Canadians switching to no annual fee credit cards to save money: survey
Canadians love to use credit cards and collect rewards for free flights, groceries or to get cashback.
A new survey by J.D.Power found that during the pandemic many have decided to ditch their annual fee credit cards in favour of cards that don’t charge a fee.
Over the past year, 22 per cent of credit card customers switched to a no-annual-fee card to save money.
“It seems there is more of a preference or a move towards no-fee cards. Not having an annual fee on your credit card is important for some consumers right now," John Cabell, J.D. Power’s director of banking and payments intelligence, told CTV News Toronto.
Many Canadians use a credit card that is issued by their bank, but the 2021 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study found it may also be a good idea to check around to see what other financial institutions are offering.
“Issuers are issuing new types of credit cards all the time, so there could be new products out there that you are not familiar with that might fit your needs better," Cabell said.
The survey found that Tangerine Bank, Canadian Tire and PC Financial came out as the top three cards when it came to benefits, services and rewards.
2021 Credit Card Satisfaction Survey
- Tangerine Bank
- Canadian Tire
- PC Financial
- American Express
- Desjardins
- RBC Royal Bank
- Capital One
- Scotiabank
- CIBC
- National Bank
- BMO Bank of Montreal
- MBNA
- TD Canada Trust
Before the pandemic, a popular choice for rewards was cards that allowed you to collect points towards flights and hotel stays, but with many people not travelling, 22 per cent have postponed reward redemption for more than a year.
The number of customers choosing travel rewards cards through the comparison website Ratehub.ca has dropped by about 50 per cent.
“The fact is that a lot of Canadians don't want travel points if they are not going to use them any time soon and would rather have cold hard cash in their bank account or credit card,” Mikael Castaldo with Ratehub.ca told CTV News Toronto.
Ratehub allows you to compare credit cards depending on whether you want to earn rewards or pay low interest.
Castaldo said it's best to do research to find a card that's best for the type of spending you do and make sure the rewards you're collecting aren't costing you money.
“Rewards are great when you're paying off your card and you have no balance, but if you are in a situation where you're paying interest, you're missing payments and paying annual fees that can quickly cancel out your rewards," Castaldo said.
Some users take out multiple credit cards to chase rewards, a practice known as “churning.” However, while you may collect extra points, the practice could damage your credit score.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.