Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
Best for: Grocery and dining spenders who travel and want no foreign transaction fee
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
Ranked #5 of 176 for year one. See the list
See how we worked it out- Welcome offer you’d get
- $650
- The full offer. Up to 65,000 Scene+ points.
- Annual fee
- $0 first year
- Then $120 a year
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?
Do you spend $200 or more a month on groceries?
Is your personal income $12,000 or more?
Do you pay your card off in full most months?
Answer the 3 questions to see if it fits.
The good and the bad
Stands out
- Good: 6 points per $1 on groceries At our value for these points, that’s about 6% back.
- Good: No fee in the first year Then $120 a year.
- Good: Welcome offer up to 65,000 Scene+ points About $650 at our value for these points.
Watch for
- Watch for: $120 a year from year two You need about $200 a month on groceries to earn it back.
Worked out from the card’s rates and fees.
What you’d earn
With typical spending of $2,500 a month.
Scene+ points valued at 1¢ each.
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
- 6 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories). At Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and more. 5 points at other grocery stores
- Restaurants
- 5 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories).
- Food delivery
- 5 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories). On restaurants, fast food, and drinking establishments purchases. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
- Entertainment
- 5 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories).
- Gas
- 3 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories).
- Transit
- 3 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories).
- Streaming
- 3 points per $1 Up to $50,000 in spending per year (shared with other categories).
- Everything else (base rate)
- 1 point per $1
- 3 points per $1 spent on eligible select streaming services
- 3 points per $1 spent on daily transit purchases. Includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more.
- 5 points per $1 spent on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies.
- 5X and 3X reward earning rate only applies to the first $50,000 you spend on the card annually
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
Can your spending get the full offer?
At $2,500 a month, here’s when you’d reach each step.
-
1
40,000 Scene+ points · about $400
Spend $2,000 in your first 3 months.
You’d reach it in month 1.
- On purchases within the first 3 months.
- Plus, for a limited time, you are eligible to earn a 20,000 points bonus when you spend at least $7,500 in everyday eligible purchases in your first year.
-
2
25,000 Scene+ points · about $250
Spend $7,500 in your first 12 months.
You’d reach it in month 3.
Offer ends Jan 3, 2027.
Offer checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source
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.
Other reviewers on this card
-
Frugal Flyer (opens in a new tab) May 2026
“The Scotiabank American Express Gold credit card makes its mark in the Canadian credit card market with its strong earning rates, no foreign exchange fees, and easy-to-redeem rewards program. It truly is one of the best credit cards that are available to Canadians and one that we recommend adding to your wallet.”
-
NerdWallet (opens in a new tab) Jan 202610
“A well-rounded rewards earner that stands out for its top-tier rates in popular categories, like groceries and entertainment spending. Its waived foreign exchange fees and travel insurance will appeal to travellers, but there’s no complimentary airport lounge access, just discounted membership to Priority Pass. Best for: Travellers and families who spend big on groceries, restaurants and commuting and want to collect Scene+ points.”
-
Forbes (opens in a new tab) Aug 20249.4
“One of the most rewarding credit cards in Canada with useful benefits, travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees.”
-
WalletBliss (opens in a new tab) Jan 20249.2
“With different Amex cards out there, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card has distinguished itself on various grounds. From competitive rewards and promos, free foreign transactions, and exclusive Amex offers to comprehensive insurance, the card is worth checking out. Hopefully, you are now able to decide whether this is the perfect credit card for you or not. I will be available in the comment section to respond to any further concerns you may have.”
-
Money.ca (opens in a new tab) Aug 20239
“Though the card is a solid all-around travel rewards card—particularly for those that spend a lot on groceries, entertainment and dining—it’s ideal for consummate travelers who could most benefit from not paying foreign transaction fees and redeeming points flexibly to cover travel expenses.”
-
9
“This card is worth considering if you are looking for a travel card that offers an excellent rewards rate and if you spend a decent amount on groceries, gas, restaurants, and entertainment every month. At a 5% earnings rate on these four categories, your $120 annual fee will be paid for in no time (not including the $200 to $400 sign-up bonus).”
Ratings from people with this card
No ratings yet. If you have this card, tell others what it’s like.
Applied and weren’t approved?
Would you recommend the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card?
Takes 30 seconds. No account needed.
Applied and weren’t approved?
Do you have this card?
Anything else?
All optional. Skip straight to Share if you like.
When you applied
Helps others know their odds. We only show ranges, added up with other answers.
Sorry it didn’t work out
Your score range helps others know their odds. We only show it added up with other answers.
Complete the check above to send it.
Add your email and we’ll send one link to publish it. Your name shows with your rating. Your email never does.
Add your email and we’ll send one link to confirm it. We never show your name or email with a score range.
Thanks for helping out!
Your score range helps other people know their odds before they apply.
Your rating is on the page now. People picking a card will be glad you did.
We’ll give it a quick read, then it shows on this page. People picking a card will be glad you did.
Thanks! Check your inbox
We sent a link to . Click it to publish your rating. Check your spam folder if it isn’t there.
Sent again.
What comes with it
- Car rental damage Included
- Extended warranty Included
- Purchase protection Included
- Travel accident Included
- Travel medical $1,000,000 per person
- Trip cancellation Included
- Trip interruption Included
- Flight delay Included
- Baggage delay Included
- Lost baggage Included
- Hotel burglary Included
- Mobile device $1,000 per device
- Amex Offers
- Amex Front Of the Line
- American Express Invites
- Book and redeem any flight for any time through Scotia Rewards Travel Service, a full-service travel agency. Plus, take advantage of the Best Price Guarantee on airfare.
- Airport lounge access
- Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance
- Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
- 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.
What it costs
- Annual fee
- $0 first year Then $120 a year
- Purchase interest
- 21.99%
- Cash advance interest
- 22.99%
- Foreign currency fee
- None
All fees and rates
Fees
- Extra cards
- $29
- Fee waivers
- First year (Open an Ultimate Package chequing account and waive the ongoing annual fee ; Open a Preferred Package chequing account and waive the first year annual fee)
- 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
Similar cards for the same spending
With typical spending. This card: $1,825 year one, $1,055 every year after.
-
American Express Cobalt™
Year one $1,651Every year after $1,396 -
RBC Ion+ Visa
Year one $1,245Every year after $1,007 -
National Bank World Elite Mastercard
Year one $1,099Every year after $904 -
SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express
Every year $852Annual fee $119.88
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
Questions people ask
What is the annual fee on the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card?
$0 the first year, then $120 a year. Each extra card costs $29.
How much is the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card welcome offer worth?
Up to 65,000 Scene+ points, about $650. You get it in 2 steps: 40,000 Scene+ points after you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months; 25,000 Scene+ points after you spend $7,500 in the first 12 months.
What income do I need?
Scotiabank asks for $12,000 in personal income.
Does it charge a foreign transaction fee?
No. Purchases in other currencies have no extra fee.
What is the interest rate?
21.99% on purchases. Cash advances are 22.99%.
Does it include insurance?
It lists extended warranty, purchase protection, trip cancellation / trip interruption insurance and flight delay 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