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Booked With Points? Here’s the Card That Still Insures Your Trip

Most credit cards require the entire trip, or a large portion of it, to be charged to the card. The National Bank World Elite® and Platinum Mastercard® cover you as soon as any part of the trip cost hits the account, so paying the taxes on an award ticket is enough.

9 min read

You book a return flight with Aeroplan points. The fare drops to zero and all that is left are the taxes and carrier charges on your credit card. Two weeks before departure, a hospital stay grounds you. You call your card’s insurer, and the answer lands hard: the trip was not paid for with the card, so nothing is covered.

That is the points traveller’s paradox. The more you pay in points, the less you pay in dollars, and the less your card’s trip cancellation insurance protects you. Most cards require the entire trip cost, or a large portion of it, to be charged to the card. Two National Bank cards use noticeably looser wording. Before you compare, take a look at our ranking of the best credit cards in Canada.

The award ticket trap

Go back to that Aeroplan ticket cancelled for illness. The seat cost you points saved over months, plus the taxes and carrier charges you put on a card. Aeroplan returns your points, minus whatever fees apply to the fare you chose. Everything else evaporates: the non-refundable hotel night, the airport transfer, the tour you prepaid.

That is precisely the moment trip cancellation insurance should step in. However, most credit card contracts tie coverage to paying for the trip with the card. When you pay with points, that payment barely exists. Your « free » ticket then costs you the taxes, the fees, and your vacation.

The problem hits all three programs Canadians use most: Aeroplan, Avios and Flying Blue. It hits award hotel nights too. Our guide on trip cancellation and interruption insurance on credit cards walks through what each type of contract asks for.

Transferred points: the Cobalt example

The rule gets stricter when you transfer points to a partner program. As of September 2026, the American Express Cobalt® Card certificate of insurance, in effect since July 1, 2025, requires 100% of the airline ticket price, including taxes, to be charged to the card. It makes one exception: a ticket obtained with Membership Rewards points, with the taxes charged to the card.

An Aeroplan ticket paid with points transferred from Membership Rewards does not fall under that exception. The certificate excludes flight delay, baggage delay, lost baggage and hotel burglary whenever the ticket or accommodation is purchased with points from another reward program. By the same wording, a ticket paid partly with Aeroplan points and partly on the card does not meet the condition either. The Cobalt also carries no trip cancellation insurance. Our guide to Amex Cobalt travel insurance walks through each coverage.

The clause that changes everything

National Bank’s certificates do not ask for the full cost. They ask that « at least a portion of the cost of the trip » be charged to the card account. A portion. The taxes and fees on an award ticket clear that bar.

What the World Elite covers

CoverageWorld ElitePlatinum
Trip cancellation$2,500 per person$1,000 per person
Trip interruption$5,000 per person$1,500 per person
Baggage loss or theft$1,000 per person$1,000 per person
Baggage delay (over 6 hours)$500$500
Departure flight delay (over 4 hours)$500 per person$500 per person
Eligibility conditionAt least a portion of the trip cost charged to the accountSame

Those three pillars, cancellation, interruption and lost or stolen baggage, share the same trigger. In addition, the purchase protections travel with the card: 180 days against theft and damage, manufacturer’s warranty tripled up to 2 extra years, and $60,000 lifetime. Mobile devices are covered up to $1,000 against damage, loss and theft.

How to switch the coverage on

  • Charge the taxes and fees to the card: when you finalize an award booking, pick your National Bank card for the cash portion.
  • Keep the statement: that transaction is your proof the trip meets the condition.
  • Save every confirmation: the loyalty program itinerary, the tax receipt, and receipts for non-refundable hotels and activities.
  • Write down the emergency line: CanAssistance answers at 1 888 235-2645 while you are travelling.

An award booking made inside a loyalty account leaves almost no banking trail. As a result, the card statement becomes the centrepiece of any claim file. Without it, the insurer has no way to tie the trip back to the card.

Three real world scenarios

Aeroplan ticket, taxes on the card

You redeem points for two seats to Europe. The fare goes on points, the taxes and fees go on the World Elite. The condition is met for both insured travellers. If illness forces a cancellation, the protection opens up to $2,500 per person. If the trip is cut short once you are there, the ceiling rises to $5,000 per person.

Marriott award nights, paid flights

This time the hotel goes on Marriott Bonvoy points and the flights are paid in cash on the card. The logic runs the same way: part of the trip cost sits on the account. Consequently, the trip falls inside the coverage, not just the airfare.

A package paid half in points

Last case: a package settled half with National Bank À la carte Rewards points and half on the card. The cash half is enough to open the coverage. Note, though, that anything paid out stays subject to the certificate’s limits and terms.

