Best credit cards for online shopping

Fact Checked: Tyler Wade

🗓️

Updated: April 03, 2024

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Are you paying more than you need to for your online purchases? Take advantage of all the features and benefits offered by a shopping credit card to save you money.

From cash back to no foreign-exchange fees and extended warranties, you have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to picking a credit card to match your online spending habits. Here is our list of the very best credit cards for online shopping, to save you money and protect your purchases!

Best online credit cards

Shop credit cards Annual fee + Shopping perk Get started
American Express SimplyCash® Preferred Card Annual fee: $9.99/month (Equals a total fee of $119.88 annually)

Shopping perk: Base earn rate of 2% cash back has no limit on the amount you can earn
Apply now
MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® Annual fee: $120

Shopping perk: Price protection
Apply now
Amazon Mastercard Annual fee: $0

Shopping perk: Unlimited 1.5% cash back, or with Prime membership, get 2.5% back at Amazon.ca and no foreign currency exchange
Apply now
Home Trust Preferred Visa Annual fee: $0

Shopping perk: No foreign transaction fees and 1% cash back on all purchases
Apply now
KOHO Annual fee: $0

Shopping perk: Up to an extra 5% cash back at partnered merchants like Altitude sports, Branch furniture and Well.ca
Apply now
Neo Credit card Annual fee: $0

Shopping perk: Up to 5% cash back from retail partners like Amazon, Roots and Lululemon
Apply now

Best online credit card for unlimited cash back

SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express

4% Earn 4% cash back on gas in Canada.

4% Earn 4% cash back on grocery purchases in Canada, up to $1,200 cash back per year.

2% Earn 2% cash back on everything else with no limit.

$119.88 Annual Fee $9.99 per month. Additional cards are free.

20.99% Purchase APR

21.99% Cash Advance APR

Excellent Recommended Credit Score

Welcome Offer

Welcome Bonus of up to $400 in Statement Credits

Learn more

The SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express offers one of the highest cash back rates on the market. If you’re making lots of online purchases, you can’t do much better. In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months. Conditions apply. Once the promotional period ends, you’ll still enjoy a stellar earn rate of 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 4% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually) and 2% cash back on all other purchases. This incredible cash back rate combined with the Buyer’s Assurance and Purchase Protection insurance for purchases made with the card make it the best credit card for online shopping. The only downside is that Amex isn’t accepted everywhere (though there is no shortage of partnering retailers).

Read more: Where is Amex accepted in Canada

If you'd rather not pay an annual fee, the Amex Simply Cash card is a good alternative where you can earn 1.25% cash back on all purchases. 

Key features of the Amex SimplyCash Preferred:

  • Welcome bonus: In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your card. This could add up to $400 in statement credits in the first 10 months. Conditions apply.
  • Regular cash back: Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada, 4% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually) and 2% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Additional perks: Buyer’s Assurance extends manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year; Purchase Protection insurance in the event of damage or theft within 90 days of purchase.
  • Annual fee: $9.99/month (Equals a total fee of $119.88 annually)

Best credit card for price protection online

MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®

30,000 MBNA offers up to a 30,000-point welcome bonus

5 You get five points‡ per dollar spent on groceries, restaurants, digital media, memberships, and household utilities

1 All other purchases outside those categories earn one point per $1 spent.

$120 Annual Fee

19.99% Purchase APR

24.99% Cash Advance APR

22.99% Balance Transfer Rate

Good Recommended Credit Score

$80,000 Required Annual Personal Income

$150,000 Required Annual Household Income

Welcome Offer

Earn up to 30,000 bonus MBNA Rewards Points†† for cash back, gift cards and more.

Learn more

The MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® is one of the few credit cards that offer Price Protection. If you buy something with your card and then find the same item advertised elsewhere at a lower price within 60 days of making your purchase, you can get a refund for the difference, up to $500 per item and up to $1,000 per year. If you’ve ever agonized about getting the best deal when online shopping, you can rest easy with Price Protection knowing you’ll have it no matter what.

