Scotiabank American Express® Card vs Scotiabank® Scene+ Visa Card

Which one is better? Both cards worked out on the same spending: rewards, welcome bonus, fees and perks, line by line.

Scotiabank American Express® Card
Finly rebate
$50

3.3

Apply nowGet $50 Finly rebate
Scotiabank® Scene+ Visa Card
Finly rebate
$50

3.7

Apply nowGet $50 Finly rebate

Welcome bonus

Each offer as the issuer words it. The numbers below show whether your spending reaches it.

The offer

The offer

Earn up to 10,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months (that’s up to $100 towards travel).1

  • To be eligible for 2,500 bonus Scene+ points (the “2,500 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $250 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 3 months of the Account open date.
  • To be eligible for an additional 7,500 bonus Scene+ points (the “Additional 7,500 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $1,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in your first 3 months of Account open date.

Offer valid from May 1, 2026 – November 1, 2026


  • Earn up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months.1
  • To be eligible for 2,500 bonus Scene+ points (the “2,500 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $250 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 3 months of the Account open date.
  • To be eligible for an additional 2,500 bonus Scene+ points (the “Additional 2,500 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $1,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in your first 3 months of Account open date.
  • Offer Validity: July 2, 2026 – November 1, 2026

What each card is worth

Rewards, the welcome bonus and any Finly rebate in, the annual fee and FX fees out, all on your spending.

Worked out on a typical $2,000 a month of spending. Enter yours to see your own numbers.

$474

First-year value

$347

$349

Every year after

$247

Scotia Amex is worth $127 more to you in year one.

It stays ahead after that, by $102 a year.

How the first year adds up

Annual rewards

$349.08

34,908 points a year

Welcome bonus

+ $75

first year only

Annual fee

− $0

no annual fee

Finly rebate

+ $50

paid by FinlyWealth

First-year value

$474.08

1¢ a pointScene+, redeemed for Entertainment

Annual rewards

$246.72

24,672 points a year

Welcome bonus

+ $50

first year only

Annual fee

− $0

no annual fee

Finly rebate

+ $50

paid by FinlyWealth

First-year value

$346.72

1¢ a pointScene+, redeemed for Entertainment

Where each card earns

A year of your spending at each card's own reward rates, most first.

2xFood and drinks, Groceries and Entertainment

15,072 pts

$150.72

2xGas, Rental Car & Taxi, Public Transportation

5,892 pts

$58.92

3xGrocery stores participating in Scene+ Reward program

2,712 pts

$27.12

2xAmex eligible Streaming Subscriptions

960 pts

$9.6

1xAll other purchases

10,272 pts

$102.72

2xGrocery stores participating in Scene+ Reward program and Cineplex

2,760 pts

$27.6

1xAll other purchases

21,912 pts

$219.12

Fees, rates and eligibility

What each card costs to hold and to use abroad, and who it's for.

$0

Annual fee

$0
$0

Additional cards

$0

Interest rates

Interest rates

Purchase:

21.99

Cash Advance:

22.99%

Balance Transfer:

22.99%

Purchase:

21.99%2

Cash Advance:

22.99%2

Balance Transfer:

22.99%2

2 Rates, fees and other information are effective as of March 3, 2025. Subject to change.

Recommended credit score

Recommended credit score

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring
300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

Income required

Income required

Min Personal Income:

$12,000

Min Household Income:

N/A

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

How each card earns

The earn rates and caps, as each issuer sets them.

  • Earn 3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco and more
  • Earn 2x Scene+ points 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+ points 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
  • Rates, fees and other information are effective as of May 1, 2026. Subject to change.
  • Earn 2x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, participating Co-ops, Freshco and more
  • Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on Home Hardware, Home Building Center, Home Furniture locations in Canada and online at homehardware.ca
  • Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend at Cineplex theatres or online at cineplex.com
  • 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
  • Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2026. Subject to change.

Points and how we value them

Points become dollars at each card's best redemption. Here's the value we used, and every other way to spend them.

Loyalty program

Loyalty program

We count each point at 1¢ a point, what it's worth redeemed for Entertainment, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.

We count each point at 1¢ a point, what it's worth redeemed for Entertainment, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.

Point redemption options

Point redemption options

  • Most Optimal

    entertainment popcorn

    Entertainment

    1¢ / point
  • travel - plane

    Travel

    1¢ / point
  • groceries

    Groceries (Sobeys)

    1¢ / point
  • food location

    Restaurants

    1¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.76¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.74¢ / point
  • cash coins

    Statement Credits (Cash)

    0.7¢ / point
  • Most Optimal

    entertainment popcorn

    Entertainment

    1¢ / point
  • travel - plane

    Travel

    1¢ / point
  • groceries

    Groceries (Sobeys)

    1¢ / point
  • food location

    Restaurants

    1¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.76¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.74¢ / point
  • cash coins

    Statement Credits (Cash)

    0.7¢ / point

Insurance and perks

What both cards include comes first in each list.

