Scotiabank American Express® Card vs Scotia Momentum® Mastercard®* Credit Card: Which one is better?
Scotiabank American Express® Card
3.2
Scotia Momentum® Mastercard®* Credit Card
3
Finly Rebate
Finly Rebate
N/A
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$353.09
Scene+
First Year Bonus Value
$75
Scene+
Annual Fee
$0
First Year Value
$428.09
$353.09 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$168.07
First Year Bonus Value
$0
Annual Fee
$0
First Year Value
$168.07
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Mobile Device Insurance
$500
Extended Warranty
Up to a year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Insurance Included*
N/A
Extra Benefits*
Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
American Express® Experiences
Extra Benefits*
Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
19.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Annual Fee*
$0
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*
The 7,500 Bonus Scene+ Points Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank American Express credit card accounts (“Account”) opened between May 1, 2025 and October 31, 2025 and is subject to terms and conditions. Earn 2,500 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $250 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, another 5,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months of Account open date.
Welcome Bonus*
7.99% introductory interest rate on purchases for the first 6 months (20.99% after that; annual fee $0)
Rewards Rate*
- Earn 3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco and more
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ 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+ points¹ 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
Rewards Rate*
- 1% cashback on gas, groceries, drug store and recurring payments
- 0.5% cashback on all other credit card purchases.
Loyalty Program*
Loyalty Program*
N/A
Point Redemption Options*
Entertainment
1¢ / point
Travel
1¢ / point
Groceries (Sobeys)
1¢ / point
Restaurants
1¢ / point
Merchandise
0.76¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.74¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
0.7¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Not Applicable
Is this card worth it?
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.
Is this card worth it?
The Scotiabank Momentum Mastercard stands out as a solid no-fee option for those looking to earn cash back on everyday categories like gas and groceries. With 1% cash back in key spending categories and wide acceptance, it’s a practical card to keep in your wallet, especially if you're a regular Costco shopper. While it lacks insurance coverage, the absence of an annual fee and the consistent cash back on essentials make it a good entry-level card for budget-conscious users.
Pros
- Strong Rewards: Earn flexible Scene+ points on all everyday purchases.
- Mobile Device Insurance: Comes with coverage for your mobile devices.
- Exclusive Perks: Access special offers, experiences, and more through American Express Invites.
- No Annual Fee: Enjoy all these benefits without paying an annual fee.
Pros
- No annual fee, making it a low-cost option for cardholders.
- 1% cash back on gas, groceries, drugstores, and recurring bill payments.
- Mastercard acceptance, including at Costco.
Cons
- Limited Insurance Coverage: Insurance is confined to mobile devices and purchase security & extended warranty protection.
- Lower Acceptance: Due to being an American Express network card, less merchants may accept it.
Cons
- Poor base earn rate of 0.5% on other purchases.
- No insurance coverage, not even purchase protection.
vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
vs Scotiabank® Scene+ Visa Card
vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card
vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Privilege Card
vs Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card
vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
vs Scotiabank® Scene+ Visa Card
vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card
vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Privilege Card
vs Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card
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