Daniela Hanna
The Scotiabank Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the most popular “set it and forget it” cash-back cards in Canada — and it’s not hard to see why. It rewards the kind of spending that shows up on real Canadian budgets (groceries, recurring bills and transit), pays out cash back on an annual schedule, and still comes with the quality-of-life features you’d expect from a premium Visa: solid insurance, Visa Infinite perks, and a welcome offer that can make year one feel like a bargain. Right now, the headline promo is very simple: 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 total spend), plus a waived first-year annual fee for the primary cardholder and supplementary cards. If you can front-load some spending, the first-year value can be excellent.
Quick highlights
- 🎁 Welcome offer: 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases), plus a waived first-year annual fee for the primary and supplementary cards.
- 🛒 Earn top-tier cash back on eligible grocery purchases and recurring bill payments (up to annual caps).
- 🚇 Earn boosted cash back on eligible gas and transit purchases.
- 💳 Earn a base cash-back rate on all other purchases.
- 🗓 Cash back is typically paid out once per year as a statement credit — great for a “bonus month” but not ideal if you want monthly cash back.
- 🛡 Includes travel and purchase coverage, plus Visa Infinite benefits and concierge-style perks.
Why we like the Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite
The Momentum Visa Infinite has earned its reputation as a Canadian cash-back classic because it focuses on the spending categories that quietly dominate most household budgets. Groceries. Recurring bills. Getting around (gas or transit). These aren’t “nice-to-have” categories — they’re the monthly baseline for a lot of Canadians. When a card pays a strong return on those, it’s immediately easier to justify a fee.
The second reason it works is psychological: the yearly payout. Some people hate waiting, but many people love the idea of a once-a-year “cash-back payday” that lands like a mini-bonus. It can be a great way to offset a holiday season, cover a winter hydro bill, or just wipe out a statement at the end of your card year. If you’re the type who prefers predictable value over chasing rotating promos, this card is built for you.
Finally, Scotia tends to make year one particularly attractive. With the current offer (10% back for three months up to $2,000 spend, plus a waived first-year fee), you’re getting a very strong runway to test-drive the card and build a meaningful cash-back balance early. If you end up keeping it long term, the everyday earn rates are what carry the value from year two onward.
Stand-out features
- ✅ Great category fit: elevated cash back where many Canadians spend most (groceries, recurring bills, gas and transit).
- ✅ Welcome offer that’s easy to understand and easy to use: 10% back for 3 months on up to $2,000 spend, plus first-year fee waived.
- ✅ Visa Infinite perks and protections that make it feel like a premium daily driver, not a bare-bones cash-back card.
- ✅ Annual cash-back payout can be a satisfying “bonus month” if you like a big credit rather than drips of small credits.
Good to know
- ⚠️ High earn rates are typically capped annually. If you’re a very high spender, you may hit the ceiling and earn a lower base rate after that.
- ⚠️ Cash back is usually paid annually. If you prefer monthly credits, this structure might feel slow.
- ⚠️ As a Visa Infinite product, a minimum income requirement typically applies.
- ⚠️ Foreign transaction fees still apply, so this isn’t your best international travel card.
Pros
- Excellent earn rates in real-life categories (groceries, recurring bills, gas and transit).
- Welcome offer can deliver big first-year value (10% back for 3 months up to $2,000 + first-year fee waiver).
- Simple, predictable cash back (no points charts or transfer partners).
- Visa Infinite benefits and a solid protections package for everyday spending and travel.
- Annual payout can feel like a meaningful “cash-back bonus” rather than small monthly credits.
- Easy to pair with a travel or no-FX card to round out a two-card setup.
Cons
- Annual caps on top cash-back categories can limit value for heavy spenders.
- Cash back is generally paid once per year, not monthly.
- $120 annual fee after the first year (unless you get a waiver through a bank package).
- Foreign transaction fees apply, making it less ideal for international purchases.
- Visa Infinite income requirements may exclude some applicants.
Rewards program
The Momentum Visa Infinite earns cash back — not points — and the structure is designed around everyday necessities. In practice, it rewards households that do a lot of grocery shopping, carry recurring bills (streaming, phone, internet, utilities, subscriptions), and spend consistently on commuting or driving.
The key thing to understand is that the best earn rates typically apply only up to set annual limits. That doesn’t make the card bad — it’s just how most high-earning cash-back cards are engineered. For many families, the caps are generous enough that they won’t feel restricted. For very high spenders, it’s something you’ll want to watch.
- Groceries: elevated cash back on eligible grocery purchases (up to annual caps).
- Recurring bills: elevated cash back on eligible recurring bill payments (up to annual caps).
- Gas & transit: boosted cash back for eligible gas and transit spend.
- Everything else: base cash back rate on all other purchases.
- Payout schedule: cash back is typically paid out once per year as a statement credit.
- Welcome offer: 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 total spend) + waived first-year annual fee for primary and supplementary cards.
How to maximize rewards
-
Front-load your “normal” spending during the 10% intro period.
The easiest win is simply timing: use the card heavily during the first three months, especially for large purchases you’d make anyway (insurance payments, back-to-school shopping, a new phone, seasonal household expenses). Just keep the $2,000 cap in mind. -
Make groceries and recurring bills your default categories.
The Momentum Visa Infinite shines when it’s your primary grocery and bills card. Set up recurring payments (internet, phone, streaming, gym memberships, subscriptions) and use the card consistently for grocery trips. -
Use the right “secondary” card for travel and foreign spending.
Because foreign transaction fees apply, you’ll often get better value using a no-FX card or a travel card for international purchases. Treat Momentum as your Canadian everyday engine. -
Track category caps if you’re a heavy spender.
If your household spending is high, periodically check whether you’re nearing annual caps in top categories. If you hit the cap early, shift incremental grocery/bills spending to a second high-earning cash-back card. -
Plan around the annual payout.
If you like budgeting, treat the annual cash-back credit as a planned “bonus month” — use it to offset a big expense or apply it to your statement when you know your spending is higher (holidays, travel, home projects).
Insurance & benefits
Included coverage
- Travel emergency medical insurance (coverage length and eligibility depend on your age and the policy terms).
- Trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage for eligible prepaid travel expenses when you pay with the card.
- Flight delay and baggage delay coverage to reimburse essential expenses during covered disruptions.
- Auto rental collision/loss damage insurance on eligible rentals when you pay with the card and decline the agency’s coverage.
- Purchase security for eligible items against theft or accidental damage for a limited period after purchase.
- Extended warranty that can double an eligible manufacturer’s warranty up to a maximum additional period.
Coverage varies by province, cardholder eligibility and certificate terms. Always review the official insurance documents for exclusions, duration limits and claim requirements before relying on coverage.
Visa Infinite perks
- Visa Infinite benefits such as curated experiences, travel offers and partner discounts.
- Concierge-style support for travel and lifestyle planning through Visa Infinite services.
- Extra cardholder protections and premium customer service expectations compared with basic cards.
Visa Infinite perks can vary over time and may depend on the partner program availability in Canada.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $120 for the primary cardholder (first-year fee waived in the current offer). Additional cards may have fees, which are waived in the current first-year promo. |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 20.99% on purchases. |
| Cash advance APR | 22.99% on cash advances and cash-like transactions, with interest accruing immediately. |
| Foreign transaction fee | Typically around 2.5% on non-Canadian dollar purchases after conversion to CAD. |
| Grace period | Typically 21 days interest-free on new purchases when you pay your statement balance in full by the due date. No grace period on cash advances. |
| Minimum payment | Usually a percentage of the balance plus any past-due amounts, as outlined in your card agreement. |
| Income requirement | Visa Infinite cards typically require a minimum personal or household income to qualify. Confirm current requirements at application. |
Best for
- 🛒 Households with meaningful grocery spend.
- 🧾 People with lots of recurring bills (telecom, streaming, subscriptions, insurance, utilities).
- 🚗 Commuters who spend consistently on gas or use transit regularly.
- 💸 Canadians who prefer cash back over points and don’t want to manage a rewards program.
- 🎯 Anyone who can take advantage of the first-year promo and wants a strong year-one return.
Where it falls short
- If you want monthly redemptions, the annual payout structure may feel slow.
- Category caps can reduce value if you’re a very high spender in groceries and recurring bills.
- Foreign transaction fees mean you’ll want a different card for frequent international spending.
- The annual fee is meaningful after year one if you don’t earn enough cash back to offset it.
- Visa Infinite income requirements can limit accessibility.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“This is the first cash-back card I’ve used where the categories actually match my real spending. Groceries and bills are most of my monthly budget, so the earn rate makes the annual payout feel substantial.”
“I loved the first-year promo. The 10% back period made it easy to rack up cash back quickly, and the fee waiver meant I could try it without risk.”
Critiques
“I wish the cash back was paid out monthly. The annual payout is fine, but it doesn’t give the instant gratification that some other cash-back cards do.”
