The best travel credit cards in Canada earn 2–5x points on everyday spending, with perks like lounge access, travel insurance, and sign-up bonuses worth $200–$1,000. Here are the top picks for 2026.
Best Travel Cards at a Glance
| Card | Annual Fee | Best Rate | Program | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Cobalt | $156 ($13/mo) | 5x food/drink | Amex MR | Best all-around |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 1.5x everywhere | Aeroplan | Air Canada frequent flyers |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | $150 | 2x travel/dining | Scene+ | No foreign transaction fee |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite | $139 | 2x travel/gas | Aventura | CIBC customers |
| Amex Gold | $250 | 2x travel/gas/transit | Amex MR | Premium rewards |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | $120 | 1x everywhere | Avion | Flexible redemption |
Best for No Foreign Transaction Fees
| Card | Annual Fee | FX Fee | Points Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | $150 | 0% | 2x travel/dining |
| Brim Financial World Elite | $0 or $199 | 0% | 1–2x |
| HSBC World Elite Mastercard | $149 | 0% | 3x travel |
| Rogers World Elite | $0 | -1.75% (earn on FX) | 1.5% cashback |
Most Canadian credit cards charge 2.5% on foreign currency purchases. Choosing a no-FX card saves $25 per $1,000 spent abroad.
Sign-Up Bonuses
| Card | Welcome Bonus | Value (est.) | Min. Spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Cobalt | 2,500 pts/mo (12 months) | ~$300 | $500/month |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | 20,000 Aeroplan pts | ~$300 | $1,000 first 3 months |
| Amex Gold | 50,000 MR pts | ~$500 | $3,000 first 3 months |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite | 20,000 Aventura pts | ~$200 | $1,000 first 4 months |
Travel Insurance Comparison
| Coverage | Cobalt | TD Aeroplan | Scotia Passport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trip cancellation | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Emergency medical | $5M | $2M | $2M |
| Trip delay | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Baggage delay | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Rental car insurance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bottom Line
The Amex Cobalt is the best overall travel card in Canada — 5x on food/drink, flexible points, and strong insurance at just $13/month. For international travellers, the Scotiabank Passport eliminates foreign transaction fees. Air Canada loyalists should grab the TD Aeroplan for direct earning and redemption.
See our best credit cards in Canada or best cashback credit cards for non-travel options.
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