Head to Head: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card vs Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

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Alexandrine Bertrand
Alexandrine Bertrand Alexandrine Bertrand
An avid solo traveller, Alexandrine is an expert on loyalty programmes such as Aeroplan, Avios, AIR MILES, Flying Blue and Marriott Bonvoy. With a budget-conscious approach, she helps travellers make the most of their points and miles to experience affordable, off-the-beaten-path getaways. She also shares a love of gastronomy and enjoys exploring local flavours and culinary traditions.
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Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card vs Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
To the point Let's compare two Scotiabank credit cards: the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card and the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card.

Scotiabank offers two credit cards that earn Scene+ points: one in partnership with American Express and the other with 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.

Welcome Bonus

The welcome bonus offered by each of these credit cards varies according to the promotions. However, there are some important differences between the two!

scotiabank passport visa infinite card

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 40,000 Scene+ points:

  • 30,000 Scene+ points with total purchases of $2,000 or more in the first three months ( $300 value)
  • 10,000 additional points with $40,000 in purchases during the first year with the card ( $100 value)
scotiabank gold american express card

With the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you can earn up to 40,000 Scene+ points:

  • 20,000 points after $2,000 in purchases in the first three months
  • 20,000 points after $7,500 in purchases in the first year

This has a total value of $400.

Advantage: Draw

Both cards offer the same number of Scene+ points welcome bonuses. However, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card has a slight advantage, as the minimum spending to unlock the full bonus is lower.

Earning Points

The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card and the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card each offer different levels of point accumulation.

Earnings Levels

scotiabank passport visa infinite card

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you earn 3 Scene+ points per dollar (i.e. 3%) on purchases at:

  • IGA
  • Rachelle Béry
  • Les Marchés Tradition
  • Voià by IGA / Safeway / Sobeys
  • Sobeys and Safeway
  • Foodland and Thrifty Foods
  • FreshCo and Chalo! FreshCo

Then you earn:

  • 2 Scene+ points / $1 purchase in restaurants, entertainment, grocery stores and travel
  • 1 Scene+ point / $1 purchase on everything else
scotiabank gold american express card

With the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you earn 6 Scene+ points per dollar (or 6%) on purchases at:

  • IGA
  • Rachelle Béry
  • Les Marchés Tradition
  • Voià by IGA / Safeway / Sobeys
  • Sobeys and Safeway
  • Foodland and Thrifty Foods
  • FreshCo and Chalo! FreshCo

Then you earn:

  • 5 Scene+ points / $1 purchases for groceries, home food delivery, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues;
  • 3 Scene+ points / $1 purchases on local transportation, gas stations and streaming services;
  • 1 Scene+ point for everything else.
Advantage: Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

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 dinning venues making it in one of the best cards for food-related spending.

Redeeming Points

Both cards are linked to the Scene+ program, and the Scene+ points can be used in the same way.

scotiabank passport visa infinite card

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:

  • Redeem points directly when booking travel with Scene+ Travel, administered by Expedia.
  • Make your own travel arrangements and use your points to pay off the balance on the card

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 for:

  • 500 points for a $5 discount at selected restaurants (Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet, etc.);
  • 100 points for $1 off movie tickets at Cineplex;
  • 500 points for $5 off food and beverages at Cineplex, Rec Room and tokens for Playdium ;
  • At least 3,000 points for a Statement credit of between $6.67 and $8 on any card expense.
scotiabank gold american express card

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:

  • Redeem points directly when booking travel with Scene+ Travel, administered by Expedia.
  • Make your own travel arrangements and use your points to pay off the balance on the card

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 for:

  • 500 points for a $5 discount at selected restaurants (Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet, etc.);
  • 100 points for $1 off movie tickets at Cineplex;
  • 500 points for $5 off food and beverages at Cineplex, Rec Room and tokens for Playdium ;
  • At least 3,000 points for a Statement credit of between $6.67 and $8 on any card expense.
Advantage: It's a Tie

It’s all the same! Scene+ points are flexible and easy to exchange, whether for grocery needs or for treating yourself when travelling.

Accumulate your Scene+ points during the year and treat yourself to a massive grocery haul for a festive feast during the Holidays.

Or keep them to pay for your plane ticket or a hotel when you travel.

Annual Fees

scotiabank passport visa infinite card

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 the Scotiabank Ultimate Package, you’ll get the annual fee waived. Learn more about this here.

scotiabank gold american express card

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.

At the moment, there is no offer to get the first year free.

Advantage: Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card has a lower annual fee.

Minimum Income

scotiabank passport visa infinite card

The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card requires:

  • $60,000 (individual income)
  • or $100,000 (household income)
scotiabank gold american express card

The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card requires a minimum income of $12,000.

Advantage: Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

When it comes to income requirements, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card has the lowest.

This is typical of American Express cards, which are not demanding in this aspect.

Insurance

scotiabank passport visa infinite card

The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card offers various insurances. The certificate of insurance can be found here:

Global Travel Medical Emergency Insurance 2,000,000 and 25 days (age 64 and under)
Baggage delay or loss insurance Up to $1,000 per trip
Flight delay insurance Up to $500 per person
Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Up to $1,500 (cancellation) and $2,500 (interruption) per person
Vehicle rental insurance Up to 48 days, maximum $65,000
Hotel/motel theft insurance up to $1,000
Public transport accident insurance Up to $500,000 per person
Purchase insurance 90 days
Mobile device insurance
Extended warranty insurance Doubles warranty up to an additional year
scotiabank gold american express card

The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card offers various types of insurance, and you can find its certificate of insurance here:

Global Travel Medical Emergency Insurance 1,000,000, age 64 and under, for 25 days
Baggage delay or loss insurance up to $1,000
Flight delay insurance up to $500
Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance up to $1,500
Vehicle rental insurance Up to 48 days, up to $65,000
Hotel/motel theft insurance up to $1,000
Public transport accident insurance Up to $500,000 per person
Purchase insurance 90 days
Mobile Device Insurance up to $1,000
Extended warranty insurance Doubles warranty up to an additional year
Advantage: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card insurance amounts are slightly higher than those of its competitor. In fact, the amounts are equal to or greater than the other. Please note that at least 75% of the cost of the trip or tickets must be charged to the card for certain insurances to apply.

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 Benefits

scotiabank passport visa infinite card

The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card offers a number of advantages:

  • No conversion fees for purchases in foreign currencies;
  • 2 points / $1 foreign purchase ;
  • Six complimentary visits to VIP airport lounges per year;
  • Earn double Scene+ points with your Scene+ membership card at their partners;
  • Visa Infinite privileges .
scotiabank gold american express card

In addition, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card offers a range of benefits:

  • No conversion fees for purchases in foreign currencies;
  • Promotional offers in the form of Statement credit at several retailers;
  • 1 point / $1 foreign purchase;
  • Earn double Scene+ points with your Scene+ membership card at their partners;
  • Exclusive Front Of The Line® Presale Access to concerts and shows through American Express® Experiences;
  • Concierge Service
It’s a Tie!

Other benefits include travel. Depending on each traveller’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 from American Express. This allows you to earn statement credits and pay less at select shops or service providers.

Bottom Line

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:

  • The unbeatable accumulation of 5 or 6 points at the grocery store;
  • Lowest annual income requested;
  • Lowest annual fee;
  • American Express promotional offers to offset the annual fees.

In contrast, the Scotia Passport Visa Infinite Card will be perfect for people who travel a lot thanks to:

  • 6 free airport lounge visits;
  • Greater insurance coverages.
Best No-FX Fee Credit Card In 2024
  • Earn up to $1,300* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points.
  • Earn 3x Scene+ points* on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating
    Co-ops and more
  • Earn 2x Scene+ points* for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
  • Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
  • Earn additional benefits + up to 4x Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
  • No Foreign Transaction Fee
  • 6 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access
  • Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services
  • Visa Infinite* Hotel Collection
  • Visa Infinite* Dining and Wine Country Program
Legal

*Conditions apply. Rates, fees and other information are effective as of January 3, 2025. Subject to change.

Earning Rate
  • Groceries2Scene+ points
  • Dining and Food delivery2Scene+ points
  • Local Transport2Scene+ points
Value
  • Year 1 $797
  • Year 2+ $397
Best For
Transfer Partners
  • Scene+

Advantages

  • Annual Credit
  • VIP Lounges
  • Concierge
  • Wifi
  • Travel credit

Travel Insurance

Insurance Name
Included
Amount
Duration
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel medical insurance up to 54 years old
$1,000,000
25 day(s)
Travel medical insurance up to 64 years old
$1,000,000
25 day(s)
Travel medical insurance 65+
$1,000,000
3 day(s)
Trip Cancellation Insurance
$1,500
Trip Interruption Insurance
$2,500
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$500,000
Flight Delay Insurance
$500
Delayed Baggage Insurance
$1,000
Lost/Stolen Baggage Insurance
$1,000
Auto Rental Loss/Insurance
$65,000
48 day(s)
Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
$1,000

In any case, these are two cards we recommend in many of our rankings:

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline, a loyalty program specialist, helps families maximize their points to travel more frequently and affordably. With expertise in Disney, AIR MILES, and Costco, she travels the world with her partner and two children through rewards. Passionate about the latest in loyalty programs, Caroline shares tips to help you earn more points and turn your travel dreams into reality.
All posts by Caroline Tremblay
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