RBC Cash Back Mastercard: Simple, No-Fee Rewards for Everyday Spending

By CR

Unlimited cash back with no annual fee

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No annual fee, unlimited earning

Pay $0 yearly while earning cash back on every eligible purchase.

Up to 2% back on groceries

Earn 2% on grocery spend up to an annual cap, then 1% afterward.

Up to 1% back on everything else

Get 0.5–1% on other eligible purchases, including recurring bill payments.

Extra savings with partners

Save on fuel at Petro-Canada and earn more at Rexall and other partners.

Turn Everyday Purchases into Ongoing Cash Back with a No-Fee Card

The RBC Cash Back Mastercard is designed for Canadians who want straightforward rewards without paying an annual fee. Instead of juggling complex points charts or travel programs, you earn simple cash back on virtually every eligible purchase. Groceries are the star category: you can earn 2% cash back on grocery store purchases up to a set yearly limit, which translates to $120 in bonus rewards on this category alone. Once you cross that annual grocery threshold, you continue to earn 1% on additional grocery spend for the rest of the year.

On all other eligible purchases, including day-to-day spending and pre-authorized bill payments, the card pays between 0.5% and 1% cash back. You earn 0.5% on the first slice of your yearly non-grocery spending and, after you pass a specified amount, your rate on those “everything else” purchases steps up to 1% for the remainder of the year. The result is a card that quietly rewards the way many Canadians already use their credit card: buying groceries, paying streaming subscriptions, covering phone and internet bills, filling up the car or tapping for small in-store purchases.

Redemption is equally simple. Your cash back accumulates automatically on your statement; you don’t need to manually track different buckets of rewards. Once your cash back balance reaches $25, you can request a credit against your account, or you can let it build up and have it automatically applied once a year in January, appearing on your February statement as long as your account is in good standing. This flexibility lets you choose between frequent small credits or a larger once-a-year rebate that feels more impactful.

Beyond the core earn and burn mechanics, the RBC Cash Back Mastercard includes a few meaningful perks. Linking your card to Petro-Canada lets you save 3¢ per litre at the pump and earn extra Petro-Points on fuel and convenience purchases, while shopping at Rexall with a linked card can boost your Be Well points on eligible items. You also benefit from purchase security and extended warranty protection on eligible items bought with the card, which can repair or replace items that are stolen, damaged or break beyond the original manufacturer’s warranty period. All of this sits on top of a $0 annual fee and standard purchase interest of 19.99% and cash advance interest of 22.99%, making it a practical, entry-friendly cash back option for many Canadians.

Who is the RBC Cash Back Mastercard best for?

This card suits Canadians who want a no-annual-fee product that rewards everyday spending, especially frequent grocery shoppers. It’s also a good fit for students, newcomers and budget-conscious households who prefer simple cash back instead of complex travel points, and who mostly pay their balance in full each month.

How exactly does the cash back earning work?

You earn 2% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases up to a yearly spending cap. After that, you earn 1% on additional grocery purchases. On all other eligible purchases, you earn 0.5% cash back until you reach a yearly non-grocery spending level, after which those purchases earn 1% for the rest of the year.

How and when can I redeem my cash back?

Your cash back accumulates automatically on your account. Once the balance reaches at least $25, you can request that it be applied as a statement credit. If you don’t redeem early, your total cash back is automatically credited to your account every January and will appear on your February statement, provided your account is in good standing.

Does the card include any insurance or purchase protection?

Yes. Eligible purchases made with the card are generally covered by purchase security, which can protect against theft or damage for a limited period after purchase, and extended warranty, which can lengthen the manufacturer’s warranty up to a maximum additional term. Coverage is subject to conditions and exclusions outlined in the insurance documentation.

Are there any partner benefits with this card?

When you link your card to your Petro-Canada account, you can save 3¢ per litre on fuel and earn more Petro-Points. At Rexall, you can earn extra Be Well points on eligible purchases by paying with your linked card. There may also be rotating offers from other partners and merchants accessible through RBC’s rewards and deal platforms.

What are the interest rates and fees?

The RBC Cash Back Mastercard has no annual fee for the primary cardholder or for additional cards. The typical interest rate is around 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances. A standard foreign transaction fee applies to purchases made in currencies other than Canadian dollars, so the card is not specifically optimized for international travel spending.

Is there a welcome bonus for new cardholders?

As of 2025, RBC periodically offers promotional welcome bonuses that boost your cash back rate for a limited time or on a specific amount of spending, including targeted offers for newcomers or specific campaigns. These promotions change over time, so it’s important to review the current offer details on RBC’s website or in branch before you apply.

Ready to Turn Everyday Shopping into a Steady Cash Back Stream?

For many Canadians, the bulk of monthly spending doesn’t happen in luxury categories; it happens in grocery aisles, at the gas station, online checkouts and recurring bill payments. The RBC Cash Back Mastercard is built around that reality. Instead of charging you an annual fee and asking you to master a complicated reward chart, it offers a straightforward way to get a little bit back every time you tap, insert or click. With 2% cash back on grocery purchases up to a yearly limit, a tiered 0.5%–1% rate on everything else and automatic accumulation on your statement, the card transforms everyday errands into a low-maintenance rewards strategy.

The no-annual-fee structure is particularly appealing if you’re cautious about adding new cards or are just starting to build your credit history. You don’t have to worry about offsetting a yearly charge; any cash back you earn is pure extra value. The ability to redeem once you hit $25, or automatically each January, gives you flexibility in how you treat your rewards. Some cardholders like to “sweep” their cash back once or twice a year to lighten their statement. Others allow it to accumulate and treat the annual rebate as a built-in savings boost or a small reward for staying on budget.

Where the RBC Cash Back Mastercard stands out compared with many basic no-fee cards is in its partner ecosystem. Savings at Petro-Canada, boosted Be Well points at Rexall and access to periodic merchant offers provide a layer of extras that can quietly add up, especially if you already shop at those brands. Combined with purchase security and extended warranty protection, these features help round out a package that delivers more than just a flat rebate.

If you’re considering this card, a smart first step is to look back at your last three months of credit and debit transactions. Estimate how much you spend at grocery stores and on other everyday purchases that could move onto a cash back card. Then do a quick calculation: what would 2% back on groceries and 0.5%–1% on everything else have looked like for you? If the total seems meaningful—and you’re confident you can pay your statement balance in full to avoid interest—the RBC Cash Back Mastercard is worth serious consideration.