Best American Express Credit Cards In Canada For October 2025
The best Amex credit cards for big bonuses and lots of rewards.
The American Express Cobalt Card is the best American Express Card in Canada, easily. It’s also been crowned the best overall card in Canada for eight years running. It’s hard to beat a credit card with one of the highest earn rates for everyday purchases that also gives you several high-value redemption options.
Before you apply for the Cobalt, take a look at other cards issued by Amex to see if there’s a card with the particular features or perks you’re looking for. Chances are, you’ll find just the right card for you while getting to enjoy the exclusive American Express Rewards Program.
Key Takeaways
- The best American Express credit card in Canada is the American Express Cobalt Card, followed by the Scotiabank Amex Gold.
- Amex credit cards are known for providing excellent benefits, bonuses, and returns, but they aren’t as widely accepted as Mastercard or Visa.
- Most Amex credit cards collect American Express Membership Rewards, which you can exchange for donations, gift cards, merch, or travel, or transfer to other loyalty programs.
- Frequent diners, shoppers, and travellers benefit most from an American Express credit card that matches their existing spending habits.
The best American Express cards compared
American Express isn’t one of the big five banks in Canada, but it’s the only payment network in Canada to issue its own credit cards. Keeping everything in-house seems to have paid off – Amex has an industry-wide reputation for solid products and seamless customer service.
The downside – as you’ll hear us say again and again – is acceptance. Unlike Mastercard and Visa, you can’t use Amex everywhere in Canada, including Costco and Loblaws.
Despite the inconvenience, Amex credit cards dominate a wide variety of categories, including the best rewards credit card, best travel credit card, and best Aeroplan credit card. Prepare to be impressed by the top-ranking Amex credit cards in six categories.
| Category | Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome bonus | Highest earning categories | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | American Express Cobalt Card | $155.88 | Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) | * Groceries * Restaurants | * 10 types of insurance, including mobile device insurance * No income requirements * Amex Experiences, Offers, and Front of the Line benefits * The Hotel Collection benefits | * Lower acceptance as an Amex |
| Best with no foreign transaction fees | Scotiabank Gold American Express Card | $120 |  $60 GeniusCash + Up to 50,000 bonus points, first year free (terms) | * Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland, and more | * 24/7 complimentary concierge services * 12 types of insurance included, including mobile device insurance * 0% foreign transaction fees * Amex Experiences, Offers, and Front of the Line benefits * Complimentary Priority Pass membership | * $12,000 personal income required * $29 additional card fee * Lower acceptance as an Amex |
| Best for perks and benefits | American Express Gold Rewards Card | $250 | $125 GeniusCash + Up to 60,000 bonus points (terms) | * Gas * Groceries * Drugstores * Travel | * $100 annual travel credit * $50 annual NEXUS credit * 11 types of insurance * One free car upgrade and driver on Hertz car rentals for five+ days * Amex Experiences, Offers, and Front of the Line benefits * Complimentary Priority Pass membership (no free passes) * Four complimentary Plaza Premium lounge visits * Premium metal credit card in your choice of colour * The Hotel Collection benefits (plus early check-ins and late check-outs) | * High annual fee of $250 * Low returns on few spending categories * Lower acceptance as an Amex |
| Best for hotels | Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card | $120 | 50,000 bonus points (terms) | * Marriott properties | * Automatic Silver Elite status with no spending requirement * One annual free night certificate * Amex Experiences, Offers, and Front of the Line benefits * 15 Elite night credits per year * Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status after spending $30,000 OR staying ten+ nights in one year | * Only 8 types of insurance * Lower acceptance as an American Express * Low flexibility for Marriott Bonvoy points |
| Best for cash back | SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express | $119.88 | 10% cash back for the first 3 months + $50 (terms) | * Gas * Groceries | * 10 types of insurance * Amex Experiences, Offers, and Front of the Line benefits | * $1,200 annual cap on 4% cash back on groceries (2% earn rate after you hit the cap) * Lower acceptance as an Amex * No cash back on demand |
| Best no fee | American Express Green Card | $0 | 10,000 bonus points (terms) | * Flat rate across categories | * Four ways to redeem points for high value * Amex Experiences, Offers, and Front of the Line benefits | * Only 2 types of insurance included * Lower acceptance as an Amex |
1. Best American Express credit card in Canada
×8 Award winner Transfer points to Aeroplan and 7 other travel partners with Canada's #1 credit card.*
8x Award winner Transfer points to Aeroplan and 7 other travel partners with Canada's #1 credit card.*
Rewards program: American Express Membership Rewards
Rewards:
- 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants
- 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services
- 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit, and ride share purchases
- 1 point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
As the ambassador of Amex, the American Express Cobalt Card features some of the best benefits the brand has to offer.
