Where Can You Use Your Credit Card in Canada? (2026 Guide)

Visa and Mastercard are taken at almost every store in Canada. American Express is taken at most, but not all, and where a card works isn’t the only question. The store’s merchant category code decides whether you earn your card’s bonus rate, some payments like rent and taxes don’t count as bills, and spending abroad usually costs a 2.5% fee. This page brings our guides on where and how your card works together in one place.

Quick answers

BestVisa and Mastercard: accepted almost everywhere in Canada. Carry one even if your main card is an Amex.
Check firstAmerican Express: Loblaw stores like Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills and Fortinos don’t take it in store. Metro does, and so do most other grocers.
OkayBonus categories: a store counts as “grocery” or “gas” based on its merchant category code, not what it sells. Warehouse clubs and superstores may not count as grocery stores.
Check firstRent, taxes and travel: rent and tax payments may not count as bills for rewards, and most cards add a 2.5% fee on foreign purchases.

Tip: Before a big purchase or a new bill, check two things: does the store take your card, and does it count for your bonus rate.

Which stores take which card

Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere. American Express is the one to check. In store, Loblaw-owned grocers list PC Mastercard, Visa, Mastercard, Interac and cash, and not Amex. Metro’s store pages list Visa, Mastercard and American Express. FreshCo’s FAQ lists Visa, Mastercard, Interac and cash, but our team has paid with Amex at a FreshCo in Ontario.

Which stores accept Amex in Canada?Grocery stores, Costco, Walmart and more, store by store.Does Costco take Visa or Amex?What Costco accepts in the warehouse, online and at the gas bar.CIBC Costco Mastercard reviewCostco’s own card, and when it’s worth it.

Does the store count for your bonus rate?

Card issuers decide what counts as “grocery”, “dining” or “gas” using the merchant category code (MCC) the store chooses, not what it sells. A warehouse club or a superstore may not code as a grocery store, so your card may pay its base rate there. A store that takes your card doesn’t always earn your best rate.

Merchant category codesHow stores are coded and why it matters for rewards.Best grocery credit cardsWhich cards pay the most at the grocery store.Best gas and EV charging cardsWhat counts as gas, and the cards that pay most.

Paying bills, rent and taxes by card

Many cards pay a bonus on recurring bills like phone, internet, insurance and subscriptions billed to your card automatically. Rent and taxes are different. Since October 22, 2026, Scotiabank’s Momentum cash back terms say rent payments (MCC 6513) and tax payments (MCC 9311) aren’t eligible recurring bill payments. Services that let you pay rent or taxes by card often charge a fee, so compare it with what your card earns.

Best cards for recurring billsWhich bills earn a bonus, and which cards pay most.Scotia Momentum rent and tax changeWhat changed on October 22, 2026, with a calculator.Statement balance vs current balanceWhich number to pay to avoid interest.

Using your card outside Canada

Most Canadian credit cards charge a fee on purchases in another currency. The American Express Cobalt, for example, charges 2.5%. A few cards, like the Scotiabank Gold American Express, charge no foreign transaction fee, which matters if you travel or shop online in US dollars.

Foreign transaction feesWhat the fee is and when you pay it.Foreign fee calculatorWhat the fee costs you on a trip.No foreign transaction fee cardsCards that skip the 2.5% fee.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I use my credit card in Canada?

Visa and Mastercard are accepted at almost every store in Canada. American Express is accepted at most stores but not all. Loblaw grocery stores don’t take it in store.

Which stores don’t accept American Express in Canada?

Loblaw-owned grocers, including Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Fortinos, Zehrs, Maxi and Provigo, list Visa, Mastercard, Interac and cash for in-store payments, not Amex. See our store-by-store list for more.

Why didn’t my purchase earn my card’s grocery rate?

Card issuers use the store’s merchant category code to decide what counts as grocery. Some stores that sell groceries, like warehouse clubs, are coded differently, so they earn the base rate.

Can I earn rewards paying rent or taxes by credit card?

It depends on the card. Since October 22, 2026, Scotia Momentum cards don’t count rent or tax payments as recurring bills, so they earn the regular rate. Payment services for rent or taxes often charge a fee.

Do Canadian credit cards charge fees abroad?

Most do, often 2.5% of each purchase in another currency. Some cards, like the Scotiabank Gold American Express, have no foreign transaction fee.

Which stores accept Amex in Canada?: store by store
Credit card glossary: plain-English definitions
Best rewards credit cards: our top picks
Start here: how to choose your first rewards card

How we checked: Loblaw store payment options come from the Fortinos and Real Canadian Superstore help pages. Metro’s accepted cards come from its store pages, and FreshCo’s from its FAQ. The rent and tax rule comes from Scotiabank’s Momentum Visa Infinite+ cash back terms. Foreign transaction fees come from the American Express Cobalt and Scotiabank Gold American Express card pages. Store policies change and franchised stores can differ, so check at the till if you’re unsure. This page is general information, not financial advice. Sources: Fortinos: in-store payment options; Real Canadian Superstore: in-store payment options; Metro store page (payment); FreshCo FAQ; Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ cash back terms; American Express Cobalt; Scotiabank Gold American Express. Last checked October 2026.

Where Can You Use Your Credit Card in Canada?