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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.
Recently, we’ve seen a number of new cards hit the market, and a number of them are worth your while.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege – Apply Now
RBC is offering an all-time-high welcome bonus of 100,000 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 here 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 45,000 points doesn’t require doing anything except holding the card past its first-year anniversary, and 45,000 points are well worth the $399 annual fee.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is also offering an all-time high of 70,000 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.
BMO Blue Rewards World Elite Mastercard – Apply Now
Newly launched as of yesterday, the BMO Blue Rewards World Elite comes with up to 100,000 Blue Rewards points and the $150 annual fee is also waived in the first year. Part of the welcome bonus is also a 0% interest rate on balance transfers for the firsts 12 months.
You also get a $200 NEXUS credit and 4 complimentary lounge visits via Dragonpass. As more unique perks, BMO also includes roadside assistance, three months of Instacart+, and a $10 monthly Instacart credit.
This card stands out for its strong earn rate of 10 points per $1 spent at Blue Rewards partners, including H&M, Global Pet Foods, Pharmsave, and HelloFresh. I think many people would be surprised to learn just how retailers participate in Blue Rewards.
Redeeming is straightforward at a rate of 1,500 points = $10 at any Blue Rewards partner, so this card pairs a high earn rate with rewards that deliver immediate, predictable value on purchases you’d be making anyway.
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.
Neo World Elite Mastercard – Shop & Dine – Apply Now
Newly revamped for June 2026, Neo has split its cash back cards into 3 different categories, but I want to draw particular attention to the Shop & Dine variant.
This card is unique because Neo is offering 3% cash back on shopping & retail, which is quite a good return in a category where few competitors offer elevated rewards. With this card, Neo also offers 5% cash back on food & drink purchases, which outranks all competitors in terms of pure cash back in your wallet.
This card is for a very specific customer, but that person will be rewarded handsomely.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ – Apply Now
This card is all good things: the best no foreign transaction fee card in Canada, complimentary lounge access for both primary and supplementary cardholders, and a great sign-up bonus to boot (apply by July 1):
- 40,000 points upon spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
- 10,000 points upon spending $10,000 in the first 6 months
- 10,000 points upon spending $40,000 in the first year
This card has an extremely generous allowance of 6 complimentary visits for all cardholders, with supplementary cardholders receiving their own access — the most of any card at the $150 annual fee level.
Notably, categorized earn rates like 2X on grocery, dining, entertainment, and transit even work abroad, with charges in foreign currency. Combined with no foreign transaction fees, this is a fantastic travel card.
Redeeming Scene+ points is also very flexible. You can book travel with any provider, site, or operator and then use the “Apply Points to Travel” option to cover costs within 12 months of the purchase date. This is my preferred card for Airbnb bookings or any airline and hotel bookings that don’t align with other co-branded cards.
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!
