The top store credit cards
Earn 4.5%-3% at Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws grocery stores (including No Frills, Fortinos, and more).
The best choice for Costco shoppers (earn at least 1.5% cash back on all your everyday purchases).
Earn 4% at Canadian Tire, Sport Check and more. Plus earn up to 3% at most grocery stores.
Creatures of habit, rejoice! (Or should we say “shoppers of habit”?) Your loyal shopping behaviours may just pay off, big time. If you shop regularly at certain retailers, using a store credit card can help you to earn discounts, free goods and exclusive perks by swiping or tapping for everyday purchases. Spending with a store credit card can even give you VIP access to sales. And if you already collect loyalty points, they’ll likely accumulate even quicker with a store credit card.
Best credit cards by category | Why we love it |
---|---|
Best for Loblaw-affiliated stores (including Shoppers Drug Mart) PC Financial World Elite Mastercard Annual fee: $0 | Highest rate of return on spending at one of the largest retail networks in the country |
Best for Canadian Tire-affiliated stores (including Sport Chek and Mark’s) Triangle Mastercard Annual fee: $0 | 4% back on purchases at a wide selection of stores |
Best for Amazon Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard Annual fee: $0 (Prime subscription required for full card benefits) | Prime members earn 2.5% on Amazon.ca and foreign currency transactions |
Best for Walmart Walmart Rewards World Mastercard Annual fee: $0 | 3% when shopping online at Walmart.ca and 1.25% when shopping in-store |
Best for Costco Rogers World Elite Mastercard Annual fee: $0 | The highest rate of return at the warehouse retailer, plus enough cash back to cover FX fees |
If you spend at Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart and Esso
This credit card brings something more to the table. (Get it?) The PC Financial World Elite Mastercard earns you PC Optimum points faster when you shop at any of the Loblaw banner stores (Loblaws, No Frills, Superstore, Fortinos, etc.), Shoppers Drug Mart and when you fill up at Esso and Mobil gas stations.
PC Financial World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
- 45 PC Optimum points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart
- 30 points per $1 at Loblaw banner grocery stores
- 10 points per $1 on everything else
Card details
Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 22.97% on cash advances (21.97% for residents of Quebec), 22.97% on balance transfers |
Income required | Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 |
Credit score | 560 or higher |
Point value | 10 PC points = $0.01 at Loblaws grocery network and Shoppers Drug Mart. |
Pros
- Rack up the equivalent of 4.5% cash back in PC Optimum points at Shoppers Drug Mart and 3% on groceries from Loblaws banner stores.
- How to use PC Optimum points is easy to understand: 10,000 points is equivalent to $10 redeemable in merchandise. In other words, 10 points = $0.01 or 1%.
- Includes travel emergency medical insurance and rental car insurance.
- You can stack points on points by using your credit card to pay for personalized offers from the PC Optimum app, in-store points offers and/or flyers.
Cons
- Although you can earn points at Esso and Mobil gas stations, you cannot redeem points for free gas.
- The minimum annual income requirement of $80,000 (or $150,000) as a household may be inaccessible to some Canadians.
- You must spend a minimum of $15,000 annually to maintain this account. If you don’t, you will automatically be considered for a different PC Financial card.
If you shop at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek and Mark’s
If you spend a lot on sports equipment or items for your home or car, you could collect CT Money with those purchases. This card rewards you with CT Money while shopping at Canadian Tire and other stores under the Canadian Tire Corporation umbrella.
Triangle Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
- 4% at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s/L’Équipeur, Atmosphere, Party City, Sports Rousseau, Hockey Experts and L’Entrepôt du Hockey
- 3% at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Costco), up to $12,000 per year
- 1% everywhere else
Welcome offer: None
Card details
Interest rates | 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
Income required | Not specified |
Credit score | Not specified |
Point value | 1% in Canadian Tire Money is worth $0.01 when redeemed at participating retailers. |
Pros
- In terms of rewards, Canadian Tire makes it simple: $1 in CT Money is equivalent to one redeemable dollar. You can use your CT Money with your credit card at the cashier register.
- In addition to the 4% in CT Money at Canadian Tire locations and partner stores, you’ll earn 1.5% on grocery purchases (excluding Walmart and Costco).
- Cardholders can take advantage of no-fee, no-interest financing on bigger purchases ($150 or more), and pay it off in 24 equal monthly payments.
- When you pay with a Triangle Mastercard, you’re covered for no-receipt returns at participating stores.
