Quick overview of the Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card
The Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card is a travel-centric credit card offering cardholders the chance to earn points on everyday purchases such as gas, groceries and transportation. If you're traveling for work or leisure a few times a year, it's a smart way to make your spending work a little harder for your jet-setting goals.
Who’s the Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card for?
The Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card is built for budget-conscious travellers who prefer earning travel rewards over cash back. It offers a straightforward rewards system without the high fees or complicated programs that can make other cards difficult to manage. To sum it up, this card strikes a good balance between affordability and valuable perks.
Pros
-
Bonus points on foreign purchases
-
Enjoy flexible rewards redemption
-
Valuable insurance benefits
Cons
-
Limited travel partners
-
Okay customer service
-
Moderate rewards rate as compared to other travel cards
-
Comes with a foreign transaction fee
Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card welcome offer
Currently there are no welcome offers with this card.
How to earn rewards with the Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card
With the Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card, you earn points every time you make a purchase. Here's how it works:
- Earn 1 reward point for every $1 spent on all purchases
- Earn 2 reward points for every $1 spent on purchases made outside Canada
You can add extra cards for your spouse or family at no extra charge, so everyone can help stack up those points.
How to redeem rewards with the Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card
Redeeming your rewards is easy. Your points can be redeemed for flights, hotels and vacations, car rentals and even account credits.
Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card key benefits
One of the best things about the Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card is its simple rewards structure— you’ll earn points on all your everyday purchases without worrying about specific spending categories.
If you’re not booking that dream trip just yet, no worries. Although points have no cash value, you can always redeem your points as statement credits to lower your balance, giving you that much-needed flexibility.
You also get purchase protection for theft, loss or damage after buying something when you use your card, plus an extended warranty on big-ticket items — so you can shop with a little extra peace of mind.
Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card insurance coverage
Credit card insurance coverage is a great perk because it provides built-in protection while you travel. In some cases, it may help you avoid the cost and hassle of purchasing separate insurance policies.
Here's a breakdown of the insurance coverage:
- Common carrier accident protection: Provides $500,000 in case of accidents with a common carrier (airlines, trains, etc.).
- Trip interruption insurance: Covers up to $2,000 in the event your trip is unexpectedly interrupted.
- Lost or delayed baggage: Provides up to $1,000 for theft or damage, and up to $500 for delayed baggage delivery.
- Travel accident insurance: Offers up to $500,000 in coverage for accidents that occur while travelling.
- Rental car insurance: Covers collision, theft and damage when you rent a car using your Meridian card (for up to 48 days).
- Mobile device insurance: Protects your mobile devices against damage or theft for up to $1,000.
Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card eligibility
You are a permanent resident or citizen of Canada, have reached the age of majority in the province in which you live and maintain a good credit score.
What people have to say about this card
One Reddit user shared their experience with the Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card, highlighting both the pros and cons. They found the rewards program beneficial, saying, “It’s not bad, and depending on how much you put on it, you should be able to get flights out of it... I managed to book a round-trip flight from Toronto to NYC on rewards points after having the card for a year with plenty of points left over.”
However, they also expressed frustration with Meridian's customer service, noting, “I really dislike Meridian though and wish I wasn’t with them. They have friendly but very incompetent customer service.”
How the Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card compares
Let's see how this card compares to other credit cards in Canada:
Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card vs American Express® Green Card
10,000 points
Welcome Bonus
$460
First Year Value
$360
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: 10,000 Membership Rewards® points* when you spend $1,000 on your Card within the first 3 months as a new Cardmember.*
Get this card if you...
-
want rewards without paying an annual fee
-
want to earn points on everyday spending
-
want a flexible rewards program with exclusive perks
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
Our Take
The American Express® Green Card is a no-annual-fee credit card that allows cardholders to earn points on all purchases, with additional points for eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through American Express Travel. It also provides benefits such as purchase protection, extended warranty and access to exclusive events through American Express® Experiences.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
No income requirements (unlike many other no-fee cards)
-
Welcome bonus up to 10,000 points (a $100 value)
-
American Express® Experiences
Cons
-
The card only offers basic extended warranty and purchase protection insurance. No travel insurance or rental car coverage
-
Some places might not accept American Express®. However, most major retailers do (more small businesses are starting to as well)
-
Fewer perks: No specific benefits for travel or dining and no accelerated earning rates on grocery
-
Lower earn rates: The reward earn rates are lower than some other no-fee credit cards
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
28.99%
Penalty
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$2.75
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Membership Rewards
1x
the points on Card purchases
1
additional Membership Rewards® point for every $1 you charge to your American Express® Green Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® points* when you spend $1,000 on your Card within the first 3 months as a new Cardmember.*
That’s $100 towards your next shopping spree or ordering dinner in.
*Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.
Our Take
The American Express® Green Card is a no-annual-fee credit card that allows cardholders to earn points on all purchases, with additional points for eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through American Express Travel. It also provides benefits such as purchase protection, extended warranty and access to exclusive events through American Express® Experiences.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
No income requirements (unlike many other no-fee cards)
-
Welcome bonus up to 10,000 points (a $100 value)
-
American Express® Experiences
Cons
-
The card only offers basic extended warranty and purchase protection insurance. No travel insurance or rental car coverage
-
Some places might not accept American Express®. However, most major retailers do (more small businesses are starting to as well)
-
Fewer perks: No specific benefits for travel or dining and no accelerated earning rates on grocery
-
Lower earn rates: The reward earn rates are lower than some other no-fee credit cards
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
28.99%
Penalty
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$2.75
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Membership Rewards
1x
the points on Card purchases
1
additional Membership Rewards® point for every $1 you charge to your American Express® Green Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® points* when you spend $1,000 on your Card within the first 3 months as a new Cardmember.*
That’s $100 towards your next shopping spree or ordering dinner in.
*Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.
The Amex Green Card offers no annual fee, a generous welcome bonus and a good rewards rate on travel, which may suit frequent international travellers better. However, the Amex Green only offers basic extended warranty and purchase protection insurance. On the other hand, the Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card offers comprehensive travel insurance, making it a well-rounded choice for travellers.
Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card 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 Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is a premium card offering no foreign transaction fees and higher rewards for travel purchases. While it comes with stronger benefits, it has a higher annual fee than the Meridian Visa* Platinum card, which may not appeal to all, particularly those who are more budget-conscious.
Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card vs Rogers World Elite Mastercard
$349
First Year Value
$289
Annual Value
Get this card if you...
-
want to earn cash back with no annual fee
-
are an existing Rogers or Fido customer
-
want complimentary lounge access
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The Rogers™ World Elite® Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card offering elevated cash back rates on purchases made in U.S. dollars, with a standard rate on all other eligible purchases. Cardholders benefit from comprehensive insurance coverage, including emergency medical and rental car collision/damage protection, as well as access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass; however, the card has a high income requirement.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
Lucrative cash back rates on USD and CAD purchases, especially for Rogers, Fido or Shaw customers
-
No annual fee with valuable insurance benefits
-
Competitive against foreign transaction fee cards
-
Convenient cash back redemption options
-
Redemption bonus of 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
-
Travel insurance perks and airport lounge access
Cons
-
High income requirement: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
-
Foreign transaction fee applies
-
Limited redemption options for statement credits
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
Rewards cash back
3%
Earn 3% unlimited cash back on purchases made in US dollars
2%
Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all eligible non-US dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw
1.5%
Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on everything else
1.5x Cash Back
Get 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
Insurance Benefits
$1,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Our Take
The Rogers™ World Elite® Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card offering elevated cash back rates on purchases made in U.S. dollars, with a standard rate on all other eligible purchases. Cardholders benefit from comprehensive insurance coverage, including emergency medical and rental car collision/damage protection, as well as access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass; however, the card has a high income requirement.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
Lucrative cash back rates on USD and CAD purchases, especially for Rogers, Fido or Shaw customers
-
No annual fee with valuable insurance benefits
-
Competitive against foreign transaction fee cards
-
Convenient cash back redemption options
-
Redemption bonus of 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
-
Travel insurance perks and airport lounge access
Cons
-
High income requirement: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
-
Foreign transaction fee applies
-
Limited redemption options for statement credits
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
Rewards cash back
3%
Earn 3% unlimited cash back on purchases made in US dollars
2%
Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all eligible non-US dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw
1.5%
Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on everything else
1.5x Cash Back
Get 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
Insurance Benefits
$1,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
The Rogers World Elite Mastercard offers high cash back rewards on all purchases, including lucrative rates on foreign currency and Canadian transactions. However, keep in mind that it does have a high income requirement, while the Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards card has lower income requirements, making it more accessible.
Is the Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card worth it?
The Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card strikes a solid balance between rewards and comprehensive insurance, making it a strong contender for those seeking rewards without hefty costs.
While the card doesn’t offer a major introductory bonus like higher-tier options, it still provides excellent long-term value and convenience. For frequent travellers who can fully utilize the card’s perks — such as travel insurance, airport lounge access and flexible rewards—the $49fee can be justified, especially if it helps offset travel costs. Ultimately, it’s about finding the right balance between the annual fee and the benefits that align with your lifestyle and spending habits.
Zandile Chiwanza is a personal finance journalist, covering a wide range of money-related topics, including real estate, mortgages, insurance, interest rates and credit cards.
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