The Desjardins Cash Back World Mastercard is Desjardins’ no-annual-fee cash back Mastercard — the entry-level option in the Desjardins cash back card lineup below the premium Odyssey World Elite Mastercard. It earns Bonusdollars (Desjardins’ cash-equivalent rewards currency) on everyday purchases at no cost to the cardholder, making it suitable for Desjardins members who want some cash back without committing to the $130/year Odyssey.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Desjardins members — primarily Quebec and Ontario residents — who want to earn Bonusdollar cash back on everyday purchases with no annual fee, and don’t yet need or want the premium features of the Odyssey World Elite Mastercard.
Not ideal for: Non-Desjardins members without access to a caisse, or heavy spenders in grocery/restaurant/gas categories who should consider the Odyssey World Elite’s higher 3.5% earn rate and premium perks.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase interest rate | 19.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 21.9% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Income requirement | Verify at desjardins.com |
| Network | World Mastercard |
| Rewards | Bonusdollars (cash back) |
| Welcome bonus | Verify current offer at desjardins.com |
Card terms, earn rates, and features are subject to change. Verify all current details at desjardins.com before applying.
Bonusdollars: Simple Cash Back
The Desjardins Bonusdollar system is among the most transparent cash back programs in Canada:
- 1 Bonusdollar = 1 cent in rewards value
- Redeem as a statement credit — direct money off your card bill
- No point conversions, no reward portals with complex ratios
- Bonusdollars do not expire while the account is open
This simplicity is the Desjardins program’s strongest feature. What you earn is what you get.
Earn Rates
| Spending Category | Earn Rate |
|---|---|
| Everyday purchases | Verify at desjardins.com |
| Grocery and restaurant | Verify at desjardins.com |
| All other eligible purchases | Verify at desjardins.com |
Verify current earn rates and any annual earning caps at desjardins.com.
How the Cash Back World Compares to the Odyssey World Elite
| Feature | Cash Back World MC | Odyssey World Elite MC |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $130 |
| Grocery earn | Verify | 3.5% |
| Restaurant earn | Verify | 3.5% |
| Gas earn | Verify | 3.5% |
| Entertainment | Verify | 3.5% |
| Base earn | Verify | 1.5% |
| DragonPass lounge | No | Yes |
| Travel insurance | Basic | Comprehensive |
| Network | World Mastercard | World Elite Mastercard |
The Odyssey World Elite is clearly the stronger card if you spend heavily in bonus categories. The breakeven point — where the Odyssey’s additional cash back justifies the $130 fee — depends on your spending in the 3.5% categories. At $300/month in combined grocery/restaurant/gas/entertainment, the Odyssey earns approximately $126/year in those categories; verify the Cash Back World’s rate at those same categories to determine the crossover point for your spending.
When Does It Make Sense to Upgrade to the Odyssey?
| Monthly Bonus Category Spending | Cash Back World (verify rate) | Odyssey @ 3.5% | Odyssey Advantage | Net After $130 Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200/month | Verify | $84/yr | Verify | May not justify fee |
| $400/month | Verify | $168/yr | Verify | Likely justifies fee |
| $600/month | Verify | $252/yr | Verify | Clearly justifies fee |
If your monthly grocery + restaurant + gas + entertainment spending exceeds approximately $400, the Odyssey World Elite’s higher earn rate and lounge access likely justify the $130 annual fee. Verify current Cash Back World rates at desjardins.com for an accurate comparison.
Fees and Rates
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase interest rate | 19.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 21.9% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
Desjardins Cash Back World vs. Other No-Fee Cash Back Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Best Cash Back Rate | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desjardins Cash Back World MC | $0 | Verify at desjardins.com | World Mastercard |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | $0 | 2% on 2–3 categories | Mastercard |
| Rogers Red Mastercard | $0 | 1.5% flat rate | Mastercard |
| BMO CashBack Mastercard | $0 | 3% on grocery | Mastercard |
| PC Financial Mastercard | $0 | PC Optimum points | Mastercard |
For Desjardins members, the Cash Back World is a natural fit within the Desjardins ecosystem. For those without a Desjardins membership, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card (2% on 2–3 chosen categories) or Rogers Red Mastercard (1.5% flat rate) are stronger confirmed no-fee options without requiring a credit union membership.
Who Is the Desjardins Cash Back World Mastercard Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- Desjardins members (caisse clients) who want to earn Bonusdollar cash back on everyday purchases with no annual fee
- Quebec and Ontario residents embedded in the Desjardins ecosystem who want a no-fee option alongside or instead of a premium card
- Those who want a straightforward cash-back-as-statement-credit program with no points complexity
- Cardholders who spend below the threshold where the Odyssey World Elite’s $130 annual fee would be justified
Less suitable if:
- You don’t have a Desjardins membership or access to a caisse
- Your spending in grocery/restaurant/gas exceeds ~$400/month — the Odyssey World Elite likely pays for itself
- You want the highest possible no-fee cash back rate available nationally (Tangerine or Rogers cards may be stronger)
Bottom Line
The Desjardins Cash Back World Mastercard is a solid no-fee cash back option for Desjardins members who want some return on everyday spending without paying for the Odyssey World Elite. Its Bonusdollar cash back program is transparent and simple, and the $0 annual fee makes it accessible for any spending level.
The card’s main limitation is access — you need to be a Desjardins member. If you are, it is a practical everyday card; if you are not, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card or Rogers Red Mastercard offer comparable or better no-fee cash back open to all Canadians.
Card terms, earn rates, and features are subject to change. Verify all current details at desjardins.com before applying.