The Amex Offers program provides you with discounts and opportunities for bonus rewards, while Front of the Line gives you early access to highly contested event tickets and reserved seating blocks. Amex Experiences includes numerous exclusive, curated events and offers in dining, wellness, and shopping, but the crown jewel is The Hotel Collection. Book a stay of 2+ nights at select hotels and you’ll receive a complimentary room upgrade (when available) and a $100 USD credit to spend on the premises.
But the Cobalt’s legendary status isn’t solely due to its benefits. Its rewards are sky-high, with groceries and restaurants getting you 5 points per $1 spent. And given that each American Express Membership Rewards point is worth up to 2 cents, the card’s 4.5% return rate is nearly double that of the competition – well worth the monthly $12.99 membership fee.
While you can redeem points on gift cards, merch, or statement credit, the most valuable option is travel – it’s why the Cobalt is also the best Aeroplan, rewards, and travel credit card in Canada.
2. Best American Express credit card with no foreign exchange fees
×1 Award winner 
GC: $60
1x Award winner Rewards program: Scene+
Rewards:
- 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and more
- 5 Scene+ points per $1 spent on groceries, dining, and entertainment
- 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent on gas, select streaming services, and transit
- 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases
- 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Normally, currency exchange rate fees take the fun out of souvenir shopping, but you can save on the industry-standard 2.5% with the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. It’s one of the few no foreign exchange fee credit cards in Canada and one of only three Amex cards to collect Scene+ points.
Frequent flyers can also make use of its complimentary Priority Pass membership. For the low annual fee of $120, you get solid insurance coverage and access to 1,500+ of the best airport lounges in the world for $35 USD per visit.
3. Best American Express credit card for perks and benefits
GC: $125
Rewards program: American Express Membership Rewards
Rewards:
- 2 points for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, drugstores, and travel
- 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
It may not earn as much as the American Express Cobalt Card, but the American Express Gold Rewards Card is stacked with perks and benefits. Cardholders travel in comfort (and safety) with a complimentary Priority Pass membership, 4 free visits to any Plaza Premium Lounge, $150 in annual travel credits, and 11 of the 17 types of credit card insurance available in Canada.
The American Express Gold Rewards Card also offers a sumptuous welcome bonus of 60,000, leaving the runner-up, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, behind with 50,000 points.
The downside is its modest returns – but if you travel frequently and you’re on the fence when it comes to the Amex Cobalt vs. Amex Gold, we recommend the latter.
4. Best American Express credit card for hotels
Rewards program: Marriott Bonvoy
Rewards:
- 5 points per $1 spent at Marriott properties
- 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is a steady earner that collects Marriott Bonvoy points with every purchase – but its biggest draw is automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. You’ll enjoy VIP treatment at 30+ hotel chains with 10% bonus points per stay, a 2:00 PM check-out, complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, and 15 Elite Night Credits so you can qualify for Gold Status faster.
The annual certificate for one free night is enough to offset the MB Amex’s $120 annual fee, though we wish it had better insurance coverage all the same.
5. Best American Express cash back credit card
Rewards program: Cash back
Rewards:
- 4% cash back on gas and groceries
- 2% cash back on all other purchases
Cash back credit cards like the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express offer easy rewards and even easier redemptions. You’ll get 2% cash back on every dollar without worrying about how or where you spend it and 4% back on gas and groceries, paid out just once per year.
6. Best no fee American Express credit card
Rewards program: American Express Membership Rewards
Rewards:
- 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases
The American Express Green Card eliminates worries about maximizing rewards with a flat rate of 1 Amex Membership Rewards point per $1 spent (plus one extra point when you book a car or hotel on Amex Travel Online).
If you transfer those points to Aeroplan and redeem them on a flight, you’ll receive 2 cents per point for a total return of 2%. What this card lacks in increased earn rates, it makes up for by being a no fee card.
Compare all American Express credit cards
×8 Award winner Transfer points to Aeroplan and 7 other travel partners with Canada's #1 credit card.*
8x Award winner Transfer points to Aeroplan and 7 other travel partners with Canada's #1 credit card.*
×1 Award winner GC: $60 1x Award winner GC: $125GC: $175
Awards are given out once a year but rating and rankings can shift throughout the year. The #1 card for 2025 is pinned to the top.
How we get our rankings
To find the best American Express cards in Canada, we considered over 120 credit card features in seven major categories:
- Rewards (32%)
- Fees (20%)
- Approval (15%)
- Insurance (11%)
- Perks (11%)
- Interest (6%)
- Acceptance (5%)
Our first concern was rewards, followed by reasonable fees and approval requirements. The creditcardGenius algorithm calculated how much value the average Canadian would earn after spending $2,000 per month and rated each entry out of five.
Learn more about the Genius Rating methodology
Pros and cons of American Express credit cards
American Express is the third-most popular credit network in Canada, but it doesn’t yet qualify as a major bank. This means there are distinct pros and cons.
Pros:
- 24/7 customer service and a 4.7-star banking app
- Generous welcome bonuses
- High-value insurance packages
- Premium travel benefits, including Amex Global Lounge Collection
- Incredibly flexible rewards
- Low to no income requirements
- Unbeatable rewards, averaging 2% – 4.5% per dollar spent
- Valuable perks and benefits
Cons:
- Limited options for low interest credit cards
- Limited options for no fee credit cards
- Limited travel insurance for cardholders over the age of 65
- Less universal acceptance
- Rewards system can feel complicated
American Express card benefits
It’s easy to focus on the rewards that are specific to each card – but don’t forget that all American Express credit cards come with a suite of excellent perks.
Amex Offers
Think of Amex Offers as digital coupons you can add to your account. You can access personalized deals and discounts by logging into your account online or through the mobile app.
Scroll through all your offers and save as many as you like. If you use your Amex to purchase the deal, you’ll earn the rewards. It’s that simple!
Front Of the Line
Think of the Front Of the Line feature as your personal assistant, informing you about the hottest upcoming events and helping you score exclusive tickets.
With Amex Front Of the Line, you get early access or reserved seating for concerts, sports events, theatre performances, and exclusive dining opportunities. When you get an email notification about an opportunity, use your card to complete the purchase through Ticketmaster and enjoy!
Insurance
Insurance is an often-overlooked credit card benefit, but it’s a valuable one! Although card coverage and amounts vary by card, your American Express might come with:
- Extended warranty
- Purchase protection
- Mobile device coverage
- Travel accident coverage
- Trip cancellation or interruption coverage
- Emergency medical coverage
- Flight and/or baggage delay
- Lost or stolen baggage coverage
- Hotel burglary coverage
- Rental car theft and damage coverage
Referrals
Although not all Amex cards give you this opportunity, many do. If you log into your account, share your unique referral link with a friend, and they’re approved for an Amex card, you can both earn a reward. The referral bonus varies by card, so check your card’s terms and conditions.
Borrowing options
Your credit card is useful for everyday purchases, but if you need access to more credit or flexible payment options, Amex has you covered. Here are ways you can use your Amex card to get the financing you need:
- Amex personal loans: If pre-approved, you can get loans for $3,500 to $50,000 with term lengths of 12, 24, or 36 months.
- Plan It installment program: You can divide large purchases into smaller installments to pay off over time, saving you hefty interest charges if you’d carried a balance instead.
- Credit limit increase: Need extra funds and think you qualify for more? Log into your Amex account and request a credit increase. If you’re eligible, you’ll see the increased spending limit within 15 minutes.
- Flexible payment option: Some Amex cards overlook spending limits so you can make the purchases you need whenever you need to make them.
How does American Express Membership Rewards work?
Most Amex cards use the American Express Membership Rewards program. You’ll earn Amex Membership Rewards points on every purchase, which accrue in your account without expiring as long as your credit card remains active.
You can check your points balance by using the Amex app or website. The most important thing to remember is that Amex Membership Rewards points don’t have a fixed value – it depends on how you choose to redeem them.
