Reviewed by Jen, founder of MoneyMint · Updated October 21, 2026
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
Our take: strongest for groceries — about 6% back in value (est.) for $120 a year, plus up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points*, which Scotiabank promotes as up to $950 in first-year value†.
#2 Best overall#1 No FX fee#2 Travel#2 Rewards#2 Groceries#2 Restaurants
- Mint Rebate paid by MoneyMint
- Our review
To get the points: spend $2,000 in the first 3 months for 30,000, and $7,500 in your first year for 20,000 more. $120 annual fee. Amex isn’t accepted everywhere.
Enter your email to get a claim code, then finish your application on Scotiabank’s site. MoneyMint earns a commission, which pays for the Mint Rebate (terms). Or skip the Mint Rebate and apply now.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is a mid-tier rewards card built around Scene+ points, with above-average earn rates on groceries, dining, and entertainment plus a suite of travel insurance benefits more commonly found on premium cards. Its $120 annual fee is a real cost to weigh against how much you actually spend in its bonus categories, since the elevated earn rates cap out at $50,000 in combined annual spend. It tends to suit shoppers who regularly buy groceries at Sobeys-family stores or spend meaningfully on dining and entertainment, rather than infrequent spenders or anyone who typically carries a balance.
MoneyMint rating
#2 of 30 travel rewards cards · How we rate
≈ $1,178
estimated first-year value after the annual fee, on a typical $2,050/month budget. Points are converted to dollars using MoneyMint’s own valuations — see our points value calculator for how each program is valued. See it for your spending →
Not Sure? Three Cards People Compare It With
BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
Pick this instead if most of your spending is groceries (~5% est.).
Fee $139Rating 4.8 ★Bonus $650
American Express Cobalt Card
Pick this instead if most of your spending is groceries (~8.5% est.).
Fee $192Rating 4.8 ★Bonus $255
National Bank World Elite Mastercard
Pick this instead if most of your spending is groceries (~4.5% est.).
Fee $150Rating 3.9 ★Bonus $0
Further Reading
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Best for groceries · $120/year · up to $950 first-year valuation† · $200 Mint Rebate from MoneyMint
This is general information, not personalized financial advice — consider your own spending habits and consult a professional for decisions specific to your situation. Rates, fees, and offers are set by Scotiabank and can change without notice; always confirm current terms on the issuer’s official page before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the annual fee for the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card?
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card has an annual fee of $120/year primary; $29/year per supplementary card. Fee rebates only available to Scotiabank Ultimate Package (up to $150) or Preferred Package ($40, conditional on $15,000+ prior-year spend) chequing customers — not a universal discount.
What is the rewards rate on the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card?
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers: 6x Scene+ points at Sobeys-family grocery stores; 5x other groceries/dining/food delivery/entertainment; 3x gas/transit/select streaming; 4x hotel/car rental via Scene+ Travel; 1x everything else and all foreign-currency purchases. Accelerated categories cap at combined $50,000/yr.
Does the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card have a welcome bonus?
Up to 50,000 Scene+ points*, which Scotiabank promotes as up to $950 in first-year value†. About $500 of that is the bonus points; the rest is Scotiabank’s estimate of a year of regular points ($398) and foreign transaction fee savings ($59) for an average cardholder. The bonus: 30,000 pts after $2,000 spend in 3 months, +20,000 pts after $7,500 total spend in 12 months. Valid for accounts opened July 2 – Nov 1, 2026; anyone who has held a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years isn’t eligible.
What credit score do I need to qualify for the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card?
Generally, you’ll want a good credit score to be considered for the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. Approval also depends on income and overall credit history, not credit score alone.
Does the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card charge foreign transaction fees?
None. Scotiabank doesn’t charge the typical 2.5% foreign transaction fee on this card; only the exchange rate applies. Note that purchases in a foreign currency earn the base 1 Scene+ point per $1, not the bonus rates.
Offer Terms and Conditions
*Terms and conditions apply. See Card Provider’s website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
† Savings and point earn potential in first 12 months includes welcome offer value, first year point earn potential and foreign transaction fee savings as of May 22, 2026:
• $300 in travel points (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Gold American Express Card clients who spend $2,000 within the first 3 months
• $200 in travel points (20,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $7,500 within the first 12 months
• $59 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average annual foreign spend per active account over the last 24 months (don’t pay the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by other card issuers)
• $398 in first year point earn potential (38,500 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per active account over the last 24 months with an average spend of 28% in 6X, 5X and 3X accelerator categories combined
Potential First Year Value = up to $957 (rounded down to $950)
Actual offers, savings and points earned will depend on individual card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.
* Offer Description and Conditions: The 50,000 Bonus Scene+ Points (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank Gold American Express credit card accounts (“Accounts”) opened between July 2, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the Account) and is subject to the conditions below. To be eligible for 30,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “30,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $2,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 3 months of the Account open date. To be eligible for an additional 20,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “Additional 20,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $7,500 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first year (12 months) of Account open date. Eligible purchases include purchases (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, cash advances (including balance transfers or cash-like transactions), interest, fees or other charges.
