
To kick off my review of the Tangerine World Mastercard®, I must say that it’s an excellent option. This card stands out as one of the few that allows you to select your cash back categories while also lacking an annual fee. Although it bears similarities to the Tangerine Money-Back Card, there are distinctions worth noting before you apply. Continue reading my review for comprehensive insights.
Tangerine World Mastercard

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- No annual fee
- Receive $100 in cash back after spending $1,500 within the first 3 months.
- 2% cash back on up to three selected categories
- 0.5% cash back on all other transactions
- Mobile device insurance
- Insurance for rental cars
Welcome bonus and earning rate
The Tangerine World Mastercard® generally offers a welcome bonus of $100 to $200 range, which is applicable across all transactions—not limited to specific categories.
Regarding the earning rate, the Tangerine World Mastercard® is recognized as one of the leading cash back credit cards in Canada, allowing you to designate up to three categories for earning 2% cash back. Other purchases will net you 0.5% cash back. You can initially select two categories, with the third appearing once you set your cash back to go directly into your Tangerine Savings account.
Tangerine cash back categories
- Groceries
- Restaurants
- Pharmacies
- Entertainment
- Furniture
- Gasoline
- Hotels
- Home improvements
- Parking and public transit
- Regular bills
- Online gaming
- Fitness services
- Foreign currency expenditures
While these categories offer numerous options, it’s important to note that there is no overarching travel category; only the hotel-motel category exists. Consequently, expenses like airfare or vacation packages will only yield the base cash back rate of 0.5%.
Advantages and features
Examining the benefits of the Tangerine World Mastercard® is vital, as some features may influence your choice to apply for this card. For a no-fee card, the benefits offered are quite impressive.
Mobile Device Insurance
You are eligible for mobile device insurance of up to $1,000, which covers both smartphones and tablets. To ensure your insurance is active, the total price of your device must be charged to your Tangerine World Mastercard®. If you’re purchasing a subsidized phone, you need to charge the monthly payments to your card.
Rental Car Insurance
The travel insurance included pertains specifically to rental car collision and loss damage insurance. This coverage lasts for 31 days, but the rental vehicle must not exceed an MSRP of $65,000. The full amount of the rental must be charged to the credit card, and you must decline any damage insurance offered by the rental agency for this coverage to be valid.
Purchase Insurance
- Purchase assurance
- Extended warranty
While purchase assurance and extended warranties are common benefits, they are incredibly useful for claims. Purchase assurance ensures your items are covered against theft, loss, and damage for 90 days, while the extended warranty doubles the manufacturer’s warranty for up to an additional year.
Balance Transfer
An often-overlooked feature is that new cardholders can perform a balance transfer at a promotional interest rate of 1.95% for six months. This transfer must occur within 30 days of account approval, incurring a 1% fee. This option can significantly alleviate debt since interest rates on most credit cards exceed 20%.
Mastercard World Benefits
Many are unaware that all Mastercard World cardholders receive the following additional benefits:
- Boingo Wi-Fi – Your Mastercard credentials allow you to create a complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi account, providing access to over a million hotspots worldwide, including many in airports and aboard planes.
- Travel Rewards – The Mastercard travel rewards platform permits registered cardholders to earn extra cash back at select merchants and travel partners.
- Travel Pass via DragonPass – By downloading the Mastercard Travel Pass app and signing up, you gain access to more than 1,300 airport lounges across 140+ countries, although individual visits incur a fee.
Tangerine World Mastercard Eligibility
To be eligible for the Tangerine Money-Back Card, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- Must be of legal age in their respective province or territory
- Must be a permanent resident of Canada
- Must possess a gross annual income of $60,000, or a household income of $100,000, or have $250,000 invested or saved with Tangerine.
- Must not have declared bankruptcy in the last seven years
While Tangerine doesn’t specify a formal credit score requirement, it’s advisable to have a score of at least 670 to enhance your chances of approval.
How the Tangerine World Mastercard® Stacks Up
Cash back credit cards are highly sought after in Canada, resulting in ample alternatives on the market. When comparing options, consider factors like the earning potential, ease of redeeming cash back, and associated benefits.
Tangerine World Mastercard vs. Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
The Tangerine World Mastercard® serves as an upgraded version of the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card. If you are looking for a Tangerine card and meet the requisite income threshold, it makes sense to apply for the Tangerine World Mastercard®, thanks to its enhanced benefits.
Tangerine World Mastercard vs. American Express SimplyCash Card
Another no-fee credit card option is the American Express SimplyCash Card, which does not offer enhanced earn rates but provides 1.25% cash back on all purchases.
Tangerine World Mastercard vs. BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
For those open to an annual fee, the BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* could be an attractive option. It offers 5% cash back on grocery purchases, 3% on gas and EV charging, and 2% on recurring bill payments, alongside a 1% cash back rate on all other transactions. While the annual fee stands at $120, the first year is often waived.
Conclusion
Overall, my review of the Tangerine World Mastercard® is very favorable. While it does set a higher minimum income requirement, it will appeal to specific individuals, including:
- Those who desire customizable cash back – You can select up to three categories for 2% cash back.
- Individuals seeking mobile device insurance – It’s one of the few no-annual-fee cards that includes mobile device coverage.
- Anyone looking to avoid annual fees – This card comes without the burden of a yearly fee.
Though very similar to the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card, this card offers additional benefits that will attract numerous users. With no annual fee and the advantage of choosing earning categories, it positions itself as a compelling choice.
