No foreign transaction fees, airport lounge access, and Scene+ points — is the Scotia Passport Canada's best travel card for international spenders? Updated March 2025.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $150 (first year often free) |
| Supplementary Card | First free, then $50/year |
| Interest Rate | 20.99% purchases |
| Income Requirement | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household |
| Earn — Grocery/Dining/Entertainment/Transit | 3 Scene+ points per $1 |
| Earn — Everything else | 1 Scene+ point per $1 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None (0%) |
| Airport Lounge Access | 6 complimentary Visa Airport Companion visits/year |
| Welcome Bonus | Up to 40,000 Scene+ points |
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite's most distinctive feature is its zero foreign transaction fee — one of very few Canadian credit cards to waive the standard 2.5% surcharge on foreign currency purchases. For Canadians who travel internationally or shop at US websites, this is a significant saving.
Example: On a $3,000 vacation charged to a standard Canadian credit card, you'd pay $75 in foreign transaction fees. On the Scotia Passport: $0. Do this twice a year and you've saved $150 — equal to the annual fee. For frequent international shoppers (Amazon.com, US retailers), savings compound quickly.
See our full guide on best no foreign transaction fee credit cards in Canada.
The card comes with 6 complimentary Visa Airport Companion lounge visits per year — access to hundreds of airport lounges worldwide including Plaza Premium and select partner lounges. Additional visits cost $32 each.
At roughly $30–$50 per lounge visit if purchased at the door, six free visits are worth approximately $180–$300/year. This alone offsets most of the $150 annual fee for a traveler who takes 3 international trips per year.
The card earns Scene+ points — Scotiabank's loyalty program with redemption options including:
The 3x earn rate on groceries, dining, entertainment, and transit makes it competitive — though Amex Cobalt's 5x on food still leads for pure point accumulation on restaurant spending.
The Scotia Passport's 25-day emergency medical coverage is among the best in its fee tier. Most comparable $139–$150 cards provide only 15–21 days. For retirees under 65 taking extended trips, the extra days provide real comfort.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is the best Canadian credit card for international travelers who want to eliminate foreign transaction fees while still earning meaningful rewards. The combination of 0% FX, lounge access, and strong medical insurance makes it one of Canada's most complete travel cards at the $150 price point.
KOHO's premium plans also have no foreign transaction fees — a great backup card while you build credit toward the Scotia Passport's $60K income requirement.
Try KOHO — Code 45ET55JSYAScene+ points earned on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite are worth 1 cent each across most redemption categories. However, the program has expanded significantly and now offers more options than many Canadians realize. For travel, you can book any flight, hotel, or car rental and redeem points at 1 cent per point as a statement credit — there are no blackout dates and no airline restrictions. For groceries, you can use points at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, and Foodland banner stores across Canada. For entertainment, Cineplex movies are a popular option.
The key to maximizing Scene+ is using it for travel redemptions. A $500 flight costs 50,000 points. At the Passport's 3x earn on dining, transit, and groceries, spending $2,000/month in those categories earns 72,000 Scene+ points/year — enough for over $700 in travel. That's an effective return of about 3% on those categories, which is competitive even against premium airline programs.
The other no-FX-fee Scotiabank card — the Scotiabank Gold American Express — earns 6x Scene+ at Canadian groceries (vs. the Passport's 3x) and costs $120/year vs. $150/year. However, the Gold Amex has no airport lounge access and only 6x applies at groceries (not dining or transit). For Canadians who prioritize grocery earning, the Gold Amex wins. For travelers who want lounge access and the most comprehensive travel insurance, the Passport Visa Infinite is superior. Many Scotia cardholders hold both.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is an excellent choice if: you travel internationally at least once a year and spend $200+ in foreign currency; you want comprehensive travel insurance included without buying separate coverage; you value airport lounge access; and you already bank with Scotiabank (new Scotia clients may get the first year free). It's less ideal if you primarily fly Air Canada (an Aeroplan card would be better) or if you spend most heavily on groceries and would benefit more from the 6x Scotia Gold Amex.