Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve vs Scotia Momentum Business Visa

Both business cards worked out on the same spending: rewards, welcome bonus, fees and perks, line by line.

American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card

American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card

4.7

Apply now
Scotia Momentum® for business Visa* Card

Scotia Momentum® for business Visa* Card

4.6

Apply now

Worked out on a typical small business spending $4,000 a month. Enter yours to see your own numbers.

$1,674

First-year value

$819

$439

Every year after

$559

Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve is worth $855 more to your business in year one.

From year two, Scotia Momentum Business Visa pulls ahead by $120 a year.

How the first year adds up

Rewards and the welcome bonus in, the annual fee, FX fees and employee cards out, at your spending.

$1,217.75Better of the two
in Aeroplan points a year

Annual rewards

$817.8
cash back a year
+ $1,235Better of the two
first year only

Welcome bonus

+ $260
first year only
− $599

Annual fee

Better of the two− $79
− $180
2.5% on $600/mo

FX fees

− $180
2.5% on $600/mo
$1,673.75Better of the two

First-year value

$818.8

Where each card earns

A year of your spending on each card, category by category, biggest spend first.

Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve earns more on 13 of your 17 categories, Scotia Momentum Business Visa on 4.

$299.14Better of the two
at 1.25x

All Other Business Expenses

$12,600 a year

$126
at 1%
$146.15Better of the two
at 1.25x

US Dollar Purchases

$6,150 a year

$61.5
at 1%
$114
at 1.25x

Recurring Bills & Subscriptions

$4,800 a year

Better of the two$144
at 3%
$85.5
at 1.25x

Gas & EV Charging

$3,600 a year

Better of the two$108
at 3%
$85.5
at 1.25x

Dining & Restaurants

$3,600 a year

Better of the two$108
at 3%
$71.14
at 1.25x

Office Supplies

$3,000 a year

Better of the two$90
at 3%
$57Better of the two
at 1.25x

Phone, Internet & Cable

$2,400 a year

$24
at 1%
$68.4Better of the two
at 2x

Hotels

$1,800 a year

$18
at 1%
$42.64Better of the two
at 1.25x

Shipping & Courier

$1,800 a year

$36
at 2%
$42.64Better of the two
at 1.25x

Accounting & Bookkeeping

$1,800 a year

$36
at 2%
$29.18Better of the two
at 1.25x

Other Foreign Currencies (EUR, GBP, etc.)

$1,230 a year

$12.3
at 1%
$28.5Better of the two
at 1.25x

Electronics & Software

$1,200 a year

$12
at 1%
$68.4Better of the two
at 3x

Air Canada

$1,200 a year

$12
at 1%
$28.5Better of the two
at 1.25x

Transportation

$1,200 a year

$12
at 1%
$14.14Better of the two
at 1.25x

Other Airlines

$600 a year

$6
at 1%
$22.8Better of the two
at 2x

Car Rental

$600 a year

$6
at 1%
$14.14Better of the two
at 1.25x

Other Travel

$600 a year

$6
at 1%
$1,217.75Better of the two

Rewards in a year

$817.8

Welcome bonus

Each offer as the issuer words it, then which milestones your spending reaches.

Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve

  • Earn up to 90,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan®* points
  • Earn 65,000 Aeroplan®* points after spending $10,500 on your Card within the first 3 months as a new American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Cardmember.
  • Plus, earn 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,500 in month 13.
  • You can earn up to $5,600 in value within your first 13 months. When you combine the Welcome Bonus offer of up to $1,800 in value, your earn potential in accelerated and everyday spend earn rate categories with approximately $2,825 in value, and the $1,000 in value you get from exceptional benefits, you can earn up to $5,600 or more in value within your first 13 months. Terms and usage assumptions apply.

Scotia Momentum Business Visa

Earn 5% cash back on up to $6,500 in purchases in the first 3 months.1 Plus, pay 2.99% on balance transfers for the first 6 months.1

Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve

Worth $1,235 at your spending

65,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $10,500 in the first 3 months

65,000 pts

25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,500 in month 13 (card year 2)

25,000 pts

Scotia Momentum Business Visa

Worth $260 at your spending

5% cash back on up to $6,500 in 3 months

$260

Fees, rates and eligibility

What each card costs to hold and to use abroad, and who it's for.

$599

⁕ Notice: As of Jan 12, 2027, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card annual fee will increase to $799. Annual fees charged on or after this date will reflect the new fee. The Employee Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card annual fee will increase to $249. The Employee Aeroplan®* Business Reserve No Fee Card will be renamed to the Employee Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Expense Card and the annual fee will increase to $25. Learn more about new benefits.

Annual fee

Better of the two$79
$0

Employee cards

$29
2.5%

Foreign transaction fee

2.5%
Aeroplan

Rewards

Cash back
American Express

Network

Visa

Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve

Interest rates

Purchase:

21.99%1

Cash Advance:

21.99%1

1 If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.

Recommended credit score

300
Poor
693
Fair
743⁎
Good
790⁎
Very Good
833⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on TransUnion scoring

Income required

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

Scotia Momentum Business Visa

Interest rates

Purchase:

19.99%

Cash Advance:

22.99%

Balance Transfer:

22.99%

Recommended credit score

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

Income required

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

How each card earns

The earn rates and caps, as each issuer sets them.

Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve

  • 3x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible Air Canada® and Air Canada Vacations® purchases
  • 2x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible hotel and car rental purchases in Canada
  • 1.25x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases

Scotia Momentum Business Visa

  • 3% cash back on eligible gas station, restaurant and office supply store purchases, and on eligible recurring bill payments2
  • 2% Cash Back on Shipping and Accounting and Bookkeeping Services2
  • 1% cash back on all other everyday purchases for your business2
  • 25-day interest-free grace period on new purchases3

Insurance and perks

What both cards include comes first in each list.

Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve

Insurance

  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $85K MSRP up to 48 consecutive rental days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 years
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    $5M/insured up to 15 days

  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1,000
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $1,000/person after 6 hours
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1000
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500/person, $3K/trip
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $1,500/person, $6K/trip
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $1,000/person after 4 hours

Perks

  • airplane love

    Companion Voucher

    Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from $99 to a max of $599 After spending $25,000 on your card
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Complimentary upgrade to Avis® President's Club
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Get 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) for every $5,000 in eligible net purchases charged to your Card, up to 25,000 SQC
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Get a 10% Head Start. Starting in 2027, eligible Basic Cardmembers with Aeroplan Elite™* Status will receive a 10% head start toward qualification, based on Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) accumulated the year before. Roll over any unallocated unused eUpgrade Credits to the following year to enjoy during your travels.
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status will benefit from an extra 12 months to use eUpgrade credits, for a total of 24 months from issuance.
  • luggage

    Free first checked bag

    First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on Air Canada branded flight and up to 8 guests
  • reward cup

    Extra points

    Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore
  • bed furniture

    Free Extra Night at Hotels

    Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. Enjoy even more at over 300,000 hotel properties worldwide
  • border guard

    Nexus Program Rebate

    $100 every 4 years
  • airport waiting room

    Priority Travel

    At Toronto Pearson airport get benefits such as Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet, premium parking spots, priorioty taxi and limo lane and discount for parking and car care.
  • airport waiting room

    Priority Travel

    Get Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding and Priority Baggage Handling, Priority Airport Standby & Priority Airport Upgrades for you, your authorized users and up to 8 companions on the same flight (Only AirCanada)
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes

    Unlimited Access for you and one guest
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Priority Pass

    Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
  • Amex logo

    Amex Experiences™

    Amex Experiences™ opens doors for you to access a number of special events, including special dining experiences, VIP parties, advance film screenings and more

Scotia Momentum Business Visa

Insurance

  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    Yes
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    Up to 8 days

  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)

    Up to 3 days

Perks

No extra perks.

Our take

Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve

The most aggressive Aeroplan earning card you can get for a business: 3x on Air Canada, 2x on hotels and car rentals, and 1.25x on everything else. The $599 annual fee is steep, but the perks are hard to match — unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access, Priority Pass membership, free checked bags, and an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass that alone can be worth hundreds. If your business spends heavily on Air Canada flights and travel, this card can return serious value. But be honest about your travel volume — at this fee, light travelers will lose money. This is a card you need to actively use to justify.

  • Premium earning rates
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Unlimited airport lounge access
  • Priority Pass membership
  • Annual companion pass
  • Free first checked bags
  • NEXUS program rebate
  • Priority travel perks
  • High annual fee
  • Benefit limitations and conditions
  • Less valuable for non-travellers

Scotia Momentum Business Visa

One of the strongest cashback cards for businesses that spend heavily on gas, dining, office supplies, and recurring payments — 3% back in those categories with a generous $50,000 annual cap. At just $79/year, it doesn’t take much spending to come out well ahead. The 1% base rate on everything else is decent too. It comes with a very strong cash back welcome bonus, and the promotional 2.99% balance transfer rate can be useful if you’re consolidating business debt. Skip this if you want travel perks or lounge access — it’s purely a cashback play, and a good one.

  • Strong cashback
  • High annual spending cap
  • Reasonable annual fee
  • Promotional balance transfer rate
  • Interest-free grace period
  • Low-fee employee cards
  • Visa SavingsEdge discounts
  • Extensive travel medical insurance
  • Foreign transaction fees
  • Limited travel perks
  • Annual redemption
  • Basic insurance

More business card comparisons

Each card against every other business card we review.

Legal


Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve

*Terms and conditions apply.


If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.


American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Scotia Momentum Business Visa

1 Offer Description and Conditions: The 5% Cash Back and Introductory 2.99% Balance Transfer Rate Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotia Momentum® for business Visa* Card accounts (“Accounts”) that are opened, and any additional cards on the Account issued, between May 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the Account) subject to the conditions below. Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers.

 

Offer Eligibility and Exclusions: Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank business credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank business credit card, are not eligible for the Offer. Subject to the above exclusions, Scotiabank personal credit cardholders are also eligible for the Offer. By accepting this Offer you confirm you meet all Offer eligibility requirements. We reserve the right to revoke this Offer at any time if we determine you do not meet the Offer eligibility requirements, including after you have accepted the Offer or been approved for the Account.   

 

5% Cash Back Offer Description and Conditions: You will earn 5% cash back on the first $6,500 in eligible purchases you spend on your new Account within the first 3 months of the Account open date (the “Promotional Period”). Eligible purchases include purchases (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions), interest, fees or other charges. After the Promotional Period, you will earn regular cash back on eligible purchases at the regular cash back rate (the “Cash Back Program Rate”) described in the Scotia Momentum® for business VISA* Cash Back Program Terms and Conditions (the “Program Terms”). The 5% Cash Back rate for any category is made up of the sum of: (i) the regular Cash Back Program Rate (variable by categories as set out under the Program Terms); and (ii) a “Cash Back Bonus Rate”. Cash back earned under this Offer will be credited to your Account in 2 installments so long as your Account is open and in good standing at time of payout of each: Bonus Cash Back: The amount earned under the Cash Back Bonus Rate will be credited to your Account within approximately 7 months from the Account open date; and

  1. Regular Cash Back: The amount earned under your regular Cash Back Program Rate will be credited to your Account according to the redemption terms as set out under the Program Terms.

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.

EXAMPLE: If the Regular Cash Back Program Rate for shipping/accounting services category is 2% then the Cash Back Bonus Rate will be 3% for that category so that you will earn a total of 5% on the amount of all eligible everyday purchases in that category during the Promotional Period.

If you make $2,000 in eligible everyday purchases in the 2% Cash Back category, your cash back earnings will be credited to your Account as follows:

  1. the Cash Back Bonus earnings of $60 (3% x $2,000) will be applied to your Account within approximately 7 months from the Account open date if you have met the Cash Back Bonus conditions and then available for redemption (min $25) as per the Program terms applicable to your Account, and 
  2. the Regular Cash Back earnings of $40 (2% x $2,000), will be applied to your Account and available for redemption (min $25) as per the Program terms applicable to your Account.

 

All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Promotional Period.

 

Introductory 2.99% Balance Transfer Rate Offer Description and Conditions: The Introductory 2.99% Balance Transfer Rate Offer (the “BT Rate Offer”) applies only to eligible balance transfers, subject to the conditions below. This introductory rate applies for 6 months from date of Account opening (the “Promo Rate Period”). After the Promo Rate Period, the introductory 2.99% interest rate on any balance transfers made during the Promo Rate Period will increase to the preferred interest rate on cash advances (currently 22.99%). There is no balance transfer fee applicable to balance transfers made during the Promo Rate Period.  This BT Rate Offer is subject to the approved credit limit on your Account as of the date of this BT Rate Offer. This means if a balance transfer amount(s) requested exceeds your approved credit limit as of the date this BT Rate Offer was provided to you, it may not be processed. This BT Rate Offer cannot be used for any Scotiabank account including to transfer a balance from another Scotiabank account, or to make a payment or deposit to another Scotiabank account.  All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Promo Rate Period.

 

Losing your promotional rate: If we don’t receive the minimum payment on your Account by the payment due date on your statement, two consecutive times, you will lose the benefit of this promotional BT Rate Offer and the interest rates that apply on any unpaid balance will increase to the standard annual interest rates that apply to your Account (currently 25.99% on purchases and 27.99% on Cash Advances).   

