spent on travel, gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
New cardholders get 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus a bonus 10,000 points when they make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership.
This card also provides a $100 CAD annual travel credit, Priority Pass membership, $50 NEXUS statement credit when you apply or renew, comprehensive travel insurance coverage, and more.
Learn more in this review or apply here.
9. Best American Express Credit Card for Business #1
Business Platinum Card from American Express
Rewards: Earn 1.25x pts per $1 spent on all purchases.
Welcome offer: Get up to 80,000 bonus points in the first year.
Interest rates: 19.99%
Annual fee: $499
The Business Platinum Card from Amex is a top business credit card in Canada.
You earn 1.25 points for every $1 in purchases and enjoy travel coverage, business coverage against employee card misuse, and business travel perks, including Priority Pass, Plaza Premium lounges, The Centurion Lounge, and more.
New cardholders get 80,000 Membership Rewards points when they spend at least $6,000 in the first 3 months.
This premium business card has a $499 annual fee.
Best American Express Credit Card for Business #2
American Express Business Edge Card
Rewards: Earn 3x the points per $1 spent on office supplies, gas, food, & electronics; 1x points everywhere else.
Welcome offer: Get up to 67,000 bonus points in the first year.
Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Annual fee: $99
The Amex Business Edge Card has a lower annual fee of $99.
It offers 3x the points when you spend on office supplies, electronics, gas, food, and drinks; and 1x point on all other purchases.
It also comes with car rental insurance and employee card misuse protection.
New cardholders get 45,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months; plus 10x the points for every $1 spent on eligible business essentials, including office supplies & electronics, rides & gas, eats & drinks within the first 6 months (up to a maximum of 10,000 points).
Learn more in this review or apply here.
American Express Canada FAQs
The best Amex cards offer competitive rewards and are worth adding to your wallet. For convenience, you should pair your Amex credit card with a Visa or Mastercard.
More and more stores and retailers now accept American Express credit cards, with tens of thousands of locations in Canada alone. A few major retailers that do not accept Amex credit cards include Costco and Loblaws stores (except Shoppers).
How long will it take to receive my Amex credit card? Your Amex credit card should arrive in the mail within 7-10 business days of applying for it.
