When it comes to choosing the best travel credit card in Canada, the decision often hinges on personal travel habits, priorities, and preferences. With nearly a decade of experience leveraging credit cards and loyalty programs for travel, I aim to provide a tier list ranking of Canadian travel credit cards to help you find the best fit for your wallet.
Ranking Methodology
In this tier list, we will categorize cards using the classic rankings: S, A, B, C, D, and F. Here’s what each tier represents:
- S: Exceptional cards with outsized value.
- A: Excellent cards with standout features.
- B: Solid cards with good value propositions.
- C: Decent cards that can work for specific situations.
- D: Cards with better alternatives.
- F: Cards to avoid.
Our focus will be on earning rates and points value rather than welcome bonuses, which can fluctuate. We will discuss standout features for each credit card and how we value each type of points.
Beimo Rewards Cards
Beimo Eclipse Visa Infinite Card
- Earning Rate: 5 Beimo rewards points per dollar on dining, groceries, gas, and transit (up to spending caps).
- Value: 0.67 cents per point.
- Annual Fee: $120, offset by a $50 lifestyle credit.
- Ranking: D. The low baseline value skews its ranking despite decent earning potential.
Beimo Ascend World Elite Mastercard
- Earning Rate: 5 points on travel, 3 points on dining and entertainment.
- Ranking: D. Similar issues with point valuation as the Eclipse card.
Beimo Eclipse Rise Visa Card
- Earning Rate: 5 points per $2 spent in specific categories.
- Ranking: F. Low earning rate and no annual fee do not compensate for its limitations.
Beimo Eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
- Earning Rate: 5 points on travel, dining, groceries, gas, and drugstores.
- Ranking: C. Strongest in the Beimo lineup but still limited by point value.
Air Miles Cards
Beimo Air Miles Mastercard
- Earning Rate: 3 air miles per $25 at partners, 2 at grocery stores.
- Ranking: D. Limited earning potential and fixed value.
Beimo Air Miles World Elite Mastercard
- Earning Rate: 3 air miles per $12 at partners, 2 at grocery stores.
- Ranking: C. Better earning rates and additional benefits justify this ranking.
MBNA Rewards Cards
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
- Earning Rate: 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases.
- Value: 1 cent per point.
- Ranking: B. Strong earning potential and travel insurance make it a solid choice.
National Bank World Elite Mastercard
- Earning Rate: 5 points on groceries and restaurants.
- Ranking: A. Excellent insurance coverage and travel benefits.
CIBC Aventura Cards
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
- Earning Rate: 2 points per dollar on travel, 1.5 on groceries.
- Ranking: B. Good earning potential with valuable redemption options.
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card
- Ranking: B. Offers strong features but high annual fee limits its appeal.
TD Rewards Cards
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card
- Value: 0.5 cents per point.
- Ranking: B. Solid earning rates and strong welcome offers.
TD Platinum Visa Card
- Ranking: C. Good alternative with no minimum income requirement.
Scotiabank Scene Plus Cards
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
- Earning Rate: Up to 6% return.
- Ranking: A. Excellent earning rates and no foreign transaction fees.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
- Ranking: A. Strong earning rates and no foreign transaction fees make it a top choice for travelers.
Aeroplan Co-Branded Cards
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card
- Ranking: C. Good entry-level card with no annual fee.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
- Ranking: B. Excellent for frequent Air Canada flyers.
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
- Ranking: S. High value for frequent flyers with extensive benefits.
American Express Membership Rewards Cards
American Express Gold Rewards Card
- Ranking: B. Solid earning rates and travel credits.
American Express Platinum Card
- Ranking: A. Packed with features for frequent travelers.
American Express Cobalt Card
- Ranking: S. Exceptional earning rates and value for everyday spending.
Conclusion
This tier list provides a comprehensive overview of the best travel credit cards available in Canada for 2025. Each card has its strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice will depend on your individual travel habits and preferences. If you have any disagreements or think I missed any cards, feel free to leave a comment below. Your feedback is always welcome!
