Key takeaways
- $150 annual fee; 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances, as of October 10, 2026
- No 2.5% foreign transaction fee: you pay only the exchange rate
- 3 Scene+ points per $1 at listed grocers, 2 at other grocery, dining, entertainment and transit, 1 elsewhere
- First-year fee rebated if you open it on or after the day you open a new Preferred Package; later years need $15,000 spend for a $40 rebate
- Rough break-even: about $6,000 a year in foreign-currency spending, or $15,000 in bonus categories
What are the card’s permanent features?
Scotiabank now calls this card the Passport Visa Infinite+. These features are part of the card itself, not a promotion, as of October 10, 2026:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150. First extra card $0, then $50 for each more card |
| Interest rates | 20.99% purchases; 22.99% cash advances |
| Foreign transaction fee | None. Most Scotiabank cards charge 2.5% on foreign-currency purchases |
| Earn rates | 3 Scene+ points per $1 at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, participating co-ops and other listed grocers; 2 per $1 at other grocery stores, dining, entertainment and daily transit; 1 per $1 on everything else |
| Earn cap | The higher rates apply to the first $50,000 of spending in those categories each calendar year; after that you earn 1 point per $1 |
| Airport lounges | 6 free visits a year through the Visa Airport Companion Program (DragonPass). More visits cost US$32 each |
| Travel insurance | Emergency medical up to $2 million, trip cancellation up to $1,500 per person, trip interruption up to $2,500 per person, flight delay up to $500, delayed or lost bags up to $1,000, rental car damage when the full rental is on the card |
Insurance is provided by outside insurers, with conditions and exclusions. Read the certificate before you travel.
Can a newcomer get it with no credit history?
Yes, through Scotiabank StartRight. Scotiabank says a Canadian credit history is not required for a StartRight card, and the limit can be up to $15,000 based on income. Foreign workers need a letter from their Canadian employer confirming yearly income.
One point to check: the card’s own page lists a minimum income of $60,000 to $80,000 or more a year (or household income of $100,000 to $150,000 or more). The StartRight page does not repeat this. Ask Scotiabank whether the income test applies to you before you apply. If you are declined, a no-fee card is the usual first step; compare them in Momentum vs Scene+ Visa.
If you come from one of the 15 Nova Credit countries, you can later ask for a higher limit using your home credit report. See transferring foreign credit history.
Who pays the $150 fee, and when?
This is the part most reviews skip. The Preferred Package rebate rules changed on June 22, 2026.
- Year one, StartRight Preferred Package: the first annual fee is rebated (up to $150) on one eligible card opened on or after the day you open the Preferred Package. Past cardholders and people switching from another Scotiabank card do not qualify.
- Year two and later, Preferred Package: you get a $40 rebate only if you put at least $15,000 of purchases on the card in the 12 statements before the fee is charged. So you pay $110 or $150.
- Ultimate Package: Scotiabank’s terms describe a rebate of up to $150 on one eligible card. The wording does not make clear whether it applies every year or only to the first fee, so confirm with the bank. The Ultimate Package has its own monthly fee.
In short: for most newcomers, the card is free in year one and costs $110 to $150 a year after that.
Current welcome offer
Offer as of October 10, 2026. Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points when you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months, for new cards opened August 4 to November 1, 2026. All cardholders can also earn 10,000 bonus points a year by spending $40,000. Scotiabank shows this as “up to 35,000 points.” Points arrive about 8 weeks after you qualify. Banks change offers often; confirm on the bank’s site.
Scotiabank values 25,000 points at $250, or about 1 cent a point. Other ways to redeem can give less. People who held a Scotiabank personal credit card in the last two years cannot get the 25,000 points. It can also count for the $100 card bundle bonus. For that, open the card within 60 days of a new Preferred Package and make one purchase. See the StartRight offer.
Break-even math: when does $150 pay off?
Compare it with the no-fee Scotiabank Scene+ Visa. That card earns 2 points per $1 at the listed grocers and 1 point elsewhere, and charges 2.5% on foreign-currency purchases. The Passport earns 1 extra point per $1 at listed grocers and in dining, other grocery, entertainment and transit, and saves you 2.5% abroad.
- Foreign spending only: $150 ÷ 2.5% = $6,000 a year in foreign-currency purchases covers the fee.
- Bonus categories only: $150 ÷ 1 cent = 15,000 extra points, or about $15,000 a year in those categories.
- After the $40 rebate ($15,000 card spend): the gap is $110, or about $4,400 of foreign spending.
Worked example
Daniel spends $1,600 a month: $400 at a listed grocer, $300 on dining and transit, $700 on other things, and $200 in foreign currency (online shopping in US dollars and a trip home).
| Per year | Passport Visa Infinite+ | Scene+ Visa (no fee) |
|---|---|---|
| Points earned | 14,400 + 7,200 + 10,800 = 32,400 | 9,600 + 14,400 = 24,000 |
| Value at 1 cent a point | $324 | $240 |
| Foreign fee on $2,400 | $0 | −$60 |
| Annual fee (year two) | −$150 | $0 |
| Net | $174 | $180 |
In year two, Daniel comes out about even: the no-fee card is $6 ahead. If Daniel also holds a Preferred Package, his $19,200 of yearly card spending passes the $15,000 test for the $40 rebate. The Passport net then becomes $214, about $34 ahead. In year one, with the fee rebated and the 25,000-point welcome bonus, the Passport is well ahead. If Daniel spent more in foreign currency, the Passport would pull ahead. If he never did, the no-fee card would win clearly. Lounge visits add value only if you fly.
Who the card fits, by situation
- You travel home or shop in US dollars often: the missing 2.5% fee is the main reason to hold this card.
- You shop at Sobeys-group stores: the 3x rate adds up. These stores are not in every city, so check your area.
- You want to keep costs at $0: a no-fee card builds credit just as well. Credit history depends on paying on time, not on the card fee. See how to build credit fast.
- You may carry a balance: at 20.99% interest, any rewards disappear quickly. Pay the full balance each month.
How we handle offers. Offers on this page come from the bank’s own website and were last checked on October 10, 2026. Banks change offers often, so confirm the details on the bank’s site before you apply. No bank pays to be included or ranked here. If a link on this page ever earns us a commission, we will label it next to the link.