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Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.

NerdWallet Rating

NerdWallet CA

Good pick for Scene+ point collectors who spend money abroad.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and offers six complimentary airport lounge passes, plus 3x Scene+ points when you shop at eligible grocery stores. Learn more about how we evaluate cards .

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is a travel rewards card that earns Scene+ points, a reward program from Scotiabank and Cineplex. Points can be redeemed for entertainment, travel, dining and more.

Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card

• Annual Fee $150
• Interest Rates 20.99% / 22.99% 20.99% on purchases. 22.99% on cash advances.
• Rewards Rate 1x-3x Points Earn 3X Scene+ points for each dollar charged to your account on all eligible purchases¹ at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés TradItIon, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op. Earn 2 Scene+ points on every $1 you spend on eligible grocery stores, dining, entertainment purchases, and daily transit purchases (including buses, subways, taxis and more). Earn 1 Scene+ point on every $1 you spend on all other eligible purchases.
• Intro Offer Up to 35,000 Points To qualify for the 35,000 bonus Scene+ points: 1. Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. 2. 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 net eligible purchases annually. Offer Ends January 3, 2024.
• Earn up to $1,100+ in value in the first 12 months, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived on your first supplementary card. Offer Ends January 3, 2024.
• The only major bank credit card offering you no foreign transaction fees, including for shopping online or abroad.
• Your Award Winning Card For Travel.
• Earn 2 Scene+ points on every $1 you spend on eligible grocery stores, dining, entertainment purchases, and daily transit purchases (including buses, subways, taxis and more).
• Earn 1 Scene+ point on every $1 you spend on all other eligible purchases.
• You’ll earn 3X Scene+ points for each dollar charged to your account on all eligible purchases¹ at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés TradItIon, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
• Airport lounge access through complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program membership, plus six complimentary lounge visits per year from the date of enrollment, providing you with access to 1,200+ airport lounges globally, including participating Plaza Premium Lounges.
• Visa Infinite* benefits including Visa Infinite Concierge, Visa Infinite* Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite* Dining Series, and Entertainment & Lifestyle Offers.
• Access to Scotia SelectPay™.
• To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required, or a minimum assets under management of $250,000. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
• Terms and Conditions Apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details.
• Full review
• Customer ratings
• Eligibility
• How to apply

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card vs TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

• Rating methodology

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card full review

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is one of three Visa credit cards offered from Scotiabank that earn Scene+ points. It has the highest earn rate of the three cards, with 3x Scene+ points per dollar spent at eligible grocery stores.

Benefits of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

• No foreign transaction fees. 
• Complimentary membership to the Visa Airport Companion Program and six free airport lounge passes per year. 
• Complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership.
• Access to Visa Infinite Concierge Service, Visa Infinite Hotel Collection, which includes automatic room upgrades and in-room Wi-Fi, and Visa Infinite Dining and Wine Country — an exclusive dining program.  

Drawbacks of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

• Annual fee may not be in everyone’s budget. 
• Highest earn rate (3x Scene+ points) is only available for select grocery stores. 

Who should get the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card?

People who travel regularly, spend money abroad and shop at eligible grocery stores will get the most value out of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card.  

Is the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card worth it?

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card may be worth it if the benefits and perks offset the annual fee. According to the issuer’s website, cardholders can earn $387 in travel rewards ($100 annual bonus and $287 from an average annual spend in 2x earn rate categories), as well as save $104 in foreign transaction fees and $343 in airport lounge fees per year. The combined $834 value far exceeds the cost of the card. 

However, these savings are only applicable if you travel regularly, typically pay for airport lounge access and spend money abroad. 

» MORE: Best credit cards with airport lounge access

Our Nerd’s verdict: Ideal for globetrotters who want to avoid foreign exchange fees

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is optimal for travellers seeking perks to enhance their international adventures. Cardholders don’t pay foreign exchange fees. Plus, they get comprehensive travel insurance alongside six complimentary airport lounge visits annually — not bad for a card with a $150 annual fee.   The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite stands up as a general rewards card, too. It earns accelerated Scene+ points on money spent on groceries, restaurants and entertainment, with redemption options that span cash-back, travel rewards, account credits and more.  Now, as far as travel cards are concerned, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is missing a few perks that may be a dealbreaker for the seasoned jet-setter, like free checked bags, priority boarding and unlimited airport lounge access. Still, I think it shines as a mid-tier travel card with plenty to offer everyday spenders and travel enthusiasts alike. —Shannon Terrell

Scotiabank customer ratings

• Below average in customer satisfaction: Scotiabank ranks 7th out of 13 banks in J.D. Power’s 2023 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
• Low Trustpilot rating: 1.2 out of 5 possible stars based on over 860 customer reviews, as of this writing.
• Low Better Business Bureau rating: 1.17 out of 5 possible stars based on over 230 customer reviews, as of this writing. 

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card eligibility

Who qualifies for the scotiabank passport visa infinite card.

To apply for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you must:

• Be at least the age of majority in your province. 
• Be a Canadian resident.
• Have not filed for bankruptcy in the last seven years. 
• Have an individual annual income of at least $60,000 (or $100,000 per household) or at least $250,000 in managed assets.

Approximate credit score needed for approval

Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores , which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. However, higher scores generally mean better chances of approval, and that’s true regardless of the type of credit you’re applying for. Want to learn more? Visit our “ What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card? ” page.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card rewards

Earn 35,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year. 

• Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points when you spend at least $1,000 in the first three months. 
• Earn 10,000 bonus Scene+points when you spend at least $40,000 annually. 

Offer expires Jan. 3, 2024. 

• Earn 3x Scene+ points at select grocery stores. 
• Earn 2x Scene+ points on dining and groceries. 
• Earn 2x Scene+ points on entertainment, such as movie tickets. 
• Earn 2x Scene+ points on transit, such as taxis and subways. 
• Earn 1x Scene+ point on everything else. 

In the first year of ownership, you can earn up to $1,134 in savings and rewards, according to the issuer’s website:

• $637 in travel rewards ($250 welcome bonus, $100 annual bonus and $287 from an average annual spend in 2x earn rate categories). 
• $343 in savings due to the complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership and six lounge passes.
• $50 when you order an additional card (first year’s fee is waived).
• $104 in foreign transaction fees.

Point value breakdown

The value of Scotiabank Scene+ points may vary based on the redemption method you choose, but you can expect to get around one cent per point on travel, movies, dining, entertainment, banking, and retail, pharmacy and grocery shopping, according to NerdWallet’s analysis. 

How to apply for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

Follow the below steps to apply for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card:

• Click the “Apply now” button on the issuer’s website for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card.
• Review the card details and click “Agree and continue”.
• Enter personal information, such as name, phone number and email address. 
• Create a username and password. 
• Provide any financial and employment information, such as income and job status. 
• Submit any other requested documentation. 
• Review your application and submit. 

These two cards share similar annual fees, interest rates and Visa Infinite perks, but differ when it comes to rewards. If you’re keen on racking up Scene+ points, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is the better choice, but if you’re an Air Canada fan, TD’s Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card can help you earn Aeroplan points. 

