The best instant approval credit cards in Canada for 2024
October 23, 2024 | Fact checked by: Natasha Macmillan, Business Unit Director - Everyday Banking
The days of waiting for your credit card approval are no more. Find out immediately if your credit card application has been approved. Here is our selection of the best instant approval credit cards in Canada.
Find Canada’s best cards suited for you in 60 seconds! View cards and offers you’re likely to qualify for without affecting your credit or needing a SIN.
Canada's best instant approval cards at a glance
Featured
Best overall rewards - AMEX Cobalt
Apply now and you could earn up to 15,000 bonus points with the American Express Cobalt® Card
Featured
Best online instant approval credit card - Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Earn an extra 10% back on up to $1,000 in everyday purchases within the first 2 months. Must apply by January 31, 2025.
Featured
Best cash back - Simplycash Preferred by AMEX
Earn a bonus 10% cash back on all purchases for your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases). Plus, earn a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13. This could add up to $250 in bonus value in your first 13 months.
Compare credit cards side-by-side
Finding a new credit card just got easier. Instantly compare up to 3 credit cards side-by-side to see how their rewards, features, perks, and rates stack up.
Our methodology: how we choose the best credit cards
Ratehub.ca evaluates the best credit cards by considering overall consumer value and suitability for various types of consumers. Our evaluation methodology incorporates factors such as the card’s annual fee, rewards earning rates, ease-of-use, welcome or promotional offers, approval rates, eligibility criteria, and redemption choices. We have also considered the pros and cons of each card to help you determine which case best suits your financial needs and spending habits.
Best instant approval credit cards by category
Best rewards instant approval credit card
Best for Groceries & dining
based on spending $2,200/mo after $156 annual fee
- Earn rewards
1pt – 5pts / dollar spent
- Welcome bonus
15,000 points (a $150 value)
- Annual fee
$156
Perks of the American Express Cobalt® Card
| Perks | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Not included | You’ll gain complimentary passes to airport lounges. The number of passes and lounges you have access to will vary. |
| Waived foreign transaction fees | Not included | A surcharge that credit card holders pay for purchases made in a foreign currency (typically 2.5%). |
| Travel accident insurance | $250,000 | If you suffer a loss as a result of an accidental bodily injury sustained while occupying a common carrier, you are eligible for this coverage. |
| Travel emergency medical | $5,000,000 for first 15 days (under 65) | If you require urgent medical care while on a trip outside of your home province, you will be covered for any eligible medical expenses incurred. |
| Car rental insurance | MSRP of up to $85,000, for 48 days | Credit card rental car insurance usually covers theft, loss and damage to your rental car in the case of an accidental collision. |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | If you have to cancel your trip before it’s even started, your prepaid travel costs will be covered up to a maximum amount if the cause of cancellation is eligible for the insurance. |
| Trip interruption | Not included | If your trip has to be cut short or is delayed after the scheduled departure date, you will be covered up to a maximum amount for an eligible cause of interruption or delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | $500; delays 4 hours or more | If your flight departure is delayed by a certain number of hours, you’ll be reimbursed a certain amount for necessary and reasonable expenses. |
| Baggage loss insurance | $500 per trip for all persons | If your checked bag cannot be located by a common carrier, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of the replacement cost of lost personal property. |
| Baggage delay insurance | $500; delays 6 hours or more | If your checked bag is not delivered within a specified time upon your arrival, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost to replace essential items. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Included | Provides protection, while you’re checked in, for your personal belongings when left unattended in your room up to a certain dollar amount. |
| Mobile insurance | Up to $1,000 for 90 days | Reimburses a portion of your cell phone in the event it’s damaged or lost. Device coverage is limited to a certain period of time after purchasing with your credit card. |
| Purchase assurance | Up to $1,000 for 90 days | Automatically protects new purchases by insuring them for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of loss, theft or damage. |
| Extended warranty | Up to one additional year | Either doubles the length of the item’s manufacturer’s warranty coverage or extends it by 1 year, whichever is less. |
| Price protection | Included | If, within a certain amount of time of purchasing an item, its price drops or you find an identical item offered for a lower retail price than what you paid, you will be reimbursed for the difference. |
Other perks
- In your first year as a new Cobalt Cardmember, you can earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in net purchases on your Card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets
- Earn 5x the points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap applies.
- Earn 3X the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- Earn 2X the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada
- Earn 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online
- Earn 1X point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else
- Enjoy access to hotel bookings, a room upgrade (when available), 12pm check-in and late check-out (when available), and up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities when charged to the room for a stay of 2 or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel
- Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs
- Cobalt Cardmembers receive regular Perks such as bonus reward offers and access to great events
- Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex ExperiencesTM
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Ratehub’s take
The American Express Cobalt is one of Canada’s best travel credit cards. If you’re looking for a versatile credit card that rewards both everyday spending and travel, the American Express Cobalt is an ideal choice. Cardholders can enjoy strong travel insurance, a generous welcome offer, and flexible point redemption options.
