Life on Credit

The art of borrowing money

Top 7 Business Credit Cards in Canada

By 9 Comments

Some of the best business credit cards in Canada are offered by financial institutions such as the Bank of Montreal, CIBC, TD Bank, and RBC. They feature cashback and rewards points, low annual fees, low purchase rates, insurance perks, and other beneficial features.

Rewards

CIBC Aerogold® Visa for Business

CIBC Aerogold Visa for Business comes with travel benefits, extensive insurance coverage, and low interest rate. Customers are offered 35,000 bonus miles and 1.5 miles per $1 on purchases made at gas stations, travel agencies, car rental agencies, hotels, and airlines. All other purchases earn at 1 point per $1. Rewards points can be redeemed for merchandise, entertainment, car rentals, gift cards, and getaways. Rewards are offered across different categories such as sports and outdoor merchandise, home and garden, health and wellness, fashion and accessories, and activities and entertainment. The category of activities and entertainment includes SPA and gateways, attractions and parks, and events and dining. Examples of travel rewards are travel accessories, travel and cruise gift cards, and car rental certificates. Miles can also be used to pay expenses such as surcharges, fees, and taxes on airfare. CIBC Aerogold Visa also features extensive insurance coverage, including trip interruption and trip cancellation, common carrier accident, auto rental collision, and flight delay and baggage coverage. Mobile device and hotel burglary insurance are also available. Only customers with a minimum household income of $35,000 qualify.

  • Cash interest rate: 50 percent
  • Purchase interest rate: 12.99 percent
  • Annual fee: $180

TD Business Travel Visa Card

Toronto-Dominion offers a travel credit card with a selection of automotive, travel, and everyday benefits. Customers earn 3 points per dollar on business-related purchases, 6 points on booking travel through Expedia by phone, and 9 points on booking travel online. The card also comes with insurance perks such as lost and delayed luggage, common carrier travel accident, trip/flight delay, and travel medical insurance. Automotive benefits are also offered, including low base rates at Budget Rent a Car and Avis Rent A Car and auto rental collision/loss damage coverage.

Under the Visa SavingsEdge Program, customers qualify for generous discounts of up to 25 percent which apply to business-related purchases.

When applying, clients are asked to provide documents such as articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, or master business license, depending on the type of business (corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship). Customers may also be asked to present their business financial statements and notice of assessment. They may apply by phone, at a local branch, and by booking an appointment.

  • Cash advance rate: 22.99 percent
  • Purchase rate: 19.99 percent
  • Annual fee: $149
  • Additional cards: $49
  • Minimum credit limit: $1,000

Cash Back

Scotia Momentum® for Business VISA

Also a premium business card, Scotia Momentum for Business features up to 3 percent cashback on business expenses. Cash back is also offered on recurring payments such as gym memberships, insurance coverage, telecommunications, and subscriptions. Expenses that qualify for cash back include purchases made at office supply stores, restaurants, and gas stations. Supplementary cards also earn cash back. Business customers also benefit from insurance perks such as rental car collision and travel emergency medical insurance. The travel emergency medical insurance, for example, covers expenses such as surgeons’ and physicians’ fees, licensed ambulances, hospital stays, prescription drugs, medical supplies and services, and nursing care.

An added benefit is the fact that Scotiabank offers a low introductory rate of just 2.99 percent which is applicable to balance transfers made during the first six months. The credit limit is between $500 and $100,000. Visa SavingsEdge is also a useful feature available to qualifying businesses which allows them to get access to discounts and thus reduce costs. Customers are offered discounts on business purchases at participating merchants such as Blue Mountain, Sage 50, The UPS Store, Umbra, National Car Rental, and more. Discounts are offered on items in different categories, including entertainment and travel, telecommunications, and electronics, computer, and retail. Merchants offering discounts also operate in industries such as hotels, business software and publications, and business services and products. Discounts are in the range of 3 – 10 percent and up to 25 percent.  To enroll in the program, cardholders are asked to fill in details such as postal code, business name, and industry (i.e. retail, real estate, manufacturing, transportation, construction, etc.).

  • Annual fee: $49
  • Supplementary cards: $29
  • Interest rate: 19.99 percent
  • Grace period: 25 days

No Annual Fee

BMO CashBack® Business MasterCard®

This is a good choice for customers looking for a no annual fee credit card, featuring a welcome bonus, money back, and optional employee cards. In addition to saving on annual fees, holders are offered 6 percent cash back on internet and phone bills, office supplies, and gas purchases during the first 4 months. Purchases made after the promotional period earn 1.5 percent cash back. Gas purchases at Shell locations earn at 1.75 points per dollar.

Additional benefits include extended warranty, automatic rebates at participating retailers, and pre-authorized payments. In addition to pre-authorized payments, bills can be paid at any BMO branch, online, by phone, and by mail. Customers are also offered emergency cash advances and replacement cards and assistance with stolen and lost cards.

Depending on the type of business, customers are asked to bring documents such as master business license, trade name registration, partnership agreement, and articles of association. Corporate customers must bring documents such as corporate profile report, articles of amalgamation, articles of amendment, and complete articles of incorporation. Business customers also provide details such as type of ownership, percentage ownership, nature of primary business, and occupation.

  • Cash advances: 22.99 percent
  • Purchase rate: 19.99 percent
  • Annual fee: $0

Protection and Insurance

RBC® Avion® Business for Visa

This card comes with an extensive insurance coverage, including extended warranty, liability waiver, rental car, and trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance. There are added incentives such as 20,000 welcome points, fuel discounts, and travel rewards, including tours, cruises, car rentals, hotels, and packaged holidays. Customers are free to choose from different rewards such as gift cards, merchandise, and Apple accessories and products. Every dollar spent on purchases earns 1 rewards point. Cardholders also earn triple rewards points on travel experiences offered by Carlson Wagonlit Travel and double rewards points on truck and car rentals by Thrifty. There are also financial rewards and the option to donate to a charity, pay with points, or convert points.

  • Cash advance rate: 22.99 percent
  • Purchase rate: 19.99 percent
  • Annual fee: $120
  • Additional cards: $50

American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card

American Express also offers a rewards card that comes with a generous bonus of 25,000 points. Rewards points can be transferred to loyalty programs, used toward domestic or international airfare, or redeemed in the form of statement credit. Every dollar in travel purchases earns 2 points and so do purchases made at drugstores, grocery stores, and gas stations. Qualifying travel purchases include cruises, car rentals, hotel accommodation, and airfare. Every dollar in everyday purchases earns 1 point.

One of the main benefits for cardholders is the comprehensive insurance coverage. Customers are offered travel accident, baggage delay, flight delay, and hotel/motel burglary coverage. Car rental damage and theft, trip interruption, and stolen and lost baggage insurance are also available. Out of province/country emergency medical coverage is included as well.

This card also comes with a host of travel benefits, including complimentary room upgrades, vehicle upgrades, and hotel credit toward golf, spa, and dining.

Residents and citizens who have a Canadian credit file qualify provided that they are of the age of majority.

  • Annual fee: $250
  • Grace period: up to 31 days
  • Additional cards: $50

Low Interest Rate

CIBC bizline® Visa Card for Small Business

This offer by CIBC is ideal for customers who wish to save on interest rates and still benefit from perks such as a high credit limit, additional cards, and insurance coverage. Holders are free to request up to 9 additional cards. The minimum annual income is $35,000. This credit card is also a good choice for business owners with revenues in the range of $35,000 – $5 million.

Cardholders are offered common carrier accident insurance and a spend manager solution to track and organize spending, set alerts, and develop customized budgets. The interest rate is based on the applicant’s credit score which makes this card a good choice for business owners with very good and excellent credit histories.

  • Purchase interest rate: CIBC Prime + 1.5 percent
  • Cash interest rate: CIBC Prime + 1.5 percent
  • Annual fee: none
  • Additional cards: no annual fee

There are plenty of premium business credit cards that feature low interest rates, introductory rates, no annual fees, extensive insurance coverage, and airmiles, rewards points, and cash back. Some cards also feature complimentary bonus points, complimentary concierge, free additional cards, and attractive discounts on office supplies, equipment, and other business-related expenses.

Top 6 Credit Cards for Bad Credit in Canada 2019

By 171 Comments

This post has been updated on January 10th, 2019 to reflect recent developments in the Canadian financial and credit markets.

Accessing credit is never easy if you have anything but pristine credit score. The most common form of borrowing of course is a credit card, and there are many Canadian financial institutions that offer variety of cards targeted at different market segments. The bad credit credit card market in Canada is really under-served with many of the big players withdrawing their financial products including Peoples Trust who stopped offering their secured credit card, and Affirm financial who also no longer offer their credit cards for bad credit. Home Trust still offer a secured credit card, but they are very picky and getting one from them is not an easy task. Still there is hope for Canadian consumers with bad credit, as a new player called Refresh Financial has entered the secured/bad credit card marketplace. Refresh offer credit cards for borrowers with bad credit, and the good news is they do not do a credit check. The card is relatively easy to qualify for, however keep in mind that this is a secured card, and you will have to come up with the deposit to get one. As the credit conditions get tighter in Canada it will get harder to get a credit card if you have a poor credit, however don’t get discouraged – just check our list of card below and use it as a starting point in your quest for credit card.

There are different options for customers with poor credit, from payday loans and cash advances to secured lines and credit cards for bad credit.

Do You Need a Credit Card if You Already Have Bad Credit?

This depends on your lifestyle, financial literacy, and spending habits but a credit card can actually help build a healthy score. Timely payments allow users to rebuild credit. If you often make financial blunders and are knee-deep in debt, you may want to learn more about credit first.

Can You Get a Credit Card with Bad Credit?

Some lenders offer cards to borrowers with poor and average credit. They often offer cards with a lower limit and higher interest rates because they are considered to be high risk.

Does a Credit Card Help You Rebuild Bad Credit? Secured Credit Cards Explained

A credit card is a useful tool to reestablish credit unless you make late payments. Missed payments also affect your score. Avoid prepaid cards because payments are not reported to the major bureaus. Other cards, including secured and department store cards, help build credit. To get a secured card, clients are asked to make a deposit which is higher or equal to the card’s limit.

Types of Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Secured Credit Cards

securedSecured cards offer many benefits, and one is that it is easier to get approved compared to standard credit cards and unsecured loans. The reason is that financial establishments take no risk. Cardholders use their own money (the deposit made) to make purchases. Lenders will not return the deposit in case of default. They refund the deposit made when the customer decides to close the account. The payments are usually reflected in the borrower’s credit report. The limit normally varies from $200 – $500 to $5,000. Many issuers advertise low annual fees in the range of $10 – $30.

Low Interest Credit Cards

Low interest cards are offered by major unions, banks, finance companies, and online lending services. The main benefit for users is that they save on interest charges. Some issuers offer low interest cards to borrowers with less-than-perfect credit and feature perks such as gas rewards, cash back, payment alerts, and others. The credit line is usually lower, for example, $500 – $1,000, but some companies advertise opportunities for line increases provided that cardholders make timely payments. It is important to ask whether payments are reported to TransUnion or Equifax on a regular basis.

Guaranteed Credit Cards

Guaranteed approval cards by MasterCard and Visa are also offered to borrowers with less than perfect and tarnished credit. While some issuers advertise guaranteed or instant approval, they offer secured versions whereby the deposit serves as a guarantee of timely payments. They are available to consumers who need credit improvement and feature standard benefits such as price protection, travel assistance, baggage delay coverage, and others. Basically, issuers that offer guaranteed cards have more lenient or minimum requirements for approval. They may advertise no employment or credit checks and no application or processing fees.

