Travel
No foreign transaction fee credit cards in Canada
Becky · Founder, PointsMaxxing
Numbers checked October 9, 2026 · 5 min read
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Buy something in US dollars, euros or yen on a typical Canadian card and the bank adds about 2.5% on top of the exchange rate. On a $3,000 trip that is $75 for nothing. A handful of cards skip that fee entirely. The list is short, so here it is, as of October 2026.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
- Annual fee
- $150
- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Worth knowing
- 6 airport lounge visits a year. 3 Scene+ points per $1 at Sobeys-family grocers, 2 on dining, entertainment and transit.
Scotiabank Gold American Express
- Annual fee
- $120
- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Worth knowing
- Strong grocery and dining rates at home, but foreign purchases earn only 1 point per $1. Amex acceptance abroad varies.
Scotiabank Platinum American Express
- Annual fee
- $399
- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Worth knowing
- Premium tier of the Gold.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege
- Annual fee
- $599
- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Worth knowing
- Premium tier of the Passport.
Wealthsimple Visa Infinite
- Annual fee
- $20 a month, waived with $100,000 in assets or $4,000 a month in deposits
- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Worth knowing
- 2% cash back.
Rogers Red World Legend Mastercard
- Annual fee
- $495
- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Worth knowing
- Rogers' top-tier card.
Home Trust Preferred Visa
- Annual fee
- $0
- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Worth knowing
- The only no-fee option. 1% cash back in Canada. Not available in Quebec. $12 inactivity fee.
| Card | Annual fee | Foreign fee | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | $150 | 0% | 6 airport lounge visits a year. 3 Scene+ points per $1 at Sobeys-family grocers, 2 on dining, entertainment and transit. |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express | $120 | 0% | Strong grocery and dining rates at home, but foreign purchases earn only 1 point per $1. Amex acceptance abroad varies. |
| Scotiabank Platinum American Express | $399 | 0% | Premium tier of the Gold. |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege | $599 | 0% | Premium tier of the Passport. |
| Wealthsimple Visa Infinite | $20 a month, waived with $100,000 in assets or $4,000 a month in deposits | 0% | 2% cash back. |
| Rogers Red World Legend Mastercard | $495 | 0% | Rogers' top-tier card. |
| Home Trust Preferred Visa | $0 | 0% | The only no-fee option. 1% cash back in Canada. Not available in Quebec. $12 inactivity fee. |
As of October 2026. Always confirm the foreign transaction fee in the card's own terms; it is the number issuers change most quietly.
Two cards people assume are on this list
- Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard ($0). It charges the foreign fee but pays 3% on US-dollar purchases, which roughly cancels it out for US spending only. Some comparison tables list it as no-fee; its terms don't.
- Brim World Elite. Once 0%, now 1.5% as of early 2026. Not zero.
Prepaid alternatives
EQ Bank, KOHO and Wealthsimple's prepaid card also skip the fee, but they are prepaid, not credit. You load money first, there is no credit line, and they don't build credit history. They are a fine travel wallet; just don't mistake them for a credit card.
Pay in the local currency
Foreign terminals often offer to charge you in Canadian dollars. Say no. That option, called dynamic currency conversion, uses the merchant's exchange rate, which is almost always worse than your card's. Pick the local currency and let the card convert.
Card terms, earn rates and fees change often. Check the issuer's site before you apply. This is general information, not financial advice.
Sources
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