To the point
Here's our detailed comparison of the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard and the National Bank World Elite Mastercard®.
Desjardins and National Bank each offer a World Elite Mastercard credit card with travel rewards:
At first glance, they may seem to be identical, especially because of their name! But which one is the most advantageous?
Let’s look at each of their features in detail, to distinguish these two credit cards.
Welcome bonus
Right now, there’s an extremely attractive welcome offer for National Bank World Elite Mastercard®.
Until June 15, 2024, with this exclusive promotion for Milesopedia readers, you can earn up to 35,000 welcome bonus points (worth up to $350)!
In addition, the first year’s annual fee is refunded ($150 value).
Here is the requirements of this National Bank welcome bonus:
- 10,000 points after $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
- 10,000 points after $10,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
- 15,000 points after $20,000 in purchases in the first 14 months
What’s more, when you sign up for the National Bank World Mastercard® via this exclusive link you won’t find anywhere else, you’ll automatically be entered in the Transat contest: there are 5 Transat travel credits worth $2,000 to be won!
Desjardins never offers a welcome bonus.
Advantage: National Bank's World Elite Mastercard®
With extra points and the chance to earn up to $2,000 in Transat travel credit, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® is the best!
Annual Benefits
Each calendar year, National Bank World Elite Mastercard® cardholders are entitled to a total of $150 applicable to certain travel-related expenses:
- Airport parking
- Baggage fees
- Seat selection
- Access to airport lounges
- Airline ticket upgrades
Unlike the National Bank card, Desjardins does not offer annual credits for travel expenses.
Advantage: National Bank World Elite Mastercard
By reimbursing up to $150 in travel expenses, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® wins this round.
It should be noted that these two cards share similar privileges, being World Elite Mastercard cards :
- Membership of the DragonPass program, which provides access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide ($32 USD per person)
- Free Wi-Fi access while travelling anywhere in the world, thanks to Boingo
Access to the VIP airport lounge in the Montréal-Trudeau international zone
The National Bank card provides complimentary and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge.
The cardholder, 1 guest and up to 2 children (under 12) can access the lounge on presentation of the National Bank World Elite Mastercard®.
This card offers eight free visits per year to the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge.
Each person who enters the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge with the card is equivalent to one visit, including children over three years old.
Then, after the 9th visit, a 50% discount is granted. Before taxes, regular admission is $42 for adults and $26 for children.
Advantage: National Bank World Elite Mastercard
For unlimited access, the advantage goes to the National Bank World Elite Mastercard®. This is especially convenient for the cardholder and her/his family.
Earning reward points
With the National Bank World Elite® Mastercard®, you can earn up to 5 points per dollar:
| Category | Points |
| Grocery and Restaurant | 5* |
| Gas and electric recharge | 2 |
| Recurring bills | 2 |
| À la carte Travel | 2 |
| Other purchases | 1 |
For the Grocery and Restaurant category, you will be able to earn 5 points per dollar up to $2,500 in total monthly purchases charged to the card.
With the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard, you earn:
- 3% in BONUSDOLLARS at the grocery store*.
- 2% in BONUSDOLLARS for restaurants*, entertainment and public transport
- 1.5 % in BONIDOLLARS for all the rest
* Please note that from January 1, 2024, the accumulation will be different for grocery and restaurant expenses.
Between January 1 and December 31 of each year, the cumulative annual expenses made in the “Grocery” category will lead to the following earnings.
- Spending between $0 and $10,000: 3% earning at the grocery store
- $10,001 and over: 1.5% earning for the rest of the year
Then, cumulative annual spending in the “Restaurant” category will lead to the following accumulation:
- Between $0 and $6,000: 2% earning
- $ 6,001 and over: 1.5% accumulation for the rest of the year
Advantage: National Bank World Elite Mastercard
With an accumulation rate of up to 5 points per dollar, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® has the edge over the Desjardins card.
However, if you make many out-of-class purchases, you’ll be better off with Desjardins at 1.5% per dollar versus 1 point per dollar with the National Bank.
Insurance
Both cards are known to have excellent insurance of all kinds.
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard® is one of the only credit cards in Canada to cover you even if you only pay part of the cost of your trip.
This travel coverage only protects the policyholder, his/her spouse and their dependent children.
