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Mr. Loonie
SimplyCash® Card from American Express

SimplyCash® Card from American Express

8.2
Very good
Expert Score · 15 reviews How we score

Best for: People who want cash back on gas and groceries with no annual fee, where Amex is accepted

Your spending a month
What’s in each?
Light:
Groceries $400, restaurants $100, gas $100, recurring bills $100, everything else (base rate) $250, foreign currency $50
Typical:
Groceries $800, restaurants $250, gas $250, recurring bills $250, travel $150, everything else (base rate) $650, foreign currency $150
Big:
Groceries $1,200, restaurants $500, gas $400, recurring bills $400, travel $500, everything else (base rate) $1,600, foreign currency $400
Yours:
Your own amounts, saved on this device only
Every year
$425

Ranked #83 of 176 for year one. See the list

See how we worked it out
Annual fee
None
Apply now on American Express’ site (opens in a new tab)
Needs $15,000 personal income
We may get paid if you apply through this link. It never changes our score.

Have this card?

Details from American Express’ site. Banks can update terms at any time, so give them a quick look before you apply. Source

Is it for me? What you’d earn Can I get it? Fees Similar cards
2 quick questions

Is it for me?

Is your personal income $15,000 or more?

Do you pay your card off in full most months?

Answer the 2 questions to see if it fits.

From the numbers

The good and the bad

Stands out

  • Good: 2% back on groceries and gas
  • Good: No annual fee It costs nothing to keep.

Watch for

  • Watch for: 2.5% on foreign purchases Use a no foreign fee card when you travel.

Worked out from the card’s rates and fees.

Show your work

What you’d earn

With typical spending of $2,500 a month.

  • Groceries $192
    2% back $800 a month · $192 a year
  • Restaurants $38
    1.25% back $250 a month · $38 a year
  • Gas $60
    2% back $250 a month · $60 a year
  • Recurring bills $38
    1.25% back $250 a month · $38 a year
  • Travel $23
    1.25% back $150 a month · $23 a year
  • Everything else $98
    1.25% back $650 a month · $98 a year
  • Foreign currency $23
    1.25% back $150 a month · $23 a year
For you Year one Later years
Cash back you earn $470 $470
Annual fee $0 $0
Foreign currency fee2.5% on $1,800 a year −$45 −$45
Total $425 $425

Rows are rounded to the dollar.

What counts in each category
Groceries
2% back Up to $300 cash back annualy
Gas
2% back
Everything else (base rate)
1.25% back

These are example budgets to compare cards side by side, not averages. Your own spending will give a different number.

Checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Before you apply

Can I get it?

  • Age 18 or older 19 or older in BC, NB, NL, NS and the territories
  • Where you live Canada
  • Personal income $15,000 or more Issuer says
  • Credit score No minimum on record Most banks don’t publish one, and we don’t guess.

Mr. Loonie’s tip Each application shows up on your credit file. Leave a few months between card applications.

What critics say

Other reviewers on this card

8.2
Very good
Expert Score How we score
  • Money.ca (opens in a new tab) Mar 2026
    9

    “The Amex SimplyCash Preferred can definitely be worth it if you value straightforward cash back on everyday purchases and don’t mind the once-a-year redemption. However, the annual redemption policy means it’s not ideal if you prefer frequent cash-back payout. Think of it as a way to build up savings for bigger expenses or treats, like a vacation or holiday shopping. If you’re okay with the once-a-year cash-out and want simple, steady rewards on all spending, it’s a solid option!”

  • Rewards Canada (opens in a new tab) Jul 2023

    “The SimplyCash® Card from American Express is truly one of the best no annual fee cash back rewards card in Canada thanks to the 1.25% base earn rate. Add in the 2% accelerated earn rates for gas and groceries and you have an excellent card to have in your wallet - either as your primary daily driver or as a secondary card to others in your wallet.”

  • Yore Oyster (opens in a new tab) May 2023

    “The SimplyCash Card from American Express is a great option for frequent travellers looking for a card with no annual fees that offer insurance coverage – albeit limited – plus access to emergency services, like American Express Safekey, Emergency Card Replacement, and fraud protection, 24/7.”

  • Hardbacon (opens in a new tab) Oct 2022
    8

    “The Amex SimplyCash® Card is for anyone who wants to earn cash back rewards the chill way, without doing mental gymnastics. You don’t need to worry about optimizing different spending categories with different cash back rates, spending caps, or cash back limits. The Amex SimplyCash® Card gives you a flat cash back rate on every purchase, and there is no limit on how much cash back you can earn. This card scores extra points for including purchase protection, travel accident insurance, and no annual fee.”

  • SAVVY New Canadians (opens in a new tab) Jul 2022
    8.8

    “The SimplyCash Card from American Express offers a combination of cash back rewards (1.25% unlimited) and insurance coverage. This SimplyCash Card from AMEX review covers what you need to know.”

  • Offerhub.ca (opens in a new tab) Apr 2022
    8

    “The SimplyCash is best suited for users looking to consolidate their debt and earn cash back with their purchases. You can transfer balances to this card at a promotional interest rate of 1.99% for the first six months. Not only does the card charge you $0 annual fee, but you won’t be asked to provide your income details for getting approved. Making regular payments toward the credit card bill will help you build a good credit score rating while getting out of debt. Of course, the best benefit of getting the SimplyCash card is the cash back you can earn that can potentially translate into significant savings.”

What cardholders say

Ratings from people with this card

No ratings yet. If you have this card, tell others what it’s like.

Applied and weren’t approved?

Insurance and perks

What comes with it

  • Extended warranty Included
  • Purchase protection Included
  • Travel accident Included
  • American Express Experiences
  • Emergency Card Replacement
  • Mobile wallets Apple Pay, Google Pay
Coverage limits

We haven’t recorded the coverage limits for this card yet. Read American Express’ insurance certificate before you count on any coverage.

Not included

Not listed for this card: travel medical, trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight delay, lost baggage, car rental damage and mobile device.

Fees and interest

What it costs

Annual fee
None
Purchase interest
21.99%
Cash advance interest
21.99%
Foreign currency fee
2.5%
All fees and rates

Fees

Extra cards
None
Cash advance fee
$2.75
Balance transfer fee
3%, Maximum
Over-limit fee
$29
Late payment fee
None
Source
Issuer page

Interest rates

Balance transfer interest
21.99%
Source
Issuer page

Read the card terms and conditions for the full terms.

Checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Before you decide

Similar cards for the same spending

With typical spending. This card: $425 year one, $425 every year after.

See all cards ranked for your spending

Some of these links pay us when you apply, at no extra cost to you. Most don’t, and pay never changes our score. How we make money

Common questions

Questions people ask

What is the annual fee on the SimplyCash® Card from American Express?

There is no annual fee.

What income do I need?

American Express asks for $15,000 in personal income.

Does it charge a foreign transaction fee?

Yes, 2.5% on purchases in other currencies.

What is the interest rate?

21.99% on purchases. Cash advances are 21.99%.

Does it include insurance?

It lists extended warranty and purchase protection. Read the insurance certificate for the limits.

Rates, fees and offers come from the card issuers and change often. We work to keep this page accurate and current, but it may contain mistakes, so always check the issuer’s terms before you apply. This page is general information and isn’t financial advice.

Spot something wrong? We’ll check it with the bank. Suggest a correction

Card names, logos and trademarks belong to their owners. No issuer wrote, paid for or approved what we say about this card. Our scores and opinions are our own.

Mr. Loonie is independent and supported by affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you apply through some links, at no cost to you. How we make money

$425
a year for you
Apply now on American Express’ site (opens in a new tab)
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