Meridian

Ranking the Credit Card Portfolios of Each Canadian Financial Institutions (updated December 26, 2023)

ByMatt December 26, 2023December 25, 2023

Since the start of the decade (2022, 2021, 2020), we managed to update this list every December, mine as well keep going.

There were quite a few major changes in the industry, so there was some shift in the rankings. They are now divided in the 3 groups: top 5, from 6 to 10, and the rest.

Bank of Montreal (BMO) | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) | Canadian Tire | MBNA | Meridian

Top Credit Cards for Purchasing Gas (updated April 14, 2023)

ByMatt April 14, 2023April 13, 2023

It was good while it latest I guess. Looks like gas prices have started to spike again in the month of April after a few months of stability prior to that. Starting with new carbon tax, supply issues, etc. This is probably as good as time as any to list some of the best credit cards to use for gas purchases.

Top Credit Card for Purchasing Groceries (updated on February 6, 2023)

ByMatt February 6, 2023February 8, 2023

Several major grocery chain stores in Canada had a price freeze on their in-house products, such as Loblaws’ No Name brand. The price freeze was to help shoppers offset against the high inflation between October 17, 2022 and January 31, 2023. This month, we are back to free for all. Today, let’s re-visit the best credit cards, along with some calculations (found below each credit card) to use on grocery spending.

Ranking the Credit Card Portfolios of Each Canadian Financial Institutions (updated December 12, 2022)

ByMatt December 12, 2022September 20, 2023

For the most part, 2022 was a relatively quiet year in terms of changes to the credit card industry (in terms of permanent offers). There was a significant amount of all-time high sign up bonuses, which do not factor into our ranking system. Our rankings are based on the intention of retaining credit cards for the long term, not based on churning.

Top Credit Card for Purchasing Groceries (updated on October 21, 2022)

ByMatt October 21, 2022September 20, 2023

I cannot believe that it has been over 6 years since we last updated this post. So we are way overdue for an update. Furthermore, with the way inflation has been going, who does not want to reduce their credit card bill?

First of all, I recommend signing up for free loyalty programs affiliated with groceries to rack up rewards for spending, along with watching for sales. Then triple dip with using a credit card that gives a higher multiplier bonus when shopping at grocery stores.

Bank of Montreal (BMO) | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) | MBNA | Meridian | Scotiabank

Top Credit Cards for Purchasing Gas (updated January 31, 2022)

ByMatt January 31, 2022May 7, 2022

I cannot believe that it has been almost 7 years since I last updated this post. There is no question that this post can use an update, especially considering how much gas prices have gone up over the last 12 months in Canada.

The better strategy is still to purchase gas using a credit card to meet minimum spend requirements for new promotional sign up bonuses.

Ranking the Credit Card Portfolios of Each Canadian Financial Institutions (updated December 21, 2021)

ByMatt December 22, 2021September 20, 2023

It has been just over a year since our last update (December 1, 2020) of the rankings list. The timing works well to update again this month, since we are coming to the end of the year. Now we get a snapshot of 2021, as we head into 2022.

Ranking the Credit Card Portfolios of Each Canadian Financial Institutions (updated December 1, 2020)

ByMatt December 1, 2020November 23, 2020

It has been 8 months since our last update. Can you believe it, 8 months ago we were already dealing with lockdowns.

Suffice to say, there has been some major changes to the industry since then, namely, Capital One slowly shutting things down, along with Aeroplan’s launch of new co-branded cards. Even so, you will notice most of the ranking changes from the middle to the end of the list.

10% Cash Back on Fire!

ByMatt September 16, 2020September 14, 2020

I wrote a post a few months ago talking about how the longer this pandemic (COVID-19) drags on, the more some people may be wondering whether to switch to a cash back portfolio instead?

Today, I would like to update that post with some additional information to complement that post.

Best Current First Year Fee Waived Cards for June 2020

ByMatt June 25, 2020June 26, 2020

There were a few minor changes (mostly tweaks to the TD offers) from last month, along with a notable promotional extension. The Brim World Elite MasterCard extended its first year fee waiver off $199 annual fee another month (was also extended last month) to June 30, 2020. So same thing I said last month, if you missed your chance last month, this is your opportunity. There is no way to guarantee that the promotion will be extended again, but it could.