Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card: Which one is better?

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

4.3

More Details

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

3.3

More Details

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$333.58

Scene+

Welcome Bonus

$250

Scene+

Annual Fee

$150

First Year Value

$433.58

$183.58 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$506.17

Air Canada Aeroplan

Welcome Bonus

$630

Air Canada Aeroplan

Annual Fee

$120

First Year Value

$1,016.17

$386.17 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Insurance Included

Flight Delay

$500/person after 4 hours

Baggage Delay

$1000

Travel Accident

$500,000/insured, $1M combined

Car Rental Damage & Theft

$65,000 up to 48 days

Hotel Burglary Insurance

$1,000

Purchase Protection

90 days

Extended Warranty

1 year

Emergency Out of province Medical

$2M/insured up to 25 days

Emergency Medical Over 65

$2M/insured up to 3 days

Trip Cancellation

$1,500/person, $10,000/trip

Trip Interruption

$2,500/person, $10,000/trip

Lost or Stolen Baggage

$1000

Insurance Included*

Flight Delay

$500/person after 4 hours

Baggage Delay

$1000

Travel Accident

$500,000/insured, $1M combined

Car Rental Damage & Theft

$65,000 up to 48 days

Hotel Burglary Insurance

$1,000

Purchase Protection

90 days

Extended Warranty

1 year

Extra Benefits

Status lift

Avis® Preferred Plus membership

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass

6 Free complimentary visits

Concierge Services

Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits

Extra Benefits*

Status lift

Avis® Preferred Plus membership

Free first checked bag

You and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air Canada

Free Extra Night at Hotels

Receive an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points

American Express Experiences

Extra points

Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands

Interest Rates

Purchase:

20.99%

Cash Advance:

22.99%

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

30% Annual²

Cash Advance:

30% Annual²

Annual Fee

$150

Annual Fee*

$120

Income Required

Min Personal Income:

$60,000

Min Household Income:

$100,000

Income Required*

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

Welcome Bonus

Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, another 10,000 bonus Scene+ points after making $40,000 of purchases annually.

Welcome Bonus*

Earn 30,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 on your Card within the first 3 months. Additional 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 in month 13.

Rewards Rate

3 Points on on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
2 Points dining and at other eligible grocery stores,entertainment purchases which includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies and Rides which includes rideshare,buses,taxis, subways and more
1 Point on everything else

Rewards Rate*

2 points on Aircanada and AirCanada Vacations
1.5 points on Dining
1 Point on everything else

Loyalty Program

Scene+

Loyalty Program*

Air Canada Aeroplan

Point Redemption Options

Travel

1¢ / point

Gift Cards

0.74¢ / point

Entertainment

1¢ / point

Groceries (Sobeys)

1¢ / point

Restaurants

1¢ / point

Merchandise

0.76¢ / point

Statement Credits

0.7¢ / point

Point Redemption Options*

Travel

1¢ / point

Gift Cards

0.74¢ / point

Most Optimal

Transfer to Airline Partners

2.1¢ / point

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.

Is this card worth it?

This card comes with the free checked bag benefit, which can save hundreds on a single trip for you and your family, more than making up for the annual fee of the card. In addition, the card helps you reach the next Aeroplan Status faster with spending on the card. However, if you don't have a specific use for these two benefits, there are many better cards in terms of benefits and rewards.

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.

Pros

Free checked bag benefit: Every checked bag might cost you $60 - $100 per person on a round trip. The amount you can save in a year if you travel a few times or travel with a few companions can easily be much higher than the annual fee of the card.
If you are interested in a higher Aeroplan Status, the card helps you get there faster.

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.

Cons

The main reward category is only for Air Canada purchases. Unless you are a frequent Air Canada traveler, this reward category is not useful to most people.
The only other rewards category offered is for food, and it doesn't offer that high of a reward rate either.
In terms of insurance benefits, the types and coverage amounts provided are lower compared to other cards with a similar annual fee.

Other Comparisons

vs American Express Cobalt® Card

vs TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

vs Rogers Red Mastercard®

vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®

vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®

vs American Express® Green Card

vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®

vs Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card

vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege*

vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®

vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card

vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card

vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express

vs American Express Platinum Card®

Other Comparisons

vs American Express Cobalt® Card

vs TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®

vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®

vs American Express® Green Card

vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®

vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

vs Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®

vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card

vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card

vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express

vs American Express Platinum Card®

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card: When to go for one over the other

Annual Fees and Requirements

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite and American Express Aeroplan both have annual fees that are somewhat similar, but the specific cost may differ slightly. The Scotiabank card requires a higher income threshold, with a minimum personal income requirement, while the American Express card doesn't have explicit income requirements listed. Overall, the Scotiabank card may be more suitable for those meeting the higher income qualifications.

Rewards Comparison

Both cards offer competitive rewards but differ in focus. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite emphasizes a broader range of spending categories, offering points on groceries, dining, and travel purchases. The American Express Aeroplan card is more focused on travel-related rewards, especially for frequent Air Canada travelers, with a higher signup bonus and better long-term value for travelers loyal to Aeroplan. However, the everyday spending categories are not as versatile.

Reward Redemption Options

When it comes to redeeming rewards, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite provides flexible options, including cashback, travel, and gift cards. Cashback is the most flexible choice, offering more freedom in how you use your rewards. The American Express Aeroplan card is best for those looking to redeem for Air Canada flights or partner airlines, with points offering more value when transferred to airline partners. However, it lacks the overall flexibility of cashback.

Benefits and Insurance

The Scotiabank card stands out with its no foreign transaction fees, making it highly beneficial for frequent international travelers. It also offers complimentary airport lounge access. The American Express Aeroplan card provides free checked baggage and faster Aeroplan status accumulation, which can be valuable for Air Canada loyalists. However, for general insurance coverage, the cards are similar, though Scotiabank provides a slightly more extensive package for most users.

Conclusion

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is likely a better choice for general travelers or those who prefer flexible rewards and no foreign transaction fees. The American Express Aeroplan card is ideal for those who frequently fly with Air Canada and can benefit from the free checked bags and Aeroplan rewards. Depending on your travel habits, either card could be a strong option, but the Scotiabank card may appeal to a wider audience due to its flexibility.

Annual Fees and Requirements
Rewards Comparison
Reward Redemption Options
Benefits and Insurance
Conclusion

Legal

^*American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check for full details and current product information.

² As a Charge Card, the balance must always be paid in full each month. 30% annual interest rate applies to balances not paid in full. Payments must be received and processed by the date of the next monthly statement to avoid interest charges.