100,000 BMO Rewards points
Apply Now†Terms and conditions apply. The information for the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by Prince of Travel. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
$804
First-year value
100,000
BMO Rewards points
$150
Annual fee
First Year Free
Based on minimum spend to earn the full welcome bonus and Prince of Travel's valuation of BMO Rewards points at 0.67 cents per point.
45,000 BMO Rewards points upon spending $5,000 in the first three months
20,000 BMO Rewards points upon spending $10,000 in the first six months
35,000 BMO Rewards points upon spending $20,000 in the first year
Total of up to 100,000 BMO Rewards points
Travel
(up to $15,000/year, 1x after)
Dining & Entertainment
(up to $10,000/year, 1x after)
Everything Else
Last updated: February 14, 2026
The BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard®* is long-reigning backbone of the BMO Rewards program, and it also comes with a great insurance package.
| Tier | Amount | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Spend threshold | 45,000 BMO Rewards points | $5,000 spend in 3 months |
| Spend threshold | 20,000 BMO Rewards points | $10,000 spend in 6 months |
| Spend threshold | 35,000 BMO Rewards points | $20,000 spend in 12 months |
| Total | 100,000 BMO Rewards points |
100,000 BMO Rewards points
Apply Now†Terms and conditions apply. The information for the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by Prince of Travel. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Last updated: February 14, 2026
Annual Fee
$150
First Year Free
Yes
Additional Card
Free
The tiered structure demands high natural spend to unlock full value – if you're not organically pushing $20,000 through in year one, you're leaving a third of the bonus on the table. For established professionals consolidating household spend or timing a major purchase, the 100,000-point haul clears the bar, but casual spenders should look elsewhere.
With no first-year fee waiver, the $200 travel credit becomes your primary offset mechanism – use it early to soften the upfront cost, then let the 5× travel and dining earn justify renewal. If you're not flying internationally or using Priority Pass lounges regularly, the math gets harder to defend.
| Category | Rate | Cap | After Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | 5× | $15,000/year | 1× |
| Dining | 3× | $10,000/year | 1× |
| Entertainment | 3× | $10,000/year | 1× |
| Everything Else | 1× | – | – |
The travel multiplier is solid for airfare and hotels, but the $15,000 annual cap means high spenders will burn through the bonus category quickly – after that, you're earning just 1x. Dining and entertainment get a modest 3x boost with separate $10,000 caps, making this a decent everyday card for travel and lifestyle spending, though it won't replace a dedicated dining card.
Since BMO Rewards points convert to fixed-value travel credits rather than transferring to airline partners, you're locking in lower redemption values compared to flexible programs like Amex Membership Rewards. Treat this as a convenient Mastercard complement when your Amex isn't accepted, not your primary points-earning workhorse.
The travel portal is your primary redemption path here – it delivers predictable, competitive value without the complexity of managing transfer partners or hunting for award availability. Book flights, hotels, and packages directly through BMO Rewards and you'll extract far more value than converting to statement credits, which should only be used to clear small leftover balances.
Unlike cards that offer transfer partnerships to Aeroplan or hotel programs, BMO Rewards keeps you in its own ecosystem. If you want the simplicity of fixed-value redemptions without juggling loyalty accounts, this works well – but if you're chasing business class sweet spots or aspirational hotel stays through transfer partners, you'll need a different card.
Read Our Full BMO Rewards Guide
Read more4 DragonPass lounge visits per year
General$200 NEXUS application fee rebate (first year)
GeneralInstacart+ 6 months free + $10/month credit
GeneralThe NEXUS rebate effectively refunds your entire application fee in year one, and the benefit extends far beyond border crossings – NEXUS membership includes TSA PreCheck when flying to or from the US, making this a standout perk if you travel cross-border even occasionally.
Four annual DragonPass visits won't cover frequent travellers, but they're alliance-agnostic and ideal for longer layovers or when travelling with a companion on carriers where you lack lounge access through status or other cards.
Underwritten by CUMIS General Insurance Company
| Coverage | Maximum | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical | $5,000,000 | 21 days, not covered (65+), Primary cardholder, spouse, and dependent children; coverage is automatic for active cardholders with account in good standing |
| Trip Cancellation | $1,500 | $5,000/trip, charge required |
| Trip Interruption | $2,000/person | $10,000/trip, charge required |
| Trip Delay | $2,000 | null-hour minimum, Trip delay covered up to $2,000 per insured person as part of Trip Interruption Insurance when trip is delayed after departure |
| Baggage Delay | $500 | 6-hour minimum |
| Baggage Loss | $500/person | $1,000 total |
| Rental Car | Included | CDW/LDW, MSRP ≤ $65,000, up to 48 days |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 | – |
| Purchase Protection | Included | 90-day coverage |
| Extended Warranty | +1 year | – |
Pre-Existing Conditions
180-day stability period required (365 days for 65+)
View Certificate of Insurance (PDF)
Emergency medical at $5 million and a 180-day pre-existing condition window make this suitable for most U.S. and overseas trips, but trip cancellation and interruption caps are low – you'll quickly exceed them on business class or multi-destination bookings.
Rental car coverage excludes luxury vehicles over $65,000 MSRP but handles typical rentals well, saving you $25–$40 daily at the counter. Just remember it's collision only, not liability.
$480 cash back