Point Bonus Fulfillment: The applicable point Bonus(es) will be credited to the Scene+ account within approximately 8 weeks after qualifying for a Bonus, provided the Account is open and in good standing. For Joint Accounts with a Primary Borrower and Co-borrower, the applicable point Bonus will be credited as follows: (i) the 30,000 Point Bonus and Additional 20,000 Point Bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the last transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases (i.e., $2,000 or $7,500) in the appropriate time frame (i.e., first 3 months or first 12 months). If a supplementary cardholder completes the last qualifying transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases for the 30,000 Point Bonus or the Additional 20,000 Point Bonus, the applicable point Bonus will be credited to the Primary Borrower’s Scene+ account linked to the Account. Points can be transferred between Primary and Co-Borrower or Supplementary Cardholder’s Scene+ accounts by contacting Scene+. The Account is considered in good standing if it is not past due or over limit and the Cardholder(s) is not in breach of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the Account. All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Offer period. Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended without notice at any time and cannot be combined with any other offers.
Eligibility and Exclusions: Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for the Offer. Subject to the above exclusions, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are also eligible for the Offer.
Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $120 for the primary card and $29 for each additional card (including those issued to co-borrowers and supplementary cardholders). The current preferred annual interest rates for the Account are: 21.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions). All rates, fees, features and benefits are outlined in the Application Disclosure Statement and are subject to change.
This week’s groceries help pay for next week’s.
Earn up to 6x Scene+ points on groceries, then use them to take money off your next shop. 1,000 points = $10.
Click here to see your first-year value ↓
What else this card gets you:
- 5xRestaurants and food delivery
- 5xMovies, theatre and event tickets
- 3xGas, transit and select streaming
Scene+ points per $1. 6x, 5x and 3x apply to the first $50,000 a year in these categories combined, then 1x.
- $0Foreign transaction fees (the exchange rate still applies)
- 10Travel and purchase insurance coverages, including up to $1,000,000 emergency medical
Limits and conditions apply.See coverage limits ↓
What could the card earn you in year one?
Example calculated by moneymint.ca, not a Scotiabank estimate, using average 2023 household spending by household type from Statistics Canada (Table 11-10-0224-01); “Family” is couples with children. Assumes this spending is on the card; other purchases earn 1x and aren’t included. Your value depends on how you spend. Points valued at 1,000 = $10 on eligible redemptions (e.g. travel or groceries at Sobeys-family stores); other redemptions may be worth less. ‡6x at Sobeys-family stores; 5x at other grocery stores, dining and delivery; 3x on gas; on the first $50,000 a year, then 1x. Welcome bonus terms are listed above. **Paid by moneymint.ca, not Scotiabank, after approval through our link.
What your first-year value can cover
Earn on groceries, then spend the points at the same checkout.
†When redeeming points, these options give the best value at 1,000 points = $10. Statement credits, gift cards and electronics usually work out to less, about $7 per 1,000 points. Scene+ sets redemption options and values, and they can change.
How the $200 Mint Rebate works
Get your claim code
Enter your email, then finish your application on Scotiabank’s site.
Get approved by Scotiabank
Scotiabank makes the credit decision.
Get your $200 from us
We send it by Interac e-Transfer once your approval is confirmed.**
That 2.5% travel fee? This card skips it.
Many Canadian cards add a 2.5% foreign transaction fee to purchases in another currency. This card doesn’t charge it, whether you’re abroad or shopping online in USD.‡
Most cards quietly add a 2.5% fee to:
What else this card gets you:
- 6xSobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and IGA
- 5xOther groceries, dining and entertainment
- 3xGas, transit and select streaming
Scene+ points per $1 on the first $50,000 a year in these categories, then 1x.
Click here to see your first-year value ↓
How much do you spend in other currencies?
Trips, hotels, and online stores that charge in USD or euros. Add it up for a year.
What could the card earn you in year one?
Example calculated by moneymint.ca, not a Scotiabank estimate, using average 2023 household spending by household type from Statistics Canada (Table 11-10-0224-01); “Family” is couples with children. Assumes this spending is on the card; other purchases earn 1x and aren’t included. Your value depends on how you spend. Points valued at 1,000 = $10 on eligible redemptions (e.g. travel or groceries at Sobeys-family stores); other redemptions may be worth less. ‡6x at Sobeys-family stores; 5x at other grocery stores, dining and delivery; 3x on gas; on the first $50,000 a year, then 1x. Welcome bonus terms are listed above. **Paid by moneymint.ca, not Scotiabank, after approval through our link.
What your first-year value can cover
Earn abroad, then put the points toward your next flight or hotel.
†When redeeming points, these options give the best value at 1,000 points = $10. Statement credits, gift cards and electronics usually work out to less, about $7 per 1,000 points. Scene+ sets redemption options and values, and they can change.
