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National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard Review
The National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard offers decent rewards on common purchases for a low annual fee. But is the annual fee worth the overall value?
Mar 15, 2026 12:54 AM
Written By
Lead Writer
The Bottom Line
Compared to accessible no-fee cash back credit cards in Canada, the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard typically isn't the best option. Many no-fee alternatives offer better rewards, perks, and/or coverage.
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RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
300Poor
560Fair
660Good
725⁎Very Good
760⁎Excellent
Rewards
- 1.5% cash back on eligible online purchases, gas and groceries
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Eligibility
Credit Score
Very GoodAnnual Income
N/A
Card Details
Interest Rates
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.49%
Balance Transfer APR
22.49%
Fees
Annual Fee
$30
Additional Cards
$0
Eligibility
Minimum Individual Income
N/A
Minimum Household Income
N/A
Credit Score Estimate
Very Good
Type
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Decent cashback
- On-demand redemption
- Low annual fee
Cons
- Limited insurance
- Low base earn rate
Our Detailed Review
How to Earn Rewards with the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard
With the National Bank Cashback Mastercard, cardholders earn the following:
- 1.5% cash back on eligible online purchases, gas, and groceries
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
How to Redeem Rewards with the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard
Once you collect at least $10 in cash back, simply sign in to online banking to deposit your earnings into your credit card account.
Benefits and Perks
2 Benefits of the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard
There are a couple of benefits that come with the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard, making it one of the best National Bank credit cards in Canada.
The best part about the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard is that it comes with a low annual fee, making it extremely affordable for budget-conscious applicants
You only have to wait until you've accumulated at least $10 in cash back to put that money back into your credit card account.
Drawbacks and Considerations
2 Drawbacks to the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard
As with any card, there are also a couple of downsides to consider:
For a credit card with an annual fee (although small), the insurance coverage is pretty basic, offering only purchase protection and extended warranty insurance. Truth be told, there are other no-fee credit cards in Canada with better coverage, although sometimes they come with higher income requirements.
Compared to other low-fee and no-fee credit cards in Canada, the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard has lower reward rates overall.
Compare to Similar Cards
Comparison to Accessible No-Fee Credit Cards in Canada
To help you determine whether the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard is right for you, we've compared it against similar or superior accessible no-fee credit cards in Canada.
| National Bank ECHO® Cashback Mastercard | Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard | Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card | SimplyCash® Card from American Express | Rogers Red Mastercard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Bonus | N/A | 10% Cash Back (up to $100 value) + 1.95% balance transfer promo rate for 6 months | 20% cashback† up to $500 in spending | Up to $100 in Statement Credits | Welcome Bonus varies |
Earn Rates |
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance Included | 2 types
| 2 types
| 2 types
| 3 types
| None |
Benefits | None | None | None | 1 benefit
| 1 benefit
|
Annual Fee | $30 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Income Requirements | N/A | $12,000 personal | $15,000 household | N/A | N/A |
Apply Now | Learn More | APPLY NOW | APPLY NOW | APPLY NOW | APPLY NOW |
National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard vs Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard
The no-fee Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard, one of the best credit cards in Canada, gives cardholders the opportunity to select two earn categories out of 13 offered by Tangerine, two of which can be gas and groceries. In fact, you can also select a third category when you deposit your rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account. Note that, although small, this card has a personal annual income requirement to qualify.
Bottom Line: The Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard has better optimization opportunities for groceries and gas, plus a customizable rewards program, all for no annual fee. That said, the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard is still great for those who want to optimize online purchases specifically and avoid income requirements.
National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard vs Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card
For similar cash back rates on gas and groceries, plus the opportunity to optimize pre-authorized payments and dining, check out the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card, one of the best dining credit cards in Canada for no annual fee. To qualify for this card, however, you'll need to meet some household annual income requirements. The base rate on the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard is also slightly better.
Bottom Line: The Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card is better for those who want more bonus cash back categories, including an impressive reward rate on dining.
National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard vs SimplyCash Card from American Express
For improved cash back on gas and groceries, plus a better base rate, consider the no-fee SimplyCash Card from American Express. Unlike the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard, this contender also boasts common carrier travel accident insurance and Amex Experiences as an added perk.
Bottom Line: The SimplyCash Card from American Express has better rewards, perks, and coverage. That said, Amex cards are sometimes less widely accepted than Mastercard. If you're worried about Amex acceptance, you might stick with the National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard or another card altogether.
National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard vs Rogers Red Mastercard
Rogers customers will benefit most from the Rogers Red Mastercard. This card earns you solid cash back on eligible USD purchases and non-USD purchases, especially if you have a qualifying Rogers, Fido, Comwave or Shaw service. Not to mention, these rates can be boosted even further when you redeem your rewards towards an eligible service. Unfortunately, this no-fee contender has no insurance, but it does boast 5 Rome Like Home days with an eligible Rogers mobile plan.
Bottom Line: Rogers customers will extract the most cash back with the Rogers Red Mastercard, as long as they have an eligible service, and even more when they redeem their rewards towards service purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
The National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard may be worth it if you want a low-fee credit card with decent reward rates on everyday spending. That said, there are no-fee competitors that, in some cases, offer better rewards, coverage, and/or perks.
No. The National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard avoids annual income requirements, making it an accessible option.
In many cases, yes. There are no-fee credit cards available with better rewards, coverage, and/or perks. The key is to find a card that complements your spending.
About the author
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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National Bank ECHO® Cashback Mastercard
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