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Best joint credit card in Canada

Best joint credit card in Canada

Cameron Smonk Freelance Writer
Christine Smonk Freelance writer

Updated Jan 24, 2025

Are you looking to say "I do" to a joint credit card? Take a look at our picks for the best joint credit card in Canada.

While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings.

A great joint credit card can help you manage shared expenses and streamline your family finances while building credit together.

Looking to fund the best joint credit card in Canada? Whether you want to build credit, finance a home upgrade project, or earn travel rewards towards your next dream vacation, we've carefully reviewed and hand-selected the best joint card options. 

  • Why you can trust Money.ca's best joint credit cards in Canada list

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    Our partnerships have no impact on our ratings, which are solely determined by the merits of each card. To learn more about how we researched and ranked these cards, read our full credit card review methodology.

    After, check out our Best Credit Cards Canada list to see all our winners.

Best joint credit cards

Best joint credit card in Canada

There are  two types of people who want a joint credit card.

The first are people in looking to combine their finances with someone else to make high minimum spend requirements and fees to access juicy bonuses from premium cards.

The second are people averse to complicated finances and want to get the most out of the fewest possible products.

The joint card you pick will be different for each need, and will also change if you’re a married couple or just roommates. Here’s a few cards for your consideration:

Best overall

up to 140k pts

Welcome Bonus

$931

First Year Value

$231

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points* after spending $10,000 on your Card within your first 3 months as a new Platinum® Cardmember.*

Learn More Apply Now On American Express' Secure Site

Remember those two types of people I mentioned? Well, let’s start with talking about the first kind. The best joint credit card is also realistically one of the best credit cards – and the most expensive.

That would be The Platinum Card®. Towering high annual fee, huge minimum spend for the bonus – all ameliorated when the cost is split between two people. It’s $799 (Supplementary Platinum Cards: $250 each), but realistically you could get one and share it – the perks, bonuses and credits all make it worthwhile.

Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Runner up

10% back†

Welcome Bonus

$758

First Year Value

$558

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000†.

Learn More Apply Now On CIBC's Secure Site

For the more “set it and forget it” kind of pair, the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the better cash back options out there. First year rebated†. Each additional card is $30 per year, max 3 — first year rebated† After that, it’s $120 annually. There’s also a welcome bonus:  Get a first-year annual fee rebate for you and up to three Authorized Users† and earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000†. Then it’s 4% cash back on groceries and gas, 2% on dining and recurring payments and 1% on everything else.

For a daily driver, this one’s hard to beat.

  • †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for the residents of Quebec.
  • The information for the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for dining

Best couples credit card: Dining out

up to 15k pts

Welcome Bonus

$679.02

First Year Value

$529.02

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points* by earning 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 on your Card in your first year as a new Cardmember. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year.*

Learn More Apply Now On American Express' Secure Site

You’re young, you’re hip, you’re definitely not married. But you are with someone special enough that you want to share a credit card, and you want to dine out together while reaping the rewards.

There’s exactly one card that shines here more than any other and that’s the Amex Cobalt.

You pay $$12.99/month for it, but that gets you an additional card for free and 5x points on restaurants and food delivery. And that’s not including the bonus points you get for spending in the first year. For the food fans, this is the joint card for you.

  • Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.

    American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Best for travel

Best couples credit card: Travelling

up to $1,300* value

Welcome Bonus

$926

First Year Value

$0

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $1,300* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points*

Learn More Apply Now On Scotiabank's Secure Site

For couples looking to travel, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is worth considering.

First perk: it’s one of the few cards in Canada that doesn’t charge a fee for a supplementary card and you get the full range of perks (First supplementary Card is $0/year ($50/year on each additional Card)). For its $150 annual fee, you get a decent welcome bonus, and an ongoing Scene points bonus every year you spend enough on it (easier to do with two people, details in the box below). And as for the travel perks, it’s got comprehensive travel insurance, 0% FX fees and 6 lounge passes a year. Not too shabby! 

  • Welcome bonus (and ongoing bonus) details

    +

    Earn up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points*.

    • $300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $2,000 within the first 3 months;

    • $100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months);

    • $50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients;

    • $137 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average first year annual foreign spend per account (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by othercard issuers);

    • $399 in first year point earn potential (30,000 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per account with an average spend of 20% in 2X accelerator categories;

    • $359 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on ‘Preferential’ membership valued at approx. CAD$359/USD$259). Currency conversion as at October 25, 2024.

    Potential First Year Value = up to $1,345

  • Rates, fees and other information are effective as of January 3, 2025. Subject to change.

    Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card to learn more.

    *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

Best for married travel

Best card for married couples: Travel

up to 85k pts

Welcome Bonus

$3,011

First Year Value

$1,261

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 Aeroplan®* points* after spending $7,500 on your Card within the first 3 months as a new Cardmember.*

Learn More Apply Now On American Express' Secure Site

Serious (married) couples deserve a serious travel card.

And if the Amex Platinum is a little steep for your comfort, consider the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card. It’s got a BIG welcome bonus: Earn up to 85,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan®* points, plus Unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges, fourth night free on hotels when you redeem with Aeroplan points, priority airport check in, priority boarding – and let’s not forget the sweet metal card.

