The Best Credit Cards for Beginners – May 2026

Q: What is the best first credit card in Canada?

For most beginners, a no-fee cash-back card is the simplest entry point. The top picks are:- The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card, with 2% cash back on 2 to 3 categories of your choice and a welcome bonus of up to $100 after $1,000 in spending in the first 2 months; - The PC Mastercard, with 20,000 PC Optimum points on a small $50 spend in the first 2 months and grocery rewards at Loblaws-banner stores; - The Rogers Red Mastercard, with 2% cash back on every purchase and an effective 3% on Rogers/Fido bills; None of these cards charges an annual fee, and all three offer purchase protection plus extended warranty.

Q: What credit score do I need to qualify for my first credit card?

Entry-level no-fee cards like the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card, the PC Mastercard and the RBC ION Visa typically require a credit score of 650 or higher, although some applicants have been approved with limited credit history.If you have no credit history at all (newcomer or student), focus on:- A secured credit card, where you deposit a small amount as collateral; - A student credit card, with relaxed approval criteria; - A specialty newcomer program that does not require a Canadian credit file; Read our guide to building credit in Canada for the full step-by-step process.

Q: Should a beginner choose cash back or travel rewards?

It depends on how soon you plan to travel:- If you mostly stay in Canada and prefer simplicity, a cash-back card like the Tangerine Money-Back or the Rogers Red Mastercard delivers an immediate 2% return with no learning curve; - If you already plan international trips within the next 12 months, a flexible travel-rewards card like the American Express Cobalt (up to 5 points per dollar on groceries and dining) or the RBC ION Visa (1.5x points on groceries, transit and streaming) builds a useful balance faster; Many beginners hold one no-fee cash-back card and one no-fee travel card simultaneously to maximize earnings without paying an annual fee.

Q: Is there a credit card with no annual fee that still earns travel points?

Yes. Several no-fee cards earn quality travel points:- The American Express Green Card, with a 10,000 Membership Rewards welcome bonus on $1,000 of spending in 3 months and 1:1 transfers to Aeroplan, British Airways Avios and Marriott Bonvoy; - The RBC ION Visa, with a 7,000 Avion points welcome bonus and 1.5x points on groceries, transit and streaming; - The BMO eclipse rise Visa, with up to 25,000 BMO Rewards points redeemable for travel; - The Scotiabank American Express Card, with up to 5,000 Scene+ points ($50 value) and 2x on groceries, gas, dining and streaming; Each is an ideal stepping stone before upgrading to a premium Visa Infinite or Amex Gold card.

Q: How do I build my credit score with my first card?

Three simple habits make all the difference:- Pay your statement balance in full by the due date every month, never just the minimum; - Keep your credit utilization below 30% of your limit at any given moment, meaning under $300 on a $1,000-limit card; - Avoid multiple applications in a short period: each hard inquiry temporarily reduces your score by a few points; After 6 to 12 months of perfect on-time payments, your score generally crosses 700 and you become eligible for premium cards like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + or the American Express Cobalt.

The Best Credit Cards for Beginners – May 2026

These credit cards are ideal for beginners.

It is therefore recommended to keep them, year after year, to improve your credit history.Here is a table summarizing the different offers. For more details, read on or click on the name of a card.

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card has no annual fee and offers cash back.

With this limited-time welcome offer, you can earn an additional 10% cash back (up to $100) when you spend up to $1,000 on everyday purchases during the first 2 months.

You can choose two to three purchase categories that interest you (groceries, gas, home furnishings, renovations, recurring bills, pharmacy, etc.) to earn 2% cash back ! And there’s no annual cash-back limit. It is one of the best credit cards for renovations.

In addition, the Tangerine Mastercard offers several insurance coverages for your purchases :

90 days purchase insurance
One year extended warranty

Finally, during the first 30 days you hold the card, transfer credit card balances and pay only 1.95% interest on these balances for the first 6 months.

PC® Mastercard®

The PC Mastercard offers a 20,000 PC Optimum^™ welcome bonus after you spend $50 in the first two months, all with no annual fee. It’s an ideal entry-level card to start earning points within the Loblaw ecosystem.

1% back in points at Loblaw banner grocery stores, including Loblaws^MD, No Frills^MD, Real Canadian Superstore^MD, Maxi^MD, and other locations³.
At least 3¢ per litre back in points on fuel at Esso and Mobil stations
2.5% back in points at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix
1% back in points at Joe Fresh
1% back in points everywhere else

This way, you earn between 1% and 3% back on your purchases at PC Optimum stores. Your points can then be redeemed for discounts at checkout or a $7 credit per 10,000 points applied directly to your card balance.

