This post is sponsored by Scotiabank. The views and opinions expressed in this blog, however, are purely our own.
Looking for a credit card that can do it all? The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card should be at the top of your list.
High rewards on purchases? Check.
Plenty of high value redemption options beyond the normal travel option? Check.
Savings on foreign transaction fees? Check.
Low income requirements? Double check.
Here’s what makes the Scotiabank Gold Amex a top credit card in Canada.
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Earning rewards with the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
From the minute you get the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, the rewards will start piling up.
As a member of the Scene+ rewards family, here’s what you’ll earn for rewards on purchases:
- 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
A lot of your everyday purchases will be earning bonus rewards in some fashion.
How many points can you earn in 1 year? Here’s an example of a $2,000 monthly spend, with a sizable portion of your groceries obtained at either Sobeys or Safeway.
| Spend Category | Monthly Spend | Points Earned Per $1 Spent | Annual Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sobeys/Safeway | $400 | 6 | 28,800 |
| Other Groceries | $400 | 5 | 24,000 |
| Restaurants/Entertainment | $200 | 5 | 12,000 |
| Gas/Transit/Rideshares | $200 | 3 | 7,200 |
| Streaming Services | $60 | 3 | 2,160 |
| Other Purchases | $740 | 1 | 8,880 |
| Total | $2,000 | 83,040 |
And let’s not forget the welcome bonus. You can earn 50,000 bonus points as such:
- 25,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, and
- 20,000 points after spending $7,500 in the first year.
Redeeming your Scene+ points
As we’ve established, the points will really pile up with the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card.
But what can you use your Scene+ points for? You’ve got plenty of choices – here’s a rundown of your options.
Like pretty much all rewards programs, the value ranges for each one. But as you can see, there are 4 options that stand out from the rest.
They are:
- travel,
- groceries at Sobeys and Safeway,
- Cineplex products, and
- food at Recipe Unlimited Restaurants.
Each of these gets the same high value. So whether you want to save up for your next trip, want even more value at the movies, or just want a reduced grocery bill every week, the choice is yours.
The only differences between them are how many points you’ll have to save before being able to redeem your points.
| Redemption | Minimum Points | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Movie Tickets | 100 | $1 |
| Concessions at Cineplex | 500 | $5 |
| Groceries at Sobeys/Safeway | 1,000 | $10 |
| Travel Through Scene+/Expedia | 100 | $1 |
| Travel From Any Provider | 5,000 | $50 |
| Food At Recipe Unlimited Restaurants | 500 | $5 |
No matter which option you take, those 83,040 points you earned in 1 year are worth $830.40 – a lot of savings on food or travel.
Other smart features of the Scotiabank Gold Amex
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is more than just a credit card for earning rewards.
The next biggest feature it offers? No foreign exchange fees. Unlike most credit cards that charge a 2.5% fee on purchases that aren’t made in Canadian dollars, you won’t be charged any fee – just the exchange rate applies.
So whether it’s for some cross-border shopping or an international getaway, you’ll see some extra savings on those travels.
The insurance package is also top notch. It includes 12 types of insurance – here are the full details:
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.Extended Warranty 1 year Purchase Protection 90 days Mobile Device $1,000 Travel Accident $500,000 Emergency Medical Term 25 days Emergency Medical over 65 3 days Trip Cancellation $1,500 Trip Interruption $1,500 Flight Delay $500 Baggage Delay $1,000 Lost or Stolen Baggage $1,000 Hotel Burglary $1,000 Rental Car Theft & Damage Yes
And to top it off, it includes standard Amex benefits. There are 2 key ones.
First is Amex Offers. You’ll get offers for various retailers, where you can either get a statement credit or earn bonus rewards – a listing of some current offers can be found here.
The other is Front Of The Line. You can get access to advance presale tickets for hot concerts, and beat the rush on Ticketmaster.
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Scotiabank Gold American Express Card annual fee
So what does it cost to keep this card in your wallet? It’s a standard $120. And you can get this waived permanently by having the Scotiabank Ultimate Package.
Scotiabank Ultimate Package
Will you get the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card?
The Scotiabank Gold Amex is a terrific, well-rounded credit card.
Are you thinking of getting this Amex card?
Or if you have it, what are your thoughts on it?
Let us know in the comments below.
FAQ
What does the Scotiabank Gold American Express offer for rewards?
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card belongs to the Scene+ rewards program – here’s what you’ll earn for points on your purchases:
- 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
What can Scene+ points be used for?
There are plenty of ways to use Scene+ points, but these are your best options:
- travel,
- groceries at Sobeys and Safeway,
- Cineplex products, and
- food at Recipe Unlimited Restaurants.
Each option will give your points a value of 1 cent.
What other features does the Scotiabank Gold American Express come with?
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card comes with these extra features:
- no foreign exchange fees,
- 12 types of insurance,
- Amex benefits, like Amex Offers and Front Of The Line.
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