Comparing a U.S. credit card to something offered in Canada is an interesting exercise at times.
On the whole, when it comes to comparing the best of the best, American credit cards tend to come out on top.
But what about credit cards from the same loyalty programs? Do we still get the same results?
We’ve compared credit cards from the following 3 loyalty programs to see:
- Amex Membership Rewards (comparing the iconic Green Card),
- Aeroplan credit cards, and
- Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
Here’s the answer to how they look.
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Summary of Best Canadian credit cards vs. a similar U.S. credit card
First, here are the credit cards we’ll be looking at.
| Rewards program | Canadian credit card | U.S credit card | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Membership Rewards | American Express Green | American Express Green | Tie |
| Aeroplan | American Express Aeroplan | Chase Aeroplan Card | U.S. (by a lot) |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Chase Marriott Bonvoy | Marriott Bonvoy American Express | U.S. (by a little) |
Comparing American Express Credit Cards – American Express Green Cards
American Express is the only major issuer that offers cards with the same names in both Canada and the U.S.
And we may as well compare Amex’s most iconic card – the American Express Green Card.
Even though they have the same name, they’re actually quite different travel credit cards.
| American Express Green (Canada) | American Express Green (U.S.) | |
|---|---|---|
| Earn Rates | * 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases |
* 3 points per $1 spent on restaurants, transit, and travel * 1 point per $1 spent on everything else. |
| Annual Fee | $0 | US$150 |
| Other Features | * Can transfer points to 6 airline and 2 hotel partners | * Can transfer points to 17 airline and 3 hotel partners * $100 annual CLEAR Credit * $100 LoungeBuddy credit |
Canadian American Express Green Card
Let’s start with the Canadian
What makes it a sweet no fee credit card? The rewards. It earns a straightforward 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases. That may not seem special, but what makes it so good is the value of your points.
Amex Membership Rewards points are worth up to 2 cents each, giving the card an amazing 2% return on your purchases.
Here are your options on redeeming for travel, and what each point is worth:
- Transfer points to 6 airline partners – up to 2 cents
- Fixed Points Travel program – 1.75 cents
- Transfer points to 2 hotel programs – up to 1.16 cents
- Redeem for any purchase (including travel) – 1 cent
It doesn’t offer much else – just standard Amex benefits and 2 types of insurance, but the card has impressive value where it counts most.
×1 Award winner 
U.S. American Express Green Card
So what does the U.S. version offer? It’s actually a premium credit card.
For an annual fee of US$150, you earn more rewards on purchases:
- 3 points per $1 spent on restaurants, transit, and travel, and
- 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
What can you use Membership Rewards for in the U.S.? Here are the various ways you can redeem them for travel.
- 17 airline partners,
- 3 hotel partners,
- redeem for flights through Amex travel, and
- redeem for other travel.
The Fixed Points Travel program option isn’t here, but you’ve got more airlines to choose from, most of which transfer at a 1:1 ratio.
We are able to compare their values, as Aeroplan is still one partner. They transfer points at a 1:1 ratio, so you’ll get the same point value of 2 cents.
However, when it comes to redeeming for any travel, the U.S. version isn’t quite as good. You only get 1 cent per point when booking flights, and 0.7 cents on other travel purchases.
But when looking at maximum value, you would get an average return of 2.5%.
Is that worth the extra annual fee? Probably not, but the U.S. green card also has these extras:
- No foreign transaction fees,
- $100 CLEAR credit (for U.S. airport security), and
- $100 LoungeBuddy credit.
The verdict
This matchup is hard to compare, since we have 2 very different credit cards. Both are excellent in their own right, it would all depend on whether or not you’re okay with paying an annual fee.
Comparing the best Aeroplan credit cards – American Express Cobalt vs. Venture From Capital One
It may be a Canadian based program, but you can still get Aeroplan-branded credit cards as a U.S. credit card.
The Chase Aeroplan credit card offers quite a bit – here’s how it compares to one of the Aeroplan-branded cards available here in Canada.
| American Express Aeroplan | Chase Aeroplan Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Earn Rates | * 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 1.5 points per $1 spent on restaurants * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases |
* 3 points per $1 spent on groceries, restaurants, and Air Canada * 1 point per $1 spent on everything else * 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent per month |
| Annual Fee | $120 | US$95 |
| Other Features | * Preferred pricing on Aeroplan reward flights * First checked bag free * 1,000 Elite Status Qualifying Miles for every $10,000 spent annually |
* Preferred pricing on Aeroplan reward flights * First checked bag free * Earn Aeroplan 25K status by spending $15,000 annually * No foreign exchange fees |
American Express Aeroplan
Here’s what 1 Canadian Aeroplan credit card offers – the
Here’s what you’ll earn for rewards on purchases:
- 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada
- 1.5 points per $1 spent on restaurants
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
With a typical monthly spend of $2,000, you’re looking at earning 26,100 Aeroplan points per year.