Key features:

  • Welcome bonus: 30,000 Welcome Bonus points†† if you spend $2,000 and sign up for paperless e-billing within 90 days of opening your account.
  • Rewards: Earn 5 MBNA Rewards points per $1 spent on groceries, restaurants, memberships, digital media, and household utilities + 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
  • Additional perks: Get an extra 10% of all the points you accumulate annually; Price Protection; Mobile Device Insurance; Purchase Assurance and Extended Warranty.
  • Annual fee: $120
  • Price protection: If you purchase an eligible item with your card and find the same product advertised in Canada at a lower price within 60 days of the purchase, the difference will be refunded subject to a maximum of $500 per item and a calendar year maximum of $1,000 per account. Certain conditions and exclusions apply.

Read more: Best loyalty rewards programs in Canada

††, , , ***, ††††, Terms and Conditions apply.

This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.

Sponsored advertising. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) and TD is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information on this MBNA credit card, please click on the “Apply Now” button.

The Toronto-Dominion Bank is the issuer of this credit card. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. ®MBNA and other-trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

Best no annual fee card for shopping online

Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®

2.5% cash back (unlimited) at Amazon.ca, Whole Foods and no foreign currency fees for Prime members

1.5% cash back (unlimited) for non-prime members at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods

10% rental car discounts at Avis and Budget Rent A Car locations in North America

$0 Annual Fee

19.99% Purchase APR

22.99% Cash Advance APR

Fair Recommended Credit Score

$0 Required Annual Personal Income

$0 Required Annual Household Income

Welcome Offer

Get up to a $65 Amazon.ca Gift Card instantly upon approval

Learn more

The MBNA Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard is one of the few cards in Canada that specifically offers a special cash back rate for online purchases at Amazon.ca. Cardholders get unlimited 1.5% cash back on online purchases each year*. Grocery, gas, and drug store purchases earn 1% back.*

As a special bonus, you can get up to a $65 Amazon.ca gift card instantly upon approval, plus earn 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in eligible purchases at Amazon.ca, Whole Foods, grocery stores, and restaurants. 

If you're a Prime Member, you can earn 2.5% cash back you can use towards purchases at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods, plus you'll save 2.5% on foreign transaction fees. 

NOTE: This is not a typical cash back credit card, you'll get your cash back in Amazon.ca credits

Key features:

  • Regular cash back: 1.5% back on online purchases*; 1% back on gas, groceries, and drug store purchases*; 
  • Prime member cash back: 2.5% back on eligible purchases at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods Market stores, 1% back on other eligible purchases everywhere Mastercard is accepted—from gas stations to groceries and everywhere in between.
  • Additional perks: extended warranty insurance; purchase assurance
  • Annual fee: $0

*Terms and conditions apply.

®/TM Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Used pursuant to license.

Best credit card for foreign purchases online

Home Trust Preferred Visa

1% Earn 1% cash back on all purchases with no cap.

$0 Annual Fee

21.99% Purchase APR

21.99% Cash Advance APR

21.99% Balance Transfer Rate

0.00% Foreign Transaction Fee

Good Recommended Credit Score

$15,000 Required Annual Personal Income

Welcome Offer

No annual fee and no foreign exchange fees

Learn more

The Home Trust Preferred Visa stands out as one of the few cards with no annual fee offering both cash back and no foreign transaction fees. It also has a low minimum personal income requirement, making it easier to get than some competitors on this list.

If you frequently make online purchases from US or other international retailers, the Home Trust Preferred Visa is the best card for you. No other no annual fee cash back card waives the 2.5% fee you would normally pay for purchases in foreign currencies.

Key features:

  • Cash back: 1% cash back* on all eligible purchases (foreign transactions are excluded).
  • Additional perks: No foreign transaction fees; Purchase Protection insurance in the event of damage or theft within 90 days of purchase.
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Not available for residents of Quebec.

*Cash advances, balance transfers, interest, fees and foreign transactions (including online purchases in foreign currencies) are not eligible for CashBack Rewards. 

Best prepaid card for finding great deals online

KOHO Mastercard

1% cash back on groceries and transportation

3% interest earned on your account balance

$0 Annual Fee Option to add credit building (price available in app)

0.00% Purchase APR

0.00% Cash Advance APR

Poor Recommended Credit Score

$0 Required Annual Personal Income

$0 Required Annual Household Income

KOHO’s prepaid card offers all the perks of a luxury credit card, but is also an incredible budgeting and savings tool. Get up to an extra 5% cash back at partnered merchants with KOHO Easy with virtual cards available to shop online securely. This allows for quick and easy online payments with improved security and the reduced risk of identity theft.

