Canadians love to travel. Whether it be to escape the winter (snowbirds), for a summer vacation abroad, or any travel for that matter, the best travel credit cards in Canada can help you save a ton of money.
These credit cards offer a combination of rewards, including comprehensive travel insurance, free airport lounges, sign-up bonuses, and travel perks that can make your vacations much more enjoyable.
Because the cards on this list are awesome and offer real value, you will also find some of them on my list of best cash back credit cards and best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees in Canada.
Featured Travel Cards
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
On Scotiabank’s website
Welcome Bonus
$400
Annual Fee
$120
Regular APR
20.99%
Credit Score
760
KOHO Extra Mastercard
On KOHO’s website
Welcome Bonus
$20
Annual Fee
$84 (30-day free trial)
Regular APR
0%
Credit Score
N/A
American Express Cobalt Card
On Amex’s website
Welcome Bonus
$150
Annual Fee
$155.88 ($12.99 paid monthly)
Regular APR
20.99%
Credit Score
660
Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada for 2023
Many of these two cards are the epitome of everything you want in a great card: high earn rates, easy and flexible redemption, solid sign-up bonuses, multiple perks, and a reasonable annual fee.
Read on to see what each card offers for perks and benefits, their annual fees, income eligibility, and any downsides.
1. Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Best travel credit card in Canada
Annual fee: $120
Rewards: Earn up to 6x Scene+ points on groceries, 5x pts. on dining, food delivery, & entertainment, 3x pts. on gas, and 1x pts. on everything else.
Welcome offer: Get up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first 12 months.
Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $12,000
Recommended credit score:
Good
On Scotiabank’s website
The Scotiabank Gold American Express is one of Scotiabank’s best credit cards, with a top-notch earn rate and a variety of redemption options. It offers:
- $120 annual fee (waived in the first year)
- Earn 20,000 bonus Scene+ points ($250 value) when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months plus an extra 20,000 bonus points ($200 value) when you spend at least $7,500 in the first year (total bonus valued at $450)
- Earn 6 points for every $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland, and other partner stores
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent on groceries, dining, and entertainment
- Earn 3 points for every $1 you spend on gas, daily transit, and streaming services
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent elsewhere
- No foreign transaction fee (a 2.5% savings on foreign currency purchases)
- Comprehensive travel insurance including travel emergency medical, flight delay, trip cancellation/trip interruption, travel accident, rental car, hotel/motel burglary, delayed and lost baggage insurance.
- Purchase security and extended warranty
- Discounted Priority Pass membership (35% off) with access to 600+ VIP airport lounges worldwide
- Special access to events with American Express Invites
- Up to 25% discount on AVIS and Budget car rental
- Complimentary 24/7 concierge services
The 5-6% rewards rate for this card on grocery, dining, and entertainment purchases are great. Add in the $450 bonus offer (45,000 points), and the $120 annual fee is easily paid off.
Personal income eligibility for the Scotiabank Gold Amex is very low at $12,000 per year. You can also read my complete Scotiabank Gold American Express review.
2. American Express Cobalt Card
American Express Cobalt Card
Best for travel rewards and perks
Annual fee: $155.88 (in monthly payments of $12.99)
Rewards: Earn up to 5X points on high-spend categories.
Welcome offer: Earn as many as 15,000 bonus Membership Rewards points in the first year.
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: No minimum income or credit limit requirements.
Recommended credit score:
Good
On Amex’s website
The American Express Cobalt is not just a travel card; it is also great for earning rewards on your everyday spending. Here’s what you get:
- $12.99 monthly fee ($155.88 annual)
- Earn up to 15,000 in bonus points ($150 value) in your first year
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, restaurants, bars, and cafes
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on streaming subscription services
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on gas, travel, and transit purchases
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Comprehensive travel insurance, including emergency travel (up to $5 million), flight and baggage delay, hotel/motel burglary, lost or stolen baggage, car rental, and travel accident insurance (up to $250,000)
- Purchase protection plan and extended warranty
- Access to VIP perks, including Amex Invites with Front Of The Line Access to in-demand events
- Multiple rewards redemption options
- Free supplementary cards
In addition to great travel rewards, the Amex Cobalt card also has one of the highest earn rates for grocery and food purchases in Canada.
Its 15,000 bonus points are achievable and only require you to charge at least $750 to the card every month.
American Express offers multiple ways to use your points, including:
- Flights through their Fixed Points Program, e.g. a long-haul flight between the U.S. and Canada requires 40,000 points at a maximum ticket price of $700.
- Instantly for purchases on almost anything.
- Ticketmaster.ca, where 2,000 points are equivalent to $20.
- Amazon.ca, and more.
Best Prepaid Travel Credit Card
This prepaid travel card is light on your wallet, and you won’t have to worry about interest or hefty annual fees. It offers the convenience of credit cards and helps you waive foreign currency transaction fees.
3. KOHO Premium Prepaid Mastercard
KOHO Extra (Premium) Prepaid Mastercard
Best premium prepaid card in Canada
Annual fee: $9/month or $84/year
Rewards: Earn 2% cashback on 3 categories of spending, and earn 0.5% cash back on other purchases. Up to 6% cash back at partner retailers.
Welcome offer: $20 sign-up bonus when you enter our CASHBACK promo code.
Interest rates: 0%
Minimum income requirement: None
Recommended credit score:
None
On KOHO’s website
The KOHO premium Mastercard waives the foreign currency transaction fee and pays up to 2% instant cash back on your purchases.
Here are some of the benefits offered by KOHO:
- No FX fees
- Automatic savings using the roundup feature
- Earn 4% interest on your balance
- Earn cash back on purchases with 2% on three categories of spending and at select merchants
- Get a $20 welcome bonus after you make your first purchase with the card (CASHBACK promo code is automatically applied via our link)
- No monthly account fees for the basic account ($9 for KOHO Premium)
- Price matching
- Free financial coaching
- 1x free international ATM withdrawal/month
Read our KOHO Premium review.
Best Travel Credit Card for Airport Lounge Access
If you want a travel credit card that’s excellent for airport lounge access and premium perks, The Platinum Card from American Express is a good bet.
4. The Platinum Card from American Express
American Express Platinum Card
Top credit card for VIP perks
Annual fee: $799 (and $250 annual fee for additional cards)
Rewards: Earn 2x Membership Rewards Points on dining and food delivery, 2x pts. on travel and 1x pts. on everything else.
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus points if you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months, plus an extra 30,000 points if you spend between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership.
Interest rates: Variable (charge card)
Minimum income requirement: N/A
Recommended credit score:
Very Good
On Amex’s website
5. Neo Travel Card
You can turn your Neo Card™ into a premium travel credit card by subscribing to Travel perks for $4.99 per month. This unlocks over $360 in annual value.:
- 2% cash back on foreign currency transactions
- Priority Pass airport lounge access at over 1,300 locations worldwide
- A 1.5x cash back boost when you book travel, hotel, and car rentals at Neo partners
- Comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including emergency travel medical, trip cancellation, flight delay, and more
- SmartDelay free airport lounge access when your flights are delayed by more than one hour
These benefits are in addition to standard offers on the Neo Card™, including an average of 5% cash back and up to 15% cash back on first-time purchases at over 10,000 stores across Canada.
Cardholders can use the Neo App to view and explore cash back offers based on their location.
You can subscribe to Travel perks when you need it and cancel at any time. Learn more about Neo perks.
Neo Travel Card
Rewards and Perks: Earn up to 5% real cash back on purchases, 2% cash back on foreign currency transactions, 1.5x cash back boost when you book travel, hotel, and car rentals at Neo partners, Priority Pass airport lounge access at over 1,300 locations worldwide, and comprehensive travel insurance coverage.
Welcome offer: 15% cashback on your first purchases, plus a $25 welcome bonus.
Interest rates: 19.99%-22.99% for purchases; 22.99%-28.99% for cash advances.
Annual fee: $4.99 monthly subscription (cancel anytime)
Credit score required: Poor or bad credit score.
Best Travel Credit Card For Hotel Stays
Premium credit cards come in various flavours. These two cards take the top spot for the best sign-up welcome bonuses.
6. The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
Best for Marriott Bonvoy points and perks
Annual fee: $120
Rewards: Earn up to 5X Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first three months.
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: No minimum income or credit limit requirement.
Recommended credit score:
Good to Excellent
On Amex’s website
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card offers one of the best rewards for hotel stays for Canadians. It replaces the Starwood Preferred Guest SPG card.
- $120 annual fee
- Earn a welcome bonus of up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you charge $1,500 to your card in the first 3 months
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Redeem points for hotel stays at more than 7,000 hotels, including names like the Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Marriott Hotels, Le Meridien, and Sheraton
- Get one free night every year (worth up to 35,000 points)
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
- Free supplementary cards
- Free Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status when you spend up to $30,000 each year
- 15 Elite night credits each year
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Access to American Express Invites such as Front of The Line Advance Access
- Purchase protection and extended warranty
The 50,000 bonus points are earned after you charge $1,500 in purchases to your Card in your first three months.
When you look at the value of the bonus points and add in the 15 Elite night credits and annual free night, this card is worth every penny.
Lastly, you can easily transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to several other frequent flyer programs in exchange for miles.
Best Travel Card With No Foreign Transaction Fee
When you use your credit cards abroad, the foreign transaction fees add up. At a cost of 2.5% or more, these no-FX fee cards come in handy.
7. Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Best for no FX fees and travel perks
Annual fee: $150
Rewards: Earn 3x Scene+ points on eligible grocery purchases, 2x pts. on dining, entertainment and transit, and 1x pts. on everything else.
Welcome offer: Up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points and no annual fee for the first year.
Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $60,000
Recommended credit score:
Very Good
On Scotiabank’s website
For a combination of zero foreign transaction fees and premium travel perks, the Passport Visa Infinite Card is a top contender.
