American Express Cobalt Card
A couple who recently expanded their credit card lineup selected the American Express Cobalt as their new daily spending card after a focused comparison of travel and rewards options. Their decision came down to how they spend each month, the type of rewards they want, and how much value each card delivers relative to its annual fee. This review breaks down the Cobalt card’s features, how it compares to other Amex products, and who will get the most value out of it.
Key Benefits of the AMEX Cobalt
- 5X points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including restaurants, food delivery, bars, and grocery stores (up to $30,000/year)
- 3X points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- 2X points on transit and travel, including taxis, rideshares, flights, hotels, and public transportation
- 1X point on all other eligible purchases
- Flexible travel redemptions through Membership Rewards, including statement credits, flights, hotels, and transfers to airline partners
- Welcome bonus: up to 15,000 points in the first year (based on monthly minimum spend)
- American Express Front Of The Line® presale ticket access and Amex Offers
- Mobile device insurance, travel insurance, and purchase protection
Pros and cons
Pros
- Excellent earn rates on everyday categories: 5x eats and drinks, 3x streaming, 2x travel and transit.
- Flexible points that can be transferred to airline partners such as Aeroplan at a one-to-one ratio.
- Reasonable effective annual cost ($12.99 monthly) that can be covered by welcome and category points for regular spenders.
- Useful travel and shopping protections included.
- Monthly welcome points structure rewards consistent spend rather than a single large spend threshold.
Cons
- Less premium travel benefits than the Platinum for those who want airport lounges and hotel elite status perks.
- Not every merchant accepts Amex; bonus categories only help if merchants are participants.
- Monthly minimum of $750 net purchases to unlock the monthly welcome points may be unreachable for very light spenders.
AMEX Cobalt versus AMEX Platinum and AMEX Gold
Comparison highlights:
- Annual fees: Cobalt $155.88 (monthly billing), Gold around $250, Platinum $799.
- Perks: Platinum offers the most premium travel benefits (lounge access, elite hotel benefits, extensive travel credits), but only pays off if one travels frequently and spends heavily enough to justify $799 annually.
- Points: Platinum and Gold may offer large welcome bonuses but require significant spend thresholds. The Gold does not offer substantially better everyday earning than the Cobalt for the average consumer.
Conclusion: For most people who want a strong everyday card that earns transferable points without a premium price, the Cobalt hits the sweet spot. The Platinum is designed for high-frequency, high-spend travelers who will use the premium benefits enough to exceed its large fee.
Why Choose the American Express Cobalt Card?
If you’re looking for premium rewards on everyday spending, the Cobalt Card delivers like no other. With high earn rates, unmatched travel flexibility, and top-tier perks for dining and entertainment, it’s built for Canadians who want to earn more and experience more — every day.
Apply for the American Express Cobalt Card Today
Maximize your daily spending with 5X points on food, 3X on streaming, and 2X on travel — plus flexible redemptions, built-in insurance, and exclusive Amex benefits. Apply online today and start turning your lifestyle into rewards.
Final recommendation
For most everyday spenders who buy groceries, eat out, and use streaming services, the American Express Cobalt offers a compelling combination of category earnings, flexible points, and protections at a modest annual cost. The card typically delivers more value for regular spend than many traditional bank cashback cards and beats higher-fee premium Amex products for people who do not travel enough to extract full value from Platinum-level perks.
