Head-to-Head: American Express Cobalt Card vs. National Bank World Elite Mastercard

Updated Dec 2, 2025
Fact checked by
Alexandrine Bertrand
Alexandrine Bertrand Alexandrine Bertrand
An avid solo traveller, Alexandrine is an expert on loyalty programmes such as Aeroplan, Avios, AIR MILES, Flying Blue and Marriott Bonvoy. With a budget-conscious approach, she helps travellers make the most of their points and miles to experience affordable, off-the-beaten-path getaways. She also shares a love of gastronomy and enjoys exploring local flavours and culinary traditions.
All posts by Alexandrine Bertrand
American Express Cobalt Card vs National Bank World Elite Mastercard
To the point Here's our detailed comparison of the American Express Cobaltᴹᴰ Card and the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card.

American Express Canada and National Bank each offer a credit card that earns 5 points per dollar spent in grocery stores and restaurants:

Welcome Bonus

The welcome bonus offered by each of these credit cards varies depending on the promotions. However, there are differences to be aware of between the two credit cards.

american express cobalt card

When you subscribe to the American Express Cobalt® Card, you can earn up to 15,000 points:

  • 1,250 points per month for the first 12 months (monthly expenses of $750 or more)
bnc world elite EN national bank

A few times a year, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® has an attractive promotion. And now’s the time to take advantage!

Take advantage of this exclusive Milesopedia welcome offer and receive up to 45,000 bonus points:

  • First-year annual fee waiver ($150 value)
  • 5,000 points if you sign up for payment insurance when you apply for your card
  • 10,000 points after making purchases totalling at least $5,000 in the first 3 months
  • 10,000 additional points after reaching $10,000 in purchases in 6 months
  • 20,000 additional points after reaching $15,000 in purchases in 12 months
Advantage: National Bank World Elite Mastercard

With its welcome bonus and annual fee waiver, the National Bank World® Mastercard® offers the most!

Minimum Income

american express cobalt card

The American Express Cobalt® Card requires no minimum income.

bnc world elite EN national bank

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard® card requires:

  • $80,000 individual income
  • $150,000 household income
  • or assets under management of $400,000 or more
Advantage: American Express Cobalt Card

The American Express Cobalt® Card does not require a minimum income, unlike the National Bank World Elite Mastercard.

Annual Fee

american express cobalt card

For residents outside Quebec, the American Express Cobalt® Card has a monthly fee of $12.99 ($155.88 per year). For Quebec residents, the annual fee is $150.

bnc world elite EN national bank

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard has an annual fee of $150.

But thanks to its current promotion, the annual fee is refunded. Your card therefore costs $0 annual fee for the first year.

Advantage: National Bank World Elite Mastercard

Annual fees for National Bank World Elite Mastercard are virtually the same as for American Express Cobalt® Card.

But the National Bank World Elite Mastercard has a special advantage: it gives you a $150 travel credit every year!

As a result, cardholders have a total of $150 to apply to certain travel expenses. Used to its full potential, it costs nothing each year, and even less in the first year with the current promotion.

Earning Points

The American Express Cobalt® Card and the National Bank World Elite Mastercard offer similar levels of point accumulation.

Accumulation Levels

american express cobalt card

With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you can earn up to 5 points per dollar:

Category Points
Grocery, Restaurant, Home Food Delivery, Bars, Convenience Stores 5*
Streaming services (Apple TV+, Apple Music, Crave, Disney+, Netflix, RDS, TSN, etc.) 3
Local transport, service stations 2
Other purchase 1

For the 5X points category, you can earn 5 points per dollar up to $2,500 in monthly purchases in this category, charged to the card. Starting at $2,501, points are accumulated at a rate of 1 point per dollar for the 5 X points category.

bnc world elite EN national bank

With the National Bank World Elite Mastercard you can also earn up to 5 points per dollar:

Category Points
Grocery and Restaurant 5*
Gasoline, Electric recharge, Recurring bill, À la carte Travel 2
Other purchase 1

For the Grocery and Restaurant category, you can earn 5 points for every dollar spent in the first $2,500 of monthly purchases (all categories combined) charged to the card. Starting at $2,501, points are accumulated at a rate of 2 points per dollar for the 5 X points category.

Draw

Depending on your needs and the majority of your expenses, you may choose one or the other. Since groceries are a major budget item, getting 5 points per dollar on one of these 2 credit cards for this expense is excellent.

Don’t forget the possibility of buying gift cards at the grocery store to maximize your points: you earn 5 points per dollar, even on Walmart, Amazon, Sports Experts, Canadian Tire gift cards, and so on.

