Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card vs American Express Platinum Card®: Which one is better?

Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card
3.1

American Express Platinum Card®
4.7
Welcome Bonus*
Get a 2.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months (22.99% after that; annual fee $39)
Welcome Bonus*
Experience Amex’s best offer this year on the Platinum Card®. New Platinum® Cardmembers can earn up to 180,000 Membership Rewards® points - that’s up to $1,800 towards a weekend away. Earn 100,000 points after you spend $10,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Earn an additional 50,000 points after you spend a total of $50,000 on your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership. Plus, earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase between months 15 and 17 of Cardmembership. Offer ends August 18, 2025.
Our Cash Offer
$60 Cash Rebate offer from FinlyWealth
Our Cash Offer
N/A
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$315.05
First Year Bonus Value
+
$0
Annual Fee
-
$39
Finly Rebate
+
$60Exclusive Offer
First Year Value
$336.05
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$581.26
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus Value
+
$0
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
-
$799
First Year Value
-$217.74
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
How to Earn Rewards*
- 2% cashback on gas, groceries, drug store and recurring payments (maximum $500 annually)
- 1% cashback on all other credit card purchases.
How to Earn Rewards*
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases (restaurant, fast food, coffee shop, food delivery)
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent for all other purchases
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
1 yearPurchase Protection
90 days
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
1 yearPurchase Protection
120 daysLost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000Baggage Delay
$1,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
YesTravel Accident
$500,000Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysTrip Cancellation
$2,500Trip Interruption
$2,500Flight Delay
$1,000
Extra Benefits*
Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Extra Benefits*
Trip and legal Assistance
Concierge Services
American Express® Experiences
Status lift
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold StatusStatus lift
Upgrade to Marriott BonvoyTM Gold Elite statusExtra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offersTravel Credit
$200Dining Credit
$200 at Select RestaurantsNexus Program Rebate
$100 statement credit every 4 yearsAirport Lounge - American Express Global Lounge
Take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge Collection™ which unlocks access to over 1,400 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.Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $550 USD at over 1,600 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels + ResortsPriority Travel
At Toronto Pearson Airport get Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet and 15% discount at the Express Park and daily park
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
19.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99% - 30%2
Cash Advance:
N/A2
Annual Fee*
$39
Annual Fee*
$799
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
$12,000
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Loyalty Program*
N/A
Loyalty Program*
Point Redemption Options*
Not Applicable
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / pointFixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / pointTransfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / pointStatement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / pointGift Cards
0.91¢ / pointAmazon.ca
0.7¢ / pointMerchandise
0.63¢ / point
Is this card worth it?
The Scotiabank Momentum Visa is a low annual fee cash back card that offers impressive earn rates on a variety of everyday spending categories, making it an excellent choice for those who want to maximize rewards without the higher cost of its Visa Infinite counterpart.
Is this card worth it?
If you're a frequent traveler, the Platinum card is an excellent choice. It's highly recommended for its extensive travel benefits, including unlimited lounge access for you and a guest at the American Express Lounge collection, making it the best card for lounge access in Canada. The card also offers unique perks not commonly found with other Canadian cards, such as status upgrades at Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton, dining and travel credits, concierge service, airport benefits, Nexus application reimbursement, and more. These benefits can more than offset the annual fee. However, if you don't travel often or are mainly looking for a card that maximizes rewards, this card may not be the best option for you.
Pros
- Cash Back Rewards: Earn up to 2% cash back on purchases.
- Low Balance Transfer Rate: Benefit from a 2.99% rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months.
- No Welcome Bonus: No initial sign-up bonus, keeping things straightforward.
Pros
- Offers more perks than any other credit card in Canada, catering to premium users who value extensive benefits.
- Enjoy $400 in annual travel and dining credits, which can offset some of the card's cost.
- Gain unlimited access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, enhancing your travel experience.
- Multiple options for redeeming points for high value, giving you flexibility in how you use your rewards.
- Includes 11 types of insurance coverage, offering comprehensive protection for cardholders.
- It's a metal card, who doesn't love a metal credit card?
Cons
- Limited Insurance Coverage: Only basic insurance is included.
- Annual Rewards Payout: Cash back rewards are paid out once a year as a statement credit.
Cons
- As with other American Express cards, it may have lower acceptance in some locations compared to other networks.
- The high annual fee of $799 may be a barrier for some users, especially those who do not fully utilize the card's benefits.
- Some benefits are limited to specific airports and hotels.


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