Overall rating
First year value
$25
Scores by category
Low Interest 3.5
Balance Transfer 3.0
Highlights
$25
First year value
Annual fee waiver
Welcome bonus
$25
Annual fee
waived when you make your first purchase within 30 days
Interest Rates
11.25%
Purchase APR
Eligibility
Good
Recommended credit score
Quick overview of the Vancity enviro Visa* Classic - Low Interest Rate card
The Vancity enviro™ Visa* Classic card is a no-fee card that allows you to choose your own adventure between the rewards version of the card or a low-rate alternative.
The rewards version offers one Vancity Rewards point for every $2 spent. The earn rate is boosted when you spend on travel through Vancity Rewards, where every dollar nets one point. Add to that some travel coverage, and you have a card that may have just enough to tempt the fee-averse traveller.
In comparison, the low interest rate version comes with a relatively low interest rate, but a charges an annual fee (waived the first year).
Like the entire Vancity enviro™ lineup, the Vancity enviro™ Visa* Classic card distinguishes itself by participating in the “5% of all profits go to an environmental support foundation” that all the enviro-branded cards participate in.
Who’s this Vancity Visa for?
Like the entire enviro lineup, this card will appeal to folks who aren’t just about the rewards (. With its carbon footprint tracker and environmental support, this card is for the eco-conscious, with an added bonus on the rewards version for those inclined to travel from time to time.
Pros and cons
Pros
-
Choose between a low APR or rewards
-
No annual fee when earning rewards
-
5% of profits from the card support the Vancity enviroFund™ program
-
Uncomplicated rewards
Cons
-
$25 annual fee if you prefer a low interest rate
-
Limited insurance coverage
-
Limited availability for potential applicants
Vancity enviro Visa* Classic card welcome bonus
Get your first-year $25 annual fee waived when you make your first purchase within 30 days.* Conditions apply. Offer is valid until March 31, 2025.
How to earn Vancity Rewards
If you opt for the low-interest version of this card – well, this section won’t be very interesting, as there are no rewards associated with it.
How to redeem Vancity rewards
While Classic Low Rate cardholders won't earn Vancity Rewards points, you can redeem those Vancity Rewards points through the Vancity Rewards website for statement credits, travel, gift cards and charitable donations.
Vancity top tip: Bundle services and save more
Take advantage of Vancity's promotional Jumpstart™ High Interest Savings Account. This no-monthly-fee account is an excellent way to grow your savings quickly.
Key features of the enviro Classic Visa Low Rate Card
- Two distinct versions: Enjoy a great low rate everyday or earn rewards with every purchase — it’s your choice
- 5% of profits go to environmental support
- Carbon footprint tracking
Insurance coverage
Extra benefits of the enviro Classic Card
- 5% of profits from this card support the Vancity enviroFund™ program every year
- Use the Carbon Counter™ to estimate your carbon footprint
- A 21-day interest-free grace period on new purchases
- Tap to pay with your enviro Visa card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
- 24-hour cash advances through any ATM displaying the Visa symbol
- Card Services, available 24/7 to help you with your enviro Visa account
What is Vancity enviroFund™?
Vancity's enviroFund is a grant program that supports climate-friendly businesses and charitable organizations in British Columbia. The fund supports projects that reduce emissions footprints and help create a shift to a low-carbon future, with more than $14 million in grants to environmental projects since 1990.
enviroFund initiatives include:
- HUB Cycling
- Reusables
- Project Zero
- Creative Victoria: Reuse Centre
- Recycling Council of BC
How this Vancity Visa compares
0.99% intro rate
Welcome Bonus
$0
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 9 months (2% fee per cash advance, 13.99% after that), plus no annual fee for the first year ($29 value) Expires Oct 31, 2025
Get this card if you...
-
want to pay down credit card debt
-
want both low interest and a low annual fee
-
appreciate a good welcome offer
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$29
Annual Fee
13.99%
Purchase
13.99%
Cash Advance
13.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card is a low-interest credit card designed for individuals who may carry a balance, offering a lower annual interest rate on purchases and cash advances compared to standard credit cards.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Pros
-
Lengthy introductory APR on balance transfers
-
A great low rate everyday
-
Available to applicants with average credit
Cons
-
No rewards program
-
Insurance coverage is an optional extra
-
Carries an annual fee
Annual Interest Rates
13.99%
Purchase
13.99%
Cash Advance
13.99%
Balance Transfer
0.99%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$29
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 9 months (2% fee per cash advance, 13.99% after that). Plus no annual fee for the first year (after that annual fee $29). |
Our Take
The Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card is a low-interest credit card designed for individuals who may carry a balance, offering a lower annual interest rate on purchases and cash advances compared to standard credit cards.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Pros
-
Lengthy introductory APR on balance transfers
-
A great low rate everyday
-
Available to applicants with average credit
Cons
-
No rewards program
-
Insurance coverage is an optional extra
-
Carries an annual fee
Annual Interest Rates
13.99%
Purchase
13.99%
Cash Advance
13.99%
Balance Transfer
0.99%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$29
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 9 months (2% fee per cash advance, 13.99% after that). Plus no annual fee for the first year (after that annual fee $29). |
In Magic the Gathering (a different sort of “card” game), there’s a phrase “strictly better.” It means when you compare two cards, one is better in every single way, without compromise. The Vancity enviro™ Visa* Classic card is strictly better than the Scotiabank Value Visa Card.
Both waive the first-year fee, but the Vancity card has a $waived when you make your first purchase within 30 days fee compared to the $29 fee charged by Scotiabank. And oh, the low interest? Vancity offers a rate 2% lower compared to the APR yrtm,sd from Scotiabank. Assuming you’re eligible for the Vancity enviro™ Visa* Classic card, this is a no-brainer.
| Vancity enviro™ Visa* Classic Card | Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card |
|---|---|
|
Annual fee:
$25 (waived when you make your first purchase within 30 days) |
Annual fee:
$29 |
|
Intro APR:
N/A |
Intro APR:
Promotional rate of 0.99% for the first 9 months. |
|
Interest rates:
Purchase APR: 11.25% Transfer APR: 11.25% Cash advance APR: 11.25% |
Interest rates:
Purchase APR: 13.99% Transfer APR: 13.99% Cash advance APR: 13.99% |
|
Rewards:
N/A |
Rewards:
N/A |
|
Insurance:
Extended warranty, purchase protection, travel accident insurance |
Insurance:
N/A |
| Read Review | Apply Now |
Key takeaways
- Introductory APR: Canadians looking to transfer an existing credit card balance will find better value with the Scotiabank Value Visa (pun intended) thanks to its intro APR on balance transfers
- Insurance protections: BC residents who are looking for basic insurance protections should consider the Vancity card, as it is the only one of the two options that offers these protections.
- Ongoing purchases: Both cards provide an exceptionally low everyday interest rate but the Vancity option is a full 2-points lower making it ideal if you plan to carry a balance
Disclosures:
- Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card to learn more. *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
0% intro rate
Welcome Bonus
$0
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Get 0% APR for 12 months on transfers
Get this card if you...
-
want a low interest rate with no annual fee
-
value extended warranty and purchase protection
-
want to pay down existing credit card debt
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
12.99%
Purchase
24.99%
Cash Advance
17.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The MBNA True Line® Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card designed for individuals seeking a low-interest option for managing their finances. It offers a competitive interest rate on purchases and balance transfers, along with benefits such as fraud protection and discounts on car rentals.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
-
Solid welcome offer: 12 months of 0% APR†on balance transfers✪ made within the first 90 days (3% transfer fee applies)
-
No annual fee or minimum income requirement
-
Low standard interest rate of 12.99% for all new purchases charged to the card
-
Some extra perks like fraud protection and a discount on car rentals
Cons
-
3% balance transfer fee is comparatively high
-
Very high cash advance interest rate of 24.99%
-
No insurance benefits
-
Can’t transfer a balance owed to either MBNA or TD
Annual Interest Rates
12.99%
Purchase
24.99%
Cash Advance
17.99%
Balance Transfer
0.00%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
Rewards
0%
Promotional annual interest rate†(a 3% transfer fee applies) for 12 months on any balance transfer✪ completed within 90 days of opening the account.
100%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
Our Take
The MBNA True Line® Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card designed for individuals seeking a low-interest option for managing their finances. It offers a competitive interest rate on purchases and balance transfers, along with benefits such as fraud protection and discounts on car rentals.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
-
Solid welcome offer: 12 months of 0% APR†on balance transfers✪ made within the first 90 days (3% transfer fee applies)
-
No annual fee or minimum income requirement
-
Low standard interest rate of 12.99% for all new purchases charged to the card
-
Some extra perks like fraud protection and a discount on car rentals
Cons
-
3% balance transfer fee is comparatively high
-
Very high cash advance interest rate of 24.99%
-
No insurance benefits
-
Can’t transfer a balance owed to either MBNA or TD
Annual Interest Rates
12.99%
Purchase
24.99%
Cash Advance
17.99%
Balance Transfer
0.00%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
Rewards
0%
Promotional annual interest rate†(a 3% transfer fee applies) for 12 months on any balance transfer✪ completed within 90 days of opening the account.
100%
This card is made from 100% recycled plastic
MBNA True Line Mastercard - Winner, best low APR credit card in the Money.ca Credit Card Awards
The MBNA True Line Mastercard remains a gold standard of the low fee offerings. Its chief appeal is that it doesn’t charge an annual fee – no pesky $25 per year to worry about like the Vancity enviro™ Visa* Classic card. That said, it does charge a slight amount more in interest, which may be off putting to some who maintain a large balance (again, I urge you not to). This is a toss up for me, but since I hate paying fees, I’ll give a gentle nod to the MBNA.
| Vancity enviro™ Visa* Classic Card | MBNA True Line® Mastercard® |
|---|---|
|
Annual fee:
$25 (waived when you make your first purchase within 30 days) |
Annual fee:$0 |
|
Intro APR:
N/A |
Intro APR:
0% promotional annual interest rate (“AIR”)†for 12 months on balance transfers completed within 90 days of account opening. |
|
Interest rates:
Purchase APR: 11.25% Transfer APR: 11.25% Cash advance APR: 11.25% |
Interest rates:
Purchase APR: 12.99% Transfer APR: 17.99% Cash advance APR: 24.99% |
|
Rewards:
N/A |
Rewards:
N/A |
|
Insurance:
Extended warranty, purchase protection, travel accident insurance |
Insurance:
Extended warranty, purchase protection |
| Read Review | Apply Now |
Key takeaways
- Applicants with a balance: If you already are carrying a balance on your existing card and plan to apply for a new option the MBNA True Line is the right bet thanks to it's decent intro APR offer on transfers
- No annual fee: MBNA also wins when it comes to annual fees, with MBNA cardholders saving $25 per year
- Best for purchases: The Vancity Classic Visa is your best bet if you want a low rate on everything from purchases to cash advances
Disclosures:
†, ✪, Terms and Conditions apply.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.
Sponsored advertising. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) and TD is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete information on this MBNA credit card, please click on the “Apply Now” button.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank is the issuer of this credit card. MBNA is a division of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. ®MBNA and other-trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.
5% cash back
Welcome Bonus
$526
First Year Value
$401
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Get 5% cash back in your first 3 months* Expires Jun 01, 2025
Get this card if you...
-
want to earn cash back on everyday purchases
-
value the flexibility to redeem cash back at any time
-
value a great welcome offer
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
21.99%
Purchase
23.99%
Cash Advance
23.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* is a no-annual-fee credit card that allows cardholders to earn cash back on everyday purchases, with elevated rates for categories such as groceries and recurring bill payments. It offers flexible redemption options and includes benefits like purchase protection and extended warranty.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Pros
-
No Annual Fee: A rare find in Canada for a cash back card
-
A generous 3% cash back on groceries (up to $500 monthly)
-
Easily redeem from $1, set up automatic redemptions, or use as a statement credit
-
Additional perks include discounts on rentals, free supplementary cards and show discounts
Cons
-
Outside of groceries and recurring payments, the standard earn rate drops to 0.5%
-
Monthly caps on top earn rates for groceries and recurring payments
-
A 2% balance transfer fee applies
-
The interest rate on the remaining balance transfer amount increases after the introductory period
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
23.99%
Cash Advance
23.99%
Balance Transfer
0.99%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
Rewards cash back
3%
Cardholders earn 3% (up to a monthly max of $500) cash back on groceries
1%
Cardholders can earn 1% (up to $500 per month) on any recurring bill payments*
0.5%
Cardholders can earn 0.5% (no monthly max) on all other eligible purchases*
Our Take
The BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* is a no-annual-fee credit card that allows cardholders to earn cash back on everyday purchases, with elevated rates for categories such as groceries and recurring bill payments. It offers flexible redemption options and includes benefits like purchase protection and extended warranty.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Pros
-
No Annual Fee: A rare find in Canada for a cash back card
-
A generous 3% cash back on groceries (up to $500 monthly)
-
Easily redeem from $1, set up automatic redemptions, or use as a statement credit
-
Additional perks include discounts on rentals, free supplementary cards and show discounts
Cons
-
Outside of groceries and recurring payments, the standard earn rate drops to 0.5%
-
Monthly caps on top earn rates for groceries and recurring payments
-
A 2% balance transfer fee applies
-
The interest rate on the remaining balance transfer amount increases after the introductory period
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
23.99%
Cash Advance
23.99%
Balance Transfer
0.99%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
Rewards cash back
3%
Cardholders earn 3% (up to a monthly max of $500) cash back on groceries
1%
Cardholders can earn 1% (up to $500 per month) on any recurring bill payments*
0.5%
Cardholders can earn 0.5% (no monthly max) on all other eligible purchases*
BMO CashBack Mastercard - Winner, best no annual fee card in the Money.ca Credit Card Awards
This comparison feels a little apples to oranges. While both cards under consideration have no annual fee, one pays out in cashback and one pays out in points. The BMO CashBack Mastercard offers a generous cashback on groceries, which is pretty tough to beat, and has way better earning potential than the Vancity enviro™ Visa* Classic card, which doesn’t offer awe-inspiring point-potential.
That said, the key feature of the enviro™ line is the environmental support and carbon footprint tracking, which is going to have a separate appeal to folks interested in eco-friendliness. From an earnings-only consideration, I’d choose the BMO card here.
| Vancity enviro™ Visa* Classic Card | BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* |
|---|---|
|
Annual fee:
$25 (waived when you make your first purchase within 30 days) |
Annual fee:
$0 |
|
Intro APR:
N/A |
Intro APR:
Get 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee.§§ |
|
Interest rates:
Purchase APR: 11.25% Transfer APR: 11.25% Cash advance APR: 11.25% |
Interest rates:
Purchase APR: [21.99% Transfer APR: 23.99%% Cash advance APR:23.99]% |
|
Rewards:
N/A |
Rewards:
Earn 3% (up to a monthly max of $500) cash back on groceries. Earn 1% (up to $500 per month) on any recurring bill payments*. 0.50% cash back on all other purchases. |
|
Insurance:
Extended warranty, purchase protection, travel accident insurance |
Insurance:
Extended warranty, purchase protection |
| Read Review | Apply Now |
Key takeaways
- BMO is tops with rewards: The BMO CashBack is the only option that actually provides rewards on pucrhases
- Intro APR over ongoing APR: The BMO CashBack credit card also offers the only intro APR period on balance transfers, although this benefit comes at the cost of higher ongoing interest rates on everything from purchases to cash advances
- Best for purchases: The Vancity Classic Visa is your best bet if you want a low rate on everything
Disclosures:
- *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.
The Vancity enviro™ Visa* Classic card is met with a lukewarm reception by the masses. With its low fee (or no fee with the rewards version), it’s an inoffensive card that is a decent go-to choice for most users.
“I've been using this card for years. I did not know how flexible and good it was until I tried another one.” - review by cardholder Noor Alhoussari
However, there are some cardholders that criticize Vancity’s reward program and customer service.
“It is a good credit card to get started as it has no fees. That is about as good as it gets. After 8 years of having this card, Vancity hasn't added Android Pay, the rewards are almost non-existent, and I've had bad experiences with customer service when my card is compromised. I also don't understand the "enviro" aspect of the card either. I have no reason to stay loyal to this credit card.” - review by cardholder Rueben
Suffice to say, you’ll need to carefully consider the pros and cons before signing up for it yourself.
“It is a good credit card to get started as it has no fees. That is about as good as it gets."
Rueben, a Vancity Visa Classic cardholder
Is the Vancity enviro Visa* Classic Card worth it?
Both versions of the Vancity enviro™ Visa* Classic Cards will definitely be worth it for some folks – especially those concerned for the environment. The low-interest version has really, really low interest and I think would be worth it for those maintaining a large balance, even with the $25 annual fee, which is waived in the first year.
I’m less sold on the rewards version which, despite having no fee, just really doesn’t have a compelling points offering. But if all you want from your card is no cost, a little bit back to you, and a bit of help for the environment, I think the rewards version could be right for you.
Vancity Visa eligibility requirements
- Must be at least 19 years old
- Must live in British Columbia and have a BC address
- Those that have declared bankruptcy in the last seven years or have no previous credit history, the enviro™ Secured Visa card may be the right card for their needs.
After years as a product manager at TD Bank and Ratehub.ca, Christine now expresses herself with words, especially in credit cards and personal finance.
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The content provided on Money.ca is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.
†Terms and Conditions apply.