Head-to-Head: CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite vs. Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +

Q: Which card is easier to unlock the welcome bonus on?

The CIBC Aventura ® Visa Infinite* Card offers the easier path. Its welcome bonus of up to 45,000 Aventura Points can be earned after a first purchase and $3,000 in spending within the first 4 monthly statement periods . The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card offers 40,000 Scene+ points after spending $2,000, but additional bonus points require spending $10,000 and $40,000. For most households, CIBC’s bonus is simpler and easier to earn.

Q: How do the earn rates stack up for typical spending?

Scotiabank Passport wins on category bonuses . It earns 4 points per $1 on hotels and car rentals, 3 points per $1 at grocery partners, and 2 points per $1 on dining and entertainment. CIBC Aventura earns 2 points per $1 on travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre and 1.5 points per $1 on gas, groceries and drug stores. For grocery- and dining-heavy households, Scotia delivers a noticeably higher effective return.

Q: Which card has the lower annual fee?

The CIBC Aventura charges $139 per year , often waived in the first year through digital offers. The Scotiabank Passport charges $150 per year , waivable when you hold an eligible Scotiabank chequing account package. Net of typical first-year waivers, both cards effectively cost $0 in year 1. After that, CIBC is $11 cheaper annually, but the Scotia FX advantage usually outweighs the difference for travellers.

Q: What is the deciding factor for most travellers?

It comes down to two things: foreign exchange and lounge access . Scotia Passport charges 0% FX fees and includes 6 complimentary lounge visits . CIBC Aventura charges the standard 2.5% FX fee and includes 4 DragonPass lounge visits plus a $160 NEXUS rebate. If you spend more than $5,000 a year in foreign currency, Scotia saves you over $125 annually on FX alone. If you primarily travel in Canada and the U.S. with Aeroplan goals, CIBC’s transferable points may suit you better.

Published July 2, 2026Updated October 5, 20269 min readEditorial integrity

For anyone looking to save a bit of cash on their next trip abroad or even just on their next trip to the grocery store, the right credit card can make a big difference.

Both CIBC and Scotiabank offer flexible travel-focused Visa Infinite cards, giving you different ways to save on your next trip and on expenses closer to home:

Compare

Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $350
Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite^+* Card, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

Legal

* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.

Savings at Shell

Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with an eligible Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Note: Highest value of 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.

Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)

Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer valid from October 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (“Promotional Period”), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an “Eligible Card”) to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the “Eligible Provinces”) excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.

The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

3xWith the partner brand
2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$604

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Compare

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC CIBC Aventura First-Year Annual Fee Rebate

Annual feeNo annual fee the first year: $0 $139
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Annual fee rebated$139Total$739Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $739
Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 4 months: Up to 60,000 points

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa credit cards with travel rewards.

With this offer, get up to $1,900 in value, including a first-year annual fee rebate.

CIBC has an offer with which you can earn up to 60,000 Aventura points:

15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase^†
30,000 Aventura Points if you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods^†
15,000 Aventura Points if you have at least $5,000 in net purchases posted to your account in the first 4 monthly statement periods^†

In addition, you can benefit from a rebate on the first year’s annual fee for the primary card holder ($139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each).

With this CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:

2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre^†
1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores^†
1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases^†

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card also offers:

Airport lounges access: Visa Airport Companion Program membership with 4 complimentary visits
Reimbursement of NEXUS membership fees ( $160 value)
A free Skip+ membership (a $110 first-year value)

The minimum annual income required for this card is $60,000 (personal) or $100,000 (household).

Legal

This is an exclusive digital offer^†. To be eligible for this offer:
1) this offer must have been directly communicated to you from CIBC or from a partner or affiliate;
2) you must apply for the eligible card through the link provided in the CIBC or partner/affiliate communication to you^†.

This offer is reserved for you. Please do not forward it to anyone else. CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Aventura card within the last 12 months.^†

^† Conditions apply. To learn more, select the Apply Now option.

Annual fee

Primary card$139

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

1.5xPharmacy
1.5xGroceries
1.5xGas
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$957

2nd Year Value$359

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$160

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,000

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card offer cardholders the opportunity to earn points on every purchase they make.

Both cards are a great choice for someone looking to accumulate points that can not only be used for travel, but also have the flexibility to save you money on day-to-day expenses.

To see how these two cards compare, let’s check out their stats in the following six categories:

Welcome Bonus
Minimum Income
Annual Fee
Earning Points
Redeeming Points
Perks and Benefits

Welcome Bonus

The first category that we’ll compare for these two cards is their welcome bonuses, since both cards typically offer a helpful stack of points to give your account a head start.

Since the offers tend to fluctuate a few times a year, we’ll compare the current welcome bonuses with each card.

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card is currently offering new card members a welcome bonus of up to 45,000 Aventura Points, broken down as follows:

15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase on the new card
30,000 Aventura Points after you spend at least $3,000 in the first 4 months of card membership

Comparatif : Carte Visa Infinite Passeport + Banque Scotia vs Carte Mastercard BMO AIR MILES World Elite - Carte Visa Infinite +* Passeportᴹᴰ Banque Scotia

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Comparatively, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card is offering new cardholders up to 35,000 Scene+ points through its welcome bonus, earned as follows:

25,000 Scene+ points after you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months as a cardholder
Opportunity to earn an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points when you spend at least $40,000 on the card each year

Advantuage: CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

After consideration, we’re giving this category to the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card since it offers 45,000 Aventura Points for a total spend of only $3,000.

Comparatively, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card does offer 40,000 Scene+ points as its first tier for only $2,000 (which is excellent!), but the next tiers are immediately less accessible, requiring a spend of $10,000 and $40,000, respectively.

Ultimately, we’re choosing CIBC here for the more easily accessible welcome bonus structure.

Minimum Income Requirement

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card has a minimum income requirement of $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card has a basically identical minimum income requirement at:

$60,000 individual income
$100,000 household income
or assets under management of $250,000 or more

Draw

Since both of the cards are Visa Infinite cards, it’s no surprise that they come with the same minimum income requirements, making this category a tie.

Annual Fee

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

The annual fee for the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card is $139; however, this is often waived for the first year.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card has an annual fee of $150, which can be waived if you hold an eligible Scotiabank bank account, such as an Ultimate Package chequing account or the Preferred Package chequing account.

Advantage: CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

We’re giving this second category to the CIBC Aventura^® Visa* Card since its annual fee is lower than the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, and it’s often waived for the first year without the need to be a CIBC customer first.

Earning Points

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card each earn a different type of flexible, travel-focused points.

With the CIBC card, you can earn Aventura Points, and with the Scotiabank card, you can earn Scene+ points.

With the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn 1 to 2 Aventura Points per $1 spent, depending on the category:

Category	Points
Travel booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre	2
Gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores, and drug stores	1.5
All other purchases	1

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you can earn up to 4 Scene+ points per $1 spent:

Category	Points
Hotels and car rentals booked through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia	4
Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland, participating IGA, and more	3
Dining out, other grocery stores, ad eligible entertainment and transit purchases	2
All other purchases	1

It’s also worth noting that you can actually earn Scene+ points without a credit card. This is because Scene+ is also the loyalty program for Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, Rachelle Béry, and other partnered grocery stores, and you can earn points on your purchases at participating stores by simply having a free-to-get membership card.

Advantage: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

The winner here is the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, thanks to its notably higher earning rates across many popular categories.

We also love that even people without a co-branded credit card have the opportunity to join Scene+ and earn points when they shop at Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, Freshco, Rachelle Béry, Les Marchés Tradition, and more.

Redeeming Points

As we mentioned above, each of the two cards represents a different rewards program, so they each offer slightly different ways to redeem their associated points.

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card offers the following redemption options and values:

Travel booked through CIBC by Expedia (1 cent per point)
Statement credit for pending travel expenses using Shopping with Points (~1 cent per point during promotion)
Flights redeemed using the CIBC Aventura Flight Rewards Chart (up to 2.3 cents per point)
Investment products (0.83 cents per point)
Gift cards (~0.71 cents per point)
Merchandise (value fluctuates based on item)
Statement credit (0.63 cents per point)

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

On the other side of this comparison, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card lets you redeem your Scene+ points as follows:

Travel booked through Scene+ Travel by Expedia (1 cent per point)
Statement credits for travel purchases made in the last 12 months (1 cent per point)
Credit for groceries, dining, entertainment and more at eligible merchant (1 cent per point)
Gift cards (~0.75 cents per point)
Credit card statements (0.67 cents per point)

Draw

After consideration, we decided to call this category a tie since both the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card offer unique and valuable redemption opportunities.

On the one hand, the CIBC card offers the highest redemption value of either card (up to 2.3 cents per point) when you redeem your points for a flight through the Aventura Flight Rewards Chart. On the other hand, the Scotiabank card provides incredible convenience by letting you use your points (at 1 cent per point) to instantly save at eligible grocery stores.

