Best Credit Union Credit Cards In Canada For October 2025
Top credit cards from credit unions across the country.
Credit unions are often overlooked as credit card issuers, but we found that Desjardins issues the best credit union credit card in Canada: the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard. It's a valuable rewards card that also offers generous travel benefits.
If you’re not a Desjardins member, take a look at other top credit cards issued by Alterna and Vancity, as well as more picks from Desjardins.
Keep in mind that if you do want to get a credit union credit card, you’ll need to become a member of that credit union.
Key Takeaways
- Desjardins offers two no fee credit cards that earn rewards.
- For a premium card, check out the Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege, which earns up to 4% back.
- Alterna and Vancity also offer competitive credit cards with unique features like rewards on USD purchases.
Comparing the best credit union credit cards
| Category | Credit card | Annual fee | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best credit union credit card | Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard | $130 | * Up to 3% back on purchases * 9 types of insurance |
| Best no fee credit union credit | Desjardins Bonus Visa | $0 | * Up to 2% back on purchases * No annual fee |
| Best USD credit union credit card | Alterna U.S. Dollar Visa | $50 | * Save on currency conversion fees |
| Best premium credit union credit card | Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege | $395 | * Earn up to 4% back * Low permanent interest rate |
| Best regional credit union credit card | Vancity enviro Visa Infinite Card | $120 | * First-year fee waived * Earn up to 10 points per $1 spent |
| Best low interest credit union credit card | Desjardins Flexi Visa | $0 | * Lowest interest rate * No annual fee |
1. Best credit union credit card
Rewards:
- 3% cash back on groceries
- 2% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, and public transportation
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Pros:
- Minimum earn rate of 1.5% back on purchases
- 9 types of insurance included
- Discounts on car rentals worldwide
Cons:
- No welcome bonus
- High income requirements of $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
When it comes to travel credit cards, the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard is an excellent choice. You'll earn Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS on all your purchases, which you can then redeem towards gift cards, investments with Desjardins, entertainment, travel, and restaurant purchases.
Frequent flyers through Montreal will enjoy the eight free passes to the Desjardins Odyssey lounge that come with this card; however, you can only visit the lounges for U.S. and international flights.
2. Best no annual fee credit union credit card
Rewards:
- 2% back on restaurants, entertainment, transportation, and bill payments
- 0.5% back on all other purchases
Pros:
- Rental car discounts
- 8 types of insurance included
Cons:
- No welcome bonus
If you’re looking for a no fee credit card, your best bet is the Desjardins Bonus Visa. It's another BONUSDOLLARS rewards card, but this time without an annual fee. There's even a decent insurance package, with 8 types of coverage included.
3. Best USD credit union credit card
Rewards:
- 1 points per US$2 spent
Pros:
- Low annual fee
- Save on currency conversion fees for purchases made in U.S. dollars
Cons:
- No welcome bonus
- Limited insurance included
You don’t have to go with a credit card from a big bank to get great rates for U.S. purchases: check out the Alterna U.S. Dollar Visa. For a low annual fee of $50, you’ll get a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees for USD purchases. And you’ll earn 1 point for every USD$2 spent, which you can redeem for cash back, travel, and gift cards.
4. Best premium credit union credit card
Rewards:
- 4% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, and transit
- 3% cash back on travel and groceries
- 1.75% cash back on all other purchases
Pros:
- Low permanent interest rates of 11.9%
- Access to Visa Infinite Privilege benefits
- 9 types of insurance included
Cons:
- High annual fee of $395
- High income requirements of $150,000 personal or $200,000 household
- No welcome bonus
Love the fantastic rewards of the big banks but want a credit union card? The Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege might be a perfect match. It offers Visa Infinite Privilege dining, hotel, and concierge services, plus travel perks like Priority Pass membership and dedicated airport security and screening.
We should also mention the incredible earn rate: you’ll get up to 4% back with every purchase and can redeem your rewards in any number of ways.
5. Best regional credit union credit card
Rewards:
- 10 points per $1 spent at select local businesses
- 5 points per $1 spent on public transit and ferries◊
- 2.5 points per $1 spent on groceries.◊
- 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 2x the points when booking travel through Vancity Rewards
Pros:
- 5% of profits support the Vancity enviroFund program
- 9 types of insurance included
- Discounts on JJ Bean, meal kits, and carshare programs
Cons:
- No welcome bonus
- Only available to B.C. residents
- High income requirements of $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
If you’re considering using a credit union credit card, you probably value working with a smaller financial institution that has your community’s interests at heart. Our pick for the best regional credit card is the Vancity enviro Visa Infinite Card, which is only available to residents of British Columbia. It offers excellent earn rates and Vancity puts 5% of its profits from the card into its enviroFund program each year The fund finances companies that implement climate-change solutions in the community.
