Which no-fee Amex card is better for everyday Canadian spending?

The Scotiabank American Express Card wins for pure earn rate on grocery and gas spending with up to 3 Scene+ points per dollar at participating grocery stores (Sobeys, IGA, FreshCo) and 2 points per dollar on dining, gas, transit and streaming.The American Express Green Card earns just 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar base, but its 10,000-point welcome bonus (worth roughly $170 at airline transfer rates) is significantly stronger than the Scotia card's 5,000 Scene+ points (~$50).Bottom line: pick Scotia for ongoing earn, Amex Green for the welcome bonus and transfer flexibility.

Why is point flexibility a big deal between these two cards?

Membership Rewards points (Amex Green) transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan and at varying ratios to Marriott Bonvoy (1:1.2), British Airways Avios, Hilton Honors and Flying Blue. This unlocks premium-cabin redemptions worth 2 to 5 cents per point.Scotia Scene+ points are locked to the Scene+ ecosystem:- Travel redemption at 1 cent per point via Scene+ Travel portal or Book Any Way; - Cineplex movies, Sobeys/IGA grocery savings, Home Hardware; - No airline or hotel transfer partners; For frequent travellers chasing aspirational redemptions, Amex Green's transferability easily justifies the extra effort.

Do I need a high income for either of these cards?

No. Both cards are entry-level options:- The American Express Green Card has no minimum income requirement, making it one of the most approval-friendly cards in Canada; - The Scotiabank American Express Card requires $12,000 annual income; Both are no-fee or low-fee cards designed as starter rewards cards or sidekicks to a primary premium card. Newcomers, students and first-time cardholders typically have an easier time being approved for the Amex Green, since Scotiabank generally requires an existing banking relationship or stronger credit history.

Can I hold both cards at the same time to maximize rewards?

Yes, and many Milesopedia readers do. A typical dual-card setup looks like:- Use the Scotiabank Amex at Sobeys, IGA and FreshCo for 3x Scene+ points; - Use the American Express Green for travel-related spending and dining where Scotia's 2x doesn't apply; - Pool Scene+ points for grocery/Cineplex redemptions and Membership Rewards for airline transfers; Both cards are no-fee or low-fee, so there's almost no downside to holding both. American Express's once-per-lifetime welcome bonus rule means you can't repeat the Amex Green offer if you've held it before, but Scotia is more flexible.