In this edition of Head-to-Head, we’re comparing two Canadian credit cards catering to different types of spenders: the Neo World Elite® Mastercard and the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card.
While both offer impressive cash back earnings, they cater to different types of spenders.
Let’s break down which one gives you the best overall value.
Neo World Elite® Mastercard vs. Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite*
Card Basics
When looking at different credit cards, you’ll want to first focus on the basics. Take a look at what sign-up offers they have, how much they cost each year, and what rewards you can earn on purchases. This will help you figure out which card gives you the best overall value.
1. Welcome Bonuses
The Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* gives new cardholders 10% cash back on the first $2,000 in purchases within three months, a solid incentive to start earning right away.
Meanwhile, the Neo World Elite® Mastercard doesn’t offer a traditional welcome bonus but provides a slightly higher default cash back in grocery purchases and the ability to earn boosted cash back (which we will talk about later in detail).
Verdict: While Neo’s system can be lucrative, the lack of an upfront bonus is a drawback. The guaranteed 10% cash back offered by Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* card is tough to beat.
2. Annual Fees
The Neo World Elite® Mastercard charges $125 per year, while the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* comes in slightly lower at $120 per year, often with a first-year fee waiver. If you’re looking for a lower upfront cost, the first-year free offer makes a viable difference.
However, Neo’s cash back structure may allow cardholders to offset the annual fee more quickly compared to Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* card’s fixed cash back model. Frequent grocery and gas shoppers who maximize Neo’s earning potential may find the $125 fee justified.
Verdict: Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card wins this category with a slightly lower fee and frequent first-year annual fee waiver offers.
3. Earning Rates
The Neo World Elite® Mastercard offers a highly competitive cash back structure, starting at 5% on groceries, 4% on recurring bills, and 3% on gas. These base rates already match or outperform those of the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite Card*, which provides 4% on groceries and recurring bills, 2% on gas and transit, and 1% on everything else.
Where Neo sets itself apart is the ability to boost these base rates even further. Cardholders with at least $5,000 in a Neo Everyday Account receive a slightly higher cash back rate, while those with $10,000 or more unlock the maximum earning potential of 7% on groceries, 5% on recurring bills, and 4% on gas.
This allows frequent spenders to extract even more value from their purchases.
Verdict: If you’re looking for the best possible cash back rates and are willing to optimize your spending, the Neo World Elite® Mastercard is the superior choice. However, if you prefer a flat-rate system with no additional tracking or requirements, Scotiabank’s model may be preferable.
4. Ease of Redeeming
Neo World Elite® Mastercard cash back is credited instantly at participating retailers, while Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* awards cash back once per year in November. If you prefer getting rewards throughout the year rather than waiting, Neo has a clear advantage.
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* card’s annual payout, however, can serve as a forced savings mechanism, providing a lump sum cash back at the end of the year that can be used for travel, holiday spending, or investments.
Verdict: Neo World Elite® Mastercard wins this category since the ability to instantly claim cash back beats waiting until year-end without a doubt.
5. Foreign Transaction Fees
The Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* card charges a standard 2.5% foreign transaction fee, while the Neo World Elite® Mastercard charges 3%.
Verdict: While the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* card has a slight edge with its 2.5% fee versus Neo Financial’s 3%, neither is ideal since there are cards with no foreign transaction fees. If you have significant overseas spending or frequently shop online in foreign currencies, it’s better to look into dedicated no-foreign-transaction-fee options.
Perks and Benefits
Since both cards are cash back credit cards, they’re both heavily focused on cash back earning rates and categories rather than recurring perks and benefits.
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* provides Visa Infinite perks, including concierge service, exclusive hotel discounts, and premium event access.
Visa Infinite Perks
As a Visa Infinite card, the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite Card* provides cardholders with exclusive benefits, including:
- Visa Infinite Concierge service for travel and lifestyle needs
- Access to luxury hotel perks and dining experiences
- Premium event access with exclusive ticket offers
Meanwhile, Neo World Elite® Mastercard includes World Elite benefits, such as discounts on Cirque du Soleil, concierge services, and extended warranty protection.
World Elite Perks
The Neo World Elite® Mastercard offers World Elite Mastercard benefits such as:
- Mastercard Concierge service for travel and entertainment
- Exclusive discounts on Cirque du Soleil shows
- Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass
- Extended warranty and purchase protection for added security
Other Factors
1. Ease of Getting Approved
Both cards require a minimum income threshold to qualify. The Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* card requires $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income, whereas the NEO World Elite® Mastercard requires $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income.
On top of the income requirement, you’ll also need a fairly good credit score to be approved. However, what makes the NEO World Elite® Mastercard unique is that even if your credit score doesn’t meet the approval requirement, you’ll be approved for the secured credit version of the card, which shares the exact same earning rates and benefits.
This can be a huge benefit for newcomers who might not yet have a good credit score, or someone who is financially stable now but the credit score is taking some time to recover.
Verdict: Neo World Elite® Mastercard is the clear winner as it can approve anyone who meets the income requirement, whether the regular credit card or the secured credit version of card.
2. Supplementary Cards
The Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* card allows additional cardholders for $50 per year, while the Neo World Elite® Mastercard currently does not offer supplementary cards.
Verdict: Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* wins this category since the ability to share benefits with additional users is an advantage.
3. Insurance Coverage
When comparing the Neo World Elite® Mastercard and the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite*, the biggest differences lie in emergency medical and trip insurance.
For emergency medical coverage, the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* offers up to $1 million for 15 days, covering travellers under 65, while Neo provides $1 million for 14 days, but only for those under 60.
In trip cancellation and interruption insurance, Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* card again has the edge, covering up to $1,500 per person for cancellations and $2,000 per person for interruptions, compared to Neo’s $1,000 per person for both.
For flight delays, Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* provides $500 per person after a 4-hour delay, while Neo caps at $500 per trip total, meaning multiple travellers must share the benefit.
On the purchase protection side, Neo has a $1,000 per-item limit, slightly better than Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* card’s unspecified limit, but both offer 90-day protection and one-year extended warranty.
Finally, hotel burglary insurance is exclusive to Neo, covering up to $1,000 for stolen personal items, while Scotia provides no coverage in this category.
Verdict: Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* is the better choice for emergency medical, trip insurance, and flight delay benefits, while Neo World® Elite Mastercard is stronger in baggage protection, burglary coverage, and purchase protection.
4. Visual Appearance
The Neo World Elite® Mastercard features a sleek, modern black finish design with a vertical layout, while the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* has a traditional horizontal format with a premium look.
While there are no difference in functionality as a credit card when it comes to paying at terminal, the Neo card does
Verdict: While this measure is purely subjective, the Neo World Elite® Mastercard’s black finish and vertical layout makes it more appealing than the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite*.
Conclusion
Both cards offer distinct advantages depending on your spending habits and preferences.
The Neo World Elite® Mastercard delivers impressive cash back potential with the added benefit of instant redemptions that put money back in your pocket immediately rather than annually.
The Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card provides a strong welcome bonus, less upfront cost, and the ability to add supplementary cards for family members—a feature Neo currently doesn’t offer.
Where Neo gains an edge is in its flexible approval process, modern approach to rewards, and potential for higher overall returns when strategically utilized. Its tiered earning structure rewards loyalty while providing immediate benefits.
Your optimal choice ultimately depends on your personal spending patterns, but Neo’s forward-looking rewards structure positions it well for today’s savvy consumer.
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