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Best for anyone looking to earn unlimited cash-back rewards with no annual fee.
Those willing to use spend strategically will be best positioned to maximize this Tangerine card’s customizable reward categories.
Learn more about how we evaluate cards.
If you’re interested in earning cash-back rewards with no annual fee, consider the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card. Earn 2% cash-back on up to three spending categories.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
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Annual Fee$0
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Interest Rates19.95%19.95% on purchases and cash advances.
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Rewards Rate0.5%-10%10% intro offer, 2% unlimited cash back on up to three categories. 0.50% unlimited cash back on everything else.
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Intro OfferUp to $100Apply for a Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card by January 31st, 2024 and earn an extra 10% back (up to $100) when you spend up to $1,000 in everyday purchases within your first 2 months.*
- 2% on two categories of your choice: grocery, furniture, restaurants, hotel-motel, gas, recurring bill payments, drug store, home improvement, entertainment, or public transportation and parking.
- Get a third cash-back category by choosing to have your rewards deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account.
- 0.50% on everything else.
- Redeem cash back monthly as a statement credit or deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account.
- No annual fee.
- Transfer balances within your first 30 days and pay only 1.95% interest on the transferred balance for the first six months (19.95% after that). 1% balance transfer fee applies to the amount transferred.
- Get free cards for any authorized users on your account.
- It only includes purchase assurance and extended protection insurance. For more insurance, consider the Tangerine World Mastercard which requires a minimum personal income of $60,000. If you meet this requirement, you will automatically be considered for the World card if you apply for the Money-Back card.
- Preferred rates: 19.95% for purchases and cash advances.
- To be eligible, a $12,000 (individual) annual income is required. Also, 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.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card full review
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a cash-back credit card that does not charge an annual fee. With this Mastercard, you earn cash back on each eligible dollar spent with accelerated rates on up to three money-back categories.
Benefits of the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Cash-back rewards and no annual fee are two of the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card’s biggest selling points. The card also comes with a rock-bottom 1.95% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first six months of card membership.
Drawbacks of the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
This card’s insurance coverage is limited to extended warranty and purchase protection. It also lacks many perks offered by its cash-back reward card competitors, like car rental discounts, complimentary Wi-Fi and exclusive dining and retail offers. Plus, its 2% cash-back rewards don’t apply to all purchases. You select up to three money-back categories to earn 2% back — all other purchases earn just 0.5% money back.
Who should get the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card?
If you’re interested in earning cash-back rewards with no annual fee, you should consider the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card. Just bear in mind that you’ll need to use your card strategically to make the most of its rewards. The card’s highest cash-back rate of 2% can only be earned on up to three spending categories. To unlock a third 2% cash-back category, you must opt to deposit your rewards into a Tangerine savings account.
Is the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card worth it?
Whether the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is worth it will depend on your spending habits. The card has no annual fee, so you don’t need to worry about recouping any costs. But you’ll want to consider the Tangerine Mastercard’s interest rates and rewards to ensure it’s a practical fit.
Tangerine customer ratings
- First in customer satisfaction: Tangerine ranks first in customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power’s 2022 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study[1].
- Low Trustpilot rating: 1.3 out of 5 possible stars based on over 1,300 customer reviews, as of this writing.
- Poor Better Business Bureau rating: 1.07 out of 5 possible stars based on over 50 customer reviews, as of this writing.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card eligibility
Who qualifies for the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card?
To be eligible for the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card, you must:
- Be a Canadian resident and have a Canadian credit file.
- Be the age of majority or older in the province or territory where you live.
- Have a minimum annual income of $12,000.
- Have no bankruptcy claims in the last seven years.
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 apply for.
Want to learn more? Visit our “What Credit Score Is Needed for a Credit Card?” page.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card rewards
If you’re approved for the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card, you can earn an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases made within the first two months of card membership.
- 2% cash back in two money-back categories of your choice.
- 0.5% cash back on all other everyday purchases.
If you deposit cash-back rewards earned with the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card into a Tangerine Savings Account, you can earn 2% cash back on a third money-back category of your choice.
Earn 2% cash back in up to three spending categories. Selectable categories include groceries, furniture, gas and more. New card carriers can earn an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases made within the first two months. All told, it’s possible to earn $120 in cash-back rewards when spending strategically during the card’s introductory period.
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card’s low promotional interest rate is worth mentioning, too. New cardholders with existing credit card debt can take advantage of a 1.95% interest rate on balance transfers for the first six months. Paying less interest, even temporarily, can help cardmembers pay down debt faster, as more of each payment is applied to the principal balance. To take advantage of the promotional rate, a balance transfer must be completed within the first 30 days of card membership. Balance transfers are also subject to a fee.
In addition to its welcome offer, the Tangerine Mastercard comes with extended warranty and purchase protection insurance, which could provide additional value should you ever need to use it.
How to apply for the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
You must complete the application for the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card from Tangerine’s website. Enter any personal, employment or financial information requested, and create a banking PIN. Review the card’s terms and conditions before submitting your application.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card vs BMO CashBack Mastercard:
These cards earn cash back with no annual fees, but benefits and insurance options vary.
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | BMO CashBack Mastercard | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee. | No annual fee. |
| Reward type | Up to 2% cash back. | Up to 3% cash back. |
| Benefits | Free cards for authorized users. Mobile wallet compatible. Up-to-date transaction tracking. | Save up to 25% on rentals with National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car. Save up to 15% on Cirque du Soleil shows touring Canada and 20% off resident shows in Las Vegas. Free additional cardholders. Detailed transaction view. |
| Insurance coverage | Extended warranty and purchase protection. | Extended warranty and purchase protection. |
Reasons you might want a different card
There are a few circumstances in which the Tangerine Mastercard won’t be an ideal fit:
- You want a card with travel insurance.
- You’d prefer to earn a different reward, like points or miles.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card Facts
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | |
|---|---|
| Card Type | Cash-back credit card. |
| Interest Rates | |
| Regular/purchase APR | 19.95%. |
| Cash advance APR | 19.95%. |
| Penalty APR | 24.95% if you miss two consecutive payments, as of March 2023. |
| Fees | |
| Annual fee | $0. |
| Balance transfer | 3% of the transaction amount, minimum of $5. |
| Cash advance | $3.50 to $5 per transaction. |
| Foreign transaction | 2.5% of the transaction amount. |
| Reward Earn Rates | |
| Signup Bonus or Welcome Offer | New cardholders can earn an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases made within the first two months of card membership (limited time offer, terms and conditions apply). |
| Rewards and benefits | The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card earns 2% cash back in two money-back categories of the cardholder's choice and 0.50% cash back on all other everyday purchases. If cardholders deposit their cash-back rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account, they can earn 2% cash back on a third money-back category. Money-back categories include groceries, furniture, restaurants, hotel and motel, gas, recurring bill payments, drug stores, home improvement, entertainment, and public transportation and parking. |
| Other perks | |
| Free cards. Receive a free card for any authorized users you add to your account. Mobile wallet compatible. Pay by Google Pay, Samsung Pay or Apple Pay. Track your spending. Stay on top of your finances with up-to-date data on your spending habits. |
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| Insurance coverage | |
| Extended warranty | Up to one year. |
| Purchase protection | 90 days. |
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.
Frequently asked questions about Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Yes, you can use your Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card to make transactions at Costco.
Tangerine money-back categories include groceries, furniture, restaurants, hotel and motel, gas, recurring bill payments, drug stores, home improvement, entertainment, and public transportation and parking.
Review Sources
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J.D. Power, “J.D. Power 2022 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study,” accessed July 20, 2023.
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