American Express Canada operates independently of Amex USA with its own card lineup, Membership Rewards (MR) ecosystem, and transfer partners. Amex Canada cards are among the highest-earning credit cards available to Canadians — particularly the Amex Cobalt, which earns 5x MR on food and drink at the best everyday rate of any Canadian card.
Amex Canada Credit Cards Overview
Personal Rewards Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Earn Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Cobalt | $155.88/yr ($12.99/mo) | 5x MR food & drink; 3x streaming; 2x transit/travel; 1x other | Best everyday earn in Canada |
| Amex Gold Rewards | $250 | 3x MR travel/gas; 2x grocery; 1x other | Mid-premium; travel earn |
| Amex Green | $0 | 1x MR everywhere | No-fee MR entry card |
| Amex Platinum | $799 | 3x MR travel; 2x dining; 1x other | Ultra-premium; lounge + $200 travel credit |
Personal Cash Back Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Earn Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex SimplyCash | $0 | 2% grocery/gas (first year); 1.25% other | No-fee cash back |
| Amex SimplyCash Preferred | $119.88/yr | 4% grocery; 2% gas; 1.25% other | Best grocery cash back |
Business Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Earn Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Business Gold | $199 | 3x MR on top two spend categories | Business owners; flexible bonus |
| Amex Business Platinum | $899 | 1.25x MR everywhere; 50% bonus on $10K+ charges | High-spend businesses; lounge + travel credits |
| Amex Business Edge | $99 | 3x MR on office/grocery/gas; 1x other | Small business everyday |
Hotel Co-Branded Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Programme | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Marriott Bonvoy | $120 | Marriott Bonvoy | Marriott/Westin/Sheraton stays |
| Amex Hilton Honors | $0 | Hilton Honors | No-fee Hilton earn |
| Amex Hilton Honors Surpass | $169 | Hilton Honors | Gold status + weekend night |
The Amex Cobalt: Canada’s Best Everyday Rewards Card
The Amex Cobalt is widely regarded as Canada’s top credit card for everyday earners:
- 5x MR points on all eligible food and drink purchases (restaurants, bars, cafés, grocery stores, food delivery apps)
- 3x MR on eligible streaming subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, Crave, etc.)
- 2x MR on transit and eligible travel purchases
- 1x MR on everything else
- Monthly fee of $12.99/month ($155.88/year) — charged monthly for flexibility
At 5x MR on grocery + dining, and the ability to transfer MR to Aeroplan 1:1, the Cobalt is effectively a 5x Aeroplan-earning card on food purchases — no other Canadian card comes close.
Amex Platinum: Ultra-Premium Perks
The Amex Platinum ($799/year) is Canada’s most expensive personal credit card, justified by:
- $200 annual travel credit (applied to any travel purchase)
- Priority Pass membership with unlimited lounge visits for cardholder
- Centurion Lounge access globally
- Access to hotel elite status (Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold)
- Concierge service
- Comprehensive travel insurance
For travellers who use the $200 credit and visit lounges 3+ times annually, the net cost can fall well below the $799 sticker.
Amex Membership Rewards in Canada
Amex MR is the most flexible loyalty currency for Canadians. Transfer partners:
| Partner | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Aeroplan | 1:1 |
| British Airways Avios | 1:1 |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1:1 |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1.25 |
| Hilton Honors | 1:1 |
See Amex MR Transfer Partners Canada for full details.
Amex Acceptance in Canada
American Express is accepted at the vast majority of Canadian retailers, restaurants, and online merchants — but not universally:
- Not accepted: Costco Canada (Mastercard only), some small independents
- Accepted: Most major grocery chains, restaurants, gas stations, hotels, airlines, and online retailers
- PC Optimum: Amex accepted at corporate Shoppers Drug Mart; varies at franchise locations
If Costco is a priority, you’ll need a Mastercard for in-store purchases.
Amex Canada vs. Amex USA
Amex Canada cards are completely separate products:
Different earn rates, benefits, and annual fees
Amex MR Canada does not combine with Amex MR USA
Separate transfer partner ratios (some overlap, different terms)
Cannot apply for a US Amex card using a Canadian credit history
Amex Membership Rewards Guide Canada
Amex MR Transfer Partners Canada
Amex Canada card terms, earn rates, annual fees, and welcome bonus offers subject to change. Verify at americanexpress.com/en-ca. See our Advertiser Disclosure.