The limits worth naming

A flexible cancellation clause does not make the whole contract flexible. Three caveats deserve to be stated plainly before you lean on this coverage.

  • Medical coverage depends on age: on the World Elite, the $5 million per person emergency medical benefit runs 60 days at age 54 and under, 31 days from 55 to 64, and 15 days from 65 to 75. At 76 and over, there is no medical coverage.
  • Authorized users are not covered: emergency medical insurance excludes them.
  • Baggage delay is stricter: that benefit requires the total cost of the trip to be charged to the card, unlike loss and theft where a portion is enough.
  • Provincial health coverage is required: the medical benefit assumes you are covered by your province’s public plan.
  • This is not a full policy: for a long stay, card insurance does not replace a standalone travel insurance policy.

The baggage distinction is worth a second look. An award ticket where you only paid the taxes opens the loss and theft protection up to $1,000, but not necessarily the $500 benefit for a delay of more than 6 hours. Two protections, same suitcase, different conditions.

The Platinum, no income requirement

The World Elite asks for $80,000 in personal income or $150,000 in household income. That threshold rules out a good share of points travellers, students and younger workers in particular. The National Bank Platinum Mastercard® has no minimum income requirement at all, and it carries the exact same eligibility clause.

Explore National Bank Platinum Mastercard

The amounts drop: $1,000 per person for cancellation, $1,500 for interruption. On the other hand, baggage stays at $1,000 and flight delay at $500, same as the World Elite. Platinum medical coverage is limited to trips of 10 days or less, for travellers under 76. In other words, it is a card for getaways, not for long stays. Our comparison of the Platinum versus the World Elite covers the rest of the gaps, and our piece on the Platinum for young professionals digs into that profile.

The Milesopedia exclusive offer

The World Elite carries an offer exclusive to the Milesopedia network, good until November 4, 2026.

  • World Elite: no annual fee for the first year, a $150 value, refunded as a statement credit within 5 months, with no spending requirement. No welcome points come with this card.
  • Platinum: no welcome offer at the moment, with a $70 annual fee.

Beyond the insurance, the World Elite keeps its standing perks: a $150 annual travel credit, unlimited access to the National Bank lounge at YUL, and 5x points abroad. Our review of the National Bank lounge at Montreal Trudeau shows what that access looks like in practice. Furthermore, our 8 reasons to apply for the World Elite cover the rest of the case.

Exclusive | Contest

National Bank World Elite® Mastercard®

4.8 / 5Our rating reflects the opinion of our editors. It is not influenced by the card issuer.
National BankMastercardNBC Rewards
Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
$0 $150
First year free
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$315Annual fee rebated$150Total$465Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
$465
Welcome offer+ First-year annual fee refundedUp to 15,000 points from net purchases, plus 10,000 with payment insurance for 90 days and 10,000 with a first eligible chequing account. Conditions apply.
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Mar 31, 2027
Apply Now

on National Bank's website

With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer on the National Bank World Elite Mastercard from November 5, 2026 to March 31, 2027: up to 35,000 reward points and a refund of the first-year annual fee for the primary cardholder.

Net purchases earn up to 15,000 of the 35,000 bonus points. The remaining 20,000 depend on payment insurance and opening a first eligible chequing account.

  • 10,000 points when you sign up for credit card payment insurance and keep it for at least the first 90 days
  • 5,000 points after $5,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days
  • 10,000 points after $20,000 in net purchases in the first 12 months
  • 10,000 bonus points when you open a first National Bank current account within 14 days of your card application (conditions apply)
  • The $150 annual fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening the account, provided it remains open and in good standing

As a bonus, when you sign up for the card you get a chance to win one of five $10,000 À la carte Travel gift certificates (National Bank contest, November 5, 2026 to March 31, 2027).*

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card offered by NBC.

With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:

  • 5 points per dollar for groceries and restaurants
  • 2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
  • 2 points per dollar on recurring bills
  • 2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
  • 1 point per dollar for all other purchases

And since it’s a Mastercard, you can use it at Costco.

With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:

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

What’s more, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.

Finally, Milesopedia has named the National Bank World Elite Mastercard as the Best Travel Credit Card in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Legal

CONDITIONS – Milesopedia WORLD ELITE CARD PROMOTIONAL OFFER Q1 2027

Length of the welcome promotion

From November 5, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Eligibility conditions

Sign up for a National Bank® World Elite® Mastercard® credit card during the promotion period via the redirection link provided on the Milesopedia network websites during the promotion as a primary cardholder, as the primary cardholder.

Not have held any National Bank Mastercard credit card for individuals in the past 24 months as the primary cardholder.

