How To Maximize The Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS Rewards Program

creditcardGenius Team
updated on Nov 6, 2024
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Fact Checked
Accuracy is important to us so this article has gone through a thorough 3-stage review process and fact-checked by our team.

The Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS program is a straightforward rewards program that lets you earn dollars to spend on gift cards, financial products and services, or statement credits. Earning points couldn’t be easier – simply use your qualifying Desjardins credit card for purchases.

We’ll dive into the BONUSDOLLARS rewards program, including the details of each credit card that will earn you points.

Key Takeaways

  • BONUSDOLLARS is the rewards program from Desjardins.
  • The only way to earn BONUSDOLLARS is to spend on an eligible Desjardins credit card.
  • While its a simple rewards program, it isn’t as lucrative as other, more popular options.

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What is Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS?

Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS is a flexible rewards loyalty program offered by the Desjardins Group.

It’s simple: you earn points for every dollar you spend using a Desjardins credit card. Then, you can redeem the points for Desjardins financial products, gift cards, and statement credits.

How to earn Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS

There’s only one way to earn Desjardins rewards: spend money on a Desjardins credit card. You have 4 BONUSDOLLARS credit cards to choose from:

Credit cardRewardsAnnual feeIncome requirements
Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege* 4% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, and transit
* 3% cash back on travel and groceries
* 1.75% cash back on all other purchases
$395$150,000 personal or $200,000 household
Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard* 3% cash back on groceries
* 2% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, and public transportation
* 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
$130
Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold* 2% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, transit, and pre-authorized payments
* 1% cash back on all other purchases
$110
Desjardins Bonus Visa* 2% back on restaurants, entertainment, transportation, and bill payments
* 0.5% back on all other purchases
$0

Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege

As the premium offering by Desjardins, the Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege offers the most points per dollar spent. Get up to 4% in BONUSDOLLARS on all your spending, plus Visa Infinite Privilege benefits, and a terrific suite of insurance coverage.

It has an annual fee of $395 ($295 if you're a Desjardins member) and high income requirements, though, so you’ll need to weigh the cost with the potential rewards..

3.8 Genius Rating
4.3 (14) User reviews
Annual fee
$395.00
Learn more
Annual rewards
$528
Learn more
Annual savings
$647
Learn more
Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege
3.8 Genius Rating
4.3 (14) User reviews
Annual fee
$395.00
Learn more
Annual rewards
$528
Learn more
Annual savings
$647
Learn more
Credit estimate:
 (760 - 900)
Instant approval: No

Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard

If you want a premium card with a lower annual fee, the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard offers up to 3% in BONUSDOLLARS on select purchases. You’ll still get perks like 9 types of insurance and World Elite Mastercard benefits, but you’ll be on the hook for a much lower annual fee: just $130.

4.0 Genius Rating
3.6 (10) User reviews
Annual fee
$130.00
Learn more
Welcome bonus
$0
Learn more
Annual rewards
$432
Learn more
Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard
4.0 Genius Rating
3.6 (10) User reviews
Annual fee
$130.00
Learn more
Welcome bonus
$0
Learn more
Annual rewards
$432
Learn more
Credit estimate:
 (760 - 900)
Instant approval: Yes

Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold

If you don't meet the high income requirements mentioned above, the Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold might be a good choice. It has no income requirements and an annual fee of $110, but you’ll still earn up to 2% in BONUSDOLLARS on eligible spending.

3.5 Genius Rating
3.7 (7) User reviews
Annual fee
$110.00
Learn more
Welcome bonus
$0
Learn more
Annual rewards
$288
Learn more
Desjardins Visa Odyssey Gold
3.5 Genius Rating
3.7 (7) User reviews
Annual fee
$110.00
Learn more
Welcome bonus
$0
Learn more
Annual rewards
$288
Learn more
Credit estimate:
 (760 - 900)
Instant approval: Yes

Desjardins Bonus Visa

The final Desjardins option is its most basic card, the Desjardins Bonus Visa. Though it has the lowest earn rate – up to 2% on select categories and 0.5% on everything else – it also has no annual fee. Everything you earn goes directly into your pocket. Plus, as a Desjardins credit card you’ll still enjoy 8 types of included insurance coverage.

3.3 Genius Rating
(0) Write your review
Annual fee
$0.00
Learn more
Welcome bonus
$0
Learn more
Annual rewards
$174
Learn more
Desjardins Bonus Visa
3.3 Genius Rating
(0) Write your review
Annual fee
$0.00
Learn more
Welcome bonus
$0
Learn more
Annual rewards
$174
Learn more
Credit estimate:
 (760 - 900)
Instant approval: Yes

How to redeem Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS

Once you've earned Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS, redeeming them is easy. You can choose gift cards, Desjardins financial services, or pay off purchases through statement credits. All redemption options have the same value: 1 BONUSDOLLAR = 1 Canadian dollar.

Gift cards

To get a gift card, simply head over to the BONUSDOLLARS Rewards Catalog website, log in, and choose your redemption options. You can exchange your BONUSDOLLARS for gift cards to restaurants, movie theatres, travel, merchandise, groceries, and more.

