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Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card review

Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card review

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2% Earn 2 reward points for every $1 spent on purchases made outside Canada

1% Earn 1 reward points for every $1 spent on all purchases

19.5% Purchase APR

21.99% Cash Advance APR

$49 Annual Fee

2.5% Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5%

Good Recommended Credit Score

0.0

Meridian Visa* Platinum Travel Rewards Card review

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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

Pros

  • Bonus points on foreign purchases

  • Enjoy flexible rewards redemption

  • Valuable insurance benefits

Cons

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

American Express® Green Card

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3.5

earn 10,000 pts

Welcome offer

Good

Suggested credit score

Earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards® points – that’s $100 in value

Apply now

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

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

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

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

the points on Card purchases

1x

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

1

Purchase APR

21.99%

Cash Advance APR

21.99%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

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

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card 

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4.3

up to 35K pts

Welcome offer

Excellent

Suggested credit score

Earn up to $1,100* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points

Expires

Jan 3, 2025

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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

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent

Required Annual Personal Income

$60,000

Required Annual Household Income

$100,000

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

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent

Required Annual Personal Income

$60,000

Required Annual Household Income

$100,000

Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more

3x

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)

2x

Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases

1x

Purchase APR

20.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$150

Foreign Transaction Fee

0%

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

Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®

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4.0

Excellent

Suggested credit score

to receive the latest news, tips and offers by email

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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

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent

Required Annual Personal Income

$80,000

Required Annual Household Income

$150,000

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

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent

Required Annual Personal Income

$80,000

Required Annual Household Income

$150,000

Earn 3% unlimited cash back on purchases made in US dollars

3%

Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all eligible non-US dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw

2%

Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on everything else

1.5%

Get 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases

1.5x Cash Back

Purchase APR

20.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

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 Contributor

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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