Your guide to being a credit card super churner in Canada
This article has been updated from a previous version. Want to score a free flight or hundreds of dollars ...
Find the right credit card.
Get StartedThe Amex Gold Card is one of the most iconic financial products ever made and it’s easy to see why. With this card, you get to enjoy the prestige and perks of a high-end credit card, but you don’t have to pay an extravagant fee — at least compared to The Platinum Card. The Amex Gold Card costs only $250 per year, which is in line with other premium credit cards out there. It also offers the best rewards rate in Amex’s line up with 2 Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and on travel services.
The Amex Gold Card is one of the most iconic financial products ever made and it’s easy to see why. With this card, you get to enjoy the prestige and perks of a high-end credit card, but you don’t have to pay a premium annual fee — the Gold Card costs $0 for the first year and $250 per year after. It also offers the best rewards rate in Amex’s line up with 2 Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and on travel services.
American Express Gold Rewards Card
If you want the very best, look no further than Amex’s The Platinum Card ®. This premium card is known for its best-in-class membership perks, which include access to airport lounges across Canada and the globe, car rental discounts, VIP status at participating hotels, and even a complimentary golf membership. Not to mention the great exchange rates that come with American Express credit cards, making them the best credit cards for international purchases.
The Platinum Card ® also has a built-in travel insurance policy, so every time you jet off — enjoying your airport valet service, flight upgrades, and other Amex benefits along the way — you know you’re covered.
The Platinum Card
What’s better than free money? Even more free money. American Express refreshed its SimplyCash Preferred Card in early 2017, introducing a 10% cash back rate on all purchases for the first four months and a 2% rate on all purchases after that. The card now outearns most of its competition. Your SimplyCash Preferred Card also gets you access to American Express Invites®, which includes special offers on the hottest events and advance tickets for the biggest concerts.
SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
50+ trusted partners (and growing) on our site to compare mortgage rates, insurance and credit cards
$1 billion+ saved in interest and fees
14+ million Canadians helped per year
American Express is known for exclusivity — not everyone takes Amex credit cards, not everyone spends with one, and not everyone gets to enjoy their world-class perks. So even though Amex credit cards are not accepted in as many places as MasterCard or Visa cards are, that’s more than made up for by the fact that the cards offer Canadians some of the best rewards in the industry. Please check the American Express site for more information on where you can use your American Express credit cards.
Plus, Amex credit cards boast enviable non-reward perks too, like free travel credits, preferred hotel memberships, and much more. You can easily compare the best American Express credit cards in Canada on LowestRates.ca to find the perfect card for all your spending needs.
Here’s what you’re getting when you choose an American Express credit card.
Amex’s classic charge cards, like the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card, allow you to automatically collect Membership Rewards — points that never expire and that can be redeemed for brand-name merchandise, gift cards, or top-of-the-line entertainment rewards. You can also use your Membership Rewards to pay for flights and hotel bookings, or you can convert them into Aeroplan points or Air Miles.
As an added convenience for credit card holders, Amex has partnerships with Canada’s two major travel loyalty programs: Air Miles and Aeroplan. If you’re a frequent flyer who constantly craves new horizons, or you travel all the time for business, here’s why you should take advantage of Amex’s Air Miles or Aeroplan rewards cards. Check the latest American Express credit card deals on LowestRates.ca to find the perfect travel credit card today.
More than 100 companies integrate with Air Miles — Canada’s largest coalition loyalty program — which means you can earn Rewards Miles quickly just for using your Amex credit card. Try the American Express® AIR MILES® Credit Card or the American Express® AIR MILES® Platinum Credit Card and redeem your Air Miles for flight and hotel discounts or for retail merchandise.
Use an Amex Aeroplan rewards card — like the American Express® AeroplanPlus® Card or the American Express® AeroplanPlus® Platinum Card — to increase your miles without changing your spending habits. Originally an incentive program just for Air Canada’s frequent flyers, Aeroplan is now a major loyalty network, partnering with retail partners like Costco, Esso, Home Hardware, Delta Hotels and more than 200 other partners. Use your Aeroplan Miles® for plane tickets, car rentals, hotels, gift cards, merchandise, or experiences.
“Don't leave home without it” has been the call of American Express credit cards for more than three decades and now this rule is even easier to follow: Amex credit cards are available on Apple Pay. You can digitally store your card and use your Apple device to pay for purchases.
If you’re unsure about which American Express credit card to pick, you can easily view side by side comparisons of the best American Express credit cards in Canada.
Here are the different types of American Express cards:
You can apply for a new American Express credit card by simply by completing an American Express credit card application through LowestRates.ca.
To complete your online credit card application, you’ll need to provide:
American Express will use your personal information to pull your credit information and review your overall eligibility for the applied American Express credit card and credit limit. Such hard credit checks can temporarily drop your credit score, but that should bounce back as long as you don’t miss any credit card payments.
Once you pass the American Express credit card eligibility check, you’ll receive your new card in the mail.
When you’re applying for an American Express credit card, a credit score of 670 or higher is usually required to pass the American Express eligibility check.
Just like you would use any other credit card, you can easily use your American Express credit card to make online payments. Most American Express credit cards have their secure four-digit CVV code printed on the front. The CVV code is usually required to securely complete online credit card purchases. When you make a purchase online, avoid saving your credit card information on the site to keep your card information safe.
American Express is one of the most venerable credit card companies in the world, but it actually began as an express mail service in Buffalo, NY. Two of its founders, Henry Wells and William Fargo, later formed the bank Wells Fargo and Co. Amex launched a money order business in the late 1880s, taking its first step toward modern-day finance. Amex issued the first Amex travellers' cheques in 1891, and it has been an active player in the finance world ever since, introducing its first credit card in 1958, its first Amex Gold card in 1966, and its first Platinum Card® in 1984. Explore our Amex card offers above.
LowestRates.ca may receive compensation when you click on links to those products or services; however, our content and calculations are objective and free from bias. The opinions expressed are purely those of LowestRates.ca; thus, partners are not responsible for any editorials or reviews that may appear. For current term and conditions on any advertiser or partner’s product, please visit their website.
This article has been updated from a previous version. Want to score a free flight or hundreds of dollars ...
This article has been updated from a previous version. A decade ago, you probably wouldn’t have hear...