Which Canadian credit cards include a free eSIM?

    More of them than most people realise, and less data than the marketing implies. The benefit comes from the payment network rather than the bank: Visa runs a cardholder eSIM program with GigSky, Mastercard runs one with FlexiRoam, and American Express has no Canadian equivalent at any annual fee. So two cards from the same bank can give you completely different answers.

    Below are the Canadian travel cards worth carrying, grouped by what their tier actually entitles you to. Each page carries the card's fees, earn rates and travel perks alongside the connectivity answer, with the issuer's own pages cited.

    The short version

    The best complimentary allowance in Canada is 3GB a year, split into three 1GB plans of five days each. The most common is 1GB for 15 days, which works out at about 68 MB a day. Both are genuinely useful for maps, messaging and boarding passes, and neither is a fortnight of data. Claim yours before you fly, then size the rest of the trip separately.

    Mastercard World Elite: 3GB a year

    The most complimentary data of any Canadian tier, through FlexiRoam. The catch is the shape of it: three separate 1GB plans, five days each.

    Visa Infinite Privilege: 2GB a year

    Two complimentary 1GB GigSky plans at 15 days each, plus the deepest discount on anything further at 30%.

    Visa Infinite: 1GB a year

    One complimentary 1GB GigSky plan valid 15 days, plus 20% off further plans.

    Visa Infinite +: check the app

    GigSky's Canadian eligibility list does not name this tier separately. Treat it as Visa Infinite and verify with your card number.

    Mastercard World Legend: not named in the terms

    FlexiRoam's Canadian terms cover World and World Elite. World Legend sits above both and is not listed, so the eligibility checker is the only answer.

    Visa Platinum, Gold and Classic: discount only

    10% off GigSky plans and no complimentary data at all.

    American Express: no program at all

    Visa has GigSky and Mastercard has FlexiRoam. Amex has no Canadian equivalent, at any annual fee.