Desjardins is Canada’s largest cooperative financial group, headquartered in Lévis, Quebec. Founded in 1900 as a credit union federation (Caisses Desjardins), it serves over 7 million members primarily in Quebec and Ontario, with a presence across Canada.
Its loyalty currency is BONUSDOLLARS — earned on most Desjardins cards and redeemable for travel, statement credits, or merchandise through the Desjardins Odyssey platform. Desjardins credit cards run on both Visa and Mastercard networks depending on the product.
Desjardins Odyssey (Travel) Cards
| Card | Network | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard | Mastercard | $130 | Best Desjardins card; travel; BONUSDOLLARS |
| Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege | Visa | $295 | Ultra-premium; highest BONUSDOLLARS earn |
| Desjardins Odyssey Visa Gold | Visa | $130 | Odyssey benefits on Visa |
Desjardins Cash Back Cards
| Card | Network | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desjardins Cash Back World Mastercard | Mastercard | $0 | No-fee cash back; World benefits |
| Desjardins Cash Back Visa | Visa | $0 | No-fee cash back on Visa |
| Desjardins Bonus Visa | Visa | $0 | BONUSDOLLARS entry level |
Desjardins Everyday Cards
| Card | Network | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desjardins Flex Visa | Visa | Varies | Flexible BONUSDOLLARS |
What Are BONUSDOLLARS?
BONUSDOLLARS are Desjardins’s loyalty currency. Unlike points-based programmes, BONUSDOLLARS are valued at $0.01 = 1 BONUSDOLLAR — there is no variable valuation. 1,000 BONUSDOLLARS = $10.
How to earn: Most Desjardins cards earn BONUSDOLLARS on all purchases. Earn rates depend on the card tier — the Odyssey World Elite Mastercard earns up to 3 BONUSDOLLARS per dollar in bonus categories.
How to redeem:
- Travel purchases: Apply BONUSDOLLARS against any travel purchase (flights, hotels, car rentals) through Desjardins Odyssey — no blackout dates, no seat restrictions
- Statement credit: Redeem against your credit card balance
- Merchandise and gift cards: Through the Desjardins online rewards catalogue
BONUSDOLLARS do not expire as long as your account is in good standing.
Desjardins Odyssey World Elite: The Flagship Card
The Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard is the most popular Desjardins card and the primary competitor to mid-tier travel cards from the Big Five banks.
Key benefits include:
- Up to 3 BONUSDOLLARS per dollar on travel and grocery purchases
- Airport lounge access (Desjardins Odyssey Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau — one of Canada’s rare bank-operated airport lounges)
- Travel insurance package (emergency medical, trip cancellation, delayed baggage)
- No foreign transaction fee on the Odyssey World Elite Mastercard
Income requirement: $80,000 individual or $150,000 household for World Elite.
The no foreign transaction fee feature is notable — most travel cards at this price point ($130/year) still charge 2.5% on foreign currency purchases. The Odyssey World Elite exempts you, making it valuable for frequent cross-border travellers, particularly for Quebecers travelling to the US.
Desjardins and Quebec
Desjardins holds a dominant position in Quebec’s financial landscape. Key considerations for Quebec residents:
- Caisse network: Rather than a traditional bank, Desjardins operates through local Caisses populaires across Quebec and Ontario. Members own the cooperative.
- Consumer Protection Act (CPA): Quebec’s stricter consumer protection rules apply to all Desjardins card promotions — terms may differ from national promotions offered by the Big Five banks.
- French-language service: All Desjardins services are available in French.
- Local branch access: The caisse network provides in-person service across smaller Quebec communities not served by major bank branches.
Note: Caisse populaire members may access the Caisse Populaire Visa through their local caisse. Earn rates and card terms vary by caisse — verify at your local branch or desjardins.com.
Desjardins vs. Big Five Bank Travel Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | No FX Fee | Lounge Access | Key Programme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desjardins Odyssey World Elite | $130 | Yes | Yes (MCT + Odyssey Lounge YUL) | BONUSDOLLARS |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | $150 | Yes | Yes (6 annual passes) | Scene+ |
| TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite | $139 | No | No | TD Rewards (Expedia for TD) |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | $120 | No | No | Avion → Aeroplan transfer |
For Quebec residents, Desjardins frequently matches or beats the Big Five on travel insurance breadth and the combination of no-FX-fee + lounge access at $130/year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for a Desjardins credit card? Desjardins credit cards are available to Canadian residents, both Caisse Desjardins members and non-members. Some cards may require Caisse membership to apply — check desjardins.com or your local caisse for current eligibility.
Does the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite charge a foreign transaction fee? The Odyssey World Elite Mastercard has no foreign transaction fee — one of its key differentiators vs. other cards in its price range. The Visa Infinite Privilege also waives the FX fee. Standard cash back cards (Cash Back Visa, Bonus Visa) do charge 2.5%.
Are BONUSDOLLARS the same as Scene+ or Aeroplan points? No. BONUSDOLLARS are Desjardins’s own currency, redeemable only through the Desjardins Odyssey platform. They cannot be transferred to Aeroplan, Scene+, or any other loyalty programme. However, at a fixed value of 1 cent per BONUSDOLLAR, they are simpler to value than variable-rate points.
Can I apply for a Desjardins card outside Quebec? Yes. Desjardins cards are available across Canada, not only in Quebec. However, caisse membership may be required for some products. Contact Desjardins directly for out-of-province applications.
Does Desjardins offer a secured credit card for credit building? Desjardins does not prominently market a secured credit card product. Canadians building credit may find better options with Capital One Secured Mastercard or a Caisse populaire-specific product — check with your local caisse.
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Card details current as of June 2026. Desjardins card terms and income requirements vary by product and province — verify at desjardins.com before applying.