Which has the lower annual fee, BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard or World Elite Mastercard?

Both cards have the same annual fee of $150.

Which card is better for groceries, BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard or World Elite Mastercard?

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard earns 0.7x on groceries, while the World Elite Mastercard earns 5x. The better choice depends on your grocery spending and the specific merchants you shop at.

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard vs World Elite Mastercard — Which Is Better? | Churnr

Header Quick Take Value Earn Rates Merchants Wallet Bonus FX Benefits Eligibility Perks Downgrade Verdict

World Elite Mastercard wins by $1,359/yr — strongest in groceries

World Elite Mastercard earns $576 more on groceries
World Elite Mastercard earns $119 more on dining & restaurants
$400 welcome bonus advantage

Groceries: +$576Dining & Restaurants: +$119Gas: +$54

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard: $30/yr in foreign transaction fees

World Elite Mastercard: $30/yr in foreign transaction fees

Showing Year 1 analysis

Dollar Value

$109

/first year

0.3% effective$9/mo

vs 1% no-fee card: −$310

Annual rewards earned+$289

FX costs−$30

Annual fee−$150

Winner

$1,468

/first year

3.5% effective$122/mo

vs 1% no-fee card: +$1,049

Annual rewards earned+$1,098

Welcome bonus+$400

First-year fee waiver+$150

FX costs−$30

Annual fee−$150

Best for your spendingWorld Elite Mastercard—$1,468Year 1 value

+$1,359 more than BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard

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The Bottom Line

World Elite Mastercard wins by $1,359/yr — strongest in groceries

World Elite Mastercard earns $576 more on groceries
World Elite Mastercard earns $119 more on dining & restaurants
$400 welcome bonus advantage

Groceries: +$576Dining & Restaurants: +$119Gas: +$54

Showing Year 1 analysis

World Elite Mastercard wins in both Year 1 and Year 2+ — consistent long-term value.

Data Sources

Issuer terms & conditions (verified Mar 2026)

Merchant MCC verification (239 merchants)

Insurance certificates (PDF review)

Reward program documentation

User-reported acceptance data

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