Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express: Which one is better?
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
4.8
SimplyCash® Card from American Express
3.8
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
$311.78
First Year Bonus
$100
Annual Fee
$0
First Year Value
$411.78
$311.78 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Travel Accident
$500,000/insured, $1M combined
Extended Warranty
1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1000
Baggage Delay
$1000.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65,000 up to 48 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000
Emergency Out of province Medical
$2M/insured up to 25 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$2M/insured up to 3 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500/person, $10,000/trip
Trip Interruption
$2,500/person, $10,000/tripFlight Delay
$500/person after 4 hours
Insurance Included*
Travel Accident
Up to $100,000Extended Warranty
1 yearPurchase Protection
90 days or theft up to $1,000 per occurrence
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
Extra Benefits*
Amex Experiences™
Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.992
Cash Advance:
21.992
Annual Fee*
$150
Annual Fee*
$0
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 $1,000 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. Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for the 25,000 bonus points offer. All cardholders remain eligible to earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ point bonus with an annual spend of at least $40,000. Expires January 2, 2025.
Welcome Bonus*
In your first 3 months as a new SimplyCash® Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a bonus 5% cash back on all purchases (up to $2,000 in purchases). That’s on top of your everyday cash back earn rates. That’s up to $100 in bonus cash back.
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*
- 2% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually)
- 1.25% cash back on all other eligible purchases
Loyalty Program*
Loyalty Program*
N/A
Point Redemption Options*
Entertainment
1¢ / point
Travel
1¢ / point
Groceries (Sobeys)
1¢ / point
Restaurants
1¢ / point
Merchandise
0.76¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.74¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
0.7¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Not Applicable
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?
The SimplyCash® Card from American Express stands out for its no annual fee and strong cash-back earning potential, offering up to $100 in statement credits within the first 10 months. What makes it even more appealing are the unique perks, such as early access to concert tickets and extra layers of security for online shopping. These extra benefits, along with the affordability, make it a strong contender for those looking for a reliable cash-back card with no annual fee. It's an excellent choice for everyday spending while still enjoying exclusive Amex advantages.
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
- No annual fee: The card does not charge an annual fee, making it accessible and cost-effective.
- Attractive cash-back rates: Offers a solid structure for earning cash-back on eligible purchases.
- Exclusive Amex perks: Provides benefits such as access to concert tickets and enhanced security for online shopping.
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
- Annual cash-back cap: Limits the total amount of cash-back you can earn within a year.
- Limited travel and shopping insurance: The card lacks comprehensive travel and shopping coverage compared to other premium cards.
- American Express acceptance: Amex is not accepted as widely as Visa or Mastercard.
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