When utilizing a journey bank card overseas as a Canadian, you’ll suppose that you simply’d be nicely geared up for all of your journey purchases.
Nevertheless, the unusual actuality is that the majority travel-focused bank cards (and, in actual fact, nearly all Canadian bank cards generally) include an extra international trade payment on prime of the imposed trade fee.
With the price of all the things from airfare to accommodations to eating places going up, this extra payment feels further burdensome and might actually add up over the course of a visit.
The excellent news is that there are some bank cards on the market that provide no international transaction charges as a part of their perks and advantages bundle.
On this article, we’ll share our favorite bank card with no international transaction charges, and spotlight just a few different notable playing cards that we expect you would possibly like.
If you would like the fast model, right here’s a have a look at the highest no FX playing cards in a nutshell:
Canada’s Greatest Credit score Card with No International Transaction Charges
International transaction charges are an extra payment charged by your bank card that’s added to purchases made when you’re overseas or any time you pay in a world foreign money (e.g., paying US {dollars} on an internet site buy).
In Canada, international transaction charges are sometimes 2.5%. That is equal to $2.50 (all figures in CAD) for each $100 you spend.
Which means that if you make a purchase order abroad or in a international foreign money, the cost in your month-to-month assertion will embody not solely the international trade based mostly in your financial institution/bank card’s fee, however it’s going to additionally embody the two.5% payment.
If you happen to journey typically or end up making numerous purchases in a international foreign money, it could profit you to have a bank card in your pockets that doesn’t levy international transaction charges with the intention to save the two.5% every time.
Under, we’ll discover the small print of our favorite bank card with no international transaction charges, and we’ll take a fast have a look at just a few different notable playing cards that provide no international transaction charges as nicely.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
Our decide for the most effective Canadian bank card with no international transaction charges is the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card.
As a Visa card, the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is extensively accepted, making this card appropriate for every type of purchases.
Not solely does this card supply no international transaction charges, nevertheless it additionally permits you to earn Scene+ factors – among the finest fixed-value factors applications in Canada – on all of your purchases, and it sometimes comes with a wholesome welcome bonus as well.
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card earns Scene+ factors on the following charges:
- 3 Scene+ factors per greenback spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, and different Empire-affiliated grocery shops
- 2 Scene+ factors per greenback spent on transit, groceries, eating, and leisure
- 1 Scene+ level per greenback spent on all different purchases
What’s particularly good right here is that the 2x earn fee on eating and transit multiplier additionally applies internationally. While you’re travelling, these two classes are likely to rack up an honest chunk of spend—whether or not it’s subway rides, taxis, or stocking up on the native grocery store. Getting a boosted return on these purchases whereas skipping FX charges is a win-win.
We’ve additionally chosen the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card as our prime decide because it comes with six complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program lounge passes every year, and it boasts sturdy journey insurance coverage choices, together with emergency medical insurance coverage, journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage, flight delay insurance coverage, rental automobile collision or harm insurance coverage and extra.

The cardboard comes with an annual payment of $150, which is typically waived for the primary 12 months.
Plus, when you make $6,000 in international transactions every year, you’ll have successfully saved the annual payment, because you’d in any other case be charged 2.5% with a card that levies international transaction charges.
The cardboard has a reasonably commonplace minimal revenue requirement for Visa Infinite merchandise of $60,000 (private), $100,000 (family), which can make it out of attain for some folks.
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a good card for frequent travellers who can make the most of the six complimentary lounge passes and who desire a Visa with no international transaction charges of their pockets.
Whereas the incomes charges aren’t the most effective out there (see the Scotiabank Gold American Categorical® Card under), the cardboard does benefit from the extensive acceptance of a Visa.
If you happen to’re excited about signing up for this card or simply studying extra about its perks and advantages, try our full information, which incorporates an Apply Now hyperlink for if you’re prepared so as to add this nice card to your journey arsenal.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
- Earn 30,000 Scene+ factors upon spending $2,000 within the first three months
- Earn an extra 10,000 Scene+ factors upon spending $40,000 within the first 12 months
- Earn 2x Scene+ factors on groceries, eating, leisure, and transit
- Plus, earn 3x Scene+ factors on grocery purchases at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, and FreshCo
- Visa Airport Companion membership with six free lounge visits per 12 months
- Redeem factors for assertion credit score for any journey expense
- Minimal revenue: $60,000 private or $100,000 family
- Annual payment: $150
Various Playing cards with No International Transaction Charges
Whereas we expect the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card stands out amongst no international transaction payment playing cards because of its extensive acceptability, complimentary lounge passes, and robust journey insurance coverage protection, there are just a few different bank cards that will additionally converse to some travellers.