With its 90-day purchase assurance, extended warranty, and Mastercard Global Service, this card offers valuable protections for a no-annual-fee card.

Rogers Red Mastercard

The Rogers Red Mastercard is one of the best no-annual-fee credit cards in Canada, especially for Rogers, Fido, Comwave, or Shaw customers.

With the Rogers Red Mastercard, and by having at least one eligible service with Rogers, Fido, Comwave, or Shaw, you can earn 2% cash back on all your eligible purchases.

Additionally, you get 1.5 times more cash back every time you redeem for eligible Rogers, Fido, Comwave or Shaw purchases, which represents cash back valued at 3%.

Furthermore, as a Rogers Red Mastercard holder, you will get access to Roam Like Home for 5 days free, every year, for eligible Rogers mobile plans.

If you are not a Rogers, Fido, Comwave, or Shaw customer, you will get 2% cash back on your eligible purchases in U.S. dollars and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

American Express Cobalt® Card

The American Express Cobalt^® Card is the best credit card from American Express, whether you want points for travel or cash back.

The welcome bonus is distributed monthly for the first 12 months. You’ll earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for every $750 in purchases charged to your card during the month (whether in the 1X, 2X, 3X or 5X category). That’s up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points.

You can easily use these points as statement credits for everyday or travel purchases. The value is the same for both: 1,000 points = $10.

Alternatively, transfer them to Aeroplan points, Avios (British Airways/Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, or Hilton Honors.

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to:

15,000 Aeroplan points
15,000 Avios points
15,000 Flying Blue Miles
18,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With the American Express Cobalt^® Card, you can earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:

Category	Points per dollar
Grocery (Métro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.)	5
Home food delivery	5
Restaurants and bars	5
Convenience stores	5
Streaming services	3
Service station	2
Transport	2
Travel	1
Other	1

This is a 1 to 5% return on all these purchases.

For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on groceries and/or restaurants and/or food delivery, you’ll earn $50 cash back per month, or $600 cash back per year with this card for this category of purchases!

And if you decide to transfer your points to other programs like Aeroplan, you could get even more value!

In addition, this card provides excellent insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage, flight delay, $250,000 travel accident, hotel or motel burglary, Mobile Device Insurance, Purchase Security, Purchase Protection Insurance.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

American Express® Green Card

Do you want a cash back credit card with no annual fee that earns travel points? Here’s an option for you: American Express^® Green Card.

By signing up for the American Express^® Green Card, you can earn 10,000 Membership Rewards Welcome Bonus Points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. This is a $100 value for travel or any purchase on the Card.

You can also transfer your points to airline partners (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue, etc.) and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning:

10,000 Aeroplan points
10,000 Avios points
10,000 Flying Blue Miles
12,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

That’s a nice welcome bonus for a credit card with no annual fee.

You’ll also have access to online promotional offers to earn points or rebates on your purchases with this no annual fee credit card.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

With this exceptional limited-time welcome offer, you can earn up to 70,000 Avion points as a welcome bonus with the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card!

Receive 35,000 points upon approval
20,000 additional points when you spend $5,000 within the first six months of account opening
15,000 points on your account anniversary

You can use your Avion Rewards points to book flights with over 500 airlines or transfer them to select partner loyalty programs, such as:

American Airlines AAdvantage
The British Airways Club (and Qatar Airways Privilege Club)
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
WestJet Rewards

You can also maximize the value of your points using the Air Travel Redemption Schedule, which offers fixed pricing year-round based on the destination and flight type.

Depending on your goals, this offer can represent strong value, particularly for transfers to partner programs or for using the Air Travel Redemption Schedule.

With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you earn 1.25 Avion points per dollar on eligible travel purchases¹² and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases².

The card also includes several insurance coverages⁷, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, out-of-province/country emergency medical insurance, rental vehicle collision/loss damage insurance, and mobile device insurance.

Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card is the best credit card for free hotel nights.

With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points:

Earn 60,000 points after spending a total of $3,000 on your Card within your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
In addition, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.

It’s a card we recommend you keep, because each year at renewal, you’ll get an Annual Free Night Award for up to 35,000 points, plus 15 Elite nights per year, counting towards your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.

