If you’re in the market for a no-fee cash back credit card in Canada, the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card is worth considering.
In this review, we go over the features of the card, including the rewards program, insurance benefits, and any potential drawbacks.
Main Highlights
- The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card has no annual fee, making it an affordable option for earning cash-back rewards.
- 1% cash back on eligible grocery, gas, and drugstore purchases, as well as on recurring bill payments; 0.5% cash back on other eligible purchases.
- Insurance coverage for theft, loss, or damage for 90 days, and doubled manufacturer’s warranty for up to one year.
- Downsides include lower cash-back rewards and a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%.
Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card: Summary
- No annual fee
- 19.99% interest on purchases and 22.99% interest on cash advances
- Earn up to 1% cash back on purchases
- Save up to 25% on car rentals at participating AVIS and Budget locations in Canada and the U.S.
- Get a low introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months
Benefits of the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card
Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy with this card:
- There is no annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for those who want to earn cash-back rewards.
- Earn 1% cash back on eligible grocery, gas, and drugstore purchases, as well as on recurring bill payments.
- 0.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases, providing you with additional cash back rewards on purchases outside the designated categories.
Downsides of the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card
- Lower cash back rewards compared to other cash back credit cards available on the market.
- There are no welcome bonuses for new cardholders, which may not appeal to those looking for additional incentives.
- A foreign transaction fee of 2.5% may not be ideal for frequent travellers or those who make purchases outside of Canada.
How to Apply for the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card
To be eligible for the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a Canadian resident and have reached the age of majority in your province or territory of residence.
- You must have a minimum annual personal income of $12,000.
You’ll also need to provide some basic personal and financial information, such as your name, address, and income.
You can apply for the card online through the Scotiabank website, by phone, or by visiting a Scotiabank branch nearest you.
Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card Alternatives
If you’re considering the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card, there are a few other cash-back credit cards you may want to consider as well. Here are some alternatives:
Scotia Momentum Visa Card
This card offers higher cash back rewards (4% on eligible grocery and gas purchases, 2% on eligible drugstore purchases and recurring bill payments, and 1% on all other eligible purchases), but comes with an annual fee of $39.
Scotia Momentum Visa Card
Rewards: Earn up to 2% cash back on groceries, drugstores, gas stations, and recurring bill payments, and 1% cash back on everything else.
Welcome offer: Get a 0% introductory balance transfer interest rate for the first 6 months.
Interest rates: 19.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
Annual fee: $39
Recommended credit score:
Good to Very Good
On Scotiabank’s website
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
This card offers 2% cash back on up to three categories of your choice (including grocery, gas, and recurring bill payments) and 0.5% cash back on all other purchases, with no annual fee.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Rewards: Earn 2% unlimited cash back in up to 3 categories of your choice plus 0.50% on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: Get an additional 10% cash back after spending $1,000 in the first 2 months ($100 value).
Interest rates: 19.95% for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.
Annual fee: $0
Recommended credit score:
Fair to Excellent
On Tangerine’s website
Neo Secured Mastercard
This card is a good option for those with no credit history or a poor credit score, as it is a secured credit card. It offers up to 5% cash back on all eligible purchases and has no annual fee.
Neo Secured Mastercard
Rewards: Earn up to 15% cash back at thousands of Neo partners and never fall below 0.5% average cash back.
Welcome offer: $25 welcome bonus; Get an extra 15% cash back on your first-time purchases at participating merchants.
Interest rates: 19.99% to 24.99%
Annual fee: $0
Recommended credit score:
N/A
On Neo’s website
Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card
This card offers 4% cash back on eligible restaurant and bar purchases, 1.5% on eligible gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases, and 0.5% on all other eligible purchases, with no annual fee.
Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card
Rewards: Earn up to 4% cash back on purchases.
Welcome offer: Get 10% bonus cash back at restaurants and bars (up to $500) for the first 4 months. Plus, get a 9.99% interest rate on purchases for 6 months.
Interest rates: 19.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
Annual fee: $0
Recommended credit score:
Good to Very Good
On Simplii’s website
Credit Card | Annual Fee | APR Purchases | APR Cash Advances | Rewards |
Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa | $0 | 19.99% | 22.99% | 1% cash back on eligible purchases |
Scotia Momentum Visa Card | $39 | 19.99% | 22.99% | 2% cash back on eligible purchases |
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | $0 | 19.95% | 19.95% | Get 2% cash back on purchases you make in two 2% cash-back categories of your choice; 0.5% cash back on all other purchases. |
Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card | $0 | 19.99% | 22.99% | 4% cash back on eligible restaurant and bar purchases; 1.5% on eligible gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases; 0.5% on everything else (spending caps apply to higher cashback rates) |
Neo Secured Mastercard | $0 | Purchase and cash advance APRs can range from 26.99% to 28.99%. | Purchase and cash advance APRs can range from 26.99% to 28.99%. | Get up to 5% cash back at retail partners, with a 0.5% cash back guarantee on all purchase |
Is the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card Worth It?
Now that we’ve covered the benefits, downsides, and alternatives of the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card, the question remains: is it worth it?
The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card is a worthwhile option for those seeking a no-fee cash-back credit card. While the cash back rates may not be as high as some competitors, the lack of an annual fee makes it an appealing choice.
Additionally, the card provides excellent insurance coverage, adding value to many cardholders.
But the card’s value ultimately depends on individual spending habits and goals. For those who spend heavily on gas and groceries, the cash back rates may make it a smart choice, while others may benefit from a different cash-back card.
FAQs
What is the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card?
The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card is a no-fee cash-back credit card offered by Scotiabank in Canada.
What rewards does the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card offer?
The card offers cash back rewards on eligible purchases, including 1% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases, and recurring payments, and 0.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
What insurance coverage does the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card offer?
This card does not offer any insurance coverage by default. However, you can pay for optional Scotia Credit Card Protection.
Related: Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card Review