Two of the most popular no foreign transaction fee cards in Canada — but targeting very different travellers. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite packs rewards, lounge access, and travel insurance into a $150/year card; the Home Trust Preferred Visa delivers pure no-FX savings for free.
Quick verdict: Scotiabank Passport for active travellers who want lounge access, Scene+ earning, and travel insurance. Home Trust Preferred for anyone who just wants a no-fee no-FX card for US shopping or occasional travel.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | Home Trust Preferred Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $0 |
| Network | Visa Infinite | Visa |
| Income required | $60K personal / $100K household | None stated |
| Foreign transaction fee | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Earn rate | 3x Scene+ grocery; 2x everywhere | 1% cash back everywhere |
| Points programme | Scene+ | Cash back |
| Airport lounge access | ✓ 6 DragonPass visits/year | None |
| Travel insurance — medical | ✓ Up to $1–2M | None |
| Trip cancellation | ✓ Yes | None |
| Flight delay | ✓ Yes | None |
| Rental car | ✓ Yes | None |
| Welcome bonus | Check current offer | None |
| Credit score needed | Good–Very good (660+) | Fair–Good |
Key Differences
1. Annual Fee
Home Trust Preferred = $0/year. Scotiabank Passport = $150/year.
The Home Trust Preferred’s $0 fee is its defining feature. The Scotiabank Passport needs to deliver at least $150 in annual value beyond what the Home Trust delivers — and for active travellers, it does so easily:
| Value Source | Scotiabank Passport Annual Value |
|---|---|
| 6 DragonPass lounge visits (at $32–$35/visit) | ~$192–$210 |
| No-FX fee savings (on $5,000 foreign spend) | ~$125 |
| Scene+ points earned (on $30,000 annual spend) | ~$300–$600 (at 1–2¢/pt) |
| Trip cancellation insurance (typical policy cost) | ~$150–$300 if bought separately |
For a traveller making 4+ international flights per year and using lounges, the Scotiabank Passport pays for itself several times over.
2. Rewards
- Scotiabank Passport: Earns 3x Scene+ on grocery (Sobeys banners), 2x Scene+ on everyday spending. Scene+ redeems at 1¢/pt toward travel or groceries.
- Home Trust Preferred: Earns 1% cash back on all purchases — simple and predictable as a statement credit.
On $24,000 annual non-FX spend:
- Scotiabank Passport: ~$480 in Scene+ (at 2¢ on $24K × 2x)
- Home Trust: $240 cash back (1%)
3. Airport Lounge Access
The Scotiabank Passport includes 6 complimentary DragonPass lounge visits per year — one of the biggest differentiators at this fee tier. DragonPass provides access to 1,000+ lounges globally.
At ~$32–$35 per lounge visit, 6 visits = $192–$210 in value — more than the $150 annual fee on its own.
Home Trust Preferred has no lounge access.
4. Travel Insurance
| Coverage | Scotiabank Passport | Home Trust Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical | ✓ Up to $1–2M | None |
| Trip cancellation | ✓ Yes | None |
| Trip interruption | ✓ Yes | None |
| Flight delay | ✓ Yes | None |
| Lost/delayed baggage | ✓ Yes | None |
| Rental car | ✓ Yes | None |
Home Trust Preferred has essentially no meaningful travel insurance. Scotiabank Passport cardholders travel with a full safety net.
5. Accessibility
Home Trust Preferred has no income requirement and is available to a wider range of credit profiles — useful for students, newcomers building credit, or anyone who doesn’t meet the $60K Visa Infinite income threshold.
When Home Trust Preferred Wins
- You only want a no-FX fee card for US online shopping (Amazon.com, US subscriptions) — no annual fee, simple 1% cash back
- You do not travel internationally and just want to avoid the 2.5% FX charge
- You don’t qualify for Visa Infinite ($60K income requirement)
- You want to pair it with another rewards card — use Home Trust for all foreign-currency purchases, a separate card for domestic rewards
When Scotiabank Passport Wins
- You fly internationally 2–4+ times per year
- You want to use airport lounges — 6 visits/year at $150 annual fee is exceptional value
- You want Scene+ rewards for travel and dining at Sobeys/IGA
- You need travel insurance including trip cancellation
- You are a frequent international traveller who wants a single card handling FX, rewards, and insurance
The Best Pairing Strategy
Many Canadians hold the Scotiabank Passport as their primary travel card and keep the Home Trust Preferred as a backup for purchases where Visa Infinite is not accepted or as a travel card for family members. The Home Trust card has no annual fee, so there’s no cost to keeping it active.
Verdict
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is the better card for active international travellers — 6 lounge visits alone cover the annual fee. Home Trust Preferred Visa is the best free no-FX card in Canada for US online shopping and budget-conscious travellers.
The two cards are not really competitors — they serve different needs at different price points.
Related Articles
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Review 2026
- Home Trust Preferred Visa Review 2026
- No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards in Canada
- Best Credit Cards for International Travel from Canada
- Best Credit Cards for US Travel from Canada
Card details current as of June 2026. Insurance coverage subject to change — read the certificate of insurance before relying on it for travel. See our Advertiser Disclosure.