The best credit cards for families 2022

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Starting a family changes everything—including which credit card is best for you. Your most-used spending categories might shift from dining out to groceries, and your credit card points might be used to book family vacations rather than a flight to Europe. The best credit card for your family will meet your new needs. Read on to discover our picks for 2022.

Best overall credit card for families

CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite*

Groceries and gas are undoubtedly two of the biggest expenses for busy families, so why not use a card that rewards your spending in those categories? When you use the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite to buy groceries or gas, you’ll get a whopping 4% cash back (one of the best rates on the market). A 2% return on dining out, transportation and recurring bills sweetens the pot, and the 1% base rate with no limit to how much you can earn means you’ll get money back no matter where you spend it. And, when you link and use your CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite with Journie Rewards, you can save up to 10 cents per litre at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations—a huge benefit with today’s fuel prices.

Just how much can a family earn with this card? To put it into perspective, consider a family that spends $1,000 on groceries and $150 on gas monthly. They would get a return of $46 per month, or $552 annually, on just those two expenses. Plus, new cardholders can boost their earnings with a 10% cash back welcome bonus for the first four statements, up to a maximum reward of $250. A first-year annual-fee waiver adds another $120 in savings.

Annual fee: $120 (waived for the first year)
Interest rates: purchases 20.99%, cash advances 22.99%, balance transfers 22.99%
Income requirement: $60,000, or a minimum household income of $100,000
Welcome bonus: Get 10% cash back for all purchases on your first four statements, or first $2,500 in purchases (up to $250 in cash back). After that, the earn rate becomes 4% on gas and grocery purchases and 1% cash back on everything else.
Earn rates: 4% cash back on groceries and gas; 2% cash back on dining out, transportation and recurring bill payments; 1% cash back on everything else
Perks: Out-of-province emergency travel medical, $500,000 common carrier accident, and auto rental collision/loss damage insurance; new mobile device coverage; discount up to 10 cents per litre at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations

Get more details about the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite

Best credit card for families on a budget

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card*

If an annual credit card fee feels like a hundred-odd dollars that could be better spent on diapers or hockey equipment, this card is for you. The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a no-fee Mastercard that still offers substantial cash back. You will earn 2% cash back on up to three spending categories of your choice. When you sign up for this card, you can select two spending categories to receive 2% cash back, from this list: groceries, gas, restaurants, drug stores, recurring bills, parking/public transportation, entertainment, home improvement, furniture, and hotel/motel. If you set up an automatic deposit of your cash back into a Tangerine savings account, you’ll get a third spending category at 2% cash back. All other spends earn 0.5% cash back.

A family that spends $1,000 on groceries and $150 on gas monthly would get a return of $23 monthly, or $276 annually, on just those two expenses. Tangerine also has a welcome bonus of 10% on purchases up to $1,000 ($100 cash back) in the first two months.

Annual fee: $0
Interest rates: purchases 19.95%, cash advances 19.95%, balance transfers 19.95%
Income requirement: None specified
Welcome bonus: Earn 10% cash back (up to $100) when you spend $1,000 on everyday purchases within the first 2 months of having the card. Must apply before May 31, 2022.
Earn rates: 2% cash back on up to three spending categories of your choice; 0.5% cash back on everything else
Perks: Balance transfers within the first 30 days will accumulate only 1.95% interest for the first 6 months

Get more details about the Tangerine Money-Back card*

Best flat-rate card for families

SimplyCash Card by American Express*

If you’re looking to simplify your life (and who isn’t?), you might consider a card that offers you the same flat rate on cash back no matter what you use it for. Our pick is the SimplyCash Card by American Express, which offers a better-than-average 1.25% cash back on everything you buy, with no limit to how much you can earn. This is a no-fee card, so you can furnish your family with additional cards and see the money rack up even faster. And there’s also a welcome bonus of up to 4% cash back in your first six months (up to $200).

Unlike some other no-fee cards, the SimplyCash Card by American Express comes with some travel and flight insurance, and because it’s an AMEX, you’ll have access to American Express Experiences and special bonus offers.

