Shannon Terrell
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Best for: Travellers on a budget or everyday shoppers.
With free global Wi-Fi and bonus rewards on retail purchases, the Brim Credit Card is a versatile option for travellers and shoppers alike.
Learn more about how we evaluate cards.
For a card with no annual fee, the Brim Credit Card has plenty to offer, including free global Wi-Fi, some insurance coverage and flexible rewards.
Brim Mastercard
- 1x points per dollar on everyday purchases, with no annual spend limit.
- Up to 30x points per dollar on retail partners in the eShop.
- Points have a straightforward value of $0.01 and can be redeemed on transactions or as cash back. $1 minimum redemption required. Points do not expire.
- No annual fee.
- Brim’s Family Card option lets you add additional card members, set and adjust their spending limits, block types of transactions and track spending — perfect for teaching teens smart budgeting.
- Enhanced security features allow you to lock your card and block online or foreign transactions instantly.
- Stay connected with access to over 1 million Boingo Global Wi-Fi hotspots around the world.
- Access to the Brim Installment plan.
- Five types of insurance provided: common carrier accident insurance, mobile device insurance, event ticket protection, extended warranty and purchase security insurance.
- Preferred rates vary by card member.
- No foreign exchange fees.
- To be eligible, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
Brim Credit Card full review
The Brim Credit Card is a rewards credit card with no annual fee. Cardholders earn Brim points on every eligible dollar spent and can take advantage of numerous redemption options.
Benefits of the Brim Credit Card
A no-fee credit card with a straightforward 1 point per $2 spent will appeal to those in the market for a no-frills rewards card. However, the Brim Credit Card sweetens the deal by allowing cardholders to earn bonus points on first-time and milestone purchases. The card also has free global Wi-Fi and travel insurance.
Drawbacks of the Brim Credit Card
As far as no-fee credit cards go, the Brim Credit Card has plenty to like, but it isn’t without its shortcomings. Its accelerated rewards rates are limited to certain retailers instead of the broader spending categories — like groceries or gas — offered by other rewards cards. It also lacks some insurance coverage, including emergency medical, flight delay and car rental coverage, so it may not be the ideal card for travel bookings.
Who should get the Brim Credit Card?
Canadians seeking a straightforward credit card with flat-rate rewards and no annual fee may be interested in the Brim Credit Card.
Is the Brim Credit Card worth it?
Whether or not the Brim Credit Card makes sense for your finances depends on your spending habits. There’s no annual fee to recoup, which is a point in this card’s favour. That said, the card’s bonus rewards are only available on money spent at specific retailers, so you may want to review Brim’s reward partners to determine whether the card is a practical fit for your wallet.
Brim customer ratings
- Mediocre Trustpilot rating: 2.4 out of 5 possible stars based on 18 customer reviews, as of this writing.
- Poor Better Business Bureau rating: 1 out of 5 possible stars based on 3 customer reviews, as of this writing.
Brim Credit Card eligibility
Who qualifies for the Brim Credit Card?
To qualify for the Brim Credit Card, you must:
- Be a Canadian resident.
- Be at least the age of majority for your province or territory.
Approximate credit score needed for approval
Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. However, higher scores generally mean better chances of approval, and that’s true regardless of the type of credit you’re applying for.
Want to learn more? Visit our “What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card?” page.
Brim Credit Card rewards
Earn up to $500 in Brim points when you make your first purchase at participating merchant partners.
Earn 1 Brim point for every $2 spent with the opportunity to earn bonus points on first-time and milestone purchases.
The Brim Credit Card’s welcome bonus offers up to $500 in Brim points when you make your first purchase at participating merchant partners.
Beyond its welcome offer, the Brim Credit Card earns 1 Brim point for every $2 spent. The card’s insurance coverage adds additional value should it ever need to be used.
Point value breakdown
According to Brim Financial, 1 Brim point is worth 1 cent.
How to apply for the Brim Credit Card
The application process for the Brim Credit Card must be completed through Brim’s website:
- Enter your full name, email address and mobile phone number. Select Sign Up.
- Enter your date of birth, residential address and employment information.
- Select a security question.
- Review the card’s terms and conditions and submit your application.
Brim Credit Card vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
You can earn bonus Brim points by shopping at specific retailers. If you’d prefer a card that offers broader reward-generating spending categories, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card may be worth a look. Cardholders earn 2% cash back on up to three money-back categories of their choice.
| Brim Credit Card | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fees | $0. | $0. |
| Earns. | Brim points. | Cash back. |
| Rewards rates |
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| Benefits |
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Reasons you might want a different card
The Brim Credit Card may not be a practical fit if:
- You want to earn a different type of reward, like cash back or travel points.
- You want a credit card that offers more extensive insurance coverage or other benefits.
Brim Credit Card facts
| Brim Credit Card | |
|---|---|
| Card type | Rewards credit card. |
| Fees and interest rates | |
| Annual fee | $0. |
| Regular/purchase APR | 19.99%. |
| Penalty APR | 24.99% if you miss two payments within 12 months as of March 2024. This penalty APR will stay in place until you’ve made 12 consecutive payments on time. |
| Cash advance APR | 21.50%. |
| Cash advance fee | $3.50 per transaction in Canada, $5 per transaction outside of Canada. |
| Balance transfer APR | 19.99%. |
| Foreign transaction fee | 1.5% of the transaction amount. |
| Rewards and benefits | |
| Intro offer | Earn up to $500 in Brim points when you make your first purchase at participating merchant partners. |
| Reward earn rates |
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| Other perks |
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| Insurance coverage | |
| Travel accident | Up to $300,000. |
| Event ticket protection | Up to $1,000. |
| Extended warranty | Up to one additional year. |
| Purchase protection | 90 days. |
| Mobile device protection | Up to $500 of mobile device protection in case of loss, theft, accidental damage or mechanical issues. Conditions apply. |
Rating Methodology
NerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.
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