Maintain the credit card account open and in good standing until the rewards points are paid. To be considered in good standing, you must comply with the conditions set out in the Credit Card Agreement, such as paying all fees and minimum payments on time.

Not be employed by us or by any entity within our group.

Description of the promotion

Up to 35,000 rewards points upon enrollment, with the annual fee reimbursed for the primary cardholder in the first year.

Reimbursement of annual fees for the first year for the primary cardholder.

We will charge these annual fees to your new card account and reimburse them. You will receive this reimbursement within five months of opening your account, provided your account is still open and in good standing. You will see it appear on your statement as a credit.

Annual fees for cards held by other authorized users are not eligible for this promotion.

Rewards points

Points offeredConditionsWhen the points are credited to the account
Other products and services following enrollment
10,000 Sign up for payment insurance* for at least the first 90 days. Within five months of the minimum period of enrolment.
Minimum purchases required
5,000 $5,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days By the end of the 6th month after enrolment ** 
10,000 $20,000 in net purchases in the first 12 months By the end of the 15th month after enrolment** 


Bonus current account offer

Combine your credit card with the opening of a first current account within a maximum of 14 days following the signing of the credit card application form and meet the following conditions to obtain bonus rewards points:

10,000(i) Open a first current account with National Bank as the main holder, co-holder or sole holder, not having held one in the past two years as a main holder, co-holder or sole holder, and subscribe to one of the following packages: Connected® Total® New comers checking account Offer for professionals
(ii) Keep the current account with an eligible package open and in good standing for at least the first 180 days and until the points are credited to the credit card account. All conditions in this section must be met to qualify for this bonus. 		By the end of the 9th month following credit card enrolment

*To apply for payment insurance, you must complete the Credit Card Payment Protection Plan (CCPP) section in the credit card application form.

**The purchase calculation period starts on the date you sign up for the card. For example, if you sign up for the card on 15 February 2027, you have until 15 May 2027 to make the required $5,000 in purchases to obtain the 5,000 points offered, which will be credited to your account by the end of August 2027.

How total purchases are calculated

The calculation covers the total amount of purchases made with all cards linked to the account. Transactions not included in the calculation are listed in article 1.5 of the À la carte Rewards PlanTM.

Other conditions

You may only benefit from the promotion once.

The card is issued subject to credit approval by the National Bank. Other conditions apply to the issue of the card.

You must keep your National Bank current account in good standing for at least 180 days from the date the new current account is opened and until the points are credited to the credit card account. For the purposes of this promotion, the current account is not in good standing if:

  • It is overdrawn, meaning it has an unauthorised negative balance.
  • It has been used inappropriately, unauthorisedly, illegally, or abusively, as described in article 8.7 of the Deposit Account Agreement of the National Bank.

This promotion may not be combined with any other promotion applicable to National Bank credit cards, nor is it retroactive.

This promotion may be modified or withdrawn without notice.

World Elite – Winter 2027 À la carte Travel Contest

Contest rules

1. THE CONTEST

National Bank of Canada is the Contest Organizer of the World Elite – Winter 2027 À la carte Travel contest

The Contest Period runs from November 5, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

2. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

To enter, you must be:

a resident of Canada;

of the age of majority in your place of residence when you enter the Contest.

The following persons are not eligible to enter the Contest: employees, representatives and agents of the Contest Organizer, its subsidiaries, advertising and promotional agencies, suppliers of materials, prizes and services related to the Contest, as well as members of their immediate families (brothers, sisters, children, father and mother), their legal or common-law spouses, and all persons with whom those employees, representatives and agents reside.

3. HOW TO ENTER

During the Contest Period, you may enter the Contest as follows:

3.1 Apply for a National Bank Mastercard World Elite credit card as the primary cardholder through one of the links available on nbc.ca, on a partner website or through an advisor between November 5, 2026, and March 31, 2027, and activate the card before the draw.

3.2 Additional entry: during the Contest Period, open a first chequing account with National Bank as a primary holder, joint holder or sole holder, provided that you have not held a chequing account in any of those capacities during the previous two years.

Provided that you comply with these Contest Rules, we will use the personal information you have provided to us (last name, first name, telephone number, including area code, mailing address, including postal code, and email address) and enter it in the database used for the Contest in order to award you one entry in the Contest. You will thereby receive one entry in the Contest.

3.3 No purchase necessary

You may enter the Contest without applying for a National Bank Mastercard World Elite® credit card as the primary cardholder and activating the card before April 30, 2027.

To enter this way, you must:

Send us an original handwritten letter of at least 50 words explaining why you would like to win one (1) gift certificate redeemable through the À la carte Travel agency’s telephone service, valued at $10,000 CAD (ten thousand Canadian dollars).

Include the following personal information in your letter: last name, first name, age, full address, including postal code, telephone number, including area code, and email address.

Send only one letter per sufficiently stamped envelope no later than March 31, 2027. The postmark will constitute proof of mailing, failing which the entry will be void. Your letter must be sent to the following address:

National Bank of Canada

“World Elite – Winter 2027 À la carte Travel” contest

No-purchase entry

800 St-Jacques Street

Montreal, Quebec H3C 1A3

To obtain an additional entry without opening a first chequing account, you must send us a second original handwritten letter of at least 50 words explaining what your dream travel destination would be, in a separate, sufficiently stamped envelope, no later than March 31, 2027, and comply with all the instructions set out above for the first no-purchase entry letter.

Upon receipt of your letter containing all required information, we will enter the personal information you have provided to us (last name, first name, telephone number, including area code, mailing address, including postal code, and email address) in the database used for the Contest. You will thereby receive one entry in the Contest.

Entries obtained in this manner are subject to the same conditions as all other entries.

4. ENTRY LIMIT

There is a limit of one Contest entry per person for applying for the credit card during the entire Contest Period, regardless of the method of entry.

Additional entry:

During the Contest Period, open a first chequing account with National Bank as a primary holder, joint holder or sole holder, provided that you have not held a chequing account in any of those capacities during the previous two years.

5. PRIZE

A total of 5 gift certificates will be awarded in the Contest. One gift certificate will be awarded in each draw in accordance with the conditions set out in section 6.

Each prize consists of one (1) travel gift certificate redeemable through À la carte Travel agency’s telephone service, valued at $10,000 CAD (ten thousand Canadian dollars).

The prize is non-transferable, cannot be exchanged for cash and must be accepted as awarded.

6. DRAW

The draws will be held as follows:

For applications submitted between November 5 and 30, 2026: January 5, 2027

For applications submitted between December 1 and 31, 2026: February 5, 2027

For applications submitted between January 1 and 31, 2027: March 5, 2027

For applications submitted between February 1 and 28, 2027: April 5, 2027

For applications submitted between March 1 and 31, 2027: May 5, 2027

Each draw will be held at 12:00 p.m. at our offices located at 800 St-Jacques Street, 28th Floor, Montreal, Quebec H3C 1A3.

At each draw, we will randomly select one (1) eligible entry from among all eligible entries received and registered during the applicable month.

7. CHANCES OF WINNING

The odds that your entry will be selected at random for a prize depend on the date of the credit card application and the number of entrants in the applicable draw.

8. CONDITIONS APPLICABLE ONLY TO A SELECTED ENTRANT

Your entry may be selected in a draw. However, before being declared a winner, you must:

Be contacted by us within 5 days following the draw.

Correctly answer, without assistance and within a limited period of time, a mathematical skill-testing question. We will ask you the question by telephone at a mutually agreed time.

Complete and return to us, within 5 days after receiving it, the Declaration and Liability Waiver that we sent you. By signing the Declaration and Liability Waiver, you will agree:

To accept your prize as described in these Contest Rules.

That you may not transfer your prize to another person, exchange it for cash or replace it with another prize.

That once you have received your prize, the performance of the related services will be the sole and exclusive responsibility of the various prize suppliers.

That we may use your first or last name, photograph, image, statement about the prize, place of residence or voice for publicity purposes, without compensation.

That we are not liable for any harm you may incur as a result of accepting or using your prize, including any tax consequences. Our subsidiaries, advertising and promotional agencies, suppliers of materials, prizes and services related to the Contest, and their employees, representatives and agents also cannot be held liable.

Within 10 days after receiving your Declaration and Liability Waiver, we will contact you again to explain how your prize will be awarded.

If you fail to comply with these conditions or any other condition set out in these Contest Rules, you will be disqualified. If time permits, we may hold another draw until an entrant is selected and declared a winner. An unclaimed prize may be cancelled.

9. CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO AN ENTRANT

9.1 Our decisions in connection with the Contest are final and without appeal.

9.2 We, our subsidiaries, advertising and promotional agencies, suppliers of materials, prizes and services related to the Contest, and our employees, representatives and agents are released from all liability relating to:

Your entry or attempted entry in the Contest.

Any harm caused by downloading a webpage or software or transmitting information for the purpose of entering the Contest.

Any limitation on or inability to enter the Contest due to the malfunction of computer equipment, software or a communication line; the loss or absence of network communication; or a transmission that is faulty, incomplete, unintelligible or deleted by a computer or network.

