The best no-fee credit cards in Canada for 2023

They say the best things in life are free—so why shouldn’t that apply to a credit card? Canada has an impressive array of no-fee credit cards that don’t charge cardholders an annual fee, while still delivering respectable rewards like cash back and travel points. Many of these no-fee cards also boast attractive extras like solid welcome bonuses, no foreign transaction fees and useful travel insurance. Those who don’t always pay off their balance in full every month will be happy that a few of these cards even feature a standard low interest rate or an attractive balance transfer promo. Here are our picks for the best no-fee credit cards in Canada.

• Our picks for the best no-fee cards
• No-fee credit cards: What you need to know
• Our methodology
• More of the best credit cards in Canada

The best no-fee credit cards in Canada

Category	No-fee credit card
Best for cash back	Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Best for base-rate cash back	SimplyCash Card from American Express
Best for no foreign exchange fees	Brim Financial Mastercard
Best for travel points	MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard
Best for low interest	MBNA True Line Mastercard
Best for students	BMO CashBack Mastercard
Best for PC Optimum points	PC Financial World Elite Mastercard
Best for Canadian Tire	Triangle World Elite Mastercard
Best for building credit	Home Trust Secured Visa
Best for travel insurance	Rogers World Elite Mastercard

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Best no-fee credit card for cash back

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card*

At a glance: The Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard is a perennial no-fee favourite thanks to its automatic 2% cash back on purchases in two spending categories, with a third category available if you set up an automatic rewards deposit into a Tangerine Savings account. What makes this card really stand out is that cardholders get to personalize their extra-earn categories from among a whopping 10 options.

• Annual fee: $0

• Interest rates: 19.95% on purchases, 19.95% on cash advances, 19.95%

  on balance transfers
• Earn rate: 2% cash back in up to three spending categories of your choice from 10 different options; 0.5% on all other purchases; cash back can be applied monthly, either towards your credit card balance or deposited into your savings account
• Additional benefits: Purchase protection and extended warranties
• Welcome offer: You can earn an extra 10% back on up to $1,000 in everyday purchases within the first 2 months. Must apply by October 31st, 2023.
• Annual income requirement: $12,000

Pros

• You can choose your own cash-back options from 10 everyday spending categories, and there’s no cap on earnings.
• The Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard features a generous welcome offer and balance transfer promotion.
• The card has a low income-qualification threshold.

Cons

• The base rate is only 0.5%, so earning on spends outside of cash back categories can be low.
• There is no rental car or travel insurance.

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Best no-fee credit card for base-rate cash back

SimplyCash Card from American Express*

At a glance: An ideal card for those who spend much of their budget on groceries and gas, the SimplyCash American Express gets you 2% cash back in those two categories. The card also has a pretty generous base rate of 1.25% for all other spending. Especially notable is the $100,000 in travel accident protection, which is a very rare perk for a no-fee card.

• Annual fee: $0
• Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances
• Earn rate: 2% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases up to $300 annually; 1.25% cash back on everything else
• Additional benefits: Access to virtual events and special offers with American Express Experiences
• Welcome offer: You can earn a $10 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you make at least $300 in purchases (for a total value of up to $100).
• Annual income requirement: None

Pros 

• The Front of the Line and American Express Experiences programs give cardholders access to presale tickets and exclusive invites to entertainment and dining events.
• Unique referral program offers an added opportunity to earn $50 for referring approved applicants (up to $750 cash back annually).
• $100,000 in travel accident protection, as well as buyer’s assurance and purchase protection. 

Cons

• American Express cards aren’t as widely accepted at merchants as Visa and Mastercard cards.
• SimplyCash American Express’ accelerated earn rates are each capped at $300 annually.

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Best no-fee credit card for no FX fees

Brim Mastercard

At a glance: Brim Mastercard has one of the rarest—and most coveted—features of any credit card in Canada: No foreign transaction (FX) fee. So if you travel outside of Canada often or shop online internationally, this card is worth considering. Most issuers charge cardholders a fee of around 2.5% on every purchase made in a non-Canadian currency—and that’s on top of the exchange rate! Brim completely waives this fee. The card also comes with up to $500 in mobile device insurance and a free Boingo Wi-Fi membership.