With this Card, you earn 5 points per dollar on all purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Last but not least, this Card comes with a wide range of insurance coverages: baggage delay, baggage loss or theft, $500,000 travel accident, flight delay, hotel/motel burglary, rental car theft and damage, Purchase Security, Purchase Protection.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite +* Card

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Visa Infinite ^+* Passport^MC Card, you get up to 60,000 Scene+ points as a welcome bonus (a value of $600):

40,000 points after $2,000 in purchases within the first three months
10,000 points after $10,000 in purchases within the first six months
10,000 points after $40,000 in purchases in the first year

Then, each year, if you make at least $40,000 in purchases on the card, you’ll earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 points, which represents a $100 value.

With the Scotiabank Visa Infinite +* Passport^MD Card, you earn 3 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà par IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! grocery stores. FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

You also earn 2 points per dollar spent, including on foreign purchases, in the following categories:

Grocery shopping
Restaurants
Entertainment centers
Transit

The Scotiabank Visa Infinite +* Passport^MD Card is an excellent Visa credit card for these types of purchases.

These points can be used for any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusive packages, and even Airbnb). You can also redeem your points as cash back with Scene+, for example, at your grocery store checkout at the same rate of 1,000 points = $10.

The Scotiabank Visa Infinite +* Passport^MD Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 access to VIP airport lounges
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Concierge service
Travel with confidence with 10 GB of free GigSky global mobile data for 15 days, plus access to GigSky Travel Essentials for essential apps on the go.
Cardholders also receive a free 1 GB/15-day GigSky global mobile data package annually, plus a 20% discount on future GigSky purchases.

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

National Bank Platinum Mastercard®

With the National Bank Platinum Mastercard^®, you can earn 2 points per dollar on grocery and restaurant purchases, and 1.5 points per dollar on gas, EV charging, recurring bills and À la carte Travel.

Since it is an NBC mycredit Mastercard, you can use it at Costco.

Unlike the other two National Bank travel rewards cards, the National Bank Platinum Mastercard^® does not require a minimum income.

What’s more, you can take advantage of a wide range of insurances usually reserved for high-end credit cards:

180-day Purchase protection in the event of theft or damage
Possibility of tripling the manufacturer’s warranty (up to 2 additional years)
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip Interruption Insurance
Out-of-province hospital insurance
Flight Delay Insurance
Baggage insurance in case of delay, theft or loss
Car rental insurance
Mobile Device Insurance

We voted the National Bank Platinum Mastercard^® as the best credit card for young professionals in 2024.

BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card

The new BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card is a no-annual-fee credit card with travel points, requiring no minimum income.

With this offer, you can earn up to 25,000 points as a welcome bonus:

20,000 points after $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months
2,500 points when you redeem 12,000 points with the Pay with Points option over a 12-month period
2,500 points when you pay the balance on time for 12 months

What’s more, you can benefit from an interest rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for nine months (a 2% balance transfer fee applies).

With the new BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card, you earn :

5 points for every two dollars spent on recurring bill payments
5 points for every two dollars spent at the grocery store
5 points for every two dollars spent at restaurant and for takeaway
1 point per two dollars of purchases for all other purchase categories

You can use BMO Rewards points for all travel purchases made through the agency or website of your choice (plane tickets, hotels, rental cars, all-inclusive packages, Airbnb, etc.) or for rewards and gift cards on the BMO Rewards platform.

The new BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card also offers:

Mobile Device Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended warranty insurance

Finally, enjoy three months of Instacart+ membership and a $5 monthly Instacart credit when you sign up with your eligible BMO credit card.

Scotiabank American Express® Card

Scotiabank American Express^® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee credit cards in Canada.

For a limited time, you can earn up to 5,000 points in the first three months, which represents a $50 value for travel (including Airbnb) :

2,500 Scene+ points after $250 spent in the first three months
2,500 Scene+ points after $1000 spent in the first three months

With Scotiabank American Express^® Card, you earn 3 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

Also, you get 2 points per dollar for:

Grocery stores
Restaurants
Entertainment centers
Gas stations
local transportation
streaming services

And 1 point per dollar of purchase for all other purchases.

These points can be used against any travel purchase (air tickets, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb) or with Scene+ partners for cash back.

American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

With this welcome offer for the American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card, you can earn up to 45,000 Aeroplan points. Here’s how:

Earn 35,000 Aeroplan points after charging $7,500 to your Card within the first 6 months.
Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 in the 13th month.

With this Card, you earn 2x the points on purchases with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations.

And 1.5x the points for dining and food delivery services in Canada. Anywhere else, you will earn 1X the points.

Enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada^®* flights.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions about credit cards for beginners

Here are frequently asked questions in the milesopedia community about credit cards for beginners and first-time cardholders.

What is the best first credit card in Canada?

For most beginners, a no-fee cash-back card is the simplest entry point. The top picks are:

The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card, with 2% cash back on 2 to 3 categories of your choice and a welcome bonus of up to $100 after $1,000 in spending in the first 2 months
The PC Mastercard, with 20,000 PC Optimum points on a small $50 spend in the first 2 months and grocery rewards at Loblaws-banner stores
The Rogers Red Mastercard, with 2% cash back on every purchase and an effective 3% on Rogers/Fido bills

None of these cards charges an annual fee, and all three offer purchase protection plus extended warranty.

What credit score do I need to qualify for my first credit card?

Entry-level no-fee cards like the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card, the PC Mastercard and the RBC ION Visa typically require a credit score of 650 or higher, although some applicants have been approved with limited credit history.

If you have no credit history at all (newcomer or student), focus on:

A secured credit card, where you deposit a small amount as collateral
A student credit card, with relaxed approval criteria
A specialty newcomer program that does not require a Canadian credit file

Read our guide to building credit in Canada for the full step-by-step process.

Should a beginner choose cash back or travel rewards?

It depends on how soon you plan to travel:

If you mostly stay in Canada and prefer simplicity, a cash-back card like the Tangerine Money-Back or the Rogers Red Mastercard delivers an immediate 2% return with no learning curve
If you already plan international trips within the next 12 months, a flexible travel-rewards card like the American Express Cobalt (up to 5 points per dollar on groceries and dining) or the RBC ION Visa (1.5x points on groceries, transit and streaming) builds a useful balance faster

Many beginners hold one no-fee cash-back card and one no-fee travel card simultaneously to maximize earnings without paying an annual fee.

Is there a credit card with no annual fee that still earns travel points?

Yes. Several no-fee cards earn quality travel points:

The American Express Green Card, with a 10,000 Membership Rewards welcome bonus on $1,000 of spending in 3 months and 1:1 transfers to Aeroplan, British Airways Avios and Marriott Bonvoy
The RBC ION Visa, with a 7,000 Avion points welcome bonus and 1.5x points on groceries, transit and streaming
The BMO eclipse rise Visa, with up to 25,000 BMO Rewards points redeemable for travel
The Scotiabank American Express Card, with up to 5,000 Scene+ points ($50 value) and 2x on groceries, gas, dining and streaming

Each is an ideal stepping stone before upgrading to a premium Visa Infinite or Amex Gold card.

How do I build my credit score with my first card?

Three simple habits make all the difference:

Pay your statement balance in full by the due date every month, never just the minimum
Keep your credit utilization below 30% of your limit at any given moment, meaning under $300 on a $1,000-limit card
Avoid multiple applications in a short period: each hard inquiry temporarily reduces your score by a few points

After 6 to 12 months of perfect on-time payments, your score generally crosses 700 and you become eligible for premium cards like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + or the American Express Cobalt.

Which beginner card has the best welcome bonus?

Among no-fee and easy-approval cards, the strongest welcome bonuses are:

The American Express Cobalt Card, with up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points over the first year (1,250 points each month with $750 of spending)
The American Express Aeroplan Card, with up to 45,000 Aeroplan points (35,000 with spending plus 10,000 on the first anniversary), no minimum income required
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite, with up to 70,000 Avion points (35,000 on approval, 20,000 with spending, 15,000 on anniversary)

For a true beginner with no annual fee, the PC Mastercard at 20,000 PC Optimum points and only $50 of spending remains the easiest welcome bonus to unlock.

Can I get a credit card as a student or newcomer to Canada?

Yes. Several cards are specifically designed for thin or non-existent Canadian credit files:

The American Express Cobalt Card and the American Express Aeroplan Card have no minimum income requirement, which helps students and newcomers
The National Bank Platinum Mastercard requires no minimum income and adds 180-day purchase protection
Most major banks offer newcomer programs with relaxed credit-history requirements during your first 5 years in Canada

Pair the card with one or two recurring bills (cell phone, streaming subscription) and pay the full balance every month to build a clean payment record. Read our complete guide for newcomers and students for additional steps.