Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card Review

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card Review - Choosing a credit card for travel isn't easy. You want to opt for a card with great benefits, wide acceptability, and a reasonable annual fee. Luckily, there's the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card!

The card offers lounge access with 6 complimentary visits, no foreign transaction fees—a feature offered by very few other cards—operates on the Visa network, meaning it's accepted by most merchants globally, and provides many other essential insurance options and benefits.

Because of this, we have crowned this card the Best Travel Credit Card in Canada!

Let's dive into more details on what this card has to offer:

Reviewing: How you Earn Rewards?

• 3 Scene+ Points on on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
• 2 Scene+ 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 Scene+ Point on everything else

You also earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1,000 in everyday eligible purchases within your first 3 months. Plus, you can earn an additional 10,000 bonus Scene+ points after spending $40,000 annually.

In general, you will be able to earn average rewards with this card because most of your purchases will likely fall into the 2 points category. Since the points are valued at almost 1 cent each, the effective cashback rate will be around 2%. While it’s not the best in terms of rewards, it’s not the worst either! Remember, for a good travel card, the benefits take higher priorty over the reward rate.

How Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card Rewards Can be redeemed

Redeeming points optimally is usually not easy with many credit card programs, but Scene+ points might be one of the big exceptions. You can redeem them for travel, groceries, entertainment, and experiences with maximum value. Even if you don't travel or engage in much entertainment, you definitely buy groceries, so there's always a good opportunity to easily redeem your points for maximum value.

There's always the option to redeem for gift cards and merchandise but those give a lower value than the other options and therefore not recommended.

Reviewing the Reasons and Benefits to have Scotiabank Passport Visa

1. No Foreign Transaction Fee

When you're traveling abroad and using your credit card to make purchases in a foreign currency, you'll usually face some extra fees. While the exchange rate on your card is often pretty good, most cards add a 2.5% foreign transaction fee on top of the total, which can make using your card less affordable.

The good news is that some credit cards don’t charge this 2.5% fee, making them the best option for buying things abroad. Since it’s an expensive perk for banks to offer, not many cards include it. Some that do are on the American Express network, so they aren’t as widely accepted as Visa, especially in Europe. Other cards might not charge the fee but don’t offer rewards on international purchases.

The big exception is the Scotiabank Passport Visa card, which not only waives the foreign transaction fee but also earns rewards on those purchases, making it the best foreign transaction fee card available in Canada.

2. Comprehensive list of travel insurance

When choosing a credit card, it's important to make sure it offers all the key travel insurance options, without leaving anything out. The Scotiabank Passport Visa card is a great choice, as it comes with a comprehensive list of 12 different types of insurance. One of the most important coverages, which many cards skip, is trip cancellation and interruption insurance — but the Scotiabank Passport card includes it!

It's also rare for credit cards to offer emergency out-of-province medical insurance for people over 65, but the scotiabank passport® visa infinite* card includes 3 days of coverage for this group as well! This makes it an even more valuable option for older travellers who want added peace of mind.

3. Lounge visit with a higher number of visits

The card also comes with DragonPass lounge access, offering 6 complimentary visits, which is more generous than the typical 4 visits provided by other cards with this benefit. For frequent travelers, those 2 extra visits are the cherry on top of everything else the card offers!

Downsides of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

1. Not a great reward card

If your goal is to maximize cashback or points, this card might not be the best option on its own — or at least, it should be paired with another card. The Scotiabank Passport Visa is best used when you're traveling, so you might want to rely on a different card for everyday purchases when you're not abroad.

2. Annual Fee and requirements

If you're looking for a card with no annual fee or one that's easy for everyone to qualify for, this isn't the right choice. The Scotiabank Passport Visa has a $150 annual fee, and approval requires a high credit score along with meeting a minimum income requirement.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card Comparison to some similar cards

How to Apply for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

To apply for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “Apply now” button on the Scotiabank website.
2. Specify if you are a current or new Scotiabank customer. If you’re an existing customer, log in; otherwise, proceed as a new applicant.
3. Review the card's terms and conditions, then click "Agree and continue."
4. Fill in your personal information (name, contact details, etc.) and create a username and password.
5. Provide financial details, including your income and employment status.
6. Upload any necessary documentation, if requested.
7. Finally, review and submit your completed application.

Our review - Conclusion

If you travel frequently, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card is a great option to keep in your wallet. Its no foreign transaction fee feature and extensive insurance coverage can help you save significantly over time.

FAQ

Is Scotia Passport Visa Infinite First year fee waived?

The first-year fee for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card is no longer waived as it once was. However, you can still have the fee waived by signing up for certain premium chequing accounts offered by Scotiabank, like the Ultimate Package.

Is Scotia Passport Visa Infinite Worth it?

Absolutely, if it fits your needs. For frequent travellers, the no foreign transaction fees, travel perks, and comprehensive insurance make it a highly valuable card. However, if you rarely travel, you may benefit more from a card with rewards tailored to your everyday spending.