How to Apply for your BMO Cash Back Credit Card
As the 8th largest bank in North America by assets, BMO offers financial products designed to reward consumers for their everyday spending. The BMO Cash Back Credit Card stands out as a strong contender in the rewards space, particularly for households prioritizing digital subscriptions and essential purchases. This comprehensive review dives into everything this card has to offer, from its impressive 5% cash back rate on streaming services to its invaluable $0 annual fee and complimentary cell phone protection.
Whether you are looking for a generous introductory bonus, competitive introductory APR offers, or simply a robust card for routine spending on gas and groceries, the BMO Cash Back Credit Card presents a compelling case. Read on to explore the full spectrum of benefits, understand the necessary prerequisites for application, and weigh the pros and cons to determine if this card is the right fit for your financial lifestyle.
Benefits
BMO is the 8th largest bank in North America by assets. One of the best products at the financial market, BMO Cash Back Credit Card will benefit you in several ways. Those are:
- Annual Fee: This card comes with no annual fee.
- Welcome Bonus: On spending $2000 within the first 3 months, you can earn a $250 cash reward as an opening bonus.
- Cashback: you can earn a significant 5% cash back on streaming, cable TV and satellite services, 3% cash back on gas and groceries, and 1% on all other eligible purchases.
- Cell Phone Coverage: You will get $400 as a cellphone damaged or stolen protection coverage on spending on your monthly telephone bills with this card.
- Mastercard Priceless Experiences: Mastercard comes with an exclusive program to build loyal customers. Cardholders can book unique experiences, get discounts, hotel upgrades, and more.
- Enjoy a Peaceful Ride: You will get a free Master RoadAssist Roadside Service. This Roadside Service includes jump-start, tire changes, towing, and gas delivery to make your ride worry-free.
- Extended Warranty: This card will double the original U.S. manufacturer warranty for up to an additional 1 year.
- Identity Theft Protection: This card ensures security protections such as theft protection, identity monitoring, and identity checks to keep you away from any unwanted incidents.
- Easy Redeem Option: The cash reward you earned on this card can only be redeemed as a statement credit.
Prerequisites
You must be at least 18 years old, it can vary state by state, and be a legal resident of the United States, to apply for this card. There is no specific credit score requirement mentioned on their website, but having a FICO score of 670 or higher will increase the chances of getting approved.
Also, you may need to provide a proof of income to prove that you can pay the monthly balances. Documentation such as your Social Security Number (SSN) can be required.
The BMO Cash Back Credit Card is not available for all residents. This card is available to the residents of some specific states such as New York, Arizona, Florida, Alabama, Hawaii, Alaska, Arkansas, Mississippi, California, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, New Mexico, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North California, North Dakota, Ohio, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Caroline, South Dakota, Wyoming, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Who is this card for?
The highlighting benefits this card provides is on streaming services, cable TV, and satellite services. The cash reward rate for this category is the highest among others this card offers. This card comes with a good cash reward for spending on gas and groceries.
So, for anyone who wants a card for everyday spending, this card can be a good option.
Step by step to apply for the card
Applying for a BMO Cash Back Credit Card is very simple:
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Review Prerequisites: Before starting, confirm you meet the basic requirements (e.g., at least 18 years old and a legal resident of the United States) and have the necessary financial information (income, SSN) ready.
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Navigate to the Application Page: Visit the official BMO website for the Cash Back Credit Card and select the option to “Apply online.”
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Choose Your Application Path: Indicate whether you are a new applicant or if you are responding to a specific “pre-select offer” you may have received in the mail.
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Complete the Online Form: Fill out the application form with all required details, including personal information, contact details, Social Security Number (SSN), employment status, and annual income.
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Submit and Get an Instant Response: Submit your completed application. The BMO site mentions you can “get a response in 60 seconds or less.”
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Receive and Activate the Card: If approved, you will receive your card by mail. Follow the instructions to activate it, which usually involves signing in to BMO Digital Banking or calling a dedicated activation number.
Mobile app
This bank has a mobile app to enable digital banking services. The app is available on the Apple Store, Play Store, and BMO’s website as well.
Pros and Cons of the card
The BMO Cash Back Credit Card stands out in the market by offering generous rewards in highly relevant everyday spending categories, all while charging no annual fee. However, like any financial product, it comes with a specific set of significant advantages and a few important limitations. By reviewing the pros and cons below, you can assess whether the benefits—such as high cash back on streaming services and complimentary cell phone protection—outweigh the likely restrictions concerning redemption options and the requirement for a strong credit history for approval.
Pros
- Highest rewards rate on streaming services, cable, and satellite TV
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months if completed within 90 days
- Cell Phone damaged or stolen protection
Cons
- Cell Phone coverage limitation is two claims per year
- Good to excellent credit score needed
- Fewer options for cashback redemption
How to unlock the card?
Like the other cards, you can activate it online from their website or mobile app by logging in to your digital bank account or you can call 1-855-825-9237. You will be required your card number, expiration date, and security code to activate the card.
Fees and tariffs
The Standard Purchase Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is a variable rate, currently 19.99% to 27.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
There is a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 12 months (when completed within 90 days of account opening); after that, a variable APR applies, currently 19.99% to 27.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
The minimum interest charge is no less than $1.00, but you can avoid interest charges by paying the entire balance by the due date each month.
Customer Service
For assistance related to credit cards, BMO has 24/7 customer service at 1-855-825-9237. For general queries, call them at 1-888-340-2265 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday to Friday and for Saturdays and Sundays, customer service will be available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
About the author
I have a background in Law and Marketing, and I specialise in strategic content creation, branding, and social media. I'm passionate about finance and communication, and I enjoy making complex topics clear, practical, and accessible. I'm communicative, organized, and a big fan of fashion and smart shopping. In my spare time, I love nature, cooking, traveling, and consuming content that inspires me to keep learning and growing.
