To the point
Here is 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
When signing up for the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, you get:
- Up to 70,000 NBC Rewards points (up to $700 in value)
- No annual fee for the first year for the primary cardholder ($150 value)
This exclusive offer is valid until June 30, 2023.
Therefore, the value of this welcome bonus is approximately $850.
Desjardins never offers a welcome bonus.
The annual fee for this card is $130.
Advantage: National Bank World Elite Mastercard
With a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 points and an annual fee refunded for the first year, the National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard® wins this round.
Annual Benefits
Each calendar year, the National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard® credit cardholder has a total of $150 Annual Travel Credit available on select 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
With a $150 Annual Travel Credit, the National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard® wins this round.
These two cards share similar privileges, being World Elite Mastercards:
- LoungeKeymembership, which provides access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide ($32 USD per person entry fee)
- 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, one guest and up to 2 children (under 12) may enter the lounge upon 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 to its airport lounge, the point 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’s 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 transportation
- 1.5 % in BONIDOLLARS for all the rest
Advantage: National Bank World Elite Mastercard
With its earning rate of up to 5 points per dollar, the National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard® takes the lead 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 that covers you even if you only pay a portion 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.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
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.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
| 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 travel, 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:
- a minimum individual income of $80,000
- or $150,000 minimum family 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:
- a minimum individual income of $80,000
- or $150,000 minimum family 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, National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard has a head start on :
- Its welcome bonus of up to 70,000 points
- Its high earning rate for select categories of purchases
- First-year free ($150 value)
- Unlimited access to its airport VIP lounge
- Its $150 Annual Travel Credit
- Longer protection and extended warranty
- its valid insurance even if you only charge a portion of the trip to your credit card
Conversely, the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard has :
- Higher earning rate for other purchases
- more advantageous medical insurance for people between 55 and 59 years of age
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!
