Lena Hayes
The Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa is a travel-oriented rewards card that leans heavily into insurance and protection. You earn up to 2% of your purchases back in BONUSDOLLARS in popular categories like restaurants, entertainment and travel, plus comprehensive travel insurance for trips up to 60 days, mobile device coverage, car rental protections and discounted access to the Desjardins Odyssey Lounges at Montréal-Trudeau. It’s designed for Canadians who want strong insurance and decent rewards without paying a premium card fee.
Quick highlights
- 💰 Earn up to 2% of your purchases in BONUSDOLLARS in select categories like restaurants, entertainment, alternative transportation, pre-authorized payments and travel.
- 🛍 Earn 0.65% in BONUSDOLLARS on all other eligible purchases.
- ✈️ Comprehensive travel insurance for you and your family for trips up to 60 consecutive days, including emergency medical and trip protection.
- 🧒 Complimentary intergenerational coverage for grandchildren travelling with you.
- 🛫 50% off access to Desjardins Odyssey Lounges at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.
- 🚗 Up to 25% off car rentals at participating partners plus collision and loss damage insurance.
- 📱 Mobile device insurance up to $1,000 on smartphones and tablets purchased with the card.
Why we like the Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa
The Odyssey Gold Visa is one of those cards where the insurance and protections are just as important as the rewards. Instead of chasing headline-grabbing welcome bonuses, it quietly delivers strong ongoing value: up to 2% back in BONUSDOLLARS on everyday and travel categories, excellent trip coverage, mobile device insurance and solid car rental benefits.
The comprehensive travel insurance for trips up to 60 days, including generous emergency medical coverage and trip cancellation limits, is a standout feature for a card at this fee level. Add discounted access to Desjardins Odyssey Lounges at Montréal-Trudeau and a straightforward BONUSDOLLARS structure that converts directly to dollars, and you get a card that feels built for people who actually travel rather than just talk about it.
Stand-out features
- ✅ Up to 2% in BONUSDOLLARS on restaurants, entertainment, alternative transportation, pre-authorized payments and travel.
- ✅ 0.65% in BONUSDOLLARS on all other purchases, with 1 BONUSDOLLAR equal to $1 in value.
- ✅ Comprehensive travel insurance for trips up to 60 consecutive days, with emergency medical coverage up to $5 million per person, depending on age.
- ✅ Intergenerational coverage for grandchildren when travelling with you.
- ✅ Up to 25% off car rentals plus included auto rental collision and loss damage insurance.
- ✅ Mobile device insurance up to $1,000 for phones and tablets bought with the card or financed through a plan paid with the card.
- ✅ 50% off access to Desjardins Odyssey Lounges at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.
Good to know
- ⚠️ The highest earn rates come with annual caps: restaurant and pre-authorized payments bonuses apply up to $6,000 in purchases each year, and the travel bonus up to $15,000. Above those amounts, you earn at the “all other purchases” rate.
- ⚠️ The purchase interest rate is 20.9% and cash advances accrue interest at 21.9%, starting immediately.
- ⚠️ There is no large intro welcome bonus; the value is in ongoing rewards and insurance.
- ⚠️ Annual fee is $110 for the primary card and $30 for each additional card.
Pros
- Up to 2% back in BONUSDOLLARS on several everyday and travel categories.
- Comprehensive travel insurance for trips up to 60 days, including strong emergency medical limits.
- Mobile device insurance up to $1,000, which many mid-tier cards still don’t include.
- Car rental collision and loss damage coverage, plus meaningful rental discounts at participating partners.
- Discounted lounge access at Montréal-Trudeau, which adds comfort to trips starting there.
- Simple redemption: 1 BONUSDOLLAR = $1 toward a wide variety of rewards.
Cons
- No welcome bonus, which can make the first year feel less exciting compared to competitors with large promos.
- Top earn rate is capped annually by category; heavy spenders will see the rate drop once they pass the thresholds.
- Base earn rate of 0.65% on “all other” purchases is lower than many flat-rate cash-back cards.
- Airport lounge perk is limited to a 50% discount and only at specific lounges in Montréal, not global access.
- Interest rates on purchases and cash advances are relatively standard, not discounted.
Rewards program
The Odyssey Gold Visa earns BONUSDOLLARS, Desjardins’ rewards currency that works a lot like cash back. BONUSDOLLARS can be redeemed toward travel, merchandise, gift cards and a variety of other products and services, and the math is simple: 1 BONUSDOLLAR equals $1 in value.
- Restaurants: up to 2% in BONUSDOLLARS on your purchases, up to the annual category cap.
- Entertainment: 2% in BONUSDOLLARS on eligible purchases.
- Alternative transportation: 2% in BONUSDOLLARS on eligible purchases (for example, transit, taxis or ride-share in eligible categories).
- Pre-authorized payments: up to 2% in BONUSDOLLARS on recurring payments, up to the annual cap.
- Travel: up to 2% in BONUSDOLLARS on eligible travel purchases, up to the annual travel cap.
- All other purchases: 0.65% in BONUSDOLLARS on everything else.
How to maximize rewards
-
Run your regular spending through bonus categories.
Whenever possible, charge restaurants, entertainment, travel and eligible pre-authorized payments to this card to capture the higher BONUSDOLLARS earn rate. -
Use pre-authorized payments strategically.
Setting recurring bills like subscriptions, utilities or insurance to this card can steadily build BONUSDOLLARS at up to 2% until you hit the annual cap. -
Track your category caps.
If your spending is high, keep an eye on the $6,000 annual thresholds for restaurants and pre-authorized payments and the $15,000 travel cap so you know when your earn rate drops to 0.65% in those categories. -
Redeem BONUSDOLLARS where they feel most valuable.
Think of BONUSDOLLARS as flexible dollars you can apply toward travel, gift cards, or other big purchases — especially when they help offset trips or experiences you’d pay for anyway. -
Make sure big purchases go on this card when they benefit from insurance.
For trips, rental cars and mobile devices, charge the full cost to the Odyssey Gold Visa so you benefit from the included coverage and protections.
Insurance & benefits
Included coverage
- Comprehensive travel insurance for you and your family for trips up to 60 consecutive days, with:
- Emergency medical coverage up to $5 million per person, depending on age.
- Trip cancellation coverage up to $2,500 per person before departure for eligible reasons.
- Unlimited trip interruption coverage after departure for covered events.
- Baggage insurance up to $1,000 per person for lost or damaged baggage and up to $500 for delayed baggage.
- 24/7 travel assistance worldwide.
- Intergenerational coverage that extends travel insurance to your grandchildren when they travel with you.
- Auto rental collision and loss damage insurance for rental cars, typically up to 48 consecutive days when you pay fully with your card and decline the agency’s coverage.
- Mobile device insurance up to $1,000 against theft, loss, accidental damage or mechanical failure on eligible devices purchased or financed with the card.
- Purchase protection for eligible items against theft or accidental damage for 90 days from the date of purchase.
- Extended warranty that doubles the manufacturer’s warranty for up to one additional year on eligible items.
Travel & lifestyle perks
- Desjardins Odyssey Lounge access at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport with 50% off the regular entrance fee when you show your Odyssey Gold Visa.
- Car rental discounts of up to 25% at select major rental partners, plus additional benefits such as waived surcharges and reduced insurance options for eligible renters.
- Installment payment options on purchases of $200 or more at participating merchants, letting you split larger purchases into equal payments.
- Cash advances available up to a daily limit, with interest accruing from the date of the advance.
- Fraud protection including security alerts, zero liability for unauthorized transactions and identity protection support.
As with all insurance, coverage is subject to eligibility criteria, exclusions, limits and conditions set out in the policy and certificate. It’s important to review those documents before you travel or rely on specific benefits.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $110 for the primary cardholder. |
|---|---|
| Additional cards | $30 per additional card per year. |
| Purchase APR | 20.9% on purchases. |
| Cash advance APR | 21.9% on cash advances and related transactions. |
| Installment purchases | Eligible purchases of $200 or more at participating merchants can be paid in equal installments, subject to the terms of the offer. |
| Cash advance limit | Cash advances available up to a daily maximum amount, with interest accruing from the date of the advance. |
| Grace period | 21-day interest-free grace period on new purchases when you pay the full statement balance by the due date. No grace period applies to cash advances. |
| Minimum payment | Typically a percentage of the balance plus any past-due amounts, subject to Desjardins’ minimum payment rules. |
Best for
- ✈️ Travellers who want strong travel insurance and helpful protections without paying a premium-card annual fee.
- 🧳 Families and grandparents who appreciate extended coverage for children and grandchildren on trips.
- 🍽 People who spend regularly on restaurants, entertainment and travel and want up to 2% back in BONUSDOLLARS.
- 📱 Cardholders who value mobile device insurance and purchase protection for everyday items.
- 🚗 Drivers who frequently rent cars and can benefit from included collision coverage and rental discounts.
Where it falls short
- No headline welcome bonus, so first-year value depends entirely on your spending and use of insurance.
- Base earn rate of 0.65% on non-bonus purchases is not competitive with many flat-rate cash-back cards.
- Category caps mean high spenders will eventually see their earn rate drop on restaurants, pre-authorized payments and travel.
- Lounge benefit is limited and discounted rather than full complimentary access, and only at specific airport lounges.
