Tims Credit Card Review 2024: Is It Worth It?
May 22, 2024The Tim Hortons credit card earns up to 15 Tims Rewards Points on each eligible dollar spent.This no-fee store credit card earns Tims Rewards Points. Timmie’s patrons are best positioned to get the most from this card as redemption options are limited to food and beverages at Tim Hortons restaurants.
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Tims Credit Card full review
The Tims Financial Credit Card is a rewards credit card with no annual fee. Cardholders earn Tims Rewards Points on eligible purchases with accelerated rates on Tim Hortons restaurant purchases, groceries, gas, EV charging and transit spending.
Benefits of the Tims Credit Card
The Tims Credit Card earns up to 15 Tims Rewards Points per eligible dollar spent. It has no annual fee and offers a sizable welcome bonus that’s sure to entice Tims Rewards collectors.
Drawbacks of the Tims Credit Card
This credit card may not fit the bill unless you frequent Tim Hortons restaurants. Its rewards points can only be redeemed for food and drink at Timmie’s. Plus, its insurance coverage is limited to extended warranty and purchase protection.
Who should get the Tims Credit Card?
Those who enjoy dining at Tim Hortons stand to benefit most from the Tims Credit Card. The card offers its highest earn rate on money spent at Tim Hortons, and redemption options are limited to Tim Hortons food and beverages.
Is the Tims Credit Card worth it?
The Tims Credit Card may be worthwhile for those who frequently spend money at Tim Hortons restaurants. There’s no annual fee to recoup, but the card will only benefit those who want to earn Tims Rewards points.
What Reddit has to say
NerdWallet’s credit card experts rigorously review every detail of a card to determine its rating. But our Nerds know it can also be helpful to hear what everyday cardholders think. So, we took to Reddit to find out what users are saying about the Tims Credit Card across multiple threads.
Redditors mostly disagree with NerdWallet’s review
As of this writing, Redditors give the Tims Credit Card a vehement thumbs down, with few exceptions. But the majority of negative comments are from users who dislike Tim Hortons itself, and thus, question the need for a store-branded card. So, diehard Timmie’s fans may still see its appeal. Some Redditors suggest helpful card alternatives, like the CIBC Costco Mastercard and Simplii Financial Cash Back Card, which NerdWallet generally rates highly.
Tims Financial customer ratings
As of this writing, Tims Financial does not have a Trustpilot or Better Business Bureau profile. But its parent company, Tim Hortons, does:
Mediocre Trustpilot rating: 2.8 out of 5 possible stars based on over 2,220 customer reviews, as of this writing.
Poor Better Business Bureau rating: 1.4 out of 5 possible stars based on over 15 customer reviews,
Tims Credit Card eligibility
Who qualifies for the Tims Credit Card?
To qualify for the Tims Credit Card, you must:
Be a Canadian resident.
Be at least the age of majority for your province or territory.
Approximate credit score needed for approval
Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. However, higher scores generally mean better chances of approval, and that’s true regardless of the type of credit you’re applying for. Want to learn more? Visit our “What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card?” page.
Tims Credit Card rewards
Earn up to 10,000 Tims Rewards Points.
Earn 4,000 points when you make your first purchase within 30 days of card membership.
Earn 2,000 points when you spend at least $200 in the second month of card membership.
Earn 2,000 points when you spend at least $200 in the third month of card membership.
Earn 2,000 points when you spend at least $200 in the fourth month of card membership.
Welcome offer valid through Feb. 2, 2024.
Earn Tims Rewards Points at the following rates:
15 points per $1 spent when you scan for Tims Rewards at Tim Hortons restaurants.
5 points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, EV charging, transit, taxi and ridesharing purchases.
1 point per $2 spent on all other purchases.
Points can be redeemed for food and beverages at Tim Hortons restaurants.
The Tims Credit Card welcome bonus is straightforward. The 10,000 Tims Rewards points can be unlocked by strategically using your card to meet spending requirements across the first four months of card membership. The welcome offer could net you a number of free Tim Hortons products. If you spent your entire welcome bonus on one product, the points could be redeemed for:
33 classic or specialty donuts.
