There are a lot of credit cards to choose from as a Canadian but as it stands right now there isn’t a stand out travel card that has all the perks most are looking for and also helps prevent you leaking money with every swipe of the card when you’re out of the country.  What I’m talking about are those pesky foreign exchange rate markups and yes they do add up.

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There’s an exciting new card in the market now and it’s packed with benefits and you’ll quickly learn why you probably want to sign up really soon.  This is my review of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card and why this is amazing for travellers.

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A Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Credit Card Review

scotiabank passport visa infinite canadian travel credit card
This is the original design of the credit card

In this review of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, I’ll delve into the main topic of foreign exchange fees and ultimately why this is such a good travel credit card for Canadians.  On top of that, keep reading to find out the promotion that’s going on for the card now and how you can capitalize on the bonus point offers.

Why this credit card is so good for travellers

Okay first it might make sense to go over this first.  Every time you swipe your credit card internationally, you naturally have to pay in the converted Canadian Dollar equivalent.  That’s straight forward right?  But what most people don’t realize is that the rate that they use for conversion is actually kind of bad because they tack on another 2.5% to the rate.

It’s completely hidden and embedded in the transaction so you never get to see it and because of how fluid the exchange rates are, it’s really hard to track.

That 2.5% adds up pretty quickly as you rack up the transactions.  Every trip you could be needlessly spending an extra $50-$100 in these fees alone.

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This is why foreign exchange fees matter  and as you’ll see with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, you’ll want to make this your primary card on the road as I have.

ANTE UPPED – CURRENTLY LIVE

Sign up now and get 40,000 bonus Scene+ points in your first year (that’s $400 in travel rewards)42!  Offer ends Apr 30, 2023.
Sign up now

Introducing the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

This is a relatively new product launched by Scotiabank in a world where a bunch of credit cards were being shut down including the beloved Amazon Visa and Marriott Visa which both had 0% FX mark-up.  Since then, they’ve left a hole in the market that didn’t have a lot of better options.

First and foremost this is definitely a travel card but what I like about it is that it’s truly versatile.  You get all the travel perks but it’s just a solid regular card for Visa spend throughout the year when you’re at home.

Why this card is worth getting

Boiling it down, here are my top 5 reasons why you should be getting the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite credit card.

  1. It’s a Visa – Yes I love my American Express but especially in Canada there just aren’t as many places that accept it.  This being a Visa solves all of that.
  2. No foreign exchange mark up – That 2.5% goes to 0% when you travel just like that.
  3. Bonus points to start – All you have to do is spend $1000 in the first 3 months and you get 25,000 Scene+ points which is good for $250 in travel redemption.
  4. 6 free access a year to Visa Airport Companion lounges – For most, 6 is more than enough in a year.  Heads up that you will pay $32 USD (subject to change) per person per visit after you’ve used up your 6.  Visa Airport Companion gets you into lounges such as Plaza Premium.
  5. More points right now – Yes the standard sign up is 25,000 but if you sign up here, you get 40,000 Scene+ points.  30,000 Scene+ points is for spending over $1000 in the first 3 months and an extra 10,000 Scene+ points if you end up putting $40,000 in spend on the card in the year.

What about travel insurance?

scotiabank passport visa infinite scene credit card

As a premium credit card, you get access to great travel insurance features which include:

  • Out of province / out of country emergency medical insurance up to $1-million for first 25 consecutive days for those under 65; or the first 10 days for eligible persons over 65
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
  • Flight delay insurance
  • Delayed and lost baggage insurance
  • Rental vehicle collision loss/damage insurance
  • Hotel / Motel Burglary

This is great coverage for a credit card that is on-par, if not better than the competition.

Okay so how much does this cost?

So one of the main questions we get about this card is how much will it cost to sign up.

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We have good news for you.  Currently, the first 12 months is free on top of the promotion right now to get 40,000 in points if you sign up today.

So if you do the math here…

$400 (bonus points value) + $42 (value of each lounge pass) x 6 – $042 (annual fee) = $652.  That means just based on the first year, you’re “making” $652 which is pretty sweet. That’s not even including any FX markup fees saved for using the card.

If this card sounds like it could work well with your lifestyle and you can take advantage of the travel benefits, jump on the offer to get that bump up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points.  Offer ends April 30, 2023.
Sign up now

What you should read next

Travel Resources For Your Next Trip

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.

Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.

Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.

  • AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
  • Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
  • KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
  • AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
  • Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
  • Ubigi – AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.

Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).

Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

  • HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 5% discount!
  • RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
  • SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
  • Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
  • InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

William Tang of Going Awesome Places
About The Author

Will Tang

Will Tang, founder of Going Awesome Places, has traveled to 51 countries. He shares his insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists. Will’s travels have been featured on Huffington Post, Men’s Journal, and Entrepreneur.

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The Discussion

  2. Is Scotiabank Passport Visa credit card a really good option on withdrawals in foreign countries? Well it does comes with no FX mark up, but you are charged CAD 7.50 on both ends. In foreign country for using their ATM, plus an additional cost on your Scotiabank passport card for CAD 7.50, which makes it CAD 15.00. You also get hit by daily exchange rate. Scotia doesn’t offer mid market rate. So is it a good card? Hell no.

    Reply

    1. I would highly recommend against using any credit card from withdrawing from the ATM. I’m pretty sure those kind of fees are normal for most cards and also that counting as a cash advance. I’d use your debit card for ATM withdrawals.

      Reply

    2. If you withdrew any money on any credit card in form of a cash advance throughout your life your opinion should not be considered on ANY subject.

      Reply