Tired of guessing what the value of 5,000 points is? FinlyWealth's point calculator tool can estimate the value of your points when redeemed through various options in Canada.
Loyalty Program
Number of Points
Points
Redemption Options
Statement Credits (Cash)
5,000 points are worth $50 on average if redeemed for Statement Credits (Cash)
$50
1¢/point
Merchandise
5,000 points are worth $50 on average if redeemed for Merchandise
$50
1¢/point
Travel
5,000 points are worth $50 on average if redeemed for Travel
$50
1¢/point
Gift Cards
5,000 points are worth $50 on average if redeemed for Gift Cards
Are you an Ontario resident looking to optimize everyday spending and foreign currency purchases? If so, this loyalty program might pique your interest.
Meridian rewards offer cash, travel, and U.S. dollar rewards on day-to-day expenses.
Once you collect enough points, you can use them to plan an upcoming trip, convert them into cash to stash away for later or redeem them towards eligible gift cards and merchandise.
To learn more about what the Meridian Rewards program has in store, keep scrolling.
How Do You Earn Meridian Rewards Points?
There are a few credit cards that allow you to collect Meridian Rewards points.
In this section we’ll give you a brief rundown of the top three:
The Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card offers solid cash back rewards, particularly with up to 4% on groceries and gas, and a competitive annual fee of $99 (waived in the first year). It stands out with comprehensive travel insurance, including price protection, which is a rarity in this category. However, the card does come with some drawbacks, such as high income requirements and limited availability to Ontario residents. Overall, this card provides excellent value for those who spend heavily on groceries, gas, and utilities, and for those who value strong insurance coverage and a low annual fee.
Pros
Up to 4% cash back on groceries and gas
11 types of insurance coverage, including price protection
Choice of cash back redemption (statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, travel)
Lower $99 annual fee (waived first year)
Good earn rates across several categories
High insurance coverage with extended terms, especially for travel
Cons
High income requirements ($60,000 personal, $100,000 household)
Available only to residents of Ontario
Rewards
Earn 4 reward points for every $1 spent (4% cash back) on gas and groceries˄ (up to $25,000 in spending annually)
Earn 2 reward points for every $1 spent (2% cash back) on pharmacy and utility bill payments˄ (up to $25,000 in spending annually)
Earn 1 reward point for every $1 spent on other eligible purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Mobile Device Insurance
Up to $1,000 per occurrence
Travel Accident
$1M per insured person per trip
Emergency Medical Term
Up to $5M for 48 days
Emergency Medical (65+)
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$2,000
Trip Interruption
$2,000
Baggage Delay
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Max car value of $65k, up to 48 days
Price Protection
$100 per item, $500 per year
Benefits
Details
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Eligibility
Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
*Terms and conditions apply. Offer only available to residents of Ontario. ‡The 7,000 bonus points offer is available for all new Personal Meridian credit card account holders who (i) apply for a Meridian credit card between March 1 and May 31, 2025 (ii) make their first purchase with new Meridian credit card on or before June 30, 2025. This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other offer. It is not available to existing Meridian credit cardholders. A maximum of 7,000 bonus points per Member is allowed and we will awarded to the Member’s primary account. Please allow up to two billing cycles for bonus points to post to your account. Meridian reserves the right to cancel, modify or withdraw this offer at any time. Meridian Credit Union is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ link for the most up to date information. Check here for full details and current product information.
The Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card earns cardholders strong points per dollar spent on gas and groceries, plus decent points per dollar spent on pharmacy and utility bill payments, before returning to a standard base-rate on all other eligible purchases.
The insurance coverage on this card is also extensive, with valuable inclusions like trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance, emergency medical coverages, and rare price protection insurance.
On the other hand, the benefits are pretty straight to the point, offering only Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits.
As far as drawbacks go, this card has an annual fee (although it’s relatively low and waived in the first year), plus some higher income requirements. On top of this, as we had hinted in the intro, like all Meridian credit cards, this card is only available to Ontario residents.
