Best Visa Credit Cards

The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card delivers one of Canada’s highest cash back rates on everyday essentials, offering 4% back on groceries and recurring bill payments, 2% on gas and transit, and 1% on everything else. With a generous welcome bonus of 10% cash back for the first three months (up to $2,000 in spending) and no annual fee in year one, new cardholders can earn over $300 in value during their first year. The card requires a minimum $60,000 personal income or $100,000 household income to qualify, positioning it as a premium option for established professionals and families.

Beyond its impressive rewards structure, this Scotiabank offering includes comprehensive travel insurance with up to $1 million in emergency medical coverage, purchase protection, extended warranties, and modern mobile device insurance up to $1,000. While the $120 annual fee (waived in year one) and income requirements may limit accessibility, cardholders who regularly spend on groceries, bills, and gas can easily earn $400-600 annually in cash back. For those who meet the eligibility criteria and maintain substantial monthly spending in the bonus categories, the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card represents exceptional value in Canada’s competitive premium credit card market.

The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege stands as one of Canada’s most elite credit cards, offering an exceptional 5x BMO Rewards points on groceries, dining, drugstore purchases, gas, and travel, paired with a massive welcome bonus of up to 120,000 points and a unique $200 annual lifestyle credit. Reserved for high earners with individual incomes of $150,000 or household incomes of $200,000, this premium card delivers exclusive benefits including six annual airport lounge visits, mobile device insurance up to $1,000, and comprehensive travel coverage up to $5 million.

While the $599 annual fee places the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege among Canada’s most expensive credit cards, the combination of accelerated earning rates, anniversary credits, and the innovative 25% points boost for adding authorized users can generate substantial value for affluent households. The card’s spending caps of $15,000 to $25,000 on bonus categories require strategic usage, but cardholders who maximize the welcome bonus and lifestyle credits while leveraging the extensive travel benefits can extract value far exceeding the annual fee, making this a compelling choice for high-spending travelers seeking premium rewards and exclusive experiences.

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite delivers unmatched flexibility in travel rewards, allowing cardholders to book any airline, any flight, anytime without blackout dates or carrier restrictions, while earning up to 1.25 Avion points per dollar spent on travel purchases. With a substantial welcome bonus of 35,000 points worth up to $750 in travel value and a reasonable $120 annual fee, this card provides exceptional freedom for travelers who refuse to be locked into specific airline loyalty programs or limited by availability constraints.

What sets the RBC Avion Visa Infinite apart in Canada’s competitive travel card market is its revolutionary approach to flight redemptions, using a distance-based chart that often provides better value than revenue-based programs, especially for expensive last-minute bookings or peak season travel. Combined with comprehensive travel insurance, the ability to transfer points to airline partners including British Airways and American Airlines, and the option to use points for hotels, car rentals, and merchandise, this card offers versatility that appeals to both casual vacationers and frequent business travelers seeking maximum booking flexibility.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card combines the elimination of foreign transaction fees with robust Scene+ rewards earning and premium travel benefits, creating a compelling mid-tier travel card for Canadians who journey abroad regularly. With up to 45,000 Scene+ points as a welcome bonus, 3x points at select grocery stores, six complimentary annual airport lounge visits, and comprehensive travel insurance coverage up to $2 million, this card delivers substantial value for international travelers at a reasonable $150 annual fee.

What sets the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card apart in the crowded travel card market is its unique combination of no foreign transaction fees, typically saving 2.5% on all international purchases, paired with strong domestic earning rates on groceries and dining. While the $60,000 minimum income requirement and limited lounge visits compared to premium competitors require consideration, cardholders who travel internationally even just a few times annually can easily recoup the annual fee through foreign exchange savings alone, making this an intelligent choice for cost-conscious global travelers.

The BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite revolutionizes everyday rewards by offering 5x BMO Points per dollar on essential spending categories including groceries, dining, gas, and transit, with a generous welcome package worth $570 including 60,000 bonus points, a $50 lifestyle credit, and first-year annual fee waiver. Designed for professionals earning at least $60,000 annually, this card transforms routine purchases into substantial rewards while providing modern benefits like mobile device insurance up to $1,000 and comprehensive travel coverage.

While the BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite caps accelerated earning at $50,000 annually and charges a $120 annual fee after year one, its focus on everyday spending categories where most households concentrate their expenses creates exceptional value for urban professionals and families. The combination of high earning rates on essentials, anniversary lifestyle credits, and the innovative Pay with Points feature that lets you redeem for specific purchases makes this one of Canada’s most practical rewards cards for those who prioritize daily spending over travel purchases.

The RBC ION Visa offers a modern approach to credit card rewards with 1.5 Avion points per dollar spent on digital purchases (streaming, gaming, rideshare, food delivery), groceries, and transportation, plus 1 point per dollar on all other spending, with no annual fee. The card includes a welcome bonus of 7,000 Avion points upon approval (worth approximately $40-50) and practical benefits like a three-month complimentary DashPass subscription, 3¢ per liter fuel savings at Petro-Canada, and enhanced Be Well points earning at Rexall.

This card excels for digitally-engaged consumers whose spending heavily features streaming services, food delivery apps, rideshare usage, and online subscriptions that traditional cards often don’t reward specifically. However, the value proposition depends entirely on spending alignment with these enhanced categories, and the Avion points program requires more active management than simple cash back alternatives. While perfect for tech-savvy consumers comfortable with optimizing point redemptions, those with minimal digital service spending or preferring straightforward cash back rewards will likely find better value with traditional no-fee cards focused on conventional spending categories.