• Annual fee: $0
• Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 21.5% on cash advances, 19.99% on balance transfers
• Earn rate: 1 point per $1 everywhere, and bonus points at Brim partner merchants, like up to 4% at Microsoft, 4% at Nike, 3% at Warby Parker, plus more than 200 other retailers
• Additional benefits: No FX fees, free Boingo Wi-Fi membership, and up to $500 in mobile device insurance
• Welcome offer: You can earn $200 in first time bonuses when shopping at participating merchants.
• Annual income requirement: None

Pros

• The card has no FX fee, meaning you avoid paying around 2.5% on all purchases made in a foreign currency.
• Brim Mastercard comes with free Boingo Wi-Fi membership, which provides access at over a million hotspots worldwide.
• The card has a solid selection of insurance coverage, such as mobile device, event ticket reimbursement and common carrier accident insurance, all which are normally hard to come by for no-fee cards.

Cons

• Brim Mastercard has a somewhat low standard earn rate of 1% (though higher earn rates are available at select merchants).
• There are no standard accelerated earn categories with this card.

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Best no-fee credit card for travel points

MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard*

At a glance: A perfect travel companion, the MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard has a flexible rewards program that offers the best value when points are redeemed for travel costs. It also features a wide selection of revved-up earning categories, including restaurants, groceries, digital media, memberships and household utility purchases. The icing on the cake is the yearly Birthday Bonus, which can really help punch up your point balance (more on that below).

• Annual fee: $0
• Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 24.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
• Earn rate: Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants ($5,000 max annual spend per category) and 1 point per $1 on everything else
• Additional benefits: Unexpected return home coverage; rental collision and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; balance protection and extended warranty
• Welcome offer: You can earn 10,000 bonus points ($50 in cash back value). (Not available for residents of Quebec.)
• Annual income requirement: None

Pros

• Each year, cardholders get Birthday Bonus points equal to 10% of the total number of points earned in the previous 12 months, to a max of 10,000 points. Happy birthday indeed!
• The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard has one of the most flexible rewards programs of any no-fee card, allowing cardholders to redeem points for cash back, merchandise, gift cards, charitable donations and travel.
• The card also has generous mobile device insurance of up to $1,000, as well as discounts at Avis and Budget rental car companies. 

Cons

• The earn rate of 2 points per $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases is capped at $10,000 annually in each category. Then it becomes a base rate of 1 point per $1.
• Points are best redeemed for travel, for which you’ll get a value of $0.01 per point, whereas points are only worth half a cent each when redeemed for a statement credit or charitable donation.

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Best no-fee credit card for low interest

MBNA True Line Mastercard*

At a glance: This no-frills card is short on extras but is a saving powerhouse. It could potentially save you money if you have this card, if you tend to carry a balance. As a lower-interest card, it can be a lifesaver for your bottom line. With an interest rate of 12.99%, the MBNA True Line Mastercard charges nearly half of what most credit cards in Canada charge, potentially making it easier to catch up on debt.

• Annual fee: $0
• Interest rates: 12.99% on purchases, 24.99% on cash advances, 12.99% on balance transfers
• Additional benefits: Add up to nine authorized users without an additional fee
• 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.

• Annual income requirement: None

Pros

• The MBNA True Line Mastercard’s lower-than-average interest rate of 12.99% can make it easier to keep debt at a more manageable level. 
• The 0% promotional annual interest rate for 12 months on balance transfers will also be an asset for cardholders looking for some breathing room while they pay off accumulated credit card debt. 
• Enjoy a 10% discount on qualifying car rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations. 

Cons

• The card has a high cash advance interest rate of 24.99%.
• The MBNA True Line Mastercard doesn’t offer any rewards, cash back or insurance.

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Best no-fee credit card for students

BMO CashBack Mastercard*

At a glance: BMO’s CashBack MasterCard is a good fit for students looking for a no-fee card that will earn them a little extra cash as they build their credit history. It’s While the card doesn’t come with many perks, its 3% cash back on groceries is the most generous earn rate available in that category for a basic credit card without an annual fee.

• Annual fee: $0
• Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
• Earn rate: 3% cash back on groceries; 1% on recurring bills; 0.5% on everything else
• Additional benefits: Members receive 25% off at National and Alamo rental car companies
• Welcome offer: You can earn 5% cash back in your first 3 months Conditions apply.
• Annual income requirement: None

Pros 

• BMO’s CashBack MasterCard has the most generous earn rate for groceries of any no-fee card in Canada.
• Get 25% off on car rentals at National and Alamo locations.
• Enjoy 15% off admission to Cirque du Soleil shows in Canada and 20% off resident shows in Las Vegas.

Cons 

• The card only comes with basic extended warranty and purchase protection.
• The BMO CashBack MasterCard’s base earn rate is only 0.5%.

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Best no-fee credit card for PC Optimum points

PC Financial World Elite Mastercard*

At a glance: For everyday spending on essentials, the no-fee PC Financial World Elite Mastercard is a popular card. You earn PC Optimum points, one of the best-known and most useful loyalty programs in the country. There are no complicated reward rules to navigate, and cardholders can simply redeem points instantly at the cash register anywhere PC products are sold.

• Annual fee: $0
• Interest rates: 21.99% on purchases, 22.97% on cash advances, 22.97% on balance transfers
• Earn rate: 45 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart; 30 points per $1 at Esso, PC Travel or any Loblaw-owned stores; 10 points per $1 on spends everywhere else
• Additional benefits: Travel emergency medical insurance; car rental loss or collision coverage; concierge services
• Welcome offer: You can earn 20,000 PC Optimum points ($20 value).
• Annual income requirement: Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000, as well as a minimum annual spend of $15,000

Pros 

• Easily redeem points in 10,000-point increments while shopping—for $10 off a purchase. 
• With the PC Financial Mastercard, it’s easy to “stack” points by scanning your PC Optimum points card and paying with your PC Optimum Mastercard whenever you make an eligible purchase. 
• As Loblaw is one of Canada’s largest retailers, there’s no shortage of opportunities to earn and redeem points. 

Cons 

• You’ll need a personal income of $80,000 or a household income of $150,000 to qualify. 
• The PC Financial World Elite Mastercard doesn’t come with many perks.

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Best no-fee credit card for Canadian Tire

Triangle World Elite Mastercard

At a glance: The Triangle World Elite Mastercard from Canadian Tire is a digital evolution of the company’s well-loved Canadian Tire dollars and offers excellent earnings for those who regularly shop at Canadian Tire and partner stores. It’s also one of the few no-fee cards that offer car rental collision insurance and give you access to a roadside assistance plan.

• Annual fee: $0

• Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers

• Earn rate: 4% back on 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; 3% at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Costco), up to $12,000 per year; 1% everywhere else; $0.05 to $0.07 back per litre at Gas+ and Essence+
• Additional benefits: No-fee, no-interest financing on eligible purchases of $150 or more; personalized offers
• Welcome offer: 15% back in Canadian Tire Money (CTM) on your first purchase at a participating retailer up to $50
• Annual income requirement: Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000

Pros 

• The card’s 4% earn rate at participating stores is one of the highest earn rates for a no-fee card. Plus, members of the new Triangle Select program get 10 times the bonus CT Money on everyday purchases made with a Triangle Mastercard in addition to regular in-store Triangle credit card rewards. The program costs $89 per year plus tax.
• The Triangle World Elite Mastercard is jam-packed with enticing extras like roadside assistance, concierge service and rental car insurance. 
• You’ll get $0.07 back per litre of premium fuel and $0.05 back per litre on all other fuel types. And Canadian Tire recently announced that, starting in 2024, Triangle members can also earn rewards at Petro-Canada gas stations, in addition to its Gas+ stations.

Cons 

• The card has a high annual income requirement of $80,000 in personal income or $150,000 in household income. 
• The Triangle World Elite Mastercard’s 4% earn rate is only really useful for those who shop often at Canadian Tire and partner stores. 
• Because you’re earning Canadian Tire Money rather than cash, you can only redeem it at a limited selection of participating merchants.

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Best no-fee credit card for building credit

Home Trust Secured Visa*

At a glance: The Home Trust Secured Visa is an excellent pick for people who want to build their credit but who might otherwise have difficulty getting approved because of a low credit score or because they are new to Canada and don’t have much of a credit history. What makes this card especially unique is that it’s available with a lower interest rate (which can help you keep your debt in check) in exchange for paying a small annual fee.

• Annual fee: $0
• Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 19.99% on cash advances
• Earn rate: None
• Additional features: None
• Welcome offer: This card does not have a welcome bonus at this time.
• Annual income requirement: None

Pros 

• The Home Trust Secured Visa has two secured credit card options to fit a cardholder’s individual needs: a no-fee card with a 19.99% interest rate, and a low-interest card with a rate of 14.90% and an annual fee of $59. 
• The card is specially designed for Canadians who may have trouble building their credit histories, such as self-employed individuals, students, newcomers to Canada and people with bad credit.
• The card features a lower-than-normal foreign currency conversion fee of 2%.

