In this credit card matchup, we throw the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card into the arena with the vaunted American Express Platinum Card. Although the BMO eclipse VIP features better insurance, the Amex Platinum has a superior combination of benefits and rewards. The best one for you depends on which features you value most.
Key Takeaways
- The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege offers a well-rounded package of luxury benefits and valuable travel insurance.
- The American Express Platinum Card boasts valuable rewards and a smorgasbord of luxury dining and travel benefits, including unlimited airport lounge access.
- If you’re in the market for a super-premium credit card, we think the Amex Platinum’s many advantages outweigh its limited acceptance and steep annual fee.
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BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card vs. American Express Platinum Card overview
Both the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card and American Express Platinum Card add tons of value to your wallet, lifestyle, and travel experiences, but there are several key differences to note:
| Feature | BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card | American Express Platinum Card |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Credit card | Charge card |
| Annual fee | $599 | $799 |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 120,000 bonus points (terms) | Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms) |
| Maximum rewards | 5 points per $1 spent | 2 points per $1 spent |
| Highest earning categories | Drugstores, gas, groceries, restaurants, and travel | Restaurants and travel |
| Insurance types included | 12 | 11 |
| Metal credit card | ✅ | ✅ |
| Special features | * $200 annual lifestyle credit * Up to 7 cents off per litre at Shell | * $200 annual dining credit * $200 annual travel credit * Unlimited airport lounge access |
| Income requirements | $150K personal or $200K household | None |
| Additional card fee | $99 | $250 (or Gold card for no fee) |
| Payment network | Visa | American Express |
| Get started | Apply now | Apply now |
We’ll break down every difference in detail later; for now, let’s examine what makes each card special.
What we love about the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Pros:
- 6 ways to earn rewards
- Faster rewards earning rate
- Lower annual fee
- Wider acceptance in Canada and worldwide
- More valuable insurance
Cons:
- Fewer benefits
- Higher income requirements
- Higher interest rates
- Less airport lounge access
- Less valuable rewards
- Smaller welcome bonus
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card is the most luxurious BMO credit card on the market. Designed for high-income travellers, it has a little bit of everything, including travel rewards, airport lounge access, and a comprehensive suite of travel insurance.
Rewards
- 5x BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent on travel, dining, gas, groceries, and drugstores
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
The BMO eclipse VIP earns BMO Rewards on a total of 9 types of purchases; both takeout and food delivery count as "restaurants," while car rentals, airline tickets, and hotels all fall under “travel.” Your 5x points bonus applies to your first $100,000 of eligible spending per calendar year, after which rewards fall to 1 point per $1 spent.
Assuming you spend them on travel or BMO Financial Rewards, those 500,000 will yield some $3,350 in value, or about 0.67 cents per point (CPP).
Cost of reward in $CAD / cost of reward in points x 100 = value in cents per point (CPP)
BMO no longer maintains a dedicated travel agency. Instead, cardholders redeem 150 points for every $1 off a travel transaction, including purchases from airlines, cruise lines, hotels, car rental agencies, vacation package sellers, and more.
Benefits
The BMO eclipse VIP features 2 unique credit card benefits: the first is a $200 annual lifestyle credit (applied automatically to your first purchase of $200 or more every year) and the second is a Shell gas discount. Until December 31, 2025, cardholders save 2 cents per litre of regular fuel and 7 cents per litre of premium fuel on up to 1,000 litres per month, making for a maximum gas discount of $840 per year.
But the star of the show is Visa Infinite Privilege. Visa’s top-tier credit card program includes perks such as:
- 24/7 Complimentary assistance with restaurant reservations, travel itineraries, and other requests through Visa Infinite Privilege Concierge
- A complimentary Dragonpass membership and 6 free passes per year with the Visa Airport Companion
- Automatic Diamond status at 60+ Sandman and Sutton Place hotels – including preferred pricing, free room upgrades, and dedicated customer service – courtesy of Visa RSVP Rewards
- Automatic Platinum Status – including 20% off golf fees, merchandise, and lessons at 150+ golf courses worldwide – through Troon Rewards
- Complimentary room upgrades, daily breakfast, and a VIP welcome at 200+ participating properties in the Relais & Châteaux collection
- Complimentary tastings, tours, discounts, and other benefits at select wineries in Ontario and BC courtesy of Visa Infinite Wine Country
- Preferred pricing, automatic room upgrades, complimentary in-room WiFi, complimentary breakfast, a $25 USD food or beverage credit, VIP guest status, 3 PM check-outs, and 1 additional benefit at 900+ properties in the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
- Primetime reservations and access to exclusive in-person dining events at Michelin-starred restaurants from Vancouver to Toronto through the Visa Infinite Dining Series
- Priority security lanes at Billy Bishop (YTZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), and Ottawa (YOW)
- Special perks at the Toronto International Film Festival through the Visa Infinite Screening Series
Cardholders also enjoy access to discounted car rentals, digital streaming subscriptions, and memberships at businesses in Canada, France, the USA, and the UK. All in all, you can expect to reap an estimated $1,639 in credit card benefits.
Insurance
12 types of credit card insurance make up the BMO eclipse VIP’s protection package, including plenty of travel insurance and a 120-day purchase protection plan. It’s worth about $653 in total and applies to an unlimited number of trips per year. Not bad for a $599 annual fee!BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
| Extended Warranty | 2 years |
| Purchase Protection | 120 days |
| Mobile Device | $1,000 |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 22 days |
| Emergency Medical over 65 | 3 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $2,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $5,000 |
| Flight Delay | $1,000 |
| Baggage Delay | $500 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $1,000 |
| Hotel Burglary | $2,500 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
What we love about the American Express Platinum Card
×2 Award winner 
Pros:
- 3 ways to earn rewards
- Larger welcome bonus
- Lower income requirements
- Lower interest rates
- More annual credits
- More benefits
- More valuable rewards
Cons:
- Less acceptance in Canada and worldwide
- Less valuable insurance
- Higher annual fee
- Slower rewards earning rate
Anyone looking for a luxury travel credit card can hardly do better than the American Express Platinum Card. American Express’s premier travel card is sleek, metal, and packed with enough benefits to make you forget its $799 annual fee.
Rewards
- 2 points per $1 spent on restaurants and travel
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
When you’re considering the Platinum Card’s rewards, add takeout counters, coffee shops, bars, and food delivery services to "restaurants." To the “travel” category, add any tickets for transport by air, water, rail, or road, plus hotels and tour operator sales. The Platinum Card has no annual eligible spending cap, so you can 2x the points all year long.
If you spent $100,000 in the Platinum’s top-earning categories, you’d earn 300,000 fewer points than the BMO eclipse VIP, but they’d be worth $650 more. Amex Membership Rewards points are worth about 2 CPP if you transfer them to Aeroplan or use the Amex Fixed Points Travel program, making for a maximum return rate of 4.0%.
Value of rewards earned in CAD / money spent in CAD x 100 = return rate in %
That’s $4 in rewards for every $100 spent, averaging about 2.25% on $2,000 of monthly spending compared to 1.88% for the BMO eclipse VIP. The more you travel, the more both numbers will improve.
Benefits
The Platinum card is Canada’s #1 perks and benefits credit card for a reason – or more like a dozen.
For starters, you’ve got a $200 annual dining credit, a $200 annual travel credit, and a $100 NEXUS rebate every 4 years. Throw in unlimited access for the primary cardholder and up to 2 guests to the Amex Global Lounge Collection – which includes the Centurion and Priority Pass networks – then top it off with:
- 24/7 complimentary assistance with restaurant reservations, travel plans, and travel emergencies through Platinum Care concierge services
- A $100 USD hotel credit, room upgrades, early check-ins, and late check-outs at 700+ properties in The Hotel Collection, plus in-room Wi-Fi, breakfast for 2, and unique benefits at 1,500+ Fine Hotels + Resorts
- Access to special dining, rewards, and shopping rebates worth $200 or more through Amex and Member Offers
- Access to specially reserved tables at fine dining establishments in the Global Dining Collection plus dining, entertainment, shopping, and wellness benefits and events through American Express Experiences
- Automatic Hilton Honors Gold Status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status – including preferred pricing and free nights, breakfast, and room upgrades – through Platinum Hotel Status Benefits
- Complimentary upgrades, preferred pricing, and advanced loyalty status with Avis and Hertz car rentals
- Discounted Premium Economy, Business, and First Class flights through the International Airline Program
- Early access to in-demand event tickets, reserved seating, and curated experiences through Amex Front Of The Line, Presale Tickets, Reserved Tickets, and By Invitation Only
- Exclusive deals and additional earnings on car rentals and hotels on American Express Travel Online
- Priority security, parking discounts, and complimentary value services at Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), plus premium airport transfers when you book a round-trip Business or First Class flight with a 1+ night’s stay through the Platinum Card Travel Service
We estimate Platinum Card benefits add an extra $2,500 of value to your wallet, if not more. The value of perks like concierge services, Member Offers, and the International Airline Program will only grow the more you use them.
Insurance
The Amex Platinum’s insurance package offers surprisingly little value. Totalling just $500, it’s missing crucial coverage such as mobile device insurance and emergency medical over 65.
For a $799 annual fee, we expect better.
American Express Platinum® Card
| Extended Warranty | 1 year |
| Purchase Protection | 120 days |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 15 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $2,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $2,500 |
| Flight Delay | $1,000 |
| Baggage Delay | $1,000 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $1,000 |
| Hotel Burglary | $1,000 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
How do the BMO eclipse VIP and Amex Platinum compare?
Taking it category by category, the 8 most important points of comparison reveal a clear winner:
Best benefits: American Express Platinum Card
The Amex Platinum is stacked with benefits that touch on dining, entertainment, and every stage of the travel process, from booking tickets to airport lounge access. While Visa Infinite Privilege is a fine offering, it just can’t compare.
Best insurance: BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Given the Amex Platinum’s high annual fee, it’s disappointing it can’t save you more on travel insurance. We’re giving this category to the BMO eclipse VIP, which provides more coverage and value.
Best rewards: American Express Platinum Card
Although it’s a slow earner, the Amex Platinum’s valuable rewards program and lack of spending caps make it a potential rewards juggernaut. The BMO eclipse VIP may earn plenty of points, but they don’t translate to generous rewards.
Although the Platinum Card doesn’t have a pre-defined spending limit, it can still reject a potential purchase based on your credit score and spending history. The solution? Call Platinum Care.
Highest acceptance: BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Although American Express cards are welcomed by nearly every business in the states, the same can’t be said of Canada or the world at large. Visa reigns supreme in over 200 countries and territories worldwide.
Remember: Acceptance may affect how many credit card rewards you could earn in one year.
Highest welcome bonus: American Express Platinum Card
Thanks to its high point value, the Platinum Card’s welcome bonus exceeds that of the BMO eclipse VIP.
Interest fees: BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
The BMO eclipse VIP levies above-average interest rates: 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances, and 23.99% on balance transfers. However, it’s much simpler than the Amex Platinum’s payment setup.
The Platinum Card is a charge card with a twist: you can choose to pay off your card in full after the 21-day grace period or carry a Flexible Payment Option Balance (FPOB) for a 21.99% interest fee. If you don’t make a minimum payment, you’ll get hit with a 30% interest fee. If you opt for an FPOB but miss 2 separate payments in 12 months, your rate will shoot to 25.99%, which climbs to 28.99% after 3 missed payments.
Lowest annual fee: BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Although the BMO eclipse VIP charges $599 per year and the Platinum Card $799, it also pays to look at the supplementary card fees. One extra eclipse card will cost you $99; Amex gives Platinum cardholders 2 choices of supplementary cards.
| Amex Platinum | Amex Gold | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $250 | $0* |
| Amex Experiences, Offers, Front of the Line, and Presale Tickets benefits | ✅ | ✅ |
| Hertz car rental benefits | ✅ | ✅ |
| Avis car rental benefits | ✅ | ❌ |
| Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits | ✅ | ❌ |
| Global Dining Collection benefits | ✅ | ❌ |
| Platinum Concierge | ✅ | ❌ |
| Platinum Card Travel benefits | ✅ | ❌ |
| The American Express Global Lounge Collection benefits | ✅ | ❌ |
| Toronto Pearson International Airport benefits | ✅ | ❌ |
* Applies to the first 2 supplementary Gold Rewards cards on the account. Subsequent cards cost $50 each per year.
Although the Amex Platinum’s supplementary card fees are steep, the benefits make a second Platinum card an absolute steal.
Lowest eligibility requirements: American Express Platinum Card
You’ll need a very, very good credit score to qualify for the Amex Platinum Card – but the lack of formal income requirements grants applicants more flexibility. By contrast, candidates for the BMO eclipse VIP must meet a rigid threshold of at least $150,000 in personal income or $200,000 in household income.
The winner: American Express Platinum Card
You’d be perfectly justified if you called the American Express Platinum Card’s annual fee a dealbreaker, but don’t underestimate its potential. Its benefits and rewards make it massively more rewarding for high-income globetrotters than the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card, even if the latter does have better insurance.
Top travel alternative
You can gain the same acceptance, benefits, and insurance as the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card (and better rewards) using the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card. Its insurance and Aeroplan benefits – which include an annual airline companion voucher, free first checked bags, and priority airport services – add up to over $5,000 of extra value.
To sweeten the deal even further, you can grab it for $599 per year and enjoy a larger welcome bonus than the Amex Platinum and BMO eclipse VIP combined.
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Credit Card
| Extended Warranty | 2 years |
| Purchase Protection | 120 days |
| Mobile Device | $1,500 |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 31 days |
| Emergency Medical over 65 | 4 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $2,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $5,000 |
| Flight Delay | $1,000 |
| Baggage Delay | $1,000 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $2,500 |
| Hotel Burglary | $2,500 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
FAQ
Is Visa Infinite Privilege hard to get?
Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards require a credit score of at least 660+ and proof of at least $150,000 of personal income or $200,000 of household income.
What is the minimum income for a Visa Infinite Privilege card?
At least $150,000 of personal income or $200,000 of household income is required for a Visa Infinite Privilege credit card.
What card is higher than Amex Platinum?
The invitation-only Amex Centurion – commonly known as the Amex Black Card – is American Express’ highest credit card tier.
Does the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card give lounge access?
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card includes a free airport lounge membership (powered by DragonPass) and 6 free passes, with additional passes for $35 USD each.
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