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The best Scotiabank cards by category
By Keph Senett on July 2, 2024
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Scotiabank offers 17 bank cards tailored to different financial needs and goals, but a handful stand out as the most effective the Big Six bank has to supply. Below, we break down our picks for the most effective Scotiabank bank cards by category, from travel rewards to money back and low rates of interest to perks.
Best card by category | Why we like it |
---|---|
Best for travel rewards Scotiabank Gold American Express Annual fee: $120 (free in the primary yr) |
Up to six Scene+ points per $1 spent on grocery purchases (for a 6% return on spending) and no foreign transaction fees |
Best for Cashback Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Annual fee: $120 (free in the primary yr) |
4% money back on three common spending categories, including recurring bills |
Best for college students Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Annual fee: $0 |
Tailor-made for cinema-loving students, with good collection rates in several categories and versatile redemption options |
Best for low rates of interest Scotiabank Value Visa Annual fee: $29 (free in the primary yr) |
The lowest rate of interest offered by the bank |
Best for discounts Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Annual fee: $150 (free in the primary yr) |
No foreign transaction fees, six free DragonPass Lounge visits per yr, and more |
Best for travel rewards
At a look: While the bank offers a number of options for earning travel rewards, our top pick is the Scotiabank Gold American Express. The annual fee is value it due to card’s earning rate, welcome bonus, and perks, including no foreign transaction fees. For those that shop or travel across borders, the latter robotically means a 2.5% saving on every purchase made in a foreign currency. A variety of travel-related insurance advantages and a reduction on Priority Pass membership sweeten the deal.
Presented
Scotiabank Gold American Express
- Annual fee: $120 (not applicable in the primary yr)
- Earning rates: 6 points per dollar spent at Sobeys stores; 5 points per dollar spent on dining, entertainment and groceries; 3 points per dollar spent on gas, transit and streaming; 1 point per dollar spent on all the things else
- Welcome offer: Earn as much as $950 in value in your first 12 months, including as much as 45,000 bonus Scene+ points. To qualify, apply by October 31, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: 12,000 US dollars
Best for Cashback
At a look: Cashback cards are exactly what they sound like: cards that return a percentage of your purchases as money (normally applied on to your balance). Our pick from Scotiabank on this category is the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite. This card offers a superb earning rate of 4% on groceries, recurring bills, and subscription services (like Netflix), 2% on gas, public transit, and rideshare services (including Uber), and 1% on all other purchases. Comprehensive travel insurance and concierge services make this card attractive.
Presented
Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite
- Annual fee: 120$
- Earning rates: 4% money back on groceries, recurring bill payments and subscription services; 2% on gas and public transit; and 1% on all the things else
- Welcome Bonus: Get 10% money back on all purchases for the primary 3 months (as much as $2,000 in total purchases). No annual fee for the primary yr, including for added cards. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
Honorable Mention
At a look: Our runner-up on this category is the Scotia Momentum Visa. This card offers a solid earning rate of two% money back on grocery and drugstore purchases, gas, and recurring bill payments—categories that cover the lion’s share of the typical Canadian’s spending; all other purchases earn 1%.
Presented
Scotia Momentum Visa Card
- Annual fee: $39
- Earning rate: Get 2% money back on every dollar spent on groceries, gas, drugstore and recurring bill payments; 1% back on all the things else
- Welcome Bonus: Get an introductory rate of interest of two.99% with 0% fee on balance transfers for the primary 6 months (22.99% thereafter; $39 annual fee). Offer ends October 31, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: 12,000 US dollars
Best for college students
At a look: The Scene+ Visa from Scotiabank with no annual fee is an important selection for college students who don’t need to pay a fee for his or her bank card yearly. Cardholders earn Scene+ rewards on on a regular basis purchases that may be redeemed for movies at Cineplex theaters. Scene+ points may also be used for discounts at restaurants – perfect for a study break or an evening out with friends.
Presented
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card
- Annual fee: $0
- Earning rates: 2 Scene+ points for each dollar spent at Sobeys banner stores and Cineplex; 1 Scene+ point for each other dollar spent all over the place else
- Welcome offer: Earn as much as 5,000 bonus Scene+ points inside your first 3 months. To qualify, apply by October 31, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: 12,000 US dollars
Best for low rates of interest
At a look: With regular bank card rates of interest around 20%, even a small debt can add up quickly, so if you happen to often carry a balance in your card, consider a low-interest rate option just like the Scotiabank Value Visa. With a low rate of interest of 12.99%, this card can assist you repay outstanding debt faster.
Presented
Scotiabank Value Visa
- Annual fee: $29
- Balance transfer offer: 0% introductory rate of interest on balance transfers for the primary 10 months. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
Best for discounts
At a look: For travelers willing to pay an annual fee, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card is the technique to go. Like the Amex card above, this card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and includes extensive travel insurance. Cardholders earn points within the Scene+ program at a rate of three points per $1 at eligible grocery stores, 2 points per $1 at restaurants and other grocery stores, entertainment and transportation, and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases. Six free DragonPass visits to airport lounges per yr are an additional benefit of this travel card. Plus, you should use your points for travel on any airline of your selection.
Presented
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
- Annual fee: $150
- Earnings rate: 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent at Sobeys stores; 2 points per dollar spent on groceries, dining, entertainment and transportation; 1 point per dollar spent on all the things else. Plus, you pay no foreign exchange fees.
- Welcome offer: Earn as much as $1,100 in value in your first 12 months, including as much as 35,000 bonus Scene+ points. To qualify, apply by October 31, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
Honorable Mention
At a look: The Scotiabank Platinum American Express bundles many rewards and perks into one outstanding card. Like other Scotia rewards cards, points may be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards and even money, but it surely’s the travel rewards that actually shine with the Platinum. In addition to the power to book travel without restrictions, Platinum cardholders can enjoy 10 free visits to airport lounges within the Priority Pass program, in addition to membership within the Hertz #1 Club Gold. Cardholders are eligible for premium events through American Express Invites and VIP Pass. Seven sorts of travel insurance help members travel safely and with priceless peace of mind.
Presented
Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card
- Annual fee: 399$
- Earning rate: 4 points per $1 on gas, groceries, dining and entertainment; 1 point per $1 on all the things else
- Welcome Bonus: Earn as much as $2,100* in value in your first 14 months, including as much as 60,000* bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: 40,000 US dollars