Canadians are turning to side hustles in record numbers. Whether you’re running a Shopify store, flipping collectibles on eBay, designing on Fiverr, or freelancing after hours, the right credit card can help you turn everyday expenses into real rewards. From shipping labels to web hosting, there’s a smarter way to pay for your side hustle needs.
You don’t need a corporate budget to access perks. You just need to use the right credit card and apply through a platform like Great Canadian Rebates (GCR) to earn cash back or points after approval.
Here’s how the best credit cards for side hustles in Canada help you build more from what you already spend.
Use Business Cards to Track Expenses and Earn Back
If your side hustle includes client expenses, project supplies, or travel costs, a business credit card offers two advantages: simplified expense tracking and strong rewards on business-related purchases.
The Amex Business Platinum Card is built for committed side hustlers. It earns 1.25 Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent and offers up to 200,000 welcome points. That’s up to $2,000 in statement credits that you can put back into your business. Every charge moves you closer to those rewards.
Cardholders can unlock up to $500 in annual business credits on qualifying Dell or Indeed purchases and receive an extra $120 in wireless service credits. That’s valuable if your side hustle depends on devices or software.
It also includes a $200 annual travel credit and access to over 1,400 airport lounges. It is ideal if you attend trade shows or fly to source inventory. This card adapts as your business grows. With no pre-set spending limit and up to 55 interest-free days, you can manage larger purchases or cash flow gaps with more flexibility.
A flexible payment option lets you carry certain balances over time while keeping operations moving. When you apply through GCR, you receive a $150 rebate.
Prefer lower spend thresholds? The Amex Business Gold Rewards Card delivers 1 point per dollar and includes up to 100,000 welcome points in your first year. It also offers mobile device insurance and extended warranty protection, which are helpful if your side hustle relies on phones, tablets, or laptops. As a business card, it’s designed to support growth with no pre-set spending limit. Your purchasing power adjusts based on usage and payment history. It includes up to 55 interest-free days and a flexible payment option, giving you more control over your cash flow. The GCR rebate for this card is $125.
Personal Cards That Work Like Business Tools
You don’t need a business card to earn solid returns on side hustle expenses. If your income is freelance, casual, or part-time, a personal rewards card can work just as well.
Start with the American Express Cobalt Card, one of the most flexible options for Canadians. You’ll earn 5x the points on eligible eats and drinks (great if you entertain clients), 3x on eligible streaming services, and 2x on gas and transit. That includes rideshares you might use for deliveries or meetups. You’ll also earn 1 additional point on hotels booked through Amex Travel. Through GCR, new cardholders can earn a $100 rebate.
If your side hustle includes domestic travel, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite is a strong contender. You earn 8x TD Rewards points when booking through Expedia for TD, 6x on groceries and dining, and 4x on subscriptions, recurring bills, gaming, digital media, and streaming services. You can also earn 2x Points on all other purchases to keep your rewards going, even on general spending that supports your side hustle. It includes an annual TD travel credit and birthday bonus points. You can earn up to $1,000 in total value with this card and receive a $100 GCR rebate.
The American Express Gold Credit Card is another top-tier choice. It earns 2 points per dollar on travel, groceries, gas, and drugstores, with added lounge access and a $100 travel credit. New cardholders can receive up to 110,000 points and a $125 rebate through GCR.
Maximise Your Earnings on Everyday Tools and Digital Costs
Side hustles often come with recurring digital costs. From domain names and hosting to video editing software or paid social media tools, these charges can add up.
The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard gives you 5x points on digital media, household utilities, groceries, and restaurant purchases up to $50,000 per year in each category. This is perfect for creators, streamers, or those paying for CapCut Pro or Canva subscriptions. The GCR rebate on this card is $80.
The Tangerine Cash Back Credit Card and Tangerine World Mastercard both let you choose categories where you earn 2% back, including home improvement, supplies, or fuel. Use it to pay for groceries or supplies, and get a $100 or $125 rebate, respectively, when applying through GCR.
The TD Cash Back Visa Infinite is also a great option. It offers 3% back on groceries, gas, public transit, recurring bills, and streaming or digital media services. For side hustlers paying for tools like software subscriptions or utilities, those rewards can add up quickly. You can earn up to $600 in value through the welcome bonus and receive a $100 rebate when you apply through GCR.
Travel and Hospitality Rewards That Fit Side Hustlers
If your side hustle involves hotel stays, whether you’re visiting supplier markets, covering events, or building hospitality-related content, the Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer valuable benefits.
If your side hustle takes you on the road, whether to source inventory, attend events, or create travel content, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card offers high returns. Earn 5 points per dollar at Marriott hotels, 130,000 bonus points in your first year, and enjoy an Annual Free Night Award to cut lodging costs.
With 15 Elite Night Credits and a path to Gold Elite status, frequent stays become even more rewarding. You also get access to business tools, employee spending controls, and flexible payment options to manage cash flow. And you get a $75 GCR rebate just for applying.
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card gives you 5 points per dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points everywhere else. It includes one free night each year and 15 Elite Night Credits. You can earn up to 110,000 Marriott points in the first year and receive a $75 GCR rebate. This is especially useful for side hustlers who film, review, or create branded content while travelling.
Pair this with portals like Expedia Canada—available through GCR—for hotel and flight savings, and your rewards stack up even faster. You can even link your credit card to loyalty platforms and get discounts with merchants like Priceline Canada, AliExpress Canada, or travel retailers offering GCR cash back.
More Credit Card Offers That Fit Canadian Side Hustlers
For content creators and gig workers spending on fashion, accessories, and home decor, using cards that qualify for merchant deals is another way to multiply your savings. Shop with SportChek promo code, Reitmans promo code, Canadian Tire coupons, or SHEIN coupon code Canada via GCR, and combine your cash back credit card to double-dip on rewards.
GCR Also Helps You Save on Business Tools and Services
Great Canadian Rebates includes a wide range of cash-back deals on services and platforms that support small businesses in Canada. From software subscriptions to office tech, our platform helps reduce costs where it matters most.
Need accounting support? GCR offers up to $13 cash back on QuickBooks Canada plans, including their all-in-one business solution. Looking to buy a new printer or laptop? Earn rewards when you use a Dell Canada coupon code through GCR’s portal. Side hustlers running digital storefronts or managing client work from laptops will see returns with every purchase. Dell Canada offers up to 3% cash back and HP Canada offers 1.3% cash back on eligible accessories, desktops, and monitors. Even brands like Staples Canada and 123ink.ca provide rebates for supplies that fuel your daily tasks, whether it’s shipping labels or toner cartridges.
For those working with clients or subcontractors, Fiverr is also included, offering $4 back on first-time purchases for digital services such as web development, design, and career support.
These deals stack with your credit card rewards. By shopping through GCR, you multiply every dollar’s value without changing how you operate.
Why Great Canadian Rebates Works for Side Hustlers
Side hustles require smart decisions. Whether you’re spending on shipping labels, hotel stays, domain renewals, or groceries for your baking business, every expense should work for you. By applying for the best credit cards for side hustles in Canada through Great Canadian Rebates, you not only earn welcome bonuses and category rewards, but you also receive extra money back just for applying through our platform.
Pair this with cash back from your favourite online stores, and you’re stacking savings in ways most hobbyists and freelancers don’t know about.
Great Canadian Rebates connects you with generous offers from top issuers like American Express, TD, Tangerine, and MBNA. From the Amex Cobalt Cash Back to the Tangerine Cash Back Credit Card, our platform makes it easy to compare cards, collect rebates, and keep more of your hard-earned income.