Scotiabank changed its Scotia Momentum cash back terms on October 22, 2026. Rent payments and tax payments no longer count as recurring bill payments, so they no longer earn the bonus rate. On the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+, that means rent and tax earn 1% instead of 4%. Here’s what changed, which cards it affects, and a calculator to see what it means for you.
What changed on October 22, 2026
Scotiabank’s cash back terms for the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+, the Scotia Momentum Visa and the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa are all marked effective as of October 22, 2026. Each one now says:
- Rent payments (MCC 6513) are not eligible recurring bill payments.
- Tax payments (MCC 9311) are not eligible recurring bill payments. This applies to any payment the card network codes as a tax payment.
- Scotiabank can change which recurring bills qualify. The terms say eligible recurring bill payments are subject to change.
Rent and tax payments still earn cash back. They just earn each card’s regular rate instead of the recurring bill rate.
Which Scotia Momentum cards are affected
| Card | Annual fee | Recurring bills earn | Rent and tax now earn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ | $120 | 4% | 1% |
| Scotia Momentum Visa | $49 | 2% | 1% |
| Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa | $0 | 1% | 0.5% |
| Scotia Momentum Mastercard | $0 | 1% | Not confirmed* |
*The Scotia Momentum Mastercard page doesn’t mention rent or tax payments, and we couldn’t find its cash back terms on Scotiabank’s site, so we can’t confirm whether the exclusion applies to it. The bonus rates also have yearly caps: $25,000 of spending for each bonus rate on the Visa Infinite+, $25,000 across the 2% categories on the Momentum Visa, and $15,000 across the 1% categories on the No-Fee Visa.
Calculator: your cash back after the change
Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ calculatorEnter what you put on the card in a typical month. See your yearly cash back now that rent and tax payments earn 1%.
Your monthly spending
Yearly cash back
Rent and tax earn
a year, at 1%
After card fees
Cash back by category
| Spending | Rate | A year |
|---|
What still counts as a recurring bill
Scotiabank defines a recurring bill payment as a payment made on a monthly or regular basis that the merchant bills to your card automatically. Its terms say these are typically:
- Phone and internet (telecommunication) bills
- Insurance premiums
- Memberships, such as a gym
- Subscriptions, such as streaming services
Not every merchant offers automatic billing on a credit card, so check with yours. Utilities depend on how the provider bills you. Our guide to the best cards for recurring bills covers which bills usually qualify and how to check.
Should you still pay rent or tax by credit card?
Most landlords and governments don’t take credit cards directly. Payment services that let you pay by card usually charge a fee. Use this check before you pay:
- Net return = the card’s earn rate − the payment fee.
- On the Visa Infinite+, rent and tax now earn 1%. Any fee over 1% means you lose money on the payment.
- On the Momentum Visa they earn 1%, and on the No-Fee Visa 0.5%.
A card payment can still make sense if the fee is very low or zero, or if you need a short delay before the money leaves your bank account. Pay the card balance in full, because interest at 20.99% wipes out any cash back.
What to do now
- Check your last statement. See whether you have rent or tax payments on your Momentum card.
- Do the fee math. If you pay a fee to put rent or tax on the card, compare it with the 1% you now earn, or 0.5% on the No-Fee Visa.
- Keep your other bills on the card. Phone, internet, insurance and subscriptions still earn 4% on the Visa Infinite+.
- Watch the caps. On the Visa Infinite+, groceries and recurring bills share one $25,000 yearly cap at 4%.
If grocery spending is your biggest category, see our best grocery credit cards. If you’d rather not pay a fee at all, see our best no-fee cards.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+ still give 4% on rent?
No. Since October 22, 2026, rent payments (MCC 6513) aren’t eligible recurring bill payments, so they earn the 1% regular rate.
Can I earn 4% on property tax with the Scotia Momentum card?
Not if the payment is coded as a tax payment (MCC 9311). Since October 22, 2026, those aren’t eligible recurring bill payments, so they earn 1% on the Visa Infinite+.
Which Scotia Momentum cards have the rent and tax exclusion?
The cash back terms for the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+, the Scotia Momentum Visa and the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa all list it, effective October 22, 2026. We couldn’t confirm it for the Scotia Momentum Mastercard.
What recurring bills still earn 4% on the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+?
Payments billed to your card automatically on a monthly or regular basis, such as phone, internet, insurance, memberships and subscriptions. Groceries and recurring bills share a $25,000 yearly cap at 4%.
Do rent and tax payments still earn any cash back on Scotia Momentum cards?
Yes. They earn the regular rate: 1% on the Visa Infinite+ and the Momentum Visa, and 0.5% on the No-Fee Visa.
Is it worth paying rent by credit card now?
Only if the payment fee is lower than what you earn. On the Visa Infinite+, rent earns 1%, so a 2% fee costs you about 1% of each payment.
Related reading
- Best credit cards for recurring bills: which bills qualify, and the best cards
- Best grocery credit cards: compare grocery earn rates
- Best no-fee credit cards: cards with no annual fee
- Cash back vs travel points: which type of card earns you more
- Best rewards credit cards: where the Momentum Visa Infinite+ ranks
- Where can you use your credit card?: stores, bonus rates, bills and travel
How we checked: The October 22, 2026 effective date, the rent (MCC 6513) and tax (MCC 9311) exclusions, the recurring bill definition, earn rates and spending caps come from Scotiabank’s cash back program terms for the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+, Scotia Momentum Visa and Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa. Annual fees and interest rates come from each card’s page. The Scotia Momentum Mastercard page lists its earn rates but not rent or tax rules, and we couldn’t find its program terms. The calculator assumes the same spending each month and the ongoing $120 fee; the first-year fee waiver isn’t included. This article is general information, not financial advice. Sources: Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite+; Visa Infinite+ cash back terms; Scotia Momentum Visa; Momentum Visa cash back terms; Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa; No-Fee Visa cash back terms; Scotia Momentum Mastercard. Last checked October 2026.
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