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American Express Cobalt® Card vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card: Which one is better?
American Express Cobalt® Card
5
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
4.8
Finly Rebate
N/A
Finly Rebate
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$1,096
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus
$315
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$155.8
First Year Value
$1,255.2
$940.2 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$343.9
Scene+
First Year Bonus
$300
Scene+
Annual Fee
$150
First Year Value
$493.9
$193.9 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Travel Accident
$250,000
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysFlight Delay
$500
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Insurance Included*
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1000Baggage Delay
$1000Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65,000 up to 48 daysTravel Accident
$500,000/insured, $1M combinedExtended Warranty
1 yearPurchase Protection
90 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000Emergency Out of province Medical
$2M/insured up to 25 daysFlight Delay
$500/person after 4 hoursEmergency Medical Over 65
$2M/insured up to 3 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500/person, $10,000/trip
Trip Interruption
$2,500/person, $10,000/trip
Extra Benefits*
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Travel Credit
Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.
Amex Experiences™
Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
Extra Benefits*
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the usual 2.5% forex fees on your purchases when you travel outside of Canada
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
6 Free complimentary visits.svg)
Concierge Services
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Status lift
Avis® Preferred Plus membership
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Annual Fee*
$155.8
Annual Fee*
$150
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
$60,000
Min Household Income:
$100,000
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your Card in the first Year
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 30,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $2,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite cardholder, you are eligible to earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $40,000 in everyday eligible purchases annually. Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate*
- 5x points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (up to 12,500 points per month)
- 3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Rewards Rate*
- Earn 3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
- Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options(including rideshares, buses, subways taxis and more)
- Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
- Earn additional benefits + up to 4x Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
Loyalty Program*
Loyalty Program*
Point Redemption Options*
Statement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.765¢ / point
Merchandise
0.63¢ / pointMost Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / point
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Merchandise
0.76¢ / pointGift Cards
0.74¢ / pointStatement Credits (Cash)
0.7¢ / point
Entertainment
1¢ / pointTravel
1¢ / point
Groceries (Sobeys)
1¢ / point
Restaurants
1¢ / point
Is this card worth it?
This card was voted the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
Is this card worth it?
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is a strong choice for frequent travelers, especially those who value flexibility and premium perks. It stands out with its rare benefit of no foreign transaction fees, making international purchases more cost-effective. Additionally, the card offers a valuable blend of travel perks, including airport lounge access, comprehensive insurance coverage, and flexible rewards, making it an ideal companion for those who frequently travel abroad and want to avoid extra fees while enjoying premium benefits.
Pros
- Points can be transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan® at a 1:1 ratio, making this card a solid Aeroplan® points earner as an alternative to Aeroplan® branded credit cards
- Generous welcome bonus of up to 15,000 points
- 4+ different ways of redeeming your points for great value
- 10 different types of insurance, including travel
- Often referred to as the Best Credit Card in Canada
Pros
- High Rewards on Select Purchases: Earn up to 3 points per $1 spent on select categories.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Shop abroad without additional charges.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Includes 11 types of insurance coverage.
- Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy up to 6 airport lounge passes per year through the Visa Airport Companion program.
Cons
- Less acceptance of American Express at different merchants across Canada
- Not all types of travel insurance are covered, especially trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Cons
- High Income Requirements: Requires $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income.
- Lower Overall Rewards: Rewards potential is lower compared to premium credit cards.
- High Annual Fee: Comes with a significant annual fee.
- Average Insurance Coverage: Insurance benefits are standard, not exceptional.
- Mediocre Earnings Potential: The card’s rewards structure might not offer the highest returns for every spender.
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Other Comparisons
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vs Rogers Red Mastercard®
vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®
vs American Express® Green Card
vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege*
vs TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®
vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express
vs American Express Platinum Card®
American Express Cobalt® Card vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card: When to go for one over the other
Annual Fees and Requirements
The American Express Cobalt® Card and the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card have similar annual fees, though the specific amount can vary. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite requires a minimum income level, potentially limiting eligibility for some applicants, whereas the American Express Cobalt Card does not have specified income requirements, offering broader accessibility.
Rewards Comparison
The American Express Cobalt® Card significantly outperforms the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card in terms of rewards, particularly for spending on dining, groceries, and travel. The lower value of Scene+ points results in the overall rewards from the Passport card being about one-third of what the Cobalt® Card offers. Additionally, the Cobalt® Card’s monthly rewards structure maximizes earning potential, making it the more rewarding choice for most users.
Reward Redemption Options
The American Express Cobalt Card offers more versatile redemption options, including the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners, which can provide significant value. In contrast, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card's redemption options are more limited and less flexible, primarily focusing on Scene+ points, which offer less versatility than the Cobalt’s statement credit or travel redemption options.
Benefits and Insurance
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card excels in travel-related benefits, offering no foreign transaction fees, airport lounge access, and comprehensive insurance coverage, including trip cancellation and interruption. The American Express Cobalt® Card, while offering strong lifestyle benefits and coverage, particularly for dining and entertainment, does not match the travel-specific perks provided by the Passport card.
Network Differences
Because the Scotiabank Passport card is on the Visa network, it is much more accepted both in Canada and internationally, whereas you might not get the same acceptance with the Amex Cobalt.
Conclusion
The American Express Cobalt® Card is the superior choice for most users, offering exceptional rewards, especially for those with significant spending on dining, groceries, and travel within Canada. However, the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a better fit for frequent travelers who value no foreign transaction fees, comprehensive insurance coverage, and broader acceptance in local and international locations.
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