Most Canadian credit cards charge a conversion fee for foreign currency transactions. This conversion fee is generally 2.5%.
If you frequently travel outside Canada – or regularly make purchases in currencies other than the Canadian dollar – it can be particularly attractive to have a credit card that doesn’t charge conversion fees for foreign currency transactions!
Here are the four no-conversion-fee credit cards available in Canada, all issued by Scotiabank and part of the Scene+ program:
Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card
With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you’ll receive up to 40,000 Scene+ points in welcome bonus (a $400 value):
- 30,000 points after $2,000 in purchases in the first three months
- 10,000 points after $40,000 in purchases in the first year
Then, each year, if you make at least $40,000 in purchases on the card, you’ll earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 points, a value of $100.
With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you earn 3 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, and Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
You’ll also earn 2 points for every dollar you spend, including on foreign purchases, in the following categories:
- Grocery shopping
- Restaurants
- Entertainment centers
- Transit
The Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport is an excellent Visa credit card for this type of purchase.
These points can be used against any travel purchase at the rate of1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb). You can also redeem your points for cash back at Scene+, for example, at your local grocery store checkout at the same rate of 1,000 points = $10.
The Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport also offers :
- No fees for foreign currency transactions
- 6 access to VIP airport lounges
- Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
- Concierge service
We voted this credit card the Best No FX Fee Credit Card of 2024 and 2025.
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card only requires a minimum income of $12,000, making it accessible to the greatest number of people.
Until July 1, 2025, you can earn up to 40 000 Scene+ points in welcome bonus, broken down as follows:
- 20,000 Scene+ points with $2,000 in net purchases in the first 3 months
- 20,000 Scene+ points by making $7,500 in purchases on the card in the first year
That’s $400 worth of travel (including Airbnb).
With the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you earn 6 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
Also, you earn 5 points per dollar for:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Entertainment centers
And 3 points per dollar on gas, transit and streaming services purchases.
You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card also offers no foreign currency transaction fees, excellent travel and purchase insurance, concierge service and exclusive American Express benefits (Front of the Line Program).
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card
For a limited time, by subscribing to Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card, you can earn up to 80,000 points. That’s a value of $800 for trips including Airbnb.
With Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card, you earn 2 points per dollar spent on all your purchases. You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). And you can also use them for other rewards in the Scene+ program, such as cash back.
What’s more, with this card you pay no fees for foreign currency transactions, and you get 10 free accesses to airport VIP lounges like Priority Pass and Premium Plaza.
And you get excellent insurance for your travels or purchases, concierge service, and exclusive American Express Offers (American Express Invites Program).
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card, you’ll receive up to 80,000 Scene+ points (a value of $800):
- 30,000 points by making at least $3,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months.
- 30,000 bonus Scene+ points when you spend at least $20,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 6 months.
- 20,000 bonus Scene+ points when you make at least one eligible purchase that is posted to your new Account during the 14th month after the month the Account was opened.
With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card, you earn:
- 3X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible travel purchases.
- 2X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible dining and entertainment.
- 1X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on all other eligible purchases.
Including on foreign purchases, with no foreign transaction fees.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card is an excellent Visa credit card for this type of purchase.
These points can be used against any travel purchase at the rate of1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb). You can also redeem your points for cash back at Scene+, for example, at your local grocery store checkout at the same rate of 1,000 points = $10.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card also offers:
- No fees for foreign currency transactions
- 10 complimentary airport lounge visits per year
- $250 annual travel credit
- Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
- Concierge service
Bottom Line
These four no-conversion-fee credit cards are all excellent choices for travelers: they offer you travel points as well as numerous benefits and insurances.
It’s up to you to choose from these no-conversion-fee credit cards!