Daniela Hanna
The MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® is a high-earning, flexible rewards card that’s all about turning everyday spending into travel, cash back, gift cards and more. You can earn up to 5 MBNA Rewards points per $1 on popular categories like restaurants, groceries, digital media, memberships and household utilities (up to $50,000 in annual spend in each category), plus solid value on everything else. Add in a welcome offer worth up to 30,000 bonus points, an annual Birthday Bonus worth up to 15,000 points, and a strong travel insurance suite—including travel medical, flight and baggage coverage, mobile device insurance and rental car protection—and you’ve got one of Canada’s most versatile World Elite cards.
Quick highlights
- 💰 Welcome offer: Earn up to 30,000 bonus MBNA Rewards points — 20,000 points after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases in the first 90 days, plus 10,000 points when you enroll in paperless e-statements within the first 90 days.†
- 🍽 5 points per $1 on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases, up to $50,000 spent annually in each bonus category.
- 🛍 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
- 🎂 Birthday Bonus: Every year, get bonus points equal to 10% of points earned in the previous 12 months, up to 15,000 points.
- ✈️ Travel medical insurance up to $2 million for trips up to 21 days for insured persons under 65.
- 🧳 Delayed & lost baggage and flight/trip delay insurance when you charge your trip to the card.
- 📱 Mobile device insurance up to $1,000 for eligible smartphones and tablets.
Why we like the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is a rare combo of strong earn rates, flexible redemptions and legitimately useful insurance for a wide range of Canadian households. Earning up to 5 points per $1 on five big spending categories— restaurants, groceries, digital media, memberships and household utilities—means a lot of your regular monthly bills can earn at a premium rate up to $50,000 spent in each category annually.
The Birthday Bonus is a standout: you get an annual 10% boost on all the points you’ve earned in the 12 months before your birthday, up to 15,000 extra points. Combine that with the welcome offer of up to 30,000 bonus points, flexible travel and cash redemptions, and robust travel insurance, and you get a card that can easily justify its annual fee if you have strong everyday spend and like options when it’s time to redeem.
Stand-out features
- ✅ Up to 30,000 bonus points: 20,000 points after $2,000 in eligible purchases in the first 90 days, plus 10,000 points for enrolling in paperless e-statements in that same window.
- ✅ 5 points per $1 on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases, up to $50,000 spent annually in each bonus category.
- ✅ 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
- ✅ Annual Birthday Bonus equal to 10% of the points you earned in the 12 months before your birthday, up to 15,000 bonus points per year.
- ✅ Flexible redemptions: use points for travel, statement credits, cash deposits, gift cards, merchandise and charity donations.
- ✅ Travel redemptions at an easy-to-understand rate of 100 points = $1 in travel value through the MBNA Rewards Catalogue.
- ✅ Points never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
Good to know
- ⚠️ You’ll need at least $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income to qualify, plus good credit.
- ⚠️ Annual fee is $120 for the primary card and $50 for each additional cardholder.
- ⚠️ No boosted earn rate on travel itself; you redeem for travel rather than earn extra on travel spend.
- ⚠️ Cash back and statement credits typically require more points per dollar than travel (for example, 120 points per $1 for cash).
- ⚠️ Standard 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases in non-Canadian currencies.
Pros
- Rich earn rate of 5 points per $1 in several everyday categories many households already spend heavily in.
- Flexible MBNA Rewards points that can be used for travel, cash back, statement credits, gift cards and more.
- Generous Birthday Bonus (10%) that rewards ongoing loyalty and high spend, up to 15,000 bonus points annually.
- Welcome offer of up to 30,000 points gives a strong boost in the first year if you can meet the conditions.
- Robust travel insurance suite, including travel medical (up to $2 million), flight/trip delay and delayed/lost baggage coverage.
- Mobile device insurance up to $1,000 and price protection for many purchases.
- Rental car collision damage waiver for rentals up to 31 days when you pay with the card and decline the agency’s coverage.
- Award-winning card frequently recognized for flexible rewards and everyday value.
Cons
- High income requirement ($80,000 personal or $150,000 household) means not everyone will qualify.
- Annual fee of $120 plus $50 per additional card is meaningful if you’re not maximizing the bonus categories and insurance.
- 5× earn rate is capped at $50,000 in annual spend per bonus category; after that, the rate drops to 1 point per $1.
- No foreign transaction fee waiver, which makes it less attractive for heavy foreign-currency spending.
- Redemption value is highest for travel; cash and statement credits cost more points per dollar.
- Interest rates are premium-card level; carrying a balance is expensive and quickly erodes any rewards value.
Rewards program
The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard earns MBNA Rewards points, a flexible in-house currency that can be redeemed for travel, cash, statement credits, merchandise, gift cards and charitable donations. It’s designed to be straightforward while still rewarding heavy everyday spending.
- Restaurants: Earn 5 MBNA Rewards points per $1 on eligible restaurant purchases, up to $50,000 spent annually in this category.
- Groceries: Earn 5 points per $1 on eligible grocery purchases, up to the same $50,000 annual cap.
- Digital media: Earn 5 points per $1 on eligible digital media subscriptions and purchases (think streaming, digital content, etc.) up to $50,000 per year.
- Memberships: Earn 5 points per $1 on eligible memberships (for example, gym memberships or certain clubs), again up to $50,000 annually in the category.
- Household utilities: Earn 5 points per $1 on eligible household utility purchases (like electricity, gas, water, home internet, etc.) up to $50,000 per year in the category.
- All other purchases: Earn 1 MBNA Rewards point per $1 on every other eligible purchase with no stated cap.
- Birthday Bonus: Once per year, receive bonus points equal to 10% of the total points earned in the 12 months before the month of the primary cardholder’s birthday, up to 15,000 bonus points.
- Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points after you make at least $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening, plus 10,000 bonus points when you enroll in paperless e-statements within the first 90 days, for a total of up to 30,000 bonus points.
How to maximize rewards
-
Run as much “5×-eligible” spending as you reasonably can through the card.
Make sure your restaurants, groceries, digital media, memberships and household utilities are billed to this card to capture the 5 points per $1 rate—especially recurring bills you’ll pay anyway. -
Watch the $50,000 annual caps per category.
If you’re a high spender or have multiple cardholders, keep an eye on when each bonus category hits $50,000 in annual spend. After that, the earn rate drops to 1 point per $1 in that specific category. -
Hit the welcome offer thresholds strategically.
Time larger purchases—like insurance, travel bookings, or big household expenses—so they fall within the first 90 days to comfortably reach the $2,000 minimum spend for the 20,000-point component of the welcome offer. -
Always enroll in paperless e-statements.
It’s an easy way to unlock the extra 10,000 bonus points portion of the welcome offer within the first 90 days. -
Keep the card active year-round to maximize the Birthday Bonus.
Because you get 10% of your annual points back (up to 15,000), consolidating your everyday spend on this card throughout the year amplifies that birthday top-up. -
Redeem points for high-value travel first.
With 100 points = $1 on many travel bookings, your value per point is clear and typically better than redeeming for cash statement credits at 120 points per $1. -
Add an authorized user if it makes sense.
A supplementary card (for $50/year) can help centralize family spending in the 5× categories and build up points faster, especially if your household meets the income requirement.
Insurance & benefits
Included coverage
- Travel Medical Insurance
- Up to $2 million in emergency medical coverage per insured person.
- Covers the first 21 consecutive days of a trip for eligible insured persons under age 65.
- Includes eligible emergency hospital, doctor and related medical expenses while travelling outside your home province or territory.
- Top-up coverage may be available if you’re travelling longer than 21 days.
- Delayed & Lost Baggage Insurance
- Up to $1,000 in coverage per insured person, per trip when your baggage is delayed beyond 4 hours or lost by a common carrier.
- Helps cover essentials like clothing and toiletries while your bags are delayed.
- Flight/Trip Delay Insurance
- Up to $500 in coverage per insured person when your flight or trip is delayed by more than 4 hours.
- Can be used toward reasonable expenses such as meals, hotel stays and transportation during the delay.
- Common Carrier Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
- Covers you while travelling on a common carrier (plane, train, bus, ship) when the fare is charged to your card.
- Provides a lump-sum benefit in the event of covered accidental death, dismemberment or loss of sight, speech or hearing, subject to policy limits.
- Rental Vehicle Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
- Covers eligible rental vehicles for up to 31 consecutive days when you charge the full rental cost to your card and decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage.
- Helps protect you against covered loss or damage to the rental vehicle, subject to maximum vehicle value and exclusions.
- Unexpected Return Home
- Covers certain costs if you need to return home unexpectedly during a trip due to a covered event, subject to limits and conditions.
- Mobile Device Insurance
- Up to $1,000 in coverage for eligible smartphones and tablets in case of theft, loss, accidental damage or mechanical failure.
- To qualify, you generally need to charge a minimum portion of the device cost or wireless plan to your MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard.
- Purchase Assurance
- Most eligible items purchased with your card are insured against theft or damage for a limited period (commonly 90 days) from the date of purchase.
- Extended Warranty
- Extends the original manufacturer’s warranty on most eligible items purchased with your card, typically doubling it for up to one additional year, subject to limits.
Travel & lifestyle perks
- MBNA Rewards Catalogue — redeem points for flights, hotels, car rentals, gift cards, merchandise and more through MBNA’s online rewards platform.
- Statement credits & cash — apply points as a statement credit toward your MBNA balance, request cash by cheque or have funds deposited to a chequing or savings account.
- Trip & Legal Assistance — access help with emergency cash transfers, lost document and ticket replacement, lost baggage assistance, pre-trip information and travel-related legal referrals.
- MBNA Payment Plan — pay off eligible purchases of $100 or more in fixed monthly payments over 6, 12 or 18 months, with a disclosed fee instead of standard interest on that amount.
- Car rental discounts — save a minimum of 10% on base rates in Canada and the U.S. and at least 5% internationally at participating Avis and Budget locations when you use the associated discount codes and pay with your card.
- Security & fraud protection — Mastercard Zero Liability, chip & PIN security, contactless payments, and MBNA’s fraud monitoring for unusual transactions.
As always, insurance coverage is subject to detailed terms, conditions, eligibility criteria, exclusions and limits set out in the Certificates of Insurance and group policies. Be sure to review those documents and contact the insurer or MBNA if you have questions about how coverage applies to your situation before travelling or relying on a specific benefit.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $120 for the primary cardholder. |
|---|---|
| Additional cards | $50 per additional cardholder per year. |
| Purchase APR | 21.99% on purchases. |
| Cash advance APR | 22.99% on cash advances, balance transfers and MBNA Payment Plan balances (unless a promotional rate applies). |
| Balance transfers | Standard rate of 22.99% applies to new balance transfers, unless a promotional balance transfer offer is in effect. |
| Minimum credit limit | Typically $15,000, as is common for World Elite products (actual limit depends on MBNA’s assessment). |
| Grace period | At least a 21-day interest-free grace period on new purchases when you pay your statement balance in full by the due date. No interest-free grace period on cash advances or balance transfers. |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% added on top of the Mastercard exchange rate for purchases in foreign currencies. |
| Minimum payment | Generally a small percentage of your statement balance (plus interest, fees and any overdue amount), subject to MBNA’s minimum payment rules and provincial regulations. Check your cardholder agreement for exact details. |
| Income requirement | Minimum $80,000 personal income or $150,000 household income, plus MBNA’s credit-worthiness criteria. |
Best for
- 🏠 Households with high everyday spend in restaurants, groceries, subscriptions and utilities who can really leverage the 5× categories.
- ✈️ Travellers who want flexibility to redeem for travel, cash or statement credits rather than being locked into a single airline or hotel program.
- 📱 Cardholders who value built-in protections like travel medical insurance, mobile device coverage and purchase security.
- 🎂 People who keep cards long-term and can benefit from the recurring Birthday Bonus on top of regular earn.
- 💳 Rewards optimizers who like stacking category bonuses, birthday bonuses and welcome offers into a high annual points haul.
Where it falls short
- Strict income requirement makes it inaccessible to many Canadians who might otherwise value the rewards structure.
- No foreign transaction fee waiver, which is disappointing for a travel-friendly rewards card.
- No boosted earn rate on travel purchases themselves; the value kicks in more on everyday categories and redemptions.
- Redemptions for cash or statement credits are less efficient than travel, which may frustrate people who don’t travel often.
- Annual fee plus additional card fees add up if you aren’t putting substantial spend through the card each year.
- Like all rewards cards with high standard APRs, carrying a balance quickly wipes out any net value from points or perks.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“Almost all of our monthly bills hit one of the 5× categories, so the points pile up fast. Add the birthday bonus and we usually have enough for a solid trip every year or two.”
“I really like that I’m not locked into a single airline. I’ve redeemed for flights, then used points for a statement credit during a tighter month. The flexibility is the big win for me.”
Critiques
“It’s a great card if you qualify, but the income requirement is steep. I also wish it didn’t charge foreign transaction fees, especially for a World Elite card.”
“The travel insurance and mobile coverage are solid, but the rewards program takes a bit of reading to understand where you get the best value—especially when comparing travel vs. cash redemptions.”
Community insights
In Canadian points and rewards circles, the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is often praised as a top flexible rewards card for people with strong everyday spend. It consistently shows up on “best Mastercard” and “best flexible rewards” lists, particularly because of its 5× earn categories and annual Birthday Bonus. Many enthusiasts use it as a core everyday earner, then pair it with a no-FX card or a premium travel card for international trips and airport lounge access. For the right profile—high income, high spend and a mix of travel and cash needs—it’s considered a powerhouse.
AI review (straight talk)
The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is not a starter card. It’s aimed squarely at higher-income Canadians who spend enough in the 5× categories to justify the annual fee and then some. If you fit that profile, it can be extremely rewarding: between the welcome offer, category multipliers, Birthday Bonus and solid insurance, it’s easy to see why it keeps winning awards.
On the flip side, if your income or spending patterns don’t align, you might find the fee high and the complexity unnecessary. You’re also paying foreign transaction fees on top of a premium annual fee, which won’t sit well with frequent cross-border shoppers. Overall, think of this card as a high-octane everyday earner for people who know they’ll use it hard—if that’s you, it absolutely deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Categories / Earn | Other Purchases | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard | $120 | 5× points on restaurants, groceries, digital media, memberships, household utilities (to $50k each category annually) | 1× point per $1 | Flexible rewards, 10% Birthday Bonus, travel medical, flight & baggage coverage, mobile device and price protection | High-income households with strong spend in everyday categories |
| MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard | $0 | Elevated earn in select categories at a lower rate than World Elite | Base 1× earn | No annual fee, flexible MBNA Rewards redemptions | Budget-conscious users who still want flexible rewards |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | Higher (around $150) | Bonus Scene+ on travel, dining, groceries | 1×–1.5× on other purchases | No FX fees, Priority Pass lounge visits, good insurance | Travellers who want no foreign transaction fees and lounges |
| Rogers World Elite Mastercard | $0 | Elevated cash back on foreign-currency and Rogers purchases | Competitive base cash back rate | Strong cash back and partial offset of FX costs | Cardholders focused on cash back rather than flexible points |
| Typical no-fee rewards card | $0 | 1–2× points or 1–2% cash back in select categories | 0.5–1× or 0.5–1% on other purchases | Simple rewards, minimal extras | Light spenders who don’t want to pay an annual fee |
FAQ
What is the annual fee for the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard?
The annual fee is $120 for the primary cardholder and $50 for each additional cardholder.
What are the interest rates on this card?
The standard interest rate is 21.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances and most balance transfers, including MBNA Payment Plan balances unless a promotional rate applies. These rates can change, so always confirm the latest terms with MBNA.
How does the MBNA Rewards program work on this card?
You earn 5 points per $1 on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases (up to $50,000 in annual spend in each bonus category), and 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, statement credits, gift cards, merchandise and charitable donations through the MBNA Rewards Catalogue or as statement credits and cash.
What is the current welcome bonus?
The current welcome offer lets you earn up to 30,000 bonus MBNA Rewards points: 20,000 points after making at least $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening, and 10,000 points when you enroll in paperless e-statements within the first 90 days. Offers can change, so always check MBNA’s website for the latest details before applying.
What is the Birthday Bonus on the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard?
Each year, you receive Birthday Bonus points equal to 10% of the total points your account earned in the 12 months before the month of your birthday, up to a maximum of 15,000 bonus points. It’s a built-in annual boost for ongoing cardholders who use the card regularly.
Does this card include travel insurance?
Yes. The card includes travel medical insurance up to $2 million for trips up to 21 days for eligible insured persons under age 65, plus delayed and lost baggage insurance, flight/trip delay insurance, and common carrier accident coverage when you charge eligible travel expenses to the card. Coverage is subject to the terms and limits in the Certificates of Insurance.
Is there mobile device insurance on this card?
Yes. Mobile Device Insurance provides up to $1,000 in coverage for eligible smartphones and tablets in case of theft, loss, accidental damage or mechanical breakdown, provided you meet the purchase and payment requirements described in the insurance documents.
Who should consider the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard?
This card is best suited to Canadians who meet the high income requirement, spend heavily in the 5× bonus categories, appreciate flexible redemption options and want a strong travel and purchase insurance package without being tied to a single airline or hotel loyalty program.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is a genuinely powerful everyday rewards card for the right household. Between 5× earn in common spending categories, an annual 10% Birthday Bonus, a solid welcome offer and flexible redemptions, it’s easy to build up a meaningful stash of points. Its travel and purchase insurance suite is strong enough that many cardholders can safely rely on it for most trips.
The flip side is the high income requirement, annual fee and lack of foreign transaction fee waiver. If those aren’t deal-breakers for you—and you’re confident you’ll take advantage of the 5× categories and birthday boost—this card can be a long-term keeper that quietly does a lot of heavy lifting in your rewards strategy.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.6 / 5 — excellent for high spenders in the 5× categories, plus a meaningful Birthday Bonus. |
| Benefits & protections | 4.5 / 5 — strong travel, mobile device and purchase coverage for a mid-premium fee. |
| Fees & costs | 3.8 / 5 — reasonable for what you get, but the lack of no-FX perk keeps it from a top score. |
| Ease of approval | 3.0 / 5 — high income threshold and World Elite requirements narrow the eligible pool. |
