The most prestigious credit cards in Canada offer exclusive rewards such as concierge services, flight upgrades, companion flights and much more. There aren’t as many premium credit cards in Canada as there are in other countries, but there are still several elite cards that offer the status, exclusivity and metallic feel you’re looking for.
The Centurion Card® from American Express, also known as the Amex Black Card, is generally considered the most prestigious credit card in Canada. It’s issued by invitation only to the wealthiest Amex cardholders. It has been estimated that the average Amex Black Card owner has an annual household income of approximately $1.3 million and a net worth of around $16 million.
A number of premium credit cards in Canada offer high-tier features like concierge services, travel insurance coverage, complimentary companion flights, access to upgrades, experiences, discounts and tickets, shopping protection and much more. Plus, these elite credit cards are easier to get your hands on than the invitation-only Amex Black Card.
Best for travel
American Express Cobalt Card
700
Min. credit score
$155.88
Annual fee
Up to
5x
Membership Rewards
15,000
Welcome offer
The American Express Cobalt Card offers a generous return on points for everyday purchases. You can collect points for every $1 you spend on dining plus 2 points for gas and transit purchases and 1 point for everything else. This card also comes with up to a 15,000 points welcome bonus if you spend a certain amount of money each month. You'll also get a full suite of travel insurance and purchase protection when you sign up.
Annual Fee
$155.88
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance Rate
21.99%
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome offer
Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points in your first year. Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.
Rewards
Earn 5x the points on eligible groceries, dining, drinks and food delivery in Canada (spend cap applies), 3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions, 2x points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas, 1 extra point per dollar spent on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online and 1 point for every other dollar spent.
Best for lifestyle
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege
760
Min. credit score
$499
Annual fee
Up to
5x
Points
120,000
Points welcome offer
From everyday purchases to travel plans, the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege is a powerful everyday card. To begin, you'll get a $200 lifestyle credit annually, which you can spend however you like. Earn 5x the BMO Points for every $1 spent on groceries, dining in and out, drugstore purchases, gas and travel. You'll earn 1 point per $1 spent on everything else. The card also comes with and impressive sign up bonus: Get up to 120,000 welcome points. Earn 50,000 points after you spend a minimum of $6,000 within the first 3 months, plus earn 30,000 points when you spend at least $30,000 in the first 6 months. Get an additional 40,000 points when you spend at least $75,000 by your first anniversary. You'll also have access to a a host of travel insurance coverage and benefits like airport lounge access and Visa Infinite Privilege Concierge services.
Annual Fee
$499
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
23.99%
Balance transfer APR
23.99%
Welcome offer
Get up to 120,000 welcome points. Earn 50,000 points after you spend a minimum of $6,000 within the first 3 months, plus earn 30,000 points when you spend at least $30,000 in the first 6 months. Get an additional 40,000 points when you spend at least $75,000 by your first anniversary.
Rewards
Earn 5x the BMO Points for every $1 spent on groceries, dining in and out, drugstore purchases, gas and travel. You'll earn 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
Best for airport lounge access
The Platinum Card from American Express
700
Min. credit score
$799
Annual fee
Up to
2x
Membership Rewards
140,000
Welcome offer
The Platinum Card from American Express is an engraved metal card with a hefty annual fee of $799– but the benefits can far outweigh the costs. Earn 2 points for every $1 in card purchases on eligible travel. Plus, enjoy complimentary access to airport lounges worldwide.
Annual Fee
$799
Purchase APR
N/A
Cash Advance Rate
N/A
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome offer
Earn up to 140,000 Membership Rewards points - that’s up to $1,400 towards a weekend away. Earn 100,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in purchases in your first 3 months of cardmembership. Plus, earn 40,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of cardmembership. Offer ends January 28, 2025.
Rewards
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada, 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel, and 1 point for every $1 spent elsewhere.
Best for no foreign transaction fees:
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
700
Min. credit score
$150
ongoing
Annual fee
Up to
3x
Points
35,000
Points welcome offer
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers a sizeable welcome bonus along with a high rewards point earn rate. Earn up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points and get the first year annual fee waived (that’s up to $1,100 in value in the first 12 months). Apply by January 2, 2025. Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ points when you spend at least $40,000 in purchases annually. This card also comes with a full suite of travel insurance, and other travel related perks including complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion Program plus 6 free visits per year to over 1,200 airport lounges around the world.
