Desjardins : How to use and maximize your Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS

Updated May 8, 2026
Fact checked by
Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
All posts by Marie-Ève Leclerc
Desjardins : How to use and maximize your Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS - desjardins bonusdollars logo
To the point Find out how the BONUSDOLLARS program offered by Desjardins works and how to best use your BONUSDOLLARS.

You’ve earned BONUSDOLLARS with your Desjardins credit card but don’t know how to use them effectively? This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about the Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS program, from the different ways you can use them to the credit cards that let you earn more.

How can you use your Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS?

BONUSDOLLARS is essentially a cash-back program. For every 1 BONUSDOLLAR earned, you’ll get 1 dollar to redeem on bonidollars.ca in the category:

  • Restaurant,
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Transportation

You can even use your credit card to make a donation to a non-profit organization.

The minimum to redeem is 20 BONUSDOLLARS; however, on the site, available gift cards start at 25 BONUSDOLLARS at the time of our visit.

You can redeem your BONUSDOLLARS in 4 ways, some of which are more advantageous than others.

How do I redeem my BONUSDOLLARS for gift certificates in the catalog?

The BONUSDOLLARS gift card catalogue offers access to multiple rewards to suit every consumer profile with over 40 partner brands.

These gift card rewards range from 25 to 250 BONUSDOLLARS and are divided into 9 categories on the bonidollars.ca website:

  • Arts, culture and entertainment: Indigo, Cineplex, DeSerres, Disney, Archambault
  • Electronics and technology: Apple, Canadian Tire, Hudson’s Bay, The Source, Best Buy, Tanguay
  • Home & Garden: Canadian Tire, The Home Depot, Rona, HomeSense, Hudson’s Bay, Winners, Tanguay, BBQ Quebec
  • Fashion and accessories: Luluelemon, Decathlon, Ardene, Harry Rosen, Hudson’s Bay, Reitmans, Roots, La Vie En Rose, Browns, Golf Town, Sport Chek
  • Food and beverages: The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, LCBO, Cora, SAQ, Uber Eats, Metro
  • Health and wellness: Sephora, Club Piscine, Strom Spa
  • Sports and fitness: Canadian Tire, Décathlon, Lululemon, Sporting Life, Sail, Golf Town, Sport Chek
  • Travel and leisure: Esso, Uber, Petro Canada, WaySPa, Disney, Air Canada, Ôrigine hotel artisans
  • Retailers: including all these brands as well as Renaud-Bray, Cooki-it, Anne-Marie Chagnon, Costco, La Cordée

You’ll have to look for the gift card you like best. However, we invite you to compare the value of the products with what you might find on the market. Prices are not necessarily that far from the market (unlike other loyalty programs that sell their toasters for up to twice as much)!

BONUSDOLLARS in exchange for tickets to shows, movies, theaters, attractions and museums

Here, it is a cashback. You must have bought your tickets through traditional distributors (example: Evenko). Once the expense appears on your Desjardins credit card account, you can use your BONUSDOLLARS.

Desjardins : How to use and maximize your Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS - bonidollars shows en

You have the option to use your BONUSDOLLARS in whole or in part.

Here is the procedure:

  • Online from a computer
    • Go to AccèsD
    • Choose the card associated with the BONUSDOLLARS to exchange
    • In the right-hand menu, click on BONUSDOLLARS
    • Click on Exchange BONUSDOLLARS
    • Select the Eligible Transactions category

  • In the mobile application
    • Log on to the Desjardins Mobile Services application
    • Select the credit card of your choice under My Accounts or Favorites
    • Press Information
    • Choose BONUSDOLLARS
    • Press Exchange BONUSDOLLARS
    • Select the Eligible Transactions category

  • Please note: this discount must be made within 60 days of purchase. In addition, the minimum discount is 20 BONUSDOLLARS.

    This is a good use case for your BONUSDOLLARS: you won’t pay more for your reward since you buy the entertainment tickets yourself!

    BONUSDOLLARS in exchange for financial products and services

    You can also use your BONUSDOLLARS in exchange for financial products and services offered by Desjardins:

    • Desjardins Private Management
    • Desjardins General Insurance
    • Savings products
    • Desjardins/Disnat Securities
    • Desjardins RRSP or Desjardins Group RRSP Funds, Desjardins Fund Investment Solutions, ESPs
    • Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins
    • Financing products
    • Insurance products
    • Transaction fees on chequing accounts (EOP), regular savings accounts (ES) and term savings accounts (ET)

    How to redeem BONUSDOLLARS for financial products and services

    You have the option to use your BONUSDOLLARS in whole or in part.

    Here is the procedure:

    • Online from a computer
      • Go to AccèsD
      • Choose the card associated with the BONUSDOLLARS to exchange
      • In the right-hand menu, click on BONUSDOLLARS
      • Click on Exchange BONUSDOLLARS
      • Choose the Financial products and services category

  • In the mobile application
    • Log on to the Desjardins Mobile Services application
    • Select the credit card of your choice under My Accounts or Favorites
    • Press Information
    • Choose BONUSDOLLARS
    • Press Exchange BONUSDOLLARS
    • Select the Financial products and services category

  • Please note: this discount must be made within 60 days of purchase. In addition, the minimum discount is 20 BONUSDOLLARS.

    This option cannot be used to pay a credit card balance or its annual fee, repay Accord D financing or make installment payments.

    This is a good use case for your BONUSDOLLARS: you won’t pay more for your reward since you buy the entertainment tickets yourself!

    Desjardins : How to use and maximize your Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS - Bonidollars Financial Products

    In short, you’ll understand that you can do almost anything with your BONUSDOLLARS on Desjardins financial products and services. It’s a good way to use your BONUSDOLLARS if you don’t have any trips planned!

    To see the terms and conditions, it’s this way.

    BONUSDOLLARS in exchange for trips

    This is the best use you could make of your BONUSDOLLARS, especially for holders of the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite MasterCard.

    By paying for your trip with your Desjardins credit card, you are covered by travel insurance.

    One of the big advantages of your BONUSDOLLARS is that you can apply them to any travel expense. If you don’t like restricted travel miles or points, then BONUSDOLLARS are for you.

    Desjardins : How to use and maximize your Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS - travel bonidollars

    As for entertainment expenses, here you can use all or part of your BONUSDOLLARS to pay for your trip.

    The travel expenses for which you can redeem your BONUSDOLLARS are varied:

    • Hotel, B&B…
    • Plane, train, bus
    • And even against public transport tickets (commuter train, metro, bus).

    How to exchange BONUSDOLLARS for a trip

    To use your BONUSDOLLARS for a travel expense, you must :

    • Online from a computer
      • Go to AccèsD
      • Choose the card associated with the BONUSDOLLARS to exchange
      • In the right-hand menu, click on BONUSDOLLARS
      • Click on Exchange BONUSDOLLARS
      • Select the Eligible Transactions category

  • In the mobile application
    • Log on to the Desjardins Mobile Services application
    • Select the credit card of your choice under My Accounts or Favorites
    • Press Information
    • Choose BONUSDOLLARS
    • Press Exchange BONUSDOLLARS
    • Select the Eligible Transactions category

  • Please note: this discount must be made within 60 days of purchase. In addition, the minimum discount is 20 BONUSDOLLARS.

    BONUSDOLLARS, a good deal or not?

    Le programme BONIDOLLARS a le mérite d’être simple mais peu rémunérateur. En effet, les cartes de crédit de ce programme n’apportent pas de prime de bienvenue, contrairement à la majorité des cartes de crédit au Canada.

    La plupart des personnes qui veulent accumuler encore plus de remises en argent ou de points s’orientent vers des cartes avec des points ou des remises flexibles.  Comme par exemple :

    Évitez de laisser des points vous filez entre les doigts en utilisant notre comparateur de cartes de crédit, pour prendre une carte qui vous en donne plus.

    Desjardins credit cards

    Desjardins Bank offers eight credit cards: four are linked to the rewards program and earn BONUSDOLLARS, while the other four will give you cash back on your purchases.

