How to maximize the Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card’s 10% cash back rate

Updated May 31, 2024
Fact checked by
Alexandrine Bertrand
Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand
A passionate solo traveler, Alexandrine is an expert on loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Avios, AIR MILES, Flying Blue and Marriott Bonvoy. With a budget-conscious approach, she helps travelers maximize their points and miles for low-cost, off-the-beaten-path getaways. A food lover, she enjoys discovering the local flavors and culinary traditions that enrich her adventures.
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scotia Infinite momentum presentation
To the point Find out how to make the most of the 10% cash back welcome bonus offered by the Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card.

Welcome offer

The Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card is recognized year after year as one of the best cash-back credit cards in Canada.

Currently, there is no annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards. And you can earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first three months (up to $2,000 in total purchases).

With the Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card, you get:

  • 4% on groceries and recurring payments
  • 2% on gas and daily transit
  • 1% on all other purchases

For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on groceries and/or recurring payments, you’ll earn $40 cash back per month, or $480 cash back per year with this card for this category of purchases! And that’s not counting the other purchases you’ll make with this card and the advantages it offers (particularly in terms of insurance).

If you rent, for example, you could use the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card on the Chexy website to pay your rent and get 4% cash back!

The Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite* card is an excellent Visa credit card for cash back.

And its insurance benefits are excellent!

All you have to do is spend $2,000 on this card during the first 3 months to maximize this promotion!

But let’s look at how exactly this 10% cash back welcome bonus works and why it’s exciting.

The annual cash back statement credit in November

Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Cardholders usually earn their cash back annually, on the November statement. So a person who signs up in January 2023 will receive their annual cash back in November 2023.

But regarding the 10% bonus, there will be two installments.

Payment of the 10% bonus

The 10% cashback applies to the first $2,000 in purchases charged to your card in the first 3 months.

This cash back rate is split like this:

  • The normal cash back rate (1% / 2% / 4% depending on the spending categories)
  • The welcome bonus cash back rate (9% / 8% / 6% depending on the spending categories)

And the cash back will be credited to your credit card account in 2 installments!

  • The regular cash back is paid, as usual, on your November credit card statement
  • The bonus cash back is paid within 7 months of the end of the offer

The 1% category is therefore preferable for the first 3 months!

During the first 3 months, it’s in your best interest to use your Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card in 1% categories (i.e. excluding grocery stores, gas stations or local transportation).

Explanations in a table for purchases of $2,000 according to trade category:

Purchases
of $2,000
Cash back
Normal
Cash back
as a bonus
Regular Cash back
next November
Bonus Cash back
7 months after the end of the offer
Other Businesses like Costco 1 % 9 % $20 $180
Gas stations 2 % 8 % $40 $160
Grocery stores 4 % 6 % $80 $120

 

10% cash back at Costco?

Members of the milesopedia facebook group had a very relevant remark!

By purchasing $2,000 worth of Shop cards on Costco.ca(which takes VISA cards, unlike warehouses) with the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card, you get the most out of this sign-up bonus!

Costco Cash Cards

It’s as if your first $2,000 spent at Costco earned you $200, or a 10% rebate!

Optimizing cashback

For those who want to use this card year-round – and not just take advantage of the 10% sign-up bonus – this is a great card because of its earning rates:

  • 4% in grocery stores and recurring payments
  • 2% in gas and local transportation

Since it’s a VISA card, you’ll have no trouble using it at your favorite stores, and can take advantage of rates as good as those offered by the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card or the American Express Cobalt® Card.

To pay your rent

Are you a tenant? In our opinion, the best use of the 4% discount is for rent payments, one of the most important expenses in a budget. Thanks to Chexy, it’s now possible to earn rewards on your rent! This Canadian company lets you pay your rent by credit card, and then Chexy takes care of the monthly Interac transfer to your landlords.

This way you :

Without calculating the increased cash back with the welcome offer, this represents a $405 annual discount on a monthly rent of $1,500! Here’s how to do it with Chexy:

Bottom Line

December – January are the best months to subscribe to The Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card:

  • you get a great welcome bonus
  • you will benefit from a first year annual fee waiver
  • you can use your card throughout the year to earn your annual cash back next November

Then you’re free to keep that credit card in your wallet for another year, or opt for another cash-back credit card!

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien, President and Founder of Milesopedia, is a recognized expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel in Canada and France. Approaching forty and a father of two, he has travelled to over 100 countries, half of them with his children and his wife, Audrey. Specializing in top loyalty programs like Aeroplan, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, he guides travellers to maximize their benefits across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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