Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + vs Scotiabank Gold American Express
Two cards, one Standard Score rubric. The Scotiabank Gold American Express scores higher overall at 7.2/10, but the right pick depends on which components match your spending.
The verdict
StrongScotiabank's two no-FX cards split by what you do abroad versus at home. The Passport is the travel pick: Visa acceptance overseas plus six lounge visits a year; the Gold is the earning pick, with 5-6x on food that the Passport can't approach. Frequent travellers take the Passport; big grocery-and-dining budgets take the Gold.
See offer · current Scotiabank Gold American Express offer, direct from the issuer
Rewards math assumes you pay your balance in full every month — interest charges quickly exceed any rewards value.
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + | Scotiabank Gold American Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Score | 7.2/10 · Strong | 7.2/10 · Strong |
| Annual fee | $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.) | $120 |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 35,000 Scene+ points (25,000 on $2K/3 mo + 10,000 annual on $40K), plus the $50 fee waived on your first supplementary card; offer ends November 1, 2026 | Up to 50,000 Scene+ points (30,000 on $2K/3 mo + 20,000 on $7.5K in the first year); offer ends November 1, 2026 |
| Est. bonus value | ≈ $350 | ≈ $500 |
| First-year net value | ≈ $450 | ≈ $620 |
| Earn rates |
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| Points currency | Scene+ | Scene+ |
| No FX fees | Yes | Yes |
| Lounge access | Yes | No |
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
- Strategic fit: scores 8.0/10 on this component
Where the Scotiabank Gold American Express wins
- First-year value: scores 7.0/10 on this component
- Ongoing value: scores 8.0/10 on this component
Read the full reviews: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + and Scotiabank Gold American Express, or see how both rank in No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards in Canada.
What the points are worth in dollars: Scene+ Points Value. Each has a calculator for your balance.