Given these options, choosing the best card in this category really depends on how you prefer to use your points and where you want to save. If you’re saving up for a flight, the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card offers the best value, but if you prefer to save on day-to-day expenses, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card might be the better choice.

Perks and Benefits

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card comes with the following benefits:

4 complimentary airport lounge visits through the Visa Airport Companion app
NEXUS application fee rebate
Mobile device insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance
12-month free trial of Skip+ subscription
Save up to 10 cents per litre on gas through a partnership with Journie Rewards
Purchase security and extended warranty
and more

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card offers cardholders the following perks:

No FX fees (save 2.5% on foreign currency transactions)
6 complimentary airport lounge passes (with DragonPass and Visa Airport Companion)
Extensive travel insurance coverage
Discounts on Avis car rentals
Purchase security and extended warranty
and more

Advantage: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card takes this category thanks to its 6 (!) complimentary airport lounge passes and its ability to save you 2.5% on foreign transaction fees.

There are very few credit cards in the Canadian market that offer zero foreign transaction fees, so this perk is quite unique and can save you a good amount of money when you travel and whenever you purchase something online in a foreign currency.

Bottom Line

Now that we’ve explored all the important categories, we’re left to decide: which card is the best?

Comparing both the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, we found that each card stands out in its own way, so choosing a singular winner wouldn’t really be fair.

If you can only get one new credit card and you’re looking to save money on a flight, you may want to focus your attention on the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card, which offers the highest redemption value, free airport lounge access, excellent travel insurance, and more.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to save on travel and international credit card purchases, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card offers no FX fees, easy travel redemptions (though for a lower value than the CIBC card), complimentary airport lounge access and travel insurance. This card also offers convenient redemption options for cardholders staying close to home, with its ability to exchange points for free groceries, dining, and entertainment.

Ultimately, the best card is the one that suits your spending and redemption preferences, whether that’s saving on flights around the world or keeping your grocery bill under control.

If you’d like to see how other CIBC and Scotiabank cards compare, consider taking a read through some of our other comparisons:

Compare

Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $350
Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

Legal

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

Savings at Shell

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

3xWith the partner brand
2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$604

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Compare

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC CIBC Aventura First-Year Annual Fee Rebate

Annual feeNo annual fee the first year: $0 $139
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Annual fee rebated$139Total$739Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $739
Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 4 months: Up to 60,000 points

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa credit cards with travel rewards.

With this offer, get up to $1,900 in value, including a first-year annual fee rebate.

CIBC has an offer with which you can earn up to 60,000 Aventura points:

15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase^†
30,000 Aventura Points if you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods^†
15,000 Aventura Points if you have at least $5,000 in net purchases posted to your account in the first 4 monthly statement periods^†

In addition, you can benefit from a rebate on the first year’s annual fee for the primary card holder ($139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each).

With this CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:

2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre^†
1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores^†
1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases^†

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card also offers:

Airport lounges access: Visa Airport Companion Program membership with 4 complimentary visits
Reimbursement of NEXUS membership fees ( $160 value)
A free Skip+ membership (a $110 first-year value)

The minimum annual income required for this card is $60,000 (personal) or $100,000 (household).

Legal

^† Conditions apply. To learn more, select the Apply Now option.

Annual fee

Primary card$139

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

1.5xPharmacy
1.5xGroceries
1.5xGas
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$957

2nd Year Value$359

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$160

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,000

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Frequently Asked Questions about CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite vs Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +

Here are frequently asked questions in the milesopedia community about this card.

Which card is easier to unlock the welcome bonus on?

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card offers the easier path. Its welcome bonus of up to 45,000 Aventura Points can be earned after a first purchase and $3,000 in spending within the first 4 monthly statement periods.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card offers 40,000 Scene+ points after spending $2,000, but additional bonus points require spending $10,000 and $40,000. For most households, CIBC’s bonus is simpler and easier to earn.

How do the earn rates stack up for typical spending?

Scotiabank Passport wins on category bonuses. It earns 4 points per $1 on hotels and car rentals, 3 points per $1 at grocery partners, and 2 points per $1 on dining and entertainment. CIBC Aventura earns 2 points per $1 on travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre and 1.5 points per $1 on gas, groceries and drug stores. For grocery- and dining-heavy households, Scotia delivers a noticeably higher effective return.

Which card has the lower annual fee?

The CIBC Aventura charges $139 per year, often waived in the first year through digital offers. The Scotiabank Passport charges $150 per year, waivable when you hold an eligible Scotiabank chequing account package. Net of typical first-year waivers, both cards effectively cost $0 in year 1. After that, CIBC is $11 cheaper annually, but the Scotia FX advantage usually outweighs the difference for travellers.

What is the deciding factor for most travellers?

It comes down to two things: foreign exchange and lounge access. Scotia Passport charges 0% FX fees and includes 6 complimentary lounge visits. CIBC Aventura charges the standard 2.5% FX fee and includes 4 DragonPass lounge visits plus a $160 NEXUS rebate. If you spend more than $5,000 a year in foreign currency, Scotia saves you over $125 annually on FX alone. If you primarily travel in Canada and the U.S. with Aeroplan goals, CIBC’s transferable points may suit you better.

Our featured card

Compare

Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $350
Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

Legal

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

Savings at Shell

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

3xWith the partner brand
2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$604

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.

Comments from our members

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For anyone looking to save a bit of cash on their next trip abroad or even just on their next trip to the grocery store, the right credit card can make a big difference.

Both CIBC and Scotiabank offer flexible travel-focused Visa Infinite cards, giving you different ways to save on your next trip and on expenses closer to home:

Compare

Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $350
Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

Legal

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

Savings at Shell

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

3xWith the partner brand
2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$604

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Compare

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC CIBC Aventura First-Year Annual Fee Rebate

Annual feeNo annual fee the first year: $0 $139
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Annual fee rebated$139Total$739Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $739
Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 4 months: Up to 60,000 points

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa credit cards with travel rewards.

With this offer, get up to $1,900 in value, including a first-year annual fee rebate.

CIBC has an offer with which you can earn up to 60,000 Aventura points:

15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase^†
30,000 Aventura Points if you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods^†
15,000 Aventura Points if you have at least $5,000 in net purchases posted to your account in the first 4 monthly statement periods^†

In addition, you can benefit from a rebate on the first year’s annual fee for the primary card holder ($139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each).

With this CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:

2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre^†
1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores^†
1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases^†

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card also offers:

Airport lounges access: Visa Airport Companion Program membership with 4 complimentary visits
Reimbursement of NEXUS membership fees ( $160 value)
A free Skip+ membership (a $110 first-year value)

The minimum annual income required for this card is $60,000 (personal) or $100,000 (household).

Legal

^† Conditions apply. To learn more, select the Apply Now option.

Annual fee

Primary card$139

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

1.5xPharmacy
1.5xGroceries
1.5xGas
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$957

2nd Year Value$359

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$160

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,000

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card offer cardholders the opportunity to earn points on every purchase they make.

Both cards are a great choice for someone looking to accumulate points that can not only be used for travel, but also have the flexibility to save you money on day-to-day expenses.

To see how these two cards compare, let’s check out their stats in the following six categories:

Welcome Bonus
Minimum Income
Annual Fee
Earning Points
Redeeming Points
Perks and Benefits

Welcome Bonus

The first category that we’ll compare for these two cards is their welcome bonuses, since both cards typically offer a helpful stack of points to give your account a head start.

Since the offers tend to fluctuate a few times a year, we’ll compare the current welcome bonuses with each card.

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card is currently offering new card members a welcome bonus of up to 45,000 Aventura Points, broken down as follows:

15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase on the new card
30,000 Aventura Points after you spend at least $3,000 in the first 4 months of card membership

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Comparatively, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card is offering new cardholders up to 35,000 Scene+ points through its welcome bonus, earned as follows:

25,000 Scene+ points after you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months as a cardholder
Opportunity to earn an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points when you spend at least $40,000 on the card each year

Advantuage: CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

After consideration, we’re giving this category to the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card since it offers 45,000 Aventura Points for a total spend of only $3,000.

Ultimately, we’re choosing CIBC here for the more easily accessible welcome bonus structure.

Minimum Income Requirement

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card has a minimum income requirement of $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card has a basically identical minimum income requirement at:

$60,000 individual income
$100,000 household income
or assets under management of $250,000 or more

Draw

Since both of the cards are Visa Infinite cards, it’s no surprise that they come with the same minimum income requirements, making this category a tie.

Annual Fee

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

The annual fee for the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card is $139; however, this is often waived for the first year.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Advantage: CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

Earning Points

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card each earn a different type of flexible, travel-focused points.

With the CIBC card, you can earn Aventura Points, and with the Scotiabank card, you can earn Scene+ points.

With the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn 1 to 2 Aventura Points per $1 spent, depending on the category:

Category	Points
Travel booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre	2
Gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores, and drug stores	1.5
All other purchases	1

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you can earn up to 4 Scene+ points per $1 spent:

Category	Points
Hotels and car rentals booked through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia	4
Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland, participating IGA, and more	3
Dining out, other grocery stores, ad eligible entertainment and transit purchases	2
All other purchases	1

Advantage: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

The winner here is the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, thanks to its notably higher earning rates across many popular categories.

Redeeming Points

As we mentioned above, each of the two cards represents a different rewards program, so they each offer slightly different ways to redeem their associated points.

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card offers the following redemption options and values:

Travel booked through CIBC by Expedia (1 cent per point)
Statement credit for pending travel expenses using Shopping with Points (~1 cent per point during promotion)
Flights redeemed using the CIBC Aventura Flight Rewards Chart (up to 2.3 cents per point)
Investment products (0.83 cents per point)
Gift cards (~0.71 cents per point)
Merchandise (value fluctuates based on item)
Statement credit (0.63 cents per point)

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

On the other side of this comparison, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card lets you redeem your Scene+ points as follows:

Travel booked through Scene+ Travel by Expedia (1 cent per point)
Statement credits for travel purchases made in the last 12 months (1 cent per point)
Credit for groceries, dining, entertainment and more at eligible merchant (1 cent per point)
Gift cards (~0.75 cents per point)
Credit card statements (0.67 cents per point)

Draw

Perks and Benefits

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card comes with the following benefits:

4 complimentary airport lounge visits through the Visa Airport Companion app
NEXUS application fee rebate
Mobile device insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance
12-month free trial of Skip+ subscription
Save up to 10 cents per litre on gas through a partnership with Journie Rewards
Purchase security and extended warranty
and more

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card offers cardholders the following perks:

No FX fees (save 2.5% on foreign currency transactions)
6 complimentary airport lounge passes (with DragonPass and Visa Airport Companion)
Extensive travel insurance coverage
Discounts on Avis car rentals
Purchase security and extended warranty
and more

Advantage: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card takes this category thanks to its 6 (!) complimentary airport lounge passes and its ability to save you 2.5% on foreign transaction fees.

Bottom Line

Now that we’ve explored all the important categories, we’re left to decide: which card is the best?

Compare

Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $350
Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

Legal

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

Savings at Shell

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

3xWith the partner brand
2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$604

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Compare

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC CIBC Aventura First-Year Annual Fee Rebate

Annual feeNo annual fee the first year: $0 $139
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Annual fee rebated$139Total$739Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $739
Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 4 months: Up to 60,000 points

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa credit cards with travel rewards.

With this offer, get up to $1,900 in value, including a first-year annual fee rebate.

CIBC has an offer with which you can earn up to 60,000 Aventura points:

15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase^†
30,000 Aventura Points if you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods^†
15,000 Aventura Points if you have at least $5,000 in net purchases posted to your account in the first 4 monthly statement periods^†

In addition, you can benefit from a rebate on the first year’s annual fee for the primary card holder ($139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each).

With this CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:

2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre^†
1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores^†
1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases^†

The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card also offers:

Airport lounges access: Visa Airport Companion Program membership with 4 complimentary visits
Reimbursement of NEXUS membership fees ( $160 value)
A free Skip+ membership (a $110 first-year value)

The minimum annual income required for this card is $60,000 (personal) or $100,000 (household).

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^† Conditions apply. To learn more, select the Apply Now option.

Annual fee

Primary card$139

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

1.5xPharmacy
1.5xGroceries
1.5xGas
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$957

2nd Year Value$359

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$160

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,000

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Frequently Asked Questions about CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite vs Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +

Here are frequently asked questions in the milesopedia community about this card.

Head-to-Head: CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite vs. Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +

Annual fee

Annual income required

Conversion fees

Earning rate

Value

Card benefits

Travel insurance

Purchase protection

Annual fee

Annual income required

Conversion fees

Earning rate

Value

Card benefits

Travel insurance

Purchase protection

Welcome Bonus

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Advantuage: CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

Minimum Income Requirement

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Draw

Annual Fee

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Advantage: CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

Earning Points

Advantage: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Redeeming Points

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Draw

Perks and Benefits

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Advantage: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

Bottom Line

Annual fee

Annual income required

Conversion fees

Earning rate

Value

Card benefits

Travel insurance

Purchase protection

Annual fee

Annual income required

Conversion fees

Earning rate

Value

Card benefits

Travel insurance

Purchase protection

Frequently Asked Questions about CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite vs Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +

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What is the deciding factor for most travellers?

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Travel insurance

Purchase protection

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Annual fee

Annual income required

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Card benefits

Travel insurance

Purchase protection

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

Advantuage: CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

Advantage: CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

Advantuage: CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

Advantage: CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card