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When it comes to American Express, there are plenty of cards that you can get directly from American Express as well as from other credit card issuers. Picking the best one for you can be tricky, though. That’s why we’ve created a list of some of the best American Express cards in Canada.
Great American Express Cards to Choose From
When it comes to choosing one of the best American Express credit cards in Canada, the large number of options can be overwhelming. Here’s a list to help narrow it down a little for you.
American Express Cobalt Card
The first card, which is considered by many to be the best American Express card, is the American Express Cobalt Card. Currently, you can get a welcome bonus of 15,000 points when you sign up. You’ll receive 1,250 points for every monthly billing period for which you spend $750. This will last for 12 months. There’s also no annual fee, but there is a monthly fee of $12.99 that adds up to $155.88 annually. However, if you live in Quebec, there is an annual fee of $150.
The annual interest rates on this card are pretty standard. The purchase interest rate is 21.99%, and the cash advance rate is 21.99%. The points you earn with this card are also pretty good. You earn 5x the points on eligible food and drink purchases, 3x the points on eligible streaming services and 2x the points on eligible gas, transit and ride share purchases. You get 1x the points on all other purchases.
Some other great benefits included with this card are:
- Cobalt Cardmember Perks
- Access to the American Express Hotel Collection
- Mobile Device Insurance
- Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurnace
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Hotel Burglary Insurance
- Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
- $250,000 Travel Accident Insurnace
- Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
- Front of the Line Amex Presale and Reserved Tickets
- Onsite Amex Experiences
- Buyers Assurance Protection Plan
- Purchase Protection Plan
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Fraud Protection Guarantee
- Emergency Card Replacement
- American Express SafeKey
- Instacard Benefit
- Plan it - The American Express Installment Program
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
While this is considered to be a premium credit card, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is another great option. Right now, you can get an extra 60,000 points after you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months. You can get another 25,000 points after you spend $2,500 in month 13.
Since this is a premium card, the annual fee is $599, and each additional card is $199. Your purchase interest rate is 21.99%, as is the cash advance rate. When it comes to points, you can get 3x on eligible Air Canada and Air Canada Vacation purchases, 2x the points on eligible food delivery and dining purchases, and 1.25x the points on other eligible everyday purchases. Some other great benefits include:
- One Annual Worldwide Companion pass when you spend $25,000 before your one-year card anniversary date
- Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding, and Priority Baggage Handling for you and up to 8 people with Air Canada
- Access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafes
- Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 companions with Air Canada
- Worldwide Airport Lounge Access with Priority Pass
- $100 NEXUS Card Statement Credit
- Pearson Priority Security Lane Access
- Complimentary Valet at Pearson Airport
- 15% off Car Care Services, Express Park and Daily Park at Pearson
- Complimentary Upgrade to Avis President’s Club
- Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
- Trip Cancellation Insurance
- Trip Interruption Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Hotel Burglary Insurance
- Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
- Car Rental Theft and Baggage Insurance
- $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance
- Travel Emergency Assistance
- Front of the Line Amex Presale and Reserved Tickets
- On-site Amex Experience Benefits
- Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
- Purchase Protection Plan
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Fraud Protection Guarantee
- Emergency Card Replacement
- American Express SafeKey
- Plan It- The American Express Installment Program
The Platinum Card from American Express
A great option for a premium card with American Express is The Platinum Card from American Express. Right now, you can get 70,000 American Express membership rewards points when you spend $10,000 on your card in the first 3 months. You can get an additional 30,000 points when you make purchases between 15 and 17 months of card membership.
This card is different from other American Express cards because it has no preset spending limit. The annual fee is $799, and there is a fee of $250 for each additional card. When it comes to points, you can earn 2x on restaurant, food and delivery purchases as well as travel. You get 1x the points on all other purchases. You also get an additional 1 point for every dollar spent on Amex Travel.
Other benefits include:
- Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection
- $200 Annual Travel Credit
- $100 Nexus Card Statement Credit
- Experiences at Fine Hotels and Restaurants
- Hotel Status Benefit
- Benefits at Toronto Pearson International Airport
- American Express Travel Online Offers
- $200 Annual Dining Credit
- $200 or more in additional member extras
- Access to the Global Dining Collection
- Platinum Concierge Services
- Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Coverage (under 65)
- Trip Cancellation Insurance
- Trip Interruption Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Hotel Burglary Insurance
- Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
- $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance
- Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
- Travel Emergency Assistance
- Front of the Line Amex Presale and Reserved Tickets
- Dining with Amex Experiences
- Retail with Amex Experiences
- Wellness with Amex Experiences
- Onsite Benefits with Amex Experiences
- Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
- Purchase Protection Plan
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Fraud Protection Guarantee
- Emergency Card Replacement
- American Express SafeKey
- Instacart Benefit
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
One of the American Express cards you can get through Scotiabank is the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. This card allows you to earn scene points and enjoy the benefits of American Express. The annual fee for this card is only $120, and the minimum credit limit is $5,000. It has a purchase interest rate of 20.99% and a cash advance rate of 22.99%. Each supplementary card is $29.
One of the key features is that you don’t pay the 2.5% foreign transaction fee. When it comes to points, you can earn 6x the points on eligible grocery purchases, as well as dining and entertainment purchases. Other benefits you can get with this card include:
- Front of the Line Presale and Reserved Tickets
- Complimentary Concierge Services
- Airport Lounge Access with a discounted Priority Pass Membership
- Travel Emergency Medical Insurance
- Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Rental Car Collision Loss/Damage Insurance
- Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
- Mobile Device Insurance
- Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection
Other points you can earn with this card include:
- 5x the points on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores
- 5x the points on eligible entertainment purchases
- 3x the points on eligible gas and transit options
- 3x the points on eligible select streaming purchases
American Express Green Card
A great option for a basic American Express card is the American Express Green Card. Right now, you can earn 10,000 points when you spend $1,000 or more in your first few months. There’s no annual fee, and the interest rate is 21.99%.
When it comes to points, you can earn 1x on all everyday purchases and an additional point for every dollar you spend with Amex Travel online. Other great benefits include:
- Front of the Line Amex Presale and Reserved Tickets
- On-site Amex Experience Benefits
- Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
- Purchase Protection Plan
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Fraud Protection Guarantee
- Emergency Card Replacement
- American Express SafeKey
- Amex Offers
- Plan It - The American Express Installment Program
Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card
Another great Scotiabank American Express card is the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card. You also don’t pay any foreign transaction fees on foreign currency purchases, and you can earn 2x the scene points on all eligible purchases. The annual fee is $399 and the minimum credit limit is $10,000. However, interest rate for cash advances and purchases is only 9.99% and each supplementary card is only $99 per year.
The other benefits you can get with this card include:
- 10 Complimentary Lounge Access Passes
- Premium Concierge Services
- Front of the Line Presale and Reserved Tickets
- Premium Lifestyle Experiences
- Amex Offers
- Ability to become a Hertz #1 Club Gold Member
- Travel Emergency Medical Insurance
- Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Rental Car Collision Loss/Damage Insurance
- Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
- Mobile Device Insurance
Scotiabank American Express Card
The last American Express card with Scotiabank is the Scotiabank American Express Card. There’s no annual fee, and the minimum credit limit is only $1,000. There’s also a purchase interest rate of 19.99% and a cash advance rate of 22.99%. If you sign up right now, you could earn 7,500 bonus points in your first 3 months. Other points you can earn include:
- 3x the points for every $1 spent at Sobey’s, Safeway, Fresh Co, Foodland and more
- 2x the points for every $1 spent at restaurants, fast food and drinking establishments
- 2x the points on eligible entertainment purchases
- 2x the points for every $1 spent on eligible gas and daily transit purchases
- 2x the points on select streaming services
Other benefits you can get include:
- Amex Offers
- Front of the Line Presale and Reserved Tickets
- Discounts on Car Rental Bookings
- Mobile Device Insurance
- Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection
American Express Essential Credit Card
If you’re in the market for a low-interest credit card, then a great option is the American Express Essential Credit Card. This card has an annual fee of only $25, and the interest rate is only 12.99%. There’s no annual fee for any additional cards. Other benefits included are:
- $100,000 Travel Accident Insurance
- Front of the Line Amex Presale and Reserved Tickets
- Onsite Amex Experiences
- Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
- Purchase Protection Plan
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Fraud Protection Guarantee
- Emergency Card Replacement
- American Express SafeKey
- Amex Offers
- Plan It - The American Express Installment Program
Simply Cash Preferred Card from American Express
The Simply Cash Preferred Card from American Express is a popular choice for those looking for an American Express card. Right now, you can earn a bonus 10% cash back reward on purchases up to $2,000 total spend. This is only available for the first 3 months. After that, you can earn 4% cash back rewards on gas and groceries, and then you can earn everyday cash back at a rate of 2%.
