Float

Here’s my Canada-focused shortlist of business credit cards I’d actually consider — prioritizing cards from issuers Canadians really use: Amex, RBC, TD, CIBC, BMO, Scotiabank, plus newer corporate-card players Float and Loop.

Best overall picks by use case

My practical recommendation

If you want one card only, I’d start with:

1. RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business — best flexible, mainstream Visa pick.
2. TD Aeroplan Visa Business — best if you fly Air Canada often.
3. Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business — best if you have meaningful USD/international spend.
4. BMO CashBack Business Mastercard or RBC Business Cash Back Mastercard — best no-fee, low-maintenance option.

If you’re a higher-spend business owner, the strongest combo is usually:

Amex Business Platinum or Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve + RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business or TD Aeroplan Visa Business as backup.

That works because Amex can be very rewarding, but Visa/Mastercard acceptance is still more dependable in Canada, especially with smaller merchants. Canadian credit-card guides continue to note that Amex acceptance has improved but still lags Visa/Mastercard in some merchant categories. (finzap.ca)

Quick rule of thumb

• Travel often, not loyal to one airline: Amex Business Platinum + RBC Avion.
• Mostly Air Canada: TD Aeroplan Visa Business or Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve.
• Lots of U.S. software, ads, suppliers, SaaS, travel: Scotiabank Passport Business, Loop or Float.
• Want simple cash back: RBC Business Cash Back Mastercard or BMO CashBack Business Mastercard.
• Team spending / approvals / receipts: Float or Loop.
• Marriott-heavy travel: Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex.

One caveat: many Canadian small-business cards still underwrite based partly on the owner’s personal credit and may require personal liability/guarantee; corporate-card products are different and may be better for larger or incorporated businesses with revenue history. (ratehub.ca)

When choosing a business credit card in Canada, the "best" card depends entirely on how your business spends, whether you travel frequently, if you deal with international vendors, and how you want to manage your cash flow.

Here is a breakdown of the top business credit cards in Canada that business owners actually use, categorized by what they do best.

1. Best for Premium Travel & High Spend: American Express Business Platinum Card

If your business has significant monthly expenses and you travel frequently, this card is widely considered the gold standard in Canada.

• Annual Fee: $799 CAD
• Earn Rate: 1.25 Membership Rewards (MR) points per $1 spent on all purchases.
• Key Perks:
  • Unmatched airport lounge access (Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Amex Centurion Lounges).
  • High-value annual statement credits: up to $120 for wireless/mobile services, $200 travel credit, and various software/business credits (like Dell and Indeed).
  • Elite hotel status (Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold).
  • 1:1 points transfer to frequent flyer programs like Air Canada Aeroplan and British Airways Avios.
• Why business owners use it: The massive welcome bonuses (often over 100,000 points) and premium travel benefits easily offset the high annual fee if you travel even a few times a year.

2. Best for International Purchases & No FX Fees: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card

Most Canadian credit cards charge a sneaky 2.5% foreign exchange fee on non-CAD transactions. If you purchase inventory in USD, pay for foreign software, or travel outside Canada, this card is a must-have.

• Annual Fee: $199 CAD (often rebated in the first year)
• Earn Rate: A flat 1.5 Scene+ points per $1 spent on all purchases.
• Key Perks:
  • No foreign transaction fees (0% FX markup).
  • 6 complimentary airport lounge visits per year via the Visa Airport Companion program.
  • Excellent travel insurance package.
• Why business owners use it: It is one of the only premium business Visa cards in Canada to offer no FX fees. It is widely accepted globally and saves thousands of dollars for businesses dealing with international suppliers.

3. Best for Flexible Flight Rewards: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business

The RBC Avion program is a favorite among Canadian business owners who want simple, flexible travel rewards without being locked into a single airline.

• Annual Fee: $175 CAD
• Earn Rate: 1.25 Avion points per $1 spent (up to $75,000 annually), and 1 point per $1 after that.
• Key Perks:
  • Highly flexible Avion Air Travel Tool (use points to book any flight on any airline with no blackout dates or seat restrictions).
  • Points can be transferred to British Airways Avios, WestJet dollars, and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.
  • Great insurance, including mobile device protection.
• Why business owners use it: RBC is Canada's largest bank, and its commercial integration is seamless. Business owners love Avion points because they hold a stable value and are incredibly easy to redeem for flights.

4. Best for Air Canada Loyalists: TD Aeroplan Visa Business Card

If you or your employees fly primarily with Air Canada, a co-branded Aeroplan business card is the most efficient way to rack up Aeroplan points and enjoy flyer perks.

• Annual Fee: $149 CAD
• Earn Rate: 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on Air Canada purchases, travel, dining, shipping, and telecom; 1 point per $1 on everything else.
• Key Perks:
  • First checked bag free for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation.
  • Preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight redemptions.
  • Employee card spending consolidates points directly into your business account.
• Why business owners use it: If you fly Air Canada even twice a year, the savings from free checked bags alone covers the annual fee, while the point accelerators make it easy to earn free business travel flights.

5. Best No-Fee Cashback Card: BMO CashBack Business Mastercard

For sole proprietors, freelancers, or business owners who want to keep things simple without paying an annual fee, this is the top choice.

• Annual Fee: $0 CAD
• Earn Rate: 1.5% cash back on gas, office supplies, and recurring cell phone/internet bills; 1.75% at Shell; 0.75% on all other purchases.
• Why business owners use it: It targets the exact day-to-day categories that small businesses spend on. Getting a flat 1.5% cash back on recurring telecom and office supplies with zero annual fee is incredibly competitive.

6. Best Fintech Solution for Teams (No Personal Guarantee): Float Corporate Card

If you run a rapidly growing startup or a mid-sized business with several employees, legacy banks make it difficult to issue corporate cards and manage expenses. Float is a Canadian fintech corporate card that has become incredibly popular.

• Annual Fee: $0 (on their basic tier)
• Type: Prepaid/Charge card (directly tied to your business bank account).
• Key Perks:
  • No personal credit check or personal guarantee required to get started.
  • Issue unlimited virtual cards instantly for employees with custom spending limits (e.g., $100 for a specific software subscription).
  • Seamless integration with QuickBooks and Xero.
  • Earns up to 4% interest on CAD/USD balances and 1% cashback on monthly spending.
• Why business owners use it: It eliminates the headache of employee expense reports and receipt chasing. If you have a team of people making online purchases, Float or competitor platforms like Loop/Jeeves are much easier to manage than traditional bank cards.

Tips for choosing the right Canadian business card:

1. Amex vs. Visa/Mastercard Acceptance: While Amex cards offer the best reward values in Canada, some local Canadian merchants and wholesalers still do not accept them. Most business owners pair a primary Amex (for travel and large online expenses) with a backup Visa or Mastercard (like the Scotiabank Passport or BMO CashBack) for day-to-day local spending.
2. Business Structure: If you are a sole proprietor, you can easily apply for any of these cards using your legal name and personal credit. If you are incorporated, you will need to provide your business registration documents.
3. Watch the Sign-up Bonuses: Canadian banks change their welcome offers every few months. Before you apply, always check the current promotions, as they often waive the first-year annual fee and throw in massive point bonuses for meeting early spend requirements.

The best business credit cards in Canada depend on your annual spending, whether you prioritize rewards/points (especially transferable ones like Aeroplan or Marriott), cash back, travel perks (including no foreign transaction fees), or simplicity/no fees.

Popular options among Canadian small business owners and sole proprietors (who can typically apply using personal credit) include American Express cards for high rewards earners, and major bank cards (RBC, Scotiabank, BMO, TD, CIBC) for those who value integration with existing banking, easier approvals, or specific perks like no FX fees.

Real-user discussions (e.g., on forums) and reviews often highlight Amex for points chasers and bank cards for everyday use or low-maintenance needs. Fintech options like Float exist for expense management but are less universally adopted than traditional cards.

Top Recommendations (as of 2026)

Here are standout options based on recent comparisons, focusing on those frequently recommended for value:

• American Express Business Gold Rewards Card (or similar like Business Edge): Often cited as a top overall or best for high spenders/flexible rewards. Earns strong points (e.g., 3x or 2x on top categories like advertising, shipping, gas, restaurants, or software—auto-detected), with transferable Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan, Marriott, etc. Annual fee around $199 (or $99 for Edge variant). Welcome bonuses can be substantial (e.g., 100,000+ points in some offers). Best for businesses spending $25K–$150K+ annually who value points flexibility.

• Amex Business Edge: Frequently recommended as the sweet spot for most small-to-medium businesses. $99 fee, strong earning (3x on top category + 1.5x elsewhere), solid insurance, and points value. Good balance of fee and returns.

• Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business: Strong for travel-heavy or international spending due to no foreign transaction fees, lounge access, and points earning on travel/dining/transit. Annual fee around $149–$199. Popular alternative to Amex for Visa users.

• RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business: Good for RBC banking customers or those wanting flexible Avion points for travel. Earning rates vary (often 1.25x or similar), with perks like car rental discounts. Annual fee ~$120–$175.

• No-fee options for starters or cashback focus:

  • CIBC Costco Business Mastercard: Top-rated no-annual-fee card with cash back/statement credits (strong at Costco), welcome bonuses like up to $100 credits. Ideal for businesses already shopping there.
  • BMO Air Miles World Business or CashBack variants: $0 fee options with Air Miles earning or cash back on categories like gas/office supplies. Great entry-level or for Air Miles collectors.
  • RBC or TD Business Cash Back cards: Straightforward 1%+ cash back with no fee.

• Aeroplan-focused: TD Aeroplan Visa Business or CIBC Aeroplan Business cards for Air Canada flyers, with lounge access and status credits in some cases.

Quick Tips for Canadians

• Match to your spend: High rewards spenders → Amex Gold/Edge. Travel/international → Scotiabank Passport. Simple cash back or new business → No-fee bank cards like BMO or CIBC Costco.
• Banking ties: Approval and perks are often easier if you already bank with RBC, TD, Scotiabank, etc.
• Other factors: Business cards help separate expenses for taxes/accounting. Check current welcome bonuses, as they change. Most require good personal credit; sole props are eligible for most.
• Premium tier: Amex Business Platinum ($799 fee) for heavy travelers needing lounges and top perks, but only if the value justifies it.

Compare current offers directly on issuer sites (Amex, RBC, Scotiabank, etc.), as terms, bonuses, and eligibility vary. Consider your total annual business spend to calculate real returns—many cards pay for themselves quickly on $50K+. If your needs are specific (e.g., high FX spend or particular rewards program), provide more details for tailored advice.