Best Travel Credit Cards Canada 2026 | No FX Fees

The best travel credit card in Canada depends on one question: do you travel internationally? If yes, a card with no foreign transaction fees saves you 2.5% on every purchase abroad — that’s $125 on $5,000 in foreign spending, before even counting rewards. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is the best all-around choice with 0% FX fees, lounge access, and $2M emergency medical coverage. If you mostly travel within Canada and fly Air Canada, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite earns Aeroplan points faster. And for everyday spending that funds future travel, the Amex Cobalt at 5x on food can’t be beaten.

Best Travel Credit Cards 2026

Top Picks by Category

The no-FX-fee category is where the real savings happen for international travellers. Every standard Canadian credit card charges 2.5% on foreign currency transactions, which adds up quickly on trips, international subscriptions, or cross-border online shopping. The Scotiabank Passport and Scotiabank Gold American Express both charge a genuine 0%, effectively giving you a 2.5% “discount” on every foreign purchase compared to most cards. If you spend $3,000–$5,000 abroad per year, the FX savings alone justify the annual fee.

Best No Foreign Transaction Fees

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

Best for: Frequent international travelers.

Scotiabank Gold American Express

Best for: Everyday grocery/dining spenders who want no FX fees without the higher Visa Infinite fee.

Brim World Elite Mastercard

Best for: Occasional international spenders who want a lower (not zero) FX fee at a modest annual cost.

Best Points Earning

American Express Cobalt

Best for: Maximizing points on food and dining.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite

Best for: Air Canada loyalists.

Best Overall Travel Rewards

American Express Gold Rewards

Best for: Premium benefits and flexibility.

Foreign Transaction Fee Comparison

Cards WITH FX Fees (2.5%)

Cards WITHOUT FX Fees (true 0%)

Cards with a REDUCED (not zero) FX Fee

$5,000 annual foreign spending saves $125 with true no-FX cards, or $50 with the reduced-fee Brim card.

Airport Lounge Access

Lounge Pass Value

Travel Insurance Comparison

Emergency Medical

Trip Cancellation/Interruption

Car Rental

Aeroplan vs Scene+ vs Other Points

Aeroplan Cards

Scene+ Cards

Flexible Points

Annual Fee Value Analysis

Scotiabank Passport ($150/year)

Amex Cobalt ($191.88/year)

Strategy for Maximum Value

The optimal setup for most Canadian travellers is two cards: a no-FX-fee card for all foreign and international purchases (Scotiabank Passport) plus a high-earning domestic card for food and everyday spending (Amex Cobalt). This combination gives you 5x on food, 0% FX fees abroad, lounge access, and comprehensive travel insurance. The total annual fee is around $341.88 ($150 + $191.88), and the combined rewards easily exceed $1,000/year at moderate spending levels.

Carry Two Cards

Optimize by Spend Type

The Bottom Line

For international travel, get a no-FX-fee card first — the Scotiabank Passport at $150 is the best value. For domestic travel and Aeroplan earning, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite at $139 is the top pick. Pair either with the Amex Cobalt for everyday spending and you’ll maximize both travel perks and rewards. If you travel fewer than once a year, skip travel-specific cards and stick with a no-fee cashback card.

Related Resources

• Best Credit Cards Canada
• Credit Card Churning
• Aeroplan Points Guide
• Cash Back Calculator
• Best Rewards Credit Cards in Canada