Best Meridian Credit Cards in Canada for 2026
An unbiased comparison of every top Meridian Credit Union credit card in Canada
The best Meridian credit card is the Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card, thanks to its high earn rate for grocery and gas and an impressive insurance package. Meridian also offers travel cards, no-fee cards, and other cash back credit cards.
To rank these unique credit cards, we relied on our data-driven Genius Rating. This unbiased algorithm weighs important card features like fees, rewards, eligibility, and more to find the best credit cards in Canada.
Here, we review the top 3 cards issued by Meridian Credit Union, explain how the Meridian Visa Rewards program works, and offer non-credit union alternatives for you to consider.
Key Takeaways
- The Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card is an excellent product from Meridian Credit Union, offering an impressive 4% back on gas and grocery spending.
- Meridian offers a range of cash back and travel credit cards, as well as a USD card and a few options for business use.
- Meridian's rewards program is Meridian Visa Rewards, which provides 4 different redemption options.
- You must be an Ontario resident to apply for a Meridian credit card.
The best Meridian credit cards in Canada
| Category | Meridian credit card | Annual fee | Features | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card | $99 | * Up to 4% cash back on purchases * 11 types of insurance * Low annual fee | Learn more |
| Best for travel | Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card | $99 | * Up to 6 points per $2 spent * 11 types of insurance * Double points on foreign currency purchases | Learn more |
| Best no-fee card | Meridian Visa Cash Back Card | $0 | * Up to 1% cash back * No annual fee * No income requirements | Learn more |
Best Meridian credit card overall: Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card
Rewards:
- 4% cash back on groceries and gas
- 2% cash back on pharmacies and utility bills
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
The best overall card from Meridian Credit Union is the Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card, a cash back card that offers as much as 4% back on grocery and gas purchases – categories where Canadians tend to spend the most. Its $99 annual fee is surprisingly low and is waived for the first year, making the card even more attractive.
With 11 types, including mobile device and significant travel coverage, this card's impressive insurance package shouldn't be overlooked. To top it all off, there's currently a welcome offer of 7,000 bonus reward points once you make your first purchase.
Pros:
- Solid earn rates
- Low annual fee
- Excellent insurance package
- 7,000-point welcome bonus
Cons:
- High income requirements
- Only available in Ontario
Best Meridian credit card for travel: Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card
Rewards:
- 6 points per $2 spent on fx purchases
- 3 points per $2 spent on all other purchases
You'll notice that the Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card, our favourite Meridian travel credit card, has some features similar to the Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card – it's the rewards structure that makes it stand out. The base earn rate is 1.5%, but jumps to 3% back on purchases made in foreign currencies. So, for every $2 you spend in a foreign currency, you'll earn 6 rewards points. If you frequently travel abroad, the points will certainly add up quickly.
The insurance package is incredibly generous for seniors. Everyone under 76 years of age gets up to $5 million in emergency medical coverage, with a maximum of 23 days for ages 60-64 and 15 days for ages 65 – 75. This matches even the top travel insurance cards for Canadian seniors.
Pros:
- Bonus points on foreign currency purchases
- Incredible travel coverage for seniors
- Lower annual fee
- First year free
Cons:
- High income requirements
- Only available in Ontario
Best Meridian no-fee credit card: Meridian Visa Cash Back Card
Rewards:
- 1% cash back on gas, groceries, pharmacies and utility bills
- 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
Most credit unions include a no-fee option, and Meridian is no exception. The Meridian Visa Cash Back Card comes with a 7,000-point welcome bonus and, while not as high as its Visa Infinite counterpart, still earns you a steady 1% back on gas, groceries, pharmacy bills, and utilities.
Compared to your other Meridian options, this one has limited insurance, but it does include mobile device coverage, which is quite valuable on its own. Meridian also allows you to add a supplemental cardholder for free, which isn't true for all its cards, making this a noteworthy benefit.
Pros:
- Includes mobile device coverage
- Free supplemental card
- No annual fee
- No eligibility requirements
Cons:
- Low base rewards rate
- Only available in Ontario
Compare all Meridian credit cards by Genius Rating
To determine the best Meridian credit cards, we used our unbiased, math-based algorithm to assign each card a Genius Rating out of 5 stars. This system is revised and audited to ensure its transparency and accuracy.
Here's how Meridian credit cards compare when arranged by Genius Rating:
This credit card comparison table displays our default Genius Rating, which applies our standard weight to all 7 of our scoring categories (rewards, fees, insurance, interest, perks, approval, and acceptance). The ratings displayed for individual credit cards are weighted based on what each card does best.
Learn more about our Genius Rating methodology
How Meridian Visa Rewards work
Meridian Visa rewards might not be as well-known as other rewards programs, like Scene+ or PC Optimum, but there are still a few attractive redemption options available through this program.
When you're ready to cash in your points, log in to your Meridian account and select "View Rewards." You'll be transferred to a rewards page operated by ScoreCard, where you can select from these redemption options:
- Gift cards
- Merchandise
- Travel credits
- Statement credits
Meridian credit cards vs. other top cards
If you're not convinced that Meridian is the way to go, the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card, Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard, and Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card are the top alternatives for the Meridian cards mentioned above.
It's true that Meridian Credit Union is actually the best credit union in Canada, but some people still prefer to deal with other institutions, whether it's a Big Bank or an online-only institution.
