The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is a premium travel credit card designed for Canadians who frequently travel internationally. Its primary feature is the absence of foreign transaction fees, which can save cardholders the typical 2.5% charge on purchases made in foreign currencies. The card also provides travel rewards through the Scene+ program, complimentary airport lounge access, and a suite of travel insurance benefits. It is positioned for individuals with a good credit score and a minimum personal income of $60,000.
Key Features and Benefits
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers a collection of benefits focused on international travel and everyday spending. A defining feature is the waiver of foreign transaction fees, meaning purchases in a foreign currency are charged at the exchange rate without an additional 2.5% markup. Cardholders receive six complimentary visits per year to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through the Visa Airport Companion Program. The card earns Scene+ points on all purchases, which can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or entertainment. Additional perks include a complimentary 10GB global mobile data plan for 15 days annually via GigSky, savings on fuel at Shell stations, and access to exclusive hotel and dining experiences through the Visa Infinite program.
Travel insurance is a significant component of the card's value proposition. Coverage includes up to $2 million in emergency medical insurance for the cardholder, their spouse, and eligible dependent children. Trip cancellation insurance provides up to $1,500 per person, with a maximum of $10,000 per trip, when at least 75% of the trip cost is charged to the card. Trip interruption insurance covers up to $2,500 per person, also with a $10,000 per trip maximum. Flight delay insurance offers reimbursement of up to $500 per insured person for necessary expenses if a flight is delayed by a covered reason. These insurance benefits require that the travel arrangements are charged to the card.
Earning and Redeeming Scene+ Points
The card's rewards system is built on the Scene+ program. Cardholders earn one Scene+ point for every dollar spent on all eligible purchases. There are accelerated earning rates for specific categories when booked through designated portals. For example, you earn an extra three Scene+ points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals when booking through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia. Points can be redeemed flexibly for travel bookings, statement credits towards travel purchases, or for merchandise and entertainment through the Scene+ website. The program includes both a welcome bonus and an ongoing annual bonus, which are subject to specific spending thresholds and eligibility periods.
A welcome offer available for new accounts opened between August 4, 2026, and November 1, 2026, provides 25,000 bonus Scene+ points after spending $2,000 in the first three months. Cardholders are also eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points when they spend at least $40,000 on the card within a 12-month period. After reaching that $40,000 threshold, you earn an additional 2,000 bonus points for every extra $10,000 spent within the same annual period. It is important to note that 100 Scene+ points are equivalent to one dollar in value for redemption purposes, and all rewards are earned on eligible purchases only as defined in the card's terms and conditions.
Fees, Rates, and Income Requirements
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card carries a $150 annual fee. This fee can be reduced or waived under certain conditions. If you hold a Scotiabank Ultimate Package chequing account, you can receive a full rebate of the annual fee. Holding a Scotiabank Preferred Package chequing account qualifies you for a $40 rebate on the annual fee. The annual fee for the first supplementary card is waived for new cardholders. The card has no foreign transaction fees, a rare feature among Canadian credit cards that can save an average of $132 per year based on typical spending patterns.
To be eligible for this card, applicants must meet specific income or asset thresholds. The minimum personal annual income requirement is $60,000. Alternatively, a minimum household income of $100,000 is accepted. For those using assets under management, the minimum is $250,000. The card is intended for individuals with a good credit score. The interest rates for purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers are set by Scotiabank and will be disclosed upon application. The cash advance rate applies to cash advances, balance transfers, and cash-like transactions, and you can contact Scotiabank directly for the most current rate information.
Travel Insurance Coverage Details
The travel insurance package included with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card provides several layers of protection for cardholders and their families. Emergency medical insurance is the most substantial, offering up to $2 million in coverage for the cardholder, spouse, and eligible dependent children. This insurance is valid for trips up to a specified number of days, typically when travel arrangements are charged to the card. The coverage is designed to provide financial protection against unexpected medical emergencies while travelling outside of your home province.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance have specific coverage limits and conditions. For trip cancellation, coverage is up to $1,500 per insured person for prepaid travel expenses, with a maximum of $10,000 for all insured persons on the same trip. Trip interruption insurance covers up to $2,500 per insured person, also with a $10,000 maximum per trip. To activate these coverages, you must charge at least 75% of the total cost of your trip to your card. Flight delay insurance provides reimbursement of necessary expenses up to $500 per person if your flight is delayed due to a covered reason. All insurance benefits are governed by a detailed certificate of insurance, and specific terms, conditions, and exclusions apply which should be reviewed carefully before travelling.
Additional Cardholder Perks
Beyond points and insurance, the card offers a variety of lifestyle and convenience benefits. The 24/7 concierge service can assist with travel bookings, restaurant reservations, and event tickets. Cardholders get access to over 900 luxury hotels worldwide through the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection. The Visa Infinite Dining Series offers curated multi-course meals with wine pairings at select restaurants. For wine enthusiasts, there are benefits at over 60 participating wineries in British Columbia and Ontario, including complimentary tastings and discounts on purchases.
Practical travel aids include a complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership, which can expedite car rental processes. The partnership with GigSky provides a complimentary 1GB global mobile data plan valid for 15 days each year, plus 20% off future GigSky data purchases. At Shell stations in Canada, using the linked card can provide up to 10 cents per litre in value on fuel purchases. For larger purchases, the card offers a flexible payment plan option called Scotia SelectPay, which allows you to pay off eligible purchases of $100 or more with a low-interest installment plan and no plan fee, providing more control over your cash flow.
Application and Eligibility Rules
Applying for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card requires meeting specific personal and financial criteria. The primary requirement is a minimum personal annual income of $60,000. If applying based on household income, the minimum is $100,000. Applicants can also qualify if they have a minimum of $250,000 in assets under management with Scotiabank. A good credit score is necessary for approval. The application process can be completed online, by phone, or at a Scotiabank branch, and you may be asked to provide documentation to verify your income or assets.
There are important eligibility rules for the welcome bonus. The 25,000-point welcome bonus is only available to new primary cardholders who open an account between August 4, 2026, and November 1, 2026. Individuals who have been a primary or secondary cardholder on any Scotiabank personal credit card in the past two years are not eligible for this bonus. This includes those who switch from an existing Scotiabank card. Employees of Scotiabank are also ineligible for the welcome bonus. All cardholders, regardless of bonus eligibility, can still earn the annual 10,000-point bonus by spending $40,000 each year, and they can earn an extra 2,000 points for every additional $10,000 spent thereafter.
- Personal Income: Minimum $60,000 annually.
- Household Income: Minimum $100,000 annually.
- Assets Under Management: Minimum $250,000 with Scotiabank.
- Credit Score: Good credit required.
- Welcome Bonus Ineligibility: Previous Scotiabank cardholders in last 2 years.
- Welcome Bonus Ineligibility: Scotiabank employees.
- Welcome Bonus Period: August 4, 2026 to November 1, 2026.
- Annual Bonus: Available to all cardholders after $40,000 spend.
Comparing Potential First-Year Value
Scotiabank provides an estimate of the potential first-year value for a new cardholder, which combines welcome offers, point earnings, and fee savings. This calculation, based on data as of May 22, 2026, illustrates how the value can accumulate from various card features. The total is an estimate and depends entirely on individual spending patterns and eligibility for offers. The estimate includes the value of bonus points, fee waivers, foreign transaction savings, and lounge access, culminating in a potential first-year value of up to $1,250.
The estimated first year value of up to $1,250 includes welcome offers, rewards, and savings. This potential value is calculated from a combination of bonus points and fee savings. It includes up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points from welcome offers and an annual point bonus. The calculation also accounts for savings from the absence of foreign transaction fees and the value of complimentary airport lounge access.
| Value Component | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| 25,000 Bonus Scene+ Points | $250 |
| 10,000 Annual Bonus Scene+ Points | $100 |
| First Supplementary Card Fee Waiver | $50 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee Savings | $132 |
| First Year Point Earn on Everyday Spend | $364 |
| Value of 6 Lounge Passes | $358 |
| Total Potential First-Year Value | $1,254 (rounded to $1,250) |
The foreign transaction fee savings are based on average annual foreign spend data from active accounts over a 24-month period. The point earn potential is calculated from average spending patterns across different reward categories, specifically an average spend of 21% in 3X and 2X accelerator categories combined. The lounge pass value is derived from the cost of a preferential Visa Airport Companion Program membership, valued at approximately $357. It is crucial to understand that these figures are projections, and actual value will vary by cardholder based on their specific spending and travel habits.
Frequently asked questions
How do I earn the 35,000 bonus Scene+ points?
The welcome offer consists of two parts. First, you earn 25,000 bonus points by spending $2,000 within the first three months of opening a new account. This offer is only available for accounts opened between August 4, 2026, and November 1, 2026. Second, you can earn an annual bonus of 10,000 points by spending $40,000 on the card within a 12-month period.
Who is eligible for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card?
Eligibility is based on income or assets. You need a minimum personal annual income of $60,000, a household income of $100,000, or at least $250,000 in assets under management with Scotiabank. Applicants must also have a good credit score. Previous Scotiabank cardholders from the last two years are not eligible for the welcome bonus.
What travel insurance does the card provide?
The card includes extensive travel insurance. This covers up to $2 million in emergency medical insurance for you and your family. It also provides trip cancellation insurance up to $1,500 per person, trip interruption insurance up to $2,500 per person, and flight delay insurance up to $500 per person. These benefits require charging travel expenses to the card.
Can the $150 annual fee be waived?
The annual fee can be rebated under certain conditions. If you hold a Scotiabank Ultimate Package chequing account, you receive a full rebate of the $150 fee. If you hold a Scotiabank Preferred Package chequing account, you receive a $40 rebate on the fee. The first supplementary card's annual fee is also waived for new cardholders.
What is the main benefit of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card?
The main benefit is that it charges no foreign transaction fees on purchases. This card is one of the rare credit cards in Canada that does not apply the typical 2.5 percent foreign exchange fee. Cardholders only pay the market exchange rate when shopping online or abroad. This feature provides significant savings for international travellers and shoppers. It is a key reason the card is marketed as a top travel companion for Canadians.
How many airport lounge visits are included?
The card includes six complimentary airport lounge visits per year. These passes provide access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through the Visa Airport Companion Program. Each entry into a lounge uses one of the six allotted visits. This benefit is a prominent feature of the card's travel perks. It offers cardholders comfort and convenience during their travels.
Sources and further reading
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card scotiabank.com
- Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card, overview ratehub.ca
This article explains how things work and is not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules, limits and rates change, so check the current figures with the Canada Revenue Agency, your province or your financial institution before you act.