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Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card: Which one is better?
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
4.9
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
4.8
Finly Rebate
Finly Rebate
Promotional rebate expires on Mar 31, 2025
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$644.5
Scene+
First Year Bonus
$400
Scene+
Annual Fee
$120
First Year Value
$924.5
$524.5 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$343.9
Scene+
First Year Bonus
$300
Scene+
Annual Fee
$150
First Year Value
$493.9
$193.9 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500/person, $1000/trip
Baggage Delay
$500/person, $1,000/trip After 4 hours.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 days
Travel Accident
$500K/person, $1M/occurrence
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000/occurrence
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/tripFlight Delay
$500/person
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Insurance Included*
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1000Baggage Delay
$1000Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65,000 up to 48 daysTravel Accident
$500,000/insured, $1M combinedExtended Warranty
1 yearPurchase Protection
90 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000Emergency 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 hours
Extra Benefits*
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the 2.5% foreign transaction fees incurred when spending in non $CAD.svg)
Concierge Services
Discount
Discount on PriorityPass Membership
American Express® Experiences
Extra Benefits*
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the usual 2.5% forex fees on your purchases when you travel outside of CanadaConcierge Services
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
6 Free complimentary visits.svg)
Status lift
Avis® Preferred Plus membership
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Annual Fee*
$120
Annual Fee*
$150
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
$12,000
Min Household Income:
$12,000
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
$60,000
Min Household Income:
$100,000
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 20,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $2,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, for a limited time, you are eligible to earn a 20,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $7,500 in everyday eligible purchases in your first year.
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 30,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $2,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite cardholder, you are eligible to earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $40,000 in everyday eligible purchases annually. Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate*
- Earn 6x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
- Earn 5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
- Earn 5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
- Earn 3x Scene+ points 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+ points 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
- Earn additional benefits + up to 4x Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
Rewards Rate*
- Earn 3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
- Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options(including rideshares, buses, subways taxis and more)
- Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
- Earn additional benefits + up to 4x Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
Point Redemption Options*
Entertainment
1¢ / point
Travel
1¢ / point
Groceries (Sobeys)
1¢ / point
Restaurants
1¢ / point
Merchandise
0.76¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.74¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
0.7¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Entertainment
1¢ / pointTravel
1¢ / pointGroceries (Sobeys)
1¢ / pointRestaurants
1¢ / pointMerchandise
0.76¢ / pointGift Cards
0.74¢ / pointStatement Credits (Cash)
0.7¢ / point
Is this card worth 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.
Is this card worth 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
- 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.
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
- 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.
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.
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vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express
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Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card: When to go for one over the other
Annual Fees and Requirements
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card has a lower income requirement compared to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, which requires a higher personal or household income to qualify. Both cards have similar annual fees, but the Passport Visa Infinite has a slightly higher fee. Depending on your income level, the Gold American Express may be easier to qualify for.
Rewards Comparison
Both cards offer strong rewards, but the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card provides more points per dollar spent in key categories like groceries, dining, and entertainment. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite offers lower earning rates across these categories but includes travel-related perks. The Gold American Express is generally better for those looking to maximize rewards in daily spending categories, while frequent travelers may appreciate the balance of perks with the Visa Infinite.
Reward Redemption Options
Both cards use the Scene+ loyalty program, offering flexible redemption options for travel, entertainment, and groceries. While point values are similar across both, cashback is always more versatile. Neither card offers cashback, but both allow you to redeem points for various purchases. If flexibility is key, they are on equal footing in terms of redeeming points.
Benefits and Insurance
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card includes additional perks such as airport lounge access and Visa Infinite exclusive benefits, making it more attractive for frequent travelers. Both cards offer no foreign transaction fees and comprehensive travel insurance. However, the Gold American Express lacks the free lounge access included with the Passport Visa Infinite. If lounge access is important, the Visa card is more appealing.
Network Differences
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is less widely accepted compared to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card. American Express is not accepted in as many locations, including Costco, while Visa is accepted nearly everywhere. This makes the Visa card a better option for users who want more flexibility with where they can use their card.
Conclusion
For everyday spending and maximizing rewards, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is the better option for most people. However, frequent travelers or those who need wider card acceptance and airport lounge access should consider the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card. Choose based on your priorities: rewards for everyday spending or travel perks and flexibility.
Legal
*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information. Check here for full details and current product information.