[ANALYSIS] Desjardins Cash Back World MasterCard

As I suspected, the credit card cash back competition is heating up. First up, in 2016 is the new Desjardins Cash Back World MasterCard. Right when I called Desjardins out to step up their game. Let’s see how worthwhile this new cash back credit card is.

Highlights

Below are the highlights of the credit card to consider:

• $50 annual fee
• Earn 2% cash back on contractless and preauthorized payments
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Mobile Device Insurance
• 3-Day Travel Insurance at no charge

Cash Back

The website seems a little confusing when trying to explain the cash back program. They show this table:

However, when I called in to double check how this really works, he said it is very simple. It is 2% cash back on contractless (or paypass) and preauthoritzed payments (or recurring bill payments) and 1% cash back on everything else.

Insurance

Interestingly enough, Mobile Device Insurance provides coverage up to $1,000 in the event your cell phone, smartphone or tablet is lost, stolen, accidentally damaged or experiences mechanical failure. That is actually a pretty sweet coverage.

The 3-day travel insurance is nothing to brag about, but it does include:

• emergency health insurance (up to $5,000,000 per person)
• baggage insurance (up to $500 per person against theft, damaged or delayed baggage)
• trip cancellation insurance (up to $500 per person if trip is cancelled prior to departure and up to $1,000 per person in the event of trip interruption after departure)
• travel assistance service (24/7 anywhere in the world)

You also have the option to pay to extend your coverage.

Contest

The is also a contest, which runs between January 18, 2016 and March 31, 2016 where you can win a $10,000 cash prize. The new primary cardholder can enter the contest by mail to qualify for the draw. The draw will be held on April 8, 2016.

Conclusion

Your account is automatically credited when you accumulate $50 cash back with your credit card.

This is not an earth shattering card, I am just glad to see some more competition in the market.

I would consider this credit card if you are already a Desjardins client on the banking side. This is definitely worth consideration if you can optimize the 2% cash back category. Also, if you are a loyal client, you may want to try to negotiate getting them to waive the annual fee or at least reduce the cost of it to help justifying keeping the credit card year after year.

Otherwise, the $50 annual fee is justified to help cover the insurance coverages that you will be receiving if you tend to take a lot of short trips. If you tend to take longer trips, I would strongly consider another credit card instead of constantly paying to extend the insurance coverage.