Many hotels provide free breakfast for their guests; this benefit is included with the room rate or with status. For other establishments, an additional charge may apply to access breakfast.
For our part, we always check what the hotel offers with additional fees. Often, a quick trip to the grocery store is necessary to save money while traveling.
Find financial balance with restaurants
Furthermore, we tend to dine at restaurants while traveling. It’s a great way to treat ourselves and break from our routine of grocery shopping, cooking, and washing dishes.
However, this expense category can quickly inflate the travel budget. Therefore, we often eat on the go for lunch and at a restaurant for dinner. This way, we do not lose much time waiting for table service and can enjoy tourist sites while the number of visitors decreases.
It’s a great way to reduce travel food expenses while still treating yourself! A gyro in Greece costs only €2.50. I still dream about it, as it was truly delicious.
Cook your own meals
Ultimately, if your trip lasts several months, it is more economical not to eat at restaurants every day. This is also better for your health. Indeed, eating at restaurants every day for a three-month trip is completely different from doing so for two weeks!
It is worth earning 5 points per dollar with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, while keeping in mind that conversion fees apply to foreign currency purchases.
$150ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer: your first-year annual fees are refunded with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This offer is exclusively available on the Milesopedia network, from June 30 to November 4, 2026.
Refund of the first-year annual fee (a $150 value) for the primary cardholder. This fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening your account, provided it remains open and in good standing.
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 an NBC mycredit 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 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Legal
® 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.
Certain restrictions apply. For more information, see the Rewards Plan section or the Plan Rules applicable to point accumulation.
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.
Balance transfers and cash advances are subject to National Bank credit approval. Each amount transferred cannot be less than $250.
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 July 31, 2026 (date subject to change), customers can enter the National Bank Lounge three hours before their flight departure time. From August 1, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Subject to credit approval by National Bank.
Certain conditions apply. Visit mastercard.ca for more information. See all credit card terms and conditions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
2xTravel
2xBills & recurring payments
2xGas & EV
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$778
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+)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
2. Reduce accommodation costs through reservation platform loyalty programs
Loyalty to a third-party booking site (Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia.ca, etc.) can prove beneficial in the long run. Indeed, these platforms receive a commission from the hotel if you book your accommodation through their site.
Thus, they want to encourage you to remain loyal, since prices are generally similar from one third-party site to another when you do not have an account.
After some time and a few bookings, one realizes that rates begin to vary slightly. Vous n’avez rien à faire pour vous inscrire aux programmes de fidélité. Cela se fait automatiquement quand vous ouvrez un compte.
For example, following multiple bookings on Booking.com, I reached Level 3 of the Genius program. Thus, I can always save on travel. I receive discounts of 10% to 20% on most of my nights.
With Hotels.com, logged-in members save a minimum of 10% on over 100,000 hotels worldwide.
If you wish to reduce the cost of your accommodation while continuing to earn rewards, opting for an Airbnb can be an excellent alternative to hotels. In addition to often being cheaper, especially for family stays or multiple nights, it allows you to enjoy a larger space and cook on-site to save on meals. And good news for Scene+ members, you can earn and redeem Scene+ points on your Airbnb or comparable accommodation bookings by paying with a credit card such as the Scotia Passport Visa Infinite + Card, which can be an excellent way to turn your expenses into rewards for your next trips or outings.
Shopping portals
Finally, by using Rakuten, you can earn additional cashback of up to 10%. Rakuten is a shopping portal that provides cashback on your online purchases. Registration is free, and you can even receive a welcome bonus by using our referral link!
Cashback is not the only reward that can be received through portals! For example, consider the eStore for Aeroplan points.
3. Tips for saving on transport
Exploring a place on foot or by bike is the best way to save on transportation. Some cities are perfect for this. I am thinking particularly of Istanbul or San Francisco, which I explored on foot.
Most major cities have a well-developed public transportation system. A simple and effective way to save money while traveling is to get around like the locals. If locals take a tuk-tuk or walk, follow their example!
Another tip to save time and reduce your travel expenses is to opt for overnight transportation, whether by train, bus, or plane. You travel while you sleep, saving on a hotel night.
4. Avoid bank fees while travelling
Foreign currency conversion fees
When you use your credit card for a purchase in foreign currency, a 2.5% foreign transaction fee applies. On the other hand, some credit cards do not charge foreign transaction fees. This allows you to save on every expense. These fees seem small and harmless, but they accumulate quickly.
Fees on foreign withdrawals
Next, we advise you to use credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, such as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card. This will allow you to accumulate points. However, it is not always possible to pay by credit card in certain places or to avoid merchant surcharges. Therefore, you will need to turn to ATMs or currency exchange offices. The fees to be paid are generally:
fees imposed by the ATM for the withdrawal
fees imposed by your institution for the transaction
foreign transaction fees
However, agreements exist between several banks worldwide where ATM and institutional fees are waived. For example, Tangerine chequing account holders can make free withdrawals at branches.
Bank of America: United States
Barclays: Great Britain
BNP Paribas: France, Italy, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Turkey, Poland, Morocco, New Caledonia, Reunion Island, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Guyana
Deutsche Bank: Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and India
Scotiabank: Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Guyana, and the Caribbean
Westpac: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea
For other withdrawals, the fees charged to Tangerine clients are minimal when compared to other institutions. Tangerine promotions often recur for new checking or savings accounts. Welcome bonuses range from $150 to $200.
Finally, the Wise, Wealthsimple Cash, and EQ Bank card are excellent choices for saving on travel for cash withdrawals. The Wise card allows you to make payments in different currencies with minimal fees, using the real exchange rate. Wealthsimple Cash offers a debit card with no foreign transaction fees for your international transactions, simplifying expenses without unpleasant surprises. For its part, the EQ Bank card also offers a favorable exchange rate and imposes no annual fees, making it an ideal option for frequent travelers. With these cards, you can save on fees and fully enjoy your stay without stressing about expenses that require cash.
5. Choose less expensive excursions and activities
Freebies and group discounts
In most major cities, there are free walking tours. These are tours guided by a local. You can choose whether or not to tip, and book them online, often from sites like Civitatis and GetYourGuide.
From experience, they are excellent at showing us the main points of interest. They also advise us on places to eat well at a low cost. Very important tips for saving on travel!
It is also an excellent way to meet other travelers and share costs for certain activities. Indeed, operators sometimes offer group discounts compared to a solo traveler.
Furthermore, inquire about free days! Admission fees for certain attractions may be waived on specific dates, which is another tip for saving money while traveling.
Independence and self service
Is it really necessary to have a guide to visit the Louvre with you? The fees for guided tours can increase very quickly.
For excursions outside the city, consider doing it yourself instead of booking an organized tour. For example, most of the 7 wonders of the world are accessible by public transport. So instead of booking an excursion to see the Great Wall of China, you can easily go there on your own!
Shopping portals
Then, for all activities where you have to pay, the strategy is the same as for low-cost accommodations. You should turn to travel points applicable to expenses.
Certain activities and excursions can be booked on the GetYourGuide platform.
Finally, as these costs will be in foreign currency, you can save an additional 2.5%. Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.
6. Save money in the off-season
Traveling during the low season allows for savings across all categories, which directly reflects on your travel budget. Even if the weather is not always ideal, the low crowds clearly work in your favor, and the chances of enjoying sites almost alone are much greater!
During the low season, airline tickets and hotel rooms are generally cheaper, making this period ideal for traveling at a lower cost.
A compromise would be to travel during transition seasons or shoulder seasons. Indeed, during this period, the majority of the experience will be almost identical to the peak of the high season. In fact, we always prefer to travel during this time window, as it is less expensive and the weather is more pleasant.
7. Save money by being flexible about where you travel
Compare flight prices
One generally starts by choosing a destination before looking for ways to make the trip economical. On the other hand, if one does the opposite, one immediately eliminates the biggest cost. This is often the price of the flight ticket for holidays. Let the price of the flight ticket dictate your destination. Indeed, the ways to save on travel for accommodation are less limited than for flights.
First of all, the Google Flights tool shows all flight prices from our airport. Use the filters to adjust the results according to your needs! This tool is ideal if you want to pay as little as possible. You can also use your travel points to purchase the flight ticket.
Next, Air Canada also has an interactive map to determine the Aeroplan points cost for several destinations at once.
Saving on Award Prices
If you earn travel points, it is often possible to reduce the cost of your flights and accommodation by using them wisely. For example, some programs like Scene+, Aeroplan or other travel credit cards allow you to convert your spending into points that can then be applied to your travels.
To maximize your savings, platforms like Roame make it easier to book flights and accommodation with your points. In addition to comparing prices for regular tickets, Roame allows you to see where your points can get you the most value, and thus plan a more economical trip. You can consult our complete guide on using points for travel to learn all the tips and strategies.
8. Save on luggage
No luggage, no fees!
When traveling with only carry-on luggage, one saves on baggage fees for each of our flights. So, if you have fewer clothes, you can avoid checked luggage. When traveling, there are many accessible laundromats and laundry services!
Several credit cards offer good travel insurance. This is true if the trip is paid for in part or in full with the card. In case of a problem, if you cannot start or continue your trip, your travel insurance may cover the costs.
