Scotiabank Gold American Express® CardScotiabank Gold American Express® CardEarn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points + no annual fee in your first year

Looking for the best credit card in Canada for your needs? Explore our selections by category, including annual fees and welcome offers. Choose a need below to jump to its comparison table.

Sponsored
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$500
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$500Total$500Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers an excellent welcome bonus.

Until November 1, 2026, you can earn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points, broken down as follows:

  • 30,000 Scene+ points by charging $2,000 in purchases to the card within the first 3 months
  • 20,000 Scene+ points by making $7,500 in purchases on the card in the first year

This represents a value of up to $500 for travel (including Airbnb).

With the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, you earn 6 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà par IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! grocery stores. FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

Also, you earn 5 points per dollar for:

  • Grocery stores
  • Restaurants
  • Entertainment centers

And 3 points per dollar on gas, transit and streaming services purchases.

You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card also offers no foreign transaction fees, excellent insurance for your travel or purchases, concierge service, exclusive American Express benefits like the Front of the Line program.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$29

Annual income required

Individual$12,000
Household$12,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 6xWith the partner brand
  • 5xGroceries
  • 5xEntertainment
  • 5xRestaurants
  • 3xStreaming
  • 3xTransit
  • 3xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,280
2nd Year Value$461

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $65,000 / 48 days

The best credit cards for travel

Choose points you can use for your travel plans. Compare available programs and annual fees.

Then check included benefits, such as insurance and lounge access, along with welcome-offer conditions.

Our selection — Travel
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$139 $0Welcome offer
Up to 160,000 points
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Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026
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Annual fee$150 $0Welcome offer
No welcome offerEnds Nov 4, 2026
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Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
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Annual fee$139 $0Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 points
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Compare all credit cards: Travel

The best credit cards for cash back

Compare cash back on your actual grocery, dining and transport spending. The highest rate does not apply to every purchase.

Check earning caps, annual fees and redemption conditions.

Our selection — Cash Back
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$149 $0Welcome offer
$100Ends Oct 12, 2026
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Annual fee$149 $0Welcome offer
$100Ends Oct 12, 2026
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Annual fee$149 $0Welcome offer
$100Ends Oct 12, 2026
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Annual fee$120 $0Welcome offer
Up to $300Ends Nov 1, 2026
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Annual fee$139 $0Welcome offer
Up to $350
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The best credit cards for Aeroplan points

Distinguish cards that earn Aeroplan points directly from cards with points transferable to the program.

Compare fees, welcome offers and flight benefits. Check each card’s transfer rules.

Our selection — Aeroplan
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$139 $0Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 points
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Annual fee$599Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 points
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Annual fee$89 $0Welcome offer
Up to 20,000 points
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Annual fee$599Welcome offer
Up to 85,000 points
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Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 45,000 points
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Compare all credit cards: Aeroplan

The best credit cards for Scene+ points

Choose based on where you shop and how you plan to use Scene+ points.

Compare bonus categories, annual fees and redemption terms. A welcome offer alone does not capture everyday value.

Our selection — Scene+
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now
Annual fee$399Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026
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Annual fee$150Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
Up to 10,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026
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Annual fee$199Welcome offer
Up to 40,000 pointsEnds Oct 31, 2026
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Compare all credit cards: Scene+

The best credit cards for balance transfers

Assess balance transfer costs over your planned repayment period. Compare fees, the promotional rate and its duration.

Check the subsequent rate and offer restrictions. New purchases may have a different rate.

Our selection — Balance Transfer
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$0Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Annual fee$29 $0Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Annual fee$29 $0Welcome offer
No welcome offerEnds Jan 3, 2027
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Annual fee$29 $0Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Annual fee$150 $0Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 points
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Compare all credit cards: Balance Transfer

The best credit cards with no annual fee

Keep recurring costs down with a no-annual-fee card. Compare rewards and included services.

Check other applicable charges. A free first year does not mean later years will be free.

Our selection — No Fee
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$0Welcome offer
Up to $125Ends Oct 31, 2026
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
Up to $100Ends Sep 30, 2026
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
Up to 14,000 pointsEnds Nov 4, 2026
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
20,000 points
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Compare all credit cards: No Fee

The best credit cards for Marriott Bonvoy

Compare Marriott Bonvoy cards with cards offering transferable points. Check fees and transfer terms.

Assess hotel benefits against your planned stays. Any free-night or status benefits have their own conditions.

