Cash back vs. rewards points: Which is worth more?
Antonio Guillem / Shutterstock
Fact Checked: Scott Birke
Whether you’re a newbie or a credit card connoisseur, one of the common questions that plague those looking for new plastic is “should I go with a cash back or a rewards credit card?” Certainly, each card type has its own pros and cons, so how do you choose between the two? A cash back card can offer a straightforward, quick financial return; but a rewards card could net you potentially better goodies, like a free trip or hotel stay. Decisions, decisions!
It’s easy to be seduced by a big sign-up offer or a high earn rate, but to ensure you get the match that will maximize your earnings, try to go beneath the surface and consider the key factors we examine below.
Feature | Cash back | Rewards |
---|---|---|
Sign-up bonus | Typically top out at $200 or so | Can be the equivalent of $300 or more |
Return on regular spending | Evenly matched | Evenly matched |
Value-added features | Features are usually less valuable compared to rewards cards at a similar annual fee level | Value of features can be huge, particularly for upper-tier cards |
Ease of use | Very low maintenance | Labyrinth of different transfer rules and redemption rates can be a headache |
Annual fee | Evenly matched | Evenly matched |
Sign-up bonus
You can’t really beat the quick budget boost of netting hundreds of dollars’ worth of extra cash or rewards just by signing up for a card and spending the required minimum amount in the time allotted. When comparing miles vs cash back credit cards, miles/rewards cards usually have the most generous welcome bonuses. Cash back introductory offers commonly top out at a couple hundred dollars or so, whereas rewards cards frequently follow a “go big or go home” game plan to attract new customers with offers worth $300 or more. Here’s a comparison between two of the biggest welcome bonus offers in Canada at the moment:
TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card
3.8
10% back
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Pros
-
Solid welcome offer
-
High earn rate for 3 popular categories
-
Can use cash back right away
-
Useful automotive benefits
Cons
-
Maximum spend limit for 3% cash back
-
High annual fee for a cash back card
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
3%
Earn 3% cash back on groceries, gas, and recurring bill payments†
1%
Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases†
50%
Earn 50% more Starbucks Stars when you link your TD card to your Starbucks account.†
Earn 3% cash back on groceries, gas, and recurring bill payments†
3%
Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases†
1%
Earn 50% more Starbucks Stars when you link your TD card to your Starbucks account.†
50%
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate APR for balance transfers 22.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$139
Annual Fee Get an Annual Fee Rebate for the first year†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
Solid welcome offer
-
High earn rate for 3 popular categories
-
Can use cash back right away
-
Useful automotive benefits
Cons
-
Maximum spend limit for 3% cash back
-
High annual fee for a cash back card
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
3%
Earn 3% cash back on groceries, gas, and recurring bill payments†
1%
Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases†
50%
Earn 50% more Starbucks Stars when you link your TD card to your Starbucks account.†
Earn 3% cash back on groceries, gas, and recurring bill payments†
3%
Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases†
1%
Earn 50% more Starbucks Stars when you link your TD card to your Starbucks account.†
50%
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate APR for balance transfers 22.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$139
Annual Fee Get an Annual Fee Rebate for the first year†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
TD’s Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card is presently offering a lucrative introductory cash back rate for New Cardholders: Earn up to $500 in value†, including 10% in Cash Back Dollars in the first 3 months on Bonus Eligible Purchases up to a total spend of $3,500†. Conditions apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
After the introductory period ends, cardholders get a regular cash back rate of 3% cash back on groceries, gas and recurring bill payments† and 1% cash back on all other purchases†.
Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card review.
To receive the first-year annual fee rebate, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening and you must add your Additional Cardholders by January 6, 2025.
†Terms and conditions apply. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button.
TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
3.8
Good
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $1,000 in value†, including up to 135,000 TD Rewards Points† and no Annual Fee for the first year†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
Expires
Jan 6, 2025
Pros
-
Major combined value for the welcome bonus (up to $1,000 in value)†
-
Good base earn rate on all purchases
-
Huge earn rate when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†
-
Very flexible redemption options
-
$100 TD Travel Credit†
-
Visa Infinite Benefits
-
Great savings on annual fees for accountholders of TD’s All-Inclusive Banking Plan
Cons
-
Does not provide free lounge access
-
Charges foreign transaction fees
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
8 Points
Earn 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend through ExpediaForTD†
6 Points
Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurants.†
4 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments.†
2 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards points for every $1 you spend using your card.†
10% Bonus Points
Earn a Birthday Bonus of 10% of the TD Rewards Points you have earned over the past year, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards points†.
$100
Get an annual TD Travel Credit when you book at Expedia For TD†
Earn 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend through ExpediaForTD†
8 Points
Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurants.†
6 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments.†
4 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards points for every $1 you spend using your card.†
2 Points
Earn a Birthday Bonus of 10% of the TD Rewards Points you have earned over the past year, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards points†.
10% Bonus Points
Get an annual TD Travel Credit when you book at Expedia For TD†
$100
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate APR for balance transfers 22.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$139
Annual Fee Additional cardholder† $50; First year Annual Fee Rebate†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CND
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
Major combined value for the welcome bonus (up to $1,000 in value)†
-
Good base earn rate on all purchases
-
Huge earn rate when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†
-
Very flexible redemption options
-
$100 TD Travel Credit†
-
Visa Infinite Benefits
-
Great savings on annual fees for accountholders of TD’s All-Inclusive Banking Plan
Cons
-
Does not provide free lounge access
-
Charges foreign transaction fees
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
8 Points
Earn 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend through ExpediaForTD†
6 Points
Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurants.†
4 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments.†
2 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards points for every $1 you spend using your card.†
10% Bonus Points
Earn a Birthday Bonus of 10% of the TD Rewards Points you have earned over the past year, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards points†.
$100
Get an annual TD Travel Credit when you book at Expedia For TD†
Earn 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend through ExpediaForTD†
8 Points
Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurants.†
6 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments.†
4 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards points for every $1 you spend using your card.†
2 Points
Earn a Birthday Bonus of 10% of the TD Rewards Points you have earned over the past year, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards points†.
10% Bonus Points
Get an annual TD Travel Credit when you book at Expedia For TD†
$100
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate APR for balance transfers 22.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$139
Annual Fee Additional cardholder† $50; First year Annual Fee Rebate†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CND
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
New TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* cardholders are eligible to a staggering offer. Earn up to $1,000 in value†, including up to 135,000 TD Rewards Points† and no Annual Fee for the first year†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025..
Just remember: whether for a cash back or rewards credit card the largest introductory offer in the world will be worthless if you can’t fulfill your side of the bargain and make the required minimum spend. In this case the maximum value of the sign-up bonus offered by the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card is superior to that offered by the TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card, but only if the cardholder of the former can clear its rather high spending hurdles.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here .
The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button. Sponsored Content.
† Terms and conditions apply.
You can compare these to some competing welcome offers by checking out our list of the best credit card sign-up bonuses in Canada.
Return on regular spending
In the battle between rewards points vs cash back there is no clear winner for the best regular earn rates. Since both types of cards can feature accelerated earn categories, you need to assess where exactly you spend your money to figure out which card will be the biggest earner for you. This is clear when we compare two top ranking credit cards like the American Express Cobalt® Card and the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card.
American Express Cobalt® Card
4.9
up to 15k pts
Welcome offerFair
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to 15,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards® points* – that’s up to $150 in value.
Pros
-
High earn rates (up to 5% return on spending!)