9.3 We do not guarantee that the Contest website will be accessible or operate without interruption throughout the Contest Period or that it will be error-free.

9.4 During the Contest Period, our computer system may be unable to register all entries received. The draw may then be held solely from among the entries that were registered. Entry in the Contest may also end before the end date set out in these Contest Rules. In that event, the draw may be held from among the entries received and registered up to the date of the event that ended participation in the Contest.

9.5 Entry forms, no-purchase entry letters and Declaration and Liability Waiver forms are our property and will not be returned to you.

9.6 We will not contact you in connection with the Contest except as provided in these Contest Rules or on our own initiative.

9.7 We will use some of your personal information to administer the Contest. By entering the Contest, you consent to the use of your personal information for your entry in the Contest or when the prize is awarded.

10. OUR REMEDIES

10.1 We may verify entry forms, no-purchase entry letters and Declaration and Liability Waiver forms. We may reject an entry form, letter or Declaration and Liability Waiver, for example, if it is incomplete, fraudulent or submitted late. A rejected entry form, letter or Declaration and Liability Waiver will not entitle you to an entry or a prize, as applicable.

10.2 We may disqualify you or cancel one of your entries if you enter or attempt to enter in breach of these Contest Rules or in a manner that is unfair to other entrants, such as through hacking or by exceeding the permitted entry limit. You may be referred to the appropriate judicial authorities.

10.3 Any attempt to deliberately damage a website related to the Contest or to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest is a violation of civil and criminal laws. If such an attempt is made, we reserve the right to reject your entry and seek remedies under the law.

10.4 We reserve the right, at any time and in our sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest, in whole or in part, if an event or human intervention occurs that may corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or operation of the Contest. In all cases, we will not be required to award more prizes or to award a prize other than as provided in these Contest Rules.

11. INTERPRETATION OF THE CONTEST RULES

11.1 In these Contest Rules, the entrant is the person identified on the entry form or no-purchase entry letter, as applicable. The prize will be awarded to that person if they are selected and declared a winner.

11.2 If any provision of these Contest Rules is declared unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be deemed null and void, but all other unaffected provisions will remain in force.

11.3 If the English and French versions of these Contest Rules are not identical, the French version will prevail.

® Mastercard and World Elite are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. National Bank is an authorized user.

® The À LA CARTE REWARDS logo is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.

® NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA LOUNGE is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.

® À LA CARTE REWARDS PLAN is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.

® Apple Pay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple Inc. is not a sponsor of or participant in National Bank Mobile Banking Solutions.

® Google Pay is a registered trademark of Google LLC. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Inc. Permissions.

TM À LA CARTE TRAVEL is a trademark of National Bank of Canada. The À la carte Travel agency is owned by Transat Distribution Canada Inc. and holds a Quebec permit (No. 753141).

TM À LA CARTE REWARDS is a trademark of National Bank of Canada.

® THE TOTAL, THE CONNECTED and NATIONAL BANK are registered trademarks of National Bank of Canada.

* Mastercard® World Elite®

The National Bank® World Elite® Mastercard® credit card was voted best Mastercard credit card by Milesopedia in 2026, 2025 and 2024.

The National Bank® World Elite® Mastercard® credit card was voted best travel credit card by Milesopedia in 2026, 2025 and 2024.

Every year, Milesopedia reviews credit card offers from major financial institutions and establishes its Ranking based on over 150 criteria such as fees, welcome offer, minimum income required, number of points per category, account credits, insurance, airport lounge access, etc.

  1. Certain restrictions apply. For more information, see the Rewards Plan section or the Plan Rules applicable to point accumulation.
  2. Grace period: No interest is charged on purchases made during the month if the cardholder pays the full balance of their account within twenty-one (21) days of the statement date. This grace period does not apply to cash advances and balance transfers. Minimum payment: if your account balance is less than $10, you must pay the balance in full. If you reside in the province of Quebec, your minimum payment is 5% of your account balance plus any overdue amount, or $10, whichever is greater. If you reside outside Quebec, your minimum payment is 2.5% of the credit card account balance plus any overdue amount, or $10, whichever is greater. Account statement: an account statement is sent monthly.

    Table of examples of credit fees calculated over a 30-day period

    Annual interest rate$500$3,000
    22.49%$9.24$55.45
    20.99%$8.63$51.76
    13.2%$5.53$33.16
    9.2%$3.78$22.68

    *Variable interest rate in effect as of September 1, 2021.

  3. Balance transfers and cash advances are subject to National Bank credit approval. Each amount transferred cannot be less than $250.
  4. Exclusive to World Elite Mastercard cardholders. Presentation of the physical credit card and boarding pass is required to access the lounge. The National Bank® Lounge is accessible to customers traveling on international flights only (excluding flights to Canada and the United States). You benefit from free and unlimited access with one guest and two children aged 12 and under. Until October 4, 2026 (date subject to change), customers can enter the National Bank Lounge three hours before their flight departure time. From October 5, 2026 (date subject to change), access will be authorized for a maximum duration of 2 hours (3 hours for customers who hold a Private Banking 1859® World Elite® Mastercard® credit card). National Bank customers who are not World Elite ® Mastercard ® cardholders can also access the current lounge based on current rates and benefit from a 25 % discount on these rates : 63,24 $ taxes included for adults (excluding discount) $40.24 taxes included for children aged 2 to 12 (excluding discount) free for children under 2 (excluding discount) The entry fee is subject to change without notice and is the responsibility of the lounge operator.
  5. Subject to providing the required supporting documents in the manner and within the prescribed timeframe. Certain conditions may apply. Only the primary cardholder of a National Bank World Elite Mastercard (Cardholder) whose account is in good standing can request a « Travel Fee Reimbursement ». « Account in good standing » means an account linked to the credit card that does not violate the Credit Card Agreement in any way and on which no restrictions apply. For example, and without limitation, the associated annual fees must have been paid in full. The maximum reimbursement of $150 can be requested from January 1 to December 31 of each year. Eligible expenses are: airport parking baggage fees seat selection airport lounge access worldwide airline ticket upgrades A reimbursement request must be made within 60 days of the purchase date. Travel expenses must be charged to the National Bank World Elite Mastercard credit card account. The maximum reimbursement of $150 is applicable per account. Please allow up to 7 business days for the reimbursement to be processed from the date your request is submitted. National Bank reserves the right to request additional supporting documents for validation purposes (e.g., invoices). You must keep all receipts and supporting documents for a period of 12 months from the date you made your reimbursement request. An unused reimbursement in one year cannot be carried over to the next year. You can make your request online at rewards.nbc.ca or by calling 1-800-341-8083 (toll-free) for an agent to assist you with your travel fee reimbursement request.
  6. Point accumulation on grocery and restaurant spending depends on the total gross monthly amount charged to the credit card account, across all categories. Earn 5 points per dollar spent on eligible grocery and restaurant purchases. The 5 points per dollar accumulation is valid for the first $2,500 of gross monthly purchases charged to the account. Beyond this amount, eligible grocery and restaurant spending will earn 2 points per dollar. The calculation of the gross monthly purchase amount is based on monthly billing. A grocery purchase means a purchase made at a merchant whose primary business is selling food, such as a grocery store, delicatessen, supermarket, fruit store, or specialty food store. Meal kit subscriptions and meal delivery services are eligible. Therefore, this definition excludes, among others, retail stores and big-box stores whose primary business is selling non-food items. Some merchants may sell products or services identical or similar to those of eligible merchants, or are separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified by Mastercard in different categories. Purchases made from other merchants only earn base reward points. A restaurant purchase means a purchase made at a restaurant, including quick-service restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs, and taverns. To view the full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the À la carte Rewards Plan® terms and conditions document.
  7. These protections apply if the purchases or rental are paid for in part with the card before departure, except, if applicable, for out-of-province medical-hospital insurance for which it is not necessary to charge the purchase of an à la carte trip and for baggage delay protection where the full cost of transport must have been charged to the card. All these protections apply to the primary cardholder, their spouse and/or their dependent children when they (spouse and dependent children) travel with the cardholder. Extended warranties apply to most new items purchased with the card, in Canada or abroad, provided the manufacturer’s warranty exists and is valid in Canada. Certain conditions, limitations and restrictions apply. For more information and details regarding your insurance coverage, please consult the insurance certificate linked to your card.
  8. Subject to credit approval by National Bank.
  9. Certain conditions apply. Visit mastercard.ca for more information. See all credit card terms and conditions.
  10. To earn 2 points per dollar spent, you must pay for your gas or electric charging purchases at a gas station or certain big-box stores. Some merchants may sell products or services identical or similar to those of eligible merchants, or are separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified by Mastercard in different categories. Purchases made from other merchants only earn base reward points. To view the full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the À la carte Rewards Plan® terms and conditions document.
  11. Recurring bill payments are defined as payments made monthly or regularly that are automatically charged by the merchant to your National Bank World Elite Mastercard. Not all merchants offer recurring payments, and not all recurring payments are considered recurring bill payments. Therefore, some payments may not qualify for accelerated reward points.
  12. To earn 2 points per dollar spent, you must pay for your eligible purchases through the À la carte TravelTM agency section of our À la carte RewardsTM site.
  13. For example, if you spend $400 monthly on groceries, $200 on gas, $100 on recurring bills and $150 on other purchases, the $850 spent will generate 2,750 points, broken down as follows: 2,000 points for grocery spending (since the total gross monthly amount is $850, which is less than $2,500), 400 points for gas spending, 200 points for recurring bills and 150 points for other purchases.
  14. Insurance up to $1,000 in case of breakage, loss or theft of mobile devices for a maximum period of 2 years following the date of purchase. Subject to purchasing the device with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard or a phone service subscription paid by recurring payments from your National Bank Platinum Mastercard starting September 1, 2022. For all conditions, please consult the insurance certificate linked to your card.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$80,000
Household$150,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xRestaurants
  • 5xGroceries
  • 2xGas
  • 2xBills & recurring payments
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,060
2nd Year Value$923

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 60 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days
Travel Medical (65–75)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Travel AccidentIncluded

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

National Bank Platinum Mastercard®

4.5 / 5Our rating reflects the opinion of our editors. It is not influenced by the card issuer.
National BankMastercardNBC Rewards
Annual fee
$70
Welcome offer
No current welcome offer
Apply Now

on National Bank's website

The National Bank Platinum Mastercard® earns À la carte Rewards points that you can redeem for travel.

You earn:

  • 2 points per dollar on grocery and restaurant purchases
  • 1.5 points per dollar on gas, EV charging, recurring bills and travel booked through the À la carte agency

Since it is a Mastercard, you can use it at Costco. Unlike the other two National Bank travel rewards cards, it does not require a minimum income.

The card includes mobile device insurance, an extended warranty on your purchases, and comprehensive travel insurance for trips of 10 days or less, with emergency medical coverage plus trip cancellation and interruption.

The annual fee is $70, plus $35 per additional card. The annual interest rate is 20.99% on purchases and 22.49% on cash advances.

Legal

®Mastercard and Platinum Mastercard are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Authorized user: National Bank

®À LA CARTE EXTRAS, À LA CARTE REWARDS PLAN, NATIONAL BANK and the NATIONAL BANK logo are registered trademarks of National Bank of Canada.

®THE TOTAL, THE CONNECTED, AND NATIONAL BANK are registered trademarks of National Bank of Canada.

*Platinum Mastercard®

National Bank of Canada® Platinum Mastercard® credit card was named the best credit card for young professionals by Milesopedia in 2025 and 2026. Each year, Milesopedia examines the credit card offers of the largest financial institutions and establishes its ranking according to more than 150 criteria such as fees, welcome offers, minimum income required, number of points per category, account credits, insurance, airport lounge access, etc.

1. Certain restrictions apply. For more information, consult the Rewards plan section or the Plan rules regarding how to earn points.

Grace period: No interest will be charged on purchases made during the month, provided the client pays the balance in full within twenty-one (21) days of the statement date. This grace period does not apply to cash advances or balance transfers.

Minimum payment: If your account balance is lower than $10, you must pay the entire balance.

If you reside in the province of Quebec, your minimum payment is the greater of 5% of your account balance, plus any overdue amounts, or $10.

If you live outside Quebec, your minimum payment is 2.5% of your credit card balance, plus any past-due amount or $10, whichever is greater.

Account statement: A statement is sent monthly.

Example of credit charges over a 30-day period

Annual interest rate Average balance
$500 $3,000
22.49% (regular card) $9.24 $55.45
20.99% (regular card) $8.63 $51.76
13.2% (Syncro card) $5.53 $33.16
9.2% (Syncro card) $3.78 $22.68

Balance transfer and cash advance are subject to credit approval by National Bank. Each balance transfer must be at least $250.

4. This coverage applies to purchases and rentals charged in part to the card, except out-of-province medical/hospital insurance for which the travel arrangements need not be charged to the card, and lost or delayed luggage insurance where all transportation costs must be charged to the card. This coverage applies to the primary cardholder, their spouse and/or dependent children when they (spouse and/or dependent children) travel with the primary cardholder. Extended warranty coverage applies to most new items purchased with the card, in Canada or abroad, as long as the manufacturer’s warranty is valid in Canada. Certain conditions and restrictions apply. For more information and for details of your insurance coverage, please consult the insurance certificate associated with your card.

5. Certain conditions apply. Visit mastercard.ca for more information. Refer to the credit card terms and conditions.

6. Subject to credit approval by National Bank.

7. The amount of points earned on grocery and restaurant purchases depends on the total gross monthly amount charged to the credit card account, regardless of the purchase category. You will earn 2 points for every dollar in eligible grocery and restaurant purchases until a total of $1,000 in gross monthly purchases is charged to the account. After that, you will earn 1.5 points per dollar in eligible grocery and restaurant purchases. The total gross monthly amount is calculated based on your monthly billing period. Grocery purchases include any purchase made at a store that primarily sells food, i.e., grocery store, delicatessen, supermarket, greengrocer or specialty food store. Ready-to-eat meal services and meal delivery services are eligible. This definition excludes purchases made at retail stores and big box stores whose core business is the sale of non-food items. Certain merchants may sell products and services that appear identical or similar to those sold by eligible merchants, or may be separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified in different categories by Mastercard. For purchases at other merchants, you will only earn regular rewards points. Restaurant purchases include purchases at a restaurant, fast food restaurant, bar, nightclub or pub. For a full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the terms and conditions of the À la carte Rewards Plan®.

8. To earn 1.5 points per dollar in purchases, you will need to purchase gas or an electrical vehicle charge from a service station or from certain big box stores. Certain merchants may sell products and services that appear identical or similar to those sold by eligible merchants, or may be separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified in different categories by Mastercard. For purchases at other merchants, you will only earn regular rewards points. For a full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the terms and conditions of the À la carte Rewards Plan®.

9. Recurring bill payments are defined as monthly or regular payments automatically charged by a merchant to your National Bank Platinum Mastercard credit card. Not all merchants offer recurring bill payments, and not all recurring payments are considered recurring bill payments. Certain payments therefore may not entitle you to earn more points.

10. To earn 1.5 points per dollar in purchases, you must make your eligible purchases via the À la carte Travel™ Agency section of our À la carte Rewards™ site.

11. The device must have been purchased using your National Bank Platinum Mastercard credit card, or your phone plan must be paid via recurring payments charged to your National Bank Platinum credit card starting September 1, 2022. For complete terms and conditions, please consult the insurance certificate associated with your card.

Annual fee

Primary card$70
Additional card$35

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 1.5xBills & recurring payments
  • 1.5xGas
  • 1.5xTravel
  • 0.67xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$319
2nd Year Value$209

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 10 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 10 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 10 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,000
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $65,000 / 48 days

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Booking with points and insurance – Frequently Asked Questions

Is a ticket booked with Aeroplan points covered by trip cancellation insurance?

On the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® and the National Bank Platinum Mastercard®, the condition fits in one sentence: at least a portion of the trip cost must have been charged to the account. Paying the taxes and fees on an award ticket with the card meets that condition. Most other cards ask for the entire trip cost, or a large portion of it.

Do points transferred to Aeroplan stay insured?

Not on the American Express Cobalt® Card. As of September 2026, its certificate covers tickets charged in full to the card or obtained with Membership Rewards points, with the taxes on the card. A ticket booked with Aeroplan points, even points transferred from Membership Rewards, loses flight delay, baggage delay and lost baggage coverage. On the National Bank cards, charging a portion of the cost to the account is enough for cancellation, interruption and lost or stolen baggage.

How much does the cancellation insurance pay out?

Trip cancellation reaches $2,500 per person on the World Elite and $1,000 per person on the Platinum. Trip interruption goes up to $5,000 per person on the World Elite and $1,500 on the Platinum. These amounts appear in certificates 713705-10 and 713705-11.

Is an award hotel night covered?

Yes, as soon as part of the trip cost runs through the card. If your flights are paid with the card and your nights come from points, the eligibility condition is met. Anything paid out still falls under the certificate’s limits and terms.

Does the medical coverage have an age limit?

Yes. On the World Elite, the $5 million per person emergency medical benefit runs 60 days at age 54 and under, 31 days from 55 to 64, and 15 days from 65 to 75. At 76 and over there is no coverage. On the Platinum, medical coverage applies to trips of 10 days or less, for travellers under 76.

Are authorized users insured?

Not for emergency medical insurance, which excludes them. Check this before adding a spouse or an adult child to the account expecting to insure them at the same time.

Does baggage delay follow the same rule?

No, and this is the easiest nuance to miss. Baggage loss and theft, up to $1,000 per person, follow the portion of the cost rule. Baggage delay of more than 6 hours, worth up to $500, requires the total cost of the trip to have been charged to the card.

Is there a minimum income to get these cards?

The World Elite asks for $80,000 in personal income or $150,000 in household income, with a $150 annual fee. The Platinum has no minimum income requirement, with a $70 annual fee. Both carry the same eligibility clause for cancellation, interruption and baggage.

Who do I call for an emergency during the trip?

CanAssistance handles emergencies tied to National Bank insurance, at 1 888 235-2645. Call before incurring costs whenever the situation allows, then keep every receipt and booking confirmation.

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