No annual fee credit cards in Canada 2026 offer several ways to earn cash back without paying a yearly card fee.
These cards do not all work the same way. Some offer higher cash back on groceries, while others focus on restaurants, gas, recurring bills, transit or categories you can choose yourself.
This guide compares six no-annual-fee cash back credit cards currently available in Canada. Rather than ranking the cards, the goal is to show how their regular rewards and features differ so you can compare the options based on your own spending habits.
Note: Credit card rates, rewards, eligibility requirements and promotional offers can change. Always check the card issuer’s current terms before applying. This article is for general information and comparison purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
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No Annual Fee Credit Cards in Canada 2026: Quick Comparison
Here is a quick look at the regular cash back structures of six no-annual-fee cards.
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Regular Cash Back Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| TD Cash Back Visa | $0 | 1% on selected everyday categories; 0.5% on other purchases |
| RBC Cash Back Mastercard | $0 | Up to 2% on groceries; up to 1% on other qualifying purchases |
| CIBC Dividend Visa | $0 | 2% groceries; 1% selected categories; 0.5% other purchases |
| Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa | $0 | 1% selected everyday categories; 0.5% other eligible purchases |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | $0 | 2% in 2 selected categories, or 3 with eligible Savings Account setup; 0.5% elsewhere |
| BMO CashBack Mastercard | $0 | 3% groceries up to $500 per statement period; 1% recurring bill payments up to $500; 0.5% other eligible purchases |
The details and spending limits that apply to accelerated earn rates vary by card, so the headline percentage alone does not tell the whole story.
TD Cash Back Visa Card
The TD Cash Back Visa Card has a $0 annual fee.
Cardholders currently earn 1% in Cash Back Dollars on eligible grocery, gas and EV charging, public transit, recurring bill payments, and streaming, digital gaming and media purchases. Other purchases earn 0.5%.
The 1% accelerated rate is subject to annual spending caps in the applicable categories. TD also allows Cash Back Dollars to be redeemed toward the account balance, and rewards do not expire while the account remains open and in good standing.
RBC Cash Back Mastercard
The RBC Cash Back Mastercard also has a $0 annual fee.
Its regular rewards include 2% cash back on the first $6,000 in grocery purchases per annual period, then 1% on groceries after that. Other qualifying purchases earn 0.5% on the first $6,000 and 1% after that. RBC describes the card as offering unlimited cash back overall, although different earn rates and thresholds apply.
The regular purchase interest rate currently shown by RBC is 20.99%.
CIBC Dividend Visa Card
The CIBC Dividend Visa Card has a $0 annual fee and a minimum annual household income requirement of $15,000 according to CIBC.
Its regular cash back structure includes:
- 2% on eligible groceries
- 1% on eligible gas, EV charging, transportation, dining, recurring payments and eligible CIBC by Expedia travel purchases
- 0.5% on other purchases
CIBC states that there is no limit on the total amount of cash back that can be earned, although category terms and conditions still apply.
Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card
The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card has a $0 annual fee and currently lists a 20.99% purchase interest rate.
It earns 1% cash back on several everyday spending categories, including eligible groceries, food delivery, drugstores, gas, EV charging, transit and recurring payments or subscriptions.
Other eligible purchases earn 0.5% cash back. Scotiabank currently allows cash back redemption once at least $25 has accumulated.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card takes a different approach because cardholders can select the categories where they want to earn more.
The card has a $0 annual fee and earns 2% cash back in two selected categories. If cash back rewards are deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account, a third 2% category can be unlocked.
All other purchases earn 0.5%.
Available categories include groceries, restaurants, gas, entertainment, drug stores, recurring bills, public transportation and parking, among others. Tangerine currently lists a 20.95% purchase interest rate and a minimum gross annual income requirement of $12,000.
BMO CashBack Mastercard
The BMO CashBack Mastercard is another no-annual-fee option for Canadians who prefer cash back on everyday purchases.
Cardholders earn 3% cash back on eligible grocery purchases, up to $500 in spending per statement period. The card also earns 1% cash back on eligible recurring bill payments, up to $500 per statement period, and 0.5% cash back on other eligible purchases.
Cash back can be redeemed for as little as $1 and can be applied as a statement credit or deposited into an eligible BMO chequing, savings, or InvestorLine account. Rewards do not expire while the account remains open and in good standing
What to Compare Beyond the Annual Fee
A $0 annual fee can make a card appealing, but when evaluating no annual fee credit cards in Canada 2026, it should not be the only factor you compare.
Look at where you normally spend money each month. A higher grocery rate may be useful for one household, while restaurant rewards, recurring bills, transit or flexible spending categories may matter more to another.
You should also check the regular purchase interest rate. Cash back can quickly be outweighed by interest charges if a balance is carried from month to month.
Other factors worth checking include income requirements, insurance coverage, redemption rules, spending caps and whether additional cardholders are free.
Are No Annual Fee Credit Cards Really Free?
“No annual fee” means there is no regular yearly fee simply for holding the card. It does not mean every possible credit card charge is eliminated.
Interest can apply when a balance is carried, and additional charges may apply to transactions such as cash advances, foreign currency purchases, balance transfers or other services depending on the card.
For that reason, it is important to review the issuer’s full rates and fees before applying.
No Annual Fee Credit Cards in Canada 2026 FAQ
Do no annual fee credit cards earn cash back?
Yes. Several no-annual-fee cards in Canada offer cash back. The earning rate and eligible purchase categories vary considerably between cards.
Is a no annual fee card always cheaper?
Not necessarily. Avoiding an annual fee reduces one cost, but interest and other transaction fees can still apply. Your spending and payment habits matter.
Which no annual fee credit card should I choose?
When choosing no annual fee credit cards in Canada 2026, there is no single card that suits everyone. Compare the categories where you spend the most, regular interest rates, income requirements, reward limits and other features before deciding.
Can credit card cash back rates change?
Yes. Issuers can change rewards, fees, rates and other terms. Promotional offers can change even more frequently, which is why checking the issuer’s current page before applying is important.
Bottom Line
There are several no annual fee credit cards in Canada in 2026, and their reward structures can be quite different even though they all charge $0 as the regular annual fee.
Some emphasize groceries and everyday expenses, some offer flexible categories, and others provide higher cash back for specific spending such as dining.
Rather than choosing a card based only on the highest advertised percentage, compare the regular earning rules, spending caps, interest rates, eligibility requirements and the categories that match how you actually spend.
Related Reading: If you want to learn more about Canadian financial benefits, check out our guide on Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit 2026.