The Canadian credit card market consists of three main players: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Many Canadians have mixed feelings about American Express Cards, and admittedly, I used to be one of them.

Some common complaints I often hear are:

• Most places don’t accept American Express
• They have high-interest rates
• Annual fees are expensive

However, most of that is misinformation, and American Express cards are some of the most rewarding on the Canadian Market.

Where is American Express Accepted in Canada?

It’s true that American Express has limited acceptance compared to Visa and MasterCard, mainly due to higher processing fees paid by the merchant.

However, over 70,000 places in Canada started accepting American Express cards in 2017.

Below are some of the bigger Canadian retailers that accept American Express, both in-store and online.

And for an even more detailed list, you’ll want to check out this map of retailers near you that accept American Express in Canada.

Enough retailers accept American Express that my Platinum Card is my ‘top of wallet’ card (the card I use most often for everyday spend). I use a CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite for retailers that don’t accept American Express.

American Express Platinum Card

• Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.

• Get a $200 travel credit & airport lounge access worldwide.

• $699 annual fee.

Apply Now!

What American Express Card Should I Get in Canada?

That really depends on four main factors:

1. How much do you spend annually on credit cards?
2. How often do you travel?
3. Do you mind paying an annual fee for additional benefits?
4. Are you a small business owner?

American Express Canada has four Membership Rewards cards; two personal and two for small businesses:

The American Express Platinum Card

• Earn 50,000 Membership Reward points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of membership.
• Precision-cut metal card, with your name engraved. The American Express Platinum card is the only metal card available in Canada!
• Earn 3 Membership Reward points for every $1 spent on eligible dining in Canada.
• Earn 2 Membership Reward point for every $1 spent on travel.
• Earn 1 Membership Reward point for every $1 spent on everyday purchases.
• Enjoy a $200 annual travel credit (each calendar year – resets in January) for flights, hotel stays, or car rentals
• World-wide airport lounge access, including complimentary Priority Pass membership ($399USD value) and access the American Express Centurion Lounges
• Complimentary Gold status with Starwood Hotels and Marriott
• Industry leading insurance benefits including trip cancellation and out-of-province medical
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• $699 annual fee (not waived the first year)
• Earn 15,000 Membership Reward points for each approved referral

The American Express Gold Rewards Card

• Earn 25,000 Membership Reward points after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months of membership and adding an authorized user during the initial application
• Earn 2 points for every $1 on gas, grocery, drugstore, and travel purchases
• Earn 1 point for every $1 on everything else
• Comprehensive insurance benefits, including out-of-province medical
• Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each approved referral

The American Express Business Platinum Card

• Earn 40,000 Membership Reward points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of membership.
• Earn 1.25 Membership Reward points for every $1 in spend on everyday purchases
• World-wide airport lounge access, including complimentary Priority Pass membership and access the American Express Centurion Lounges
• Complimentary Gold status with Starwood Hotels and Marriott
• Comprehensive insurance coverage including trip cancellation and small business protections
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• $499 annual fee (not waived the first year)
• Earn 15,000 Membership Reward points for each approved referral

The American Express Business Gold Rewards Card

• Earn 30,000 Membership Reward points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of membership
• Earn 1 point for every $1 in spend on everyday purchases
• Earn 2 points for every $1 at 3 select retailers (choose from a list provided by American Express)
• Comprehensive insurance benefits, including small business protection
• Earn 10,000 Membership Reward points for each approved referral

In addition to the family of Membership Reward cards, I would also consider the two Starwood Preferred Guest credit cards from American Express. SPG is my favourite overall loyalty program for hotel redemptions and flexible airline transfer partners. Those who are considering the SPG card should act fast, as Marriott and SPG have merged, and the future of both programs is unknown.

***Update as of April 17th, 2018*** The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Cards are no longer offering SPG points as a welcome bonus. For all the details on the changes, check out our recent post!

The American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card

• Earn 50,000 American Express points after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months of membership (free night redemptions start at 2,000 points per night)
• Earn 2 SPG points for every $1 at participating Starwood and Marriott hotels
• Earn 1 SPG point for every $1 on everyday purchases
• Complimentary SPG and Marriott Gold status after spending $30,000 in a calendar year
• Complimentary weekend night stay at a category 1-4 SPG property after spending $40,000 in a calendar year
• Transfer SPG points to 30 participating airline programs, usually at 1:1 ratio, with a 5,000 mile bonus for each transfer of 20,000 points
• Comprehensive insurance benefits
• $120 annual fee (not waived the first year)
• Earn 5,000 SPG points for each approved referral

The American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card

• Earn 50,000 American Express points after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months of membership (free night redemptions start at 2,000 points per night)
• Earn 2 SPG points for every $1 at participating Starwood and Marriott hotels
• Earn 1 SPG point for every $1 on everyday purchases
• Complimentary SPG and Marriott Gold status after spending $30,000 in a calendar year
• Complimentary weekend night stay at a category 1-4 SPG property after spending $40,000 in a calendar year
• Transfer SPG points to 30 participating airline programs, usually at 1:1 ratio, with a 5,000 mile bonus for each transfer of 20,000 points
• Comprehensive insurance benefits
• $150 annual fee (not waived the first year)
• Earn 5,000 SPG points for each approved referral

Compare The Best Travel Rewards Cards in Canada

If you’re having a tough time deciding which card is right for you, check out more in-depth reviews of The American Express Gold Rewards Card, The Platinum Card, or The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit card.

Or compare the best travel rewards cards in Canada using our dynamic comparison tool to find the card that’s right for you.

Why Every Canadian Needs An American Express Card

It’s really simple: American Express offers the most rewarding credit cards on the Canadian market:

• Membership Reward points are the most flexible points currency available to Canadians, with transfer options to Aeroplan, British Airways, and Starwood Preferred Guest (among others)
• American Express offers some of the most generous sign-up bonuses for new members, with annual fee waivers on the personal and business Gold Rewards card
• Referral program: earn bonus points for each friend or family member you refer to American Express
• 2 points for every $1 spent on gas, grocery, drugstore, and travel purchases with the Gold Rewards card means points can add up very quickly on everyday spending
• Comprehensive insurance benefits on all cards
• American Express customer service is industry leading

Forget the old stigma that American Express isn’t accepted in Canada and start rewarding yourself today!

American Express Platinum Card

• Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.

• Get a $200 travel credit & airport lounge access worldwide.

• $699 annual fee.

Apply Now!