Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card: Which one is better?
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
4.9
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
4.3
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
Finly Rebate
Now $200 until Oct 31, 2024
Finly Rebate
Expires Oct 31, 2024
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$613.54
Scene+
Welcome Bonus
$450
Scene+
Annual Fee
$120
First Year Value
$1,063.54
$493.54 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$333.58
Scene+
Welcome Bonus
$250
Scene+
Annual Fee
$150
First Year Value
$433.58
$183.58 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included
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 hours
Flight Delay
$500/person
Travel Accident
$500K/person, $1M/occurrence.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000/occurrence
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to a year
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Insurance Included
Emergency Out of province Medical
$1M, Up to 25 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$1M, Up to 3 daysTrip Cancellation
$1500/person, $10000/tripTrip Interruption
$1500/person, $10,000/tripLost or Stolen Baggage
$500/person, $1000/tripBaggage Delay
$500/person, $1,000/trip After 4 hoursFlight Delay
$500/personTravel Accident
$500K/person, $1M/occurrenceCar Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1000/occurrencePurchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a year
Extra Benefits
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the 2.5% foreign transaction fees incurred when spending in non $CAD.svg)
Concierge Services
American Express Experiences
Discount
Discount on PriorityPass Membership
Extra Benefits
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the 2.5% foreign transaction fees incurred when spending in non $CADConcierge Services
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
6 Free complimentary visits.svg)
Status lift
Avis® Preferred Plus membership
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
$0
First Year Waived
Annual Fee
$150
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$12,000
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$60,000
Min Household Income:
$100,000
Welcome Bonus
Earn 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1,000 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 25,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $1000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, another 10,000 bonus Scene+ points after making $40,000 of purchases annually.
Rewards Rate
- 6 Points on on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
- 5 Points dining and at other eligible grocery stores, entertainment purchases which includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies
- 3 Point on Rides which includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subways and more
- 3 Points on eligible streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Crave and more)
- 1 Point on everything else
Rewards Rate
- 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
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
0.7¢ / point
Point Redemption Options
Entertainment
1¢ / pointTravel
1¢ / pointGroceries (Sobeys)
1¢ / pointRestaurants
1¢ / pointMerchandise
0.76¢ / pointGift Cards
0.74¢ / pointStatement Credits
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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