Best 1st Choice Savings Credit Cards
An unbiased comparison of every top 1st Choice Savings card in Canada
The best 1st Choice Savings Credit Union is the 1st Choice Savings Cash Back World Elite Mastercard. As a World Elite Mastercard from a leading credit union, it offers a high reward rate, broad travel perks, and airport lounge access.
This article highlights all the details of the top credit cards from 1st Choice Savings, including their features, pros and cons, and how you can narrow down your options to choose the right card for your needs.
Key Takeaways
- The best 1st Choice Savings Credit Union is a cash back card, the 1st Choice Savings Cash Back World Elite Mastercard.
- This credit union has a variety of other credit card choices, including low interest and business card options.
- A credit card from this credit union provides benefits like profit sharing for members, but also downsides, like no Amex products.
- 1st Choice Credit Union only has 5 personal banking locations in Alberta, but you can bank online with them.
The best 1st Choice Savings credit cards
| Category | Card Name | Annual Fee | Rewards | Earn Rate | Welcome Bonus | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for cash back | 1st Choice Savings Cash Back World Elite Mastercard | $120 | * 4 points per $1 spent on groceries and transit * 2 points per $1 spent on recurring bills, streaming, and dining * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | 1.75% | Up to 35,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| Best for no annual fee | 1st Choice Savings Cash Back Mastercard | $0 | * 1 point per $1 spent on groceries, gas, transit, select recurring bills, and streaming services, up to $5,000 spent per month on each. * 0.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | 0.69% | Learn more | |
| Best for insurance | 1st Choice Savings World Mastercard | $120 | * 3 points per $1 spent on groceries * 2 points per $1 spent on dining and entertainment * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | 1.43% | Up to 35,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| Best for low interest | 1st Choice Savings Centra Visa Gold Card | $50 | * 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases | 1% | Learn more | |
| Best for accessibility | 1st Choice Savings Classic Mastercard | $20 | * None | 0% | Learn more | |
| Best business card | 1st Choice Savings Visa Infinite Business Card | $130 | * 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases | 1.5% | Up to 55,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
Some 1st Choice Savings credit cards waive the annual fee for the first year.
1. Best 1st Choice Savings credit card for cash back: 1st Choice Savings Cash Back World Elite Mastercard
Rewards:
- 4 points per $1 spent on groceries and transit
- 2 points per $1 spent on recurring bills, streaming, and dining
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
The top cash back card from 1st Choice Savings is the 1st Choice Savings Cash Back World Elite Mastercard, with high earn rates on groceries, transit, dining, and more. Even though it's a cash back card, you'll earn Flex rewards points that can be redeemed for a few things besides cash back. If you like, you can choose to redeem for travel, merchandise, gift cards, entertainment, and charitable donations instead of straight cash back.
As a World Elite Mastercard, you'll get valuable travel insurance and up to 25% off Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar car rentals. Plus, you'll travel in style with access to airport lounges thanks to the card's Mastercard Travel Pass membership.
Pros:
- 6 types of insurance
- Variety of options to redeem your points
- Earns bonus cash back on transit and groceries
- Balance transfer promo available
Cons:
- High income requirements
2. Best 1st Choice Savings credit card for no fee: 1st Choice Savings Cash Back Mastercard
Rewards:
- 1 point per $1 spent on groceries, gas, transit, select recurring bills, and streaming services, up to $5,000 spent per month on each.
- 0.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
If you don't use a credit card enough to justify paying an annual fee, the 1st Choice Savings Cash Back Mastercard is an excellent choice. This Mastercard gives you 1 point per $1 spent on everyday spending, like gas and recurring bills, and still earns 0.5 points per $1 on non-category purchases.
With no income requirements and no annual fee, this card is relatively easy to qualify for, making it especially attractive for anyone trying to establish or rebuild credit. It has a sweet balance transfer promotion too: 0% interest for 9 months.
Pros:
- No annual fee
- No income requirements
- Balance transfer promo
- Discounts on rental cars
Cons:
- Low base earn rate
3. Best 1st Choice Savings credit card for insurance: 1st Choice Savings World Mastercard
Rewards:
- 3 points per $1 spent on groceries
- 2 points per $1 spent on dining and entertainment
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
The 1st Choice Savings World Mastercard has the same annual fee as our top cash back credit card, but includes a much bigger insurance package, which makes it more valuable for frequent travellers. You'll get 9 types of coverage, including rare mobile device insurance and 10 days of emergency medical coverage for those over age 65.
In terms of everyday value, this World Mastercard offers a generous rewards rate on groceries, dining, and entertainment – with no caps on spending. Redeem your Flex points for statement credits, gift cards, or travel.
Pros:
- Solid insurance package
- No caps on earn categories
- Balance transfer promo
- Discounts on rental cars
Cons:
- Relatively high annual fee
4. Best 1st Choice Savings credit card for low interest: 1st Choice Savings Centra Visa Gold Card
Rewards:
- 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases
If low interest is a priority for you, choose the 1st Choice Savings Centra Visa Gold Card. Along with a modest $50 annual fee, you'll pay just 12.99% for purchase, cash advance, and balance transfer interest – and since the Canadian average for purchase interest is 19% – 20%, this card can save you quite a bit.
Plus, this card's balance transfer promotion is quite valuable: transfer your debt, and pay 0% interest on the amount you transfer for a full 9 months. This gives you some time to breathe and focus on paying down the debt.
