First year value
$0
Get this card if you:
- want to earn rewards on everyday purchases
- value comprehensive insurance benefits
- want flexible point redemption
At a glance
The National Bank World Mastercard® is a rewards credit card offering elevated earn rates on purchases, with the highest rates applicable within a specific annual spending range. Cardholders benefit from comprehensive insurance coverage, including travel and purchase protections.
Highlights
$115
Annual fee
Additional card fee: $35
Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.49%
Balance transfer APR
22.49%
Cash advance APR
Eligibility
Good
Recommended credit score
$50,000
Required annual personal income
$80,000
Required annual household income
Quick overview of the National Bank World Mastercard
When it’s got “World” in its name, you know it’s for the travellers, and that’s precisely who the National Bank World Mastercard is targeting. In truth, this card is a bit of an oddball (for reasons we’ll get into below) but it does have a few perks that may tempt the traveller interested.
For one, it’s got really great travel insurance across the board, giving comprehensive coverage in most categories you’d care about. You also earn (or well, kinda, under certain circumstances) 2x points per dollar spent, if you abide by the weird tier system National Bank straps to this card.
But the downsides are pretty evident. First – no welcome bonus. Zilch, squat, nada. And, I mean, if the card had no fee, so what? But the National Bank World Mastercard is actually $115 per year, which may be just a bit steep for those with travel in mind. All things considered, is this card right for you? Let’s dive into the details.
Who’s the National Bank World Mastercard for?
If you’re a travel fan who’s not looking for an immediate boost of points, but rather wants to collect for a trip down the road, this card may be for you – especially if you’re travelling to a place where having comprehensive insurance is a good idea.
Also, if comprehensive insurance is important to you (or you're a traveller over 65) the National Bank World Mastercard may be what you’re after.
Pros and cons
Pros
-
Up to 2x points per dollar spent
-
Great insurance – especially for senior travellers
-
Decent travel redemptions and bonuses through National Bank
Cons
-
A relatively high annual fee for what you get
-
No welcome bonus 🙁
-
Complicated tier structure for point earning
-
Relatively prohibitive income requirements
National Bank World Mastercard welcome bonus
- There’s no welcome bonus, unfortunately
How to earn points with the National Bank World Mastercard
Okay, so – remember that complicated tier system I mentioned in the cons list above? Well, here’s how it shakes out.
If you spend between $0 to $20,000 you’ll earn 1.25 points per $1 spent. Clear so far? But, if you spend between $20,001 to $30,000, you’ll earn two points per dollar. “Oh cool,” you may be saying. “Does the point multiplier scale with spend?” No.
Annual spending over $30,001 drops back down to 1.25 points per $1. So the sweet spot is spending quite a lot on your card, but not too much. This definitely has to be one of the few instances where you are disincentivized from spending as much as possible on a credit card.
How to redeem points on the National Bank World Mastercard
Like most points cards, there’s a whole suite of ways to spend the points you earn on your National Bank World Mastercard. But, unlike other cards, the value of your points swings pretty dramatically depending on how you use them.
The absolute best bang for your buck is redeeming your points for travel through the National Bank platform. Assuming you spend around $2,000 per month, you could earn about $350 towards travel this way. The value drops if you don’t go through National Bank directly to less than $300.
Statement credits are the worst value, falling short of $150 in value by the same metrics. One cool way to use your points is turning them into investments through National Bank, netting you just shy of $300 in value. This novel perk might appeal to the super savers out there (although, as an ostensible travel card, this may have overly niche appeal).
Key National Bank World Mastercard benefits
- Solid discounts for travel redemption through National Bank
- Excellent insurance coverage
- Superb extended warranty
National Bank World Mastercard insurance coverage
- Purchase protection: In the event of theft or damage, National Bank has you covered for 180 days following purchases made on the World Mastercard
- Extended warranty: They’re fond of bandying around the phrase “triple your manufacturer warranty,” but National Bank only extends it to a maximum of 2 years
- Trip cancellation: You’re covered up to $2,500per person
- Trip interruption: This is pretty stellar – trips purchased on this card are covered up to $5,000per person in the event of interruption
- Emergency medical: Coverage is offered up to $5 million per person, with terms ranging dependent on age: 54 and under = 60 days; 55-64 = 31 days; 65 to 75 = 15 days (unusually generous for senior travellers)
- Flight delay: Up to $500 per person if the delay is over four hours
- Baggage delay: Up to $500 per person if your bags are delayed over six hours
- Baggage lost/stolen: Coverage up to $1,000
- Vehicle rental: $65,000 protection for collision, theft or other damage.
Extra benefits
- While not exactly swimming in perks, the travel discounts through National Bank and the ability to invest your points, stand out
What people have to say about this card
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much to be said about this card on the interwebs. Is it because there’s not much to say, or is it because the demographic for this card caters to an older generation that’s not too keen on posting on social media or Reddit?
