Best Visa Credit Cards in Canada for 2026
The best credit cards that Visa offers across Canadian banks.
The best Visa credit card is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege, which offers cardholders valuable Avion points, extensive insurance coverage, travel perks, and much more.
Still, Visa cardholders should consider a few other highly rated credit cards before committing to just one. The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is another great Avion credit card, and the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card offers impressive premium perks.
Since all the top cards have higher income requirements, we’ll also review the best-ranked option with significantly lower income requirements: the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Average earn rate | Income requirements | Current welcome offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | $399 | 2.91% | $200,000 personal or $200,000 household | Up to 70,000 bonus points (terms) |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | $120 | 2.36% | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household | 35,000 bonus points (terms) |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card | $139 | 2.66% | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household | Up to 45,000 bonus points, first year annual fee waived† (terms) |
| CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card | $139 | 2.66% | $15,000 household | Up to 45,000 bonus points, first year annual fee rebate (terms) |
Before you settle on the best card for you, consider the following comparison of all these top Visa cards.
Key Takeaways
- The best Visa credit card in Canada is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege, followed by its sister card, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite.
- Top Visa cards offer RBC Avion or CIBC Aventura points, which are worth over $2 each when you book travel through Avion or Aventura.
- In addition to lower income requirements, the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card also has lower credit score requirements.
- Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege cards come with extra perks directly from Visa.
Best Visa credit cards in Canada
Our Gold award for best Visa goes to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege thanks to its impressive rewards and travel-centric perks, such as lounge access and NEXUS credits (not to mention its 12 types of insurance).
Our Silver award goes to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite. This card’s 35,000 point welcome bonus is valued at up to $815.5. Plus, you can enjoy lounge access and solid rewards on travel.
Our Bronze award goes to the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card. With a welcome bonus of $1,030.5, this card offers both lounge access and fuel savings. Oh, and don’t forget the impressive $2.29 average point value for Aventura points.
If you’re looking for a high-ranking card without high income requirements, your best alternative is the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card. This card also earns valuable Aventura points and offers 4 free Visa Airport Companion Membership lounge passes.
Canada’s best Visa credit card: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege earns 1.25 Avion points per $1 spent on all purchases. While you’re saving up points, you can also discover this card’s most significant advantage: the Visa Infinite Privilege program.
VIP perks and benefits include additional exclusive events, hotel benefits, and priority airport services beyond those in the Visa Infinite program, plus the complimentary Visa Airport Companion. You’ll get 6 free lounge visits per year – and beyond that, you can access 1,200+ airport lounges in the Dragonpass network for $35 USD per visit and enjoy complimentary food and drink before the flight you booked using the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule.
This premium card comes with a premium annual fee, though – $399 per year isn't nothing. Though it's at least offset by a welcome bonus worth an incredible $1,631.
Silver award Visa credit card: RBC Avion Visa Infinite
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite earns 1.25 Avion Points per $1 spent on travel and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else. While it may not seem like much, redeeming Avion points on travel yields up to 2.33 cents per point, giving you an average return of 2.91% – that’s $2.91 in rewards for every $100 you spend!
Don’t forget the value of having 12 types of insurance, automatic Avion Elite membership, and the Visa Infinite program with its wealth of luxury travel benefits. You’ll enjoy 24/7 complimentary concierge services, access to exclusive events, and complimentary upgrades and credits at a range of hotels for a fraction of the price of a super-premium card.
Bronze award Visa credit card: CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
×1 Award winner Earn up to 45,000 Aventura points + 4 free lounge passes per year.†
1x Award winner Earn up to 45,000 Aventura points + 4 free lounge passes per year.†
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card stands out for 2x points per $1 spent on travel booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre, 1.5x on gas, EV charging, and groceries, and 1x on everything else, helping cardholders quickly rack up rewards on everyday spending.
Its travel‑focused benefits – such as 4 complimentary annual airport lounge passes through Visa Airport Companion Program, robust travel insurance, and a NEXUS statement credit make it especially attractive for Canadians who shop or travel in the United States.
