RBC Cash Back Mastercard
No-fee seekers and students who put most of their spending on groceries.
VaultNerd estimate based on the card's tier and income requirements, not an official issuer cutoff. Approval also depends on income, debt, and credit history.
Our verdict
A decent no-fee grocery card, especially for students and newcomers, but the 0.5% base rate makes it a poor everyday catch-all compared with other free cash back cards.
Reward rates
Grocery store purchases 2% on the first $6,000 in annual grocery purchases, 1% thereafter | 2% |
All other qualifying purchases 0.5% on the first $6,000 in annual purchases, 1% thereafter | 0.5% |
Welcome bonus
Up to 7% cash back for the first 3 months on up to $1,000 in total purchases (5% bonus on top of standard rates). Apply by September 9, 2026.
Requirement: Bonus applies to the first $1,000 in purchases within 3 months
Pros
- Strong no-fee grocery earn rate
- Flexible on-demand cash back redemption
Cons
- Weak 0.5% base rate on non-grocery spending (first $6,000)
- No travel insurance
Perks
- 2% cash back on groceries with no annual fee
- Unlimited total cash back with no earning ceiling
- Redeem any time once your balance reaches $25
- 3-month complimentary DoorDash DashPass
- Save 3 cents/L and earn 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada
Insurance
- Purchase security and extended warranty
Frequently asked questions
Is the RBC Cash Back Mastercard worth it?
It has no annual fee, and we rate it 3.4 out of 5. It's best suited to no-fee seekers and students who put most of their spending on groceries. The welcome bonus is worth roughly $70, which covers the first year for many people. Whether it's worth it for you depends on your spending. Run your own numbers through our credit card finder to see the net rewards after the fee.
What does the RBC Cash Back Mastercard earn?
It earns 2% on grocery store purchases and 0.5% on all other qualifying purchases.
What credit score do you need for the RBC Cash Back Mastercard?
We'd suggest a score of around 640 or higher, which puts approval in our "moderate" band. This is a VaultNerd estimate based on the card's tier and stated requirements. Approval also depends on your income, existing debt and credit history.
Researching and writing about Canadian personal finance since 2026.
Last reviewed June 2026 · How we research
“RBC Cash Back Mastercard Review.” VaultNerd, https://www.vaultnerd.com/ca/credit-cards/rbc-cash-back-mastercard, updated June 2026.
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