Any Canadians in the house!!!!

[ibmrad7]

So my friend is in need of a credit card in Canada. He is a PR and completely oblivious to credit card world. His top needs are: no AF, no foreign transaction fees (travels often to the US). Any members here with some insight on Canadian market? 

[Anonymous]

Does he have Canadian credit history? If not, everything is moot.

The only card with no forex fee and no annual fee is the Chase Canada Amazon visa. 1 percent cashback.

Rogers bank has a MasterCard that is 1.75 percent cashback and no forex fee, but has 29 annual fee with first year free only unless you have a Rogers or Fido account on autopay

Chase Canada has Marriott visa, first year free, 120 cad annual fee with the same category 5 night, or tangerine bank has a no annual fee 1 percent cashback card with pick 3 categories for 2 percent but with a 1 percent forex fee.

For further details I recommend he read red flag deals forums personal finance section.

If he has zero Canadian history but has a US amex, he should use global transfer to kick start his credit history in Canada, otherwise he'll be in the same situation as immigrants in the U.S. with needing secured cards

[wasCB14]

Last time I was in a CIBC, I looked over their CC brochure. Most of the cards looked pretty unappealing.

Discover's acceptance seems pretty limited, and Amex isn't great. Everyone seems to take Interac debit, and V/MC credit usually works. Having a primary PIN card might also be useful.

ETA: A lot of CIBC's better (relatively speaking) cards have (at least nominal) minimum income requirements.

[ibmrad7]

I really appreciate your reply. He has been there for little over 2 years ... so I am sure he has some credit history. I am going to forward all your suggestions.