“If you hit the cap early, the earn rate becomes less exciting. I started using a second card once I maxed out groceries.”
Community insights
In Canadian credit-card communities, the Momentum Visa Infinite is often framed as the “grown-up” cash-back card: not flashy, not complicated, just consistently strong in the categories that most people can’t avoid spending in. It’s frequently recommended for couples and families because grocery and recurring bill spend scales up quickly with household size — and that’s exactly where this card concentrates value.
The most common debate is the annual payout. Some people love it as a budgeting tool; others prefer monthly cash back. Another frequent strategy is pairing Momentum with a no-FX or travel card: Momentum handles Canadian-day-to-day spending, while the travel card handles foreign purchases and trips. That two-card setup often gives you “best of both worlds” value without turning your wallet into a collection.
AI review (straight talk)
If you want a cash-back card that feels like it was designed for Canadian life, this is one of the best matches. It pays you more on groceries and bills — the stuff that quietly eats most budgets — and it doesn’t ask you to play games to get value. Use it, pay it off, and you’re rewarded.
The only real question is whether your spending offsets the fee after year one. If you’re a high grocery and bills household, the answer is usually yes. If you’re a lighter spender or you like monthly cash back, you might prefer a no-fee or different cash-back structure. But if you can use the welcome offer, stay under caps, and treat the annual payout as a “bonus month,” this card is a reliable long-term performer.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Categories / Earn | Other Purchases | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite | $120 | High cash back on groceries & recurring bills (capped); boosted on gas & transit | Base cash back | Strong welcome offer, premium protections, Visa Infinite perks | Households with big grocery and bill spend |
| No-fee cash-back card | $0 | Often 1–2% in select categories | 0.5–1% | No annual fee, simpler eligibility | Light spenders or fee-averse users |
| Premium cash-back World Elite card | $99–$150+ | Up to 4–5% in capped categories | 1–2% | Higher caps and extra perks | High spenders who want max returns |
| No-FX travel card | $0–$150 | Travel multipliers or flat points | Base earn | No FX fee on foreign spend | International travellers and online foreign shoppers |
FAQ
What is the annual fee for the Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite?
The regular annual fee is $120 for the primary cardholder. The current offer includes a waived first-year annual fee for the primary and supplementary cards.
What is the current welcome offer?
The current promotion offers 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases), plus a waived first-year annual fee for the primary and supplementary cards. Offers can change, so always confirm details before applying.
How does the cash back work?
You earn cash back based on eligible purchases, with higher rates on select everyday categories like groceries and recurring bills, boosted rates on gas and transit, and a base rate on everything else. Cash back is typically paid once per year as a statement credit.
Is the annual cash-back payout a good or bad thing?
It depends on your preference. Some people love the annual payout because it feels like a meaningful “bonus month.” Others prefer monthly redemption for faster gratification. If you prefer monthly cash back, you may want to compare with alternative cards.
Are there caps on the highest cash-back rates?
Yes, the top earn rates are typically subject to annual spending caps. Once you hit those limits, additional spending in those categories earns at a lower base rate.
Does this card charge foreign transaction fees?
Yes, foreign transaction fees typically apply on non-Canadian dollar purchases. If you travel often or buy frequently from international merchants, consider pairing this card with a no-FX alternative.
Who should consider this card?
This card is best for Canadians with meaningful grocery and recurring bill spending who want strong cash back and don’t mind a once-a-year payout. It’s especially attractive if you can take advantage of the first-year promotional offer.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take The Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite is a premium cash-back card that feels built around Canadian household spending. When you’re earning elevated cash back on groceries and recurring bills — the categories that matter most for many people — the annual fee is often easy to justify. Add a strong welcome offer and a waived first-year fee, and the first-year value can be hard to beat.
The main trade-offs are the annual cash-back payout and the category caps. If those don’t bother you (or if you actually like the annual “bonus month”), this card is a reliable, long-term performer. For international spending, pair it with a no-FX card, and you’ll have an excellent two-card setup that covers most real-world needs.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.2 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.4 / 5 — excellent everyday categories, very strong year-one promo, caps to watch. |
| Benefits & protections | 4.1 / 5 — strong coverage and premium Visa Infinite perks for a cash-back product. |
| Fees & costs | 4.0 / 5 — fee is reasonable if you spend in top categories; first-year waiver is a big boost. |
| Ease of approval | 4.0 / 5 — accessible for many Canadians who meet income requirements and have solid credit. |
