Top 4 credit cards for millennials
The best credit cards for millennials are well-suited to this generation's lifestyle, as well as offer rewards and bonuses that you'll actually use.
Let’s be real: financial advice aimed at the “Baby Boomers” generation isn’t always helpful for finding the best credit card to fit your lifestyle. As a millennial, money may be tight: you may still be a student, paying off student loans, or not earning the highest salary you ever will in your career. Even though you’re sticking to a budget, you may still like to travel and live it up a little — as long as your rent and groceries are paid first, of course.
With these considerations in mind, we set out to find the best Canadian credit cards for millennials and narrowed the list down to our top five best credit cards. These cards are well-suited to millennial lifestyles, as well as deliver many perks and bonuses that you’ll actually use.
Top 4 best credit cards for millennials in Canada 2024
Best credit card for millennials: cash back
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
2% Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3 Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5% Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
$0 Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
19.95% Purchase APR
19.95% Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
1.95% Balance Transfer Rate 1.95% interest for first 6 months, 19.95% after that.
3.00% Balance Transfer Fee 3.00% of the amount transferred, or minimum of $5.00
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Fair Recommended Credit Score
$12,000 Required Annual Personal Income
Welcome Offer Ends Apr 30, 2024
Get 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in everyday purchases made within 2 months. Pay only 1.95% balance transfer interest for the first 6 months.
Learn moreNothing is as flexible as cash in your hand. Until recently, cash-back credit cards weren’t offering the right mix of good reimbursement rates, eligible spend categories, and low (or no) annual fees. It seems that the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card has finally hit the sweet spot with these perks. Earn 2% Money-Back Rewards on your purchases in up to 3 categories of your choice, and 0.50% Money-Back Rewards on all other purchases. That combined with its $0 annual fee makes this card a winner.
If that’s not enticing enough, there’s an awesome promotion right now: Special 10% extra cash back rate on the first $1,000 spent with the card on everyday purchases (max. $100 cash back) in the first two months if you're approved.* There’s some easy money to be made just by signing up and it won’t cost you a thing!
The details
- Annual fee: $0
- Minimum income eligibility: $12,000
- Credit score required: Fair;Good
- Additional benefits: Automatic, monthly reimbursement to your credit card balance or savings account; unlimited cash back
- Interest on purchases: 19.95% | Interest on cash advances: 19.95%
- Welcome offer: Special 10% extra cash back rate on the first $1,000 spent with the card on everyday purchases (max. $100 cash back) in the first two months if you're approved.*
The fact is, you can use cash for anything you need and this flexibility along with decent reimbursement rates is why it tops this list. There are no restrictions or complicated rules to follow. It’s just money back in your pocket—and it doesn’t cost you a thing.
Learn more about the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card*Terms and conditions apply
Best credit card for millennials : Travel
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
6x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agency stores.
3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes ride shares, buses, subway, taxis and more.
3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services.
1x Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
$120 Annual Fee $29 for each supplementary card
20.99% Purchase APR
22.99% Cash Advance APR
22.99% Balance Transfer Rate
0.00% Foreign Transaction Fee
Very Good Recommended Credit Score
Welcome Offer Ends Jul 1, 2024
Earn up to $650* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points.
Learn moreThe Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card has some serious points-earning potential that can be put towards your next trip. Earn 6X Scene+ points on every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on all eligible purchases¹ at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
Earn 5X the Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on other eligible grocery stores, restaurants, fast food, and drinking establishments (including food delivery and food subscription services), as well as on eligible entertainment purchases (movies, theatre, and ticket agencies). Plus, you’ll get 3X the Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible gas, daily transit, and eligible select streaming purchases, and 1X Scene+ point per $1 spent on every other purchase.
The annual fee of $120 is a bit steep, which is a bit of a bummer. This card is a winner in our books, as it provides amazing benefits, such as no foreign transaction fees, comprehensive travel insurance, and Amex Front Of the Line® access. Plus, for a limited time, this card has an incredible welcome bonus for new cardholders.
What’s also exceptional about this credit card is the flexibility in rewards redemption. All you have to do is log in to the system and select the “Apply Points to Travel” option. Then just use your accumulated points to offset any travel costs (flights, rental cars, hotels, etc.) charged to your credit card. It’s that easy – no black-out periods or annoying restrictions. It’s no wonder the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is often ranked as the best travel credit card in Canada.
The details
- Annual fee: $120 (first year annual fee rebate)
- Credit score required: Excellent
- Welcome bonus: Earn up to $650* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points¹.
- Other perks: No foreign transaction fees, comprehensive travel insurance, Amex Front of the Line® access
- Purchase APR: 20.99% | Cash advance APR: 22.99%
¹ Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card to learn more.
Best credit card for a millennial's lifestyle and rewards
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card
5x the points for every $1 spent on groceries, gas, dining in and out and transit.*
10% Earn 10% more points when you add an authorized user to your account.*
$50 annual lifestyle credit to spend however you want*
$120 Annual Fee One Hundred And Twenty - annual fee waived in the first year
20.99% Purchase APR
23.99% Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
23.99% Balance Transfer Rate
Very Good Recommended Credit Score
$60,000 Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000 Required Annual Household Income
Welcome Offer Ends May 31, 2024
Get up to 60,000 points worth $400 in travel rewards, a $50 lifestyle credit and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year - that's a $570 value in your first year!*
Learn moreIf you’re looking for a credit card that gets you valuable and flexible rewards that fit your urbanite lifestyle, consider the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card. Earn 5x the BMO Rewards points on groceries, dining, gas and transit*, and 1 point per $1 on everything else*.
BMO Rewards points are simple to redeem—just visit BmoRewards.com—and can be applied towards travel at a rate of 150 points per dollar. Alternatively, you can redeem your BMO Rewards for merchandise or gift cards, or use the Pay with Points program to apply your points to purchases made on your card. You can even deposit their value into a BMO investment account. That said, the value per point is lower than travel redemptions.
This is a good card for people who like to treat themselves.
With Visa Infinite* perks that gain you access to special dining and wine events, we bet you can find something to splash out on. You’ll also automatically receive perks at luxury hotels and have access to the Visa Infinite complimentary concierge. Take note of the included comprehensive travel insurance and the new mobile device coverage of up to $1,000*.
The details
- Annual fee: $120
- Minimum income eligibility requirement: Minimum $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household)
- Credit score required: Good;Excellent
- Other perks: Travel insurance*, new mobile device insurance*, annual $50 “lifestyle credit”*, Visa Infinite perks*
- Purchase APR: 20.99% | Cash advance APR: 23.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
*Terms and conditions apply.
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.
Best card for entertainment perks among millennials
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa
2x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland & Participating Co-ops, FreshCo and more.
2x Scene+ points4 for every $1 you spend at Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre, Home Furniture locations in Canada and online at homehardware.ca.
2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend at Cineplex◊ theatres or at cineplex.com.
1x Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
25% Save up to 25% off base rates at participating Avis locations and participating Budget locations in North America.
$0 Annual Fee $0 for each additional card
20.99% Purchase APR
22.99% Cash Advance APR
22.99% Balance Transfer Rate
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Good Recommended Credit Score
There are a lot of credit cards aimed at students, but what they all typically offer is a quick way to get into debt. Even if you’re at the beginning of your credit history, it’s possible to make your spending work for you—and that’s what the Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card excels at the most.
A high earn rate and redemption ease make this a really attractive option for those who enjoy movies, shopping, and restaurants.
Earn 2X+ Scene+ points on every $1 you spend on all eligible purchases¹ at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
Earn 2X Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on credit card purchases at Cineplex™ theatres or at cineplex.com, and 1 Scene+ point for every $1 you spend on your everyday credit card purchases.
The redemption rate is super-low (starting at 1,000 points), which means you can basically use this card for everyday purchases and skim the points for things that make you happy—like movies and meals. Best yet? The points never expire.
The details
- Annual fee: $0
- Credit score required: Good
- Other perks: Earn 2X+ Scene+ points on every $1 you spend on all eligible purchases¹ at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op. Earn 2X Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on credit card purchases at Cineplex™ theatres or at cineplex.com, and 1 Scene+ point for every $1 you spend on your everyday credit card purchases.
- Purchase APR: 19.99% | Cash advance APR: 22.99% | Balance transfer APR: 22.99%
¹ Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card to learn more.
Summary of the best credit cards for millennials
| Credit card | Fast facts | Get started |
|---|---|---|
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card |
Annual fee: $0
Rewards program: Cash back |
Apply now |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card |
Annual fee: $120
Rewards program: Scene+ points |
Apply now |
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card |
Annual fee: $120 (first year annual fee waived)*
Rewards program: BMO Rewards points |
Apply now |
| Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card |
Annual fee: $0
Rewards program: Scene+ Points |
Apply now |
The bottom line
Despite what the media might have you believe, millennials aren’t a monolith. There’s a wide age spread included in this group, from folks just applying to university to those learning how to save money for retirement. Some of you may be saving to travel the world, while others might be buying your first home. Whatever your millennial money goals are, it’s much easier to achieve them when you’ve got the right plastic in your wallet.
Millennial credit cards FAQ
Best credit cards by category
- Best travel rewards credit cards in Canada
- Best credit cards in Canada
- Best cash back credit cards
- Best credit cards for rental car insurance
- Best low interest rate credit cards
- Best no foreign transaction fee credit cards
- Best balance transfer credit cards
- Best AIR MILES credit cards
- Best Aeroplan credit cards
Latest Articles
As the climate changes, so too do Canadians' farm fields and dinner tables
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
Booze-free bottle shops aim to showcase variety, educate consumers
'Conscience is clear': N.B. tourism minister, deputy expense $22,500 for Euro trip
Alberta to appeal ruling ordering release of documents on coal mining in Rockies
Bombardier boosts order backlog even as global demand for business jets softens
Disclaimer
The content provided on Money.ca is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter.