Scotiabank runs Scene+, one of the most flexible rewards programs in Canada. Sign up for a free membership or a Scene+ credit card to start collecting and redeeming points at partners like Cineplex, Sobeys, and Home Hardware.
Key Takeaways
- Scene+ is the rewards program for Scotiabank, Cineplex, and Sobeys.
- You can trade 1,000 Scene+ points for $10 off at 30+ restaurants, movie theatres, grocery stores, hardware stores, and travel providers.
- Members earn Scene+ points by presenting their membership at partner stores or shopping with certain Scotiabank credit and debit cards.
- You can redeem Scene+ points for in-store discounts, gift cards, statement credits, or travel credits.
- Scene+ is suited to young credit cardholders looking for moderate discounts on a variety of food and entertainment rewards.
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What is Scene+?
Scene+ is the rewards program for Scotiabank, Sobeys, and Cineplex. Grab a free membership or a Scene+ credit card to collect points at 30+ partner stores – including Cineplex, Sobeys, and Home Hardware – and redeem them for cash, in-store rebates, gift cards, and travel.
Scene+ overview
Currency: Scene+ Points
Rewards categories: Cash, gift cards, travel, and in-store and online discounts at partner pharmacies, restaurants, hardware stores, movie theatres, and entertainment complexes
Pros:
- 750+ online partner stores
- 60+ gift card brands available for redemption
- 30+ Scene+ partner stores
- 6 Scene+ credit cards
- 4 redemption options
- Points worth up to 1 cent CAD each
- Free membership
- Members-only deals and pricing at partner grocery stores and pharmacies
Cons:
- Points worth as little as 0.67 cents CAD each
- Limited earning and redemption options
What are Scene+ points worth?
Getting your money’s worth from a credit card rewards program means picking the most valuable redemption option. Depending on which option you choose, Scene+ provides a fixed value of 0.67 – 1 cents per point (CPP).
Value of reward in $CAD / value of reward in points x 100 = value of reward in cents per point (CPP)
Whereas most rewards programs only provide one or two ways to redeem your points for full value, Scene+ offers 4, making it a flexible rewards program. From most to least valuable, the redemption options are:
| Reward category | Options | Value |
|---|---|---|
| In-store and online discounts | * Cineplex movie theatres and the Cineplex Store * Home Hardware and affiliated stores * Partner grocery stores such as Foodland, IGA, and Sobeys * Partner restaurants such as East Side Mario’s, Harvey’s, and Swiss Chalet * Playdium * Rec Room | 1 CPP |
| Travel | * Apply points to travel * Scene+ travel | 1 CPP |
| Gift cards | * Alcohol * Apparel * Department store * Electronics * Entertainment * Food and beverages * Grocery * Health and beauty * Movies | 0.71 – 1 CPP |
| Points for credit | * Banking account deposits * Credit card statement credits | 0.67 – 0.7 CPP |
How to earn Scene+ points
There are only 3 ways to earn Scene+ points:
- Shop at Scene+ partners
- Use a Scotiabank debit card
- Use a Scotiabank Scene+ credit card
You can earn bonus points by taking advantage of occasional promotions but the fastest way to earn points is to shop at Scene+ partners using a Scene+ credit or debit card. We’ll give you an overview of each method so you can combine them as you please.
Shop at Scene+ partners
The only way to earn Scene+ points without signing up for a Scotiabank credit or debit card is to sign up for a free account and shop at partner stores. Head to sceneplus.ca, create an account, and download the app. You’ll receive your digital membership card immediately, but you can also request a physical card if you prefer to do things old-school.
The next time you visit a Scene+ partner store, present your digital or physical membership card before payment. There are 34 businesses in Canada offering up to 6 Scene+ points for every $1 you spend.
| Partner store(s) | Eligible transactions | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Canada | * Online purchases on the Rakuten shopping portal | Up to 20% cash back in points |
| * Chalo! FreshCo * Co-op * Foodland * FreshCo * IGA * Lawtons * Les Marchés Tradition * Rachelle-Béry * Safeway * Thrifty Foods * Voilà | * In-store purchases * Mobile app orders * Weekly flyer and mobile app offers | Varies based on personalized offers |
| Cineplex movie theatres | * Food and beverage purchases (excluding alcohol) * Movie tickets | 5 points per $1 spent |
| Expedia via Scene+ portal | * Car rentals * Hotel bookings | 3 points per $1 spent |
| * Chalo! FreshCo Pharmacy * FreshCo Pharmacy * Lawtons Drugs * Pharmacy at Safeway * Sobeys Pharmacy * Thrifty Foods Pharmacy | * In-store purchases * Flyer offers * Prescriptions (NB, MB, SK customers only) | Varies based on personalized offers |
| Cineplex Store | * Digital movie rentals * Digital movie purchases | 1 point per $1 spent |
| Rec Room and Playdium | * Food and beverage purchases (excluding alcohol) * Gaming * Entertainment purchases | 1 point per $1 spent |
| * Home Hardware * Home Building Centre * Home Furniture * Home Hardware Building Centre | * In-store purchases * Online purchases | 50 points per $50 spent |
| Needs Convenience | * In-store purchases * Lottery purchases (Atlantic Canada only) | 1 point per $2 spent |
| * Bier Markt * East Side Mario's * Harvey's * Kelsey's Original Roadhouse * Montana's BBQ & Bar * Swiss Chalet | * Dine-in purchases * Drive-thru orders * Takeout orders (excluding 3rd-party food delivery apps such as DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, or Uber Eats) | 1 point per $3 spent |
Use a Scotiabank debit card
Presenting your membership card at a Scene+ partner store doesn’t stop you from collecting debit or credit card rewards on the same purchase.
Scotiabank chequing accounts let you earn Scene+ points every time you use your debit card. Regardless of the type of account, you’ll earn 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on every debit purchase – and not just at partner stores.
Use a Scotiabank Scene+ credit card
If you’re serious about maximizing your Scene+ points, a Scene+ credit card will give you the highest rate of return.
Value of rewards in $CAD / money spent in $CAD x 100 = rate of return in %
The higher a credit card’s rate of return, the higher your rewards. For example, showing your Scene+ membership card at Sobeys and using your Scene+ credit card to pay will yield a rate of return of up to 12% – or $12 in points for every $100 you spend!
There are 7 credit cards you can use to "double-dip" Scene+ points in Canada.
| Credit card | Current offer | Annual fee | Rewards | Max. additional rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Gold American Express Card |  $60 GeniusCash + Up to 50,000 bonus points, first year free (terms) | $120 | * 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and more * 5 Scene+ points per $1 spent on groceries, dining, and entertainment * 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent on gas, select streaming services, and transit * 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases * 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other purchases | 6% |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card | $30 GeniusCash + 35,000 bonus points (terms) | $150 | * 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and more * 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent on groceries, restaurants, entertainment, and daily transit * 1 Scene+ point per $1 on all other purchases | 3% |
| Scotiabank American Express Card | 7,500 bonus points (terms) | $0 | * 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and more * 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent on grocery, dining and entertainment, gas, daily transit, and select streaming services * 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other purchases | 3% |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $175 GeniusCash + Up to 80,000 bonus points (terms) | $599 | * 3 points per $1 spent on travel * 2 points per $1 spent on restaurants and entertainment * 1 point per $1 on all other purchases | 3% |
| Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card | $175 GeniusCash + Up to 60,000 80,000 bonus points (terms) | $399 | * 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent on all purchases | 2% |
| Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card | 5,000 bonus points (terms) | $0 | * 2 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, Home Hardware, and Cineplex * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | 2% |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card | $125 GeniusCash + Up to 40,000 bonus points (terms) | $199 | * 1.5 points per $1 spent | 1.5% |
The best of the bunch is the premium Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. Packed with perks and with no foreign transaction fees, it makes an ideal travel credit card.
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GC: $60
1x Award winner If you prefer to get free airport lounge access with your credit card, check out the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card, and Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card. You’ll keep saving 2.5% on foreign exchange fees, gain a comprehensive travel insurance package, and get up to 10 free airport lounge visits per year.
GC: $30
GC: $175
GC: $175
As for cards with no annual fees, the Scotiabank American Express Card and Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card earn up to 3 Scene+ points on purchases at partner stores. You can also keep your earnings at a steady pace of 1.5 Scene+ per $1 spent using the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card, the only Scene+ business credit card.
GC: $125
How to redeem Scene+ points
Regardless of how you joined the Scene+ program, you can check your points balance at any time by logging into the Scene+ mobile app or website.
If you’re happy with the total, you can redeem your points in one of 5 ways.
In-store and online discounts
Options: $5 – $10 off at Scene+ partner grocery stores, movie theatres, pharmacies, restaurants, and hardware stores
Most valuable option: Any option at 1 CPP
How to redeem:
With just a few exceptions, you can redeem Scene+ points at the same stores where you collected them. The process is very similar:
- To get an in-store discount, present your Scene+ membership before payment and ask to redeem your chosen amount.
- To get an online discount, enter your Scene+ membership number during the checkout process and choose to pay for all or part of your order in points.
But you can’t redeem Scene+ points towards:
- Needs Convenience store purchases
- Rakuten purchases
- Alcoholic beverages
- Prescriptions (except for customers in SK, MB, and NS)
- Taxes, tips, or fees
While the exchange rate remains 1 CPP (or 100 Scene+ points for $1 off), a few details vary from store to store:
| Scene+ partner(s) | Redemption method(s) | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Cineplex and the Cineplex Store | * In-store * Online | * Min. 100 points required for movie tickets, digital movie rentals, and digital movie purchases * Min. 500 points required for concessions |
| Grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants | * In-store | * Min. 1,000 points required |
| Home Hardware stores and website | * In-store * Online | * Min. 1,000 points required |
| Playdium | * In-store | * Min. 500 points required |
| Rec Room | * In-store | * Min. 1,000 points required * Min. 500 points required for tickets, game credits, live music, and food and drink |
Scene+ Travel
Options: At least $1 off travel bookings
Most valuable option: Any option at 1 CPP
How to redeem:
You can exchange as little as 100 Scene points for $1 off your travel bookings by calling the Travel Centre at 1-800-419-8586 or visiting the Scene+ Travel website powered by Expedia.
To book your adventure online, log onto the Scene+ mobile app or website, select "Rewards," and select “Travel.” Then:
- Select your travel type and enter your travel dates and any other particulars.
- Click the photo of the travel product you wish to book.
- Scroll down to review the information, pick the category you want, and click "Reserve Now."
- Enter your personal information and select a refund/cancellation plan (if desired).
- Complete the checkout process by paying with points, cash, or a mix of both.
Taxes and fees on Scene+ Travel are also eligible for coverage with Scene+ points. Make sure to double-check your travel dates – Scene+ Travel bookings are non-refundable and a $50 fee applies to any changes.
Pro Tip: If you have to cancel or interrupt your trip due to an emergency, you may be eligible for a refund through your credit card insurance.
Any travel
Options: A credit toward an eligible expense from any travel provider
Most valuable option: Any travel expense at 1 CPP
How to redeem:
Unlike Aeroplan, you aren’t stuck with a single provider – or a single website – if you want to travel on your Scene+ balance. You can transform your points into a travel credit by logging into the Scene+ mobile app or website, clicking "Rewards," “Travel,” and “Apply Points to Travel.”
Eligible transactions include:
- Accommodations
- Bus tickets
- Car rentals
- Cruise packages
- Flights
- Train tickets
- Travel agencies
Too good to be true? Almost. All this flexibility comes with a few caveats:
- Only travel purchases completed within the last 12 months are eligible
- You must have made the purchase using a Scotiabank Scene+ credit or debit card
- The transaction must be categorized as "travel"
The last rule is the trickiest to follow – Scotiabank doesn't provide a list of travel providers whose transactions count in the "travel" category. While quite a few purchases are included, don't always count on getting reimbursed for travel expenses from small or mixed businesses.
If you don’t want to use the travel site to book, you might get better value by booking on your own and applying the statement credit.
Remember: Credit card companies categorize transactions using merchant category codes that reflect the store’s primary source of income.
Gift cards
Options: $10 – $500 digital or physical gift cards
Most valuable option: A digital gift card from a Scene+ partner at 1 CPP
How to redeem:
There are 60+ brands of gift cards available for purchase through the Scene+ store using your hard-earned points. You can choose a digital or physical gift card ranging from $10 – $500 for 1,000 – 64,000 points, but be warned: your points could lose as much as 30% of their value depending on your choices.
Digital gift cards offer better value than physical gift cards because the latter’s prices include shipping and handling. Opt for cards from Scene+ partners like Cineplex, Sobeys, or Ultimate Dining to maximize value at 1 CPP; cards from unaffiliated brands like Apple, BestBuy, or PetSmart only yield 0.71 CPP.
Checking out is easy. Just log into the Scene+ mobile app or website, click "Rewards" and “Gift Cards,” then select the card and the options you want. Click “Continue to Redeem” and follow the prompts onscreen to pay in points.
Digital orders arrive within 48 hours while physical cards take 7 – 14 days to ship.
Points for credit
Options: A bank account or credit card statement credit
Most valuable option: A $500 credit for 71,500 points at 0.7 CPP
How to redeem:
If you have a Scotiabank credit or debit card, you can substitute Scene+ points for payment using "Points for credit." The more points you redeem at once, the better the exchange rate.
For example, redeeming the minimum of 3,000 points yields a $20 credit (0.67 CPP). Trading the maximum of 71,500 points results in a $500 credit (0.7 CPP).
To proceed, log into the Scotiabank mobile app or website and locate your bank or credit account. You can also log into Scene+ and navigate to "Rewards" and “Points for Credit.” Select how many points you'd like to redeem and click “Continue.” Your statement credit should appear within 5 business days.
Is the Scene+ program worth it?
Scene+ is probably the most flexible rewards program in Canada and you can always count on your points to hold a fixed value. If your favourite stores are Scene+ partners, there’s no reason not to sign up for a free membership or credit card.
That said, if your favourite stores aren’t on the list, you’re unlikely to become a convert. There are better cash back and travel credit cards that offer more valuable points at the cost of a little flexibility.
Ultimately, Scene+ is best suited to young, moderate spenders looking for discounted eats and entertainment while they work on qualifying for a better premium credit card. Homebodies and high spenders will likely find Scene+’s limited earning and redeeming opportunities irritating and unrewarding.
FAQ
Is Scene the same as Scene Plus?
Scene was a rewards program co-owned by Scotiabank and Cineplex. In 2021, Scotiabank merged their own Scotia Rewards program with Scene to create Scene+.
Is the Scene Plus card worth it?
It’s worth getting a free Scene+ membership card (or a paid Scene+ credit card) if you often shop at Scene+ partners like Cineplex, Sobeys, or Rakuten.
Do you have to pay for Scene Plus?
Joining the Scene+ rewards program is free but the fastest way to earn points is to sign up for a Scotiabank bank account or credit card with an annual fee.
Can I use my Scene card at Sobeys?
You can use your Scene+ membership or credit card at Sobeys and subsidiaries like Foodland, FreshCo, and IGA to get exclusive member deals and collect up to 6 points per $1 spent.
Do Scene+ points expire?
Scene+ points won’t expire as long as your account is linked to a banking or credit account in good standing. If you have a free membership (or you close your account), your points will expire after 2 months of account inactivity.
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