Which BMO eclipse card is better: the Visa Infinite or the Privilege?

Both cards earn 5x BMO Rewards points on groceries, dining, gas, drugstore, and travel. The Privilege justifies its $479 higher fee through a $150 larger lifestyle credit, six airport lounge passes, and a NEXUS statement credit. If you travel frequently and use airport lounges, the Privilege can pay for itself. If you rarely use lounges, the base eclipse at $120 delivers the same earn rates for significantly less.

Does the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege annual fee pay off?

The $479 incremental fee (Privilege $599 vs. base $120) is partially offset by a $150 lifestyle credit difference and a NEXUS credit (the NEXUS fee is $120 USD for 5 years, roughly $33 per year). The remaining gap is covered by the six airport lounge passes, valued at roughly $32 each. Using all six passes returns approximately $192, bringing total tangible benefit to around $375 — leaving a roughly $104 annual shortfall that the Privilege's concierge access and Visa Infinite Privilege perks would need to close.

BMO eclipse Visa Infinite vs. eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege — Which Card Is Worth It?

BMO eclipse Visa Infinite vs. eclipse Privilege: full comparison

	eclipse Visa Infinite	eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege
Cost
Annual fee	$120 (first year waived)	$599
Income requirement	$60K personal / $100K household	$150K personal / $200K household
Earn rates
Groceries, dining, gas, drugstore & travel	5 pts / $1	5 pts / $1
All other purchases	1 pt / $1	1 pt / $1
Accelerated earn cap	$50,000/yr combined across all categories	Per category ($15K–$25K each — can total higher)
Credits and perks
Annual lifestyle credit	$50	$200
Airport lounge access	None	6 complimentary visits/yr (Visa Airport Companion, 1,300+ lounges)
NEXUS statement credit	None	Yes
Authorized user earn bonus	+10% on 5x categories	+25% on all earn
Welcome bonus
Points (verify current offer with BMO)	Up to 80,000 pts	Up to 200,000 pts
Insurance
Emergency medical, trip cancel/interrupt	Yes	Yes
Flight and trip delay, lost baggage	Yes	Yes
Rental car collision/damage	Yes	Yes
Card network
Visa tier	Visa Infinite	Visa Infinite Privilege (concierge, hotel collection, events)

Both cards earn BMO Rewards points redeemable at a fixed 0.67¢ each (150 pts = $1) on any eligible travel purchase.

Which card is right for you?

Choose the Privilege if…	Choose the eclipse Visa Infinite if…
You use airport lounges and will get through most of the six annual passes	You rarely travel through airports with lounges or fly infrequently
You meet the $150K personal income requirement and value Visa Infinite Privilege concierge and events	Your income is below $150K personal / $200K household
The $150 extra lifestyle credit and NEXUS help close the fee gap for your situation	You want the same 5x earn rates at $479 less per year

eclipse Visa Infinite overview → eclipse Privilege overview → BMO Rewards program →

BMO eclipse Visa Infinite vs. eclipse Privilege: full comparison

Which card is right for you?

Which card fits your travel pattern?