Travel Credit Cards Canada for Every Budget

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If you're a Canadian traveler, you're in luck - there are countless travel credit cards available to suit every budget. The American Express Cobalt Card, for example, offers a $30 credit towards Grubhub, Uber Eats, or DoorDash each month.

Whether you're a frequent flyer or a budget-conscious adventurer, there's a travel credit card that's right for you. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, for instance, offers no foreign transaction fees.

If you're looking for a card with a high rewards rate, consider the TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card, which offers 3% cash back on dining, 2% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. This can add up to significant savings over time.

Prepaid Travel Credit Cards

Prepaid travel cards offer Canadians a safe way to spend money abroad. They provide the convenience of a credit card without high interest rates and the risk of racking up debt.

These cards are a great option for travelers as they allow you to load a specific amount of money onto the card, eliminating the need to worry about overspending.

5 Prepaid Options to Consider

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Packing a prepaid travel card is a must for any Canadian traveler.

Prepaid travel cards offer a safe way to spend money abroad.

They provide the convenience of a credit card without high interest rates.

You won't have to worry about racking up debt.

These cards are perfect for those who want to budget their expenses while traveling.

They allow you to load a specific amount of money onto the card, which you can then use to make purchases.

This way, you can avoid overspending and stay within your means.

Choosing for You

Choosing the right prepaid travel credit card can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available.

First, consider your travel style and preferences. Do you prefer to use your rewards for free hotel stays, airline tickets, or something else?

The 5 Best Hotel Credit Cards in Canada suggest that a top-notch hotel credit card should allow you to redeem your rewards in a way that suits your needs.

Credit: youtube.com, Travel Credit Cards: How To Choose One (FULL GUIDE)

Think about your travel goals and what you want to achieve with your prepaid travel credit card. Do you want to earn points for every dollar you spend, or do you want to get a sign-up bonus?

Ultimately, the best prepaid travel credit card for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

North America

In North America, prepaid travel credit cards can be a convenient option for budget-conscious travelers.

Many popular tourist destinations in the US and Canada accept prepaid credit cards, including major cities like New York and Toronto.

The US dollar is the primary currency in the US, while Canada uses the Canadian dollar, which can be easily exchanged for US dollars at many currency exchange offices.

Some popular prepaid travel credit cards for North America include the Discover it Miles and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, both of which offer rewards and travel benefits.

Travelers can also use prepaid credit cards to make purchases at popular tourist spots, such as museums, restaurants, and shops.

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Hotel Credit Cards

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Traveling can be expensive, but using a great hotel credit card can make it cheaper. A top-notch hotel credit card should allow you to redeem your rewards in a way that suits your needs.

You can redeem your rewards for free hotel stays, which is a huge perk. Traveling can be expensive, or cheaper if you use some travel hacks.

Hotel credit cards can also be used to redeem rewards for airline tickets, but that's not the focus of a hotel credit card.

TD Credit Cards

TD offers a range of credit cards that can help you earn rewards and save on travel expenses. The TD Business Travel Visa Card is a great option for businesses with travel expenses, offering up to 150,000 bonus TD Rewards Points and up to $247 in annual fee rebates.

You can earn 30,000 points after your first purchase and another 60,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. Additionally, you'll earn 5,000 bonus points each month in which you spend $2,500 on purchases, valid for the first 12 months from account opening.

Crop anonymous traveler using card device while paying for taxi ride in automobile
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The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card offers a wide range of travel protections and a robust earning structure, making it a smart idea for travel purchases. You can earn up to 145,000 bonus TD Rewards points plus waived annual fees during the first year.

The card has a birthday bonus of up to 10,000 bonus points, equal to 10% of the points earned in the previous year, up to 10,000 points maximum. The annual fee is $139.

If you're a frequent flyer, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card might be the way to go. You can earn up to 55,000 bonus Aeroplan points and enjoy no annual fee during the first year.

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BMO Credit Cards

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard is a travel card that offers strong earning rates, with 5 points per dollar on a broad travel category and 3 points per dollar on dining, entertainment, and recurring bill payments.

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Credit: youtube.com, BMO CREDIT CARD REVIEW 2024 - Are The Best BMO Credit Cards With No Fee Worth Having?

The card also comes with premium insurance perks and four free visits per year to airline lounges. This can be a great benefit for frequent travelers.

You can earn up to 60,000 bonus points with the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard, with 30,000 points earned after spending $3,000 in the first three months, and an additional 2,500 points earned each month for 12 months when you spend at least $2,000.

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BMO Ascend Review

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard is a travel card that's worth considering, especially if you're building an investment portfolio. It offers a strong earning rate of 5 points per dollar on a broad travel category.

You can earn up to 60,000 bonus points, which is a great starting point for your rewards. To get this, you need to spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening.

The card has a $0 introductory annual fee, which is a great deal for the first year. After that, the annual fee is $150. It's worth considering whether the benefits outweigh the cost.