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($150 thereafter)
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
Welcome offer
Earn up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points and get the first year annual fee waived (that’s up to $1,100 in value in the first 12 months). Apply by January 2, 2025. Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ points when you spend at least $40,000 in purchases annually.
Rewards
Earn 3 Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and more, 2 Scene+ points for every $1 spent on eligible grocery store, dining, entertainment and daily transit purchases, and earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent elsewhere.
Best for earning cash back:
Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card
700
Min. credit score
$120
ongoing
Annual fee
Up to
10%
Cash back
Fee rebate
Welcome offer
Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 spend). Plus, pay no annual fee in the first year. Apply by October 31, 2025. The card also offers a great suite of travel insurance benefits, an introductory balance transfer rate and exclusive offers on dining and entertainment – just watch out for the annual fee of $120.
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($120 thereafter)
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
Welcome offer
Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 spend). Plus, pay no annual fee in the first year. Apply by October 31, 2025.
Rewards
Earn 4% cash back for every $1 spent on eligible grocery purchases & recurring bill payments, 2% per $1 spent on eligible gas purchases & public transit, and 1% per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
Best for signup bonus:
RBC Avion Visa Infinite
650
Min. credit score
$120
Annual fee
Up to
1x
Points
55,000
Points welcome offer
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is a solid travel card, offering perks and travel rewards for any frequent flyer. Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 you spend and an extra 25% on eligible travel purchases. Every 100 points you earn with this card equals CAD$1 that you can use for flights and other perks. You'll also get a suite of travel insurance coverage.
Annual Fee
$120
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance Rate
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
Welcome offer
Get up to 55,000 Welcome Points. Get 35,000 Welcome Points on approval and 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first 6 months. Apply by November 25, 2024.
Rewards
Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 you spend and an extra 25% on eligible travel purchases.
Finder data suggests that men aged 25-34 are most likely to be researching this topic.
| Response | Male (%) | Female (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 65+ | 2.66% | 1.49% |
| 55-64 | 4.89% | 2.02% |
| 45-54 | 11.69% | 4.43% |
| 35-44 | 17.36% | 4.68% |
| 25-34 | 22.60% | 8.75% |
| 18-24 | 12.93% | 6.52% |
The most expensive credit card in Canada is the American Express Centurion Card® with an initiation fee of $10,000 and an ongoing annual fee of $5,000. Other than that, the best premium credit cards in Canada typically come with annual fees between $120 and $800.
Not just our pick for the most prestigious credit card in Canada, the Centurion® Card from American Express is also our pick for the most prestigious credit card in the world.
The Amex Black Card is generally considered to be the first, and most elite card in existence. It has been available in Canada since 2009 and is named for the centurion head featured in the Manhattan credit card company’s iconic logo. This card is traditionally made of titanium and issued by invitation-only to the wealthiest American Express cardholders.
The AMEX Black Card is so exclusive that much of its qualification requirements aren’t published on the company’s website. Rumour has it that you have to spend at least $100,000 USD up to $450,000 USD a year to receive an invitation.
Check out our list of the top 10 most exclusive credit cards in the world to learn more.
Depending on the credit card, the perks of premium credit cards in Canada may include the following:
While it varies between different credit card providers, you can usually expect the following requirements:
When searching for the most prestigious credit card in Canada that you can potentially qualify for, ask yourself the following 4 questions:
The cards in this table are based on the providers available through Finder. These cards are not representative of the entire market. No single premium card will be the best choice for everyone, so compare your options before picking your new card.
Whether a premium credit card is worth its yearly price tag depends on how you plan to use the card. The high costs associated with owning a premium credit card can be a tough pill to swallow, especially since annual fees can be hundreds of dollars. However, these fees can pay for themselves if you take full advantage of the premium perks the card offers.
Like any credit card, you need to make sure the terms behind the rewards and perks of any of the best premium credit cards are a good fit for your lifestyle and spending habits. In fact, it’s even more important for premium cardholders, who could wind up paying high annual fees.
One of the easiest ways to make your premium credit card worth it is to use your annual credits, miles, points or cash back rewards. Take advantage of any travel insurance, concierge services, car rental insurance, airport lounge access, experiences, financial tools and all other perks your card offers.
The most prestigious credit cards represent much more than just a payment option or a line of credit. Your premium credit card can also be a symbol of status and distinction. However, for this type of prestige, there’s often a hefty price tag in the form of a high annual fee. Learn more about your credit card options in our detailed guide.
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