BMO Eclipse Visa Rise Card

Overview

The BMO Eclipse Visa Rise Card is BMO Bank of Montreal's entry-level Eclipse rewards card, issued on the Visa network. Despite what you might expect from an "entry-level" label, it carries no annual fee and earns BMO Rewards points at a meaningful rate on groceries, dining, takeout, and recurring bill payments. It also includes a 0% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for a promotional period, and mobile device insurance up to $1,000 CAD — both uncommon features on a no-fee card. There is no income requirement.

Availability note (April 2026): The BMO eclipse rise Visa card does not appear in BMO's primary online credit card listings under the same name in all channels — confirm current availability directly at bmo.com/en-ca/main/personal/credit-cards/bmo-eclipse-rise-visa/.

Who this card is for

The Rise Card is for newer earners, students, and Canadians who want a no-fee BMO Rewards card for everyday spending — particularly on groceries, dining, and recurring bills. It's also a practical option for someone carrying a balance on a high-interest card who wants a promotional low-rate transfer alongside ongoing rewards earning. No income requirement means it's accessible to a wide range of applicants.

Key benefits

The card earns 5 BMO Rewards points for every $2 spent on recurring bill payments, groceries, dining, and takeout — capped at $5,000 per category annually. That's an effective 2.5 points per dollar in those categories. BMO Rewards points are worth approximately 0.67 cents each on average (0.71 cents per point toward travel bookings via the BMO portal, where 150 points = $1 CAD). At 2.5 points per dollar, the effective travel return on eligible categories is roughly 1.7%.

All other purchases earn 1 point for every $2 spent, or 0.5 points per dollar.

Mobile device insurance covers up to $1,000 CAD if your phone is lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged — a feature that typically appears only on mid-tier or premium cards. The 0% introductory balance transfer rate makes this a genuinely versatile card for new applicants looking to consolidate debt and earn rewards simultaneously.

Points don't expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

Potential drawbacks

The $5,000 annual cap per category limits total high-rate earning. A household spending $600 CAD per month on groceries would reach the $5,000 cap in roughly eight months, after which additional grocery purchases earn at the base 0.5 points per dollar rate. The BMO Cashback Mastercard, also no-fee, earns 3% cashback on groceries (first $500/month) — a higher return in the grocery category specifically, and in cashback rather than points. If you prefer simple cashback over a points program, that card is the cleaner choice.

How it compares

The BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite is the natural next step up — it earns 5 points per dollar (not per $2) on dining, groceries, gas, and transit, at a $120 CAD annual fee. If your income qualifies and your spending volume justifies the fee, the Infinite earns meaningfully faster in those categories. The RBC ION Visa is another no-fee comparator, earning Avion points on groceries, gas, and streaming — with Avion points transferable to British Airways Avios and WestJet Rewards, giving them broader airline utility than BMO Rewards.

Bottom line

A well-rounded no-fee card for BMO's entry-level rewards audience. Mobile device insurance and a balance transfer promotion are uncommon bonuses at no cost. If you're ready to pay a fee for better earn rates, the BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite is the logical upgrade.