Quick overview of the Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards Card
The Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards card is a premium travel credit card offered by Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union. It features a lower annual fee than similar competitor cards, bonus rewards on purchases made in foreign currencies and up to eight different types of insurance coverage.
Who’s the Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards Card for?
The Meridian Visa Infinite* will appeal to existing Meridian clients looking for a travel credit card, and anyone who frequently travels outside of Canada and shops in foreign currencies. The standard earn rate of 1.5% is competitive with many competing cards; unfortunately, you must be an Ontario resident to be eligible to apply.
Pros
-
Bonus rewards on foreign currency purchases outside of Canada
-
Lower annual fee than similar competitor cards
-
Great insurance benefits
-
Attractive standard earn rate
-
Includes Visa Infinite benefits
Cons
-
You must be an Ontario resident to apply
-
There is a minimum annual income requirement
-
Must spend in foreign currencies to earn bonus rewards
Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards Card welcome offer
Currently, there are no welcome offers for this card.
How to earn rewards with the Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards Card
Reward-earning with the Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel card is straightforward. Beyond the welcome offer, cardholders earn 6 points for every $2 spent on foreign currency purchases and 3 points for every $1 spent on all other card purchases. It would be great if you could earn bonus rewards on popular spending categories such as gas or groceries, but the 1.5% standard earn rate is already higher than many other premium reward cards.
How to redeem rewards with the Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards Card
You can redeem your reward points for travel, gift cards, merchandise and account credits. Points have a value of one cent per point, regardless of how you redeem them. For example, if you have 10,000 points, it’s worth $100 towards travel, gift cards, etc. While this information is unclear on the Meridian website, I spoke with a company representative who was able to confirm the reward amount.
Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards card key benefits
- Earn 3% purchases made in foreign currencies outside of Canada
- Earn 1.5% on all other purchases
- Multiple ways to redeem rewards
- Includes eight different types of travel insurance
- Low annual fee compared to similar travel cards
Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards card insurance coverage
One of the key benefits of any premium travel credit card is travel insurance coverage. The Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards credit card is no exception, offering eight different types of insurance:
- Travel emergency medical insurance: Up to $5,000,000 per insured person per trip
- Trip cancellation and trip interruption/delay insurance: Up to $2,000 for trip cancellation; up to $2,000 for trip interruption/delay due to missed connections; unlimited coverage for reasons of illness or accident
- Delayed baggage and lost/damaged baggage insurance: Up to $500 for delayed baggage; Up to $1,000 for loss, theft or damage
- Common carrier travel accident insurance: Up to $1,000,000 per person
- Auto rental collision/loss damage insurance: Covers rental periods for up to 48 consecutive days
- Mobile device insurance: Coverage of up to $1,000
- Purchase protection insurance: Coverage for 90 days from purchase date: $10,000 per item purchased, $50,000 lifetime
- Extended warranty insurance: Doubles the manufacturer’s original warranty up to one additional year; maximum $10,000 per item, $50,000 lifetime
What people have to say about this card
Online reviews are few and far between for the Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel card, which is unsurprising given that it isn’t affiliated with a major Canadian financial institution. Based on what I could find in the PersonalFinanceCanada subReddit, users like that the card offsets foreign transaction fees. Others point out its excellent travel insurance coverage but don’t like that the annual fee cannot be waived.
How the Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards card compares
The Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards is a solid travel credit card, especially considering its low $99 annual fee. But does it measure up to the top travel credit cards in Canada? Here are some premium travel cards that may have more to offer.
Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
up to $1,300
Welcome Bonus
$436
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $1,300 in value† including up to 40,000 Aeroplan points† and no Annual Fee for the first year†. Conditions Apply.
Get this card if you...
-
want to quickly rack up Aeroplan points
-
need comprehensive travel insurance benefits
-
value a great welcome offer
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$139
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card designed for frequent Air Canada travelers, offering elevated Aeroplan points on eligible gas, grocery, travel, and dining purchases. Cardholders benefit from perks such as a NEXUS application fee rebate, a complimentary first checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on Air Canada flights, and access to select airport lounges; however, the card carries an annual fee and requires a minimum personal or household income for eligibility.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
The card has a high earn rate for Aeroplan Points, generating 1.5 points† per $1 spent on eligible purchases.
-
Insurance offered includes coverage in the categories that travellers need, and is generally better than its Aeroplan peers at a similar annual fee level.
Cons
-
No airport lounge membership or free lounge access.
-
Aeroplan points can’t be redeemed for flights outside the Star Alliance network, nor can they be redeemed for cash credit. This makes them less flexible than some competing travel rewards programs.
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$139
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
Rewards Aeroplan
1.5 points†
for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®)
1 point†
Earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases
2x
Earn points twice with Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore.