Pros
- Exceptional point earning: 5x the points on eligible restaurant and food delivery, 3x the points on eligible streaming services, 2x the points on ride shares, transit and gas. The earning potential for restaurants and takeout is significantly higher than most other cards
- Flexible point redemption: Travelers can choose from three ways to use their points: points 1:1 to several valuable loyalty programs including Aeroplan, use the Fixed Points Program to simplify redemptions regardless of travel dates, or use points for statement credits at a rate of 1 point = 1 cent. Or, redeem Membership Rewards for travel, gift cards, merchandise, or purchases
- Exclusive access: Enjoy privileges such as Front of the Line Presale and Reserved tickets to concerts, theatre performances, movie screenings, culinary events, and other special offers
- Comprehensive travel insurance: Benefit from a strong travel insurance package, including up to $5,000,000 in travel emergency medical
- No additional fee for authorized users: Add authorized users for no extra cost (an average fee of $30-50 on other comparable cards)
Cons
- Monthly fee: A monthly fee of $12.99 (totalling an annual fee of $156, which is higher than most other rewards cards)
- Limited acceptance: American Express isn’t as widely accepted in Canada compared to Visa and Mastercard
- Travel insurance age limitations: The travel insurance package does not cover trip cancellation or medical coverage for cardholders over the age of 65
- Lack of airport lounge access: Frequent travellers may be disappointed as this card does not offer access to airport lounges
Eligibility requirements
Minimum credit score: 725
Minimum income: N/A
Interest rates
Purchase interest: 21.99%
Cash advance: 21.99%
Balance transfer: N/A
The American Express Cobalt is one of the highest-earning rewards cards out there, offering up to 5 points per $1 on groceries, restaurants, and food delivery. Points are worth up to 1.75 cents each when redeemed for travel via Amex’s Fixed Points Rewards chart or 1 cent each if you want to keep things simple and use Amex’s straightforward Flexible Points program (1,000 points always equals $10 in travel rewards). The card has no specific income requirements, and when you apply online, you can get instantly approved in minutes if you qualify.
Best no-fee rewards instant approval credit card
Best for PC Points
based on spending $2,200/mo after $0 annual fee
- Earn rewards
10pts – 30pts / dollar spent
- Welcome bonus
20,000 points (a $20 value)
- Annual fee
$0
Perks of the PC® Mastercard®
| Perks | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Not included | You’ll gain complimentary passes to airport lounges. The number of passes and lounges you have access to will vary. |
| Waived foreign transaction fees | Not included | A surcharge that credit card holders pay for purchases made in a foreign currency (typically 2.5%). |
| Travel accident insurance | Not included | If you suffer a loss as a result of an accidental bodily injury sustained while occupying a common carrier, you are eligible for this coverage. |
| Travel emergency medical | Not included | If you require urgent medical care while on a trip outside of your home province, you will be covered for any eligible medical expenses incurred. |
| Car rental insurance | Not included | Credit card rental car insurance usually covers theft, loss and damage to your rental car in the case of an accidental collision. |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | If you have to cancel your trip before it’s even started, your prepaid travel costs will be covered up to a maximum amount if the cause of cancellation is eligible for the insurance. |
| Trip interruption | Not included | If your trip has to be cut short or is delayed after the scheduled departure date, you will be covered up to a maximum amount for an eligible cause of interruption or delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | Not included | If your flight departure is delayed by a certain number of hours, you’ll be reimbursed a certain amount for necessary and reasonable expenses. |
| Baggage loss insurance | Not included | If your checked bag cannot be located by a common carrier, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of the replacement cost of lost personal property. |
| Baggage delay insurance | Not included | If your checked bag is not delivered within a specified time upon your arrival, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost to replace essential items. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Not included | Provides protection, while you’re checked in, for your personal belongings when left unattended in your room up to a certain dollar amount. |
| Mobile insurance | Not included | Reimburses a portion of your cell phone in the event it’s damaged or lost. Device coverage is limited to a certain period of time after purchasing with your credit card. |
| Purchase assurance | In the event of theft, loss or damage in the first 90 days when you pay in full with your PC Financial Mastercard credit card. | Automatically protects new purchases by insuring them for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of loss, theft or damage. |
| Extended warranty | Doubles the manufacturer's regular warranty for up to an additional year on items purchased with your PC Financial Mastercard credit card. | Either doubles the length of the item’s manufacturer’s warranty coverage or extends it by 1 year, whichever is less. |
| Price protection | Not included | If, within a certain amount of time of purchasing an item, its price drops or you find an identical item offered for a lower retail price than what you paid, you will be reimbursed for the difference. |
Other perks
- Mastercard Global Service™
- Award-winning, no annual fee credit card
- Earn at least 3 cents per litre in PC Optimum™ points on gas at Esso™ and Mobil™ stations
- Earn at least 30 points per litre on gas at at Esso™ and Mobil™ stations
- Earn 25 PC Optimum™ points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart® stores
- Earn 10 PC Optimum™ points for every $1 spent everywhere you shop
- No limits on points earning and points don’t expire
- Welcome offer of 20,000 bonus PC Optimum™ points to kickstart your rewards journey
Ratehub’s take
The PC Mastercard is a great option if you want to earn rewards on one of the most common expenses – groceries. Especially if you frequently shop at affiliated stores like Loblaws, No Frills or Shoppers Drug Mart.
