Best Scotiabank Credit Cards in Canada For 2024
Kevin Shahnazari
Author5 min read
Every credit card caters to different needs. Scotiabank has some strong contenders in each category. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, points enthusiast or counting on cashback – there’s a card created with you in mind.
We’ve compiled a list of the best Scotiabank credit cards in Canada out of all the best credit cards in Canada, designed to give you insight into what makes each one so special.
Best Overall Scotiabank Credit Card
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
4.9
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 45,000 Scene+ points ($450 value)
Annual Fee*
$120
Interest Rates*
20.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is one of our favorite cards. It has a very solid rewards program, earning one of the highest rewards among all credit cards in Canada. In addition, it offers comprehensive travel benefits, including the rare and valuable no foreign transaction fee benefit, making it a great and balanced credit card in terms of both rewards and benefits. The first-year annual fee waiver is the cherry on top, providing even greater value to cardholders.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No foreign transaction fee saves you 2.5% on all non-CAD purchases.
- Rewards cover all high-spending categories, including food, groceries, entertainment, and gas.
- Comprehensive coverage of all travel insurance.
Cons
- The card network is American Express, which might not be widely accepted in some countries, making it a bit harder to use the no foreign transaction fee benefit.
- Having a lounge pass would have made this card even more perfect, but there is access to a discount code for lounge access pass purchases.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 6 Points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
- 5 Points per $1 spent on eligible dining, other grocery stores, entertainment purchases including movies, theatre, and ticket agencies
- 3 Points per $1 spent on rides which includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subways and more
- 3 Points per $1 spent on eligible streaming service payments (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Crave and more)
- 1 Point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
$1M, Up to 25 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$1M, Up to 3 days
Trip Cancellation
$1500/person, $10000/trip
Trip Interruption
$1500/person, $10,000/trip
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500/person, $1000/trip
Baggage Delay
$500/person, $1,000/trip After 4 hoursFlight Delay
$500/person
Travel Accident
$500K/person, $1M/occurrence.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000/occurrence
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits*
Details*
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the 2.5% foreign transaction fees incurred when spending in non $CAD
American Express® Experiences
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Concierge Services
Discount
Discount on PriorityPass Membership
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$12,000 personal or $12,000 household
All you need is a decent annual income, a small annual fee to spare after the first year, and a good credit score to go gold. The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is packed with perks and points, plus built-in travel advantages. To top it all off, it’s equipped with no foreign transaction fees – when most credit card companies add a fee of 2.5%.
Besides its benefits abroad, this card is perfect for popular expenses, with Scotia Scene+ points for every dollar spent on groceries, transportation, entertainment, and gas. Ultimately, this card wins the competition by having one of the highest reward rates in Canada and a good balance of perks.
Best Scotiabank Credit Card for Travelers
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
4.8
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 35,000 Scene+ points
Annual Fee*
$150
Interest Rates*
20.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is a strong choice for frequent travelers, especially those who value flexibility and premium perks. It stands out with its rare benefit of no foreign transaction fees, making international purchases more cost-effective. Additionally, the card offers a valuable blend of travel perks, including airport lounge access, comprehensive insurance coverage, and flexible rewards, making it an ideal companion for those who frequently travel abroad and want to avoid extra fees while enjoying premium benefits.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High Rewards on Select Purchases: Earn up to 3 points per $1 spent on select categories.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Shop abroad without additional charges.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Includes 11 types of insurance coverage.
- Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy up to 6 airport lounge passes per year through the Visa Airport Companion program.
Cons
- High Income Requirements: Requires $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income.
- Lower Overall Rewards: Rewards potential is lower compared to premium credit cards.
- High Annual Fee: Comes with a significant annual fee.
- Average Insurance Coverage: Insurance benefits are standard, not exceptional.
- Mediocre Earnings Potential: The card’s rewards structure might not offer the highest returns for every spender.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 3 Points on on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
- 2 Points dining and at other eligible grocery stores, entertainment purchases which includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies and Rides which includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subways and more
- 1 Point on everything else
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
$2M/insured up to 25 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$2M/insured up to 3 daysTrip Cancellation
$1,500/person, $10,000/tripTrip Interruption
$2,500/person, $10,000/tripFlight Delay
$500/person after 4 hoursLost or Stolen Baggage
$1000Baggage Delay
$1000Travel Accident
$500,000/insured, $1M combinedCar Rental Damage & Theft
$65,000 up to 48 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Benefits*
Details*
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the usual 2.5% forex fees on your purchases when you travel outside of Canada
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
6 Free complimentary visits.svg)
Status lift
Avis® Preferred Plus membershipConcierge Services
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
There’s a reason it’s called the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, just like your actual passport, this card is an essential travel companion.