Here are a few side-by-side comparisons of the best Meridian cards with their close alternatives:
Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card vs. Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card
Meridian offers a terrific credit cash back option with the Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card, but there are plenty of other cash back cards available in Canada.
Here's how the Meridian stacks up against the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card, a top credit card for earning cash back, particularly at big retailers:
| Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card | Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $120 |
| Welcome bonus | None |  $100 GeniusCash + 15% cash back for the first 3 months, first year free (terms) |
| Earn rates | * 4% cash back on groceries and gas * 2% cash back on pharmacies and utility bills * 1% cash back on all other purchases | * 4% cash back on groceries and recurring bill payments * 2% cash back on gas, transit, rideshares, and food delivery * 1% cash back on all other purchases |
| Average rate of return | 2.03% | 2.08% |
| Insurance | 11 | 11 |
| Income requirements | * $60,000 personal * $100,000 household | * $60,000 personal * $100,000 household |
The Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card rewards you on the basics – gas and groceries – but so does the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card. Both cards have similar earning rates across categories and offer comparable insurance coverage and Visa Infinite benefits.
Which is better? Ultimately, this comes down to your spending habits. Spend more on recurring bills or transit, and the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card will be better. However, if you put in the miles and are constantly refuelling, then perhaps the Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card is the better choice.
×2 Award winner 
GC: $100
2x Award winner Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card vs. Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
The Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card is eye-catching for the bonus points it awards to purchases made in foreign currencies. But this feature isn't entirely unique, and, really, this is a regular cash back card at heart.
As a top no-fee credit card, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard also offers bonuses on foreign spending – and even more for Rogers customers:
| Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card | Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $0 |
| Welcome bonus | None | None |
| Earn rates | * 6 points per $2 spent on fx purchases * 3 points per $2 spent on all other purchases | * Earn 2% cash back on all eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido, Comwave, or Shaw * Earn 1.5% cash back on eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases * Earn 3% cash back on all eligible purchases made in U.S. dollars |
| Average rate of return | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Insurance | 11 | 6 |
| Income requirements | * $60,000 personal * $100,000 household | * $80,000 personal * $150,000 household |
You'll get the same rewards rates with the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard, and save the annual fee – but you'll only earn 3% back on USD purchases rather than all foreign currency.
Which is better? Really, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is the best choice, especially if you have an eligible Rogers service (including Fido, Comwave, and Shaw) and/or do most of your spending in USD. Still, the Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card has impressive value and is a truly excellent choice for a credit union-issued card.
Meridian Visa Cash Back Card vs. Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Meridian offers one no-fee credit card, the Meridian Visa Cash Back Card, which earns up to 1% cash back on purchases. The insurance package isn't huge, but the mobile device coverage is quite valuable.
Here's how this credit union product compares with one of the top no-fee cards in Canada, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card:
| Meridian Visa Cash Back Card | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Welcome bonus | None | $125 GeniusCash + 10% extra cash back for the first 2 months (terms) |
| Earn rates | * 1% cash back on gas, groceries, pharmacies and utility bills * 0.5% cash back on all other purchases | * 2% cash back on purchases in up to 3 Money-Back Categories * 0.5% cash back on all other purchases |
| Average rate of return | 0.74% | 1.14% |
| Insurance | 5 | 2 |
| Income requirements | * N/A * N/A | * $12,000 * N/A |
Not only are the earn rates higher than the Meridian card's, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card lets you choose the categories where you earn the most. There's a list of 13 categories, and cardholders can select 2 categories if their cash back is applied as a statement credit, or 3 if it's sent to a Tangerine Savings account.
Which is better? Simply put, the Tangerine card earns more cash back, and in a much more convenient way. Again, though, Canadians who prefer to work with a credit union will find solid value in the Meridian Visa Cash Back Card.
×2 Award winner GC: $125
2x Award winner How to apply for a Meridian credit card
Like most credit unions, Meridian requires you to be a Canadian resident and to have reached the age of majority in your province or territory. You'll also have to be a member of the credit union, which means paying a one-time deposit of $1.
Once you've found a card you want to apply for, fill out an application with your personal information and submit it online. You'll typically have to provide your contact information, gross income, and housing details. Meridian will check your credit score and income to see if you meet the eligibility requirements.
You should receive a decision, and if you're approved, your card will be mailed to you within a few weeks.
FAQ
What is the best Meridian Credit Union credit card?
The best credit card from Meridian Credit Union is the Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card. This card offers up to 4% cash back on groceries and gas, and includes 11 types of insurance for an annual fee of $99 that's waived for the first year.
Does Meridian do a credit check?
Yes, Meridian performs credit checks on all its credit card applicants, and most of its cards require credit scores of at least 760 for approval. Most credit card issuers, aside from American Express, perform a credit check to determine approval.
Is Meridian an A or B lender?
Although Meridian doesn't specify on its website whether it's an A or B lender, for all intents and purposes, it's an A lender. This is because it's a provincially regulated credit union that offers mortgages at competitive interest rates and has strict lending criteria.
Is Meridian a bank in Canada?
Meridian Credit Union is a full-service credit union based in Ontario. It offers a full suite of personal and business banking products. To open an account or apply for a credit card with Meridian, you must be a Meridian Credit Union member, which means you also have to reside in Ontario.
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 238 Canadian credit cards.
