Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card vs American Express® Green Card: Which one is better?
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
4.7
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
American Express® Green Card
3.8
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$613.54
Scene+
Welcome Bonus
$450
Scene+
Annual Fee
$120
First Year Value
$1,063.54
$493.54 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$457.03
American Express Membership Rewards
Welcome Bonus
$210
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$0
First Year Value
$667.03
$457.03 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included
Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a yearEmergency Out of province Medical
$1M, Up to 25 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$1M, Up to 3 daysTrip Cancellation
$1500/person, $10000/tripTrip Interruption
$1500/person, $10000/tripLost or Stolen Baggage
$500/person, $1000/tripBaggage Delay
$500/person, $1000/trip After 4 hoursFlight Delay
$500/personTravel Accident
$500K/person, $1M/occurrenceCar Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1000/occurrenceMobile Device Insurance
$1000
Insurance Included*
Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a year
Extra Benefits
American Express Experiences
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Concierge Services
Discount
Discount on PriorityPass Membership
Extra Benefits*
American Express Experiences
Extra points
2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%2
Cash Advance:
21.99%2
Annual Fee
$120
$0
First Year Waived
Annual Fee*
$0
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$12,000
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Welcome Bonus
Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, for a limited time, you are eligible to earn a 20,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $7,500 in everyday eligible purchases in your first year.
Welcome Bonus*
Earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months.
Rewards Rate
- 6 Points on on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
- 5 Points dining and at other eligible grocery stores,entertainment purchases which includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies
- 3 Point on Rides which includes ridshare,buses,taxis, subways and more
- 3 Points on eligble streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Crave and more)
- 1 Point on everything else
Rewards Rate*
- 1x point per $1 spent on all purchases
Loyalty Program
Loyalty Program*
Point Redemption Options
Gift Cards
0.75¢ / pointMerchandise
0.75¢ / pointEntertainment
1¢ / pointTravel
1¢ / pointGroceries (Sobeys)
1¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Gift Cards
0.75¢ / pointMerchandise
0.75¢ / pointMost Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / pointFixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / pointTransfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / pointStatement Credits
1¢ / pointAmazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Is this card worth it?
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. The first-year annual fee waiver is the cherry on top, providing even greater value to cardholders.
Is this card worth it?
The American Express® Green Card is a great option for those looking for a no-frills card that earns rewards on all purchases without any annual fee or minimum income requirement. It's an accessible card with no cap on rewards, making it ideal for those who want to earn points without the higher costs and complexities of premium cards. However, it does come with lower rewards earnings across most categories and a modest welcome bonus.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fee saves you 2.5% on all non-CAD purchases.
- Rewards cover all high-spending categories, including food, groceries, entertainment, and gas.
- Comprehensive coverage of all travel insurance.
Pros
- No Spending Limits: Earn unlimited rewards with no caps.
- Flexible Redemption: Transfer points to other loyalty programs for maximum value.
- VIP Perks: Access a variety of exclusive benefits through American Express Experiences.
- Eco-Friendly: The card is made from 99% recycled plastic.
Cons
- The card network is American Express, which might not be widely accepted in some countries, making it a bit harder to use the no foreign transaction fee benefit.
- Having a lounge pass would have made this card even more perfect, but there is access to a discount code for lounge access pass purchases.
Cons
- Lower Reward Rates: Earn rates are lower compared to other no-fee cards.
- Limited Travel Perks: Lacks some of the travel benefits and insurance options provided by other cards.
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