Scotiabank Gold American Categorical® Card
If you happen to’re on the lookout for an American Categorical product with no international transaction charges, we suggest testing the Scotiabank Gold American Categorical® Card.
Not solely does this card supply no international transaction charges, nevertheless it additionally permits you to earn Scene+ factors on all of your purchases with glorious incomes charges in Canada.
Scene+ factors will be redeemed for good worth towards journey purchases at a fee of 1 cent per level, in addition to for on a regular basis purchases like groceries and gasoline.
This card additionally sometimes comes with a pleasant welcome bonus to bulk up your Scene+ account.
What units aside the Scotiabank Gold American Categorical® Card as an excellent entry-level card is that it has a low minimal revenue requirement of solely $12,000, and its annual payment is a reasonably commonplace $120. Relying on the supply, it could even be waived or rebated for the primary 12 months.
Moreover, the incomes charges on this card are fairly good (higher than the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card above), and so they break down as follows:
- 6 Scene+ factors per greenback spent on Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, and different Empire-affiliated grocery shops
- 5 Scene+ factors per greenback spent on groceries, eating, and leisure
- 3 Scene+ factors per greenback spent on gasoline, transit, and streaming providers
- 1 Scene+ level per greenback spent on all different purchases
In contrast to the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card, international transaction purchases will solely earn 1 level per Canadian greenback spent no matter what spending class they fall inside.
Regardless of its decrease minimal revenue requirement, the Scotiabank Gold American Categorical® Card comes with insurance coverage protection that’s worthy of a premium card. This contains emergency medical insurance coverage, journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage, flight delay insurance coverage, automobile rental insurance coverage, and extra.
This card is nice for somebody who’s seeking to benefit from the beneficiant incomes charges (in Canada), whereas additionally having an amazing journey card readily available.
If you happen to’re somebody who enjoys flexibility of Scene+ factors, and is on the lookout for a no card with no international transaction charges and robust journey insurance coverage, try extra particulars in our full information and apply for the cardboard by clicking Apply Now.
Scotiabank Gold American Categorical® Card
- Earn 20,000 Scene+ factors upon spending $2,000 within the first three months
- Plus, earn an extra 20,000 Scene+ factors upon spending $7,500 within the first 12 months
- Earn 6x Scene+ factors at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, and extra
- Plus, earn 5x Scene+ factors on groceries, eating, and leisure
- Additionally, earn 3x Scene+ factors on gasoline, transit, and choose streaming providers
- Redeem factors for a press release credit score for any journey expense
- No international transaction charges
- Benefit from the unique advantages of being an American Categorical cardholder
- Annual payment: $120
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
For these searching for a extra premium possibility, the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card presents an elevated set of advantages and journey perks, whereas nonetheless waiving international transaction charges.
As a Visa Infinite Privilege product, the cardboard comes with the next minimal revenue requirement of $150,000 (private) or $200,000 (family), and an annual payment of $599. Nevertheless, that is partially offset by a $250 annual journey credit score, which applies to eligible bookings made by way of Scene+ Journey.
You’ll earn:
- 3 Scene+ factors per greenback spent on eligible journey purchases equivalent to flights, accommodations, and automobile leases
- 2 Scene+ factors per greenback spent on eating and leisure
- 1 Scene+ level per greenback spent on all the things else, together with international purchases
The 2x multiplier on eating and leisure additionally applies internationally, which makes it a helpful earn fee to have whereas travelling—whether or not you’re grabbing sushi in Tokyo or catching a present in New York. Coupled with no FX charges, it ensures you’re nonetheless incomes stable rewards even when spending overseas.
The 3x incomes on journey purchases is especially sturdy—it’s the best flat journey multiplier on any bank card within the Canadian market. This may be particularly helpful when reserving accommodations overseas that solely cost in native foreign money or apply less-than-favourable trade charges when you attempt to pay in CAD or USD.
There’s additionally a possible bonus 3x factors when you e book accommodations, automobile leases, or actions by way of Scene+ Journey, bringing the entire earn fee to 6 Scene+ factors per greenback on these purchases. Whereas this does imply giving up direct reserving perks like lodge standing advantages and elite evening credit, it’s nonetheless an honest possibility when you’re not chasing elite standing.
Nevertheless, it’s price noting that regardless of being a premium card, there’s no grocery multiplier—a shocking omission provided that groceries are a significant spend class for a lot of travellers and households alike.
That mentioned, the cardboard does make up for it with a sturdy insurance coverage bundle that features emergency medical, journey cancellation and interruption, flight delay, cellular machine protection, and extra—providing peace of thoughts whether or not you’re travelling throughout the nation or midway world wide.
Further advantages embody 10 complimentary lounge visits per 12 months by way of the Visa Airport Companion Program, complete journey insurance coverage, and entry to luxurious perks such because the Visa Infinite Privilege Resort Assortment and Avis President’s Membership membership.
Scene+ factors will be redeemed at a hard and fast worth of 1 cent per level, and are versatile sufficient to be utilized retroactively as a press release credit score towards any journey buy made up to now 12 months.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a premium card that mixes sturdy journey perks, versatile redemptions, and no international transaction charges, the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card is a compelling selection, particularly for high-spending travellers targeted on journey and eating.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
- Earn 30,000 Scene+ factors upon spending $3,000 within the first three months
- Plus, earn an extra 30,000 Scene+ factors upon spending $20,000 within the first six months
- And, earn an extra 20,000 Scene+ factors if you make at the very least one eligible buy through the 14th month of account opening
- Earn 3x Scene+ factors on eligible journey purchases
- Earn 2x Scene+ factors on eating and leisure purchases
- Visa Airport Companion membership with 10 free lounge visits per 12 months
- $250 annual journey credit score
- Redeem factors for a press release credit score towards any journey expense
- Minimal revenue: $150,000 private or $200,000 family
- Annual payment: $599
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Enterprise Card
If you happen to’re a enterprise proprietor who travels rather a lot and/or is commonly making purchases in foreign exchange, we suggest having a look on the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Enterprise* Card.
This card is sort of equivalent to the private card, in that it has no international transaction charges, earns Scene+ factors, comes with six lounge passes, and has sturdy journey insurance coverage protection.
The place it differs is that the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Enterprise* Card comes with a flat incomes fee of 1.5 Scene+ level per greenback spent.
Whereas this can be a decrease earn fee than the private model of the cardboard in lots of classes, the 1.5x fee is larger than the baseline 1x fee supplied by the opposite Scene+ playing cards, and a 1.5% fee of return is taken into account pretty good for a enterprise bank card.
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Enterprise* Card is an efficient card to think about for enterprise homeowners who’ve appreciable bills within the US and additional overseas, and for many who could make use of the journey insurance coverage and lounge passes.
To enroll in this card or to be taught extra its choices, try our full information. You’ll additionally discover an Apply Now button on the web page when you’re prepared to enroll now.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Enterprise* Card
- Earn 30,000 Scene+ factors upon spending $5,000 within the first three months
- Earn 10,000 Scene+ factors upon spending $60,000 within the first 12 months
- Plus, earn 1.5x Scene+ factors on all purchases
- Visa Airport Companion Program membership with six free lounge visits per 12 months
- No international transaction charges
- Qualify on the premise of your enterprise financials
- $199 annual payment
Moreover, try our information on making use of for enterprise bank cards even when you don’t at present have a enterprise.
Dwelling Belief Most popular Visa Card
If you happen to’re simply on the lookout for a fundamental card with no international transaction charges to have readily available, contemplate the Dwelling Belief Most popular Visa Card. With no annual payment, this card is straightforward to carry onto for everytime you would possibly want it.
As a no-fee card, it doesn’t include a bevy of perks and advantages; nonetheless, it does supply 1% money again on purchases made in Canadian {dollars} for if you use the cardboard at house.
This simple card is sweet selection for somebody who’s simply seeking to save money on international foreign money purchases and who doesn’t have to earn journey factors or take pleasure in journey advantages (or is keen to forego these for the sake of saving on charges.
To be taught extra in regards to the Dwelling Belief Most popular Visa Card, verify our full bank card information, which additionally contains an “Apply Now” hyperlink for if you’re prepared to enroll.
Dwelling Belief Most popular Visa Card
- Earn 1% money again on all transactions in Canadian {dollars}
- Plus, lower your expenses overseas with no international transaction charges
- Minimal annual revenue: $15,000 private
- No annual payment
Conclusion
International transaction charges are a kind of sneaky costs that quietly chip away at your journey price range. At 2.5% per buy, they might not appear to be a lot—till you tally up your week in Europe and understand you’ve principally paid for an additional evening at a lodge.
The excellent news? Avoiding them is straightforward. With the correct bank card, it can save you cash on each worldwide swipe, whereas nonetheless racking up rewards, lounge entry, and journey insurance coverage perks.
Whether or not you select a card like Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card for its extensive acceptability, free lounge passes, and nice journey insurance coverage protection, or a easy card just like the no-annual-fee Dwelling Belief Most popular Visa Card, having a no international transaction payment bank card in your pockets will definitely reap advantages.
If you wish to be taught much more about the most effective no international transaction payment journey playing cards, try our YouTube video, and contemplate becoming a member of our Prince of Journey Membership to get entry to our engaged group of points-savvy travellers similar to you.