Prepaid Credit Cards

LOCPrepaid cards allow users to make purchases and payments but are not the best solution for rebuilding credit. Payments are usually not reported. Still this is one option for customers with bad credit and a history of consumer proposals, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and seriously delinquent accounts. There are different reload options, including in person, online, and through direct deposit. Some issuers advertise no-fee cash withdrawals. Prepaid cards also feature online bill pay options, balance alerts, free ATM withdrawals, business and payroll programs, refer-a-friend bonuses, and other benefits. Many issuers advertise no activation or application fees, free online banking, online statements, and free direct deposits.

Store Credit Cards

A department store card is yet another option for borrowers with bad credit and offers plenty of added benefits. Cardholders benefit from perks such as promos and discounts, sales, savings on major or one-time purchases, coupons, and other benefits. Some department stores even advertise interest-free financing. Holders enjoy a zero introductory rate for a certain period, for example, six months. However, department store cards usually go with higher charges than secured and standard credit cards. While the rate is slightly higher, this is one option for applicants with a thin credit file and borrowers who need a credit boost.

Where Can You Find Credit Card Lenders for People with Bad Credit?

Major financial establishments such as RBC, BMO, and other big banks offer cards for bad credit.

Affirm MasterCard®

This card is no longer available.

Affirm Financial Services specializes in providing credit solutions for Canadians who may have difficulty obtaining a credit card or loan from traditional financial institutions. Here are the most important Affirm MasterCard® features:

  • True credit – no security deposit required
  • Credit limit up to $3,000
  • Use it anywhere MasterCard® cards are accepted
  • Fixed interest rate – 29.99% for homeowners and 34.99% for non-homeowners
  • Reports to credit bureaus every month

This card is issued by Peoples Trust Company pursuant to license by MasterCard® International Incorporated. MasterCard® and MasterCard® Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard® International Incorporated.

No-Fee Scotiabank Value® Visa Card

sbThe Bank of Nova Scotia features the No-Fee Scotiabank Value Visa Card which is available to debt-ridden borrowers with credit problems. The bank offers benefits such as card protection, an introductory rate of 3.99 percent, and car rental discounts. Additional benefits include itemized transactions and supplementary cards. The introductory rate applies to balance transfers and cash advances, which makes it a great choice if you plan to transfer high-interest balances to a low-interest card. The low introductory rate helps borrowers to pay down existing balances faster and get rid of debt.

• Interest rate: 16.99 percent
• Annual fee: zero
• Credit limit: $500 or more

apply

Refresh Financial Secured VisaRefresh Financial Secured Credit Card

This secured card is a new product from Refresh Financial targeted at customers with low credit score or no credit. The card can be used to re-build credit score, and as it doesn’t require a credit check, it may be your best chance for getting a credit card. Here are the main Refresh secured credit card features.

  • Credit limit: $200 to $10,000
  • Purchase Interest rate: 17.99 percent
  • Annual fee: CAD $12.95

apply

Peoples Trust Secured MasterCard®peoplestrust_card

This card is no longer available.

Peoples Trust Secured MasterCard is ideal for those who are new to credit, consumers with credit problems, new immigrants, and students. Holders can use it just like a regular card to make hotel bookings and everyday purchases, car rentals, online purchases, and anything else. This card also allows consumers to make cash advances and build credit over time. Peoples Trust advertises almost guaranteed approval, regardless of credit profile.

  • Minimum deposit: $500
  • Interest rate: 12.99 percent
  • Monthly fee: CAD $5.80
  • Monthly fee (additional cards): CAD $2.95

Home Trust Secured Visa Card

The Home Trust Secured Visa Card is another option that requires a security deposit of at least $500. The limit is based on the deposit made and ranges from $500 to $10,000. There is a low-rate option that goes with an interest rate of 14.9 percent. The standard rate is 19.99 percent and there is no annual fee. The low-rate option goes with a fee of $59. This card is offered to consumers with bad credit and everyone gets approved. If you have less than perfect or poor credit, this card will help you to build or reestablish your credit history. You can use it to book a hotel room, make purchases online and by phone, pay bills, pay for gas, and more.

