The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Got a Glow Up: Why It's Worth the $599 Annual Fee
The recently-refreshed BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card adds no foreign transaction fees, a new annual travel credit and more lounge visits to its accelerated everyday rewards.
Together, the enhancements transform the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card into a premium travel and everyday rewards card — all in one.
But let’s be honest, the $599 fee is steep.
Normally, we’d tell you to approach a fee like that with caution — maybe suggest that you piece together a similar suite of perks by carrying several lower-fee travel cards.
But if your spending and travel habits line up with how the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card earns, it could be the one card you use to reward yourself with elevated benefits, premium travel perks and exceptional service.
Key takeaways
Earn five BMO Rewards points per dollar on eligible travel, groceries, gas, dining purchases, and the newly added health and wellness category, subject to annual limits.*
New premium travel benefits include no foreign transaction fees, a $200 annual travel credit* and 10 complimentary lounge visits.
The card offers its strongest value to someone seeking one card that earns luxury rewards on everyday spending and frequent travel.
Is the newly enhanced BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card worth $599? The short answer…
It can be — for the right cardholder.
A new travel credit can offset $200 of the fee, right off the bat. Then, everyday purchases can generate a meaningful stash of travel points, while no foreign transaction fees and lounge visits provide value away from home.
⬇️ Keep reading for a closer look at why we think the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card delivers impressive value that can help the right person look past the annual fee.
1. Your everyday spending does more of the work
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card earns five BMO Rewards points per dollar at eligible Canadian merchants in multiple categories, like travel, groceries, gas, and dining.
Oh and did we mention that a new accelerated earning category was recently added into the mix? Now health and wellness purchases, like massage parlors, fitness club or gym memberships, spas, golf courses, and recreation services will also earn five BMO Rewards points per dollar. Other purchases earn one point per dollar*.
Annual limits are $25,000 for dining, $25,000 for travel, $20,000 for groceries, and $15,000 each for gas and health and wellness. If you spend above a category's limit, you’ll earn the regular rate.
🤓 Now for the Nerdy math: Suppose you charge $2,000 a month across eligible categories while staying below each limit. You would earn 120,000 points in a year. Redeemed against eligible travel at 150 points per $1*, those points could cover $800 in travel purchases.
2. You can leave the foreign transaction fees at home
You still pay the exchange rate applied to a foreign-currency purchase, but BMO will not add a foreign transaction fee.
This makes it easier to keep the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card at the top of your wallet while travelling instead of worrying about whether you have the right card for spending abroad.
💡 A detail worth knowing: The five-times rate only applies to eligible purchases at Canadian merchants. Foreign purchases generally earn the regular rate.
3. The $200 travel credit erases 33% of the fee
The former lifestyle credit has been replaced by an annual $200 travel credit.
This is a big deal for wanderlusters.
To earn the travel credit, you’ll need to make a single purchase of at least $500 at an eligible airline, hotel or car-rental merchant.*
If you were going to spend that money on travel anyway, the credit effectively brings the annual cost down from $599 to $399.
That puts one-third of the fee right back into your pocket, and that’s before points, lounge visits or other benefits enter the picture — and those benefits can really elevate your travel experience.
4. Ten lounge visits give you room to share
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card now includes 10 complimentary visits per membership year through the Visa Airport Companion Program, up from six.
This premium travel perk is worth more than $350 USD in value, from membership and lounge passes alone. Subtract that from the $399 annual fee (after your travel credit is applied) and the total cost of this card drops to just $49.
After enrolling, you can use them for yourself or accompanying guests (up to you whether you spread the love to your friends and family members, or keep the peace, quiet and free drinks all to yourself!). An authorized user can receive a separate set of 10 lounge visits after enrolling.
✅ Pro tip: Adding an authorized user also increases the account’s existing earn rates by 25% on purchases by both cardholders.* Just be sure to weigh those extra rewards and lounge visits against the additional-card fee.
✈️ Which airport lounges are eligible?
The Visa Airport Companion program gives you access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide.
Like to lounge before you depart? Here are just a few of the participating locations in Canada:
Airport | Lounge |
|---|---|
Calgary International (YYC) |
|
Edmonton International (YEG) |
|
Montréal–Trudeau International (YUL) |
|
Ottawa International (YOW) |
|
Québec City Jean Lesage International (YQB) |
|
Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) |
|
Billy Bishop Toronto City (YTZ) |
|
Vancouver International (YVR) |
|
Winnipeg Richardson International (YWG) |
|
5. Flexible travel rewards that aren’t tied to one airline or hotel brand
Some travel cards deliver value only if you stick with a particular airline, hotel group or loyalty program. That loyalty can pay off, but it can also narrow your options.
The flight with the better schedule, the hotel in the better location or the experience you actually want may fall outside the program. When your points start choosing the trip for you, the “best” redemption may not create the best travel experience.
With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card, you’re free to book with your preferred travel provider, charge the eligible travel purchase to your card and then use Pay with Points to cover the transaction.
That flexibility is a game-changer if you shop by schedule or price rather than staying loyal to one travel brand.
Points can also cover eligible non-travel purchases at 200 points per $1.* (Want more redemption options? Choose from merchandise, gift cards, eligible BMO investment contributions and charitable donations.)
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card also includes travel insurance, priority security lanes at participating Canadian airports and Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection access.*
Who gets the most value from the new BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card?
You’ll get the most out of the redesigned BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card if you:
Can meet the income requirements.
The accelerated earn categories (and limits) match how you spend.
You really want to earn everyday rewards and elevated travel benefits without juggling multiple cards.
If that sounds like you, the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card could be the one-card way to maximize your everyday spending and earn premium travel rewards.