Best credit cards in Canada for online shopping 2023
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The best credit cards in Canada for online shopping
In Canada, online shopping accounts for purchases in the billions annually, and it’s easy to see why. Instead of pounding the pavement, braving fitting rooms or standing in lines, online shoppers make their purchases with a few clicks and taps. Plus, who doesn’t like getting mail?
When it comes to picking a credit card for online shopping, things get a little bit more complex. If you collect points or cash back, you may be well-versed in your spending categories. But sometimes (not always) an online purchase doesn’t “reward” you as you’d expect. If, for example, your card offers rewards on groceries, you may expect bonus credits when you order groceries online. Depending on your credit card, however, your online grocery spend might show up in the generic “everything else” category. When shopping online, not all cards are created equal. These picks will earn you more than the standard 0.5% to 1% in rewards.
Summary of our picks
- SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express – 2% cash back
- MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard – 2% in travel rewards
- Rogers World Elite Mastercard – 1.5% cash back and US forex savings
- TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite – 1.5% in travel rewards
- Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards – 1.5% in travel rewards and forex savings
- Home Trust Preferred Visa – 1% cash back and no forex fees
- Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard – up to 2.5% on Amazon and forex savings
- MBNA True Line Mastercard – low interest
SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express*
At a glance: With a base cash back rate of 2% on everything—including online purchases—plus a stellar 4% cash back on gas and grocery purchases, the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express card will accelerate your earnings.
- Annual fee: $120
- Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances
- Earn rate: 4% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases up to $1,200 annually; 2% cash back on everything else
- Welcome offer: earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your card.
- Annual income requirement: None specified
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard*
At a glance: The MBNA Rewards World Elite card allows you to earn 5 points for every $1 spent on restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases (up to $50,000), and 1 point for every $1 on all other eligible purchases. MBNA Rewards can be redeemed for travel and the points never expire. When used against travel purchases, 100 points are worth $1—letting you pocket an impressive 2% in travel rewards on every $1 spent. The welcome offer alone is a solid start, worth about $245 toward travel.
- Annual fee: $120
- Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 24.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
- Earn rate: Earn 5 points for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases until $50,000 is spent annually in the applicable category, and 1 point for every $1 on all other eligible purchases.
- Welcome offer: earn 20,000 bonus points (approximately $165 in cash back value) after you make $2,000 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days. (Not available for residents of Quebec.)
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000
Rogers World Elite Mastercard
At a glance: The Rogers World Elite Mastercard is a no-fee cash-back option that’s available only to those with a personal annual income of $80,000 or $150,000 for the household. Currently, this card delivers an impressive 1.5% cash back on every purchase and 3% on website purchases made in U.S. currency. A welcome bonus of $25 when you make a purchase within three months is a great way to start.
As you consider your options, it’s important to note that the card’s savings on foreign transaction fees does not apply to currencies other than U.S.; and you need to spend at least $15,000 per year on the card in order to continue qualifying to use it.
- Annual fee: $0
- Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances
- Earn rate: 1.5% regular cash back; and 3% back on purchases in U.S. dollars (which nets you 0.5% back after foreign exchange fees)
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 household
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card*
At a glance: Operating in the TD Rewards program, earn 8 points per $1 for flights booked online through Expedia For TD and charged to your account; 6 Points per $1 on groceries & restaurants; 4 points per $1 spent on recurring bills; and 2 points per $1 spent on everything else. This card comes with a solid welcome bonus of up to 145,000 TD Rewards points. Conditions apply.
- Annual fee: $139 (waived for the first year)
- Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
- Earn rate: 8 points per $1 for flights booked online through Expedia For TD and charged to your account; 6 Points per $1 on groceries & restaurants; 4 points per $1 spent on recurring bills; 2 points per $1 spent on everything else
- Welcome offer: earn up to 100,000 TD Rewards points. Conditions apply. Must apply by September 5, 2023. Plus, get an annual birthday bonus of 10% of your previous year’s points (up to 10,000 points).
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards
At a glance: Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards cardholders earn 1.5 points per dollar (1.50% in travel rewards) on all purchases, including online and 3 points per dollar on purchases made in foreign currencies, which covers the foreign transaction fee with a little left over.
- Annual fee: $99 (waived for the first year)
- Interest rates: 19.50% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances
- Earn rate: 1.5 points per dollar; 3 points per dollar on purchases made in foreign currencies
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
Home Trust Preferred Visa*
At a glance: Home Trust Preferred Visa is a good, basic cash-back card that carries no annual fee. With this card, you’ll receive 1% cash back on all Canadian purchases. Even better, purchases made in another currency on this card aren’t charged a foreign transaction fee—this is an automatic savings of 2.5 to 3% and super-valuable for those who shop at online retailers from the United States. The Home Trust Preferred Visa is easy to apply for, and there’s no specified income requirement to get approved.
- Annual fee: $0
- Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 19.99% on cash advances
- Earn rate: 1% cash back per dollar on Canadian purchases. No foreign transaction fee on international purchases
- Welcome offer: None
- Annual income requirement: $15,000
Honourable Mentions
When it comes to online shopping, not all credit cards deliver the same benefits. With these cards, you’ll make the most of each and every purchase.
Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard
Ideal for frequent Amazon shoppers, this no-fee card earns 2.5% in Amazon Rewards points per dollar spent on Amazon.ca for Amazon Prime members (1.5% if you’re not), and 1% back on everything else. The 2.5% back on foreign purchases offsets the foreign exchange fee on your cross-borders shopping sprees. Plus, there’s an attractive welcome bonus of 5% on Amazon.ca for the first 6 months up to $150 in rewards. Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard points can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards.
- Annual fee: $0
Interest rates: n/a
- Earn rate: 2.5% back for Amazon Prime members on Amazon.ca spends, 1.5% back on Amazon.ca spends for non-members, and 1% back on everything else
- Income requirement: None specified
MBNA True Line Mastercard*
If you carry a balance and are looking to manage credit card interest, look no further than the MBNA True Line Mstercard. With no annual fee and a regular purchase interest rate of 12.99%, a full 7% less than the standard 19.99%, this card will help you get your debt in check.
- Annual fee: $0
- Interest rates: 12.99% on purchases, 24.99% on cash advances, 12.99% on balance transfers
- Earn rate: N/A
- Income requirement: None specified
- Welcome offer: You can earn a 0% promotional annual interest rate for 12 months on balance transfers completed within 90 days of opening the account.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
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