How Credit Card Rewards Work in Canada
Everything a beginner needs to understand credit card rewards in Canada.
Updated July 1, 2026 · 3 min read · By Loyalty Concierge Editorial
What are credit card rewards?
Credit card rewards are the value you earn for every dollar you spend on a card. In Canada, rewards typically come as cashback, transferable points, or airline miles.
Three main types
- Cashback — a percentage of every purchase back as cash or statement credit.
- Points — earn per dollar, redeem for travel, gift cards, or statement credit.
- Airline miles — earn toward flight redemptions with programs like Aeroplan.
The rule of thumb
Rewards are usually worth 1–2% of every dollar you spend. A high welcome bonus can add hundreds in year one.