Scotiabank American Express® Card vs Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card: Which one is better?
Scotiabank American Express® Card
3.2
Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card
2.9
Finly Rebate
Finly Rebate
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
$157.53
First Year Bonus Value
$100
Annual Fee
$0
First Year Value
$257.53
$157.53 in years after
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:
19.99%
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:
$12,000
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*
Earn 5% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases). Plus, get a 0% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months (2% fee per cash advance, 22.99% 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% cash back on gas, groceries, drug store and recurring payments
- 0.5% cash back on all other credit card purchases (unlimited).
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® No-Fee Visa* Card is ideal for those seeking a straightforward, entry-level credit card to build their credit while earning modest cash back on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and bills. With no annual fee, a competitive balance transfer offer, and a high spending cap, it's a practical choice for young adults or newcomers who want to earn rewards without the complexities of more premium cards.
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: Enjoy cash back rewards without any annual cost.
- Welcome Offer: Get 5% cash back on purchases for the first three months (up to $100).
- Cash Back Rewards: Earn up to 1% cash back in select categories.
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
- Lower Earn Rate: Offers a below-average cash back rate compared to other cards.
- Annual Redemption: Cash back can only be redeemed once per year.
- Lacks Insurance Coverage: No travel or consumer insurance, including purchase protection and extended warranty.
vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
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vs Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card
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vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Mastercard®* Credit Card
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vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Privilege Card
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