Best American Express credit cards in Canada 2024
Updated: April 01, 2024
American Express has one of the top credit card rewards programs in Canada and best of all, they've made their cards more and more accessible to a wider range of consumers with reduced minimum income requirements, lower annual fees and interest rates.
The higher interchange fees that Amex charges have historically resulted in Amex cards being declined by some merchants, but they are now more widely accepted in Canada than you might expect. Nonetheless we recommend that Canadians supplement one of the below cards with one of the best Visa credit cards or best Mastercards in Canada to ensure that all their bases are covered.
See the top American Express credit cards in Canada to find the best one for your lifestyle.
Best American Express Credit Card by category
| Best Amex credit cards | Fast facts | Get started |
|---|---|---|
| SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express |
Best for: cash cback
Annual fee: $9.99/month (equals a total fee of $119.88 annually) |
Apply now |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® card |
Best for: travel rewards
Annual fee: $120 |
Apply now |
| Scotiabank American Express® Card |
Best for: No annual fee rewards card
Annual fee: $0 |
Apply now |
| SimplyCash® Card from American Express |
Best for: No annual fee cash back Amex
Annual fee: $0 |
Apply now |
| American Express Cobalt® Card |
Best for: Lifestyle rewards
Annual fee: $155.88 ($12.99 monthly fee) Money.ca's pick for the best credit card in Canada |
Apply now |
| The Platinum Card® |
Best for: Premium travel
Annual fee: $799 |
Apply now |
| American Express® Business EdgeTM Card |
Best for: Business
Annual fee: $99 |
Apply now |
Best American Express cash back credit card
SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express review
4% Earn 4% cash back on gas in Canada.
4% Earn 4% cash back on grocery purchases in Canada, up to $1,200 cash back per year.
2% Earn 2% cash back on everything else with no limit.
$119.88 Annual Fee $9.99 per month. Additional cards are free.
20.99% Purchase APR
21.99% Cash Advance APR
Excellent Recommended Credit Score
If you're looking for a great cash back credit card with a low annual fee, the SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express can fit your needs. New cardholders will appreciate the Welcome Offer. In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express card member, you can earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months. Conditions apply. As a secondary bonus, each approved friend that you refer to Amex grants you another $100 in direct cash back, up to a maximum of $1,500 cash back annually.
With this card, you can earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 4% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually) and 2% cash back on all other purchases. The card’s annual fee is worthwhile looking at these earn rates. Moreover, it wouldn’t be an Amex without a suite of great travel protections like emergency medical and travel accident insurance, or the inclusion access to events and special offers curated for card members with American Express® Experiences.
Main features:
- Annual fee: $9.99/month (equals a total fee of $119.88 annually)
- Welcome bonus: In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express card member, you can earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your card. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months. Conditions apply.
- Earn rate: Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 4% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually) and 2% cash back on all other purchases.
- Special feature: $100 bonus per referred friend, up to $1500 annually
Best American Express travel rewards card
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card review
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 moreAmerican Express is generally one of the best credit card processors for travellers, and the most globetrotter-friendly card they offer might be the Scotiabank Gold American Express® card. It helps cardholders earn points quickly on their most common expenses, and then enjoy them on future adventures. You’ll receive 6X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spend at eligible grocers like Sobeys, Safeway, and more eligible grocers¹, 5X for every $1 CAD spent on other eligible groceries, dining and entertainment; 3X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend at eligible gas stations, on daily transit, and on streaming services; then 1 point per $1 on everything else. The points can be spent with superior flexibility.
Earn up to $650* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points¹. Earn 20,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, for a limited time, you are eligible to earn a 20,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $7,500 in everyday eligible purchases in your first year.
There are few other Canadian credit cards that offer the same level of travel benefits for this price point—$120 per year—as the card includes access to airport lounges worldwide, and a solid travel insurance package. If you don’t want to bend to the stricter limitations on point redemption and travel choices that define other cards, you should give the Scotiabank Gold American Express® card a close look.
Main features:
- Annual fee: $120
- Sign-up bonus: Earn up to $650* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points¹.
- Enhanced earn rates: Earn 6X Scene+™ points on every $1 CAD you spend in Canada at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland, and more eligible grocers.¹ 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 point per $1 spent on every other purchase.
- Regular earn rate: 1X point per $1 spent on every other purchase.
- Special feature: No foreign transaction fees.
¹Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card to learn more.
Best no annual fee American Express rewards card
Scotiabank American Express Card review
3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco and more
2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on restaurants, fast food, drinking establishments and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes ride shares, buses, subway, taxis and more
2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible select streaming services
1x Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
$0 Annual Fee Additional cards are $0
19.99% Purchase APR
22.99% Cash Advance APR
22.99% Balance Transfer Rate
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Good Recommended Credit Score
If you want to take advantage of Amex perks without paying an annual fee, check out the Scotiabank American Express® card. Although it’s a no annual fee card, it nonetheless offers an introductory bonus of up to 7,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first year (that’s up to $70 towards travel).¹ Earn 5,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $750 in everyday eligible purchases in your first three months. Plus, for a limited time, you are eligible to earn a 2,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $5,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first year.
Cardholders can accrue points via their natural spending inclinations and use them later to save on trips.
- Earn 3X Scene+ points for each dollar charged to your account 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-O.
- Earn 2X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible grocery stores, restaurants, fast food, and drinking establishments. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
- Earn 2X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible entertainment, including movies, theatres and ticket agencies.
- Earn 2X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more.
- Earn 2X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible select streaming services.
- Earn 1X Scene+ point for every $1 spent on every other purchase.
Like other Amex travel cards, points are redeemable via retroactive statement credits—just make a purchase with the card and pay for it with points later. You can also spend them on merchandise and other special offers.
Main features:
- Annual fee: $0
- Sign-up bonus: Earn up to 7,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first year (that’s up to $70 towards travel).¹
- Base earn rate: 1X Scene+ point per $1 spent on eligible purchases with accelerated earn rate on select eligible purchases¹
- Special feature: New mobile device insurance
¹ Conditions apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank American Express® Card to learn more.
Best no annual fee American Express cash back card
SimplyCash Card from American Express review
2% Earn 2% cash back on eligible gas purchases in Canada, 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually)
1.25% Earn 1.25% cash back on all other eligible purchases—the only stuff that won’t get cash back are non-purchases, like cash advances, balance transfers, etc.
$0 Annual Fee
20.99% Purchase APR
21.99% Cash Advance APR
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee Foreign Transaction
Good Recommended Credit Score
$0 Required Annual Personal Income
Welcome Offer
Earn up to $100 in Statement Credits in your first 10 months as a new cardmember
Learn moreThe SimplyCash Card from American Express helps you earn cash back without paying an annual fee. The card earns rates of: Earn 2% cash back on eligible gas purchases in Canada, 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually), and 1.25% cash back on all other eligible purchases. Referring a friend earns the cardholder $50 per approval, up to a maximum of $750 annually.
In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a $10 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $300 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to $100 in statement credits in the first 10 months. Conditions apply.
There is an impressive variety of additional perks that make the SimplyCash® Card from American Express more valuable, like the inclusion of automatic coverage for rental cars, travel accidents, new purchases and more. As a part of the American Express family, the card also includes access events and special offers curated for card members with American Express® Experiences. In other words, it lends a helping hand to those who are struggling financially, but will also grant them access to perks normally enjoyed by higher-tier cards—and all without an annual fee.
Main features:
- Annual fee: $0
- Welcome bonus: In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Card from American Express card member, you can earn a $10 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $300 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to $100 in statement credits in the first 10 months. Conditions apply.
- Earn rates: Earn 2% cash back on eligible gas purchases in Canada, 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually), and 1.25% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Best lifestyle American Express rewards credit card
Amex Cobalt Credit Card review
5x the points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap applies.
3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada
1x additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online
1x point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else
$100 USD up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities when charged to the room for a stay of 2 or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel
$155.88 Annual Fee 12.99/mo
20.99% Purchase APR
21.99% Cash Advance APR
21.99% Balance Transfer Rate
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Fair Recommended Credit Score
$0 Required Annual Personal Income
$0 Required Annual Household Income
The American Express Cobalt Credit Card is a great rewards credit card if you enjoy spending money on food and streaming subscriptions. Love eating out or ordering in? Maximize the value of each dollar spent with the Amex Cobalt® Card. The American Express Cobalt® Card accrues a massive 5 points per $1 spent on eligible food and drinks in Canada, including grocery stores and food delivery services (spend cap applies); 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services; 2 points per $1 spent on ride shares, transit and gas in Canada; and 1 point per $1 on everything else. Each point is worth about $0.01, and they’re redeemable for travel, gift cards, Amazon, and for general statement credits.
