A Complete Guide to Reward Credit Cards in Canada: What Actually Matters

Reward credit cards are often sold as simple upgrades to everyday spending, but the real value shows up in the fine print.

This guide explains how reward credit cards actually work in Canada, beyond the headlines and point promotions. Instead of focusing on specific offers, it breaks down the mechanics that determine outcomes: earn rates, fees, redemption value, interest, and tax treatment.

You’ll see how everyday purchases translate into rewards, where programs quietly give value back to the issuer, and how small decisions can either protect or erode the upside. The guide focuses on what matters, what doesn’t, and how to use rewards to support cash flow, travel, or business spending without drifting into debt or unnecessary complexity.