- When you fill up at Gas+ or Petro-Canada locations, you’ll earn $0.05 per litre.
Cons
- There are limits on accelerated returns. You only earn the boosted rewards on the first $12,000 spent in each category. After you reach that cap at Canadian Tire and its partner stores, or on groceries, further purchases will net you the base rate of only 0.5%.
- You’ll only earn rewards on the pre-tax amount of your purchases.
- Purchases at Walmart and Costco are not eligible for boosted rewards.
- The base rate is only 0.5% back in CT Money.
If you shop on Amazon
If going to the mall isn’t your thing, the Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard could be perfect for you. It lets you earn points to use towards discounts on your Amazon purchases (as well as for shopping at Whole Foods, grocery stores and restaurants).
Amazon Rewards Mastercard
Annual fee: $0 (Prime subscription required for full card benefits)
- Prime members earn 2.5% on Amazon.ca and foreign currency transactions
- Non-Prime members earn 1.5% back on Amazon.ca
- Get 1% everywhere else
Welcome offer: 5% back at Amazon.ca, Whole Foods Market stores for 6 months up to $3,000 in eligible purchases (for a value of $150)
Card details
Interest rates | 19.50% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances |
Income required | $60,000 per year |
Credit score | 725 or higher |
Point value | Points can be redeemed for Amazon.ca gift cards (1 point is worth 1% cash back off Amazon purchases). |
Pros
- Earn bonus rewards with either 2.5% or 1.5% back on your Amazon purchases (depending on whether you’re a Prime Member).
- The loyalty system is straightforward. Rewards are automatically loaded into your Amazon account. Once you’ve earned 2,000 points ($20 value), you can redeem the pointsfor an Amazon gift card to use yourself or give to someone.
- Purchases in foreign currencies earn 1% back in points, or 2.5% for Prime members, which helps offset foreign transaction fees (2.5%).
- This card comes with a few travel perks like rental car savings and trip assistance.
Cons
- The rewards for non-Prime members are fairly low quality, and the Prime membership costs $79 a year.
- There’s a minimum of $20 to redeem for a gift card.
If you shop at Walmart
If you love a good deal, you’re probably no stranger to the Walmart aisles. Here’s how the Walmart Rewards World Mastercard can make those (already rolled-back) dollars go further for you.
Walmart Rewards World Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
- 3% online at Walmart.ca
- 1.25% in-store at Walmart and at gas stations
- 1% everywhere else
Welcome offer: None
Card details
Interest rates | Recommended credit score for approval: Not specified Interest rates: % on purchases, % on cash advances (21.97% for residents of Quebec) |
Income required | Household income of $100,000 |
Credit score | Not specified |
Pros
- You’ll earn a hefty 3% when shopping online at Walmart.ca and 1.25% when shopping in-store at their brick-and-mortar locations.
- The program is very simple with $1 Walmart = redeemable dollar at Walmart.
- You can start redeeming when you collect as little as $5 in rewards.
Cons
- You’ll only earn rewards on the pre-tax amount of your purchases.
- With a minimum household income requirement of $100,000 annually, this card may be out of reach for some shoppers, though many Canadians could qualify for the entry-level Walmart Rewards Mastercard.
- The best way to get rewards comes from shopping at Walmart online, so those who prefer an in-store experience won’t receive the same benefits.
If you shop at Costco
The co-branded CIBC Costco Mastercard can be a good choice for loyal Costco shoppers. However, if you really want to earn the most cash back on your Costco purchases, there’s a better option…
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
- 3% cash back on all purchases in USD
- 2% back for Rogers, Fido and Shaw customers
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome offer: This card does not have a welcome bonus at this time.
Card details
Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
Income required | $80,000 per year |
Credit score | 725 or higher |
Pros
- The Rogers Red World Elite offers 1.5% cash back on all your Canadian purchases (including at Costco). In comparison, the CIBC Costco Mastercard only gives you 1% cash back at Costco (in-store) and 2% back at Costco.ca.
- Cross-border shoppers will appreciate the accelerated 3% earn rate on U.S.-dollar purchases, which covers the forex fee (2.5%).
- Cardholders get emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation and interruption protection, and rental car collision and damage coverage.
Cons
- The personal annual income requirement is $80,000 (or $150,000 household), which is high compared to other credit cards in Canada, but typical of other Mastercards with World Elite benefits.
- Cardholders must spend at least $15,000 annually on this card or risk being downgraded.