The Points Standard

Independent Canadian card intelligence

The benchmark for cards, points, and rewards.

We calculate what credit-card points, perks, and welcome bonuses are worth — net of fees, not headline bonuses — so you can choose the right card with confidence.

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98 Canadian cards scored on the same 0–10 math · 13 point currencies re-marked monthly · No pay-to-rank, ever

7.7/ 10

The Standard Score™ · No. 1

Amex Cobalt Card

ExcellentAmerican Express

First-year value (30%)
7.0
Ongoing value (20%)
8.5
Flexibility (15%)
9.0
Perk usability (15%)
7.0
Low friction (10%)
6.5
Strategic fit (10%)
8.5

Read the full scored review

The Standard Score

Canada’s top-rated cards right now

Every card is scored 0–10 across six weighted components, with the full breakdown published on every review — see how the score works.

Amex Cobalt Card

People who spend heavily on groceries, restaurants, and delivery and want maximum transferable points per dollar.

$191.88/yr · Amex Membership Rewards7.7/10

Amex Platinum Card (Canada)

Frequent travellers who will actually use lounges, the travel credit, and hotel status several times a year.

$799/yr · Amex Membership Rewards7.6/10

Amex Gold Rewards Card

Travellers who want strong MR earning and real travel insurance without the Platinum's $799 commitment.

$250/yr · Amex Membership Rewards7.5/10

BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard

Households with heavy grocery and recurring-bill spend who want the strongest blended cash-back rate available on a Mastercard.

$139/yr · Cash back7.4/10

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege

Air Canada regulars who want premium Aeroplan perks without Amex acceptance issues.

$599/yr · Aeroplan7.4/10

CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite

Households with heavy grocery and gas bills who want top cash rates on a Visa accepted everywhere.

$120/yr · Cash back7.3/10
Best CardsTravelCash BackNo-FXPremiumGroceries & DiningAirlineBusinessWelcome bonusesAll rankings →

Browse every card review · Compare cards head to head

The Points Standard Index

What points are worth this month

Updated 2026-08-01 · CAD ¢ / point
Aeroplan▼ -0.2¢

1.9¢

Easy floor 1.0¢ · 6-mo trend

Amex Membership Rewards▼ -0.1¢

1.9¢

Easy floor 1.0¢ · 6-mo trend

RBC Avion— steady

1.6¢

Easy floor 1.0¢ · 6-mo trend

British Airways Avios▼ -0.1¢

1.6¢

Easy floor 0.8¢ · 6-mo trend

CIBC Aventura— steady

1.25¢

Easy floor 1.0¢ · 6-mo trend

Scene+— steady

1.0¢

Easy floor 1.0¢ · 6-mo trend

Editorial CAD valuations, re-marked monthly with published assumptions. See the full Index and methodology

Program guides

Know your points before you spend them

A deep guide for every program on the Index — sweet spots, traps, and a calculator for your balance.

Aeroplan Points Value

Canada's deepest flight currency: partner-award sweet spots, the dynamic-pricing trap, and a calculator for your balance.

Amex Membership Rewards Value

The transfer currency: why the 1:1 Aeroplan transfer sets the ceiling and a statement-credit floor sets the safety net.

RBC Avion Points Value

A chart currency: when the Air Travel Redemption Schedule beats 1¢, and when to pay cash instead.

British Airways Avios Value

The specialist's currency: short-haul partner awards near 3¢, surcharge traps everywhere else.

CIBC Aventura Points Value

A chart currency with a safety net: how the Flight Rewards chart adds upside over the 1¢ travel floor.

Scene+ Points Value

The simplest major currency: a flat 1¢ everywhere it matters — and why that changes which card you pick.

All program guides

Free tools

Run the numbers yourself

The same card database and Standard Index behind every ranking, turned into calculators you can run on your own spending.

Take the quiz

Which card should I get?

Answer a few questions about your spending and goals to get your top 3 card matches, scored the same way as every ranking on this site.

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Points → dollars

Points value calculator

Pick a loyalty program and enter your balance to see the easy floor, Standard value, and strong-redemption ceiling in Canadian dollars.

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Compare every program

Points comparison table

See the same balance valued across every program on The Points Standard Index at once — useful for deciding which points to earn or transfer.

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Fee vs. rewards

Card value calculator

Pick one or two cards and your annual spend to see net value after the fee — in the bonus-heavy first year, and every year after.

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2–3 card strategy

Stack builder

Enter your spend and build a 2–3 card stack — each category allocated to its best earner, combined fees subtracted, and the whole thing compared against the best single card.

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Build your own matchup

Card comparison explorer

Pick any 2–3 cards from the database and compare the Standard Score breakdown, fees, earn rates, benefits, and net value side by side.

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Airport lounge map

Lounge access lookup

Pick a Canadian airport to see every lounge and which cards get you in — or pick a card and see exactly which doors it opens at the 8 biggest airports.

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Interactive methodology

Score it your way

Re-weight the six Standard Score components to your own priorities and see every published card re-ranked live — no change to the official score.

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Editorial promise

How we keep the rankings honest

Six weighted inputs

First-year value30%
Ongoing value20%
Flexibility15%
Perk usability15%
Low friction10%
Strategic fit10%
0–10

One published score

Same math for every card — whether or not the issuer pays us.

Our commitments

  • Every ranking’s calculation is explained in the open.
  • We disclose when we may be compensated.
  • Strong cards make the list even when they don’t pay us.
  • Offer details carry last-reviewed dates.
  • Every review says who should skip the card.
  • Point valuations and assumptions publish monthly.

Read the full editorial policy

Analysis

Latest from The Points Standard

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