Paris 2024 Olympic Games: My experience with a VISA card

Attending the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The spectacular athletes, the chance to meet people from other countries who were just as enthusiastic as we were, and the festive atmosphere that filled one of the world’s most beautiful cities made these Games an unforgettable event.

When planning my trip, I had to take into consideration the use of a credit card issued by Visa, the official partner of the Olympic Games. Indeed, all spectators at the competition venues who wish to pay for their purchases at the official Olympic food and souvenir stands must do so with a VISA card or cash.

What’s more, since all transactions will be in euros, I wanted to avoid the 2.5% foreign currency conversion charge.

The best credit card that ticked all my boxes was the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card. What’s more, it gives me 6 free airport lounges a year worldwide, which was very convenient for my getaway across the ocean.

A Visa credit card is preferred for purchasing tickets to Olympic Games events. However, other types of payment are accepted on the online platform.

But just to avoid the 2.5% foreign currency conversion fee on my ticket purchases, I used the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card.

To take home the famous Phryge mascot, get pins or Paris 2024-branded clothing of all kinds, there were official souvenir kiosks at every competition venue. Lines could be long, but they moved quickly thanks to the multiple checkouts.

Official stores (such as the one at the Gare du Nord, the Eiffel Tower or the Megastore Paris 2024 on the Champs-Élysées) and on-site kiosks only accepted cash or payment by Visa card.

Food and Coca-Cola stands operate on the same principle as souvenir stores. Croque-monsieurs, sandwiches and even vegetarian food were available for purchase. Here again, a Visa credit card is required to speed up the process and pay.

After a long day full of excitement and competition, there’s nothing better than relaxing on one of the many bistro terraces and exploring Paris!

I had used the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card to pay for snacks at Franprix and for restaurants. Even when I was abroad, I earned 2 X Scene+ points for every dollar I spent at grocery stores and restaurants.

Finally, the benefits of the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card even extend to its travel insurance, which can even be extended if your stay in Europe turns out to be longer than the coverage.

Choosing the right credit card for my trip to Paris 2024 was important. It allowed me to save on foreign currency transaction fees as well as avoid carrying cash on my person during my trip.

At the same time, this Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card gave me free access to airport lounges during my escapades in Barcelona and Amsterdam. It was a win-win situation in my case, and deserved a gold medal!

See you in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy in 2026 and in Los Angeles in 2028.

The Olympics may be over, but the Paralympics kick off on August 28! If you’re keen to experience this in person, read our many guides to Paris 2024 :