The Canadian Credit Cards That Lose the Most Value After Year One
On a family's spending, TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege drops the most: ~$973 in year 1, then ~−$27 a year after fees. 4 of 40 ranked cards get more than 60% of their 3-year value in year 1.
Year 1 against every year after, biggest drop first
Year 1 Year 2+
Family spending, $3,350 a month, after fees. "~" marks values that depend on point valuations.
- 1
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite PrivilegeYr 1~$973Yr 2+~−$27Drop $1,000
- 2
TD First Class Travel Visa InfiniteYr 1$1,615Yr 2+$676Drop $939
- 3
Scotiabank Platinum American ExpressYr 1$1,205Yr 2+$405Drop $800
- 4
CIBC Aventura Visa InfiniteYr 1$1,089Yr 2+$350Drop $739
- 5
BMO eclipse Visa InfiniteYr 1$1,294Yr 2+$585Drop $709
- 6
American Express Platinum CardYr 1$541Yr 2+−$159Drop $700
- 7
TD Aeroplan Visa InfiniteYr 1~$978Yr 2+~$339Drop $639
- 8
American Express Gold Rewards CardYr 1$995Yr 2+$395Drop $600
- 9
Tangerine Rewards World Elite MastercardYr 1$878Yr 2+$378Drop $500
- 10
TD Cash Back Visa InfiniteYr 1$1,122Yr 2+$633Drop $489
- 11
Scotiabank Momentum Visa InfiniteYr 1$1,184Yr 2+$764Drop $420
- 12
TD Platinum Travel VisaYr 1$816Yr 2+$477Drop $339
- 13
CIBC Dividend Visa InfiniteYr 1$1,087Yr 2+$767Drop $320
- 14
RBC Avion Visa InfiniteYr 1$437Yr 2+$118Drop $319
- 15
RBC Avion Visa Infinite PrivilegeYr 1$211Yr 2+−$108Drop $319
All values are after each card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees when you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime or Instacart+) aren't included.
Values for points and miles are estimates based on published redemption valuations; actual value depends on how you redeem.
Worth the most every year after
Mostly first-year value
4 cards get more than 60% of their 3-year value in year 1, or nothing after it. They carry a "Mostly first-year value" flag in the card comparison, where you can rank every card on your own spending.
Frequently asked questions
Why do cards lose value after the first year?
Year 1 includes the welcome bonus, first-year fee waivers, one-time credits and intro APR savings. From year 2 a card only has what it earns on your spending and its ongoing credits, minus the full annual fee.
Is a card with a big drop a bad card?
Not necessarily: a large welcome bonus is real money. But if you plan to keep the card, compare its year 2+ value, which is what it's worth to you every year after.
Which cards are worth the most every year after?
On the same family spending: Scotiabank Gold American Express ($940 a year), American Express SimplyCash Preferred ($936 a year), CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite ($767 a year).
What spending is this based on?
The family preset: $3,350 a month (family), points at their cash value, the welcome bonus counted when the spending meets it in time. Your own spending can change the order.
Terms are read from each issuer's page and may change. See how cards are valued. You're welcome to cite this data with a link to this page.