Desjardins Odyssey® World Elite® Mastercard review
Mar 21, 2025
While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings.
Mar 21, 2025
While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings.
Overall rating
First year value
$196
Get this card if you:
Scores by category
Gas 2.6
Rewards 2.0
Groceries 1.8
At a glance
The Desjardins Odyssey® World Elite® Mastercard® is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated cash back rates on categories such as groceries, dining and entertainment. Cardholders benefit from comprehensive travel insurance, access to Desjardins Odyssey Lounges and no foreign transaction fees.
$196
First year value
$130
Annual fee
20.9%
Purchase APR
21.9%
Cash advance APR
Fair
Recommended credit score
$80,000
Required annual personal income
$150,000
Required annual household income
The Desjardins Odyssey® World Elite® Mastercard is a great travel rewards credit card with comprehensive travel insurance and lounge access.
The card has an annual fee of $130. However, the fee for supplementary cards is waived for Desjardins clients, and said clients will also benefit from further perks (read below for more details). The card may not come with a generous sign-up bonus—the carrot typically dangled by most high-end travel card issuers—but its core benefits will justify the annual fee for many Canadian travellers.
If you’re already a Desjardins client, if you’re an active traveller, or if you’re looking for a comprehensive travel insurance package, the Desjardins Odyssey® World Elite® Mastercard might be a particularly good fit for you.
The Desjardins Odyssey® World Elite® Mastercard does not currently offer a welcome bonus for new accounts.
One thing that makes the Desjardins Odyssey® World Elite® Mastercard appealing is the fact that its rewards structure is easy to understand. Cardholders earn the following on all purchases:
If you’re a Desjardin Credit Union member, you get a special additional perk of 20% BONUSDOLLARS® (up to $200) on any annual BONUSDOLLARS® you’ve earned for the year. To qualify, you must pay at least the minimum payment listed on your credit card statement every month.
BONUSDOLLARS® act like cash back and can be used to redeem travel, show tickets, financial products, and merchandise. If you’re redeeming for travel, you don’t need to go through a specific portal. That means you can simply charge any travel purchases to your Desjardins Odyssey® World Elite® Mastercard and then have the points applied to your credit card statement. There are no blackout dates and you can even use your BONUSDOLLARS® to pay for public transportation passes.
What’s also unique about BONUSDOLLARS® is that you can use them to purchase a variety of financial products or services as long as they’re with Desjardins. That means you can use your BONUSDOLLARS® to top up your RRSP, RESP, or TFSA, pay for any home or auto insurance, or even pay down your mortgage.
The Desjardins Odyssey® World Elite® Mastercard easily ranks as one of the best travel insurance credit cards in Canada.
Besides its comprehensive travel insurance, the Desjardins Odyssey® World Elite® Mastercard has a few additional benefits that further justify its annual fee for some Canadians:
"I had 3 BMO ccs too much hassle, so I moved to Desjardins cashback WE and never look back, every other month I got $100 cash back."
virtual007
RedFlagDeals user virtual007 explains they consistently receive cash back rewards with the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard, easily offsetting the card's annual fee and saving money in the process. This exemplifies the financial advantages of owning a high-quality cash back credit card.
10% cash back
Welcome Bonus
$484
First Year Value
$384
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn 10% cash back for 2 months† (up to $100). Expires Jan 30, 2026
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
19.95% - 24.95%
Purchase
19.95%
Cash Advance
1.95% - 19.95%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a no-annual-fee cash back card that allows cardholders to earn a higher cash back rate in two spending categories of their choice, such as groceries, gas, or restaurants, and a lower rate on all other purchases. By opening a Tangerine Savings Account and directing cash back earnings there, a third higher rate cash back category can be added. Additional benefits include purchase assurance and extended warranty protection, with cash back rewards automatically applied monthly.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Annual Interest Rates
19.95% - 24.95%
Purchase
19.95%
Cash Advance
1.95% - 19.95%
Balance Transfer
1.95%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
24.95%
Penalty
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$3.5
Cash Advance
$25
Over The Limit Penalty
$25
Return Penalty
Rewards cash back
2%
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5%
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
Earn 10% cash back for 2 months† (up to $100).
Our Take
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a no-annual-fee cash back card that allows cardholders to earn a higher cash back rate in two spending categories of their choice, such as groceries, gas, or restaurants, and a lower rate on all other purchases. By opening a Tangerine Savings Account and directing cash back earnings there, a third higher rate cash back category can be added. Additional benefits include purchase assurance and extended warranty protection, with cash back rewards automatically applied monthly.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Annual Interest Rates
19.95% - 24.95%
Purchase
19.95%
Cash Advance
1.95% - 19.95%
Balance Transfer
1.95%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
24.95%
Penalty
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$3.5
Cash Advance
$25
Over The Limit Penalty
$25
Return Penalty
Rewards cash back
2%
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5%
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
Earn 10% cash back for 2 months† (up to $100).
If you'd like to avoid paying an annual fee on your credit card and still enjoy cash back rewards, you can consider the Tangerine Money-Back Visa card. With this card, you enjoy 2% back on two categories of your choice and 0.5% cash back on all other purchases. Best of all, there's no spending cap!
But it's important to note that the Tangerine Money-Back Visa card just comes with basic insurance coverage like extended warranty and purchase protection. If you'd like more comprehensive insurance benefits and airport lounge access, the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard is a winner.
up to 60,000 pts*
Welcome Bonus
$1,812
First Year Value
$312
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $1,500 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points* Expires Jul 01, 2026
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$150
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card offering elevated Scene+ points on eligible grocery store purchases, dining, entertainment, and daily transit, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, six complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
0.00%
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Scene+
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Insurance Benefits
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $1,500 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points*. Here's how:
$400 in travel rewards (40,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $2,000 within the first 3 months
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $10,000 within the first 6 months
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months: annual points bonus).
