Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard Review

The Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard is an accessible and customizable cash back contender.

Sep 23, 2026 2:53 PM

Kevin Shahnazari
Written By
Co-founder
FinlyWealth Logo

The Bottom Line


If you'd like to choose your own 2-3 cash back categories out of the 13 offered by Tangerine, plus avoid high annual income requirements, submit an application today.

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Welcome Bonus

10% Cash Back (up to $100 value) + 1.95% balance transfer promo rate for 6 months

Rewards Rate

0.5% - 2%

Cash Back

Annual Fee

$0

Interest Rates

20.95%* / 22.95%*

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

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

Rewards

  • 2% Money-Back Rewards on your choice of two categories from the 13 offered by Tangerine (Grocery, Restaurants, Gas, Entertainment, Furniture, Hotel-Motel, Drug Store, Reccurring Bill Payments, Home Improvement, Public Transportation and Parking and more). Change them up every 90 days to match your spending habits.
  • Have your Money-Back Rewards deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account and get a third 2% Money-Back Category.
  • 0.5% cashback on all other credit card purchases.

Insurance

Coverage

  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    Up to a year

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Fair
  • Annual Income

    $12,000 personal

Welcome Bonus Details


  • Earn a bonus 10% cash back (up to $100) for purchases made in your first 2 months.10 Plus, get a promo rate on balances you transfer for a limited time. Conditions apply.
  • During your first 30 days, transfer balance up to your credit limit and pay an interest rate of only 1.95% on the transferred balance for 6 months (22.95% after that). A Balance Transfer fee of 1% on the amount transferred will apply.11 Conditions apply.
  • Offer expires November 30, 2026

Card Details


Interest Rates

Purchase APR

20.95%*

Cash Advance APR

22.95%*

Balance Transfer APR

22.95%*

Promotional Balance Transfer Rate

Promotional Rate

1.95%*

Promotional Period

6 months*

Transfer Fee

3%⁕

* The annual interest rate on Purchases is 20.95% and Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers) is 22.95%. Rates are subject to change. If you don't make 2 consecutive monthly Minimum Payments, or at any time thereafter, an interest rate of 25.95% will apply to your Account on Purchases and 27.95% on Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers).

Fees

Annual Fee

$0

Additional Cards

$0

Eligibility

Minimum Individual Income

$12,000

Minimum Household Income

N/A

Credit Score Estimate

Fair

Type

Card Type

Credit

Reward Type

Cash Back

Pros & Cons


Pros

  • Customizable cashback
  • Unique categories available
  • High recurring transaction optimization
  • High pharmacy purchase optimization
  • Bonus category available
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Basic insurance
  • Low base earn rate

Awards


Best Starter Credit Card

Best Starter Credit Card

2026

Our Detailed Review


The Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard comes with unique features that make it one of the best credit cards in Canada.

This contender is very similar to the Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard, but with fewer benefits. The only reason you might go for the Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard over the World version is if you don't meet the income requirements of the World Mastercard, which are not that easy to qualify for ($60K individual or $100K household income). With this is mind, the Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard is considered one of the top Tangerine credit cards in Canada for lower-income applicants.

How to Earn Rewards with the Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard

The Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard allows you to choose two earn categories out of the 13 offered by Tangerine, plus a third category when you deposit your earnings into a Tangerine Savings Account. These factors make this competitor one of the best cash back credit cards in Canada.

Available categories include:

  1. Grocery
  2. Furniture
  3. Restaurants
  4. Hotel-Motel
  5. Gas
  6. Recurring Bill Payments
  7. Drug Store
  8. Entertainment
  9. Public Transportation
  10. Parking
  11. E-Games
  12. Fitness and Sports Clubs
  13. Foreign Currency Spend

You will receive 2% cash back on your selected categories and 0.5% cash back on everything else.

Another unique aspect of this rewards system is that you can change up these categories every 90 days. For example, if you know you are going to pay a huge amount for a hotel stay soon, you can change one of your categories to Hotel-Motel to get the extra cash back.

How to Redeem Rewards with the Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard

The cash back you earn using your Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard is automatically applied to your account. Your rewards can go straight into your Credit Card Account or a Tangerine Savings Account to unlock that extra earn category.

Benefits and Perks


5 Benefits of the Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard


There are a handful of benefits that make the Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard worthwhile.


For starters, the Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard entices new customers with an impressive sign-up offer. In the first couple months of membership, cardholders receive bonus cash back on purchases. Not to mention, a low balance transfer interest rate for half of the year when you transfer funds in your first month, earning a spot on our list of best balance transfer credit cards in Canada.


The Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard is one of the the top no-fee credit cards in Canada, making it especially appealing to the budget-conscious.


This card is also extremely accessible to low-income applicants, requiring a fairly low personal annual income.


As mentioned in the rewards section, this credit card offers a unique rewards system that is customizable, flexible, and expandable, landing it a place on our list of best rewards credit cards in Canada.


The Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard is also a great option for beginners looking for a customizable card with easy approval, making it one of the top student credit cards in Canada.


Drawbacks and Considerations


3 Downsides to the Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard


There are also a few downsides to consider.


The Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard lacks extensive coverage. While this might seem understandable for a no-fee credit card, there are other no-fee competitors on the Canadian market that offer more protections.


This card also lacks added perks to complement its rewards program.


Any purchases made outside of selected optimization categories yield a below-average base earn rate.


Compare to Similar Cards


Comparison to Other No-Fee Cash Back Credit Cards in Canada


Here, we're going to compare the Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard against its closest no-fee cash back competitors.


Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard

Rogers Bank

4.5

Flat cash back rate with some travel perks
Neo World Mastercard

Neo Financial

3.5

Customers who spend heavily on dining, takeout, and retail shopping

Annual Fee

$0

$0

$0

$0

Interest Rates

Purchase

21.99% - 25.99%*

Cash advance

22.99% - 27.99%*

Balance transfer

22.99% - 27.99%*

Rate details

Purchase

19.99% - 29.99%

Quebec

19.99% - 23.99%

Cash advance

22.99% - 31.99%

Balance transfer

22.99% - 31.99%

Purchase

19.99% - 29.99%

Quebec

19.99% - 23.99%

Cash advance

22.99% - 31.99%

Balance transfer

22.99% - 31.99%

Purchase

20.99%*

Cash advance

22.99%*

Balance transfer

22.99%*

Rate details

Welcome Bonus

Welcome Bonus varies

—

—

20% cashback† up to $500 in spending

Rewards

$360

First year rewards

$252.26

First year rewards

0.5% - 2%

$438.18

First year rewards

Apply Now

on Rogers Bank's website

Apply Now

on Neo Financial's website

Apply Now

on Neo Financial's website

Apply Now

on Simplii Financial™'s website

Welcome Bonus Details

Earn Rates

Insurance Coverage

Extra Benefits

Requirements


Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard vs Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard


The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is also a leading no-fee cash back contender. This card collects solid cash back on U.S. dollar purchases, plus notable cash back on all other purchases, especially when you have a qualifying Rogers, Fido, Shaw or Comwave service. This no-fee card also stands out for its comprehensive coverage, with valuable protections like trip interruption, trip cancellation, and travel medical insurance. In addition, cardholders receive a couple of perks: a Dragon Pass membership and Roam Like Home days with an eligible Rogers mobile plan. The catch? This contender comes with hefty annual income requirements and an annual spending cap.


Verdict: The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is suited to qualifying high-earning Rogers customers who keep spending below the annual cap.


Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard vs Neo World Mastercard – Gas & Grocery


If you want similar cash back rates on groceries, gas, and recurring purchases, you may want to consider the Neo World Mastercard – Gas & Grocery, just mind the monthly spend caps. Cardholders can also collect additional cash back when they purchase from Neo partners. To qualify for this card, note that you'll need to meet some higher income requirements.


Verdict: The Neo World Mastercard – Gas & Grocery is a solid option for those who only want to optimize gas, groceries, and recurring purchases, and cardholders who keep their spending under the monthly threshold. Otherwise, the Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard is more flexible and accessible.


Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard vs Neo World Mastercard – Shop & Dine


Not only does the Neo World Mastercard – Shop & Dine optimize dining, it also uniquely earns cash back on shopping. The reward rates for both categories are similar to ones you see with the Money-Back card, but they come with monthly spend caps. Luckily, you can boost these earnings even further when you purchase from Neo partners. Like the Gas & Grocery version, this card comes with higher annual income requirements.


Verdict: The Neo World Mastercard – Shop & Dine is only superior if meet its income requirements and you want to optimize shopping specifically.


Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard vs Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card


Speaking of dining, the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card is a leading no-fee restaurant contender. Expect impressive cash back on eligible restaurant, bar, and coffee shop purchases (capped annually). Cardholders also receive decent cash back on gas, groceries, drugstore, and pre-authorized payments. To qualify, you'll need to meet a small household annual income requirement.

Verdict: The Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card is the best no-fee cash back credit card for dining purchases.


About the author

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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Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard Cash Back Calculator

General Terms:


Applicants must apply for the Card and must consent to a credit check. Accounts must be in Good Standing in order to receive Money-Back Rewards. See the Tangerine Money-Back Rewards Program Terms & Conditions for full details.


Balance Transfers are treated as Cash Advances and interest applies from the transaction date that appears on your monthly statement to the date you repay the balance in full. There is no interest-free grace period on Cash Advances or Balance Transfers.


Annual Interest Rates: The annual interest rate on Purchases is 20.95% and Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers) is 22.95%. Rates are subject to change. If you don't make 2 consecutive monthly Minimum Payments, or at any time thereafter, an interest rate of 25.95% will apply to your Account on Purchases and 27.95% on Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers).


Other Fees and Rates: These fees are charged on the day the transaction occurs (unless otherwise indicated): Cash Advance: $3.50 within Canada, $5 outside of Canada; Balance Transfer: 3% or minimum of $5 (unless reduced or waived) of the amount transferred when it is posted to your Account. Dishonoured Payment: $25; Rush Card: $25; Over-Limit: $25 (maximum one Over-Limit charge per monthly statement period); Past Statement Reprint: $5 per past statement. There is no charge for a reprint of your current monthly statement. Foreign Currency Conversion: When the converted transaction amount gets posted to your Account, we'll add a foreign currency conversion fee of 2.50% to the converted transaction amount.


See your Information Box in the application for full details or visit Tangerine.ca/CreditCardLegal. Rates and fees are subject to change.


Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers) do not earn Tangerine Money-Back Rewards. See the terms and conditions of the Tangerine Money-Back Rewards Program at Tangerine.ca/CreditCardLegal for full details on other items that do not earn Tangerine Money-Back Rewards.


5 Purchase Assurance and Extended Warranty: For most new purchases made anywhere in the world using your Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard®, you may receive a lifetime maximum of up to $60,000 for the following insurance coverage:


- Purchase Assurance to automatically cover loss, theft or damage on most new insured items for 90 days from the date of purchase

- Extended Warranty which may double the period of repair services to a maximum of one year


Insurance coverage is underwritten by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida (ABIC). ABIC, its subsidiaries, and affiliates carry on business in Canada under the name of Assurant®. ®Assurant is a registered trademark of Assurant, Inc. Coverage is subject to eligibility, limitations and exclusions. For details of the coverage, including definitions and benefits, refer to the Certificate of Insurance provided with the card.


Any of these offers may be changed or cancelled at any time without notice.


10 Rewards Promotional Offer:

The Tangerine 10% Limited-time Promotional Offer (the “Offer”) is only available to new Tangerine Credit Card Account holders who (i) apply for a Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card (the “Account”) by November 30, 2026, (ii) activate their Account within 45 days of approval, and (iii) have up to a maximum of $1,000 in total Net Purchases posted to their Account within the 60-day period beginning on the date the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is activated. “Net Purchases” include purchases charged to the Account (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers and Cash-Like Transactions), interest, fees, insurance premiums, adjustments or other charges. The Offer Bonus of 10% (up to $100) will be credited to the Primary Cardholder’s Account within 1–2 statement cycles after the 60-day promotional period provided the Account is open and in Good Standing at time of payout. Limit of one Offer per eligible Client. This Offer is non-transferable. Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time. All other Account terms, including the Tangerine Money-Back Rewards program terms, remain unchanged and continue to apply. See the Tangerine Credit Card Cardholder Agreement for more details, including definitions of any capitalized terms.


11 Balance Transfer Promotional Offer at 1.95% for 6 months (1% Balance Transfer Fee)


A Promotional Rate of 1.95% will apply to any and all Balance Transfers made within 30 days of the Account opening, and will remain in effect for 6 Statement Periods from the date the last such Balance Transfer was posted to the Account (the “Promotional Rate Period”). To take advantage of this Promotional Offer, you must complete the Balance Transfer request within 30 days of Account approval. You must also activate your Card within 45 days of Account approval for the requested Balance Transfer to be processed, or the Balance Transfer will be automatically cancelled. Balance Transfers are treated as Cash Advances on your Card and do not have an interest-free grace period. Balance Transfers may not exceed the available credit on the Account. If the Balance Transfer exceeds the available credit, the Balance Transfer transaction will not be processed. A 1% Balance Transfer Fee will be charged on each Balance Transfer amount and will be immediately charged to your Credit Card. This Balance Transfer Fee is waived by Tangerine if you are a resident of the province of Quebec at the time you accept this offer. Interest does not accrue on the Balance Transfer Fee, however it is included in the Minimum Payment amount on your monthly statement. You must continue to make all of your monthly Minimum Payments by the Payment Due Dates shown on your monthly statements. If you still have an amount owing from your Balance Transfer when the Promotional Rate Period ends, the Cash Advance interest rate of 22.95% will apply to that amount. You must continue to make the Minimum Payments on your Account, regardless of whether the Balance Transfer has been processed to your Account. We don’t charge interest on new Purchases that appear on your statement for the first time if we receive full payment of the Balance on your statement (including payment of any Balance Transfers included in that Balance), by the Payment Due Date on your statement. This means you will pay interest on new purchases that appear on your statement for the first time unless we receive payment of your entire balance each month by the payment due date. For example, if you do a promotional (or non-promotional) balance transfer for $7,000 and spend $500 in new purchases during the same statement cycle, we must receive payment of the entire balance of $7,500 on or before your payment due date to avoid paying interest on your new purchases that month of $500. Balance Transfers may not be used to transfer money to or from another Tangerine Account. See the Tangerine Credit Card Cardholder Agreement for more information about how we apply payments to your Account.


◊ Changing Your 2% Money-Back Categories: At the time of Application, you will choose either two (2) or three (3) 2% Money-Back Categories (depending on your choice of Redemption Destinations as described above in Section 5 of the Tangerine Money-Back Rewards Program Terms and Conditions. If your online session ends early during the Application process and you did not have a chance to select your 2% Money-Back Categories, we will choose them on your behalf. Whether you choose your 2% Money-Back Categories or they are chosen for you, you can make one (1) 2% Money-Back Category change request at any time after the Credit Card Account opening. Any further 2% Money-Back Category change requests will take effect on the first billing date following a 90-day hold period after the previous 2% Money-Back Category change took effect. During the 90-day period, you may request a change to your 2% Money-Back Category selection at any time. However, the change will not take effect until this period has ended. If you request multiple changes to your 2% Money-Back Categories throughout this period, we will select the most recent change request as the request that is to be implemented. To review the history of changes to your Credit Card Account, log in at tangerine.ca and go to “Manage Rewards”.


Tangerine is not responsible for maintaining accuracy of content on this site. Please refer to Tangerine's site for the latest product details.

Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard
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