- $150 annual fee (waived in the first year)
- Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scotia Rewards points ($400 value)
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, FreshCo, and other partner stores
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on grocery, dining, entertainment, and transit purchases
- Earn 1 point on all other purchases
- No FX mark-up on foreign currency purchases
- Complimentary Priority Pass membership with 6 free airport lounge visits per year
- Comprehensive travel insurance, including travel emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, travel accident, flight delay, delayed and lost baggage, rental car collision loss/damage waiver, and more
- Purchase protection and extended warranty
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite’s 40,000 bonus point is worth $400 in travel costs. Earn 30,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months and an additional 10,000 points if your annual card spending is $40,000 or more.
The annual complimentary Priority Pass membership and 6 free lounge visits are worth around $379, which more than covers the card’s annual fees. Add in your savings from foreign transaction fees, and this card has very little competition.
You need a minimum personal income of $60,000 (or $100,000 household income) to qualify for this card. You can also read my complete Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite review.
8. CIBC AC Conversion Prepaid Visa Card
Use this CIBC travel prepaid card to hold 10 currencies. Fund the card to earn 1% cash back on all purchases.
CIBC AC Conversion Visa Card
Earn 1%* cashback on purchases
Holds 10 currencies at once
No monthly account fees
Enjoy Visa’s Zero Liability
Best Travel Credit Cards for Students
Want to pay low annual fees and earn reasonable rewards or cash back? Consider the RBC ION+ Visa or Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card.
9. Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
You can apply for this credit card with a credit score of 600+ and an annual income of $12,000 or higher.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Best no-fee cash back credit card
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: Earn up to 2% unlimited cash back in up to 3 spending categories and 0.50% on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: Get an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in spending in the first 2 months ($100 value).
Interest rates: 19.95% for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $12,000
Recommended credit score:
Fair to Good
On Tangerine’s website
Best Travel Credit Card for WestJet Rewards
10. WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Premium credit card for earning WestJet dollars
Annual fee: $39
Rewards: Earn up to 2% back in WestJet dollars on eligible travel purchases.
Welcome offer: Get up to 450 bonus WestJet dollars in the first 3 months.
Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $80,000 for personal income and $150,000 for household income.
Recommended credit score:
Good or better
On WestJet RBC’s website
The WestJet RBC World Elite card is a great card for maximizing your WestJet Rewards.
- $119 annual fee
- Earn 2% back on all WestJet flights and travel packages
- Earn 1.5% on your general spending and save 3 cents per litre when you buy gas at Petro Canada
- Free first checked bags on WestJet flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 guests
- Annual round-trip companion voucher
- Comprehensive travel and purchase insurance coverage
- Complimentary 24/7 concierge service
11. RBC Avion Visa Infinite
Another RBC travel credit card to consider is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
Competitive RBC rewards credit card
Annual fee: $120
Rewards: Earn 25% extra points on travel-related purchases.
Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: A minimum annual personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000.
Recommended credit score:
Good or better
On RBC’s website
Best Travel Credit Card for Low-Interest
12. HSBC +Rewards Mastercard
The HSBC +Rewards Mastercard will save you on interest costs if you carry a balance from month to month.
HSBC +Rewards Mastercard
Best for low-interest rates
Annual fee: $25
Rewards: Earn up to 2 points per dollar on eligible purchases.
Interest rates: 11.9% on both purchases and cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: None
Recommended credit score:
Good
On HSBC’s website
Best No Fee Travel Credit Cards
If you don’t like the idea of paying annual fees in exchange for travel rewards, these cards charge $0 annual fees, offer travel insurance, flexible rewards, perks, and more.
13. Tangerine World Mastercard
Tangerine World Mastercard
Excellent no-fee cash back card with travel perks
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: Earn up to 2% unlimited cash back in 2-3 spending categories and 0.50% on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: Get an additional 10% cash back valued at $100 in the first 2 months.
Interest rates: 19.95% for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $12,000
Recommended credit score:
Fair to Good
On Tangerine’s website
The Tangerine World Mastercard offers up to 2% cash back on purchases, and cardholders enjoy access to insurance and a complimentary airport lounge access membership.
- No annual fee
- Rental car collision/loss damage insurance
- Mobile device insurance
- Mastercard Airport Experiences Provided by Loungekey
- Purchase protection and extended warranty
- Access to Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard
14. MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard
MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard
Good no-annual-fee cash back card
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: Earn 2 points per $1 spent on groceries, restaurants, and bill payments. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Interest rates: Purchases 19.99%, cash advances 24.99%.
Minimum income requirement: No minimum income is advertised.
Recommended credit score:
Very Good
On MBNA’s website
The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus takes top-tier status in the no-fee cash back and travel rewards categories.
- No annual fee
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, and restaurant purchases
- Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Flexible rewards redemption, including travel, cash back, and merchandise
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Purchase protection and extended warranty
This card has a cap of $10,000 on each purchase category eligible for the 2% earn rate. Learn more in this review.
15. Rogers World Elite Mastercard
Rogers World Elite Mastercard
Best credit card for USD cash back
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 3% unlimited cash back in U.S. dollars, 1.5% unlimited cashback on other purchases.
Welcome offer: $25 in cashback on the first purchase made within three months.
Interest rates: 19.99% for purchases, and 22.99% for cash advances
Minimum income requirement: $80,000 minimum income or $150,000 household income.
Recommended credit score:
Very Good
On Rogers’s website