Canada’s Top Credit Cards with the Best Benefits

For those lucky enough to get them, high-end credit cards reward programs can offer a wealth of high-end perks. Instead of the no-fee and cash back credit cards that most people are accustomed to, these upmarket cards provide no shortage of fantastic rewards for their exclusive users.

Are you interested in getting a credit card with luxury rewards like these? Here is a list of Canada’s top credit cards with the best benefits that are available here at RatemyRewards.ca.

With so many great cards to choose from, we’ve ranked this list by the order of each card’s “first-year value.”

CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa Card 

First-year value: $1,297
Annual fee: $139
Card type: Travel rewards
Annual interest rate: 20.99% on purchases, and 22.99% on cash advances
Minimum annual income: $15,000 household

The CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa Card is a solid credit card with an equally solid rewards program. It provides access to a wide range of rewards, ranking it as a card that has some of the best benefits you can find.

The Welcome Offer of this credit card offers:

Get a total of up to 40,000 Aventura Points (up to $850 in travel value†):

20,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase†
15,000 Aventura Points when you spend $1,000 monthly or more during the first year.†

5,000 Aventura Points as an additional anniversary bonus†

This card offers the following regular rewards:

• • • • • Enjoy an annual fee rebate every year for the primary cardholder of up to $139 if you have a CIBC Smart Plus™ Account
        • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges (worth over $200†)
        • A Priority Pass Membership (4 complimentary visits per year at 1,300+ airport lounges: over $200 value†)
        • A rebate on NEXUS application fees (worth $50†)

Start saving up for that vacation by earning travel points for every $1 spent using this guide:

• • • • • 2x points on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
        • 5x points at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores; accelerate your savings with up to 10 cents off per litre on eligible gas.
        • 1x point on all other purchases

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Card

First-year value: $1,200+
Annual fee: $139 (additional cards $50: up to 3)
Card type: Travel rewards
Annual interest rate: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances
Minimum annual income: $60,000 individual, or $100,000 household

The Aventura Visa Infinite Card is a credit card with a strong rewards program, making it one of the contenders that offers the best perks. Users of this card will have access to a full range of perks that provide far-reaching benefits.

This card provides this Welcome Offer:

• Get a total of up to 40,000 Aventura Points (up to $850 in travel value†):

20,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase†
15,000 Aventura Points when you spend $1,000 monthly or more during the first year.†

5,000 Aventura Points as an additional anniversary bonus†

Get a one-time annual fee rebate ($139) for you (the primary cardholder) and up to three authorized users ($50 each): over $189 value†

Regular benefits of this card include:

• • • • • Enjoy an annual fee rebate every year for the primary cardholder of up to $139 if you have a CIBC Smart Plus™ Account
        • Get a NEXUS application fee rebate (a $50 value†)
        • Enjoy a Priority Pass Membership and 4 complimentary visits per year at 1,300+ airport lounges: over $200 value
        • Get access to 1,300+ airport lounges (worth over $200†)

Earn reward travel points for every $1 spent using this card at these rates:

• • • • • 2 points on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
        • 5 points at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drug stores; accelerate your savings with up to 10 cents off per litre on eligible gas.
        • 1 point on all other purchases

Scotiabank® Gold American Express Card

First-year value: $1,124
Annual fee: $120 (no fee during first year)
Card type: Travel rewards
Annual interest rate: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers so much in a single package. Its wealth of rewards will provide you with many benefits that continue to reward you time and time again.

The Welcome Offer on this card let let users:

• • • • • Earn up to 50,000 bonus Scotia Rewards points (that’s up to $500 towards travel)
        • No annual fee in the first year, including supplementary cards.
        • Plus, get a 0.00% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months.(22.99% after that; annual fee $120) (1% balance transfer fee).
          • Earn 30,000 bonus Scotia Rewards points by making at least $1,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
          • Plus, for a limited time, you are eligible to earn a 20,000 Scotia Rewards point bonus when you spend at least $7,500 in everyday eligible purchases in your first year. No annual fee for the first year.

Regular benefits of this card include:

• • • • • No foreign transaction fees: Users will not pay 2.5% foreign transaction fees on any foreign currency purchases, including online shopping and when travelling abroad. Only the exchange rate applies.
        • Front Of The Line®: Amex exclusive benefits such as exclusive ticket presales
        • Amex Offers®: Offers for shopping, dining, travel, and more
        • American Express Invites®: Enjoy a variety of special offers and events
        • Travel coverage that includes:
          • Trip Interruption/Trip Cancellation Insurance
          • Travel Emergency Medical Insurance
          • Flight Delay Insurance
          • Travel Accident Insurance
          • Rental Car Collision Loss/Damage Insurance
          • Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
        • Purchase Security & Extended Warranty Protection
        • Complimentary Concierge Services 24/7

Earn reward points on this card at the following rates:

• • • • • Earn 5 Scotia Rewards points for every $1 you spend at eligible grocery stores, and dining as well as eligible entertainment purchases such as movies, theatre, and ticket agencies.
        • Earn 3 Scotia Rewards points for every $1 you spend on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more.
        • Earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on all other eligible everyday purchases.

American Express Cobalt Card

First-year value: $1,034
Monthly fee: $12.99
Card type: Travel rewards
Annual interest rate: 20.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances

The American Express Cobalt Card is a good choice when considering a credit card with the best benefits. This card offers many rewards that will no doubt pay off down the road.

This card offers the following Welcome Offer to new users:

• • • • • Earn up to 50,000 Membership Rewards® points.
          • In your first year as a new Cobalt Cardmember, you can earn 2,500 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $500 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to 30,000 points in a year.
          • Plus, you can earn a Welcome Bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend a total of $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months of using this card.

Cobalt Cardmembers receive regular Perks such as:

• • • • • Bonus reward offers and access to great events
        • Access Front Of The Line® Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with American Express® Experiences
        • Book better stays with The Hotel Collection: Enjoy benefits at over 600 participating hotels and resorts in over 30 countries that include:
          • Up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room.
          • A one-category room upgrade at check-in, when available.
        • Mobile Device Insurance
        • Travel coverage that includes:
          • Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
          • Flight Delay Insurance
          • Baggage Delay Insurance
          • Hotel Burglary Insurance
          • Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
          • $250,000 Travel Accident Insurance
          • Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
        • Shopping coverage that includes:
          • Buyer’s Assurance® Protection Plan
          • Purchase Protection® Plan
        • Amex Offers: Offers that are tailored to you for dining, shopping, and more through the Amex App or Online Services.
        • American Express Travel Online: Deals on select hotel and car rental bookings, plus offers that earn you statement credits on your eligible purchases.

Rack up rewards points on this card using this system:

• • • • • 5x points on eligible food and drinks, groceries and more.
        • 3X points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
        • 2x points for $1 spent on travel and transit from eligible ride shares in Canada to a weekend getaway.
        • 1x points on everything else.

Find more top credit card offers at RatemyRewards.ca!

†Conditions Apply

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