If you’re a loyal Amazon shopper, you’re probably wondering how to strategically make online purchases – and whether or not the Amazon.ca credit card is worth it.
Although Amazon does a great job promoting its credit card offering, we’ve got some credit card recommendations that will reward you for all your shopping, not just purchases from the retail titan and Whole Foods.
Our top pick is a fan favourite, the American Express Cobalt Card, but there are a variety of options to suit just about every need.
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Best credit cards for Amazon purchases
If you want to maximize your Amazon savings, check out some of the best cards to use when shopping:
| Category | Credit card | Current offer | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for rewards | Amex Cobalt | Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) | $155.88 |
| Best for cash back | Amex SimplyCash Preferred | 10% cash back for the first 3 months + $50 (terms) | $119.88 |
| Best for USD purchases | Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard | None | $0 |
| Best for no annual fee | Amex SimplyCash | 5% cash back for the first 3 months (terms) | $0 |
| Best for no FX fees | Scotiabank Gold Amex |  $60 GeniusCash + Up to 50,000 bonus points, first year free (terms) | $120 |
| Best for low interest | RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option | None | $20 |
Best for rewards: Amex Cobalt
×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.*
Why we love it: Excellent earn rate and flexible reward options
The undisputed king of Canadian credit cards, the
You can link your Amex Membership Rewards to your Amazon account and use points to pay directly for purchases at a 0.7 cents per point value (though we’d recommend just simply paying for the purchase in full, and then redeeming them towards your purchase afterward for 1 cent per point).
Pros:
- Up to 15,000 welcome bonus points
- Up to 5 points per $1 spent
- 4 ways to redeem points for high value
- 10 types of insurance included
- No income requirements
Cons:
- Lower acceptance as an American Express
- $155.88 annual fee
Best for cash back: Amex SimplyCash Preferred
Why we love it: Straightforward cash back card with Amex perks
With the
Pros:
- 10% cash back for the first 3 months, up to $2,000 in spend. Plus, earn $50 when you make a purchase on month 13
- 10 types of insurance included
Cons:
- Lower acceptance as an American Express
- Cash back paid out once per year
Best for USD purchases: Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Why we love it: Extra rewards for U.S. dollar purchases
The
The redemption options are pretty straightforward: redeem points for statement credits or use them to pay for a Rogers service for bonus rewards.
Pros:
- 1.5% cash back on purchases – jumps to 2% if you have a Rogers service
- 50% bonus when you use your cash back to pay for Rogers services
- Includes 6 types of insurance coverage
Cons:
- No welcome bonus
- Income requirements of $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
Best for no annual fee: Amex SimplyCash
Why we love it: Good earn rate for no annual fee
We’re featuring another basic cash back card: the
Every year, you’ll receive a statement credit for your cash back rewards. It’s a great card if you don’t want to think too much about earning and redemption options.
Pros:
- 5% cash back for the first 3 months, up to $2,000 in spend
- 2% cash back on gas
- 2% cash back on groceries (up to $300 cash back annually)
- 1.25% cash back on all other purchases
- No income requirements
- No annual fee
- Installment payment plan option
Cons:
- Lower acceptance as an American Express
- Limited insurance included
- Cash back only paid out once per year
Best for no FX fees: Scotiabank Gold Amex
×1 Award winner 
GC: $60
1x Award winner Why we love it: No foreign exchange fees and a great insurance package
The earn rate for Amazon and non-category purchases using the
If those rewards aren’t enough, you’ll also earn points on foreign purchases and won’t be charged exchange fees. Scotiabank also throws in a dozen types of insurance coverage and gives you flexible redemption options. Plus there’s a welcome bonus of up to 50,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months and $7,500 in the first year.
Pros:
- Up to 50,000 Scene+ points
- 4 ways to redeem points for high value
- 12 types of insurance
- No foreign exchange fees
- Annual fee waived for the first year
Cons:
- Lower acceptance as an American Express
- Annual fee of $120
Best for low interest: RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option
Why we love it: Low interest rates and low annual fee
The
With the average credit card interest rate sitting around 20%, this card’s low rate is a smart option if you tend to carry a balance.
Pros:
- $20 annual fee
- 12.99% permanent interest rate
Cons:
- No rewards on purchases
- Limited insurance included
Is the Amazon.ca Rewards credit card worth it?
We’ve got to take a look at the
If you’re a Prime member, you'll earn:
- 2.5 Amazon Rewards points per $1 spent at Amazon.ca, Whole Food Markets, any physical Amazon store, and foreign currency transactions
- 1 Amazon Reward point spent everywhere else
Non-Prime members will earn:
- 1.5 Amazon Rewards points per $1 spent at Amazon.ca, Whole Food Markets, and any physical Amazon store
- 1 Amazon Reward point spent everywhere else
The earn rates might sound pretty good but remember: you can only use your rewards on Amazon purchases.
The card offers a generous welcome bonus of 5% back on your first $3,000 spent at Amazon, Whole Foods Markets, grocery stores, and restaurants. So, if you shop with Amazon a lot or you’re planning a big purchase, this card might be worth it.
Maximize your credit card rewards with GeniusCash
Regardless of which credit cards you use for your Amazon purchases, the GeniusCash app can help you make the most of them.
When you download the app and connect your cards, the Max feature will analyze your spending habits and make personalized recommendations to help you get the most returns on your expenses.
Plus, you can "level up" (and earn extra cash back!) when you make smart money moves, access big GeniusCash Offers on top financial products and services, and explore limited-time welcome bonuses and exclusive deals that you won’t find anywhere else.
FAQ
Does Amazon provide a credit card?
MBNA offers the Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard, which offers up to 2.5% back on purchases for Amazon Prime members and up to 1.5% back for all others.
Which credit card has an Amazon discount?
You won’t earn a discount using a credit card – even the Amazon-branded card offered by MBNA. Instead, you’ll get a higher earn rate and can redeem points on Amazon.
Is the Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard good?
The Amazon card gives you decent rewards on Amazon purchases but you can’t use your rewards anywhere else, so it’s a bit limiting. We recommend looking at alternatives with similar earn rates and lots of flexible redemption options, plus insurance coverage and great perks.
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