It comes at a cost though… $599 annually to be exact. And for an additional card you’ll be looking at a $199 for each additional card – but honestly, I’d consider just attaching the optional no-fee version of the additional card. You don’t get all the perks, but if you’re travelling as a couple and one of you has the Aeroplan Reserve you can enjoy the lounge access which allows for a guest from the main card anyway.

Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

  • Full welcome bonus details

    +

    Earn up to 85,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan®* points. Here's the breakdown:

    Earn 60,000 Aeroplan®* points* after spending $7,500 on your Card within the first 3 months as a new Cardmember.*

    Plus, earn 25,000 Aeroplan®* points* when you spend $2,500 in month 13.*

    *Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for these offers. Other terms apply.

  • Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.

    American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Best for cash back

Best card for married couples: Cash back

10% back

Welcome Bonus

$620

First Year Value

$420

Annual Value

Learn More Apply Now On Scotiabank's Secure Site

Since I already mentioned the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card up top, I’ll give a shout out to the Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite down here.

It’s nearly as good, and if you’re a Scotiabank diehard, it might be preferable.

You get 4% cashback on groceries and recurring payments, 2% on gas and transit and 1% on everything else. As for the welcome bonus: Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases).1 Plus, no annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards. After that you’ll be paying $120 annually. So far the same as the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card – but the one catch is that the Scotiabank Momentum charges $$50 per supplementary card (after the first year). Achilles heel? I’ll let you be the judge.

  • Welcome bonus details

    +

    1. To qualify for these offers make sure to open a new Scotiabank Momentum® Visa Infinite* credit card account by October 31, 2025.

    2. To earn 10% cash back, make sure to use your new card to make everyday eligible purchases and earn 10% cash back on the first $2,000 you spend in your first 3 months from account opening.

    Once you qualify, we’ll credit your account in 2 instalments:

    1. Bonus Cash Back: The amount earned under the Cash Back Bonus Rate will be credited to your Account within approximately 7 months from the account open date; and

    2. Regular Cash Back: The amount earned under your regular Cash Back Program Rate will be credited to your Account according to the regular cash back payment schedule as set out under the Program (i.e., November).

    Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for these offers.

    See terms and conditions for full details.


  • Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card to learn more.

Best for roommates

Best roommates card: Cash back on shared expenses

$484

First Year Value

$384

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get a bonus 10% cash back for the first 2 months – up to $100. Plus, a 1.95% promotional balance transfer interest rate for the first 6 months.

Learn More

Tangerine wins this category by a landslide with their Money Back Mastercard. You’ve got roommates, cool – that means you’re prioritizing saving money. So you’re going to love the fact that the Money Back card has no fees – and that’s for up to FIVE additional card holders ($0 for additional cardholders).

It offers 2% cash back in two categories (choose groceries – you can buy beer at the grocery store now) and 0.5% on everything else. That money gets deposited as cash into your free Tangerine savings account, so you and the roomies can spring for something nice at the end of every month.

How joint cards work

How does a joint credit card work?

I won’t blame you if you’re a bit confused by the “joint” in all this. In short, most (but not all) credit cards offer a “supplementary” or “additional” card which is attached to yours.

In the vast majority of cases, this additional card will have all the perks associated with the primary card. The exception to this (like with the Aeroplan Reserve) are the no-fee supplementary cards. These allow you to spend onto the main card (which is great for making minimum spend for bonuses) but doesn’t privilege you with the rest of the perks, insurance coverage, etc.

Finally, there’s a very small list of cards that offer no-fee supplementary cards that act just like the main card. These are few and far between, so make sure you read the fine print before signing up. In addition to the aforementioned CIBC and Amex Cobalt cards, which have free supplementary cards, there’s also the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard and the Vancity enviro Visa Infinite Card.

Benefits

The benefits and drawbacks of a joint credit card

The benefits of a joint card are clear – two people spending on one card makes it easier to collect bonuses, earn cashback and track expenses. And if the supplementary card is cheaper (or even free) than applying for a separate card, it’s a win, win, win.

But from time to time the supplementary card is expensive, or doesn’t offer all the same perks. And some credit cards offer sweet deals, but no supplementary cards at all. Which means if you’re committed to the joint lifestyle, you might be depriving yourself of good deals.

And not to get, you know, overly intimate with the conversation on credit cards, but there is the hassle of dealing with a breakup and sorting out getting a new credit card. Not to mention sharing a card means you’re only contributing to the credit score of the person whose name it’s in (which gets potentially frightening if you’re sharing it with a roommate whose debt-management habits leave something to be desired).

Basically, adding another person or people to your card means more variables that are tied to your credit – something not everyone feels comfortable with.

Cameron Smonk Freelance Writer

Cam is a content marketer with a passion for saving, financial independence, and pulling off elaborate credit card point schemes. He has worked in Fintech and Finserve (specifically Group Retirement) and loves researching and writing about finance.

Christine Smonk Freelance writer

After years as a product manager at TD Bank and Ratehub.ca, Christine now expresses herself with words, especially in credit cards and personal finance.

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