Unpack travel benefits that start inside the airport lounge (with 6 free visits), continue into take-off, and follow you well after touchdown. When traveling within your destination, it’s possible to earn points by hopping into a taxi, catching a bus, or exploring the city by subway. Plus, enjoy stress-free souvenir shopping with zero foreign transaction fees, one of this card's top selling points.
Compared to the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card (featured further down in this post), which is also ideal for travel, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card has a smaller annual fee, a lower credit score requirement, and a more widely accepted network, making it better for use around the world (think of places in Europe) that don't always accept American Express cards.
Best Scotiabank Credit Card for Cashback
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
4
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
10% Cash Back (up to $200 value)
Annual Fee*
$120
Interest Rates*
20.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The 4% cashback offered on groceries and recurring purchases is the highest among all other credit cards. With the first year's annual fee waived, and with the right transactions used on this credit card, a high amount of cashback could be earned.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Highest Cashback rates on Groceries and Recurring purchases compared to other cashback credit cards.
- High insurance coverage.
- First year annual fee waived.
Cons
- The base cashback rate (1%) is low for most high spent categories, especially after the first year when the card's annual fee kicks in.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 4% cashback on groceries, recurring payments (maximum $1000 cashback per year)
- 2% cashback on gas, daily transit (maximum $500 cashback per year)
- 1% cashback on all other credit card purchases (unlimited).
Insurance*
Coverage*
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000Travel Accident
$500,000Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysTrip Interruption
$2,000Trip Cancellation
$1,500Flight Delay
$500Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500Baggage Delay
$500Car Rental Damage & Theft
48 daysPurchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A CarVisa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Yes
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
Sometimes, it pays to pay. For a small annual investment, which is waived in your first year, get the best cashback simply by grabbing your groceries or tapping your card for other recurring purchases when you apply for a Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card. With 4% cashback in these categories, you're receiving one of the highest cashback rates in these categories among all credit cards in Canada.
With rewards like these, it’s true what they say at Scotiabank, “you’re richer than you think.”
Best Low-Interest Scotiabank Credit Card
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card
3.5
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 60,000 Scene+ points ($600 value)
Annual Fee*
$399
Interest Rates*
9.99% / 9.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express is the perfect choice for those seeking a super premium credit card without steep income requirements. With a high flat rate of rewards on all purchases, extensive insurance coverage, and flexible travel redemption options, it offers full-featured perks that cater to frequent travelers and savvy spenders alike.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Low Interest Rate: Offers a competitive interest rate of 9.99%.
- Strong Rewards: Earn 2x Scene+ points on all purchases.
- Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy 10 complimentary lounge visits, including Plaza Premium Lounges, through Priority Pass (membership required).
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance: Includes extensive coverage for travel-related needs.
- Flexible Travel Rewards: Points can be redeemed for travel bookings with any provider.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Shop internationally without extra charges.
Cons
- High Annual Fee: The annual fee is steep compared to similar cards offering similar perks.
- Limited Premium Perks: Lacks top-tier travel benefits like free checked baggage and priority boarding.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
2 points on all eligible purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
$2M, Up to 31 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$2M, Up to 10 daysTrip Cancellation
$2500/person, $10000/tripLost or Stolen Baggage
$500/person, $1000/tripTrip Interruption
$5000/person, $25000/tripBaggage Delay
$1000 After 4 hoursFlight Delay
$1000/personTravel Accident
$500K/person, $1M/occurrenceCar Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1000/occurrenceMobile Device Insurance
$1000Purchase Protection
120 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a year
Benefits*
Details*
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
10 visits, 4 visits for secondary card (combined with the Priority pass)Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
10 visits, 4 visits for secondary card (combined with the Plaza Premium)American Express® Experiences
Concierge Services
Discount
Discount on PriorityPass MembershipStatus lift
Hertz #1 Club Gold Member
Extra points
Extra 3 Scene+ points per Canadian dollar spent on hotel and car rental bookings made through Scene+ Travel using your Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card
Eligibility*
Credit Score
ExcellentAnnual Income
$12,000 personal
Low-interest, high rewards. That's what the premium Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card is all about. Invest in this card to earn generous points on all eligible purchases and 10 complimentary VIP airport lounge visits per year.
Among a long list of benefits and insurance coverage, the low 9.99% interest rate is the highlight. Since other cards charge an interest rate of around 20%, when you use the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card, you pay half of what other Scotiabank credit card users are paying.
