The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card costs $120 a year and earns up to 6 Scene+ points per dollar on groceries; the American Express® Gold Rewards Card costs $250 and opens four airport lounge visits a year. Scotiabank and American Express each issue a gold card, the names are nearly identical, and the two suit very different people.
$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.
Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-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.
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.
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* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year and the value of foreign transaction fee savings as of May 22, 2026:
$300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Gold American Express Cardholders who make purchases totaling $2,000 in the first 3 months
$200 in travel rewards (20,000 bonus Scene+ points) for making purchases totaling $7,500 in the first 12 months
$59 in foreign transaction fee savings based on the average annual amount of foreign currency purchases made per account over the last 24 months (saving on the 2.5% foreign transaction fee typically charged by other credit card issuers);
$398 corresponding to the potential value of points earned in the first year (38,500 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made, per account, over the last 24 months, assuming an average spend of 28% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 6X, 5X and 3X points.
Maximum potential value after the first year = $957 (rounded to $950)
The actual value of offers, savings realized and rewards earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for offers. Conditions apply.
1 Offer Description and Conditions: The 50,000 Scene+ points offer (the « Offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Gold American Express credit card accounts (the « Accounts ») opened between July 2, 2026, and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account), subject to the conditions below. All other program terms and conditions continue to apply during the Offer period. The Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.
To qualify for the 30,000 bonus Scene+ points (the « 30,000 Bonus Points Offer »), you must make eligible purchases totaling at least $2,000 within three months of the account opening date. To qualify for the 20,000 additional bonus Scene+ points (the « 20,000 Additional Bonus Points Offer »), you must make $7,500 in eligible purchases on your new account during the first year (twelve months). Eligible purchases mean purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and exclude payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, card fees and other fees.
Fulfillment of the Annual Bonus: Bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account within approximately eight weeks after you qualify for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 30,000 bonus points and the 20,000 additional bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000 or $7,500) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months or the first 12 months). If a supplementary cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 30,000 bonus points or the 20,000 additional bonus points, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. Points can be transferred between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, co-borrower or supplementary cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not delinquent, the credit limit is not exceeded, and the holder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement applicable to the account. All other program terms and conditions continue to apply during the Offer period. The Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.
Eligibility and exclusions: You are not eligible for the Offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or if you have been within the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are eligible for this Offer.
Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $120 for the primary card and $29 for each additional card (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates currently applicable to the account are: 21.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). Rates, fees, features and benefits, which are described in the application statement, are subject to change.
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$1,460
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
$1,020ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,020Total$1,020Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,020Total$1,020Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points with this welcome offer for the American Express Gold Rewards Card. That’s a value of $600 toward travel or any purchase charged to the Card:
5,000 Membership Rewards points per month when you charge $1,000 in net purchases to your Card, for 12 months (a total of 60,000 points in the first year).
You can also transfer your points to airline partners such as Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair), Flying Blue, and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).
For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :
60,000 Aeroplan points
60,000 Avios
60,000 Flying Blue Miles
72,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
With this Card, you get many benefits like:
$100 annual travel credit
Priority Pass membership and 4 complimentary Plaza Premium visits per year
$50 NEXUS credit
You earn 2 points per dollar for travel purchases, and at:
gas stations
grocery stores
drugstores
And 1 point per dollar everywhere else.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or controlling the accuracy of the information published on this website. For full and up-to-date product information, click on the Apply now link. Terms and conditions apply.
Annual fee
Primary card$250
Additional card$50
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
2xPharmacy
2xGas & EV
2xTravel
2xGroceries
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,555
2nd Year Value$589
Transfer partners
AeroplanAirline
British Airways ClubAirline
Cathay Asia MilesAirline
Etihad GuestAirline
Flying BlueAirline
Hilton HonorsHotel
Marriott BonvoyHotel
Card benefits
Airport lounge access$160
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
We compare them on the points that actually decide the choice:
the welcome offer
how you earn points
how you redeem points
the annual fee
the income required
the insurance
the benefits
Welcome Offer
The welcome offer on each card moves with the promotions in market. A few differences between the two hold steady.
5,000 Membership Rewards points for every monthly statement period in which you charge $1,000 in net purchases to the card, for 12 months, for a total of 60,000 Membership Rewards points
That is worth up to $600.
You also choose the finish when you apply: Gold or Rose Gold.
30,000 points after $2,000 in purchases in the first three months
20,000 points after $7,500 in purchases in the first year
That is worth up to $500.
Advantage: American Express Gold Rewards Card
On gross value, the American Express Gold Rewards Card leads: up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points, worth $600 toward travel or against any purchase charged to the card.
It earns 6 points per dollar at Empire banners (IGA, Sobeys, Foodland, Safeway, FreshCo and the other partner stores), against 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on the American Express Gold Rewards Card.
Everywhere else in groceries and at restaurants, it still earns 5 points per dollar.
