Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card review

How the Momentum Visa Infinite earns cash back

The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card has three tiers. Groceries and recurring bill payments earn 4%, gas and EV charging, transit, rideshare and food delivery earn 2%, and everything else earns 1%. Each accelerated tier has a combined cap of $25,000 of spending a year, so the 4% tier can return up to $1,000 a year on its own.

Here’s an example. A household spending $700 a month on groceries, $250 on recurring bills, $200 on gas, $100 on transit, rideshare and delivery, and $800 on everything else would earn $38 at 4%, $6 at 2% and $8 at 1%. That’s $52 a month, or $624 a year, which leaves $504 after the $120 annual fee.

The welcome offer

For accounts opened between May 1 and November 1, 2026, new cardholders earn 15% cash back on up to $2,000 of everyday purchases in the first three months, worth up to $300. That’s a spending target of about $667 a month.

The example household above spends $2,050 a month on the card, so it would reach the full $300 in its first month. The bonus is close to half a year of its regular cash back.

Redeeming cash back and other perks

You can redeem cash back any time once you have at least $25, rather than waiting for a once-a-year payout. That makes the rewards easier to use as they build up, whether you apply them to your balance or save them for a larger redemption.

As a Visa Infinite card, it includes dining, hotel and concierge privileges. You can also save up to 7 cents per litre on fuel at Shell.

Fees, interest and the fine print

The annual fee is $120, or $10 a month. For accounts opened between May 1 and November 1, 2026, the first year’s fee is waived, including for additional cards. That gives you a full year of 4% cash back before the fee applies.

Purchases in a foreign currency carry a 2.5% foreign transaction fee, so $1,000 spent abroad adds about $25. Purchases are charged 20.99% interest and cash advances 22.99%. Paying the full balance by the due date avoids purchase interest, which would quickly cancel out the cash back.

Insurance coverage

The Momentum Visa Infinite’s insurance covers travel, rental cars, devices and purchases, which is a lot to include on a cash back card. Coverage limits, age rules and exclusions are in the certificate, so read it before you rely on any coverage.

• Travel emergency medical insurance
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
• Flight delay insurance
• Delayed and lost baggage insurance
• Rental car collision and loss damage insurance
• Mobile device insurance
• Purchase security and extended warranty protection

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

The Momentum Visa Infinite suits families with large grocery bills and several recurring payments, such as phone, internet and streaming, who want cash back rather than points and value a full insurance package.

If you spend little on groceries and bills, the 4% rate won’t cover the $120 fee by much. Households spending more than $25,000 a year in either accelerated tier will also hit the cap, and people who spend in foreign currencies should consider the 2.5% fee.

How it compares

The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card has the same $120 annual fee and also pays 4% on groceries, with a welcome offer of up to $350 cash back. With the same fee and the same top grocery rate, the choice comes down to the welcome offer and how each card rewards the rest of your spending.

If you’d rather pay no fee, the SimplyCash Card from American Express earns 2% on gas and groceries and 1.25% on everything else. You earn less on groceries and bills, but nothing comes off the top each year, and its grocery rate is capped at $300 of cash back.

Before you apply

The recommended credit score is 720 or higher, and Scotiabank makes the final decision based on your full credit profile. The welcome offer and first-year fee waiver apply to accounts opened between May 1 and November 1, 2026, so confirm the current terms on the Scotiabank website before you apply.