Best credit card Canada 2026 rankings just dropped and one card still owns the category. The American Express Cobalt earns up to 5 points per dollar and converts to Air Canada, Air France, or straight cash back. Patrick Sojka from Rewards Canada explains why it crushed 230+ competitors for the ninth consecutive year. But here’s the tension: the strongest points earner isn’t always the best card while you’re traveling.

Shane and Patrick break down the fee versus no-fee cash back winners, why the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard beats expectations at Costco, and how the Simply Cash Preferred delivers 4% on groceries despite holding your money hostage once per year. Patrick introduces a new category this year: true travel cards that prioritize airport lounge access and zero foreign transaction fees over maximum points accumulation. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite takes that crown as the well-rounded option for people who refuse to carry six different cards.

Discover why running multiple credit cards isn’t about maximizing rewards but protecting yourself when fraud locks your only card in a foreign country. Learn which cards hide trip cancellation insurance you’re already paying for twice. Understand what 2% cash back actually means when it only hits your account as statement credit once annually.

GUEST: Patrick Sojka | http://rewardscanada.ca

Originally aired on2026-01-13