Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card: Which one is better?
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
4.8
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
3.3
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
$541.37
Air Canada Aeroplan®
First Year Bonus
$630
Air Canada Aeroplan®
Annual Fee
$139
First Year Value
$1,032.37
$402.37 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1000
Baggage Delay
$1000.svg)
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
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
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500Baggage Delay
$500Car Rental Damage & Theft
yesTravel Accident
$500,000Extended Warranty
Up to 1 yearPurchase Protection
90 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$2,500Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
3 daysTrip Cancellation
$1,500Trip Interruption
$2,000Flight Delay
$500
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Extra Benefits*
Visa Infinite Exclusive 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
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
6 Free complimentary visits.svg)
Concierge Services
Extra Benefits
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Exclusive offersStatus lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite Status sooner: Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in eligible purchases made on your card
Car Rental Discount
Get up to 25% off auto rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations worldwide..svg)
Gas Discount
save up to 10¢/L on fuel at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations
Discount
Primary cardholders can often book flight rewards for even fewer points.svg)
Free first checked bag
Enjoy a free first checked bag for you, authorized users and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air Canada
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%, for Quebec 21.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Annual Fee*
$150
Annual Fee
$139
$0
First Year Waived
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
$60,000
Min Household Income:
$100,000
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$60,000
Min Household Income:
$100,000
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
10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase, 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $5,000 or more during the first 4 monthly statements periods, 10,000 Aeroplan points as an additional anniversary bonus when you have at least $10,000 in net purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods
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
- 1.5 Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
- 1 Aeroplan® point per $1 spent on all other purchases
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¢ / pointMerchandise
0.75¢ / pointGift Cards
0.72¢ / pointMost Optimal
Aeroplan® Flights
2.1¢ / pointCar 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?
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is great for Air Canada travelers who want to rack up Aeroplan points and enjoy perks like free checked bags and preferred pricing on flight redemptions. With solid reward rates in key spending categories like gas, groceries, and Air Canada purchases, this card offers decent returns. Additionally, the first-year annual fee waiver and comprehensive travel insurance make it a solid option for those looking for value without the upfront cost. However, its highest value is for people who frequently travel with Air Canada and make use of Aeroplan rewards, especially for flights.
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
- Generous Welcome Bonus: 40,000 Aeroplan points upon meeting the initial spending requirements.
- High Reward Rates: Earn up to 1.5 points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, EV charging, and Air Canada purchases.
- Air Canada Perks: Free checked bags for you and up to 8 companions when flying Air Canada.
- Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan Flights: Get access to better Aeroplan point redemption rates for Air Canada flights.
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
- Income Requirements: Requires either a $60,000 personal income or a $100,000 household income to qualify.
- Limited Redemption Value: The highest value for points is found when redeeming for Air Canada flights, limiting flexibility if you prefer other types of rewards.
Other Comparisons
Other Comparisons
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 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®
Other Comparisons
Other Comparisons
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 Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
vs CIBC Costco Mastercard
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card: When to go for one over the other
Annual Fees and Requirements
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card has a higher annual fee compared to the Scotia Momentum Visa* Card, which has a lower fee. Both cards share the same income requirements, needing either $60,000 in personal income or $100,000 in household income. If the fee is a key deciding factor, the Scotia Momentum may be more attractive for those seeking a lower-cost option.
Rewards Comparison
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card provides rewards through Scene+ points, with higher earning rates on travel, dining, and grocery purchases. It also offers a substantial signup bonus. On the other hand, the Scotia Momentum Visa* Card focuses on cashback rewards, which can be simpler and more flexible. While the Momentum card does not have a welcome bonus, it provides strong cashback rates for everyday spending, particularly on gas, groceries, and recurring bills.
Reward Redemption Options
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card allows point redemption for travel, entertainment, groceries, and merchandise through Scene+. However, these options may offer varying values, with travel generally providing the best value per point. The Scotia Momentum Visa* Card, on the other hand, offers cashback, which is more straightforward and can be used on any purchase. This makes cashback a more versatile option for most users.
Benefits and Insurance
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card stands out with its no foreign transaction fees and offers extensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation, baggage loss, and medical coverage. It also includes airport lounge access with six free visits per year, a perk not available with the Scotia Momentum Visa* Card. In contrast, the Scotia Momentum provides more basic insurance coverage, which may appeal to users who don't need extensive travel benefits.
Conclusion
For frequent travelers and those who value premium perks, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card is the better choice, thanks to its comprehensive travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and lounge access. However, individuals focused on earning cashback from everyday purchases, especially those seeking a lower annual fee, may find the Scotia Momentum Visa* Card more suitable.
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