Desjardins financial products

If you want to take advantage of Desjardins’ financial offerings, you can use your BONUSDOLLARS to:

  • Pay insurance premiums: Savings-Life Insurance, loan, home, auto, travel, and accident insurance
  • Invest in savings: Deposit into RRSP, RESP, or TFSA accounts
  • Make a capital payment on a loan: Mortgages, car loans, or personal loans
Note: You must redeem a minimum of 20 BONUSDOLLARS.

Statement credit

You can also use your BONUSDOLLARS to pay off a purchase on your card – but only in certain categories. To be eligible, your purchase must fall into one of the following categories:

  • Restaurants
  • Entertainment (e.g., shows, movies, attractions)
  • Travel (e.g., plane tickets, accom­modations)
  • Alternative transportation (e.g., buses, commuter trains, taxis, metros, and public charging stations for electric vehicles)
  • Charitable donations
Note: You have 60 days after the purchase to use your BONUSDOLLARS, even if you've already paid off your account balance.

You can’t use your BONUSDOLLARS…

  • To get cash back 
  • To make payments on an installment plan 
  • To pay your card's annual fees
  • To pay your card's balance, unless it's for the  Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege

Is BONUSDOLLARS a good rewards program?

The Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS program is simple, though not as lucrative as alternatives like American Express Membership Rewards. This largely boils down to the fact that the credit cards don’t include any welcome bonuses.

That said, BONUSDOLLARS have a number of great redemption options and a consistent value across the board, which can’t be said for many reward programs. If you hold a Desjardins credit card, there’s no downside to collecting BONUSDOLLARS – but the program isn’t compelling enough to justify applying for a card to collect points.

FAQ

How do I redeem my cash back?

You can redeem your BONUSDOLLARS by logging into AccèsD on your browser or the Desjardins mobile app, choosing the card with the BONUSDOLLARS, selecting BONUSDOLLARS and then Redeem BONUSDOLLARS, and choosing your redemption type. From there, follow the steps to complete your cash back redemption.

Do Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS expire?

No, your BONUSDOLLARS won’t expire as long as your credit card is in good standing and you make at least one purchase on it per year.

What is the best way to use BONUSDOLLARS?

Since it’s an even redemption rate across the board (1 BONUSDOLLAR = 1 Canadian dollar), you can rest assured that you’re getting the same value for your BONUSDOLLARS regardless of how you redeem them.

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Showing 11 comments

Olga Richardson
Olga Richardson
January 5, 2023
For 3 months I have been trying to assist my disabled sister to activate her 21 HBC Gift Cards (sent to her in July 2022 from an address in Markham Not) by calling Engage @ 1-888-552-6643. Each call I was transferred from one department to another, wasting hours of my time. She does not speak French. She has been a Coast Visa Desjardins Elegance Gold for over 40 years, does not have a computer and relies of me for help. Please advise me who can help and have them contact me. Thank you, Olga Richardson
Yulia
Yulia
January 9, 2023
Hey Olga, We are not affiliated with Desjardins and can’t help you with your request, but you can try contacting Desjardins online to see if they can help you directly.
Patrick John Sullivan
Patrick John Sullivan
February 4, 2021
You guys are promoting the Bonus Dollars program, but have obviously never tried to redeem points. Impossible. Impossible to call in. I have waited up to 2 hours and was never able to get through. I have sent at least 8 emails since early November. Nobody ever got back. Check for yourself. As far as I am concerned if you can’t redeem your points, there is no reward program.
Diane Archambault
Diane Archambault
September 6, 2021
U r so right. I’ve been trying for two yrs. impossible. The username & passe word is crazy. Why can’t we just enter our card number & name . They know we can’t manage to redeem our points, Crazy
Jim Hardie
Jim Hardie
October 20, 2020
I need someone from Desjardin Bonus Dollars to contact me by phone 519 759-7148
creditcardGenius Team
creditcardGenius Team
October 27, 2020
Hello Jim, We are not affiliated with Desjardins and can't help you with your request. You can contact Desjardins at 1-800-363-4345. Hope this helps!
Janet Christiansen
Janet Christiansen
January 16, 2020
I want to claim my bonus dollars. I cannot get my account set up online. I need to speak with a representative. I was on hold 2 hrs yesterday & today it looks no better. How can I get help with an agent. I need a live person please.
creditcardGenius Team
creditcardGenius Team
January 20, 2020
Unfortunately, we are not a credit issuer only a comparison site. The only way it appears to resolve your issue is by calling Desjardins credit cards at 1-800-363-3380.
Olga Richardson
Olga Richardson
January 5, 2023
What about contacting the Ombudsman, how can they continue to offer Bonus Dollars and not advise customers how to use them.
Rinna
Rinna
July 13, 2019
When you redeem your points online, how long does it take to physically receive the item(s)? Is a tracking number provided when items are mailed?
creditcardGenius Team
creditcardGenius Team
July 15, 2019
Rinna, according to the BONUSDOLLARS faq, it takes approximately 7 to 10 days for you to receive your item. It doesn't mention getting a tracking number, but almost all packages are sent by UPS and I would assume you would receive a tracking number as part of your purchase confirmation.
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