Scotiabank runs Scene+, one of the most flexible rewards programs in Canada. To start collecting and redeeming points with partners like Cineplex, Sobeys, and Home Hardware, you can sign up for a free membership, open a Scotiabank chequing account, or open a Scene+ credit card.
Tangerine recently joined forces with the Scotiabank rewards program, so you can also earn Scene+ points with its first points-based credit card. Shell stations are also new to the Scene+ program, offering another place for members to earn points.
This article explains the Scene+ program in detail, including explanations of the best ways to earn and redeem points for maximum value.
Key Takeaways
- Scene+ is the rewards program for Scotiabank, Sobeys, and Cineplex.
- 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 partnered 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+ corporate partners – including Cineplex, Sobeys, Home Hardware, and Shell – 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
- 8 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 offer only a couple of ways to redeem your points for full value, Scene+ offers 4.
From most to least valuable, here are the redemption options:
| Reward category | Options | Value (cents per point) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 or Tangerine 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 over 30 businesses in Canada that offer up to 6 Scene+ points per $1 you spend.
| Category | Partner store(s) | Eligible transactions | Rewards | Able to redeem points? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | Rakuten Canada | * Online purchases on the Rakuten shopping portal | Up to 20% cash back in points | No |
| Grocery | * Chalo! FreshCo * Co-op * Foodland * FreshCo * IGA * Les Marchés Tradition * Rachelle-Béry * Safeway * Sobeys * Thrifty Foods * Voilà | * In-store purchases * Mobile app orders * Weekly flyer and mobile app offers | Varies based on personalized offers | Yes |
| Movies and entertainment | * Cineplex * Rec Room * Playdium | * Food and beverage purchases (excluding alcohol) * Movie tickets * Gaming * Entertainment purchases | 1 – 6 points per $1 spent | Yes |
| Travel | * Expedia (via Scene+ portal) | * Car rentals * Hotel bookings * Other travel via Scene+ Travel (powered by Expedia) | 3 points per $1 spent | Yes |
| Fuel | * Shell | * Fuel * Car washes * Convenience store items | * 1 point per $1 spent
* 1 point per 1 litre of fuel | Yes |
| Pharmacy | * Chalo! FreshCo Pharmacy * FreshCo Pharmacy * Lawtons Drugs * Pharmacy at Safeway * Sobeys Pharmacy * Thrifty Foods Pharmacy | * In-store purchases * Flyer offers * Prescriptions (NS, MB, SK customers only) | Varies based on personalized offers | Yes |
| Home improvement | * Home Hardware * Home Building Centre * Home Hardware Building Centre | * In-store purchases * Online purchases | 50 points per $50 spent | Yes |
| Convenience | Needs Convenience | * In-store purchases * Lottery purchases (Atlantic Canada only) | 1 point per $2 spent | No |
| Dining | * 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 third-party food delivery app orders) | 1 point per $3 spent | Yes |
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. You'll earn 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on every debit purchase – and not just at partner stores.
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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 8 credit cards you can use to boost your Scene+ points:
| Credit card | Current offer | Annual fee | Rewards | Maximum additional points earned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Gold American Express Card |  $75 GeniusCash + Up to 45,000 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 points per $1 |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card | $150 GeniusCash + 50,000 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 points per $1 |
| Scotiabank American Express Card | 5,000 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 points per $1 |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 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 points per $1 |
| Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card | Up to 60,000 80,000 bonus points (terms) | $399 | * 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent on all purchases | 2 points per $1 |
| Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card | 10,000 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 points per $1 |
| Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard | Up to 30,000 bonus points (terms) | $120 | * 1.5 Scene+ points per $1 spent in 3 reward categories of your choice* 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other purchases | 1.5 points per $1 |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card | Up to 40,000 bonus points (terms) | $199 | * 1.5 points per $1 spent | 1.5 points per $1 |
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
×3 Award winner 
GC: $75
3x Award winner Pros:
- Welcome bonus worth up to $450
- 4 ways to redeem points for high value
- Maximizes your Sobeys, Safeway, and FreshCo purchases
Cons:
- Lower acceptance as an American Express
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is an excellent Scene+ card to put in your wallet before your next trip. The card charges no foreign exchange fees and has 12 types of insurance. That's on top of the Amex benefits you'll get, like Front of the Line and Amex Offers.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card
×1 Award winner GC: $150
1x Award winner Pros:
- 11 types of insurance
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- Free airport lounge passes
Cons:
- High income requirements
If you're willing to pay a higher annual fee for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card, you'll earn a modest bump in Scene+ points while seeing impressive travel benefits. This card charges no foreign exchange fee and gives you a Visa Airport Companion membership with 6 free passes. All of this is on top of the impressive Scene+ earn rates.
Scotiabank American Express Card
Pros:
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- No annual fee
- Access to special offers and a full-service travel agency
Cons:
- Limited insurance coverage
The no-fee Scotiabank American Express Card still gives you a nice Scene+ points boost along with mobile device insurance. Although you won't get as many perks and benefits as with other Scotiabank credit cards, the card includes a welcome bonus worth up to 5,000 Scene+ points and a solid 1.45% average earn rate.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Pros:
- No foreign exchange fee
- 12 types of insurance
- 10 free airport lounge passes
Cons:
- High annual fee
If you're looking for a premium credit card that gives Scene+ points, look no further than the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card. The card's annual $250 travel credit helps offset some of the annual fee, and the impressive welcome bonus doesn't hurt either. Also offering 10 free lounge passes, this card is one of the country's top options for airport lounge credit cards.
Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card
Pros:
- No foreign exchange fees
- 12 types of insurance
- 10 free airport lounge passes
Cons:
- High fee for supplemental cards
The Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card provides a steady 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent across all spending, making it convenient to earn and easy to track. The card also features sweet travel perks like extensive insurance coverage and 10 free passes to Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounges – 4 more passes are available for those who add a supplementary card.
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card
Pros:
- No annual fee
- Free to add supplemental cardholder
- Low income requirements
Cons:
- Limited insurance coverage
We wanted to feature another no-fee Visa credit card: the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card. Aside from earning extra Scene+ points on all purchases, this card offers free supplemental cards, discounts on GigSky eSIMs, car rental discounts, and a sweet welcome bonus worth $70. It also has very reasonable eligibility requirements, including low income and a low-to-fair credit score.
Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Pros:
- Choose your own rewards categories
- World Elite Mastercard benefits
- Modest annual fee
Cons:
- High income requirements
A unique card that lets you choose your own rewards categories, the Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard is a new addition to the Scene+ family. You'll earn up to 1.5 Scene+ points per $1 spent in your chosen categories, plus enjoy an impressive insurance package and a Mastercard Travel Pass membership – which offers 4 free airport lounge passes.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card
Pros:
- 11 types of insurance
- No foreign exchange fees
- Emergency medical coverage for seniors
Cons:
- High annual fee
- High income requirements
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card is one of the top business cards in Canada, and it happens to earn Scene+ rewards. It earns a modest 1.5 Scene+ points per $1 spent and offers a collection of travel benefits, including no foreign exchange fees, a comprehensive insurance package – note the emergency medical coverage for seniors – and 6 free airport lounge passes each year.
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, here's how you can redeem your points:
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 at checkout and choose to pay for all or part of your order with 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 by store. For example:
| Scene+ partner(s) | Redemption method(s) | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Cineplex | * In-store * Online | * Min. 100 points required for movie tickets and concessions |
| Playdium | * In-store | * Min. 500 points required |
| Rec Room | * In-store | * Min. 1,000 points required * Redemptions made in 500-point increments |
| Home Hardware | * In-store * Online | * Min. 1,000 points required |
| Grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants | * In-store | * Min. 1,000 points required for grocery or pharmacy redemption * Min. 500 points required for restaurant redemption |
Scene+ Travel
Options: At least $1 off travel bookings
Most valuable option: Any option at 1 CPP
How to redeem:
You can exchange as few as 100 Scene points for $1 off your travel bookings by calling the Travel Centre or signing in at 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, enter your travel dates, and include any other details.
- 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+ gift card brands 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 up to 30% of their value depending on your choices.
Digital gift cards offer better value than physical ones because the prices of physical cards 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 such as Apple, Best Buy, or PetSmart yield only 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 several 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 in to the Scotiabank mobile app or website and locate your bank or credit account. You also have the option of logging in to your Scene+ account and navigating to "Rewards" and "Points for Credit."
After logging in to whichever of these account options you choose, select how many points you'd like to redeem and click "Continue." Your statement credit should appear within 5 business days.
Scene+ rewards calculator
The Scene+ rewards program has a lengthy list of redemption options from statement credits to discounts at Cineplex and Travel powered by Expedia. If you're hoping to maximize your point value, you'll have to choose carefully.
To make it easier to compare, take a look at how much each redemption option is worth. Just enter the number of Scene+ points you wish to redeem, and our calculator will show you their value.
| 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 |
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
What rewards do you get with a Scene card?
The main reward with a Scene+ credit card is the fact that you earn Scene+ points on all your purchases, or at accelerated rates. Depending on the card issuer, you might enjoy perks like airport lounge access, no foreign exchange fees, and specialized insurance coverage.
How much is a Scene point worth?
The value of your Scene+ points depends on how you choose to redeem them. Your best bet is to redeem these points for store discounts or for Scene+ Travel powered by Expedia, both of which are worth 1 cent per point. You can use our Scene+ rewards calculator to determine the value of your own points.
Can I convert my Scene points to Aeroplan?
Unfortunately, you can't convert your Scene+ points to Aeroplan points. Aeroplan has an impressive list of partnering rewards programs that allow transfers, but Scene+ isn't one of them. Instead, you can consider transferring your American Express Membership Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and/or Wyndham Rewards to Aeroplan
What's the best way to use Scene points?
Your most valuable redemption option is to redeem your Scene+ rewards points for store discounts, which are worth 1 cent per point. You can also get cheaper travel rates by using the Scene+ Travel website, powered by Expedia, and redeeming points for travel.
How do I cash out Scene points?
If you'd like to cash out your Scene+ points for a store discount, simply present your membership in-store with a cashier and say you'd like to use your points. If you're paying online, enter your membership details at checkout. Keep in mind that some partners allow you to earn Scene+ points, but not redeem them.
Does the Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard earn Scene points?
Yes, the new Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard earns Scene+ rewards points at a base rate of 1 point per $1 spent on all your purchases. But like other Tangerine cards, you can specify 3 bonus spending categories – such as gas, home improvement, or groceries – that earn 1.5 points per $1 spent.
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