Understanding how points are calculated helps you avoid pitfalls, but also take advantage of certain loopholes inherent in the limits of the parameters used for calculations.
The transaction you just made at IGA with your Scotiabank Visa Infinite + Passport Card may seem simple, but IGA and Scotiabank do not have the same information to credit your Scene+ points, and the number of points credited will likely be different on your two statements.
In this article, I would like to show you the nuances you need to know about points.
Merchant points
Whether you shop in-store or online, when a merchant credits you points on your purchases, they have a lot of information about what you bought, starting with the details of each item on your receipt.
Exclusions
Because they have access to the transaction details, a merchant can exclude certain line items when calculating the number of points earned. Often, the same exclusion rules also apply to senior discounts and employee discounts.
Exclusions are something you must absolutely keep an eye on, even if that means reading the fine print. There are several categories of exclusions, each with its own history and rules of application.
Exclusions related to laws and regulations
Some products cannot be discounted by laws or regulations. This legally prevents the merchant from giving you points on these products.
This exclusion category also includes:
tobacco
lottery tickets
and even in some cases products where floor prices apply, such as milk or beer.
Fees and taxes
The merchant may also decide to exclude certain line items in the transaction on which they earn no (or very little) profit margin. For example:
For a merchant, there is a big difference between selling a gift card from another brand (e.g., a Netflix or Amazon card) and a gift card for its own brand.
In the first case, it is a product like any other, and the store will earn a margin (between 5% and 15%) on the sale.
In the second case, the store will not make any money on the transaction; it will simply receive payment from the customer, which it will exchange for an “acknowledgement of debt” (a gift card) and place that amount in trust (the clearinghouse).
When the customer uses their gift card, the merchant will make its profit on the sale of goods and will be paid with the money held in trust.
This is why, in most cases, the two purchases are not treated in the same way.
Exclusion from the transaction
Finally, the merchant may decide to exclude the transaction entirely under certain conditions. For example, if a coupon is used, another promotion applies, or the transaction is already subject to a bill discount such as an employee purchase or a seniors discount.
This is the case for Uber Eats when using the Aeroplan eStore.
Base points are calculated on the transaction once exclusions are removed, and once discounts are applied (i.e. promotions, employee discounts, etc.).
The amount calculated this way will be used to establish the number of points you will receive for the transaction according to the scale pre-set by the program for this merchant.
Earning scale
Each loyalty program has its own currency, and as with foreign currencies, each currency has its own value: for example, a PC Optimum point does not have the same value as an Aeroplan point or a Scene+ point.
So each program will award points based on the currency value it uses.
Some programs have a very strong currency and offer only 1 point per $10, $20, or $25, while other programs offer a weaker currency, going as far as awarding 100 points per $1.
Example of currencies and earning rate
Currency
Approximate value
Earning example for a $100 purchase
Aeroplan
2 cents
100 points
PC Optimum
0.1 cent
1,000 points
Scene+
1 cent
100 points
However, most programs have opted for a base earn rate of 1 point per $1.
Rounding up
Each program (and merchant) has its own rounding method when calculating the number of points you should receive.
The majority of the programs will however use a rounding down and therefore to the advantage of the merchant.
For example, if all your purchases add up to $39.99 and the basic bonus is 1 point/$1, you will get 39 points, whereas if the accumulation is 1 point/$20, you will only get 1 point for this transaction.
And if your transaction is only $19.99, in the first case you will receive 19 points, whereas in the second case you will receive no points.
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
$255
Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The American Express Cobalt® Card is a versatile American Express card, whether you want points for travel or cash back.
American Express Cobalt® Card welcome offer
The welcome bonus is paid out monthly over your first 12 months. You earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you charge $750 in net purchases to your card, in any category (1X, 2X, 3X or 5X). That adds up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points over the year, a welcome offer valued at $255.
Earning the full bonus means $9,000 in net purchases spread across 12 monthly billing periods. This offer rewards steady monthly spending rather than one large purchase.
You can use these points as statement credits on everyday or travel purchases, at the same rate either way: 1,000 points = $10.
You can also transfer them to Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways and Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. With the full welcome bonus, that is a choice between:
15,000 Aeroplan points
15,000 Avios points
15,000 Flying Blue Miles
18,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
American Express Cobalt® Card benefits
Here is what the card gives you, starting with the benefits cardholders use most.
5X points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada: groceries, restaurants and bars, and home food delivery. A spend cap applies.
3X points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
2X points on eligible gas, public transit and ride sharing purchases in Canada.
1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through American Express Travel Online.
1X point per dollar on everything else, with no category restrictions.
Points that hold the same value either way: 1,000 points = $10 as a statement credit, or a 1:1 transfer to several airline and hotel loyalty programs.
No minimum income requirement, as with every American Express Canada card.
Additional cards at no extra cost: the first and every other supplementary card is $0.
The Hotel Collection: a room upgrade when available, 12pm check-in and late check-out when available, and up to $100 USD in hotel credit on amenities charged to the room for a stay of two or more consecutive nights, booked through American Express Travel.
Front Of The Line® presale and reserved tickets for concerts and theatre performances, plus offers and events curated for cardmembers through Amex Experiences.
A soft credit check before you apply: you can see whether you will be approved with no impact to your credit score. This applies to American Express personal card applications.
The 5X categories and where they apply
The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers three kinds of merchants:
Groceries: Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, Safeway, Whole Foods.
Restaurants and bars: sit-down meals, takeout and drinks.
Home food delivery.
Convenience stores (Couche-Tard, 7-Eleven): not part of 5X, 1 point per dollar.
The 2X rate covers gas stations such as Esso, Shell and Petro-Canada, along with public transit and ride sharing.
With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:
Category
Points per dollar
Grocery (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.)
5
Home food delivery
5
Restaurants and bars
5
Convenience stores
1
Streaming services
3
Service station
2
Transport
2
Travel
1
Other
1
That works out to a 1 to 5% return on those purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month across groceries, restaurants and food delivery, you earn $50 back per month, or $600 per year from that category alone. Transfer the points to a program such as Aeroplan instead and the return can be higher.
You can also stack these categories with the hundreds of stores that offer 5x points.
American Express Cobalt® Card insurance coverage
The card comes with a broad insurance package. The amounts below are the coverage limits; conditions, age limits and exclusions are set out in the certificate of insurance linked in the Insurance section above.
Travel insurance
Emergency medical: up to $5,000,000 for the first 15 days of a trip.
Travel accident: accidental death and dismemberment of up to $250,000 for you, your spouse and dependent children under age 23 when travelling on a common carrier (plane, train, bus or ship) and the tickets are charged to your card. Supplementary cardholders and their families are covered too.
Flight delay: up to $500 for necessary hotel, meal and sundry expenses bought within 48 hours when you are delayed or denied boarding for four hours or more and no other transportation is available. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and delayed baggage coverage.
Delayed baggage: up to $500 for essential clothing and sundries bought within four days when your outbound luggage is delayed six hours or more. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and flight delay coverage.
Lost or stolen baggage: up to $500 per occurrence for all insured persons combined, for checked or carry-on baggage and personal effects in transit, when the airline tickets are charged to your card. Within that limit, jewellery is capped at $300 per occurrence and golf clubs, including golf bags, at $250 per occurrence.
Hotel and motel burglary: up to $500 against the loss of most personal items if your hotel or motel is burglarized, when the stay is charged to your card.
Rental car insurance
Theft and damage coverage is included for a rental car with an MSRP, for its model year, of up to $85,000 excluding all taxes, for rentals of up to 48 days. To use it, decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or any similar option from the rental company and charge the full rental to your card. There is no cost for this coverage, and it replaces the daily insurance the rental company charges, usually $16 to $23 per day.
Mobile device insurance
Your device is covered for up to $1,000 per occurrence when it is charged to the card, for up to two years from the date of purchase. The payout is based on the depreciated value of the device, which falls by 2% of the purchase price for every completed month, less a 10% deductible. Theft and accidental damage coverage starts on the 91st day after purchase, because the first 90 days are covered by purchase protection.
Purchase protection and extended warranty
Eligible items charged to your card are insured against accidental physical damage or theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined. The card also extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items, with indemnification limited to $10,000 per insured item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year for all items combined.
American Express Cobalt® Card fees
Card fee: $15.99 per month, which equals $191.88 per year, for residents outside Quebec. Quebec residents are billed $191.88 per year.
Additional cards: $0.
Purchase interest rate: 21.99%.
Cash advance interest rate: 21.99%.
Foreign transaction fee: 2.5%.
Minimum income required: none.
Because the fee is billed monthly rather than in one annual charge, you can stop and restart the cost in step with how much you are actually using the card.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$191.88
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
3xStreaming
2xTransit
2xGas
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,675
2nd Year Value$799
Transfer partners
AeroplanAirline
British Airways ClubAirline
Cathay Asia MilesAirline
Etihad GuestAirline
Flying BlueAirline
Hilton HonorsHotel
Marriott BonvoyHotel
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $250,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionUp to $1,000 / 90 days
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Bonus points
The merchant may decide to apply a bonus (often temporarily) to the entire transaction, to a category of products in the transaction (e.g. cosmetics) or to specific products.
These bonus points are often linked to a specific campaign, and for campaign analysis and investment reasons, they are often counted separately from base points.
Multipliers
When the points on a transaction (or a category or a product) are multiplied, the principle is always the same: there is what the advert says (10x the points) and how this will be translated on the statement, i.e. the base points and a bonus to get 10x (so 9x the base).
For example: if we have a $100 transaction and the regular earn rate is 1 point per $1, then the statement will show 100 base points and 900 bonus points for a total of 1,000 points (i.e., 10x the base bonus of 100 points).
Bonus points on products
You may also see promotions in the form of bonus points on specific products (e.g., 5 AIR MILES), in which case the bonus is triggered when you buy the specific product and is added to the points you earn on the total transaction amount.
Bonus points on transactions
There are also promotions that trigger after a certain spending threshold, with the goal always being to push you above that threshold.
Example: if the average grocery cart is $80, why not force the purchase of a few more products by offering a few extra points when the customer exceeds $100.
Questions
Are the promotions cumulative?
In most cases the answer is yes, but perhaps not as cumulative as we would like to think.
To simplify the example, we will use a base offer of 1 point/$1.
For example, if there is a 5x points promotion, and at the same time I have a coupon that gives me another 10x points after $100, and finally I buy 10 products at $10 that give me 50 additional points per product, how many points will I have in total?
Note: unfortunately the answer is not 30,000 points (100+10 x 50) x 5 x 10
Is a bonus of 10x points good?
A 10x points offer is always better than no additional bonus.
In fact, the real question is:
Are all 10x worth the same?
Is a 10x AIR MILES promotion really better than a 3x Aeroplan?
Example parameter:
A merchant available on the AIR MILES Shop and the Aeroplan shop (ex: Etsy)
Basic offer
AIR MILES: 1 AIR MILES bonus miles per $20
Aeroplan: 1 Aeroplan point per $1
Currency valuation
AIR MILES: 10.5¢
Aeroplan point: 1.7¢
Promotional offer
AIR MILES: 10x miles
Aeroplan point: 3x points
What is the best offer?
Yes, it is counterintuitive, but in most cases with the same merchant, a 10x AIR MILES promotion is less “interesting” than a 3x Aeroplan points promotion.
This is due to the bonus structure and the “rounding up”.
Credit cards points
In the case of credit cards, the “product” on which points are awarded is not what is in your cart but the “payment solution,” meaning what the merchant will pay in fees to be able to collect the money from the transaction: interchange fees.
When you receive points via your credit card, the card issuer has far less information than the merchant to calculate the number of points it must credit.
The myth of Level 3 information / Level 3
Let us immediately debunk a myth: in Canada, the credit card issuer does not have access to the contents of the cart (the “Line Item Detail of Purchase”).
Even though Level 3 information transfer (Level 3 processing) exists in theory, it does not apply to our Canadian credit cards (unlike U.S. credit cards).
The vast majority of information transmitted is Level 2 (“Level 2”) between the merchant and the card issuer.
Indeed, two conditions must be met for the credit card issuer to have access to the famous Level 3, which contains the information for each product purchased in a transaction (“Line Item Detail of Purchase”).
Condition 1: It must be a “corporate” credit/payment card. These cards are not available to the general public; they are different from SME or personal cards and are intended for large companies or government organizations.
Condition 2: The store must support Level 3 information transfer. We will not go into the details, but it is an investment for the merchant that it can only recoup if it processes a lot of corporate card transactions (mainly by saving on interchange fees for those transactions).
Exclusions
In the case of a credit card, exclusions and calculations are therefore done at the transaction level.
As when a merchant credits points, some transactions may be excluded.
Exclusions are mainly as follows:
Interest charges
The card ‘s fees
Cash advances (e.g. ATM withdrawals)
Payments on online casino platforms (e.g., Loto-Québec),
Payments on international money transfer platforms, currency purchases.
In addition, certain clauses may apply, such as those for American Express:
Transactions processed manually or using a paper-based process (for example, transactions processed using a credit card imprint);
Purchase for which the merchant category is not defined.
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite+* Card, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.
Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.
With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.
These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:
No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services
Legal
* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:
$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;
$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;
$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);
$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;
$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.
Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)
The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.
1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.
In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.
Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.
Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus: As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.
Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.
Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.
Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.
Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.
Savings at Shell
Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with an eligible Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:
Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power® gasoline, or V-Power® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.
Note: Highest value of 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.
Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)
Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer valid from October 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (“Promotional Period”), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an “Eligible Card”) to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the “Eligible Provinces”) excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.
To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.
The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.
The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.
The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.
Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.
All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.
Annual fee
Primary card$150
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$60,000
Household$100,000
Conversion fees
0%
Earning rate
3xWith the partner brand
2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$704
2nd Year Value$397
Card benefits
Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
The calculation of the base points
Unlike the merchant side, when calculating a transaction, it is the entire transaction that is eligible or not.
So, for example, at a restaurant, the total amount paid, including taxes and tip, is what will be sent to the card issuer and therefore what the calculation is based on.
For the same reason, you can therefore earn points via your credit card on medication purchases even in Quebec.
Bonuses by type of purchase
Often certain types of purchases will earn you extra points.
To do this, the issuer will use the information it receives from the merchant to determine whether the transaction qualifies for an additional earn rate (2x, 4x, 5x), whether for a specific merchant (Apple, Amazon, Expedia, Petro-Canada, Ultramar, Walmart, Marriott, etc.) or for a type of merchant (Grocery, pharmacy, gas station, travel, etc.).
Merchant Category Codes
The Merchant Category Code (MCC) is a standard for categorizing what a business sells.
MCC codes exist in two forms: codes identifying the category of the store (5912: Pharmacies) or in the travel field, codes with the name of the company directly (3007: AIR FRANCE).
There are about 1,000 different codes to classify businesses. For example, there are two codes for restaurants (5812: Eating places and Restaurants, and 5814: Fast Food Restaurants) as well as a specific code for Bars (5813).
Communication between the purchase category and the MCC
When a credit card advertises that it offers an additional earn rate for a purchase category (e.g., restaurants), it defines which MCCs are included in the bonus.
For example, when Tangerine talks about Pharmacy to holders of Tangerine credit cards, it refers to merchants classified under 5912 “Pharmacy,” and when it talks about Restaurants, it refers to merchants classified under 5812 to 5814 (“Eating places and Restaurants, Bars, Cocktail lounges, Nightclubs, Taverns and Fast Food Restaurants”).
5815: Digital Goods: Media, Books, Movies, Music 5816: Digital Goods: Games 5968: Direct marketing, continuity subscription merchants
Tolls
4784: Toll and Bridge Fees
Drugstores
5912: Drug Stores and Pharmacies
Home Improvement
5200: Home Supply Warehouse Stores 5231: Glass, Paint, and Wallpaper Stores 5251: Hardware Stores 5261: Nurseries, Lawn and Garden Supply Store 5713: Floor Covering Stores 5714: Drapery, Window Covering and Upholstery Stores 5718: Fireplace, Fireplace Screens, and Accessories Stores
Restaurants
5812: Eating places and Restaurants 5814: Fast Food Restaurants
Utilities
4900: Electric, Gas, Sanitary and Water Utilities
Parking
7523: Automobile Parking Lots and Garages
Taxi
4121: Taxicabs and Limousines
Public Transportation
4111: Local/Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation 4112: Passenger Railways 4131: Bus Lines, Including Charters, Tour Buses 4789: Transportation Services, Not elsewhere classified
SAQ / LCBO
5921: Liquor Stores
Costco / Costco.ca
5300: Wholesale Clubs
Walmart
5310: Discount Stores or 5311: Department Stores For Mastercard, Supercentres: 5411: Grocery Stores, Supermarkets
The bonus is therefore calculated at the merchant level, which is why buying a litre of milk in a pharmacy is coded as “Pharmacy,” and buying a toothbrush in a grocery store is coded as “Grocery.”
How to find out the list of MCCs for a purchase type
Knowing how a store is categorized is largely a matter of experience, but there are a few tips.
Even if these cards only provide the codes for the Visa network, the store is normally coded identically for Mastercard and American Express.
You can also use American Express cards, which are much less precise in categorization but provide a good indication, for example for dining or travel.
Statements
You can also find the classification information on credit card statements when the purchase is posted to the account.
The calculations are not perfect and are based on the information available from the merchant, card issuer or portal.
Because systems process millions of transaction lines per day, this leads to “errors,” some of which benefit the merchant and others the customer.
Errors that benefit the customer result in losses to the program, but those that benefit the merchant result in dissatisfaction and possibly customer churn, and that is a big risk for the card issuer.
We want to avoid frustrating customers with false positives as much as possible, which is why systems are often more permissive than what is stated in program rules.
It is therefore important to understand the limitations in order to exploit the flaws to one’s advantage.
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$600Annual fee rebated$139Total$739Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa credit cards with travel rewards.
With this offer, get up to $1,900 in value, including a first-year annual fee rebate.
CIBC has an offer with which you can earn up to 60,000 Aventura points:
15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase†
30,000 Aventura Points if you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods†
15,000 Aventura Points if you have at least $5,000 in net purchases posted to your account in the first 4 monthly statement periods†
In addition, you can benefit from a rebate on the first year’s annual fee for the primary card holder ($139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each).
With this CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:
2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card also offers:
Airport lounges access: Visa Airport Companion Program membership with 4 complimentary visits
Reimbursement of NEXUS membership fees ( $160 value)
A free Skip+ membership (a $110 first-year value)
The minimum annual income required for this card is $60,000 (personal) or $100,000 (household).
Legal
This is an exclusive digital offer†. To be eligible for this offer: 1) this offer must have been directly communicated to you from CIBC or from a partner or affiliate; 2) you must apply for the eligible card through the link provided in the CIBC or partner/affiliate communication to you†.
This offer is reserved for you. Please do not forward it to anyone else. CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Aventura card within the last 12 months.†
† Conditions apply. To learn more, select the Apply Now option.
Annual fee
Primary card$139
Additional card$50
Annual income required
Individual$60,000
Household$100,000
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
1.5xPharmacy
1.5xGroceries
1.5xGas
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$957
2nd Year Value$359
Card benefits
Airport lounge access$160
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$469Annual fee rebated$120Total$589Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa Infinite rewards credit cards in Canada. Its welcome offer lets you earn up to 70,000 BMO Rewards points, for a total value of up to $1,150*.
It also includes a monthly statement credit for streaming services, an annual $50 lifestyle credit, and no annual fee for the first year (a $120 value)*.
With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card, you also get:
5x BMO Rewards points for every dollar spent on groceries, meal delivery or takeout, rideshare, public transit, and gas*
1 BMO Rewards point for every dollar spent on all other purchases*
10% more points when you add an authorized user to your account*
Mobile device insurance offering coverage up to $1,000*
The Pay with Points feature, which allows you to redeem your points on recent purchases starting at $1*
Six months of Instacart+ membership plus a monthly $10 Instacart credit with an eligible card*
Legal
*Terms and conditions apply
BMO is not responsible for updating the content of this site. For the most up-to-date information, please click on the Online Application link.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Additional card$50
Annual income required
Individual$60,000
Household$100,000
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xTransit
5xGas
5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,128
2nd Year Value$365
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
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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.
