How to Travel With the National Bank World Elite Mastercard

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Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
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The National Bank Mastercard World Elite on a tropical beach background with a couple walking on the sand
To the point Here's how to make the most of your National Bank World Elite Mastercard for travel, from start to finish.

Before Your Trip

Turn Your Shopping Into Travel With BNC Rewards Points

First of all, you have to collect points! The National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers a promotion during certain periods. Seize this opportunity when it presents itself.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card on NBC. With Milesopedia’s exclusive welcome offer, take advantage of a waiver on the first year’s annual fee (a $150 value) and receive up to 45,000 bonus points distributed as follows:

  • 5,000 points if you sign up for payment insurance at the time of application
  • 10,000 points if you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
  • 10,000 points if you make at least $10,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
  • 20,000 points if you make at least $15,000 in purchases in the first 12 months

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 credit card, 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
  • Flight 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 voted National Bank World Elite Mastercard the Best Credit Card for Travel and the Best Credit Card for Insurance in 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively.

Redeem Your National Bank Points to Cover Your Travel Expenses

Flexibility is the main advantage of the NBC Rewards program. You can use your points to redeem for almost any travel expense you book:

  • Plane tickets (all airlines);
  • Hotel reservations;
  • Car rentals;
  • Excursions and activities;
  • Cruises.

Simply make your travel purchase with your credit card, then apply your points for reimbursement via your National Bank online portal. Follow the steps in our tutorial on How to Use NBC Rewards Points on Your Travels?

echange points BNC

The À la carte Travel portal also lets you book flights or vacation packages using your NBC Rewards points. You can make the most of your points: 10,000 points per $10. Discover how to Maximize Your Points with À la carte Travel:

During Your Trip

Complimentary and Exclusive Access to the National Bank Lounge

Before taking your flight out of the country, enjoy a moment of relaxation at the National Bank Lounge located in the international zone of Montreal-Trudeau Airport. As a cardholder, you get free access to this exclusive space where you can:

  • Enjoy free meals, snacks, and drinks
  • Raise a toast to your vacation in a calm environment with Wi-Fi
  • Relax in comfortable armchairs before your flight

This privilege, which would normally cost around thirty dollars per visit per person, is included with your card. Each National Bank World Elite Mastercard holder has complimentary access to the lounge with one guest and two children aged 12 or under.

Since my children are over 12, my spouse has an additional card on my account. This way I can enter with one of my teenagers (my free guest) and my spouse enters with our other teenager (their free guest). The additional card costs $50, but it’s well worth it! It allows me to earn additional points and to fill my big kids’ bottomless stomachs in the lounge before we catch our flight.

Travel Insurance and Protections for Peace of Mind

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard includes one of the best travel insurance packages in the industry, covering trips up to a maximum duration of 60 days:

  • Emergency medical assistance outside your province of residence;
  • Protection against trip cancellation and interruption;
  • Vehicle rental insurance;
  • Protection for lost or delayed baggage.

These insurances allow you to save money by not having to pay for additional insurance.

After Your Trip

The $150 Annual Travel Credit for Those Little Extras

One of the major benefits of this card is its $150 Annual Travel Credit. Every year on January 1, the $150 annual travel credit appears in my account. I use it to pay for my Park’N Fly parking at Montreal-Trudeau international airport.

I return to Montreal, pay for parking with my National Bank World Elite Mastercard, and simply pick up my vehicle to head back home.

remboursement credit voyage BNC

A few days later, I go into my National Bank online account and reimburse the cost of my airport parking with my annual travel credit. That’s one less thing to pay!

It can also be used to reimburse the cost of choosing a better seat on the plane, baggage fees, ticket upgrades to a higher class and entry to airport lounges around the world.

Read our tutorial on How to Use the NBC $150 Annual Travel Credit to learn all the steps you need to take to be reimbursed.

National Bank World Elite Mastercard - Strategy to Maximize Your Trip

Before Departure:

  1. Book your airport parking in advance to guarantee your spot, and pay for the seat selection or flight upgrade you want with your National Bank World Elite Mastercard.
  2. Plan to arrive at least 3 hours before your international flight to fully enjoy the National Bank Lounge. Bring your National Bank World Elite Mastercard, as you will need to show it at the lounge entrance.
  3. Make sure to use your National Bank World Elite Mastercard for all your bookings to earn the maximum number of points.
  4. Redeem your points for Statement credit within 60 days of purchase.

During Your Trip:

  1. Use your National Bank World Elite Mastercard to pay for checked baggage fees, your preferred seat, airport lounge access at your destination or during layovers, and when requesting a flight upgrade.
  2. Use your card for all your purchases abroad, especially for restaurants and groceries at 5 points per dollar spent.
  3. Keep all your receipts to make potential reimbursements easier.
  4. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, contact the travel assistance service included with your card immediately.

After Your Trip

  1. If you haven’t already done so, redeem your points for your Statement credit within 60 days of your trip purchase.
  2. If you haven’t already done so, use your $150 annual travel credit to reimburse airport parking, baggage fees, seat selection, airport lounge access or an airline ticket upgrade. Please note that you have until December 31 to claim your current year’s travel expenses.

Will the NBC Mastercard World Elite credit card benefit me if I only travel once a year?

Yes, because even with a single trip, you can offset the annual fees thanks to the $150 travel credit, access to the National Bank Airport Lounge at Montréal YUL, and the included travel insurance.

Does the National Bank Platinum Mastercard provide access to the Lounge, or is it only for the World Elite?

Only the National Bank World Elite Mastercard gives access to the National Bank Lounge.

How can I contact National Bank customer service if I have a question about my Mastercard?

Here is the National Bank customer service phone number for Mastercard credit cards: 1-888-622-2783 or 514-394-1427 (collect calls or within the Greater Montreal Area).

How do I redeem my National Bank Mastercard points?

Here’s how to do it, step by step, in this article: How to Use NBC Rewards Points on Your Travel.

What is the minimum income required for the NBC World Elite card?

National Bank generally requires a minimum annual income of $80,000, a family income of $150,000 or investable assets of $400,000 or more.

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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