 

How we apply payments: Your payment cannot be applied to the balance(s) of your choice: In general, if you make a payment that exceeds the minimum payment on your statement, we will apply your payment on a proportionate basis among each group of billed charges on your Account. We group charges based on the interest rate that applies to the group of charges. See your credit card agreement for more information about how we apply payments to your Account.

 

Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $79 for the primary card and $29 for each additional card (including those issued to co-borrowers and supplementary cardholders). The current preferred annual interest rates for the Account are: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on Cash Advances. 

All rates, fees, features, and benefits are outlined in the Welcome Kit you will receive if approved and are subject to change.


2 3% CASH BACK EARN RATE: You will earn 3% Cash Back on eligible purchases on your account at gas stations, electrical vehicle (EV) charging, restaurants, office supply stores, and on recurring bill payments. 3% Cash Back applies at merchants that are classified in the payment network associated with your account as: service stations (with or without ancillary services) and automated fuel dispensers; restaurants, fast food restaurants and bars; stationery and office supply stores; and recurring payments (Merchant Classification Codes (“MCC”): 5541, 5552 & 5542; 5812, 5813 & 5814; and 5111 & 5943). Recurring payments are defined as payments made on a monthly or regular basis automatically billed by the merchant to your account. Recurring payments typically include telecommunication, insurance, memberships, and subscription-based purchases. Not all merchants offer recurring payments. Please contact your merchant to confirm whether they offer recurring credit card payments. 2% CASH BACK EARN RATE: You will earn 2% Cash Back on eligible purchases on your account for shipping and accounting or bookkeeping services. 2% Cash Back applies at merchants which are classified in the payment network as shipping (MCC: 4214 and 4215) and accounting or bookkeeping services (MCC 8931). ANNUAL SPEND LIMIT ON 3% AND 2% EARN RATE CATEGORIES (the “Accelerated Earn Rates”): The combined Cash Back that can be earned on eligible purchases under the 3% and 2% earn rate categories (the Accelerated Earn Rates) will be capped at $40,000 in purchases annually. See “ANNUAL SPEND LIMITS” for more information. 1% CASH BACK EARN RATE (the “Regular Earn Rate”): You will earn 1% Cash Back on eligible Purchases made on your Account after you have reached the combined annual spend limit of $40,000 on the 3% and 2% earn categories (the “Overflow”) and on all other eligible Purchases made with the Account. ANNUAL SPEND LIMITS: There are annual limits on the Cash Back you can earn at Accelerated Earn Rates, as outlined in these Cash Back Program Terms (scotiabank.com/ terms/momentumbusiness). These limits are based on purchases posted to your account annually, calculated from the first day of the statement period of the month your account was opened (“Account opening date”). The annual spend limit resets every 12 months from the statement period of the month of your Account opening date. Once you reach the annual spend limit for any Accelerated Earn Rate(s), you will continue to earn Cash Back at the Regular Earn Rate.


3 Account must be open and in good standing to earn and redeem Cash Back. You must have earned a minimum of $25 Cash Back to be able to redeem. Only primary cardholders can redeem. Supplementary cardholders are not eligible to redeem Cash Back. Cash Back will be credited to the primary cardholder’s account within 3- 5 days from the day the redemption request is made. Cash Back will be displayed and available for redemption (after monthly calculation) and posted in the next statement cycle after such calculation has been completed by us. Cash Back will continue to accrue until redemption is made. There is no limit to Cash Back that can be earned. For complete details on how to redeem Cash Back, please see the “Cash Back Program Terms and Conditions” at Scotiabank.com/ terms/momentumbusiness.


5 Visa SavingsEdge is an automated discount program offered by Visa Canada Corporation ('Visa Canada') to eligible businesses and their authorized cardholders that hold an eligible Visa Business card and whose enrolment in the program is accepted by Visa. Under the program, cardholders can receive discounts from participating merchants each time the cardholder uses an enroled Visa Business card to make qualifying purchases of goods or services pursuant to an active discount offered by the merchant and that transaction is processed or submitted through the Visa payment system. Discounts provided will appear as credits on future credit card statements 8-10 weeks after purchase date. Visa Canada, not Scotiabank, is responsible for the Program. For details, visit www.visasavingsedge.ca. The following Scotiabank VISA Business cards are eligible for this program: Scotia Momentum for business Visa* card, Scotia Gold Passport for business Visa* card, ScotiaLine for business Visa* Card and Scotiabank Visa* Business Card.


See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.