Featured credit cards
SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express
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Earn a bonus 10% cash back on all purchases for your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases). Plus, earn a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13. This could add up to $250 in bonus value in your first 13 months.
Home Trust Preferred Visa
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Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
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Earn 10% cash back for 2 months (up to $100).
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MoneySense is a long-established personal finance publication that has been helping Canadians make informed decisions since 1999. Our editorial team, made up of experienced journalists, consults with personal finance experts to evaluate products objectively. We compare credit-card offers across major banks, credit unions and card issuers to identify meaningful differences and help you choose the right card for online shopping and everyday spending. Learn more about our advertising and disclosure practices in our advertising and monetization information.
Best credit cards for online purchases
If you already collect points or cash back when you shop in stores, you may be familiar with category-based rewards. But online purchases don’t always earn the same rate as in-store transactions—some cards categorize online sales as “everything else,” which reduces rewards. The cards listed below are strong choices for online shopping in Canada because they either pay the full rewards rate on online purchases or eliminate foreign transaction fees that often cut into savings when buying from U.S. retailers.
| Credit card | Why we love it |
|---|---|
| SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express Annual fee: $120 |
2% cash back on most purchases (and higher rates in select categories) |
| Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard Annual fee: $0 |
1.5% cash back and better rewards on U.S. dollar purchases |
| Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Annual fee: $99 (first year waived) |
1.5% travel rewards on all purchases and extra points on foreign-currency spending |
| Home Trust Preferred Visa Annual fee: $0 |
1% cash back and no foreign transaction fees |
| Amazon Rewards Mastercard $0 (Prime subscription required for full benefits) |
2.5% back for Prime members on Amazon.ca and foreign currency savings |
Best for cash back
Amex SimplyCash Preferred
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Annual fee: $119.88 ($119 for Quebec residents)
Rewards:
- 4% cash back on eligible gas and groceries
- 2% cash back on everything else, including online purchases
Welcome offer: Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for your first three months (up to $2,000 in purchases) and a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13. Total first-year bonus value can reach up to $250.
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Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases and cash advances, with a variable penalty APR of 25.99% to 29.99% in certain circumstances |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 725 or higher recommended |
Summary
- With a base cash-back rate of 2% on virtually everything—including online purchases—and 4% on gas and groceries, the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express is a strong choice to boost rewards from regular online shopping and everyday spending.
Best for no annual fees
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
Rewards:
- 3% cash back on U.S. dollar purchases
- 1.5% on other purchases (2% for Rogers, Fido and Shaw customers)
Welcome offer: None at this time.
Card details
| Interest rates | 25.99% on purchases, 27.99% on cash advances and balance transfers |
| Income required | $80,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher recommended |
Summary
- The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is a solid no-annual-fee option that offers a competitive 1.5% cash back on most purchases and 3% back on U.S.-dollar online purchases. Note that the card requires a minimum annual spending threshold to remain eligible for some benefits.
Best for points
Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards
Annual fee: $99
Rewards:
- 3 points per $1 on foreign-currency purchases
- 1 point per $1 on other purchases, including online
Welcome offer: 7,000 bonus points when opening a new Meridian Visa card (check issuer for current availability).
Card details
| Interest rates | 19.5% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | $60,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher recommended |
| Point value | 1 Meridian point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel |
Summary
- The Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards card earns 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, including online, and 3 points per dollar on foreign-currency spending—effectively offsetting foreign transaction fees while earning travel value.
Best for no FX fees
Home Trust Preferred Visa
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Annual fee: $0
Rewards:
- 1% cash back on purchases made in Canada
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases made in other currencies
Welcome offer: None at this time.
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Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 660 or higher suggested |
Summary
- Home Trust Preferred Visa is a straightforward, no-annual-fee cash-back card that provides 1% back on Canadian purchases and saves you the typical 2.5–3% foreign transaction fee when you shop at U.S. or other international online retailers.
Best for Amazon.ca shoppers
Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard
Annual fee: $0 (Prime subscription required for full card benefits)
Rewards:
- Prime members earn 2.5% on Amazon.ca and foreign-currency transactions
- Non-Prime members earn 1.5% on Amazon.ca purchases
- 1% on purchases elsewhere
Welcome offer: 5% back at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods Market for six months (up to $3,000 in eligible purchases), equivalent to a $150 value.
Card details
| Interest rates | 19.50% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | $60,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher recommended |
| Point value | Points are redeemable for Amazon.ca gift cards; 1 point is roughly worth 1% cash back on Amazon purchases. |
Summary
- The Amazon Rewards Mastercard suits frequent Amazon.ca shoppers who subscribe to Prime. Prime members receive higher rewards and better protection against foreign transaction fees, while non-Prime cardholders see reduced Amazon earning rates and fewer redemption options.
- Consider whether you shop often on Amazon and whether you plan to use points for Amazon gift cards before applying.
More of Canada’s best credit cards:
- Best credit cards in Canada
- Best rewards credit cards
- Best travel credit cards
- Best instant approval credit cards
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