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Best Credit Cards for Stores
Sara Skodak
AuthorSure, we use credit cards to pay our bills, book our trips, and build credit, but a lot of the time, we also simply use them to fund our shopping sprees.
Whether this be the essentials like groceries, or luxury impulse buys off Amazon, a good card can cover it all.
In fact, there are actually plenty of top credit cards that are co-branded with different stores to help optimize your purchases.
In this blog post, we’ll help you discover the best credit cards branded by retailers like Amazon, Costco, Canadian Tire and more. Of course, the best overall store credit card for you will depend on which store you frequent in particular.
Best Credit Card for Amazon Shoppers
There’s one credit card that’s been crafted with Amazon shoppers in mind.
Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®
Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®
3.1
APPLY NOW
go to MBNA's website
I currently have or may soon have an Amazon Prime account
Welcome Bonus
Up to $150
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
19.99% / 22.99%
If you are a Prime member and want to maximize your cashback on your Amazon purchases, then this card is the best option for that specific purchase category. However, for other purchases, many other cards offer better benefits and rewards.
Pros
- If you are a Prime member, the 2.5% cashback offered on Amazon purchases is unbeatable in terms of rewards compared to other credit cards.
- The 2.5% cashback on all foreign currency transactions helps to offset the extra 2.5% fee.
Cons
- It offers very little on non-Amazon and non-Whole Foods purchases, with many other well-rounded credit cards out there that offer much more.
- Very limited benefits.
Rewards
- 2.5% cashback on Amazon.ca, Whole Foods and foreign currency transactions IF a prime member
- Only 1.5% on Amazon.ca and Whole foods and 1% on foreign currency transactions IF not a prime member
- 1% cashback on everything else
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to a year
Benefits
Details
Car Rental Discount
10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Trip and legal Assistance
Yes
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
For nearly every online shopping itch, the Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard does the trick.
If you own this card and you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’ll earn solid cashback on Amazon.ca purchases, plus the same higher cashback rate at Whole Foods and on foreign transactions. If you don’t have an Amazon Prime membership, your cashback rates on these categories will be slightly lower.
To entice you from the very beginning, the Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard offers a generous welcome bonus of extra cashback on Amazon.ca, Whole Foods, grocery, and restaurant purchases for the first half of your first year of membership.
In all honesty, the insurance on this card is pretty standard, offering only purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. That said, the added benefits like car rental discounts at Avis and Budget locations, and trip and legal assistance are certainly helpful.
So, if you’re in the market for an Amazon-optimizing card that can also boost your Whole Foods purchases and foreign transactions, look no further than the Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard.
Best Credit Card for Canadian Tire Shoppers
Let’s say you’re looking for the best credit card that's co-branded with Canadian Tire. In that case, you’re looking for a Triangle Credit Card.
Triangle World Elite Mastercard
Triangle World Elite Mastercard
3.5
APPLY NOW
go to Canadian Tire's website
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
21.99% / 22.99%
This card is the only one with no annual fee that provides a roadside assistance benefit, which can be a lifesaver for people who travel on the road a lot. The main reason to apply for this card is to have free access to this benefit, given that the rewards are not great in most categories (except for Canadian Tire and grocery purchases).
Pros
- The only credit card in Canada that offers the highly valuable benefit of roadside assistance!
Cons
- This card has a very low acceptance rate based on prior user applications.
It's not a great option to have as your primary credit card, either in terms of rewards or benefits. However, it's a good card to complement your other credit cards.
Rewards
- 4% back in CanadianTire dollars on almost everything at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s, L’Équipeur, Party City, Pro Hockey Life, Atmosphere, Sports Rousseau, Hockey Experts, L’Entrepôt du Hockey, and participating Sports Experts stores
- 3% back in CanadianTire dollars on Groceries (Max 360) Except Costco and Walmart
- 1% back in CanadianTire on all other purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
Up to 90 days.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
31 days
Benefits
Details
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Gas Discount
Save 7¢/L on premium fuel and 5¢/L on all other fuel types at Gas+ and Petro-Canada locations on gas.svg)
Concierge Services
Roadside Assistance
Roadside Assistance Gold Plan: With the Triangle World Elite Mastercard Roadside Assistance Gold Plan, you get towing distance of up to 250 km per service call to the destination of your choice (within Canada or the US)
Eligibility
Credit Score
ExcellentAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
The top Triangle credit card for Canadian Tire shoppers is the Triangle World Elite Mastercard. This contender balances admirable rewards, coverage, and benefits.
The card grants you high Canadian Tire dollar cashback on almost anything at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s, L’Équipeur, Party City, Pro Hockey Life, Atmosphere, Sports Rousseau, Hockey Experts, L’Entrepôt du Hockey, and participating Sports Experts stores. This is followed by solid Canadian Tire dollar cashback on groceries (excluding those purchased at Costco and Walmart).
For insurance, expect standard purchase protection insurance and helpful car rental damage and theft insurance.
Regarding benefits, the Triangle World Elite Mastercard boasts gas discounts on premium fuel and all other fuel types at Gas+ and Petro Canada locations, it also includes on-call concierge services. However, the most notable perk on this card is the rare Roadside Assistance Gold Plan which helps you out anytime you get a flat tire, are locked out of your vehicle, or need a towing service. In fact, the Triangle World Elite Mastercard is the only no-annual-fee credit card in Canada that offers roadside assistance.
Overall, the Triangle World Elite Mastercard is ideal for those who want to collect Canadian Tire dollars on Canadian Tire store purchases and groceries in order to support future Canadian Tire shopping. The card is also perfect for those seeking valuable roadside assistance for no annual fee.
Triangle Mastercard
Triangle Mastercard
APPLY NOW
go to Canadian Tire's website
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Rewards Rate
0.5x - 4x CanadianTire Dollars
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
20.99% - 25.99% / 22.99% - 27.99% (for Quebec 21.99%)
The Triangle Mastercard is an excellent choice for loyal Canadian Tire shoppers, offering high rewards at their stores and a decent grocery cash-back rate. However, it falls short in other spending categories, offers no insurance, and the rewards can only be redeemed at Canadian Tire locations. If you’re not frequently shopping at these stores, there are better no-fee alternatives available.
Pros
- High rewards at Canadian Tire: 4% back on pre-tax purchases at Canadian Tire stores.
- 1.5% on groceries: Offers a decent return on grocery purchases with no annual fee.
- No annual fee: Makes it easy to keep in your wallet without any cost.
- No income requirement: No specified income threshold, making it accessible.
Cons
- Low rewards elsewhere: Only 0.5% back on purchases outside of Canadian Tire and grocery stores.
- Limited rewards redemption: Rewards are restricted to use within Canadian Tire's family of stores.
- No insurance coverage: Unlike other credit cards, this one does not include purchase protection or extended warranty.
Rewards
- 4% back in CanadianTire dollars on almost everything at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s, L’Équipeur, Party City, Pro Hockey Life, Atmosphere, Sports Rousseau, Hockey Experts, L’Entrepôt du Hockey, and participating Sports Experts
- 1.5% back in CanadianTire dollars on eligible grocery purchases (on the first $12,000 per year; excludes Costco and Walmart)
- 0.5% back in CanadianTire on all other eligible purchases
Benefits
Details
Gas Discount
Save 7¢/L on premium fuel and 5¢/L on all other fuel types at Gas+ and Petro-Canada locations on gas
Eligibility
Credit Score
Very GoodAnnual Income
N/A
Maybe you don’t meet the high income requirements of the Triangle World Elite Mastercard. In that case, opt for the Triangle Mastercard instead.
This Triangle alternative earns you the same Canadian Tire dollar cashback rate on almost anything at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s, L’Équipeur, Party City, Pro Hockey Life, Atmosphere, Sports Rousseau, Hockey Experts, L’Entrepôt du Hockey, and participating Sports Experts stores. That said, the standard Mastercard version earns cardholders slightly less cashback in Canadian Tire dollars on eligible groceries, plus a below-average base rate on everything else.
Unfortunately, this version also lacks insurance coverage and only offers the same gas discount on premium fuel and other fuel types at Gas+ and Petro Canada as a perk.
Therefore, you’d likely only swap your Triangle World Elite Mastercard for a Triangle Mastercard if you don’t meet the Triangle World Elite Mastercard’s high income requirements. So, the best Canadian Tire credit card for you really comes down to how much you make in a year.
Best Credit Card for Costco Shoppers
If you're constantly fuelling up on Costco Gas, or browsing the digital aisles of Costco.ca, this next card might be made for you.
CIBC Costco Mastercard
CIBC Costco Mastercard
2.8
APPLY NOW
go to CIBC's website
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
20.75% / 22.49%
The CIBC Costco Mastercard offers one of the highest cashback rates on restaurant purchases in Canada, making it an excellent choice for optimizing rewards in this specific category, especially since it has no annual fees. If you use Costco Gas or shop on Costco Online, there is a decent cashback rate as well. However, for other categories, the cashback rate is average. Notably, you will be better off using other credit cards for warehouse Costco purchases, as you will only earn 1% cashback. If you are looking for no annual fee credit cards only, this is a good card to go for.
Pros
- Decent reward rate for a no annual fee credit card
- One of the highest cashback rates for restaurant purchases in Canada
- Has Mobile insurance
Cons
- Doesn't come with a lot of benefits
- Doesn't earn much on Costco Warehouse purchases!