If you sign up now, you can also get a $50 statement credit on your 13th month if you
make a purchase that month. The fee for this card is $9.99 per month, which is equal to $119.99 annually. In Quebec, it’s an annual fee of $119. The interest rate on this card is 21.99% on purchases and cash advances.
Other benefits you can get with this card include:
- Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance (Under age 65)
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Hotel Burglary Insurance
- Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
- $100,000 Travel Accident Insurance
- Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
- Mobile Device Insurance
- Front of the Line Amex Presale and Reserved Tickets
- Onsite Benefits with Amex Experiences
- Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
- Purchase Protection Plan
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Fraud Protection Guarantee
- Emergency Card Replacement
- American Express SafeKey
- Amex Offers
- Instacard Benefit
- Plan It - The American Express Installment Program
American Express Gold Rewards Card
The American Express Gold Rewards Card has a relatively average annual fee of $250. If you sign up right now, you can get up to 60,000 membership rewards points. You’ll get 5,000 points for every month you spend $1,000 or more. In 12 months, this weill equal 60,000 points. When it comes to the card itself, the interest rate is the standard 21.99% each additional card is $50, however, your first additional card is free.
When it comes to points, you can earn 2x the points on travel, 2x the points on everyday purchases and 1x the points on everything else. There are also some other amazing benefits, including:
- A $100 Annual Travel Credit
- Priority Pass - Worldwide Airport Lounge Access
- Plaza Premium Lounge Visits
- Access to The Hotel Collection
- The Hertz Rental Car Benefit
- Exclusive American Express Travel Online Offers
- Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
- Trip Cancellation Insurance
- Trip Interruption Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Hotel Burglary Insurance
- Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
- $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance
- Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
- Travel Emergency Assistance
- Front of the Line Amex Presale and Reserved Tickets
- Onsite Benefits with Amex Experiences
- Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
- Purchase Protection Plan
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Fraud Protection Guarantee
- Emergency Card Replacement
- American Express SafeKey
- Instacart Benefit
- Member Extras
- Plan It - The American Express Installment Program
American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card
For those in need of an American Express business card, a great option is the American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card. Right now, you can earn 65,000 points when you spend $10,500 on your card in the first 3 months. When you spend $3,500 in month 13, then you’ll get another 25,000 points. Your interest rate for all purchases is 21.99%, and the annual card fee is $599. Supplementary cards are $199.
When it comes to points, you can earn 3x the points on direct purchases with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, 2x the points on eligible hotel and car rentals, and 1.25x the points on everything else. Other benefits include:
- Business Benefits
- Employee Card Misuse Protection
- Travel Emergency Assistance
- Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance (age 65 and under)
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
- Hotel Burglary Insurance
- Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
- $500K Travel Accident Insurance
- Trip Cancellation Insurance
- Trip Interruption Insurance
- Purchase Protection Plan
- Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
- Front of the Line Amex Presale and Reserved Tickets
- Front of the Line Emails
- Cardmember Special Access
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Emergency Card Replacement
- Fraud Protection Guarantee
- Amex Offers
- Plan It - The American Express Installment Program
This card also offers special card features for travel, including:
- Free First Checked Bag
- Priority Check In
- Priority Boarding
- Priority Baggage Handling
- Priority Airport Standby
- Priority Airport Upgrades
- Maple Leaf Lounge Access
- Priority Pass
- Toronto Pearson International Airport Benefits
- Access to Pearson Priority Security Lane
- Complimentary Valet Services
- Discount on Parking Rates
- Discount on Car Care Services
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
An exclusive card you can get with American Express is the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. Right now, if you spend $1,500 on your card in the first 3 months, you can get 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points. The annual fee is $120; there’s no annual fee for additional cards, and the purchase and cash advance rates are both 21.99%.
The points on their card are pretty good, too. You can get 5x the points on Marriott purchases as participating hotels, and 2x the points on anything else. Some other great benefits include:
- Annual Free Night Award on your yearly card anniversary
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status
- 15 Elite Night Credits
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Hotel Burglary Insurance
- Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
- $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance
- Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
- Travel Emergency Assistance
- Front of the Line Amex Presale and Reserved Tickets
- Onsite Benefits with Amex Experiences
- Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
- Purchase Protection Plan
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Fraud Protection Guarantee
- Emergency Card Replacement
- American Express SafeKey
- Plan It - The American Express Installment Plan
American Express Aeroplan Card
Those who collect Aeroplan points might also be interested in the American Express Aeroplan Card. Right now, with this card, you can earn 30,000 points after spending $3,000 in your first 3 months. You can earn another 10,000 when you spend $1,000 in month 13. This is different from a traditional credit card, since it's a charge card and there’s no preset limit or interest rate. The annual fee is $120. Each additional card is $50.