The BMO Eclipse Rise Visa Card brings premium-style rewards to the no-annual-fee category, offering 5x BMO Rewards points per $2 spent on recurring bills, groceries, dining, and takeout, effectively earning 2.5 points per dollar in these essential categories. With a generous welcome bonus of up to 25,000 points achievable through moderate spending and simple account setup tasks, plus a 0.99% balance transfer rate for nine months, this card delivers exceptional value without any ongoing fees or minimum income requirements.

While the BMO Eclipse Rise Visa Card’s earning structure of points per $2 rather than per dollar may initially confuse, the combination of strong category coverage, mobile device insurance up to $1,000, and accessibility to those with good credit scores of 660+ makes this an attractive option for budget-conscious rewards seekers. The card particularly shines for those with existing balances to transfer or households spending heavily on groceries and dining, offering a rare combination of debt management tools and ongoing rewards potential without the burden of annual fees.

The Scotiabank Value Visa Card stands out in the Canadian credit card market with its remarkably low 13.99% interest rate on purchases and cash advances, making it an ideal choice for those who carry a balance or need to finance larger purchases over time. With a promotional balance transfer rate of just 0.99% for the first nine months and no annual fee in year one, this card offers immediate relief for anyone looking to consolidate high-interest debt or reduce their monthly interest charges.

While the Scotiabank Value Visa Card doesn’t offer rewards, cash back, or travel insurance, its low interest rate delivers tangible savings that can far exceed the benefits of traditional rewards cards for the right user. With only a $29 annual fee after the first year and minimal income requirements of $12,000 annually, this accessible card provides a practical financial tool for budget-conscious Canadians who prioritize interest savings over perks and want to take control of their credit card debt.

The RBC ION+ Visa represents a modern approach to rewards credit cards, offering 3x Avion points on contemporary spending categories including streaming services, online gaming, digital subscriptions, food delivery, rideshares, groceries, and transit, all for a modest $48 annual fee. With a welcome bonus of 14,000 Avion points, mobile device insurance up to $1,000, and practical perks like DashPass membership and Petro-Canada fuel savings, this card targets digitally-savvy Canadians whose spending patterns have shifted toward subscription services and app-based purchases.

While Avion points typically offer lower redemption values compared to premium rewards programs, requiring 172 points per dollar for most redemptions, the RBC ION+ Visa compensates through its broad 3x earning categories that capture modern spending habits often overlooked by traditional cards. The ability to waive the annual fee with eligible RBC banking packages and the absence of income requirements make this an accessible option for young professionals and students who spend heavily on digital services, food delivery, and urban transportation rather than traditional travel and entertainment.

The Scotia Momentum Visa offers enhanced cash back earning with 2% on gas, groceries, drug stores, and recurring bill payments (up to $25,000 annually), plus 1% on all other purchases, making it a solid step up from no-fee alternatives for a modest $39 annual fee. The card includes a promotional 2.99% balance transfer rate for six months, which can provide significant debt consolidation value, along with practical benefits like purchase protection, extended warranties, and car rental discounts at Budget and AVIS locations.

This card works best for Canadian households with regular spending in the bonus categories, where the enhanced 2% earning rate easily justifies the annual fee through additional cash back compared to no-fee cards. A typical family spending $800 monthly on groceries, $200 on gas, and $300 on recurring bills would earn about $273 net cash back annually after the fee. However, light spenders who can’t generate enough category spending to offset the annual fee, or heavy spenders who might hit the $25,000 category cap, should consider no-fee alternatives or premium cards respectively. The Scotia Momentum Visa succeeds as a practical middle-ground option for moderate spenders seeking better returns without premium card complexity or high annual fees.

The Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card offers a refreshingly simple approach to rewards with no annual fee and straightforward earning on everyday purchases, making it an ideal entry point for young Canadians and movie enthusiasts looking to earn rewards without the commitment of premium cards. With 2x Scene+ points at Cineplex theatres, Home Hardware, and participating grocery stores like Sobeys and Safeway, plus 1x points on everything else, this accessible card transforms routine spending into entertainment rewards and practical benefits.

While the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card won’t impress with premium perks or travel insurance, its combination of zero fees, low income requirements of just $12,000, and a welcome bonus of 5,000 Scene+ points creates genuine value for budget-conscious consumers. The flexibility to redeem points for movies, dining, groceries, travel, and gift cards through the expanded Scene+ program means cardholders aren’t locked into a single redemption path, making this a versatile starter card that grows with your financial journey.

The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card offers straightforward cash back rewards without annual fees, earning 1% on gas stations, grocery stores, drug stores, and recurring payments, plus 0.5% on all other purchases. With a welcome bonus of 5% cash back on all purchases for the first three months (up to $2,000 in spending) and a promotional 0% balance transfer rate for six months with no transfer fee, the card provides solid initial value for new cardholders seeking basic rewards functionality.

This card works best for budget-conscious consumers who want simple cash back earning without the complexity of category rotations or annual fee considerations. While the earning rates are conservative compared to premium alternatives, the inclusion of recurring payments in the 1% category adds practical value in today’s subscription economy, and the broad Visa acceptance ensures usability across Canada. However, consumers with substantial spending or those comfortable with annual fees will likely find better long-term returns with enhanced earning rate cards, making this primarily suitable for moderate spenders seeking reliable, no-commitment cash back rewards.