Canadians love earning credit card reward points, but most premium credit cards include a wide range of other free benefits, such as travel insurance, airport lounge access, etc.

Some credit card companies in Canada have partnered with established roadside assistance programs to offer these valuable services at no additional cost to the cardholder. If you choose the right card, you can access emergency roadside assistance benefits that are comparable to standalone memberships, like CAA or Costco roadside assistance.

In this article, I’ll share three credit cards that come with roadside assistance and let you know what benefits are included with each card.

How Does Roadside Assistance Work?

Roadside assistance service programs help drivers who find themselves stuck due to vehicle trouble. Whether you’ve run out of gas, are dealing with a dead battery, a flat tire, or a mechanical breakdown, you can access emergency help by calling a roadside assistance number.

A tow truck driver will be dispatched to your location quickly to get you back on the road. If needed, your roadside assistance will cover a tow within a specific kilometre limit.

Some credit card companies offer complimentary roadside assistance as a perk for their cardholders up to certain limits. It’s an excellent feature that you would have to pay for if you were to buy it through a provider such as CAA.

Here’s our list of the best credit card roadside assistance programs in Canada.

Best Credit Cards with Free Roadside Assistance

1. TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card

Roadside Assistance Program: Deluxe TD Auto Club

Other Card Features:

• $139 annual fee
• 20.99% purchase interest
• Welcome Offer valued at up to $500
• Earn 3% cash back on eligible grocery and gas purchases, and recurring bill payments
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases

TD Auto Club is TD’s long-standing emergency roadside assistance program. Three memberships are offered as an optional benefit (meaning you must pay extra) on several TD credit cards. However, the Deluxe membership is a complimentary benefit of the TD Cash Back Infinite Visa Card.

Here’s a list of roadside assistance services offered by Deluxe TD Auto Club:

• 24/7 Emergency roadside assistance anywhere in Canada and the continental U.S.
• Up to 6 service calls per year
• Tows up to 200 km distance
• Dead battery, Tire change, and Gas Delivery services
• Emergency lockout service
• Breakdown towing (to the nearest service centre)
• Winching services
• Personal transportation
• Accident towing
• Emergency transportation/rental car coverage
• Emergency Accommodation and meals
• Personal Necessities
• Stolen Vehicle emergency services
• Hazardous weather services

As you can see, TD Deluxe Auto Club offers a comprehensive range of emergency services. Maximum towing distances vary, but you may be covered up to 200km at no extra cost, depending on the nature of the breakdown. Members are covered for up to six roadside assistance dispatch calls or reimbursement claims per membership per year.

TD’s roadside assistance also offers reimbursement services for many different emergencies. For example, if you are in a traffic accident that’s been reported to the police, Auto Club will reimburse you up to $200 for accident towing if it’s not covered by your vehicle insurance provider. They will also reimburse you up to $200 to pay for meals and accommodation in the immediate vicinity of your traffic accident if required.

2. Triangle World Elite Mastercard

Roadside Assitance Program: Canadian Tire World Elite Mastercard Roadside Assistance Gold Plan

Other Card Features:

• No annual fee
• 20.99% purchase interest
• Currently, there is no welcome bonus
• Earn 4% in CT money when you shop at Canadian Tire and partner stores (Sport Chek, Mark’s, etc.)
• Fuel discounts of up to 7 cents per litre at Gas+ fuel stations
• Earn 3% in CT money for groceries (excludes Costco and Walmart)
• Earn 1% CT Money on all other purchases

The Triangle World Elite Mastercard is a no-fee premium rewards credit card from Canadian Tire that pays you back Canadian Tire money when you make purchases. The card comes with several complimentary benefits, including their Roadside Assistance Gold Plan.

Here’s what you get with Canadian Tire roadside assistance:

• 24/7 emergency roadside assistance
• Up to 5 emergency service calls per year
• Tows up to 250 km
• Unlimited tows to Canadian Tire service stations within kilometre limit
• Accident towing
• Battery boost service
• Fuel delivery service
• Lockout service
• Flat tire change
• Winching service
• Conference call-ahead service
• Trip accident assistance

Canadian Tire’s roadside assistance entitles members to five service calls per year, one less than TD. However, you can have an unlimited number of tows to any Canadian Tire Service station within the distance limits. The towing distance limit is 250km per call to a destination of your choice. The best part about this card is that there’s no annual fee. However, there’s also no welcome bonus.

3. BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard

Roadside Assitance Program: BMO Roadside Assitance Program (Basic Coverage)

Other Card Features:

• $120 annual fee
• 20.99% purchase interest
• Welcome bonus of up to 10% cash back for 3 months and the first year’s fee waived ($120 value)
• Earn 5% cash back on groceries
• Earn 4% cash back on transit purchases (including rideshare)
• Earn 3% on gas purchases and electric vehicle charging
• Earn 2% cash back on recurring bills
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases

The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard is a premium credit card that comes with generous cash back benefits for everything from groceries to transit purchases. The card also includes a complimentary membership in BMO’s Roadside Assistance Program. The basic coverage is not as comprehensive as the offerings from TD and Triangle, but it’s a nice perk that you don’t have to pay for otherwise.

Here’s what you get with BMO’s roadside assistance:

• 24/7 emergency roadside assistance services in Canada and the continental U.S.
• Any passenger vehicle up to 6,000 lbs.
• Battery boost
• Delivery of emergency gasoline
• Changing of a flat tire
• Lockout service
• Towing services to the nearest qualified repair shop within 10 km.
• Up to 4 service calls per year per member

If you live in or near an urban area, you may be satisfied with the roadside coverage BMO provides. If you often drive in a more rural area, you would be better off choosing a more comprehensive program, like the ones offered by TD, Triangle, or a CAA membership.

Overall, the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard is a fantastic rewards card, and the inclusion of roadside assistance is a nice added benefit.

Credit Card Roadside Assistance vs. CAA: Which is Better?

CAA is a not-for-profit automobile association with more than 7 million members. It provides Canadians with several travel benefits, but they are perhaps best known for their emergency roadside service.

If you’re looking into getting roadside assistance, it’s important to compare the features and benefits of credit card programs versus a CAA membership. Let’s take a look at the key differences so that you can find the best option for your needs.

Firstly, credit card roadside assistance is often available as a complimentary benefit, providing you peace of mind without any additional annual fees. For example, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance Deluxe and TD Auto Club Memberships come at no extra cost to cardholders.

On the other hand, a CAA membership ranges between $72 and $146 per year, depending on the plan you choose.

But while credit card roadside assistance can be a cost-effective option, make sure you’re comfortable with the coverage limitations. Most credit card programs cover basic needs, like towing, fuel delivery, and battery jump-starts. However, they may limit the towing distance, the number of services allowed per year, and additional fees for specific services like CAA locked keys in car services.

In contrast, CAA memberships typically offer more comprehensive coverage and a wider range of services, such as locksmith assistance, hotel discounts, and travel insurance options. Additionally, you can expect faster response times and priority services when you have a CAA membership, providing you with greater peace of mind during emergencies.

While credit card programs may save you money initially, the value of CAA’s comprehensive coverage and additional benefits might make it a better long-term choice for certain drivers.

The Bottom Line of Roadside Assistance Credit Cards

Choosing a credit card with roadside assistance can be a smart financial decision. Not only do you get the rewards offered by the card, but you also have peace of mind knowing that help is just a call away if you ever find yourself stranded on the side of the road.

The best credit card roadside assistance programs are the ones offered with the TD Cash Back Infinite Visa card and the Triangle World Elite Mastercard. You can’t really go wrong with either program, so your decision should boil down to which rewards program you like the most or whether you’re comfortable paying an annual fee.

If the cards on our list don’t appeal to you, but you still want roadside assistance, you could always pay for a CAA membership and continue using your preferred credit card.

FAQs

How do I access roadside assistance through my TD Visa Infinite card?

You can call the 24/7 assistance hotline at 1-800-265-1289. Make sure to have your credit card ready when you call. The customer service representative will verify your card details, and once confirmed, they will connect you with a local service provider to help with your roadside emergency.

Is CAA the same as AAA?

The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) and American Automobile Association (AAA) are affiliated clubs. For example, if you are a CAA member and have car trouble in a region covered by the AAA, you can still receive roadside assistance.

What factors should I use to compare roadside assistance programs?

Before deciding on a credit card roadside assistance program, there are a few factors to consider. First, review the list of services included in the roadside assistance plan and make sure they meet your needs. Some plans might offer more comprehensive benefits than others.

Next, check the usage limits. How many service calls are allowed per year, and are there any distance limitations for towing?

And don’t forget about the other credit card features, as roadside assistance is just one of many benefits these credit cards offer. Compare other perks, like rewards programs, travel insurance, etc.