The ClearFin bottom line
✈️ Travel Rewards
Its strongest published earn rate in our data is 3.3% on travel. The $150 annual fee should be weighed against the rewards and benefits you expect to use.
Checked 2026-08-09 · Official issuer catalogueIndependent ClearFin review · BMO
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
Start with up to 90,000 BMO Rewards points plus first-year fee waivers, worth about $603.
Independent comparisonFees includedCanadian card data
- Annual fee
- $150
- Reward type
- BMO Points
- Welcome offer
- 90,000 pts
- Insurance
- Not listed
First year free
Current new-cardmember offer
Confirm with the issuer
$120cash rebate*
✈️ Travel Rewards
✈️ Travel Rewards
Welcome bonus
Up to 90,000 BMO Rewards points plus first-year fee waivers
New cardmembers can earn up to 90,000 BMO Rewards points plus first-year fee waivers by completing the steps below.
Offer details
The current offer includes the primary card and eligible authorized users. Spending, timing and account-standing conditions apply.
How you earn
- 5x BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases
- 3x BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible dining purchases
- 3x BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible entertainment purchases
- 3x BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent on recurring bill payments
- 1x BMO Rewards point for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Costs and requirements
Fees & eligibility
Confirm final approval criteria and current rates directly with the issuer.
Annual fee$150First year free
Purchase interest21.99%
Cash advance interest23.99%
Foreign transaction fee2.5%
Income requirement$80,000Issuer approval criteria apply
Household income$150,000Alternative minimum
Recommended credit score660+ Good to Very Good
Applicants typically have the strongest approval odds with a good to very good credit profile that aligns with the card's premium positioning and minimum income requirements.
300Poor
560Fair
660+Good
725Very Good
760Excellent
ClearFin estimate on Canada's 300–900 scale. This is not an issuer cutoff or approval guarantee; lenders may use different bureau scores and underwriting criteria. This is an estimated approval range based on industry data, cardholder reports, and the card's World Elite income requirements. BMO does not publish a minimum credit score requirement, and approval decisions consider additional factors such as income, credit history, existing debt, and payment history.
Reward limits: No earning caps or category spending limits are disclosed on the issuer page. The card earns 5 BMO Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases, 3 points per $1 on eligible dining, entertainment, and recurring bill payments, and 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases, with no published cap on earning.
Using your rewards
Redemption options
Redemption values and availability may vary by option and can change.
Use eligible BMO Rewards points for travel, merchandise, gift cards, investments, or statement credits available through the program.
Redemption values and minimums vary by option; review the current BMO Rewards terms before choosing a redemption.
Beyond the points
Benefits that come with the card
Consider these extras by the value they add to purchases and experiences you already use.
Airport Lounge Access
Complimentary Mastercard Travel Pass membership provided by DragonPass plus 4 complimentary airport lounge visits each year.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Out-of-province and out-of-country emergency medical coverage up to $5 million per insured person for trips up to 21 consecutive days.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
Coverage for eligible prepaid travel expenses if a trip is cancelled, interrupted, or delayed due to covered reasons.
Car Rental Collision and Loss Damage Insurance
Rental vehicle collision and loss damage coverage when eligible rentals are charged to the card.
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Coverage for accidental death or dismemberment while travelling on eligible common carriers.
NEXUS Statement Credit
Up to $200 statement credit toward a NEXUS membership application fee in the first year.
Instacart+ Membership
Complimentary six-month Instacart+ membership with eligible enrollment.
Monthly Instacart Credit
$10 monthly Instacart credit when enrolled with an eligible BMO credit card.
Show all 14 benefitsShow fewer
Pay with Points
Redeem BMO Rewards points directly against eligible purchases, including travel and everyday spending.
Travel Redemption Flexibility
Redeem BMO Rewards points for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages, and other eligible travel purchases booked through any provider.
Investment and Savings Redemptions
Redeem BMO Rewards points as contributions to eligible BMO savings or investment accounts.
Credit Coach Access
Free access to BMO Credit Coach for credit score monitoring with no impact on your credit score.
Card Security Controls
Lock, unlock, and report lost or stolen cards directly through BMO digital banking.
Transaction Disputes and PIN Management
Dispute eligible transactions and reset your PIN through the BMO mobile banking app.
Protection included
Insurance at a glance
No included coverage is verified in ClearFin's current catalogue.
Insurance is not currently listed for this product.
This does not prove that coverage is unavailable. Confirm the issuer's current certificate and benefit guide before relying on protection.
Check the official card page ↗The verdict
What we like
- Generous rewards earning rates
- Airport lounge access
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
- First-year annual fee waiver
- Flexible travel redemptions
- Annual fee rebate with Premium Chequing Account
Worth noting
- Low point value
- High income requirements
- Limited complimentary lounge visits
ClearFin analysis
Our detailed review
A practical reading of where the card earns, what the fee buys, and which limits matter.
✈️ Travel Rewards
5x BMO Rewards on travel. 3x on dining, entertainment & recurring bills. 1x on everything else.
How the rewards work
Travel receive the strongest estimated return at 3.3%. Purchases outside the accelerated categories earn an estimated 0.67%.
What the annual cost means
Using the strongest estimated category return alone, roughly $4,550 in annual spending at that rate would equal the $150 fee before considering the value of insurance, partner benefits, or a welcome offer.
Who it may suit
This card is most relevant for someone who spends consistently on travel and dining and can use enough of the included value to justify the yearly cost.
What to examine before applying
Compare the purchase interest rate, foreign-transaction fee, approval requirements, reward limits, and insurance certificates. Pay particular attention to merchant-category rules because a store may not receive the reward rate its products appear to suggest.
Other cards to examine
Browse all 126 cards →Compare your alternatives
Issuer terms apply. ClearFin is not affiliated with this provider. How we make money. Card facts were checked against the issuer's official source. The issuer's current catalogue was checked. Any field not explicitly listed remains marked as unverified rather than estimated.