3 Reasons the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card Should Be Your Go-To Travel Card

When comparing premium travel credit cards in Canada, the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card stands out due to its unique combination of benefits, making it particularly attractive to frequent travellers. The card offers no foreign transaction fees¹, complimentary lounge access, comprehensive insurance coverage, and earns flexible Scene+ points that can be redeemed for travel and other expenses. New cardholders can also earn up to 45,000 Scene+ points⁴ (worth $450 for travel redemption) by meeting spending thresholds, which more than offsets the annual fee and provides a significant head start in accumulating points.

As a frequent traveller who values flexibility in international spending, I consider this card my go-to for three specific reasons:

1. One of the practical advantages is the widely accepted Visa network. This is crucial when you’re in a small European town or rural Asia and need to pay for dinner or transit.
2. In addition to having no foreign transaction fees¹, the card includes valuable travel perks such as complimentary airport lounge access², which can be used globally, and Car Rental and Hotel Benefits². These benefits add value through complimentary upgrades, free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and late check-out privileges at select hotels.
3. Finally, the card offers a comprehensive travel insurance coverage available, providing added peace of mind while travelling.

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and perks that drive home the points mentioned above.

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card – Apply Now 

• Annual Fee: 
  • $150
    • Purchase Interest: 20.99%
    • Cash Advance Interest: 22.99%
  • Welcome Bonus:45,000 bonus Scene+™ points⁴ (Apply by January 1, 2026);
    • 35,000 points with at least $2,000 in everyday eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
    • 10,000 points with at least $40,000 in everyday net eligible purchases annually.
  • Earning Rate:
    • 3x at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland,and more²
    • 2x on other eligible grocery, dining, entertainment and daily transit purchases (including buses, subways, taxis and more)²
    • 1x on all other purchases²
  • Other Key Benefits:
    • Foreign currency purchases, whether online or outside Canada, do not incur an FX markup; only the exchange rate applies.
    • Complimentary Lounge Access—The primary cardholder gets six complimentary airport lounge visits annually. The Visa Airport Companion Program provides access to 1,200+ airport lounges globally.
    • Save on Car Rentals²—Get a complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership, which includes complimentary upgrades (when available) and discounts of up to 25% off the lowest available retail rate.
    • Visa Infinite Benefits
      • Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection—Enjoy benefits including room upgrades, complimentary WiFi and breakfast, early check-out, and more at over 900 properties worldwide.
      • Visa Infinite Dining Series – Get access to amazing dining events with top chefs at the best restaurants and wineries nationwide.
      • Entertainment and Lifestyle Offers—Access specially curated offers, including discounted golf, film screenings, retail promotions, and more.
      • Visa Infinite Concierge–Available 24/7, Complimentary concierge to help plan the perfect trip or a special occasion.
    • Comprehensive Insurance coverage⁵
      • Travel Emergency Medical Insurance
      • Trip Cancellation
      • Trip Interruption Insurance
      • Flight Delay Insurance
      • Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance
      • Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
      • Rental Car Collision Loss/Damage Insurance
      • Travel Accident Insurance
      • Purchase Security & Extended Warranty Protection

A detailed list of benefits and perks of the Card is listed here

Redeeming Scene+ points

With Scene+, you can make travel arrangements with any travel provider, site, or operator you choose, and then select the “Apply Points to Travel” option to redeem points to cover your trip costs within 12 months from the date of the eligible travel purchase. Simply:

1. Book eligible travel using your Card.
2. Wait for your travel purchase to be posted to your Card.
3. Log in and redeem your Scene+ points towards the travel purchase (10,000 points = $100).

Alternatively, you can choose to redeem your Scene+ points for non-travel redemptions, such as gift cards, prepaid cards, or other merchandise. You can also redeem points at over 700 dining partners, including Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, and Montana’s, or use the ‘Points for Credit’ option to receive a statement credit on your account.

Takeaway

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is an excellent choice for frequent travellers. Its combination of no FX fees¹, global acceptance, built-in travel insurance⁵, lounge access, and car rental perks creates a well-rounded card for those constantly on the move.

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Disclosures:

1 Exchange rate still applies. Conditions apply.
2 Conditions apply.
3 Certain assumptions apply. Actual value may vary.
4 With minimum spend in the 1st year. Conditions apply.
5 Coverages are underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiary First North American Insurance Company.  Limitations, restrictions and exclusions apply under all insurance coverages.  Please see the certificates of insurance for full coverage details.

*Conditions apply. See Card Provider’s website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.