25 cups of hot coffee or tea.
16 iced coffees.
12 boxes of 10 Timbits.
Nine breakfast sandwiches.
Seven lunch sandwiches.
Five Loaded Bowls or wraps.
Beyond its welcome offer, the Tims Credit Card earns Tims Rewards Points on every eligible dollar spent. Additional value can be squeezed from the card’s extended warranty and purchase protection, should they ever need to be put to use.
How much do I need to spend to get free items at Tim Hortons?
The value of a Tims Reward Point depends on how it is earned and redeemed. But you can expect to spend at least:
$20 to earn enough points for a classic donut, specialty donut, hashbrown or cookie.
$26.66 to earn enough points for a coffee, tea, Dream Donut, bagel or baked good.
$40 to earn enough points for a hot chocolate, French Vanilla, iced coffee or pack of potato wedges.
$53.33 to earn enough points for a Real Fruit Quencher, cold brew coffee, iced cappuccino, box of 10 Timbits, yogurt, frozen beverage or espresso drink.
$73.33 to earn enough points for a breakfast sandwich or soup.
$86.66 to earn enough points for a Farmer’s Wrap, breakfast bagel, lunch sandwich or chili.
$120 to earn enough points for a Loaded Bowl or wrap.
How to apply for the Tims Credit Card
The application process for the Tims Credit Card must be completed through the Tims Hortons mobile app:
Download the Tim Hortons app from your mobile device through Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Sign up for Tims Financial by selecting the Join now button from the Tim Hortons app home screen.
Enter your first name and email address. Select Create an Account.
Start a Tims Financial profile by selecting Sign Up.
Create a password, enter your phone number and review the Tims Financial terms and conditions and financial privacy policy.
Continue your application by selecting the Tims Credit Card.
Enter your personal information, including your full name, date of birth, residential address, employment information, monthly housing expenses and annual income.
Review your information and submit your application.
Tims Credit Card vs Simplii Financial Cash Back Card
If you’re a Timmie’s fan but want more flexibility from your rewards, you may want to consider a credit card that earns cash back at all restaurants, like the Simplii Financial Cash Back Card. You’ll accrue elevated rewards with more than one establishment, and you can still use cash back to cover Tim’s purchases.
Rewards breakdown
NerdWallet's take
Card details
Rewards breakdown
NerdWallet's take
Card details
Reasons you might want a different card
The Tims Credit Card may not be a practical fit if:
You don’t frequent Tim Hortons restaurants.
You want to earn a different type of reward, like cash back or travel points.
You want a credit card that offers more extensive insurance coverage or other benefits.
Tims Credit Card facts
TIMS CREDIT CARD | |
---|---|
Card Type | |
Fees and Interest Rates | |
Annual fee | $0.00 |
Regular/purchase APR | 20.99%-25.99. (20.99%-24.99% for Quebec residents.) |
Cash advance APR | 22.99%–27.99%. (22.99%-25.99% for Quebec residents.) |
Cash advance fee | $2.50 to $5 per transaction. |
Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% of the transaction amount. |
Rewards and Benefits | |
Intro offer | Earn up to 10,000 Tims Rewards Points. Get 4,000 points when you make your first purchase within 30 days of card membership. Get an additional 2,000 points each time you spend at least $200 in your second, third and fourth months of card membership. Welcome offer valid through Feb. 2, 2024. |
Reward earn rates | • 15 Tims Rewards points per $1 spent when you scan for Tims Rewards at Tim Hortons restaurants. • 5 Tims Rewards points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, EV charging, transit, taxi and ridesharing purchases. • 1 Tims Rewards point per $2 spent on all other purchases. |
Other perks | Crave streaming. Get three free months of Crave, HBO and HBO Max when you sign up for a Tims Credit Card. Offer valid through Feb. 28, 2024. |
Insurance coverage | |
Extended warranty | Up to one additional year. |
Purchase protection | 90 days. |
Methodology
BACK TO TOPNerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.
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