Keeper cards · Canada · Updated 2026-06-23
A keeper card is one that still earns its annual fee back in year two and beyond — no signup bonus required. These cards have ongoing perks (anniversary nights, NEXUS application fee rebates, lounge access, strong multipliers) that keep the math positive long-term.
Cards reviewed
21
Highest 1st-year value
+$1,800
No-fee options
8
Last verified
2026-06-23
Offers cross-checked against Canadian sources (Great Canadian Rebates, FinlyWealth, CreditCardGenius, High Interest Savings, RateHub). We earn a referral fee on some links — it never changes our ranking. Affiliate disclosure.
Estimated first-year values assume typical Canadian spending and realistic point redemptions. Actual rewards vary based on redemption method and individual spending behaviour.
Quick answer
What is a keeper credit card?
A keeper credit card produces positive net value in year two and beyond — meaning its ongoing rewards, anniversary perks, and category multipliers exceed its annual fee without relying on the signup bonus. Marriott Marriott Bonvoy points, Amex Cobalt, Scotia Passport Visa Infinite, and Wealthsimple Cash are the strongest Canadian keepers.
Editor's picks
Auto-selected from the cards in this category — across overall pick, best value, beginner-friendly and premium tiers.
Wealthsimple · Visa
Premium no-FX cashback for qualifying clients
Why this ranked: Excellent no-FX option in our current dataset.
Est. 1st-year value
+$640
First year free — annual fee waived in year 1
Annual fee
First Year Free
Best with
Chexy
Wealthsimple · Visa
Best no-fee option
Why this ranked: Excellent no-FX option in our current dataset.
Est. 1st-year value
+$580
First year free — annual fee waived in year 1
Annual fee
First Year Free
Best with
Chexy
RBC · Visa
Newly-revamped Avion Visa Infinite with strong airline transfer partners.
Why this ranked: Ranked highly on estimated first-year value (~$1125 after fees).
Est. 1st-year value
+$1,125
After annual fee
Annual fee
$120/yr
Best with
Chexy
TD · Visa
Top-tier Aeroplan points card with Maple Leaf Lounge access — the gold standard for Air Canada loyalists who can clear the high minimum spend.
Why this ranked: Ranked highly on estimated first-year value (~$1800 after fees).
Est. 1st-year value
+$1,800
After annual fee
Annual fee
$599/yr
Best with
Chexy
All cards in this category
21 cards
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$640
First year free — annual fee waived in year 1
Premium no-FX cashback for qualifying clients
+$60 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full reviewEstimated 1st-year net value
+$700
After annual fee
Highest Membership Rewards earn on everyday food spend
+$75 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full reviewEstimated 1st-year net value
+$580
First year free — annual fee waived in year 1
Best no-fee option
+$60 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full review
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$750
First year free — annual fee waived in year 1
One of the strongest pure-cashback Visas in Canada.
+$220 est. rent rewards via Neobanc · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full reviewEstimated 1st-year net value
+$700
After annual fee
Quietly one of the best household-expense optimizers in Canada: 5x on restaurants, groceries, digital media, memberships and utilities with a low fee makes it a strong keeper.
+$180 est. rent rewards via Neobanc · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full reviewEstimated 1st-year net value
+$950
After annual fee
The best no foreign transaction fee everyday card in Canada.
+$180 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full review
$175 BonusBMO · Visa
Best for lifestyle + everyday spend with strong grocery multiplier
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$950
First year free — annual fee waived in year 1
5x on the four spend categories that matter most — easily one of the best lifestyle Visas in Canada with First Year Free entry.
+$240 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full reviewEstimated 1st-year net value
+$950
After annual fee
Sweet spot between Cobalt and Platinum.
+$60 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full review
$60 BonusRBC · Mastercard
Best for westjet travelers wanting an annual companion fare
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$800
After annual fee
If you fly WestJet even once a year, the companion voucher alone tends to repay the $139 fee.
+$240 est. rent rewards via Neobanc · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full reviewEstimated 1st-year net value
+$850
After annual fee
Best long-term keeper.
+$50 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full review
$100 BonusNeo Financial · Mastercard
Best for canadians who fly united regularly
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$700
After annual fee
First Canadian-issued United co-brand.
+$200 est. rent rewards via Neobanc · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full reviewEstimated 1st-year net value
+—
Net of fees
Wealthsimple's new in-house credit card (currently in beta) earns a flat 1% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee.
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full review
$35 BonusAmerican Express · Amex
Best for marriott loyalists wanting a keeper free night
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$950
After annual fee
Business-side companion to the personal Marriott Bonvoy points card.
+$180 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full reviewTD · Visa
Best for premium aeroplan points travelers with maple leaf lounge access
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$1,800
After annual fee
Top-tier Aeroplan points card with Maple Leaf Lounge access — the gold standard for Air Canada loyalists who can clear the high minimum spend.
+$480 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full reviewEstimated 1st-year net value
+$850
After annual fee
The classic no foreign transaction fee travel card.
+$90 est. rent rewards via Casa · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full review
$25 BonusTD · Visa
Best for mainstream aeroplan points users with first year free entry
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$850
First year free — annual fee waived in year 1
First-year-free entry into Aeroplan points with a generous tiered bonus.
+$220 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full review
CIBC · Visa
Best for aeroplan points beginners with first year free entry (cibc alternative to td)
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$850
First year free — annual fee waived in year 1
CIBC's beginner Aeroplan points card with First Year Free entry.
+$220 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full review
CIBC · Visa
Best for premium aeroplan points travelers (cibc issuer alternative)
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$1,700
After annual fee
CIBC's premium Aeroplan points offering.
+$460 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full review
$200 BonusBMO · Mastercard
Best for porter airlines loyalists in eastern canada
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$1,100
First year free — annual fee waived in year 1
First Year Free + tiered bonus structure makes this an emerging keeper for Porter flyers in Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax and Montreal.
+$280 est. rent rewards via Neobanc · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full review
RBC · Visa
Best for avios collectors targeting international premium cabins
Estimated 1st-year net value
+$1,100
After annual fee
Niche but powerful for sweet-spot redemptions on oneworld carriers.
+$280 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full reviewEstimated 1st-year net value
+$1,125
After annual fee
Newly-revamped Avion Visa Infinite with strong airline transfer partners.
+$220 est. rent rewards via Chexy · after payment costs
We compare multiple Canadian rebate partners before routing you to an application.
Read full reviewEditorial methodology
We filtered to cards explicitly flagged as long-term keepers and ranked by ongoing net annual rewards rather than first-year bonus. The top picks pay for their fee through anniversary perks alone.
We re-verify every offer monthly and recalculate estimated first-year value using the current signup bonus, annual fee and a typical Canadian spending profile. See how we review for the full methodology.
People also compare
Wealthsimple · Visa
Wealthsimple Cash Card (Visa Infinite)
Often comparedWhy: Frequently weighed against Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege by similar Canadian renters.
vs current: Same fee tier — direct head-to-head choice.
See review
Wealthsimple ·
Wealthsimple Credit Card (Beta)
Often comparedWhy: Frequently weighed against Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege by similar Canadian renters.
vs current: Same fee tier — direct head-to-head choice.
See review
CIBC · Visa
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite
Often comparedWhy: Frequently weighed against Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege by similar Canadian renters.
vs current: Same fee tier — direct head-to-head choice.
See review
$200BMO · Mastercard
BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard
Often comparedWhy: Frequently weighed against Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege by similar Canadian renters.
vs current: Same fee tier — direct head-to-head choice.
See review
Reasons are generated from each card's fee, rewards model and platform compatibility — not from advertiser influence. See methodology.
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FAQ
Many high-value Canadian cards win year one purely on the signup bonus, then quietly lose money in year two when the fee reapplies. A keeper card keeps the math positive even after the bonus is spent — so you don't have to cancel-and-reapply to stay ahead.
The Marriott Marriott Bonvoy points Amex offers a Free Night Award (worth $250–$400+) every anniversary, easily covering its $120 fee. The Cobalt's recurring-bill 5x earn produces $400+/year for typical Canadian spending.
Yes — keepers anchor your credit profile (longer average account age) and provide a baseline of consistent rewards. Pair one or two keepers with rotating bonus chasers for the cleanest setup.
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