Pros:
- Accessible to all: No annual fee and no income requirements, making it accessible to a wider range of customers
- Abundant earning opportunities: Loblaw is one of Canada’s largest retailers, so there’s no shortage of opportunities to earn and redeem points
- Unlimited points earnings: Your Optimum points earnings isn’t limited to monthly or annual amounts like with other cards
Cons:
- Redemptions are restricted: You can’t redeem your points for things like statement credits, you are limited to redeeming for gas or groceries at affiliated stores
Eligibility requirements
Minimum credit score: 560
Minimum income: N/A
Interest rates
Purchase interest: 21.99%
Cash advance: 22.97%
Balance transfer: N/A
The PC Mastercard is one of Canada's strongest no-fee rewards credit cards and store credit cards for everyday essentials. Approval decisions come within minutes of submitting your application online. You can earn at least 25 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart, 30 points per $1 spent at Esso and Mobil gas stations, and 10 points per $1 spent everywhere else. Other PC Financial cards to consider include the PC World Mastercard and the PC World Elite Mastercard. With these cards you can 30 PC Optimum points (the equivalent of 3% in store credit) at Loblaws-owned grocery stores. While that obviously includes Loblaws chains, it also includes several other locations - from No Frills and Fortinos to Real Canadian Superstores, and more.
Best cash back instant approval credit card
Best for Everyday spending
based on spending $2,200/mo after $120 annual fee
- Earn rewards
2% – 4% / dollar spent
- Welcome bonus
$250
- Annual fee
$120
Perks of the SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express
| Perks | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Not included | You’ll gain complimentary passes to airport lounges. The number of passes and lounges you have access to will vary. |
| Waived foreign transaction fees | Not included | A surcharge that credit card holders pay for purchases made in a foreign currency (typically 2.5%). |
| Travel accident insurance | Included | If you suffer a loss as a result of an accidental bodily injury sustained while occupying a common carrier, you are eligible for this coverage. |
| Travel emergency medical | Included | If you require urgent medical care while on a trip outside of your home province, you will be covered for any eligible medical expenses incurred. |
| Car rental insurance | Included | Credit card rental car insurance usually covers theft, loss and damage to your rental car in the case of an accidental collision. |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | If you have to cancel your trip before it’s even started, your prepaid travel costs will be covered up to a maximum amount if the cause of cancellation is eligible for the insurance. |
| Trip interruption | Not included | If your trip has to be cut short or is delayed after the scheduled departure date, you will be covered up to a maximum amount for an eligible cause of interruption or delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | Included | If your flight departure is delayed by a certain number of hours, you’ll be reimbursed a certain amount for necessary and reasonable expenses. |
| Baggage loss insurance | Included | If your checked bag cannot be located by a common carrier, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of the replacement cost of lost personal property. |
| Baggage delay insurance | Included | If your checked bag is not delivered within a specified time upon your arrival, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost to replace essential items. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Included | Provides protection, while you’re checked in, for your personal belongings when left unattended in your room up to a certain dollar amount. |
| Mobile insurance | Up to $1,000 per occurence | Reimburses a portion of your cell phone in the event it’s damaged or lost. Device coverage is limited to a certain period of time after purchasing with your credit card. |
| Purchase assurance | Covered for 90 days | Automatically protects new purchases by insuring them for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of loss, theft or damage. |
| Extended warranty | Up to one additional year | Either doubles the length of the item’s manufacturer’s warranty coverage or extends it by 1 year, whichever is less. |
| Price protection | Included | If, within a certain amount of time of purchasing an item, its price drops or you find an identical item offered for a lower retail price than what you paid, you will be reimbursed for the difference. |
Other perks
- Earn a bonus 10% cash back on all purchases for your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases). Plus, earn a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13. This could add up to $250 in bonus value in your first 13 months.
- Earn accelerated earn rates on eligible gas and grocery purchases
- Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 4% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually) and 2% cash back on all other purchases
- Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with Amex ExperiencesTM
- Extensive insurance coverage and 24/7 Customer Service
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Ratehub’s take
The SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express offers a standard 2% cash back on everything with 4% on gas and groceries, plus top robust insurance coverage and all the benefits of American Express perks.
Pros
- Generous cash back rewards: Offers an impressive cash back rate of 2% on all purchases, 4% on gas and groceries up to $30,000 annually, and then 2% cash back on those categories
- Robust travel and purchase protection insurance: Comprehensive travel and purchase protection, including travel accident insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty
- 24/7 concierge services
- Exclusive access: Enjoy privileges such as access to Front of the Line Presale and Reserved tickets to concerts, theatre performances, movie screenings, culinary events, and other special offers
Cons
- Limited acceptance: American Express isn’t as widely accepted in Canada compared to Visa and Mastercard
- Annual fee: The card comes with an annual fee, which could be a drawback for individuals who prefer no-fee credit card options, particularly as this card isn’t seen as the best cash back card on the market
- Low redemption flexibility: Cash back rewards are only redeemable once per year
Eligibility requirements
Minimum credit score: 725
Minimum income: N/A
Interest rates
Purchase interest: 21.99%
Cash advance: 21.99%
Balance transfer: N/A
The SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express credit card lets you earn cash back equally across all categories - removing the complexity of some cash back reward credit cards and making it one of the best no fee credit cards in Canada. With SimplyCash Preferred, cardholders can earn 2% cash back on all purchases. Overall, this cash back credit card is a great option for those looking for an easy to understand rewards structure with no restrictions.
Best online instant approval credit card
Best for Flexible spending
based on spending $2,200/mo after $0 annual fee
- Earn rewards
0.5% – 10% / dollar spent
- Welcome bonus
$100
- Annual fee
$0
Perks of the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
| Perks | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Not included | You’ll gain complimentary passes to airport lounges. The number of passes and lounges you have access to will vary. |
| Waived foreign transaction fees | Not included | A surcharge that credit card holders pay for purchases made in a foreign currency (typically 2.5%). |
| Travel accident insurance | Not included | If you suffer a loss as a result of an accidental bodily injury sustained while occupying a common carrier, you are eligible for this coverage. |
| Travel emergency medical | Not included | If you require urgent medical care while on a trip outside of your home province, you will be covered for any eligible medical expenses incurred. |
| Car rental insurance | Not included | Credit card rental car insurance usually covers theft, loss and damage to your rental car in the case of an accidental collision. |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | If you have to cancel your trip before it’s even started, your prepaid travel costs will be covered up to a maximum amount if the cause of cancellation is eligible for the insurance. |
| Trip interruption | Not included | If your trip has to be cut short or is delayed after the scheduled departure date, you will be covered up to a maximum amount for an eligible cause of interruption or delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | Not included | If your flight departure is delayed by a certain number of hours, you’ll be reimbursed a certain amount for necessary and reasonable expenses. |
| Baggage loss insurance | Not included | If your checked bag cannot be located by a common carrier, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of the replacement cost of lost personal property. |
| Baggage delay insurance | Not included | If your checked bag is not delivered within a specified time upon your arrival, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost to replace essential items. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Not included | Provides protection, while you’re checked in, for your personal belongings when left unattended in your room up to a certain dollar amount. |
| Mobile insurance | Not included | Reimburses a portion of your cell phone in the event it’s damaged or lost. Device coverage is limited to a certain period of time after purchasing with your credit card. |
| Purchase assurance | Not included | Automatically protects new purchases by insuring them for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of loss, theft or damage. |
| Extended warranty | Not included | Either doubles the length of the item’s manufacturer’s warranty coverage or extends it by 1 year, whichever is less. |
| Price protection | Not included | If, within a certain amount of time of purchasing an item, its price drops or you find an identical item offered for a lower retail price than what you paid, you will be reimbursed for the difference. |
Other perks
- Ratehub.ca’s 2023 Award Winner – Best No Fee Cash Back Credit Card
- Life’s back in session. Enjoy it with an extra 10% back.*
- Apply for a Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card by January 31, 2025 and earn an extra 10% back (up to $100) when you spend up to $1,000 in everyday purchases within your first 2 months.*
- Earn 2% Money-Back Rewards on purchases in two 2% Money-Back Categories of your choice, and 0.50% Money-Back Rewards on all other purchases.
- Earn extra rewards – have your Money-Back Rewards deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account, and get a 3rd 2% Money-Back Category.
- No limit on the amount of Money-Back Rewards you can earn.
- Change your 2% Money-Back Categories to suit your spending.
Ratehub’s take
While the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a no annual fee card, what really sets it apart is the ability to customize your rewards. With this card, you can choose your own bonus categories (which will earn you a strong cash back rate of 2% per dollar spent). This is rare in the credit card market and means you can avoid being locked into a bonus category that you can’t take full advantage of, or that doesn’t align with your spending habits.
Pros
- Customizable bonus categories: Flexibility to pick up to three bonus categories to earn 2% cash back on (out of a total of 10 options), which is in sharp contrast to most other cards where you have fixed bonus categories that you have no control over. Users are also given the freedom to change the bonus categories at any time (changes will take up to 90 days to come into effect)
- High cash back earning rate: 2% cash back per dollar on bonus categories is one of the richest earn rates for a no-fee card, plus your rewards are unlimited and don’t have monthly or annual maximums
- Wide acceptance: Widely accepted almost everywhere including No Frills and Costco
- Additional cards at no cost: Free supplementary cards for authorized users
- Frequent cash back reimbursement: Cash back is refunded on a monthly basis, instead of the standard annual reimbursement
Cons
- Limited cash back for non-bonus categories: For all purchases that aren’t categorized under one of your chosen bonus categories, you’ll earn just 0.5% cash back
- Limited travel insurance and perks: No travel medical insurance or any substantial side perks
Eligibility requirements
Minimum credit score: 660
Minimum income: $12,000/yr
Interest rates
Purchase interest: 20.95%
Cash advance: 22.95%
Balance transfer: 22.95%
While the fact that the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a no annual fee card is a big reason behind its popularity, what really sets this card apart is its customizability. With this card, you can choose your bonus categories (which will earn you a strong cash back rate of 2% per $1 spent). This is rare in the credit card market and means you can avoid being locked into a bonus category that you can’t take full advantage of or that doesn’t align with your spending habits. On top of that, your cash back is refunded every month instead of the standard annual reimbursement.
Best instant approval credit card for students
Best for Groceries
based on spending $2,200/mo after $0 annual fee
- Earn rewards
0.5% – 3% / dollar spent
- Annual fee
$0
Perks of the BMO® CashBack® Mastercard® - Student
| Perks | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Not included | You’ll gain complimentary passes to airport lounges. The number of passes and lounges you have access to will vary. |
| Waived foreign transaction fees | Not included | A surcharge that credit card holders pay for purchases made in a foreign currency (typically 2.5%). |
| Travel accident insurance | Not included | If you suffer a loss as a result of an accidental bodily injury sustained while occupying a common carrier, you are eligible for this coverage. |
| Travel emergency medical | Not included | If you require urgent medical care while on a trip outside of your home province, you will be covered for any eligible medical expenses incurred. |
| Car rental insurance | Not included | Credit card rental car insurance usually covers theft, loss and damage to your rental car in the case of an accidental collision. |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | If you have to cancel your trip before it’s even started, your prepaid travel costs will be covered up to a maximum amount if the cause of cancellation is eligible for the insurance. |
| Trip interruption | Not included | If your trip has to be cut short or is delayed after the scheduled departure date, you will be covered up to a maximum amount for an eligible cause of interruption or delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | Not included | If your flight departure is delayed by a certain number of hours, you’ll be reimbursed a certain amount for necessary and reasonable expenses. |
| Baggage loss insurance | Not included | If your checked bag cannot be located by a common carrier, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of the replacement cost of lost personal property. |
| Baggage delay insurance | Not included | If your checked bag is not delivered within a specified time upon your arrival, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost to replace essential items. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Not included | Provides protection, while you’re checked in, for your personal belongings when left unattended in your room up to a certain dollar amount. |
| Mobile insurance | Not included | Reimburses a portion of your cell phone in the event it’s damaged or lost. Device coverage is limited to a certain period of time after purchasing with your credit card. |
| Purchase assurance | Covered for 90 days | Automatically protects new purchases by insuring them for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of loss, theft or damage. |
| Extended warranty | Up to one additional year | Either doubles the length of the item’s manufacturer’s warranty coverage or extends it by 1 year, whichever is less. |
| Price protection | Included | If, within a certain amount of time of purchasing an item, its price drops or you find an identical item offered for a lower retail price than what you paid, you will be reimbursed for the difference. |
Other perks
- Ratehub.ca’s 2023 Award Winner – Best Student Credit Card
- Welcome offer: Get 5% cash back in your first 3 months*
- Then get 3% cash back on grocery purchases, 1% cash back on recurring bill payments and 0.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases!*
- Now earn the highest cash back on groceries in Canada without paying an annual fee!†
- Get cash back every time you spend, plus start building a healthy credit history
- Best BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students
- Want to get your cash back ASAP? Now you can redeem your cash back anytime through direct deposit, as a credit on your statement or into your BMO InvestorLine account*
- No Annual fee*
- Extended Warranty*
- Purchase Protection*
- Receive a discount on car rentals*
- BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information
- Cash Advance Interest 22.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
- The offer may vary in Quebec.
- *Terms and conditions apply
- †Based on a comparison of the non-promotional grocery rewards earn rate on cash back credit cards with no annual fee as of January 4, 2023
Ratehub’s take
The BMO Cashback Mastercard makes a lot of sense for cash-strapped students, because your cash back rewards are available at your fingertips anytime. If you regularly use your credit card to buy groceries or pay your phone plan, you can rack up the cash back rewards to reduce your bills and expenses for the future. Keep in mind, though, that rewards are capped monthly, so if you’re a bit of a big spender this card might not be for you.
