Top Pick
Travel Rewards
Premium / High-End
Rewards
Scotiabank® Gold American Express® Card
Scotiabank®
Go for Gold: Earn up to $950 in First-Year Value, including up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points.**
Welcome Bonus:
Earn up to $950 in welcome offers, first-year rewards and savings value, including up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points.
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$200 cash rebate
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Annual Fee
$120
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Bonus Value
$950
RateBuddy Verdict
RateBuddy Take
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is a feature-rich choice for Canadians who want strong everyday rewards alongside useful travel benefits. It earns up to 6 Scene+ points per $1 at participating grocery partners, 5 points on dining and entertainment, and 3 points on gas, transit and streaming. No foreign transaction fees, Amex Experiences and airport-lounge access add further value, while the $120 annual fee can be waived with an eligible Scotiabank bank account.
The Good
- Exceptional Scene+ earning potential: Earn 6X points at participating Sobeys-family grocery stores and 5X on eligible dining, entertainment and other grocery purchases.
- No foreign-transaction fees: Avoid the typical 2.5% foreign-currency markup on purchases made abroad or online in another currency; the exchange rate still applies.
- Comprehensive insurance package: Includes up to $1 million in emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation and interruption, flight and baggage delay, rental-car coverage, mobile-device insurance and purchase protection.
- Flexible rewards and valuable cardholder perks: Redeem Scene+ points for travel, groceries, entertainment and more, while accessing Amex Front Of The Line®, exclusive offers and 24/7 concierge service.
- Accessible premium-card eligibility: The $12,000 minimum personal-income requirement is significantly more accessible than many premium rewards cards, and eligible Scotiabank banking packages can reduce or fully rebate the annual fee.
The Trade-offs
- American Express acceptance is less universal: Some Canadian merchants do not accept Amex, which may limit where cardholders can earn the accelerated rates.
- A $120 annual fee applies: The fee can reduce the card’s net rewards value unless the cardholder earns enough rewards or qualifies for a rebate through an eligible Scotiabank banking package.
- No complimentary lounge visits: Cardholders receive a discount on Priority Pass membership, but membership and lounge visits are not provided free.
- Not designed for carrying a balance: The 21.99% purchase interest rate can quickly outweigh the value of rewards, making the card better suited to customers who pay their balance in full.
- The highest earn rates are category- and merchant-specific: The 6X rate applies only at participating grocery stores, while purchases outside the accelerated categories generally earn 1X; other eligible grocery stores still earn a strong 5X.
Rewards & Earnings
Base Rate
—
Rewards Summary:
Earn up to 6X Scene+ points: 6 points per $1 at participating Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and more; 5 points per $1 on eligible dining, food delivery, food subscriptions, entertainment and other grocery stores; up to 4 points per $1 on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through Scene+ Travel; 3 points per $1 on eligible gas, transit and streaming services; and 1 point per $1 on other eligible travel and all other eligible purchases. Plus, get up to 12¢/L in value on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell stations. Eligible purchases, participating locations and other conditions apply.
Welcome Bonus Details
Earn up to $950 in combined welcome offers, first-year rewards and savings value, including up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points. Eligibility restrictions and conditions apply.*
Estimated Value: $950
Features & Benefits
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Airport Lounge Access
Travel Medical Insurance
Mobile Device Insurance
Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
Extended Warranty Insurance
Purchase Security Insurance
Concierge Service
Flight Delay Insurance
Baggage Delay/Loss Insurance
Special Event Access (e.g., Front Of The Line)
Common Carrier Accident Insurance
Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
Annual fee rebate with selected account
Insurance Coverage
Emergency Medical: Up to $1M (25 consecutive days for eligible travellers under 65; 3 days for ages 65+); Trip Cancellation/Interruption: Up to $1,500 per person and $10,000 per trip; Flight Delay: Up to $500 per insured person; Delayed/Lost Luggage: Up to $1,000; Common Carrier Travel Accident: Up to $500,000 per person and $1M per occurrence; Rental Car Collision/Loss Damage: Included; Hotel/Motel Burglary: Up to $1,000; Mobile Device: Up to $1,000; Purchase Security: 90 days; Extended Warranty: Up to one additional year. Optional Scotia Credit Card Protection is available separately. Eligibility, payment requirements, limitations, exclusions and certificate terms apply.
Rates, Fees & Eligibility
| Purchase APR | 21.99% |
|---|---|
| Cash Advance APR | 22.99% |
| Annual Fee | $120 |
| Supplementary Card Fee | $29 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% |
| Income Required |
Personal: $12,000 |
| Recommended Credit Score | — |
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Filed Under
Travel Rewards
Premium / High-End
Rewards
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