7 Best Scotiabank Credit Cards of October 2026

Published Jul 24, 2026 6:25 PM • 6 min read

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Every credit card caters to different needs. Scotiabank has some strong contenders in each category. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, points enthusiast or counting on cashback – there’s a card created with you in mind.

  • Data-driven rankings of 120+ credit cards using a proprietary algorithm

  • Comprehensive analysis using 25+ data points including terms and conditions, points programs, and more

  • Objective editorial approach - we strive for unbiased reviews following our editorial guidelines

FinlyWealth's credit cards content, including rankings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of engineers and writers who specialize in credit cards, banking, and personal finance. Our work has been featured in The Globe and Mail, GoBankingRates, and AOL. Our proprietary analysis systems evaluate product features, terms, and conditions to deliver comprehensive reviews and comparisons while maintaining strict editorial standards for accuracy and integrity.

Our choice for: Best Overall

Welcome Bonus

Earn up to $950 in welcome offers, first year rewards and savings value, and up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points.

First Year Rewards

$1,178.68

Based on $2,000/mo spending. Calculate your rewards

Annual Fee

$120

Interest Rates

21.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

5/5

The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is one of our favorite cards. It has a very solid rewards program, earning one of the highest rewards among all credit cards in Canada. In addition, it offers comprehensive travel benefits, including the rare and valuable no foreign transaction fee benefit, making it a great and balanced credit card in terms of both rewards and benefits.

Pros


  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Well-rounded rewards
  • Shell Fuel Savings
  • Comprehensive insurance
  • Flexible redemptions

Cons


  • Limited acceptance
  • No lounge access
  • Annual fee

Rewards

  • Earn 6x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more*
  • Earn 5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.*
  • Earn 5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.*
  • Earn 3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more*
  • Earn 3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services*
  • 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
  • Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2026. Subject to change.

Insurance

Coverage

  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    $1M, Up to 25 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)

    $1M, Up to 3 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500/person, $10,000/trip
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $1,500/person, $10,000/trip
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $500/person, $1,000/trip
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $500/person, $1,000/trip After 4 hours
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500/person
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500K/person, $1M/occurrence
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $65K up to 48 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1,000/occurrence
  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1,000
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    Up to 1 year

Benefits

Details

  • exchange money

    No Foreign Transaction Fees

    Avoid the 2.5% foreign transaction fees incurred when spending in non $CAD
  • gas station

    Gas Discount2

    Get up to 12¢/L in value on fuel purchases at Shell stations
  • Amex logo

    American Express® Experiences

  • concierge

    Concierge Services

  • discount

    Discount

    Discount on PriorityPass Membership

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    $12,000 personal or $12,000 household

Our choice for: Best for Travel

Welcome Bonus

Earn up to $1,250 in value, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points

First Year Rewards

$566.8

Based on $2,000/mo spending. Calculate your rewards

Annual Fee

$150

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

4.8/5

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + is a strong choice for frequent travelers, especially those who value flexibility and premium perks. It stands out with its rare benefit of no foreign transaction fees, making international purchases more cost-effective. Additionally, the card offers a valuable blend of travel perks, including airport lounge access, comprehensive insurance coverage, and flexible rewards, making it an ideal companion for those who frequently travel abroad and want to avoid extra fees while enjoying premium benefits.

Awards & Recognition

Best Travel Credit Card

Best Travel Credit Card

2026

Pros


  • High rewards
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Airport lounge access
  • Shell Fuel Savings
  • Comprehensive insurance
  • Generous intro offer

Cons


  • High income requirements
  • High annual fee

Rewards

  • 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†

Insurance

Coverage

  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    $2M/insured up to 25 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)

    $2M/insured up to 3 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500/person, $10,000/trip
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $2,500/person, $10,000/trip
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500/person after 4 hours
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1,000
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $1,000
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000/insured, $1M combined
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $65,000 up to 48 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1,000
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year

Benefits

Details

  • exchange money

    No Foreign Transaction Fees

    Avoid the usual 2.5% forex fees on your purchases when you travel outside of Canada
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass

    6 Free complimentary visits
  • gas station

    Gas Discount2

    Get up to 10¢/L in value on fuel purchases at Shell stations
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Avis® Preferred Plus membership
  • concierge

    Concierge Services

  • discount

    Discount**

    Yearly GigSky 1GB/15-Day plan, 20% off future purchases, and 10GB of global data for 15 days with Travel Essentials
  • exclusive

    Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    $60,000 personal or $100,000 household

Our choice for: Best for Cashback

Welcome Bonus

Earn 15% Cash Back on all purchases for the first 3 months, a 0% introductory interest rate on balance transfers, and no annual card fees in the first year

First Year Rewards

$931.33

Based on $2,000/mo spending. Calculate your rewards

Annual Fee

$120 $0

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

4.6/5

The 4% cashback offered on groceries and recurring purchases is the highest among all other credit cards. With the first year's annual fee waived, and with the right transactions used on this credit card, a high amount of cashback could be earned.

