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- Pros: No FX fees, airport lounge passes and travel insurance.
- Cons: Highest earn rate is limited to select grocery stores.
What our Nerd thinks
“As far as travel cards are concerned, the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is missing a few perks that may be a dealbreaker for the seasoned jet-setter, like free checked bags and priority boarding. Still, I think it shines as a mid-tier travel card with plenty to offer everyday spenders and travel enthusiasts alike.”
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards card that earns Scene+ points, a reward program from Scotiabank and Cineplex. Points can be redeemed for entertainment, travel, dining and more.
Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card
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Annual Fee$150
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Interest Rates20.99% / 22.99%20.99% on purchases. 22.99% on cash advances.
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Rewards Rate1x-3x PointsEarn 3x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more. Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways taxis and more). Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
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Intro OfferUp to 35,000 PointsTo qualify for the 35,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: 1. Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by having at least $1,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 3 months of the Account open date. 2. You are eligible to earn an annual Scene+ point bonus starting at 10,000 Scene+ points when you have at least $40,000 in eligible purchases posted to your Account each year (12 months). Offer ends October 31, 2024.
- Earn up to $1,100* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways taxis and more)
- Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
- 6 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage
- Visa Infinite* Concierge Services
- Visa Infinite* Hotel Collection
- Visa Infinite* Dining and Wine Country program
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 02, 2024. Subject to change.
- Terms and Conditions Apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card full review
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is one of three Visa credit cards offered from Scotiabank that earn Scene+ points. It has the highest earn rate of the three cards, with 3x Scene+ points per dollar spent at eligible grocery stores.
Benefits of the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Complimentary membership to the Visa Airport Companion Program and six free airport lounge passes per year.
- Complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership.
- Access to Visa Infinite Concierge Service, Visa Infinite Hotel Collection, which includes automatic room upgrades and in-room Wi-Fi, and Visa Infinite Dining and Wine Country — an exclusive dining program.
Drawbacks of the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
- Annual fee ($150) may not be in everyone’s budget.
- Highest earn rate (3x Scene+ points) is only available for select grocery stores.
Who should get the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card?
People who travel regularly, spend money abroad and shop at eligible grocery stores will get the most value out of the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card.
Is the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card worth it?
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card may be worth it if you’re able to make the most of the benefits and perks to offset the annual fee. If you’re able to spend the required amount within the first year of ownership, you can earn the welcome bonus of 35,000 Scene+ points ($350). You’ll also save money on foreign transactions, which carry a 2.5% fee on most Canadian credit cards, and on airport lounge access. Plus, the annual fee of $150 is waived for the first year. So if you’re planning to travel abroad or fly a lot in the first year, the card could be a good option for you.
» MORE: Best credit cards with airport lounge access
Scotiabank customer ratings
- Above average in customer satisfaction: Scotiabank ranks 7th out of 13 banks in J.D. Power’s 2023 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
- Low Trustpilot rating: 1.2 out of 5 possible stars based on over 950 customer reviews, as of this writing.
- Low Better Business Bureau rating: 1.21 out of 5 possible stars based on over 100 customer reviews, as of this writing.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card eligibility
Who qualifies for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card?
To apply for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card, you must:
- Be at least the age of majority in your province.
- Be a Canadian resident.
- Have not filed for bankruptcy in the last seven years.
- Have an individual annual income of at least $60,000 (or $100,000 per household) or at least $250,000 in managed assets.
Approximate credit score needed for approval
Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. However, higher scores generally mean better chances of approval, and that’s true regardless of the type of credit you’re applying for.
Want to learn more? Visit our “What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card?” page.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card rewards
Earn 35,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year.
To qualify:
- Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months.
- Plus, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite cardholder, you are eligible to earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $40,000 in everyday eligible purchases annually.
Offer expires Oct. 31, 2024.
- Earn 3x Scene+ points at select grocery stores.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points on dining and groceries from other stores.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points on entertainment, such as movie tickets.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points on transit, such as taxis, rideshares and subways.
- Earn 1x Scene+ point on everything else.
In the first year of ownership, you can get up to $1,100 in value out of the card, according to the issuer’s website, which more than offsets the annual fee.
If you meet the requirements to earn all the welcome offer points, your account will be credited in two installments:
- 25,000 bonus Scene+ points will be credited to the applicable Scene+ membership account within approximately 2-3 business days after the qualifying $1,000 in eligible purchases being posted to your Account within the first 3 months of Account opening.
- Annual 10,000 bonus Scene+ points will be credited to your Scene+ membership account within approximately 2-3 business days after you have met the $40,000 annual spend threshold.
To understand the card’s potential value for you, consider how your spending compares to these examples, such as the amounts you plan to spend in accelerated earning categories, how often you plan to travel, and whether you plan to make foreign transactions.
Point value breakdown
The value of Scotiabank Scene+ points may vary based on the redemption method you choose, but you can expect to get around one cent per point on travel, movies, dining, entertainment, banking, and retail, pharmacy and grocery shopping, according to NerdWallet’s analysis.
How to apply for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
Follow the below steps to apply for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card:
- Click the “Apply now” button on the issuer’s website for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card.
- Indicate whether you’re a current or new Scotiabank customer, and either sign into your account or apply as a new customer.
- Review the card details and click “Agree and continue”.
- Enter personal information, such as your name, phone number and email address.
- Create a username and password.
- Provide any financial and employment information, such as your income and job status.
- Submit any other requested documentation.
- Review your application and submit.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
These two cards share similar annual fees, interest rates and Visa Infinite perks, but differ when it comes to rewards. If you’re keen on racking up Scene+ points, the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is the better choice, but if you’re an Air Canada fan, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card can help you earn Aeroplan points.
| Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card | TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fees | $150 | $139. |
| APR | 20.99% on purchases. 22.99% on cash advances.. | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances. |
| Rewards | 1x-3x Points. | 1x-1.5x Points. |
| Benefits |
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Reasons you might want a different card
You may want a different card if:
- You want to earn a different reward, like Aeroplan points, Air Miles or cash back.
- You want a card with no annual fee or a lower annual fee.
- You need a card with a low interest rate on purchases or balance transfers.
- You don’t travel outside of Canada or make foreign purchases very often.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card facts
| Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card | |
|---|---|
| Card type | Travel credit card. |
| Fees and interest rates | |
| Annual fee | $150. |
| Regular/purchase APR | 20.99%. |
| Penalty APR | 25.99% if you miss two payments within 12 months. This penalty APR will stay in place until you’ve made 12 consecutive payments on time. |
| Cash advance APR | 22.99%. |
| Cash advance fee | $5 to $7.50 per transaction. |
| Balance transfer APR | 22.99%. |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% or $5 per transaction, depending on the amount. |
| Foreign transaction fee | No foreign transaction fee. |
| Rewards and benefits | |
| Intro offer | To qualify for the 35,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: 1. Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by having at least $1,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 3 months of the Account open date. 2. You are eligible to earn an annual Scene+ point bonus starting at 10,000 Scene+ points when you have at least $40,000 in eligible purchases posted to your Account each year (12 months). Offer ends October 31, 2024. |
| Reward earn rates | Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more. Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways taxis and more). Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases. |
| Insurance coverage | |
| Travel accident | Up to $1 million, per occurrence. |
| Travel medical | Up to $2 million. |
| Flight delay | Up to $500. |
| Trip interruption | Up to $10,000. |
| Trip cancellation | Up to $10,000. |
| Lost, stolen or delayed baggage | Up to $1,000. |
| Hotel burglary | Up to $1,000. |
| Rental car theft/damage | Up to 48 days. |
| Extended warranty | Up to one additional year. |
| Purchase protection | 90 days. |
Rating Methodology
NerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.
Frequently asked questions about Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
To apply for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card, you must be at least the age of majority in your territory, be a Canadian resident, have not filed for bankruptcy in the last seven years and have an annual income of at least $60,000 ($100,000 for households), or have at least $250,000 in managed assets.
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card offers complimentary membership to the Visa Airport Companion Program, plus six free airport lounge passes per year.
About the Author
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