Reasons you might want a different card

You may want a different card if:

• You want to earn a different reward, like Aeroplan points, Air Miles or cash back.
• You want a card with no annual fee. 
• You need a card with a low interest rate.  

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card facts

Rating methodology.

NerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology  include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.

Frequently asked questions about Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

To apply for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you must be at least the age of majority in your territory, be a Canadian resident, have not filed for bankruptcy in the last seven years and have an annual income of at least $60,000 ($100,000 for households), or have at least $250,000 in managed assets.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers complimentary membership to the Visa Airport Companion Program, plus six free airport lounge passes per year.

About the Author

Georgia Rose is a lead writer on the international team at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Independent and The Associated…

DIVE EVEN DEEPER

23 Best Credit Cards in Canada for April 2024

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• Travel Insurance
• Scotia Travel Insurance Review [year]

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Scotia Travel Insurance Review 2024

Updated: Jan 8, 2024, 1:17pm

Scotia Travel Insurance offers comprehensive coverage in the event of a medical or travel emergency. And if you’re worried about testing positive for COVID while travelling, the COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan has you covered. There’s also robust travel assistance services, including a mobile assistance app and medical concierge. If you have any pre-existing conditions, the Individual Medical Underwriting Plan can help you get the coverage you need. While the cost is comparable to other plans, Scotia Travel Insurance offers a lot of value, unless you live in Quebec, as travel insurance is not currently offered there.

• Comprehensive coverage
• Robust travel assistance services
• TravelAid mobile assistance app
• Individual Medical Underwriting Plan
• Not available for Quebec residents
• Not able to customize coverage
• No plan upgrades or add-ons
• No CFAR coverage

Table of Contents

About scotia travel insurance, what travel insurance does scotia offer, scotia travel insurance plans, summary: plan comparison, scotia travel insurance cost, comparing scotia travel insurance with other insurers, optional add-ons for scotia travel insurance, does scotia travel insurance offer any discounts, does scotia offer annual multi-trip plans, scotia travel insurance 24/7 travel assistance, does scotia travel insurance have cancel for any reason (cfar), does scotia travel insurance have interruption for any reason (ifar), scotia travel insurance and pre-existing medical conditions, scotia travel insurance exclusions, scotia travel insurance eligibility, how to file a claim with scotia travel insurance.

The Bank of Nova Scotia, now operating as Scotiabank, became the first chartered bank in Canada in 1832. With assets of over $1.4 trillion as of October 2023, Scotiabank is one of Canada’s Big Six Banks. Scotiabank offers personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets services.

Scotia Travel Insurance, distributed by the BNS Insurance Agency Inc., is underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife) and First North American Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife. Manulife has appointed Active Claims Management Inc. (operating as Active Care Management) as the provider of all assistance and claims services.

Scotia Travel Insurance is currently not available for Quebec residents.

Here are the key types of travel insurance coverage offered in Scotia Travel Insurance plans:

• Emergency medical insurance: If you get ill or are injured on your trip, travel medical insurance can pay for emergency medical expenses, up to the coverage limits in your plan. These expenses can include doctor and hospital bills, medication and lab work, as well as medical evacuations, repatriation and arranging for a bedside companion if you are hospitalized.
• Trip cancellation insurance: If you cancel a trip for a reason listed in your travel policy, such as you or your travelling companion becoming ill, weather conditions cause a massive delay or you lose your job, trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable costs.
• Travel interruption or delay insurance: Trip interruption insurance can pay for a last-minute flight home in an emergency and reimburse money that you lose by cutting a trip short due to a covered reason, including non-refundable activities and hotel stays. If your flight is delayed , your insurance can cover the cost of incidentals, such as meals or accommodations, after a specified period of time, such as six, 10 or 12 hours.
• Baggage insurance: Baggage travel insurance can compensate you up to your policy limits if your luggage is lost or stolen. It will reimburse the depreciated value of your suitcases and what you packed. If your bags are delayed, it can reimburse you for the cost of the necessities you’ll have to buy to tide you over. It also extends to your personal belongings, if they are lost, damaged or stolen.
• Travel accident insurance. This coverage offers compensation in the event of accidental death or catastrophic injury from an accident during your trip. Flight Accident Insurance covers injury while you’re on a commercial plane, during a connection or in an airport. Travel Accident Insurance covers death or dismemberment, including the loss of limbs or eyesight, while in transit during your trip.

Scotia Travel Insurance offers three core plans for travelling outside of Canada, as well as a COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan.

All Inclusive: This is the most comprehensive plan offered by Scotia Travel Insurance. It includes coverage for unforeseen medical emergencies, trip cancellation and interruption, flight and travel accident coverage, and baggage loss, damage and delay insurance.

Emergency medical treatment includes:

• Hospital accommodation up to a semi-private room and/or treatment expenses in an intensive care unit or coronary care unit
• Treatment by a physician
• Private duty nursing
• Rental or purchase of a hospital bed, wheelchair, brace, crutch or other medical appliance
• X-rays and other diagnostic tests
• Prescription drugs
• Paramedical services, such as care from a chiropractor, osteopath, physiotherapist, chiropodist or podiatrist, up to $70 per visit, maximum $700 per injury
• Ambulance transportation
• Emergency dental due to a blow to the face, up to $3,000 (up to $1,500 during your trip and up to $1,500 when you return home)
• Emergency dental due to pain, up to $300

Medical benefits also include coverage to bring someone to your bedside, expenses for meals, hotel accommodations and associated expenses if you are hospitalized and/or if a medical delay prevents you from returning home, repatriation expenses and return of your remains if you die.

Emergency Medical: If you’re only worried about medical emergencies while travelling, this benefit offers all of the medical coverage listed above.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption: This coverage option reimburses you for insured non-refundable travel expenses (such as hotels or prepaid excursions) if you have to cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip due to a covered reason. This benefit also includes baggage loss, damage and delay coverage, flight and travel accident coverage, and provides a specific benefit for a missed connection.

COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan: This plan helps protect you from unexpected emergency medical expenses and includes additional benefits for COVID-19-related expenses. Specifically, this plan pays up to $5 million for non-COVID-19-related claims and up to $5 million for COVID-19-related expenses if you are fully vaccinated, and up to $1 million if you are not. There are also interruption benefits if you need to self-isolate or quarantine.

We’ve highlighted the key benefits of Scotia Travel Insurance for the three core single trip plans to help you identify which coverage is the best fit for you.

The price of a Scotia Travel Insurance plan depends on factors such as the cost of your trip, your age, your answers to a medical questionnaire, if required, and the amount of coverage you choose.

You can reduce your premium cost by choosing a $500, $1,000, $5,000 or $10,000 deductible, or the amount you pay out before coverage kicks in, for the emergency medical insurance.