Pros:
- Very low interest rates
- No income requirements
- Low annual fee
- Balance transfer promo
Cons:
- Low earn rate
5. Best 1st Choice Savings credit card for accessibility: 1st Choice Savings Classic Mastercard
Rewards:
- None
If you're new to credit or working on repairing a poor credit score, the 1st Choice Savings Classic Mastercard is the easiest 1st Choice Savings credit card to qualify for. With no income and low credit score requirements, no annual fee for the first year, and very low interest rates, this card is both inexpensive and easy to get.
Although you won't earn rewards with this card, you'll still enjoy benefits like discounts on car rentals at Hertz and basic insurance – including mobile device coverage, which is surprisingly uncommon with Canadian credit cards.
Pros:
- No income requirements
- Low credit score requirements
- First year annual fee waived
- Low interest rates
Cons:
- No rewards on spending
6. Best 1st Choice Savings credit card for business: 1st Choice Savings Visa Infinite Business Card
Rewards:
- 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
The 1st Choice Savings Visa Infinite Business Card more than holds its own as a business credit card. This flat-rate Visa card comes with a confidential phone-based legal assistance service, Visa SavingsEdge offers, and Visa Spend Clarity for Business.
If you happen to travel for work, you're sure to appreciate the comprehensive travel insurance package, Visa Airport Companion membership, rental car discounts, and 24/7 travel assistance. These features make it well worth the $130 annual fee.
Pros:
- Solid 1.5% earn rate
- 8 types of insurance
- Visa Airport Companion membership
- Discounts on rental cars
Cons:
- No bonus earn categories
Compare all top 1st Choice Savings credit cards by Genius Rating
At creditcardGenius, we rely on unbiased data to rank credit cards and have developed our Genius Rating to help measure it. It uses a math-based algorithm that considers 126+ features of
Here's how 1st Choice Savings credit cards compare when arranged by Genius Rating:
This credit card comparison table displays our default Genius Rating, which applies our standard weight to all 7 of our scoring categories (rewards, fees, insurance, interest, perks, approval, and acceptance). The ratings displayed for individual credit cards are weighted based on what each card does best.
Learn more about our Genius Rating methodology
Pros and cons of 1st Choice Savings credit card
Albertans have many options for credit cards, so here are a few highlights and drawbacks to consider before choosing a 1st Choice Savings credit card:
Pros:
- Most cards offer a balance transfer promotion
- Low annual fees and interest rates
- Access to a financial wellness blog
- Membership provides profit-sharing
- Supports credit union community initiatives
Cons:
- No American Express credit cards available
- Only 5 brick-and-mortar locations in Alberta
- Limited credit card options
- Fewer perks and reward opportunities
How to choose the right 1st Choice Savings credit card for you
While the 1st Choice Savings Cash Back World Elite Mastercard is our top choice for 1st Choice Savings credit cards, it might not fit your specific needs. To help you find the best one, think about:
- Which credit cards are you eligible for? You'll want to look specifically at income and credit score requirements, which can help you narrow down your credit card options.
- How much of an annual fee are you willing to pay? 1st Choice Savings offers personal credit cards with no annual fee all the way to $120, so this is an important consideration.
- Are you looking for specific terms? For instance, are you looking for a credit card with a low purchase interest rate or a balance transfer offer?
- How important are benefits and perks? If you're prioritizing the rewards aspect of a credit card, look for a credit card that has accelerated earn rates for the categories where you spend the most.
- How important are travel benefits? Truly great travel credit cards include features such as extensive insurance coverage, rental car discounts, airport lounge access, and travel assistance. Just be aware that these usually come with a higher annual fee.
Pro tip: Use the creditcardGenius quiz to help you discover the best overall credit card for your circumstances.
How to apply for a 1st Choice Savings credit card
Applying for a 1st Choice Savings credit card is essentially the same as applying for most Canadian cards – with the exception that you'll need to be a credit union member before being approved.
Once you've decided which 1st Choice Savings credit card to get, follow these steps:
- Click the "Learn more" link in the overview table above or head to the 1st Choice Savings card page and click "Apply now."
- Read through the list of documents you might have to provide and agree to the terms and conditions.
- Provide your contact details, birthday, and preferred email address.
- Answer residency questions about whether you rent, own, or live with family.
- Scan a QR code with your phone to verify your account.
- Enter your employment details along with your salary information.
- Provide any additional information and submit the application.
You should quickly receive a notice about whether or not you were approved for the credit card. If approved, 1st Choice Savings will mail you a card within a few days.
FAQ
What's the best credit card from 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union?
We think the 1st Choice Savings Cash Back World Elite Mastercard is the best card from 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union. Ultimately, though, the best credit card for you depends on what you prioritize: cash back, low interest rates, business tools, or no annual fee.
Do 1st Choice Savings credit cards earn rewards?
Yes, most 1st Choice Savings credit cards earn Flex points, which you can redeem for statement credits or deposits, gift cards, merchandise, travel, entertainment, and more. Flex Rewards also offers the option to donate your points to charity, partnering with Canada Helps to support more than 86,000 charitable organizations.
Do I have to live in Alberta to get a 1st Choice Savings credit card?
You don't necessarily have to live in Alberta to get a 1st Choice Savings credit card, but you do have to be a member of a partnering credit union. Ideally, you should be a member of 1st Choice Savings, as you may want to open additional banking accounts with the credit union.
How does 1st Choice compare to other banks?
Compared to other banks and credit unions in Canada, 1st Choice is relatively small. There are only 5 branches in all of Alberta, so if you value an in-person experience and live far from one of these branches, you might reconsider. However, 1st Choice offers online banking.
What is the hardest credit card to get in Canada?
The hardest credit card to get is the elusive American Express Centurion card, also known as the Amex Black card. It's so mysterious that you can't actually learn about or apply for the card. Instead, cardholders receive it by invitation only – its perks are that exclusive.
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 253 Canadian credit cards.
