The Royal Canadian Legion MBNA Rewards Mastercard review
Mar 7, 2025
While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings.
Mar 7, 2025
While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings.
Overall rating
First year value
$392
Get this card if you:
Scores by category
No Annual Fee 2.1
At a glance
The Royal Canadian Legion MBNA Rewards Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card that allows cardholders to earn MBNA Rewards points on everyday purchases, with elevated rates in categories such as restaurants, groceries, digital media, memberships, and household utilities. Cardholders benefit from flexible redemption options, including travel, cash back, and merchandise, and support Canadian veterans through a portion of each purchase donated to the Royal Canadian Legion.
$392
First year value
$0
Annual fee
$0
19.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
24.99%
Cash advance APR
Good
Recommended credit score
Unfortunately, the Royal Canadian Legion MBNA Rewards Mastercard® is no longer open to new applicants. Here are other MBNA credit cards to consider instead:
The Royal Canadian Legion MBNA Rewards Mastercard is a rewards credit card that has no annual fee and a welcome bonus of for new accounts. It'll appeal to those who frequently spend on restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases, offering 2 points per $1 spent in these categories up to $10,000 per year. Other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. The card also includes birthday bonus points, flexible rewards redemption options and the MBNA Payment Plan for large purchases.
Another great feature with the card is that spending on eligible purchases helps support the care of Canadian veterans and their families.
This card is ideal for individuals who value rewards for everyday spending, especially in categories like groceries and dining out, without having to pay an annual fee. It's geared toward people who appreciate flexible reward options and are comfortable with standard APR rates.
MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard offers a generous welcome bonus to new cardholders. By making eligible purchases within 90 days of opening your account, you can earn an impressive . Conditions apply.
The card has different earn rates depending on where you shop:
There is no maximum limit on points earned on general purchases.
MBNA Rewards points can be redeemed for various options, including cash back, travel rewards, gift cards, and merchandise. When redeeming points for travel, 100 points equal $1. However, the rate is lower when redeeming points for cash back, at 200 points, equaling $1. This may discourage those who prefer cash back, but getting a designated cash back card is recommended in such cases.
The key benefits of the MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards credit card include its not having an annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for cardholders. Additionally, the card offers flexible rewards redemption options, allowing users to choose between cash back, merchandise, gift cards, and travel rewards.
Another advantage of this credit card is the birthday bonus points feature. Each year get Birthday Bonus Points equal to 10% of the total number of points you earned in the year prior (max 10,000).. This bonus is a special perk for loyal customers, providing them with extra rewards on their birthdays.
Other notable benefits of the MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards credit card include:
$243
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
19.99% - 29.99%
Purchase
22.99% - 31.99%
Cash Advance
Our Take
The Neo Financial Mastercard is a no-annual-fee credit card that offers cash back rewards on everyday purchases, with higher rates available when shopping at participating partners. Cardholders can redeem cash back at any time without minimum balance requirements, and the card is accessible to Canadians nationwide, including Quebec.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Interest Rates
19.99% - 29.99%
Purchase
22.99% - 31.99%
Cash Advance
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
Rewards cash back
1%
Earn 1% cashback on gas and groceries.
Up to 15%
Earn up to 15% back at over 10,000 Neo partners across Canada.
Our Take
The Neo Financial Mastercard is a no-annual-fee credit card that offers cash back rewards on everyday purchases, with higher rates available when shopping at participating partners. Cardholders can redeem cash back at any time without minimum balance requirements, and the card is accessible to Canadians nationwide, including Quebec.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Interest Rates
19.99% - 29.99%
Purchase
22.99% - 31.99%
Cash Advance
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
Rewards cash back
1%
Earn 1% cashback on gas and groceries.
Up to 15%
Earn up to 15% back at over 10,000 Neo partners across Canada.
When considering the MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard and the Neo Credit Card, your choice should depend on your spending habits and reward preferences. The MBNA card offers a unique opportunity to support Canadian veterans while earning rewards. With no annual fee, it provides up to and a rewards rate of 2 points per $1 on select categories, and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. Additionally, it offers Birthday Bonus points and flexible redemption options, including cash back and travel.
The Neo Credit Card, known for its high average cash back rates, might appeal more if you prioritize cash rewards. It offers an average of 1% cashback at thousands of partners and a minimum of 1% cashback overall, with no annual fee. However, the specific cash back rate can vary significantly based on where you shop.
$120
Welcome Bonus
$363
First Year Value
$243
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Get $120 with a Money-Back World Mastercard®* when you spend $1,500 in your first 3 months. Expires Apr 30, 2026
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Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
20.95%
Purchase
22.95%
Cash Advance
22.95%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®* is a no-annual-fee cash back credit card that allows cardholders to earn a higher cash back rate in two spending categories of their choice, such as groceries, gas, or restaurants, and a lower rate on all other purchases. By opting to deposit cash back rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account, cardholders can select a third higher rate cash back category. Additional benefits include mobile device insurance, access to over one million Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide through Boingo, and Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, which offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges globally (though usage fees apply).
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Annual Interest Rates
20.95%
Purchase
22.95%
Cash Advance
22.95%
Balance Transfer
1.95%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$3.5
Cash Advance
$25
Over The Limit Penalty
$25
Return Penalty
Rewards cash back
2%
Earn 2% cash back in two categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, restaurants, gas, entertainment, recurring bill payments and more)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and get a 3rd 2% cash back category.
1
Boingo Hotspot membership for Wi-Fi at airports and on planes
1
A DragonPass membership to airport lounges (no passes)
$1000
Mobile device insurance up to $1,0000
$60,000
Purchase assurance and extended warranty protection up to $60,000 lifetime
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$60,000
Rental car insurance amount
Get $120 with a Money-Back World Mastercard®* Spend $1,500 in your first 3 months to enjoy this Bonus.
Also, pay 1.95% interest for 6 months on Balance Transfers† – Transfer any high-interest credit card balances to your Tangerine Credit Card and enjoy a promotional 1.95% interest.
Terms and Conditions Apply.
Our Take
The Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®* is a no-annual-fee cash back credit card that allows cardholders to earn a higher cash back rate in two spending categories of their choice, such as groceries, gas, or restaurants, and a lower rate on all other purchases. By opting to deposit cash back rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account, cardholders can select a third higher rate cash back category. Additional benefits include mobile device insurance, access to over one million Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide through Boingo, and Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, which offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges globally (though usage fees apply).
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Annual Interest Rates
20.95%
Purchase
22.95%
Cash Advance
22.95%
Balance Transfer
1.95%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$3.5
Cash Advance
$25
Over The Limit Penalty
$25
Return Penalty
Rewards cash back
2%
Earn 2% cash back in two categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, restaurants, gas, entertainment, recurring bill payments and more)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and get a 3rd 2% cash back category.
1
Boingo Hotspot membership for Wi-Fi at airports and on planes
1
A DragonPass membership to airport lounges (no passes)
$1000
Mobile device insurance up to $1,0000
$60,000
Purchase assurance and extended warranty protection up to $60,000 lifetime
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$60,000
Rental car insurance amount
Get $120 with a Money-Back World Mastercard®* Spend $1,500 in your first 3 months to enjoy this Bonus.
Also, pay 1.95% interest for 6 months on Balance Transfers† – Transfer any high-interest credit card balances to your Tangerine Credit Card and enjoy a promotional 1.95% interest.
Terms and Conditions Apply.
When comparing the MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard to the Tangerine World Mastercard, the latter might be more appealing if you prefer customizable rewards. The Tangerine card allows you to choose two or three bonus categories (if you deposit your rewards into a Tangerine Savings account) where you earn 2% cash back, with 0.5% cash back on all other purchases. There's no annual fee, making it a flexible choice for rewards.
The MBNA card, offering support for veterans, also has no annual fee and provides a more diverse rewards program, including a unique birthday bonus. It's more suited for those who value supporting a cause while earning rewards in specific categories.
The MBNA Royal Canadian Legion Rewards Mastercard is worth considering if you like the idea of having no yearly fees and earning rewards on everyday purchases, especially in its bonus categories. Its unique feature of supporting veterans adds a charitable aspect. However, high interest rates and lack of comprehensive benefits like travel insurance might be drawbacks for some. It's ideal for those who spend regularly in its reward categories and are interested in supporting a cause while earning points.
Justin is a writer and editor who has been covering personal finance for over 10 years. He's written for companies such as KOHO, Ratehub, BMO, Zoocasa, and Questrade, among others. Justin also created a course in Content Creation, which he taught at York University for four years. When not writing, Justin can be found at a live concert, on the golf course, riding a motorcycle, or sailing.
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†Terms and Conditions apply.