RBy Rez · 2 min read
Overview
The Scotia Momentum Mastercard is Scotiabank's no-annual-fee cashback card on the Mastercard network. It earns 1% cashback on eligible gas, grocery, drugstore, and recurring bill payment purchases and 0.5% on everything else, with no fee to hold the card. A current introductory offer also lowers the purchase interest rate to 7.99% for the first six months. For Canadians who want a free, simple cashback card — and broad Mastercard acceptance at merchants that don't take American Express — it's a straightforward everyday option.
Who this card is for
This card fits Canadians who want a no-cost cashback card for daily spending without tracking categories or paying an annual fee. It pairs well as a secondary Mastercard alongside a primary rewards card, particularly for shopping at Costco and other merchants that don't accept Amex. The 1% rate on gas, groceries, and drugstores covers common household categories, and the no-fee structure means every dollar of cashback is net positive. Anyone spending heavily in those categories, though, will earn more from a fee-based card with higher rates.
Key benefits
The 1% cashback rate applies to four everyday categories — gas, groceries, drugstores, and recurring bill payments — with 0.5% on all other purchases. There are no rotating categories or activation steps; the rate applies automatically. Linking the card to Shell adds up to 6 cents per litre in value at the pump, a useful boost for regular drivers.
A current introductory offer drops the purchase interest rate to 7.99% for the first six months, which can help if you carry a short-term balance early on — the standard purchase rate applies afterward, so confirm current terms at scotiabank.com. As a Mastercard, it's accepted broadly across Canada and internationally, including at retailers that don't take American Express.
Potential drawbacks
The earn rates are modest: 1% on bonus categories and 0.5% elsewhere sit at the lower end of the cashback market, and many no-fee cards now offer a flat 1% on everything. For anyone with meaningful grocery and gas spending, the Scotia Momentum Visa at $49 CAD annually earns 2% in those categories and recovers its fee quickly. This card also carries no travel insurance or premium perks — it's a basic cashback product, not a rewards engine. The 7.99% introductory interest rate is promotional and reverts to the standard purchase rate after six months.
How it compares
The Scotiabank Momentum No-Fee Visa earns the same 1% on a broader set of categories — it adds EV charging, transit, rideshare, and food delivery — at no annual fee, making it the stronger no-fee choice within Scotiabank's lineup if you don't specifically need a Mastercard. The Scotia Momentum Visa at $49 CAD annually earns 2% on groceries, gas, transit, and recurring bills, which outpaces this card for higher spenders. Choose the Momentum Mastercard mainly when you want a free card on the Mastercard network — for example, to use at Costco or other merchants that don't accept Amex.
Bottom line
A no-cost, no-frills cashback Mastercard that returns 1% on gas, groceries, and drugstores. It won't maximise rewards, but as a free Mastercard with fuel savings at Shell, it's a reasonable everyday card — especially as a companion to a higher-earning primary card or for spending where Amex isn't accepted.
