Scotiabank® U.S. Dollar Visa* Card review
Mar 19, 2025
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Overall rating
First year value
$0
Get this card if you:
- travel to the US often
- want to avoid foreign transaction fees on USD purchases
- value purchase protection and extended warranty coverage
Scores by category
Travel 1.2
At a glance
The Scotiabank U.S. Dollar Visa Card is tailored for Canadians who frequently make purchases in U.S. dollars, enabling them to avoid currency conversion fees by billing transactions directly in USD. Cardholders benefit from extended warranty and purchase protection, as well as savings on car rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations in North America; however, the card does not offer a rewards program, and balances must be paid in U.S. dollars, which may not suit all users.
Highlights
$0
First year value
$35
Annual fee
$0 for each additional card
Interest Rates
19.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
Cash advance APR
Eligibility
Good
Recommended credit score
$12,000
Required annual personal income
Quick overview
Are you someone who enjoys shopping in the good ol’ US of A? Of course you do – because everything seems to be cheaper south of the border. If that sounds like you, the Scotiabank U.S. Dollar Visa Card is a solid credit card choice because it allows you to avoid currency conversion fees when shopping in the states both in person and online. The card's extended warranty and purchase protection are great perks, though its lack of rewards might be a turn off for some. The annual fee is low, and its fee-free U.S. spending make it an attractive option for those who spend a lot of money at American retailers.
✅ Who is this card for?
The Scotiabank® U.S. Dollar Visa* Card is for those who spend in U.S. dollars. Simple, right? Whether you're a regular shopper at U.S. online retailers, a traveler who often visits the United States, a snowbird who splits their time between Canada and America, or a professional who earns income in USD, this card might be the secret weapon your wallet didn’t even know it needed.
Its key feature is that it does away with currency conversion fees, which can add up if you often spend in U.S. dollars. Additionally, if you're someone who manages expenses for family members or business associates, the free supplementary cards are a cost-effective perk. However, if your dealings in U.S. dollars are infrequent, or if you prioritize earning rewards and cash back, this card probably isn’t for you.
Scotiabank U.S. Dollar Visa Card pros and cons
Pros
- No U.S. dollar conversion fee: Ideal for purchases in U.S. dollars, saving you money on currency conversion.
- Free supplementary cards with all the same benefits at no additional cost
- Conveniently pay your Visa statement with U.S. dollars directly from your Scotiabank U.S. Dollar Daily Interest Account.
- Easy access to cash advances at over 1 million ABMs worldwide and online banking options.
Cons
- There's a $35 annual fee, which might be a downside for some users.
- High-interest rates compared to low-rate cards on the market
- Unlike many credit cards, this one doesn’t offer points cash back rewards.
- Limited insurance benefits
- The card does not have a welcome bonus, a common feature in many other credit cards.
💰 Welcome bonus
- Unfortunately, there isn’t a welcome bonus with this card.
⭐️ How to earn points
- This card doesn’t offer a points earning system for purchases.
✅ Key benefits
- Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection: Adds an extra layer of protection for your purchases.
- Car rental discounts: Save 25% off base rate at Avis and Budget locations in North America
- Purchase security: For the first 90 days past the date of purchase, should it be lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Extended warranty: Double the manufacturer’s warranty up to one year from date of purchase.
- Credit card balance protection (optional): If an unfortunate event prevents you from paying off your bill (e.g. death, critical illness, job loss), you can buy comprehensive protection at a premium rate of $1.09 per $100 per month. Those fees add up quickly, though. You might be better off with a term life insurance policy, critical illness policy, or an emergency fund.
Extras
- Save 25% off base rate at Avis and Budget locations in North America
How this card compares
$0
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Get this card if you...
- frequently travel to the US
- want to avoid any foreign transaction fees
- value purchase protection and extended warranty coverage
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$49
Annual Fee
21.99%
Purchase
23.99%
Cash Advance
23.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The BMO U.S. Dollar Mastercard®* is designed for Canadians who frequently make purchases in U.S. dollars, allowing them to avoid foreign transaction fees by billing transactions directly in USD. Cardholders benefit from purchase protection and extended warranty coverage; however, balances must be paid in U.S. dollars, and the card does not offer a rewards program.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- Savings on foreign transaction fees: Ideal for transactions in U.S. dollars, saving users the usual 2.5% foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee rebate: The annual fee is rebated the following year if you spend US$3,000 per year.
