The ClearFin bottom line
🍽️ Best for Dining
Its strongest published earn rate in our data is 5.0% on dining. The $191.88 annual fee should be weighed against the rewards and benefits you expect to use.
Independent ClearFin review · American Express
Amex Cobalt
Start with up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points, worth about $150.
Independent comparisonFees includedCanadian card data
- Annual fee
- $191.88
- Reward type
- Amex Points
- Welcome offer
- 15,000 pts
- Insurance
- Not listed
Current new-cardmember offer
Confirm with the issuer
🍽️ Best for Dining
Welcome bonus
Up to 15,000 Membership Rewards pointsEstimated value: $150
How to earn it
- 1,250 Membership Rewards points per monthly billing period, up to 15,000 points in the first yearSpend $750 on your Card in each monthly billing period as a new Cobalt Cardmember
Offer details
Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.
How you earn
- 5x Membership Rewards points on eligible eats and drinks purchases in Canada
- 3x Membership Rewards points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible gas, transit and ride share purchases in Canada
- 1x Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases
- 1 additional Membership Rewards point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through Amex Travel Online
Costs and requirements
Fees & eligibility
Confirm final approval criteria and current rates directly with the issuer.
Annual fee$191.88$15.99 billed monthly (yearly in Quebec)
Purchase interestConfirmCheck current issuer rate
Cash advance interestConfirmCheck current issuer rate
Foreign transaction fee2.5%
Income requirementNot statedIssuer approval criteria apply
Recommended credit score743+ Good to Excellent
Applicants typically have the strongest approval odds with a good to excellent credit profile.
300Poor
560Fair
660Good
725Very Good
760Excellent
ClearFin estimate on Canada's 300–900 scale. This is not an issuer cutoff or approval guarantee; lenders may use different bureau scores and underwriting criteria. This is an estimated approval range based on industry data and cardholder reports. American Express does not publish a minimum credit score requirement, and approval decisions consider additional factors such as income, credit history, existing debt, and payment history.
Earning cap
Earning cap
Earning cap
Using your rewards
Redemption options
Redemption values and availability may vary by option and can change.
No redemption program is verified for this card.
Confirm whether the product earns points or cash back on the issuer's current page.
Beyond the points
Benefits that come with the card
Consider these extras by the value they add to purchases and experiences you already use.
The Hotel Collection
Receive special travel benefits when booking eligible stays of two or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel at participating properties.
Mobile Device Insurance
Eligible mobile devices purchased with the card or financed through an eligible wireless plan can receive coverage against accidental damage, theft, or mechanical breakdown, subject to policy terms and limits.
Travel Coverage
The card includes travel insurance benefits that can provide protection during eligible trips. Coverage details, eligibility requirements, exclusions, and limits are outlined in the card's insurance certificate.
Shopping Coverage
Eligible purchases made with the card are protected through shopping coverage benefits, helping protect qualifying purchases against covered losses after purchase, subject to policy terms.
Amex Experiences
Access American Express Experiences, including Front Of The Line® presale and reserved tickets for concerts, theatre productions, sporting events, and other entertainment experiences.
Instacart Statement Credits
Cardmembers can earn up to $60 in Instacart statement credits within a 12-month period through December 31, 2027, when eligible offer requirements are met.
Flexible Membership Rewards Redemptions
Membership Rewards points can be redeemed toward eligible purchases using Use Points for Purchases. The page states that 1,000 points can be redeemed for $10 toward eligible purchases.
Plan It Installment Program
Split eligible purchases into fixed monthly installments through Plan It®. No additional credit checks or applications are required, and purchases continue earning rewards while on a plan.
Show all 11 benefitsShow fewer
Exclusive Amex Offers
Access targeted merchant offers, statement credits, discounts, and promotions through the American Express Offers platform when eligible offers are available.
No-Fee Additional Cards
Additional cards can be added to the account without an annual fee, allowing eligible authorized users to share account access and spending privileges.
World-Class Customer Service
Receive access to American Express customer service and account support for assistance with card management, benefits, travel needs, and account-related inquiries.
Protection included
Insurance at a glance
No included coverage is verified in ClearFin's current catalogue.
Insurance is not currently listed for this product.
This does not prove that coverage is unavailable. Confirm the issuer's current certificate and benefit guide before relying on protection.
Check the official card page ↗The verdict
What we like
- Industry-leading rewards optimization potential across everyday spending categories
- 1:1 transfer ratio to Aeroplan, allowing points to be converted directly into Aeroplan points
- Generous welcome bonus for new eligible cardmembers
- Flexible redemption options with strong value potential through travel transfers and Membership Rewards redemptions
- Comprehensive insurance and purchase protection coverage package
- Consistently ranked among Canada's top rewards credit cards by major credit card review publications
- Instant application decision with no impact to your credit score during eligibility assessment
Worth noting
- American Express acceptance is more limited than Visa and Mastercard at some merchants
- Does not include certain premium coverage categories and travel benefits found on higher-tier cards such as airport lounge access, complimentary hotel status, and companion travel benefits
ClearFin analysis
Our detailed review
A practical reading of where the card earns, what the fee buys, and which limits matter.
🍽️ Best for Dining
Amex Cobalt is a American Express card with a $191.88 annual fee.
How the rewards work
Dining, Groceries receive the strongest estimated return at 5.0%. Purchases outside the accelerated categories earn an estimated 1.0%.
What the annual cost means
Using the strongest estimated category return alone, roughly $3,850 in annual spending at that rate would equal the $191.88 fee before considering the value of insurance, partner benefits, or a welcome offer.
Who it may suit
This card is most relevant for someone who spends consistently on dining and groceries and can use enough of the included value to justify the yearly cost.
What to examine before applying
Compare the purchase interest rate, foreign-transaction fee, approval requirements, reward limits, and insurance certificates. Pay particular attention to merchant-category rules because a store may not receive the reward rate its products appear to suggest.
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Issuer terms apply. ClearFin is not affiliated with this provider. How we make money. Confirm current terms on the issuer's official page.