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Tangerine World Mastercard Review 2025: Is It Worth It?

Jan 6, 2025The Tangerine World Mastercard is a no-fee credit card that earns 2% cash-back rewards in up to three spending categories (and 0.5% on everything else).
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The Tangerine World Mastercard® is a no-fee credit card that earns cash back on all eligible purchases — get 2% back in up to three spending categories of your choice and earn 0.5% on everything else.

Tangerine World Mastercard®
Annual fee$0
Interest rates20.95% / 22.95%
Rewards rate0.5%-2%

Tangerine World Mastercard® full review

The Tangerine World Mastercard® offers travel perks, mobile device insurance, rental car coverage, no annual fees, and customizable bonus categories that you can tailor to your spending.

You can also easily manage your account through the Tangerine mobile app, making it a convenient option for those who prefer to bank digitally.

Benefits of the Tangerine World Mastercard®

  • Cash-back rewards: Earn cash-back rewards with no annual fee.

  • Airport perks:

  • Travel rewards: Special offers are available when traveling outside of Canada through Mastercard Travel Rewards.

  • Customizable categories: Earn 2% cash back in categories you care about most — choose from a list that includes unique options like home improvement and public transit.

  • Balance transfer offer: Get a 1.95% introductory interest rate on balance transfers made within the first 30 days of card ownership, for six months. (A 1% balance transfer fee applies. After the promotional period, the rate reverts to the cash advance rate — currently 22.95%. Terms and conditions apply.)

Drawbacks of the Tangerine World Mastercard®

  • Limited travel insurance: The card lacks comprehensive travel insurance beyond rental car collision and damage coverage.

  • Earning restrictions: The 2% cash-back rate applies only to up to three selected Money-Back Categories; all other purchases earn just 0.5%.

  • Category restrictions: To unlock a third 2% Money-Back Category, cash-back rewards must be automatically deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account.

Who should get the Tangerine World Mastercard®?

We believe this card is well-suited for someone who:

  • Prefers unique spending categories

  • Banks with Tangerine or is willing to start: To unlock a third 2% Money-Back category, you’ll need a Tangerine Savings Account or be open to opening one.

  • Plans a large purchase in a reward category: A significant expense, such as new furniture or a home renovation project, can help you meet the $1,000 spending requirement for the card’s 10% cash-back introductory offer.

  • Wants basic insurance perks without an annual fee: Includes mobile device insurance, rental car coverage, purchase assurance, and extended warranty protection.

Is the Tangerine World Mastercard® worth it?

If you tend to spend the majority of your money on just a few types of purchases each month, this card may be worth a look. You don’t need to worry about an annual fee, but you’ll want to consider the card’s interest rates and rewards to ensure it’s a practical fit for your lifestyle.

Tangerine customer ratings

  • Strong customer satisfaction: Tangerine ranks first in overall customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power’s 2024 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.

  • Low Trustpilot rating: 1.3 out of 5 possible stars based on more than 1,600 customer reviews, as of this writing.

  • Low Better Business Bureau rating: 1.06 out of 5 possible stars based on over 80 customer reviews, as of this writing.

Tangerine World Mastercard® eligibility

Who qualifies for the Tangerine World Mastercard®?

To qualify for the Tangerine World Mastercard®, you must:

  • Be a Canadian resident.

  • Be at least the age of majority for your province or territory.

  • Meet specific credit score requirements.

  • Meet one of the following income requirements.

    • A minimum gross annual income of $50,000 for an individual. 

    • A minimum gross annual income of $80,000 for a household.

    • A combined balance of at least $250,000 across Tangerine savings and/or investment accounts.

Approximate credit score needed for approval

Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. What we do know is that higher scores have better chances of approval — that’s true no matter what type of credit you’re applying for.

Want to learn more? Read our articles on what credit score is needed for a credit card? and how to check your credit score.

