Named for the store’s iconic logo, Canadian Tire’s store-branded credit cards are Canadian Tire Triangle Mastercards. With excellent earn rates and a variety of benefits, these cards can be valuable for lovers of this iconic retailer.
Triangle Mastercards can be used anywhere, but you can only redeem the rewards at Canadian Tire.
But are these cards worth it for everyone? This review looks at the cards' details, their value, a few alternatives, and more information that can help you decide if they're right for you.
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Triangle Mastercards overview
| Card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | Rewards | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triangle Mastercard | $0 | None | * 4% CT Money at Canadian Tire stores * 1.5% CT Money at grocery stores * 0.5% CT Money everywhere you shop * Collect 5 cents CT Money per litre at Gas+ and Husky stations | Apply Now |
| Triangle World Elite Mastercard | $0 | None | * 4% CT Money at Canadian Tire stores * 3% CT Money on grocery store purchases * 1% CT Money on all other purchases * Collect 5 cents CT Money per liter on reg/mid grade fuel, or 7 cents on premium fuel at Gas+ and Husky stations | Apply Now |
Note: We haven't covered the Triangle World Mastercard as it is by invite only and cannot be applied for.
Triangle Mastercard
The Triangle Mastercard is a no-fee credit card that makes it easy to earn rewards on everyday purchases. You’ll collect 4% back in Canadian Tire Money when shopping at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s, Atmosphere, and other partner stores, plus five cents per litre back at Gas+ and participating fuel stations.
The card also offers 1.5% back on groceries (up to $12,000 a year). This means that the Canadian Tire lover in the family can earn at their favourite store as well as when they get food for the family.
Pros:
- No annual fee
- Earns 4% CT money at Canadian Tire
- Earns CT money at Gas+ and Husky stations
Cons:
- No insurance coverage included
- Rewards can only be used at Canadian Tire stores
Triangle World Elite Mastercard
The Triangle Mastercard lineup has a World Elite option too – the Triangle World Elite Mastercard. It does have fairly high income requirements, but it also provides a better earn rate for grocery stores, free roadside assistance, and several premium perks.
These perks are part of the World Elite Mastercard program and include a complimentary 24/7 concierge service, access to DragonPass airport lounges, and exclusive access to event tickets.
Pros:
- No annual fee
- 3% back in CT money on grocery purchases
- Free roadside assistance
Cons:
- High income requirements of $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
- Limited insurance coverage
Triangle Rewards program
In 2018, Canadian Tire launched Triangle Rewards, named after the shape of the Canadian Tire logo. It turned Canadian Tire Money digital and aligned it with more conventional points and cash back-based loyalty programs. You can earn and redeem Canadian Tire Money (CTM) for your purchases at a dozen participating retailers, including SportChek, Petro Canada, and Mark’s.
As a loyalty member, you'll earn 4% CTM on the pre-tax amount of your purchase at all the above locations (though not all items are eligible). The exception is Gas+, where you earn 3 cents per litre.
The program does have a few top-notch features, including:
- Personalized bonus rewards. Log into your account online (or open the app on your phone), and you can activate bonus offers on select products, giving you the ability to receive anywhere from 10 to 50 times the CTM for those products.
- No receipt returns. As long as you scanned your Triangle card, you don’t need a receipt to return anything.
- Use your rewards at any time. There is no minimum amount of CTM in your account required to help pay for a purchase.
One last note ‒ A full list of items that aren’t eligible for a CTM return can be found on the program’s terms and conditions page, and take note that gift cards and prepaid cards are on the list.
Canadian Tire stopped printing and issuing CT paper reward money in 2020. If you still have some paper rewards kicking around, you can redeem or convert it to electronic CT money at a Canadian Tire store.
Triangle Rewards app
If you're a keen Triangle Rewards collector, you'll want to install the Canadian Tire Triangle Rewards app on your phone.
This app will let you keep track of your Triangle Rewards, load special member offers, and give you an easy way to see what's in this week's Canadian Tire flyer.
Once installed, you never have to worry about carrying around your physical Triangle Rewards card or keyfob. Instead, the cashier can simply scan a barcode from your phone, or you can add your Triangle Rewards ID to your digital wallet, along with your Triangle Mastercard.
Alternatives comparison
If you’re looking for a card that earns you a wider variety of rewards and not just CT money, there are a few valuable alternatives:
| Card name | Best alternative | Annual fee vs. alternative | Annual earn rate vs. alternative | Average annual rewards vs. alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triangle Mastercard | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | $0 vs. $0 | 0.82% vs. 1.14% | $196 vs. $273 |
| Triangle World Elite Mastercard | BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard | $0 vs. $120 | 1.48% vs. 2.05% | $355 vs. $492 |
Please note: The table above uses a monthly spend of $75 at Triangle Rewards locations and assumes you can get 80% of your gas at either a Gas+ or Husky station. Rewards shown are for a full year.
Triangle Mastercard vs. Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
To see how the basic Triangle Mastercard card stands up to another no fee credit card, we compared it to the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card (with the two higher earning categories set to gas and groceries). For this card however, Canadian Tire counts as a home improvement store, meaning you can earn 2% cash back there.
We ran the numbers on a $1,000 monthly spend to see which card offered more value. Ultimately, whether you can get your gas at a Gas+ or Husky station determines if the Triangle Mastercard is a better deal. If you can, you’d earn $146.79 in annual rewards compared to Tangerine’s $132.
If you don’t have Gas+ or Husky station near you, your Triangle rewards only come out to $117, making Tangerine the better option.
Triangle World Elite Mastercard vs. BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard is a big gas and grocery earner, plus it offers roadside assistance similar to the gold plan. Even if you don't end up taking advantage of the roadside assistance, this is one of the best gas and grocery cards available ‒ assuming you have access to a Gas+ or Husky station.
We crunched the numbers for a typical $2,000 monthly spend with $100 spent at Triangle stores and $350 spent on groceries. The Triangle card slightly edges out the BMO challenger, largely because of its no annual fee and savings at Triangle Stores.
However, if you can’t get gas at Canadian Tire Gas+ or Husky stations, the overall rewards are comparable to the BMO card.
FAQ
Is Triangle Mastercard the same as Canadian Tire Mastercard?
Yes, these are interchangeable names for the same credit card. That said, there are a few different types of Canadian Tire Mastercards, so you’ll want to review and choose the specific one you want to apply for.
Is Triangle a real credit card?
Yes, the Canadian Tire Triangle Mastercards are credit cards in the Mastercard network, so you can use them anywhere credit cards are accepted. However, the CT Money rewards you earn can only be redeemed at Canadian Tire stores.
Is the Canadian Tire Triangle Mastercard good?
Yes, it's good. The earn rate is lower for non-Canadian Tire purchases, though, which isn't helpful if you do most of your shopping elsewhere. The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card or BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard are the top alternatives.
What bank is behind Triangle Mastercard?
Triangle Mastercards are issued by Canadian Tire Bank, the financial branch of Canadian Tire. Canadian Tire Bank also offers deposit accounts like high interest savings and tax free savings accounts, along with digital banking accounts.
What are the benefits of the Triangle Mastercard?
The main benefits of these cards are earning CT Money when you make purchases and being able to finance large purchases at Canadian Tire without paying fees or interest for 24 months. One card also has World Elite Mastercard perks.
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