-
Flexible month-by-month fee structure
-
Free supplementary cards
-
1:1 points transfer with selected hotels, airlines and frequent flyer programs
Cons
-
Accelerated earn rates only apply to purchases in Canada (not to purchases made abroad)
-
Amex has a more limited merchant acceptance rate than Visa and Mastercard
-
Slightly higher than average annual fee
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
5x
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
3x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x
the points on everything else
1
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
$100 USD
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
5x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
3x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
2x
the points on everything else
1x
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
1
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
$100 USD
21.99% - 30%
Variable APR Just some text
21.99% - 1%
Cash Advance APR 2
$155.88
Annual Fee 12.99/month
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Variable APR
21.99% - 30%
Cash Advance APR
21.99% - 1%
Annual Fee
$155.88
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
High earn rates (up to 5% return on spending!)
-
Flexible month-by-month fee structure
-
Free supplementary cards
-
1:1 points transfer with selected hotels, airlines and frequent flyer programs
Cons
-
Accelerated earn rates only apply to purchases in Canada (not to purchases made abroad)
-
Amex has a more limited merchant acceptance rate than Visa and Mastercard
-
Slightly higher than average annual fee
Eligibility
Fair
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Fair
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
5x
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
3x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x
the points on everything else
1
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
$100 USD
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
5x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
3x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
2x
the points on everything else
1x
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
1
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
$100 USD
21.99% - 30%
Variable APR Just some text
21.99% - 1%
Cash Advance APR 2
$155.88
Annual Fee 12.99/month
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Variable APR
21.99% - 30%
Cash Advance APR
21.99% - 1%
Annual Fee
$155.88
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
The American Express Cobalt® Card is a “lifestyle” rewards card that offers some of the most elevated earn rates possible for people that really love food and travel. Cardholders get:
- 5x points on eligible dining and groceries in Canada
- 3x points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- 2x points on eligible rideshares, transit and gas in Canada
- 1x point on all other purchases
Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points* by earning 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 on your Card in your first year as a new Cardmember. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year.*
That’s up to $150 towards your next weekend getaway.
*Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.
Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete American Express Cobalt® Review.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
3.8
Good
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2%
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5%
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2%
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5%
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
What makes the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card so valuable is that it not only has $0 annual fee but also has the most flexible choice of accelerated earn categories of any card on the market. It’s the perfect shopping companion for those whose primary expenses don’t fall into common cash back categories, as cardholders can choose two of the following 10 spending categories that will earn 2% cash back:
- Grocery
- Restaurants
- Gas
- Recurring Bills
- Drug stores
- Hotel/motel
- Furniture
- Home improvement
- Entertainment
- Public transit and parking
Cardholders can even opt to get a third 2% cash back category as long as they deposit their earnings into their Tangerine savings account.
Apply here or learn more by reading our complete Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card review.
*Terms and Conditions apply
Check out our respective lists of the best rewards cards and the best cash back cards in Canada to find out which other cards offer particularly high earn rates in the purchase categories where you spend the most.
Value-added features
Most basic cash back or rewards cards include purchase security and extended warranty, with things like insurance and concierge service commonly offered among higher-end cards.
The key main difference between perks offered by miles vs cash back cards manifests in premium travel rewards cards. Travel cards tend to kick the value-added features up a notch: in an effort to win the loyalty of big-spending jet setters, the best travel cards of the lot offer particularly comprehensive insurance packages and/or free airport lounge access. You can see what I mean by comparing the features offered by a travel rewards and cash back credit card, both from the same issuer and with comparable annual fees.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
4.3
up to 35K pts
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $1,100* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points
Expires
Jan 3, 2025
Pros
-
No FX fees means the card saves you significant expenses on foreign transaction fees
-
Earn up to 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
-
Flexible and straightforward redemption program
-
Visa acceptance globally compared to American Express, especially outside major cities.
-
Enjoy six annual visits to airport lounges
-
Robust insurance offerings, including extended travel emergency medical coverage
-
Access to Visa Infinite Program benefits, with added advantages like a free supplementary card
Cons
-
High annual fee
-
Limited rewards categories for earning reward max rate on purchases
-
Primarily best for travel within Canada
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
2x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
1x
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$150
Annual Fee First supplementary Card is $0/year ($50/year on each additional Card)
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$150
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
Pros
-
No FX fees means the card saves you significant expenses on foreign transaction fees
-
Earn up to 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
-
Flexible and straightforward redemption program
-
Visa acceptance globally compared to American Express, especially outside major cities.
