SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express vs CIBC Costco Mastercard: Which one is better?


SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

4.5

More Details

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

CIBC Costco Mastercard

CIBC Costco Mastercard

3.4

More Details

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$513.59


Welcome Bonus

$400


Annual Fee

$119.88


First Year Value

$793.71

$393.71 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$347.33


Welcome Bonus

$0


Annual Fee

$0


First Year Value

$347.33

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Insurance Included*

  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1000
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year

  • travel accident medical

    Emergency Out of province Medical

    $5M/insured Person
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500
  • baggage on roller

    Baggage Delay

    $500
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $500
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $500
  • heart lock

    Travel Accident

    $100,000
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $85K up to 48 days

Insurance Included

  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1000
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year

Extra Benefits*

  • Amex logo

    American Express Experiences

Extra Benefits

N/A

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

21.99%1

Cash Advance:

21.99%1

Interest Rates

Purchase:

20.75%

Cash Advance:

22.49%

Annual Fee*

$119.88

Annual Fee

$0

Income Required*

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

Income Required

Min Personal Income:

$15,000

Min Household Income:

N/A

Welcome Bonus*

Earn up to $400 in Statement Credits by earning a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 on your Card in your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express Cardmember. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months. Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Rewards Rate*

  • 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
  • 4% cash back on eligible grocery purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
  • 2% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Rewards Rate

  • 3% cashback on Restaurants and CostcoGas
  • 2% cashback on Costco.ca purchases (Max $160 yearly)
  • 2% cashback on Gas (Max $100 yearly)
  • 1% on everything else

Is this card worth it?

The Simply Cash Preferred is one of the best cashback credit cards in Canada. The base cashback rate of 2% is great for all purchases, but the 4% on groceries and gas, which are two of the highest expenses for most people is the cherry on top of their great cashback program.

Is this card worth it?

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

  • Highest cashback rate on groceries and gas in Canada
  • Great base cashback rate for all purchases

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

  • For a card with an annual fee, the insurance coverage could have been higher
  • American Express has a lower merchant acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard

Cons

  • Doesn't come with a lot of benefits
  • Doesn't earn much on Costco Warehouse purchases!

Legal


*American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check for full details and current product information.
1 If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 28.99%.

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