Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

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BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®

BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®

Apply Now

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®: 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

BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®

BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®

4.2


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

$500.78


First Year Bonus

$190


Annual Fee

$120


First Year Value

$690.78

$380.78 in years after

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

Insurance Included

  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1000
  • 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
  • travel accident medical

    Emergency Out of province Medical

    $2M/insured up to 25 days
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500/person after 4 hours

  • 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

  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $500/person, $1000 maximum
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $500/person, $1000 maximum After 6 hours
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $65,000 up to 48 days
  • heart lock

    Travel Accident

    $500,000
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    Up to a year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1000
  • travel accident medical

    Emergency Out of province Medical

    $5M up to 8 days per covered person
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500 After 4 hours delay

Extra Benefits

  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass

    6 Free complimentary visits

  • exchange money

    No Foreign Transaction Fees

  • exclusive

    Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits

  • concierge

    Concierge Services

  • star fall

    Status lift

    Avis® Preferred Plus membership

Extra Benefits

  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass

    Pass only, complimentary visits not included

  • car rental

    Car Rental Discount

    25% off base rate of participating National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car
  • gas station

    Gas Discount

    Get up to seven cents off per litre on Shell® fuel
  • tire

    Roadside Assistance

    Includes free battery boosts, flat-tire change, lockout service and towing
  • discount

    Hotel Booking Discount

    Save up to 7% on your Booking.com prepaid hotel or property rental bookings
  • wifi signal

    Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot

Interest Rates

Purchase:

20.99%

Cash Advance:

22.99%

Interest Rates

Purchase:

20.99%

Cash Advance:

23.99%

Annual Fee

$150

Annual Fee

$120

$0

First Year Waived

Income Required

Min Personal Income:

$60,000

Min Household Income:

$100,000

Income Required

Min Personal Income:

$80,000

Min Household Income:

$150,000

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

Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months with an incremental cashback value of $200

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

  • 5% cashback on groceries (maximum $25 per statement)
  • 4% cashback on daily transit (maximum $12 per statement)
  • 3% cashback on gas (maximum $9 per statement)
  • 2% cashback on recurring payments (maximum $10 per statement)
  • 1% cashback on all other credit card purchases.

Loyalty Program

Loyalty Program

N/A

Point Redemption Options

  • entertainment popcorn

    Entertainment

    1¢ / point
  • travel - plane

    Travel

    1¢ / point
  • groceries

    Groceries (Sobeys)

    1¢ / point
  • food location

    Restaurants

    1¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.76¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.74¢ / point
  • cash coins

    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?

If you're seeking a cashback credit card, the BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard® stands out for its excellent balance between rewards and benefits. It offers a robust rewards program and a comprehensive benefits list, making it a solid choice. The high first-year value is enhanced by the annual fee waiver, and those with a BMO Premium Chequing Account can enjoy continued fee waivers. While it's highly ranked for rewards alone, it may not be the absolute top choice if benefits are less important to you.

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

  • Offers one of the highest cashbacks on groceries and gas, two of the most frequently spent categories, compared to other credit cards in Canada.
  • Includes roadside assistance, a rare but valuable benefit for people on the road.
  • Provides a comprehensive list of insurance coverage and benefits.
  • High first-year value.

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

  • Does not include restaurant purchases as a reward category, which is one of the most important spending categories.

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®: When to go for one over the other


Annual Fees and Requirements

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite and BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard have different income requirements, with BMO requiring a higher personal and household income. Both cards charge a competitive annual fee, but the fee waiver for the first year on the BMO card adds initial savings. These differences in eligibility and fees could influence which card suits your financial situation better.

Rewards Structure and Signup Bonuses

In terms of rewards, the Scotiabank Passport focuses on earning points, especially in travel and entertainment categories, while BMO CashBack offers high cashback rates on essential spending like groceries and gas. Both cards feature attractive signup bonuses, but BMO’s card may offer slightly more upfront value due to its generous cashback on everyday purchases. Depending on whether you prefer points or cashback, one card may stand out more for your lifestyle.

Reward Redemption Options

The Scotiabank Passport allows point redemptions for travel, groceries, and merchandise, with travel offering the best value. In contrast, the BMO CashBack card is more flexible, offering straightforward cashback that can be used for anything. If flexibility in how you use your rewards is important, the BMO card offers the better redemption model since cashback can cover any expense.

Benefits and Insurance

Both cards provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including travel medical, trip cancellation, and purchase protection. However, the Scotiabank Passport stands out with its no foreign transaction fees and access to six complimentary airport lounge visits. BMO offers unique benefits like roadside assistance and gas discounts, which are ideal for drivers. Depending on your travel habits, these extra perks could be a deciding factor.

Networks and Acceptance

The Scotiabank Passport is a Visa, and the BMO CashBack is a Mastercard. Visa is widely accepted, but Mastercard has the added benefit of being accepted at Costco and classifies Walmart as a grocery store, earning additional rewards. If you frequently shop at these stores, the BMO Mastercard may provide better value.

Conclusion

Frequent travelers who want to avoid foreign transaction fees and enjoy premium travel perks should consider the Scotiabank Passport. However, those looking for flexible cashback rewards, especially for everyday purchases like groceries and gas, might find the BMO CashBack World Elite a better fit. Ultimately, the choice depends on whether you prioritize travel benefits or day-to-day savings.

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