You'll get premium insurance perks to help in case something goes wrong during your trip. This can give you peace of mind when traveling.

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BMO Eclipse

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The BMO Eclipse card is a great option for those who want to earn rewards on everyday purchases. You can earn up to 60,000 bonus points and have the annual fee waived for the first year.

The welcome offer is quite attractive, with 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months. This can be a great incentive to get started with the card.

To earn the additional 30,000 bonus points, you need to make at least $2,000 in purchases each month for 12 months. This can be a challenge, but it's definitely achievable with some planning.

Earning 5 points per dollar on groceries, gas, transit, dining out, and ordering in is a fantastic combination. This means you'll earn rewards on a wide range of purchases, from daily essentials to dining out with friends.

Adding an authorized user to your account can boost your earnings to 5.5 points per dollar. This is a great way to maximize your rewards, especially if you have a partner or family member who makes regular purchases on their own.

CIBC Credit Cards

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The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card is a great choice for those who want to earn rewards with Canada's biggest airline loyalty program. There's no annual fee, which is a huge plus.

Cardholders earn rewards with Aeroplan, Canada's biggest airline loyalty program, and get access to award flight deals exclusive to Aeroplan credit card holders. This can be a game-changer for frequent travelers.

The CIBC U.S. Dollar Aventura Gold Visa Card is perfect for Canadians who frequently travel to the U.S. or shop with U.S. retailers. It avoids currency conversion and foreign exchange fees on purchases.

With the CIBC U.S. Dollar Aventura Gold Visa Card, you can earn up to 10,000 bonus Aventura points, including 7,500 points after your purchase and 2,500 points after completing five activities within 60 days of account opening. This is a great bonus for those who take advantage of the card's benefits.

The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card offers a welcome offer of 10,000 bonus Aeroplan points after making your first purchase on the card. This is a fantastic way to start earning rewards right away.

The CIBC U.S. Dollar Aventura Gold Visa Card has a modest annual fee of $35, which is a small price to pay for the benefits it offers. This fee starts in the second year, making it a great long-term option.

HSBC Credit Cards

Credit: youtube.com, HSBC World Elite Mastercard Quick Guide For Canadians

HSBC offers a World Elite Mastercard that's worth considering for your travels. The current welcome offer includes up to 80,000 bonus points, which can be redeemed against any travel purchases on your card.

The card's annual fee is $149, but it's offset by the $100 travel credit and the anniversary bonus points worth $100. This provides great value over the annual fee.

The card offers flexibility with its points, worth 0.5 cents each, and the annual $100 travel credit is a nice bonus.

Marriott Credit Cards

If you're looking to earn points that can be redeemed for free nights at hotels, consider the Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card offers a welcome offer of 50,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first three months of cardmembership.

These points can be redeemed for a free night award worth up to 35,000 points, which can be valued at over $120. This is a great way to earn a free night at a hotel on your next trip.

Mbna Credit Cards

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If you're looking for a travel credit card in Canada, you might want to consider the MBNA credit cards, which offer a range of benefits and rewards.

MBNA credit cards offer a sign-up bonus of up to 25,000 Aeroplan miles, which can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses.

MBNA credit cards also offer a 25-day purchase insurance, which provides protection against theft, loss, or damage to your purchases.

MBNA credit cards offer a wide range of rewards programs, including the Aeroplan program, which offers miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses.

MBNA credit cards have a annual fee of $139 for the AeroplanPlus Platinum Plus credit card, which is a relatively low fee compared to other travel credit cards on the market.

MBNA credit cards offer a variety of travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation insurance, trip interruption insurance, and travel medical insurance.

National Bank Credit Cards

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National Bank Credit Cards offer some fantastic perks for travelers. The National Bank World Elite Mastercard provides up to $150 in annual travel credits, which is the same dollar amount as the annual fee.

This card is a great option for those who spend a lot on purchases, as it offers a welcome offer of up to 60,000 bonus points in the first year. To earn these points, you need to spend $5,000 on purchases within three months of account opening.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard also offers lounge access and points on purchases, making it a valuable addition to any traveler's wallet. In addition to the welcome offer, you can earn another 20,000 bonus points on your first account anniversary if you spend at least $12,000 on purchases during the first 12 months from account opening.

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RBC Credit Cards

RBC Credit Cards offer a range of options for travelers, with various welcome offers and earning structures. The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite, for example, comes with a welcome offer of up to 60,000 bonus Avios, including 15,000 Avios on account approval and 35,000 bonus Avios after spending $6,000 on purchases within three months.

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The RBC Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum earns Asia Miles directly and has a moderate annual fee. This card is a great option for those who want to earn miles on purchases and redeem them for flights with Oneworld alliance partners. The RBC Cathay Pacific card also comes with perks that can save you money on gas and food delivery.

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business card offers a flat redemption rate of 1 cent per point, making it easy to redeem points for purchases. You can also transfer points to other loyalty programs, such as WestJet Rewards or American Airlines AAdvantage, at a 1-to-1 ratio. This card's annual fee is $175.

