American Express can be one of the most powerful credit card programs in Canada for one simple reason:
Earn
up to 70,000 Amex points
Annual Fee:
Rewards:
Earn
1
point
for every dollar in purchases charged to the Card
If you pick the right card for your spending habits, the rewards can add up quickly.
In this guide, you’ll see the best Amex cards in Canada by category, how to choose based on your real spending, and the blind spots that cause people to pick the wrong card (and then cancel it a year later).
New to Amex? Read our guide on how American Express works in Canada before choosing a card.
There are three different types of Amex cards in Canada you need to know:
- Membership Rewards cards are about flexibility. You earn Membership Rewards points and then choose how to redeem.
- Co-branded cards (Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy) are about focus. You earn points in that program directly, and the perks are aligned to that brand.
- Cashback cards are about simplicity. You earn a percentage back on your spending with no points strategy required.
Best Amex Cards in Canada (2026 Picks)
Compare the best American Express cards in Canada for 2026 and find the right Amex for rewards, travel perks, and approvals, with quick picks with this guide:
Want the Best Overall Amex Card in Canada?
Cobalt Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn 15,000 (1,250 per month) Membership Reward points when you spend $750 monthly for 12 months.
Annual Fee: $12.99/month ($155.88/year) for non-Quebec residents. $10/month ($120/year) for Quebec residents.
Best For: Membership Rewards Credit Cards
Key Multiplier: 5x on Food and Drinks
Want an Affordable Travel Rewards Card?
Gold Rewards Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 (5,000 per month) Membership Reward points when you spend $1,000 monthly for 12 months.
Annual Fee: $250
Best For: Membership Rewards
Key Multiplier: 2x on Travel
Want Premium Travel Perks & Lounge Access?
Platinum Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 100,000 points. Earn 70,000 Membership Reward points when you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months. Then earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase in months 15-17 of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $799
Best For: Premium Travel Cards
Key Multiplier: 2x on Food and Drinks
Aeroplan Reserve Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 85,000 points. Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months. Then earn 25,000 points when you spend $2,500 in month 13 of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $599
Best For: Aeroplan Premium Credit Cards
Key Multiplier: 3x on Air Canada
Fly Air Canada Often?
Aeroplan Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 40,000 points. Earn 30,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. Then earn 10,000 points when you spend $1,000 in month 13 of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $120
Best For: Aeroplan Credit Cards
Key Multiplier: 2x on Air Canada
Aeroplan Business Reserve Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 90,000 points. Earn 65,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $10,500 in the first 3 months. Then earn 25,000 points when you spend $3,500 in month 13 of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $599
Best For: Aeroplan Business Credit Cards
Key Multiplier: 3x on Air Canada
Want Membership Rewards as a Business Owner?
Business Gold Rewards Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 70,000 points. Earn 50,000 Membership Reward points when you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months. Then earn 20,000 points when you spend $30,000 in months 1-12 of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $199
Best For: Business Cards
Key Multiplier: Earn 10,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you charge $20,000 in net purchases to your Card account in a calendar quarter, up to 40,000 points annually.
Business Platinum Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 120,000 points. Earn 80,000 Membership Reward points when you spend $15,000 in the first 3 months. Then earn 40,000 points when you make a purchase in months 15-17 of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $799
Best For: Business Cards
Key Multiplier: 1.25x on Everything
Loyal to Marriott Hotels?
Marriott Bonvoy Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 110,000 points. Earn 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months. Then earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase in months 15 of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $120
Best For: Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Key Multiplier: 5x on Marriott Bonvoy Hotels
Marriott Bonvoy Business Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 110,000 points. Earn 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $10,000 in the first 6 months. Then earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase in months 15 of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $150
Best For: Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Key Multiplier: 5x on Marriott Bonvoy Hotels
Want Membership Rewards With No Annual Fee?
Green Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn 10,000 Membership Reward points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
Annual Fee: $0
Best For: No Annual Fee Credit Cards
Key Multiplier: 2x on Amex Travel
Prefer a Cashback Card?
SimplyCash Preferred Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $250 cash back. Earn 10% cash back on all purchases Cash back when you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months. Then earn $50 statement credit cash back when you make a purchase in month 13 of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $119.88
Best For: Cashback Cards
Key Multiplier: 4% cash back on Gas
SimplyCash Card
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $100 cash back. Earn 5% cash back on all purchases Cash back when you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months.
Annual Fee: $0
Best For: Cashback Cards
Key Multiplier: 2% cash back on Gas
Before You Apply: Check the Bonus History
Welcome bonuses fluctuate.
Some cards swing 50,000+ points between lows and peaks. Others stay flat for years.
