Daniela Hanna
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is built for Canadians who travel regularly and spend in foreign currencies. It combines no foreign transaction fees with solid Scene+ earn rates, six annual airport lounge visits and a welcome offer of up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year, making it one of the most versatile travel cards for everyday use and trips abroad.
Quick highlights
- 🎁 Welcome offer: up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year — 35,000 points when you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months and an additional 10,000-point annual bonus when you spend $40,000 in a year.
- 🛒 3× Scene+ points per $1 at eligible Sobeys-family grocery banners.
- 🍽️ 2× Scene+ points per $1 on other eligible grocery, dining, entertainment and daily transit purchases (up to $50,000 in combined annual spend, then 1×).
- 💳 1× Scene+ point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
- 🌍 No foreign transaction fees on purchases in other currencies — pay only the exchange rate.
- 🛫 Six complimentary airport lounge visits per year via the Visa Airport Companion program.
Why we like the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
This card is popular because it solves a very specific pain point: foreign transaction fees. Where most Canadian cards tack on around 2.5% whenever you pay in another currency, the Passport Visa Infinite simply charges the exchange rate — and that savings adds up fast if you travel or shop online internationally.
On top of that, it earns Scene+ points at solid rates in everyday categories, gives you six airport lounge visits per year, and offers a welcome package of up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year. When you factor in the insurance bundle and Visa Infinite perks, it strikes a strong balance between value and usability without climbing into ultra-premium fee territory.
Stand-out features
- ✅ Up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year: 35,000 points after $2,000 in purchases in 3 months, plus a 10,000-point annual bonus when you spend $40,000 in a year.
- ✅ No foreign transaction fees on purchases in other currencies, whether online or abroad.
- ✅ 3× Scene+ points per $1 at eligible Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and related grocery banners.
- ✅ 2× Scene+ points per $1 on other eligible grocery, dining, entertainment and daily transit purchases.
- ✅ Six complimentary airport lounge visits every year for the primary cardholder through Visa Airport Companion.
Good to know
- ⚠️ Accelerated earn rates (3× and 2×) apply only to the first $50,000 annually in combined qualifying purchases in those categories; after that, you earn 1×.
- ⚠️ To get the full 45,000-point first-year total, you must hit both the $2,000 spending requirement in 3 months and the $40,000 annual spend threshold.
- ⚠️ It is a Visa Infinite product, so income or assets requirements apply and not everyone will qualify.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases in other currencies — a rare and valuable perk.
- Up to 45,000 Scene+ bonus points in the first year for new cardholders who meet the spending criteria.
- Six complimentary airport lounge visits per year via Visa Airport Companion.
- Strong earn rates on groceries (especially Sobeys-family stores), dining, entertainment and transit.
- Flexible Scene+ program for travel, groceries, entertainment and statement credits.
- Good suite of travel insurance for a mid-range annual fee card.
Cons
- The $150 annual fee needs to be offset by regular travel, foreign-currency spending, or strong use of high-earn categories.
- Accelerated earn rates are capped at $50,000 in combined annual spend in bonus categories; after that, you drop to 1×.
- Some grocery and transit merchants may not code correctly for bonuses, leading to 1× instead of 2× or 3×.
- While the lounge benefit is useful, six visits per year is more “nice-to-have” than fully premium for heavy travellers.
Rewards program
The Passport Visa Infinite card is part of the Scene+ ecosystem, so all your spending earns Scene+ points that you can redeem for travel and more. The earn structure is focused on grocery, dining, entertainment and transit — plus extra rewards at specific grocery partners.
- 3× Scene+ points per $1 on eligible purchases at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Rachelle Béry, Les Marchés and Voilà grocery brands.
- 2× Scene+ points per $1 on other eligible grocery (not in the above list), dining, entertainment and daily transit purchases such as public transit, taxis and ride-share.
- 1× Scene+ point per $1 on all other eligible everyday purchases.
- Annual Scene+ bonus: 10,000 Scene+ points each year when your account hits $40,000 in eligible annual spend, plus an extra 2,000 points for every additional $10,000 in eligible purchases in that same year.
How to maximize rewards
-
Hit the welcome bonus milestones.
Plan for at least $2,000 in everyday purchases in the first 3 months to earn 35,000 bonus points, and aim to route $40,000 of annual spend through the card if your budget allows so you can unlock the 10,000-point annual bonus. -
Shift grocery shopping to Sobeys-family partners.
Where convenient, prioritize Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, FreshCo, Foodland and related banners to earn 3× points instead of 2× elsewhere. -
Use it as your main card for dining, entertainment and transit.
