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The Royal Canadian Legion MBNA Rewards Mastercard Review

The Royal Canadian Legion MBNA Rewards Mastercard review

Justin da Rosa

Dec 16, 2024

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Overall rating

First year value

$392

Get this card if you:

  • want to support the Royal Canadian Legion
  • want to earn rewards on all purchases
  • want flexible point redemption

Scores by category

No Annual Fee 4.0

Rewards 2.8

Gas 2.4

Highlights

$392

First year value

up to 5,000 pts

Welcome bonus

Interest Rates

19.99%

Purchase APR

22.99%

Balance transfer APR

24.99%

Cash advance APR

Eligibility

Good

Recommended credit score

Quick overview of the Royal Canadian Legion MBNA Rewards Mastercard®

The Royal Canadian Legion MBNA Rewards Mastercard is a rewards credit card that has no annual fee and a welcome bonus of up to 5,000 pts for new accounts. It'll appeal to those who frequently spend on restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases, offering 2 points per $1 spent in these categories up to $10,000 per year. Other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. The card also includes birthday bonus points, flexible rewards redemption options and the MBNA Payment Plan for large purchases.

Another great feature with the card is that spending on eligible purchases helps support the care of Canadian veterans and their families.  

Who is the Royal Canadian Legion MBNA Rewards Mastercard® for?

This card is ideal for individuals who value rewards for everyday spending, especially in categories like groceries and dining out, without having to pay an annual fee. It's geared toward people who appreciate flexible reward options and are comfortable with standard APR rates.

Pros and cons

Pros

Pros

  • No annual fee

  • Offers a welcome bonus of up to 5,000 points

  • Earn up to 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases

  • Earn up to 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases; points never expire as long as the account is open

  • Flexible rewards redemption options for things like travel, gift cards, merchandise, and more

  • Additional card benefits include purchase assurance, extended warranty coverage, car rental discounts, and more

  • A unique Birthday Bonus: Earn 10% of the total points earned the year prior, up to a maximum of 10,000 points.

  • Travel and security perks like lost luggage assistance, ticket replacement services and security features

Cons

Cons

  • High interest rates

  • No introductory balance transfer rate

  • Cap on higher earn rate categories

MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard welcome bonus

MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard offers a generous welcome bonus to new cardholders. By making eligible purchases within 90 days of opening your account, you can earn an impressive 5,000 bonus points. Conditions apply.

How to earn points with the Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard® from MBNA

The card has different earn rates depending on where you shop:

  • Earn 2 points for every $1 spent at restaurants, grocery stores, on digital media memberships, and household utility purchases up until $10,000 per year
  • Get 1 point for every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
  • Each year get Birthday Bonus Points equal to 10% of the total number of points you earned in the year prior (max 10,000).

There is no maximum limit on points earned on general purchases.

MBNA Rewards points can be redeemed for various options, including cash back, travel rewards, gift cards, and merchandise. When redeeming points for travel, 100 points equal $1. However, the rate is lower when redeeming points for cash back, at 200 points, equaling $1. This may discourage those who prefer cash back, but getting a designated cash back card is recommended in such cases.

Key Benefits of the MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards credit card

The key benefits of the MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards credit card include its not having an annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for cardholders. Additionally, the card offers flexible rewards redemption options, allowing users to choose between cash back, merchandise, gift cards, and travel rewards.

Another advantage of this credit card is the birthday bonus points feature. Each year get Birthday Bonus Points equal to 10% of the total number of points you earned in the year prior (max 10,000).. This bonus is a special perk for loyal customers, providing them with extra rewards on their birthdays.

MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards credit card insurance coverage

  • Purchase assurance: Coverage for eligible items purchased with the card if stolen or damaged within 90 days from the date of purchase..
  • Extended warranty: Doubles the manufacturer's warranty for up to 1 additional year on eligible new purchases.

Extra Benefits of the MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard

Other notable benefits of the MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards credit card include:

  • The MBNA Payment Plan can make it more convenient to pay for large purchases and manage your budget. Pay for eligible credit card purchases of $100 or over by making monthly payments.
  • MBNA and Mastercard cardholder support
  • Mastercard contactless payments
  • Card verification codes (CVC) and chip & pin technology for an extra layer of security

How the MBNA Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard® compares

Card Name
MBNA Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard®
Tangerine World Mastercard
Welcome Offer
Up to 5,000 bonus points
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Rewards
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent at restaurants, grocery stores, on digital media memberships, and household utility purchases up until $10,000 per year; Get 1 point for every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Earn 2% cash back in two categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, restaurants, gas, entertainment, recurring bill payments and more); Earn 0.5% back on everything else
Regular Interest Rates
Purchases: 19.99%; Cash Advances: 24.99%; Balance Transfers: 22.99%
Purchases: 20.95%; Cash Advances: 22.95%; Balance Transfers: 19.25 %

$153

First Year Value

$0

Annual Value

Learn More Apply Now On Neo's Secure Site

MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard vs. Neo Credit Card

When considering the MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard and the Neo Credit Card, your choice should depend on your spending habits and reward preferences. The MBNA card offers a unique opportunity to support Canadian veterans while earning rewards. With no annual fee, it provides up to 5,000 bonus points and a rewards rate of 2 points per $1 on select categories, and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. Additionally, it offers Birthday Bonus points and flexible redemption options, including cash back and travel.

The Neo Credit Card, known for its high average cash back rates, might appeal more if you prioritize cash rewards. It offers an average of 1.5% cashback at thousands of partners and a minimum of 0.5% cashback overall, with no annual fee. However, the specific cash back rate can vary significantly based on where you shop.

$484

First Year Value

$384

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get a bonus 10% cash back for the first 2 months – up to $100. Plus, a 1.95% promotional balance transfer interest rate for the first 6 months.

Learn More

MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard vs. Tangerine World Mastercard

When comparing the MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard to the Tangerine World Mastercard, the latter might be more appealing if you prefer customizable rewards. The Tangerine card allows you to choose two or three bonus categories (if you deposit your rewards into a Tangerine Savings account) where you earn 2% cash back, with 0.5% cash back on all other purchases. There's no annual fee, making it a flexible choice for rewards.

The MBNA card, offering support for veterans, also has no annual fee and provides a more diverse rewards program, including a unique birthday bonus. It's more suited for those who value supporting a cause while earning rewards in specific categories.

Is the MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard worth it?

The MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard is worth considering if you like the idea of having no yearly fees and earning rewards on everyday purchases, especially in its bonus categories. Its unique feature of supporting veterans adds a charitable aspect. However, high interest rates and lack of comprehensive benefits like travel insurance might be drawbacks for some. It's ideal for those who spend regularly in its reward categories and are interested in supporting a cause while earning points.

FAQs

  • Which bank owns MBNA Mastercard?

    +

    MBNA Mastercard is owned by The Toronto-Dominion Bank, commonly known as TD Bank Group, one of Canada's largest financial institutions.

  • Which credit cards are owned by MBNA?

    +

    MBNA offers a variety of credit cards, including rewards cards, cash back cards, travel cards and low-interest cards, catering to diverse consumer needs.

  • What is the minimum credit score for MBNA Canada?

    +

    The minimum credit score typically required for MBNA Canada credit cards is around 660-670, which is considered to be in the fair to good range.

  • Which credit agency does MBNA use?

    +

    MBNA primarily uses TransUnion, one of the major credit reporting agencies in Canada, for credit checks and reporting.

Justin da Rosa Freelance Writer

Justin is a writer and editor who has been covering personal finance for over 10 years. He's written for companies such as KOHO, Ratehub, BMO, Zoocasa, and Questrade, among others. Justin also created a course in Content Creation, which he taught at York University for four years. When not writing, Justin can be found at a live concert, on the golf course, riding a motorcycle, or sailing.

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