BMO has announced several important changes to its credit card portfolio.
These changes primarily concern two elements: the conditions to receive a waiver on annual fees with a banking package and the reward limits of the BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite* Card.
New Spending Requirement for the Annual Fee Waiver
Starting May 1, 2025, BMO is introducing a new condition to receive the annual fee waiver for the Privilege and Performance banking packages. Cardholders will need to make eligible purchases of at least $15,000 per year on their credit card to maintain this benefit.
Currently, the discount is $40 with a Performance account and $150 or $120 with a Privilege account. It applies to the following cards:
Eligible purchases exclude cash advances and refunds. The 12-month period for eligible purchases will be calculated between the annual fee billing dates.
Changes to the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card card is undergoing changes to its rewards structure. Currently, the card offers 5 points per dollar on all bonus categories, up to a maximum of $50,000 in combined annual spending.
Since February 3, 2025, BMO has replaced this ceiling with individual limits for each category:
Restaurants: $6,000 maximum
Groceries: $6,000 maximum
Gasoline: $20,000 maximum
Public transit: up to $20,000
Although the total ceiling increases to $52,000, the limits imposed on the restaurant and grocery categories are particularly restrictive: this equates to a limit of $500 per month.
The limits for gasoline and public transit are more generous at $20,000 each. This structure could benefit people who drive a lot, such as business travellers.
These new limits will be calculated on a calendar year basis, from January 1 to December 31.
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$469Annual fee rebated$120Total$589Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa Infinite rewards credit cards in Canada. Its welcome offer lets you earn up to 70,000 BMO Rewards points, for a total value of up to $1,150*.
It also includes a monthly statement credit for streaming services, an annual $50 lifestyle credit, and no annual fee for the first year (a $120 value)*.
With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card, you also get:
5x BMO Rewards points for every dollar spent on groceries, meal delivery or takeout, rideshare, public transit, and gas*
1 BMO Rewards point for every dollar spent on all other purchases*
10% more points when you add an authorized user to your account*
Mobile device insurance offering coverage up to $1,000*
The Pay with Points feature, which allows you to redeem your points on recent purchases starting at $1*
Six months of Instacart+ membership plus a monthly $10 Instacart credit with an eligible card*
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BMO is not responsible for updating the content of this site. For the most up-to-date information, please click on the Online Application link.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Additional card$50
Annual income required
Individual$60,000
Household$100,000
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xTransit
5xGas & EV
5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,128
2nd Year Value$365
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Changes to the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Privilege Card
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,340Total$1,340Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card is a premium metal card! By applying for this card, you can earn up to 200,000 BMO Rewards points:
80,000 points after $6,000 in purchases within the first 110 days of account opening
40,000 points after $30,000 in purchases within the first 180 days of account opening
80,000 points after $75,000 in purchases within the first 365 days of account opening
Additionally, you benefit from a 0% welcome interest rate on balance transfers for 12 months, as well as a 2% balance transfer fee.
Plus, you’ll receivea $200 anniversary credit to use as you wish!
As well as a membership to the Visa Airport Companion program with six complimentary visits per year to airport lounges.
With this Card, you can earn 5 BMO Rewards points per dollar spent on:
Groceries
Gas
Drugstores
Travel
restaurants and bars
Food delivery
And 1 BMO Rewards point per dollar spent everywhere else.
You can use BMO Rewards points for all travel purchases made through the agency or website of your choice (plane tickets, hotels, rental cars, all-inclusive packages, Airbnb, etc.) or for rewards and gift cards on the BMO Rewards platform.
Finally, enjoy six months of Instacart+ membership and a monthly $10 Instacart credit when you sign up with your eligible BMO credit card.
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*Terms and conditions apply
BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. For the latest information, please click on the Apply Now link.
Annual fee
Primary card$599
Additional card$99
Annual income required
Individual$150,000
Household$200,000
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xRestaurants
5xTravel
5xGroceries
5xGas & EV
5xPharmacy
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,461
2nd Year Value$321
Card benefits
Airport lounge access$240
Travel creditsIncluded
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $2,500
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Changes to the BMO Prepaid Mastercard
The annual fee for the BMO Prepaid Travel Mastercard increases from $6.95 to $9.99. The card also features a new design.