Redeeming Points
The two cards sit in different programs, and the points do not redeem the same way.
Membership Rewards points and travel
You can put them toward travel three ways, at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 in credit:
Redeem them directly when you book through American Express Travel Services
Book the trip yourself, then use your points to pay down the card balance
The third way is transferring them to a partner program. American Express Canada has eight, and the rate depends on the program: 1,000 Membership Rewards points give 1,000 Aeroplan points, 1,000 British Airways Avios, 1,000 Flying Blue miles or 1,000 Hilton Honors points; they give 1,200 Marriott Bonvoy points, but only 750 Asia Miles with Cathay Pacific, 750 Delta SkyMiles or 500 ALL Accor points.
Membership Rewards points also cover everyday purchases of any kind, at 1,000 points for a $10 credit on the card balance.
They also buy merchandise and gift cards on the American Express site.
Scene+ points and travel
You can put them toward travel two ways, at a fixed rate of 10,000 points = $100 in credit:
Redeem them directly when you book through Scene+ Travel, powered by Expedia
Book the trip yourself, then use your points to pay down the card balance
Scene+ points also apply to everyday purchases.
You can use 1,000 Scene+ points for $10 off at the register at IGA and Sobeys.
They also buy gift cards on the Scotiabank and Scene+ site, from 1,000 to 1,400 points for $10.
Scene+ points also redeem for:
500 points for $5 off at participating restaurants (Harvey's, Swiss Chalet and others)
100 points for $1 off movie tickets at Cineplex
500 points for $5 off food and drinks at Cineplex and The Rec Room, and on game play at Playdium
3,000 points or more for an account credit of $6.67 to $8 against any purchase charged to the card
Advantage: American Express Gold Rewards Card
Membership Rewards points spend more ways: a credit against any purchase, a booking through American Express Travel Services, or a transfer to one of eight partner programs. Scene+ points apply mostly to travel, to groceries at Sobeys and IGA, and to nights out at the movies or a restaurant.
A Scotiabank chequing account changes that: the Ultimate Package carries an ongoing annual rebate of up to $150 on select credit cards, which covers the $120 fee on the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card in full. The Preferred Package rebates $40 a year.
Advantage: Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
$120 against $250: the gap on the annual fee is wide.
The American Express Gold Rewards Card has no minimum income requirement at all: you need to be a Canadian resident with a Canadian credit file, at the age of majority in your province.
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card: insurance coverage
Coverage
Amount
Travel emergency medical
$1,000,000 per person, 25 days, age 64 and under
Travel emergency medical, 65 and over
$1,000,000, 3 days
Delayed or lost baggage
Up to $1,000
Flight delay
Up to $500
Trip cancellation, interruption or delay
Up to $1,500 per coverage
Car rental
Up to 48 days, vehicle worth $65,000 or less
Hotel or motel burglary
Up to $1,000
Public transport accident
Up to $500,000 per person
Purchase protection
90 days
Mobile devices
Up to $1,000
Extended warranty
Doubles the warranty, up to one extra year
Advantage: Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Several amounts on the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card sit a notch above its rival, on baggage and on hotel theft. Note that at least 75% of the trip cost must be charged to that card for some of its coverages to apply.
The Scotiabank card is also the only one of the two that covers mobile devices, up to $1,000.
On the American Express Gold Rewards Card, the full trip cost must be charged to the card, and its emergency medical coverage is the higher of the two: $5,000,000 per insured person, per trip, against $1,000,000.
After 65, the gap reverses: the American Express Gold Rewards Card no longer covers emergency medical care, while the Scotiabank card still covers the first 3 days of a trip. Read both certificates against your own situation before you choose.
The American Express Gold Rewards Card opens four Plaza Premium lounge visits a year, a $100 annual travel credit, $50 toward NEXUS and up to $120 in Instacart credits.
$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.
Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-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.
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.
Legal
* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year and the value of foreign transaction fee savings as of May 22, 2026:
$300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Gold American Express Cardholders who make purchases totaling $2,000 in the first 3 months
$200 in travel rewards (20,000 bonus Scene+ points) for making purchases totaling $7,500 in the first 12 months
$59 in foreign transaction fee savings based on the average annual amount of foreign currency purchases made per account over the last 24 months (saving on the 2.5% foreign transaction fee typically charged by other credit card issuers);
$398 corresponding to the potential value of points earned in the first year (38,500 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made, per account, over the last 24 months, assuming an average spend of 28% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 6X, 5X and 3X points.
Maximum potential value after the first year = $957 (rounded to $950)
The actual value of offers, savings realized and rewards earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for offers. Conditions apply.
1 Offer Description and Conditions: The 50,000 Scene+ points offer (the « Offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Gold American Express credit card accounts (the « Accounts ») opened between July 2, 2026, and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account), subject to the conditions below. All other program terms and conditions continue to apply during the Offer period. The Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.
