American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®: Which one is better?
American Express Gold Rewards Card®
4.25
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*
BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®
4.2
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$597.35
American Express Membership Rewards
Welcome Bonus
$1,260
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$250
First Year Value
$1,607.35
$347.35 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$490.46
Welcome Bonus
$190
Annual Fee
$120
First Year Value
$680.46
$370.46 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Flight Delay
$500 after 4 hour delay
Baggage Delay
$500 after 6 hour delay
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Travel Accident
$500,000.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 days
Purchase Protection
90 days, Up to $1,000
Extended Warranty
1 year
Trip Cancellation
$1,500 per person, $3,000 combined
Trip Interruption
$1,500 per person, $6,000 combined
Insurance Included
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysFlight Delay
$500 after 4 hour delayBaggage Delay
$500 after 6 hour delayHotel Burglary Insurance
$500Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500Travel Accident
$500,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 daysPurchase Protection
90 days, Up to $1,000Extended Warranty
1 year
Extra Benefits*
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Travel Credit
$100
Nexus Application
$50 statement credit every 4 years
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel.svg)
Status lift
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program
American Express Experiences
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
Extra Benefits
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Pass only, complimentary visits not included
Roadside Assistance
Includes free battery boosts, flat-tire change, lockout service and towing
Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of participating National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car
Gas Discount
Get up to seven cents off per litre on Shell® fuel
Hotel Booking Discount
Save up to 7% on your Booking.com prepaid hotel or property rental bookings
Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
23.99%
Annual Fee*
$250
Annual Fee
$120
$0
First Year Waived
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$80,000
Min Household Income:
$150,000
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in purchases on your Card in the first Year
Welcome Bonus
Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months with an incremental cashback value of $200
Rewards Rate*
- 2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
- 2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Rewards Rate
- 5% cashback on groceries (maximum $25 per statement)
- 4% cashback on daily transit (maximum $12 per statement)
- 3% cashback on gas (maximum $9 per statement)
- 2% cashback on recurring payments (maximum $10 per statement)
- 1% cashback on all other credit card purchases.
Loyalty Program*
Loyalty Program
N/A
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / point.svg)
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / point
Statement Credits
1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.765¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Merchandise
0.63¢ / point
Point Redemption Options
Not Applicable
Is this card worth it?
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.
Is this card worth it?
If you're seeking a cashback credit card, the BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard® stands out for its excellent balance between rewards and benefits. It offers a robust rewards program and a comprehensive benefits list, making it a solid choice. The high first-year value is enhanced by the annual fee waiver, and those with a BMO Premium Chequing Account can enjoy continued fee waivers. While it's highly ranked for rewards alone, it may not be the absolute top choice if benefits are less important to you.
Pros
- Flexible Rewards: Enjoy flexible Membership Rewards point conversion with up to 2 points per $1 spent.
- Travel Perks: Includes $100 annual travel credit and 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Comes with 11 types of insurance coverage.
- Multiple Redemption Options: Offers 4 ways to redeem points for maximum value.
Pros
- Offers one of the highest cashbacks on groceries and gas, two of the most frequently spent categories, compared to other credit cards in Canada.
- Includes roadside assistance, a rare but valuable benefit for people on the road.
- Provides a comprehensive list of insurance coverage and benefits.
- High first-year value.
Cons
- High Annual Fee: The card comes with a $250 annual fee.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: A 2.5% fee applies to foreign transactions.
- Limited Travel Insurance for Seniors: No travel medical insurance coverage for those over 65.
- Lower Acceptance: As an American Express card, it may have lower acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard.
Cons
- Does not include restaurant purchases as a reward category, which is one of the most important spending categories.
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