When comparing the new Tangerine Scene credit card and the CIBC Adapta Mastercard, the Tangerine shines for its overall value and convenient travel benefits. The Adapta card, though, is a worthwhile option for anyone who wants to avoid an annual fee.
What makes these cards similar? Adapta is an adaptive reward system that automatically applies a 1.5X multiplier to your top 3 spending categories. Similarly, the Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard earns 1.5X Scene+ points in 3 categories of your choosing.
Comparing a World Elite Mastercard with a more basic Mastercard is tricky, since the World Elite program automatically provides significant advantages. Plus, going for a more basic card means you're more likely to meet the eligibility requirements.
This article walks you through what makes each of these two cards unique, so you can determine which one better fits your lifestyle and spending habits.
Key Takeaways
- Comparing the CIBC Adapta vs. Tangerine Scene+ credit cards shows that the Tangerine product is more valuable and offers more perks.
- The CIBC Adapta Mastercard is a no-fee Mastercard that earns Adapta rewards points.
- The Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard is a premium Mastercard that earns Scene+ reward points.
- Adapta points can only be redeemed for CIBC financial products, but Scene+ gives flexible reward options like travel, store discounts, fuel discounts, and more.
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CIBC Adapta vs. Tangerine Scene+ Credit Card overview
Here's how the Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard and CIBC Adapta Mastercard compare.
| Feature | Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard | CIBC Adapta Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 | $0 |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 30,000 bonus points (terms) | Up to 6,000 bonus points (terms) |
| Rewards | * 1.5 Scene+ points per $1 spent in 3 reward categories of your choice * 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * 2 Adapta points on eligible travel purchases made through CIBC by Expedia, or * 1.5 Adapta points for every dollar you spend in your top 3 spend categories, or * 1 Adapta point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases |
| Highest earn categories | 3 categories of your choosing | Travel from CIBC by Expedia, followed by your top 3 spending categories |
| Insurance | 12 | 2 |
| Special features | * Customizable rewards * Fuel discount at Shell stations * 4 free airport lounge passes per year * Welcome bonus and annual bonus | * Roadside assistance * Fuel discount at Journie stations * Low income requirements |
| Best for | * People who travel frequently * People who want flexible rewards | * People who might not qualify for a premium credit card * People who want a no-fee card |
| Learn more | Learn more | Learn more |
What we love about the Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Pros:
- Choose your own top 3 earning categories
- Welcome bonus worth up to $300
- 4 free airport lounge passes per year
- Discounts on fuel at Shell stations
- Valuable balance transfer offer
Cons:
- Lower rewards compared to other World Elite Mastercards
- High income requirements
Scene+ rewards
Scene+, operated by Scotiabank, is one of Canada's most popular loyalty reward programs. It's free to join, and you can earn by shopping with Scene+ partners or using a Scene+ credit card. You can redeem your points for in-store and online discounts, travel, gift cards, financial products, and fuel discounts.
Generally, your points are worth around 1 cent per point (CPP), but play around with the Scene+ calculator to get an idea of the best redemption options.
| Redemption Option | Point Value | Total Value |
|---|---|---|
| Cineplex theatres | 1 cent | $100 |
| Recipe Unlimited Restaurants | 1 cent | $100 |
| Any travel from Expedia Scene+ | 1 cent | $100 |
| Sobeys stores | 1 cent | $100 |
| Any travel (Scene+ credit and debit cardholders only) | 1 cent | $100 |
| Home Hardware | 1 cent | $100 |
| Statement credits | 0.8 cents | $80 |
| Apple & Best Buy Merchandise | 0.77 cents | $77 |
| Gift Cards | 0.74 cents | $74 |
Airport lounge access
This World Elite Mastercard includes a free Mastercard Travel Pass managed by DragonPass. It also comes with 4 free airport lounge passes each year. That gives you access to over 1,400 airport lounges around the world.
Annual bonus
Many cards give a welcome bonus, but few give you a bonus just for being a regular cardholder. The Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard rewards you with 10,000 Scene+ points if you spend $30,000 over the course of the year. Even better? You can earn this reward every year.
Generous insurance
This card's impressive insurance package includes the elusive mobile device and event-ticket cancellation coverages. These, plus $5 million in emergency medical coverage, rental car coverage, standard purchase protection, etc., combine to form a valuable, well-rounded insurance package.
Welcome bonus
The Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard offers a Scene+ point welcome bonus worth up to $300. Qualifying for this bonus is pretty easy, too, requiring only $ 2,000 in spending over the first 90 days, plus signing up for e-statements.
What we love about the CIBC Adapta Mastercard
Pros:
- Automatic calculations and rewards for your top spending 3 categories
- Free roadside assistance
- Discounts on fuel at Jourie Rewards stations
- 12-month free Skip+ membership
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Very few point redemption options
- Unipressive welcome bonus
Free roadside assistance
This Mastercard gives you free roadside assistance through Dominion Automobile Association. This membership service is valued at $50 a year but is invaluable when you're in a pinch, stranded on the side of the road somewhere with no gas – or whatever the case may be.
Adapta points
Adapta is a relatively new reward program from CIBC. You can only earn Adapta points with an Adapta Mastercard, but you'll earn them for all your purchases. To redeem your points, simply decide if you'd like a statement credit for your card or a deposit into a CIBC financial product.