Redeeming Points

Both cards are part of different loyalty programs:

Thus, the ways of using the points are different.

Redeeming Points

american express cobalt card

The American Express Cobalt® Card is highly versatile and flexible. You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a statement credit on:

  • Travel purchases (car rental, hotels, flights, etc.);
  • Everyday purchases (groceries, gas, bill payments, etc.).

The usage rate is 1,000 points = $10.

So use your Membership Rewards points to simply pay off your American Express Cobalt® Card balance.

A minimum of 1,000 points (minimum $10) is required, and thereafter in increments of one cent per point.

In addition, redeem your Membership Rewards points to:

It offers plenty of opportunities, depending on what you need and when you want it.

bnc world elite EN national bank

With the National Bank World Elite Mastercard it’s different. NBC points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs.

To redeem your National Bank World Elite Mastercard you will need to log in to your online account NBC à la carte Rewards program.

You can then use these points NBC thanks to various options:

Rewards Points for $100
Exchange on the NBC à la carte Rewards dedicated portal 10 000
Flexible travel discount
(from 55,000 points redeemed)
11 000
Flexible travel discount (on travel purchases you book yourself) 12 000
Extras à la carte
RRSP or TFSA contribution
Repayment of all-in-one mortgage or mortgage loan
12 000
Gift card 12 000 – 13 500
Statement credit 25 000

 

Advantage: American Express Cobalt Card

Thanks to the great flexibility of the American Express Cobalt® Card and Membership Rewards points, they can be used in a variety of ways. Points can be used for travel purchased on the card:

Other Benefits

american express cobalt card

With the American Express Cobalt® Card you can also enjoy:

bnc world elite EN national bank

Each calendar year, the holder of a National Bank World Elite Mastercard cardholder has a travel credit of $150 to reimburse certain travel expenses:

  • Airport parking
  • Baggage fees
  • Seat selection
  • Access to airport lounges
  • Airline ticket upgrades

It also offers:

Advantage: National Bank's World Elite Mastercard®

With its wide range of travel benefits, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard is unbeatable in this respect.

Whereas for the American Express Cobalt® Card its advantages lie more in everyday shopping.

Insurance

Insurance cobalt card Image of a National Bank World Elite Mastercard credit card with an exclusive badge.
Trip Cancellation Insurance up to $2,500
Trip interruption insurance up to $5,000
Out-of-province/country emergency medical coverage Up to $5,000,000 for 15 days Up to $5,000,000 for up to 60 days
Flight delay insurance Up to $500
after 4 hours
Up to $500
after 4 hours
Baggage Delay Insurance Up to $500
after 6 hours
Up to $500
after 6 hours
Baggage loss or theft insurance up to $500 up to $1,000
Hotel burglary insurance up to $500
Rental car theft and damage insurance up to $85,000 up to $65,000
Travel accident insurance $250,000 $500,000
Purchase Protection 1 additional year 2 additional years
Purchase Guarantee Up to $1,000
90 days
Up to $1,000
180 days
Advantage: National Bank's World Elite Mastercard®

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers much more generous additional coverage than the American Express Cobalt® Card.

What’s more, it requires only a portion of travel purchases to be charged to the card. The American Express Cobalt® Card Card, on the other hand, requires the entire trip to have been charged to it.

Bottom Line

So? Which card is the winner?

In our opinion, these two credit cards complement each other. For everyday shopping, it’s the American Express Cobalt® Card. For travel purchases and insurance, visit National Bank World Elite Mastercard.

The American Express Cobalt® Card is the perfect way to do whatever you want with your points without breaking the bank! In addition, it stands out with:

  • Its advantages for everyday purchases (credits for purchases in certain shops, access to show pre-sales, etc.);
  • The absence of a minimum income requirement;
  • Its points that can be used on anything;
  • The possibility of transferring points to several other loyalty programs.

While the National Bank World Elite Mastercard stands out thanks to:

  • Its $150 travel credit;
  • Its attractive welcome offer and reimbursement of annual fees in the first year;
  • Its robust travel insurance package, one of the best of any credit card;
  • The possibility of using it at Costco;
  • The opportunity to invest your points in an RRSP, TFSA or to pay off your mortgage;
  • Unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge before your trip to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport.
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline, a loyalty program specialist, helps families maximize their points to travel more frequently and affordably. With expertise in Disney, AIR MILES, and Costco, she travels the world with her partner and two children through rewards. Passionate about the latest in loyalty programs, Caroline shares tips to help you earn more points and turn your travel dreams into reality.
All posts by Caroline Tremblay
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