    Desjardins credit cards offering BONUSDOLLARS

    There are 4 Desjardins credit cards, three of which are Visa Desjardins, that earn BONUSDOLLARS:

    Attention! **Note that the accumulation on certain purchases will change from January 1, 2024. From now on, there will be a ceiling on annual expenses in these categories. Read the full article on the devaluation of BONIDOLLARS here.

    In our opinion, these 2 Desjardins credit cards offering BONUSDOLLARS deserve your attention:

    Desjardins Bonus Visa* Credit Card

    This card earns up to 2% in BONUSDOLLARS on all purchases, with no annual fee.

    It also offers several insurances:

    • Emergency Health Care coverage for up to 3 days out of province
    • Insurance on mobile devices up to $1000 in case of loss, theft, accidental damage or mechanical failure.
    • Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection
    • Luggage protection

    If you’re looking for an equivalent card that offers 1% cash back everywhere and also no annual fee, you might want to check out the MBNA Rewards PlatinumPlusMD Mastercard.

    Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard

    It’s a top-of-the-line card in the Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS rewards program, with an annual fee of $130. In addition to a concierge service, you can earn up to 3% in BONUSDOLLARS on your purchases.

    **Note that the accumulation on certain card purchases will change from January 1, 2024. From now on, there will be a ceiling on annual expenses in these categories. Read the full article on the devaluation of BONIDOLLARS here.

    It also offers several insurances:

    • Emergency health care coverage for up to 60 consecutive days for persons 75 years of age and under, outside the province (limited to $5 million per person)
    • Intergenerational Travel Coverage
    • Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection
    • Luggage protection
    • Insurance on mobile devices up to $1,000 in case of loss, theft, accidental damage or mechanical failure
    • Rental Vehicle Collision/Loss Damage Insurance

    Its biggest competitor is the National Bank World Elite Mastercard®, which has the great advantage of offering up to $150 in credit for various travel expenses!

    And its insurance is equivalent to what Desjardins offers. Here is our comparison between the two.

    Is it the best rewards program?

    Advantages of BONUSDOLLARS

    The Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS rewards program has many advantages:

    • Simplicity: The program is pretty simple to understand and use.
    • Flexibility: You can redeem your BONUSDOLLARS for a variety of rewards, as described above.
    • Insurance coverage: Some Desjardins credit cards offer additional benefits such as travel insurance coverage or access to VIP lounges like the Desjardins Odyssée Visa Infinite Privilege Card.

    Disadvantages of BONUSDOLLARS

    However, Desjardins’ BONUSDOLLARS rewards program is not the one that offers the best rewards:

    • Point value: The redemption value of BONUSDOLLARS may not be as high as that of other reward programs.
    • No welcome bonus: The program generally does not offer substantial welcome bonuses, which is a drawback. So you’re starting out several steps behind other reward cards.
    • Limited options: While flexible, the rewards catalogue may not be as extensive as other programs.

    Comparison with other programs

    In comparison, travel rewards programs are often more lucrative for frequent flyers. The following programs are preferred:

    • American Express Membership Rewards points,
    • NBC Rewards,
    • BMO Rewards
    • or Scene+.

    For cash back enthusiasts, Scene+ will be the most comprehensive rewards program (Travel Rewards and Cash Back). For example, theScotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite +* Card is a great choice.

    We’ve put together a detailed comparative analysis to help you find your way among the best cards. Please see our article: Comparison of Desjardins credit cards and alternatives.

    Bottom Line

    Now that you’re a Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS expert, it’s time to maximize your rewards. Don’t forget to check your balance regularly and think about the best way to use them.

    Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
    Jean-Maximilien Voisine
    Jean-Maximilien Voisine
    Jean-Maximilien Voisine is the President and Founder of Milesopedia and a leading expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel across Canada, France, and the U.S.A. Now 40 years old and a father of two, he has explored more than 100 countries—many of them alongside his wife Audrey and their children. Specializing in loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, Jean-Maximilien helps travellers unlock the full potential of their points and benefits. His mission: empower others to travel better and smarter across North America and Europe.
    All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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