BMO Blue Rewards Mastercard review

How the Blue Rewards Mastercard earns points

Most of this card’s earning happens at Blue Rewards partners. Spending at more than 400 participating partners, including Blue Rewards Travel, earns 5 points per dollar on up to $500 of spending per billing cycle. Groceries, wholesale clubs and alcohol earn 1 point per dollar, gas and EV charging earn 1 point, and everything else earns 0.5 points.

Here’s an example monthly budget: $300 at partners, $500 on groceries, $200 on gas and $600 on everything else. That earns 1,500 partner points, 500 grocery points, 200 gas points and 300 points on the rest, for 2,500 points a month or 30,000 a year. Notice that the $300 at partners earns more than the other $1,300 combined.

The welcome offer

New cardholders can earn up to 20,000 points by spending $1,500 in the first 110 days. That’s a little over $400 a month, which most households reach with normal spending. The offer is for applications made by October 31, 2026.

In the example budget above, the bonus equals two-thirds of a full year’s earning, so it’s the largest single source of points in your first year with the card.

Redeeming points and extra perks

Redemptions are kept simple: points can be redeemed in store or on e-gift cards at a set rate, with no transfer partners to compare. That simplicity suits people who want a straightforward rewards card rather than a points system to study.

The card also includes three months of Instacart+ and a $5 monthly Instacart credit, both of which require enrollment, and supplementary cards at no cost so a household can put partner spending on one account.

Fees, interest and the fine print

There is no annual fee, which makes the Blue Rewards Mastercard easy to keep as a second card for partner purchases. Purchases are charged 21.99% interest and cash advances 23.99%.

Foreign currency purchases carry a 2.5% fee, so $1,000 spent abroad or with a US website adds about $25. If you’re carrying a balance on another card, the 0.99% introductory balance transfer rate for 9 months can cut your interest costs; check the transfer fee and the rate that applies afterward before you move a balance.

Insurance coverage

Coverage is limited to protection for things you buy with the card, and there’s no travel insurance in the package. Check the certificate for limits and exclusions.

• Extended warranty insurance
• Purchase protection

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

The card suits people who already shop at Blue Rewards partners or book through Blue Rewards Travel, and who want a no-fee card to capture 5x on that spending.

It’s a weak choice as your only card. At 0.5 points per dollar on general spending and 1 point on groceries and gas, most of your budget would earn very little, and the 5x rate covers only the first $500 of partner spending in each billing cycle.

How it compares

The BMO CashBack Mastercard also has no annual fee and pays 3% cash back on groceries, with a welcome offer of up to $125 cash back. It’s the simpler choice if your spending is concentrated at the grocery store rather than at Blue Rewards partners.

If you want to stay in Blue Rewards but earn more on everyday categories, the BMO Blue Rewards World Elite Mastercard costs $150 a year and earns 2x on groceries, gas, EV charging, wholesale clubs and alcohol. That’s double this card’s rate in those categories, in exchange for the fee.

Before you apply

The recommended credit score is 660 or higher, and BMO makes the final decision using your full credit profile. The welcome offer and partner list can change, so confirm the current terms on the BMO website before you apply.