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

Updated Aug 31, 2024
Fact checked by
Alexandrine Bertrand
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.
All posts by Alexandrine Bertrand
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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 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!

Welcome bonus

The welcome bonus offered by each of these credit cards varies according to 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 35,000 Scene+ points:

  • 25,000 Scene+ points after $1,000 in card purchases during the first three months ($250 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 45,000 Scene+ points:

  • 25,000 points after $1,000 in purchases in the first three months
  • 20,000 points after $7,500 in purchases within the first year

That’s a $450 value. And the first year is free, which is rare for this credit card!

Advantage: Scotiabank Gold American Express® 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.

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 at restaurants, entertainment, grocery and travel outlets
  • 1 Scene+ point / $1 purchase for the rest
scotiabank gold american express card

While 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 in purchases at grocery stores, food delivery, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues;
  • 3 Scene+ points / $1 in purchases at local transportation, gas stations and streaming services;
  • 1 Scene+ point for the rest.
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 other eateries remains in one of the best cards for food-related spending.

Redeeming points

Both cards are linked to the Scene+ program, and its Scene+ points are used similarly.

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:

  • 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 chips at Playdium ;
  • At least 3,000 points for an account credit of between $6.67 and $8 on any card charge.
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:

  • 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 chips at Playdium ;
  • At least 3,000 points for an account credit of between $6.67 and $8 on any card charge.
Advantage: It's a tie

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.

Annual fee

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 a Scotiabank Ultimate Plan, 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.

However, for a limited time, the first year is free!

Advantage: Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

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.

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

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card has the lowest income requirements.

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

Insurance

scotiabank passport visa infinite card

Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card offers a range of insurance options. The certificate of insurance can be found here:

Worldwide Emergency Travel Medical insurance $ 2,000,000 and 25 days (64 years and under)
Baggage Delay or Loss insurance Up to $1,000 per trip
Flight delay insurance Up to $500 per person
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption/Delay insurance Up to $1,500 (cancellation) and $2,500 (interruption) per person
Car rental insurance Up to 48 days, maximum of $65,000
Hotel/Motel Burglary 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 Double the warranty up to one 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:

Worldwide Emergency Travel Medical 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 and Trip Interruption/Delay insurance Up to $1,500
Car rental insurance Up to 48 days, up to $65,000
Hotel/Motel Burglary 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 Double the warranty up to one additional year
Advantage: Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card

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 Benefits

scotiabank passport visa infinite card

The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card offers a range of benefits:

  • 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 account credits at several retailers;
  • 1 point / $1 foreign purchase;
  • Earn double Scene+ points with your Scene+ membership card at their partners;
  • Access to exclusive Advance® tickets for concerts and shows with American Express® Experiences ;
  • Concierge Service
It's a tie!

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.

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:

  • A more attractive welcome offer
  • 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 annual fees.

Opposite it, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card will be perfect for people who travel a lot thanks to:

  • Six complimentary airport lounge visits;
  • Its greater earning of points abroad;
  • Greater insurance coverages.

Anyway, these are two cards that we recommend in many of our rankings:

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Caroline Tremblay

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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