Best Store Credit Cards in Canada for 2025
The top store-branded cards – and the cards we think do it even better.
The CIBC Costco Mastercard is the best store credit card in Canada, rewarding Costco shoppers with an average earn rate of 1.33%.
While not as popular as rewards credit cards, store credit cards are well-marketed and can be valuable for loyal shoppers. Of course, you'll need to weigh the pros and cons to decide whether a store card is the right move for you, but this is true for all credit cards.
Here, you'll find reviews of the top store credit cards in Canada, plus information on the top alternative cards for you to consider.
Key Takeaways
- The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is the best for general shopping.
- Store credit cards usually offer the most rewards at the associated store.
- Most store credit cards don’t charge annual fees.
- Although many retailers offer store cards, there are usually better options.
Best store credit cards for 2025
Here are our recommendations for some of the top retailers in Canada.
| Store | Best store card | Pros | Cons | Top alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | CIBC Costco Mastercard | * Up to 3% cash back
* No annual fee |
* No special earn rate for Costco purchases | Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard |
| Tim Hortons | Tims Mastercard | * High earn rate on Tim Hortons purchases
* No annual fee |
* Low point value | Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card |
| Canadian Tire | Triangle World Elite Mastercard | * Up to 4% back in Canadian Tire money
* Free roadside assistance |
* High income requirements | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card |
| Walmart | Walmart Rewards World Mastercard | * Up to 3% back in Walmart Dollars
* No annual fee |
* Rewards can only be redeemed at Walmart | MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard |
| Amazon | Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard | * Up to 2.5% back in Amazon Rewards
* Generous welcome bonus |
* Rewards can only be redeemed at Amazon.ca | SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express |
| Loblaw brands | PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard | * Up to 5% in PC Optimum points
* Complimentary PC Express Pass |
* High income requirements | Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card |
| Cineplex | Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card | * Up to 2 points per $1 spent
* Additional points and benefits when booking with Scene+ Travel |
* No insurance | Scotiabank American Express Card |
| Home Depot | Home Depot Project Loan Card | * Low interest financing for Home Depot purchases
* No annual fee |
* Very high interest rates | SimplyCash Card from American Express |
1. Best for Costco
Best branded card: CIBC Costco Mastercard
Our recommendation: Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Why we picked it:
For the frequent Costco shopper, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is the best choice – even over the branded Costco Mastercard. We compared the earn rates on both cards and the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is the clear winner.
Instead of a solid 1% earn rate at Costco, the Rogers Mastercard earns 1.5% to 3% on your purchases, so savings at the warehouse add up faster. Plus, the Rogers card waives the typical 2.5% foreign exchange fee – so you can shop at U.S. Costco locations without being penalized.
2. Best for Tim Hortons
Best branded card: Tims Mastercard
Our recommendation: Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card
Why we picked it:
If you can’t imagine your day without stopping by a Tim Hortons, we’ve got the card for you. Although you may have seen promotions for the Tims Mastercard, which has great earn rates at Tim Hortons and grocery stores, the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card is even better.
With Simplii, you’ll earn up to 4% back on your restaurant purchases (and not just at Tim Hortons!) up to $5,000 spend per year – plus you’ll get 1.5% back for groceries, gas, drugstores, and pre-authorized payments. As a limited-time welcome bonus, you’ll earn up to 10% back on eligible restaurant and food purchases for the first 4 months.
3. Best for Canadian Tire
Best branded card: Triangle World Elite Mastercard
Our recommendation: Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Why we picked it:
If you’re primarily looking to earn the most from your Canadian Tire shopping trip, you’ll probably want to go with the Triangle World Elite Mastercard. With 4% cash back at CT, the card is hard to beat.
But if you’re looking for the best card for purchases at Canadian Tire and other stores, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a better option. This card allows you to select the categories that will earn you more – so you can earn 2% cash back on every purchase you make at Canadian Tire (along with other home improvement stores) and another category of your choice. You’ll get a third boosted category if you deposit your cash back into a Tangerine Savings account, too!
×1 Award winner 
$120 GeniusCash + Up to $100 bonus cash back* + No annual fee.*
GC: $120
1x Award winner 4. Best for Walmart
Best branded card: Walmart Rewards World Mastercard
Our recommendation: MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Why we picked it:
For the frequent Walmart shopper, our recommendation is the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard. Since most Walmarts in Canada these days are Supercentres, Mastercard recognizes them as grocery stores, so you’ll earn up to 5 points for every dollar spent there – and 1 point per $1 for all other purchases.
If your local Walmart isn't a supercentre, then we’d recommend checking out one of the other high-earning cards on this page. Or perhaps the Walmart Rewards World Mastercardmay be your best bet, earning 1.25% to 3% back at the store and 1% back on all other purchases.
×4 Award winner GC: $100
4x Award winner 5. Best for Amazon
Best branded card: Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard
Our recommendation: SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express
Why we picked it:
If you’ve made purchases from Amazon, then you’ve probably been offered the branded Amazon Mastercard at some point. Although there’s no annual card fee, you’ll only earn 1.5% back when shopping at Amazon.ca (2.5% if you’re a Prime member).
We found the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express to be a better option. Not only can you earn a welcome bonus worth up to $400, but you’ll also get 4% cash back when making gas and grocery purchases.
When you shop on Amazon.ca and use this card, you’ll get a generous 2% back. And you’ll continue to earn 2% back on other purchases, which makes this a better card to earn rewards on all your spending.
6. Best for Loblaw brands
Best branded card: PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard
Our recommendation: Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card
Why we picked it:
Although Loblaws offers the PC Insider’s World Elite Mastercard, you’ll get better earnings on your spending with the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card. You’ll get 4% cash back on your grocery store purchases – one of the best cash back earn rates for groceries in Canada. You’ll enjoy 1–2% back on other purchases, plus a welcome offer of up to 10% cash back for the first 3 months, up to $2,000 in spend.
GC: $20
7. Best for Cineplex
Best branded card: Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card
Our recommendation: Scotiabank American Express Card
Why we picked it:
The best branded card and our pick are both Scotiabank offerings – and both cards earn you Scene+ rewards, which you can redeem for movie tickets and concessions, travel, groceries, restaurants, and purchases at Home Hardware stores. But the Scotiabank American Express Card gives you a slightly better earn rate and more rewards elsewhere, making it our favourite card for the movies.
Pro Tip: If you want an upgraded card option, check out the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, which has a fantastic earn rate and makes for a great travel card, too.
8. Best for Home Depot
Best branded card: Home Depot Project Loan Card
Our recommendation: SimplyCash Card from American Express
Why we picked it:
A home renovation project can cost a lot of money – but it has the potential to earn you a lot of rewards with the right card. For your next Home Depot haul, take a look at the SimplyCash Card from American Express. Like the Home Depot Project Loan Card, the Amex card essentially provides low-interest financing for your project.
With the Amex, you’ll get a nice welcome bonus of 5% cash back for the first 3 months, up to $2,000 in spend. The earn rate is good, too. You’ll get 2% cash back on gas and groceries and 1.25% cash back on all other purchases.
The biggest difference between these cards comes down to the interest rate. The Home Depot Project Loan Cardoffers a promotional interest rate but then it jumps to 28.8%. Our card pick comes with a lower interest rate of 21.99%, making it a better choice if you might carry a balance.
How we get our ratings
To find the best store credit cards, we analyzed over 126 features of each card, broken down into 7 main categories. Then, we ran them through our algorithm, which calculated a score out of 5. And since we're talking about store credit cards for maximum rewards, we gave extra weight to the rewards category. All our rewards calculations are based on a $2,000 monthly spend.
Learn more about our Genius Rating methodology
What is a store credit card?
A store credit card is one that is co-branded by a retailer and typically offers increased rewards on purchases with that retailer.
While it can be handy to earn targeted rewards at a store you frequently shop at, these cards usually have lower return rates for non-store purchases – and you generally won’t get the benefits that standard credit cards come with.
On the flip side, if you shop from the same stores on a weekly or monthly basis, a store card could give you cash back or points that add up quickly. Plus, since these cards don’t have extensive rewards or perks, most of them don’t charge an annual fee.
Pros and cons of store credit cards
If you’re on the fence about adding a store credit card to your wallet, consider the following benefits and drawbacks.
- No annual fees: Many popular credit cards – like those from Walmart, Canadian Tire, PC Financial, and the SCENE Visa – have no annual fees, making them a budget-friendly option.
- Enhanced rewards at specific stores: The best store-branded cards offer attractive rewards for purchases made at their associated locations. If you shop regularly at stores you have a credit card for, you could earn a lot of value just by doing your regular shopping.
- Exclusive discounts and promotions: Some store credit cards provide special discounts, member-only promotions, or early access to sales events. Taking advantage of these can help you save even more money on your purchases.
- Rewards can only be used in the store: Typically, rewards earned can only be used at the associated store – and you won’t earn points on purchases made when redeeming your rewards.
- Low rewards outside of the card’s retail store: While the rewards can be great at the associated store, they tend to nosedive for purchases made at other retailers.
- Little to no perks or insurance: Many store credit cards lack additional benefits that premium cards offer, like insurance packages and travel perks.
How to choose a store credit card
When you’re considering a store credit card, consider the following:
- Assess your shopping habits: Where do you shop most frequently? If a large chunk of your monthly expenses comes from Costco, the CIBC Costco Mastercardmight be a natural choice – especially if you buy Costco gas.
- Evaluate rewards programs: Compare the value of store rewards programs, too, as many credit cards are tied to those. For example, the PC line of credit cards boosts your PC Optimum points earnings that you can redeem towards groceries, gas, and other essentials.
- Look at interest rates: Store credit cards may have higher interest rates, so paying off balances in full each month is particularly important.
- Understand approval criteria: Be aware of credit score and income requirements so that you won’t spend time (and a hard credit inquiry) applying for a card you’re not eligible for.
How to apply for a store credit card in Canada
Sales representatives might spring a store credit card application on you, but it helps to know if you’re eligible. If you are, it’s fairly straightforward to apply. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Determine if you’re eligible: You typically have to be a resident of Canada and meet the age of majority in your province. You’ll also have to meet the card’s credit score requirement and, potentially, income requirements.
- Fill out the details on the application: Most apps ask for your personal info, home ownership status, income, employment info, and contact details.
- Submit the credit card application: The nice thing about applying for a store credit card is that you can typically turn in your application to a customer service representative at the store. Some cards offer immediate approval while others will get back to you within the next few weeks.
FAQ
What is the best retail store credit card?
The best retail store credit card depends on which store you’re shopping with (see our list for tailored answers). However, if you’re looking for a general retail card, we recommend the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard .
Which stores have their own credit cards?
Many top retailers partner with credit card issuers to offer co-branded credit cards. For instance, Tim Hortons, Costco, Walmart, PC Insiders, Cineplex, and Home Depot all offer their own store-specific cards, tailored for dedicated shoppers.
What is the best grocery store credit card?
This largely depends on where you shop for your groceries. If you shop at Walmart, check out the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard. If you’re a Loblaws loyalist, consider the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card.
Does Costco have a store credit card?
Yes, CIBC offers the CIBC Costco Mastercard – but it's not actually our recommended card for frequent Costco shoppers. Instead, Costco lovers can enjoy better rewards and earn higher rates with the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard.
