Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card: A Card for Frequent Travellers

Q: Who is the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card really designed for?

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card targets travellers who take 3 flights or more per year and want to eliminate foreign currency fees. Key benefits: No foreign conversion fees on foreign currency purchases (a 2.5% saving on each purchase) 10 free visits per year to Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Emergency medical care up to $2,000,000 2 Scene+ points per dollar on all purchases, with no cap For a traveller spending $10,000 USD abroad, the lack of conversion fees already represents $250 in annual savings.

Q: How much is the welcome bonus of up to 80,000 Scene+ points, depending on the conditions, really worth?

The 80,000 Scene+ points represent $800 in value in travel rewards, since the Scene+ program uses a fixed rate of 1 cent per point on any travel purchase through the Scene+ Travel portal or the Book Your Way feature. They are part of an offer worth up to $2,800 in savings and rewards over the first 14 months. Depending on current prices, the 80,000 points cover, for example: A Montreal–Paris round-trip flight in economy class during high season Several hotel nights at mid-range properties Some car rentals or even cruise tickets No blackout dates, no blocked seats: it’s one of the simplest programs in Canada.

Q: How do the 10 lounge entries compare to competitors?

The 10 free lounge entries per year to Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounges position the Scotiabank Platinum among the best cards for lounge access: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege : unlimited Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access (~$599/year) Scotiabank Visa Infinite Privilege Card : 6 visits (~$399/year) American Express Gold Rewards Card : 4 Plaza Premium visits (~$250/year) At $50 USD per entry at the individual rate, these 10 visits are worth more than $650 CAD , which is well above the annual fee of about $399 for the Scotiabank Platinum.

Q: Is this card worth it if I only travel in North America?

The no conversion fees benefit remains relevant even in the United States, where most Canadian cards charge 2.5% on purchases in USD. For a traveller who spends $5,000 USD per year in the United States, that’s $125 in savings . However, if you travel little and mostly stay in Canada, compare it with: The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card : 4% on groceries and bills, lower annual fee The American Express Cobalt Card : 5x on groceries and restaurants, $15.99 monthly fee The Scotiabank Platinum remains optimal as soon as your international travel represents $5,000 or more per year .

Published July 28, 2022Updated November 2, 202610 min readEditorial integrity

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card is one of Canada’s premium credit cards. It offers many benefits, such as:

Flexible Rewards Program
2 points per dollar on all purchases
No foreign transaction fees
10 free airport lounge visits
Insurance for your trips and purchases

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Scotiabank^®* Platinum American Express^® Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $399
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$700Total$700$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $700
Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 12 months: Up to 80,000 points; Ends Jul 1, 2027

Until July 1, 2027, by signing up for the Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card, you can earn up to 80,000 Scene+ points, worth up to $2,800 in value over the first 14 months (including about $800 in travel rewards from the bonus points):

45,000 Scene+ points after $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months
An additional 25,000 Scene+ points after $10,000 in purchases within the first 12 months
An additional 10,000 Scene+ points when you make at least one eligible purchase in the 14th month

With the Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card, you earn 2 points per dollar spent on all purchases. These points can be used against any travel purchase (plane tickets, hotels, all-inclusives, and even Airbnb), and you can also use them for other rewards in the Scene+ program, like cash back.

Plus, with this card, you pay no foreign transaction fees, and you get 10 free accesses to VIP airport lounges (Priority Pass).

And you benefit from excellent insurance for your trips and purchases, premium concierge service, and exclusive American Express Invites offers.

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* Savings and point earn potential in first 14 months includes welcome offer value, first year point earn potential, foreign transaction fee and airport lounge savings as of September 10, 2026:

$450 in travel points (45,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card clients who spend $5,000 within the first 6 months

$250 in travel points (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $10,000 within the first 12 months

$100 in travel points (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you make at least one eligible purchase that is posted to the new Account during the 14th month after the month the Account was opened.

