The Cards That Deliver Real Value
Not all credit cards are created equal. If you’re looking to maximize rewards on every dollar you spend, a few Canadian cards consistently rise to the top. Here’s what I’m tracking right now.
Current Top Picks
Amex Cobalt — 5x on Food
The Cobalt earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on groceries, restaurants, bars, and food delivery. At 2 cents per point, that’s a 10% return — unmatched for food spend in Canada. The catch: it’s a charge card with a $156 annual fee, and Amex isn’t accepted everywhere.
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite — 60K Points FYF
Currently offering 60,000 Aventura points (worth ~$600) with first year free. The signup bonus is the play here — the earn rates aren’t exceptional after that. Good for a one-year hold.
BMO Ascend World Elite — 115K Points FYF
115,000 BMO Rewards points (~$770 value) plus 4 airport lounge passes. First year free. Decent for the signup bonus, though BMO Rewards aren’t the most flexible currency.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite — Flexible Transfers
55,000 Avion points with strong transfer partners: British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and American Airlines. When RBC runs 30% transfer bonuses to Avios, this becomes one of the best currencies for premium cabin redemptions.
Amex Platinum — For the Credits
Yes, it’s $799. But $200 annual travel credit + $200 annual dining credit offsets most of the fee if you use them. Plus 110K MR points (~$2,200 value), Priority Pass with unlimited visits, and hotel elite status. Not for everyone, but high value if you travel.
How I Rank Them
By net first year value:
- BMO Ascend WE — ~$945 (after $175 rebate)
- TD Aeroplan VI — ~$900 (with anniversary bonus)
- CIBC Aventura VI — ~$600
- Amex Gold — ~$1,075 (if you max the monthly bonuses)
The Strategy
Don’t get attached. These offers change quarterly. Pick the card with the best signup bonus for your spend pattern, hit the minimum spend, collect the points, then decide whether to keep or cancel before the second annual fee hits.
Last updated: March 2026. Offers change frequently — check current terms before applying.