Restaurants, food delivery, streaming subscriptions, movie theatres and daily transit are all natural fits for the 2× earn rate. -
Use Passport for all foreign-currency purchases.
Combine the no-FX-fee benefit with your regular travel and international online shopping to maximize savings and points at the same time. -
Leverage all six lounge visits.
Use your Visa Airport Companion membership to access lounges on both departure and return legs of key trips — it’s often easier to justify the annual fee once you feel the comfort difference at the airport. -
Track your $50,000 accelerated spend threshold.
The 3× and 2× earn rates apply only up to $50,000 per calendar year in combined bonus-category spend. If you’re a big spender, consider tracking this so you aren’t surprised when your earn rate drops to 1×. -
Redeem points strategically.
Aim to redeem Scene+ points for flights, hotels, car rentals or to offset travel purchases instead of low-value merchandise if your goal is maximum cents-per-point value.
Insurance & benefits
Included
- Out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical insurance for you and eligible family members on trips charged to the card (up to a set number of days, depending on age).
- Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance when you charge a specified portion of eligible trip costs to the card.
- Flight delay insurance to help cover meals, accommodation or essentials when flights are significantly delayed.
- Delayed and lost baggage insurance when checked luggage is delayed or lost on eligible trips.
- Rental car collision/loss damage insurance when you decline the rental agency’s coverage and charge the full rental to your card.
- Hotel/motel burglary insurance for eligible personal property stolen from your room during a covered stay.
- Common carrier travel accident insurance for covered accidental loss of life or dismemberment on eligible trips.
- Purchase security and extended warranty protection for many items purchased with the card.
- Visa Infinite benefits such as concierge service, access to special dining events and the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection.
Not included / limitations
- ❌ No mobile device insurance — if that’s critical, you may want to pair this with another card that offers it.
- ❌ No complimentary checked-bag or airline-specific elite benefits; this is not a co-branded airline card.
- ⚠️ All coverage comes with age limits, maximum trip durations, pre-existing condition clauses and other exclusions; you should review the certificates of insurance to see how they apply to your situation.
- ⚠️ For most travel coverages, you need to charge at least a specified portion (often 75%) of your eligible trip costs to the card.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $150 for the primary card; $0 for the first additional card; $50 for each additional card thereafter. |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 20.99% on purchases. |
| Cash advance APR | 22.99% on cash advances, balance transfers and cash-like transactions. |
| Foreign transaction fee | 0% Scotiabank markup on foreign currency purchases — only the exchange rate applies. |
| Grace period | At least 21 days on new purchases when you pay your statement balance in full by the due date. |
| Minimum income / assets | Typically $60,000 individual income, $100,000 household income, or $250,000 in assets under management to be eligible. |
| Minimum credit limit | $5,000. |
Best for
- ✈️ Canadians who travel a few times a year and want a reliable no-FX-fee travel card with lounge access.
- 🌍 People who frequently shop online in foreign currencies or book travel in USD/EUR and want to avoid the usual 2.5% surcharge.
- 🛒 Households that regularly shop at Sobeys-family grocery stores and can take advantage of 3× earn rates.
- 💳 Users comfortable with a moderate annual fee in exchange for ongoing travel benefits and insurance.
Where it falls short
- The $150 annual fee can feel steep if you don’t travel often, rarely use the lounge visits, or don’t spend much in the bonus categories.
- Accelerated earn rates are capped at $50,000 per calendar year in combined bonus-category spend; high spenders may hit this ceiling and default to 1×.
- No built-in mobile device insurance, which is increasingly common on competing cards.
- While no-FX and six lounge visits are great, heavy travellers might want more robust premium perks such as unlimited lounges or larger travel credits.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“The no foreign transaction fee feature has saved me a lot on overseas trips and online shopping. It’s my default card whenever I see a non-CAD charge.”
“I like the combo of lounge visits, decent earn rates, and Scene+ flexibility. It’s not ultra-luxury, but for the fee it punches above its weight.”
Critiques
“You really need to travel at least a couple of times a year to feel like you’re using the perks. In a quiet year, the fee stings a bit.”
“The $50,000 cap on higher earn rates is understandable but worth watching if you put a lot of household spending through the card.”
Community insights
In Canadian travel and rewards circles, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite often shows up on “best no-FX card” lists because it blends no foreign transaction fees with a mainstream fee and accessible requirements. Many people pair it with a higher-earning everyday card: they use Passport for travel, foreign currency purchases and lounge access, and another card for boosted earn on groceries or dining. Overall, it’s often seen as a dependable workhorse travel card rather than a flashy status symbol.
