How to optimize the cash back rate of the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite card

Updated Jun 15, 2026
Fact checked by
Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
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How to optimize the cash back of the Scotia Momentum VISA Infinite card - Checkout
To the point Find out how to make the most of the 15% cash back welcome bonus offered by the Scotia Momentum VISA Infinite card.

The Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite+* Card is back with a particularly generous welcome offer, and it now comes with several major improvements introduced in February 2026. Between the instant cash back from $25 and the addition of new 2% categories, this card ranks among the best cash back credit cards in Canada. You currently get 15% cash back on all purchases during the first 3 months. To stay on top of credit card news, subscribe to our newsletter.

Welcome Offer

With the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ Card, you now get these cash back rates (updated in February 2026):

  • 4%: Groceries and recurring bill payments
  • 2%: Gas, transit and food delivery (category added in 2026)
  • 1%: All other eligible purchases

For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on groceries or recurring payments, you will earn $40 in cash back per month, or $480 per year, with this card, for this single category of purchases. And that is without counting the other purchases you make with this card and the benefits it offers, notably its excellent travel insurance coverage.

If you are a tenant, you could, for example, use the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ Card on the Chexy website to pay your rent and earn 4% cash back. To go further, check out our comparison: CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite vs Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite.

So all you have to do is spend $2,000 on this card during the first 3 months to maximize this promotion. However, let’s look together at how exactly this 15% cash back works and why it is particularly attractive.

Payment of the 15% bonus

The 15% cash back applies to the first $2,000 in purchases charged to your card within the first 3 months. In fact, this cash back rate is divided into two parts:

  • The normal cash back rate of the program (1% / 2% / 4% depending on merchant categories)
  • The bonus cash back rate (14% / 13% / 11% depending on merchant categories)

In addition, thanks to the new redemption policy, you no longer have to wait until November to enjoy your normal cash back. However, the bonus-rate cash back follows its own payment schedule announced by Scotiabank.

The 1% category to prioritize for 3 months

During the first 3 months, it is in your best interest to use your Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite+* Card in merchant categories with a 1% rate, that is, excluding groceries, gas stations, transit or food delivery. Indeed, this is where the 14% bonus has the most impact.

Here is a comparison table for $2,000 in purchases by merchant category:

$2,000 in purchasesNormal rateBonus rateNormal cash backBonus cash back
Other merchants (e.g. Costco)1%14%$20$280
Gas / Transit / Delivery2%13%$40$260
Groceries / Recurring payments4%11%$80$220

15% cash back at Costco

Members of the Milesopedia Facebook group had a very relevant remark. Indeed, by buying $2,000 worth of Shop Cards on Costco.ca (which accepts Visa cards, unlike the warehouses) with the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite+* Card, you maximize this welcome bonus.

It’s as if your first $2,000 spent at Costco earned you $300, or a 15% rebate.

Optimizing cash back

For those who want to use this card throughout the year, and not only for the 15% welcome bonus, it is a very attractive card thanks to its enhanced 2026 earn rates:

  • 4% on groceries and recurring payments
  • 2% on gas, transit and food delivery (new in 2026)
  • 1% on all other eligible purchases

Since it is a Visa card, you will have no difficulty using it at your favourite merchants. Moreover, you can enjoy rates as attractive as those offered by the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card or the American Express Cobalt® Card.

To pay your rent with Chexy

Are you a tenant? In our opinion, the best use of the 4% cash back is for rent payments, one of the largest expenses in a budget. Thanks to Chexy, it is now possible to earn rewards on your rent. This Canadian company lets you pay your rent by credit card, and then Chexy handles the monthly Interac transfer sent to your landlords.

This way you:

  • Pay a 1.75% fee to Chexy
  • Earn 4% cash back with the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ Card, since Chexy falls into the recurring payments category
  • This represents a net cash back of 2.25% on your rent

Without counting the increased cash back from the welcome offer, this represents $405 in cash back per year on a monthly rent of $1,500.

2026 updates to the Momentum lineup

Since February 1, 2026, Scotiabank has made two major changes to all of its Momentum cards. First, instant cash out from $25 replaces the annual wait until November. So you can cash out your rewards whenever you like, through the Scotia app or Scotia online. Second, several categories were added or enhanced across the lineup. For the other recent improvements, also read Scotia Visa Infinite+: Free GigSky Data and 2026 Updates.

Conclusion

With its enhanced welcome offer and its 2026 updates, the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite+* Card is more attractive than ever. By applying now, you benefit from all of the following:

  • An excellent welcome bonus of up to $300 in cash back
  • The first year free (annual fee waived)
  • The new instant cash out from $25 accumulated
  • The new 2% categories (transit, food delivery)

Then, you are free to keep this credit card in your wallet for an additional year or opt for another cash back credit card. To compare all the options on the market, check out our best credit cards page in Canada.

Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ Card – Frequently asked questions

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Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien Voisine is the President and Founder of Milesopedia and a leading expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel across Canada, France, and the U.S.A. Now 40 years old and a father of two, he has explored more than 100 countries—many of them alongside his wife Audrey and their children. Specializing in loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, Jean-Maximilien helps travellers unlock the full potential of their points and benefits. His mission: empower others to travel better and smarter across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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