Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card: 2026 Review


The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card is an entry-level cash back card with no annual fee, designed for simple everyday use. At Milesopedia, I have been analyzing Canadian credit cards for over ten years, with a particular focus on cash back cards and strategies to earn cash back without paying unnecessary annual fees.
This review breaks down what the card really earns day to day, how the current welcome offer works, and who this card is a good starting point for in the world of cash back.
The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card is an excellent cash back credit card in Canada. Right now, you can get 5% cash back on all purchases for the first three months (on up to $2,000 in total purchases).
With the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card, you get:
It’s an excellent no-fee Visa credit card for earning cash back. Also note that you can redeem your cash back at any time (your cash back balance must be at least $25).
Plus, you can take advantage of an introductory rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for the first nine months (2% fee per cash advance).
The Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa Card belongs to the Scotiabank Momentum family of cards, which includes several versions with different annual fees and cash back rates.
This one stands out for its lack of an annual fee (as the name suggests) in exchange for a more modest cash back rate than the fee-based versions. It’s the classic trade-off for no-fee cash back cards: lower returns per dollar spent, but no risk of paying more in fees than the card earns.
| Category | Regular Rate |
|---|---|
| Grocery, pharmacies, meal delivery, meal kit subscriptions | 1 % |
| Gas, electric vehicle charging, public transit, ridesharing | 1 % |
| Recurring bills and streaming subscriptions | 1 % |
| All other eligible spending | 0,5 % |
The 1% rate applies up to a combined annual cap of $15,000 in eligible spending, which largely covers the grocery and gas budget of most households. Once this cap is reached, the rate drops to 0.5%, as it does for other categories.
To give you an idea: a household that spends $800 per month on groceries and gas earns about $96 in cash back per year in these categories alone, without ever paying an annual fee to get it.
Scotiabank currently offers an enhanced 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in purchases made in the first 3 months after account opening, which is worth up to $100, plus an introductory 0.99% rate on balance transfers for 9 months. This offer is valid for accounts opened until November 1, 2026.
Our dedicated article on the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card offer details the full mechanics and spending requirements.
Cash back redemption is done via the Scotia mobile app or online banking, as soon as a minimum balance of $25 has been accumulated. The amount can be applied as a statement credit or deposited into a Scotiabank account.
Unlike some points programs that expire after a fixed period, the cash back accumulated on this card never expires as long as the account remains active, providing full flexibility on when to redeem.
This card may be right for you if:
However, it won’t be for you if:
As mentioned above, Scotiabank offers several versions of this card, some with annual fees and higher cash back rates. The choice between these versions mainly depends on your annual spending volume in the boosted categories: the higher that volume, the more a fee-based version can become worthwhile.
Our credit card comparison tool lets you compare these options based on your own spending profile.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee (primary and additional card) | $0 |
| Regular earn rate (boosted categories) | 1%, up to $15,000 in annual spending |
| Regular earn rate (other purchases, or above the cap) | 0,5 % |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Minimum cash back redemption | $25 |
| Network | Visa |
| Minimum annual income required | Not publicly specified by Scotiabank |
The Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa Card does its job well: an accessible cash back card with no annual fee, with a welcome offer that is worth considering for anyone looking for a simple card. It does not compete with annual-fee cash back cards on pure earn rate, but it completely eliminates the risk of paying more in fees than the card earns—an advantage for a more modest budget or for a first cash back-focused credit card.
For a household whose grocery and gas spending far exceeds the $15,000 per year cap, an annual-fee card with a higher earn rate is worth comparing, taking the fee into account. For all other profiles, this card remains a solid option with no compromises on fees.
Check out our page on the best cash back credit cards and the best no-fee credit cards to compare more options, or read our article on minimum underwriting criteria at Scotiabank before applying.
Ready to apply? See the current Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card offer for full terms and how to sign up.
No, neither for the primary card nor for additional cards.
1% on groceries, pharmacies, gas, public transit, and recurring bills, up to $15,000 in annual spending, then 0.5% on those categories and on all other purchases.
Up to $100 in cash back (5% on the first $2,000 in purchases in 3 months), plus a 0.99% rate on balance transfers for 9 months, for accounts opened before November 1, 2026.
Through the Scotia mobile app or online banking, once a minimum of $25 has been accumulated. The balance never expires as long as the account remains active.
Not long term: the regular purchase interest rate is 20.99% once promotions end. For someone who carries a balance on an ongoing basis, a low-interest card will be more advantageous.
No. The card includes basic purchase protections, but no travel medical insurance, trip cancellation, or flight delay coverage.
Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.