Credit Card Reward Programs Go Head to Head

Suggestions

Finding it hard to choose? Match yourself to one of these profiles and that card should be your best fit!

Just give me the cash:

I spend $0-$9,000 with my credit card each year: MBNA Smart Cash
I spend $9,000-$20,000 with my credit card each year:
     Less than 19% of my credit card spending is on gas and groceries: National Bank of Canada Ultramar Card
     More than 19% of my credit card spending is on gas and groceries: MBNA Smart Cash
     [If you spent $1000 on your credit card in a month, 19% would be $190]
I spent more than $20,000 with my credit card each year: MBNA Smart Cash

I make a considerable amount of purchases...

Air Miles Partners (A&P/Dominion, Shell, LCBO, Pharma Plus, etc.): American Express AIR MILES Credit Card or MBNA Smart Cash Mastercard
Best Buy: Reward Zone Visa by Chase
Canadian Tire: Canadian Tire Options MasterCard or MBNA Smart Cash Mastercard
Cineplex Cinemas: Scotiabank Scene Visa or MBNA Smart Cash Mastercard
Costco:
     I spend less than $20,000 per year: MBNA Smart Cash Mastercard or National Bank of Canada Ultramar Card
     I spend over $20,000 per year: American Express Costco Platinum Cash Rebate Card
Holt Renfrew: American Express Holt Renfrew Card or MBNA Smart Cash MasterCard
Starbucks: Royal Bank Starbucks Duetto Visa

I buy a lot of gas at...

Canadian Tire Gas Bar: Canadian Tire Options MasterCard
Petro-Canada: Citibank Petro-Points Mastercard
Esso: MBNA Smart Cash MasterCard or Royal Bank Esso Visa
Ultramar: National Bank Ultramar Card

I travel a lot (or I'd like to travel if I could afford it)

     Less than 19% of my credit card spending is on gas and groceries: National Bank of Canada Ultramar Card or American Express Blue Sky Credit Card
     More than 19% of my credit card spending is on gas and groceries: MBNA Smart Cash
     [If you spent $1000 on your credit card in a month, 19% would be $190]

Next: A comprehensive breakdown of all the cards mentioned in this article.