The best part about having a branded credit card? The Air Canada benefits. Here’s what this card includes:
- preferred pricing on Aeroplan reward flights,
- first checked bag free, and
- 1,000 Elite Status Qualifying Miles for every $10,000 spent annually.
The annual fee for this package? $120.
Chase Aeroplan Card
In the U.S., there’s the Chase Aeroplan card.
Here’s what it earns on purchases:
- 3 points per $1 spent on groceries, restaurants, and Air Canada,
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases, and
- 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month (max of 1,500 points earned).
How many points does that translate into per year? Spending $2,000 per month would give you 38,400 points.
So that’s more than what the Amex card offers in Canada.
But what about Air Canada benefits? This is what you’ll receive for benefits:
- preferred pricing on Aeroplan reward flights,
- first checked bag free, and
- automatic Aeroplan 25K status in year one, with the ability to retain it by spending $15,000 per year.
Umm, so yeah, that’s better too. The same benefits, plus you can get Aeroplan 25K status just by spending $15,000 in a year. You would have to spend $250,000 to get that with the Amex Aeroplan Card.
It also has one more feature to boot – the Chase card charges no foreign exchange fees, saving you money on foreign currency purchases.
The verdict
It’s not even close. It’s Chase’s world, and other Aeroplan credit cards are just living in it.
So in this case, an American credit card provides more than what our own Canadian program can offer in Canada.
Comparing Marriott Bonvoy credit cards – Marriott Bonvoy American Express vs. Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
The last set of credit cards that are easy to compare are Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
In Canada, we have just the one personal option – the
In the U.S., there are several options to choose from. Here’s the one with a similar annual fee – the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card.
| Marriott Bonvoy Amex | Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless | |
|---|---|---|
| Earn Rates | * 5 points per $1 spent at Marriott properties * 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases |
* 6 points per $1 spent at Marriott * 3 points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, and dining (up to $6,000 spent per year) * 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases |
| Annual Fee | $120 | US$95 |
| Other Features | * Annual free night certificate worth 35,000 points * Automatic Silver Elite Status * 15 Elite Night credits * Automatic Gold Status when spending $30,000 |
* Annual free night certificate worth 35,000 points * Automatic Silver Elite Status * 15 Elite Night credits * 1 Elite night credit for every $5,000 spent * Automatic Gold Status when spending $35,000 * No foreign transaction fees |
Marriott Bonvoy Amex
Here’s what Canada’s Marriott Bonvoy card offers – the
Here’s what you’ll earn on your purchases:
- 5 points per $1 spent at Marriott properties
- 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
That translates into about 51,600 points per year based on a typical $2,000 spend.
And of course, as a Marriott card it also provides Marriott Bonvoy benefits. This is what it includes:
- annual free night certificate worth up to 35,000 points,
- automatic Silver Elite status,
- 15 Elite Night credits per year, and
- automatic Gold Elite status when spending $30,000 annually.
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Here’s what the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless offers.
First, what it earns for Bonvoy points on purchases:
- 6 points per $1 spent at Marriott,
- 3 points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, and dining (up to $6,000 spent per year), and
- 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
A little bit better than the Canadian version. This would give you approximately 58,800 points per year.
The benefits? Also a little better:
- annual free night certificate worth up to 35,000 points,
- automatic Silver Elite status,
- 15 Elite Night credits per year,
- 1 extra Elite Night credit for every $5,000 spent, and
- automatic Gold Elite status when spending $35,000 annually.
Pretty similar, but a slight edge to the Chase card for earning extra Elite Night credits.
The Chase card has one big pro that the Canadian card doesn’t have – it charges no foreign exchange fees, saving you 2.5%.
The verdict
The gulf isn’t as wide as the Aeroplan comparison, but the Chase Marriott Card is a little bit better in every way.
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How to get a U.S. credit card in Canada
A common question that gets asked – how can a Canadian get a U.S. credit card?
It’s possible, but not easy. There are 3 key things you’ll need:
- U.S. address,
- U.S. bank account, and
- U.S. social security number.
The last one is the tricky part. Most issuers will need this to check your credit score. And unless you had one in the past, you probably won’t be able to get one.
With that said, some American banks may be able to check your Canadian credit file (Amex is one).
But on the whole, getting a U.S. credit card is not something most Canadians will be able to get.
Your turn
Direct comparisons between Canadian and U.S. credit cards are interesting.
However, American credit cards tend to have more benefits or rewards.
What are your thoughts on U.S. credit cards?
Let us know in the comments below.
FAQ
How do U.S. and Canadian credit cards compare?
Generally speaking, U.S. credit cards tend to be better than what is offered in Canada. They offer better rewards and come with more perks.
How do Aeroplan credit cards compare between Canada and the U.S.?
The Chase Aeroplan card is generally better than other Aeroplan-branded credit cards. The Chase Aeroplan card offers more rewards and provides an easy way to get Aeroplan 25K status.
How do Amex Green Cards in both countries compare to each other?
The American Express Green Card is quite different in both countries. In Canada, it’s a no annual fee card (but one of the best). In the U.S. it’s a premium credit card with an annual fee of US$150.
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