$50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients
$134 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average annual foreign spend per account over the last 24 months (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by other card issuers);
$369 in first year point earn potential (36,900 bonus Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per account over the last 24 months with an average spend of 21% in 3X and 2X accelerator categories.
$364 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on a ‘Preferential’ membership valued at approx. CAD$364/USD$259). Currency conversion as at November 3, 2025.
To qualify for this offer, make sure to apply for and open a new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite credit card account (“Account”) between January 2, 2026 and July 1, 2026.
*Savings and reward potential in first 12 months includes welcome offer value, first year point earn potential, foreign transaction fee and airport lounge savings as of November 4, 2025. Terms and Conditions Apply.
Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Jan 2,2026. Subject to change.
Our Take
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card offering elevated Scene+ points on eligible grocery store purchases, dining, entertainment, and daily transit, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, six complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
0.00%
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Scene+
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Insurance Benefits
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $1,500 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points*. Here's how:
$400 in travel rewards (40,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $2,000 within the first 3 months
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $10,000 within the first 6 months
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months: annual points bonus).
$50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients
$134 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average annual foreign spend per account over the last 24 months (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by other card issuers);
$369 in first year point earn potential (36,900 bonus Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per account over the last 24 months with an average spend of 21% in 3X and 2X accelerator categories.
$364 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on a ‘Preferential’ membership valued at approx. CAD$364/USD$259). Currency conversion as at November 3, 2025.
To qualify for this offer, make sure to apply for and open a new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite credit card account (“Account”) between January 2, 2026 and July 1, 2026.
*Savings and reward potential in first 12 months includes welcome offer value, first year point earn potential, foreign transaction fee and airport lounge savings as of November 4, 2025. Terms and Conditions Apply.
Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Jan 2,2026. Subject to change.
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a great travel rewards credit card. This card allows you to earn 3x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating co-ops and 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options. As well as, 1x Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases. Actual offers, savings and rewards earned will depend on individual card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply*.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card also comes with airport lounge access, giving you 6 annual passes through the Visa Airport Companion. The insurance coverage is pretty similar to the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard, but the Scotiabank card also includes hotel/motel burglary insurance. If you love watching movies at Cineplex, you can also use your Scotiabank SCENE rewards for free movie tickets.
Disclosures:
up to 15,000 points
Welcome Bonus
$630
First Year Value
$480
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 15,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards® points* – that’s up to $150 in value.
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$191.88
Annual Fee
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
Our Take
The American Express Cobalt® Card is a versatile rewards credit card designed for individuals who frequently spend on dining, groceries and travel-related expenses. It offers flexible redemption options and includes various travel and purchase protections, making it a comprehensive choice for those seeking to maximize rewards on everyday spending.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
25.99% - 29.99%
Penalty
Fees
$191.88
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
$2.75
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Membership Rewards
5x
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
3x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x
the points on everything else
1
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
$100 USD
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$250,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$500
Hotel burglary insurance
$85,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points* by earning 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 on your Card in your first year as a new Cardmember. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year.*
That’s up to $150 towards your next weekend getaway.
*Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.
Our Take
The American Express Cobalt® Card is a versatile rewards credit card designed for individuals who frequently spend on dining, groceries and travel-related expenses. It offers flexible redemption options and includes various travel and purchase protections, making it a comprehensive choice for those seeking to maximize rewards on everyday spending.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
25.99% - 29.99%
Penalty
Fees
$191.88
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
$2.75
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Membership Rewards
5x
the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada
3x
the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x
the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x
the points on everything else
1
additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
$100 USD
Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$250,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$500
Hotel burglary insurance
$85,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points* by earning 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 on your Card in your first year as a new Cardmember. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year.*
That’s up to $150 towards your next weekend getaway.
*Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.
The American Express Cobalt Card is a great all-rounder! It comes with comprehensive travel insurance and a great rewards earn rate. The rewards reception is also very flexible as you can transfer your Amex Membership reward points to your other travel loyalty programs like Aeroplan and Flying Blue. The annual of is also broken up monthly which makes it a bit affordable. It's important to note that some Canadian retailers in Canada do not accept Amex cards. Here's where Amex is accepted in Canada.
| Card | Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard | American Express Cobalt Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $130 | $191.88 ($15.99/month (Equals $191.88 annually) for non-Quebec residents. $191.88/year for Quebec residents.) |
| Benefits | Get 3% cash back on your groceries in BONUSDOLLARS, 2% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, and alternative transportation in BONUSDOLLARS and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases in BONUSDOLLARS | Earn 5x points per $1 spent on food and groceries, 3x points on eligible streaming subscriptions, 2x the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada. Plus, 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online. |
| Insurance | Out of province/emergency medical, trip cancellation insurance, trip interruption insurance, common carrier accident, baggage insurance | Out of province/country emergency medical insurance, travel accident, flight delay, lost luggage, hotel burglary, rental car insurance, mobile device insurance |
| Review | You are already reading it! | Amex Cobalt Card Review |
| Apply Now |
Disclosures:
Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
If you value travel insurance or you’re already a Desjardins client, you may want to seriously consider the Desjardins Odyssey® World Elite® Mastercard. The annual fee of $130 is easily off-set by the combined value of the card’s rewards accrual rates, lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance package and mobile device insurance.
The Desjardins Odyssey® World Elite® Mastercard has fairly steep eligibility requirements, which is understandable given the impressive rewards and perks it provides:
Barry Choi is a Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert who makes frequent media appearances. When he's not educating people on how to be smarter with money, he's earning and burning miles and points for luxury travel.
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