Be aware that deposits into financial products typically offer better value than statement credits. Plus, you can fund accounts like your RRSP or TFSA, or even pay down your mortgage.
Fuel savings at Journie Rewards gas stations
You can already earn extra Adapta points if you choose "Gas and EV charging" as a bonus category, but you'll also get up to 10 cents off per litre when you link your card to your Journie Rewards membership.
No annual fee
Whether you can't afford an annual credit card fee, don't use cards enough to justify the cost, or simply don't want to pay one, you'll be pleased to learn that the CIBC Adapta Mastercard doesn't charge a usage fee at all. Plus, you can even add a supplementary card for free.
Relatively easy eligibility requirements
It's probably not surprising to learn that it's easier to qualify for the standard Mastercard, rather than the World Elite Mastercard. For one thing, the CIBC Adapta Mastercard only requires a fair credit score, and only asks for $15,000 in household income.
How do the CIBC Adapta vs. Tangerine Scene+ Credit Card compare?
Now that you know what makes each card shine, how do they compare when they're side by side?
Best rewards: Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Scene+ points can be worth up to 1 CPP, making them much more valuable than the 0.67 – 0.83 CPP value of the Adapta points. This means the Tangerine Scene+ credit card offers significantly more value than the CIBC Adapta Mastercard.
You'll also have more options when it comes to redeeming your Scene+ points compared to Adapta points, which can only be put toward statement credits or financial products.
Best benefits: Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard
As a World Elite Mastercard, the Tangerine Scene+ credit card offers competitive perks and benefits, including a welcome bonus, an annual bonus, airport lounge access, and a comprehensive insurance package.
It's hard for a no-fee credit card like the CIBC Adapta Mastercard to compete with a premium World Elite card, but the lack of a fee is its own benefit.
Best insurance: Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard
There's really no contest when it comes to insurance coverage – the Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard has 12 types of coverage, while the 2 simply offers basic extended warranty and purchase protection.
Lowest annual fee: CIBC Adapta Mastercard
As a no-fee option, the CIBC Adapta Mastercard easily wins for the lowest annual fee.
The Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard's charges $120 fee is quite reasonable, especially considering all the associated perks and benefits – but it's still an annual expense that users need to plan for.
Lowest eligibility requirements: CIBC Adapta Mastercard
The basic CIBC Adapta Mastercard only requires applicants to have a fair credit score and $15,000 of household income – there's no specified amount needed for personal income at all. This makes it considerably easier to qualify for this card than the Tangerine option.
World Elite Mastercards typically have much stricter eligibility requirements, and the Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard is no exception. You'll need a good credit score and $0 personal or $15,000 household income.
Overall winner: Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard
The bottom line is that the Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard wins the overall comparison because it has many more benefits and earns more valuable rewards. As long as you meet the eligibility requirements, you'll find that the Tangerine Scene+ credit card easily makes up for its annual fee in insurance coverage, airport lounge passes, and Scene+ rewards.
The Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard is excellent for someone with established credit and income who wants travel benefits. However, the CIBC Adapta Mastercard is a much better choice for someone still building credit or trying to keep fees at a minimum.
Top alternative: Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card
If you really want a Scene+ credit card, but don't meet the Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard's strict eligibility requirements, consider the no-fee Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card.
With this Scene+ card, you'll earn:
- 2 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, Home Hardware, and Cineplex
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
This card does require a better credit score than the CIBC Adapta Mastercard, but the $0 in personal income is even better than Adapta's requirement.
FAQ
How do the CIBC Adapta vs. Tangerine Scene+ credit cards compare?
The Tangerine Scene+ credit card is harder to qualify for, but the Scene+ points it earns are more valuable and provide more redemption options. On the other hand, the CIBC card is a no-fee option that earns Adapta points. The points aren't as valuable, but redeeming them for financial products and statement credits is very convenient.
Which Tangerine credit card is best?
The best Tangerine credit card is the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card. This no-fee Mastercard lets you choose up to 3 reward categories to earn top cash back, and you can redeem it as a statement credit or have it direct deposited into your Tangerine savings account.
What is the CIBC Adapta credit card?
The CIBC Adapta Mastercard is a basic Mastercard issued by CIBC that earns Adapta points for everyday purchases. You can redeem these points for statement credits or for CIBC financial products, such as RRSP contributions, TFSA deposits, or mortgage payments.
Is it hard to get a Tangerine credit card?
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is quite easy to qualify for, the Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard has a bit higher and stricter eligibility requirements, and the Tangerine Scene+ card is the hardest Tangerine credit card to get. This World Elite card requires $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income and a very good credit score.
What are the benefits of a Tangerine credit card?
The biggest benefit of Tangerine credit cards is the ability to choose your own top rewards categories. You get to change your mind too, and switch categories every 90 days if you like. This opportunity to evaluate your spending goes a long way towards maximizing your card's benefits.
What is the best World Elite Mastercard in Canada?
The best World Elite Mastercard in Canada is the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard. It has a fantastic earn rate – 2.86% – as well as extensive insurance coverage, a decent welcome bonus, and a 10% points bonus on your birthday each year.
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