Guide: The Three Best Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees

Updated Jul 3, 2024
Fact checked by
Alexandrine Bertrand
Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand
An avid solo traveller, Alexandrine is an expert on loyalty programmes such as Aeroplan, Avios, AIR MILES, Flying Blue and Marriott Bonvoy. With a budget-conscious approach, she helps travellers make the most of their points and miles to experience affordable, off-the-beaten-path getaways. She also shares a love of gastronomy and enjoys exploring local flavours and culinary traditions.
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To the point Are you looking for a credit card with no foreign transaction fee? Here are the three best credit cards in Canada!

Most Canadian credit cards charge a conversion fee for foreign currency transactions. This conversion fee is generally 2.5%.

If you use your card to make purchases abroad or online in non-Canadian currency, getting a credit card with no foreign transaction fees may be worthwhile!

Here are the three no-foreign transaction fee credit cards available in Canada, all issued by Scotiabank and part of the Scene+ program:

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card only requires a minimum income of $12,000, making it accessible to the greatest number of people.

Until July 1, 2025, you can earn up to 40 000 Scene+ points in welcome bonus, broken down as follows:

  • 20,000 Scene+ points with $2,000 in net purchases in the first 3 months
  • 20,000 Scene+ points by making $7,500 in purchases on the card in the first year

That’s $400 worth of travel (including Airbnb).

With the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you earn 6 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

Also, you earn 5 points per dollar for:

  • Grocery stores
  • Restaurants
  • Entertainment centers

And 3 points per dollar on gas, transit and streaming services purchases.

You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.

The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card also offers no foreign currency transaction fees, excellent travel and purchase insurance, concierge service and exclusive American Express benefits (Front of the Line Program).

Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you’ll receive up to 40,000 Scene+ points in welcome bonus (a $400 value):

  • 30,000 points after $2,000 in purchases in the first three months
  • 10,000 points after $40,000 in purchases in the first year

Then, each year, if you make at least $40,000 in purchases on the card, you’ll earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 points, a value of $100.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you earn 3 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, and Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

You’ll also earn 2 points for every dollar you spend, including on foreign purchases, in the following categories:

  • Grocery shopping
  • Restaurants
  • Entertainment centers
  • Transit

The Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport is an excellent Visa credit card for this type of purchase.

These points can be used against any travel purchase at the rate of1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb). You can also redeem your points for cash back at Scene+, for example, at your local grocery store checkout at the same rate of 1,000 points = $10.

The Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport also offers :

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 access to VIP airport lounges
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Concierge service

We voted this credit card the Best No-FX Fee Credit Card of 2024.

Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card

For a limited time, by subscribing to Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card, you can earn up to 80,000 points. That’s a value of $800 for trips including Airbnb.

With Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card, you earn 2 points per dollar spent on all your purchases. You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). And you can also use them for other rewards in the Scene+ program, such as cash back.

What’s more, with this card you pay no fees for foreign currency transactions, and you get 10 free accesses to airport VIP lounges like Priority Pass and Premium Plaza.

And you get excellent insurance for your travels or purchases, concierge service, and exclusive American Express Offers (American Express Invites Program).

Bottom Line

These three no-foreign transaction fee credit cards are all excellent choices for travellers: they offer you travel points as well as numerous benefits and insurance coverages.

Choose from these three no-foreign transaction fee credit cards!

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.
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