Review: National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard
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You shop for groceries, fill up your tank, and pay for online subscriptions every month, and you’re looking for simple cashback without dealing with complicated categories? I put the NBC ECHO Cashback Mastercard under the microscope to see if its 1.5% cashback is worth it. Here’s my take on this $30-per-year card with no minimum income requirement.
The NBC ECHO Cashback Mastercard at a glance
- Annual fee of $30 per year.
- 1.5% cashback on gas, groceries, and online purchases, up to $25,000 per year.
- 1% unlimited cashback on all other eligible purchases.
- No minimum annual income required.
The NBC ECHO Cashback Mastercard targets everyday spending rather than travel. Unlike a points card, the cashback is calculated simply: a fixed percentage based on category, deposited as cash directly to the card account.
This review details the cashback structure, who it’s advantageous for, and how much it can actually earn based on your spending habits. All figures come from the Milesopedia listing and the official National Bank page, verified on July 28, 2026.
Who the NBC ECHO Cashback Mastercard is for
This card targets people who want simple cashback on their everyday spending, without having to juggle multiple cards based on purchase category. Groceries, gas, and online purchases cover a good portion of most households’ monthly budget.
- You regularly spend on groceries, gas, or online purchases and want simple cashback on these categories.
- You prefer cashback applied directly to your account rather than points to grow.
- You don’t have a high income to declare: no threshold is required for this card.
- You shop at Costco, which accepts the Mastercard network.
Conversely, if you travel often and want to maximize the value of your points for flights or hotels, a points card remains more rewarding. The National Bank World Elite Mastercard, focused on travel rewards, better serves this profile.
- You want to accumulate travel points: this card only offers cashback.
- You spend little on groceries, gas, or online: the base rate of 1% elsewhere remains modest.
- You want a welcome bonus: none is currently attached to the card.
- You travel often and want travel insurance: the ECHO Card’s coverage is limited to purchase protections.
Fees and features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $30 |
| Cashback on gas, groceries, online | 1.5% (up to $25,000/year) |
| Cashback on other purchases | 1% (unlimited) |
| Interest rate on purchases | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.49% |
| Foreign currency conversion fee | 2.5% |
| Network | Mastercard |
| First supplementary card | $0 |
| Minimum annual income required | None |
| Minimum threshold to apply cashback | $10 |
The cashback is deposited as a credit to your card account, never as cash. It only applies if your account is in good standing, meaning you meet at least the minimum payment required by the due date.
How much this card can earn
The real value of the ECHO Card depends directly on the portion of your spending that falls into the three enhanced categories: gas, groceries, and online purchases. Here are two annual spending profiles to illustrate the calculation.
| Spending profile | Cashback on groceries/gas/online | Cashback on other purchases | Annual total | Net after fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 enhanced categories + $5,000 other | $225 (1.5% × $15,000) | $50 (1% × $5,000) | $275 | $245 |
| $30,000 enhanced categories + $10,000 other | $425 (1.5% × $25,000 + 1% × $5,000 excess) | $100 (1% × $10,000) | $525 | $495 |
In both cases, the $30 annual fee is easily absorbed as soon as a minimum amount of spending goes through the card. The key takeaway: the more your purchases are concentrated in groceries, gas, and online, the more the 1.5% rate works for you.
Insurance and protections
Like most cards without high fees, the ECHO Card offers basic coverage rather than comprehensive travel insurance.
- Purchase Protection: eligible items are covered against theft or damage for 90 days following purchase.
- Extended Warranty: extends the manufacturer’s warranty on eligible items.
- Zero Liability from Mastercard in case of unauthorized use.
- Mastercard ID Check to secure your online purchases.
No medical travel insurance, trip cancellation, car rental, or flight delay coverage is included. Frequent travelers should look at National Bank’s travel cards or purchase separate insurance.
Pros and cons
- 1.5% cashback on groceries, gas, and online purchases.
- 1% unlimited cashback on all other purchases.
- No minimum annual income required to be eligible.
- Modest annual fee of $30.
- Accepted everywhere Mastercard is, including at Costco.
- The enhanced rate of 1.5% caps at $25,000 per year in eligible categories.
- No welcome bonus currently attached to the card.
- 2.5% conversion fee on foreign currency purchases.
- Insurance limited to purchase protections, with no travel coverage.
Our verdict
Our rating: 7/10. The NBC ECHO Cashback Mastercard does exactly what it promises: simple cashback, with no categories to remember or points program to manage. For a household that spends a good portion of its budget on groceries, gas, and online purchases, the 1.5% rate translates into hundreds of dollars in cashback each year, well above the $30 annual fee.
The card loses its appeal, however, for those who spend little in these three categories, or for those aiming instead to accumulate travel points. In these cases, a points card like the National Bank World Elite, or an unlimited cashback card, better serves the wallet.
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NBC ECHO Cashback Mastercard – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the annual fees for the NBC ECHO Cashback Mastercard?
The annual fee is $30. The first supplementary card is free.
How much cashback can I get with this card?
You get 1.5% cashback on gas, groceries, and online purchases, up to $25,000 in eligible purchases per year. Beyond this amount, and on all other purchases, the cashback is 1%, with no cap.
Is there a minimum income requirement to be eligible?
No minimum annual income is required for the NBC ECHO Cashback Mastercard.
How do I apply my cashback?
Once you’ve accumulated a minimum of $10 in cashback, log in to your online account to apply it as a credit to your credit card account. The cashback cannot be paid out as cash.
Is there currently a welcome bonus?
No, no welcome offer is currently attached to the NBC ECHO Cashback Mastercard.
Is the card accepted at Costco?
Yes. The ECHO Card is a Mastercard, the network accepted in Costco warehouses in Canada.
Are there fees on foreign currency purchases?
Yes, a 2.5% conversion fee applies to purchases made in another currency.