Tangerine World Mastercard® rewards

The Tangerine World Mastercard® offers 10% cash back on the first $1,000 you spend within the first two months of card ownership (valid before January 31, 2025).

How to apply for the Tangerine World Mastercard®

You can complete an application for the Tangerine World Mastercard® on Tangerine’s website. Follow these steps:

  1. Click “Apply now.”

  2. Log in or sign up for a new account. 

  3. Enter any personal details like your name, email address, and other contact info.

  4. Enter any employment or financial information requested. 

  5. Review the card’s terms and conditions before you submit your application.

Tangerine World Mastercard® vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

If you don’t meet the annual income requirement for the Tangerine World Mastercard®, you could consider Tangerine’s other credit card. The no-fee Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card has identical rewards to the Tangerine World Mastercard®, but it has a significantly lower income requirement.

Tangerine World Mastercard®
Tangerine World Mastercard®
Annual fee$0
Interest rates
20.95% / 22.95%
Rewards rate
0.5%-2%
Intro offer
Up to $100
Recommended credit score655-724

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Annual fee$0
Interest rates
20.95% / 22.95%
Rewards rate
0.5%-2%
Intro offer
Up to $100
Recommended credit scoreN/A

Want more info on how these cards compare? NerdWallet’s Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card versus Tangerine World Mastercard® comparison answers your frequently asked questions.

Reasons you might want a different card

The Tangerine World Mastercard® earns cash back and comes with numerous card perks, but there are a few circumstances where it won’t be a practical fit:

  • You want a card with travel insurance.

  • You’d prefer to earn a different reward, like points or miles.

Tangerine World Mastercard® facts

Tangerine World Mastercard®

Card Type

Cash-back credit card.

Fees and Interest Rates

Annual fee

$0.00

Regular/purchase APR

20.95%.

Penalty APR

25.95% on purchases and 27.95% on cash advances (including balance transfers) if you miss two consecutive minimum payments.

Cash advance APR

22.95%.

Cash advance fee

$3.50 per transaction in Canada ($5 per transaction outside of Canada).

Balance transfer APR

22.95% (1.95% promotional rate for 6 months if you transfer the balance during the first 30 days of account opening).

Balance transfer fee

3% of the transaction amount, minimum of $5 (1% during the promotional offer).

Foreign transaction fee

2.5% of the transaction amount.

Rewards and Benefits

Intro offer

New cardholders can earn an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases made within the first two months of card membership (limited time offer, terms and conditions apply).

Reward earn rates

Cardholders get 2% cash back on two money-back categories and 0.5% cash back on all other purchases. Cardholders who deposit their cash-back rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account can earn 2% cash back on a third money-back category. Money-back categories include:

  • Groceries.

  • Furniture.

  • Restaurants.

  • Hotels and motels.

  • Gas.

  • Recurring bill payments.

  • Drug stores.

  • Home improvement.

  • Entertainment.

  • Public transportation and parking.

Other perks

  • Mastercard Travel Rewards. Unlock cash-back offers and rebates by using your Tangerine World Mastercard® at select merchants.

  • Airport lounge passes. Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide for $32 USD per visit.

  • Mastercard Travel Pass offers. Dining, retail and spa deals in over 650 airports around the world.

  • On-demand and subscription services. Enjoy special benefits and offers from on-demand apps and subscription services.

Insurance coverage

Rental car theft/damage

Up to 31 days.

Mobile device protection

Up to $1,000 of mobile device protection in case of loss, theft, accidental damage or mechanical issues. Conditions apply.

Extended warranty

Up to one year.

Purchase protection

90 days.

Rental car theft/damage

For up to 48 days.

Extended warranty

Up to one additional year.

Purchase protection

90 days.

Methodology

BACK TO TOP

NerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.

Frequently asked questions


For $32 USD per visit, Tangerine World Mastercard® cardholders can visit over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.

No. The Tangerine World Mastercard® offers rental vehicle insurance, mobile device protection, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.