If you’re travelling abroad and using credit cards for most purchases, foreign transaction (forex) fees can add up quickly. Card issuers typically charge about 2.5% on every purchase made in a foreign currency on top of the exchange rate.
You can avoid that fee by using a credit card that waives foreign transaction charges. Alternatively, a card that charges the fee but offers rewards greater than the fee can effectively offset the cost. Below we outline the best Canadian cards that either eliminate foreign transaction fees or offset them with strong rewards and travel perks.
What is the best no foreign exchange fee credit card in Canada?
Here are our top picks for cards that charge no foreign transaction fee, along with a few strong alternatives that can still save you money on foreign spending.
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
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Home Trust Preferred Visa
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Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite+ Card
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Our editorial team researches major Canadian financial institutions, compares product features and fees, and consults personal finance experts to highlight cards that give the best value for foreign spending. We aim to present clear, up-to-date information to help you pick the right card for travel and international purchases.
Gold: Scotiabank Gold American Express
The Scotiabank Gold American Express stands out for its high earn rates on groceries, dining and entertainment, alongside a broad insurance package and no foreign transaction fees. It earns Scene+ points that can be redeemed for travel, movie tickets and other rewards. The card is a strong choice for frequent travellers who want robust protections plus rewards without FX charges.
Scotiabank Gold American Express
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Annual fee: $120
- 6 points per $1 at Sobeys-affiliated stores
- 5 points per $1 on dining, entertainment and groceries
- 3 points per $1 on gas, transit and streaming
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees on foreign purchases
Welcome offer: A large welcome package combining bonus points and first-year benefits; terms and availability vary by offer period.
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Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | $12,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, Cineplex purchases and many partner redemptions |
Pros
- Excellent rewards: High earn rates on groceries, dining and entertainment.
- Flexible travel redemption: Points can be applied to travel purchases retroactively in many cases.
- Strong travel insurance: Includes robust coverage such as medical travel insurance.
- Low income requirement: Accessible to many applicants with a modest annual income requirement.
Cons
- No free lounge visits: Lounge access requires a separate Priority Pass membership at a discounted rate, but visits are not included.
- Lower earn rate on foreign transactions: Purchases in foreign currencies typically earn the base points rate.
Silver: Home Trust Preferred Visa
The Home Trust Preferred Visa is unique in offering no annual fee while also waiving the foreign transaction fee on purchases in any foreign currency. If you want a simple, no-cost way to avoid forex fees and still earn a modest reward, this card is worth considering.
Home Trust Preferred Visa
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Annual fee: $0
- 1% cash back on Canadian purchases
- No foreign transaction fees on foreign-currency purchases
Welcome offer: No welcome bonus is available at this time.
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Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | Not specified |
| Credit score | 660 or higher |
Pros
- No annual fee: The card charges no yearly fee while still waiving foreign transaction fees.
- Simple rewards: Earn 1% cash back on Canadian purchases with no caps.
- Accessible requirements: A relatively low minimum income requirement compared with many premium travel cards.
Cons
- No rewards on foreign purchases: Foreign-currency purchases do not earn cash back, though you save the 2.5% FX fee.
- Redemption timing: Cash back is redeemed on a fixed schedule rather than on demand.
Bronze: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card was one of the first from a major Canadian bank to remove foreign transaction fees. It offers straightforward Scene+ rewards, a strong welcome bonus in many offers and valuable travel perks including a Priority Pass membership with multiple complimentary lounge visits annually.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card
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Annual fee: $150
- 3 points per $1 at Sobeys stores
- 2 points per $1 on groceries, dining, entertainment and transit
- 1 point per $1 on other purchases
Welcome offer: A substantial first-year package is often available during promotional periods.
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Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Higher income and household or asset thresholds apply for eligibility |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel or partner redemptions |
Pros
- Airport lounge access: Complimentary Priority Pass membership with several free visits each year.
- Simple rewards: Scene+ points are easy to redeem and behave like cash for travel bookings.
- Annual bonus: Earn extra points when you meet high annual spending thresholds.
- Good insurance coverage: Multiple types of insurance, including travel accident and trip delay benefits.
Cons
- Higher annual fee: The $150 fee is higher than the no-fee options.
- Modest everyday earn rates: Standard earn rates on many everyday purchases are moderate compared with premium travel cards.
How we determine the best cards
To identify the best cards for foreign spending, we compare each card’s foreign transaction policy, rewards rate on non-CAD purchases, annual fee and travel perks like lounge access and insurance. We also consider real-world acceptance and the overall value that cardholders can reasonably expect from rewards and benefits when travelling internationally.
Other top cards for foreign purchases
Some cards that charge a foreign transaction fee can still be worthwhile if their rewards on foreign spending exceed the fee. Below are a few alternatives that can offset the typical 2.5% FX charge.
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Why we recommend it: Offers 3% cash back on U.S. dollar purchases, which more than offsets a 2.5% foreign transaction fee, leaving you effectively ahead.
Notes: The card also pays 1.5% back on other purchases (higher for Rogers, Fido and Shaw customers) and has no annual fee. It may suit frequent U.S. shoppers who want strong USD returns despite the FX charge.
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 3% cash back on U.S. dollar purchases; 1.5% on other purchases (2% for certain customers)
Welcome offer: None at this time.
Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards
Why we recommend it: Offers 3% rewards on foreign-currency purchases, which exceeds a 2.5% FX fee, and a first-year fee waiver for the $99 annual fee.
Notes: The card also provides travel insurance and 1.5% back on Canadian purchases, making it a competitive mid-tier travel option.
Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards
Annual fee: $99 (often waived the first year)
Rewards: 3 points per $1 on foreign purchases; 1 point per $1 on other purchases
Welcome offer: Occasional bonus points for new cardholders.
EQ Bank Card
Why we love it: A prepaid card that charges no foreign transaction fees and is accessible to anyone. It can be a practical backup for merchants that only accept debit or for ATM withdrawals when combined with awareness of local ATM fees.
Notes: EQ waives its own FX fees, though Mastercard’s currency conversion rate still applies. The card also offers 0.5% cash back on purchases.
EQ Bank Card
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Annual fee: $0
Earn rate: 0.5% cash back on all purchases
Welcome offer: None at this time.
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Wealthsimple Cash Card
Why we love it: As a prepaid option, the Wealthsimple Cash card charges no service or exchange fees on foreign purchases. The account also earns interest and offers cash-back opportunities, making it a flexible option for international spending.
Wealthsimple Cash
Annual fee: $0
Earn rate: Typically around 1% back on purchases and interest on your balance; details depend on account terms.
Welcome offer: Not currently available.
What are foreign exchange (FX) fees?
When you use a credit card to pay in a foreign currency, the card network converts the amount to Canadian dollars using an exchange rate that is typically slightly higher than market rates. On top of that conversion, many card issuers add a foreign transaction fee—commonly around 2.5%—for purchases not made in CAD. Choosing a card that waives this fee or earns enough rewards to offset it can save you considerable money when travelling or shopping online from overseas merchants.
Pro tip: When a merchant offers to charge you in your home currency via dynamic currency conversion, decline and choose to pay in the local currency instead. Dynamic currency conversion often uses a marked-up exchange rate that can cost you more than the foreign transaction fee you’re trying to avoid.
Tips for minimizing fees on foreign purchases
Quick strategies to reduce or avoid fees when spending abroad:
- Use a no‑FX‑fee card whenever possible: This is the simplest way to avoid foreign transaction fees at the point of sale.
- Consider cards that offset FX fees: If you don’t have a no‑fee card, use a card that offers high rewards on foreign spending so the rewards exceed the 2.5% fee.
- Avoid dynamic currency conversion: Always choose the local currency rather than paying in CAD at checkout.
- Be cautious with ATM withdrawals: ATMs can add fees on top of forex charges, and credit-card cash advances typically start accruing interest immediately.
FAQs
Three commonly available Canadian cards that waive the typical 2.5% foreign transaction fee are the Scotiabank Gold American Express, the Home Trust Preferred Visa and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite.
Some store-branded cards, such as certain versions of the Costco Mastercard in the past, have charged foreign transaction fees. If you plan to shop at U.S. warehouses or make purchases in foreign currencies, check the current terms before you travel.
For international travel and shopping, a card that combines no foreign transaction fees with comprehensive travel insurance and lounge access provides the best overall value. Cards such as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite offer that combination, but the ideal card depends on your travel habits and the perks you value most.
Other useful credit card guides
- Best travel credit cards in Canada
- Best cash back credit cards in Canada
- Best travel insurance credit cards in Canada