Choosing the right credit card depends on your spending habits, lifestyle, and financial goals. If you spend heavily on groceries and dining, a card with elevated earn rates in those categories — like the Amex Cobalt — will outperform a flat-rate card significantly over time.

For travellers, the key questions are whether you have a preferred airline (Aeroplan if you fly Air Canada, WestJet if you prefer WestJet), and whether you travel internationally frequently. No-foreign-transaction-fee cards like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite save you 2.5% on every international purchase.

If simplicity is your priority, a no-annual-fee cash back card is hard to beat. The Tangerine Money-Back card lets you earn 2% in the categories you choose, with no complexity or annual cost.