The Scotia Passport Visa Infinite is consistently ranked among the best travel credit cards in Canada for one reason: it charges zero foreign transaction fees. While most Canadian credit cards add a 2.5% surcharge on purchases made in foreign currencies, the Passport Visa Infinite waives that fee entirely. For Canadians who travel internationally, shop on US websites, or subscribe to US-based services, this benefit alone can more than offset the $150 annual fee.
For a broader look at the top travel options, see best travel credit cards in Canada. For Scene+ redemption strategy, see how credit card rewards work in Canada.
Card at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 |
| Supplementary card | $50 |
| Minimum income | $60,000 personal / $100,000 household |
| Network | Visa Infinite |
| Rewards program | Scene+ |
| Foreign transaction fee | None (waived) |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
Card terms confirmed as of August 2026. The annual fee and income requirements are set by Scotiabank and rarely change, but should be verified on Scotiabank’s credit cards page before applying.
Welcome Bonus
The Scotia Passport Visa Infinite typically offers 25,000–40,000 Scene+ points as a welcome bonus, often requiring $1,000 in spending in the first three months. Promotional welcome bonuses occasionally reach 50,000+ points during peak offer periods.
At 1 cent per Scene+ point when redeemed for travel statement credits, 25,000 points equals $250. Redeemed for Cineplex movies or Sobeys grocery credit, the same points may yield slightly less value. Welcome bonus offers change frequently — always confirm the current promotion directly on Scotiabank’s website before applying.
Earn Rates
| Purchase category | Scene+ points per $1 |
|---|---|
| Groceries | 3 points |
| Dining and food delivery | 2 points |
| Entertainment (movies, sports) | 2 points |
| Transit and rideshare | 2 points |
| All other purchases | 1 point |
The 3× grocery rate is competitive. A household spending $1,200/month on groceries earns 43,200 points ($432 in travel credit) per year from that category alone.
The No-Foreign-Transaction-Fee Advantage
This is the defining feature of the card. Most Canadian credit cards charge a 2.5% foreign currency conversion fee on all transactions in currencies other than Canadian dollars. The Passport Visa Infinite eliminates this fee.
Practical savings scenarios:
| Annual foreign-currency spend | Fee saved vs. standard card |
|---|---|
| $5,000 (CAD equivalent) | $125 |
| $10,000 | $250 |
| $20,000 | $500 |
| $30,000 | $750 |
Canadian travellers who take two or three international trips per year, or remote workers whose clients pay in USD, frequently spend $15,000–$25,000 in foreign currencies annually. At $20,000, the FX savings alone ($500) more than cover the $150 annual fee.
Airport Lounge Access
The Scotia Passport Visa Infinite includes 6 complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion program (powered by DragonPass). The program covers 1,200+ lounges globally, including many Aspire, Plaza Premium, and independent lounges that are not part of the Priority Pass network.
Six visits covers most leisure travellers who take 2–3 international trips per year (arrival and departure lounges). Additional visits can be purchased at approximately $32 CAD per visit.
Insurance Coverage
| Coverage | Amount |
|---|---|
| Emergency travel medical | Up to $2 million per person (first 25 days) |
| Trip cancellation | Up to $1,500 per person / $10,000 maximum |
| Trip interruption | Up to $2,500 per person / $10,000 maximum |
| Flight delay (over 4 hours) | Up to $500 per person |
| Delayed baggage (over 6 hours) | Up to $1,000 per person |
| Lost or stolen baggage | Up to $1,000 per person |
| Travel accident insurance | Up to $500,000 |
| Rental car collision/damage | Up to 48 consecutive days |
| Mobile device insurance | Up to $1,000 |
| Purchase security | 90 days |
The 25-day travel medical period is longer than many competing mid-tier cards, which is particularly useful for Canadians who take extended winter trips or sabbaticals.
Who Should Get This Card
Best fit:
- Canadians who travel internationally 2+ times per year and spend significantly in foreign currencies
- Remote workers or freelancers invoiced in USD or other currencies
- Online shoppers who frequently buy from US retailers (Amazon.com, Nordstrom US, etc.)
- Scene+ collectors who already earn points at Sobeys, Cineplex, or Empire Company brands
- Those who want complimentary airport lounge access without a premium card fee
Consider alternatives if:
- You almost never spend in foreign currencies — the FX savings disappear and the card becomes an average Scene+ earner
- You want more than 6 lounge visits — consider the Amex Platinum for unlimited Priority Pass
- You prefer Aeroplan — TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite are better for Air Canada flyers
- You don’t meet the income requirement — Rogers World Elite Mastercard also has no FX fee and lower income thresholds under some conditions
Scotia Passport vs Key Competitors
| Card | Annual fee | No FX fee | Lounge visits | Earn rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotia Passport Visa Infinite | $150 | Yes | 6/year | 1–3× Scene+ |
| Rogers World Elite Mastercard | $0 | Yes | None | 1.5–3% cashback |
| Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite | $120 | No | None | 1–4% cashback |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | No | 1 annual | 1–1.5× Aeroplan |
| Amex Cobalt | $191.88 | No | None | 1–5× MR |
The Rogers World Elite Mastercard also waives FX fees with no annual fee, but it comes with income requirements, no insurance, and no lounge access. The Passport card’s $150 fee buys you insurance, lounge access, and stronger grocery earn rates.
Verdict
The Scotia Passport Visa Infinite is the best mid-tier no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card in Canada. Its combination of FX savings, six complimentary lounge visits, solid insurance, and Scene+ earning makes it particularly valuable for internationally-minded Canadians.
The $150 annual fee pays for itself with moderate international spending. If you spend $8,000+ per year in foreign currencies, the math works clearly in your favour before accounting for lounge access or insurance value.
See also: best travel credit cards in Canada · best no-foreign-transaction-fee cards · Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite review