6 Best National Bank Credit Cards in Canada for 2026

Published Jul 31, 2026 1:15 AM • 3 min read

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National Bank boasts its own catalogue of best credit cards in Canada, including various options that cater to cashback, travel, and budget-conscious spending. Browse the top picks from this low-profile financial institution in this educational blog post.

  • Data-driven rankings of 120+ credit cards using a proprietary algorithm

  • Comprehensive analysis using 25+ data points including terms and conditions, points programs, and more

  • Objective editorial approach - we strive for unbiased reviews following our editorial guidelines

FinlyWealth's credit cards content, including rankings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of engineers and writers who specialize in credit cards, banking, and personal finance. Our work has been featured in The Globe and Mail, GoBankingRates, and AOL. Our proprietary analysis systems evaluate product features, terms, and conditions to deliver comprehensive reviews and comparisons while maintaining strict editorial standards for accuracy and integrity.

Best National Bank Credit Cards in Canada

Our choice for: Best Overall

Welcome Bonus

N/A

First Year Rewards

$573.76

Based on $2,000/mo spending. Calculate your rewards

Annual Fee

$150

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.49%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

4.6/5

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is a strong choice for frequent travelers who value rewards and comprehensive insurance coverage. With a generous earn rate on everyday spending categories like groceries and restaurants, it offers substantial value, especially if you redeem points for travel. The $150 annual travel credit effectively offsets the card's $150 annual fee, making this card almost "fee-free" if fully utilized. Additionally, the card’s airport lounge access, superior purchase protection, and extended warranties make it a great companion for those who prioritize convenience and peace of mind during their travels.

Pros


  • High earn rates
  • Annual travel credit
  • Comprehensive insurance
  • Unlimited airport lounge access

Cons


  • High income requirements
  • Annual fee

Rewards

  • Earn up to 5 points per dollar in eligible grocery and restaurant purchases*
  • 2 points per dollar in eligible gas and electric vehicle charging purchases, recurring bill payments and À la carteTM travel purchases*
  • 1 point per 1 dollar in other purchases

Insurance

Coverage

  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection*

    180 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty*

    Up to 2 years
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (54 & under)

    60 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (55 to 64)

    31 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)

    15 days
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $5,000
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $2,500
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $500
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1,000
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    yes
  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1,000

Benefits

Details

  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - National Bank

    Unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau Airport
  • travel

    Travel Credit

    $150 refund per year on travel expenses (seat selection, airport parking, baggage fees, airline ticket upgrades and lounges)

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    $80,000 personal or $150,000 household

Our choice for: Best Tiered Rewards

Welcome Bonus

N/A

First Year Rewards

$222.5

Based on $2,000/mo spending. Calculate your rewards

Annual Fee

$115

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.49%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

2.9/5

The National Bank World Mastercard offers solid insurance coverage and flexible rewards that can be redeemed for travel or other perks. However, the reward tiers can be confusing, with points fluctuating based on your annual spending. The income requirements are also high for a card that doesn't offer an introductory bonus. The card’s strong suit is its travel insurance, which is particularly valuable for frequent travelers. If you don’t need the higher-tier benefits or find the tiered reward structure too complicated, consider alternatives like the National Bank Platinum Mastercard.

Pros


  • Decent optimization
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Flexible redemptions

Cons


  • High income requirements
  • Complex rewards structure
  • No welcome bonus
  • No benefits
  • Annual fee

Rewards

Earn up to 2 points on all card purchases* without restrictions*

  • 1.25x points per $1 spent on eligible purchases between $0 to $20,000 in the year
  • 2x points per $1 spent on eligible purchases between $20,001 to $30,000 in the year
  • 1.25x point per $1 spent on all eligible purchases more than $30,001 in the year

With the À la carte Rewards Plan® (the “À la carte Plan”), you earn points for every dollar on eligible purchases. These points may be exchanged for rewards such as merchandise, a travel package, a gift card, a travel discount, a donation, a financial product, repayment with rewards points or any other reward offered under the À la carte Plan.

Insurance

Coverage

  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    180 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    2 years
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (54 & under)

    60 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (55 to 64)

    31 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)

    15 days
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $5,000
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $2,500
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $500
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1,000
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    Against collision, theft or damage for a period of 48 days or less (theft of personal effects up to $2,000)
  • credit card lock

    Mastercard Zero Liability Protection

    yes

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    $50,000 personal or $80,000 household

Our choice for: Best Accessible Travel

Finly Special Offer

Welcome Bonus

Get up to 40,000 points(1)

First Year Rewards

$739.44

Based on $2,000/mo spending. Calculate your rewards

Annual Fee

$70 $0

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.49%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

3.6/5

The National Bank Platinum Mastercard is great for users who need solid insurance coverage but don’t want to meet the high income requirements of premium cards. Although its rewards program isn't the most generous, its travel flexibility, combined with purchase protection and extended warranties, makes it a reliable card for those who value security while traveling. At a $70 annual fee, it’s reasonably priced for what it offers, especially considering it extends travel insurance for users up to age 74.

Pros


  • Decent optimization
  • Extensive Coverage
  • Good for travel

Cons


  • Low base earn rate
  • Monthly reward cap

Rewards

  • Earn up to 2 points per dollar in eligible grocery and restaurant purchases*
  • 1.5 points per dollar in eligible gas and electric vehicle charging purchases, recurring bill payments and À la carte (TM) travel purchases*
  • 1 point per 1.5 dollars in other purchases

With the À la carte Rewards Plan® (the “À la carte Plan”), you earn points for every dollar on eligible purchases. These points may be exchanged for rewards such as merchandise, a travel package, a gift card, a travel discount, a donation, a financial product, repayment with rewards points or any other reward offered under the À la carte Plan.

Insurance

Coverage

  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    180 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    2 years
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    Up to $5,000,000 per person for 10 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)

    Up to $5,000,000 per person for 10 days
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $1,500
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,000
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $500
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1,000
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    Against collision, theft or damage for a period of 48 days
  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1,000
  • credit card lock

    Mastercard Zero Liability Protection

    yes

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    N/A

Our choice for: Best Cashback

Welcome Bonus

N/A

First Year Rewards

$250.02

Based on $2,000/mo spending. Calculate your rewards

Annual Fee

$30

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.49%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

3/5

The National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard is great for individuals who prioritize earning cash back on common spending categories like groceries, gas, and online shopping. Its unique feature of offering extra rewards for online purchases sets it apart from most Canadian credit cards. Moreover, the ability to redeem cash back anytime once you've earned $25 makes it a flexible option for users who don’t want to wait for an annual payout. With a low $30 annual fee, it provides a good balance of rewards and affordability.

Pros


  • Decent cashback
  • On-demand redemption
  • Low annual fee

Cons


  • Limited insurance
  • Low base earn rate

Rewards

  • 1.5% cash back on eligible online purchases, gas and groceries*
  • 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases*

Insurance

Coverage

  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    N/A

Our choice for: Best No-Fee Cashback

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Rewards Rate

0.5% - 1%

Cash Back

Annual Fee

$0

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.49%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

1.6/5

The National Bank mycredit Mastercard may look appealing with no annual fee and mobile device protection, but its low earn rate and limited insurance coverage leave much to be desired. While you do get 1% back on restaurants and recurring bills, 0.5% on everything else is subpar. If you're looking for a no-fee card with higher cash-back rates across more categories, there are better options available.

Pros


  • No annual fee
  • Mobile device insurance

Cons


  • Low base earn rate
  • Limited overall insurance coverage

Rewards

  • 1% cash back on eligible recurring bills and restaurant purchases
  • 0.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Insurance

Coverage

  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1,000
  • credit card lock

    Mastercard Zero Liability Protection

    yes

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    N/A

Our choice for: Best Charitable Option

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Rewards Rate

0.5%

Cash Back

Annual Fee

$0

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.49%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

2.1/5

The National Bank Allure Mastercard is perfect for those looking to support a charitable cause while earning cash back on everyday purchases. The ability to contribute to the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation with each transaction makes it a feel-good card for socially conscious users. While the rewards rate isn’t the highest, the lack of an annual fee and discounts on partner gift cards add value, making it a decent choice for no-fee cardholders who want to maximize savings on select purchases.

Pros


  • Charitable contributions
  • No annual fee
  • Discounts on gift cards

Cons


  • Lower reward rates
  • Limited insurance

Rewards

  • Support the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, and earn cashback
  • Get up to 1% cashback1 on gas, groceries, and online purchases
  • Earn 1 point for every $2 spent
  • Receive $10 cashback for each 1,000 points earned

Insurance

Coverage

  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • credit card lock

    Mastercard Zero Liability Protection

    yes

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Very Good
  • Annual Income

    N/A

From Our Editors: The Full List of Best National Bank Credit Cards in Canada


Best Overall: National Bank World Elite Mastercard


The top National Bank Credit Card on this list is the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This contender earns impressive National Bank Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible grocery and restaurant purchases, plus decent points on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, recurring bills, and travel booked through À La Carte Rewards. The insurance coverage on this card is also strong, featuring protections like trip interruption, trip cancellation, and travel medical insurance. For benefits, cardholders can expect an annual travel credit, extra points on À La Carte Rewards purchases, and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau Airport. The catch? This competitor comes with a higher annual fee and some high income requirements. Find out more in our National Bank World Elite Mastercard Review.


Best Tiered Rewards: National Bank World Mastercard


For a unique tiered rewards system, consider the National Bank World Mastercard. This lower-fee contender offers some points per dollar spent on eligible purchases made between set spending thresholds. Essentially, the more you spend, the more you earn. That said, this system can be a little confusing. Luckily, the card also includes comprehensive insurance. Just note that there are still some annual income requirements! Read more in our National Bank World Mastercard Review.


Best Accessible Travel: National Bank Platinum Mastercard


For a more accessible travel option, try the National Bank Platinum Mastercard. In addition to points per dollar spent on groceries, dining, gas, electric vehicle charging, and recurring bills, this card also optimizes travel booked through À La Carte Rewards. To top it off, cardholders can expect comprehensive travel insurance, including travel medical coverage for those over 65. The best part? The annual fee is waived for the first year of membership. See more in our National Bank Platinum Mastercard Review.


Best Cashback: National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard


Perhaps you prefer cashback over points. In that case, consider the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard. Even though the rates aren't particularly high, cardholders still collect cashback on eligible online purchases, gas, and groceries. The coverage on this card is pretty basic, offering only purchase protection and extended warranty insurance. Get all the details in our National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard Review.


Best No-Fee Cashback: National Bank mycredit Mastercard


If you want to avoid annual fees altogether, check out the National Bank mycredit Mastercard. This card earns cashback on eligible recurring bills and restaurant purchases. The insurance is standard for the most part, but also includes valuable mobile device insurance. For more information, read our National Bank mycredit Mastercard Review.


Best Charitable Option: National Bank Allure Mastercard


Another unique contender is the National Bank Allure Mastercard, a credit card built for socially conscious cardholders. While the National Bank Allure Mastercard might not be the most impressive rewards option, note that each transaction contributes to the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. The card also features no annual fee. Discover more in our National Bank Allure Mastercard Review.


Pros and Cons of National Bank Credit Cards


Here's a quick overview of the benefits and drawbacks of National Bank credit cards.

Pros

Cons

  • Widely accepted as Mastercards
  • Solid travel options
  • A unique charitable inclusion
  • Low reward rates on most cards
  • high income requirements and fee for best overall card

How to Apply for a National Bank Credit Card


To apply for any of the National Bank credit cards above, simply click the "Apply Now" button featured below your card of choice. Afterwards, you'll be redirected to the National Bank website to begin the application process. Credit card applications typically ask for personal information, such as your birthdate, email, and address. They may also request financial information, like your income, when applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions

National Bank credit cards may be worth it if you travel often through Montréal-Trudeau Airport, if you want strong insurance coverage for a low annual fee, or if you want to give back to the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.

The best National Bank credit card is the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. Geared primarily towards travellers, this card earns you National Bank Rewards points, has comprehensive travel coverage, and provides unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau Airport.

The National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard offers some cashback rewards on eligible online purchases, gas, and groceries. Alternatively, the no-fee National Bank mycredit Mastercard earns cashback on eligible recurring bills and restaurant purchases.

About the author

Sara Skodak

Sara Skodak

Lead Writer

Since graduating from the University of Western Ontario, Sara has built a diverse writing portfolio, covering topics in the travel, business, and wellness sectors. As a self-started freelance content ...

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Abid Salahi

Abid Salahi

Co-founder

Abid leads the design and engineering of the FinlyWealth website, making sure everything runs smoothly and looks great. He’s a seasoned software engineer who follows best practices and designs interfa...

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About the reviewer

Kevin Shahnazari

Kevin Shahnazari

Co-founder

Kevin started FinlyWealth and juggles a bit of everything—digging into data, running our marketing, and keeping the finances on track. Before this, he spent years as a data scientist at tech companies...

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