Is the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card's $499 annual fee worth it?

The effective net cost drops to $299 once the $200 annual credit is used on any purchase. When you add the 200,000 BMO Rewards points welcome bonus (approximately $1,400 in travel value), the 5x bonus on groceries, gas, pharmacies, travel, and restaurants, the 6 DragonPass lounge visits, and the $200 NEXUS credit in the first year, the equation is largely positive for travelers who already spend in these categories. Occasional consumers will likely find the $120 BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card more advantageous.

What income is required for approval?

BMO requires a minimum personal income of $150,000 or a household income of $200,000. This is the standard threshold for Visa Infinite Privilege* Cards in Canada and is non-negotiable, regardless of credit score or assets. If you do not meet this criterion, the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card (Visa Infinite tier, not Privilege*) has no minimum income requirement and offers the same 5x in bonus categories, with a $120 annual fee. It's an excellent stepping stone in the meantime.

How does the 25% bonus with a co-applicant work?

For a $99 fee on the supplementary card, BMO adds a 25% multiplier on all BMO Rewards points earned on the primary card. The 5 points per dollar on groceries, gas, pharmacies, travel, and restaurants effectively becomes 6.25 points, and the base 1 point per dollar increases to 1.25. For a family budget of $30,000 per year in bonus categories, the bonus represents approximately 37,500 additional points (about $260 in travel value), which largely covers the additional $99.

How to redeem 200,000 BMO Rewards points for the best value?

The best ratio is redemption for travel via the BMO Rewards portal at 100 points = $0.70, which yields approximately $1,400 in flights, hotels, or packages with no blackout dates or fare class restrictions. Statement credits are also available but at 150 points = $1, which reduces the value to approximately $1,330. To maximize returns, save points for a high-season booking where paid rates are inflated; the fixed cents-per-point ratio means the more expensive the trip, the more useful your points become.

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine is the President and Founder of Milesopedia and a leading expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel across Canada, France, and the U.S.A. Now 40 years old and a father of two, he has explored more than 100 countries—many of them alongside his wife Audrey and their children. Specializing in loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, Jean-Maximilien helps travellers unlock the full potential of their points and benefits. His mission: empower others to travel better and smarter across North America and Europe.

All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine