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In Scotiabank’s suite of cards that earn Scene+ points, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + stands out in a few key ways. We’ll get to that soon, but more importantly: Scotiabank has just increased the sign-up bonus to 45,000 points!
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + – Apply Now
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + has just increased its welcome to a juicy 45,000 Scene+ points:
- 15,000 points when you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months
- 20,000 points when you spend $10,000 within the first 6 months
- 10,000 points when you spend $40,000 within the first 12 months
The sweet spot here is spending $10,000 in the first 6 months, with $3,000 spent in the first 3 months, to earn a welcome bonus of 35,000 Scene+ points. For most people, spending $40,000 more in the first year to earn an incremental 10,000 Scene+ points is not worth it.
The annual fee is a reasonable $150 with a strong earn rate of 2X on dining, entertainment, and transit (including rideshares). Generous benefits include no foreign transaction fees, six complimentary lounge access visits per year, and Avis Preferred Plus status.
Scene+ Points are Easy to Use
Scene+ points are the best fixed-value points currency because you can redeem them at 1 cent per point for travel charged directly to the card, with the value offset as a statement credit. There is no need to use the proprietary travel portal to unlock maximum value.
Redeem Scene+ at 1cpp
No Foreign Transaction Fees + Category Earn Rate Works Abroad
Not having foreign transaction fees is great and easily sets apart the Scotiabank Passport cards from other popular travel cards like the Amex Platinum. But within Scotiabank’s own collection of no-foreign-transaction cards, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + and Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege stand out by allowing categorized earn rates abroad.
A Grab in Malaysia? A sushi restaurant in Tokyo? A hotel charge at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris? All are eligible for 3X or 2X earnings, depending on the Scotiabank Passport card and spending category.
Earn 2X on your sushi dinner in Tokyo
It’s impossible to over-emphasize how powerful the combination of not having a 2.5% foreign transaction fee and earning 3X points on travel is.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege – Apply Now
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege card maintains its previous sign-up bonus of up to 80,000 Scene+ points, although with a different (better) breakdown:
- 40,000 points with at least $3,000 in everyday eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
- 30,000 points with at least $20,000 in everyday eligible purchases in the first 6 months.
- 10,000 points with one eligible purchase in the 14th month since opening the account.
The previous offer was also up to 80,000 points, but it distributed a smaller 30,000-point chunk upon reaching the minimum spend in the first 3 months, so this offer is objectively better, delivering more value sooner.
The annual fee is $599, offset by the $250 travel credit, and the card offers an impressive everyday earn rate of 3X points on travel and 2X on dining.
Other perks include 10 complimentary lounge visits per year, no foreign transaction fees, and Avis President’s Club status.
Compared to the Visa Infinite + variant, the Visa Infinite Privilege is especially suitable for use abroad due to the 3X earn rate on travel and the generous way Scotiabank defines travel.
Lounge Access
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege is PMB’s recommended “show up and get in” at airport lounges. The Visa Airport Companion Program offers 10 complimentary visits for the primary cardholder, which punches well above its weight class. For comparison, the Amex Platinum will limit lounge access to 12 visits per year in 2027, split into 6 Plaza Premium and 6 Priority Pass visits.
Access the WestJet Elevation Lounge with your Scotiabank Passport card
10 complimentary visits are more than those offered by competing Visa Infinite Privilege products. The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege offers just 6 lounge visits a year with a $100 difference in the annual fee and 4 extra visits is well worth $100. The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege offers 6 visits for an annual fee of $399, but the $250 travel credit on the Scotiabank card effectively lowers the annual fee.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + offers 6 complimentary visits a year and, again, stands out among its Visa Infinite competitors, as CIBC and TD offer 4 visits, while RBC offers none.
Takeaway
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + is particularly compelling with its increased welcome bonus of up to 45,000 Scene+ points. For a $150 annual fee, you’re also getting six complimentary lounge visits, no foreign transaction fees, and elevated category earn rates that apply abroad. That’s a strong package for a mid-tier travel card.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege remains my preferred option for frequent travellers, particularly those who can take advantage of its 10 complimentary lounge visits, 3X earnings on travel, and $250 annual travel credit. Its welcome offer of up to 80,000 Scene+ points is also attractive, although the higher annual fee and spending requirements make it a bigger commitment.
Ultimately, both cards are among the best options for Canadians who travel abroad, combining no foreign transaction fees with useful travel benefits and flexible Scene+ redemptions. With the improved welcome bonus, the Visa Infinite + is an especially attractive entry point, while the Visa Infinite Privilege makes more sense for those who travel frequently enough to justify its premium benefits.