Pros
- Redeem cash back rewards anytime: You don’t have to wait to redeem your cash back rewards like you might with other cash back cards — you can apply as little as $1 to your balance anytime, or get a credit card statement
- Flexible redemption options: You can deposit your cash back rewards into a BMO savings or investment account, a fairly rare perk, or redeem them as a statement credit to cover your balance
Cons
- Cash back earnings are limited: The bonus cash back rates of 3% on groceries and 1% on bill payments are capped at a maximum of $500 in spending per month, and then the earn rate goes back to 0.5%. This can really limit your overall annual cash back earnings
- Low regular earn rate: The regular earn rate of 0.5% on everything outside of the bonus categories is minimal, so if you exceed the monthly spending caps in those areas, or prefer to spend on other things like travel, this card might not make sense for you
Eligibility requirements
Minimum credit score: 660
Minimum income: N/A
Interest rates
Purchase interest: 20.99%
Cash advance: 22.99%
Balance transfer: 22.99%
The BMO CashBack Mastercard - Student is a no annual fee, instant approval rewards credit card that offers particularly strong returns on everyday essentials from grocery stores and supermarkets. It earns 3% cash back on the first $500 you spend on groceries every month and 1% on recurring bills up to $500 every month (0.5% cash back after that). For all your other everyday purchases, you’ll net 0.5% cash back without limits.
While there are rewards caps on the card’s two bonus categories, they do reset with the start of every new 30-day billing cycle. And at $500 per month in each category, they’ll be hard to max out, especially on a student’s budget.
This credit card has the trio of features that most appeal to students: 1. no annual fees 2. the ability to earn straightforward rewards, and 3. no income requirement.
Honourable mention instant approval credit card
Best for Everyday spending
based on spending $2,200/mo after $0 annual fee
- Earn rewards
1% – 15% / dollar spent
- Annual fee
$0
Perks of the Neo Mastercard®
| Perks | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Not included | You’ll gain complimentary passes to airport lounges. The number of passes and lounges you have access to will vary. |
| Waived foreign transaction fees | Not included | A surcharge that credit card holders pay for purchases made in a foreign currency (typically 2.5%). |
| Travel accident insurance | Not included | If you suffer a loss as a result of an accidental bodily injury sustained while occupying a common carrier, you are eligible for this coverage. |
| Travel emergency medical | Not included | If you require urgent medical care while on a trip outside of your home province, you will be covered for any eligible medical expenses incurred. |
| Car rental insurance | Not included | Credit card rental car insurance usually covers theft, loss and damage to your rental car in the case of an accidental collision. |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | If you have to cancel your trip before it’s even started, your prepaid travel costs will be covered up to a maximum amount if the cause of cancellation is eligible for the insurance. |
| Trip interruption | Not included | If your trip has to be cut short or is delayed after the scheduled departure date, you will be covered up to a maximum amount for an eligible cause of interruption or delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | Not included | If your flight departure is delayed by a certain number of hours, you’ll be reimbursed a certain amount for necessary and reasonable expenses. |
| Baggage loss insurance | Not included | If your checked bag cannot be located by a common carrier, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of the replacement cost of lost personal property. |
| Baggage delay insurance | Not included | If your checked bag is not delivered within a specified time upon your arrival, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost to replace essential items. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Not included | Provides protection, while you’re checked in, for your personal belongings when left unattended in your room up to a certain dollar amount. |
| Mobile insurance | Not included | Reimburses a portion of your cell phone in the event it’s damaged or lost. Device coverage is limited to a certain period of time after purchasing with your credit card. |
| Purchase assurance | Not included | Automatically protects new purchases by insuring them for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of loss, theft or damage. |
| Extended warranty | Not included | Either doubles the length of the item’s manufacturer’s warranty coverage or extends it by 1 year, whichever is less. |
| Price protection | Not included | If, within a certain amount of time of purchasing an item, its price drops or you find an identical item offered for a lower retail price than what you paid, you will be reimbursed for the difference. |
Other perks
- Limited-time offer: Get $25 when you sign up
- Earn instant cashback at over 10,000 partners and get up to 15% cashback on first-time purchases
- Up to 4% cashback on gas and grocery and up to 1% everywhere else1
- Earn up to $680 in annual cashback²
- No annual fees
- Get up to $10,000 credit limit, instantly
- Sign up in 3 minutes and start using your virtual card right away
- Upgrade your card by adding flexible monthly subscriptions for travel*, gas, grocery, dining, and more
Ratehub’s take
The NEO Mastercard is a no-fee card that offers bonus cash back rewards at partner retailers.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Cash back earning: Offers an average of 5% cash back when shopping at a partner retailer
- Flexible cash back redemption: Redeem cash back on demand
- Instant approval: Get approved instantly and receive a digital card that can be used immediately through Apple Wallet or Google Pay before your physical card arrives. Enjoy a credit limit of up to $10,000 right away
Cons
- Limited rewards outside of partner retailers: There are no rewards at non-Neo retailers
Eligibility requirements
Minimum credit score: 660
Minimum income: N/A
Interest rates
Purchase interest: 19.99%
Cash advance: 22.99%
Balance transfer: N/A
The NEO Mastercard is an instant approval credit card that will provide you with a digital card that be used immediately through Apple Wallet or Google Pay even before your physical card arrives. You can use the app to view rewards by location and get cash back when you shop.