Our selection — Marriott Bonvoy
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$150Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
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Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
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Annual fee$250Welcome offer
Up to 60,000 points
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Annual fee$199Welcome offer
Up to 70,000 points
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Annual fee$191.88Welcome offer
Up to 15,000 points
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The best credit cards for business

Start with your main business purchases. Compare rewards, additional cards and expense-management tools.

Check eligibility, fees and liability terms.

Our selection — Business
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$150Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
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Annual fee$199Welcome offer
Up to 70,000 points
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Annual fee$175Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 pointsEnds Nov 30, 2026
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Annual fee$175Welcome offer
35,000 points
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Annual fee$180 $0Welcome offer
Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
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The best credit cards for beginners

For beginners, a first credit card should offer manageable fees and simple account management. Compare payment terms and rewards.

Check issuer requirements: inclusion here does not guarantee approval.

Our selection — Beginners
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$0Welcome offer
Up to 14,000 pointsEnds Nov 4, 2026
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
10,000 points
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
Up to 10,000 points
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
Up to 10,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
Up to $100
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The best credit cards with insurance

When comparing insurance, start with the protection you need and who must be covered. Compare limits, deductibles and covered trip lengths.

Check the insurance certificate for activation requirements, exclusions and eligibility.

Our selection — Insurance
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$139 $0Welcome offer
Up to 160,000 points
Apply Now
Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026
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Annual fee$149 $0Welcome offer
$100Ends Oct 12, 2026
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Annual fee$150 $0Welcome offer
No welcome offerEnds Nov 4, 2026
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Annual fee$149 $0Welcome offer
$100Ends Oct 12, 2026
Apply Now
Compare all credit cards: Insurance

The best credit cards with low interest rates

For a card with low interest rates, compare regular purchase rates and annual fees first. Interest can outweigh rewards.

Check introductory rates, cash advances and balance transfers separately.

Our selection — Low Interest
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$399Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026
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Annual fee$35Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Annual fee$20 $0Welcome offer
No welcome offerEnds Nov 4, 2026
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Annual fee$39Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Annual fee$25Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Compare all credit cards: Low Interest

The best prepaid cards

A prepaid card uses available or preloaded funds. It does not provide a credit line.

Compare plan fees, withdrawals and foreign-currency purchases. Check the services included in the displayed plan.

Our selection — Prepaid
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$0Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
$25
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Annual fee$177Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Annual fee$0Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Annual fee$144Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Compare all prepaid cards

The best credit cards for foreign-currency spending

For foreign-currency spending, compare conversion charges, waiver conditions and annual fees.

Distinguish purchases from withdrawals: cash advances may incur additional charges.

Our selection — No FX Fee
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026
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Annual fee$150Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026
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Annual fee$399Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026
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Annual fee$240Welcome offer
No welcome offer
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Annual fee$240Welcome offer
No welcome offer
Apply Now
Compare all credit cards: No FX Fee

How to choose a credit card

How do you choose based on your spending?

Break down your budget into your main spending categories. Compare rewards for that budget, rather than an example that does not match your habits. Review calculation details and applicable caps.

How do you compare the first year with later years?

A bonus can make the first year attractive without representing long-term value. Consider recurring fees, the welcome offer, required spending and benefits you will use separately.

What should you check before applying?

Review residency, income requirements and offer-specific restrictions. An estimated rewards value does not mean your application will be approved.

How do you check the included insurance?

Check the protections that matter to you, their limits and activation requirements. The insurance certificate details exclusions and conditions; a card summary does not replace it.

What does a card’s estimated value mean?

Estimated value depends on calculation assumptions and how rewards are redeemed. Open the value breakdown, read Our review and compare offer terms. It is not a guaranteed return.

Compare with my spending

Frequently asked questions

Which credit card offers the most value for me?

Start with your usual spending and your goal. Compare fees, rewards you can use and offer conditions. A card suited to a frequent traveller may not suit someone who mainly wants straightforward cash back.

No annual fee or first year free: what is the difference?

A first-year fee waiver is a time-limited promotion. Check the fee charged afterwards and the waiver conditions. For a no-annual-fee card, also review any other applicable charges.

How do I compare two welcome offers?

Compare the usable value of the bonus, required purchases, the spending deadline, fees and eligibility restrictions. A larger bonus is not necessarily better if it requires spending you had not planned.

Is a premium card worth its fee?

List the benefits you will actually use and compare their value to you with the annual cost. Do not assign value to lounge access, a credit or coverage you do not need.

Are offers the same in Quebec?

Check the offer version for your province: conditions or terms may differ. Review the issuer terms linked from the application button before choosing your card.