Overall, the Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card offers great value for those who are constantly tapping their card while running everyday errands (like gas and groceries) and those who want to optimize utility bill payments. This contender also has notable insurance coverage (like purchase protection insurance) and is issued out annually at a respectable price-point.
The Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card stands out primarily for its flexible reward options and considerable insurance coverage. With the ability to earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases and double points on foreign currency transactions, it offers a competitive edge for frequent travelers. Its extensive insurance benefits, including rare price protection, further bolster its appeal, making it a strong contender for those who meet the income requirements and reside in Ontario.
Pros
Versatile Rewards: Earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, with double points on foreign currency purchases, enhancing travel savings.
Impressive Insurance Coverage: Includes 11 types of insurance, featuring unique price protection which allows refunds on price drops of eligible items within 60 days.
First Year Fee Waiver: The $99 annual fee is waived for the first year, adding initial value for new cardholders.
Cons
Geographic Limitation: The card is exclusively available to residents of Ontario, limiting its accessibility.
High Income Threshold: Requires a personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000, which may be prohibitive for some potential users.
Rewards
Earn 3 reward points for every $1 spent (3% cash back) on purchases made outside Canada in foreign currencies
Earn 1.5 reward points for every $1 spent (1.5% cash back) on other eligible purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Mobile Device Insurance
Up to $1,000 per occurrence
Travel Accident
$1M per insured person per trip
Emergency Medical Term
48 days
Emergency Medical (65+)
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$2,000
Trip Interruption
$2,000
Baggage Delay
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Max car value of $65k, up to 48 days
Price Protection
$100 per item, $500 per year
Benefits
Details
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Eligibility
Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
*Terms and conditions apply. Offer only available to residents of Ontario. ‡The 7,000 bonus points offer is available for all new Personal Meridian credit card account holders who (i) apply for a Meridian credit card between March 1 and May 31, 2025 (ii) make their first purchase with new Meridian credit card on or before June 30, 2025. This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other offer. It is not available to existing Meridian credit cardholders. A maximum of 7,000 bonus points per Member is allowed and we will awarded to the Member’s primary account. Please allow up to two billing cycles for bonus points to post to your account. Meridian reserves the right to cancel, modify or withdraw this offer at any time. Meridian Credit Union is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ link for the most up to date information. Check here for full details and current product information.
For the same annual fee and annual income requirements, the Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card pays particular attention to purchases made outside of Canada in foreign currencies. In fact, this top-focus earn category holds a solid reward rate followed by an above-average base-rate on all other eligible purchases (even higher than the base-rate on the Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card).
When it comes to coverage, the insurance inclusions on the Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card are identical to the Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card.
Both cards also come with Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits.
Ultimately then, you’d likely select the Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card over the Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back Card if you intend on using your Meridian card for purchases you make abroad in foreign currencies rather than common everyday items and services close to home.
The Meridian Visa U.S. Dollar Card is designed for Canadians who frequently make purchases in U.S. dollars, offering a practical way to save on foreign transaction fees. With a simple rewards structure that grants 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases and a modest annual fee, this card is particularly appealing for those who have U.S. dollar expenses. Its additional perk of 8 types of insurance coverage makes it even more valuable for travelers. However, it's essential to have access to U.S. dollars to maximize the card's benefits, as all transactions and payments are in USD.
Pros
No Currency Conversion Fees: Ideal for purchases in U.S. dollars, saving users on conversion costs which can add up significantly.
Straightforward Rewards Program: Earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases without complicated categories, ensuring consistent reward accumulation.
Comprehensive Insurance: Includes 8 types of insurance, enhancing its value for frequent travelers to the U.S.
Cons
Annual Fee in USD: The annual fee of US$65 may offset some of the rewards and savings if not used frequently enough in U.S. dollar transactions.
