Amex Cobalt Card vs Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
Two cards, one Standard Score rubric. The Amex Cobalt Card scores higher overall at 7.7/10 — but the right pick depends on which components match your spending.
The verdict
ExcellentDifferent jobs entirely. The Cobalt exists to earn — 5x on food converts to some of the most valuable transferable points in Canada; the Passport exists to travel — no FX fees and six lounge visits a year, but its Scene+ points cap out at a flat 1¢. Heavy grocery-and-dining spenders who redeem through transfers take the Cobalt; frequent travellers who spend abroad want the Passport's fee-free foreign spending more than they want extra points.
See offer · current Amex Cobalt Card offer, direct from the issuer
Rewards math assumes you pay your balance in full every month — interest charges quickly exceed any rewards value.
| Amex Cobalt Card | Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Score | 7.7/10 · Excellent | 7.3/10 · Strong |
| Annual fee | $191.88 ($15.99 charged monthly (increased from $12.99/mo effective November 5, 2025)) | $150 (Rebated only if you hold an eligible Scotiabank chequing account (Ultimate Package rebates the full $150; Preferred Package rebates $40) — there is no first-year waiver on the card itself. $50 for each additional card, waived on the first supplementary card under the current offer.) |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 15,000 MR points (1,250/month for 12 months of qualifying spend) | Up to 60,000 Scene+ points (40,000 on $2K/3 mo + 10,000 on $10K/6 mo + 10,000 annual on $40K), plus the $50 fee waived on your first supplementary card — offer ends August 3, 2026 |
| Est. bonus value | ≈ $285 | ≈ $600 |
| First-year net value | ≈ $699 | ≈ $700 |
| Earn rates |
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|
| Points currency | Amex Membership Rewards | Scene+ |
| No FX fees | No | Yes |
| Lounge access | No | Yes |
Where the Amex Cobalt Card wins
- Ongoing value — scores 8.5/10 on this component
- Flexibility — scores 9.0/10 on this component
- Strategic fit — scores 8.5/10 on this component
Where the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite wins
- Perk usability — scores 8.5/10 on this component
- Low friction — scores 9.0/10 on this component
Read the full reviews: Amex Cobalt Card and Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, or see how both rank in Best Credit Cards for Groceries and Dining in Canada.