Best Visa credit card with no income requirement
Like the Visa Infinite version, the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card offers impressive Aventura Rewards on purchases, but it is a much more accessible alternative while still delivering robust travel‑focused rewards.
The card earns 2x on CIBC Rewards Centre travel bookings, 1.5x on gas, groceries, EV charging, and drugstores, plus a base rate of 1x on all other purchases.
Beyond the rewards, the card provides a NEXUS statement credit worth up to $150, 4 airport lounge passes, and impressive travel insurance.
Compare Canada’s top Visa credit cards by Genius Rating
Our Genius Rating system is a refined algorithm that takes more than 126 data points to produce a score out of 5 for every credit card we review.
Here’s a comparison of the top Visa credit cards in Canada, arranged by Genius Rating:
×1 Award winner Earn up to 45,000 Aventura points + 4 free lounge passes per year.†
1x Award winner Earn up to 45,000 Aventura points + 4 free lounge passes per year.†
Genius Rating methodology
To find the best Visa credit cards in the most critical categories in Canada, we evaluated over 126 features in 7 categories:
- Rewards (31%)
- Fees (20%)
- Insurance (16%)
- Perks (16%)
- Interest (7%)
- Acceptance (5%)
- Approval (5%)
Most credit cardholders choose their card based on rewards, so we gave more weight to Visa cards with high earn rates. Our creditcardGenius algorithm calculated each card’s rewards based on a typical monthly spend of $3,000 and scored them on a five-point scale, producing our Genius Rating.
Learn more about our Genius Rating methodology
How to choose the right Visa credit card
Choosing the right Visa card requires carefully examining and weighing a variety of factors. Choose a card whose annual fee fits your budget, and then find the loyalty or rewards program that offers the highest points‑per‑dollar for the categories you spend most on—travel, dining, or everyday purchases. You should also compare welcome bonuses and total annual value, and ensure you meet the required income and credit‑score thresholds, especially for premium options.
Rewards
Here’s a comparison of the average earn rates of Canada’s top Visa credit cards, plus the best card with lower income requirements, which you’ll see offers comparable rewards:
Since the average return rate is very competitive, consider how each card compares across spend categories, prioritizing categories where you plan to spend the most:
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | RBC Avion Visa Infinite | CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card | CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | 2.91% | 2.91% | 4.58% | 4.58% |
| Gas/EV charging | 2.91% | 2.33% | 3.44% | 3.44% |
| Groceries | 2.91% | 2.33% | 3.44% | 3.44% |
| Drugstores | 2.91% | 2.33% | 3.44% | 3.44% |
| Other | 2.91% | 2.33% | 2.29% | 2.29% |
When choosing the right credit card for you, don’t just think about earning points – think about how you plan to redeem them. Canada’s top Visa cards offer RBC Avion or CIBC Aventura points.
These points are incredibly valuable when redeemed for travel through RBC’s Air Travel Redemption Schedule or CIBC’s Airline Rewards Chart, netting you an impressive $2.33 or $2.29 per point, respectively. You can also get solid value by transferring your Avion points to British Airways, Cathay Pacific, or WestJet – or otherwise travelling with RBC or CIBC rewards.
However, if you don’t travel much, your points are worth a lot less. Are you looking for points to put toward your daily spend? You’re better off considering Canada’s top cash back credit cards. Avion points are only worth $0.58 when redeemed as a statement credit, and Aventura points are only worth $0.63 when you pay with points.
Fees
You’ll also need to consider the fees a card charges. Visa card fees vary considerably, depending on card tier and overall offerings.
Visa Infinite Privilege cards, like the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege, come with premium fees to offset their extensive perks. This card will cost you $399 – plus $99 if you want a supplementary card.
However, you can find solid Visa cards – including Visa Infinite cards – for lower fees. The RBC Avion Visa Infinite will cost you a much lower $120, and both CIBC cards in this guide are $139.
Some cards waive the annual fee for the first year, so you can try the card out and decide if it’s a good fit for you. Our Bronze award winner, the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card offers the first year free as part of its welcome bonus.
