Canadians make more trips to the United States than to any other destination. A smart credit card can eliminate the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on all USD spending, provide comprehensive travel insurance, and earn points on every dollar spent south of the border.
Top Credit Cards for Canadians Travelling to the USA
| Card | Annual Fee | FX Fee | Travel Insurance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | $150 | None | Full (emergency medical, trip cancellation, delay) | Best overall US travel card |
| Scotiabank Gold Amex | $120 | None | Emergency medical, rental car | Dining and groceries + no FX |
| Rogers Red Mastercard | $0 | None | Basic trip interruption | Best no-fee US travel card |
| Home Trust Preferred Visa | $0 | None | None | Simple no-fee no-FX option |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 2.5% | Full | Best for Aeroplan earn; accept FX fee |
| Amex Cobalt | $155.88 | 2.5% | Emergency medical | Best earn rate despite FX fee |
Why the Foreign Transaction Fee Matters in the US
Every USD purchase on a standard Canadian card costs 2.5% extra. On a 10-day US trip spending $3,000 USD:
- $3,000 USD ≈ $4,080 CAD (at $1.36 rate)
- 2.5% FX fee = $102 wasted
Using a no-FX card eliminates this entirely — more than paying for itself even on a single trip for many travellers.
Best Card for US Trips: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is Canada’s best dedicated US (and international) travel card:
- No foreign transaction fee on all USD purchases
- 6 free Priority Pass lounge visits per year — useful at US airports
- 3x Scene+ on dining (great for US restaurant spend)
- 2x Scene+ on groceries, transit, entertainment, and streaming
- Full travel insurance: emergency medical (up to $1M, up to 25 days), trip cancellation ($1,500/person), trip interruption, flight delay, baggage delay and loss
- Annual fee: $150 ($139 plus tax)
Verdict: If you travel to the US 2+ times per year, the no-FX fee + lounge access + insurance alone justifies the $150 fee.
Best No-Fee Option: Rogers Red Mastercard
For Canadians who want no-FX travel spending without an annual fee:
- No foreign transaction fee
- 3% cash back on foreign currency purchases (best foreign earn rate on a no-fee Canadian card)
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee — free to hold
- Accepted everywhere Mastercard is accepted (including Costco Canada)
Limitation: Minimal travel insurance. For US road trips or short stays where you have separate travel insurance, this card earns more on USD spending than any premium card.
Using Your Card in the US: Practical Tips
Always pay in USD: When a US merchant or ATM offers to charge you in CAD (dynamic currency conversion), always decline. The DCC rate is 3%–7% worse than the Visa/Mastercard wholesale rate — even with a 2.5% FX fee, paying in USD is cheaper.
Inform your issuer before leaving: Most major Canadian banks don’t require travel notifications anymore (automated fraud detection handles it), but it’s still good practice for trips over 2 weeks or to less common destinations.
PIN-based transactions: US merchants may prompt for a PIN. Canadian credit cards are chip-and-PIN; most US terminals also accept chip-and-signature. Know your PIN before you travel.
ATM withdrawals: Avoid cash advances on your credit card in the US — 22.99% interest from day one, plus a cash advance fee. Use a Debit card with no-FX access (Scotiabank, EQ Bank) or withdraw CAD before departure and exchange at a bureau.
US Trip Insurance: What Your Card Covers
For US travel specifically, the most important coverage is emergency medical — US healthcare costs can run $5,000–$50,000+ per incident without coverage:
| Card | Emergency Medical | Trip Cancellation | Rental Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | $1M, up to 25 days | $1,500/person | ✅ |
| Scotiabank Gold Amex | $1M, up to 10 days | ✗ | ✅ |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $1M, up to 21 days | $1,500/person | ✅ |
| Rogers Red Mastercard | ✗ | Basic | ✗ |
Always read the full certificate of insurance. Pre-existing condition exclusions apply. Coverage limits and terms subject to change.
Related Articles
- Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards in Canada
- Best Credit Cards for International Travel
- Best Travel Insurance Credit Cards in Canada
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Review
- Travel Credit Cards — Canada Hub
Travel insurance terms, coverage limits, and card benefits subject to change. Verify current coverage with each issuer’s certificate of insurance before travel. See our Advertiser Disclosure.