One of the cards that I’m currently considering is the Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite. This card is only available to Canadian residents with a Canadian credit file. While it doesn’t even have a signup bonus, it offers one of the greatest returns on certain categories of spending.
Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite
Highlights of the Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite
The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite card combines maximum cash back with a unique program of premium enhancements that tap into your lifestyle needs including:
- Access to exclusive offers through scotiainfinite.com.
- VISA Infinite complimentary concierge service available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
- Access to VISA Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
- VISA Infinite Dining Series with dining experiences in some of Canada’s top restaurants
- Special access to unique offers and experiences
- Maximum Cash Back
The Scotia Momentum VISA Infinite card rewards you on your everyday spending with the most cash back of all our credit cards.- A full 4% cash back on all eligible gas station and grocery store purchases
- A full 2% cash back on eligible drug store purchases and recurring bill payments
- A full 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
So, for the most part, a whole bunch of fluff. However, the 4% cash back is extremely attractive, especially if you’re going to spend heavily in that category. As well, through October 31 the annual fee for the first year is waived.
Earning and Burning
The card offers 1% for all purchases, 2% cashback on drugstore and recurring bill payments, and 4% cashback on eligible gas and groceries purchases. The 4% and 2% cashback categories are capped at $25,000 annually each. For the most part, I consider 1 Aeroplan/Avios/SPG point worth more than 1 cent, so I would not recommend spending in either the 1% or even the 2% category (especially since cards such as the American Express Gold Card do give 2 points/$ at drugstores as well).
However, the 4% cashback is the best in the market. If you do spend $25,000, this means you get $1000 cashback, which I’d think is worth more than 25,000 points of any kind. Cash is always king especially in regards to paid airline tickets or hotel reservations. The cashback would be credited to your account once a year. Of course, if you do want to “convert” your cash into your points you can always purchase Lifemiles at around 1.5 cents and SPG at 2.4 cents during their promotions, which means you can definitely “buy” more than 25,000 points with the $1000 if you want.
Other Benefits
The Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite also offers the following insurance benefits:
- Travel Emergency Medical Insurance (up to 15 days)
- Trip Interruption Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
- Rental Car Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
- Purchase Security and Extended Warranty
I think the coverages offered by this card are pretty comprehensive and on par with most other premium credit cards in the market. I do like the extended warranty the card gives you on purchases.
Other Considerations
This card is very comparable to the Scotiabank Gold American Express, which also gives 4 points/$ on groceries and gas, and it might very well be worth getting that card instead. However, the only difference is that it functions as a travel credit rather than pure cash. On the other hand, it does offer a 30,000 points signup offer, worth $300. Unfortunately, AMEX acceptance is more limited, and the annual fee on that card isn’t waived (which is $99). The Scotiabank Gold AMEX also has a limit on the 4 points/$ bonus category you can earn per year, similar to the Visa Infinite, so it might be worth getting both (not at the same time) if you think you’ll exceed it.
The Canadian Kilometers Ranking
Score for the sign-up bonus – 0/10, as there’s no signup bonus.
Score for on-going earning – 8/10. The 4% cashback is surpassed, and cash is king. However, the regular earnings are fairly weak.
Score for benefits – 5/10. This visa has similar benefits to most other premium credit cards.
The Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite is a decent card for certain types of credit card spend and is unbeatable there, especially if you spend more than $50,000 a year in those categories, which makes it worth getting both Scotiabank card which give 4% back. The annual fee is waived, so there isn’t a cost to unlocking the strongest cashback rate in the Canadian credit card market.
Application Link: Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite
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So basically this is a good card IF you only spend on gas and groceries.. do you have any comparisons to other cash back cards for Canada or recommendations?
Let me know if you do get it – am considering getting this before my annual fee for my other card gets charged in September.
Generally the better credit cards tend to have around 1.5% cashback on everyday purchases, so if you did get this Visa it’d be specifically for the 4% bonus category cashback. I personally don’t use cashback cards that much in Canada as I’d definitely rather collect airline miles.
@Mark
Not to sway away from BA bloggers, but Patrick @ RewardsCanada.ca has a comprehensive list of CANADIAN credit cards to compare & choose, take a look
http://www.rewardscanada.ca/creditcard.html
As for CASHBACK CC, it’s hard, now that SmartCash is lowered, etc.. 1.5% is the best one usually gets, excluding special categories
Thanks @jerry and @canadian kilometers for your input – maybe I’ll stick with my BMO World Elite MC…