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The Bank of Montreal is one of Canada’s largest banks, and it offers one of the largest selections of personal credit cards in the country. Whether you’re a student looking for your first credit card or to establish a credit history, or a frequent flyer wanting a card packed full of travel perks, BMO has something for you. BMO is also the only Big 5 bank to offer co-branded credit cards with the popular Air Miles rewards program, making them a great fit for Air Miles collectors.
Best BMO no-fee credit card
At a glance: The BMO CashBack Mastercard stands out for offering 3% cash back on groceries, which is the best standard (i.e. non-promotional period) earn rate for this category among no-fee cards in Canada. It should be noted, however, that the earn rate is capped at a maximum of $500 per month in spending, so if you regularly spend more than that on groceries, you might want a card that doesn’t limit your earnings. Another attractive feature is that it offers very flexible redemption options, including redeeming your cash back into a BMO chequing or savings account.
BMO CashBack Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
- 3% cash back on groceries (on the first $500 per month)
- 1% on recurring bills
- 0.5% on everything else
Welcome offer: Earn up to 5% cash back during your first three months.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances, 23.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | n/a |
| Credit score | None specified |
Pros
- Earn 3% cash back for groceries—the highest non-promotional earn rate for groceries for a no-fee card in Canada.
- Redeem cash back for as little as $1 and you can even set up recurring redemptions starting at $25.
- Impressively flexible cash back redemption options, including putting the money into your BMO chequing or savings account, putting it towards a statement credit or adding it to your InvestorLine account.
Cons
- The 3% earn rate for groceries is capped at $500 per month, which can be quite low if you’re shopping for a family.
- A base rate of only 0.5% for all other spending outside of accelerated categories.
- Not many additional perks, such as travel insurance.
Best BMO cash back credit card
At a glance: The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard has a solid variety of extra-earn categories that are targeted to where Canadians spend the most, like groceries, transit and gas. Unfortunately, some cardholders may find the monthly spending caps quite low for each category, which can significantly impact potential earnings. Nonetheless, the card can lead to good cash back amounts if you aren’t a big spender and don’t exceed the caps. It’s also one of the few cards that offers free roadside assistance.
BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $120 (waived first year)
- 5% cash back on groceries
- 4% back on transit
- 3% back on gas and electric vehicle charging
- 2% on recurring bill payments
- 1% back on everything else
Welcome offer: Earn up to $335 in additional cash back, including 10% cash back during your first 3 months.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances, 23.99% on balance transfers (21.99% in Quebec) |
| Income required | Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
Pros
- A variety of accelerated cash back categories, with an especially high earn rate for groceries.
- Free roadside assistance, which includes battery boosts, towing and flat-tire change.
Cons
- All of the accelerated earn categories have monthly caps, ranging from $500 to $300 per month, which is low for a premium card.
- Membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass does not include any free lounge visits. You must pay a fee of USD$32 per visit.
- The income requirement is high at minimum of $80,000 per year for individuals and $150,000 for households.
Best BMO credit card for dining and transit
At a glance: The BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite is an impressive earner that gives you 5 BMO Rewards points per $1 spent on almost anything to do with food or transit. This means 5 points per $1 on groceries, restaurants and food delivery, as well gas, public transit, taxis and rideshares, including UberEats. Everything else will get you 1 BMO Rewards point per $1. In a unique move, this card also offers a $50 annual lifestyle credit, which you can spend however you wish. When you sign up an additional user ($50 per card), you’ll get 10% more points on all purchases.
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $120 (waived first year)
- 5 points per $1 on dining, groceries, gas and transit
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to 70,000 points ($467 value)
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances, 23.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000 |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 BMO Rewards point = $0.0067 when redeemed for travel |
Pros
- Accelerated earn categories that reflect heavy spending areas for most Canadians, and while there is a cap (a cumulative total of $50,000) it will likely be hard to reach for most cardholders.
- Comes with a $50 annual lifestyle credit that you can use at your own discretion.
- Includes mobile device protection of up to $1,000.
Cons
- You generally get much less value for your BMO Rewards points if you redeem them for anything other than travel.
- Because 1 BMO Rewards point is valued at 0.0067, you are essentially earning less than $0.01 per dollar when earning the base earn rate, which is on the low side for a premium card.
- The travel insurance package is not comprehensive as it does not include things like flight delay insurance and lost/delayed baggage insurance.
Best BMO travel credit card
At a glance: While the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard does charge a slightly higher than normal annual fee, it makes up for it with a generous array of travel-friendly perks. Cardholders not only enjoy free membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass (with four free annual airport lounge passes included), but they can also take advantage of comprehensive travel insurance. The card also features a very competitive earn rate of 5 BMO Rewards points per $1 spent on eligible travel, and 3 points per $1 spent on dining and entertainment purchases.
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $150
- 5 points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases
- 3 points per $1 on dining, entertainment, and recurring bill payments
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
Welcome offer: Earn up to 100,000 points
Card details
| Interest rates | Interest rates: 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on balance transfers, 23.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
| Point value | 1 BMO Rewards point = $0.0067 when redeemed for travel |
Pros
- Complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass by DragonPass, which includes four annual complimentary airport lounge passes.
- Book travel-related purchases like flights, hotels, car rentals and more with the travel provider of your choice and then redeem your BMO Rewards points using Pay with Points.
- Very comprehensive travel insurance, including emergency medical protection, flight delay or cancellation, lost or delayed baggage and more.
Cons
- You’ll get quite a bit less value for your BMO Rewards points if you don’t redeem them for travel purchases.
- Because each BMO Rewards point is valued at 0.0067, you’re actually earning less than $0.01 per dollar at the base rate.
- The annual fee of $150 is slightly higher than the average for this category of card.
Best BMO Air Miles credit card
At a glance: Air Miles is one of Canada’s most popular travel rewards programs, allowing members to collect points (“Miles”) that can be redeemed for flights, merchandise, events and more. Many BMO cards already offer cardholders Air Miles when they spend; however, the best deal is the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard. Cardholders enjoy a fantastic earn rate of 1 Mile per $12 in credit card purchases (and a whopping three times that amount at Air Miles partners). Frequent travellers will also enjoy this card’s full complement of travel-related perks like travel and medical protection and discounts on eligible flights.
BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $120
- 3 Miles per $12 spent at Air Miles partners
- 2 Miles per $12 spent at eligible grocery, liquor and wholesale stores
- 1 Mile per $12 spent everywhere else
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,200 in value, including up to 7,000 Air Miles bonus miles and no annual fee in your first year.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances, 23.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Dream Mile = $0.0121 on average when redeemed for travel. 1 Cash Mile = $0.105 |
Pros
- Collectors can double their Air Miles when they show their Air Miles Collector Card at Air Miles partners.
- Exclusive 25% discount on one worldwide Air Miles flight redemption during the calendar year.
- Comprehensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation, trip interruption and baggage delay.
- Gas savings: For a limited time, save $0.25 per litre at Shell on eight fill-ups, on top of savings of $0.7 per litre on Shell V-Power NiTRO+ fuel or $0.2 per litre on other fuel.
Cons
- No free lounge visits with your complimentary Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass membership.
- The annual income requirement is quite high.
- The highest reward rate of 3 Miles per $12 at Air Miles partners may be become harder as some partners have recently left the program.
Best BMO low interest credit card
At a glance: With the interest rate on most credit cards hovering around 20%, it can be easy to accumulate credit card debt. While some consumers may find that a debt consolidation loan or a line of credit is useful in these situations, others may look into a card with a more manageable interest rate—this simple switch can save you hundreds of dollars. Within the BMO family, the best card for the job is the BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard. With a low annual fee of $20, a 12.99% interest rate on purchases and a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers, this card can help you rein in your credit card debt.
BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard
Annual fee: $29
Low interest rate: 13.99% on purchases
Welcome offer: get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee
Card details
| Interest rates | 15.99% on cash advances, 15.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | $15,000 (personal or household) |
| Credit score | 660 or higher |
Pros
- Standard low interest rate can help those who carry a balance get their credit card debt under control.
- Get an annual rebate of $20 if you also have a BMO Performance chequing account.
- Not only does the card have a low interest rate, it also has a much lower than usual standard cash advance rate of 15.99%.
Cons
- The card has no perks aside from purchase protection and extended warranty.
- Each balance transfer you make is subject to a fee of 2%.
- The low interest rate for the balance transfer is only valid for nine months.
Best BMO premium rewards credit card
At a glance: The BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege card has a hefty $599 annual fee, but the perks and rewards may well warrant the price of entry. You’ll receive an annual $200 lifestyle credit that you can spend however you like, effectively cutting down the annual fee to $299. The card offers amazing airport perks like free airport lounge access, as well as airport parking and valet service discounts at eligible Canadian airports. It also includes a significant amount of travel insurance to boot. It’s definitely a card that’s designed to take the hassle out of travel.
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege
Annual fee: $599
- 5 BMO points per $1 on groceries, gas, travel, dining and drugstores
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
Welcome offer: Earn up to 120,000 points
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents), 23.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $150,000 or household income of $200,000 |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
| Point value | 1 BMO Rewards point = $0.0067 when redeemed for travel |
Pros
- Free Visa Airport Companion membership and six complimentary airport lounge visits annually.
- Get Priority security lane, airport parking and valet service discounts at select Canadian airports.
- Take advantage of five high-earning categories in typical big-spend categories: groceries, gas, travel, dining and drugstore purchases.
Cons
- At $599 a year, the card has one of Canada’s highest annual fees for a credit card.
- A very high income requirement of $150,000 for individuals or $200,000 for households.
- While it offers a good 22 days for travel medical coverage (there are cards with a lower fee that offer more days of coverage), those aged 65 and over are only covered for three days.
Best BMO student credit card
At a glance: If you’re on a student budget and looking to build a credit history, this may be the right card for you. This variant of the BMO CashBack Mastercard earns substantial rewards for groceries, netting you 3% cash back in that category. You’ll also earn 1% on recurring bill payments and 0.5% on everything else. The one downside is that, as with many no-fee cards, this card is light on perks— but it does offer standard purchase protection and extended warranty.
BMO CashBack Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
- 3% cash back on groceries
- 1% on recurring bills
- 0.5% on everything else
Welcome offer: Earn up to 5% cash back in your first 3 months. Conditions apply.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances, 23.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | None specified |
Pros
- Flexible cash back program that lets you put your earnings into a BMO account (chequing, savings or InvestorLine) or towards a statement credit.
- The card comes with extended warranty and purchase protection.
- Get 15% off admission to Cirque du Soleil shows in Canada, and 20% off shows in Las Vegas, as well as 25% off rentals at National and Alamo car rental locations.
Cons
- The grocery and recurring bill payment categories are capped at $500 a month respectively.
- A low standard earn rate of 0.5% cash back.
- This no-frills card has few extras.
About BMO Rewards
What is the value of BMO Rewards Points?
The BMO Rewards program follows a similar value structure as other bank-issued points programs, like TD Rewards and Scotia Rewards. The BMO Rewards program is ideal for its variety of redemption options, giving you access to high-value rewards, and more flexible payouts like cash back on your statement—great if you find your own travel deal or want to use your rewards to pay off an everyday bill. The value of each point varies based on the category of redemption, with travel offering greater value than gift cards, merchandise or cash back redemptions.
- Travel: 150 BMO Points = $1 / 1 BMO Point = $0.0067 (0.67%)
- Non-travel purchases (statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, BMO investments): 200 BMO Points = $1 / 1 BMO Point = 0.005 (0.5%)
How to redeem BMO Rewards points
You must redeem BMO Rewards points through the bank’s website, BMORewards.com. There, you’ll have access to its travel portal, where you can search directly for flights, vacation packages, hotels, cars, and cruises. You also have the ability to redeem points for travel over the phone using a BMO Rewards travel agent, but there’s an additional $39 booking fee (on top of the website’s listed redemption cost.)
BMO Rewards’ best feature
Using BMO Rewards points for travel remains one of your best redemptions because of the points’ value consistency. Unlike Aeroplan and Air Miles, where points required for booking are based on supply and demand, peak travel periods and seat availability, the BMO Rewards points per $1 value doesn’t fluctuate based on inventory. This makes it one of your best options for travel rewards and redemptions, as it makes it easier to calculate redemption values and comparison shop for airlines and trip itineraries.
