Head-to-Head: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card vs Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card
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Here are two Visa Infinite credit cards that earn two different kinds of points:
Their names are very similar! These points-linked cards both give us a passport to travel for less, but their features are different. Let’s see which one is better. If you’re hesitating with the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card, our comparison between the CIBC Aventura and the Scotiabank Passport might also help you decide.
We will base our analysis on the major differences between these credit cards regarding:
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus offered by each of these credit cards varies depending on the promotions. However, there are some important differences between the two.
With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you can get up to $1,250 in rewards and savings in the first year, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points:
- 25,000 points after $2,000 in purchases in the first three months
- An annual bonus of at least 10,000 points each year you spend $40,000 on the card
By signing up for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you can currently earn up to 55,000 points, for a value of up to $1,100.
- up to 55,000 Avion points (a travel value of up to $1,100)
- Offer valid from July 16 to August 12, 2026.
Advantage: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
By getting the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you can get up to 55,000 Avion points (a travel value of up to $1,100). Offer valid from July 16 to August 12, 2026.
Earning Points
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card and the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card each offer different points earning rates.
Earnings Levels
With the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you earn 3 Scene+ points per dollar (or 3%) on purchases at:
- IGA
- Rachelle Béry
- Les Marchés Tradition
- Voià by IGA / Safeway / Sobeys
- Sobeys and Safeway
- Foodland and Thrifty Foods
- FreshCo and Chalo! FreshCo
Then you earn:
- 2 Scene+ points / $1 purchase at restaurants, entertainment, grocery stores and travel (2%)
- 2 Scene+ points / $1 purchase in restaurants, entertainment, grocery stores and travel outside Canada (2%)
- 1 Scene+ point / $1 purchase for everything else (1%)
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, has a rate of 1.25 Avion points / $1 spent, for travel purchases charged to the card:
“Travel” expenses include the following:
- Airline;
- Hotel;
- Tour guide, cruise line or travel agency;
- Car rental company.
This has a value of 1.25%.
After that, you earn 1 point per dollar for all other purchases. This is a 1% value.
Advantage: Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card is the better of the two! It earns twice as many points on everyday purchases and major budget categories, such as groceries, entertainment, travel, and restaurants.
Redeeming Points
The two cards are linked to different loyalty programs, and the ways of redeeming them are different.
Scene+ points and travel:
You can apply them to travel purchases in two ways, thanks to the fixed redemption rate where 10,000 points = $100 credit:
- Redeem points directly when booking travel with Scene+ Travel, administered by Expedia.
- Make your own travel arrangements and use your points to pay off the balance on the card
It also lets you apply your points to everyday purchases.
You can redeem 1,000 Scene+ points for a $10 discount at the IGA/Sobeys checkout.
Points can also be used to purchase gift cards on the Scotiabank/Scene+ website, from 1,000 to 1,400 points for a $10 discount.
Scene+ points can also be redeemed for:
- 500 points for a $5 discount at selected restaurants (Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet, etc.);
- 100 points for $1 off movie tickets at Cineplex;
- 500 points for $5 off food and beverages at Cineplex, Rec Room and tokens for Playdium ;
- At least 3,000 points for a Statement credit of between $6.67 and $8 on any card expense.
With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you can apply your points to travel purchases.
The redemption rate is:
- 100 points = $1 for purchases of your choice made on the Avion Rewards site, for hotels, airline tickets, cruises, car rentals, etc.
Avion Rewards acts as a travel agency when purchasing an airline ticket. There are no blackout periods or reservations imposed, even during high season. Here is the fixed number of points required for a flight reservation:
15,000 points Flight within a province or neighbouring state. Maximum ticket price: $350 | 35,000 points Fly anywhere in Canada or the United States (except Hawaii and Alaska). Maximum ticket price: $750 | 45,000 points Western Canada or the United States to Mexico, Hawaii or Alaska. Eastern Canada to Bermuda, Central America or the Caribbean. Maximum ticket price: $900 |
55,000 points Eastern Canada or the United States to Mexico, Hawaii or Alaska. Western Canada to Bermuda, Central America or the Caribbean. Maximum ticket price: $1,100 | 65,000 points Flight from Canada or United States to Europe. Maximum ticket price: $1,300 | 100,000 points Fly from Canada or United States to … anywhere in the world! Maximum ticket price: $2,000 |
So this equals to about 2 cents per point ($350 divided by 15,000 points) on average.