Pros


  • High grocery optimization
  • High recurring payment optimization
  • High insurance coverage
  • First-year fee rebate
  • Car rental discounts

Cons


  • Low base earn rate
  • Income requirements

Rewards

  • 4% for every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments and subscription purchases
  • 2% for every $1 you spend on gas and daily transit purchases
  • New 2% Cash Back earn category: You will earn 2% on all eligible purchases of Food Delivery4
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases with no cashback limit
  • New Cash Back Anytime feature: Redeem your cash back that you’ve earned whenever you need it, through the Scotia app or Scotia Online ($25.00 minimum redemption)¹
  • Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2026. Subject to change.

Insurance

Coverage

  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1,000
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    15 days
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $2,000
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $500
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $500
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    48 days
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year

Benefits

Details

  • car rental

    Car Rental Discount

    25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
  • discount

    Discount11

    Yearly GigSky 1GB/15-Day plan, 20% off future purchases, and 10GB of global data for 15 days with Travel Essentials
  • exclusive

    Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits

    Yes
  • gas station

    Gas Discount12

    Get up to 7¢/L in value on fuel purchases at Shell stations

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    $60,000 personal or $100,000 household

Our choice for: Best for Premium Travel

Welcome Bonus

Earn up to 80,000 bonus Scene+ points

First Year Rewards

$201.2

Based on $2,000/mo spending. Calculate your rewards

Annual Fee

$599

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

4.5/5

For frequent flyers who want a single card that handles almost every travel need, this one’s hard to beat. It offers a hefty intro bonus, an annual Scene+ Travel credit that’s as good as cash when you book through Expedia, and complimentary DragonPass lounge visits each year. Pair that with no foreign‑currency markup, rich earn rates on travel and dining/entertainment, and unusually comprehensive travel insurance, and the annual fee can pay for itself quickly for anyone who travels a few times a year.

Pros


  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Generous welcome bonus
  • Annual travel credit
  • Shell Fuel Savings
  • Airport lounge access
  • Accelerated earn rates
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Premium extras

Cons


  • Higher annual fee
  • Steep qualifications bar
  • Fixed-value Scene+ points

Rewards

  • Earn 3X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible travel purchases. Plus, earn an extra 3X the points on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do when you book through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia. That's a total of 6X the points!
  • Earn 2X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible dining and entertainment.
  • Plus, earn 1X the Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on all other eligible purchases.

Insurance

Coverage

  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1,000
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    $5M/insured up to 31 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)

    $5M/insured up to 10 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $2,500/person, $10,000/trip
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $5,000/person, $25,000/trip
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $1,000/person
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $2,500/person (max $5,000 per trip)
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $1,000/person
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $2,500
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000/insured
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    Covers vehicles MSRP ≤ $85k, rentals ≤ 48 days
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    180 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    2 years

Benefits

Details

  • exchange money

    No Foreign Transaction Fees

    Avoid the usual 2.5% forex fees on your purchases when you travel outside of Canada
  • travel

    Travel Credit

    $250 annual Scene+ Travel credit – automatic statement credit on your first Expedia‑powered booking each membership year.
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass

    10 Free complimentary visits
  • gas station

    Gas Discount2

    Get up to 10¢/L in value on fuel purchases at Shell stations
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Avis President’s Club membership – two class upgrades, priority service.
  • concierge

    Concierge Services

    24/7 Visa Infinite Privilege concierge (English & French)
  • exclusive

    Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits

  • airport waiting room

    Priority Travel

    Dedicated security and taxi lanes, valet and parking discounts at select Canadian airports.

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    $150,000 personal or $200,000 household

Our choice for: Best for Balance Transfers

Welcome Bonus

0% interest on balance transfers for 9 months + first year fee rebate + extra savings at shell

Rewards Rate

0%

Annual Fee

$29 $0

Interest Rates

13.99%* / 13.99%*

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

4.6/5

This is a great card for those who carry a balance every month and want to take advantage of much lower interest rates compared to most other cards. It also comes with a great introductory balance transfer rate for a limited number of months.

