Roadside assistance belongs on the same list as a plunger, first-aid kit and a screwdriver small enough to fix your sunglasses: “Things you don’t realize you need, until you need them.” Simply put, when you’re stranded on the highway during a good ol’ Canadian snowstorm or on your way to the cottage, having roadside assistance can feel like winning the lottery. So, why wait on getting a credit card with free roadside assistance?
Best credit cards with roadside assistance in Canada
TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card
BMO CashBack World Elite MasterCard
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card
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Dive into the pros and cons of the best credit cards with roadside assistance in Canada.
MoneySense editors apply their credit card expertise and knowledge of Canadians’ financial goals to create selection criteria that matches the needs of intended cardholders. For roadside assistance credit cards, we focus heavily on the roadside assistance packages offered and the cards’ annual fees. The addition of links from affiliate partners has no bearing on the results. Read more about our selection process and about how MoneySense makes money.
Gold: Best credit card with roadside assistance
At a glance: The TD Cash Back Visa Infinite is the best credit card in Canada for roadside assistance. Thanks to a complimentary Deluxe TD Auto Club membership, you get 24/7 access to unlimited roadside service calls for personal use, which covers towing (up to 200 km), emergency tire changes, fuel delivery and more. Unique perks like stolen vehicle emergency services give you additional peace of mind.
TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card
Annual fee: $139 (rebated first year)
- 3% cash back on gas, grocery and recurring bill payments
- 1% on all other purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to $600 in value, including 10% cash back on eligible purchases during the first three months (on up to $3,500 in purchases). Conditions apply.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000 |
| Credit score | 680 or higher (recommended) |
Pros
- Comprehensive roadside assistance: Includes unlimited service calls covering towing (up to 200 km), emergency tire changes, battery boosts, lockout assistance, emergency fuel delivery (five litres), winching, stolen vehicle support, and more.
- Travel insurance: You’ll be covered for travel medical (up to $2 million for up to 10 days), baggage delays/losses, and rental car loss/damage, as well as assistance services for personal emergencies while travelling.
- Rewards: A high cash back earn rate in three major spending categories.
- Easy redemptions: Redeem cash back any time with a minimum of $25.
- Car rental discounts: Save at Avis and Budget locations.
Cons
- Earning cap: You’ll earn 3% on only the first $15,000 spent annually across all categories.
- High annual fee: The fee is relatively high for a cash back card, although the features may be worth it for some cardholders.
Silver: Best credit card with roadside assistance
At a glance: The Triangle World Elite Mastercard is a top choice for drivers, offering a complimentary Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance Gold Plan valued at $114.99 a year. Get five free service calls per year, giving you access to services like towing (up to 200 km), tire changes, fuel delivery and more. Plus, get exclusive offers on oil changes, car washes, entertainment, shopping, travel, hotels and attractions. Get all these benefits for no annual fee.
Triangle World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
- 4% cash back at Canadian Tire-owned stores, including Sport Chek and Mark’s
- 3% on groceries
- 1% on all other purchases
Welcome offer: None
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances and on balance transfers (21.99% for Quebec residents) |
| Income required | Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 |
| Credit score | Not specified |
| Point value | $1 in Canadian Tire Money is worth $1 when redeemed at participating retailers. |
Pros
- Comprehensive roadside assistance: Includes five free service calls per year, including towing (up to 200 km), battery boosts, flat-tire changes, lockout service, fuel delivery (up to $5 of gas), extrication/winching and more.
- Car rental insurance: Eligible vehicles are covered in case of loss or damage.
- No-interest financing: Finance purchases of $150 or more at participating retailers with no fees or interest.
- Simple rewards: With this easy program, $1 in CT Money equals $1 in rewards.
Cons
- Limited rewards and redemption options: Minimal rewards on purchases outside Canadian Tire’s network, and CT Money can only be redeemed at select stores.
- Rewards on pre-tax amounts: Earn 4% back only on the pre-tax amount spent, not the total purchase amount.
- Limited insurance: Less coverage compared to other World Elite Mastercards.
- High income requirements: It may be harder to get approved for this card.
