$700+ cash back 
$700 First-year value The Laurentian Bank Visa Infinite Card recently received a makeover, in partnership with Brim Financial.
With flexible points that can be redeemed as a general statement credit or against purchases, this refreshed card is definitely worth a closer look.
Bonuses & Fees
The Laurentian Bank Visa Infinite Card offers up to $600 in cash back upon spending at least $5,000 on the card in the first three months, broken down as follows:
- Earn 12 points per dollar spent (equivalent to 12% cash back) on gas, groceries, travel, transportation, and recurring payments
- Earn 3 points per dollar spent (equivalent to 3% cash back) on everything else
You can also earn up to 17,000 more points (worth $170) by completing the following actions:
- Earn 10,000 bonus points (worth $100) when you set up a pre-authorized payment within the first three months
- Earn 5,000 bonus points (worth $50) when you set up an installment plan for an eligible purchase within the first three months
- Earn 2,000 bonus points (worth $20) when you refer a friend or family member to the card
In total, if you were to max out the welcome bonus through spending and earn the additional 17,000 bonus points, you’d have netted a total of $770 of value in the first year, without incurring an annual fee.
The spending requirements are fairly reasonable to maximize the offer, as $5,000 in the first three months should be attainable in most households. This is especially true since the elevated 12 points per dollar spent covers many staples, such as groceries, gas, travel, transportation, and recurring payments.
This welcome offer is available publicly until May 15, 2023.
The card has an annual fee of $130, which is waived in the first year.
There is a $50 fee for each authorized user added to your account, but you’ll receive a rebate on two additional users in the first year.
Earning Rewards
Once you’ve maximized the temporary earning rate that’s part of the welcome bonus, or after three months have gone by, the card’s standard earning rate is as follows:
- Earn 2 points per dollar spent (equivalent to 2% cash back) on gas, groceries, travel, transportation, and recurring bills
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent (equivalent to 1% cash back) on everything else
This isn’t necessarily the most competitive earning structure out there, but if cash back is your goal, then you’ll enjoy acceptance almost everywhere as a Visa product.
Redeeming Rewards
When it comes time to redeem, the points are worth 1 cent each, and can be used to offset purchases as a statement credit at a rate of 100 points = $1 statement credit. You can also have the partial or full amount of the points balance applied against specific purchases made on your card.
With the ability to redeem points to offset purchases made on the card or to have it applied as a general statement credit, you shouldn’t have any difficulties making use of your points.
Flexible points like these can be useful for covering travel expenses that are usually difficult to book with points, such as independent hotels, cruises, or car rentals.
Perks & Benefits
The card’s other features are fairly standard for a Visa Infinite product, including access to the Visa Infinite Concierge service and the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection.
Laurentian partnered with Brim Financial with this card, and you’ll enjoy some of Brim’s standard features.
If you’re approved for the card, you’ll immediately have access to a virtual credit card. This way, you can start chugging away at the minimum spending requirement without having to wait for the card to arrive in the mail.
As with any other Brim-backed card, you can earn up to 30% extra points when you use Laurentian Bank’s eShop portal.
Insurance Coverage
The insurance coverage on the card is OK, but not great, and includes the following:
- Up to $5,000,000 in out-of-province coverage for you and your family for 31 days (aged 65 and under) or for 15 days (aged 66–75)
- Up to $2,000 per person in case of trip cancellation and $5,000 in case of trip interruption
- Up to $2,500 per family for delayed baggage
- Up to 48 days for car rental coverage
Noticeably absent from the insurance inclusions is flight delay insurance, lost/stolen baggage insurance, and hotel/motel burglary insurance, which is odd for a travel rewards card.
Would you expect gift cards purchased at grocery stores like safeway to count for the 12 points per spend?