To qualify for the 30,000 bonus Scene+ points (the « 30,000 Bonus Points Offer »), you must make eligible purchases totaling at least $2,000 within three months of the account opening date. To qualify for the 20,000 additional bonus Scene+ points (the « 20,000 Additional Bonus Points Offer »), you must make $7,500 in eligible purchases on your new account during the first year (twelve months). Eligible purchases mean purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and exclude payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, card fees and other fees.
Fulfillment of the Annual Bonus: Bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account within approximately eight weeks after you qualify for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 30,000 bonus points and the 20,000 additional bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000 or $7,500) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months or the first 12 months). If a supplementary cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 30,000 bonus points or the 20,000 additional bonus points, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. Points can be transferred between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, co-borrower or supplementary cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not delinquent, the credit limit is not exceeded, and the holder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement applicable to the account. All other program terms and conditions continue to apply during the Offer period. The Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.
Eligibility and exclusions: You are not eligible for the Offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or if you have been within the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are eligible for this Offer.
Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $120 for the primary card and $29 for each additional card (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates currently applicable to the account are: 21.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). Rates, fees, features and benefits, which are described in the application statement, are subject to change.
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$1,460
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
$1,020ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,020Total$1,020Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,020Total$1,020Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points with this welcome offer for the American Express Gold Rewards Card. That’s a value of $600 toward travel or any purchase charged to the Card:
5,000 Membership Rewards points per month when you charge $1,000 in net purchases to your Card, for 12 months (a total of 60,000 points in the first year).
You can also transfer your points to airline partners such as Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair), Flying Blue, and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).
For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :
60,000 Aeroplan points
60,000 Avios
60,000 Flying Blue Miles
72,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
With this Card, you get many benefits like:
$100 annual travel credit
Priority Pass membership and 4 complimentary Plaza Premium visits per year
$50 NEXUS credit
You earn 2 points per dollar for travel purchases, and at:
gas stations
grocery stores
drugstores
And 1 point per dollar everywhere else.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or controlling the accuracy of the information published on this website. For full and up-to-date product information, click on the Apply now link. Terms and conditions apply.
Annual fee
Primary card$250
Additional card$50
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
2xPharmacy
2xGas & EV
2xTravel
2xGroceries
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,555
2nd Year Value$589
Transfer partners
AeroplanAirline
British Airways ClubAirline
Cathay Asia MilesAirline
Etihad GuestAirline
Flying BlueAirline
Hilton HonorsHotel
Marriott BonvoyHotel
Card benefits
Airport lounge access$160
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
What are the annual fees on these two cards?
The American Express Gold Rewards Card costs $250 a year and includes a $100 annual travel credit, which brings the real cost down to $150 if you use it. The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card costs $120. With a Scotiabank Ultimate Package chequing account, an ongoing annual rebate of up to $150 erases that fee, and the Preferred Package rebates $40.
Which card earns more on groceries?
The Scotiabank card, by a wide margin. It earns 6 Scene+ points per dollar at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo and the other partner banners, and 5 points per dollar at other grocery stores. The American Express Gold Rewards Card earns 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar. On $1,000 of groceries a month at a partner store, the gap is worth about $480 a year.
Where can Membership Rewards points be transferred?
American Express Canada has eight partners. For 1,000 Membership Rewards points you get 1,000 Aeroplan points, 1,000 British Airways Avios, 1,000 Flying Blue miles or 1,000 Hilton Honors points. Marriott Bonvoy gives 1,200 points, while Cathay Pacific and Delta SkyMiles give 750 units each, and ALL Accor gives 500. Scene+ points do not transfer: they apply directly against a purchase, at 10,000 points for $100.
Which card gets you into airport lounges?
The American Express Gold Rewards Card includes four complimentary visits per calendar year to Plaza Premium Lounges in Canada; entry fees apply after that. Both cards include a Priority Pass membership with no complimentary visits, so each visit is charged. For included visits on the Scotiabank side, you need the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card at $399, which gives 10 a year.
What income do you need to qualify?
The American Express Gold Rewards Card has no minimum income requirement: you need to be a Canadian resident with a Canadian credit file, at the age of majority in your province. The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card asks for a personal income of at least $12,000 a year and a minimum credit limit of $5,000.
What does the insurance cover after 65?
This is the sharpest difference for a traveller aged 65 or over. The American Express Gold Rewards Card no longer covers emergency medical care past 64. The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card still covers up to $1,000,000, but only for the first 3 days of the trip, against 25 days before 65.
Which card is better for purchases in a foreign currency?
The Scotiabank card, which charges no foreign transaction fee. The American Express Gold Rewards Card charges 2.5% on purchases made in a foreign currency, like most Canadian cards.
Can you hold both cards?
Yes. The two cards come from different issuers and their welcome offers are independent. The points sit in two separate programs, Scene+ on one side and Membership Rewards on the other, and they do not combine.
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