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The best Visa credit cards in Canada for 2024

Natasha-M 1
Natasha Macmillan, Business Unit Director - Everyday Banking

July 2, 2024

Explore the best variety of Visa credit cards, tailored to meet your unique needs. Compare, choose, and apply today for a card that matches your purchasing habits.

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The best Visa credit cards in Canada for 2024

Whether you’re looking for a travel credit card, an everyday cash-back card, a low-interest card, or something else, Visa has got you covered. The largest among Canada’s three major credit card networks (including Mastercard and American Express), Visa offers a wide variety of credit products to fit every need. Let’s take a look at the best Visa cards in Canada.

Best overall Visa card

Featured

Best for Food & transit

First year reward
$946/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $120 annual fee

Earn rewards

1pt – 5pts / dollar spent

Welcome bonus

70,000 points (a $466 value)

Annual fee

$120 $0 first year waived


Ratehub.ca's take

Offering the highest earn rate for a non-travel card on this list, the BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite offers a whopping five times the BMO points per dollar on virtually all types of food and transit purchases - from groceries and restaurants to gas, ride shares, taxis, and public transit. No other Visa card in Canada earns more rewards per dollar on restaurants and daily transit. 

For travellers, the BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite’s flexibility is something to take note of. BMO points can be redeemed for flights on virtually any airline (with no blackout dates or restrictions) in increments of 400 points for one dollar. And, if using your points for travel isn’t what you’re looking for, you can also redeem them for statement credits in increments of 200 points per dollar. 

And while the card does have an annual fee of $120, it also comes with a yearly $50 credit which you can use to offset the fee, bringing it down to $70.

Best cash back Visa card

Featured

4.5 Ratehub rated

Best for Groceries & gas

First year reward
$735/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after the annual fee

Earn rewards

1% – 4% / dollar spent

Welcome bonus

$300

Annual fee

see Details


Ratehub.ca's take

Offering an impressive 4% cash back on both groceries and gas - two of the most popular spending categories among Canadian households - the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite also gets you 2% cash back on dining/food delivery, daily transit and recurring payments, making it one of the most solid cash back cards on the market today.

Points can be flexibly redeemed in increments of $25 or more, and you’ll also receive some key insurance benefits, including out-of-province/country travel emergency medical insurance and mobile device insurance.

Plus, drivers can link and use their CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite card with Journie Rewards to save up to 10 cents per litre at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.

Honourable mention:

Featured

Best for Groceries & bills

First year reward
$642/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $120 annual fee

Earn rewards

1% – 4% / dollar spent

Annual fee

$120 $0 first year waived


Ratehub.ca's take

Another formidable entry into this category is the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite, which offers 4% cash back on groceries and recurring bills and subscription purchases (including streaming subscriptions like Netflix and Spotify), plus 2% on virtually all types of transit (gas, rideshares, taxis, public transportation) and 1% cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit. 

The card also comes with complimentary benefits including mobile device insurance (up to $1,000 on newly-purchased smartphones) and emergency out-of-province/country travel insurance.

Best no-fee Visa card

Featured

4.5 Ratehub rated

Best for No FX fees

First year reward
$264/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $0 annual fee

Earn rewards

1% / dollar spent

Annual fee

$0


Ratehub.ca's take

The Home Trust Preferred Visa comes with no annual fee and earns a flat-rate of 1% cash back across all purchases made in Canadian currency. Plus, unlike many Canadian credit cards, it has no foreign transaction fees - a big drawing point for frequent travelers or those who shop online in a foreign currency such as USD. 

The card also comes with an insurance feature not seen on many cards of this type - complimentary car rental collision insurance. There’s also no income requirement, meaning lower-income applicants with a solid credit score should find it easier to be approved.

As this is a no-fee card, you won’t find as many bells and whistles as those with a yearly charge, but this card’s unique features make it stand out.

Best airline Visa card

Featured

4.0 Ratehub rated

Best for Aeroplan Points

First year reward
$803/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $139 annual fee

Earn rewards

1pt – 1.5pts / dollar spent

Welcome bonus

25,000 points (a $360 value)

Anniversary bonus

25,000 points (a $360 value)

Annual fee

$139 $0 first year waived


Ratehub.ca's take

Aeroplan clients and frequent Air Canada fliers searching for a card to help them earn more on travel should look no further than the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite. 

The biggest benefit of this card is that if you use your Aeroplan card in conjunction with this card at participating retailers, you’ll get double the points. 

Air Canada travellers can also enjoy perks like complimentary checked baggage and the chance to earn Status Qualifying Miles to reach Aeroplan Elite Status more quickly. In addition, the card comes with an extensive travel insurance package covering everything from flight cancellation/delay to emergency medical. As an added bonus, users who enroll for NEXUS will get an application fee rebate (up to $100 CAD) every 48 months. Additional Cardholders can also take advantage of this NEXUS fee rebate.

 

Pros

  • Earns between 1 and 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar on everyday purchases.
  • Aeroplan points can be redeemed for flights on Air Canada or over 27 Star Alliance member airlines (including United Airlines and Lufthansa, to name a few)
  • Access to Air Canada perks: first bag checked free on Air Canada flights for the primary cardholder and up to eight travel companions (up to $30 in savings per traveler on flights across Canada and the US) plus the ability to earn credits towards achieving elite airline status 
  • Welcome bonus - earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card. Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $7,500 within 180 days of Account opening. Conditions apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
  • Anniversary bonus - Enhanced offer: earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening. Conditions apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
  • Up to $100 in Nexus Membership reimbursements available every 48 months; allowing for smoother cross-border travel within Canada or between the US
  • Comprehensive travel insurance benefits with up to 21 days of out-of-province/country medical emergency coverage, flight delay insurance, lost/delayed baggage insurance, and even hotel/motel burglary insurance for stays within the US and Canada

Best Visa travel card

Featured

4.0 Ratehub rated

Best for Travel

First year reward
$1,147/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $139 annual fee

Earn rewards

2pts – 8pts / dollar spent

Welcome bonus

135,000 points (a $675 value)

Annual fee

$139 $0 first year waived


Ratehub.ca's take

Offering a fantastic earn rate, thorough insurance package, and one of the best welcome bonuses of any travel credit card in Canada right now, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite takes our prize for best Visa travel card.

Users will still get eight TD points per dollar on travel purchases through Expedia for TD, and two points per dollar on all other purchases. That’s a great earn rate that will keep the card useful long after the welcome bonus ends. TD points are also extremely straightforward: one point equals 0.5 cents in travel rewards, and your points never expire.

The card also comes with a thorough travel insurance package covering everything from medical emergencies (up to $2 million) to lost/delayed baggage.

Also consider:

Featured

4.0 Ratehub rated

Best for Travel perks

First year reward
$515/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $150 annual fee

Earn rewards

1pt – 3pts / dollar spent

Welcome bonus

25,000 points (a $250 value)

Annual fee

$150


Ratehub.ca's take

For those looking for a flexible travel card boasting great perks, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite warrants a look.

The card comes with some excellent benefits, including no foreign transaction fees, a complimentary membership to Visa Airport Companion Programs’ 1200-plus airport lounges with six free visits per year. It should be noted that most cards offering this level of lounge benefits charge up to $300 in annual fees, meanwhile, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite’s annual fee is just $150. There’s also the card’s impressive travel insurance package, covering emergency medical, flight delay and more.

Scene+ points are also flexible and easy-to-understand: 5,000 points always equals $50, and you can redeem them to book travel directly from an airline or travel website (so you aren’t forced to rely on Scotia’s in-house travel agency). 

The card also earns 3x the points on purchases at participating grocery stores like Sobey's, IGA, and FreshCo, 2x the points on eligible grocery stores, dining, entertainment purchases, and daily transit, and one point per dollar on everything else.

Featured

First year reward
$1,193/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $120 annual fee

Earn rewards

1pt – 1.25pts / dollar spent

Welcome bonus

55,000 points (a $1,100 value)

Annual fee

$120


Ratehub.ca's take

RBC recently revamped their rewards program, and the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is a solid option for earning Avion rewards. You have several different options for redeeming your rewards too, and you can use them for anything from flights or rental cars to merchandise, charitable donations and statement credits. Keep in mind though that your points are worth much less for non-travel redemptions.

Best Visa card for students

Featured

3.0 Ratehub rated

Best for Travel

First year reward
$0/yr

based on spending $2,200/mo after $0 annual fee

Earn rewards

1pt – 4pts / dollar spent

Annual fee

$0


Ratehub.ca's take

The TD Rewards Visa card is ideal for students - between its low-interest promotional offer, no annual fee, and earn rates on things like groceries, fast food and travel, it’s an ideal card for young users just starting their credit journey.

Students can also earn three TD Rewards points for every $1 they spend on groceries, restaurants, and fast food, as well as four points per $1 on travel purchases made through the Expedia for TD website and one point per $1 on everything else. Loyal Starbucks customers can also earn 50% more points by linking their card with their Starbucks loyalty account. 

Points don’t expire and can be redeemed on gift cards, cash back, and more, providing much-needed flexibility. 

Best Visa card for improving credit

Featured

4.5 Ratehub rated
Balance transfer offer
Pay $390.00/mo

during the promo to pay off $3,900 transferred balance

1% Balance transfer fee

A fee of $39 will be added to your balance

Annual fee

see Details


Ratehub.ca's take

Whether you’re trying to transfer a balance or just want a low-interest credit card for everyday use, the CIBC Select Visa may be up your alley.

The card’s current signup offer allows new users Transfer your credit card balance. Get 0% interest for up to 10 months with a 1% transfer fee and a two year annual fee rebate. Terms and conditions apply. While other balance transfer cards may offer 0% interest on their promotions, it’s rare to see a window as long as 10 months - something that sets this card apart. 

Beyond the welcome offer, the CIBC Select Visa’s standard interest rate is still well below average at 13.99%. It’s also fixed, meaning it won’t fluctuate as a result of your credit rating or the bank’s prime lending rate.

As with most balance transfer credit cards, the Select Visa doesn’t offer much in the way of extra perks, but it does feature $100,000 common carrier accident insurance and the opportunity to save up to 10 cents/litre at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.

Card summary (+/-)

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Visa credit cards overview

Visa is the largest of the three major credit card companies in Canada. Unlike American Express, Visa doesn’t issue credit cards on its site, nor does it offer any credit cards that are solely under the Visa name. Instead, your Visa will be issued by a bank, credit union or retailer, meaning you’ll see the issuer’s logo + the Visa logo on your card. With that being said, Visa does divide its credit card products under four categories: Classic, Gold, Platinum, Infinite, and Infinite Privilege.

Visa Classic is an ideal first credit card for you to get, either as a student, young professional or someone trying to establish credit. They don’t typically come with many perks or rewards, but their benefits include zero liability and lost/stolen card reporting. Visa Classic cards also typically have a low or no annual fees and little to no income requirements.


Visa Infinite program

There are well over a dozen Visa cards attached to its unique brand recognition program: Visa Infinite. Visa Infinite cardholders have access to special offers and unique opportunities, such as a long list of hotel upgrades, invitations to dinners hosted by renowned chefs, advance tickets and VIP lounge access at TIFF, discounts on tickets to sporting events and complimentary concierge services. They also come with travel insurance policies, travel medical insurance, zero liability, emergency card replacement and cash service, and more. 

And for those looking for even more benefits and perks (providing they qualify, that is), there’s the Visa Infinite Privilege series of cards.

Users in the Infinite Privilege program enjoy all the same extras as Infinite cardholders, but have access to even more. Namely:

  • Global Airport Lounge Access with 6 complimentary visits at Priority Pass lounges,
  • Dedicated VIP security fast track lane at Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver International airports,
  • Airport parking at Ottawa and Vancouver International airports, and
  • Valet discounts at Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver International airports.

The two programs also have some differences when it comes to eligibility and cost. Visa Infinite cards, for instance, typically come with a $120-$150 annual fee and a minimum income requirement of around $60,000. Cards in the Infinite Privilege program, however, can carry annual fees of $399-$599 and are only eligible to those with a household income of $150,000 or higher. 

Before you make a purchase with your Visa Infinite card, check out the Visa Infinite website to see if there are any offers you can take advantage of first! 

Visa Instalments

Those using their Visa card for large-scale purchases can use Visa Instalments to pay for qualifying purchases in smaller increments over a set period of time. When paying with their Visa, customers can now find out if their purchase qualifies for Visa Instalments and select a payment plan that works for them.

There is no setup required, and users choosing this option won't have to undergo a credit check or sign up for a separate account or line of credit. Customers simply make their payments each month through their normal credit card statement.

Each participating financial institution offers different Visa Instalment plans, so consult your bank for details regarding their particular minimum qualifying amount and terms available.

Visa credit card partnerships

Aside from the Visa Infinite program, some of Visa’s current credit card partnerships include:

Aeroplan

CIBC and TD offer a total of 7 personal Aeroplan Visa travel rewards credit cards (4 and 3 respectively). CIBC offers two entry-level Aeroplan Visa Cards for students and general cardholders, TD offers the mid-tier Aeroplan Visa Platinum, while both banks provide near-identical versions of the Aeroplan Visa Infinite and Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege.


British Airways

The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite card comes with a bonus of 15,000 Avios that lets you earn triple Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways purchases and 1.5 Avios for every $1 spent anywhere else. Avios can be redeemed for travel anywhere British Airways flies.


Cathay Pacific

The RBC Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum card comes with a complimentary Green Tier membership into the Marco Polo Club, and lets you earn double Asia Miles for every $1 spent on Cathay Pacific purchases and 1 Asia Mile for every $1 spent anywhere else. Asia Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades and more.


Remember that all of these credit cards will be issued by a bank, credit union or retailer – not by Visa itself. As well, some Visa credit cards may also help you earn points specific to a bank’s own branded rewards program (like CIBC Aventura or RBC Avion), of which there are too many to list here.

More on Visa

Headquartered in Foster City, California, Visa is the largest credit card company in the world. In fact, The Nilson Report showed that Visa held 60.5% of the market share of purchase transactions made worldwide in 2013. Today, Visa operates in more than 200 countries, and is well known for its Visa credit card and Visa debit card products.

Natasha Macmillan, Business Director of Everyday Banking

With over a decade of experience in the finance industry, Natasha works closely with Canada's top financial institutions - from banks to credit unions - to help Ratehub.ca's 1,200,000 monthly users get matched with the right banking products. read full bio

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