Overview
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card is Scotiabank's top-tier travel credit card — built for high-income Canadians who want the strongest possible insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and premium perks without thinking about it. At $599/year, it's a serious annual commitment, but the card delivers with 10 airport lounge passes, a $250 annual travel credit, and arguably the best travel insurance package available on a Canadian credit card.
The current welcome offer delivers up to 100,000 bonus Scene+ points (worth up to $1,000 in travel value). Combined with the $250 travel credit and FX savings, frequent international travellers can recoup the annual fee quickly.
Earning Scene+ Points
The card earns Scene+ points on every purchase with higher multipliers on travel and dining:
- 3 Scene+ points per $1 on travel purchases
- 2 Scene+ points per $1 on restaurants and entertainment
- 1 Scene+ point per $1 on all other purchases
At 1.0¢/point, the 3x travel rate effectively gives you a 3% return on travel — solid for a no-FX-fee card, though not as aggressive as some competing premium cards on everyday categories.
What Are Scene+ Points Worth?
Scene+ points have consistent value across most redemption options:
| Redemption Method | Value per Point | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Any travel via Scene+ / Expedia | 1.0¢ | Best value |
| Cineplex theatres | 1.0¢ | Movies and concessions |
| Recipe Unlimited restaurants | 1.0¢ | Swiss Chalet, Harvey's, Montana's, etc. |
| Sobeys stores | 1.0¢ | Pay with points at checkout |
| Home Hardware | 1.0¢ | In-store redemption |
| Statement credits | 0.8¢ | Lower value |
| Gift cards | 0.74¢ | Poorest value — avoid |
$250 Annual Travel Credit
The card includes a $250 annual travel credit when booking through Scene+ Travel, powered by Expedia. This effectively reduces the net annual fee to $349 — making the card more competitive with other premium travel cards in the $300–400 range.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Like its sibling (the Passport Visa Infinite), this card charges 0% foreign transaction fees. On a $10,000 annual international spend, that's $250 saved compared to cards with the standard 2.5% markup — essentially covering another chunk of the annual fee.
Airport Lounge Access
The card includes 10 complimentary worldwide airport lounge visits annually through the Visa Airport Companion Program, with access to 1,200+ global lounges. This is the most generous lounge benefit among Scotiabank cards, and more than most competing premium cards:
| Card | Annual Lounge Passes |
|---|---|
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege | 10 |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | 6 |
| TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite | 4 |
Insurance & Benefits
The insurance package on this card is best-in-class for a Canadian credit card — significantly upgraded from the Infinite tier:
- Travel emergency medical insurance — Up to $5,000,000 coverage for 31 days per trip (10 days if over 65)
- Travel accident insurance — $500,000 coverage
- Trip cancellation insurance — Up to $2,500
- Trip interruption insurance — Up to $5,000
- Flight delay insurance — Up to $1,000
- Baggage delay insurance — Up to $1,000
- Lost or stolen baggage insurance — Up to $2,500
- Hotel burglary insurance — Up to $2,500
- Car rental collision/loss damage waiver — Decline the rental company's coverage
- Mobile device insurance — Up to $1,000
- Purchase protection — 180 days (double the Infinite tier)
- Extended warranty — 2 additional years (double the Infinite tier)
Insurance Comparison vs. Infinite Tier
| Coverage | Infinite Privilege | Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical | $5,000,000 / 31 days | $1,000,000 / 25 days |
| Over 65 medical | 10 days | 3 days |
| Trip interruption | $5,000 | $1,500 |
| Trip cancellation | $2,500 | $1,500 |
| Purchase protection | 180 days | 90 days |
| Extended warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
| Lost baggage | $2,500 | $1,000 |
Premium Perks
- Free Avis President's Club membership — Priority service, upgrades, and dedicated counter
- Visa Infinite Privilege Hotel Collection — Complimentary nights, room upgrades, breakfast, and resort credits at luxury properties
- Visa Infinite Privilege Dining Series — Curated dining experiences at top Canadian restaurants
- Visa Infinite Privilege Wine Country — Complimentary tastings and wine deliveries
- Visa Infinite Privilege Concierge — 24/7 personal concierge service
Who Should Get This Card?
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege is ideal if you:
- Travel internationally frequently and want to maximize FX savings on high spend
- Value insurance above all else — 31 days of $5M medical, $5K trip interruption, and 180-day purchase protection are hard to beat
- Use 10+ airport lounges per year — couples or frequent flyers who value lounge access
- Can offset the fee — The $250 travel credit + FX savings can bring the effective cost well below $599
- Meet the high income threshold — $150,000 personal or $200,000 household
If you don't travel internationally often or can't justify the $599 fee, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite ($150/year) offers the same no-FX-fee benefit with 6 lounge passes at a fraction of the cost.