Instant approval credit card that have no credit check
based on spending $2,200/mo after $48 annual fee
- Earn rewards
1% / dollar spent
- Annual fee
$48
Perks of the KOHO Essential
| Perks | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Not included | You’ll gain complimentary passes to airport lounges. The number of passes and lounges you have access to will vary. |
| Waived foreign transaction fees | Not included | A surcharge that credit card holders pay for purchases made in a foreign currency (typically 2.5%). |
| Travel accident insurance | Not included | If you suffer a loss as a result of an accidental bodily injury sustained while occupying a common carrier, you are eligible for this coverage. |
| Travel emergency medical | Not included | If you require urgent medical care while on a trip outside of your home province, you will be covered for any eligible medical expenses incurred. |
| Car rental insurance | Not included | Credit card rental car insurance usually covers theft, loss and damage to your rental car in the case of an accidental collision. |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | If you have to cancel your trip before it’s even started, your prepaid travel costs will be covered up to a maximum amount if the cause of cancellation is eligible for the insurance. |
| Trip interruption | Not included | If your trip has to be cut short or is delayed after the scheduled departure date, you will be covered up to a maximum amount for an eligible cause of interruption or delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | Not included | If your flight departure is delayed by a certain number of hours, you’ll be reimbursed a certain amount for necessary and reasonable expenses. |
| Baggage loss insurance | Not included | If your checked bag cannot be located by a common carrier, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of the replacement cost of lost personal property. |
| Baggage delay insurance | Not included | If your checked bag is not delivered within a specified time upon your arrival, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost to replace essential items. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Not included | Provides protection, while you’re checked in, for your personal belongings when left unattended in your room up to a certain dollar amount. |
| Mobile insurance | Not included | Reimburses a portion of your cell phone in the event it’s damaged or lost. Device coverage is limited to a certain period of time after purchasing with your credit card. |
| Purchase assurance | Not included | Automatically protects new purchases by insuring them for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of loss, theft or damage. |
| Extended warranty | Not included | Either doubles the length of the item’s manufacturer’s warranty coverage or extends it by 1 year, whichever is less. |
| Price protection | Not included | If, within a certain amount of time of purchasing an item, its price drops or you find an identical item offered for a lower retail price than what you paid, you will be reimbursed for the difference. |
Other perks
- Earn 1% cash back on on groceries, eating & drinking, and transportation Plus, up to 50% extra cashback from select merchants.
- Earn 3.5% interest on both your spending and savings account. Your funds will also be eligible for CDIC insurance.
- Get access to a cash advance of up to $250 at 0% interest with Cover
- Grow your credit up to 22 points in 3 months with Credit Building for $10 / month.
- Earn a $20 cash bonus when you sign up for a KOHO account and make your first $20 purchase within 30 days of registration
- All KOHO plans come with a free 30 day trial so you can see if it suits you.
- Get this plan for $0 when you set up a recurring Direct Deposit.
- Choose from one of the exciting card colours we offer and Receive both a physical and virtual card.
- Add your KOHO card to Apple, Samsung or Google Pay.
- Automate your savings with Goals and RoundUps. Rounding up every purchase lets you stash away some savings, while Goals make it easier to save for whatever it is that makes you happy.
- Lock in savings with Vault that keeps the funds you don’t want to spend separate from your spendable balance and create custom budgets and track your spending habits.
- Only the users who successfully register a new KOHO account and make their first $20 purchase using their KOHO card within 30 days of registration are eligible for the offer and may claim the one-time $20 bonus in their KOHO account. This offer is non-transferable and may only be used once per person. Offer is not applicable in conjunction with other KOHO offers or promotions. KOHO may, at its sole discretion, suspend, terminate or change the terms and requirements of the offer.
- Refer a friend to KOHO and we’ll give you both $20 each! You can refer up to 50 friends, which means you can earn up to $1000 from our referral program.
Ratehub’s take
The KOHO Essential card is a reloadable prepaid Mastercard that offers cash back on the most common types of everyday spending, as well as the added benefit of an interest-earning account.