$241 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average annual foreign spend per active account over the last 24 months (don't pay the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by other card issuers);

$1,031 in first year point earn potential (103,106 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per active account over the last 24 months;

$785 value of a complimentary Priority Pass membership and free lounge passes per year for the primary cardholder ('Standard Plus' annual membership fee package of approx. CAD$455/USD$329, which includes 10 lounge passes) and for one supplementary cardholder ('Standard' annual membership fee of approx. CAD$137/USD$99, plus 4 lounge passes at CAD$48/USD$35 each). Currency conversion as of Sept 10, 2026.

Potential First 14-Month Value = up to $2,857 (rounded down to $2,800)

Actual offers, savings and points earned will depend on individual card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer Description and Conditions: The 80,000 Bonus Scene+ Points Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank Platinum American Express credit card accounts (“Account”) opened between November 2, 2026 and July 1, 2027 (regardless of the date you apply for the Account) and is subject to the conditions below.

To qualify for 45,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “45,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $5,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 6 months of the Account open date. To qualify for an additional 25,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “25,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $10,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 12 months of the Account open date. To qualify for an additional 10,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “10,000 Point Bonus”), you must make at least one eligible purchase that is posted to your new Account during the 14th month after the month the Account was opened. Eligible purchases include purchases (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, cash advances (including balance transfers or cash-like transactions), interest, fees or other charges.

Point Bonus Fulfillment: The applicable point Bonus(es) will be credited to the Scene+ account within approximately 8 weeks after qualifying for a Bonus, provided the Account is open and in good standing. For Joint Accounts with a Primary Borrower and Co-borrower, the applicable point Bonus will be credited as follows: (i) the 45,000 Point Bonus and 25,000 Point Bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the last transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases (i.e., $5,000 or $10,000) in the appropriate time frame (i.e., first 6 months or first 12 months), and (ii) the 10,000 Point Bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the first transaction that qualifies as an eligible purchase during the 14th month after the month the Account was opened. If a supplementary cardholder completes the last qualifying transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases for the 45,000 Point Bonus or the 25,000 Point Bonus, or completes the first transaction that qualifies for the 10,000 Point Bonus, the applicable point Bonus will be credited to the Primary Borrower’s Scene+ account linked to the Account. Points can be transferred between Primary and Co-Borrower or Supplementary Cardholder’s Scene+ accounts by contacting Scene+. The Account is considered in good standing if it is not past due or over limit and the Cardholder(s) is not in breach of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the Account. All other terms and conditions of the Scene+ Program Terms continue to apply during the Offer period. Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers.

Eligibility and Exclusions: Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for the Offer. Subject to the above exclusions, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are also eligible for the Offer.

Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $399 for the primary card and $99 for each additional card (including those issued to co-borrowers and supplementary cardholders).
The current preferred annual interest rates for the Account are: 9.99% on purchases and 9.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions). All rates, fees, features and benefits are outlined in the Application Disclosure Statement and are subject to change.

Savings at Shell

Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 4 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with a Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 4 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 4 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Note: Highest value of 11 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.

Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)

Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer valid from October 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (“Promotional Period”), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an “Eligible Card”) to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the “Eligible Provinces”) excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.

The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$399

Additional card$99

Annual income required

Individual$12,000

Household$12,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$841

2nd Year Value$481

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$400

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 31 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 31 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 10 days

Trip CancellationUp to $2,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $1,000

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 CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Flexible Rewards Program

The Scene+ program is the loyalty program of Scotiabank, Cineplex theatres and, soon, IGA, Sobeys and other grocery stores.

See how many Scene+ points you can earn for every dollar spent with the Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card and the different ways to use them.

Earning Scene+ Points

With the Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card, you can earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases. It’s one of Canada’s only credit cards that offer this earning level for any purchase.

For example, if you habitually spend $3,000 per month on your credit card, you can earn over 72,000 points per year on your card. A $720 value to use on travel! Without effort, nor worrying about purchasing categories.

