Lena Hayes
The BMO® eclipse Visa Infinite* Card is built for Canadians whose day-to-day spending revolves around groceries, dining, gas, transit and takeout. With 5× BMO Rewards points in these categories, an annual lifestyle credit, and a limited-time welcome offer of up to 80,000 points, it’s a strong “workhorse” rewards card if you’re willing to manage an annual fee and a bit of optimization.
Quick highlights
- 🎁 Welcome offer: limited-time bonus of up to 80,000 BMO Rewards points when you meet the promotional spend requirements (offer scheduled to end December 7, 2025).
- 🍽️ 5× BMO Rewards points per $1 on eligible groceries, dining in and out, gas, public transit, rideshare and food delivery.
- 💳 1× BMO Rewards point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
- 🎉 $50 annual lifestyle credit each year, which can effectively reduce the out-of-pocket cost of the card.
- 🧾 First year annual fee rebate on the primary card (terms apply).
Why we like the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card
The appeal of this card is simple: it pays you generously for the stuff most people buy all the time. Groceries, restaurant meals, Uber rides, gas, public transit, food delivery — these are exactly where many households spend the bulk of their monthly budget, and that’s where this card hands out 5× points. Add in the welcome bonus (up to 80,000 points), a $50 annual lifestyle credit, and a first-year fee rebate, and the numbers can look very good in the first year and still strong beyond that.
Unlike some travel cards, BMO Rewards are flexible and relatively easy to understand: you can use them for travel, statement credits, or everyday redemptions. This isn’t a super-luxury lounge card and it doesn’t waive foreign transaction fees, but as an everyday earner it fits nicely in a lot of Canadian wallets.
Stand-out features
- ✅ 5× BMO Rewards points on eligible groceries, dining, gas and transit — including delivery and rideshare.
- ✅ Up to 80,000-point welcome offer for new cardholders who meet the tiered minimum spend requirements.
- ✅ $50 lifestyle credit each year on your account anniversary, which effectively offsets part of the annual fee.
- ✅ Bonus points boost when you add an authorized user to the account, nudging your earn rate slightly higher on total household spend.
- ✅ Flexible redemptions through the BMO Rewards portal or via “Pay with Points” against recent purchases.
Good to know
- ⚠️ The 5× earn rate applies only in eligible merchant categories and usually up to annual spending caps; above those limits, the rate drops to 1×.
- ⚠️ The welcome offer is time-limited (currently to December 7, 2025) and structured in tiers, so you’ll need to track your spending in the first year to capture the full amount.
- ⚠️ Foreign currency transactions still incur a typical 2.5% foreign transaction fee.
- ⚠️ As a Visa Infinite product, income or spending requirements apply, so not everyone will qualify.
Pros
- Very strong 5× earn rate in categories where many households spend heavily (groceries, dining, gas, transit).
- Welcome offer of up to 80,000 BMO Rewards points can provide substantial first-year value.
- First-year annual fee rebate makes it easy to test-drive the card.
- Annual $50 lifestyle credit provides recurring value with minimal effort.
- Flexible BMO Rewards program allows you to redeem for travel, statement credits, or everyday purchases.
- Solid set of Visa Infinite benefits, including concierge and curated experiences.
Cons
- The $120 annual fee in year two and beyond must be justified by ongoing spending and redemptions.
- 5× bonus categories are subject to annual caps; once you hit them, the earn rate drops to 1× in those categories.
- No waiver of foreign transaction fees; frequent international spenders may prefer a no-FX-fee card.
- Not a full-featured premium travel card: no bundled lounge membership or high-end travel credits.
- Requires either minimum income or a demonstrated high annual card spend to qualify under Visa Infinite requirements.
Rewards program
The rewards engine of the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite is straightforward and aggressive where it matters most for many Canadians:
- 5× BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent in eligible categories:
- Groceries (most supermarkets and grocery stores).
- Dining in and out (restaurants, bars, cafes, food delivery and takeout).
- Gas stations and some fuel merchants.
- Transit, including public transit, rideshare and certain transportation services.
- 1× BMO Rewards point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Welcome bonus: up to 80,000 BMO Rewards points when you meet the spending conditions over the promotional period.
- Authorized user bonus: earn an extra boost in points (percentage) when you add an authorized user, amplifying household earning potential.
How to maximize rewards
- Run all food and transport spending through the card. Make this your default card for groceries, dining, takeout, delivery apps, gas, and transit. The 5× earn rate in these categories is the core of the card’s value.
- Plan around the welcome offer. Because the up-to-80,000-point bonus is tiered over time, map your first-year spending so you hit each of the required thresholds without overspending just for points.
- Add a trusted authorized user. Adding a partner or family member as an authorized user (if it makes sense for your household) can increase the total points you earn and unlock the 10% points boost feature linked to additional cardholders.
- Use the $50 lifestyle credit every year. Treat that credit like a small annual rebate. Set a reminder after your card anniversary to ensure you trigger it with a qualifying purchase so it doesn’t go to waste.
- Redeem smart, not impulsively. If possible, save your points for travel bookings or high-value Pay-with-Points redemptions instead of low-value merchandise. This can noticeably increase your effective rewards rate.
- Know your category caps. Keep an eye on how close you are to the annual caps on bonus categories. If you regularly exceed them, consider pairing the card with another strong earner to capture extra value once the 5× multiplier drops off.
- Combine with a no-foreign-fee card for trips abroad. When travelling outside Canada, consider charging foreign-currency purchases to another card without FX fees, then use the eclipse card primarily for domestic spending and certain travel bookings.
Insurance & benefits
Included
- Out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical insurance for eligible cardholders and sometimes family members when travel is charged to the card (age limits and day limits apply).
- Common carrier accident insurance when travelling by plane, train, bus or ship with tickets charged to the card.
- Rental car collision/loss damage insurance when you decline the rental agency’s CDW and charge the rental in full to the card.
- Mobile device insurance (typically up to $1,000) when you purchase your smartphone on the card or finance it through a carrier and set up recurring payments.
- Purchase security (coverage for theft or damage of eligible items for a set period after purchase).
- Extended warranty (typically doubling the manufacturer’s warranty up to a defined maximum period).
- Visa Infinite benefits like concierge access, hotel collection perks and select dining or event experiences.
Not included / limitations
- ❌ No built-in airport lounge membership or free lounge passes — this is not positioned as a premium travel-lounge card.
- ❌ No waiver on foreign transaction fees; you’ll still pay a percentage surcharge on non-CAD purchases.
- ⚠️ Some travel protections (like trip cancellation/interruption or delayed baggage) may be more limited than on high-end travel cards; always read the certificate of insurance before relying on coverage.
- ⚠️ Age limits, trip length caps, and exclusions apply to all insurance; if you have complex travel or health situations, confirm eligibility with the insurer.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $120 (primary card; typically rebated in the first year for new accounts under the current promotion) |
|---|---|
| Additional card fee | $50 per additional cardholder |
| Purchase APR | 21.99% |
| Cash advance APR | 23.99% (may be 21.99% in Quebec) |
| Balance transfer APR | 23.99% (with Quebec-specific rate variations possible) |
| Foreign transaction fee | Typically 2.5% on non-CAD purchases (on top of the exchange rate) |
| Grace period | At least 21 days on new purchases when you pay your statement balance in full by the due date |
| Minimum income / spend | Generally $60,000 individual or $100,000 household income, or a qualifying level of annual credit card spend as indicated by BMO at application time |
Best for
- 🛒 Canadians who spend heavily on groceries, dining, gas and transit and want to earn strong rewards in those areas.
- 👪 Households that can funnel most of their recurring day-to-day spending onto one or two cards to maximize the 5× categories.
- ✈️ People who like flexible travel rewards, but don’t necessarily need top-tier lounge perks or ultra-premium travel benefits.
- 💡 Cardholders comfortable managing an annual fee and paying the balance in full each month to avoid interest.
Where it falls short
- If your spending doesn’t line up with groceries, dining and local transport (for example, if most of your budget goes to rent, tuition or other non-bonused categories), you won’t fully benefit from the 5× structure.
- The $120 annual fee (after year one) can be hard to justify if your total annual spend is relatively low.
- No break on foreign transaction fees means another card might be better for international travel and foreign online shopping.
- Some competing cards offer richer travel insurance packages or premium perks like lounge access for similar or slightly higher annual fees.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“Once I moved all our groceries, gas and takeout onto this card, the points started piling up. It feels like it genuinely rewards the way my family already spends.”
“The first year with the fee rebate and welcome bonus was fantastic. Even after that, the $50 credit and strong earn rate keep it worth it for us.”
Critiques
“It’s a great everyday card, but I wish it came with no foreign transaction fees or a couple of lounge passes for trips.”
“You need to be somewhat organized. If you don’t track your spending or use the lifestyle credit, the annual fee starts to feel steep.”
Community insights
Among Canadian rewards enthusiasts, the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite commonly appears on “best everyday rewards” shortlists thanks to its 5× categories and flexible points. It’s often recommended as a pairing with a no-foreign-fee travel card: use eclipse for domestic day-to-day spending and the other card whenever you’re transacting in foreign currency. Many long-time users say the card feels “quietly powerful” — not flashy like a metal premium card, but consistently rewarding if you actually use the high-earn categories and the annual credit.
AI review (straight talk)
If you’re the kind of person who looks at your credit card as a tool rather than a trophy, the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite makes a lot of sense. It rewards you where your budget is probably already concentrated — food and transportation — and gives you flexibility in how you redeem those rewards. The welcome bonus and first-year fee rebate make the first year a clear win if you meet the spending conditions.
After that, the card is only “worth it” if you keep feeding it meaningful spend and actually use the $50 credit and your points. If you travel internationally more than you eat out, or if you rarely use public transit or delivery apps, there might be better fits. But for the typical Canadian urban or suburban household with regular grocery runs, commute costs, and weekend restaurants, this card can quietly generate a lot of value in the background.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Categories | Other Purchases | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card | $120 (rebated year 1) | 5× on groceries, dining, gas, transit | 1× | Up to 80k bonus, $50 lifestyle credit, solid insurance | Domestic everyday spenders who like flexible rewards |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | $120 (often rebated year 1) | 5× groceries/dining/entertainment; 3–4× on travel-related categories | 1× | Rich earn on food & entertainment; good travel perks | Cardholders comfortable with Amex acceptance who want strong travel-leaning earn |
| American Express Cobalt® Card | $12.99/month ($155.88/year) | 5× on food and drink, 2× on transit and travel | 1× | Highly flexible Membership Rewards that can transfer to airlines and hotels | Points collectors who value transfer partners and heavy food spend |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card | $150 | Boosted earn on travel, transit, dining | 1× | No foreign transaction fees, Priority Pass lounge visits | Frequent international travellers who value no-FX and lounge perks |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite* Card | $120 | Elevated earn on travel, 1× elsewhere | 1× | Flexible Avion points and frequent airline transfer options | Travellers who want broad flight-booking flexibility |
FAQ
Is there an annual fee?
Yes. The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite has a $120 annual fee for the primary cardholder, with a $50 fee for each additional authorized card. Under the current promotion, the primary annual fee is typically rebated in the first year.
What is the current welcome bonus?
As of late 2025, the welcome offer is advertised as up to 80,000 BMO Rewards points for new cardholders, usually earned through a combination of an initial bonus after meeting a spending requirement and additional points for sustained monthly spending over a set period. The exact structure can change, so always confirm the details on BMO’s site before applying.
What are the earn rates on this card?
You earn 5 BMO Rewards points per $1 spent on eligible purchases in the core categories (groceries, dining in and out, gas, transit and related services) up to annual caps, and 1 point per $1 on all other eligible everyday purchases.
How do I redeem BMO Rewards points?
You can redeem points through the BMO Rewards portal for travel (flights, hotels, vacation packages, car rentals and more), merchandise, gift cards and experiences. You can also use “Pay with Points” to apply points as a credit against recent eligible card purchases, effectively turning your points into flexible statement credits.
Does the card include travel insurance?
Yes. The card includes out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical insurance, common carrier accident coverage, rental car collision/loss damage insurance, and other protections such as mobile device insurance and purchase security. Coverage details, limits and eligibility criteria are laid out in the certificate of insurance and should be reviewed before you travel.
What income do I need to qualify?
As a Visa Infinite product, the card typically requires either a minimum individual annual income of around $60,000, a household income of around $100,000, or a qualifying level of annual credit card spend as specified by BMO. These thresholds can change, and approval is never guaranteed even if you meet them.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card is a very strong option if your real-world spending leans heavily towards groceries, dining, gas and transit. In those categories the 5× earn rate, combined with a meaningful welcome bonus and the annual lifestyle credit, makes the card feel rewarding quickly. It’s less of a pure “travel luxury” card and more of a high-octane everyday engine that quietly churns out points.
If you rarely travel, barely eat out, or spend modestly overall, the annual fee might be hard to justify after year one. If you frequently travel internationally and want no foreign transaction fees or airport lounge perks, other cards will be a better primary choice. But for many Canadian households who want to squeeze extra value out of the purchases they’re already making every week, this card is absolutely worth a serious look.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.3 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.5 / 5 — excellent if you lean into the 5× categories and redeem smartly |
| Benefits & protections | 4.0 / 5 — solid set of insurance and Visa Infinite perks for the fee level |
| Fees & costs | 3.8 / 5 — fee is reasonable if you use the lifestyle credit and welcome bonus; less so for low spenders |
| Ease of approval | 3.7 / 5 — standard Visa Infinite-level income/spend criteria mean it’s not a starter card |