| Reward | Average value (in cents per point) | How to redeem |
|---|---|---|
| Convert points to airline rewards programs | 2.00 | Transfer your Amex points to six airline partners (including Aeroplan and Delta SkyMiles) on the Amex website. |
| Use the fixed points travel program | 1.75 | Redeem a fixed number of points for certain routes and flight classes on the Amex Travel Online website. |
| Convert points to hotel rewards partners | 1.16 | Transfer your points to either the Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy rewards programs on the Amex website. |
| Statement credits | 1.00 | Get $10 off your credit card bill for every 1,000 points you redeem on the Amex app or website. |
| Charitable donations | 1.00 | Donate $10 for every 1,000 points you redeem on the Amex Rewards website. |
| Gift cards | 0.77 | Exchange Amex points for gift cards from Air Canada, Esso, Hudson’s Bay, and Saks Fifth Ave on the Amex Rewards website. |
| Merchandise | 0.68 | Redeem your points on eight types of merchandise through the Amex Rewards website. |
Based on our research, the most valuable way to use your Amex Membership Rewards points is to transfer them to your Aeroplan account. If you don’t like to travel, you’ll probably get less value out of the average Amex credit card than an average Mastercard cash back card.
Divide the cost of a gift card or merchandise reward in $CAD by its cost in Amex Points to reveal the value of your points in $CAD. Don’t accept anything less than 1 cent per point!
How to choose the right American Express credit card
If you know you’d like to apply for an American Express credit card but not which card, there are a few questions you can ask yourself:
- What’s my budget? The size of the annual fee you can afford determines whether you’re eligible for a no fee, standard, or premium credit card.
- What do I spend the most money on? Maximize your rewards by picking a credit card with high earning rates for your biggest spending categories.
- What rewards do I want? Make sure your chosen program offers high-value redemption options that interest you.
- What perks do I want? Amex credit cards offer entertainment benefits, travel perks, and many other perks.
- What are my insurance needs? Consider how much risk you take and whether your age or destination could exclude you from coverage.
If you need more help, the creditcardGenius quiz offers a quick and easy route to a personalized recommendation for your needs and existing spending habits.
What stores accept American Express cards?
Though Amex is less widely accepted than Mastercard or Visa, a vast majority of retailers accept Amex – with more joining all the time.
Although this isn’t a definitive list, these popular retailers do accept Amex:
- Walmart
- Best Buy
- Shoppers
- Canadian Tire
- Home Hardware
- Sobeys
- Esso
- Cineplex
- Tim Hortons
And these are some of the merchants that don’t accept Amex at the time of writing:
- Loblaws
- Costco
- Smaller merchants or local shops
If you’re unsure whether or not a business will accept your Amex card, double-check with the Amex merchant map.
Are all Amex cards charge cards?
Only the American Express Aeroplan Card is a charge card; all other Amex cards are credit cards.
Charge cards used to be more common, but credit cards have become the darling of the personal banking industry. Although charge cards don’t come with spending limits like credit cards do, your responsible use isn’t reported to credit monitoring bureaus. You’re also required to pay the charge card’s balance in full every billing cycle – unlike a credit card, which lets you pay back your balance at your own pace (at the cost of interest, of course).
Since there are no preset limits, no minimum payments, and no interest charged, charge cards are harder to qualify for. As they’ve become less popular, fewer issuers offer them. On the other hand, credit cards have become more widespread and varied.
FAQ
What is the highest-tier Amex card?
The most exclusive Amex offering is the invitation-only Centurion American Express credit card. It’s so exclusive that details about eligibility, rewards, and benefits aren’t publicized. We do know it has a $10,000 invitation fee.
Is an American Express card worth it?
Acceptance remains a challenge, especially with small businesses, but Amex cards still offer excellent value in terms of insurance, perks, and rewards. The low to no income requirements make them easy to qualify for and, therefore, worthwhile for many people.
How much income do you need for American Express in Canada?
No fee Amex cards don’t require any income, making them an excellent choice for students or newcomers. Standard American Express cards may require a minimum annual personal income of $12,000, in addition to a good credit score.
Is it better to have Amex or Mastercard?
It’s better to use American Express if you like to travel and you can use it at your favourite stores, but Mastercard is accepted at more businesses and offers more cash back and no fee options.
What is the easiest American Express card to get?
With no income requirements and a low permanent interest rate, the American Express Essential Credit Card is the easiest Amex to get in Canada. Although it doesn’t earn rewards, the annual fee is only $25, and you’ll get Amex Offers.
Do small businesses accept Amex cards?
While some small businesses accept Amex cards, it’s not a guarantee. Certain large businesses like Costco and Loblaws don’t accept Amex either, so it’s best to check the stores you frequently shop at before getting an Amex card.
Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone. No bank, credit card issuer, rewards program, or other entity has reviewed, approved, or endorsed this content. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website. Our credit card scores and rankings are based on our Rating Methodology that takes into account 126+ features for each of 229 Canadian credit cards.