Pros
- No limit on cash back earnings: There is no cap on how much you can earn from your spending in any of the cash back categories
- Low fees: The low $4 monthly fee can be reduced to $0 with a recurring direct deposit or monthly contribution of $1,000
- Flexible cash back redemptions: You can redeem cash back directly to your KOHO account with a few taps, and there’s no minimum or maximum redemption amount
Cons
- No cash back outside select categories: For all purchases that aren’t categorized under groceries, transportation, or dining, you won’t earn any cash back
- Limited travel insurance and perks: No travel medical insurance or any substantial side perks
Eligibility requirements
Minimum credit score: 300
Minimum income: N/A
Interest rates
Purchase interest: N/A
Cash advance: N/A
Balance transfer: N/A
The Koho Essential is a prepaid credit card that is a great option for individuals with no or bad credit scores. The Koho Essential allows you to earn cash back rewards for every purchase and offers a credit building service helping you build or rebuild your credit history.
FAQ
How can I apply for an instant approval credit card?
The best way to apply is online, but you can also apply in person or over the phone. You’ll need to provide some information to prove your identity and employment, including your:
- Employment status and place of work
- Income
- In some cases, your other debts and expenses
- Social insurance number (though, your SIN usually isn’t required)
- Finally, you’ll need to consent to a credit check
What is the easiest credit card to get approved for in Canada?
This will be of no surprise to most as is the best overall credit card, but the American Express Cobalt Card is also the best instant approval card in Canada.
Can I get an instant approval credit card if I have bad credit?
Most instant approval credit cards need fair to good credit scores, meaning you have a higher chance of being declined if you have a bad credit score. Good news is there are plenty of cards on the market for people with bad credit scores.
Our guide to instant approval credit cards
What is credit card instant approval?
Instant approval is exactly what it sounds like. After providing the necessary information (more on that below), the card issuer’s underwriting algorithm will automatically look at your application in real time and decide whether you meet the qualification requirements and are approved.
Because the entire process takes place automatically online and there’s no need for a human underwriter to examine your application, you'll find out whether you’re approved for the card at the same time you apply.
This feature proves helpful in several situations. If you’re not sure whether your application will be approved, instant approval will spare you weeks of waiting. Additionally, if you plan to use a credit card for a specific purpose, like for an upcoming vacation, being instantly approved will also get the card in your hands faster.
However, it is important to note that instant approval doesn’t mean guaranteed approval. You’ll still need to meet the card’s application requirements and undergo a credit check. Instant approval just makes it easier and faster (we’re talking a matter of minutes) to get approved in cases when you do satisfy the qualification requirements.
How does my credit score affect a credit card instant approval?
The better your credit score, the more likely you are to be instantly approved for a credit card.
A great strategy is to check your own credit score beforehand. Many websites, including Transunion, let you check your credit score for free. It's important to note that checking your own credit score isn’t the same as when banks do it and won’t hurt your score in any way.
Even if your credit score falls below the threshold for instant approval, you may still be approved for the card you want. The process might just take longer, and you might have to provide additional details, make a security deposit, speak with the card issuer in person or over the phone, and/or have a guarantor co-sign for the card.
Additionally, you’ll need to meet other minimum requirements for these cards. Most notably, many premium credit cards have a minimum requirement for personal income – typically around $60,000-$80,000.
What else can I do to increase my odds of being instantly approved?
One of the best ways to increase your chances of being instantly approved for the card you want is to do your research and make sure you meet its income requirements before hitting apply. Most credit card application pages will explicitly mention how much you need to earn in order to get approved.
Also read: Best credit cards for low income in Canada
As a long-term strategy, you’ll also want to maintain good personal finance habits to keep your credit score in good standing. Borrowing only what you can afford and paying all of your bills on time are two of the biggest things you can do to improve your creditworthiness. It also helps to stay well under your credit limit on the cards you already have.
After I’m instantly approved, can I use my credit card right away?
Unfortunately, just because the approval process is instant, that doesn’t mean you can start spending immediately. After you’re approved, you’ll have to wait until your new card arrives in the mail, which usually takes anywhere from 5-7 business days. However, some cards (which we have covered above) provide information enabling you to add it to your digital wallet, allowing you to start using it immediately.
Some caveats to instant approval credit cards
In some cases, instant approval credit cards are only available to permanent residents, eligible work visa holders or citizens of Canada. If you’re new to Canada, you’ll likely have to step into a bank branch or call over the phone for a more detailed conversation with a banking specialist to get a card.
Instant approval credit cards may not offer as many rewards or benefits as other cards on the market. Some cards may also come with higher interest rates as well.
Instant approval vs. guaranteed credit cards
Remember, instant approval isn’t the same as guaranteed approval. You’ll still need to meet the card’s application requirements and undergo a credit check – and you can still get rejected.
If you have bad credit and are looking for a card that’s super easy to get, you’ll want to set your sights on what’s known as a secured card. A secured card is a credit card made for people with bad credit and have little to no real application requirements. Designed for people who are looking to rebuild their credit history, secured cards come with trade offs like the fact you’ll need to pay forward a deposit and typically won’t earn rewards.
How do I find the right credit card with instant approval for me?
With lots of credit card offers on the market, the choices can be overwhelming. Ratehub’s CardFinder tool can match you with the best credit card for you, based on your particular spending habits and approval likelihood, in under two minutes.