- Additional card options: You have the option to get additional cards for family members or employees for free.
- 24-hour, out-of-country emergency assistance with GlobalAssist™*
Cons
- Limited rewards: No cash back or travel points.
- U.S. dollar payments: Balances must be paid in U.S. dollars.
- Credit score requirements: A higher credit score may be required to qualify for this card.
- Limited insurance included: Purchase protection for 90 days and extended warranty, but no travel insurance.
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
23.99%
Cash Advance
23.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$49
Annual Fee
0.00%
Foreign Transaction
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
Fee Rebate offer: Spend just $3,000 USD in one year on your card, and the annual fee for the following year is on us.*
Our Take
The BMO U.S. Dollar Mastercard®* is designed for Canadians who frequently make purchases in U.S. dollars, allowing them to avoid foreign transaction fees by billing transactions directly in USD. Cardholders benefit from purchase protection and extended warranty coverage; however, balances must be paid in U.S. dollars, and the card does not offer a rewards program.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- Savings on foreign transaction fees: Ideal for transactions in U.S. dollars, saving users the usual 2.5% foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee rebate: The annual fee is rebated the following year if you spend US$3,000 per year.
- Additional card options: You have the option to get additional cards for family members or employees for free.
- 24-hour, out-of-country emergency assistance with GlobalAssist™*
Cons
- Limited rewards: No cash back or travel points.
- U.S. dollar payments: Balances must be paid in U.S. dollars.
- Credit score requirements: A higher credit score may be required to qualify for this card.
- Limited insurance included: Purchase protection for 90 days and extended warranty, but no travel insurance.
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
23.99%
Cash Advance
23.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$49
Annual Fee
0.00%
Foreign Transaction
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
Fee Rebate offer: Spend just $3,000 USD in one year on your card, and the annual fee for the following year is on us.*
Scotiabank® U.S. Dollar Visa* Card Vs. BMO U.S. Dollar Mastercard®*
The Scotiabank card stands out for its lack of U.S. currency conversion fees, making it an excellent choice for those who frequently make purchases in U.S. dollars. This feature can lead to significant savings for regular shoppers in the U.S. or online shoppers who buy from U.S.-based retailers. Additionally, the Scotiabank card offers free supplementary cards, which is great for families or businesses needing multiple cardholders.
The BMO U.S. Dollar Mastercard®* is similar to the Scotiabank card. It has a slightly higher annual fee of $49, but that ca be waived when meeting spending requirements.Annual fee in USD, rebated the following year if you spend $3,000 USD in one year on your card. This card also provides extended warranty coverage and purchase protection, similar to the Scotiabank card, and it’s accepted at over 30 million locations worldwide.
Disclosures:
*Terms and conditions apply
BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
up to 2,500 pts†
Welcome Bonus
$110
First Year Value
$85
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 2,500 Aventura Points† and get an annual fee rebate for the first year†.
Get this card if you...
- frequently travel to the US
- want to avoid paying any foreign transaction fees in the US
- value benefits like car rental insurance and extended warranty
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$35
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The CIBC U.S. Dollar Aventura® Gold Visa* Card is tailored for Canadians who frequently make purchases in U.S. dollars, enabling them to avoid currency conversion fees by billing transactions directly in USD. Cardholders earn Aventura Points on eligible purchases and have access to essential travel insurance protections, making it a good choice for those seeking rewards and cost savings on U.S. dollar expenditures.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
- Bypass foreign transaction fees when shopping with US retailers
- Transfer points to other CIBC Aventura® credit card accounts
- Modest annual fee and $0 for up to 3 additional cards
Cons
- Limited rewards compared with the Canadian version of the Aventura® Gold Visa*
- Because the card uses US dollars you’ll need to pay your balance in USD
- Limited travel insurance protection
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
25.99%
Penalty
Fees
$35
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
1.00%
Balance Transfer
$3.5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$42.5
Return Penalty
Rewards Aventura
1
point for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
1
point for every $2 spent on all other purchases
Insurance Benefits
$100,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to 2,500 Aventura Points† and get an annual fee rebate for the first year†.
Get 500 Aventura Points for completing each of the activities below within 60 days of your CIBC Aventura® Visa* card account approval†:
Share your email address with CIBC
Sign up for eStatements for your new Aventura Visa card
Add an authorized user on your new Aventura Visa card
Hold any eligible CIBC Chequing Account
Add your Aventura Visa card with Apple Pay® or Samsung Pay or Google Pay™
Our Take
The CIBC U.S. Dollar Aventura® Gold Visa* Card is tailored for Canadians who frequently make purchases in U.S. dollars, enabling them to avoid currency conversion fees by billing transactions directly in USD. Cardholders earn Aventura Points on eligible purchases and have access to essential travel insurance protections, making it a good choice for those seeking rewards and cost savings on U.S. dollar expenditures.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
- Bypass foreign transaction fees when shopping with US retailers
- Transfer points to other CIBC Aventura® credit card accounts
- Modest annual fee and $0 for up to 3 additional cards
Cons
- Limited rewards compared with the Canadian version of the Aventura® Gold Visa*
- Because the card uses US dollars you’ll need to pay your balance in USD
- Limited travel insurance protection
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
25.99%
Penalty
Fees
$35
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
1.00%
Balance Transfer
$3.5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$42.5
Return Penalty
Rewards Aventura
1
point for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
1
point for every $2 spent on all other purchases
Insurance Benefits
$100,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to 2,500 Aventura Points† and get an annual fee rebate for the first year†.
Get 500 Aventura Points for completing each of the activities below within 60 days of your CIBC Aventura® Visa* card account approval†:
Share your email address with CIBC
Sign up for eStatements for your new Aventura Visa card
Add an authorized user on your new Aventura Visa card
Hold any eligible CIBC Chequing Account
Add your Aventura Visa card with Apple Pay® or Samsung Pay or Google Pay™
Scotiabank® U.S. Dollar Visa* Card Vs. CIBC U.S. Dollar Aventura® Gold Visa* Card
The CIBC card, like the Scotiabank card, charges a $35 annual fee, but its rewards program might make it more enticing. The CIBC card allows you to earn 1 point for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
Additionally, it offers a bonus for completing certain activities with CIBC, such as adding an authorized user to the card and signing up for eStatements. This rewards system could be more appealing to those who value earning points on their spending. It also offers up to three supplementary cards for free and first year annual fee rebate.
While we don’t like to make outright recommendations, the CIBC card appears to do everything the Scotiabank card does – just a little better.
Disclosures:
†Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
The information for the CIBC U.S. Dollar Aventura® Gold Visa* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
up to 60,000 pts*
Welcome Bonus
$1,812
First Year Value
$312
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $1,500 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points* Expires Jul 01, 2026
Get this card if you...
- travel often and want premium travel perks like lounge access
- want to avoid paying foreign exchange fees
- appreciate a good welcome offer
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$150
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card offering elevated Scene+ points on eligible grocery store purchases, dining, entertainment, and daily transit, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, six complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
- No FX fees means the card saves you significant expenses on foreign transaction fees
- Earn up to 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
- Flexible and straightforward redemption program
- Visa acceptance globally compared to American Express, especially outside major cities
- Enjoy six annual visits to airport lounges
- Robust insurance offerings, including extended travel emergency medical coverage
- Access to Visa Infinite Program benefits, with added advantages like a free supplementary card
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited rewards categories for earning reward max rate on purchases
- Primarily best for travel within Canada
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
0.00%
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Scene+
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Insurance Benefits
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $1,500 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points*. Here's how:
$400 in travel rewards (40,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $2,000 within the first 3 months
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $10,000 within the first 6 months
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months: annual points bonus).
$50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients
$134 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average annual foreign spend per account over the last 24 months (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by other card issuers);
$369 in first year point earn potential (36,900 bonus Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per account over the last 24 months with an average spend of 21% in 3X and 2X accelerator categories.
$364 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on a ‘Preferential’ membership valued at approx. CAD$364/USD$259). Currency conversion as at November 3, 2025.
To qualify for this offer, make sure to apply for and open a new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite credit card account (“Account”) between January 2, 2026 and July 1, 2026.
*Savings and reward potential in first 12 months includes welcome offer value, first year point earn potential, foreign transaction fee and airport lounge savings as of November 4, 2025. Terms and Conditions Apply.
Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Jan 2,2026. Subject to change.
Our Take
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card offering elevated Scene+ points on eligible grocery store purchases, dining, entertainment, and daily transit, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, six complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
- No FX fees means the card saves you significant expenses on foreign transaction fees
- Earn up to 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
- Flexible and straightforward redemption program
- Visa acceptance globally compared to American Express, especially outside major cities
- Enjoy six annual visits to airport lounges
- Robust insurance offerings, including extended travel emergency medical coverage
- Access to Visa Infinite Program benefits, with added advantages like a free supplementary card
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited rewards categories for earning reward max rate on purchases
- Primarily best for travel within Canada
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
0.00%
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Scene+
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Insurance Benefits
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $1,500 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points*. Here's how:
$400 in travel rewards (40,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $2,000 within the first 3 months
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $10,000 within the first 6 months
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months: annual points bonus).
$50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients
$134 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average annual foreign spend per account over the last 24 months (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by other card issuers);
$369 in first year point earn potential (36,900 bonus Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per account over the last 24 months with an average spend of 21% in 3X and 2X accelerator categories.
$364 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on a ‘Preferential’ membership valued at approx. CAD$364/USD$259). Currency conversion as at November 3, 2025.
To qualify for this offer, make sure to apply for and open a new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite credit card account (“Account”) between January 2, 2026 and July 1, 2026.
*Savings and reward potential in first 12 months includes welcome offer value, first year point earn potential, foreign transaction fee and airport lounge savings as of November 4, 2025. Terms and Conditions Apply.
Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Jan 2,2026. Subject to change.
CIBC U.S. Dollar Aventura® Gold Visa* Card Vs. Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
When comparing the Scotiabank® U.S. Dollar Visa* Card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card, the latter emerges as a more feature-rich option, albeit with a higher annual fee of $150.
The Passport Visa Infinite card is one of the few Canadian credit cards offering 0% foreign transaction fees on purchases made in any non-Canadian currency, not just U.S. dollars. It also provides a comprehensive rewards program, earning 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent on eligible grocery stores and 2 points on eligible restaurant, entertainment and transportation purchases.
Additionally, it includes Visa Airport Companion membership with 6 free visits per year to lounges worldwide and travel insurance. This card is more suited for those who travel frequently and make diverse international transactions, while the Scotiabank® U.S. Dollar Visa* Card is more focused on U.S. dollar transactions specifically. If you don’t mind the cost of the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card , it comes with a ton of features for the frequent traveller.
Disclosures:
-
Rates, fees and other information are effective as of January 3, 2025. Subject to change.
Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card to learn more.
*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
Is this card worth it?
If you're someone who frequently spends in U.S. dollars, the Scotiabank® U.S. Dollar Visa* Card could be for you. Its standout feature is the elimination of currency conversion fees, which is particularly beneficial if you regularly shop at U.S. retailers or travel to the United States. This feature alone can save you the typical fee most Canadian credit cards charge for converting CDN to USD, potentially leading to significant savings over time. Additionally, you'll appreciate the convenience of free supplementary cards, ideal if you need additional cards for family members or business associates. The card also offers purchase security and extended warranty protections, adding an extra layer of security for your significant purchases.
The annual fee might be a concern, especially if your U.S. dollar transactions are infrequent. Its lack of a rewards program could also be a downside if you value earning points or cash back on your spending.
FAQs
Justin da Rosa
Freelance Writer
Justin is a writer and editor who has been covering personal finance for over 10 years. He's written for companies such as KOHO, Ratehub, BMO, Zoocasa, and Questrade, among others. Justin also created a course in Content Creation, which he taught at York University for four years. When not writing, Justin can be found at a live concert, on the golf course, riding a motorcycle, or sailing.
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†Terms and Conditions apply.