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Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card: Which one is better?
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+TM points†◊ and pay no annual fee in your first year.◊ Earn 30,000 bonus Scene+TM points by making at least $2,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. You are eligible to earn an additional 20,000 Scene+TM point bonus when you spend at least $7,500 in everyday eligible purchases in your first year.
Welcome Bonus
10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase. 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $5,000 or more during the first 4 statements periods. 20,000 Aeroplan points as an additional anniversary bonus when you have at least $15,000 in net purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods.
Our Cash Offer
$75 $150 Cash Rebate offer from FinlyWealth
Promotional rebate expires on Oct 1, 2025
Our Cash Offer
N/A
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$644.5
Scene+
First Year Bonus Value
+
$500
Scene+
Annual Fee
-
$120
$0
First Year Waived
Finly Rebate
Exclusive Offer
First Year Value
$1,294.5
$524.5 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$541.37
Air Canada Aeroplan®
First Year Bonus Value
+
$1,050
Air Canada Aeroplan®
Annual Fee
-
$139
$0
First Year Waived
First Year Value
$1,452.37
$402.37 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
How to Earn Rewards
- Earn 6x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more*
- Earn 5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.*
- Earn 5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.*
- Earn 3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more*
- Earn 3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada 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
How to Earn Rewards
- 1.5 Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
- 1 Aeroplan® point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance Included
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500/person, $1000/trip
Baggage Delay
$500/person, $1,000/trip After 4 hours.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 days
Travel Accident
$500K/person, $1M/occurrence
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000/occurrence
Emergency Out of province Medical
$1M, Up to 25 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$1M, Up to 3 days
Trip Cancellation
$1500/person, $10000/trip
Trip Interruption
$1500/person, $10,000/tripFlight Delay
$500/person
Insurance Included
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500Baggage Delay
$500Car Rental Damage & Theft
yesTravel Accident
$500,000Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000Extended Warranty
Up to 1 yearPurchase Protection
90 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$2,500Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
3 daysTrip Cancellation
$1,500Trip Interruption
$2,000Flight Delay
$500
Extra Benefits
Discount
Discount on PriorityPass Membership
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the 2.5% foreign transaction fees incurred when spending in non $CAD.svg)
Concierge Services
American Express® Experiences
Extra Benefits
Discount
Primary cardholders can often book flight rewards for even fewer points
Car Rental Discount
Get up to 25% off auto rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations worldwide.
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Exclusive offers.svg)
Gas Discount
save up to 10¢/L on fuel at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.svg)
Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite Status sooner: Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in eligible purchases made on your card.svg)
Free first checked bag
Enjoy a free first checked bag for you, authorized users and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air Canada
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
$0$
First Year Waived
Annual Fee
$139
$0$
First Year Waived
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$12,000
Min Household Income:
$12,000
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$60,000
Min Household Income:
$100,000
Loyalty Program
Loyalty Program
Point Redemption Options
Travel
1¢ / point
Merchandise
0.76¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.74¢ / point
Entertainment
1¢ / point
Groceries (Sobeys)
1¢ / point
Restaurants
1¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
0.7¢ / point
Point Redemption Options
Travel
0.825¢ / pointMerchandise
0.75¢ / pointGift Cards
0.72¢ / pointMost Optimal
Aeroplan® Flights
2.1¢ / pointCar Rentals
0.9¢ / 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 CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is great for Air Canada travelers who want to rack up Aeroplan points and enjoy perks like free checked bags and preferred pricing on flight redemptions. With solid reward rates in key spending categories like gas, groceries, and Air Canada purchases, this card offers decent returns. Additionally, the first-year annual fee waiver and comprehensive travel insurance make it a solid option for those looking for value without the upfront cost. However, its highest value is for people who frequently travel with Air Canada and make use of Aeroplan rewards, especially for flights.
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
- Generous Welcome Bonus: 40,000 Aeroplan points upon meeting the initial spending requirements.
- High Reward Rates: Earn up to 1.5 points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, EV charging, and Air Canada purchases.
- Air Canada Perks: Free checked bags for you and up to 8 companions when flying Air Canada.
- Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan Flights: Get access to better Aeroplan point redemption rates for Air Canada flights.
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
- Income Requirements: Requires either a $60,000 personal income or a $100,000 household income to qualify.
- Limited Redemption Value: The highest value for points is found when redeeming for Air Canada flights, limiting flexibility if you prefer other types of rewards.
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 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
vs American Express Cobalt® Card
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
vs CIBC Costco Mastercard
vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
vs Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®
vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
vs TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
vs American Express Cobalt® Card
Legal
◊Conditions apply.
†With minimum spend in the 1st year.
*On eligible purchases in Canada only. Conditions apply.
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.