Amex Platinum Business vs Scotiabank Passport Business

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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Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Business* Card

5.0

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

$164

First-year value

$821

$164

Every year after

$521

Scotiabank Passport Business is worth $657 more to your business in year one.

It stays ahead after that, by $357 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

$720
in Scene+ points a year
+ $0
not reached at this spending

Welcome bonus

Better of the two+ $300
first year only
− $799

Annual fee

Better of the two− $199
− $180
2.5% on $600/mo

FX fees

Better of the two− $0
no foreign transaction fee
$164.42

First-year value

Better of the two$821

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 17 of your 17 categories.

$299.14Better of the two
at 1.25x

All Other Business Expenses

$12,600 a year

$189
at 1.5x
$146.15Better of the two
at 1.25x

US Dollar Purchases

$6,150 a year

$90
at 1.5x
$114Better of the two
at 1.25x

Recurring Bills & Subscriptions

$4,800 a year

$72
at 1.5x
$85.5Better of the two
at 1.25x

Gas & EV Charging

$3,600 a year

$54
at 1.5x
$85.5Better of the two
at 1.25x

Dining & Restaurants

$3,600 a year

$54
at 1.5x
$71.14Better of the two
at 1.25x

Office Supplies

$3,000 a year

$45
at 1.5x
$57Better of the two
at 1.25x

Phone, Internet & Cable

$2,400 a year

$36
at 1.5x
$42.64Better of the two
at 1.25x

Hotels

$1,800 a year

$27
at 1.5x
$42.64Better of the two
at 1.25x

Shipping & Courier

$1,800 a year

$27
at 1.5x
$42.64Better of the two
at 1.25x

Accounting & Bookkeeping

$1,800 a year

$27
at 1.5x
$29.18Better of the two
at 1.25x

Other Foreign Currencies (EUR, GBP, etc.)

$1,230 a year

$18
at 1.5x
$28.5Better of the two
at 1.25x

Electronics & Software

$1,200 a year

$18
at 1.5x
$28.5Better of the two
at 1.25x

Air Canada

$1,200 a year

$18
at 1.5x
$28.5Better of the two
at 1.25x

Transportation

$1,200 a year

$18
at 1.5x
$14.14Better of the two
at 1.25x

Other Airlines

$600 a year

$9
at 1.5x
$14.14Better of the two
at 1.25x

Car Rental

$600 a year

$9
at 1.5x
$14.14Better of the two
at 1.25x

Other Travel

$600 a year

$9
at 1.5x
$1,143.42Better of the two

Rewards in a year

$720

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

Scotiabank Passport Business

  • Earn up to $2,600* in first year savings and reward value, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+TM* points with the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Business* Card1
  • Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points.1
  • Earn 30,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $5,000 in everyday eligible business purchases in your first 3 months.
  • Earn 10,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $60,000 in everyday eligible business purchases in your first 12 months.

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

Scotiabank Passport Business

Worth $300 at your spending

30,000 Scene+ points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months

30,000 pts

10,000 Scene+ points when you spend $60,000 in the first 12 months

0 pts

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$199
$250 per Platinum, $0 per Gold (max 99)

Employee cards

$0 on 1st, $50 thereafter
2.5%

Foreign transaction fee

Better of the twoNone
American Express Membership Rewards

Rewards

Scene+
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

Scotiabank Passport Business

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:

$60,000

Min Household Income:

$100,000

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

Scotiabank Passport Business

  • 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 and perks

What both cards include comes first in each list.

Amex Platinum Business

Insurance

  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1,000
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $1,000
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    Yes
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1,000
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    15 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $1,500
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $1,000

  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1,500

Perks

  • concierge

    Concierge Services

    Personalized concierge at your service
  • 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.

  • 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
  • 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.

Scotiabank Passport Business

Insurance

  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1,000
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $1,000
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $65,000 up to 48 days
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000/insured, $1M combined
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1,000
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    $2M/insured up to 25 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

  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)

    $2M/insured up to 10 days

Perks

  • concierge

    Concierge Services

  • star fall

    Status lift

    Avis® Preferred Plus membership

  • exchange money

    No Foreign Transaction Fees

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

    Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits

  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass

    6 Free complimentary visits
  • gas station

    Gas Discount4

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

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

Scotiabank Passport Business

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.

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

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.

Scotiabank Passport Business

* * Savings and reward potential in first 12 months includes welcome offer value, first year point earn potential, foreign transaction fee and airport lounge savings as of October 22, 2025:

$300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card clients who spend $5,000 within the first 3 months;

 

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $60,000 on your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card within the first 12 months;

 

$166 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average first year annual foreign spend per Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card account (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by card issuers);

 

$1650 in first year point earn potential (165,000 Scene+ points) on eligible business purchases based on average annual first year spend per Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card account;

 

$383 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on “Preferential” membership valued at approx. CAD$383/USD$274). Currency conversion as at October 22rd, 2025.

Potential First Year Value = up to $2,599 (rounded up to the nearest hundred)

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


1Offer Description and Conditions: The 40,000 Bonus Scene+ Points Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business credit card accounts (“Account”) opened between May 1, 2026, and October 31, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the Card), and is subject to the conditions below.

 

To be eligible for 30,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “30,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $5,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 3 months of the Account open date.  To qualify for an additional 10,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “10,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $60,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first year (12 months) of Account open date. 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 Fulfilment: The applicable point Bonus(es) will be credited within approximately 8 weeks after the qualifying amount in eligible purchases (i.e., $5,000 or $60,000) has been posted to the Account (within the first 3 months for the 30,000 Point Bonus or within the first 12 months for the 10,000 Point 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 30,000 Point Bonus and 10,000 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 $60,000) in the appropriate time frame (i.e., first 3 months or first 12 months). If a supplementary cardholder completes the last qualifying transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases for the 30,000 Point Bonus or 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 continue to apply during the Offer period.  Offer may be changed, cancelled, or extended without notice at any time 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 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.

 

Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $199 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (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 (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions). All rates, fees, features, and benefits are outlined in the Welcome Kit you will receive if approved
and are subject to change. 


2 You will earn 1.5 Scene+ points per $1 on eligible business purchases. Points are not awarded for Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers and Cash-Like Transactions), returns, refunds or other similar credits, card payments, fees, interest charges or other charges.

Any unused Scene+ points will be subject to the cancellation or expiration terms that apply to them under the Scene+ program. See the Scene+ program terms at www.sceneplus.ca for more information.


3 Scotiabank will not charge you Foreign Transaction Fees on foreign currency transactions including purchases, only the exchange rate applies. The term “Foreign Transaction Fees” is a substitute for “Foreign Currency Conversion” as described in the disclosure section of the Welcome Kit for this Card.  This fee relates to the mark-up that is typically charged by credit card issuers in addition to the exchange rate. See the disclosure section of this Card’s Welcome Kit or download it by visiting https://www.scotiabank.com/welcomekits for full details. Rates and fees subject to change.


4Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ Points Value with an eligible Scotiabank payment 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 3 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 1 Scene+ point 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 3 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 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value may be lower depending on whether or not the credit card is linked, fuel grade purchased, cost of fuel at time of purchase, whether or not you are a Scene+ member, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.


®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia.

™Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia.

‡Scene+ and the Icon Design are trademarks of Scene Plus IP Corporation.


Terms and conditions apply. 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.