If you plan to travel, consider your card’s foreign transaction fee. All of Canada’s top Visa’s charge the standard 2.5% fee on purchases made in another currency, but some cards waive or reduce this fee. If you’re planning to shop abroad, check out the best credit cards with no foreign exchange fees.
Insurance
The best Visa credit cards offer comprehensive insurance coverage beyond the basic extended warranty and purchase protection. Here’s how our top picks compare:
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | RBC Avion Visa Infinite | CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card | CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extended warranty | 2 years | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Purchase protection | 120 days | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days |
| Travel accident | $500,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Emergency medical | 31 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days |
| Trip cancellation/interruption | $2,500/$5,000 | $1,500/$5,000 | $1,500/$2,000 | N/A |
| Flight delay | $1,000 | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Baggage delay | $750 | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Hotel burglary | $3,000 | $2,500 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Rental car | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile device | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Perks
The level of perks and benefits you’ll get from a Visa credit card can vary widely. Basic cards typically provide minimal (if any) perks outside of basic insurance and fuel savings with Petro-Canada. However, premium options can offer lucrative perks, including statement credits, rental car discounts, and more.
For example, several of our top Visa picks provide impressive travel perks, including:
- Airport lounge access: The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card and CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card each provide 4 lounge passes through Visa Airport Companion, while the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege offers 6 visits in the same program.
- NEXUS statement credits: Both CIBC Aventura cards offer a statement credit toward the NEXUS application fee, providing additional value.
Additionally, the RBC credit cards also offer a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription, which could be worth up to $120. RBC Avion cardholders also enjoy access to special perks as "Avioners," including discounts on lift tickets, the ability to transfer points to loyalty programs like WestJet Rewards or British Airways Avios. Plus, your points never expire.
Carefully weigh the value of the perks on offer – and whether you’ll actually use them – against the annual fee to see if the card provides real-world value for your needs.
Interest rates
As with rewards, perks, and insurance, your interest rates on a Visa credit card can vary significantly. The Desjardins Flexi Visa, for example, features a low purchase rate of 10.9%, while the RBC Avion Visa Infinite’s purchase rate is 20.99%.
Rates for cash advances and transfers also vary, but you can typically expect rates between 21.99% and 22.99%.
Acceptance
Visa is accepted in over 200 countries and territories, making it a reliable choice for shopping at home and abroad.
Approval
Getting approved for a Visa credit card can be easy or challenging, depending on the card you choose. As mentioned, all 3 of the best Visa cards in Canada have high income requirements. But the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card is a top-tier option that only requires $15,000 household.
In addition to having lower income requirements, the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card also requires a lower credit score, making it more widely available. This card’s estimated credit score requirement is 560–659, while the top Visa cards all require an estimated 660–724.
Read more: Your Guide to Credit Score in Canada
Looking for a Visa with more open requirements? Secured Visa cards, such as the Home Trust Secured Visa Card, are designed for those with bad credit or no credit history.
Read more: The Best Secured Credit Cards in Canada
Tiers of Visa credit cards
You’ll notice all of the best Visa credit cards in Canada carry the title Visa Infinite or, in the case of the #1 card, Visa Infinite Privilege.
These are tiers of Visa credit cards. Similar to Mastercard’s World and World Elite tiers, Visa’s Infinite and Infinite Privilege cards come with their own perks.
Visa Infinite credit cards
Like the World Mastercard program, Visa Infinite gives cardholders a taste of the good life with luxury hotel, travel, and entertainment benefits. You must have at least $60,000 of personal income or $100,000 of household income to apply.
In exchange, you can use your card to enjoy:
- 24/7 assistance with tickets, reservations, party planning, and more via the Visa Infinite Complimentary Concierge
- Seven luxury benefits (including a $25 daily dining credit, complimentary room upgrades, and preferential rates) at properties in the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
- Access to exclusive dinners and wine tastings in British Columbia and Ontario through the Visa Infinite Wine Country Program
- Access to exclusive, multi-course dining events with top culinary talent through the Visa Infinite Dining Series
- Automatic Platinum membership and accompanying perks at 60+ Sandman, Sandman Signature, and Sutton Place Hotels with the Visa RSVP Rewards Benefit
- Automatic Troon Rewards Silver Status and 10% off green fees, lessons, and merchandise at 95+ golf courses
- Exclusive access to tickets to curated events (including the Toronto International Film Festival) with Visa Infinite Entertainment Access
Visa Infinite credit cards typically carry annual fees of $100 or more. On the plus side, you’ll also enjoy better travel insurance and rewards.
Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards
For even higher fees and income requirements, Visa Infinite Privilege cards add premium perks.
For example, in addition to the stronger perks built into specific cards, VIP cardholders enjoy elevated status with Visa’s RSVP Rewards Sandman Hotel Group loyalty program.
While Visa Infinite cardholders are automatically upgraded to the Platinum tier, Visa Infinite Privilege cards like the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege get you Diamond status. Diamond members earn points faster and even qualify for 1,000 bonus points per stay.
Pros and cons of Visa credit cards
Although there’s a wide variety of Visa credit cards available in Canada, they have many advantages in common, including:
- 24/7 worldwide lost/stolen card reporting, emergency card replacement services, and emergency cash services
- A variety of rewards programs like Aeroplan, CIBC Aventura, and DesJardins BONUSDOLLARS
- Excellent travel rewards and perks
- Hundreds of promotional partnerships offering exclusive events, preferential pricing, and special benefits to Visa cardholders
- Top-tier security and zero liability for unauthorized transactions
- Worldwide acceptance in over 200 countries and territories, and at 2.5 million ATMs
As ubiquitous as they are, Visa credit cards aren’t entirely free of disadvantages. After surveying the top credit cards in the country, we found they shared:
- Higher-than-average annual fees and few no-fee options
- High interest fees ranging from 20% to 23% for the top cards
- Inconsistent credit card benefits values, even among expensive cards
- Higher income requirements, up to $200,000
Visa credit cards excel in travel rewards, particularly at the Infinite and Infinite Privilege levels, which makes them less suitable for homebodies, moderate spenders, and people who prefer cash-back credit cards.
Visa installment plans
Some Visa cards are also eligible for Visa installment plans, which let you split large purchases into installments.
Using one of these installment plans can be a good way to afford larger items without the risk of accruing significant interest, though there’s usually a small upfront installment fee.
No additional setup is required to use Visa installments, as they use your existing credit limit. Here are just a few of the retailers that are eligible to use Visa installment plans:
- Amazon
- Canada Computers
- Simons
- Pandora
Learn more: How buy now pay later plans work
FAQ
Which type of Visa card is best?
Visa Infinite credit cards hit the sweet spot for luxury and value – they have many of the same benefits as Visa Infinite Privilege cards but come with lower income requirements and fees. However, the best Visa card for you depends on your personal needs. Consider the insurance, rewards, and perks for your card and whether they’re worth the annual fee.
Is Visa or Mastercard better in Canada?
There’s not much of a difference in the acceptance rates for Visa and Mastercard in Canada. If you want cash back on everyday spending, consider Mastercard. But if you love luxurious travel perks, consider Visa. The best Visa in Canada is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege, and the best Mastercard in Canada is the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®.
Can you get a Visa credit card with a credit score of 600?
Yes, you can get a Visa card with a credit score of 600. This score may be too low to get one of Visa’s premium cards, but the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card is a highly-ranked card with estimated credit score requirements of 560-659. Also consider the Home Trust Secured Visa Card or Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for Students.
What is the highest rank of Visa card?
The highest-ranking tier of Visa is Visa Infinite Privilege, which requires at least $150,000 in personal income. Benefits of the program include complimentary concierge service, complimentary wine tours across Ontario and BC, and access to the Visa Infinite Dining Series. The best Visa Infinite Privilege card is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege.
Is Mastercard or Visa more popular in Canada?
In Canada, both Visa and Mastercard are very popular and widely accepted by big and small retailers. Both credit card networks offer cards with competitive perks like travel insurance, rewards, and airport lounge access. Ultimately, the best card comes down to individual needs, so consider a card’s individual benefits before worrying about whether it’s a Visa or Mastercard.
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 231 Canadian credit cards.