Pros


  • Balance transfer promotion
  • Low interest rates
  • First-year fee rebate
  • Shell Fuel Savings
  • Balance protection
  • Car rental discounts

Cons


  • No rewards
  • Limited extras

Rewards

This card does not earn rewards on purchases but instead offers much lower interest rates. Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2026. Subject to change.

Insurance

Coverage

  • credit card dollar

    Balance Protection

    optional

Benefits

Details

  • car rental

    Car Rental Discount

    Avis car rental discount up to 25% worldwide
  • gas station

    Gas Discount2

    Get up to 5¢/L in value on fuel purchases at Shell stations

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    N/A

Our choice for: Best for Business

Welcome Bonus

Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points [1]

Rewards Rate

1.5x

Points

Annual Fee

$199

Interest Rates

19.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

5/5

The standout feature is simple: no foreign transaction fees. For any business that regularly pays suppliers abroad, books international travel, or has USD expenses, this saves 2.5% on every foreign purchase — savings that add up fast. On top of that, you earn a flat 1.5 Scene+ points per dollar on everything with no caps or categories. The $199 fee is higher than average, but you get six airport lounge visits per year, solid travel insurance, and a 40,000-point welcome bonus. If your business spending is mostly domestic and you don’t travel, the fee is hard to justify. But for internationally active businesses, this is one of the best options in Canada.

Awards & Recognition

Best Business Credit Card

Best Business Credit Card

2026

Pros


  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Strong rewards
  • Generous welcome bonus
  • Airport lounge access
  • Shell Fuel Savings
  • Comprehensive travel coverage
  • Flexible redemptions
  • First additional card free
  • Visa Infinite benefits

Cons


  • Higher annual fee
  • Welcome bonus spending requirements
  • High income requirement
  • Additional card fees

Rewards

  • Earn 1.5X the Scene+TM‡ points for every $1 spent2 on purchases for your business
  • Enjoy no Foreign Transaction Fees3 whether you make purchases online or outside of Canada

Insurance

Coverage

  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    $2M/insured up to 25 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)

    $2M/insured up to 10 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $2,500/person, $10,000/trip
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $2,500/person, $10,000/trip
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500/person after 4 hours
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1,000
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $1,000
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000/insured, $1M combined
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $65,000 up to 48 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1,000
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year

Benefits

Details

  • exchange money

    No Foreign Transaction Fees

    Avoid the usual 2.5% forex fees on your purchases when you travel outside of Canada
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass

    6 Free complimentary visits
  • gas station

    Gas Discount4

    Get up to 10¢/L in value with Shell Go+
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Avis® Preferred Plus membership
  • concierge

    Concierge Services

  • exclusive

    Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    $60,000 personal or $100,000 household

Our choice for: Best for Accessible Premium Perks

Welcome Bonus

Earn up to $3,000* in value in the first 14 months, including up to 100,0001 bonus Scene+ points.

First Year Rewards

$1,106

Based on $2,000/mo spending. Calculate your rewards

Annual Fee

$399

Interest Rates

9.99% / 9.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

3.8/5

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express is the perfect choice for those seeking a super premium credit card without steep income requirements. With a high flat rate of rewards on all purchases, extensive insurance coverage, and flexible travel redemption options, it offers full-featured perks that cater to frequent travelers and savvy spenders alike.

Pros


  • Low interest rates
  • Strong rewards
  • Airport lounge access
  • Comprehensive travel insurance
  • Shell Fuel Savings
  • Flexible travel rewards
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Instant decision. No credit impact.

Cons


  • Higher annual fee
  • Limited premium perks

Rewards

  • Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible 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
  • Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2026. Subject to change.

Insurance

Coverage

  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    $2M, Up to 31 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)

    $2M, Up to 10 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $2500/person, $10000/trip
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $500/person, $1000/trip
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $5000/person, $25000/trip
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $1000 After 4 hours
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $1000/person
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500K/person, $1M/occurrence
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $65K up to 48 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1000/occurrence
  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1000
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    120 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    Up to a year

Benefits

Details

  • exchange money

    No Foreign Transaction Fees

  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium

    10 visits, 4 visits for secondary card (combined with the Priority pass)
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Priority Pass

    10 visits, 4 visits for secondary card (combined with the Plaza Premium)
  • gas station

    Gas Discount2

    Get up to 11¢/L in value on fuel purchases at Shell stations
  • Amex logo

    American Express® Experiences

  • concierge

    Concierge Services

  • discount

    Discount

    Discount on PriorityPass Membership
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Hertz #1 Club Gold Member
  • reward cup

    Extra points

    Extra 4 Scene+ points per Canadian dollar spent on hotel and car rental bookings made through Scene+ Travel using your Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    $12,000 personal or $12,000 household

Our choice for: Best for No Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

Earn up to 10,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months (that’s up to $100 towards travel).

