Scotiabank offers two credit cards that earn Scene+ points: one in collaboration with American Express and Visa.
They come from the same financial institution and earn the same type of points, but their characteristics are different. Let’s see which one is the best!
We will base our analysis on the major differences between these credit cards regarding :
The welcome bonus offered by each of these credit cards varies according to promotions. However, there are some important differences between the two!
With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 35,000 Scene+ points:
With the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you can earn up to 45,000 Scene+ points:
That’s a $450 value. And the first year is free, which is rare for this credit card!
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card offers more points as a welcome bonus and, unlike the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card, offers the first year free.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card and the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card each offer different levels of point accumulation.
With the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you earn 3 Scene+ points per dollar (i.e. 3%) on purchases at:
Then you earn :
While with the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you earn 6 Scene+ points per dollar (or 6%) on purchases at :
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is simply the best of the two.
It stands out for its value received when used to pay in Empire Group grocery stores (IGA, Sobeys, Foodland, etc.) with its 6 points per dollar of purchase. And it’s the best accumulation of points in a grocery store, among all the credit cards in Canada!
Otherwise, its 5 points/$1 in other grocery stores and other eateries remains in one of the best cards for food-related spending.
Both cards are linked to the Scene+ program, and its Scene+ points are used similarly.
Scene+ points and travel:
You can apply them to travel purchases in two ways, thanks to the fixed redemption rate where 10,000 points = $100 credit:
It also lets you apply your points to everyday purchases.
You can redeem 1,000 Scene+ points for a $10 discount at the IGA/Sobeys checkout.
Points can also be used to purchase gift cards on the Scotiabank/Scene+ website, from 1,000 to 1,400 points for a $10 discount.
Scene+ points can also be redeemed:
It’s all the same! Scene+ points are flexible and easy to redeem, both for grocery needs and for small pleasures when traveling.
Accumulate Scene+ points all year round and buy yourself a huge grocery store for a real holiday feast.
Or keep them to pay for your plane ticket or a hotel when you travel.
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card has an annual fee of $150. At the moment, there is no promotion that reimburses these costs in the first year.
And if you have a Scotiabank Ultimate Plan, you’ll get the annual fee waived. Learn more about this here.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card has an annual fee of $120. It’s charged on the first statement, and at the time of renewal.
However, for a limited time, the first year is free!
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card has a lower annual fee. What’s more, the first year is free for a limited time, unlike the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card.
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card requires :
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card requires a minimum income of $12,000.
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card has the lowest income requirements.
This is typical of American Express cards, which are not demanding in this aspect.
Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card offers a range of insurance options. The certificate of insurance can be found here:
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card offers various types of insurance, and you can find its certificate of insurance here:
Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card insurance amounts are slightly higher than its competitor. In fact, the amounts are equal to or greater than each other. Please note thatat least 75% of the cost of the trip or tickets must be charged to this card in order for certain insurances to be applicable.
This is an important detail, because for some coverages, the full or partial cost of the trip must be charged to the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card. The latter has the advantage of being the only one with mobile device insurance, in case you have an unfortunate incident with your phone or tablet.
We strongly advise you to read the insurance brochures of both cards carefully, to find out which one is best for your situation.
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card offers a range of benefits:
In addition, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card offers a range of benefits:
Other benefits include travel. Depending on each traveler’s needs, one or the other may be appropriate.
Both avoid the 2.5% conversion charge on foreign currencies. The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card has an edge on this point, as it gives 2 points per dollar of purchase, unlike its competitor which only gives 1 point abroad. What’s more, the 6 free VIP airport lounges are a distinct advantage.
However, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card has the exciting online offers of American Express. This makes it possible to get statement credits and save at certain retailers or for services.
So? Which card wins this duel?
For those with a big grocery budget, it’s the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card!
It stands out for:
Opposite it, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card will be perfect for people who travel a lot thanks to:
Anyway, these are two cards that we recommend in many of our rankings:
Savings are here:
