Tangerine cashback credit cards are offered by Scotiabank-owned Tangerine bank. They are available exclusively in Canada. It’s one of the most popular cash back credit cards available in Canada.
Overview
The main draw of the Tangerine cashback credit cards is that there is no annual fee attached to it. Each purchase a user makes using the Tangerine cards earns cash back. The earned rewards can be deposited directly back to the credit card account so that it applies towards the balance.
A user has to select 2% money-back categories to get 2% cash back on these purchases, plus 1% on all other purchases. Tangerine credit cards are usually attached to a Tangerine savings account, so the rewards can easily be deposited. Cashback rewards deposited to the savings accounts are treated just like other savings deposits and will earn interest. Users can choose the redemption option on the savings accounts and choose two 2% cash back categories. The other option is to have the money directly deposited into a credit account, where the rewards will be applied against the other balance.
The advantage of Tangerine is that rewards do not need to be requested in advance. Rewards are also unlimited and are not subject to a throng of restrictions. Lack of annual fee means users can get cashback without rewards being deducted by service charges. Money-back rewards are also awarded on a monthly basis, rather than an annual basis.
It’s important to note that white there is no annual fee, there are several charges for other transactions. Each foreign currency exchange will have a 1.50% charge added to the converted transaction amount. Cash advances are $2.50 in Canada and $5 outside Canada. Balance transfer charge is 1% of the transfer amount or a minimum of $5. Dishonoured payments cost $25. The overcharge limit is $20, and only one overcharge payment is allowed each month. If you want to print a past statement, it will cost you $5. No charges apply to print current monthly statements.
Tangerine cashback cards are for personal use only, and businesses are not issued these cards. A single card can have up to 5 authorized users attached to the account. These authorized users will be able to make purchases and can take cash advances on the individual credit cards issued to them. However, authorized users cannot change the credit limit on the account or request balance transfers to other accounts. The primary cardholder will be responsible for paying the total balance on the account. It’s important to note that the primary cardholder is responsible for any and all transactions authorized users make.
Users can change the 2% money-back categories after activating the card anytime. Changes will take effect once the first monthly statement arrives. Users have the freedom to request changes throughout. However, existing categories must have been in place for 90 days before the changes can be implemented.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- No annual fee being charged. Most money-back credit cards have annual fees of close to a $100.
- Cash back is unlimited.
- Users receive 4% cash back as a welcome bonus for the first 90 days.
- After the first three months, users can receive 2% cash back on any two categories of their choosing, and an additional 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No earning caps or restrictions imposed on non-category purchases.
- Cardholders can choose two categories from 10 options, which covers expenses such as gas, clothes, electronics, pharmacy, and certain recurring bill payments.
- Freedom to change categories any time as wished.
- Cash back rewards can be deposited to a savings account if desired.
- Rewards are granted automatically. No requesting process necessary.
- Add up to 5 authorized users to a single account.
- Schedule automatic payments online.
Cons
- No travel perks.
- While the Tangerine cashback card can be used outside Canada, transactions may be limited or restricted considering international banking regulations and safety of overseas transactions.
- A 1% balance transfer charge applies.
- Balance transfers between authorized users is not allowed.
- Overcharging is limited to only $20, and only one overcharge is allowed per month.
Comparison to Other Canadian Cashback Credit Cards
Currently, Tangerine cashback credit cards are highly favoured by consumers over other Canadian credit cards available on the market such as American Express Simply Cash Card and Rogers Platinum MasterCard.
One of the biggest advantages that Tangerine has is that cash back is unlimited and is deposited automatically without the need for formal requests. Users often have to make requests and sort through complicated bonus rewards programs to get the money-back on other similar cards.
Most cashback rewards programs offer bonuses at the end of each year. Tangerine cards offer cashback rewards on a monthly basis. Redeeming rewards is effortless and convenient. The rewards can be arranged to be deposited to a savings account or towards the balance of the account. This is an option absent from many other similar programs.
While the Tangerine card charges 1.5% foreign transaction fee, this is quite low compared to what many other money-back credit cards charge. Most offer rates closer to 2.5%.
There are other cards offering flat 2% to 4% rewards and bonus points for all purchases. However, these also require cardholders to show a minimum monthly income of $6,000 or more. The Tangerine card’s monthly income requirement is much lower. So, this is a good option for entry-level workers and those firmly in the mid-income category.
As there is no annual fee, the Tangerine credit card stands as a desirable alternative to cash back cards that demand premium yearly service charges.
Other similar programs, like American Express’s Simply Cash, offers 1.25% money back on all purchases. Tangerine offers only 1% money back on all purchases. But remember, this is in addition to the 2% you get on selected categories. It’s easy to apply the higher rate for transactions you tend to conduct more frequently, like paying for gas, and also earn rewards for non-frequent transactions, like buying clothes, as well.