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


Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

4.3

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RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

3.3

More Details

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

Finly Rebate

Now $150 until Oct 31, 2024

Finly Rebate

N/A

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$333.58

Scene+


Welcome Bonus

$250

Scene+


Annual Fee

$150


First Year Value

$433.58

$183.58 in years after

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

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$533.24

Air Canada Aeroplan


Welcome Bonus

$630

Air Canada Aeroplan


Annual Fee

$139


First Year Value

$1,024.24

$394.24 in years after

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

Insurance Included

  • 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
  • travel - plane

    Trip Interruption

    $2,500/person, $10,000/trip
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500/person after 4 hours
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1000
  • baggage on roller

    Baggage Delay

    $1000
  • heart lock

    Travel Accident

    $500,000/insured, $1M combined
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $65,000 up to 48 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1,000
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year

Insurance Included

  • 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
  • travel - plane

    Trip Interruption

    $2,500/person, $10,000/trip
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500/person after 4 hours
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1000
  • baggage on roller

    Baggage Delay

    $1000
  • heart lock

    Travel Accident

    $500,000/insured, $1M combined
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $65,000 up to 48 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1,000
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year

  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1,000

Extra Benefits

  • star fall

    Status lift

    Avis® Preferred Plus membership
  • exclusive

    Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits


  • exchange money

    No Foreign Transaction Fees

  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass

    6 Free complimentary visits
  • concierge

    Concierge Services

Extra Benefits

  • star fall

    Status lift

    Avis® Preferred Plus membership
  • exclusive

    Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits


  • fuel pump

    Gas Discount

    save up to 10¢/L on fuel at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations
  • car rental

    Car Rental Discount

    Get up to 25% off auto rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations worldwide.
  • baggage

    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
  • discount

    Discount

    Primary cardholders can often book flight rewards for even fewer points
  • bed furniture

    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%

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 $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

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

  • baggage on roller

    Travel

    1¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.74¢ / point

  • entertainment popcorn

    Entertainment

    1¢ / point
  • groceries

    Groceries (Sobeys)

    1¢ / point
  • food location

    Restaurants

    1¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.76¢ / point
  • cash coins

    Statement Credits

    0.7¢ / point

Point Redemption Options

  • baggage on roller

    Travel

    1¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.74¢ / point

  • Most Optimal

    plane

    Transfer to Airline Partners

    2.1¢ / 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.

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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