Key features at a glance

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
IssuerScotiabankScotiabank
Network
ProgramScene+Scene+
Point default value1¢/point1¢/point
Annual fee$150Better on this row$399
Foreign transaction fee0.0 %0.0 %
Min. annual income$60,000+$12,000+
All purchases1x2xBetter on this row
Groceries2x2x
Gas1x2xBetter on this row
Purchase interest rate20.99%9.99%Better on this row

The short answer

  • Year oneScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card wins 0 of 6 profiles, Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card wins 6, and 0 are too close to call.Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.
  • Every year afterScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card wins 0 of 6 profiles, Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card wins 6, and 0 are too close to call.The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.
  • Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card charges 9.99% interest on purchases, 11% below Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card at 20.99%.
  • Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card asks for a household income of $100,000 — $88,000 more than Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card at $12,000.
  • Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card unlocks its bonus after $2,000 of spending over 3 months, $8,000 less than Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card at $10,000 over 6 months.

Where each card wins

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card

In its favour

  • Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card unlocks its bonus after $2,000 of spending over 3 months, $8,000 less than Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card at $10,000 over 6 months.
  • Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card costs $150 a year — $249 less than Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card at $399.
  • Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card opens Visa Airport Companion Program (6 visits a year); Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card grants no lounge access.

Against it

  • Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card asks for a household income of $100,000 — $88,000 more than Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card at $12,000.
  • Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card asks for a personal income of $60,000 — $48,000 more than Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card at $12,000.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card

In its favour

  • Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card charges 9.99% interest on purchases, 11% below Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card at 20.99%.
  • Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card opens Priority Pass (10 visits a year); Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card grants no lounge access.
  • Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card earns 2x (2% back per dollar) on everything, against 1x (1% back per dollar) on Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card.
  • Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card includes Mobile device, which Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card does not.

Against it

No material difference in this card's favour was found in the data we compare.

Welcome offer

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Welcome bonusNot comparable in the same unitsUp to 35,000 pointsUp to 100,000 points
Our valuationDepends on how you spend$350$800

Income required

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Min. annual income$60,000+$12,000+
Min. household income$100,000+$12,000+

Earning rewards

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Groceries2x2x
Restaurants2x2x
Gas1x2xBetter on this row
Local transit2x2x
Travel1x2xBetter on this row
Pharmacies1x2xBetter on this row
Convenience stores1x2xBetter on this row
Streaming1x2xBetter on this row
Telecom1x2xBetter on this row
Entertainment2x2x
Recurring payments1x2xBetter on this row
Online purchases1x2xBetter on this row
Office supplies1x2xBetter on this row
With the partner brand3xBetter on this row2x
All purchases1x2xBetter on this row

Benefits

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Airport lounge access
Visa Airport Companion Program6 visits
Priority Pass10 visits
Priority boarding✗—
Wi-Fi access✗—

Annual fee and rates

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Annual fee$150Better on this row$399
Additional card$0$99
Foreign transaction fee0.0 %0.0 %
Purchase interest rate20.99%9.99%Better on this row
Purchase rate (Quebec)20.99%9.99%
Cash advance rate22.99%9.99%

Insurance

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Travel accident$500,000$500,000
Travel medical$2,000,000$2,000,000

Card details

Which one wins, by spending profile

Grocery-heavy household

A family basket weighted towards groceries and everyday spending.

Assumes $54,000 of card spending a year

Year one

Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$795$1,080
Annual fee−$150−$399
Welcome bonus$350$800
Net value$995$1,481

Every year after

The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$795$1,080
Annual fee−$150−$399
Recurring credits$0$200
Net value$645$881
Show the per-category math
Per-category earnings
CategorySpendingScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
RateValueRateValue
Groceries$13,8002x$2762xbase rate$276
Gas & EV$4,2001xbase rate$422xbase rate$84
Transit$2,7002x$542xbase rate$54
Restaurants$4,8002x$962xbase rate$96
Pharmacy$9001xbase rate$92xbase rate$18
Travel$1,5001xbase rate$152xbase rate$30
Bills & recurring payments$5,1001xbase rate$512xbase rate$102
Telecom$4,8001xbase rate$482xbase rate$96
Entertainment & streaming$4,2002x$842xbase rate$84
Office supplies$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Online advertising$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Other$12,0001xbase rate$1202xbase rate$240

Light spender

A modest basket where an annual fee weighs heavily.

Assumes $21,000 of card spending a year

Year one

Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$303$420
Annual fee−$150−$399
Welcome bonus$250$800
Net value$403$821

Every year after

The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$303$420
Annual fee−$150−$399
Recurring credits$0$200
Net value$153$221
Show the per-category math
Per-category earnings
CategorySpendingScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
RateValueRateValue
Groceries$4,8002x$962xbase rate$96
Gas & EV$1,8001xbase rate$182xbase rate$36
Transit$9002x$182xbase rate$18
Restaurants$2,1002x$422xbase rate$42
Pharmacy$6001xbase rate$62xbase rate$12
Travel$6001xbase rate$62xbase rate$12
Bills & recurring payments$2,1001xbase rate$212xbase rate$42
Telecom$2,4001xbase rate$242xbase rate$48
Entertainment & streaming$1,5002x$302xbase rate$30
Office supplies$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Online advertising$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Other$4,2001xbase rate$422xbase rate$84

Everyday couple

A balanced two-person basket across groceries, dining and bills.

Assumes $36,000 of card spending a year

Year one

Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$540$720
Annual fee−$150−$399
Welcome bonus$250$800
Net value$640$1,121

Every year after

The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$540$720
Annual fee−$150−$399
Recurring credits$0$200
Net value$390$521
Show the per-category math
Per-category earnings
CategorySpendingScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
RateValueRateValue
Groceries$9,0002x$1802xbase rate$180
Gas & EV$2,4001xbase rate$242xbase rate$48
Transit$1,8002x$362xbase rate$36
Restaurants$3,6002x$722xbase rate$72
Pharmacy$6001xbase rate$62xbase rate$12
Travel$1,2001xbase rate$122xbase rate$24
Bills & recurring payments$3,0001xbase rate$302xbase rate$60
Telecom$3,6001xbase rate$362xbase rate$72
Entertainment & streaming$3,6002x$722xbase rate$72
Office supplies$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Online advertising$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Other$7,2001xbase rate$722xbase rate$144

Retiree

A basket tilted towards groceries, pharmacy and travel.

Assumes $27,000 of card spending a year

Year one

Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$399$540
Annual fee−$150−$399
Welcome bonus$250$800
Net value$499$941

Every year after

The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$399$540
Annual fee−$150−$399
Recurring credits$0$200
Net value$249$341
Show the per-category math
Per-category earnings
CategorySpendingScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
RateValueRateValue
Groceries$7,2002x$1442xbase rate$144
Gas & EV$2,1001xbase rate$212xbase rate$42
Transit$1,2002x$242xbase rate$24
Restaurants$2,4002x$482xbase rate$48
Pharmacy$6001xbase rate$62xbase rate$12
Travel$9001xbase rate$92xbase rate$18
Bills & recurring payments$2,7001xbase rate$272xbase rate$54
Telecom$2,7001xbase rate$272xbase rate$54
Entertainment & streaming$2,1002x$422xbase rate$42
Office supplies$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Online advertising$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Other$5,1001xbase rate$512xbase rate$102

International traveller

A couple's basket with a quarter of the spending charged in another currency.

Assumes $36,000 of card spending a year, of which 25% is charged in a foreign currency (a scenario assumption, not measured data)

Year one

Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$540$720
Annual fee−$150−$399
Welcome bonus$250$800
Net value$640$1,121

Every year after

The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$540$720
Annual fee−$150−$399
Recurring credits$0$200
Net value$390$521
Show the per-category math
Per-category earnings
CategorySpendingScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
RateValueRateValue
Groceries$9,0002x$1802xbase rate$180
Gas & EV$2,4001xbase rate$242xbase rate$48
Transit$1,8002x$362xbase rate$36
Restaurants$3,6002x$722xbase rate$72
Pharmacy$6001xbase rate$62xbase rate$12
Travel$1,2001xbase rate$122xbase rate$24
Bills & recurring payments$3,0001xbase rate$302xbase rate$60
Telecom$3,6001xbase rate$362xbase rate$72
Entertainment & streaming$3,6002x$722xbase rate$72
Office supplies$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Online advertising$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Other$7,2001xbase rate$722xbase rate$144

Frequent foreign spender

A deliberately aggressive scenario: half of all spending charged in another currency.

Assumes $31,800 of card spending a year, of which 50% is charged in a foreign currency (a scenario assumption, not measured data)

Year one

Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$459$636
Annual fee−$150−$399
Welcome bonus$250$800
Net value$559$1,037

Every year after

The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.

Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card comes out ahead

FeatureScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
Rewards earned$459$636
Annual fee−$150−$399
Recurring credits$0$200
Net value$309$437
Show the per-category math
Per-category earnings
CategorySpendingScotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* CardScotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card
RateValueRateValue
Groceries$6,0002x$1202xbase rate$120
Gas & EV$2,1001xbase rate$212xbase rate$42
Transit$1,8002x$362xbase rate$36
Restaurants$4,2002x$842xbase rate$84
Pharmacy$6001xbase rate$62xbase rate$12
Travel$9001xbase rate$92xbase rate$18
Bills & recurring payments$3,0001xbase rate$302xbase rate$60
Telecom$3,6001xbase rate$362xbase rate$72
Entertainment & streaming$2,1002x$422xbase rate$42
Office supplies$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Online advertising$01xbase rate$02xbase rate$0
Other$7,5001xbase rate$752xbase rate$150

Frequently asked questions

Which costs less per year, Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card or Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card?

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card charges $150 a year, against $399 for Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card.

Which is better for spending in another currency, Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card or Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card?

Both charge 0% on purchases in another currency.

Which card comes out ahead, Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card or Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card?

It depends on how you spend. Across the 6 spending profiles on this page, Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card wins 0 in year one, Scotiabank®* Platinum American Express® Card wins 6, and 0 are too close to call.

Do these earn rates have spending caps?

Yes — where a card caps a category, the ceiling is stated next to the rate on this page, along with what the card earns beyond it.

How we compare

  • Every figure on this page is read from the card data we maintain — annual fees, foreign transaction fees, earn rates, spending caps, welcome offers, insurance and lounge access.
  • Points are valued at our published valuation for each card's loyalty program. Cash back is counted at face value.
  • The spending profiles are standard baskets, not your spending. The share charged in a foreign currency is a stated scenario assumption.
  • Year one and the years after are kept separate: the welcome bonus and any first-year fee waiver only count in year one.
  • We may earn a commission when you apply through the links on this page. It never changes the figures above — they come from the same data for every card.

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Applications are submitted on the issuer's own site. Nothing you read above changes if you apply from here.