The RBC Cash Back Mastercard is a no-fee credit card from RBC Royal Bank. It’s built for everyday spenders who want simple rewards, not a program to manage. You earn unlimited cash back on every purchase, plus access to partner perks with brands like Petro-Canada, Rexall, and DoorDash.
What makes it stand out: a $0 annual fee, permanently. Cash back keeps building even after the higher grocery rate drops off for the year. New cardholders also get a bonus rate for the first three months, so the value starts right away, before the standard earn rate even kicks in.
This is an entry-level card in RBC’s lineup, not a travel or points product. That’s by design. It skips the frills that come with an annual fee and focuses on a benefit almost everyone uses: groceries.
Who This Card Makes Sense For
This card is a good fit if you:
- Are early in building credit or credit history
- Run a budget-conscious household with steady grocery spending
- Want a simple, no-fee secondary card behind a premium one
- Prefer cash back credited automatically over managing a points program
It’s a weaker fit if you:
- Spend heavily outside groceries — the standard rate there is modest
- Travel often and want travel insurance or airport perks bundled in
- Tend to carry a balance month to month, since interest quickly outweighs any cash back earned
If you already hold a premium RBC card, this one still has a place — as a no-fee backup for occasional purchases, rather than your main card.
Eligibility and Documents Needed
RBC doesn’t publish a minimum income or credit score for this specific card. General RBC card requirements still apply: you need to be at the age of majority in your province (18 or 19, depending on where you live) and a Canadian resident. Newcomers, temporary foreign workers, and international students can apply in branch instead.
A Social Insurance Number may be requested to verify your identity and speed up the credit check, but it’s optional.
To apply, have these ready:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Your Canadian address and monthly housing costs
- Employment details and income
- Pay stubs, a T4 slip, or a recent tax return, if RBC asks for proof
How to Apply
You can apply for the RBC Cash Back Mastercard entirely online. Here’s what to expect:
- The application takes about five steps online
- Most applicants get a decision in under a minute
- Some applications need extra review and can take several business days
- Approved cards typically arrive by mail within a few business days
RBC doesn’t publish a specific eligibility checklist beyond this — your income and credit are assessed as part of the application itself, not before it.
Fees and Conditions
The numbers that matter most:
- Annual fee: $0
- Purchase interest rate: 20.99%
- Cash advance rate: 22.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents)
There’s no yearly charge eating into your cash back, which isn’t always true of premium cards. But the interest rates only make sense if you pay your statement in full each month — carrying a balance at these rates can wipe out months of rewards fast.
The cash back itself is tiered:
- Groceries: 2% up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1% after that, with no cap
- Everything else: 0.5% up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that, with no cap
In practice, this rewards steady, predictable spending more than one big purchase in a single category. It works best if you already have a rough sense of your monthly grocery budget, since that’s where most of the extra value sits.
“No cap” here means something specific: once you pass the $6,000 threshold in a category, you don’t stop earning — you just earn at the lower, unlimited rate instead. There’s no ceiling on how much cash back you can accumulate over a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cash back can I earn with this card?
There’s no cap on total cash back. Groceries earn a higher rate up to $6,000 a year, then a lower rate indefinitely. Other purchases follow the same pattern at their own threshold.
How and when do I get paid my cash back?
Once your balance reaches $25, RBC credits it automatically each January, reflected on your February statement. You can also request a payout at any other time.
Does the welcome bonus apply if I transfer from another RBC card?
No. The bonus cash back offer is for new RBC Cash Back Mastercard applications only, submitted during the promotional window. Existing cardholders switching card types don’t qualify.
Is the interest rate the same across Canada?
Almost. The purchase rate is 20.99% everywhere. The cash advance rate is slightly lower for Quebec residents, at 21.99% versus 22.99% elsewhere.
Does this card include any insurance or protection?
Yes. It comes with purchase security and extended warranty insurance, underwritten by RBC Insurance. You’re also covered against fraudulent or unauthorized use of the card.
