Comparison by use

Best credit card for travel

Flights, hotels, and travel spending. The ranking below applies the same published spending scenario to every eligible card; change the spending level or the American Express policy to see the matching Top 3.

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Your use

Choose a use

Reference amounts for this use

Each level uses an amount suited to the selected use instead of a profile’s full annual budget.

  • Moderate — $4,800 / year
  • Standard — $7,200 / year
  • High — $12,000 / year

The ranking applies the same amount to every card compared within a given level.

Carte IQ ranking

Best cards for travel

1 Top Carte IQ pick
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card — American Express Canada

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

American Express Canada · American Express

  • Travel
  • Hotel points
Use-case value
$282.45
Annual fees
$120
Annual net value
$162.45
View card
2 Alternative
SimplyCash Card from American Express — American Express Canada

SimplyCash Card from American Express

American Express Canada · American Express

  • Travel
  • Cashback
Use-case value
$90
Annual fees
$0
Annual net value
$90
View card
3 Alternative
RBC ION Visa — RBC

RBC ION Visa

RBC · Visa

  • Travel
  • Transferable points
Use-case value
$76.50
Annual fees
$0
Annual net value
$76.50
View card
3 cards compared with the same assumptions. Based on $7,200 per year at the standard spending level in Quebec.

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