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Published January 1, 2024
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Scotiabank Gold American Express Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

Scotiabank Gold American Express card offers Scene+ points and great travel perks, but the annual fee may be too high for some people.

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5.0

NerdWallet Rating

Great for travellers who collect Scene+ points.

If you’re looking for an Amex that earns extra Scene+ points and you’ve always wanted a Priority Pass membership, this card may be worth considering.

Learn more about our star rating methodology.

    The Scotiabank Gold American Express is one of four Amex cards offered by Scotiabank. Cardholders earn Scene+ points on select grocery, restaurant, entertainment, transit and streaming purchases. However, points can’t be spent outside of the Scene+ platform.

    Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

    Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
    • Annual Fee
      $120
    • Interest Rates
      20.99% / 22.99%
    • Rewards Rate
      1x-6x Points
    • Intro Offer
      Up to 45,000 Points
    Product details
    • Earn up to $950* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points.¹
    • Earn 6x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
    • Earn 5x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
    • Earn 5x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
    • Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
    • Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
    • Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
    • No Foreign Transaction Fee
    • Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage
    • AMEX Offers®
    • AMEX Front of the Line®
    • American Express Invites®
    • Complimentary Concierge Services
    • Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 02, 2024. Subject to change.
    • Terms and Conditions Apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details.

    Scotiabank Gold American Express full review

    The Scotiabank Gold American Express is one of three Amex cards offered by the bank. You can earn Scene+ points on select grocery, restaurant, entertainment, transit and streaming purchases. However, you can’t earn cash back, and points can’t be spent outside of the Scene+ platform. 

    Benefits of the Scotiabank Gold Amex

    Drawbacks of the Scotiabank Gold Amex

    Who should get the Scotiabank Gold American Express card?

    The Scotiabank Gold American Express card is a great choice if you:

    Is the Scotiabank Gold American Express worth it?

    Whether the Scotiabank Gold Amex makes sense for your wallet depends on how you want to earn rewards. If you’re looking for a card that offers Scene+ points, has Amex perks and a low income requirement, this card may be worth it. However, if you want a card that offers cash back rewards or low interest rates, you’ll need to look elsewhere. 

    Scotia Bank customer ratings

    Scotiabank Gold American Express eligibility

    Who qualifies for the Scotiabank Gold American Express card?

    To qualify for the Scotiabank Gold Amex, you must:

    Approximate credit score needed for approval

    Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. What we do know is that higher scores have better chances of approval — that’s true no matter what type of credit you’re applying for.

    Want to learn more? Visit our “What Credit Score Is Needed for a Credit Card?” page.

    Scotiabank Gold American Express rewards

    Earn up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points. Spend at least $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card ownership and receive 25,000 points. Earn an additional 20,000 points if you spend at least $7,500 in the first year (offer available for limited time and only to new cardholders).

    You can earn Scene+ points on the following purchases.

    • 6x points on purchases at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more.
    • 5x points on eligible restaurants, food delivery and grocery stores.
    • 5x points on eligible ticket purchases to movies and theatres.
    • 3x points on gas and daily transit, including rideshare.
    • 3x points on select streaming services.
    • 1x points on everything else.

    The value of Scotiabank Scene+ points may vary based on the redemption method you choose, but according to NerdWallet analysis, you can expect to get around 1 cent per point on travel, movies, dining, entertainment, banking, and retail, pharmacy and grocery shopping.

    In the first year, you could potentially earn $730 in travel rewards, according to the Scotiabank website. The welcome bonus of 45,000 Scene+ points is equal to $450 in travel rewards. Plus, a year of everyday purchases can generate an average $247 in travel rewards, as well as $33 in foreign transaction fee savings, on average.

    How to apply for the Scotiabank Gold Amex

    You can apply for the Scotiabank Gold Amex via the company’s website. Follow the below steps to apply.

    1. Log in or sign up for a new account. 
    2. Enter any personal details like name and email address. 
    3. Create username and password, if you do not already have an account. .
    4. Verify your identity.
    5. Enter any employment or financial information requested. 
    6. Review the card’s terms and conditions before you submit your application.