-
Enjoy six annual visits to airport lounges
-
Robust insurance offerings, including extended travel emergency medical coverage
-
Access to Visa Infinite Program benefits, with added advantages like a free supplementary card
Cons
-
High annual fee
-
Limited rewards categories for earning reward max rate on purchases
-
Primarily best for travel within Canada
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
2x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
1x
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$150
Annual Fee First supplementary Card is $0/year ($50/year on each additional Card)
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$150
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
The lineup of features on this frequent flier favourite is outstanding and could save globetrotters hundreds to several thousands of dollars on common flight expenses. To start off with, the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card offers a far-reaching insurance package that includes:
- Hotel burglary: If you charge a hotel or motel stay anywhere in North America to your Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card , you, your spouse and dependent children are eligible for coverage against theft of personal property from your room, up to a maximum of $1,000.
- Baggage lost/delayed: If you or eligible companions on the same trip (when you charge the full cost of your airplane, train, bus or cruise ship tickets to your Card) lose your bags or if your bags are stolen, you’ll all be covered up to a combined max of $1,000. If your/your eligible companions’ bags are delayed for four or more hours, you’ll also net up to a maximum of $1,000 for the cost of replacing eligible essential items.
- Travel emergency medical insurance: A vital feature for those who travel often, the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card covers you, your spouse and dependent children for up to $2 million toward emergency medical coverage for up to 25 consecutive days.
Travellers also save because the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and airports will be much more bearable with the card’s complimentary six free airport lounge visits. There’s no cash back card that offers those kinds of perks.
Earn up to $1,100* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points
- See terms and conditions below‡ for full details.
Apply here or learn more by reading our complete Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card review.
Scotiabank Momentum® Visa Infinite*
4.2
10% back
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreEarn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases). No annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards.
Expires
Nov 1, 2025
Pros
-
High earn rate on everyday spending categories
-
Comprehensive travel and purchase insurance
-
Visa Infinite perks such as concierge, events, and special offers
-
25% Car rental discounts at Avis and Budget
-
Mobile device insurance
-
Up to $200 welcome bonus
Cons
-
Income requirements are higher: $60k personal or 100k household
-
Cash back can only be redeemed once a year
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
4%
For every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments and subscription purchases
2%
For every $1 you spend on gas and daily transit purchases
1%
Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit
For every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments and subscription purchases
4%
For every $1 you spend on gas and daily transit purchases
2%
Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $50 per supplementary card
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
High earn rate on everyday spending categories
-
Comprehensive travel and purchase insurance
-
Visa Infinite perks such as concierge, events, and special offers
-
25% Car rental discounts at Avis and Budget
-
Mobile device insurance
-
Up to $200 welcome bonus
Cons
-
Income requirements are higher: $60k personal or 100k household
-
Cash back can only be redeemed once a year
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
4%
For every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments and subscription purchases
2%
For every $1 you spend on gas and daily transit purchases
1%
Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit
For every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments and subscription purchases
4%
For every $1 you spend on gas and daily transit purchases
2%
Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit
1%
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $50 per supplementary card
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
For a cash back card the Scotiabank Momentum® Visa Infinite* offers some impressive value-added features, such as Visa Infinite* Concierge Service and Visa Infinite* Dining and Wine Country program. The most attractive extra is its up to $1,000 new mobile device insurance—and it’s one of the few cards in the country to offer this (Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card doesn’t have this feature). But while that insurance bonus is wonderful, you can see by comparing it with the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card that its other insurance offerings aren’t as outstanding:
- Hotel burglary: Unlike the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card , the Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card doesn’t feature hotel burglary insurance.
- Baggage lost/delayed: The coverage is the same as the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card , but the maximum reimbursement amount for each circumstance is $500 (rather than $1,000)
- Travel medical insurance: The Scotiabank Momentum® Visa Infinite* offers less maximum medical insurance than the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card (you, your spouse and dependent children are covered for up to $1 million in emergency medical expenses).
Apply here or learn more by reading our complete Scotiabank Momentum® Visa Infinite* review.
*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
Ease of use
Cash back credit cards throttle rewards cards when it comes to ease of use. With a cash back card you usually don’t have to worry about what time of year to redeem points, minimum point redemption limits, whether or not your points/miles are transferrable or expire, and the real-world value of your points (check out our Loyalty Points Bible for an explanation about redemption values). Take a look at these two top cards to see which you think would be easier to manage:
Scotiabank Gold American Express®
4.8
up to 45K pts
Welcome offerVery Good
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $950* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived.
Expires
Jan 3, 2025
Pros
-
Lots of daily spend options to earn multiplied point bonuses
-
Swanky Amex perks like Front of the Line presale concert tickets
-
Save on foreign transaction fees when abroad
-
Fantastic insurance coverage, especially for travel
Cons
-
Relatively low-value welcome bonus
-
$120 annual fee that chews into your point value substantially
-
Scene points redeem poorly for travel
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
6x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
6x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
3x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
1x
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $29 for each supplementary card
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
Pros
-
Lots of daily spend options to earn multiplied point bonuses
-
Swanky Amex perks like Front of the Line presale concert tickets
-
Save on foreign transaction fees when abroad
-
Fantastic insurance coverage, especially for travel
Cons
-
Relatively low-value welcome bonus
-
$120 annual fee that chews into your point value substantially
-
Scene points redeem poorly for travel
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
6x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
6x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
3x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
1x
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $29 for each supplementary card
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
To highlight just how much more complicated rewards redemption can be, we’ll look at the Scotiabank Gold American Express®. This card is hands-down one of the easiest and most transparent rewards programs to use. Rewards act almost like cash with one of its Scene+ points equaling $.01—but only if you put your points towards travel. If you don’t use your points for travel expenses, however, the reward system becomes much more complicated and loses value (as is the case with many a travel rewards card).
For example, you earn 5X Scene+ points points for every $1 CAD spent on a variety of categories, including eligible dining. So, if you spend $500 in that tier of categories in a month you get 2,500 points, equivalent to $25 that you can put toward any travel spending (like baggage fees, plane ticket, seat fees, etc.) on your Scotiabank credit card statement within a year of the transaction date. Of course, your travel points are not automatically redeemed for you, unlike with most cash back cards where the cash back points are applied to your statement every month or once a year without any effort on your part.
Point redemption gets more complicated and less valuable if you want to redeem Scene+ points on things like a statement credit or a gift card/donation. In these cases, point value goes down from $.01 (on travel. If this all seems too complicated (and remember Scene+ are among the easiest to redeem) then a rewards card may not be for you.
Apply here or learn more by reading our complete Scotiabank Gold American Express® review.
Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card to learn more.
*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express
4.6
up to 10% back
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreEarn a bonus 10% cash back on purchases in your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases).
Pros
-
Competitive cash back rates: Up to 4% on gas and groceries, and more
-
Refer-a-friend bonus up to $750 annually
-
Extra benefits like rental car insurance and travel accident coverage
-
Manufacturer's warranty doubled on purchases
Cons
-
$9.99/month fee ($119.88 annually)
-
Cash back redeemed annually in September
-
Not all benefits may be relevant to all users
-
Limited to American Express acceptance
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
4%
cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
4%
cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
2%
cash back on all other purchases
cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
4%
cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
4%
cash back on all other purchases
2%
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR *
$119.88
Annual Fee $9.99 per month. Additional cards are free.
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$119.88
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
Competitive cash back rates: Up to 4% on gas and groceries, and more
-
Refer-a-friend bonus up to $750 annually
-
Extra benefits like rental car insurance and travel accident coverage
-
Manufacturer's warranty doubled on purchases
Cons
-
$9.99/month fee ($119.88 annually)
-
Cash back redeemed annually in September
-
Not all benefits may be relevant to all users
-
Limited to American Express acceptance
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
4%
cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
4%
cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
2%
cash back on all other purchases
cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
4%
cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
4%
cash back on all other purchases
2%
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR *
$119.88
Annual Fee $9.99 per month. Additional cards are free.
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$119.88
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
The SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express comes with a very achievable welcome bonus: Earn a bonus 10% cash back on purchases in your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases).. Conditions apply. The card also offers competitive cash back: Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 4% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back) and 2% cash back on all other purchases. The annual fee is $119.88 ($9.99 per month. Additional cards are free..).
Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express review.
Annual fee
Overall, the annual fees for cash back and rewards cards are comparable, ranging from $0 for basic no-frills cards, to $120 or $150 on average for higher-end cards, to $500+ for truly premium cards.
How to compare rewards vs cash back credit cards
One misconception about travel rewards cards is that there are many restrictions. While that may have been the case in the past with some programs, just about every travel loyalty program now gives you a lot of flexibility. When comparing travel rewards credit cards to cash-back rewards, you need to choose cards and programs that line up with your spending and travel preferences. Even though you may enjoy travel rewards, the current program and credit card that you’re using may not be ideal. When this happens, you may not find your points as useful and be tempted to switch to a cash-back card instead. You need to occasionally analyze what’s in your wallet and what your points are worth. Switching to a different program or credit card may still be more valuable than making a switch to a cash-back product.
It’s more than the first-year benefits
Cash-back cardholders like to point out that the generous welcome bonuses that come with travel rewards cards are only available for the first year. Once your first anniversary date comes up, the value decreases significantly.
While that has some truth to it, you do need to factor in the additional benefits that come with the card. Depending on which travel card you get, it may come with free checked bags, airport lounge access, a NEXUS rebate, comprehensive travel insurance, and no foreign exchange fees. These extra perks could save you hundreds of dollars a year, which is more than what the annual fee is for most cards.
Some cash-back cards offer travel and mobile device insurance, but it’s not that common. The argument could be made that cash-back cards are worth even less in the second year once you’ve maxed out the welcome bonus and annual fee rebate.
Choose whether cash back or rewards makes sense to you
There can be an emotional attachment when it comes to cash-back credit cards. When grocery and gas prices are on the rise, people will naturally look for a way to save. While a cash-back card that gives you an increased earn rate for groceries and gas could help, you might end up spending more on travel since you won’t have any points to redeem later.
For some people, the decision between loyalty points and cash back comes down to mental accounting. Admittedly, it can be hard to keep track of different earn rates and perks. However, instead of thinking about your money in different buckets, think of the whole picture. If you’re maximizing your points, travel rewards cards will give you more value than a cash-back credit card. That said, if you don’t like to travel, it doesn't make sense to be collecting travel rewards, so go ahead and switch to a cash-back card.
Is one better than the other?
No single card can meet the needs of all consumers, and whether cash back or rewards oriented, different cards emphasize different types of spending and consumer needs. Rather than trying to determine categorically if a cash back or rewards card will be the best fit for you, you need to look at each card individually to find the best match for your lifestyle.
Recommended reads:
- Best travel rewards programs in Canada
- Best credit cards for gas in Canada
- Best credit cards for online shopping
- Best credit cards for restaurants
Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
†Terms and conditions apply.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button.
Sandra MacGregor has been writing about finance and travel for nearly a decade. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications like the New York Times, the UK Telegraph, the Washington Post, Forbes.com and the Toronto Star.
Barry Choi is a Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert who makes frequent media appearances. When he's not educating people on how to be smarter with money, he's earning and burning miles and points for luxury travel.
Disclaimer
The content provided on Money.ca is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.
†Terms and Conditions apply.