Before applying, check how today’s offer compares to historical highs, averages, and seasonal trends in our full Amex Welcome Bonus Tracker.
Every Amex Canada Welcome Bonus Since 2019: See the Highs, Lows, and Trends
Which Amex Card Is Best for You?
Most cards aren’t “good” or “bad.” They’re either aligned with your spending or they’re not.
Here’s how to think about it:
Best Overall: Cobalt Card
If you want the best overall Amex card that works for the largest number of Canadians, the Cobalt is it.
The 5x earn rate on food and drinks is the reason. Groceries, restaurants, bars, food delivery – those categories are consistent for most households. If a large portion of your monthly spend falls there, the points add up quickly.
This is the strongest everyday earning card in the lineup.
Who it makes sense for:
- People spending heavily on groceries and dining
- Travellers who want flexible points
- Anyone building a long-term rewards strategy
When it doesn’t:
- If your main grocery store doesn’t accept Amex (like Costco or Loblaws)
- If you rarely spend in its bonus categories
Best Travel Upgrade: Gold Rewards Card
Gold is for someone who wants a travel-focused card without jumping to a $799 annual fee.
It earns Membership Rewards points and puts more weight on travel spending than Cobalt. The annual fee is mid-tier, and the welcome bonus is strong enough to justify a serious look.
Who it makes sense for:
- Travellers flying a few times per year
- Someone who wants a travel-oriented card but not a premium one
- Cardholders who can comfortably meet the monthly spend requirement
When it doesn’t:
- If most of your spending is groceries and dining
- If you won’t use travel benefits at all
Best Premium Travel Card: Platinum Card
Platinum is for luxury travel.
This is the card for people who want airport lounge access, hotel benefits at higher-end properties, and premium travel insurance. It’s not about earning the highest points multipliers with everyday spending. It’s about flying more comfortably and staying in better hotels.
Platinum includes access to 1,800 airport lounges worldwide. If lounge access is a major factor in your decision, read the full breakdown here:
Amex Platinum Airport Lounge Access: Canada’s Guide
If you travel frequently and will actually use lounge access, this card is for you. If you’re only flying once or twice a year, it’s harder to justify.
Who it makes sense for:
- Frequent travellers
- People who value lounge access
- Cardholders who want premium travel treatment
When it doesn’t:
- Infrequent travellers
- People focused strictly on maximizing earn rate
Best for Air Canada Loyalists: Aeroplan Reserve Card
If you primarily fly Air Canada, this is the most aligned card.
It directly earns Aeroplan points and includes Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Access, which matters if you travel often within Canada or on Air Canada routes.
The 3x earn rate on Air Canada purchases will also help you earn points faster.
Who it makes sense for:
- Frequent Air Canada flyers
- Travellers committed to Aeroplan redemptions
- People who will use Maple Leaf Lounge access
When it doesn’t:
- Travellers who want flexible points
- People who rarely fly Air Canada
Best for Hotel Stays: Marriott Bonvoy Card
If you stay at Marriott properties even a few times per year, this card can pay for itself quickly.
Instead of earning flexible Membership Rewards points, the card earns Marriott Bonvoy points, which are designed specifically for hotel redemptions. That makes it most valuable for travellers who prefer free hotel nights rather than flight rewards.
The biggest long-term perk is the annual Free Night Award, which can offset the annual fee on its own if you use it strategically.
Who it makes sense for:
- Travellers who stay at Marriott hotels regularly
- People collecting Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays
- Anyone who can consistently use the annual free night certificate
When it doesn’t:
- Travellers who prefer flexible points like Membership Rewards
- People who rarely stay in hotels
- Anyone focused primarily on flight redemptions
Best for Business Owners: Business Gold Rewards Card
The Business Gold card is a practical starting point for business owners.
It earns Membership Rewards points and keeps the annual fee at a manageable level compared to Business Platinum.
If you’re running consistent business expenses (advertising, supplies, subscriptions) this card converts that spend into flexible points.
Who it makes sense for:
- Small to mid-sized business owners
- Owners with steady operating expenses
- Businesses that travel occasionally
When it doesn’t:
- Very low business spend
- Owners looking primarily for lounge benefits
Best No-Fee Option: Green Card
If you want a Membership Rewards card with no annual fee, Green is the simple entry point.
It won’t earn at the same level as Cobalt, but it allows you to collect Membership Rewards points without paying an annual fee.
