National Bank · Mastercard · Cash back

Reviewed 2026-07-06 · By The Points Standard editorial team

National Bank ECHO Cashback Mastercard

4.5/10 · Pass$30/yr

A fine low-fee cash-back card, but the $30 fee is hard to justify against free alternatives earning similar rates.

How we make money & how we rank: rankings are set by the Standard Score, never by compensation. Some card links may become referral links; that never changes a card's score or position. Full disclosure. Last reviewed: 2026-07-06.

Standard Score breakdown — Pass

Six weighted components, each rated 0–10. "Contributes" is the rating × weight — add all six and you get the 4.53/10 Standard Score above.

Component (weight)RatingContributes
First-year value (30%)
3.51.05
Ongoing value (20%)
4.50.90
Flexibility (15%)
6.00.90
Perk usability (15%)
3.50.53
Low friction (10%)
7.50.75
Strategic fit (10%)
4.00.40

See how the Standard Score works or re-weight it to your priorities.

The numbers

Annual fee$30
Welcome bonusNo standing welcome bonus confirmed — check current promotional offers before applying
Est. bonus value$0
First-year net value$80

Earn rates

Gas, groceries, online purchases (first $25,000/year)1.5%
Everything else / spend beyond $25,0001%

Why it earns its score

  • Simple, uncapped-category cash back at a low $30 fee
  • 1.5% on gas, groceries, and online purchases covers most households' biggest spend
  • No minimum redemption threshold

Where it loses points

  • $30 fee undercuts the value versus genuinely free 1%+ competitors
  • 1.5% rate isn't category-leading
  • No travel insurance

Who it's for

National Bank clients who want simple, broad cash-back categories without tracking a complex rewards program.

Who should skip it

You want a genuinely free card — mycredit Mastercard or Tangerine Money-Back earn similar rates with no fee.

Included insurance

Purchase protection

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Source: issuer card page · Last reviewed 2026-07-06. Details change often — confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.