Cons

• Cardholders don’t earn cash back or rewards.
• The Home Trust Secured Visa has no extra perks like insurance.
• You must provide a security deposit to use the card.

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Best no-fee card for travel insurance 

Rogers World Elite Mastercard

At a glance: If you’re looking for a credit card with a strong selection of travel insurance along with no annual fee, the Rogers World Elite Mastercard cannot be beat. The card comes with emergency medical insurance, insurance for trip cancellation and interruption, and collision and damage coverage for car rentals.

• Annual fee: $0
• Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
• Earn rate: 1.5% cash back on all purchases; 3% cash back on all U.S.-dollar purchases
• Additional benefits: Out-of-province/out-of-the-country emergency medical insurance; trip cancellation/interruption protection; rental car collision/damage coverage; complimentary membership to the Mastercard Travel Pass program, with access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide; free Boingo Wi-Fi membership and Mastercard Travel Rewards
• Welcome offer: Earn $25 cash back when you make your first purchase within three months of having the card.
• Annual income requirement: Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000

Pros 

• While the card does charge an FX fee (typically around 2.5%) on all foreign currency purchases made, cardholders receive 3% unlimited cash back rewards on all eligible U.S.-dollar purchases.
• Enjoy complimentary membership to the Mastercard Travel Pass program, which gives you access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
• Cardholders can take advantage of free Boingo Wi-Fi at over 1 million hotspots worldwide.

Cons 

• The card has a minimum annual income requirement of $80,000 in personal income or $150,000 in household income.
• You must charge at least $15,000 per year to the card or it will be cancelled.
• While you get a free airport lounge membership, no free visits are included. You must pay USD$32 per person per visit.

Frequently asked questions

What is a no-fee credit card?

A no-fee credit card doesn’t require you to pay an annual fee to use the card. Even without this charge, you can still access credit and benefit from any of the card’s perks and rewards. However, this doesn’t mean there are zero costs associated with a no-fee card. You will still have to pay interest on unpaid balances, and you may incur cash advance fees, foreign transaction fees and other costs, depending on the type of card.

Advantages of a no-fee credit card

1. Skip the yearly charge: A no-fee credit card is free to have at your disposal. Better yet, if you never carry a balance and you use a no-fee card that offers cash back or rewards, you’ll actually be in a better financial position than you would without the card. In many cases, the earn rate might be lower than with an annual-fee card; however, with a no-fee card, any rewards you earn can be a net positive—you don’t have to spend a certain amount every year to make up for the upfront charge.
2. Save on certain expenses: A card that complements your spending habits and hobbies (like travel) can also save you a nice chunk of change on things like foreign transaction fees, insurance and rental cars. 

Drawbacks of a no-fee credit card

1. Ho-hum rewards and cash back: Your reward earning power can be somewhat lacklustre when compared to the revved-up rewards you’ll usually reap with premium cards that have an annual fee. For example, with the American Express Cobalt card, you’ll earn 5 points per $1 spent on groceries and restaurants, 3 points per $1 spent on streaming services, and 2 points per $1 spent on travel, transit and gas (with everything else getting you 1 point per $1). You can see that at those earn rates, points can pile up pretty quickly. 
2. Not-so-welcoming welcome offers: Because one of the major selling points of a no-fee card is that there is no fee, the welcome bonuses offered to attract new applicants are not as generous as cards with annual fees.
3. Fewer perks: With few exceptions, no-fee cards lack the perks and benefits—particularly insurance—that tend to come with annual-fee cards. Typically (though not always), no-fee cards do include very basic protections, such as zero liability, purchase protection and extended warranty, but you’ll usually miss out on travel insurance, concierge service and perks, such as airport lounge access. Ultimately, you’ll have to weigh these benefits against the fees and decide whether a no-fee credit card works best for you.

What should you do with the money you saved with an annual fee?

With a no-fee card, you could save yourself $59 to $250 dollars a year. But make a conscious decision to do something with that money, like putting it into a high-interest savings account or into your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) or tax-free savings account. It’s not a lot, but the compound interest you could earn makes it worthwhile. Use our compound interest calculator to find out how much you could grow your money.

Video: 5 reasons to swap your debit card for a prepaid cash back card

More of Canada’s best credit cards:

• Best credit cards in Canada
• Best rewards credit cards
• Best travel credit cards
• Best cash back credit cards
• Best low-interest credit cards
• Best balance transfer credit Cards
• Best student credit cards