Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card: Which one is better?
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
4.8
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
3.4
Finly Rebate
Finly Rebate
N/A
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.
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*
Baggage Delay
$1000
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Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65,000 up to 48 days
Travel Accident
$500,000/insured, $1M combined
Extended Warranty
1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000
Flight Delay
$500/person after 4 hours
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1000
Emergency Out of province Medical
$2M/insured up to 25 days
Emergency 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
Insurance Included*
Baggage Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Flight Delay)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 days
Travel Accident
$500,000
Extended Warranty
1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days, $1,000 per occurrence
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Flight Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Baggage Delay)
Extra Benefits*
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Status lift
Avis® Preferred Plus membership
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
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Concierge Services
Extra Benefits*
Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning Status Qualifying Miles and Status Qualifying Segments with purchases made on your account
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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
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Receive an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
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%
Balance Transfer:
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 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.
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*
- 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
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
1¢ / point
Merchandise
0.76¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.74¢ / point
Entertainment
1¢ / point
Groceries (Sobeys)
1¢ / point
Restaurants
1¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
0.7¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Travel
0.825¢ / point
Merchandise
0.75¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.72¢ / point
Most Optimal
Aeroplan® Flights
2.1¢ / point
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.
vs American Express Cobalt® Card
vs TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
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®* Reserve Card
vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express
vs American Express Platinum Card®
vs American Express Cobalt® Card
vs TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
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 SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
vs Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®
vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express
vs American Express Platinum Card®
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.
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