MBNA Smart Cash® World Mastercard® vs MBNA True Line® Mastercard®: Which one is better?

MBNA Smart Cash® World Mastercard®
3.1

MBNA True Line® Mastercard®
5
Finly Rebate
N/A
Finly Rebate
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$300
MBNA Rewards
First Year Bonus Value
$90
MBNA Rewards
Annual Fee
$39
First Year Value
$351
$261 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$0
First Year Bonus Value
$0
Annual Fee
$0
First Year Value
$0
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Up to 31 daysCar Rental Accident
$200,000Travel Accident
$1,000,000Extended Warranty
Up to a yearPrice Protection
$500/item, $1,000/yearPurchase Protection
Up to 90 daysCar Rental Personal Effects
$1,000/person, $2,000/occurence
Insurance Included*
N/A
Extra Benefits*
Car Rental Discount
10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car in Canada and US and 5% internationallyTrip and legal Assistance
Support for emergency cash transfer, lost document and ticket replacement, lost baggage assistance, pre-trip information and legal assistance while traveling
Extra Benefits*
Car Rental Discount
10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car in Canada and US and 5% internationally
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
19.99%
Cash Advance:
24.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
12.99%2
Cash Advance:
24.99%2
Balance Transfer:
17.99%2
Annual Fee*
$39
Annual Fee*
$0
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
$50,000
Min Household Income:
$80,000
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Welcome Bonus*
Get 5% Cash Back†† on eligible gas and grocery purchases for the first 6 months (until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500)
Welcome Bonus*
You could get a 0% promotional annual interest rate (“AIR”)† for 12 months on balance transfers✪ completed within 90 days of account opening, with a 3% transfer fee. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
Rewards Rate*
- Get 2% Cash Back‡ on eligible gas and grocery purchases (until the total gas and grocery purchases in the applicable month reaches $500)
- Get 1% Cash Back‡ for all other eligible purchases
Rewards Rate*
- No rewards earned on purchases.
- Standard Annual Interest Rates of 12.99% on eligible purchases, 17.99% on balance transfers✪, and 24.99% on cash advances.
- You could get a 0% promotional annual interest rate (“AIR”)† for 12 months on balance transfers✪ completed within 90 days of account opening, with a 3% transfer fee. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
- Use available credit on your credit card to transfer funds right to your chequing account.
- Around-the-clock fraud protection.
Is this card worth it?
The MBNA Smart Cash World Mastercard offers decent rewards, especially with its 5% introductory rate on gas and groceries. However, the income requirements and spending caps may limit its appeal to higher earners. If you want flexible rewards and strong insurance coverage, it's a solid option with a low annual fee of $39.
Is this card worth it?
Even though this card offers no benefits or rewards, the amount you can save on interest is substantial, making it an excellent option for reducing your monthly payments.
Pros
- 5% cash back on gas and groceries for the first 6 months: A solid introductory offer for essential spending categories.
- Up to 2% cash back: Earn 2% on gas and grocery purchases up to $500 monthly.
- Comprehensive insurance: Includes 8 types of insurance, including rental car and price protection.
- Flexible reward redemption: Redeem cash back as a statement credit, deposit to a bank account, or donate to charity.
Pros
- Great to reduce monthly interest payments during the promotional period.
- Low purchase interest rate for people planning to put some balance on their credit card.
Cons
- High income requirements: $50,000 personal or $80,000 household income needed.
- Cap on rewards for gas and groceries: 2% cash back is limited to $500 in monthly spending for these categories.
Cons
- A flat fee has to be paid on the balance to make the transfer happen.
- Not a good card other for purposes other than balance transfer.
Legal