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RBC British Airways

The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite card is a great option for those who want to earn Avios, the rewards program of British Airways. The current welcome offer is up to 60,000 bonus Avios during the first year. This includes 15,000 Avios on account approval and another 35,000 bonus Avios after spending $6,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. You'll also receive another 10,000 Avios on your account anniversary.

Credit: youtube.com, The Most Underrated Card In Canada? RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Review!

The annual fee for this card is $165. While the earning structure on this card isn't great, the companion award can provide incredible value when redeeming Avios and bringing a companion along with you. You'll pay the taxes and fees on this ticket, but you won't pay any Avios for this person to join you. This is valid on British Airways flights only and can provide serious value in business or first class.

RBC Avion Business

The RBC Avion Business card is a great option for businesses looking for a solid rewards program. You'll receive 25,000 bonus points automatically on your first billing statement.

With an annual fee of $175, it's a relatively affordable option compared to other business credit cards. The points can be redeemed at a flat rate of 1 cent per point to pay for purchases, so you never have to worry about whether you're getting good value on your redemptions.

You can redeem points for statement credit, pay for in-store purchases, or pay for travel. Attaining even better value is possible by transferring points to partner airlines like WestJet Rewards, American Airlines AAdvantage, and British Airways Executive Club.

Rogers Credit Cards

Credit: youtube.com, Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is a GREAT TRAVEL Credit Card 2025

The Rogers World Elite Mastercard is a solid option for Canadians looking for a travel credit card with no annual fee. You can earn a $25 bonus after making your first purchase within three months of account opening.

This card provides numerous shopping and travel protections, which can be a smart move if you don't have these on another credit card.

Scotiabank Credit Cards

Scotiabank offers a range of credit cards that cater to different travel needs and budgets.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is a great option for those who value lounge access and car rental privileges, with six complimentary lounge visits and car rental benefits that can easily offset its $150 annual fee.

You can earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year, with 30,000 bonus points awarded after making at least $1,000 in purchases within three months of account opening.

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card offers great travel benefits without needing to track bonus categories on spending, earning 2 points per dollar on all purchases.

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Its annual fee is $399, but the card's simplicity and travel perks make it a great option for those who want hassle-free rewards.

The CIBC U.S. Dollar Aventura Gold Visa Card is another great option for Canadians who frequently travel to the U.S. or shop with U.S. retailers, avoiding currency conversion and foreign exchange fees on purchases.

This card has a modest welcome bonus of up to 10,000 bonus Aventura points and an annual fee of $35, starting in the second year.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card's earning structure isn't overly exciting, but its benefits can be valuable for those who use them frequently.

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card's welcome offer is more substantial, earning 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months of account opening, and another 20,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 on purchases within 14 months.

TD Business Credit Cards

If you're a Canadian business owner with frequent travel expenses, you'll want to consider the TD Business Travel Visa Card. This card offers a generous welcome offer, earning you up to 150,000 bonus TD Rewards Points and up to $247 in annual fee rebates.

You can earn points quickly with this card, receiving 30,000 points after your first purchase and another 60,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months of account opening.

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TD Business

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The TD Business Travel Visa Card is a great option for businesses with travel expenses. It offers up to 150,000 bonus TD Rewards Points and up to $247 in annual fee rebates.

Cardholders can redeem points against travel purchases or for bookings with Expedia for TD, providing flexibility after earning points. This is especially useful for businesses with travel expenses or purchasing goods in other currencies.

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card has a robust earning structure, making it a smart idea for travel purchases. It offers a wide range of travel protections to help if you encounter problems during a trip.

Annual fees can be a hassle, but the TD First Class Visa has a way to offset them through travel credits and birthday bonus points. The annual fee is $139, but the benefits make it worth considering.

If you're a regular flyer with Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card is worth looking into. It offers premium perks like access to Maple Leaf lounges and priority benefits at the airport.

Businesses

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For businesses, the TD Business Credit Cards offer a range of benefits, but one thing to note is that they don't offer a specific welcome offer or annual fee like some other cards, such as the Business Platinum Card from American Express, which has a welcome offer of 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards points and an annual fee of $499.

The American Express Business Platinum Card has no preset spending limit, which can be great for businesses that spend a lot of money on the card, adapting to their purchasing and payment behaviors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a credit card as a tourist in Canada?

Yes, non-residents and non-citizens can get credit cards in Canada. Consider opening a Canadian-based account and credit card for your trip.

What credit card is best for travel?

For travel, consider the American Express Gold Card, offering rewards and benefits tailored for travel dining. It's a top choice for travelers seeking a premium experience.

Teresa Halvorson

Senior Writer

Teresa Halvorson is a skilled writer with a passion for financial journalism. Her expertise lies in breaking down complex topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content. With a keen eye for detail, Teresa has successfully covered a range of article categories, including currency exchange rates and foreign exchange rates.

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