Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold Review

4.25

★★★★★

$110.00

Annual Fee

$294.00

Annual Rewards

N/A

Intro Offer

$110.00

Annual fee

$294.00

Annual rewards

N/A

Intro offer


Pros


  • Comprehensive travel insurance coverage
  • 3-day trip cancellation and interruption insurance
  • No fees for additional cardholders
  • Reward points for everyday purchases
  • Access to Desjardins’ BONUSDOLLARS Program
  • 24/7 travel assistance services
  • Mobile device insurance included

Cons


  • Annual fee of $110
  • Limited reward point categories
  • Lower value in terms of rewards compared to other premium travel cards
  • No airport lounge access or travel benefits
  • No introductory offers or promotional rates

How you earn rewards

Each card earns rewards differently. Part of choosing your card is deciding what type of rewards you want to get. With Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold, here’s how you earn rewards:

Bills2%
Restaurants / Delivery2%
All Other Spend1%

How much your rewards are worth

The dollar value of your rewards depends on the specific Desjardins Group rewards program and what you choose to redeem your points for.

For Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold in particular, if you spend $2,000.00 per month, here’s our estimated rewards earned depending on which reward you choose:

Redemption methodAnnual rewards
Redeem for travel$2.94
Charity$2.94
Gift cards$2.82
Merchandise$2.70
Movie rewards$2.94
Desjardins financial products$2.94

Calculating your annual rewards

$24,000.00 annual spending x $1.23% return on spending = $294.00 annual rewards

$294.00 annual rewards – $110.00 annual fee = $$184.00 net annual rewards

Details and eligibility

Do I qualify?
Estimated Credit Score760 – 900
Interest Rates
Purchase19.9%
Cash Advance19.9%
Balance Transfer19.9%
Fees
Annual Fee$110.00
Extra Card Fee$0
Card typeVisa

Insurance coverage

Extended Warranty1 year
Purchase Protection90 days
Travel Accident1000000
Emergency Medical Term60 days
Emergency Medical over 6515 days
Trip Cancellation2500
Flight Delay2000
Baggage Delay500
Lost or Stolen Baggage1000
Rental Car Theft & DamageYes
Mobile Phone Insurance1000

Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold Review

The Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold credit card is a popular travel and rewards credit card that offers numerous benefits, but also has a few drawbacks to keep in mind. In this review, we will discuss its earning potential, various advantages and disadvantages, and additional information for those considering this card.

Earning Potential: With the Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold credit card, cardholders earn 1 BONUSDOLLAR for every $1 spent on their card. This is equivalent to a 1% rewards rate, which is fairly standard for rewards credit cards. Unfortunately, this card does not provide enhanced rewards rates for specific categories such as dining, travel, or groceries.

Benefit 1: One of the primary advantages of the Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold credit card is its travel insurance package. This extensive coverage includes emergency health care, trip cancellation and interruption, lost or delayed luggage, and even rental car insurance. This makes the card an excellent option for travelers who want extra peace of mind while on vacation.

Benefit 2: Another significant advantage of this card is that there is no minimum purchase requirement to redeem BONUSDOLLAR rewards. These can be redeemed anytime and used as a statement credit to pay for new purchases, making it convenient and easy for cardholders to use their rewards.

Benefit 3: The Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. In the event of a flat tire, dead battery, or other automotive trouble, cardholders can access emergency services without incurring additional costs. This is especially valuable for those who frequently drive or travel by car.

Benefit 4: As a cardholder, you will also enjoy purchase protection and extended warranty coverage on items purchased with the card. This provides additional coverage in case of theft, damage, or items being lost within 90 days of purchase, as well as doubling the original manufacturer’s warranty for up to an additional one year.

Drawback 1: One significant drawback of the Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold credit card is its annual fee of $110. While the benefits can certainly outweigh this cost for frequent travelers, it’s essential for potential cardholders to consider if these advantages will justify the expense for them.

Drawback 2: Another drawback is that the card does not offer enhanced rewards rates or bonus categories, as mentioned earlier. Cardholders who primarily spend on specific categories such as groceries or gas might find other cards to be more rewarding in terms of earning potential.

In conclusion, the Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold credit card is a solid option for travelers seeking comprehensive insurance coverage and additional benefits like roadside assistance. However, its annual fee and lack of bonus categories make it potentially less attractive than some competing cards. Potential cardholders should carefully consider their spending habits and travel needs before deciding if this card is the right choice for them.

Interested in other credit cards? Canadians that like the Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold credit card also like the Desjardins Cash Back Visa. If you’re looking for other options you should consider the Desjardins Cash Back Mastercard, and the Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege.

FAQ

The Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold credit card allows cardholders to redeem points for a variety of rewards. The primary redemption options include:

  • Travel rewards: Use your points to book flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and cruises through the À la carte Travel Agency or transfer your points to Aeroplan or Avios.
  • Gift cards: Redeem your points for gift cards from popular retailers, restaurants and entertainment options.
  • Merchandise rewards: Use your points to shop for a wide range of items including electronics, home appliances, and sports accessories through the À la carte Rewards catalogue.
  • Financial rewards: Cardholders can redeem points towards a financial product or services within the Desjardins family such as their mortgage, RRSP, RESP, or other eligible investment options.
  • Charitable donations: Donate your points to a charitable organization and make a positive impact.

The Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold credit card charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.5% on all purchases made in a foreign currency. This fee is added to the converted amount of the purchase, which is calculated using the exchange rate set by Desjardins on the day of the transaction.

The Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold credit card does not have a minimum income requirement. This means that applicants are not required to meet any specific annual income threshold in order to be eligible for this card.

Key benefits

  • 1% BONUSDOLLARS on eligible purchases
  • 1.5% BONUSDOLLARS on public transit, gas, and travel expenses
  • $5,000 minimum credit limit
  • Card replacement in case of loss or theft
  • Identity Theft Assistance service
  • Roadside Assistance available at an additional cost
  • Personalized alerts for fraud detection and account management
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage
  • Contactless Visa payWave technology
  • Auto-rental collision and loss damage insurance
  • Up to $500,000 in common carrier accident insurance
  • Complimentary 22-day grace period for new card purchases

About The Author