Every “best card” ranking on this site follows the same method. This page explains what we measure, where our information comes from, and what we never let affect a ranking.
In short
- We rank cards by the money they leave you with after the annual fee, using the same three household budgets across the site.
- We value points at what you can easily get for them, not the best-case redemption.
- Card details come from the issuer’s own website, and every guide shows when it was last checked.
- No company can pay for a ranking or change what we write.
What we measure
1. Net value after the annual fee
Our main number is simple: a year of rewards on your spending, minus the annual fee. A card that earns more but costs more only wins if the extra rewards cover the fee. We use the card’s regular fee and mention first-year waivers separately, because they only help for one year.
2. Our three household budgets
To compare cards fairly, every guide uses the same three illustrative monthly budgets. They are examples we built to cover light, average and heavy card users, not official Canadian averages.
| Monthly spending | Low | Moderate | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $500 | $900 | $1,300 |
| Gas | $200 | $350 | $500 |
| Dining and delivery | $150 | $400 | $800 |
| Recurring bills | $200 | $450 | $700 |
| Everything else | $450 | $1,400 | $2,700 |
| Total | $1,500 | $3,500 | $6,000 |
Category guides use the matching line from this table. For example, our grocery rankings use $500, $900 and $1,300 a month.
3. Earn rates and caps
We look at the rate in the category that matters for the guide, how much spending qualifies before the rate drops, and the base rate on everything else.
4. What a point is really worth
Points are only worth what you redeem them for. For rankings we use a floor value: what you can get with an easy redemption such as a statement credit. Where travel redemptions can be worth more, we show that separately, so you can see the upside without it inflating the ranking. Cash back is counted at face value. See cents per point for how we work this out.
5. Where the card works
A great earn rate is worthless at a store that won’t take the card. We check card network acceptance, such as Loblaw stores and Costco not accepting American Express. See which stores accept Amex in Canada.
6. Costs and requirements
We note foreign transaction fees, income requirements and anything else that changes who can get the card or what it really costs.
7. Welcome bonuses
We describe welcome offers, but we don’t use them to rank cards. A bonus is paid once, and offers change often. The ranking reflects what a card is worth year after year.
Where our information comes from
- Issuers first. Earn rates, fees, caps and requirements come from the card issuer’s own website and terms.
- Cross-checks. We compare against published reviews and point valuations, and say so when sources disagree or we can’t confirm something.
- Dated. Every guide shows when its rates were last checked.
How often we update
We review each guide every 60 to 90 days, and sooner when a card changes its rates, fees or rules. The date at the top of each guide shows the latest check.
What never affects a ranking
Card issuers and partners can’t pay for a placement, review our articles before they’re published, or change what we say. If we earn a commission from a link in the future, it won’t change the order of any list. Read more about how we make money.
Our guides are general information, not financial advice. The right card depends on your own spending, credit and goals, so always confirm the details with the issuer before you apply.
Spot a mistake?
Card terms change often. If something on the site looks out of date, email hello@bestcanadiancreditcards.com and we’ll check it.