How the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card refresh changes the way you earn points

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If you’ve been carrying the same rewards credit card for years, it might be time to check it against your current needs and spending habits. After all, a card that worked for you a decade ago might not offer as much value for your current lifestyle and spending habits.

The good news is that credit cards often evolve, too. A great example is the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card. While some features remain the same, the card has introduced new benefits that make it a premium travel credit card. We’ll explore what changed with this popular BMO credit card and point out potential drawbacks so you can decide if this is the right card for your wallet.

What’s new

Whether you’re a new cardholder or shopping around for your next rewards card, here’s what’s changing with the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card.

No foreign transaction fees

Previously, the card charged a 2.5% foreign exchange fee for international purchases, along with the applicable exchange rate. As you can imagine, these fees added up fast. If you weren’t using your BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card for travel, you probably never minded the fee. But if you’re travelling more than ever, having a card that waives the foreign transaction fee is a must.

With its update, BMO is dropping the 2.5% foreign transaction fee, although the applicable exchange rate still applies to your international transactions.

5X the points on health and wellness

Good news if your spending habits have shifted to the personal wellness space: The card now gives 5 points per $1 spent on:

• Massage parlors
• Health and beauty spas
• Public and private golf courses
• Club membership (athletic, recreational, sports)
• Recreation services (including gyms)

There is a $15,000 cap on rewards spending per calendar year in this new category, but that’s considerably more value than the current base earn rate of 1 point per $1 spent.

10 complimentary lounge visits a year

BMO’s updates to the eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card enhance its travel benefits. A good example of this is the increase in the number of complimentary airport lounge visits included with the Visa Airport Companion membership. 

Instead of getting just 6 visits per year, cardholders can enjoy 10 complimentary visits to any of the 1,200 participating lounges. Plus, secondary cardholders can also enjoy their own 10 visits, as long as they’ve enrolled for Visa Airport Companion membership separately. 

If you find yourself travelling more frequently for work or pleasure, getting an extra 4 visits per year adds extra value to the card.

Updated welcome offer

New BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege cardholders can take advantage of a new welcome offer between November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2027. Earn up to 200,000 BMO Rewards points by meeting certain spending milestones with your new card. Here’s how you can maximize the offer:

• Earn 80,000 points by spending at least $10,000 within the first 110 days of opening the account.
• Earn 40,000 points by spending at least $20,000 within the first 180 days of opening the account.
• Earn 80,000 points by spending at least $40,000 within the first 12 months of opening the account.

This updated welcome offer lets you earn the same number of points, but BMO lowers the required spend, making it easier to reach the maximum.

Other recent and new adjustments

As you can see, some of the changes are new benefits, while others are adjustments. There are also a few downsides to mention.

Drugstore purchases no longer earn 5x the points

Although health and wellness has been added as a reward-multiplying category, BMO removed drugstores. Instead of earning 5 points per $1, you’ll only earn the standard base rate of 1 point per $1 spent. That said, if your habits have shifted to focus more on the gym and treating yourself to well-deserved massages, it’s a change in your favour.

Keep in mind that the other accelerated reward categories (travel, groceries, gas, and dining) still earn 5x the points up to their spending caps.

Another notable change is that the $200 travel credit replaces the $200 lifestyle credit. At first glance, this might not seem like a drawback since the credit is for the same amount. However, it’s harder to access the travel credit compared to the lifestyle credit.

In the past, you could apply the lifestyle credit to any purchases made during the previous calendar year, with a spend requirement. Now, the travel credit that replaces it requires you to make a single airfare, hotel, or car rental purchase of at least $500 in order to get the $200 credit. 

You’re entitled to one of these travel credits per calendar year, and it’s credited within 30 business days of charging the travel purchases.

The fee for the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card remains unchanged at $599 per year.

What the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card already does well

Maybe you already have the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card and enjoy some of its standout features. Here are the perks and benefits of the card that aren’t changing:

• Accelerated rewards on popular categories: Earn 5x the points on travel ($25,000 cap), groceries ($20,000 cap), gas ($15,000 cap), health and wellness ($15,000 cap) and dining ($25,000 spending cap).
• 25% reward bonus: If you add an authorized user, you and the user earn 25% more reward points for the reward accelerators. You can add up to nine authorized users. 

• Priority travel access: Take advantage of the Priority Security Lane, airport parking and valet discounts, and priority taxi and limo lanes at select Canadian airports.
• Impressive insurance coverage: The card provides $1,000 of mobile device protection along with the usual extended warranty and purchase protection, but cardholders also enjoy travel accident, trip interruption, emergency medical, baggage delay, rental car coverage, hotel theft, and more.
• Great balance transfer offer: To help you pay off your debt quickly, you can transfer existing credit card debt to the card and pay 0% interest for 12 months. Just be aware that there’s an initial 2% balance transfer fee.
• Visa RSVP Rewards benefits: Book your next hotel stay at Sandman, Sandman Signature, and Sutton Place hotels, and you could enjoy Diamond-status perks like a room upgrade, late checkout, dining discounts, and a $20 dining voucher.
• Up to $200 NEXUS statement credit: When you charge your NEXUS application fee to your BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card during the first year you have it, you’ll get a $200 CAD statement credit.
• Free and discounted Instacart+ Membership: Primary cardholders can get six months of free membership and a promotional annual rate of $79 CAD if you choose auto-enroll.
• $10 Instacart Credit per Month BMO Offer: After you activate your free BMO Instacart+ membership, you’ll receive a $10 credit every month. Just be aware that the credit doesn’t roll over, so you’ll have to use it or lose it.

How the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card compares

You have several options when choosing a top-tier Visa Infinite Privilege card or another ultra-premium credit card.

This is why it’s helpful to see where the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card shines and where other cards do better. Remember, you’re looking for a credit card that fits your current lifestyle needs, especially if you’ve outgrown your mid-tier or no-annual-fee rewards credit card.

If you’re taking multiple trips abroad each year, you might want a card that waives the foreign exchange fee. The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card is just one of a few with this money-saving benefit. It’s also hard to compete with the card’s accelerated earn rate, although a few issuers have cards with slightly higher base rates.

All of these card adjustments and differences highlight just how important it is to check whether your credit card is still meeting your needs.

Terms and conditions apply.

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Read more about credit cards:

• The best BMO credit cards in Canada 2026
• The best credit cards in Canada for 2026
• The best rewards credit cards in Canada for 2026
• Why we overspend to earn rewards points