Scotiabank American Express® Card
Not yet rated
Best for Everyday spending
Travel
Welcome bonus – Earn up to $100 in first-year bonuses.
Card highlights
Welcome bonus
Annual fee
Ratehub’s review
Natasha Macmillan
Despite charging no annual fee, the Scotiabank American Express stands out for its generous benefits and is among the best credit cards for rental car insurance in Canada, despite charging no annual fee. While the store acceptance may be lower as an American Express card, this card more than compensates with standard Amex benefits and a solid welcome bonus, making it a great option for your wallet.
Pros
- High earn rates for no fee: The card boasts high points earnings on groceries, dining transit and streaming services for the first $50,000 in annual spending, which can help accelerate your rewards, all for no annual fee
- Access to American Express benefits: Despite not being issued by Amex, the card offers standard Amex benefits like Amex Offers and Front Of The Line, providing easy savings and early access to events.
- Solid welcome bonus for a no annual fee credit card
Cons
- Limited acceptance: Experience lower acceptance compared to other card networks, as the Scotiabank American Express is an Amex card.
- Insurance coverage: While there is purchase protection and mobile device insurance, this card has no travel insurance coverage.
Rewards & bonuses
See what you could earn based on how you spend.
Welcome bonus
Earn up to $100.
Earn up to 10,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months (that’s up to $100 towards travel).
Earn rates
3 points/$1
On every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco and more*Up to $4,167 / month, then 1 point/$1
2 points/$1
On every $1 you spend on restaurants, fast food, drinking establishments and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.*Up to $4,167 / month, then 1 point/$1
2 points/$1
On every $1 you spend on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores. *Up to $4,167 / month, then 1 point/$1
2 points/$1
On every $1 you spend on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more*Up to $4,167 / month, then 1 point/$1
2 points/$1
On every $1 you spend on eligible select streaming services*Up to $4,167 / month, then 1 point/$1
1 point/$1
On every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases*
Caps apply where shown. Rewards are earned on eligible purchases only, see the card’s terms for full details. 100 points = $1.
Your earning potential
First year reward
Based on spending $2,200/mo after $0 annual fee
Second year reward
Based on spending $2,200/mo after $0 annual fee
These numbers are based on estimations and the calculation breakdown below.
Adjust your spending
First year reward†
- If you spend $2,200/month, you’ll earn
- Welcome bonus
- Annual fee
- First year reward
Second year reward†
- If you spend $2,200/month, you’ll earn
- Annual fee
- Second year reward
† Estimate calculated by Ratehub.ca and is based on current offers and a monthly spend of $2,200. It is for illustrative purposes only.
Perks & insurance
Perks and insurance coverage included with the card.
| Perks | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Not included | You’ll gain complimentary passes to airport lounges. The number of passes and lounges you have access to will vary. |
| No foreign exchange fees | Not included | A surcharge that credit card holders pay for purchases made in a foreign currency (typically 2.5%). |
| Extended warranty | Included | Either doubles the length of the item’s manufacturer’s warranty coverage or extends it by 1 year, whichever is less. |
| Price protection | Not included | If, within a certain amount of time of purchasing an item, its price drops or you find an identical item offered for a lower retail price than what you paid, you will be reimbursed for the difference. |
| Insurance | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel accident insurance | Not included | If you suffer a loss as a result of an accidental bodily injury sustained while occupying a common carrier, you are eligible for this coverage. |
| Travel emergency medical | Not included | If you require urgent medical care while on a trip outside of your home province, you will be covered for any eligible medical expenses incurred. |
| Car rental insurance | Not included | Credit card rental car insurance usually covers theft, loss and damage to your rental car in the case of an accidental collision. |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | If you have to cancel your trip before it’s even started, your prepaid travel costs will be covered up to a maximum amount if the cause of cancellation is eligible for the insurance. |
| Trip interruption | Not included | If your trip has to be cut short or is delayed after the scheduled departure date, you will be covered up to a maximum amount for an eligible cause of interruption or delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | Not included | If your flight departure is delayed by a certain number of hours, you’ll be reimbursed a certain amount for necessary and reasonable expenses. |
| Baggage loss insurance | Not included | If your checked bag cannot be located by a common carrier, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of the replacement cost of lost personal property. |
| Baggage delay insurance | Not included | If your checked bag is not delivered within a specified time upon your arrival, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost to replace essential items. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Not included | Provides protection, while you’re checked in, for your personal belongings when left unattended in your room up to a certain dollar amount. |
| Mobile insurance | Included | Reimburses a portion of your cell phone in the event it’s damaged or lost. Device coverage is limited to a certain period of time after purchasing with your credit card. |
| Purchase assurance | Included | Automatically protects new purchases by insuring them for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of loss, theft or damage. |
Details & eligibility
Fees
- Annual fee
- $0
Rates
- Purchase interest
- 21.99%
- Balance transfer rate
- 22.99%
- Cash advance rate
- 22.99%
Type
- Provider
- Scotiabank
- Card type
- Travel
- Payment network
- American Express
Eligibility
- Minimum personal income
- $12,000
- Minimum household income
- N/A
- Minimum credit score
- 660+