Here’s how each deductible option impacts your premium:

Scotia Travel Insurance offers the following coverage options:

• Companion, defined as two travellers travelling together
• Family coverage, defined as up to four adults under the age of 60 (parents and/or grandparents) and their dependent children travelling together

Here are some examples of the cost for Scotia Travel Insurance single trip plans for healthy travellers based in Ontario assuming a $0 deductible:

When you start the quote process, you are asked if you are new to Scotiabank or an existing Scotiabank customer. Depending on your answer, you will continue your quote on the Scotiabank web interface or the Scotia Insurance (BNS Insurance Agency) interface. However, using the above sample quote of the solo traveller visiting the UK, the premium costs are the same, as are the insurance policies.

CIBC Travel Insurance

Emergency medical: $10 million Cancel For Any Reason: No Baggage insurance (maximum): $2,000

Related: CIBC Travel Insurance Review

BMO Travel Insurance

Emergency medical: $5 million Cancel For Any Reason: No Baggage insurance (maximum): $750

Related: BMO Travel Insurance Review

RBC Insurance

Emergency medical: Unlimited Cancel For Any Reason: No Baggage insurance (maximum): $1,000

Related: RBC Insurance Travel Insurance

Scotia does not offer additional add-ons, endorsements or upgrades for its travel insurance.

Yes, Scotia offers the Travel Companion Savings discount. When a travel companion also purchases any Scotia Travel Emergency Medical Plan, the premium is reduced by 5% for each traveller.

Yes. You can buy multi-trip annual insurance if you travel more than once a year for multiple individual trips. Scotia offers a Multi-Trip Emergency Medical plan for four, 10, 18, 30 or 60 days, or a Multi-Trip All Inclusive Plan for four, 10, 18 or 30 days.

Worldwide emergency travel assistance is available 24/7 by calling the Active Care Management Assistance Centre, Scotia’s appointed claims and assistance provider.

You can also get immediate access to the Assistance Centre via the TravelAid mobile app that includes features such as:

• Medical facility search by GPS
• International 911 lookup
• Travel tips
• Starting your claim process
• A direct link for immediate 24/7 medical assistance

When you have a travel emergency, depending on your coverage, the following support may be available:

• Verifying and explaining coverage
• Referral to a physician, hospital or other health-care provider
• Monitoring your medical emergency and keeping your family informed
• Arranging for return transportation home when medically necessary
• Arranging of direct billing of covered expenses (where possible)
• Assistance with lost, stolen or delayed baggage
• Assistance in obtaining emergency cash
• Translation and interpreter services in a medical emergency
• Emergency message services
• Help to replace lost or stolen airline tickets
• Assistance with obtaining prescription drugs
• Assistance in obtaining legal help or bail bond

The Assistance Centre also provides the following pre-trip services:

• Passport and travel visa information
• Health hazards advisory
• Weather information
• Currency exchange information
• Consulate and embassy locations

You must contact the Assistance Centre before receiving medical treatment or you may have to pay 20% of the eligible medical expenses. If you are unable to call, you must get someone to call on your behalf. For other insurance coverage, such as trip cancellation or interruption, you must call within 48 hours.

The insurer notes that if you choose to pay eligible expenses directly to a medical provider before prior approval, the reimbursement amount will be based on the “reasonable and customary” charges that the insurer would have paid directly to the provider. You will be responsible for any difference.

Scotia Travel Insurance also offers StandbyMD, a medical concierge service that provides telephone access to a physician who can assess your symptoms and provide treatment options, as well as house-call visits in 86 countries and 4,000 cities. In addition, when you travel to the US, StandbyMD offers the following services:

• Same-day coordination and delivery of lost or forgotten prescription maintenance medication, eye glasses, contact lenses and medical supplies
• Referral to medical specialists, chiropractors, dentists, walk-in clinics, urgent care centres or more than 50,000 hospitals for evaluation and treatment
• Physician co-ordination to an emergency room and, whenever possible in select cities, will “fast track” you through the emergency room

In general, a pre-existing condition is defined as any sickness, injury or medical condition that existed before the start of your coverage, whether or not diagnosed by a physician, that you showed signs or symptoms of or received medical attention for.

With a Scotia Travel Insurance policy, any pre-existing conditions must be stable for three or six months, depending on your age and health status, before the start of your policy to be eligible for coverage.

According to Scotia, a medical condition is considered stable when all of the following are true:

• There has not been any new treatment prescribed or recommended, or changes to the existing treatment, including a stoppage in treatment.
• There has not been any change in medication, or any recommendation or starting of a new prescription drug.
• The medical condition has not become worse.
• There has not been any new, more frequent or more severe symptoms.
• There has been no hospitalization or referral to a specialist.
• There have not been any tests, investigation or treatment recommended, but not yet complete, nor any outstanding test results.
• There is no planned or pending treatment.

Travellers aged 59 and under are not required to complete a health questionnaire and are automatically assigned a Rate Category A.

Travellers aged 60 or over are required to complete a health questionnaire to determine your eligibility and rate category, either B or C.

Your rate category determines the period of the stability requirement for coverage of any pre-existing medical condition(s).

For policyholders assigned a Rate Category A, Scotia will not pay any expenses related to:

• Any pre-existing condition that is not stable in the three months before your coverage begins
• Any heart condition that has not been stable in the three months before your coverage begins or you’ve taken any form of nitroglycerin for angina pain
• Any lung condition that has not been stable in the three months before your coverage begins or you’ve required treatment with oxygen or prednisone

For policyholders assigned a Rate Category B or C, Scotia will not pay any expenses related to:

• Any pre-existing condition that is not stable in the six months before your coverage begins
• Any heart condition that has not been stable in the six months before your coverage begins or you’ve taken any form of nitroglycerin for angina pain
• Any lung condition that has not been stable in the six months before your coverage begins or you’ve required treatment with oxygen or prednisone

Scotia Travel Insurance also offers an Individual Medical Underwriting Plan for travellers of any age who would like their pre-existing medical conditions covered with no stability requirements. When you call and speak to an insurance representative, you will need to answer questions regarding your medical condition(s). The cost will vary according to your health needs and circumstances. If you do not answer all questions truthfully and accurately, in the event of a claim, you may not be eligible for coverage.

In addition to pre-existing condition exclusions, there are a number of scenarios not covered by travel insurance and it’s critical to know what not to do before you make a claim. The following are general exclusions to coverages provided by Scotia Travel Insurance:

• Covered expenses that exceed the “reasonable and customary” charges where the medical emergency happens
• Diagnostic tests, including MRIs, CAT scans, ultrasounds, biopsies, or any surgery (with exceptions) that are not approved in advance
• Any non-emergency, investigative or elective surgery, such as cosmetic surgery, chronic care or rehabilitation
• Continued treatment once your medical emergency has ended
• An emergency resulting from mountain climbing requiring specialized equipment, rock climbing, parachuting, skydiving, hang-gliding or any other air-supported sporting device, participating in a motorized speed contest, your professional participation in a sport, snorkeling or scuba-diving when that sport, snorkelling or scuba-diving is your principal paid occupation
• Self-inflicted injuries, unless the injuries are related to a mental health illness
• Committing or attempting to commit a criminal act
• Non-compliance with recommended or prescribed therapy or treatment
• Any loss, injury or death related to intoxication, the misuse, abuse, overdose or chemical dependence on medication, drugs, alcohol or other intoxicant
• Any loss resulting from a minor mental or emotional disorder
• Your routine prenatal care, pregnancy, childbirth or complications from either in the nine weeks before or after your expected due date, or a child born on the trip
• For insured children under the age of two, any medical condition related to a birth defect
• Any emergency that occurs or recurs after you’ve been advised to return home and you chose not to
• Death or injury sustained while piloting an aircraft, learning to pilot an aircraft or acting as a member of the crew
• Any act of terrorism or medical condition sustained in a country, region or city with a Government of Canada Level 3 (avoid all non-essential travel) or Level 4 (avoid all travel) is in effect before your coverage began
• Any act of war, noting that limited coverage exists with respect to an act of terrorism

There may be additional exclusions specifically for medical, trip cancellation/interruption/delay and baggage coverage.

To be eligible for Scotia Travel Insurance you must be:

• A resident of Canada and covered under a government health insurance plan
• At least 30 days old

In addition, the following makes you ineligible for Scotia Travel Insurance:

• Your physician has advised you not to travel at this time.
• You have a terminal illness or metastatic cancer.
• You require kidney dialysis.
• You have used or been prescribed home oxygen in the last 12 months.
• You have had a bone marrow, stem cell or organ transplant (with an exception for corneal transplants).

You can file a claim 24/7 by visiting the TravelAid mobile app, online at the Active Care Management claims portal (the insurer’s assistance and claims service provider), by email or by phone.

Claims must be reported within 30 days of the occurrence and you must submit your proof of claim within 90 days of the claim or the service provided. Your reimbursement will be paid out within 60 days, after your proof of claim and all documentation has been received. Completed claims forms and required documents can be submitted online, by email or by mail.

If you are making an emergency medical claim, documentation may include (but is not limited to):

• Original itemized receipts for all bills and invoices
• Proof of payment by you and any other benefits plan
• Medical records, including complete diagnosis by the attending physician or documentation by the hospital that must support that the treatment was medically necessary
• Proof of the accident if you are submitting a dental claim
• Proof of travel
• Your historical medical records, if required

For a trip cancellation/trip interruption/trip delay claim, you may be asked to provide:

• A medical certificate completed by the attending physician and stating why travel was not possible as booked, if the claim was for medical reasons
• A report from the police or other responsible authority documenting the reason for the delay if your claims is due to a misconnection
• Complete original unused transportation tickets and vouchers
• Original passenger receipts for the new tickets you had to purchase
• Original receipts for the travel arrangements you had paid in advance, and for the extra hotel, meal, telephone and taxi expenses you may have had
• The entire medical file of any person whose health or medical condition is the reason for your claim
• Any other invoice or receipt supporting your claim

If you are making a baggage insurance and personal effects claim, you may need to provide:

• In the event of theft, burglary, robbery, malicious mischief, disappearance or loss of an item covered under this insurance, you must obtain written documented evidence from the police, or if the police are unavailable, the hotel manager, tour guide or transportation authorities as proof of loss, damage or delay
• Damaged items for appraisal as the insurer covers the actual cash value of your property when it is damaged
• Proof that you owned the items and receipts for their replacement

If you are making an accident insurance claim, you may need to provide:

• A police, autopsy or coroner’s report
• Medical records
• A death certificate

Scotia Travel Insurance FAQs

Does scotia travel insurance pay for medical costs upfront.

According to the company, “The Assistance Centre has existing relations with certain medical providers all over the world to ensure medical emergency situations are handled as smoothly as possible. Our Assistance Centre will communicate with your medical provider, arrange direct billing where possible and coordinate payment of the emergency service received.”

Does Scotia Travel Insurance offer coverage extensions?

Yes. Your coverage is automatically extended for up to 72 hours if your return home is delayed due to a transportation issue. If you or your travelling companion are hospitalized, your coverage is extended for the period of hospitalization, plus up to five days after discharge. If you or your travelling companion are too sick to travel on your return date but do not require hospitalization, your coverage is automatically extended for up to five days.

If you want to stay longer on your trip, you can extend your coverage if you apply before the expiry date of your policy as long as there has been no event that has resulted or may result in a claim, and there has been no change to your health.

Does Scotia Travel Insurance require a medical questionnaire?

Yes. Travellers aged 60 or over are required to complete a health questionnaire to determine your eligibility and rate category.

Does Scotia Travel Insurance have any age restrictions?

Yes. You must be a minimum of 30 days old and no maximum age.

When does my coverage with Scotia Travel Insurance begin?

In general, if you purchase cancellation coverage, it begins the day you buy your policy and ends the day when you make a claim or leave on your trip. Your medical and interruption coverage, if purchased, begins when you leave home. Your delay coverage begins once an insured risk prevents you from returning home as scheduled.

Does Scotia Travel Insurance offer a free look period?

Yes. You have 10 days after purchase to review and return the certificate for a full refund, as long as you have not left on your trip and a claim has not been incurred.

Can I get a refund with Scotia Travel Insurance?

Refunds and cancellations are not available for any all inclusive plans, the Trip Cancellation/Interruption plan or the Multi-trip Emergency Medical plan.

If you’ve purchased an Emergency Medical plan, you can cancel your insurance prior to leaving on your trip. If you return home early, you can cancel your remaining coverage (less a $25 fee) provided:

• There has been no claim reported or initiated.
• You have not been provided with any assistance services.
• You have mailed your written request with proof of your return home.

Fiona Campbell is a Staff Writer for Forbes Advisor Canada. She started her career on Bay Street, but followed her love for research, writing and a good story into journalism. She is the former editor of Bankrate Canada, and has over 20 years of experience writing for various publications, including the Globe and Mail, Financial Post Business, Advisor’s Edge, Mydoh.ca and more.

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How premiums are calculated

Calculating Premiums Your premium is calculated based on your Daily Balance multiplied by the Daily Premium Rate. Your cost of coverage is the sum of the calculated premiums for the billing period. 

Mary is a primary credit card holder under the age of 70 and is enrolled in Scotia Credit Card Protection insurance. For the month of July, Mary has the folowing balances over 31 days.

Mary's insurance premium for the July billing cycle is $7.70 + provincial sales tax, where applicable.

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Scotia Credit Card Protection

We may not be able to see tomorrow, but we can plan for it

Protecting tomorrow 

We can’t see tomorrow, but we can plan for it.  Get Scotia Credit Card Protection today, for when you may need a helping hand financially to get you through certain difficult times.

Scotia Credit Card Protection insurance can help offer your family the financial protection they need when it matters most. This optional insurance 1  coverage can pay off your outstanding account balance or help cover your monthly credit card payments as a result of certain unexpected events that may have significant financial impact, such as:

Can pay your outstanding account balance up to $50,000 if you die.

Critical Illness

Can pay your outstanding account balance up to $50,000 if you are diagnosed with a  covered critical  illness.

Heart Attack

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Can provide a monthly benefit equal to 20% of your outstanding account balance based on the date of disability  for up to 5 months.  

Job Loss/Strike & Lockout

Can provide a monthly benefit equal to 20% of your outstanding account balance based on the date of job loss, and strike or lockout  for up to 5 months.   

Employed person is laid off or terminated by Employer

Self-employed person declares bankrupt under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

 Unemployed due to a strike by an employee group or Lockout of employees by management. 

• $1.09 per $100 of daily balance on your credit card account (plus any applicable sales tax).
• Benefits are extended to cover an eligible co-borrower on your insured credit card account at no additional cost.

Eligibility

• Primary Cardholders, between the ages of 18 and under 70 years old, who are Canadian residents, are eligible to apply.
• To be eligible for the Disability, Job Loss and Strike/Lockout out benefit you must be actively working a minimum of 20 hours per week for 180 consecutive days.

Learn how your premiums are calculated

Need help making a claim.

    Frequently Asked Questions

General Exclusions

No benefits are payable under this insurance if death, Critical Illness or Disability resulted directly or indirectly from:

•       intentionally self-inflicted injury, suicide or attempted suicide, while sane or insane (for the death or Disability benefit this exclusion is only applicable within the first 12 months following the Effective Date of Your coverage);

•       declared or undeclared war unless on active military duty as a member of the Canadian Forces or Canadian Forces reserve

•       any nuclear, chemical or biological contamination due to any act of terrorism;

•       the commission or attempted commission of a criminal offence;

•       the intentional taking of drugs, except where prescribed by a Doctor and taken as directed;

•       any poisonous substance, gas or fume of any kind voluntarily taken, administered, absorbed or inhaled;

•       the operation or control of any motorized vehicle or water craft with blood alcohol concentration in excess of legal limits in the jurisdiction where the death, Critical Illness or Disability occurred;

•       a pre-existing condition, if death, Critical Illness or Disability occurs within 12 months of the Effective Date of Your coverage. For the purposes of this exclusion, a pre-existing condition is defined as any sickness or injury for which You or the Co-borrower, as applicable, received medical advice, consultation, investigation, diagnosis, or for which Treatment was required or recommended by a Doctor, during the 12 months prior to the Effective Date of Your coverage.

SCOTIA CREDIT CARD PROTECTION - Product Summary and Fact Sheet - Scotiabank N/A | pdf : 744 KB

Scotia Credit Card Protection - Scotiabank N/A | pdf : 204 KB

105809_Scotia_Credit_Card_Certificate.indd N/A | pdf : 1 MB

Life Claim Form N/A | pdf : 319 KB

Job Loss Claim Form N/A | pdf : 484 KB

Disability Claim Form N/A | pdf : 448 KB

Critical Illness Claim Form N/A | pdf : 353 KB

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1   A waiting period and pre-existing conditions apply to certain coverages. Critical Illness, Disability, Job Loss and Strike or Lockout coverages end at age 70; however, Life insurance coverage remains in place until the Primary Borrower reaches age 80. Full details of the coverage, including when coverage begins and ends, how to make a claim, terms and conditions, and limitations and exclusions, are outlined in the Certificate of Insurance.

Scotia Credit Card Protection is underwritten by Chubb Life Insurance Company of Canada under a Group Policy issued to the Bank of Nova Scotia. All coverage is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Certificate of Insurance which you will receive upon enrolment.

Travel Insurance is currently not available for Quebec Residents.

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Already a Scotiabank customer?

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Travel Insurance

The plan if things don’t go as planned

Top reasons to pack Scotia Travel Insurance

Consider a plan with All Inclusive coverage

Save on premiums if you only travel within Canada

Choose a plan that suits the way you travel

Emergency medical coverage includes 24-hour Medical Concierge benefit

Which insurance plan is right for you?

Travelling Canadians

Knowing you’re protected makes every journey more rewarding.

• Get up to $10 million CDN in emergency medical insurance
• Choose the coverage that suits you best: COVID 19 Pandemic Travel, Emergency Medical, Trip Cancellation/Interruption or All Inclusive Plans.
• Get further savings if you are a family

Student Plans

Medical insurance coverage for those studying abroad or within Canada.

• Up to $2 million CDN in emergency medical insurance
• Great for Canadian students studying in another province or country
• Ideal for international students studying in Canada
• If your school has medical insurance requirements, a Student plan may meet these requirements

Visitors to Canada

Explore Canada knowing you and your loved ones are protected.

• Flexible covered amounts available
• Emergency medical insurance for those up to 85 years old
• Available for singles, couples and families 1
• Great for visitors coming to Canada for an extended period

Helpful tools and resources

Packing for Your Vacation

Once you have chosen your destination, the next question is "what should I pack?".

Plan a Trip

Usually travel involves months of planning but sometimes it can be a spontaneous, last minute decision. Make sure you are prepared.

Protecting Your Home While You’re Away

Before heading out, deter intruders with this collection of tips and suggestions.

Need advice selecting a plan?

Frequently asked questions, why does any canadian travelling out of country need travel insurance if a traveller gets sick when travelling, won't their government health insurance plan pay for their medical expenses.

Please refer to the Government of Canada website for their recommendation on this matter:  https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/documents/travel-insurance

Is medical travel insurance necessary when travelling within Canada?

Government health insurance plans do have limits on the reimbursement of the emergency medical expenses incurred while in another province. For example, air and ground ambulance costs, emergency dental treatment and prescription drugs might not be covered outside your province of residence. For maximum protection, purchase additional medical coverage even while travelling within Canada.

In the case of a medical emergency I am supposed to call the Assistance Centre. What if I don't get a chance to do that - will I still be covered?

We ask you to call our Assistance Centre ( 1-877-372-2988 ) so that we can confirm your enrolment under the plan, and, with the healthcare provider, manage the benefits in accordance with your policy. By calling the Assistance Centre, you may avoid out-of-pocket expenses. If you do not call the Assistance Centre, you will have to pay 20% of the medical expenses normally covered under this insurance. If it is medically impossible for you to call, please have someone call on your behalf. It is your responsibility to ensure that the Assistance Centre has been notified.

Can coverage be extended during my trip?

If you are already on your trip, you can extend coverage by calling Customer Service provided there has been no claim, no injury, sickness, or symptom has occurred that would give rise to a claim, or a change in your health. In addition, you must request the extension before your coverage expires and pay the appropriate premium. If you have a medical condition or pending claim, approval of the extension of your coverage is subject to approval.

If you have a Multi Trip Plan,  you must top up your coverage before you leave home by purchasing an Emergency Medical Top-Up plan for the additional number of days beyond the duration provided by your Multi Trip.

COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan [To be kept within the Travelling Canadians section] 

What is covered if I need to quarantine at location, duration of coverage, maximums?

Scotia Travel Insurance offers a COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan, which offers coverage in the event of quarantine outside of Canada. Coverage is for expenses such as your additional and unplanned commercial hotel and meal costs. You may receive:

1.            Up to $200 per day to a maximum of $2800 per person; or

2.           Up to $400 per day to a maximum of $5600 per family if you purchase family coverage.

These amounts are in Canadian dollars and coverage is provided for up to 14 days. 

Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan provide coverage with an “avoid non-essential travel" advisory, and if yes what happens if the Government changes it to a “avoid all travel"?

If on your departure date, an “avoid non-essential travel advisory” is in place for your destination, and your emergency or medical condition is unrelated to the travel advisory, you may submit your claim. Note: For claims due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) the “avoid non-essential travel advisory” does not apply.  Claims relating to treatment for Coronavirus (Covid-19) that you experience on a cruise, may be submitted if you are fully vaccinated. 

If the advisory changes to “avoid all travel”, and you departed prior to the date the travel advisory changed, you will continue to have medical coverage for COVID-19 and related complications for the full duration of your trip. Treatment for Coronavirus (Covid-19) that you experience on a cruise, may be submitted if you are fully vaccinated.

Are Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests that are required in destination or prior to returning home covered under the Pandemic Plan?

No, PCR tests, vaccines, immunizations, visas, passports, and other travel requirements are the responsibility of the traveller and are not covered under the COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan.

Is there trip cancellation coverage prior to departing Canada within the COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan?

The COVID-19 Pandemic Plan does not have any trip cancellation coverage. This plan includes emergency medical benefits and trip interruption benefits. You may also consider purchasing a Trip Cancellation/Interruption Plan. 

Does Manulife, the underwriter of the Scotia Travel Insurance program, pay upfront for medical, and/or quarantine benefits?

In the event of a medical emergency, insured individuals must contact The Assistance Centre, who will arrange direct billing of covered expenses, where possible. If you choose to pay eligible expenses directly, the Assistance Centre will reimburse you subject to the terms and conditions of the coverage. 

Can coverage be extended during my time abroad?

If you already have coverage, simply call Customer Service. You may be able to extend your coverage, as long as:

a. your period of coverage does not extend beyond 365 days;

b. you remain eligible for insurance under this plan;

c. we have received the extension requests prior to the expiry date of your existing polcy issued by us; and

d. there has been no change between single or family coverage.

For policy extensions, no losses or expenses or benefits will be paid for any illness or injury which first appeared, whether diagnosed or not, or for which treatment may or may not have been received, prior to the effective date of the extension of coverage under this policy.  If you have a medical condition or pending claim, approval of the extension is subject to the approval.

Hospital and medical bills can easily run into thousands of dollars. Would I need to pay up front if I had an accident while travelling?

As outlined under your plan, it is essential that you contact our Assistance Centre prior to receiving medical treatment. The Assistance Centre has existing relationships with certain medical providers all over the world to help ensure emergency situations are handled as smoothly as possible. Our Assistance Centre will communicate with your medical provider, arrange direct billing where possible and coordinate payment for the emergency service received.

What is the maximum number of coverage days under this policy?

Under this policy, the maximum number of coverage days is 365 days. Upon expiry of a policy that has been in effect for 365 days (366 days in a leap year), you may purchase another student policy for the following term if you are eligible for coverage.

Why do I have to call the Assistance Centre prior to receiving any medical treatment?

The Assistance Centre will explain coverage, monitor care, pre-approve treatment and confirm enrolment to the service provider and explain the coverage to healthcare providers to help ensure that medical services are provided in accordance with the benefits of your policy.

How can an applicant fill out an application if he/she is not in Canada or available to complete the application?

To apply for coverage, an applicant or someone on his/her behalf may complete and sign the Visitors-to-Canada application. If someone other than the applicant completes the application, that person must ensure that he/she has full authorization to apply on behalf of the application and full knowledge of the applicant’s health information to complete the application accurately. Any incorrect statements on the application may make the policy null and void.

Are refunds available?

A refund is available if you cancel the policy at any time before the effective date of insurance (minimum $25.00). When you obtain Canadian government health insurance plan coverage from a Canadian province or territory, or return home before the scheduled return date as per the confirmation, and no claim has been initiated or reported or assistance services have not been provided, refunds are available for the unused days of the trip (minimum $25.00).

We ask you to call our Assistance Centre so that we can confirm your enrolment under the plan and, with the health care provider, manage the benefits in accordance with your policy. By calling the Assistance Centre, you may avoid any out-of-pocket expenses. If you do not call the Assistance Centre, you will have to pay 20% of the medical expenses normally covered under this policy. If it is medically impossible for you to call, have someone call on your behalf. It is your responsibility to ensure that the Assistance Centre has been notified. See your policy for details.

Help Centre

• Popular questions
• Credit cards
• Travel & insurance

Does my Scotiabank credit card have Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption Insurance?

This is a list of Scotiabank credit cards that include trip cancellation insurance and/or trip interruption insurance benefits, as well as links to the current Certificates of Insurance with full details of these coverages:

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card English PDF

Scotiabank American Express Gold Card English PDF

Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card English PDF

Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite Card English PDF

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card English PDF

Trip Interruption Only

• Scotiabank American Express Card English PDF

• Search Search

Manulife and FNAIC credit card insurance product summaries and certificates

On this page.

Instruction: Change of selection promptly shifts the focus to a matching heading further down, on the same page.

Underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife) and First North American Insurance Company (FNAIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife. 

This site is used jointly by Manulife and FNAIC to provide you with product summaries and certificates for your credit card benefits.

Manulife Travel Insurance benefits are designed to give you a simple way to help protect yourself against unexpected expenses associated with Trip Cancellations, Interruptions, Emergency Medical costs and more.

Scotiabank personal credit cards

Scotiabank commercial and scotiabank visa business cards.

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ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card Review 2023

Jordan lavin.

• Zack Fenech

Why you can trust us

The team at WealthRocket only recommends products and services that we would use ourselves and that we believe will provide value to our readers. However, we advocate for you to continue to do your own research and make educated decisions.

Someday soon, we might all be able to travel again, and with that in mind, you might be thinking about picking up a  travel rewards credit card .

The ScotiaGold Passport Visa, a mid-tier travel rewards credit card, could help you get closer to your goal of a nice Caribbean vacation once we’re all free to breathe in each other’s faces once again.

Is the ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card the right credit card for you? Let’s take a look in this ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card review.

ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card

Rated 4.4/5 stars.

• Welcome Offer 5,000 points
• Annual Fee $110
• Regular APR Purchases: 19.99%, Cash Advances: 22.99%
• Recommended Credit 760 - 900
• $139 annual fee
• Earn up to 35,000 Bonus Scene points in first year
• Earn 2 Scene points on every $1 you spend on eligible grocery stores, entertainment, dining, and daily transit
• Earn 1 Scene point for every $1 spent on eligible purchases
• No foreign exchange fees
• 6 Complimentary airport lounge visits

In This Article

Scotiagold passport visa card review for 2022, scotiagold passport visa card pros & cons, our final thoughts.

The ScotiaGold Passport Visa is primarily a travel rewards credit card. When you use the card for everyday purchases, you can earn Scotia Rewards points that you can redeem for travel, merchandise, and other special offers.

We’ll look at how this card works in greater detail below.

Perks of the ScotiaGold Passport Visa

The card comes with a respectable amount of travel insurance coverage. The offer includes insurance for medical travel emergencies, delayed and lost baggage, travel accidents, and hotel burglaries.

You’ll also save up to 25% on car rentals from Avis and Budget, and you’ll get rental car collision/loss/damage insurance included when you use your card to pay for the full amount of the rental.

The ScotiaGold Passport Visa allows point redemption for travel anywhere, anytime, and with no travel restrictions.

Cardholders also get access to the Scotia Rewards Travel Service which includes the best price guarantee on airfares and a 5% cashback offer when you pay for travel with your card.

  ScotiaGold Passport Visa Cashback and Rewards

The ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card pays out in the form of Scotia Rewards, one of the most flexible and consistent credit card rewards programs in Canada.

You can earn one Scotia Rewards point for every dollar you spend on the card. And you’ll get 5,000 bonus Scotia rewards points when you make your first purchase.

When you’re ready, you can redeem your points for travel at a fixed value of $50 per 5,000 points. They can also be used to purchase merchandise or redeemed for credit toward your monthly statement.

The card also offers a unique cashback offer when you book travel with the Scotia Rewards Travel Service.

When you take advantage of Scotiabank’s in-house travel agency, they’ll pay you 5% cashback on the travel you book with your ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card.

ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card Insurance

While the ScotiaGold Passport Visa’s insurance scope isn’t top of the line, it still offers good coverage for those who like to travel. This includes:

• Travel emergency medical insurance: pays for the cost of emergency healthcare while you’re traveling
• Rental car collision/loss/damage insurance: covers your obligations to the rental company in the event you crash your rental car
• Delayed and lost baggage insurance: reimburses you for small purchases in the event your bags get lost or delayed in transit
• Travel accident insurance: pays out if you are killed or severely injured while traveling
• Hotel burglary insurance: replaces up to $1,000 in items stolen from your hotel while traveling

Note that for any of this coverage to apply, you need to use your ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card for the full amount of the booking.

The ScotiaGold Passport Visa also comes with purchase security and extended warranty protection. Scotiabank also offers the option of additional insurance policies that will pay off your credit card balance in the event you are not able to.

ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card Fees and Interest

The ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card has a moderate annual fee of $110, plus $30 for each supplementary card.

With a single card, you’ll earn a net reward (i.e., the value of your rewards will outstrip the cost of your annual fee) once you spend about $925 on the card per month.

Unlike some rewards credit cards , the ScotiaGold Passport Visa doesn’t waive the annual fee for your first year, so the $110 charge will show up on your first statement.

The interest rate charged on the card is fairly standard among credit cards at 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances and balance transfers.

If you plan to carry a balance on your credit card, interest charges will quickly negate any Scotia Rewards points you earn. So, always plan to pay your balance in full every month to avoid interest charges.

This travel rewards credit card has a few drawbacks like the relatively high annual fee, but there are also some great benefits for those who aren’t eligible for the Infinite version of the card.

Minimum income requirement is only $12,000 (some other travel rewards cards require $60,000 or more)

Scotia Rewards points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, and bill credits at equal value or to cover travel you’ve already purchased with the card

Offers decent insurance coverage including rental car damage coverage

High annual fee for the level of benefits it offers (the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card has so many more benefits for just $29 more per year)

Poor rewards earning of 1 point per dollar spent which works out to a 1% reward (the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card pays up to 5 points per dollar on some spending categories)

Mediocre welcome bonus

The ScotiaGold Passport Visa is a mid-tier travel rewards card that offers good, but not great, rewards and travel insurance coverage.

Because the annual fee is relatively high, this card is best for those who specifically want a travel rewards card and plan to take advantage of the various insurance programs offered, but don’t meet the high-income requirement for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card and aren’t interested in Scotiabank’s American Express offer.

Those who qualify, however, will get more bang for their buck from either of those alternative cards. Both offer far stronger rewards and benefits for only a modestly higher annual fee.

Jordan is a personal finance expert and marketing professional with more than 10 years’ experience creating content for leading media, financial, and technology companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card comes with purchase security and extended warranty protection.

When you make a purchase using your card, you’re insured against theft, loss, or damage for 90 days from the purchase date, and any manufacturer’s warranty is automatically doubled for up to one year.

The ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card is best for earning travel rewards and booking travel.

The 5% cashback offer on travel booked through the Scotia Rewards Travel Service is a nice perk and the travel insurance benefits are likely to suit the needs of most casual travelers.

The ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card is best for those who want to earn travel rewards but don’t meet the qualification criteria for one of Scotiabank’s more premium travel rewards cards like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card or the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card.

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Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

Best offer available until July 1, 2024

Signup bonus:, annual fee:, annual interest rates:, earning rate:, perks & benefits:.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is one of the best cards for earning fixed-value points, due to the sheer ease of redeeming Scene+ points.

Throw in a lack of foreign transaction fees, and this card is a winner with a relatively low annual fee to boot.

Bonuses & Fees

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers up to 40,000 Scene+ points as a signup offer.

The bulk of the bonus, 30,000 Scene+ points, are awarded upon spending $1,000 in the first three months. 30,000 Scene+ points is worth up to $300 when redeemed for a statement credit against travel purchases.

You can also earn an additional 10,000 points every year upon spending $40,000 every year, although at such a high threshold, your efforts are likely better spent on other cards.

The annual fee is $150, which is waived in the first year with the current offer. Plus, you’ll get one free supplementary card, and then it’ll cost $50 per card thereafter.

Earning Rewards

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers 2 Scene+ points per dollar spent  on groceries, dining, entertainment purchases, and daily transit. Entertainment includes movies, theatre, and live performances, while transit covers railroads, local transit, taxis, and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

As part of a partnership with Empire grocery stores , you can earn 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent on Empire grocery stores such as Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, and FreshCo. Purchases made at other grocery stores will continue earning 2 points per dollar.

While this is a decent return, you’ll note that the Scotiabank Gold American Express card actually offers a higher 5% return on groceries, dining, and entertainment, so that’d be a better card to use for spending on these categories. Of course, Visa is more widely accepted than Amex, so that’s another thing to take into account.

On all other spending, you’ll earn a standard 1 Scene+ point per dollar spent.

Moreover, it’s important to note that the accelerated earning rates are capped at $50,000 per calendar year, and not per category. You’ll earn 1 Scene+ point per dollar spent  thereafter.

Redeeming Rewards

Scene+ is one of the most flexible fixed-value points programs in Canada. Points have a value of 1 cent per point , and can be easily credited towards any travel expense.

This is far superior to fixed-value points programs from Canada’s other major banks, which force you to book your travel through their in-house travel agencies. This means that you could be limited to using your points for flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacations.

That’s not the case with Scene+ – book whatever you want, and then redeem points against the purchase up to a year after it posts. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Your points won’t expire for as long as you’re a cardholder. If you cancel the card, you’ll have 60 days to redeem your Scene+ points before they’re gone.

Perks & Benefits

One of the main features of this card it that it has no foreign transaction fees – indeed, it’s the first credit card offered by the Big 5 banks in Canada to include such a benefit. While most other credit cards charge a 2.5% markup on foreign transactions, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card uses the Visa mid-market rate.

This is therefore an excellent card to use when you’re travelling abroad. In fact, if you were to make more than $6,000 in foreign purchases in one year, then you’d have saved enough to cover the card’s annual fee.

This is because most other cards that charge foreign transaction fees would have levied $150 in fees after spending $6,000, with a 2.5% foreign exchange fee.

$6,000 a year isn’t a lot of money to spend on foreign purchases if you’re a regular traveller. Throw in six complimentary DragonPass lounge visits, and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card would be a great addition to your wallet.

Insurance Coverage

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is a premium travel credit card, and so comes with very strong insurance benefits. Coverage includes:

Emergency medical insurance of up to $1 million for you, your spouse, and dependent children on unexpected medical illness or injury when travelling out-of-province for up to 25 days (3 days for age 65 and up)

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance of up to $1,500 and $2,000 per person, respectively

Flight delay insurance for delays of more than four hours, up to $500 per person

• Delayed and lost baggage  insurance  of up to $1,000

Rental car collision or damage insurance, which can help you save on the insurance fees usually charged by car rental companies for vehicles with a MSRP of up to $65,000

• Hotel burglary insurance  of up to $1,000 in the event of theft

Plus, on the purchase protection side, you’ll get a 90-day protection period against damage, loss, or theft for most new items. In addition, you also get  extended warranty of up to one year.

Historical Offers

As a Visa Infinite product, this credit card has a minimum personal annual income requirement of $60,000 or a minimum household income of $100,000, or have $250,000 in assets under management with Scotiabank to be eligible. You'll also need to be approved for a credit limit of at least $5,000. Follow the link below to the Scotiabank website to learn more about this card and submit an application.

• Personal Finance

Insurance: How can I extend my Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card travel insurance?

The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card comes with a host of benefits for frequent travelers: six free airport VIP lounges , no conversion fees on foreign currency transactions, and plenty of travel insurance.

Here are all the assurances offered by this card:

• Purchase Security and Extended Warranty
• Rental Car Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
• Lost luggage, delayed luggage and hotel/motel burglary insurance
• Trip cancellation or interruption insurance
• Flight Delay Insurance
• Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
• Travel Emergency Medical Insurance

To learn all about your card’s insurance, visit this page and find the certificate of insurance and product summary under the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card name.

Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport - Travel Emergency Medical Insurance Extension

Cardholders under the age of 65 receive Travel Emergency Medical Insurance coverage for the first 25 consecutive days of a trip. For those aged 65 and over, the period is reduced to the first 3 consecutive days.

Will your trip be longer than 25 days? you can extend your medical insurance with Manulife , the insurance provider. If you meet the conditions, you can take advantage of the insurance for the entire duration of your trip, and only have to pay for the number of days in excess of the 25-day period.

It is not possible to combine two travel emergency medical insurance policies from two different credit cards. It is therefore advisable to shop around among your credit cards to see which card offers the most suitable insurance for you based on the duration, eligibility criteria and the possibility of extending the insurance or not.

It is also important to read your insurance certificate before your trip to be aware of the conditions, exclusions and claims process.

I always use this extension option for my trips over 25 days. Rather than purchasing insurance for the entire trip, I just pay for the days beyond the coverage period.

In early 2023, I took a two-month trip to Colombia ; I spent 63 days outside of Canada. Since my Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card offered coverage for the first 25 days, I extended it with Manulife .

The same scenario occurred during my trip to Ecuador, which lasted 36 days; I was able to extend my insurance and only pay for the 11 days in excess.

Extend your travel insurance - Tutorial

Here are the steps to follow to extend the medical coverage of your Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card :

The first step is to visit the Coverme.com website. Then select “Travel insurance” and click on “Get a quote”.

Secondly, it is essential to select “Canadians looking to top up an existing plan”, so that you only pay for days beyond the period already covered.

Then add “25”, which represents the duration of coverage under the current plan (i.e. Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card ).

Then fill in the rest of the form with your personal information, including where you’ll be traveling (Canada, U.S. or International) and your departure and arrival dates. Once you have added this information, click on “Continue” to obtain the plan price for the days not included in the 25-day period.

Once you’ve selected the plan, you’ll be given the option of an Add-on. You will then be introduced to the eligibility criteria for the selected plan.

You will then be presented with a quote summary, where you will be asked to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. Once verified, proceed to the payment page.

You can use the credit card of your choice to pay, it doesn’t have to be the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card . Once the payment has been made, you will be taken to the confirmation page, and an e-mail will be sent to you allowing you to access your insurance contract.

Please note : You do not need to have paid for your trip with your Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card to be eligible for travel emergency medical insurance . However, eligibility for other travel insurances changes; sometimes a minimum of 75% of the cost of the insurance (of the delayed flight or transport ticket, for example) must be charged to the account or paid for with Scene+ points.

Extending your travel insurance - Savings and alternatives

Is extended medical coverage worth it for Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Cardholders ? The short answer is: yes and no, depending on your personal situation and your trip.

For each trip of more than 25 days, I take the time to check the price offered by Manulife and then compare it with the prices of other insurers. For my last trip to Ecuador, I only needed to pay for 11 extra days, which made it much more economical to extend with Manulife.

However, for my 69-day trip to Brazil , I had to buy 44 extra days’ worth of travel insurance. After getting quotes from other insurers, I realized that the only company that offered me a better price for the entire duration of the trip was soNomad ! A full 69 days of coverage cost me about $20 less than a 44-day extension with Manulife !

I was surprised at how competitive soNomad ‘s prices were, so I opted for this insurance for my trip to Brazil. From now on, I’ll always check at least between Manulife and soNomad to see which option is cheaper.

Bottom Line

The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card offers excellent insurance for frequent travelers and digital nomads, with an option to extend emergency medical coverage that’s ideal for long-stay enthusiasts. Combined with the absence of conversion fees for my long stays abroad, and the six free airport lounge accesses, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card brings enough benefits for me to keep it in my wallet year after year.

However, it’s worth checking whether soNomad offers a better price.

As with any insurance, it is important to check your eligibility for each category when planning and booking your trip (accommodation, flights, car rental, transportation, etc.). Charging these purchases to the correct credit card will ensure that you are covered. If something goes wrong, it will make all the difference.

All posts by Marie-Ève

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Foreign exchange rates

The rates on this page are against Canadian dollars, apply to non-cash transactions up to $9,999 and are provided for information purposes only. Please read the additional notes at the bottom of this page.

Commercial and Corporate customers: Get live foreign currency exchange quotes, execute trades and browse transaction history with  ScotiaFX .

Although up-to-the-minute rates may be obtained by contacting a local Scotiabank branch, rates can only be guaranteed at the time the purchase or sale is conducted.

Rates and dollar limits are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change at any time.