First Year Rewards

$474.2

Based on $2,000/mo spending. Calculate your rewards

Annual Fee

$0

Interest Rates

21.99 / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

3.3/5

If you're looking to earn travel rewards without an annual fee, the Scotiabank American Express® Card is a great choice. It offers flexible Scene+ points on everyday purchases, allowing you to redeem rewards for travel, entertainment, and more—all while enjoying plenty of perks at no extra cost.

Pros


  • Strong rewards
  • Shell Fuel Savings
  • Mobile device insurance
  • Exclusive perks
  • No annual fee
  • Flexible redemptions
  • Instant decision. No credit impact.

Cons


  • Limited insurance
  • Lower acceptance

Rewards

  • Earn 3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco and more
  • Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on restaurants, fast food, drinking establishments and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
  • Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
  • Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
  • Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible select streaming services
  • 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
  • Rates, fees and other information are effective as of May 1, 2026. Subject to change.

Insurance

Coverage

  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $500
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    Up to a year

Benefits

Details

  • Amex logo

    American Express® Experiences

  • gas station

    Gas Discount2

    Get up to 11¢/L in value on fuel purchases at Shell stations
  • car rental

    Car Rental Discount

    25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car

Eligibility

  • Credit Score

    Good
  • Annual Income

    $12,000 personal

From our editors: The best Scotiabank credit cards in Canada

1. Best Overall: Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is renowned for its extensive rewards program, earning cardholders strong Scene+ points on groceries, dining, food delivery, entertainment, gas, transit, streaming, and more making it one of the best credit cards in Canada. To top it off, travellers can also collect extra points per dollar spent on hotel bookings, car rentals, and experiences booked through Scene+ Travel, powered by Expedia.

The card complements its rewards program with comprehensive insurance and valuable perks like no foreign transaction fees. This contender also comes with low annual income requirements and a first-year-fee rebate. Learn more in our Scotiabank Gold American Express Card Review.

2. Best for Travel: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card

Deemed one of the best travel credit cards in Canada, it's no wonder that the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card also tops this list. This competitor earns you solid Scene+ points on groceries, dining, entertainment, transit, and travel booked through Scene+ Travel. Alongside commendable coverage, the card boasts benefits like no foreign transaction fees, Dragon Pass lounge access, and an Avis Preferred Plus status lift. Just note that the income requirements on this card are slightly higher. Get the full details in our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card Review.

3. Best for Cashback: Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card

If you prefer cashback over points, the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card has you covered. Particularly, this card earns competitive cashback on groceries and recurring payments, two common spend categories for Canadians. In fact, this contender is considered one of the best recurring transaction credit cards in Canada. It also collects decent cashback on gas and daily transit.

To incentivize an application, the annual fee is waived for the first year of membership. Find out more in our Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card Review.

4. Best for Premium Travel: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card

Maybe you want to add a bit more luxury to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card; enter the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card. This premium contender earns plenty of Scene+ points on travel, dining, and entertainment. These points are paired with several exclusive perks, like an annual Scene+ Travel credit, tons of Dragon Pass lounge access, priority travel, and no foreign transaction fees.

Of course, a premium credit card comes with a premium annual price tag, not to mention high annual income requirements. Discover more in our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card Review.

5. Best for Low Interest: Scotiabank Value Visa Card

On the other end of the spectrum, you'll find the Scotiabank Value Visa Card, a top low-interest contender, and one of the best balance transfer credit cards in Canada. While this card lacks a rewards program, it offers a low interest rate on balance transfers for the first several months of membership, not to mention a first-year-fee rebate. Cardholders can also opt in to balance protection insurance and take advantage of rental car discounts. See more in our Scotiabank Value Visa Card Review.

6. Best for Business: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card

If you're using your card in the corporate world, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card might be one of the best business credit cards in Canada. This contender earns you decent Scene+ points per dollar spent on business purchases, but the real pull is its perks. Enjoy premium benefits like no foreign transaction fees, Dragon Pass airport lounge access, and an Avis Preferred Plus membership. Read more in our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card Review.

7. Best for Accessible Premium Perks: Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card

Maybe you'd like premium perks without strict income policies. If so, consider the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card. Take advantage of exclusive benefits like airport lounge access, no foreign transaction fees, and a discount on a Priority Pass membership. With this card, you'll also collect a flat rate of Scene+ points on all eligible purchases, plus plenty of points on hotel bookings, car rentals, and experiences booked through Scene+ Travel. While the annual fee is quite high, the annual income requirements are relatively low. Get the full rundown in our Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card Review. Another notable point about this card is its very low interest rate, making it one of the best low-interest cards.

8. Best for No Annual Fee: Scotiabank American Express Card

If you were hoping to avoid annual fees, then you may want to apply for the Scotiabank American Express Card. For starters, this card offers strong Scene+ points on groceries, dining, entertainment, gas, transit, and streaming. You can even earn extra points on bookings made through Scene+ Travel. Coverage and benefits are limited, but there are a couple of notable inclusions, like car rental discounts and mobile device insurance. Check out our Scotiabank American Express Card Review for more details.

The Different Types of Scotiabank Credit Cards

Scotiabank offers tons of different card types, catering to a large clientele. Whether you're a student, a newcomer, or a luxury traveller, there's a Scotiabank credit card for you.

Specific Scotiabank card types include:

  • Scene+ Rewards Cards: Earned at Sobeys-branded grocery stores, partners, and on other eligible purchases. Redeemable towards travel, entertainment, groceries, and more.
  • Travel Cards: Reward travellers with Scene+ points on common and trip-related expenses. They also tend to provided travel perks and coverage, with premium contenders offering benefits like no foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.
  • Cashback Cards: Instead of points, these cards reward you by giving you a percentage of what you spent back on eligible categories.
  • Student Cards: Designed specifically for students who still need to build credit. These options often offer low-fee cards with no annual income requirements.
  • Newcomer Cards: For those new to Canada and looking to build credit.
  • Low-Interest Cards: Made for those who carry a balance and need to pay off debt.
  • U.S. Dollar Cards: For cross-border purchases that waive currency conversion fees.
  • Business Cards: Built for business purchases and often come with higher credit limits.

Best Applicants for a Scotiabank Credit Card

If you fall under any of the card-type profiles above, there's likely a Scotiabank credit card that will complement your spending habits.

Just note that there are other issuers that offer similar card types, so you'll want to compare Scotiabank's catalogue against other options on the Canadian market. To do this, use our credit card comparison tool to input your spending habits and rank your top contenders.

How to Choose the Best Scotiabank Credit Card

To ultimately select the right Scotiabank credit card for you, make sure the card complements your unique spending habits. For example, if you spend most of your money on gas and groceries, you'll want a card that optimizes both of those earn categories.

If you travel often, you'll want a card that perhaps earns you points on travel that can also be redeemed later towards your next trip. If you like to travel in luxury, you might want to spend more money on a premium credit card that offers comprehensive coverage and exclusive perks like airport lounge access.

Or if you're a more budget-conscious cardholder, you might want to consider a Scotiabank contender with no annual fee.

Tip: As a general rule, if your card comes with an annual fee, you'll want to make sure that the value extracted from the card on a yearly basis offsets the annual cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

The credit score you'll need to qualify will depend on the card in question. To help you get a better idea of where your score should fall, we provide estimates in each card profile. Keep in mind that if you're opting for one of Scotiabank's premium credit cards, you may need a higher score. Alternatively, starter cards for students and newcomers may be more lenient when it comes to credit scores.

Click the "Apply Now" button below any of the above Scotiabank credit cards to get your application started.

Scotiabank has some active promotions where they waive the first-year annual fee for some cards. You can go for one of these cards to earn a high first-year value from the card.

About the author

Kevin Shahnazari

Kevin Shahnazari

Co-founder

Kevin started FinlyWealth and juggles a bit of everything—digging into data, running our marketing, and keeping the finances on track. Before this, he spent years as a data scientist at tech companies...

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Sara Skodak

Sara Skodak

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Since graduating from the University of Western Ontario, Sara has built a diverse writing portfolio, covering topics in the travel, business, and wellness sectors. As a self-started freelance content ...

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Abid Salahi

Abid Salahi

Co-founder

Abid leads the design and engineering of the FinlyWealth website, making sure everything runs smoothly and looks great. He’s a seasoned software engineer who follows best practices and designs interfa...

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