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Side by Side Credit Cards Comparison
Which one is better?

American Express Cobalt® Card
4.9

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
4.9
Welcome Bonus
Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your amex cobalt credit card in the first Year. That's up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points.
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to $850 in welcome offers, first year rewards and savings value, and up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points.(1)
Our Cash Offer
N/A
Our Cash Offer
$75 $150 Cash Rebate offer from FinlyWealth
Promotional rebate expires on Mar 1, 2026
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$1,037.82
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus Value
+
$300
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
-
$191.88
First Year Value
$1,145.94
$845.94 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$641.94
Scene+
First Year Bonus Value
+
$450
Scene+
Annual Fee
-
$120
Finly Rebate
Exclusive Offer
First Year Value
$1,121.94
$521.94 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
How to Earn Rewards
How to Earn Rewards
Insurance Included
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage Delay
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Mobile Device Insurance
Extended Warranty
Purchase Protection
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Travel Medical Insurance
Flight Delay
Insurance Included
Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage Delay
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Mobile Device Insurance
Extended Warranty
Purchase Protection
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Travel Medical Insurance
Flight Delay
Travel Medical Insurance (65+)
Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Extra Benefits
Travel Credit
Amex Experiences™
Extra Benefits
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Concierge Services
Discount
American Express® Experiences
Interest Rates
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
1 If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Annual Fee
$191.88 (paid monthly)
Annual Fee
$120
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$12,000
Min Household Income:
$12,000
Loyalty Program
Loyalty Program
Point Redemption Options
Statement Credits (Cash)
Gift Cards
Merchandise
Most Optimal
Aeroplan® Flights
Transfer to Airline Partners
Fixed Point Travel Program
Transfer to Hotel Partners
Amazon.ca
Point Redemption Options
Merchandise
Gift Cards
Statement Credits (Cash)
Entertainment
Travel
Groceries (Sobeys)
Restaurants
Is this card worth it?
This card was voted one of the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible amex cobalt bonus points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
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.
Pros
Pros
Cons
Cons
vs Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card
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vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
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vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
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vs TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card
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vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
vs PC World Elite Mastercard
vs American Express® Green Card
vs Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
vs RBC ION+ Visa
vs Neo Mastercard®
vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®
vs Walmart Rewards™ World Mastercard®
vs Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®
vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
vs RBC ION Visa
vs Rogers Red Mastercard®
vs TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card
vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Privilege Card
vs Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Mastercard®* Credit Card
vs Scotiabank® Scene+ Visa Card
vs Scotiabank American Express® Card
vs Neo World Elite® Mastercard®
vs American Express Platinum Card®
vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card
vs CIBC Costco Mastercard
vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®
vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
vs American Express® Green Card
vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®
vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Rogers Red Mastercard®
vs TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
The American Express Cobalt® Card and the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card have similar annual fees, though the Cobalt Card's fee is slightly higher. Notably, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card requires a minimum personal income of $12,000, which is a consideration for eligibility. In contrast, the Cobalt Card has no specified income requirement, making it more accessible to a broader range of users. Additionally, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card offers a first-year annual fee waiver, providing an initial cost-saving benefit.
Both cards provide robust rewards, particularly for spending on dining, groceries, and travel. The American Express Cobalt® Card offers higher points on dining and groceries, making it ideal for food enthusiasts. Its rewards are part of the versatile Membership Rewards program. Meanwhile, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card offers strong rewards across a wider range of categories, including groceries, entertainment, and transit, and it uses the Scene+ program for redemptions. The welcome bonuses for both cards are attractive, but Scotiabank's offer may be easier to obtain for some users.
The American Express Cobalt Card provides versatile redemption options, including transfers to airline and hotel partners, and the ability to use points as statement credits, offering flexibility.
On the other hand, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card excels in grocery and entertainment redemptions within the Scene+ program, making it a great choice for those who frequently spend in these categories. However, the inability to redeem points for statement credits may be a drawback for those seeking more direct financial flexibility.
The insurance coverage offered by both cards is comprehensive, including important protections like travel medical, flight delay, and baggage insurance. However, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card stands out with its no foreign transaction fee, which can result in significant savings for frequent international travelers. The American Express Cobalt® Card, while not offering this feature, provides access to exclusive experiences and events, which could be appealing to certain users.
The American Express Cobalt® Card is a strong option for those who prioritize high rewards on dining and groceries and enjoy exclusive experiences. Conversely, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is well-suited for frequent travelers who benefit from no foreign transaction fees and a broader range of reward categories. Your choice should depend on your specific spending patterns and financial situation, including the $12,000 income requirement for the Scotiabank card.
Legal
*Terms and conditions apply.
If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.
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.
* Savings and reward potential in first 12 months includes welcome offer value, first year point earn potential and foreign transaction fee savings as of November 4, 2025:
$450 in travel rewards (45,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Gold American Express Card clients who spend $2,000 within the first 3 months (to earn 25,000 points) and who spend $7,500 within the first 12 months (to earn an additional 20,000 points);
$58 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average annual foreign spend per account over the last 24 months (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by other card issuers);
$386 in first year point earn potential (38,500 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per account over the last 24 months with an average spend of 30% in 6X, 5X and 3X accelerator categories.
Potential First Year Value = up to $894 (rounded down to $850)
Actual offers, savings and rewards earned will depend on individual card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.
1Offer Description and Conditions: The 45,000 Bonus Scene+ Points and First Year Annual Fee Waiver (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank Gold American Express credit card accounts (“Accounts”) opened between January 2, 2026 and July 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the Account) and is subject to the conditions below.
45,000 Bonus Scene+ Point Offer Description and Conditions: To be eligible for 25,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “25,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $2,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 3 months of the Account open date. To be eligible for an additional 20,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “Additional 20,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $7,500 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 Fulfillment: The applicable point Bonus(es) will be credited to the Scene+ account within approximately 8 weeks after qualifying for a 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 25,000 Point Bonus and Additional 20,000 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., $2,000 or $7,500) 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 25,000 Point Bonus or the Additional 20,000 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 Program Terms 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.
First Year Annual Fee Waiver Offer Description and Conditions: We will waive the annual fee for the primary card issued between October 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026 on the Account for the first year only.
Eligibility and Exclusions: Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for the Offer. Subject to the above exclusions, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are also eligible for the Offer.
Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $120 for the primary card and $29 for each additional card (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 Application Disclosure Statement and are subject to change.
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.
Earn a non-promotional rate of up to 3% on your savings + an exclusive $50 bonus!
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