After a whole year of “harvesting freebies,” I’ve also discovered some areas that aren’t typically covered by popular online bloggers. Here’s a simple summary with very easy conditions—most are almost instant rewards, without the Direct Deposit requirement that many banks have, making them suitable for unemployed students.
Contents
- Financial Institutions … 1
- Cashback Websites … 2
- Loyalty Programs … 3
- “Selling Privacy” … 4
- Lottery and Casino … 6
- Recurring Bills … 6
Financial Institutions
Although banks generally have strict requirements, often needing Direct Deposit, which can be a headache for unemployed students, there are some easier options. Credit cards aren’t included here because frequent credit checks can affect our fragile credit scores, so it’s more important to focus on straightforward, easy-to-claim rewards.
Banks
Tangerine
Tangerine is a reliable online bank with a savings interest rate higher than all the major banks. After claiming the reward, it’s also good for regular use. Just remember that they have an inactivity fee of C$10 per year, so make sure to have at least one transaction per year. According to their current Terms of Service, by using a referral code and depositing C$250 for 60 days, you can get a C$50 reward—quick and easy, unlike many banks that have hidden conditions and delay rewards. Feel free to use my referral code (Orange Key): 70539322S1.
EQ Bank
Another online bank, EQ Bank, is quite similar to Tangerine. Their current promotion offers C$20 when you register using an invite link and deposit C$100 within 30 days. The reward is issued within a week, with no hidden fees, including no inactivity fees. So, if you don’t use it regularly, it’s still worth a try. Feel free to use my invite link: [click here].
CIBC
Traditional major banks also offer easy sign-up bonuses for student accounts, specifically for those under 25. Currently, registering and depositing C$100 within 60 days will get you a C$50 reward. Feel free to use my invite link: [click here].
Additionally, if you set up a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) with CIBC before coming to Canada, you may receive C$50 by entering a referral email. This was my choice when I came to Canada. You can contact me through the “Contact Us” section if you need assistance.
CIBC is also promoting their international money transfer service. If you use a referral link to make a transfer, you’ll get C$50 in credit card credits. However, you’d need to be a CIBC customer to use this, so it’s worth trying. There’s no minimum transfer amount, and a common method is to transfer a small amount to your Alipay account. Feel free to use my referral link: [click here].
Wise
Wise is a multinational online bank known for excellent exchange rates. Some Canadian banks like EQ Bank even use Wise’s services for their low-rate transfers. There aren’t many direct rewards through Wise referral links, and I would need three invites to get a bonus, so I’ll skip sharing my link here. Feel free to message me if you’re interested.
HSBC CA
Originally, there was an unconditional sign-up bonus plus a deposit-based bonus for HSBC, but this process could take up to seven months. Since I recently received a notice about HSBC transitioning to RBC, the future is uncertain. Although the Welcome Bonus page is still online, it’s hard to guarantee anything, so I’ll leave it out for now (they’ve exited the Canadian market).
Tims Financial
Most “freebie bloggers” consider this card to be a poor option, as the initial reward is just 2000 Tims points, which aren’t very useful. However, a recent enhancement allows Tims points to be redeemed for credits on this card, resulting in a 6% cashback rate, which many bloggers have yet to track. While it is a credit card, you can open a secured version to avoid a hard pull on your credit score. I also use a secured card, and aside from the cashback, everything else is the same.
Brokerages
Wealthsimple
A top recommendation, Wealthsimple is Canada’s first commission-free brokerage, doubling as an online bank. You can keep a small investment after registering, and their Wealthsimple Cash account is fantastic, with a 4% savings interest rate and 1% cashback on purchases. I personally keep my spare cash here. Sign up with my referral code to receive an instant cash bonus! The reward amount changes, and the current offer is C$25. Use my code: HXKMQQ 🎁or [click here].