Medical and theft/loss/damage of luggage insurance
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard® offers protection up to $5,000,000 per person, as follows:
| Age | Maximum trip time frame |
| 54 and under | 60 days |
| 55 to 64 | 31 days |
| 65-75 years old | 15 days |
| 76 years or older | no coverage |
For the luggage portion, the amount is a maximum of $ 1,000 per person.
Flight Cancellation
Coverage will be provided if at least a portion of the cost of the trip has been charged to the account.
| Trip cancellation (before departure) | up to $ 2,500 per insured person |
| Trip interruption (after departure) | up to $5,000 per insured person |
Travel Assistance Service
In addition, a travel assistance service is available for help if there is a problem:
- loss of documents (passport, identity papers, etc)
- loss of travel documents (such as an airline ticket)
- need a medical emergency, an interpreter or legal assistance
- need an emergency transfer of funds
Extended warranty
Theft and breakage coverage is valid for 180 days from the date of purchase. In addition, an extended warranty triples the length of the original manufacturer’s warranty for up to 3 years, under certain conditions.
Insurance for mobile devices
Up to $1,000 in compensation for a smartphone or tablet’s loss, theft, accidental damage or mechanical failure.
For full details, please refer to the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® Certificate of Insurance.
All these coverages are valid for the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard credit cardholder, his/her spouse and dependent children. Even grandchildren benefit from the intergenerational coverage at no cost, when they travel with the holder.
Medical and theft/loss/damage of luggage insurance
Emergency Health Care coverage is up to $ 5,000,000 per person. The duration of these protections depends on the age of the traveller:
| Age | Maximum trip time frame |
| 59 years or less | 60 days |
| 60-64 years old | 31 days |
| 65-75 years old | 15 days |
| 76 years or older | no coverage |
For baggage, the maximum amount is $1,000 per person.
Flight Cancellation
| Trip cancellation (before departure) | up to $ 2,500 per insured person |
| Trip interruption (after departure) | Unlimited coverage |
Travel Assistance Service
In addition, a travel assistance service is available for help if there is a problem:
- loss of documents (passport, identity papers, etc)
- loss of travel documents (such as an airline ticket)
- need a medical emergency or legal assistance
Extended warranty
Coverage for loss or damage is valid for 120 days from the date of purchase. In addition, an extended warranty doubles the duration of the original manufacturer’s warranty for up to 2 years, under certain conditions.
Insurance for mobile devices
Up to $1,500 in compensation for loss, theft, accidental damage or mechanical failure of a smartphone or tablet.
For full details, please refer to the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard Certificate of Insurance.
Equality
At this level, we cannot decide. In general, the insurances of the 2 cards are similar, with some differences. It’s up to you and your needs.
In fact, if you’re using rewards points to pay for part of the cost of your trip, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® is perfect for you. In addition, it has an extended warranty period and longer protection for loss and damage.
Conversely, the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard offers insurance for mobile devices that its competitor does not. Or if you’re between 55 and 59 and travel medical insurance is important, you’re better off with Desjardins.
Minimum income
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard requires :
- $80,000 individual income
- $150,000 household income
- or assets under management of $400,000 or more
You must have one of the following criteria to get a Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard:
- $80,000 individual income
- $150,000 household income
- or assets under management of $400,000 or more
Equality
Both World Elite Mastercard cards require the same criteria for enrollment.
Bottom Line
So? Which Card is the winner?
First, it should be noted that both are great credit cards to use at Costco!
But in general, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® has an edge when it comes to :
- Its exclusive offer for its welcome bonus of up to 35,000 points and the chance to win $2,000 in Transat travel credit;
- Its high rate of accumulation for certain categories of purchases;
- Unlimited access to its airport VIP lounge;
- His annual reimbursement of $150 for travel expenses ;
- Longer protection and extended warranty;
- its valid insurances even if you only charge part of the trip to your credit card.
Conversely, the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard has :
- a higher rate of accumulation for out-of-category purchases;
- more advantageous medical insurance for people aged 55 to 59.
If you’ve ever had one of these two cards, what are your comments? Come and point them out in the Milesopedia Facebook group.
To see the other cards, check out our ranking of the best travel credit card offers in Canada.
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
