Canada’s best credit cards for online shopping

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In Canada, online shopping accounts for purchases in the billions annually, and it’s easy to see why. Instead of pounding the pavement, braving fitting rooms or standing in lines, online shoppers make their purchases with a few clicks and taps. Plus, who doesn’t like getting mail?

When it comes to picking a credit card for online shopping, things get a little bit more complex. If you collect points or cash back, you may be well-versed in your spending categories. But sometimes (not always) an online purchase doesn’t “reward” you as you’d expect. If, for example, your card offers rewards on groceries, you may expect bonus credits when you order groceries online. Depending on your credit card, however, your online grocery spend might show up in the generic “everything else” category. When shopping online, not all cards are created equal. These picks will earn you more than the standard 0.5% to 1% in rewards.

Best credit cards for online shopping

American Express SimplyCash Preferred – 2% cash back
MBNA Rewards World Elite – 2% in travel rewards
Rogers World Elite Mastercard – 1.5% cash back and US forex savings
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite – 1.5% in travel rewards
Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards – 1.5% in travel rewards and forex savings
Home Trust Preferred Visa – 1% cash back and no forex fees
Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard – up to 2.5% on Amazon and forex savings
MBNA True Line Mastercard – low interest

SimplyCash Preferred from American Express*

With a standard cash back rate of 2% on everything—including online purchases—the American Express SimplyCash Preferred card will accelerate earnings on each and every purchase. Even better, they’re offering a juicy introductory rate of 10% to new members for the first four months. And, at $99 annually, this card costs a little less than the typical $120 charged by most cards in this category.

Annual fee: $99
Earn rate: 2% cash back on everything
Welcome offer: 10% cash back for new members for 4 months (up to $400 in cash back)
Income requirement: None specified

Get more details about the SimplyCash Preferred Card*

MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard*

The MBNA Rewards World Elite card allows you to earn 2 MBNA Rewards points per dollar spent on everything you buy with your card, including online purchases. MBNA Rewards can be redeemed for travel and the points never expire. When used against travel purchases, 100 points are worth $1—letting you pocket an impressive 2% in travel rewards on every dollar spent. The welcome offer alone is a solid start, worth $300 toward travel.

Annual fee: $120
Earn rate: 2 MBNA points per $1
Welcome offer: Earn up to 30,000 MBNA Rewards points (20,000 after $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days plus 10,000 points with paperless e-statement enrolment). Offer valid until April 30, 2020.
Income requirement: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household

Get more details about the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard*

Rogers World Elite Mastercard

The Rogers World Elite Mastercard is a no-fee cash-back option that’s available only to those with a personal annual income of $80,000 or $150,000 for the household. Currently, this card delivers an impressive 1.5% cash back on every purchase and 3% on website purchases made in U.S. currency. A welcome bonus of $25 when you make a purchase within three months is a great way to start.

As you consider your options, it’s important to note that the card’s savings on foreign transaction fees does not apply to currencies other than U.S.; and you need to spend at least $15,000 per year on the card in order to continue qualifying to use it.

Annual fee: $0
Earn rate: 1.5% regular cash back; and e% back on purchases in a foreign currency (which nets you 0.5% back after foreign exchange fees)
Welcome offer: $25 in cash back after first purchase within 3 months
Income requirement: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card*

Operating in the TD Rewards program, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite earns you 3 points per dollar (1.5% in travel rewards) spent on all your everyday purchases including online purchases. This card comes with a solid welcome bonus of up to 60,000 TD Rewards points, which have a travel value of $300 on ExpediaforTD.com

Annual fee: $120
Earn rate: 3 TD Rewards points per dollar spent
Welcome offer: The annual fee ($120) and fee for your first additional cardholder ($50) are waived for the first year; that’s a savings of $170, and with two of you earning TD Points, you can reach your goals faster.
Income requirement: $60,000 personal or $100,000 household

Get more details about the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card*

Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards

Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards cardholders earn 1.5 points per dollar (1.50% in travel rewards) on all purchases, including online and 3 points per dollar on purchases made in foreign currencies, which covers the foreign transaction fee with a little left over.

Annual fee: $99
Earn rate: 1.5 points per dollar; 3 points per dollar on purchases made in foreign currencies
Welcome offer: Fee waiver for first year
Income requirement: $60,000 personal or $100,000 household

Home Trust Preferred Visa*

Home Trust Preferred Visa is a good, basic cash-back card that carries no annual fee. With this card, you’ll receive 1% cashback on all Canadian purchases. Even better, purchases made in another currency on this card aren’t charged a foreign transaction fee—this is an automatic savings of 2.5 to 3% and super-valuable for those who shop at online retailers from the United States. The Home Trust Preferred Visa is easy to apply for, and there’s no specified income requirement to get approved.

Annual fee: $0
Earn rate: 1% cash back per dollar on Canadian purchases. No foreign transaction fee on international purchases
Welcome offer: None
Income requirement: $15,000

Get more details about the Home Trust Preferred Visa*

Honourable Mentions

When it comes to online shopping, not all credit cards deliver the same benefits. With these cards, you’ll make the most of each and every purchase.

Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard

Ideal for frequent Amazon shoppers, this no-fee card earns 2.5% in Amazon Rewards points per dollar spent on Amazon.ca for Amazon Prime members (1.5% if you’re not), and 1% back on everything else. The 2.5% back on foreign purchases offsets the foreign exchange fee on your cross-borders shopping sprees. Plus, there’s an attractive welcome bonus of 5% on Amazon.ca for the first 6 months up to $150 in rewards. Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard points can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards.

Annual fee: $0
Earn rate: 2.5% back for Amazon Prime members on Amazon.ca spends, 1.5% back on Amazon.ca spends for non-members, and 1% back on everything else
Welcome offer: 5% back at Amazon.ca, Whole Foods Market stores, grocery stores, and restaurants for 6 months up to $3,000 in eligible purchases (for a value of $150)
Income requirement: None specified

MBNA True Line Mastercard*

If you carry a balance and are looking to manage credit card interest, look no further than the MBNA True Line Mastercard. With no annual fee and a regular purchase interest rate of 12.99%, a full 7% less than the standard 19.99%, this card will help you get your debt in check.

Annual fee: $0
Earn rate: N/A
Income requirement: None specified

Get more details about the MBNA True Line Mastercard*

NOTE: this offer is not available for residents of Quebec

Summary

Canada’s best credit cards for shopping online

Credit card	Annual fee	Rewards
American Express SimplyCash Preferred	$99	2% cash back
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard	$120	2% in travel rewards
Rogers World Elite Mastercard	$0	1.75% cash back / no FX fees
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite	$120	1.5% in travel rewards
Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards	$99	1.5% in travel rewards / no FX Fees
Home Trust Preferred Visa	$0	1% cash back / no FX fees
Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard	$0	2.5% – 1.5% on Amazon.ca / no FX fees

More on Canada’s best credit cards:

What does the * mean?

If a link has an asterisk (*) at the end of it, that means it’s an affiliate link and can sometimes result in a payment to MoneySense (owned by Ratehub Inc.) which helps our website stay free to our users. It’s important to note that our editorial content will never be impacted by these links. We are committed to looking at all available products in the market, and where a product ranks in our article or whether or not it’s included in the first place is never driven by compensation. For more details read our MoneySense Monetization policy .

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