American Express Cobalt Card
American Express · American Express
Foodies and young professionals who spend heavily on groceries, dining and food delivery.
VaultNerd estimate based on the card's tier and income requirements, not an official issuer cutoff. Approval also depends on income, debt, and credit history.
Our verdict
Widely regarded as the best everyday rewards card in Canada thanks to its 5x eats-and-drinks rate and flexible, transferable points. The fee hike to $191.88 stings, but heavy food spenders still come out far ahead.
Reward rates
Groceries & food delivery Eligible eats and drinks in Canada; monthly spend cap applies | 5x |
Dining & bars Part of the 5x eats and drinks category; monthly spend cap applies | 5x |
Streaming subscriptions | 3x |
Gas | 2x |
Transit & ride-sharing | 2x |
Everything else Plus 1 extra point on hotel/car bookings via Amex Travel Online | 1x |
VaultNerd values these points at ~2¢ each.
Welcome bonus
Up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points in your first year (1,250 points per monthly billing period)
Requirement: Spend $750 in net purchases each monthly billing period for the first 12 months
Pros
- Unmatched 5x earn rate on groceries, restaurants and food delivery
- Membership Rewards points are flexible and transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan and Avios
- Strong insurance package including mobile device coverage
Cons
- Monthly fee structure means the $191.88 fee can't be avoided
- Amex acceptance is weaker at some Canadian grocers (e.g. Loblaws/Costco)
- Welcome bonus requires consistent monthly spending over a full year
Perks
- 5x points on eats and drinks in Canada, the highest food multiplier in the country
- Transfer points 1:1 to Aeroplan, Avios, Flying Blue and to hotel partners like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors
- Up to $100 USD hotel credit plus room upgrades through The Hotel Collection
- Front Of The Line Amex Presale tickets and Amex Experiences
- Mobile device insurance up to $1,000
- No minimum income requirement
Insurance
- Travel emergency medical $5,000,000 (15 days, under age 65)
- Travel accident insurance $250,000
- Flight delay, baggage delay and lost/stolen baggage ($500 each)
- Rental car theft and damage (vehicles up to $85,000, 48 days)
- Hotel/motel burglary $500
- Mobile device insurance $1,000
- Purchase protection (90 days) and extended warranty (+1 year)
Frequently asked questions
Is the American Express Cobalt Card worth it?
It charges a $192 annual fee, and we rate it 4.8 out of 5. It's best suited to foodies and young professionals who spend heavily on groceries, dining and food delivery. The welcome bonus is worth roughly $300, which covers the first year for many people. Whether it's worth it for you depends on your spending. Run your own numbers through our credit card finder to see the net rewards after the fee.
What does the American Express Cobalt Card earn?
It earns 5x on groceries & food delivery, 5x on dining & bars and 3x on streaming subscriptions. We value these points at about 2¢ each, so the top rate works out to roughly 10.0% back.
What credit score do you need for the American Express Cobalt Card?
We'd suggest a score of around 680 or higher, which puts approval in our "moderate" band. This is a VaultNerd estimate based on the card's tier and stated requirements. Approval also depends on your income, existing debt and credit history.
Researching and writing about Canadian personal finance since 2026.
Last reviewed June 2026 · How we research
“American Express Cobalt Card Review.” VaultNerd, https://www.vaultnerd.com/ca/credit-cards/amex-cobalt, updated June 2026.
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