Centurion Card from American Express
If you’re part of the 1% and regularly spend over $250,000 a year without batting an eye, this card might be for you.
Rewards: Earn 1 point per dollar on everything you buy.
Welcome Offer: Not Disclosed.
Annual Fee: $5,000
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card earns thousands of dollars worth of exclusive perks each year, including airport lounge access and a free Equinox gym membership (valued at $3,000). However, get ready to pay a hefty initiation fee that’s rumoured to be upwards of $10,000. If you want to enjoy all the benefits of the Centurion Card from American Express, it will cost you $5,000 per year (all fees are in USD). Plus, the card earns a relatively low amount of points, earning only 1 point per dollar spent across all spending. That said, if you’re spending hundreds of thousands per year, the points could still really add up even at that lower earn rate.
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The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express feels exclusive, but you don’t have to be a millionaire to qualify or take advantage of its rewards.
Rewards: Earn 2 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent on food delivery and dining in Canada, 2 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases, 1 Membership Rewards Point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases; Earn 1 additional Membership Rewards Point per dollar spent on eligible car and hotel purchases made with American Express Travel.
Welcome Offer: Get up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points. Collect 70,000 points when you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months, plus an additional 30,000 points for making a purchase between 14 and 17 months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $799
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Despite having lower earn rates than other rewards credit cards, this card can still provide considerable value if you frequently book flights and hotels.
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Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Business owners who travel frequently and don’t care about earning points will get the most value out of this card’s benefits.
Rewards: 1.25 points per dollar on all purchases.
Welcome Offer: Collect 80,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $15,000 in the first 90 days and another 40,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of getting the card (120,000 total points).
Annual Fee: $799
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The Membership Rewards points from the Business Platinum Card® from American Express are easily transferable to other loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio. However, watch out for unpaid balances that incur 30% interest charges.
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American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
Frequent flyers will get a lot of use out of this card’s priority airport services and airport lounge access.
Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar on eligible Air Canada flights and vacations, 2 points per dollar on dining and food deliveries, and 1.25 points per dollar on other purchases.
Welcome Offer: Get 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months, plus earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in purchases in month 13 (up to 85,000 total points).
Annual Fee: $599
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Extensive travel perks and insurance help offset the $599 annual fee, but you’ll have to spend at least $25,000 every year if you want to get an annual companion pass.
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American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card
With the American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card, you get a decent earn rate and a laundry list of travel benefits for business trips.
Rewards: 3 points per dollar spent on eligible Air Canada flights and vacations, 2 points on hotel and car rental purchases and 1.25 points on everything else.
Welcome Offer: Receive 65,000 Aeroplan points after spending $10,500 in purchases on the card within the first 3 months, plus earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,500 in purchases in month 13 (90,000 total points).
Annual Fee: $599
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card rounds out its rewards with comprehensive travel insurance and employee card misuse protection. Business owners who aren’t fond of a $599 annual fee should explore more affordable business credit cards.
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CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Families and groups who routinely travel together will enjoy the rewards of the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card.
Rewards: 1.5 points per dollar on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel and dining, 2 points per dollar on Air Canada flights and vacations, 1.25 points per dollar on other purchases and bonus points from Aeroplan partners.
Welcome Offer: Get up to 60,000 Aeroplan points. Get 20,000 points on your first purchase, 30,000 points by spending $7,000 in the first four months and 10,000 bonus points if you spend $15,000 before your card anniversary.
Annual Fee: $599
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: A notable bonus of this travel card is using fewer points to book flights. If you don’t travel often or usually fly solo, you may want to explore other options.
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TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
If you spend a lot of time in the air, then you might want to take the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card along for the ride.
Rewards: Earn 2 Aeroplan Points for every dollar spent on Air Canada purchases, including Air Canada Vacations. Cardholders also earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent on gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases, as well as 1.25 points on every dollar for other purchases made with your card.
Welcome Offer: Earn up to $2,900 in value† including up to 80,000 Aeroplan points (enough for a round trip to Honolulu†) and additional travel benefits. Terms and conditions apply. Not available for residents of Quebec. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
Annual Fee: $599
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Buying coffee and other eligible items at Starbucks will get you 50% more Aeroplan points and Stars. If you’re looking for rewards beyond travel, consider cash-back credit cards.
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BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
High earners who travel on a regular basis and enjoy playing a few rounds of golf will appreciate the perks of the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card.
Rewards: 5 points on every dollar for groceries, gas, travel, dining, takeout and drugstore purchases, 1 point per dollar on everything else and 25% more points if you add an authorized user.
Welcome Offer: Earn up to 120,000 points. Earn 50,000 points after spending $6,000 within the first 3 months, 30,000 points after spending $30,000 within the first 6 months, and 40,000 points after spending $75,000 within the first 12 months of opening the account.
Annual Fee: $499
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card earns an extra 25% more points for adding an authorized user when signing up. The $499 annual fee may be a sticking point for average spenders.
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CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card
This card makes it easy to earn flexible travel rewards on daily purchases and at the pump while saving you $0.10 per litre.
Rewards: 3 points per dollar on CIBC Rewards Centre travel purchases, 2 points per dollar on dining, entertainment, grocery, gas, electric vehicle charging and transportation and 1.25 points per dollar on everything else.
Welcome Offer: Get 25,000 Aventura points when you spend $3,000 and after you spend $6,000 in the first four months and 30,000 points as an anniversary bonus (80,000 total points).
Annual Fee: $499
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: You can only earn 3 points per dollar when you spend money on travel with the CIBC Reward Centre, but the other earn rates still offer decent returns on Aventura points for everyday purchases.
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Scotiabank Platinum Amex Card
Travellers who often spend money overseas and carry a balance can save on foreign transaction fees and interest charges with the Scotiabank Platinum Amex Card.
Rewards: 3 points per dollar on hotel and car rental bookings made through Scene+ Travel and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 Scene+ points for making $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months and 10,000 bonus points after you spend $10,000 in the first 14 months (60,000 total points).
Annual Fee: $399
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: What this card lacks in travel benefits, it makes up for in offering one of the lowest interest rates for American Express credit cards.
