Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®: Which one is better?

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

4.3

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RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

American Express Gold Rewards Card®

4.25

More Details

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Finly Rebate

$150 Cash Rebate from FinlyWealth

Now $150 until Oct 31, 2024

Finly Rebate

N/A

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.

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$597.35

American Express Membership Rewards

Welcome Bonus

$1,260

American Express Membership Rewards

Annual Fee

$250

First Year Value

$1,607.35

$347.35 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Insurance Included

Emergency Out of province Medical

$2M/insured up to 25 days

Trip Cancellation

$1,500/person, $10,000/trip

Trip Interruption

$2,500/person, $10,000/trip

Flight Delay

$500/person after 4 hours

Lost or Stolen Baggage

$1000

Baggage Delay

$1000

Travel Accident

$500,000/insured, $1M combined

Car Rental Damage & Theft

$65,000 up to 48 days

Hotel Burglary Insurance

$1,000

Purchase Protection

90 days

Extended Warranty

1 year

Emergency Medical Over 65

$2M/insured up to 3 days

Insurance Included*

Emergency Out of province Medical

$2M/insured up to 25 days

Trip Cancellation

$1,500/person, $10,000/trip

Trip Interruption

$2,500/person, $10,000/trip

Flight Delay

$500/person after 4 hours

Lost or Stolen Baggage

$1000

Baggage Delay

$1000

Travel Accident

$500,000/insured, $1M combined

Car Rental Damage & Theft

$65,000 up to 48 days

Hotel Burglary Insurance

$1,000

Purchase Protection

90 days

Extended Warranty

1 year

Extra Benefits

Status lift

Avis® Preferred Plus membership

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass

6 Free complimentary visits

Concierge Services

Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits

Extra Benefits*

Status lift

Avis® Preferred Plus membership

Travel Credit

$100

Nexus Application

$50 statement credit every 4 years

Airport Lounge - Priority Pass

Pass only. No Complimentary visits!

Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium

4 Free complimentary visits

Complimentary Hotel Benefits

Hotels booked American Express Travel

American Express Experiences

Extra points

Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers

Interest Rates

Purchase:

20.99%

Cash Advance:

22.99%

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

21.99%²

Cash Advance:

21.99%²

Annual Fee

$150

Annual Fee*

$250

Income Required

Min Personal Income:

$60,000

Min Household Income:

$100,000

Income Required*

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

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.

Welcome Bonus*

Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in purchases on your Card in the first Year

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

Rewards Rate*

2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases

Loyalty Program

Scene+

Loyalty Program*

American Express Membership Rewards

Point Redemption Options

Merchandise

0.76¢ / point

Gift Cards

0.74¢ / point

Statement Credits

0.7¢ / point

Entertainment

1¢ / point

Travel

1¢ / point

Groceries (Sobeys)

1¢ / point

Restaurants

1¢ / point

Point Redemption Options*

Merchandise

0.76¢ / point

Gift Cards

0.74¢ / point

Statement Credits

0.7¢ / point

Most Optimal

Transfer to Airline Partners

2.1¢ / point

Fixed Point Travel Program

1.66¢ / point

Transfer to Hotel Partners

1.66¢ / point

Amazon.ca

0.7¢ / point

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.

Is this card worth it?

The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.

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.

Pros

Flexible Rewards: Enjoy flexible Membership Rewards point conversion with up to 2 points per $1 spent.
Travel Perks: Includes $100 annual travel credit and 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada.
Comprehensive Insurance: Comes with 11 types of insurance coverage.
Multiple Redemption Options: Offers 4 ways to redeem points for maximum value.

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.

Cons

High Annual Fee: The card comes with a $250 annual fee.
Foreign Transaction Fees: A 2.5% fee applies to foreign transactions.
Limited Travel Insurance for Seniors: No travel medical insurance coverage for those over 65.
Lower Acceptance: As an American Express card, it may have lower acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard.

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TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card

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Other Comparisons

vs American Express Cobalt® Card

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vs American Express® Green Card

vs PC World Elite Mastercard

vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®

vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege*

vs TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card

vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®

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vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card

vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express

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Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®: When to go for one over the other

Annual Fees and Requirements

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card has a lower annual fee compared to the American Express Gold Rewards Card. The minimum income requirement for the Scotiabank Passport is also specific, requiring either a $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income, while the Amex Gold Rewards has no official income requirement. This makes the Amex card slightly more accessible in terms of eligibility, but those seeking a lower annual cost might prefer the Scotiabank card.

Rewards Comparison

The American Express Gold Rewards Card generally offers higher rewards potential across multiple categories, especially for travel-related spending. It has a larger welcome bonus and offers more points per dollar spent on specific purchases such as gas, groceries, and travel. The Scotiabank Passport also offers decent rewards but doesn’t quite match the earning potential of Amex. People seeking maximum yearly value and a higher signup bonus should lean towards Amex Gold, while Scotiabank Passport is still competitive in specific categories like travel.

Reward Redemption Options

The Scotiabank Passport card offers flexible redemption options with its Scene+ program, including travel, gift cards, and merchandise. However, the American Express Gold Rewards Card has more valuable point transfer options, especially for airline and hotel loyalty programs, making it a better choice for frequent flyers. Both cards allow statement credits and other redemption methods, but Amex Gold’s transfer flexibility gives it a significant advantage for travel enthusiasts.

Benefits and Insurance

Both cards offer comprehensive insurance coverage, including travel medical, trip interruption, and car rental insurance. However, Scotiabank Passport’s unique benefit of no foreign transaction fees stands out, making it excellent for international travelers. Amex Gold offers additional perks such as a $100 annual travel credit and access to premium lounges, but it does charge a foreign transaction fee. Depending on your travel habits, Scotiabank’s no foreign fees could make a significant difference for international use.

Card Network and Acceptance

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card benefits from being part of the Visa network, which is widely accepted worldwide, making it an excellent choice for international travelers. Visa is generally accepted in more locations than American Express, especially outside North America. The American Express Gold Rewards Card, while offering excellent perks, has more limited acceptance internationally. This difference could be a key factor for those who frequently travel abroad, as Visa's broader acceptance ensures more convenience when making purchases in various countries.

Conclusion

For most users, the American Express Gold Rewards Card provides more value in terms of rewards, flexibility, and travel perks. Frequent travelers and those looking to maximize their points with airlines and hotels should lean towards Amex Gold. However, if you prioritize avoiding foreign transaction fees, broader international acceptance, or prefer a lower annual fee, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite may be the better option, particularly for international travelers.

Annual Fees and Requirements
Rewards Comparison
Reward Redemption Options
Benefits and Insurance
Card Network and Acceptance
Conclusion

Legal

^*American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check for full details and current product information.

² If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 28.99%.