How to optimize the cash back rate of the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite card
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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
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite+* Card
The Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite+* Card is recognized, year after year, as one of the best cash back credit cards in Canada. Milesopedia also named it the best cash back credit card of 2026.
Right now, with this promotional offer, the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ Card has no annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards. And you can earn 15% cash back on all your purchases for the first three months (on up to $2,000 in total purchases).
It also includes a handy new perk for travellers: enjoy 10 GB of free global GigSky mobile data for 15 days, plus access to Travel Essentials to use essential apps like messaging, maps and email while you travel. Cardholders also continue to receive 1 GB of free GigSky mobile data per year, plus a 20% discount on future GigSky purchases.
With the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ Card, you earn:
- 4% cash back on grocery store purchases and recurring bill payments
- 2% cash back on gas, public transit, rideshare and food delivery purchases
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on groceries and/or recurring bill payments, you’ll get $40 in cash back per month, or $480 per year with this card in that spending category. And that doesn’t include the other purchases you make with this card or the benefits it offers (including its excellent insurance coverage).
If you rent, you could for example use the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card on the Chexy website to pay your rent and earn 4% cash back.
Also note that you can redeem your cash back at any time (your cash back balance must be at least $25).
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$300Annual fee rebated$120Total$420Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $420
- Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months
- Up to $300 Cash Back
- Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now
on Scotiabank's website
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 purchases | Normal rate | Bonus rate | Normal cash back | Bonus cash back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other merchants (e.g. Costco) | 1% | 14% | $20 | $280 |
| Gas / Transit / Delivery | 2% | 13% | $40 | $260 |
| Groceries / Recurring payments | 4% | 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.
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$300Annual fee rebated$120Total$420Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $420
- Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months
- Up to $300 Cash Back
- Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now
on Scotiabank's website
Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite +* Card – Frequently asked questions
When can I cash out my rewards instantly?
Instant cash out has been available since February 1, 2026 for all Scotia Momentum Visa cards, with a minimum accumulation of $25 through the Scotia app or Scotia online.
What are the new cash back categories in 2026?
The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite +* Card adds food delivery to its 2% category, which now includes gas, transit and food delivery. The other rates remain unchanged.
How do I maximize the 15% welcome bonus?
To maximize the bonus, spend $2,000 in a 1% category during the first three months. For example, buying Shop Cards on Costco.ca yields the equivalent of $300 in cash back on that $2,000.
Can I pay my rent with this card?
Yes, through the Chexy service. Until October 21, 2026, the 4% recurring payments category applies, which gives a net cash back of 2.25% after Chexy’s 1.75% fee. Starting October 22, 2026, Scotiabank applies the regular 1% purchase rate to rent and tax payments instead of the recurring payments rate. Once the platform’s fees are deducted, the transaction is no longer worthwhile.
What is the card’s annual fee?
The annual fee is $120 per year, but it is waived for the first year as part of the current promotional offer. Additional cards are also free for the first year.
Can the annual fee be waived after the first year?
The first-year waiver is part of the promotional offer. From the second year, the $120 annual fee applies, plus $50 per additional card (as of September 2026). Scotiabank does not publish a retention program: you can ask customer service for a goodwill credit, with no guarantee of success. If the answer is no, Scotiabank lets you switch to another of its credit cards, such as the Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card, by calling 1-866-267-4935. If you close the account instead, you have 90 days to redeem your cash back balance by phone.
Is the card worth the fee on a small budget?
It depends on your grocery and recurring bill spending. In that category, the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite+* Card earns 4%, compared with 1% for the no-fee version. That 3-point gap covers the $120 fee on its own from $4,000 in purchases per year, or about $333 per month. The other categories widen the gap further in favour of the Visa Infinite+ version. However, starting October 22, 2026, rent paid by card no longer counts in the 4% category, so leave it out of your calculation.
Can I still wait for the annual payout instead of cashing out at $25?
Yes, you keep the choice. You can cash out from $25 or let your rewards accumulate longer based on your preferences.