Daniela Hanna
The National Bank ECHO® Cashback Mastercard is National Bank’s approachable cash-back card aimed at Canadians who want a straightforward rewards card with real value for everyday purchases. For an annual fee of only around $30, you earn up to 1.5% cash back on common spending like groceries, gas and most online purchases — with an unlimited 1% cash back on everything else. It’s the kind of card that doesn’t make you chase rotating categories or complicated tiers, and its low fee makes it easy to justify if you use it as your everyday driver.
Quick highlights
- 💰 Earn up to 1.5% cash back on groceries, gas and most online purchases (on your first $25,000 of eligible spend each year).
- 💳 Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases, with no complicated bonus cycles.
- 📆 Redeem your cashback once you’ve earned at least $10 — on your schedule.
- 🛡 Includes extended warranty and purchase protection to help safeguard everyday buys.
- 🔒 Mastercard ID Check™ and Zero Liability protect you online and against fraudulent transactions.
- 💡 Simple eligibility: no minimum annual income requirement makes it more accessible.
Why we like the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard
In a market crowded with complex rewards programs and high annual fees, cards like the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard feel refreshingly simple. It doesn’t burden you with rotating categories or confusing redemption rules — you earn meaningful cash back automatically on the kinds of purchases you’re likely already making. That straightforward earn structure is one of its greatest strengths.
From groceries and gas to online shopping (which continues to grow as a share of household budgets), the 1.5% earn rate on these broad categories is competitive for a low-fee card. Most people don’t need a rewards expert to tell them where the value lies here — it’s baked right into the structure.
Another part of the appeal is just how accessible the card is. The lack of a minimum income requirement means more Canadians can qualify, and the fee — easy to offset with consistent everyday spending — doesn’t feel like a barrier. The added everyday protections like extended warranty and purchase insurance only make the card feel more useful in day-to-day life.
Stand-out features
- ✅ Competitive 1.5% cash back on everyday categories that matter.
- ✅ Simple, no-nonsense earn structure that doesn’t require category tracking.
- ✅ Cashback is redeemable once you hit a modest threshold ($10).
- ✅ Everyday protections like extended warranty and purchase protection add real value.
Good to know
- ⚠️ The 1.5% category bonus applies to the first portion of eligible spending each year — once you hit the cap, the earn rate drops to 1%.
- ⚠️ There’s no big signup bonus — this card earns through everyday use rather than promos.
- ⚠️ Insurance coverage is solid for basic protections but isn’t as rich as on premium cards.
Pros
- Up to 1.5% cash back on broad, everyday categories.
- Low annual fee that’s easy to justify with regular spending.
- Straightforward redemption once you earn $10.
- No minimum income requirement increases accessibility.
- Everyday protections like purchase protection and extended warranty add practical peace of mind.
Cons
- No welcome bonus — you earn value only through ongoing spend.
- 1.5% bonus applies only up to an annual threshold, after which cash back drops to 1%.
- Insurance coverage is more basic than on premium cards.
- Foreign transaction fees apply.
Cash-back program
The ECHO Cashback Mastercard’s rewards are built for simplicity and clarity. You earn cashback on nearly every purchase category that matters in daily life, with higher returns on the purchases that households make most often.
- 1.5% cash back on eligible groceries, gas and most online purchases (up to an annual spend cap for the additional 0.5% bonus).
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Cash back redemption becomes available once you’ve earned at least $10, and you can redeem through online/mobile banking.
How to maximize rewards
- Use it where you already spend most.
Groceries, fuel and online purchases are natural, recurring expenses. Routing those through this card consistently captures the highest earn rate before caps. - Monitor the annual cap.
The additional 0.5% (to make up 1.5%) applies up to a defined annual threshold on each eligible category. When you get close, be aware it will revert to 1% after the cap. - Redeem early and often.
Don’t let small balances sit. Once you hit $10 in cash back, redeem it against your card balance through the National Bank online banking or app. - Pair with other cards.
If you also travel or spend abroad, pairing this card with a no-FX card can help keep total wallet value high without foreign transaction fees eating your rewards.
Insurance & benefits
- Purchase protection against theft or damage for eligible items for a limited period after purchase.
- Extended warranty that can add up to one extra year on many manufacturer warranties.
- Mastercard ID Check™ and Zero Liability for secure online and in-store use.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $30 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 20.99% |
| Cash advance APR | 22.49% |
| Foreign transaction fee | Standard 2.5%+ conversion fees apply. |
Best for
- 💳 Canadians who want solid cash back without complexity.
- 🛒 Households with regular grocery, gas or online spend.
- 📱 People who prefer simple redemption (redeem once you earn $10).
- 📊 Moderate spenders looking to offset their small annual fee.
Where it falls short
- No big welcome bonus — value builds over time through spending.
- The additional 0.5% on top of the base 1% is capped annually.
- Insurance features are simpler than what you’d find on premium cards.
- Foreign fees make it less ideal for overseas use.
Community insights
Among Canadian cash-back card enthusiasts, the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard is often seen as a “smart starter” or “everyday fallback” card: modest fee, competitive earn rates in core categories, and straightforward redemption. Many people pair it with one other card — a travel or no-FX option — to cover broader needs without juggling points programs or high fees.
AI review (straight talk)
If you’re someone who wants a simple, everyday cash-back card without the overhead of managing bonus category calendars, portal tracking, or complex redemption structures, the ECHO Cashback Mastercard delivers exactly that. Its modest fee and broad bonus categories make it a practical choice for many Canadians who spend regularly on groceries, gas, and online purchases. Just be mindful of the cap on the enhanced earn rate and plan accordingly.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Earn | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard | $30 | Up to 1.5% on groceries, gas & online | Everyday spenders wanting simplicity |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | $0 | Up to 2% on chosen categories | Fee-averse category spenders |
| National Bank mycredit Mastercard | $0 | 1% on restaurants/recurring, 0.5% elsewhere | Simple, no-fee cashback |
| RBC Cash Back Mastercard | $0 | Up to 2% grocery, 1% elsewhere | No-fee everyday cash back |
FAQ
Does the ECHO Cashback Mastercard have a welcome offer?
No — this card doesn’t currently offer a signup bonus. It earns value over time through everyday spending.
How do I redeem my cashback?
Cashback can typically be redeemed in online or mobile banking once you’ve earned at least $10.
What rate do I earn on online, grocery and gas purchases?
You earn up to 1.5% cash back on most online, grocery and gas purchases (with a cap on the additional 0.5% portion).
What is the annual fee?
The annual fee is approximately $30.
Does this card include insurance?
Yes — it includes purchase protection and extended warranty coverage, plus Zero Liability and Mastercard ID Check™ for secure spending.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take The National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard is a straightforward, low-fee cash-back card that earns meaningful returns in core everyday categories. It won’t compete with premium travel or high-end rewards cards — that’s not its job. Its strength is simplicity and practicality: you earn cash back on spending you already do, and you redeem it easily without headaches. For Canadians who want a no-nonsense cash-back card with solid protections and low cost, this is a solid choice.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.1 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.0 / 5 — broadly useful categories and easy structure. |
| Benefits & protections | 4.0 / 5 — practical protections add real everyday value. |
| Fees & costs | 4.3 / 5 — low fee is easy to justify with normal spend. |
| Ease of approval | 4.2 / 5 — accessible with no minimum income requirement. |