In terms of points, you can earn 2x the points on eligible Air Canada and Air Canada Vacation purchases, 1.5x the points on dining and food delivery, and 1x the points on everything else. Other benefits include:
- Free First Checked Bags with Air Canada
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Hotel Burglary Insurance
- Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
- $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance
- Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
- Travel Emergency Assistance
- Front of the Line Amex Presale and Reserved Tickets
- Onsite Benefits with Amex Experiences
- Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan
- Purchase Protection Plan
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Fraud Protection Guarantee
- Emergency Card Replacement
- American Express SafeKey
- Exclusive American Express Offers
How to Get an American Express Card in Canada
Getting an American Express credit card in Canada is actually simpler than you may think. If you’re looking at getting a card through American Express directly, the best thing to do is apply online. Once you fill out the initial application for the card of your choice, you’ll be asked for your proof of employment, income, and bank account details. You also need to be a Canadian citizen, have a credit file, and be of the age of majority to apply.
Another way to get an American Express card is through Scotiabank. You can choose the card you wish to apply for and apply online, or you can apply over the phone. You can even make an appointment with an advisor in the branch. Since Scotiabank has 3 different American Express cards to choose from, it’s possible you could still end up with one of their Amex cards, even if it’s not the one you originally applied for.
Best American Express Card for Travel
While there are many different credit cards that are great for travel rewards, many consider the American Express Cobalt Card the best. This is because you can not only redeem points with Amex Travel on eligible travel purchases but also transfer the points to other loyalty programs of your choice.
By using this flexible travel rewards program, you have access to more rewards than a fixed points travel program like Amex Membership Rewards. The best part is that you don’t have to spend money on travel to earn these great rewards. You can earn on everyday purchases like eligible gas purchases and eligible select streaming services. Plus, this card even includes some great travel insurance options, making it a great option for frequent travellers who use their card for everyday purchases.
The Most Prestigious American Express Card
The most prestigious American Express card is a card that you can’t even apply for. It’s the American Express Centurion Card, also referred to as the Black Card. In order to get this card, you have to be invited by American Express. They decide who gets this card based on their current clients. Specifically, they look for their wealthiest clients who meet certain credit, net worth, and spending requirements. The card most commonly looked at for this is the Platinum Card.
The Centurion Card varies from a traditional American Express credit card because it’s technically a charge card, and not a typical credit card. It’s also limitless. The exact details on the Centurion Card are unknown unless you have one. However, it’s thought that there’s a $10,000 initiation fee, $5,000 annual fee, and many different exclusive travel benefits. It’s also thought that those with this card are assigned their own concierge who can set them up with exclusive travel plans whenever they please.
Things to Remember When Applying for an American Express Card
While American Express cards are great, there are a few things you need to remember when applying. The first is that you aren’t guaranteed approval. The credit card issuer will check with the credit bureaus for your credit history as well as your current credit score. It’s also important to remember that you need to meet the requirements after approval in order to receive your generous welcome bonus which includes any bonus points you might be entitled to.
While there aren’t any bonus categories to earn more points, you can get a large referral bonus by inviting your friends and family. When it comes to the fees, the amount for non-Quebec residents is going to be different from the fee for Quebec residents. The interest rate is going to be the same. Also, while all cards, whether they’re high-annual-fee or not, come with premium perks, you have to pay foreign transaction fees on foreign currency transactions unless you go with a Scotiabank American Express card.
When you get an American Express card, though, the best thing to remember is that if you love to travel, you can get some amazing deals on round-trip flights and other travel options. Those with a cash back card will also get some good actual cash back options.
Final Thought
With so many different American Express credit cards available, it can be hard to choose the one that works best for you. That said, there is an option out there for everyone when choosing their own credit cards. They have high-rewards cards, low-rate cards, travel cards and more. They even have Aeroplan cards, Airmiles rewards, and cash-back cards.
When choosing the card that works best for you, you need to consider your income as well as what you spend. This will help you choose the best-fitting card. That said, no matter which American Express card you end up with, you can get some great benefits. If you’re one who spends a lot in other currencies, then a Scotiabank American Express card might be the best option for you.