Insurance

Insurance

  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $500
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    Up to a year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days

No insurance included.

Perks

Perks

  • car rental

    Car Rental Discount

    25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
  • gas station

    Gas Discount2

    Get up to 11¢/L in value on fuel purchases at Shell stations

  • Amex logo

    American Express® Experiences

  • car rental

    Car Rental Discount

    25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
  • gas station

    Gas Discount2

    Get up to 10¢/L in value on fuel purchases at Shell stations

Our take

Why we like it

Why we like 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.

We like this card because it offers solid rewards with no annual fee, including the opportunity to earn bonus Scene+ points within the first few months. With 2x Scene+ points on purchases at popular grocery stores, home improvement retailers, and Cineplex, plus 1x points on all other purchases, it's a great option for maximizing everyday spending.

Pros

Pros

  • Strong rewards
  • Shell Fuel Savings
  • Mobile device insurance
  • Exclusive perks
  • No annual fee
  • Flexible redemptions
  • Instant decision. No credit impact.
  • No annual fee
  • Shell Fuel Savings
  • Universal rewards
  • Flexible redemptions

Cons

Cons

  • Limited insurance
  • Lower acceptance
  • Limited bonus categories
  • Limited partner grocer rewards
  • Lacks travel insurance

More comparisons

Other cards we've put each of these up against.

Legal


^Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer Valid from October 5, 2026  to December 31, 2026 ("Promotional Period"), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an "Eligible Card") to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the "Eligible Provinces") excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.

The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+, Scotiabank continue to apply.

®™ Shell trademarks are owned by Shell Brands International AG. Used under license.


1. Offer Description and Conditions: The 10,000 Bonus Scene+ Points Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank American Express credit card accounts (“Account”) opened between May 1, 2026 and November 1, 2026(regardless of the date you apply for the Account) and is subject to the below terms and conditions. 


To be eligible for 2,500 bonus Scene+ points (the “2,500 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $250 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 3 months of the Account open date. To be eligible for an additional 7,500 bonus Scene+ points (the “Additional 7,500 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $1,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in your first 3 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 Fulfilment 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 2,500 Point Bonus and Additional 7,500 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., $250 or $1,000) in the appropriate time frame (i.e., first 3 months). If a supplementary cardholder completes the last qualifying transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases for the 2,500 Point Bonus or the Additional 7,500 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.


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: There is currently no annual fee for the primary card and no fee for each additional card (including those issued to co-borrowers and supplementary cardholders).  

The current preferred annual interest rates for the Account are: 19.99% 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.


2.Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 4 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with a Scotiabank American Express Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:

 

  • Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
  • Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on  purchases of V-Power® gasoline, or V-Power® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.  
  • Earn up to 4 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 2 Scene+ point per $1 spent.  Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 4 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations.  Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms. 

 

Note: Highest value of 11 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank American Express Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.  


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.

^Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer Valid from October 5, 2026  to December 31, 2026 ("Promotional Period"), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an "Eligible Card") to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the "Eligible Provinces") excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.

The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+, Scotiabank continue to apply.

®™ Shell trademarks are owned by Shell Brands International AG. Used under license.


1. Offer Description and Conditions: The 5,000 Bonus Scene+ Points Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank Scene+ Visa credit card accounts (“Account”) opened between July 2, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the Account) and is subject to the below terms and conditions. 


To be eligible for 2,500 bonus Scene+ points (the “2,500 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $250 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 3 months of the Account open date. To be eligible for an additional 2,500 bonus Scene+ points (the “Additional 2,500 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $1,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in your first 3 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 2,500 Point Bonus and Additional 2,500 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., $250 or $1,000) in the appropriate time frame (i.e., first 3 months). If a supplementary cardholder completes the last qualifying transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases for the 2,500 Point Bonus or the Additional 2,500 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.


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: There is currently no annual fee for the primary card and no fee for each additional card (including those issued to co-borrowers and supplementary cardholders). The current preferred annual interest rates for the Account are: 21.99% 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. 


2.Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with an eligible Scotiabank Scene+ Visa card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:

 

  • Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
  • Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on  purchases of V-Power® gasoline, or V-Power® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.  
  • Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent.  Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations.  Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply.See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditionsopens in a new tab for full details including redemption options and additional terms. 

 

Note: Highest value of 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank® Scene+TM Visa* Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.


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.