Who it makes sense for:
- Lower monthly spenders
- People testing Amex acceptance in their area
- Anyone wanting a no-fee points card
When it doesn’t:
- If you spend heavily on groceries and dining
- If you want to maximize points per dollar
- If you’re expecting premium travel perks
Best Cashback Option: SimplyCash Preferred Card
Cashback is about simplicity. No transfer partners. No redemption strategy. Just statement credits.
If you prefer cash instead of points, this is the strongest cashback card in the lineup.
It earns:
- 4% cash back on Gas
- 4% cash back on Groceries
- 2% cash back on Everything else
Who it makes sense for:
- Households spending heavily on gas and groceries
- People who don’t travel often
- Anyone who prefers predictable cash returns
When it’s not ideal:
- Anyone pursuing travel reward redemptions and large welcome bonuses
Hidden Costs and Blind Spots (Read This Before You Apply)
Before applying for any American Express Canada credit card, check three things:
Foreign Transaction Fees
Amex cards in Canada charge a 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in foreign currencies. If you regularly spend in USD or travel abroad, that fee reduces the real value of your rewards.
Acceptance
Amex is widely accepted at major chains, but not everywhere. Confirm your highest-spend merchants take Amex before optimizing for category bonuses. American Express has an official merchant map that shows where Amex is accepted across Canada.
Eligibility
American Express approvals in Canada are based on your overall credit profile, not just whether a card is “premium” or entry-level.
What credit score do you need for an American Express Canada credit card?
- 700+ with clean history = strong approval odds
- 660–699 with stable income = moderate approval odds
- Below 660, recent missed payments, or high utilization = higher risk of decline
If you’re unsure where you stand, you can check your credit score for free with Credit Karma before applying. A declined application adds a hard inquiry to your credit report, which can temporarily lower your score without giving you the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amex worth it in Canada?
American Express is worth it when your spending matches the earn categories and you actually use the benefits.
For most Canadians, that means concentrating on food and everyday spend with a high-earning card like Cobalt and redeeming strategically for travel.
If you want a deeper breakdown of acceptance, fees, approval odds, and who Amex does not make sense for, read our full guide:
Is American Express Worth It in Canada?
Which Amex card has the highest welcome bonus in Canada?
Premium cards like Platinum, Business Platinum, and Aeroplan Reserve frequently advertise the highest “up to” welcome bonuses in Canada.
However, the best bonus isn’t just the biggest number – it’s the one you can realistically earn and that justifies the annual fee.
Before applying, compare today’s offer against its historical highs, lows, and averages in our full Welcome Bonus History Guide:
Every Amex Canada Welcome Bonus Since 2019
Can you hold multiple Amex cards?
Yes. Many Canadians carry two Amex cards to optimize rewards: often one high-earning everyday card (like Cobalt) plus a travel Membership Rewards card or co-branded card for specific hotel or airline perks.
Which Amex card is easiest to get approved for?
No-fee and lower annual fee cards, such as the Green Card or SimplyCash Card, are generally more accessible than premium cards like Platinum or Aeroplan Reserve.
Approval depends on your full credit profile, not just the card’s annual fee.
Are Amex welcome bonuses once per lifetime in Canada?
Typically yes. American Express Canada generally limits welcome bonuses to once per card per person. Always review the offer terms before applying to confirm eligibility.
Final Verdict: Make the Math Work for You
There isn’t one “best” American Express card in Canada. There’s the best card for how you actually spend.
If you want the strongest everyday earning power with flexible travel redemptions, Cobalt remains the starting point for most Canadians.
If you want a travel-focused card with a strong welcome bonus but aren’t ready for a premium fee, Gold Rewards is the middle ground.
If your priority is airport lounges and luxury travel benefits, Platinum makes sense when you’ll use those perks consistently.
If you fly Air Canada often and value Maple Leaf Lounge access, Aeroplan Reserve is a strong choice.
If you run a business and want Membership Rewards flexibility, Business Gold is the practical option.
If you prefer no annual fee, Green keeps you in the Membership Rewards program.
If you want predictable cashback instead of travel redemptions, SimplyCash Preferred or SimplyCash keep things simple.
Before applying, confirm:
- You can meet the welcome bonus spend
- The annual fee makes sense for your usage
- Today’s bonus aligns with historical trends. Timing is important, review the historical bonus trends before applying.
Apply Now for an American Express Card in Canada!
Membership Rewards:
- Apply Now – Cobalt Card
- Apply Now – Gold Rewards Card
- Apply Now – Platinum Card
- Apply Now – Green Card
Aeroplan:
- Apply Now – Aeroplan Card
- Apply Now – Aeroplan Reserve Card
- Apply Now – Aeroplan Business Reserve Card
Business:
Marriott Bonvoy:
Cashback:
