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Why These 5 Cards?
I can’t tire of repeating this – every family and individual has unique requirements and aspirations. For some, the ideal credit card is the one that unlocks luxury travel experiences. For others, it’s the simple satisfaction of seeing cashback rewards ease the burden of yearly expenses. The reality is that there is no single “best” card that works for everyone, and despite my best efforts, it is nearly impossible to curate a list of five cards that will universally suit all needs.
That said, the PMB community has always leaned heavily toward travel and points enthusiasts, so my selections reflect that readership while still considering the broader spectrum of preferences. My approach has been to strike a balance featuring cards that deliver excellent value for travel, whether through direct flight rewards or flexible transferable currencies, while also highlighting options that can make everyday spending feel more rewarding.
Another layer of rationale is the timing. As usual, I’ve placed particular emphasis on cards that are actively running limited-time promotions. The focus is on two attributes that almost everyone loves:
- High welcome bonuses that set you up with a solid points or cashback windfall right out of the gate.
- Annual fee waivers or rebates that reduce the upfront cost of trying a premium product.
Together, these criteria ensure the recommendations are not only relevant but also represent outsized value in the current market. Whether your goal is to fund aspirational premium-cabin travel, keep your options open with flexible currencies, or simply put cashback in your pocket, this shortlist is designed to get your attention—and, hopefully, help you make a smarter decision for your own financial and lifestyle goals.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite – Apply Now
RBC is offering an all-time-high welcome bonus of 70,000 points!
This is the highest bonus we have ever seen and is extremely time-sensitive only until July 15.
When someone asks, “What’s the best credit card to get right now?”, this is my go-to. A rich 35,000 points are awarded right upon approval, and you have six months to complete the $5,000 minimum spend for the other 20,000 (Apply by June 15, 2026). The final chunk of 15,000 points doesn’t require doing anything except holding the card past its first-year anniversary, and the anniversary points are well worth the $120 annual fee.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is also offering an all-time high of 100,000 Avion points with the same points structure as the Visa Infinite, except the anniversary chunk is 45,000 points.
Remember that RBC Avion points are fantastic: they can be redeemed on the fixed travel chart (with a high floor value) and can be transferred to multiple frequent flyer programs, depending on your travel goals. Want to fly in a First Class suite with a separate bed and chair? Transfer your Avion to American Airlines AAdvantage. Need to fly around Europe this summer? British Airways Avios has got you.
United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard – Apply Now
Newly launched in April, the United Mastercard introduces competition in the Star Alliance co-branded credit card space in Canada, existing alongside the Aeroplan co-branded cards.
Perks include a free first checked bag, group 2 priority boarding on United, and a $120 Nexus fee reimbursement.
The welcome bonus is a sweet 20,000 miles, with a 5,000-mile renewal bonus every 365 days of your account remaining in good standing. After the end of the first year, you will have racked up 25,000 miles.
Most importantly, holding a United co-branded credit card unlocks exclusive United award space and also gives a 10% discount when redeeming on United metal — a number that gets bumped up to 15% if you also hold United Elite status. Recall that United Premier Silver is a perk of Marriott Titanium status.
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card – Apply Now
The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card continues to be the card to get. The richest bonus to date has been extended: earn up to 165,000 TD Rewards points upon spending $7,500 within the first 180 days of opening the card.
There is also an annual fee rebate for the first year, a Birthday Bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points, a $100 annual TD Travel Credit (when booking through Expedia for TD), and up to 4 complimentary lounge visits via the Visa Airport Companion Program. Lounge access on this card is new as of April 2025 and makes an already great card even better.
The card’s strong insurance package complements its earning and redemption capabilities. You’ll earn an impressive 8 points for every dollar spent when booking travel through Expedia® For TD, and these points can be redeemed against any travel booked directly through Expedia For TD at a rate of 200 points = $1.
Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite+ – Apply Now
It’s not often that a cashback card makes the “Top 5” credit card list, but the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ is the only one of its kind that permanently lives in my wallet.
Last week, Scotiabank bumped up the welcome bonus to 15% cashback on all purchases in the first 3 months, up to $2,000 in total purchases. The usual sign-up bonus is 10%, so if you were considering this (excellent) card, now is the right time to sign up.
The earn rate is fantastic with 4% on groceries, recurring bills, and subscription payments. It also earns 2% on food delivery, gas, and daily transit. There is a spending cap, but it’s very high at $25,000 a year.
A fun fact: all spending on Chexy is categorized as a recurring bill, so even if you’re paying the maximum Chexy fee of 1.75%, you net 2.25% in cashback. It’s extra sweet now that Scotiabank allows cardholders to use their cashback anytime.
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard – Apply Now
The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard currently has an elevated welcome offer of up to 100,000 points with an annual fee waiver in the first year:
- 45,000 points upon spending $5,000 within the first 110 days
- 20,000 points upon spending $10,000 within the first 180 days
- 35,000 points upon spending $20,000 within the first 365 days
The spending requirement is on the higher side, but so is the time you have to complete it — $20,000 over 12 months is equivalent to spending $1,667 per month. BMO Rewards points are easy to use, as you can book directly and redeem points as a statement credit worth 0.67 cents each. The earn rate also stands out with 5X on travel and 3X on dining, entertainment, and recurring bill payments.
Unique to BMO, enjoy six months of Instacart+ and a $10 montly Instacart credit on top of four complimentary lounge passes.
I am sure every reader can recommend a unique set of the top 5 for the month. Feel free to add your recommendations in the comments below!
