Brim Financial is a Canadian fintech that issues its own Mastercards. It has two cards: the no-fee Brim Mastercard (0.5% back in points) and the Brim World Elite Mastercard ($89 a year, 1% back, plus travel insurance). Points are worth 1¢ each and can be used on any purchase. Here’s how they compare, and when Brim’s lower 1.5% foreign transaction fee makes it worth a look. Cards with no fee at all are on our no foreign transaction fee shortlist.
Brim Mastercard vs World Elite calculatorEnter what you spend in a year to see which Brim card leaves you with more, after fees.
Your yearly spending
World Elite
a year after the $89 fee
Brim Mastercard
a year, no fee
Better pick
The Brim cards at a glance
| Brim Mastercard | Brim World Elite Mastercard | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $89 ($50 per extra card) |
| Earn rate | 1 point per $2 (0.5%) | 1 point per $1 (1%) |
| Point value | 1¢, on any purchase | 1¢, on any purchase |
| Partner offers | Up to 30% back in points at selected merchants | Up to 30% back in points at selected merchants |
| Foreign transaction fee | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Income needed | None listed | $80,000 personal or $150,000 household |
| Travel insurance | No | Yes, including trip cancellation |
| Mobile device insurance | $500 | $1,500 |
| Lounge access | No | Mastercard Travel Pass membership (visits US$32 each) |
How Brim points work
- 1 point = 1¢. Apply points to any purchase on your card or take them as a statement credit, starting at 100 points ($1).
- No cap on how many points you earn, and points don’t expire while your account is in good standing.
- Partner offers: the Brim Marketplace shows offers from participating merchants, with bonus points of up to 30% back. Offers vary, so treat 30% as the best case.
- Installment Pay: split purchases over $500 into 12 to 24 monthly payments at 0% interest for a one-time fee (not in Quebec).
Brim World Elite Mastercard
The World Elite earns double the points of the no-fee card, so it pays for its $89 fee once you spend about $17,800 a year. Below that, the free Brim Mastercard leaves you with more, unless you’d use the insurance.
| Insurance | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Emergency medical outside your province | $5 million; 15 days under age 65, 3 days at 65+ |
| Trip cancellation | $2,000 per person, $5,000 per trip |
| Trip interruption | $5,000 per person, $25,000 per trip |
| Flight delay (over 4 hours) | Up to $1,000 |
| Delayed baggage (over 6 hours) | Up to $1,000 |
| Lost or stolen baggage | $1,000 per person, $2,000 in total |
| Rental car collision | Up to 48 days, cars up to $85,000 |
| Mobile device | Up to $1,500 |
| Purchase security and extended warranty | 90 days; warranty extended up to 1 extra year |
Brim says travel insurance isn’t available to new applicants who live in Quebec.
Is an $89 fee worth it for you?
Try the annual fee calculator →Brim Mastercard (no fee)
The no-fee Brim Mastercard earns 1 point per $2, which is 0.5% back. Brim lowered it from 1 point per $1 in 2024. It’s an easy card to get, with no income minimum listed, and it includes a few extras:
- Mobile device insurance up to $500.
- Purchase security for 90 days (up to $1,000) and an extended warranty of up to 1 extra year.
- Free Wi-Fi at Boingo hotspots worldwide.
- 1.5% foreign transaction fee, lower than the usual 2.5%.
If you just want the most cash back with no fee, other cards earn more. See our best no-fee credit cards.
Fees and interest rates
| Both Brim cards | |
|---|---|
| Purchases and balance transfers | 19.99% |
| Cash advances | 21.50% |
| If you miss 2 payments in 12 months | 24.99% on everything |
| Foreign transaction fee | 1.5% |
| Cash advance fee | $3.50 in Canada, $5 outside Canada |
| Returned payment | $25 |
These rates come from Brim’s 2024 disclosure, the most recent we could find. Brim’s card page also still has older text saying foreign purchases have no surcharge, but its FAQ, comparison chart and disclosure all say 1.5%.
Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard by Brim
Brim also issues the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard, sold through Flying Blue. It earns Flying Blue miles rather than Brim points: 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and bars, 1 mile per $1 everywhere else, up to 30 miles per $1 at partner merchants, and an extra 5 miles per euro on Air France and KLM tickets. It’s free in the first year, then $132 a year, and unlike Brim’s own cards it charges a 2.5% foreign transaction fee. It also adds 30 Flying Blue XP each card anniversary.
Who is Brim?
Brim Financial issues its own credit cards rather than partnering with a bank, and calls itself the only fintech in North America licensed to issue credit cards. It registered under Canada’s Retail Payment Activities Act in October 2025 and joined Payments Canada in January 2026. Brim also runs credit card platforms for other lenders, including Laurentian Bank.
Who should get which Brim card
| You are… | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending $18,000+ a year and travelling | Brim World Elite | 1% back, travel insurance and a lower foreign fee |
| Spending less, wanting no fee | Brim Mastercard | No fee, phone insurance, simple points |
| Wanting the most cash back with no fee | Another card | 0.5% is low for a no-fee card |
| Wanting no foreign fee at all | Another card | Brim charges 1.5%; some cards charge nothing |
| Flying Air France or KLM often | Air France KLM World Elite | Flying Blue miles and XP |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Brim credit card good?
The Brim World Elite is a solid pick if you spend over about $18,000 a year: 1% back, a 1.5% foreign fee and travel insurance for $89. The no-fee Brim Mastercard earns only 0.5%, so it’s best for its extras, like phone insurance.
Does Brim charge foreign transaction fees?
Yes. Brim’s own cards charge 1.5% on foreign-currency purchases, lower than the 2.5% most Canadian cards charge. The Air France KLM card by Brim charges 2.5%.
How much are Brim points worth?
1 point is worth 1¢. You can apply points to any purchase on your card or as a statement credit, starting at 100 points.
What is the annual fee for the Brim World Elite Mastercard?
$89 a year, plus $50 for each additional card. It needs $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income.
Is Brim a bank?
Brim doesn’t call itself a bank. Brim Financial issues its own Mastercards and says it’s the only fintech in North America licensed to issue credit cards.
Does the Brim Mastercard have an income requirement?
Brim’s sign-up page doesn’t list an income minimum for the no-fee Brim Mastercard. You need to be a Canadian resident who has reached the age of majority.
Who issues the Air France KLM credit card in Canada?
Brim Financial issues the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard. It earns Flying Blue miles and costs $132 a year after the first year.
Related reading
- Best travel credit cards: eight picks for trips, compared
- All credit card reviews: reviews and best-card shortlists
- Home Trust credit card review: no foreign transaction fee
- Best no-fee credit cards: the shortlist
- Annual fee calculator: when a fee pays for itself
- Rogers credit card review: cash back and foreign currency
How we checked: Card features, earn rates, point rules, insurance and eligibility come from Brim’s credit card, features, personal cards and sign-up pages. Interest rates and fees come from Brim’s March 2024 disclosure statement and change notice, the latest we could find. Air France KLM card details come from Brim’s Flying Blue card page and FAQ. We left out welcome offers because they change often. The calculator values points at 1¢ and doesn’t count partner offers or insurance. This review is general information, not financial advice. Sources: Brim credit cards; Brim features; Brim personal cards and insurance; Brim sign-up and eligibility; Brim disclosure statement (PDF); Brim 2024 notice of change (PDF); Brim cardmember agreement (PDF); Air France KLM World Elite by Brim; Air France KLM card FAQ; About Brim; Brim and the Retail Payment Activities Act. Last checked October 2026.