How to Activate and Use Your Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card

Fact checked by
Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
All posts by Marie-Ève Leclerc
A couple walks through a field with hot air balloons and a Scotiabank card visible in the foreground
To the point See life in Platinum! With Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card, earn Scene+ points and explore the VIP benefits that will make your travels more enjoyable.

Welcome Offer

For a limited time, by subscribing to Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card, you can earn up to 80,000 points. That’s a value of $800 for trips including Airbnb.

With Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card, you earn 2 points per dollar spent on all your purchases. You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). And you can also use them for other rewards in the Scene+ program, such as cash back.

What’s more, with this card you pay no fees for foreign currency transactions, and you get 10 free accesses to airport VIP lounges like Priority Pass and Premium Plaza.

And you get excellent insurance for your travels or purchases, concierge service, and exclusive American Express Offers (American Express Invites Program).

Discover Your Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card

Approval

To take advantage of the card, you’ll need to meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Annual income of at least $12,000;
  • Be of legal age in your province of residence and a Canadian resident;
  • Have not declared bankruptcy in the last 7 years.
debut platine amex scotia

If your request is approved, you will receive your Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card by standard mail, within 7 to 10 business days.

You can also ask Customer Service to send it to your nearest Scotiabank branch. As I was leaving on a trip in the next few days, I opted for this option and received it within 5 working days.

Delivery and Card Activation

I picked up my card at the branch, after receiving an email from Scotiabank to confirm that it had arrived.

The card comes in an elegant black envelope.

carte platine scotia platinum

The card must then be activated by calling 1-800-806-8600 or on the dedicated Scotiabank website.

This is the first step to unlocking the full potential of your new card!

Browse Your Insurance Coverage Guide

In your welcome envelope, take the time to read the large black booklet. It contains a wealth of important insurance information:

Trip Cancellation Insurance Up to $2,500 per person, maximum $10,000 per trip
Trip interruption insurance Up to $5,000 per person, maximum $25,000 per trip
Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance Up to $2,000,000
Up to 31 days to age 64Up to 10 days to age 65 and over
Flight Delay Insurance Up to $1,000 after 4 hours
Baggage Insurance – Delayed or lost baggage Up to $1,000 after 4 hours
Hotel burglary insurance up to $1,000
Rental car theft and damage insurance For vehicles up to $65,000 in value, for 48 consecutive days
Travel Accident Insurance 500,000 per person, $1 million maximum
Purchase Protection 2 additional years, up to $60,000 lifetime
Purchase Protection Up to $60,000 lifetime
120 days
Mobile Device Insurance up to $1,000

The coverage guide for these insurances is also available in electronic format on the Scotiabank page.

Enrolling in Benefits

Priority Pass

Then you have to sign up for Priority Pass, which gives you 10 free admissions per year of membership at a lounge airport affiliated to the Priority Pass network.

One entry is equal to one person entering lounge. From the 11th entry onwards, each additional visit costs USD 35 per person.

The membership year begins on the day you register for Priority Pass. For example, if you register on April 1, 2025, you will be able to use your 10 free tickets until March 31, 2026. If you do not use them, they will be lost.

On April 1, 2026, the counter will reset to 10 free admissions.

Priority Pass

The primary cardholder registers on the special Priority Pass page, using the code included in their welcome kit. If there is a secondary cardholder (the cost is $99 in annual fees), he or she will receive four free admissions per membership year.

Create your profile to activate your 10 free admissions. Your physical Priority Pass card will arrive in the mail approximately two weeks later.

However, I advise you to download the Priority Pass application, to get your virtual card immediately.

Five Star Status at Hertz

Normally, each year between January 1 and December 31, Five Star status is acquired through at least one of the following:

  • 10 car rentals;
  • or $2,000 in car rental expenses (excluding taxes and other charges).

Whereas with the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card you get it for free! It’s the second of three levels in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program.

Hertz Five Star status gives you the gift of:

  • 25% more reward points for future days of free car rental;
  • Up to 15% off the rental price;
  • A free car upgrade, depending on participating branches;
  • Upgrades to a higher car category, subject to availability;
  • The option of simply handing over the keys and driving off, with the Hertz e-return express service, at selected branches;
  • More choice of vehicles thanks to the Hertz Five Star section, at branches with the Hertz Ultimate Choice option;
  • Your spouse can be added free of charge as an additional driver.
gold plus rewards five star

American Express Benefits

Concierge for Securing the Best Seats

Whether you’re planning a dream trip, a memorable gourmet evening or an enriching cultural getaway, the complimentary concierge service will be happy to orchestrate everything for you.

  • Priority access to the best restaurants, securing last-minute or nearly impossible reservations;
  • Access to the best tickets for concerts, shows and sports;
  • Global Hotel Collection: Book your stay through the concierge to enjoy a room upgrade, complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast, flexible check-in and check-out times and up to $100 to redeem at the restaurant or spa during your stay.

The service is provided by Ten Concierge and they are available 24 hours a day at 1-866-800-5160.

platine amex concierge

Amex Front Of The Line Presale Tickets

As a member of this exclusive circle of American Express cardholders, you have the privilege of choosing the best seats for pre-sale concerts and shows, before anyone else. Register on the American Express page.

Experiences with American Express

In Toronto, stop by the Budweiser Stage’s Amex Lounge for drinks and food before your show.

At Osheaga, îleSoniq or LASSO from Montreal, American Express cardholders get on site faster thanks to the special entrance.

Amex Offers for Statement Credits

Keep an eye on this Amex offers page for credits on purchases. Simply enter our card on the Amex Offers page for each offer you are interested in. Offers vary and change frequently.

Here are a few examples:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line: Spend at least $1,000 and get a $250 credit
  • Avis Car Rental: Spend at least $300 and get a $50 credit
  • SAXX Underwear: Spend at least $175 and get a $35 credit
  • VistaPrint: Spend at least $150 and get a $30 credit

Zero Percent Foreign Transaction Fees While Traveling

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card has a 0% conversion fee on foreign currencies. The vast majority of credit cards have a conversion fee of 2.5%.

So, the cost of my spending outside the country was only converted at the current exchange rate, with no additional fees.

releve mensuel scotia platine

Earning Your Welcome Offer Points

When I signed up for the card, the welcome offer was:

  • 60,000 Scene+ points paid after $3,000 in card purchases;
  • 20,000 Scene+ points paid after $10,000 in card purchases.

The first instalment of Scene+ points was paid out promptly, the same day that the first $3,000 expenditure requirement was met.

prime bienvenue platine scotia

Using Your Scene+ Points to Pay for Travel

I took the opportunity to use them to reimburse my hotel for a weekend getaway at The Westin Ottawa!

Scene+ points can be redeemed at the rate of 1,000 Scene+ points for a $10 discount on my travel expenses. As a result, my hotel bill of $328.93 was totally reimbursed thanks to 32,893 Scene+ points.

I even have some Scene+ points left over for a future trip. Here’s how to use your Scene+ points on your trip.

Échangez points scene voyages

Also, I could have used my Scene+ points for a discount at the grocery store.

My 60,000 Scene+ points would have given me $600 worth of free groceries at IGA, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry, Safeway, Sobey, Foodland, Freshco, and so on.

Advantages - Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card is a good choice for frequent travellers who want a little something extra.

With its attractive travel benefits, you’ll enjoy personalized service and great experiences. The Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card is certainly an option to consider for optimizing your lifestyle.

Does the Scotiabank Amex Platinum Card give me access to airport lounges?

Yes! With Priority Pass, Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card provides 10 free admissions to airport lounges worldwide. Thereafter, the cost is USD 35 for each additional entry.

Does the Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card offer presale tickets with Amex Front Of The Line?

Yes! You have the privilege of choosing the best seats for pre-sale concerts and shows, before anyone else. Register here on the American Express page.

Is Scotiabank Platinum American Express<sup>®</sup> Card worth it?

It’s designed for travellers who make several trips during the year, to enjoy free airport access and no foreign currency conversion fees for purchases outside Canada.

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
Credit Cards
Region
Canada

Suggested Reading

Receive our newsletter every week!

Savings are here (if you don’t see the sign-up form, please click here):

Milesopedia