Credit Cards That Work Best at Costco, Walmart, and Amazon
- William Brazeau
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 24
Not all credit cards work the same at big-box retailers like Costco, Walmart, and Amazon. Some offer higher cash back rates or bonus points, while others may not be accepted at all. Here's a breakdown of the best credit cards in Canada for shopping at these major retailers in 2025.
Best Credit Cards for Costco
Why it works: It's the only credit card accepted at Costco Canada locations.
Key Benefits:
3% cash back at restaurants and Costco Gas.
2% on Costco.ca and other gas stations.
1% on all other purchases.
Annual Fee: $0
Considerations: Cash back is issued as a voucher redeemable only at Costco once per year.
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card (Costco.ca only)
Why it works: Can be used online at Costco.ca but not in-store.
Key Benefits:
5x Scene+ points on groceries, dining, and entertainment.
No foreign transaction fees.
Annual Fee: $120
Considerations: American Express not accepted at physical Costco stores in Canada.
Best Credit Cards for Walmart
Why it works: Walmart’s own card with tailored rewards.
Key Benefits:
1.25% back on Walmart.ca and Walmart Canada stores.
1% everywhere else.
Annual Fee: $0
Considerations: Rewards are in Walmart Rewards Dollars and can only be redeemed at Walmart.
Why it works: Strong cash back across all purchases, including Walmart.
Key Benefits:
1.5% back on all Canadian purchases.
3% back on U.S. dollar purchases.
Annual Fee: $0
Considerations: Minimum income requirement of $80,000 (personal).
Best Credit Cards for Amazon
Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard (MBNA)
Why it works: Optimized for Amazon and Whole Foods shoppers.
Key Benefits:
2.5% back at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods (Prime members).
1.5% back at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods (non-Prime).
1% on everything else.
Annual Fee: $0
Considerations: Rewards are auto-redeemed as Amazon.ca gift cards in $20 increments.
Why it works: High earn rate on food delivery, streaming, and online purchases.
Key Benefits:
5x points on groceries and restaurants.
3x on streaming and select online retailers.
Annual Fee: $155.88/year (charged monthly)
Considerations: Amex is accepted on Amazon.ca but not in-store at most Canadian retailers.
Final Thoughts
When choosing a credit card for Costco, Walmart, or Amazon, the right fit depends on where you shop most and how you prefer to earn rewards. For Costco, the CIBC Costco Mastercard is a no-brainer. Walmart shoppers may benefit from their in-house card or a strong flat-rate option like the Rogers World Elite. And Amazon users should definitely look at MBNA’s Amazon.ca card, especially if they’re Prime members.
Always consider acceptance, reward rates, and any limitations on redemption when choosing a card tailored to your big-box shopping habits.
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