The BMO Prepaid Mastercard is a reloadable prepaid card, not a credit card: you load it in advance and spend only the available balance, with no credit check and no interest. It is a useful option for managing a budget, shopping online with peace of mind or giving someone a convenient way to pay.
Because it is accepted everywhere Mastercard is accepted, it works just as well day to day as when travelling. The annual fee is $10.
A 2.5% foreign transaction fee applies to purchases made in a foreign currency. As a prepaid card, it does not earn rewards and does not help build your credit history.
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*Terms and conditions apply
BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information
With the Wise Card, a no-annual-fee card, you can hold and exchange over 40 currencies directly in your Wise account.
With the Wise Card, you can spend freely in over 150 countries and withdraw cash from 2.3 million ATMs. Your ATM withdrawals are free up to CAD 100 per calendar month.
You can also take advantage of currency conversions at market exchange rates, with transparent, low fees. These fees will be much lower than those your credit card charges (generally 2.5% of the transaction).
You can manage your account easily with the Wise application. Moreover, you can manage your card with complete peace of mind by freezing and thawing it instantly. The automatic currency conversion feature ensures that you always pay the lowest possible fees when using currencies not held on your account.
Keep an eye on your currency balances within the app and receive instant notifications for added security. As a debit card, the Wise Card helps you manage your budget without accumulating debt or incurring credit charges. Opt for the Wise Card and optimize your finances on a daily basis or when you travel abroad!
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$25Total$25Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
With the Wealthsimple prepaid card, you can access your available funds in your Wealthsimple chequing account. Wealthsimple is gradually replacing its Mastercard with a Visa Platinum Prepaid card.
With this welcome offer, you can get $25 cash back as a new Wealthsimple client. To do this, you simply need to open an account and then deposit at least $1 within 30 days.
You can invest your money in an investment account or a cryptocurrency of your choice. Also, you earn interest on your Wealthsimple Cash account balance! Wealthsimple Generation clients can earn an interest rate of up to 2.25%.
In addition, there are no foreign transaction fees for any purchase made in a currency other than the Canadian dollar and no annual fees.
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Terms and conditions apply. For the most up-to-date product details, please visit Wealthsimple.com.
With the EQ Bank Card, you pay no foreign exchange fees for purchases made abroad or in foreign currencies. This Mastercard is a reloadable prepaid card with which you can make free withdrawals at any ATM in Canada.
In addition, you earn the same excellent rate as your Personal Account, as well as 0.5% cash back on every purchase made with the EQ Bank Card.
Since it is a Mastercard, you can use it anywhere in the world as well as in Costco warehouses in Canada.
Annual fee
Primary card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Earning rate
0.5xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$135
2nd Year Value$120
Bottom Line
These changes to BMO cards represent a significant shift for cardholders. The $15,000 spending requirement for annual fee rebates is restrictive, especially for those who use multiple credit cards.
The new limits on the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card are particularly disappointing for the grocery and restaurant categories. With a $6,000 limit per category, the card loses its appeal for families.
Only the generous $20,000 limits for gasoline and public transit remain advantageous for frequent travellers and those who commute often.
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$771Annual fee rebated$150Total$921Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
The BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®* is one of the best World Elite Mastercard travel rewards credit cards in Canada. With our welcome offer, you can get up to 115,000 BMO Rewards points, for a total value of up to $1,900, including up to $200 in Instacart benefits.*
Plus, there’s no annual fee in the first year for the primary cardholder and additional cardholders, and you benefit from a 0% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for 12 months (with a 2% balance transfer fee).*
With the BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®*, you get:
5 points per dollar on eligible travel*
3 points per dollar on eligible dining, entertainment, and recurring bill payments*
1 point per dollar on all other purchases*
The card also offers:
4 complimentary airport lounge accesses per year via Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass*
comprehensive travel insurance, including emergency medical coverage up to $5 million for 21 days*
A NEXUS statement credit in the first year*
Up to $200 in Instacart benefits*
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*Terms and conditions apply
BMO is not responsible for updating the content of this site. For the most up-to-date information, please click on the Online Application link.
Annual fee
Primary card$150
Additional card$50
Annual income required
Individual$80,000
Household$150,000
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xTravel
3xRestaurants
3xStreaming
3xBills & recurring payments
3xEntertainment
3xTelecom
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,249
2nd Year Value$289
Card benefits
Airport lounge access$160
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
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