MooMoo CA
Also known as Futu, a popular platform among the Chinese community, MooMoo just entered the Canadian market this year. Their early sign-up rewards are quite generous. By using a referral code, depositing C$100, and keeping it for 90 days, you can earn C$50. You’re required to maintain a balance of at least C$100 but are not forced to invest it. Higher-tier rewards are available, with a deposit of C$10,000 yielding an additional C$100, though this isn’t as cost-effective unless you were already planning to transfer funds. They also offer small bonuses like commission-free trades. Use my referral code: NKSJU9PM 🎁 or click [here].
Questrade
Questrade, often mentioned alongside Wealthsimple, is a well-known brokerage in Canada. Their current referral offer provides C$50 if you open an account and deposit C$1,000 within 60 days. Use my referral code: 316533714479127.
Cryptocurrency
All legitimate Canadian cryptocurrency platforms are registered with FINTRAC, licensed, and provide tax documents, so I’ve included them in this financial institutions summary.
Shakepay
When you sign up through a referral link and trade C$100, you get an instant C$5-C$20 bonus. Another highlight is Shakepay’s “Shake” feature, which gives daily crypto rewards. The rewards can add up, and I’ve accumulated over a hundred dollars. Feel free to use my invite link: [click here].
Newton
Similar to Shakepay, Newton offers C$25 for trading C$100 through a referral link. Instant reward, highly recommended. Use my invite link: [click here].
Netcoins
Sign up through an invite link and trade C$50 to earn C$25 immediately. It’s a great deal. Use my invite link: [click here].
VirgoCX
With VirgoCX, you can earn C$5 just by signing up and verifying your identity through an invite link, and an additional C$15 when you deposit C$100, totaling C$20. No trading required, making it a low-risk option. The reward isn’t instant, but it arrives within a few business days. Use my invite link: [click here] or enter the invite code DrFAaYdR.
Coinbase
Coinbase is a large exchange that just obtained its Canadian license, though they don’t offer a standard sign-up bonus. However, their Learning Rewards feature offers occasional promotions for new coins, where completing short tasks or quizzes can earn you these new coins, which can often amount to several dollars.
Cashback Websites
Cashback websites are a unique North American shopping model. By redirecting to shopping sites through these platforms, you can earn cashback rewards through their partnerships.
Rakuten
Yes, Rakuten is the best and most reliable platform, and I’m a frequent user. By registering with an invitation link and making a C$30 purchase, you can receive a C$30 bonus. Don’t worry about the spending threshold—just buy a gift card on the site, which is easy and straightforward. Both my friends and I are doing this. Feel free to use my invitation link: click here.
Great Canadian Rebates (GCR)
This is Canada’s oldest cashback site. The UI is a bit outdated, and the user experience is average, but it offers the most partner merchants. Registering through an invitation link gives you a C$3 bonus—not much, but there’s no spending requirement. Feel free to use my invitation link: click here.
TopCashBack
This is an American company, but it’s available in Canada. Some previous cashback offers on VPN services reached up to 120%, giving you more back than you spent! Register through an invitation link and reach $10 in cashback to receive $35 (USD). It’s worth keeping an eye out for similar offers, or use it when buying from a specific merchant. Feel free to use my invitation link: click here.
Loyalty Programs
Canada has an overwhelming number of points programs that can be time-consuming to research. I’ll mainly recommend ones that offer instant benefits, as the others would take a while to accumulate.
Aeroplan
This is Air Canada’s program. My experience has been less than ideal, but it does have some perks with partners. You can earn 750 points by linking with Starbucks, which is better than nothing. Other common partners include Uber and LCBO—just link up and start earning.
Air Miles
This program was considered lackluster, but it recently became more valuable after being acquired. It has strong offers; for example, during the Christmas promotion, you can earn 1,000 Air Miles (equivalent to C$100) just by earning points with four different partners. Just register and wait for an offer. Recently, the deals have been great.
Scene+
This is the points program for Scotiabank, Sobeys supermarkets, and Cineplex. It’s pretty standard—just register and wait for offers. It’s easier to accumulate points if you have their grocery card. Watch for opportunities like Cineplex’s ongoing promotion to earn 5,000 points (C$50) for watching three specific movies. Tickets are often cheaper on Tuesdays, so you can actually profit from this.
PC Optimum
This is the points program for the Loblaws chain. Look out for Shoppers Drug Mart offers. During Black Friday, I used the 20x points and points inflation program to buy a Dyson and a Switch.
Various Individual Programs
Generally, these aren’t very lucrative but are still worth mentioning.
Examples:
- Hotels have programs like Marriott’s Bonvoy.
- Airlines like Porter have their own VIPorter program.
- Car rentals also have points programs, where you can eventually redeem for free rentals or upgrades.
For dining brands, almost every chain has its own app and rewards program. Tim Hortons, for example, offers free coffee upon registration.
- Starbucks: Can be linked with Aeroplan for extra benefits, plus a free coffee on your birthday.
- McDonald’s: Its offers can sometimes be worse than the regular prices, but it’s worth signing up for the first-order deals.
- Subway: Offers half off your first footlong and other discounts, plus 200 points (about C$1).
- Burger King: First order earns 5,000 points, enough for a cheeseburger.
- Mary Brown’s: With an invite code, you get 50 points (about C$0.2), though few people use this app. Here’s my code if you’re interested: mary_browns-0B2F43B2.
Most chains have rewards programs, such as Wendy’s, A&W, DQ, Taco Bell, and several pizza chains. For those without special offers, it’s often not worth it unless you frequent them often.
Data-for-Rewards Programs
These involve sharing some personal data, like receipts, so it’s up to your preference. The same receipt can usually be uploaded to multiple apps.
Receipt Scanning Apps
Caddle
A good receipt scanning app with many surveys daily. You can cash out at C$20; I’ve cashed out once. Registering with a referral link gives you C$1. Here’s mine: click here.
Receipt Hog
A receipt-only app with moderate earning potential. It can connect to your email for e-receipts, which requires sharing more personal information. Invitation reward is 250 coins, roughly C$1.25 (C$5 minimum cash out). My code: prev9127.
Air Miles also has receipt scanning. During Black Friday week, they offered 100 miles (worth over C$10) for one receipt.
Bill-based Programs
These apps connect to bank or credit card accounts for cashback based on transactions. They may collect more sensitive data but are backed by major banks, making them safer.
Paymi
Backed by CIBC, offering cashback with partner merchants. Registering with a referral code and completing one transaction gives C$5. My code: AL4EUT.
Avion Rewards
Formerly Ampil, backed by RBC and now integrated into Avion Rewards for added security.
Passive Mining
Traditional mining isn’t recommended, but there are apps that use idle bandwidth with low risk.
Honey Gain
This runs on idle devices and is ineffective on public networks. Registering with a referral code provides $5. Feel free to use my link: click here.
Lottery and Casino Programs
These are less commonly mentioned by rewards bloggers.
OLG
As a former Ontario resident, I used OLG. Typically, each province’s lottery agency offers about $20–$30 in free lottery tickets to try, but it’s limited, and free tickets are unreliable for winning.
It’s worth watching for special offers around holidays, as casinos and sports betting sites often have promotions. For example, on Canada Day, I signed up and received a C$240 bonus for sports betting. This amount could only be used for betting, but by placing a wager on a “sure win” game with odds of 1.01, I turned it into C$242.4, which was eligible for withdrawal! Of course, there’s always a risk, so consider spreading out bets to reduce it. Just be careful not to get carried away—betting comes with risks!
Recurring Bills
Bills like insurance, utilities, property taxes, and phone charges are unavoidable, so it’s worth exploring ways to save on them. I haven’t delved into insurance yet, so that’s still an area for future research.
Public Mobile
Public Mobile has one of the most innovative rewards systems in the telecom industry. I recently switched to their Boxing Day $24/month plan with 4GB data. Previously, auto pay gave a direct C$2 discount on the bill, but now it’s switched to a point system with a 5% cashback rate. Points are valued at a 1:1 ratio, so the actual monthly fee comes to about $22.8. Signing up earns you 5 points, and using a referral code adds a C$10 credit. Feel free to use my referral code: 0OE693.
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