The ClearFin bottom line
💵 3% Cashback
Its strongest published earn rate in our data is 1.5% on dining. The $99 annual fee should be weighed against the rewards and benefits you expect to use.
Checked 2026-08-09 · Official issuer catalogueIndependent ClearFin review · RBC
RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard
Start with 12% Cash Back on the First $2,000 in Purchases.
Independent comparisonFees includedCanadian card data
- Annual fee
- $99
- Reward type
- Cash Back
- Welcome offer
- 2,000 pts
- Insurance
- 1 coverages
Current new-cardmember offer
Certificate terms apply
💵 3% Cashback
Welcome bonus
12% Cash Back on the First $2,000 in Purchases
How to earn it
- 12% cash back (up to $240)Earn 12% cash back on the first $2,000 in eligible purchases made within the first 3 months of account opening. The 12% rate includes the card's standard earn rate.
Offer ends 2026-09-30
Offer details
Offer applies to new RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard applications received between May 28, 2026 and September 9, 2026. Additional cardholders and existing RBC personal credit cardholders transferring to this card are not eligible.
How you earn
- Unlimited 3% cash back on groceries and dining (restaurants, food delivery and takeout)
- Unlimited 3% cash back on gas, EV charging, transit and rideshare
- Unlimited 3% cash back on streaming and digital gaming
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other net purchases
- Revamped earn rates and $120 annual fee effective October 1, 2026
Costs and requirements
Fees & eligibility
Confirm final approval criteria and current rates directly with the issuer.
Annual fee$99
Purchase interest20.99%
Cash advance interest22.99%
Foreign transaction fee2.5%
Income requirement$80,000Issuer approval criteria apply
Additional card$0
Household income$150,000Alternative minimum
Recommended credit score725+ Good to Excellent
The RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard is a premium cashback card with an $80,000 personal income requirement or $150,000 household income requirement. It is generally targeted toward established, higher-income applicants with strong credit profiles.
300Poor
560Fair
660Good
725+Very 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. RBC does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Approval is based on factors such as income, credit history, payment history, debt obligations, existing credit relationships, and overall creditworthiness. Meeting the income requirement does not guarantee approval.
Reward limits: The RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard earns 1.5% cash back on the first $25,000 in annual eligible purchases and 1% thereafter. There is no overall limit on the amount of cash back that can be earned. The annual spending threshold only affects the earn rate applied to purchases beyond $25,000.
Earning cap
Earning cap
Using your rewards
Redemption options
Redemption values and availability may vary by option and can change.
Redeem earned cash rewards using the issuer's available cash-back or statement-credit options.
Minimum redemption amounts, automatic payout timing, and eligible account credits vary by issuer; confirm the current program terms before applying.
Beyond the points
Benefits that come with the card
Consider these extras by the value they add to purchases and experiences you already use.
Mastercard Travel Pass by DragonPass
Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass.
Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver
Coverage for eligible rental vehicles against theft or damage when the full rental cost is charged to the card.
Purchase Security
Protects eligible purchases against theft, loss or accidental damage for up to 120 days from the purchase date.
Extended Warranty
Triples the original Canadian manufacturer's warranty on eligible purchases for up to two additional years.
Mastercard Travel Rewards
Earn cash back offers and travel-related discounts from participating merchants when travelling outside Canada.
Mastercard World Elite Benefits
Access to premium World Elite Mastercard travel, lifestyle, entertainment and partner benefits.
DoorDash DashPass Membership
Complimentary 12-month DashPass membership with eligible DoorDash delivery benefits.
Petro-Canada Benefits
Save 3¢ per litre on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points when linking your card to a Petro-Points account.
Show all 10 benefitsShow fewer
Rexall Be Well Benefits
Earn 50 Be Well points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Rexall when linked to a Be Well account.
Fraud Protection
Protection against unauthorized transactions when reasonable precautions are taken to safeguard the card.
Protection included
Insurance at a glance
1 coverage listed. Key terms are summarized below; full certificate terms apply.
Travel insurance included
This coverage is listed in ClearFin's card catalogue. Confirm eligibility, limits, exclusions, and payment requirements in the issuer's current insurance certificate.
Coverage is subject to eligibility, exclusions, limits, payment requirements, and claim rules in the insurance certificate.
The verdict
What we like
- High flat 1.5% cash back earn rate
- Unlimited cash back earning potential
- Premium World Elite travel and lifestyle benefits
Worth noting
- $99 annual fee
- Rewards rate drops to 1% after $25,000 annual spending
- 2.5% foreign transaction fee
ClearFin analysis
Our detailed review
A practical reading of where the card earns, what the fee buys, and which limits matter.
💵 3% Cashback
Up to 1.5% cash back on all purchases including online & wholesale retailers.
How the rewards work
Dining, Groceries, Gas, Travel, Everything else receive the strongest estimated return at 1.5%. Purchases outside the accelerated categories earn an estimated 1.5%.
What the annual cost means
Using the strongest estimated category return alone, roughly $6,600 in annual spending at that rate would equal the $99 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 dining and groceries 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.
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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.