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Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

Everything you need to know in 2025: Earn up to 6X Scene+ points on groceries, dining, entertainment and streaming, plus enjoy no foreign transaction fees and solid travel insurance.
Signup Bonus
  • 20,000 Scene+ points upon spending $2,000 in the first three months
  • 20,000 Scene+ points upon spending $7,500 in the first year
  • Total of up to 40,000 Scene+ points
Annual fee

  • $120

  • 20.99% purchases
  • 22.99% cash advances
  • 22.99% balance transfers
Earning rate:
  • 6 Scene+ points per dollar spent on Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, and more
  • 5 Scene+ points per dollar spent on groceries, dining, and entertainment
  • 4 Scene+ points per dollar spent on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent on gas, transit, and streaming services
  • 1 Scene+ point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Insurance
  • Strong

The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is an excellent card in terms of the current welcome bonus, as well as for everyday spending. You’ll earn 6 points per dollar spent at select grocery stores and 5 points per dollar spent on all other groceries, food and drinks, and entertainment venues.

This card is suitable for a wide swath of people with its generous earning rates and no foreign transaction fees.

Why Consider the Scotiabank Gold Amex?

  • Up to 6× Scene+ points at major grocery stores
  • No 2.5% foreign transaction fee, only the exchange rate applies.
  • Welcome bonus worth $400 in rewards
  • Comprehensive travel and purchase insurance included

Welcome Bonus

  • 20,000 Scene+ points after $2,000 spend in first 3 months
  • Another 20,000 points after $7,500 in first year
  • Total: 40,000 points ($400 travel value)

Earn Rates

CategoryPoints per $1
Groceries at Sobeys, FreshCo, Safeway, etc.6×
Other grocery, dining, entertainment5×
Gas, public transit, streaming services3×
All other purchases1×

Rates apply to first $50,000 annual Canadian spend in accelerator categories :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Travel & Purchase Protection

  • $1 million emergency medical insurance
  • Trip cancellation/interruption & flight delay coverage
  • Lost/delayed baggage protection
  • Rental car collision, hotel burglary, mobile device coverage

Superior coverage to protect your travels and purchases

Other Valuable Perks

  • Amex Offers & Concierge Services
  • Discounted Priority Pass membership for global lounge access :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Drawbacks to Consider

  • $120 annual fee—not waived unless tied to Scotia Priority chequing
  • Not ideal for heavy US dollar or foreign online spend since earn rates drop to 1×
  • Scene+ points cannot be transferred to airline partners

Who Should Apply?

  • Canadians who spend heavily on food, entertainment and streaming
  • Frequent international shoppers or travellers—no FX fees!
  • Those seeking reliable insurance and travel perks without elites pricing

Pro Tips to Maximize Value

  1. Use for everyday Canadian spending to capture up to 6× points
  2. Redeem via Scene+ Travel portal or directly offset purchases at 1¢/point
  3. Link with Scotia banking (Ultimate/Preferred Package) to waive first‑year fee
  4. Activate Amex Offers and apply for Priority Pass for lounge perks

Final Verdict

If you want a Canadian credit card with top-tier rewards on food, dining and streaming, no FX fees, and great travel insurance at a reasonable fee—this could be your best everyday travel companion.

Apply for Scotiabank Gold American Express

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