Top Canadian Credit Cards Ranked (2025 Tier List)

Summary

In this video, the presenter ranks a variety of Canadian travel rewards credit cards, offering insights into their benefits, earning potential, and overall value. Cards are categorized from S-tier (the best) to D-tier (less valuable), with detailed explanations on each card's features. Highlights include the American Express Cobalt Card, praised for its high earning rate in common categories, and the Neo Cath World Elite Mastercard, criticized for its limited value. The video serves as a comprehensive guide to help Canadian travelers make informed decisions about which credit cards offer the best rewards.

Takeaways

• 😀 The American Express Aeroplan Reserve card is a solid option for those without high minimum income requirements, and it offers referral bonuses, making it an attractive choice.
• 😀 The Cath World Elite Mastercard, issued by Neo, lacks unique benefits outside of its welcome bonus and a discount on Cathay Pacific flights, leading to a low ranking.
• 😀 The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard by Brim Financial is valuable for frequent Air France and KLM flyers, but its lack of a welcome bonus makes it less appealing overall.
• 😀 The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is favored for its annual companion pass, but it's not recommended for daily spending. It earns a B ranking due to its limited general appeal.
• 😀 The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite card offers value with its companion voucher but requires a high spending threshold to unlock it. It receives a B rating.
• 😀 The Beimo VI Porter credit cards are notable for granting automatic elite status, making the World Elite version highly appealing with an A ranking.
• 😀 The Marriott Bonvoy American Express cards are great for those frequently staying at Marriott hotels due to their valuable free night award, landing them a B rating.
• 😀 The RBC Avion Visa cards are versatile with their transferable points, but the low earning rates place them in the B category, with the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege offering better earning potential and ranking in the A category.
• 😀 Combining the RBC ION Plus Visa with any of the RBC Avion cards creates a powerful portfolio, maximizing earning potential and value, which elevates it to the S tier.
• 😀 American Express Membership Rewards points are highly valuable in Canada due to their flexibility and strong transfer partners, with cards like the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum offering significant benefits for frequent travelers.
• 😀 The American Express Cobalt Card is the top-tier option for everyday spending with its generous 5x points categories on dining, groceries, and drinks, earning it a coveted S tier ranking.

Q & A

What is the main reason for ranking the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card in the S-tier?

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is ranked in the S-tier due to its lack of a high minimum income requirement compared to other cards and the added benefit of earning more points through referrals, which makes it an attractive choice for many users.

Why is the Neo Cath World Elite Mastercard ranked in the D-tier?

The Neo Cath World Elite Mastercard is ranked in the D-tier because it offers limited unique benefits aside from a welcome bonus and a discount on Cathay Pacific flights. It doesn’t provide much value beyond accumulating Asia Miles.

What makes the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard a C-tier card?

The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard is ranked in the C-tier because, while it offers some value for frequent flyers with Air France and KLM, it lacks a solid welcome bonus and doesn’t offer significant benefits outside of these airlines.

How does the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard provide value to users?

The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard provides value mainly through its annual companion pass and free checked baggage on WestJet flights. It can offer outsized value during peak travel periods or when redeeming for premium cabin flights, but it’s not ideal for everyday spending.

What is the benefit of earning AIOS points through the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card?

The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card offers significant value if you spend $30,000 annually, as you earn a companion award e-voucher, which can be used for discounted British Airways flights. This makes it an appealing option for frequent British Airways flyers.

What sets the Beimo VI Porter World Elite Mastercard apart from other Canadian credit cards?

The Beimo VI Porter World Elite Mastercard stands out because it grants automatic elite status to cardholders, which can be very valuable for frequent travelers with Porter Airlines, especially as the airline expands its network.

Why is the American Express Platinum Card ranked in the A-tier?

The American Express Platinum Card is ranked in the A-tier due to its top-tier benefits for frequent travelers, including lounge access, elite hotel statuses, annual travel credits, and travel insurance. It also earns valuable Membership Rewards points, which can be redeemed for a variety of rewards.

What is the primary value proposition of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card?

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card is valued for its higher earning rate of 1.25 Avion points per dollar spent, along with its ability to transfer points to various airline programs. It also offers significant travel redemption value, making it a strong contender for travelers looking to earn and redeem flexible points.

How does combining the RBC ION Plus Visa with an RBC Avion card enhance the value for cardholders?

Combining the RBC ION Plus Visa with any of the RBC Avion cards allows users to earn RBC Avion premium points at an accelerated rate, which can then be transferred into Avion Elite points for even greater value when redeemed for travel rewards.

What makes the American Express Cobalt Card a top choice for Canadian travelers?

The American Express Cobalt Card is considered a top choice for Canadian travelers because it earns five Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on common expenses like dining and groceries, making it one of the best cards for maximizing everyday spending. Its low monthly fee and high earning potential contribute to its S-tier ranking.