Bronze: Best credit card with roadside assistance
At a glance: The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard is another great option for roadside assistance, offering free basic coverage ($69 annual value) through the Dominion Automobile Association (DAA). Get 24/7 access to up to four service calls per year, including towing (up to 10 km), tire changes, fuel delivery and more. Additional cardholders also receive free coverage, making it a family-friendly option.
BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $120 (waived first year)
- 5% cash back on groceries
- 4% back on transit
- 3% back on gas and electric vehicle charging
- 2% on recurring bill payments
- 1% back on everything else
Welcome offer: Earn up to 10% cash back during your first 3 months on up to $2,600 in purchases.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances, 23.99% on balance transfers (21.99% in Quebec) |
| Income required | Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
Pros
- Comprehensive roadside assistance: Includes four free service calls per year, including towing (up to 10 km), tire changes, winching, battery boosts, lockout assistance, emergency fuel delivery and more.
- High earn rates: Earn up to 5% back in four major spending categories.
- Insurance offerings: Extensive insurance for a cash back card, including coverage for travel medical, rental cars, baggage, flight delays and more.
- Excellent extended warranty and purchase protection: Doubles the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 2 years and provides 180 days of purchase protection, surpassing the typical 1-year extended warranty and 90-day purchase protection offered by most cards.
- Easy redemptions: Redeem your cash back any time for as little as $1.
- Fuel savings: Save up to 7 cents per litre at Shell locations.
Cons
- Limited towing distance: Maximum towing distance (10 km) is significantly less than what the other cards offer.
- Earning caps: The bonus categories have low monthly spending limits, ranging from $300 to $500, which is restrictive for a premium card.
- No free lounge visits: The included Mastercard Travel Pass membership (provided by DragonPass) doesn’t include free airport lounge visits, only discounted ones.
- High income requirements: This card may be less accessible.
Another credit card for your next road trip
Gold: Best credit card for gas purchases in Canada
At a glance: The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite offers unbeatable rewards on gas and EV charging. Plus, save up to $0.10 per litre at select gas stations with Journie Rewards.
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $120 (rebated first year)
- 4% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging and grocery purchases
- 2% on dining, daily transit and recurring payments
- 1% on everything else
Welcome offer: Get up to $400 in value, including a first-year annual-fee rebate. Offer not available to Quebec residents.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000 |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
Pros
- High earning: The highest earn rate for gas in Canada and one of the highest for groceries.
- Gas savings: Link your card with Journie Rewards and save up to $0.10 per litre at Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron stations.
- Easy redemption: Redeem cash back anytime (for a minimum of $25) through CIBC’s online and mobile banking.
- Broad spending categories: Broadly defined categories mean rewards on more purchases.
- Travel insurance: Includes travel insurance for emergency medical care, common carrier accidents and car rentals.
Cons
- High income and credit score requirements: It may be more difficult to qualify for this card than some others.
- Limited insurance: Limited insurance offerings for a card with a $120 annual fee.
What is roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance is a service provided to drivers when their vehicle breaks down or encounters problems while on the road. It helps ensure that motorists can get back on the road quickly or receive assistance in case of emergencies.
What does roadside assistance include?
The services typically offered in a roadside assistance plan include:
- Towing: If your car breaks down and cannot be repaired on-site, your provider may tow it to a nearby mechanic or service station.
- Flat tire repair or replacement: If you get a flat tire, your provider can help with changing it or putting on a spare tire.
- Battery jump start: If your car battery dies, your provider can help by jump-starting the battery.
- Fuel delivery: If you run out of fuel, your provider may deliver some to you, so you can get to the nearest gas station.
- Lock-out assistance: If you lock yourself out of your car, your provider can help unlock it.
- Winching: Your provider may help you recover your car if it’s stuck in a ditch, the snow or mud.
Is a credit card with roadside assistance worth it?
Most people look at travel points or cash back when searching for a credit card, but roadside assistance is an underrated perk. Roadside assistance could cost upwards of $70 a year if you pay directly for a membership from Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) or another provider. The price of a tow can vary depending on where you live, but without a membership plan, some Canadians have paid thousands of dollars for a single tow.
When you have roadside assistance built in as a feature on your credit card, you can get emergency towing, gasoline delivery, battery boosts, tire changes, access to your car when you’ve lost the keys, and much more. The value of these emergency services can often outweigh the annual fee on credit cards.