AI review (straight talk)
If you make even a moderate number of purchases in foreign currencies each year — a few trips abroad, some hotel bookings, a handful of USD subscriptions — this card can quietly save you a meaningful amount of money just by removing the 2.5% FX markup. Add in six lounge visits and a welcome bundle of up to 45,000 points, and the math works out nicely for many travellers.
If you almost never leave Canada, rarely buy in non-CAD, and don’t care about lounges, you’ll be paying for benefits you don’t use. In that case, a lower-fee cash-back or travel card may fit better. But for frequent or even semi-regular travellers who want a clean, flexible solution for no-FX spending and solid rewards, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is a very strong contender.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Categories / Earn | Other Purchases | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card | $150 | 3× at Sobeys-family grocers; 2× on other grocery, dining, entertainment & transit | 1× | No FX fees, six lounge visits, travel insurance | Travellers who want no-FX and lounges without ultra-high fees |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | $120 | High earn on groceries, dining and entertainment; boosted earn on select travel | 1× | No FX fees, strong earn, good travel perks | Everyday spenders who are comfortable with Amex acceptance |
| Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card | $399 | 2× on all eligible purchases; 3× on hotel & car booked via Scene+ Travel | Same 2× base | No FX fees, 10 lounge visits, very strong insurance | Frequent travellers who want richer perks and are fine with a higher fee |
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card | $120 | 5× on groceries, dining, gas and transit | 1× | Strong everyday earnings, lifestyle credit | Domestic spenders who lean more towards high earn than no-FX |
| Home Trust Preferred Visa | $0 | 1% cash back on eligible purchases in Canada | 1% | No FX fees, no annual fee | Value-seekers who want no-FX at $0 annual fee, but can live without lounge access |
FAQ
Is there an annual fee?
Yes. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card has a $150 annual fee for the primary cardholder, $0 for the first supplementary card and $50 for each additional supplementary card after that.
What is the current welcome bonus?
As of late 2025, new cardholders can earn up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year: 35,000 points when you make at least $2,000 in everyday eligible purchases in the first 3 months, plus an annual 10,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $40,000 on the card in a 12-month period.
What are the earn rates on this card?
You earn 3× Scene+ points per $1 at eligible Sobeys-family grocery banners, 2× Scene+ points per $1 on other qualifying grocery, dining, entertainment and daily transit purchases (up to $50,000 in combined annual spend in those categories), and 1× Scene+ point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Does the card charge foreign transaction fees?
No. One of the main advantages of this card is that Scotiabank does not charge the usual 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in other currencies. Only the exchange rate applies, which can be a big savings if you travel or shop in foreign currencies frequently.
What lounge access is included?
The card includes a complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program and six free airport lounge visits each year for the primary cardholder. Additional visits beyond the included six are charged at the prevailing rate.
Does this card include travel insurance?
Yes. It includes emergency medical coverage for eligible trips, trip cancellation and interruption protection, flight delay coverage, delayed and lost baggage insurance, rental car collision/loss damage coverage, hotel/motel burglary insurance, common carrier travel accident insurance, purchase security, and extended warranty, all subject to the terms, conditions, and limits in the insurance documents.
What income do I need to qualify?
As a Visa Infinite product, the card generally requires either a minimum individual annual income of $60,000, a household income of $100,000, or qualifying assets under management (for example $250,000 or more) with Scotiabank. Approval is still subject to credit assessment and may vary by applicant.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card is one of the most practical travel cards available in Canada if you care about both everyday usability and trip benefits. No foreign transaction fees, six lounge visits, a solid welcome offer and respectable earn rates in food- and transit-related categories give it a broad base of value.
If you rarely leave Canada and seldom pay in foreign currencies, you may be better off with a lower-fee cash-back card. But if your lifestyle includes a couple of getaways a year, some USD or EUR spending, and regular grocery and transit purchases, this card can easily justify its annual fee and become a long-term keeper in your wallet.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.3 / 5 — especially strong if you shop at Sobeys-family stores and leverage the annual spend bonus. |
| Benefits & protections | 4.5 / 5 — no-FX, six lounge visits and robust travel insurance are excellent for the fee. |
| Fees & costs | 3.9 / 5 — mid-range fee that pays off if you travel and spend strategically. |
| Ease of approval | 3.6 / 5 — income/asset requirements and standard underwriting mean it’s not a starter card. |
