The World Elite Mastercard and Visa Infinite programs are elite-tier programs that bundle exclusive perks, protections, and lifestyle benefits designed to enhance your travel and spending experiences.
It's impossible to say which of these premium programs is better than the other. The best Visa Infinite cards are a bit easier to qualify for, and there are more to choose from, but World Elite Mastercards have better insurance packages.
Both of these programs can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars in value beyond what you earn in points. This article breaks down and compares what each offers so you can see the full picture.
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Overview of World Elite and Visa Infinite programs
Both Mastercard and Visa offer 2 levels within their programs.
For Mastercard, they have:
- World Mastercards, and
- World Elite Mastercards.
And for Visa, it’s:
- Visa Infinite, and
- Visa Infinite Privilege cards.
Each of these offer different levels of perks. For our exercise, we’ll be comparing World Elite and Visa Infinite cards, as they’re the closest to each other in terms of benefits.
Comparison of World Elite and Visa Infinite Privilege benefits
Here’s an overview of the perks and benefits offered by World Elite Mastercards and Visa Infinite Privilege cards.
| Feature | Mastercard World Elite | Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | All cards give membership to Mastercard experiences by DragonPass, a select few offer free passes | Some cards offer a Priority pass membership, a select few offer free passes |
| Concierge service | World Elite concierge | Visa Infinite concierge |
| Insurance coverage | Up to 15 types of coverages | Up to 12 types of coverage |
| Income requirements | 80K personal, 150K household | 60K personal, 100K household |
| Experiences | * Mastercard Priceless cities * Cirque du Soleil |
* Visa Infinite dining series * Visa Infinite Wine Country program |
| Other perks | * Mastercard World Experiences | * Visa Infinite Luxury hotel collection |
| Number of credit cards available | 12 | 15 |
| Standout credit card |
Lounge access
Both programs have cards that offer membership to their lounge programs, but few of them offer actual passes.
Because you normally have to pay an annual fee on top of your individual lounge access passes, you’re still saving quite a bit, even if the cards don’t come with passes (though it’s definitely better if they do).
World Elite Mastercard lounge access
Select World Elite Mastercards offer membership to their own program – Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by DragonPass.
This will give you membership to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, but only a select few cards offer complimentary passes as well. If your card doesn’t provide any free passes, you’ll have to pay $32 USD each time you want to use your lounge access.
The
Visa Infinite lounge access
Only some Visa Infinite cards offer access to Visa Airport Companion to their over 1,200 airport lounges, and even fewer offer free passes.
The
Concierge service
For concierge service, both programs offer a full-service concierge to help with travel plans, dinner reservations, and event tickets.
Mastercard World Elite concierge and Visa Infinite concierge are ready to help you with your travel plans, or anything else that comes up while you’re in the middle of your journey.
Insurance coverage
When it comes to travel insurance, World Elite Mastercards have a slight edge.
The differences between the 2 lie in the various rental car protections. World Elite Mastercards issued by BMO, MBNA, and Brim Financial have car rental personal effects and accident insurances, something no Visa Infinite card currently offers.
Otherwise, they generally have the same protections and coverage amounts.
World Elite Mastercards insurance coverage
The best World Elite Mastercards come with 15 (out of
Check out an example of the kind of limits they offer:
Brim World Elite Mastercard Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.Extended Warranty 1 year Purchase Protection 90 days Mobile Device $1,500 Travel Accident $500,000 Emergency Medical Term 15 days Emergency Medical over 65 3 days Trip Cancellation $2,000 Trip Interruption $5,000 Flight Delay $500 Baggage Delay $500 Lost or Stolen Baggage $1,000 Hotel Burglary $2,500 Rental Car Theft & Damage Yes
Visa Infinite insurance coverage
Conversely, the best Visa Infinite cards have 12 types of insurance.
Here’s what their insurance details look like:
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.Extended Warranty 1 year Purchase Protection 90 days Travel Accident $500,000 Emergency Medical Term 25 days Emergency Medical over 65 3 days Trip Cancellation $1,500 Trip Interruption $1,500 Flight Delay $500 Baggage Delay $1,000 Lost or Stolen Baggage $1,000 Hotel Burglary $1,000 Rental Car Theft & Damage Yes
Income requirements
To be able to acquire these cards, you need to meet set income requirements.
In this regard, Visa Infinite cards definitely have a leg up on their competition. You need a personal income of $60,000, or a household income of $100,000 to qualify for a Visa Infinite card.
While this may seem high on its own, they sound better than the income requirements for World Elite Mastercards, which increase those numbers to $80,000 personal, or $150,000 household.
Experiences
Both programs offer access to events that can’t be found anywhere else.
Visa Infinite experiences
For Visa Infinite, you get the Visa Infinite Dining Series and Wine Country programs.
The Visa Infinite Dining Series gives you exclusive access to dining events that will make you want to get your camera out and show off to everyone.
For the wine guru, the Visa Infinite Wine Country program will let you participate in wine tastings and tours at a reduced cost compared to what anyone else has to pay.
Mastercard World Elite experiences
Mastercard World Elite offers Priceless Cities. You’ll be able to pick from a wide variety of experiences and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to participate in events all over the world.
Other perks
Above everything else we discussed, each program also has one special extra perk.
Visa Infinite extra perks
For Visa Infinite, it’s the Luxury Hotel Collection.
You’ll get great benefits at over 900 properties worldwide, such as a free room upgrade, US$25 food or beverage voucher, VIP guest status, and more.
World Elite Mastercard extra perks
On the World Elite Mastercard side, they offer Mastercard World Experiences.
With this perk, you can get preferred access and complimentary upgrades on all kinds of offers, such as upscale retailers and resorts.
Best World Elite and Visa Infinite credit cards
So what are the top credit cards for each program?
Here are 2 of the top options currently available, both from BMO.
| Feature | BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard | BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card |
|---|---|---|
| Earn rates | * 5% cash back on groceries, up to $500 in monthly spend * 4% cash back on transit, up to $300 in monthly spend * 3% cash back on gas, up to $300 in monthly spend * 2% cash back on recurring bills, up to $500 in monthly spend * 1% cash back on all other purchases | * 5 BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent on dining, groceries, gas, and transit * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases |
| Annual fee | $120 | $120 |
| Insurance coverage | 13 types | 6 types |
| Income requirements | 80K personal or 150K household | 60K personal or 100K household |
| Airport lounge access | Mastercard Travel Pass membership (no passes) | None |
| Other perks | Free roadside assistance | * $50 annual lifestyle credit * 10% bonus points when you add an authorized user |
| Welcome bonus |  $150 GeniusCash + Up to $480 cash back in the first year, first year free (terms) | $150 GeniusCash + Up to 70,000 bonus points, first year free (terms) |
| Best for... | Cash back lovers | Urban living |
| Apply now | Apply now | Apply now |
BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
One of the best World Elite Mastercards is the
Here's what you'll earn on all your purchases:
- 5% cash back on groceries, up to $500 in monthly spend
- 4% cash back on transit, up to $300 in monthly spend
- 3% cash back on gas, up to $300 in monthly spend
- 2% cash back on recurring bills, up to $500 in monthly spend
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
You'll also be rewarded when you open up a new card with up to $480 cash back in the first 12 months.
BMO makes it easy to redeem your cash back. Once you have $1 accumulated, you can redeem it. And you're not just limited to statement credits either, you can deposit your cahs back to a BMO bank or investment account.
It doesn't end there though. It includes one of the rarest credit card perks available with roadside assistance. It will allow you to save on a roadside assistance membership fee every year you have the card.
Throw in 13 types of insurance, and you've got a card that will give you added peace of mind when on your travels.
To top it all off, the first year is currently free.
GC: $150
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite
One of our top Visa Infinite cards is the
You also earn bonus points in a variety of categories:
- 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries, gas, transit, and restaurant purchases, and
- 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
It’s also offering a rebate on the annual fee for the first year, so you can take the card for a test drive.
To top it off, you'll also receive an annual $50 lifestyle credit, which automatically gets applied after your first purchase greater than that.
GC: $150
To summarize
Regardless of the program, you’ll get great benefits that go beyond just rewards. Both of these premium travel perks programs can make trips more memorable and enjoyable.
What about you?
Have you used the benefits of a World Elite Mastercard or Visa Infinite card?
Let us know how your experience went in the comments below.
FAQ
What is a Visa Infinite credit card?
Visa Infinite credit cards are offered by many Canadian banks. This is a special perks and benefits program offered by Visa itself, rather than by the individual banks. With a Visa Infinite or Visa Infinite Privilege credit card, you’ll get access to a generous array of perks, including airport lounge access, Visa Infinite Luxury Hotels, and dedicated concierge services, among other things.
How do you qualify for a Visa Infinite card?
To qualify for a Visa Infinite credit card you’ll need excellent credit and a high personal or household income. For Visa Infinite cards, you’ll need to earn at least $60,000 per year, or have a combined household income of $100,000. Those requirements are even higher for Visa Infinite Privilege cards, although specific requirements depend on which credit card you’re interested in.
What banks offer Visa Infinite?
Many Canadian banks offer Visa Infinite credit cards, including BMO, CIBC, Desjardins, Scotiabank, TD, and RBC.
What’s the difference between Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege?
The majority of Visa Infinite perks and benefits are offered by both tiers of this program. The Infinite Privilege cards also offer global airport lounge access with 6 complimentary lounge passes, dedicated VIP security lanes at select Canadian airports, and complimentary airport parking and valet discounts at select Canadian airports.
What is World Elite?
World Elite is a premium perks and benefits program offered by Mastercard in Canada. This program is available with credit cards offered by many Canadian banks, including BMO, Brim, Desjardins, HSBC, MBNA, Rogers, and RBC.
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GC: 
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