How to optimize the cash back on the Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* Card

Updated Aug 17, 2026
Fact checked by
Audrey Voisine
Audrey Voisine Audrey Voisine
Audrey, co-founder of Milesopedia, is a dedicated entrepreneur, avid traveler, and mother of two children. She shares valuable tips and recommendations for families and frequent travellers alike, helping everyone get the most from points and rewards programs. As Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, she is committed to guiding Milesopedia readers toward more accessible, practical, and memorable journeys.
All posts by Audrey Voisine
How to optimize the cash back on the Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* Card
To the point The Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* Card is enhancing its offer with 15% cash back for three months, a first-year annual fee waiver, and new 2% categories.

The Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* Card® is back with a particularly generous welcome offer, and it now features several major improvements as of February 2026. Between instant redemption starting at $25 and the addition of new 2% categories, this card ranks among the best cash back cards in Canada. You currently benefit from 15% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months. To stay up to date on credit card news, subscribe to our newsletter.

Welcome Offer

With the Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* Card, you now earn these cash back rates (updated 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 purchase category alone. And that’s not counting other purchases you’ll make with this card and the benefits it offers, including its excellent travel insurance coverage.

If you are a tenant, please note that the rate applicable to rent payments depends on the category in which your issuer classifies it: many exclude rent and taxes from their accelerated categories. To go further, it may also be worthwhile to consult our comparison: CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card vs. Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card.

Therefore, you only need to spend $2,000 on this card during the first 3 months to maximize this promotion. However, let’s look together at exactly how this 15% rebate works and why it is particularly interesting.

Payment of the 15% bonus

The 15% cash back applies to the first $2,000 in purchases charged to your card during the first 3 months. In fact, this rebate 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)

Furthermore, thanks to the new redemption policy, you no longer have to wait until November to enjoy your normal rebate. 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 1% merchant categories—meaning outside of 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 according to the merchant category:

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

15% cash back at Costco

Members of the Milesopedia Facebook group made a very relevant point. Indeed, by buying $2,000 worth of Shop Cards on the Costco.ca website (which accepts Visa cards, unlike the warehouses) with the Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* Card®, you maximize this sign-up bonus to the fullest.

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

Optimizing cashback

For those who wish to use this card throughout the year, and not just for the 15% sign-up bonus, it is a very interesting card thanks to its enhanced accumulation rates in 2026:

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

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

Paying your rent by credit card

Are you a tenant? Thanks to Chexy, it is possible to pay your rent by credit card. This Canadian company takes the payment from your card and then handles the monthly Interac e-transfer sent to your landlords. However, the cash back rate you earn depends on the category your issuer assigns to this payment.

This way you :

  • Pay a 1.75% fee to Chexy
  • Check the actual applicable rate: several issuers exclude rent and taxes from their enhanced recurring payments category

When the expense is processed at the regular purchase rate rather than the enhanced rate, the service fees may be enough to cancel out the gain. This is the calculation to redo before building a strategy on this type of payment.

What’s new in 2026 for the Momentum range

Since February 1st, 2026, Scotiabank has made two major changes to all its Momentum cards. First, instant redemption starting at $25 replaces the annual wait until November. Thus, you can redeem your rewards whenever you like via the Scotia app or Scotia OnLine. Second, several categories have been added or enhanced across the entire range. For other recent improvements, also read Scotia Visa Infinite+: Free GigSky Data and 2026 Updates.

Conclusion

With its enhanced welcome offer and 2026 updates, the 15% cash back and First Year Free with the Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* Card is more attractive than ever. By applying now, you benefit from both:

  • An excellent welcome bonus of up to $300 in cash back
  • A first-year fee waiver (annual fee waived)
  • The new instant redemption starting at $25 accumulated
  • New 2% categories (transit, food delivery)

Afterwards, 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 options on the market, visit our page of the best credit cards 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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