6. Best low interest credit union credit card
Rewards: None
Pros:
- No annual fee
- 8 types of insurance included
- Discounts on car rentals
Cons:
- No rewards
- No welcome bonus
- No physical branches outside of Quebec and Ontario
Paying attention to a card’s interest rate is important – especially if you tend to carry a balance from month to month. If this sounds like you, check out the Desjardins Flexi Visa. Although it doesn’t offer any rewards, you won’t pay an annual fee and it has low interest rates across the board: 10.9% on purchases and 12.9% on cash back and balance transfers.
How we get our rankings
We looked at credit union credit cards that are available to most Canadians. While credit unions typically only offer banking in one province, many offer their credit cards to all Canadians – though a few exclude residents of Quebec.
We analyzed over 126 features of each credit card and broke them into seven main categories. Then, we ran those through our algorithm, which calculated a score out of five – our Genius Rating. For this specific ranking, we focused on things like annual fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Regional credit union credit card options
The best regional card overall is the Vancity enviro Visa Infinite Card, but there are lots of other regional options. Be aware, though, that some of them are available across Canada – you just won’t find physical locations in every province.
British Columbia: Vancity Credit Union
Vancity is known for its community-oriented efforts and support of local businesses. Take, for example, the Vancity enviro Visa Classic card with Vancity Rewards. This credit card only earns 1 point for every $1 spent on travel booked through Vancity Rewards, but Vancity donates 5% of the profits to the Vancity enviroFund – and there’s no annual fee.
Ontario: Meridian Credit Union
Meridian Credit Union touts itself as being people-focused, helping members achieve their best financial goals. The company regularly donates to housing initiatives, community support programs, and climate resilience programs.
Our favourite credit card option is the Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card because it’s the most versatile for earning rewards on everyday purchases. You’ll earn up to 4 points per $1 spent on gas and groceries. There is a $99 annual fee, but it’s waived for the first year.
Quebec: Desjardins Credit Union
If you live outside of Quebec, you might be familiar with this regional credit union that operates throughout North America. Desjardins Group is the largest federation of credit unions in North America, so you’ll probably be pleased with Desjardins' extensive network and customer service.
Our top Visa pick is the Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege. Although it’s touted as a travel card, you’ll earn up to 4% back on transit, entertainment, and restaurants (and 3% back on travel and groceries), making it a great everyday credit card.
If you want a Mastercard, we like the Desjardins Cash Back World Elite Mastercard. With a lower annual fee, you’ll get earn rates similar to the Odyssey VIP, plus World Elite Mastercard benefits and insurance coverage.
Alberta: Servus Credit Union
Although Servus Credit Union is one of the newer credit unions we looked at, it’s got an extensive branch network focused on offering services to its community members. Servus doesn’t have a long list of credit cards. The four personal cards they offer range from basic to premium, so the best card for you depends on your income and ability to pay an annual fee.
If you want a basic card with few eligibility requirements and a low annual fee, check out the Servus No Fee Mastercard. It’s a simple option that doesn’t earn rewards, but won’t cost you anything to keep in your wallet. If you don’t mind paying an annual fee, the Servus World Elite Mastercard is your best option. It earns decent rewards and includes the standard perks and benefits of World Elite Mastercards.
Atlantic Canada: Atlantic Edge Credit Union
People who had been members of EasternEdge Credit Union, Atlantic Edge Credit Union, and Hamilton Sound Credit Union might be familiar with Atlantic Edge, the credit union that resulted from the merger of these three Atlantic credit unions.
You have seven Mastercard options through Atlantic Edge, but we like the Atlantic Edge Cash Back World Elite Mastercard. There is a $120 annual fee, but the rewards for this card quickly make up for it. You’ll earn up to 4 points per $1 on groceries and sustainable transit, while your remaining spending earns between 1 and 3 points per $1.
Why choose a credit union credit card?
If you're already a credit union member, you likely appreciate the community-driven values and member-first approach that set credit unions apart. Unlike big banks, credit unions are not-for-profit institutions – meaning their goal is to serve members, not shareholders. This often translates into lower fees, better service, and access to unique local perks.
Credit union credit cards carry those same advantages. They typically offer lower interest rates on both purchases and cash advances compared to traditional bank-issued cards. Many are also connected to national networks like The Exchange or Acculink, giving you convenient access to funds when you need them – whether you're close to home or traveling.
Choosing a credit union credit card is not only a smart financial move, but it’s also a way to support your local economy while enjoying competitive rates and personalized service.
Why choose a credit union at all?
Let’s start with one of the most important reasons: credit unions are non-profit. Instead of being operated like a business owned by shareholders, the credit union is operated using funds from its members.
This means they have their members’ interests at heart, offering more competitive interest rates, fewer fees, and an active presence in their communities. Credit unions also take pride in providing more personalized customer service.
That said, credit unions are usually limited to serving a single province, which can be an issue if you frequently travel across the country. They may also lag slightly behind in terms of technological offerings, such as mobile apps.
The top 3 credit unions in Canada:
- Coast Capital Savings: 45 locations, based in British Columbia
- Vancity: 50+ locations throughout British Columbia
- Servus: 140+ locations within Alberta
Guide to credit union credit cards
If you’re not familiar with credit card offerings from credit unions, keep reading for a quick primer on what you need to know.
Credit union credit cards vs. bank credit cards
On the surface, a credit union credit card looks the same as a credit card issued from any bank. And truth be told, there's really no difference – they use the same networks and offer carrying levels of rewards and insurance in exchange for annual fees and interest rates.
But credit union credit cards can be handy if you already do your everyday banking at a credit union – it allows you to keep your financial products in one place. Credit unions can also offer specialized ways to earn or use rewards that big banks don’t provide.
Pros and cons of credit union credit cards
A credit union credit card might not be the best for everyone. Consider the following when making your decision:
Pros:
- Lower-than-average interest rates and fees. Big banks tend to charge numerous fees that can add up significantly, whereas credit unions strive to save their members money. This is also reflected in the lower interest rates they tend to charge.
- Opportunities for people with poor or no credit. A credit union may be more willing to work with people who are trying to build credit or might not qualify for an unsecured card.
- Excellent insurance coverage. While the coverage inclusions vary from card to card, credit union credit cards typically offer solid insurance packages.
- First-rate customer service. Credit unions are known for being involved in their communities, so it’s no surprise that credit unions are focused on providing personalized customer service.
Cons:
- Membership is usually required. If you’re not currently a member of a credit union, you’ll usually have to join it (and pay a small membership fee) to apply for its credit card.
- Availability can be limited. Credit unions typically have eligibility requirements, so only individuals in a specific region or profession will qualify.
- Low value or no welcome offers. Unfortunately, credit unions typically can’t offer those eye-catching rewards that big banks can. If you do see a welcome bonus, it's likely to be comparatively small.
- Branch locations and card selections are limited. Most credit unions can’t compete with the number of locations and credit card options that big banks are able to offer.
How to get a credit union credit card
Applying for a credit union credit card is similar to getting a regular credit card, with a couple of exceptions:
- You typically need to be a member of the credit union
- You may need to visit a branch in person to complete the application (though this isn’t true in all cases)
Once you fill out a credit union credit card application, you’ll usually get a decision pretty quickly – and your card soon after that.
FAQ
Do credit unions offer credit cards?
Yes, credit unions offer credit cards as one of their financial products, in addition to personal loans, chequing accounts, and mortgages. While they might not offer as many options as big banks, you’ll find some solid choices.
Do credit unions do a hard credit check?
Credit unions generally perform hard credit checks when you apply for loans or credit products. This can impact your credit score slightly, but it is usually temporary. It’s a good idea to check your credit score before submitting your applications.
What's the interest rate on a credit card from a credit union?
Interest rates vary from card to card but are comparable to interest rates from big banks. This makes it even more important to read all of the terms and conditions when applying for a new credit card.
Can you build credit with a credit union?
Yes, you can build credit with a credit union. Credit unions offer various financial products, such as credit cards, loans, and lines of credit, which can help you establish and improve your personal credit score.
Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone. No bank, credit card issuer, rewards program, or other entity has reviewed, approved, or endorsed this content. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website. Our credit card scores and rankings are based on our Rating Methodology that takes into account 126+ features for each of 229 Canadian credit cards.