50%
Earn 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your card to your account. Conditions apply.
1
partial NEXUS application fee rebate every 48 months†
1st
checked bag free for you and up to 8 travel companions†
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$2,500
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $1,300 in value†, including up to 40,000 Aeroplan points†, no annual fee for the first year† and additional travel benefits. Conditions Apply. Offer effective as of January 7, 2025.
Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first Purchase with your new Card†
Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $7,500 within 180 days of Account opening†
Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening†
Enroll for NEXUS and once every 48 months get a partial application fee rebate†
Plus, share free first checked bags with up to 8 travel companions†
Get an annual fee rebate for the first year†.
To receive the first-year annual fee rebate, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening and you must add your Additional Cardholders while this offer is in effect.
Starbucks Bonus Offer for New Linked Members†: Link your TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite to earn 600 Starbucks Stars and redeem them for free Starbucks treats. Limited time only. Conditions and restrictions apply.
Our Take
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card designed for frequent Air Canada travelers, offering elevated Aeroplan points on eligible gas, grocery, travel, and dining purchases. Cardholders benefit from perks such as a NEXUS application fee rebate, a complimentary first checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on Air Canada flights, and access to select airport lounges; however, the card carries an annual fee and requires a minimum personal or household income for eligibility.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
The card has a high earn rate for Aeroplan Points, generating 1.5 points† per $1 spent on eligible purchases.
-
Insurance offered includes coverage in the categories that travellers need, and is generally better than its Aeroplan peers at a similar annual fee level.
Cons
-
No airport lounge membership or free lounge access.
-
Aeroplan points can’t be redeemed for flights outside the Star Alliance network, nor can they be redeemed for cash credit. This makes them less flexible than some competing travel rewards programs.
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$139
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
Rewards Aeroplan
1.5 points†
for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®)
1 point†
Earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases
2x
Earn points twice with Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore.
50%
Earn 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your card to your account. Conditions apply.
1
partial NEXUS application fee rebate every 48 months†
1st
checked bag free for you and up to 8 travel companions†
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$2,500
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $1,300 in value†, including up to 40,000 Aeroplan points†, no annual fee for the first year† and additional travel benefits. Conditions Apply. Offer effective as of January 7, 2025.
Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first Purchase with your new Card†
Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $7,500 within 180 days of Account opening†
Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening†
Enroll for NEXUS and once every 48 months get a partial application fee rebate†
Plus, share free first checked bags with up to 8 travel companions†
Get an annual fee rebate for the first year†.
To receive the first-year annual fee rebate, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening and you must add your Additional Cardholders while this offer is in effect.
Starbucks Bonus Offer for New Linked Members†: Link your TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite to earn 600 Starbucks Stars and redeem them for free Starbucks treats. Limited time only. Conditions and restrictions apply.
The Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards has a lower annual fee and a slightly lower purchase interest rate. It also offers a higher standard earnings rate. However, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite provides significantly more value if you want to maximize your travel rewards.
For starters, you’ll earn points with Aeroplan, one of the world’s most lucrative airline rewards programs. You can also stack up reward points when you spend at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands. Learn more about Aeroplan in our Aeroplan points guide.
Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards vs Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card
up to $1,300* value
Welcome Bonus
$926
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $1,300* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points* Expires Jul 01, 2025
Get this card if you...
-
travel often and want premium travel perks like lounge access
-
want to avoid paying foreign exchange fees
-
appreciate a good welcome offer
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$150
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card offering elevated Scene+ points on eligible grocery store purchases, dining, entertainment, and daily transit, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, six complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
No FX fees means the card saves you significant expenses on foreign transaction fees
-
Earn up to 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
-
Flexible and straightforward redemption program
-
Visa acceptance globally compared to American Express, especially outside major cities
-
Enjoy six annual visits to airport lounges
-
Robust insurance offerings, including extended travel emergency medical coverage
-
Access to Visa Infinite Program benefits, with added advantages like a free supplementary card
Cons
-
High annual fee
-
Limited rewards categories for earning reward max rate on purchases
-
Primarily best for travel within Canada
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Scene+
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Insurance Benefits
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points*.
Potential First Year Value = up to $1,345 |
Our Take
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card offering elevated Scene+ points on eligible grocery store purchases, dining, entertainment, and daily transit, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, six complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
No FX fees means the card saves you significant expenses on foreign transaction fees
-
Earn up to 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
-
Flexible and straightforward redemption program
-
Visa acceptance globally compared to American Express, especially outside major cities
-
Enjoy six annual visits to airport lounges
-
Robust insurance offerings, including extended travel emergency medical coverage
-
Access to Visa Infinite Program benefits, with added advantages like a free supplementary card
Cons
-
High annual fee
-
Limited rewards categories for earning reward max rate on purchases
-
Primarily best for travel within Canada
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Scene+
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Insurance Benefits
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points*.
