Ultimate Cashback + Credit Card Stacking Guide for Canadians (2025)
Published: December 19, 2025
Stacking cashback portals with the right credit card can turn everyday spending into 5–15%+ back on every purchase. Here’s the proven system Canadian shoppers use to maximize rewards in 2025.
Step 1: Always Start with a Cashback Portal
Click through one of these before any online purchase — they pay you for traffic you’d send anyway.
| Portal | Best For | Average Rates | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten.ca | Most retailers (Amazon gift cards, Walmart, Best Buy) | 1–10% | Quarterly cheque/PayPal |
| Great Canadian Rebates | Higher rates on many stores | 2–15% | Cheque/PayPal |
| Ampli | RBC customers (auto-links cards) | 1–10% | Direct to bank |
| TopCashback | Highest rates on some stores | Up to 20% | PayPal |
Pro move: Install browser extensions for all — they alert you when cashback is available.
Step 2: Pay with the Highest-Reward Credit Card
Pair the portal with a card that earns extra in that category.
- Best All-Round: American Express Cobalt — 5x on eats/groceries, 3x streaming, 2x gas/transit, 1x everywhere
- Online Shopping: Triangle World Elite Mastercard — 4% at Canadian Tire partners, 3% groceries
- No-Fee Option: Tangerine Money-Back — choose 2–3 categories for 2% (10% bonus first 3 months)
- Premium Travel: Scotiabank Gold Amex — 6x groceries, 5x dining/entertainment
Real-Life Stacking Examples
$200 Walmart.ca order (electronics)
• Rakuten 5% → $10
• Cobalt 1x points → ~$2 value
Total: ~6% back
• Rakuten 5% → $10
• Cobalt 1x points → ~$2 value
Total: ~6% back
$150 SkipTheDishes order
• Rakuten 10% → $15
• Cobalt 5x points → ~$7.50 value
Total: 15%+ back
• Rakuten 10% → $15
• Cobalt 5x points → ~$7.50 value
Total: 15%+ back
Advanced Tips
- Stack with discounted gift cards (buy via portal for double-dip)
- Use in-private browsing if rates seem low — portals sometimes show higher offers
- Track everything in a simple spreadsheet
- Check portal rates before big purchases — rates change daily
Final Advice
Never buy something just for rewards, but when you’re already spending — always stack portal + best card. Over a year, this can easily return hundreds (or thousands) in cash and points.
Combine with our retailer guides for even bigger wins.