If you spend any time reading about Canadian travel rewards, the one card that is recommended over and over again is the American Express Cobalt Card.
The reason is simple: the Cobalt earns points extremely quickly on categories where many Canadians already spend heavily, including groceries, dining, food delivery, transit, and gas.
Combined with the flexible American Express Membership Rewards points, this makes the Cobalt one of the most popular long-term travel rewards cards in Canada.
The Cobalt’s Real Strength: Everyday Spending
The biggest reason the American Express Cobalt is so popular in Canada is its strong earning rates across common everyday spending categories.
The card currently earns:
- 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on eligible groceries, dining, and food delivery purchases (up to $2,500 in purchases per month, then 1x thereafter)
- 3 points per dollar on eligible streaming subscriptions, like Netflix, Disney+ etc
- 2 points per dollar on eligible transit, gas and rideshare expenses
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
For most Canadians, groceries and dining are already among the largest recurring monthly expenses. That means the Cobalt can generate a significant amount of transferable points through spending many households already have.
This is one of the main reasons many Canadian points enthusiasts consider the Cobalt a long-term “workhorse” or “keeper” card.
What Are Transferable Points?
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Not All Grocery Purchases Are Treated the Same
One important detail to understand is that bonus earning rates are based on how merchants are categorized by American Express..
Many purchases at traditional grocery stores qualify for the 5x multiplier — including some purchases made at in-store pharmacies, florists, specialty food counters, local butcher shops, and food delivery services.
However, some retailers that sell groceries do not qualify for the 5x earning rate. Walmart does not code as a grocery store for American Express rewards multipliers, and Costco does not accept American Express in-store or online in Canada.
One workaround is using Instacart delivery for Walmart or Costco purchases, since Instacart codes as grocery spending for the Cobalt card.
Because of this, many Canadians pair the Cobalt card with a Visa or Mastercard for purchases where American Express is not accepted.
One popular pairing strategy is using a card like the RBC ION+ Visa for purchases at retailers that do not accept American Express, including many Loblaw-owned stores such as Loblaws, No Frills, and Real Canadian Superstore.
RBC ION+ Visa
Why the Cobalt Is One of Canada’s Best Everyday Cards
Unlike many premium travel cards in Canada, the American Express Cobalt charges a monthly fee instead of a traditional annual fee.
The current fee is $16 per month ($192 annually), which can feel more manageable for some households compared to paying a large annual fee upfront.
More importantly, the card’s strong earning rates on groceries and dining can quickly offset much of that cost through points earned on normal everyday spending.
For example, spending $500 per month on eligible 5x categories would generate approximately 30,000 Membership Rewards points per year — before factoring in any welcome bonus or additional spending categories.
Another reason the Cobalt card is so popular is that it offers access to many of the perks associated with the American Express ecosystem, without requiring a premium annual fee or minimum income requirement.
In addition to strong earning rates, cardholders also receive:
- Access to Amex Offers, which regularly provide statement credits, bonus points, and promotions with retailers, restaurants, and travel brands
- Access to Amex Experiences and Front Of The Line presales for concerts, events, and entertainment
- Access to The Hotel Collection program on eligible hotel stays
- Free supplementary cards, making it easier for couples and families to consolidate spending and earn points faster
- Mobile device insurance and a solid set of travel insurance protections
While the Cobalt card does not include the premium lounge access and luxury travel benefits found on higher-fee cards like the Amex Platinum Card, many Canadians still consider it one of the strongest overall value cards for everyday spending.
The Cobalt Earns American Express Membership Rewards
Another major reason the Cobalt card is so highly regarded in Canada is that it earns American Express Membership Rewards points.
These points can be redeemed in multiple ways, including statement credits, travel bookings, and transfers to airline or hotel loyalty programs.
This flexibility gives cardholders more options when redeeming points based on their travel goals and comfort level.
Why You Should Have the Cobalt in Your Wallet
If you made it this far, there’s a good chance you’re interested in maximizing your everyday spending to earn more travel rewards.
And for many Canadians, the American Express Cobalt is one of the strongest long-term cards to help do exactly that.
The combination of high earning rates on common spending categories, flexible Membership Rewards points, and access to the broader American Express ecosystem makes it a card that can deliver significant long-term value from spending you are already doing anyway.
Whether your goal is premium travel, family vacations, or simply earning more value from everyday purchases, the Cobalt card remains one of the most popular and widely recommended cards in Canada for a reason.
