RBC Cash Back Mastercard
RBC
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
Researching and writing about Canadian credit cards and rewards since 2026.
“RBC Cash Back Mastercard Review — VaultNerd” — VaultNerd, https://www.vaultnerd.com/credit-cards/rbc-cash-back-mastercard, updated June 2026.
- RBC cardholder agreement and rates & fees disclosure
- VaultNerd cards database