    Scotiabank Gold Amex vs Amex Cobalt

    If you’re not committed to Scotiabank’s Scene+ program, and you’re simply looking for an Amex that earns rewards, you might consider the American Express Cobalt. The card has a similar annual fee to the Scotiabank Gold Amex but earns Amex Membership Rewards points instead.

    Scotiabank Gold American ExpressAmerican Express Cobalt
    Annual fees$120.$155.88.
    Minimum annual income$12,000.None published.
    Rewards

    • 6x points on Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and more.

    • 5x points on eligible restaurants, food delivery purchases, and on purchases at other grocery stores.

    • 5x points on eligible purchases of tickets to movies and theatres.

    • 3x points on gas and daily transit.

    • 3x points on select streaming services.

    • 1x points on everything else.

    • 5x points on eats and drinks.

    • 3x points on streaming subscriptions.

    • 2x points on travel and transit.

    • 1x points on everything else.

    • 1 additional point on Amex Travel Online on eligible hotel or car rental bookings.
    Benefits
    • Earn additional rewards when you register the card with Amex Offers.

    • Buy presale tickets through Amex’s Front Of the Line program.

    • Attend special events through the American Express Invites service.

    • Book flights through the Scene+ Travel agency.

    • Get a discount on Priority Pass membership, which grants access to over 1,200 airport lounges.
    • Earn additional rewards when you register the card with Amex Offers.

    • Transfer points to travel partners.

    • Access special events through the card’s Front Of The Line program.

    • Get a hotel credit (up to $100 USD in value) and room upgrade when available.

    • Access Amex Experiences™, which includes special offers on dining, wellness, retail and more.

    Reasons you might want a different card

    You may want to consider a different card if you:

    » MORE: Best American Express credit cards

    Scotiabank Gold American Express facts

    Scotiabank Gold American Express
    Card typeRewards credit card.
    Fees and interest rates
    Annual fee$120.
    Regular/purchase APR20.99% / 22.99%.
    Penalty APR25.99% (27.99% on cash advances) if two or more payments are missed in a 12 month period. Penalty is removed after you make the minimum payment for 12 consecutive months.
    Cash advance APR

    22.99%.
    Balance transfer APR22.99%.
    Foreign transaction feeNo foreign transaction fee.
    Rewards and benefits
    Intro offerNew cardholders can earn up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year. Earn 25,000 if you spend at least $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months. Earn an additional 20,000 if you spend at least $7,500 on eligible purchases in the first year. Terms and conditions apply.
    Reward earn ratesEarn between 1x and 6x Scene+ points on eligible purchases, such as groceries, gas and streaming services.
    Other perks
    • Access to:

      • Amex Offers.

      • Presale tickets for select events.

      • American Express Invites service.

      • Scene+ Travel, an in-house travel booking service.

    • Discount on Priority Pass membership with access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide.
    Insurance coverage
    Travel accidentUp to $500,000 ($1 million per occurrence).
    Travel medicalUp to $1 million per insured person per trip.
    Flight delayUp to $500 for necessary expenses, such as accommodation, meals and sundries.
    Baggage delayUp to $1,000 of coverage per trip for all insured persons.
    Lost or stolen baggageUp to $1,000 of coverage per trip for all insured persons.
    Hotel burglaryUp to $1,000 of coverage.
    Rental car theft/damageFor up to 48 days.
    Extended warrantyUp to one additional year.
    Purchase Protection90 days.
    Mobile Device ProtectionUp to $1,000 of mobile device protection in case of loss, theft, accidental damage or mechanical issues. Conditions apply.

    Rating Methodology

    NerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.

      Frequently asked questions about Scotiabank Gold American Express

      What is the minimum income for Scotiabank Gold American Express?

      You must have a minimum gross income of $12,000 to apply for the Scotiabank Gold American Express card.

      Does Scotiabank Gold Amex have lounge access?

      Yes, for a discount. The Scotiabank Gold American Express card offers a discount on Priority Pass membership, which grants access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide.

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