Potential First Year Value = up to $1,345 |
The Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards card may offer bonus earnings on foreign currency purchases, but you will still pay a 2.5% foreign transaction fee. In other words, the bonus rewards offset the cost of spending outside Canada. On the other hand, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card waives the foreign transaction fee for almost the same net benefit.
The Scotiabank card also provides more bonus spending categories, including bonus Scene+ points at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-op grocery stores. The wide range of bonus categories makes it easier to rack up points. Scene+ points can be redeemed for groceries, entertainment, travel purchases, car rentals and more. However, the one major drawback of the Scotiabank Passport card is its high annual fee.
Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards vs BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®*
up to 90,000 points
Welcome Bonus
$671.6
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Get up to 90,000 points and the annual fee waived on your first anniversary for both the primary cardholder and authorized users.* Expires Jun 01, 2025
Get this card if you...
-
are a high-earning globetrotter, looking for travel perks
-
value travel insurance, lounge access, and concierge services
-
appreciate a great welcome offer
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$150
Annual Fee
21.99%
Purchase
23.99%
Cash Advance
23.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®* is a premium travel rewards credit card with elevated earn rates on eligible travel, dining, entertainment, and recurring bill payments. Cardholders benefit from complimentary lounge membership, which includes complimentary passes, as well as comprehensive travel insurance coverage, making it a suitable option for frequent travelers seeking both rewards and travel-related perks.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
High-value welcome offer
-
Flexible airport lounge access
-
BMO Rewards points can be used to cover flight taxes and fees
-
Great for those who frequently rent cars
-
Good for Costco and No Frills shoppers
Cons
-
So-so earn rates relative to its annual fee
-
Points have low redemption value compared to other travel rewards programs
-
Charges foreign transaction fees
-
Relatively high minimum income requirements
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
23.99%
Cash Advance
23.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
Rewards BMO Rewards
5x
Earn 5x the points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases*
3x
Earn 3x the points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and entertainment purchases and recurring bill payments*
1x
Earn 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else*
4
Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, with 4 annual complimentary passes
Insurance Benefits
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$0
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Get up to 90,000 points and the annual fee waived in the first year for both the primary cardholder and authorized users.
45,000 points when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months, and 3,750 points for each subsequent month in which you make at least $2,500 in purchases on your card, for 12 months.
Offer expires June 1, 2025.
Our Take
The BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®* is a premium travel rewards credit card with elevated earn rates on eligible travel, dining, entertainment, and recurring bill payments. Cardholders benefit from complimentary lounge membership, which includes complimentary passes, as well as comprehensive travel insurance coverage, making it a suitable option for frequent travelers seeking both rewards and travel-related perks.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
High-value welcome offer
-
Flexible airport lounge access
-
BMO Rewards points can be used to cover flight taxes and fees
-
Great for those who frequently rent cars
-
Good for Costco and No Frills shoppers
Cons
-
So-so earn rates relative to its annual fee
-
Points have low redemption value compared to other travel rewards programs
-
Charges foreign transaction fees
-
Relatively high minimum income requirements
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
23.99%
Cash Advance
23.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
Rewards BMO Rewards
5x
Earn 5x the points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases*
3x
Earn 3x the points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and entertainment purchases and recurring bill payments*
1x
Earn 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else*
4
Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, with 4 annual complimentary passes
Insurance Benefits
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$0
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Get up to 90,000 points and the annual fee waived in the first year for both the primary cardholder and authorized users.
45,000 points when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months, and 3,750 points for each subsequent month in which you make at least $2,500 in purchases on your card, for 12 months.
Offer expires June 1, 2025.
The BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®* charges a higher annual fee than the Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards. It also requires a higher minimum annual income. But if you can qualify, the BMO Ascend™ offers more potential value. Especially because it has a generous welcome offer, as well as a higher earn rate in multiple categories.
Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards Card eligibility
To be eligible for this card, you must have a minimum annual income of $60,000 for individuals or $100,000 per household. Additionally, your primary residential address must be in Ontario.
Is the Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards Card worth it?
If you’re a Meridian Credit Union customer traveling frequently outside of Canada, the Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards can help you save money on foreign transaction fees. You can also benefit from the wide range of travel insurance coverages offered without paying a high annual fee. On the other hand, if the main goal is to maximize your rewards earnings, other travel credit cards, including the ones mentioned above, offer better welcome bonuses, additional bonus spending categories and more lucrative travel redemption options.
Colin Graves is a Winnipeg-based financial writer and editor whose work has been featured in publications such as Time, MoneySense, MapleMoney, Retire Happy, The College Investor, and more. Before becoming a full-time writer, Colin was a bank manager for over 15 years.
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