American Express offers Canada’s highest earn rates on dining and groceries through the Cobalt Card, the broadest set of transfer partners of any Canadian bank’s loyalty programme, and the most premium travel card in the market through the Platinum Card. Here is how every major Amex Canada card compares.
Best Amex Cards at a Glance
| Card | Annual Fee | Best Earn Rate | Loyalty Programme | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Cobalt Card | $156 | 5x dining & grocery | Membership Rewards | Highest MR earn; dining & grocery spenders |
| Amex Gold Rewards Card | $250 | 4x grocery & gas | Membership Rewards | High grocery & gas households |
| Amex Platinum Card | $799 | 3x dining & travel | Membership Rewards | Premium benefits; business travellers |
| Amex Green Card | $0 | 1x all | Membership Rewards | No-fee MR access |
| Amex Business Edge | $179 | 3x office/subscriptions/dining | Membership Rewards | Small business owners |
| Amex Business Gold Rewards | $250 | 4x chosen category | Membership Rewards | Business high-category earners |
| Amex Business Platinum | $799 | 1.25x all | Membership Rewards | Business executives; corporate travel |
| Amex SimplyCash Preferred | $99 | 4% dining & grocery (first year) | Cash back | Simple cash back earners |
| Amex SimplyCash | $0 | 2% dining & grocery (limited) | Cash back | No-fee cash back |
Earn rates, annual fees, and welcome bonuses are subject to change. Verify at americanexpress.ca before applying.
1. American Express Cobalt Card — Best Overall
Annual fee: $156 (billed at $13/month) | Programme: Membership Rewards
The Cobalt Card is the best Membership Rewards earner in Canada — and by most measures, the best points-earning personal credit card available to Canadians in the dining and grocery categories.
Earn rates:
- 5x MR on dining (restaurants, cafes, bars, food delivery)
- 5x MR on eligible grocery (verify which chains qualify)
- 3x MR on eligible streaming services
- 2x MR on eligible transit and travel
- 1x MR everywhere else
Why it wins: No other Canadian card earns 5x on both dining and grocery simultaneously. The $156 annual fee is recovered in under three months for a household with average food spend. Points accumulate fast, and 100,000+ MR per year is achievable for many households — enough for a one-way business class seat to Europe via Aeroplan.
Limitation: Amex acceptance is not universal. Some grocery chains may not code correctly for the 5x rate. Verify which merchants qualify before relying on the elevated earn.
Read the full American Express Cobalt Card review.
2. American Express Gold Rewards Card — Best for Grocery + Gas
Annual fee: $250 | Programme: Membership Rewards
The Gold Rewards Card targets households with high combined grocery and gas spending — the two categories where it earns 4x MR. At $250/year it costs $94 more than the Cobalt, but the earn rate on grocery and gas (4x vs. the Cobalt’s 5x on grocery and 1x on gas) can make the Gold Rewards Card the better choice for high gas spenders.
Earn rates:
- 4x MR at eligible grocery stores
- 4x MR at eligible gas stations
- 2x MR on eligible travel
- 1x MR everywhere else
Additional perks: $100 annual travel credit, one complimentary Priority Pass lounge visit per year, Hertz Five Star status.
When to choose Gold over Cobalt: If you spend $500+/month on gas and grocery combined, and your gas station reliably codes for 4x, the Gold Rewards can match or exceed the Cobalt’s annual value despite the higher fee.
Read the full American Express Gold Rewards Card review.
3. American Express Platinum Card — Best Premium Amex
Annual fee: $799 | Programme: Membership Rewards
The Platinum Card is Amex Canada’s flagship premium card, offering a collection of travel benefits that no other Canadian card matches — but at a price that requires regular use to justify.
Earn rates:
- 3x MR on dining in Canada
- 3x MR on eligible travel
- 1x MR everywhere else
Key benefits:
- Airport lounge access: Plaza Premium lounge access + Priority Pass Select (unlimited visits) + American Express Centurion Lounges worldwide
- Hotel elite status: Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold status
- Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts: Complimentary upgrades, noon check-in, 4pm checkout, $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast for two at eligible properties
- Annual travel credit: $200 annual travel credit applicable to eligible flight purchases
- Companion fare / travel rebates: Varies; verify current terms at americanexpress.ca
- Travel insurance: Comprehensive package including emergency medical, trip cancellation, baggage, car rental
Who it’s for: Frequent international travellers who stay at Marriott or Hilton properties at least 2–3 times per year, use lounges regularly, and can make full use of the FHR programme. For those travellers, the combined value of lounge access, hotel credits, hotel status benefits, and travel insurance can easily exceed $799.
Read the full American Express Platinum Card review.
4. American Express Green Card — Best No-Fee Amex
Annual fee: $0 | Programme: Membership Rewards
The Green Card earns 1x MR on all eligible purchases — the same flat rate as a baseline card. Its value lies in access to MR transfer partners at no annual cost: Aeroplan (1:1), British Airways Avios (1:1), Flying Blue (1:1), Marriott Bonvoy, and Hilton Honors.
For a cardholder who holds the Cobalt as their primary card (for 5x dining/grocery) but wants a backup Amex card for merchants where the Cobalt isn’t used, the Green Card adds no cost while keeping the MR programme structure active.
5. American Express Business Edge Card — Best for Small Business
Annual fee: $179 | Programme: Membership Rewards
The Business Edge earns 3x MR on office supplies, internet and phone bills, food delivery and dining, and eligible shipping — the four categories that dominate small business operating expenses. At $179/year, it is competitively priced for a business rewards card.
Best for: Sole proprietors and small business owners spending on subscriptions, office supplies, business meals, and digital services.
6. American Express Business Gold Rewards Card
Annual fee: $250 | Programme: Membership Rewards
Earns 4x MR in a single bonus category of your choice (travel, tech, shipping, gas, or advertising), 2x in all other categories except one at 1x. The category flexibility makes it strong for businesses with concentrated spend in one area.
7. American Express Business Platinum Card
Annual fee: $799 | Programme: Membership Rewards
Earns 1.25x MR on all eligible purchases — a flat rate above 1x, designed for high-volume business spenders where even a small rate increase delivers significant total points. Includes lounge access, Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status (same as personal Platinum), and comprehensive business travel insurance.
Best for: Corporate cardholders and executives with high overall spend who value the Platinum-level benefits on a business card.
How to Choose: Cobalt vs. Gold vs. Platinum
| Situation | Recommended Card |
|---|---|
| Heavy dining and grocery spender | Cobalt Card (5x on both) |
| High gas + grocery household | Gold Rewards Card (4x both; check if fee justified) |
| Frequent international traveller; hotel stayer | Platinum Card (lounge, hotel status, FHR) |
| No annual fee, want MR access | Green Card (1x, $0 fee) |
| Small business owner | Business Edge (3x office/subscriptions/dining) |
Amex Cards FAQ
What is the best Amex card in Canada? The Cobalt Card for most Canadians (5x dining and grocery, $156/year). The Platinum Card for premium travel benefits.
Is the Amex Cobalt worth it? Yes, for regular dining and grocery spenders. Most households recover the $156 annual fee in under 3 months through the 5x earn rates.
Is Amex accepted in Canada? At most major merchants yes — but not at Costco (Mastercard only) and not universally at smaller retailers. Check your primary spending locations.
Does Amex have a no-fee card in Canada? Yes — the Amex Green Card earns 1x MR with no annual fee and provides access to all MR transfer partners.
Can I hold multiple Amex cards? Yes. Points pool automatically across all eligible Amex Canada MR cards.
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Card details, earn rates, and annual fees are subject to change. Always verify at americanexpress.ca before applying.