How National Bank World Mastercard compares
14,000 Avion points
Welcome Bonus
$571
First Year Value
$471
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Get 14,000 Avion points upon approval ($100 value in gift cards). Apply by May 7, 2025. Expires May 07, 2025
Get this card if you...
-
want to earn rewards on everyday purchases
-
want a low monthly fee
-
want mobile device protection and extended warranty
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$48
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The RBC ION+ Visa is a rewards credit card offering elevated Avion points on categories such as groceries, dining, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming services, digital gaming, and online subscriptions, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from a welcome bonus, mobile device insurance, and savings on fuel at Petro-Canada; however, the card carries a modest annual fee, which is waived for students with an RBC Advantage Banking account.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
-
Decent rewards rate in everyday spending categories.
-
Low monthly fee, (rebated for students with the no-monthly fee RBC Advantage Banking account).
-
Perks like mobile device insurance and fuel savings at Petro-Canada.
Cons
-
Complex rewards structure with less valuable Avion points in the ION tier.
-
Limited insurance benefits (but you can pay to add-on travel insurance).
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$48
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Avion Premium
3
Avion points† per $1 on qualifying grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions
1
Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
Get 14,000 Avion points upon approval - that’s $100 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 7, 2025.
Our Take
The RBC ION+ Visa is a rewards credit card offering elevated Avion points on categories such as groceries, dining, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming services, digital gaming, and online subscriptions, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from a welcome bonus, mobile device insurance, and savings on fuel at Petro-Canada; however, the card carries a modest annual fee, which is waived for students with an RBC Advantage Banking account.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
-
Decent rewards rate in everyday spending categories.
-
Low monthly fee, (rebated for students with the no-monthly fee RBC Advantage Banking account).
-
Perks like mobile device insurance and fuel savings at Petro-Canada.
Cons
-
Complex rewards structure with less valuable Avion points in the ION tier.
-
Limited insurance benefits (but you can pay to add-on travel insurance).
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$48
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Avion Premium
3
Avion points† per $1 on qualifying grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions
1
Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
Get 14,000 Avion points upon approval - that’s $100 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 7, 2025.
Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.
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up to $1,100
Welcome Bonus
$1,383
First Year Value
$583
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Get a total of up to 40,000 Aeroplan points (up to $800 in travel value†)
Get this card if you...
-
frequently travel with Air Canada and collect Aeroplan points
-
value comprehensive travel insurance
-
value a great welcome offer
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$139
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card tailored for frequent Air Canada travelers, offering elevated Aeroplan point accumulation on eligible gas, grocery and direct Air Canada purchases. Cardholders benefit from perks such as a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights, access to exclusive Visa Infinite offers, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
Earn up to 40,000 bonus Aeroplan points in the first year
-
Earn up to 1.5 Aeroplan points on purchases
-
Free checked bags on Air Canada flights
-
Special pricing on Aeroplan flight rewards
-
Includes travel insurance
Cons
-
High income requirement of either $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
-
Rewards go furthest when redeeming for Air Canada flights, so that can limit your travel options
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
25.99%
Penalty
Fees
$139
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$42.5
Return Penalty
Rewards Aeroplan
1.5 pts
for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1 pt
for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
2x
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and more than 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$2,500
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Get a total of up to 40,000 Aeroplan points (up to $800 in travel value†):
10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase†.
10,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $5,000 or more during the first 4 monthly statements periods†.
20,000 Aeroplan points as an additional anniversary bonus when you have at least $10,000 in net purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods†.
Enjoy a free first checked bag: a $140 value for 2 travellers for each round-trip flight, assuming you take one round-trip Air Canada flight in the first year†.
Plus, get a one-time annual fee rebate ($139) for you (the primary cardholder) and up to three authorized users ($50 each): up to $189 value†.
Our Take
The CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card tailored for frequent Air Canada travelers, offering elevated Aeroplan point accumulation on eligible gas, grocery and direct Air Canada purchases. Cardholders benefit from perks such as a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights, access to exclusive Visa Infinite offers, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
Earn up to 40,000 bonus Aeroplan points in the first year
-
Earn up to 1.5 Aeroplan points on purchases
-
Free checked bags on Air Canada flights
-
Special pricing on Aeroplan flight rewards
-
Includes travel insurance
Cons
-
High income requirement of either $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
-
Rewards go furthest when redeeming for Air Canada flights, so that can limit your travel options
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
25.99%
Penalty
Fees
$139
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$42.5
Return Penalty
Rewards Aeroplan
1.5 pts
for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1 pt
for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
2x
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partners and more than 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$2,500
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Get a total of up to 40,000 Aeroplan points (up to $800 in travel value†):
10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase†.
10,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $5,000 or more during the first 4 monthly statements periods†.
20,000 Aeroplan points as an additional anniversary bonus when you have at least $10,000 in net purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods†.
Enjoy a free first checked bag: a $140 value for 2 travellers for each round-trip flight, assuming you take one round-trip Air Canada flight in the first year†.
Plus, get a one-time annual fee rebate ($139) for you (the primary cardholder) and up to three authorized users ($50 each): up to $189 value†.
†Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
The information for the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
$1,153
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Get up to $1,352 in benefits and rewards for the first year.
Get this card if you...
-
want to earn rewards on everyday purchases
-
need extensive travel insurance benefits
-
appreciate extra travel perks like travel credit
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$150
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.49%
Cash Advance
22.49%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The National Bank World Elite® Mastercard® is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated earn rates on purchases, with the highest rates applicable within a specific annual spending range. Cardholders benefit from comprehensive travel insurance, including emergency medical coverage and trip cancellation/interruption protection, as well as access to airport lounges through the Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
Generous earn categories and welcome bonus
-
Flexible point redemption
-
Impressive $150 travel expense redemption
-
Robust insurance, including mobile device insurance
-
Industry-leading extended warranty and purchase protection
Cons
-
$2,500 spend cap on the max rewards earn rate (from 5 points down to 2 points)
-
High income requirement of 80,000 individual or $150,000 household
-
Lounge visits are only available at one airport
-
High credit score needed
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.49%
Cash Advance
22.49%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
Rewards NBC points
5 points
for every dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants
2 points
for every dollar spent on gas, EV charging, recurring bill payments and A la carte travel
1 point
for every dollar spent on all other purchases
$5,000,000
Maximum for the out-of-province-of-residence emergency medical coverage for up to 60 days
Insurance Benefits
$15
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Get up to $1,352 in benefits and rewards for the first year.
Rewards points are offered when the following is complete:
5,000 points when you sign up for payment insurance* for at least the first 3 months
5,000 points when you spend $5,000 in net purchases in the first 3 months
10,000 additional points when you spend $10,000 in net purchases in the first 6 months
20,000 additional points when you spend $15,000 in net purchases in the first 12 months
Offer valid between November 1st, 2024, and March 31st, 2025.
Our Take
The National Bank World Elite® Mastercard® is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated earn rates on purchases, with the highest rates applicable within a specific annual spending range. Cardholders benefit from comprehensive travel insurance, including emergency medical coverage and trip cancellation/interruption protection, as well as access to airport lounges through the Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
Generous earn categories and welcome bonus
-
Flexible point redemption
-
Impressive $150 travel expense redemption
-
Robust insurance, including mobile device insurance
-
Industry-leading extended warranty and purchase protection
Cons
-
$2,500 spend cap on the max rewards earn rate (from 5 points down to 2 points)
-
High income requirement of 80,000 individual or $150,000 household
-
Lounge visits are only available at one airport
-
High credit score needed
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.49%
Cash Advance
22.49%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
Rewards NBC points
5 points
for every dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants
2 points
for every dollar spent on gas, EV charging, recurring bill payments and A la carte travel
1 point
for every dollar spent on all other purchases
$5,000,000
Maximum for the out-of-province-of-residence emergency medical coverage for up to 60 days
Insurance Benefits
$15
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Get up to $1,352 in benefits and rewards for the first year.
Rewards points are offered when the following is complete:
5,000 points when you sign up for payment insurance* for at least the first 3 months
5,000 points when you spend $5,000 in net purchases in the first 3 months
10,000 additional points when you spend $10,000 in net purchases in the first 6 months
20,000 additional points when you spend $15,000 in net purchases in the first 12 months
Offer valid between November 1st, 2024, and March 31st, 2025.
| Features | National Bank World Mastercard | National Bank World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $115 | $150 |
| Welcome offer | N/A | |
| Insurance | Comprehensive insurance | Comprehensive insurance |
| Benefits | Great extended warranty | Great extended warranty |
| Review link | You’re reading it | National Bank World Elite Mastercard review |
Is the National Bank World Mastercard worth it?
If you’re looking for a daily spender with great insurance for travel (especially if you’re over 65) then, well, maybe. But in almost every other conceivable way, this card falls short of its competitors, especially in the “over $100 annual fee” category. If you just need a National Bank card, spring for $35 more a year and upgrade to the Elite version, which at the very least has a welcome bonus structure.
National Bank World Mastercard eligibility criteria
- Personal income of $50,000 per year or household income of $80,000
- Alternatively, assets worth $250,000 or, for existing customers, $15,000 in yearly minimum purchases on a National Bank card
FAQs
Cam is a content marketer with a passion for saving, financial independence, and pulling off elaborate credit card point schemes. He has worked in Fintech and Finserve (specifically Group Retirement) and loves researching and writing about finance.
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†Terms and Conditions apply.