Cardholders can also take advantage of a very lucrative introductory deal, which runs for the first year of card membership and pays out consecutive bonuses for reaching spending goals. In your first year as a new Cobalt® Card member, you can earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets. Conditions apply.
The card costs a relatively low $155.88 ($12.99 monthly fee) annual fee, which can be more than covered in rewards points by those high-octane urbanites that dine out regularly.
Main features:
- Annual fee: $155.88 ($12.99 monthly fee)
- Welcome bonus: Earn up to 15,000 membership Rewards® points in the first year (terms and conditions apply).
- Enhanced earn rates: 5 points per $1 spent at eligible restaurants, coffee shops and bars, stand-alone grocery stores, and food delivery services in Canada (spend cap applies); 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services; 2 points per $1 spent on eligible ride shares, transit and gas in Canada; 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online.
- Regular earn rate: 1 point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Special feature: 5,000 bonus points for referring friends to the card, up to a maximum annual referral bonus of 75,000 points
Best premium American Express card
American Express Credit Card Platinum review
2x Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
1x point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
$799 Annual Fee Includes $200 annual travel credit and $200 annual dining credit
20.99% Purchase APR The Preferred rate of 20.99% applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance.
2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee
Excellent Recommended Credit Score
The Platinum Card® is geared towards those who travel quite often and spend enough to justify its $799 annual fee, which is obviously quite pricey, but worthwhile considering what the card gives back in return.
Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points – that’s $1,000 towards a weekend away. New Platinum® Card members, earn 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of card membership. Conditions apply.
Sign-up bonus aside, many other elite travel features and upper echelon benefits are included with The Platinum Card®. Cardholders will have access to a $200 CAD Annual Travel Credit to use on one-time travel or hotel bookings through American Express Travel Online or Platinum® Card Travel Service, plus complimentary entry into hundreds of airport lounges around the world. Take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge CollectionTM which unlocks access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience.
Amex’s standard earn rate for earning Membership Rewards points applies to all spending at 1 point per $1 spent, accelerated to 2 points per $1 spent on eligible travel, and 2 points per $1 spent on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada. Points are redeemable on travel, hotels, merchandise and statement credits.
Main features:
- Annual fee: $799
- Up to 100,000 points: Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points - that’s up to $1,000 towards a weekend away
- Welcome bonus: New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Conditions apply.
- Plus, earn: 30,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership
- Earn rates: Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada, 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel, and 1 point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
- Special feature: Access a $200 Annual Travel Credit through American Express Travel Online or Platinum® Card Travel Service; Enjoy a $200 Annual Dining Credit at some of Canada’s best restaurants; Unlock $200 or more in additional value with Member extras. You can earn statement credits for qualifying purchases with participating brands
Best American Express business card
American Express Business Edge Card review
3x points for every $1 spent on eligible office supplies & electronics, rides & gas, eats & drinks (up to a maximum of 75,000 Membership Rewards points, 1x point thereafter)
1x points for every $1 spent on everything else
10x points - Welcome offer for every $1 spent on eligible office supplies & electronics, rides & gas, eats & drinks in your first 6 months up to 10,000 points
$99 Annual Fee
20.99% Purchase APR
21.99% Cash Advance APR
Good Recommended Credit Score
Business owners commonly rack up expenses in gas and transit, office supplies, and of course food and drink (for themselves and employees). The American Express® Business EdgeTM Card is a great way to earn back on these purchases, earning Membership Rewards® points at a steady 3X the points per $1 rate in the categories above after the Welcome Offer ends, and 1X point per $1 elsewhere. Caps and other conditions may apply. These accumulated points can then be converted into statement credits and to book flights, hotels and car rentals. You can redeem points for flight purchases on AirCanada.com and even transfer to frequent flier and hotel programs, including one-to-one to Aeroplan®* and Avios.
