Scotiabank Enhances Credit Card Rewards Program
Sponsored by: 
Scotiabank has upgraded its rewards program by offering new reward options as well as additional travel features and benefits.
About Scotia Rewards
Scotia Rewards is a popular credit card rewards program that allows you to redeem points for merchandise, gift cards, travel, and much more. If you’re looking for a gift for yourself or a family member, there are hundreds of items (golf clubs, luggage, electronics, and jewelry, just to name a few) to choose from. If you can’t decide on a specific item, you can always pick from a variety of different gift cards.
The program is also quite flexible, especially when it comes to redeeming your points for travel. Your Scotia Rewards points can be used for any airline and there aren’t any blackout periods. Points can also be used for cruises, vacation packages, car rentals, and hotels. You can even use your points to pay for taxes.
Booking through the Scotia Rewards Travel Service has its advantages. It gives you a best price guarantee on airfare, travel deals as well as discounts on hotel stays, flights, and car rentals. Points can also be used for travel immediately when you book through the Scotia Rewards Travel Service site or by phone. Alternatively, you can book your travel with any travel provider and redeem your points at a later date.
What’s new
Earlier this month, the Scotia Rewards program became even better. You can now use your points for merchandise at Best Buy and Apple or for a statement credit. And if you book travel through the Scotia Rewards Travel Service site, you’ll have a better booking experience.
The biggest news is that you’ll now be able to use your points to purchase items from two major retailers.
When you log into the Scotia Rewards website, you’ll be able to pick a variety of items from the Best Buy catalogue and make a purchase using your points. You can have your item delivered to your home. But if you want your item quickly, you can typically pick it up at Best Buy within one hour of placing your order and you have 24 hours to get your item. This is a great option if you want to save time. Also, you have the same warranty as you would if you purchased the item directly from Best Buy.
Looking for a new iPhone, iPad, or MacBook? You can also use your rewards to buy items from the Apple catalogue. Note that if you want to purchase AppleCare+ or the AppleCare Protection Plan (the extended warranty coverage offered by Apple), you’ll need to purchase it in store or online within 60 days of buying it from the Apple catalogue. Unfortunately, you don’t have the option of picking up your item at an Apple store and it can take up to three weeks before you receive your item.
If you’ve already bought something using your Scotiabank credit card, you can pay for some or all of the cost by redeeming your points for a statement credit. You only need just 3,000 points to make a redemption credit. Here are the statement credit options:
If you use more points, you’ll often get a better value for your points. For example, redeeming 4,500 points values each point at 0.0067 cents apiece ($30 ÷ 4,500 points = 0.0067 cents). But redeeming 37,500 points values each point at 0.008 cents apiece ($300 ÷ 37,500 = 0.008 cents). One thing to keep in mind is that a statement credit isn’t considered a payment to your account and you still must make a minimum payment by the due date even if you’ve paid off your balance in full with the credit.
And when you book travel through the Scotia Rewards Travel Service, there’s also something new. You’ll see a personalized webpage with information about your destination, activities you can do while you’re there, weather forecasts, and much more.
Scotia Rewards card options
There are a number of cards that offer Scotia Rewards: The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card, Scotiabank American Express Card, ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card, ScotiaGold Passport for business Visa Card, and the Scotiabank Rewards Visa Card.
Each card offers its own advantages but there’s one card that stands out to us. The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card allows you to earn four Scotia Rewards points for every $1 spent at eligible grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and entertainment venues. On all other purchases, you’ll earn one point for every $1 you spend.
Ratehub.ca recommends:
Featured
Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card
Earn up to $950 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points. To qualify, apply by October 31, 2024.
Card details
- $99 annual fee (waived for the first year)
- 0.00% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months
- Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points in your first year (that’s up to $400 towards travel). Offer ends Jan 1, 2022.
- Earn up to four points per $1 spent
- Limited time: Receive a $75 gift card of your choice upon approval