Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express® Green Card: Which one is better?

Annual Fees and Requirements

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card has an annual fee, while the American Express Green Card comes with no annual fee, making the latter more accessible for those wanting to avoid yearly costs. The Scotiabank Passport also has a minimum income requirement of $60,000 for personal income or $100,000 for household income, whereas the Amex Green has no stated income requirement, offering more flexibility for applicants with varying income levels.

Rewards Comparison

The American Express Green Card earns rewards on all purchases at a flat rate, while the Scotiabank Passport offers tiered rewards with higher points for specific categories such as grocery and dining. Although the Green Card does not have spending caps and provides flexibility, its lower overall earning rate may not be as beneficial for those seeking high returns in select spending categories. The Scotiabank Passport, with its higher rewards in certain areas like groceries, offers more value for targeted spending.

Reward Redemption Options

Both cards offer a variety of redemption options, but the Scotiabank Passport allows users to redeem points through the Scene+ program for travel, merchandise, and more. The American Express Green Card also provides flexible redemption through Membership Rewards, with the added benefit of transferring points to airline and hotel partners for greater value. While both cards offer travel redemption options, the ability to transfer points for potentially higher value makes the Amex Green redemption option better.

Benefits and Insurance

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card stands out with its no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travelers. It also offers six complimentary airport lounge passes and comprehensive insurance coverage, including trip interruption, flight delay, and lost baggage insurance. The American Express Green Card, while lacking foreign transaction fee waivers, provides basic benefits such as purchase protection and extended warranty but does not include significant travel perks or insurance. For those needing robust travel protections, the Scotiabank Passport is the stronger choice.

Card Network and Acceptance

The Scotiabank Passport is part of the Visa network, which is widely accepted around the world, making it more convenient for international travelers. Visa’s broad acceptance ensures that you can use the card in most countries, including places where American Express may not be as commonly accepted. The American Express Green Card, while beneficial within its reward program, is not accepted as widely as Visa, which can be a disadvantage for travelers in certain regions.

Conclusion

The American Express Green Card is a good fit for those looking for a no-fee card with flexible redemption options and straightforward rewards on all purchases and is a better option for people that don't travel as often.

However, for most travelers, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite offers greater benefits, including no foreign transaction fees, higher rewards on select purchases, and more comprehensive travel insurance. Frequent international travelers or those looking for premium travel perks should consider the Scotiabank Passport, while those prioritizing no annual fee and basic rewards and less travelling may prefer the Amex Green.