BMO Cash Back Mastercard®
A no-annual-fee cash back card from BMO.
Rates, fees, and full terms are set by BMO and can change. See current rates & fees on the issuer’s site, and always confirm the latest terms before applying.
Our review
The BMO Cash Back Mastercard pays 5% on streaming, cable TV, and satellite services, 3% on gas, EV charging, and groceries (on up to $1,500 a quarter combined), and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee.
Until November 1, 2026, new cardholders get double cash back on everything they buy in their first year, which effectively turns it into a 10% streaming and 6% gas and grocery card for twelve months. Even after that, it is a solid no-fee everyday card.
Think twice if: you spend more than $1,500 a quarter on gas and groceries combined, since spending past the cap drops to 1%.
Our 7.6 out of 10 rating
Each score weighs the rewards rate, value after the annual fee, welcome offer, points flexibility, and perks, with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. This is our editorial assessment to help you compare cards, not a guarantee of approval or of the value you will get.
Earning rates at a glance
Rewards: how it earns
You earn 5% cash back on eligible streaming, cable TV, and satellite services, 3% on gas, EV charging, and groceries on the first $1,500 of combined spending each quarter, and 1% on everything else. Cell phone protection of up to $400 comes with paying your phone bill on the card.
| Category | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming | 5x | Bonus category |
| Groceries | 3x | Bonus category |
| Gas | 3x | Bonus category |
| Dining and restaurants | 1x | Base rate |
| Travel | 1x | Base rate |
| Everything else | 1x | Everything else |
The fine print on rates: The 3% on gas, EV charging, and groceries applies to the first $1,500 in combined purchases each calendar quarter, then 1%. The first-year doubling is a limited-time offer for applications between September 1 and November 1, 2026.
Every point and mile above is valued at a flat 1 cent, the same honest standard we use for every card. Run your own spending through the calculator to see what this card would actually return for you.
Best ways to earn & redeem
Put your streaming, groceries, and gas spending on this card to earn at its highest rates, and let a different card handle the categories it does not bonus. Its streaming rate is among the stronger ones you will find in that category.
When you cash in, take the rewards as cash back or a statement credit, worth a flat 1 cent each. We value every point at a flat 1 cent, so treat any transfer upside as a bonus rather than the baseline — see what your points are really worth.
Pros and cons
- 5% on streaming, cable, and satellite
- 3% on gas, EV charging, and groceries
- Double cash back in year one (apply by Nov. 1, 2026)
- No annual fee
- 3% categories capped at $1,500 a quarter
- Only 1% on everything else
- Doubling offer is limited-time
The welcome bonus
Apply by November 1, 2026 and BMO doubles all the cash back you earn in your first year. For typical spending that can be worth more than a standard cash bonus.
First-year value vs ongoing value
| Welcome bonus | Double cash back on everything in your first year |
| To earn it | apply by November 1, 2026 |
| Est. first-year value* | $479 |
| Est. ongoing value / yr* | $479 |
There is no lump-sum welcome bonus, so first-year and ongoing value are about the same, roughly $479 a year on typical spending after the fee. What you see is what you get from day one.
*First-year value counts the welcome bonus, estimated rewards, and annual credits, minus the annual fee; ongoing value is a typical year after. Every point at a flat 1 cent, on average spending.
Benefits and protections
Beyond the rewards, the perks and protections worth knowing about include:
- Double cash back on all first-year purchases when you apply by November 1, 2026
- Cell phone protection up to $400
Statement credits
This card does not come with recurring statement credits. Its value is in the rewards rate and welcome offer.
Who should get it, and who should skip it
Get the BMO Cash Back Mastercard if streaming and cable are a real monthly expense and you buy gas and groceries regularly. The first-year doubling makes it especially strong right now.
Heavy grocery shoppers who blow past the quarterly cap may do better with an uncapped grocery card.
Alternatives to the BMO Cash Back Mastercard®
Pairs well with
The BMO Cash Back Mastercard® earns the most in its bonus categories, so pair it with a no-fee flat-rate card to cover everything it only earns a base rate on.
Frequently asked questions
Best-card guides featuring this card
Learn more
How does it rank for your spending?
Every card is ranked by what it actually returns on the way you spend. Run your numbers and see where the BMO Cash Back Mastercard® lands.
Calculate My CardOffer details verified against issuer sources as of October 2026. Editorial opinions are our own. Cardocrat values all points at a flat 1 cent and never inflates redemptions.