Rewards
- 3% cash back on Restaurants
- 3% cash back on Costco Gas stations and 2% cash back on non-Costco Gas up to a combined maximum of $5,000 in spending (max $150 cashback per year)
- 2% cash back on Costco.ca purchases up to $8,000 in spending (max $160 cashback per year)
- 1% on everything else
Insurance
Coverage
Mobile Device Insurance
$1000Purchase Protection
Up to 90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a year
Eligibility
Credit Score
Very GoodAnnual Income
$15,000 personal
On top of earning you strong cashback on Costco Gas and Costco.ca purchases, the CIBC Costco Mastercard also earns you impressive cashback on dining, plus some cashback on non-Costco gas. The restaurant purchase optimization is especially notable since dining out can get expensive. Ironically, there’s no optimization category on Costco warehouse purchases. That said, your rewards redemption gift certificate is redeemable specifically at Costco warehouses.
The card also conveniently doubles as your Costco membership, which is kind of why it has no annual fee. Technically, the “annual fee” is the one you’ve already covered for your Costco membership in the first place – which can run anywhere between $65 and $130 per year.
There are no added benefits on this card, but cardholders will benefit from standard coverage like purchase protection and extended warranty insurance, not to mention valuable mobile device insurance.
All in all, the CIBC Costco Mastercard is still the best (and only) co-branded Costco credit card on account of its cashback earning potential on Costco Gas and Costco.ca purchases, plus its no-fee cost for current Costco members.
Best Credit Card for Loblaw Brand Shoppers
If you’re trying to piece together the best options for Loblaw brand shopping, opt for a credit card from PC!
PC Insiders™ World Elite® Mastercard®
PC Insiders™ World Elite® Mastercard®
2.9
APPLY NOW
go to PC Financial's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 150,000 PC Optimum™ points ($150 value)
Annual Fee
120 $0
Interest Rates
21.99% - 26.99% (not for Quebec) / 22.97% - 27.97% (not for Quebec)
The PC Insiders™ World Elite® Mastercard® is a great card for individuals who frequently shop at Loblaw banner stores, Shoppers Drug Mart®, and Joe Fresh®, and want to maximize their rewards through the PC Optimum™ program. With high point-earning rates and premium perks, it offers great value, especially in the first year when the annual fee is waived. However, the card’s benefits may not justify the $120 annual fee for those who do not regularly shop at these stores.
Pros
- Generous points system: High points earned at Loblaw banner stores, Shoppers Drug Mart®, Joe Fresh®, and Esso™/Mobil™ stations, making it ideal for frequent shoppers at these stores.
- PC Express™ Pass: Unlimited $0 online grocery delivery and pickup, valued at $99.99 per year for eligible orders.
- Additional perks: 24/7 concierge services, Mastercard Global Service™, car rental insurance, and identity theft assistance.
- Travel emergency medical insurance: Covers trips up to 10 days for individuals under 65 years of age.
- Extended warranty and purchase assurance: Free purchase assurance covers theft, loss, or damage for 90 days, and extended warranty doubles the manufacturer's warranty for up to an additional year.
Cons
- Annual fee: After the first year, the $120 annual fee applies, which may be high for some users, especially those who don’t maximize their spending at PC-affiliated stores.
- Lower earn rate for general purchases: The card offers only 10 points per $1 on purchases outside of Loblaw banner stores, Shoppers Drug Mart®, and other affiliated partners.
- Income requirements: There may be income requirements to qualify for this World Elite card, making it less accessible for some applicants.
Rewards
- Up to 70 points per litre (7¢ / litre in points)* at Esso™ and Mobil™ stations in Canada (50 points / litre + 20 points / litre extra when you fill up over 150 litres in one calendar month)
- 50 points per $1 dollar spent at Shoppers Drug Mart® stores
- 40 points per $1 dollar spent at Loblaw® banner grocery stores (e.g. Loblaws®, Atlantic Superstore, Extra Foods, Fortinos, Loblaws, Maxi, Maxi® & cie, no frills®, Provigo, Real Canadian Superstore®, SaveEasy, SuperValu, valu-mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs) 40 points per $1 spent Joe Fresh® stores
- 20 points per $1 spent in PC travel
- 10 points per $1 dollar spent on all other purchases
- Unlimited $0 grocery delivery and pickup on eligible orders of $35 or more with a complimentary PC Express™ Pass (valued at $99.99 per year)
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Out of province Medical
$1M/person, up to 10 daysCar Rental Damage & Theft
Vehicle MSRP under $65,000 and up to 31 consecutive daysPurchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Benefits
Details
Concierge Services
24/7 concierge service
Identity Theft Assistance
avoid identity theft or restore identity
Eligibility
Credit Score
Very GoodAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
The PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard is excellent for frequent shoppers at Loblaws and affiliated Loblaw brand stores. Other partnered retailers include Shoppers Drug Mart and Joe Fresh.