Note that unlike other credit cards, there is no annual limit on the number of Scene+ points you can earn!

Plus, you can earn 3 points per dollar on hotel and car rental bookings made through Scene+ Travel.

Scene+ Points Redemption

For Travel

Since this credit card is designed for frequent travellers, one of the best uses of your Scene+ points will be to apply them to your travel purchases.

Unlike other credit cards that require you to go through an exclusive provider, with the Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card, you can use your Scene+ points for purchases made on any site, with any provider or travel agency.

Whether it’s after buying a plane ticket, renting a car, staying in a hotel/apartment/house, or booking a cruise, you can use your Scene+ points at the same value: 10,000 Scene+ points = $100.

So, 60,000 Scene+ points are worth $600!

All you need to do is log in to your online account and apply your Scene+ points to your purchase (up to 12 months after it) via the “Redeem points for travel” option.

You must use at least 5,000 points ($50) when redeeming (after this threshold, redemptions are made at the rate of 100 points = $1).

By using your Scene+ points against your travel purchases, you ensure a 2% return on purchases made with the card.

Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card: A Card for Frequent Travelers - Travel

For other types of rewards

The Scene+ loyalty program is rapidly expanding in Canada. You can already use your Scene+ points for many rewards, such as products or gift cards.

Soon, you’ll also be able to use your Scene+ points at grocery stores such as Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà par IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

Here too, you’ll get a value of 1 cent per point: 1,000 Scene+ points = $10.

Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card: A Card for Frequent Travellers - Iga Extra

Exclusive Card Benefits

No foreign transaction fees

With this card, you pay no foreign transaction fees on transactions in foreign currencies. This is a rare benefit in Canada for credit cards.

This means you’ll save 2.5% on every transaction made in foreign currencies, whether online or abroad! Only the exchange rate applies.

For example, if you pay $15,000 in annual foreign currency purchases, that’s a savings of $375 in transaction fees compared to a credit card charging 2.5%.

Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card: A card for frequent travelers - Hotel Danieli, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice

10 free airport lounge visits

With the Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card, you get a Priority Pass membership as well as free access to VIP airport lounges (including Plaza Premium lounges):

10 complimentary visits for the primary cardholder
4 complimentary visits for the additional cardholder

With travel picking up again, it’s nice to be able to wait for your flight in the comfort of an airport lounge rather than in the hustle and bustle of the terminal!

Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card: A card for frequent travelers - National Bank Lounge YUL

Premium concierge services

If you need help making restaurant reservations or finding tickets to a show, the concierge service – provided by American Express – is at your disposal 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

I’ve used it on several occasions, notably to access tables in “fully booked” restaurants.

Or to make a list of things to do, to see, to book in a city I was planning to visit and where language can be an issue like Seoul in South Korea.

An American Express card

Since this card is part of the American Express network, you can access American Express online offers, including Shop Small.

Simply register your card on this page.

Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card: A card for frequent travelers - Scotiabank Amex Network Offers

Access to the American Express Front Of The Line Service

As this is an American Express card, you also enjoy certain cardholder benefits such as “American Express Invites/Front Of The Line.”

This gives you early access to various experiences: concerts, plays, restaurants, cinema, fashion and shopping.

To sign up for the service once you have your Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card ,it’s this way!

Card insurance

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card provides a wide range of travel insurance products:

Travel Emergency Medical Insurance

Coverage is provided:

for eligible persons under 65 years of age for a period of no more than 31 consecutive days
For people aged 65 and over, up to 10 consecutive days.

Few cards offer coverage for those 65 and older.

As a Scotiabank Platinum American Express cardholder (cardholder includes the primary cardholder and any additional cardholder), you, your spouse and your dependent children are eligible for insurance of up to two million dollars each in the event of a medical emergency due to an unforeseen illness or accident occurring during a trip outside your province or territory of residence in Canada.