One often tends to purchase travel insurance from a private company. This could be Blue Cross, Manulife, or others. However, our credit card may already offer good coverage. For example, with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, the best credit card for travel insurance.
To avoid paying twice and being over-insured, check what you already have. Look at what your credit card offers. Also consider your work or school insurance policies.
Another interesting option is to turn to SoNomad, which offers very competitively priced insurance, tested and approved by the Milesopedia team members. To learn more, read our guide and feedback on SoNomad.
10. Saving on Car Rentals
Car rental can represent a significant portion of your travel budget, but certain credit cards allow you to reduce these costs while enjoying exclusive benefits.
American Express Platinum Card®: (personal or business): offers reward points and privileged access to rental agency loyalty programs, facilitating upgrades and rental management.
Traveling can quickly become stressful and expensive, but certain travel credit cards offer benefits that make the experience more pleasant and economical. Among the most interesting: free or priority access to airport lounges, which allows you to wait comfortably while enjoying snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and workspaces.
Among the most advantageous cards:
American Express Platinum Card®: provides access to a large network of lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges, partner lounges, and benefits such as discounts on certain airport expenses.
Other premium credit cards also offer multiple lounge accesses, as well as travel insurance and discounts on certain airport expenses, which can quickly offset the annual cost of the card.
To learn how to access lounges for free or optimize your points to enjoy them, consult our guides:
By using these strategies, you can turn airport waiting time into a pleasant and productive experience, while reducing your travel expenses.
12. Have No Regrets!
This point is a tip that I find very important for saving on travel. When you are on vacation with a tight budget, feelings of regret or unfinished business should not occur. You are where you are because you wanted to be. There were things you wanted to see, do, and experience.
Never leave a place with unfinished business solely because of the price. If it truly is unfinished business, you will want to return. You will have to pay again for airline tickets, accommodation, and more.
I do not encourage traveling on credit, but rather prioritizing what you truly want. I did not do the hikes on the Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand. It was too expensive for my student budget. Of course, I returned to Franz Josef later, but I paid the price! In hindsight, I should have cut back on more restaurant meals at that time, instead of cutting back on my excursion.
Bottom Line
Even to this day, I prioritize the goal of completing a trip rich in experience, but low in costs. However, I adjusted my strategy to continue to travel on a budget, but by ‘turning left’.
$150ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer: your first-year annual fees are refunded with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This offer is exclusively available on the Milesopedia network, from June 30 to November 4, 2026.
Refund of the first-year annual fee (a $150 value) for the primary cardholder. This fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening your account, provided it remains open and in good standing.
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 an NBC mycredit 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 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Legal
® 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.
Certain restrictions apply. For more information, see the Rewards Plan section or the Plan Rules applicable to point accumulation.
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.
Balance transfers and cash advances are subject to National Bank credit approval. Each amount transferred cannot be less than $250.
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 July 31, 2026 (date subject to change), customers can enter the National Bank Lounge three hours before their flight departure time. From August 1, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Subject to credit approval by National Bank.
Certain conditions apply. Visit mastercard.ca for more information. See all credit card terms and conditions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
2xTravel
2xBills & recurring payments
2xGas & EV
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$778
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+)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
What are the best ways to save on plane tickets?
To save on flight tickets, compare prices with online tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner, book during off-peak hours, and search from multiple airports if possible. Furthermore, using a points credit card can help you further reduce the cost of tickets.
How can I find cheap accommodation when I travel?
To find affordable accommodation, explore options like Airbnb, youth hostels, and off-season university housing. Using comparison sites and booking in advance can also lower prices.
How can loyalty programs help me travel for less?
Loyalty programs allow you to accumulate points or miles that can be redeemed for airline tickets, upgrades, or free hotel nights. Choosing a program tailored to your travel habits maximizes your savings potential.
Can I save on car rental for my travels?
To save on car rentals, book in advance, compare offers on different sites, and consider joining a car rental loyalty program. Using a credit card that offers car rental insurance can also reduce your expenses.
Is it possible to reduce food costs when traveling?
Reduce food costs by eating local, cooking your meals in equipped accommodation, or taking advantage of local markets. Using a guide like Yelp or TripAdvisor can help you find affordable and well-rated options.
Aline, an experienced traveler and avid photographer, is an Avgeek, a foodie at heart and a mother to two children. An expert in credit cards & rewards programs, including Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, American Express Membership Rewards, CIBC Aventura, and RBC Avion, she uses points to travel affordably and save in daily life. Having explored all 7 continents and 83 countries, Aline shares her travel passion and insights to help others make the most of loyalty programs.
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