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Mr. Loonie
Scotiabank American Express® Card

Scotiabank American Express® Card

7.9
Good
Expert Score · 10 reviews How we score

Best for: Sobeys and Safeway shoppers who want Scene+ points with no annual fee

Your spending a month
What’s in each?
Light:
Groceries $400, restaurants $100, gas $100, recurring bills $100, everything else (base rate) $250, foreign currency $50
Typical:
Groceries $800, restaurants $250, gas $250, recurring bills $250, travel $150, everything else (base rate) $650, foreign currency $150
Big:
Groceries $1,200, restaurants $500, gas $400, recurring bills $400, travel $500, everything else (base rate) $1,600, foreign currency $400
Yours:
Your own amounts, saved on this device only
Year one
$617
Every year after
$567

Ranked #62 of 176 for year one. See the list

See how we worked it out
Welcome offer you’d get
$50
The full offer. Up to 5,000 Scene+ points.
Annual fee
None
Apply now on Scotiabank’s site (opens in a new tab)
Needs $12,000 personal income
We may get paid if you apply through this link. It never changes our score.

Have this card?

Details from Scotiabank’s site. Banks can update terms at any time, so give them a quick look before you apply. Source

Is it for me? What you’d earn Welcome offer Can I get it? Fees Similar cards
2 quick questions

Is it for me?

Is your personal income $12,000 or more?

Do you pay your card off in full most months?

Answer the 2 questions to see if it fits.

From the numbers

The good and the bad

Stands out

  • Good: 4 points per $1 on hotels At our value for these points, that’s about 4% back.
  • Good: No annual fee It costs nothing to keep.
  • Good: Welcome offer up to 5,000 Scene+ points About $50 at our value for these points.

Watch for

  • Watch for: 2.5% on foreign purchases Use a no foreign fee card when you travel.

Worked out from the card’s rates and fees.

Show your work

What you’d earn

With typical spending of $2,500 a month.

Scene+ points valued at 1¢ each.

  • Groceries $288
    3 points per $1 · 3% back $800 a month · 28,800 Scene+ points a year
  • Restaurants $60
    2 points per $1 · 2% back $250 a month · 6,000 Scene+ points a year
  • Gas $60
    2 points per $1 · 2% back $250 a month · 6,000 Scene+ points a year
  • Recurring bills $30
    1 point per $1 · 1% back $250 a month · 3,000 Scene+ points a year
  • Travel $18
    1 point per $1 · 1% back $150 a month · 1,800 Scene+ points a year
  • Everything else $78
    1 point per $1 · 1% back $650 a month · 7,800 Scene+ points a year
  • Foreign currency $18
    1 point per $1 · 1% back $150 a month · 1,800 Scene+ points a year
For you Year one Later years
Points you earn55,200 Scene+ points a year, at 1¢ each $552 $552
Welcome offer5,000 Scene+ points you’d reach $50 $0
Annual fee $0 $0
Foreign currency fee2.5% on $1,800 a year −$45 −$45
Phone insurance$60 a year $60 $60
Total $617 $567

Rows are rounded to the dollar. Insurance counts at what the same cover costs on its own, and only pays when you charge the trip, rental or phone to the card.

What counts in each category
Groceries
3 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories). At Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and more. 2 points at other grocery stores
Restaurants
2 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories).
Food delivery
2 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories). On daily transit, rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more
Entertainment
2 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories). Including fast food, drinking establishments, popular food delivery, and food subscriptions
Gas
2 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories).
Transit
2 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories). Including rideshare and taxis
Streaming
2 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories).
Hotels
4 points per $1 Hotels and car rentals booked through Scene+ Travel
Everything else (base rate)
1 point per $1
  • You can convert your Scotia Rewards points to SCENE or your SCENE points to Scotia Rewards points instantly, anytime you want.
  • 2 points per $1 spent on entertainment purchases including movies, theatre, and ticket agencies
  • 2 points per $1 spent on eligible select streaming services
  • 3 points per $1 spent on hotel and car rental bookings made through Scene+ Travel
  • 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
How Scene+ points work, and why 1¢

We count Scene+ points at 1¢ each, a typical value when you use them well. Depending on how you use them, they’re usually worth 0.6¢ to 1¢.

We set one value per points program and use it on every card in that program, so you can compare points cards and cash back cards on the same scale.

These are example budgets to compare cards side by side, not averages. Your own spending will give a different number.

Checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Welcome offer

Can your spending get the full offer?

At $2,500 a month, here’s when you’d reach each step.

  1. 1

    2,500 Scene+ points · about $25

    Spend $250 in your first 3 months.

    You’d reach it in month 1.

    • On purchases within the first 3 months.
    • You are eligible to earn another 7500 point bonus when you spend at least $1000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months.
  2. 2

    2,500 Scene+ points · about $25

    Spend $1,000 in your first 3 months.

    You’d reach it in month 1.

Offer ends Jul 1, 2027.

Offer checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Before you apply

Can I get it?

  • Age 18 or older 19 or older in BC, NB, NL, NS and the territories
  • Where you live Canada
  • Personal income $12,000 or more Issuer says
  • Newcomer program Scotiabank StartRight For permanent residents in Canada 5 years or less, international students and foreign workers. No Canadian credit history needed, with a limit up to $15,000. Foreign workers need a letter from their employer confirming income.
  • Credit score No minimum on record Most banks don’t publish one, and we don’t guess.

Checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Mr. Loonie’s tip Each application shows up on your credit file. Leave a few months between card applications.

What critics say

Other reviewers on this card

7.9
Good
Expert Score How we score
  • Money.ca (opens in a new tab) Jul 2023
    7

    “The Scotiabank American Express® Card is a flexible and rewarding travel card, giving customers the ability to earn points on all eligible purchases. Points can be redeemed flexibly without travel restrictions, and on a variety of brand name merchandise. Customers who travel frequently will enjoy the ability to book travel and redeem easily with this card and the purchase security and extended warranty protection.”

  • Rewards Canada (opens in a new tab) Jan 2023

    “Here we have another card that is underrated in our market. You honestly don't hear too much about it but you should. It is a one of the best no fee cards in the market based on its earn-burn capabilities. We rank the no annual fee Scotiabank American Express Card as the second best no annual fee travel rewards card in Canada and that's only because the number one card provides transfer options to Air Canada, British Airways, Marriott and other programs. If you don't need those transfer options, this is the better card for you.”

  • Wealth Rocket (opens in a new tab) Jan 2023
    9.6

    “The Scotiabank American Express has somewhat of a disadvantage in the way that it shares the stage with the Scotiabank Platinum and Gold American Express cards. However, if you are starting to wonder why anyone would choose the standard American Express over the fancier options, consider the annual fee. In order to earn more than the annual fee of either the Platinum or the Gold card, the cardholder needs to do some serious spending to the tune of at least $25,000 a year. Let’s be honest; that simply does not describe the majority of us! We’re pretty certain that you won’t be disappointed with your decision as there are certainly enough rewards and insurance options packed into this card to make it worthwhile.”

  • Yore Oyster (opens in a new tab) Dec 2022

    “The Scotiabank American Express Card is a good choice for travelers looking for credit cards without an annual fee. It offers many ways to earn points and redeem rewards from your eligible purchases. However, its comprehensive insurance protection requires you to pay, which may be inconvenient.”

  • SAVVY New Canadians (opens in a new tab) Oct 2022
    9

    “This card combines no annual fees with cash back rewards. If you do not want to shell out an annual fee but want to earn travel rewards, the Scotiabank American Express is worth checking out.”

  • MoneyGenius (opens in a new tab) Dec 2021
    7.2

    “The Scotiabank American Express card provides a lot of value for no annual fee. You'll earn up to 2% back on purchases. But even if you don’t have any trips planned in the near future, the flexible Scene+ program gives you 7 other redemption options. On top of the rewards, this card also has some pretty good perks and insurance for no fee. You also don’t get any discount on the interest rates, so if you tend to carry a balance, this won’t be a great pick for you. And some no fee cash back cards can earn you higher return – and then you could just use your cash on travel for the same effect.”

What cardholders say

Ratings from people with this card

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Insurance and perks

What comes with it

  • Extended warranty Included
  • Purchase protection Included
  • Mobile device $500 per device
  • Mobile device insurance
  • Enjoy Special Offers, Access and Experiences with American Express Invites
  • Book, redeem, and take advantage of the Best Price Guarantee on airfare through Scotia Rewards Travel Service
  • Save up to 25% off base rates at participating AVIS locations and at participating Budget locations in Canada and the U.S.
  • Mobile wallets Apple Pay
Coverage limits

We haven’t recorded the coverage limits for this card yet. Read Scotiabank’s insurance certificate before you count on any coverage.

Not included

Not listed for this card: travel medical, trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight delay, lost baggage and car rental damage.

Fees and interest

What it costs

Annual fee
None
Purchase interest
21.99%
Cash advance interest
22.99%
Foreign currency fee
2.5%
All fees and rates

Fees

Extra cards
None
Cash advance fee
1%, Minimum of $5
Balance transfer fee
1%, Minimum of $5
Over-limit fee
$29
Late payment fee
None
Source
Issuer page

Interest rates

Balance transfer interest
22.99%
Source
Issuer page

Read the card terms and conditions for the full terms.

Checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Before you decide

Similar cards for the same spending

With typical spending. This card: $617 year one, $567 every year after.

See all cards ranked for your spending

Some of these links pay us when you apply, at no extra cost to you. Most don’t, and pay never changes our score. How we make money

Common questions

Questions people ask

What is the annual fee on the Scotiabank American Express® Card?

There is no annual fee.

How much is the Scotiabank American Express® Card welcome offer worth?

Up to 5,000 Scene+ points, about $50. You get it in 2 steps: 2,500 Scene+ points after you spend $250 in the first 3 months; 2,500 Scene+ points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.

What income do I need?

Scotiabank asks for $12,000 in personal income.

Does it charge a foreign transaction fee?

Yes, 2.5% on purchases in other currencies.

What is the interest rate?

21.99% on purchases. Cash advances are 22.99%.

Does it include insurance?

It lists extended warranty, purchase protection and mobile device insurance. Read the insurance certificate for the limits.

Rates, fees and offers come from the card issuers and change often. We work to keep this page accurate and current, but it may contain mistakes, so always check the issuer’s terms before you apply. This page is general information and isn’t financial advice.

Spot something wrong? We’ll check it with the bank. Suggest a correction

Card names, logos and trademarks belong to their owners. No issuer wrote, paid for or approved what we say about this card. Our scores and opinions are our own.

Mr. Loonie is independent and supported by affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you apply through some links, at no cost to you. How we make money

$617
year one for you
Apply now on Scotiabank’s site (opens in a new tab)
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