- Interest rates are fairly standard; carrying a balance will negate the value of rewards quickly.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“The travel insurance coverage alone makes this card worth it for our family. We travel a couple of times a year, and it’s reassuring to know we’re covered for longer trips.”
“I like that BONUSDOLLARS are straightforward — no complicated point charts. I use them to offset travel and the occasional big purchase.”
Critiques
“The earn rate on non-bonus purchases feels low compared with other cards. I use another cash-back card for everyday spending and keep this for travel and insurance.”
“A welcome bonus would make the card much more attractive in the first year. Right now, it’s more of a long-term value play than an instant win.”
Community insights
Among Canadian rewards fans who pay close attention to insurance, the Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa has a quiet, positive reputation: it may not dominate for pure points earning, but its travel coverage and consumer protections punch above its weight for the annual fee. Many people keep it specifically as their “travel insurance card” and pair it with a separate high-earning cash-back or travel card for everyday purchases.
AI review (straight talk)
This card makes a lot of sense if you’re the kind of person who reads the fine print. It’s not flashy and it doesn’t come with a giant welcome bonus, but it delivers value in ways that really matter once something goes wrong on a trip or when your phone takes an unexpected dive.
If you rarely travel or don’t care much about insurance, a simple cash-back card could serve you better. But if you like peace of mind when you leave the province, want longer-trip coverage and appreciate having your phone, luggage, rental car and big purchases protected, the Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa is absolutely worth a serious look.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Categories / Earn | Other Purchases | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa | $110 | Up to 2% BONUSDOLLARS on restaurants, entertainment, travel, alternative transport, pre-authorized payments | 0.65% BONUSDOLLARS | Comprehensive travel insurance, mobile device coverage, rental car protection, discounted lounge access | Travellers who prioritize insurance and solid everyday rewards |
| Desjardins Cash Back World Elite Mastercard | Higher | Higher cash back on certain everyday categories | Base cash-back rate | Stronger earn rates and extra perks for a higher fee | Users focused on maximizing cash back |
| Typical no-fee cash-back card | $0 | Up to 2% in select categories | 0.5–1% | Simple rewards, minimal extras | Light spenders and those who rarely travel |
| Premium travel rewards card | Higher (often $150–$500+) | Elevated earn on travel, dining and more | 1–2× depending on the card | Global lounge access, hotel status, large welcome bonus | Frequent travellers willing to pay for more perks |
FAQ
What is the annual fee for the Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa?
The annual fee is $110 for the primary cardholder, and $30 for each additional card.
What are the interest rates on this card?
The purchase interest rate is 20.9%, while cash advances and related transactions accrue interest at 21.9%.
How does the rewards program work?
You earn up to 2% of your purchases in BONUSDOLLARS in categories like restaurants, entertainment, travel, alternative transportation and pre-authorized payments, and 0.65% on all other purchases. BONUSDOLLARS can be redeemed like dollars toward a variety of rewards.
Are there annual caps on the bonus categories?
Yes. The enhanced earn rate on restaurant and pre-authorized payments applies to your first $6,000 in purchases per year in those categories. For travel, the enhanced rate applies to your first $15,000 in purchases. Beyond those caps, spending earns at the “all other purchases” rate.
What travel insurance is included?
The card includes comprehensive travel insurance for trips up to 60 days, including emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage insurance, and 24/7 travel assistance, subject to the terms and conditions in the insurance documents.
Does this card include mobile device insurance?
Yes. Mobile device insurance covers eligible smartphones and tablets up to $1,000 when purchased with the card or financed through a plan that is paid with the card.
Is there airport lounge access?
Yes, but at a discount rather than for free. Cardholders receive 50% off the regular entrance fee at Desjardins Odyssey Lounges at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.
Who should consider the Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa?
This card is a good fit for travellers and families who want strong insurance and protections, reasonable rewards and a mid-tier annual fee, and who are comfortable using BONUSDOLLARS as a flexible rewards currency.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take The Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa is a classic “hidden gem” in the travel-insurance world. It won’t win any contests for largest welcome bonus or flashiest multipliers, but it delivers serious long-term value for people who actually travel and want their trips and everyday purchases to be well protected.
If you want to squeeze every last point out of your spending, you’ll likely pair this with a higher-earning card. But if you’re looking for a dependable travel companion that quietly covers your medical emergencies, trip mishaps, rental cars and phone accidents while still earning respectable rewards, the Odyssey Gold Visa deserves a spot in your wallet.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.3 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.1 / 5 — strong in bonus categories, weaker on general spend. |
| Benefits & protections | 4.6 / 5 — excellent travel insurance, mobile device and purchase coverage for the fee. |
| Fees & costs | 3.9 / 5 — reasonable annual fee, standard interest rates. |
| Ease of approval | 4.1 / 5 — mid-tier card that should be accessible to many Canadians with solid credit. |
