RBC ION Visa vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card: Which one is better?

RBC ION Visa
2.7

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
4.8
Finly Rebate
N/A
Finly Rebate
Promotional rebate expires on May 31, 2025
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$258.39
RBC ION Avion
First Year Bonus Value
$35
RBC ION Avion
Annual Fee
$0
First Year Value
$293.39
$258.39 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$343.9
Scene+
First Year Bonus Value
$300
Scene+
Annual Fee
$150
Finly Rebate
$100
$150Exclusive Offer
First Year Value
$643.9
$193.9 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included
Extended Warranty
Up to a yearPurchase Protection
90 days
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
1 yearPurchase Protection
90 daysLost or Stolen Baggage
$1000Baggage Delay
$1000Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65,000 up to 48 daysTravel Accident
$500,000/insured, $1M combinedHotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000Emergency Out of province Medical
$2M/insured up to 25 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$2M/insured up to 3 daysTrip Cancellation
$1,500/person, $10,000/tripTrip Interruption
$2,500/person, $10,000/tripFlight Delay
$500/person after 4 hours
Extra Benefits
Gas Discount
save 3¢/L on fuel and always earn 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-CanadaExtra points
50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall
Extra Benefits*
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the usual 2.5% forex fees on your purchases when you travel outside of CanadaVisa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
6 Free complimentary visitsConcierge Services
Status lift
Avis® Preferred Plus membership
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Annual Fee*
$150
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
$60,000
Min Household Income:
$100,000
Welcome Bonus
Get 6,000 Avion points upon approval
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 30,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $2,000 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. Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
- 1.5 points for every dollar in grocery, rides, gas, electric vehicle charging, streaming, digital gaming, subscriptions and more
- 1 point for all other purchases
Rewards Rate*
- Earn 3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
- Earn 2x Scene+ points 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
- Earn additional benefits + up to 4x Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
Loyalty Program
Loyalty Program*
Point Redemption Options
Gift Cards
0.72¢ / pointMerchandise
0.7¢ / pointTravel
0.6¢ / pointStatement Credits (Cash)
0.58¢ / pointMost Optimal
Transfer to WestJet
1¢ / pointFinancial Products
0.83¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Travel
1¢ / pointMerchandise
0.76¢ / pointGift Cards
0.74¢ / pointStatement Credits (Cash)
0.7¢ / pointEntertainment
1¢ / pointGroceries (Sobeys)
1¢ / pointRestaurants
1¢ / point
Is this card worth it?
We actually don't like this card. It neither offers great benefits nor rewards, even for a free card. It's a very average card with many better and worse alternatives, both paid and free.
Is this card worth it?
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is a strong choice for frequent travelers, especially those who value flexibility and premium perks. It stands out with its rare benefit of no foreign transaction fees, making international purchases more cost-effective. Additionally, the card offers a valuable blend of travel perks, including airport lounge access, comprehensive insurance coverage, and flexible rewards, making it an ideal companion for those who frequently travel abroad and want to avoid extra fees while enjoying premium benefits.
Pros
- Good savings on gas if you are a regular petro-Canada gas customer.
Pros
- High Rewards on Select Purchases: Earn up to 3 points per $1 spent on select categories.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Shop abroad without additional charges.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Includes 11 types of insurance coverage.
- Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy up to 6 airport lounge passes per year through the Visa Airport Companion program.
Cons
- Insurance coverage is the most basic.
- Reward categories are not the best.
- Avion reward points are generally less valuable.
- Many other cards with no annual fee are available that are all-around better cards than ION Visa.
Cons
- High Income Requirements: Requires $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income.
- Lower Overall Rewards: Rewards potential is lower compared to premium credit cards.
- High Annual Fee: Comes with a significant annual fee.
- Average Insurance Coverage: Insurance benefits are standard, not exceptional.
- Mediocre Earnings Potential: The card’s rewards structure might not offer the highest returns for every spender.


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