How the $200 Mint Rebate works
Get your claim code
Enter your email, then finish your application on Scotiabank’s site.
Get approved by Scotiabank
Scotiabank makes the credit decision.
Get your $200 from us
We send it by Interac e-Transfer once your approval is confirmed.**
‡Scotiabank does not charge foreign transaction fees on foreign currency purchases; the exchange rate still applies, and rates and fees are subject to change. 2.5% is the typical fee charged by many Canadian credit cards. Foreign-currency purchases earn 1 Scene+ point per $1.
§Travel insurance is underwritten by Manulife. Emergency medical covers the first 25 days of a trip if you’re under 65 (first 3 days if 65 or older) and requires provincial or territorial health coverage. Most travel coverages require charging the trip to the card. Limits and exclusions apply; see the certificate of insurance.
Your welcome bonus alone could cover up to $500 of your next trip.¶
Book flights or hotels on any site, charge them to the card, then cover them with points. Plus no 2.5% foreign transaction fee while you’re away, and travel insurance included.
Click here to see your first-year value ↓
Built for the trip
What could the card earn you in year one?
Example calculated by moneymint.ca, not a Scotiabank estimate, using average 2023 household spending by household type from Statistics Canada (Table 11-10-0224-01); “Family” is couples with children. Assumes this spending is on the card; other purchases earn 1x and aren’t included. Your value depends on how you spend. Points valued at 1,000 = $10 on eligible redemptions (e.g. travel or groceries at Sobeys-family stores); other redemptions may be worth less. ‡6x at Sobeys-family stores; 5x at other grocery stores, dining and delivery; 3x on gas; on the first $50,000 a year, then 1x. Welcome bonus terms are listed above. **Paid by moneymint.ca, not Scotiabank, after approval through our link.
What your first-year value can cover
Earn abroad, then put the points toward your next flight or hotel.
†When redeeming points, these options give the best value at 1,000 points = $10. Statement credits, gift cards and electronics usually work out to less, about $7 per 1,000 points. Scene+ sets redemption options and values, and they can change.
How the $200 Mint Rebate works
Get your claim code
Enter your email, then finish your application on Scotiabank’s site.
Get approved by Scotiabank
Scotiabank makes the credit decision.
Get your $200 from us
We send it by Interac e-Transfer once your approval is confirmed.**
‡Scotiabank does not charge foreign transaction fees on foreign currency purchases; the exchange rate still applies, and rates and fees are subject to change. 2.5% is the typical fee charged by many Canadian credit cards. Foreign-currency purchases earn 1 Scene+ point per $1.
§Travel insurance is underwritten by Manulife. Emergency medical covers the first 25 days of a trip if you’re under 65 (first 3 days if 65 or older) and requires provincial or territorial health coverage. Most travel coverages require charging the trip to the card. Limits and exclusions apply; see the certificate of insurance.
¶Up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points at 1,000 points = $10, redeemed against eligible travel charged to the card within 12 months. The fare shown is an illustration, not a real price.
Your restaurant bill could be earning more.
Earn 5 Scene+ points per $1 at restaurants, on food delivery, and on movie or event tickets. 1,000 points = $10 toward eligible purchases.
DELIVERY
Click here to see your first-year value ↓
What earns 5x
What else this card gets you:
- 6xSobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and IGA
- 5xOther groceries
- 3xGas, transit and select streaming
Scene+ points per $1. 6x, 5x and 3x apply to the first $50,000 a year in these categories combined, then 1x.
- $0Foreign transaction fees (the exchange rate still applies)
- 10Travel and purchase insurance coverages, including up to $1,000,000 emergency medical
Limits and conditions apply.See coverage limits ↓
What could the card earn you in year one?
Example calculated by moneymint.ca, not a Scotiabank estimate, using average 2023 household spending by household type from Statistics Canada (Table 11-10-0224-01); “Family” is couples with children. Assumes this spending is on the card; other purchases earn 1x and aren’t included. Your value depends on how you spend. Points valued at 1,000 = $10 on eligible redemptions (e.g. travel or groceries at Sobeys-family stores); other redemptions may be worth less. ‡6x at Sobeys-family stores; 5x at other grocery stores, dining and delivery; 3x on gas; on the first $50,000 a year, then 1x. Welcome bonus terms are listed above. **Paid by moneymint.ca, not Scotiabank, after approval through our link.
What your first-year value can cover
Turn takeout into movie nights, more dinners out or your next trip.
†When redeeming points, these options give the best value at 1,000 points = $10. Statement credits, gift cards and electronics usually work out to less, about $7 per 1,000 points. Scene+ sets redemption options and values, and they can change.
How the $200 Mint Rebate works
Get your claim code
Enter your email, then finish your application on Scotiabank’s site.
Get approved by Scotiabank
Scotiabank makes the credit decision.
Get your $200 from us
We send it by Interac e-Transfer once your approval is confirmed.**
Bonus rates apply to the first $50,000 in combined purchases each year, then 1x. Whether a purchase earns 5x depends on how the merchant is categorized.