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.
Table of contents
Welcome bonus
When signing up for the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, you get:
- 35,000 NBC Rewards points (approximatively $315 value)
- No annual fee for the first year for the primary cardholder ($150 value)
- No annual fee for the first year for the first additional cardholder ($50 value)
This offer is valid until May 31, 2022.
Therefore, the value of this welcome bonus is approximately $450.
Desjardins never offers a welcome bonus.
The annual fee for this card is $130.
Advantage: National Bank World Elite Mastercard
With 35,000 welcome bonus points and first-year free, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard wins this round.
Annual Benefits
Each calendar year, National Bank World Elite Mastercard credit cardholders have a total of $250 available for some travel expenses:
| Expenses | Credit |
| Airport parking | $100 |
| Baggage fees | $100 |
| Seat selection | $50 |
Unlike the National Bank card, Desjardins does not offer annual credits for travel expenses.
Advantage: National Bank World Elite Mastercard
By reimbursing up to $250 in travel expenses, the National Bank 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 free 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, the advantage is for the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This is especially convenient for the cardholder and her/his family.
Reward points earning
While theNational Bank World Elite Mastercard earning rate is based on annual spending (from the date of enrolment):
| Expenses | Points |
| $0 to $40,000 | 1.5 points |
| $40,001 to $80,000 | 2 points |
| $80,001 and more | 1.5 points |
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: Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard
The 3% BONUSDOLLARS earning rate in grocery stores for the Desjardins card is unbeatable.
However, if your annual expenses are in the $40,001 to $80,000 range, you may want to do your calculations for your purchases in the “Other” category. You’ll earn 2 points per dollar on everything with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard.
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
None.
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.
Conclusion
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 :
- 35,000 Welcome Bonus Points after $3,000 in Card purchases ($315 value)
- First-year free ($150 value)
- Unlimited access to its airport VIP lounge
- $250 Travel Credit (airport parking, seat selection, checked bag)
- 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 :
- a higher earning rate
- mobile device insurance
- more advantageous medical insurance for people between 55 and 59 years of age
In comparison, you’d need to spend $23,833 in groceries with the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard to get the same value as the National Bank World Elite Mastercard welcome offer.
For example, a couple between the ages of 55 and 59 has annual food expenses of about $7,700 for 2022. Therefore, it would take 3 years to reach the same level as with the National Bank card.
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!