Or you can use your points for something else:
- 12,000 points for $100 (0.83 cent per point) on a contribution to an RRSP, TFSA, line of credit or mortgage;
- 12,000 to 14,000 points for a $100 gift card (0.71 to 0.83 cents per point);
- Make a donation (1 cent per point);
- 4,300 points = $25 (0.58 cent per point) you can apply an account credit to everyday purchases.
Advantage: Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card wins this round. Scene+ points are more diversified and have a stable value of 1,000 points for $10 off, for both grocery needs or small pleasures when travelling.
What’s more, you can use them in any way you like, by booking any travel expense and then taking your Scene+ points to get reimbursed.
Accumulate your Scene+ points throughout the year and indulge in a big grocery basket for a festive feast during the holidays. Or keep them to pay for a plane ticket or a hotel.
But if you are aiming for an airline ticket to a specific destination, the fixed points table of Avion Rewards and the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card are the best.
Annual Fee
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card has an annual fee of $150.
If you have the Scotiabank Ultimate Package, you’ll get the annual fee waived. Learn more about this here.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has an annual fee of $120.
Advantage: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has a lower annual fee.
But if you have a Scotiabank Ultimate Package, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card wins because its annual fee is then fully reimbursed.
Minimum Income
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card requires:
- $60,000 (individual income)
- or $100,000 (household income)
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card requires:
- $60,000 individual income;
- or $100,000 household income.
Advantage: Tie
It’s all the same, because a Visa Infinite card requires the same conditions for all financial institutions.
Insurance
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card offers various insurances. The certificate of insurance can be found here:
| Worldwide Travel Medical Emergency Insurance | $ 2,000,000 and 25 days (age 64 and under) |
| Baggage Delay or Loss insurance | Up to $1,000 per trip. 4-hour delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | Up to $500 per insured person, for a 4-hour delay. |
| Trip cancellation and interruption insurance | Up to $1,500 (cancellation) and $2,500 (interruption) per insured person |
| Vehicle rental insurance | Up to 48 days, maximum $65,000 |
| Hotel/motel theft insurance | up to $1,000 |
| Public transit accident insurance | Up to $500,000 per insured person |
| Purchase insurance | 90 days |
| Extended warranty insurance | Up to one additional year |
| Mobile device insurance | — |
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card offers various insurances and its insurance certificate can be found here:
| Worldwide travel medical emergency insurance | Unlimited up to 15 consecutive days |
| Baggage delay or loss insurance | Up to $500, for a 4-hour delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | Up to $250, for a 4-hour delay |
| Trip cancellation and interruption insurance | Up to $1,500 (cancellation) and $5,000 (interruption) per insured person |
| Vehicle rental insurance | Up to 48 consecutive days, up to $65,000 |
| Hotel/motel theft insurance | up to $2,500 |
| Public transit accident insurance | Up to $500,000 per person |
| Purchase insurance | 90 days |
| Extended warranty insurance | Up to one additional year |
| Mobile Device Insurance | up to $1,500 |
Advantage: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
Some insurance amounts of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card are slightly higher than its competitor for certain coverages.
If this is important to you, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is even better because it is the only one between the two to have mobile device insurance. This comes in handy if you have an unfortunate accident with your phone or tablet.
Please note that at least 75% or 100% of the cost of the trip or tickets must be charged to these two cards for certain insurances to apply. We strongly advise you to read each insurance brochure carefully, to find out which one is best for your situation.
The Benefits
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card offers various benefits:
- No conversion fees for purchases in foreign currencies;
- 2 points/$1 spent abroad at restaurants, for entertainment, groceries and travel;
- 6 complimentary visits to VIP airport lounges per year;
- Earn double Scene+ points with your Scene+ membership card with their partners;
- Exclusive benefits for Visa Infinite cardholders.
In addition to the above benefits, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card offers other advantages:
- Savings of 3 cents per liter and 20% more Petro-Points and Avion points at Petro-Canada;
- Link this card to get 50 Be Well points / $1 at Rexall;
- Free 12-month subscription to Doordash DashPass;
- Free deliveries with Doordash on orders of $15 or more when paid with this card;
- Tons of points offers and discounts at various retailers with RBC offers;
- Avion points can be transferred to:
- WestJet Rewards
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Asia Miles
Exclusive benefits for Visa Infinite cardholders.
Advantage: Tie
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card has a significant lead in travel benefits because it allows you to relax in airport VIP lounges with 6 complimentary accesses and avoid 2.5% foreign transaction fees outside of Canada.
Conversely, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card provides better benefits for everyday life. What’s more, the great flexibility of its points gives you the opportunity to transfer your Avion points to other programs, something its competitor can’t do.
Torn between the Passport and the Tangerine Rewards card instead? We also ran that matchup through two spending profiles in our Tangerine Rewards vs Scotiabank Passport comparison.
Conclusion
So? Which card wins this duel?
For people who want a simple and uncomplicated card, it’s the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card!
It stands out for:
- Its welcome offer points are easy to obtain;
- The possibility of investing in an investment or reducing your mortgage with Avion points;
- Everyday savings at Petro-Canada, Rexall or Doordash;
- Transfer points to other programs;
- Its excellent mobile device and travel insurance.
In contrast, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card will be perfect for people who travel a lot thanks to:
- Faster accumulation for groceries, restaurants, travel and entertainment;
- 6 free airport lounge visits a year;
- The elimination of the 2.5% foreign exchange conversion charge on purchases in foreign currencies;
- To the possibilities of simply paying for groceries with your points at IGA, Sobeys, etc.
What’s more, these are 2 cards that we recommend in several of our rankings:
Frequently Asked Questions about the RBC Avion Visa Infinite vs Scotiabank Passport Comparison
Here are frequently asked questions in the milesopedia community about this card.
In terms of gross value, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card wins with up to 55,000 Avion points (a travel value of up to $1,100), compared to up to 35,000 Scene+ points for the Scotia Passport Visa Infinite Card (approximately $350 in points; Scotiabank advertises up to $1,250 in total first-year value, rewards and savings included). The RBC offer is valid from July 16 to August 12, 2026, and the Passport points bonus is now lower than RBC’s, both in number of points and redemption value.
Costs differ:
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite: $120 annual fee, 2.5% foreign transaction fee on foreign currency purchases
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite: $150 annual fee (reimbursed with the Scotiabank Ultimate Banking Package), 0% foreign transaction fee
For a traveler who spends $10,000 annually in foreign currency, the absence of foreign transaction fees represents $250 in annual savings — enough to make the Scotiabank card profitable on its own.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite clearly dominates in everyday categories:
- 3 points/$ at partner grocery stores (Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo)
- 2 points/$ on restaurants, non-partner grocery stores, entertainment, and public transit
- 1 point/$ on everything else
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite only offers 1.25 points/$ on travel and 1 point/$ everywhere else. On a typical family budget ($12,000 groceries + $6,000 restaurants), Scotiabank generates ~30,000 points/year compared to ~18,000 points for the Avion.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is superior for travelers thanks to:
- 6 complimentary lounge accesses via Visa Airport Companion ($200+ value)
- 0% foreign transaction fees — rare in Canada
- Scene+ program with fixed value for travel
The RBC Avion retains an advantage in mobile device insurance ($1,500 vs $0) and trip interruption insurance ($5,000 vs $2,500). For a frequent traveler (3+ trips/year), Scotiabank Passport is the best single card.