Use this card to collect tons of PC Financial points on Esso and Mobil gas, Shoppers Drug Mart purchases, Loblaw banner groceries (at places like Loblaws, No Frills, and Real Canadian Superstore), plus PC Travel. On top of all of that, you’ll receive unlimited grocery pickup and delivery on eligible orders with a complimentary PC Express Pass.
This rewards program is paired with good insurance coverage like emergency out of province medical and car rental damage and theft insurance, plus nice benefits like concierge services and identity theft assistance.
Before applying, just keep in mind that the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard has some higher income requirements and an annual fee. Thankfully though, the annual fee is waived for your first year of membership.
So, if you’re a Loblaw brand fan who wants a nice mix of high-point earning potential and helpful perks, the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard is a great card for you to keep in your back pocket – as long as you meet those high income requirements.
Best Credit Card for Tim Hortons Frequenters
Perhaps you’re less likely to swipe your card for clothing and more likely to tap it for coffee, that’s where this next contender comes in.
Tims® Mastercard
Tims® Mastercard
2.4
APPLY NOW
go to Tims Financial's website
Welcome Bonus*
$20 gift card upon first purchase with the card
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates
20.99% - 26.99%□ / 22.99% - 27.99%□
If you have a low credit score, you might have a higher chance of getting approved for this card. This is a great card for loyal Tim Hortons customers and Canadian newcomers as it will help you build your score over time, even though the rewards might not be very high. You also have the option of getting the secured version which is even easier for approval.
Pros
- Easier approval requirement compared to many other cards.
- Good credit card for building credit history.
Cons
- Insurance coverage is the most basic, with only Purchase protection and an Extended warranty, and even those cover a very small ($1000) compared to other credit card insurance.
Rewards*
- 15x points per $1 when you scan for Tims Rewards
- 5x points per $1 on groceries (excluding Walmart and Costco), gas & EV charging, transit, taxi's & rideshares up to 100,000 points per year
- 0.5x point per $1 dollar on everywhere else
Insurance*
Coverage*
Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
*Conditions Apply. The Tims® Mastercard is issued by Neo Financial™ pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Inc. Tims Financial is a registered trademark of Tim Hortons Canada. Check here for full details and current product information.
The Tims Mastercard allows cardholders to earn plenty of Tims Rewards points every time they scan for Tims rewards or cover a grocery bill (at grocers excluding Walmart or Costco), fuel up on gas or electric vehicle charging, or pay for transit, taxis, and rideshare programs. So, really, you can optimize a lot more than just your morning cup.
This card also gives you a bit of standard coverage, specifically purchase protection and extended warranty insurance.
In summary, the Tims Mastercard is best for frequent Tim Hortons customers looking to boost their daily brew and other everyday errands.
Best Credit Card for Walmart Shoppers
Maybe your ideal store-affiliated credit card is one that optimizes your Walmart purchases. If so, this category is for you!
Walmart Rewards™ World Mastercard®
Walmart Rewards™ World Mastercard®
APPLY NOW
go to Walmart's website
Welcome Bonus
$45 on Approval
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
20.89% - 26.99% / 22.97% - 27.99%
The Walmart Rewards World Elite Mastercard is ideal for frequent Walmart shoppers who want to spread out payments on larger purchases without paying much interest. It's especially beneficial for those who frequently shop at Walmart's online store. However, it offers a rather average reward rate for other types of purchases, making many other cards a better choice for non-Walmart spending categories.
Pros
- Installment Payments: Allows you to pay for Walmart purchases in installments over six months.
Cons
- Limited Redemption: Rewards can only be redeemed at Walmart and Walmart.ca.
- Lower Rewards: Offers lower rewards compared to other store and cashback credit cards.
- Minimal Benefits: No additional benefits or insurance coverage aside from purchase assurance and extended warranty.
Rewards
- 3% cashback on Walmart.ca purchases
- 1.25% cashback on Walmart store and gas purchases
- 1% cashback on all credit card purchases.
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 days
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$100,000 household
The best Walmart-branded credit card on the Canadian market is the Walmart Rewards World Mastercard.
This card earns you the highest cashback on Walmart.ca purchases, plus decent cashback on Walmart warehouse purchases. Aside from Walmart-specific optimization, this card also grants you some cashback on gas.
The focus of this card is its rewards program, so the only extra perk you’ll have is purchase protection insurance.
Overall, the Walmart Rewards World Mastercard is best for frequent Walmart shoppers because it offers impressive cashback rates on Walmart.ca purchases and decent cashback on Walmart in-store shopping as well.
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