Best No Annual Fee Scotiabank Credit Card
Scotiabank American Express® Card
3.2
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 5,000 Scene+ points ($50 value)
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates*
19.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
If you're looking to earn travel rewards without an annual fee, the Scotiabank American Express® Card is a great choice. It offers flexible Scene+ points on everyday purchases, allowing you to redeem rewards for travel, entertainment, and more—all while enjoying plenty of perks at no extra cost.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong Rewards: Earn flexible Scene+ points on all everyday purchases.
- Mobile Device Insurance: Comes with coverage for your mobile devices.
- Exclusive Perks: Access special offers, experiences, and more through American Express Invites.
- No Annual Fee: Enjoy all these benefits without paying an annual fee.
Cons
- Limited Insurance Coverage: Insurance is confined to mobile devices and purchase security & extended warranty protection.
- Lower Acceptance: Due to being an American Express network card, less merchants may accept it.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 3 Points on on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
- 2 Points dining and at other eligible grocery stores, entertainment purchases which includes movie theaters, and ticket agencies
- 2 Point on Rides which includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subways and more
- 2 Points on eligible streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Crave and more)
- 1 Point on everything else
Insurance*
Coverage*
Mobile Device Insurance
$500Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a year
Benefits*
Details*
American Express® Experiences
Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$12,000 personal
No annual fees, plenty of annual perks. The Scotiabank American Express Card grants you Scene+ points on all your everyday purchases, American Express experiences, and insurance inclusions like mobile device coverage without the upfront investment.
Scotiabank® Scene+ Visa Card
3.3
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 5,000 Scene+ points
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates*
20.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
We like this card because it offers solid rewards with no annual fee, including the opportunity to earn up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points within the first 3 months. With 2x Scene+ points on purchases at popular grocery stores, home improvement retailers, and Cineplex, plus 1x points on all other purchases, it's a great option for maximizing everyday spending.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No Annual Fee: Enjoy all the benefits without any yearly cost.
- Universal Rewards: Earn rewards on every purchase, no matter where you shop.
- Flexible Redemption: Redeem your rewards with a variety of options tailored to your needs.
Cons
- Limited Accelerated Categories: Fewer opportunities to earn bonus points in specific categories.
- Specific Grocery Partners: Rewards at grocery stores are limited to select partners.
- Lacks Travel Insurance: Missing some of the common travel insurance coverages offered by other cards.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 2 Points on on every $1 you spend at Cineplex, Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
- 1 Point on everything else
Benefits*
Details*
Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
If you're worried about the lower acceptance that comes with an American Express no annual fee card, then the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card is the points card for you. With rewards linked to all your purchases from any store, tons of bonus Scene+ points in the first few months, and extra points when used at places like top grocery stores and Cineplex, there's major value in this visa.
Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card
2.9
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
5% Cash back (up to $2,000 in purchases)
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates*
19.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The Scotiabank Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card is ideal for those seeking a straightforward, entry-level credit card to build their credit while earning modest cash back on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and bills. With no annual fee, a competitive balance transfer offer, and a high spending cap, it's a practical choice for young adults or newcomers who want to earn rewards without the complexities of more premium cards.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No Annual Fee: Enjoy cash back rewards without any annual cost.
- Welcome Offer: Get 5% cash back on purchases for the first three months (up to $100).
- Cash Back Rewards: Earn up to 1% cash back in select categories.
Cons
- Lower Earn Rate: Offers a below-average cash back rate compared to other cards.
- Annual Redemption: Cash back can only be redeemed once per year.
- Lacks Insurance Coverage: No travel or consumer insurance, including purchase protection and extended warranty.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 1% cash back on gas, groceries, drug store and recurring payments
- 0.5% cash back on all other credit card purchases (unlimited).
Benefits*
Details*
Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$12,000 personal
More of a cashback kind of cardholder? The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card is another great choice without an annual fee. It's best for balance transfers and beginners looking to build credit on their day-to-day expenses. If we could describe this card in two words, those words would be simple and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a certain credit score to get a Scotiabank credit card?
Typically, you'll want a credit score of about 660, which is considered "good." Keep in mind that if you're opting for one of Scotiabank's premium credit cards, you may need a higher score. Since the cards in this post are Scotiabank's best of the best, a few of them require an "excellent" credit score, which is a score of around 725. The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card, and the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card all require an excellent credit score.
How do I apply for a Scotiabank credit card?
Click the "Apply Now" button below any of the above Scotiabank credit cards to get your application started. If you want to browse more Scotiabank credit cards, check out our Best Credit Card Finder tool.
Can annual fees be waived for Scotiabank credit cards?
Yes, most of the time, Scotiabank has active promotions where they waive the first-year annual fee for some cards. You can go for one of these cards to earn a high first-year value from the card.