The best credit cards in Canada

It’s important to compare credit cards so you can find the right card for your specific needs. The best credit card for you may not be the best credit card for someone else; it all depends on how much you make, how much spending you do with your card, and what rewards and features are important to you. For example, if you spend $2,000/month on your card and pay it off each month, you may want to find a great rewards credit card. On the other hand, if you're in a cash crunch and there’s a chance you won’t be able to pay off your balance each month, you may want to look at no fee or low interest credit cards, instead. There are many different types of credit cards on Ratehub.ca, so input your credit card spending habits here and find the right one for you.

Credit card interest is charged to your credit account if you do not pay off your full balance each month by the payment due date listed on your credit card statement. If you miss the due date, you will be charged interest on the entire balance of your statement. The interest rate on a credit card is typically 19.99% for purchases and, if you can’t pay off your full balance, it goes back and begins to accrue on the date you made each transaction. For this reason, it’s important you only use your credit card when you know you can afford to pay it back in full by the payment due date to avoid high interest rates and penalties.

Annual fees are attached to some credit cards because you have to pay for the privilege of having the card in order to receive its more lucrative rewards, perks, or low interest rate. Most annual fees range from $20 to $120, but they can go as high as $699. Typically, the higher the annual fee for a credit card, the greater the rewards it offers. Popular credit card reward programs offer travel, cash back and loyalty rewards points.

If you pay off the full balance of your credit card (not just the minimum payment) by the payment due date and use your card responsibly, you could maximize the benefits of using your credit card by earning some great rewards. Of course, it’s important to be aware of the annual fee and understand how to value the points in your credit card’s rewards programs. But if you spend enough money, the rewards could far outweigh the credit card’s annual fees. If you don’t plan on using your card very often, don’t value the rewards or will not take advantage of them, a card with an annual fee might not be the best choice for you. In this case, consider a no fee credit card that still offers some rewards.