Best Canadian Credit Card Welcome Bonuses This Spring

Spring 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive periods for Canadian credit card welcome bonuses in recent memory. With multiple banks and fintechs fighting for new cardholders, sign-up offers have reached levels that rival the aggressive promotions seen during the post-pandemic travel rebound of 2022 and 2023. Here is a roundup of the most valuable welcome bonuses currently available to Canadian applicants.

The American Express Cobalt Card continues to offer one of the strongest ongoing welcome promotions in the market. New cardholders can earn up to 30,000 Membership Rewards points by earning 2,500 bonus points per month for the first 12 months when they spend at least $500 per month. Combined with the card's regular earn rates, a cardholder spending $500 per month could accumulate roughly 60,000 Membership Rewards points in the first year. At a redemption value of 2 cents per point through Aeroplan transfers, that represents approximately $1,200 in travel value against a $155.88 annual fee.

TD has elevated the welcome bonus on its Aeroplan Visa Infinite card to 40,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. The card carries a $139 annual fee, which is waived for the first year under the current promotion. A first-year fee waiver combined with 40,000 Aeroplan points makes this one of the highest-value risk-free sign-up offers available.

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite is offering 30,000 Aventura points plus a first-year annual fee waiver, contingent on spending $3,000 in three months. At a redemption value of roughly 1 to 1.5 cents per point through the CIBC travel portal, the 30,000 points translate to $300 to $450 in travel value with zero cost in the first year.

RBC's Avion Visa Infinite has a spring promotion of 35,000 Avion points after $3,000 in spend within three months. The $120 annual fee is not waived, but RBC is offering a $50 statement credit for new applicants through its online channel, effectively reducing the first-year cost to $70. Avion points can be transferred to several airline partners, with a strong value proposition through Avion's own travel portal.

Scotiabank's Gold American Express is advertising 30,000 Scene+ points after $2,500 in three-month spend, with a first-year fee waiver. At $120 per year (waived in year one), the Gold Amex is a strong earner in grocery, dining, and entertainment categories, and the welcome bonus adds meaningful day-one value through Scene+ travel or entertainment redemptions.

Among fintechs, Brim Financial's Brim World Elite Mastercard is offering a $250 travel credit plus 20,000 Brim points after $3,000 in spend. The card has no annual fee, making this one of the best risk-free offers in the market. The $250 travel credit can be applied to any travel purchase, and the 20,000 Brim points are worth roughly $200 in redemptions.

Neo Financial's newly launched World Elite Mastercard is offering $100 cash back after $3,000 in three-month spend, plus double partner earn rates for six months. The $149 annual fee is partially offset by the welcome bonus and the elevated earn rates at Neo's merchant partners.

The Wealthsimple Visa Infinite welcome offer includes $150 deposited into the cardholder's investment account after $2,000 in first-month spend. Combined with the $99 annual fee, the net first-year cost is effectively zero if you value the invested bonus at face value.

For those willing to consider premium products, the American Express Platinum Card is offering 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $10,000 in three months. At $799 per year, the Platinum Card requires significant spending to justify, but the welcome bonus alone can be worth $2,000 or more through strategic Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy transfers.

When evaluating these offers, consider your actual spending capacity, the minimum spend requirements, and whether you will use the card beyond the welcome bonus period. The best welcome bonus is one that aligns with a card you would benefit from holding long-term, rather than one you will cancel after collecting the sign-up incentive.