Requires U.S. Dollar Bank Account: To fully benefit from the card, users need a U.S. dollar bank account, adding a layer of complexity and potentially limiting its appeal.
Geographic Restriction: Available only to Ontario residents, limiting accessibility for other Canadians.
Rewards
Earn 1 reward point for every $1 spent (1% cash back) on all eligible purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Travel Accident
$100k per insured person per trip
Trip Cancellation
$2,000
Trip Interruption
$2,000
Baggage Delay
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Max car value of $65k, up to 48 days
Eligibility
Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
N/A
*Terms and conditions apply. Offer only available to residents of Ontario. ‡The 7,000 bonus points offer is available for all new Personal Meridian credit card account holders who (i) apply for a Meridian credit card between March 1 and May 31, 2025 (ii) make their first purchase with new Meridian credit card on or before June 30, 2025. This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other offer. It is not available to existing Meridian credit cardholders. A maximum of 7,000 bonus points per Member is allowed and we will awarded to the Member’s primary account. Please allow up to two billing cycles for bonus points to post to your account. Meridian reserves the right to cancel, modify or withdraw this offer at any time. Meridian Credit Union is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ link for the most up to date information. Check here for full details and current product information.
The unique feature about the Meridian Visa US Dollar Card is actually stated directly in its name.
This contender earns you Meridian Rewards points when you make US dollar purchases – either in-person or online.
At first glance, this card may appear to have a lower annual fee than its previous two counterparts (one that’s also waived in the first year of membership), but in reality, this fee is presented in US dollars, so after the conversion, it’s basically the same. Still, it’s nice that this option doesn’t come with any annual income requirements.
In terms of its rewards program, the Meridian Visa US Dollar Card is more straightforward, offering a standard flat-rate of Meridian Reward points for every US dollar spent on all eligible purchases.
To be honest, this card is lacking a bit by comparison when it comes to insurance coverage, excluding important protections like mobile device insurance, rare price protection insurance, and emergency medical coverages.
Unlike the other two competitors, the Meridian Visa US Dollar Card also misses out on Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits and forfeits added benefits altogether.
All in all, the Meridian Visa US Dollar Card is best suited to those who want an uncomplicated Meridian Rewards card that caters to US dollar purchases with no annual income requirements.
How Do You Redeem Meridian Rewards Points?
Now that you’re aware of where Meridian Rewards points come from, let’s explore how to redeem those points.
Redemption Category
Redemption Description
Estimated Average Point Value
Travel 🌴
Applying points towards eligible travel bookings like flights or vacation packages
1 cpp
Statement Credits 💲
Redeeming points as cash towards your credit card statement balance
1 cpp
Merchandise 🛍️
Using points to pay for eligible products provided by partner brands
1 cpp
Gift Cards 🎁
Turning points into the perfect present by using them to pay for eligible gift cards
1 cpp
As you can see from the table above, all redemption categories are estimated to have the same cent-per-point value. So no matter which redemption route you take, you can’t really go wrong!
Before we move on, let’s cover a bit more context on the Meridian Rewards redemption process.
The Meridian Visa Rewards Program is operated by ScoreCard which is a loyalty rewards management system.
Accessing ScoreCard is fairly simple, all you need to do is:
Log in to your eZcard account, which is accessible through Meridian online banking.
After you’ve logged in, you should be able to see your account information as well as your Rewards balance.
To sift through the rewards site and redeem your reward points, click the “View Rewards” button in the Account Details tab.
Are Meridian Rewards Points Worth it?
If you’re a traveller, an avid shopper, or you just want your credit card to put some extra cash into your back pocket, Meridian Rewards points may be an asset – especially if you tend to spend outside of Canada.
Unlike most redemption programs, your Meridian Rewards are on-average worth similar cent-per-point values across the board, so there’s really no such thing as a “bad” redemption category (as long as you're satisfied with the options available).
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