Amex Platinum Business vs Scotia Momentum Business Visa

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

amex platinum business
Finly rebate
$175

Business Platinum Card® from American Express

4.6

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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.

$164

First-year value

$819

$164

Every year after

$559

Scotia Momentum Business Visa is worth $654 more to your business in year one.

It stays ahead after that, by $394 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.

$1,143.42Better of the two
in American Express Membership Rewards points a year

Annual rewards

$817.8
cash back a year
+ $0
not reached at this spending

Welcome bonus

Better of the two+ $260
first year only
− $799

Annual fee

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

FX fees

− $180
2.5% on $600/mo
$164.42

First-year value

Better of the two$818.8

Finly rebates are paid on top and aren't counted in these values.

Where each card earns

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

Amex Platinum Business 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%
$42.64Better of the two
at 1.25x

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%
$28.5Better of the two
at 1.25x

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%
$14.14Better of the two
at 1.25x

Car Rental

$600 a year

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

Other Travel

$600 a year

$6
at 1%
$1,143.42Better 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 Platinum Business

  • Earn up to 120,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you charge $15,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • Plus, earn 40,000 points when you make a purchase between 15 and 17 months of Cardmembership
  • That’s up to $1,200 in statement credit that can be reinvested in your business

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 Platinum Business

Worth $0 at your spending

80,000 MR points when you spend $15,000 in the first 3 months

0 pts

40,000 MR points when you make a purchase in months 15-17 (card year 2)

40,000 pts

40,000 points when you make a purchase between 15 and 17 months of Cardmembership (card year 2)

40,000 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.

$799

Annual fee

Better of the two$79
$250 per Platinum, $0 per Gold (max 99)

Employee cards

$29
2.5%

Foreign transaction fee

2.5%
American Express Membership Rewards

Rewards

Cash back
American Express

Network

Visa

Amex Platinum Business

Interest rates

Purchase:

21.99% - 30%1

Cash Advance:

21.99% - 30%1

1 This charge Card has both Due in Full and Flexible Payment Option balances. All Due in Full balances must be paid each month. Interest rate of 30% applies to each delinquent Due in Full charge. The Preferred rate of 21.99% applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance. If you have 2 separate Missed Payments in a 12 month period, the Flexible Payment Option rate for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate Missed Payments in a 12 month period, the Flexible Payment Option rate will be 29.99%. These rates are effective from the day account is opened.

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 Platinum Business

  • 1.25x points per $1 spent on all 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 Platinum Business

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)

    15 days

  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1,000
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $1,000
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000
  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1,500
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1,000
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $1,500
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $1,000

Perks

  • concierge

    Concierge Services

    Personalized concierge at your service
  • discount

    Discount

    Your Business Platinum Card gets you savings on the seats you really want and lower fares on premium tickets with participating airlines
  • grwoth

    Interest on Balance

    Up to 55 interest-free days
  • Amex logo

    American Express® Experiences

    Access Front Of The Line® Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts, theatre shows, and special offers with American Express® Experiences
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Earn Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status by spending $30,000 or staying 10 nights combined with 15 Elite Night Credits. Status retention depends on Marriott Bonvoy terms.
  • bed furniture

    Free Extra Night at Hotels

    Each year, 8-10 weeks after your anniversary, receive a Free Night Award for a Marriott Bonvoy room up to 35,000 points, valid for 1 year. Resort fees excluded.
  • travel

    Travel Credit

    Access a $200 Annual Travel Credit each year of your Cardmembership
  • border guard

    Nexus Program Rebate

    Access a $100 credit for NEXUS with your Cardmembership
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - American Express Global Lounge

    Take full advantage of the American Express Global Lounge CollectionTM which unlocks access to over 1400 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • hotel

    Complimentary Hotel Benefits

    Enjoy Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits at over 1,600 properties worldwide like guaranteed late check-out, complimentary breakfast for two, and more with Business Platinum.
  • airport waiting room

    Priority Travel

    At Toronto Pearson Airport get Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet and 15% discount at the Express Park and daily park
  • mobile phone wifi

    Wireless Credit

    Up to $120 in statement credits each year. Spend $10 each month with eligible wireless providers month and get a $10 credit.
  • business briefcase

    Business Statement Credits

    Up to $500 in business statement credits. Enroll and earn statement credits on eligible purchases with $200 Dell statement credit, $300 Indeed statement credit.

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 Platinum Business

The most premium business card in Canada, and priced accordingly at $799/year. You get 1.25x Membership Rewards points on everything, a massive welcome bonus of up to 120,000 points, and a deep roster of perks: airport lounge access, hotel elite status, statement credits, and comprehensive insurance. The value proposition only works if you travel frequently and use the perks — the earn rate alone doesn’t justify the fee. But for businesses that fly often, entertain clients, and want best-in-class coverage, the benefits can far exceed the cost. Amex acceptance gaps in Canada remain a consideration.

  • Optimize all purchases
  • Premium travel perks
  • Comprehensive insurance
  • Interest grace period
  • Business statement credits
  • High annual fee
  • Limited acceptance

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 Platinum Business

*Terms and conditions apply.


This charge Card has both Due in Full and Flexible Payment Option balances. All Due in Full balances must be paid each month. Interest rate of 30% applies to each delinquent Due in Full charge. The Preferred rate of 21.99% applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance. If you have 2 separate Missed Payments in a 12 month period, the Flexible Payment Option rate for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate Missed Payments in a 12 month period, the Flexible Payment Option rate will be 29.99%. These rates are effective from the day account is opened.


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.