If you’re looking for the convenience and ease of a credit card for online shopping, but don’t actually want to apply for credit, KOHO is your best bet. Because you can’t actually spend more money than you’ve loaded to your KOHO card, you’ll never have to deal with a bill coming later.

Key features:

  • Cash back: No annual fee version (KOHO Easy) earns up 1% on groceries and transportation, and up to an extra 5% cash back at partners;
    KOHO Essential version earns 1% on groceries, transportation, eating and drinking, 0.25% all other categories, and up to 5% cash back extra at partnered merchants;
    KOHO Extra version earns 2% cash back on groceries, eating and drinking, and transportation, plus 0.5% back on everything else. The KOHO Extra version also earns up to 6% cash back extra at partners. The latter two of these include a fee.
  • Additional perks: No foreign transaction fees and one free international ATM withdraw per month (both apply for Extra version only).
  • Annual fee: $0 for KOHO or $84 (or $9/month) for KOHO Extra

Honourable mention credit card for online shopping

Neo Credit Card

1% cashback on gas and groceries, no matter where you pay for them.

Up to 15% On first-time purchases at participating partners with new offers added regularly.

Up to 5% cashback on food delivery, streaming and rideshare, restaurants, bars, and cafes and retail partners

$0 Annual Fee Option to pay $4.99 per month to increase cashback to 3% on has and groceries

19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR Dependent on your application, credit profile, and province.

22.99% - 31.99% Cash Advance APR Variable based on your credit profile

Good Recommended Credit Score

The Neo Credit Card in Canada offers enticing benefits for online shoppers featuring an enticing a welcome offer of up to 15% cash back on your first purchase at Neo partners,

After your initial purchase, cardholders can continue to enjoy an up to 5% cashback with Neo Partners like Gap, Hudson Bay, or Amazon all with no annual fees making it an excellent choice for online shopping.

You also earn 1% on everyday cashback on groceries and gas. 

Alternatively, you can opt to pay $4.99 per month and unlock 3% cash back on gas and groceries and boosted cashback with Neo partners. 

Key features:

  • Rewards: Earn up to 5% cashback online with Neo Partners
  • Additional perks: Incredible app to help you manage your money better.
  • Annual fee: $0 (or pay $4.99 per month for better cash back bonuses and more)

*Terms and Conditions apply.

®/TM Mastercard and World Elite are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Used pursuant to license.

Final word

Though there are many ways to save when you shop online, finding the right credit card that will serve your personal spending habits is a big part of that! Where you shop online and what you buy will determine whether you need a card with no foreign transaction fees or an extended warranty benefit. Personal preferences, like whether you want cash back or rewards points, will also influence your decision. Don’t dismiss cards with annual fees if they provide enough additional benefits to make up for the cost.

FAQs

  • Why should I look for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees for online shopping?

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    When shopping online from a retailer outside of Canada, you’re spending money in USD or another currency. Your cash will need to be converted from CAD to the foreign currency at the exchange rate. Furthermore, most credit cards also charge a foreign transaction fee of 2% to 3% on the purchase total. This can add to the expense of shopping online, especially if you regularly make large purchases with your credit card from foreign retailers. By choosing a credit card with no foreign transaction fees you can save money when shopping online.

  • Do I need a credit card to earn cash back on my online spending?

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    Many cards will provide you with cash back for your spending, or rewards points that can be converted to cash back or redeemed for merchandise. While it’s nice to earn cash back on all your spending, especially online, you don’t necessarily need a cash back card to do it. You could also use cash back apps or sites and earn there.

  • Do I need a credit card with extended warranty protection for my online purchases?

    +

    If you regularly buy electronics, home appliances, or other expensive purchases online, a credit card that offers an Extended Warranty feature is a must-have. This doubles the manufacturer's warranty by up to one additional year, extending the life of your purchase. However, if most of your online spending is for items like clothing or consumables, you might find you don't need this feature and can look for a credit card offering a more relevant perk to your spending.

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply. 

About our author

Bridget Casey
Bridget Casey, Author

Bridget Casey is the award-winning entrepreneur behind Money After Graduation, a Canadian financial literacy website aimed at 20 and 30-somethings. She holds a BSc. from the University of Alberta, and an MBA in Finance from the University of Calgary. She has been featured as a millennial financial expert by Yahoo! Finance, TIME Magazine, Business Insider, CBC and BNN. Bridget was recognized as one of Alberta's Top Young Innovators in 2016.

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