The insurance covers eligible expenses:

hospital care,
nursing care,
prescription drugs, licensed ambulances
and physicians’ and surgeons’ fees,
other eligible expenses for medical supplies and services

Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance

Charge at least 75% of the cost of your trip to your card and obtain trip cancellation/interruption insurance at no additional cost.

You, your spouse, a travel companion, and your eligible dependent children traveling with you are automatically covered:

trip cancellation insurance of up to $2,500 per person (to a maximum of $10,000 per trip)
trip interruption insurance of up to $5,000 per person (to a maximum of $25,000 per trip)

As travel resumes, it is essential to have the trip cancellation/interruption insurance provided by this card.

Flight Delay Insurance

When you pay at least 75% of the cost of your tickets with your Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card, you are entitled to reimbursement of necessary expenses (e.g. hotel accommodation, meals and other exceptional costs).

You could be reimbursed for all eligible necessary and reasonable living expenses incurred:

in the event of a flight delayed by at least four hours or a missed connection resulting in a waiting period of at least four (4) hours
to a limit of $1,000 per insured person on the same trip.

As we can see, with travel picking up again, flights can be delayed for several hours. Here, you’re covered with this card when an eligible situation occurs!

Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card: A Card for Frequent Travellers - flight delay insurance bankrupt recourse bankruptcy

Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance

When you pay the full cost of your plane, train, bus or cruise tickets with your card, you’re covered if your checked baggage is delayed or lost.

Indemnity for lost baggage is limited to the value of the covered baggage or the actual cost of replacing the covered baggage that was lost or stolen, up to a combined maximum of $1,000, whichever is less.

Delayed baggage compensation is limited to $1,000 (for all insured persons traveling together) for the replacement of eligible essential items when checked baggage has not been delivered within four (4) hours of arrival at the final destination.

Even though we advise you to travel light with a carry-on bag, there are situations where this is not possible.

So here too, it’s essential to be able to rely on your credit card’s insurance in case your baggage is delayed or lost, especially during a period of travel recovery when everything might not go as planned!

Rental Car Collision Loss/Damage Insurance

You are automatically protected against damage and theft if you pay the full cost of the vehicle rental with your card.

Note that the rental period cannot exceed 48 consecutive days and vehicles costing over $65,000 are not covered.

Thanks to this insurance, you can refuse the one sold by the rental agency, which can cost about twenty dollars per day!

Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card: A Card for Frequent Travellers - Car Nice Airport

Travel Accident Insurance

When you pay at least 75% of the full cost of your tickets with your card, you benefit from accidental death and dismemberment insurance.

You, your spouse, and your eligible dependent children are automatically covered for accidental death or dismemberment insurance up to a maximum of $500,000 (up to $1,000,000 per trip).

Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance

Use your card to pay for hotel or motel accommodations in Canada or the U.S.

When you stay at a hotel or motel in Canada or the United States and pay the entire bill with your Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card, you, your spouse, and your dependent children traveling with you will be eligible for personal property theft insurance in the event of a break-in to your room.

If your claim exceeds the amount reimbursable by the hotel and/or any other eligible insurer, the insurance covers the difference, up to $1,000.

New Mobile Device Insurance

You can be covered by mobile device insurance for up to $1,000 if your tablet, cell phone or smartphone is lost, stolen, accidentally damaged or has suffered a mechanical failure.

To be covered by this insurance, the full price of your new mobile device must be charged to your card or, if you financed the purchase of the device with a package, all your wireless bill payments for the device in question must be charged to your card.

Purchase Security Extended Warranty Protection

Most items purchased with your card are insured against loss, theft and damage for 120 days after purchase, and the manufacturer’s warranty is doubled for up to another year. (Maximum lifetime liability of $60,000)

Conclusion

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card is the best card for earning on all purchases within the Scene+ program.

This Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card will be very interesting for travellers:

who do not wish to pay foreign transaction fees
who want premium insurance
who want access to airport lounges
who want to book travel with any provider

Take advantage of the current special offer to apply for this premium travel card: