Scotia Passport Visa Infinite 2026: No FX, Free Lounge

Most Canadian credit cards charge 2.5% on every foreign-currency transaction. On a $5,000 European vacation, that's $125 in fees. The Scotia Passport eliminates this — you pay the actual exchange rate (Visa rate, very close to mid-market). For a Canadian who spends $5,000+ abroad in a year, the FX savings alone exceed the $150 annual fee.

Priority Pass is a global lounge network with 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide. The Scotia Passport gives cardholders 6 free visits per year (visit value at major airports is typically $35-$40). After 6 visits, additional visits cost $35 each. To use, register at prioritypass.com with your Scotia Passport membership number, then show your Priority Pass card or app at participating lounges.

They're complementary, not competing. Cobalt earns 5x on groceries and restaurants (best for Canadian everyday spending). Passport has no FX fees + lounge passes (best for travel and overseas spending). Many Canadians hold both: $156 Cobalt + $150 Passport = $306/year combined fees, but combined value of $1,500+ for active travelers/spenders. Pure travel: Passport. Pure home spending: Cobalt.

Scene+ points are worth approximately 1 cent each when redeemed for travel through Scotia's travel portal, Cineplex movies, or Scene+ partner programs (Empire/Sobeys grocery, Live Nation, etc.). 40,000 welcome points = ~$400 redemption value. Scene+ is less flexible than Aeroplan or Membership Rewards but it's a Canadian-exclusive program with strong domestic partners.

Yes. Scotiabank requires either $60,000 personal annual income OR $100,000 household income for Visa Infinite cards. This is enforced — applications below the threshold are typically declined. If your income doesn't qualify, look at the Amex Cobalt ($65,000 income recommended but not strictly enforced) or the Tangerine Money-Back (no income requirement).

Yes. Travel emergency medical (25 days for under-65, 10 days for 65+), trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, baggage delay, lost/damaged baggage, rental car CDW, and hotel/motel burglary. The medical coverage period is longer than most Canadian cards (most are 15 days). Comprehensive enough that most cardholders skip supplementary insurance.

Yes — Visa is accepted at Costco Canada. The Passport's 1x base earn rate applies at Costco (no special multiplier). Combine with the Capital One Costco Mastercard for the strongest Costco-specific cashback (1% on Costco purchases). The Passport's main value at Costco is the no-FX rate if Costco bills in USD (rare in Canada).

The $150 annual fee kicks in. Most cardholders find the value remains positive in year 2+ if they continue traveling internationally (FX savings + lounge passes typically exceed $150). If you stopped traveling abroad, downgrading to a Scotiabank no-fee Visa is straightforward and preserves account history.