If you’re trying to get more value out of the money you already spend on groceries, gas, dining, transit, and monthly bills, the right credit card can meaningfully offset that spending — often $200–$500+ a year for a typical household, depending on how much you spend and where. Here’s how the cards we’ve reviewed so far stack up on the categories most Canadians spend in every single month.
How we ranked these: we compared the published reward rate each card pays on everyday categories — groceries, gas, dining, transit, and recurring bills — against its annual fee, using the rates and terms disclosed directly on each issuer’s official pages (see each full review for sourcing and any unresolved conflicts we flag). This is an editorial ranking, not a personalized recommendation: the best card for you depends on which of these categories you actually spend the most in. We’re continuing to review more cards, so this list will grow over time.
#1
Tangerine Bank · Mastercard
Everyday Reward Rate
2% (your choice of 3 categories)
Most flexible everyday card — you pick which categories earn 2%, from 13 options including groceries, gas, and recurring bills, with no annual fee.
0.5% base rate outside your chosen categories; the third 2% category requires cash back to be deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account.
#2
CIBC · Visa
Annual Fee
$120/year (rebated to $0 for year one)
Everyday Reward Rate
4% gas/groceries, 2% dining/transit/bills
Credit Score Needed
Very good
Strongest combined rate across the widest set of everyday categories at once — 4% on gas and groceries alone can add up fast.
$120/year starting in year two (year one is rebated); 2.5% foreign transaction fee with no waiver.
#3
BMO · Mastercard
Everyday Reward Rate
3% groceries, 1% bills
One of the highest no-fee grocery cash back rates available, with zero annual fee.
Bonus rates cap at just $500 in spend per statement period, per category; Costco purchases don’t qualify as “groceries.”
#4
TD Canada Trust · Visa
Everyday Reward Rate
3% across 5 categories
Credit Score Needed
Very good
Broadest set of everyday bonus categories — groceries, gas, transit, bills, and streaming all earn 3%, each with a generous $15,000/year cap.
$139/year fee; TD’s own published disclosures show two unresolved conflicts (purchase APR and minimum redemption amount) we’re flagging for transparency.
#5
Amex Bank of Canada · American Express
Annual Fee
$15.99/month ($191.88/year)
Everyday Reward Rate
5x points on dining
Credit Score Needed
Very good
Best rate specifically for restaurants and food delivery — a strong pick if dining out is your biggest everyday category.
Highest fee on this list, billed monthly ($191.88/year); no grocery-specific multiplier; narrower merchant acceptance than Visa or Mastercard.
| Card | Annual Fee | Best Everyday Rate | Reward Type | Credit Score Needed |
|---|
| Tangerine Money-Back | $0 | 2% (your choice of 3 categories) | Cash back | Good |
| CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite | $120/yr (year 1 free) | 4% gas & groceries | Cash back | Very good |
| BMO CashBack Mastercard | $0 | 3% groceries (capped) | Cash back | Good |
| TD Cash Back Visa Infinite | $139/yr | 3% across 5 categories | Cash back | Very good |
| Amex Cobalt | $191.88/yr | 5x points on dining | Points (Membership Rewards) | Very good |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best credit card for everyday spending in Canada?
It depends on which categories you spend the most in. Tangerine Money-Back is the most flexible no-fee option since you choose your own bonus categories, while CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite pays the highest combined rate on gas and groceries specifically. Compare the categories you spend most in against the cards above before deciding.
Do I need a good credit score for an everyday spending credit card?
Most of the cards above require a credit score in the “good” to “very good” range, based on each issuer’s published requirements. Actual approval also depends on income and other factors the issuer considers, so meeting the published score alone doesn’t guarantee approval.
Is a no-fee card ever better than a fee-based cash back card?
Often, yes — if your annual spending in the bonus categories isn’t high enough, a fee-based card’s extra rewards may not cover its annual fee. Run the math on your own typical spending in each category before paying an annual fee for a marginally higher rate.
Rates, fees, and rewards shown are as last verified by MoneyMint and may have changed — always confirm current terms on the issuer’s official page before applying. Some links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning MoneyMint could earn a commission if you apply through them, at no extra cost to you. This never affects which cards we feature or how we rank them. This is general information, not personalized financial advice — consider your own spending habits and consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
