Top Credit Cards to use at Restaurants (updated February 17, 2018)

It has been just over a year since I last updated this post. A few changes to the industry means this post is due for an update. Usually I update this post ahead of Valentine’s Day, but hey, we eat all year round. Furthermore, this has been a long winter in some parts of the country, so spring and summer cannot come soon enough, where we might be more willing to go out. So below is a list of the top credit cards to use at restaurants if you want to prepare for warmer weather ahead of time.

I have classified the credit cards in different categories and listed according to their annual fees. Only credit cards offering at least a 3% return are listed.

Cash Back Credit Cards

American Express SimplyCash Card

• No annual fee
• Earn 5% cash back on restaurants purchases (up to $250 cash back or a maximum of $5,000 in purchases) for the first 6 months
• Earn 1.25% cash back on all other purchases and thereafter

BMO CashBack MasterCard

• No annual fee
• Earn 4% cash back on all purchases (for the first 4 months, up to $3,125 in spending or $125 in cash back) (if you apply before October 31, 2018)

BMO SPC CashBack MasterCard

• No annual fee
• Earn 4% cash back on all purchases (for the first 4 months, up to $3,125 in spending or $125 in cash back) (if you apply before October 31, 2018)

American Express SimplyCash Preferred Card

• $79 annual fee
• Earn 5% cash back on all purchases for the first 6 months (up to $400 cash back or $8,000 on purchases)

CIBC Dividend Visa Platinum Card

• $99 annual fee for first time cardholders (first year fee waived if you apply before February 28, 2018)
• Earn 4% cash back on the first 4 months (up to $5,000 in spending or $200 in cash back) (if you apply before February 28, 2018)

CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card

• $99 annual fee for first time cardholders (first year fee waived if you apply before February 28, 2018)
• Earn 4% cash back on the first 4 months (up to $5,000 in spending or $200 in cash back) (if you apply before February 28, 2018)

BMO CashBack World Elite MasterCard

• $120 annual fee
• Earn 4% cash back on all purchases (for the first 4 months, up to $3,125 in spending or $125 in cash back) (if you apply before October 31, 2018)

Fixed Rewards Credit Cards

Capital One Platinum MasterCard

• No annual fee
• Exclusive to Costco members
• Earn 3% cash back on restaurant purchases

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

• $99 annual fee
• $29 for additional cardholders
• Earn 4 points for every $1 you spent on dining

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card

• $120 annual fee (first year fee waived if you apply by February 28, 2018)
• Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at select CIBC bonus rewards restaurants

Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card

• $399 annual fee
• $99 for supplementary cardholders
• Earn 30,000 bonus points with your first card purchase
• Earn 4 points for every $1 you spent on dining

Co-branded Credit Cards

CIBC Aerogold Infinite Visa Card

• $120 annual fee
• Earn 15,000 sign up bonus points after the first purchase
• Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at participating CIBC Bonus Rewards restaurants

CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Privilege