BMO Harris Offering Higher Sign Up bonuses (25,000/35,000 Points)

Update 11/27/19: Bonus back. Hat tip to reader MJ

Update 1/15/19: Deal has been extended until October 31st, 2019. Looks like this is basically just the standard offer now. Hat tip to reader Toad

Update 11/20/18: Bonuses have been further increase to 25,000 points & 35,000 points (previously 20,000 & 30,000 and originally 10,000 and 15,000). Hat tip to reader E

Update 04/12/18: This has been extended until October 31st, 2018

BMO Harris is currently offering double the sign up bonus they normally offer on the Platinum Rewards and Premium Rewards Mastercards. These offers are available until April 15th, 2018. October 31st, 2018.

 

 

Keep reading for more information on each card:

BMO Harris Bank Platinum Rewards Mastercard

• 25,000 points after $2,000 in spend within the first three months of account opening (worth $250 towards travel redemption)
• Card earns at the following rates:
  • 2x points on gas and groceries (up to $2,500 in spend per quarter)
  • 1x points on all other purchases
• 10% anniversary point bonus every year
• No annual fee
• 0% introductory APR on purchases for six months after account opening
• 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 12 months from date of first transfer when transfers are completed within 90 days of account opening

BMO Harris Bank Premium Rewards Mastercard

• 35,000 points after $5,000 in spend within the first three months of account opening (worth $375 towards travel redemption)
• Card earns at the following rates:
  • 3x points on dining, hotels and airfare (up to $2,500 in spend per quarter)
  • 1x points on all other purchases
• 15% anniversary point bonus every year
• Annual fee of $79 is waived first year
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership and two-free visits per year
• 0% introductory APR on purchases for six months after account opening
• 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 12 months from date of first transfer when transfers are completed within 90 days of account opening

Anniversary Bonus

This applies to base points earned (e.g it’s 15% bonus on 1x for the Premium Rewards card even if the purchase is on dining, rather than a 15% bonus on 3x). It also does not apply to the sign up bonus.

How Much Are Points Worth?

Points are worth 1.25¢ towards travel, it isn’t clear how much they are worth in other cases. I think they are worth 1¢ cash.

Our Verdict

I actually think the Premium card is pretty good value. It’s a shame the 15% bonus isn’t on the 3x, otherwise you’d be earning a total of 3.45 per $1 spent and those points are worth 1.25¢ towards travel/dining making it 4.3125% back. As it stands it works out to be 3.9375% back. Not as good as the Uber card for restaurant spend. The sign up bonus of $375 towards travel is still quite good, although the minimum spend requirement is high. This would be more of a bonus for people that have already hit up the lower hanging fruit and don’t have many opportunities available to them. Keep in mind BMO Harris doesn’t have the best record for customer service, don’t believe me? Read the comments on the checking bonus they offer.

It also isn’t 100% clear if this is open to all states or not (by this it looks like it is possible if you are out of state). Please share your experiences in the comments.

Hat tip to RoamingRedPanda