Annual fee: $0
Interest rates: purchases 19.99%, cash advances 21.99%, balance transfers 21.99%
Income requirement: None specified
Welcome bonus: Get a welcome bonus of 4% cash back in the first 6 months (up to $200 cash back)
Earn rates: 1.25% cash back on everything you buy with the card
Perks: $100,000 travel accident insurance; American Express Experiences; bonus offers

Get more details about the SimplyCash Card by American Express*

Best credit for family entertainment points

Scotiabank Gold American Express*

If your family likes to go out for dinners and movies, you probably already know about Scotiabank’s Scene+ rewards. This loyalty points program started out with rewards that Canadians could redeem for movies at Cineplex theatres and meals at family-friendly restaurants like Swiss Chalet, but it has since expanded to include new rewards like travel, gift cards and statement credits. When you use the Scotiabank Gold American Express, you’ll earn 5x the Scene+ points on entertainment purchases and groceries, restaurants and drinking establishments; 3x the points on streaming services, gas and transit; and 1x the points on everything else. New cardholders can get a big head start with up to 45,000 Scene+ points.

With these earn rates and bonuses, it won’t be long before you can treat the family to a day out at Playdium or even book a vacation through Scene+ Travel. This card comes with even more benefits, like no foreign transaction fees—a perk that will save you 2.5% to 3% on purchases made in other currencies, online or in person. Travel and shopping insurance and access to American Express benefits round out the package nicely.

Annual fee: $120
Interest rates: purchases 19.99%, cash advances 22.99%, balance transfers 22.99%
Income requirement: $12,000
Welcome bonus: You can earn a total of 45,000 bonus Scene+ points ($450 value). First, you’ll earn 25,000 by spending $1,000 on everyday purchases in your first 3 months then earn another 20,000 points when you spend at least $7,500 in everyday purchases in your first year. Must apply by July 4, 2022.
Earn rates: 5x the Scene+ points on entertainment purchases and groceries, restaurants and drinking establishments; 3x the points on streaming services, gas and transit; and 1x the points on everything else
Perks: Travel insurance including travel emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, flight delay, delayed and lost baggage, travel accident and hotel-motel burglary coverage; rental car collision loss/damage protection; discounted Priority Pass airport lounge membership; and American Express Invites, Amex Front of the Line and Amex Offers

Get more details about the Scotiabank Gold American Express*

Best credit card for family vacations

Marriott Bonvoy American Express*

Everybody loves a vacation, but when it comes to planning (and budgeting for) a getaway for the entire family, it pays to have a little help. That’s where the Marriott Bonvoy American Express comes in. With a generous welcome bonus of 65,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and a $100 statement credit, and perks like an annual Free Night award and complimentary Silver Elite status, this card gets you access to luxury hotels, first-class dining, and five-star spas and attractions with one of the best travel programs in the country. With an earn rate of 5x the Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend at Marriott and 2x the points on purchases made everywhere else, you can harness your everyday spending to ensure your family vacation is…well, anything but everyday.

In addition to the Marriott Bonvoy rewards, this card also gets you travel insurance including car rental and hotel burglary coverage and access to American Express Invites, Amex Front of the Line and Amex Offers.

Annual fee: $120
Interest rates: purchases 19.99%, cash advances 21.99%, balance transfers 21.99%
Income requirement: None specified
Welcome bonus: Earn 65,000 Marriott Bonvoy points plus a $100 credit on your statement when you charge $1,500 in purchases to your card within the first three months. Must Apply by May 11, 2022.
Earn rates: 5x the Marriott Bonvoy points on Marriott purchases and 2x the points on everything else
Perks: Travel insurance including travel emergency assistance; flight delay; delayed, lost or stolen baggage; $500,000 travel accident and hotel burglary coverage; and car rental theft and damage protection. Also complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, 15 Elite Night credits per year, annual Free Night award, and access to American Express Invites, Amex Front of the Line and and Amex Offers.

Get more details about the Marriott Bonvoy American Express*

Can you add family members as additional cardholders?

Whether you’re earning cash back or collecting rewards points, it’s a great idea to get additional credit cards for family members. These cards allow everyone to accumulate cash or points on the same account, multiplying your earning potential. Some cards, like the SimplyCash Card by American Express, offer supplementary cards for free, while others, like the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite, charge a fee. (Be aware that although these are individual cards for each family member, the account holder is ultimately responsible for paying the balance.) With a little preparation, you can maximize your family’s earnings and be well on your way to your goals.

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