Apply Now 14.90% $59 annual fee or $5 per monthApply Now 19.99% No annual fee

BMO® Preferred Rate MasterCard®

bmThe BMO Preferred Rate MasterCard is a card advertised with no annual fee and an interest rate of 17.5 percent. The card also features a long interest-free period of 21 days. While applicants with bad credit get approved, those with a history of bankruptcies do not qualify. If you have filed for bankruptcy over the last 7 years, your application will be declined. BMO also requires employment and income information. Customers are offered perks and benefits such as:

• Low-rate options (11.9 percent)
• Travel benefits
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty
• Roadside assistance
• Medical protection
• Trip cancellation coverage

Capital One® Guaranteed Secured MasterCard®

CapThe Capital One Guaranteed Secured MasterCard, for example, features guaranteed approval and a limit of $300 or higher. It is a good choice for customers with no credit and tarnished credit. The good thing about this card is that you can use it like a standard card – to make bookings, for car rentals, online purchases, in-store purchases, and more. Capital One features standard benefits such as emergency cash advances and card replacement and zero liability.

• Interest rate: 19.8 percent
• Annual fee: $59

TD Emerald Visa Card

The TD Emerald Visa Card is also a good choice for bad credit borrowers and goes with benefits such as:td

• Low annual fee of $25
• Security and purchasing convenience
• Automotive benefits
• Travel benefits
• Medical insurance

Applicants are allowed to add up to three cardholders. The card goes with a competitive variable rate of 12.75 percent and is a great option for borrowers with bad credit, students, and newcomers to Canada. Cardholders are offered trip interruption coverage, trip cancellation insurance, car rental discounts, and other perks. TD Emerald Visa is also advertised as a balance transfer card for debt consolidation.

RBC Visa Classic Low Rate

rbThe RBC Visa Classic Low Rate is yet another card with a low interest rate of 11.99 percent and an annual fee of $20. Additional cards are available at no added cost. This option is a great choice for those considering debt consolidation. Major benefits include free travelers checks, worldwide acceptance, easy application, and others. Optional travel insurance is also available to protect customers in case of loss of job or illness. Customers benefit from autopayment options, cash advances, and quick application processing. This card is also an excellent choice for debt consolidation. You can use it to make one-time or larger purchases.

What to Do Next?

Once you have been approved for a low rate, department store, or secured card, it is time to learn how to manage credit responsibly. This means timely and regular payments to avoid penalty fees and charges. Late and missing payments also affect your score and chances to get approved for low-cost unsecured loans, LOCs, and premium credit cards. Avoid using multiple cards because it is more difficult to keep track of due dates, payments, and other details. Check your financial statements regularly to track your spending and payments. Using online banking is a great way to view your statements, payment history, and transactions. Make sure you check your credit report for mistakes and omissions. Consumers are entitled to receive a free report once a year.

If you have other balances, try to pay down your auto, consumer, and other loan balances to boost your score. The goal is to maintain a debt to income ratio of 30 percent or lower. Paying down small balances on different cards helps improve your score. Pick one or two cards with affordable rates and use them for payments and purchases.

Keep in mind that credit cards are intended for regular, small purchases and unexpected expenses, for example, utility and medical bills, auto insurance, plumbing and electrical problems, car repairs, and others. You can use your card for grocery shopping, bill payment, trips to the ER, car maintenance, vehicle registration fees, and other small expenses. It makes no sense to buy big-ticket items on a credit card. It is better to use a low-cost unsecured loan instead. Otherwise, you will end up paying a huge balance, and your score may suffer as a result.

If you have poor credit and find it difficult to manage your finances, you may want to contact a credit counseling service. They offer financial education to teach borrowers how to manage debt responsibly. The goal is to gain financial stability and control and make sound credit and borrowing decisions. Specialists negotiate with creditors, help customers to calculate their debt to income ratio, sort out their finances, and more.