Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

Apply Now
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

Apply Now

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card: Which one is better?


Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

4.3


RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

3.3


RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

Finly Rebate

N/A

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$343.9

Scene+


First Year Bonus

$250

Scene+


Annual Fee

$150


First Year Value

$443.9

$193.9 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$517

Air Canada Aeroplan®


First Year Bonus

$630

Air Canada Aeroplan®


Annual Fee

$120


First Year Value

$1,027

$397 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Insurance Included

  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $1000
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $65,000 up to 48 days
  • heart lock

    Travel Accident

    $500,000/insured, $1M combined
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1,000
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500/person after 4 hours

  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1000
  • travel accident medical

    Emergency Out of province Medical

    $2M/insured up to 25 days
  • travel accident medical

    Emergency Medical Over 65

    $2M/insured up to 3 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500/person, $10,000/trip
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $2,500/person, $10,000/trip

Insurance Included*

  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $500 (Aggregated with Flight Delay)
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $85K, up to 48 days
  • heart lock

    Travel Accident

    $500,000
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days, $1,000 per occurrence
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $500
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500 (Aggregated with Baggage Delay)

Extra Benefits

  • star fall

    Status lift

    Avis® Preferred Plus membership

  • exchange money

    No Foreign Transaction Fees

  • exclusive

    Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits

  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass

    6 Free complimentary visits
  • concierge

    Concierge Services

Extra Benefits*

  • star fall

    Status lift

    Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning Status Qualifying Miles and Status Qualifying Segments with purchases made on your account

  • luggage

    Free first checked bag

    Enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada®* flights
  • reward cup

    Extra points

    Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands
  • bed furniture

    Free Extra Night at Hotels

    Receive an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
  • Amex logo

    Amex Experiences™

    Amex Experiences™: From music and movies, to specially curated dining and online shopping opportunities, stay connected with all that we have to offer from the comfort of your own home

Interest Rates

Purchase:

20.99%

Cash Advance:

22.99%

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

30% Annual2

Cash Advance:

30% Annual2

Annual Fee

$150

Annual Fee*

$120

Income Required

Min Personal Income:

$60,000

Min Household Income:

$100,000

Income Required*

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

Welcome Bonus

Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, another 10,000 bonus Scene+ points after making $40,000 of purchases annually.

Welcome Bonus*

Earn 30,000 Aeroplan® points after spending $3,000 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Aeroplan® points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in month 13.

Rewards Rate

  • 3 Points on on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
  • 2 Points dining and at other eligible grocery stores,entertainment purchases which includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies and Rides which includes rideshare,buses,taxis, subways and more
  • 1 Point on everything else

Rewards Rate*

  • 2x Aeroplan® points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada vacations®*
  • 1.5x Aeroplan® points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada
  • 1x Aeroplan® point on everything else

Loyalty Program

Loyalty Program*

Point Redemption Options

  • travel - plane

    Travel

    1¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.76¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.74¢ / point

  • entertainment popcorn

    Entertainment

    1¢ / point
  • groceries

    Groceries (Sobeys)

    1¢ / point
  • food location

    Restaurants

    1¢ / point
  • cash coins

    Statement Credits (Cash)

    0.7¢ / point

Point Redemption Options*

  • travel - plane

    Travel

    0.825¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.75¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.72¢ / point

  • Most Optimal

    flight plane

    Aeroplan® Flights

    2.1¢ / point
  • car rental

    Car Rentals

    0.9¢ / point

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.

Is this card worth it?

This card comes with the free checked bag benefit, which can save hundreds on a single trip for you and your family, more than making up for the annual fee of the card. In addition, the card helps you reach the next Aeroplan Status faster with spending on the card. However, if you don't have a specific use for these two benefits, there are many better cards in terms of benefits and rewards.

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.

Pros

  • Free checked bag benefit: Every checked bag might cost you $60 - $100 per person on a round trip. The amount you can save in a year if you travel a few times or travel with a few companions can easily be much higher than the annual fee of the card.
    If you are interested in a higher Aeroplan Status, the card helps you get there faster.

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.

Cons

  • The main reward category is only for Air Canada purchases. Unless you are a frequent Air Canada traveler, this reward category is not useful to most people.
  • The only other rewards category offered is for food, and it doesn't offer that high of a reward rate either.
  • In terms of insurance benefits, the types and coverage amounts provided are lower compared to other cards with a similar annual fee.

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card: When to go for one over the other


Annual Fees and Requirements

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite and American Express Aeroplan both have annual fees that are somewhat similar, but the specific cost may differ slightly. The Scotiabank card requires a higher income threshold, with a minimum personal income requirement, while the American Express card doesn't have explicit income requirements listed. Overall, the Scotiabank card may be more suitable for those meeting the higher income qualifications.

Rewards Comparison

Both cards offer competitive rewards but differ in focus. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite emphasizes a broader range of spending categories, offering points on groceries, dining, and travel purchases. The American Express Aeroplan card is more focused on travel-related rewards, especially for frequent Air Canada travelers, with a higher signup bonus and better long-term value for travelers loyal to Aeroplan. However, the everyday spending categories are not as versatile.

Reward Redemption Options

When it comes to redeeming rewards, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite provides flexible options, including cashback, travel, and gift cards. Cashback is the most flexible choice, offering more freedom in how you use your rewards. The American Express Aeroplan card is best for those looking to redeem for Air Canada flights or partner airlines, with points offering more value when transferred to airline partners. However, it lacks the overall flexibility of cashback.

Benefits and Insurance

The Scotiabank card stands out with its no foreign transaction fees, making it highly beneficial for frequent international travelers. It also offers complimentary airport lounge access. The American Express Aeroplan card provides free checked baggage and faster Aeroplan status accumulation, which can be valuable for Air Canada loyalists. However, for general insurance coverage, the cards are similar, though Scotiabank provides a slightly more extensive package for most users.

Conclusion

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is likely a better choice for general travelers or those who prefer flexible rewards and no foreign transaction fees. The American Express Aeroplan card is ideal for those who frequently fly with Air Canada and can benefit from the free checked bags and Aeroplan rewards. Depending on your travel habits, either card could be a strong option, but the Scotiabank card may appeal to a wider audience due to its flexibility.

Legal


*American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check here for full details and current product information.
2 As a Charge Card, the balance must always be paid in full each month. 30% annual interest rate applies to balances not paid in full. Payments must be received and processed by the date of the next monthly statement to avoid interest charges.

We may earn a commission for some of the products featured on this site. The content and reviews on FinlyWealth are independent and not influenced by advertisers. For the latest details on any product, please visit the advertiser's official website. The content provided on this website, including any credit card recommendations, is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. The owner and author(s) of this website are not financial, legal, or tax professionals. All views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and may not reflect the best choice for your unique situation. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. The owner and author(s) of this website shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions in the content or any resulting actions taken by readers.

Copyright © FinlyWealth 2024 All Rights Reserved.