Other great features of the card are its bonuses: a one-time, 45,000-point signup bonus for spending $5,000 in your first three months; plus, earn 10x the points for every $1 spent on eligible business essentials including office supplies and electronics, rides and gas, eats and drinks within 6 months of card membership, up to a maximum of 10,000 points; and another ongoing bonus of 1,000 points for each month in which your spending reaches at least $3,000. These add up to a potential 67,000 bonus points in your first year and then 12,000 bonus points each year after that. That’s $670 in statement credits in your first year that you can reinvest into your business. Terms and conditions apply. The card’s annual fee is a reasonable $99, made more worthwhile by the inclusion of other features, like Car Rental Theft & Damage Insurance, Employee Card Misuse Protection, the Purchase Protection® Plan, and Buyer’s Assurance® Protection Plan. The Buyer’s Assurance® Protection Plan can automatically extend the manufacturer’s original warranty up to one additional year when you fully charge eligible items to your American Express® Business EdgeTM Card.
Main features:
- Annual fee: $99
- Welcome bonus: Up to 67,000 Membership Rewards® points in the first year – that’s $670 in statement credits you can reinvest into your business. Terms and conditions apply.
- Enhanced earn rate: Earn 3x the points for card purchases on eligible business essentials including office supplies and electronics, rides and gas, eats and drinks when your welcome offer ends. Caps and other conditions may apply.
- Regular earn rate: Earn 1x the points on all other purchases charged to the card.
- Special feature: Supplementary cards have no annual fee.
You can learn more about the card by reading our complete American Express® Business EdgeTM Card review.
American Express card levels: Comparison chart
| Highlights | SimplyCash® Card from American Express (Entry Level) | American Express Cobalt® Card (Mid-Tier) | The Platinum Card® (Premium) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $155.88 ($12.99 monthly fee) | $799 |
| Highest standard earn rate | Earn accelerated earn rates on eligible gas and grocery purchases | 5 pts / $1 | 2 pts / $1 |
| Travel insurance | Minimal | Good | Excellent |
| Additional benefits | Minimal | Amex Invites; transfer points to other programs | $200 travel credit; $200 dining credit; hotel status upgrades; unlimited lounge access; Amex Invites; transfer points to other programs |
What is the highest level American Express card?
American Express card levels explained
Unlike Visa and Mastercard, American Express doesn’t have a formal tiered system (with exceptions). However, if you are looking for ways to better categorize American Express cards, you can take our approach.
We’ve divided the cards into four different levels based on annual fees and requirements. As a general rule, normally the higher the level of card, the better the benefits and perks (as you will see in our comparison later).
Entry-Level American Express Cards
- Annual fee: $0
- Credit score requirement: Fair/Good 670-739
Mid-Tier American Express Cards
- Annual fee: $0 to $250
- Credit score requirement: Fair/Good 670-739
Premium American Express Cards
- Annual fee: $250 to $699
- Credit score requirement: Excellent 740-900
The American Express Centurion Card
The Amex Centurion (or Amex Black) is the highest level American Express card, but it has a very elite, invite-only membership and Amex does not officially publish its information.
The highest level American Express card is the Centurion card, which is also known as the ‘black card.’ However, it’s available only by invitation from American Express, meaning you can’t just apply for it as you would the other cards mentioned in this article.
So, how do you get invited? It seems many invitees are chosen from existing American Express cardholders, particularly Platinum cardholders. Cardholders generally need to charge a very high amount to their cards (perhaps above $100K) to be invited.
Those invited to become Centurion cardholders will need to pay a very significant annual fee (estimated at $2,500) in addition to a one-time initiation fee of around $7,500.
But reports of the card’s benefits indicate that those sky-high fees might be worth it. Centurion cardholders have access to a personal travel concierge; flight upgrades; companion tickets; free hotel nights; highest-level airport lounge access; and are exempt from foreign transaction fees, among numerous other rumoured benefits.
Bottom line on American Express Card levels
When choosing an American Express card, it is important to consider your individual needs and financial standing. Some important factors to consider include your annual income, any annual fees or other costs associated with the card, and your credit score health. There are a variety of cards available with varying levels of benefits and features, so it is important to carefully evaluate each option before deciding which card is right for you.
With some careful consideration and research, you can find the best Amex card that will help you achieve your financial goals while providing you with all the benefits and perks that come along with being an Amex customer.
Didn’t find your Amex here?
If you’re looking for an excellent American Express card for your wallet, but didn’t find it in the list above, post a comment below or email us with your criteria and we’d be happy to make some personalized suggestions. Thanks!
Recommended read: American Express Cobalt® vs Scotiabank Gold American Express
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Compare other American Express credit cards
More information to help you find the best Amex card
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