Overview
The RBC Cash Back Mastercard is RBC's no-annual-fee cash back card — built for Canadians who want straightforward cash back rewards without paying anything to hold the card. You earn 2% cash back on groceries and up to 1% on everything else, with no cap on total cash back earned.
There are no points to manage, no redemption tiers, and no annual fee. It's one of the simplest and most accessible cash back cards in Canada.
Limited-Time Welcome Offer
RBC is not currently offering a welcome bonus for this card.
Earning Cash Back
The card features two earning tiers:
- 2% cash back on grocery store purchases on the first $6,000 in annual grocery spending, then 1%
- 0.5% cash back on all other purchases on the first $6,000 in annual non-grocery spending, then 1%
There’s no cap on the total amount of cash back you can earn, but the earn rate steps up after the first $6,000 in annual spend within each bucket. That means this card is strongest for cardholders who want a simple no-fee product and spend meaningfully on groceries.
Benefits & Features
Insurance
Despite being a no-fee card, the RBC Cash Back Mastercard includes:
- Purchase Security — Protection against loss, theft, or damage on eligible purchases
- Extended Warranty Insurance — Extends the manufacturer's warranty on eligible items
These are valuable inclusions — many no-fee cash back cards don't offer any insurance.
RBC Partner Perks
- Petro-Canada — Save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points
- Rexall — Earn 50 Be Well™ points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
- DoorDash — 6-month complimentary DashPass subscription
Digital Features
- RBC Mobile App — Manage bills, set up mobile pay, view transactions
- NOMI — AI-powered financial insights and banking alerts
- Fraud Protection — Covered against unauthorized card use
RBC Cash Back Card Comparison
| Feature | Cash Back Mastercard ($0) | Cash Back Preferred World Elite ($99) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $99 |
| Grocery cash back | 2% on first $6,000/year, then 1% | 1.5% on first $25,000/year, then 1% |
| All other purchases | 0.5% on first $6,000/year, then 1% | 1.5% on first $25,000/year, then 1% |
| Welcome bonus | No welcome bonus | No welcome bonus |
| Purchase Security | ||
| Extended Warranty | ||
| Rental Car Insurance | ||
| Airport lounges | 1,300+ via Dragon Pass | |
| DoorDash DashPass | 6 months | 12 months |
| Income requirement | None | $80K / $150K |
The no-fee card earns more on groceries initially, but it is weaker on most non-grocery spending until you pass the first $6,000 annual threshold. If your spending is broad-based across categories, the World Elite may come out ahead despite its $99 fee.
Drawbacks to Consider
Modest Base Earn Rate
At 1% on non-grocery purchases, the base earn rate is standard but not exceptional. Cards like the TD Cash Back Visa Infinite offer higher rates in more categories (3% on groceries/gas/transit).
No Travel Insurance
There's no emergency medical, trip cancellation, or flight delay coverage. You'll need another card or standalone insurance for travel.
2.5% Foreign Transaction Fee
Standard 2.5% FX fee on non-CAD purchases. Not ideal for international spending.
No Rental Car Insurance
Unlike the World Elite version, this card does not include rental car insurance.
Who Is This Card Best For?
This card is an excellent choice if you:
- Want cash back with no annual fee — a true $0-cost card
- Spend significantly on groceries and want 2% back
- Prefer simplicity over complex points programs
- Don't meet the $80,000/$150,000 income requirement for the World Elite
- Value purchase security and extended warranty (rare on no-fee cards)
- Want RBC partner perks like Petro-Canada and DoorDash
It's not the best choice if you:
- Spend heavily across all categories and want a flat 1.5%+ rate on everything
- Need travel insurance or rental car coverage
- Want airport lounge access
- Can qualify for the World Elite version
Bottom Line
The RBC Cash Back Mastercard is one of the best no-fee cash back cards in Canada. The 2% on groceries is competitive, the unlimited cash back means no caps to worry about, and the included purchase security and extended warranty are genuinely rare perks for a $0 card. Add in RBC partner benefits with Petro-Canada, Rexall, and DoorDash, and you've got a reliable everyday card that costs nothing to hold.
