CardRewardsEditorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.
The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the BMO Escape ($150/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | BMO Escape | RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® |
|---|---|---|
| Rci | 1X | 5X |
| Dining |
The BMO Escape wins in 9 of 11 categories. The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® leads in 2.
Flights
BMO Escape earns 4X vs 1X
Dining
BMO Escape earns 4X vs 1X
Hotels
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
All Tours
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
All Travel Agencies
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
Cruises
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
Car Rentals
BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X
Ridesharing
BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X
Taxi
BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X
Rci
RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® earns 5X vs 1X
The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.
The BMO Escape justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
Choose the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the BMO Escape if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the BMO Escape ($150/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | BMO Escape | RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® |
|---|---|---|
| Rci | 1X | 5X |
| Dining |
The BMO Escape wins in 9 of 11 categories. The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® leads in 2.
Flights
BMO Escape earns 4X vs 1X
Dining
BMO Escape earns 4X vs 1X
Hotels
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
All Tours
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
All Travel Agencies
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
Cruises
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
Car Rentals
BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X
Ridesharing
BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X
Taxi
BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X
Rci
RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® earns 5X vs 1X
The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.
The BMO Escape justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
Choose the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the BMO Escape if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the BMO Escape ($150/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | BMO Escape | RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® |
|---|---|---|
| Rci | 1X | 5X |
| Dining |
The BMO Escape wins in 9 of 11 categories. The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® leads in 2.
Flights
BMO Escape earns 4X vs 1X
Dining
BMO Escape earns 4X vs 1X
Hotels
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
All Tours
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
All Travel Agencies
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
Cruises
BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X
Car Rentals
BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X
Ridesharing
BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X
Taxi
BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X
Rci
RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® earns 5X vs 1X
The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.
The BMO Escape justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
Choose the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the BMO Escape if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
| 1X |
| Flights | 4X | 1X |
| All Tours | 3X | 1X |
| All Travel Agencies | 3X | 1X |
| Cruises | 3X | 1X |
| Hotels | 3X | 1X |
| Car Rentals | 2X | 1X |
| Ridesharing | 2X | 1X |
| Taxi | 2X | 1X |
| Travel | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Travel
RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® earns 2X vs 1X
The BMO Escape costs $150/yr — that's $150 more than the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $150 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The BMO Escape offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $150 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on flights and dining, the BMO Escape's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® means losing:
Get the BMO Escape if you:
Get the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® if you:
| 1X |
| Flights | 4X | 1X |
| All Tours | 3X | 1X |
| All Travel Agencies | 3X | 1X |
| Cruises | 3X | 1X |
| Hotels | 3X | 1X |
| Car Rentals | 2X | 1X |
| Ridesharing | 2X | 1X |
| Taxi | 2X | 1X |
| Travel | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Travel
RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® earns 2X vs 1X
The BMO Escape costs $150/yr — that's $150 more than the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $150 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The BMO Escape offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $150 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on flights and dining, the BMO Escape's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® means losing:
Get the BMO Escape if you:
Get the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® if you:
| 1X |
| Flights | 4X | 1X |
| All Tours | 3X | 1X |
| All Travel Agencies | 3X | 1X |
| Cruises | 3X | 1X |
| Hotels | 3X | 1X |
| Car Rentals | 2X | 1X |
| Ridesharing | 2X | 1X |
| Taxi | 2X | 1X |
| Travel | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Travel
RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® earns 2X vs 1X
The BMO Escape costs $150/yr — that's $150 more than the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $150 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The BMO Escape offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $150 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on flights and dining, the BMO Escape's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® means losing:
Get the BMO Escape if you:
Get the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® if you:
