The best Scotiabank credit cards in Canada for 2024
We’ve broken down our picks for the best Scotiabank credit cards—whether you’re looking for cash back, points, no-fee cash back or low interest.
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The best Scotiabank cards by category
Scotiabank offers 17 credit cards tailored to various financial needs and goals. But a handful stand out as the very best the Big Six bank has to offer. Below, we break down our picks for the top Scotiabank credit cards across categories, from travel rewards to cash back and low-interest to perks.
| Best card by category | Why we love it |
|---|---|
| Best for travel rewards Scotiabank Gold American Express Annual fee: $120 (waived for the first year) | Up to 6 Scene+ points per $1 on groceries (for a 6% return on spending) and no foreign transaction fees |
| Best for cash back Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Annual fee: $120 (waived for the first year) | 4% cash back in three common spending categories, including recurring bills |
| Best for students Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Annual fee: $0 | Tailored to movie-going students, with good earn rates in multiple categories and flexible redemptions |
| Best for low interest Scotiabank Value Visa Annual fee: $29 (waived for the first year) | The lowest interest rate the bank has to offer |
| Best for perks Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Annual fee: $150 (waived for the first year) | No foreign transaction fees, six free DragonPass lounge visits per year, and more |
Best for travel rewards
At a glance: While the bank has a few options when it comes to collecting travel rewards, our top pick is the Scotiabank Gold American Express. The annual fee is well worth it for the card’s earn rate, welcome bonus and perks, including no foreign transaction fees. For those who cross-border shop or travel, the latter is like an automatic 2.5% savings on each purchase in a foreign currency. A suite of travel-related insurance coverage and a discount on Priority Pass membership sweeten the deal.
Scotiabank Gold American Express
- Annual fee: $120 (waived for the first year)
- Earn rates: 6 points per $1 spent at Sobeys-affiliated stores; 5 points per $1 on dining, entertainment and groceries; 3 points per $1 on gas, transit and streaming; 1 point per $1 on everything else
- Welcome offer: You can earn up to $650 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points. Must apply by July 1, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: $12,000
- Point value: 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, store purchases and food and drink at Cineplex and Scene partners
- Recommended credit score for approval: 700 or higher
- Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
Best for cash back
At a glance: Cash back cards are exactly what they sound like: cards that rebate a percentage of your purchases as cash (usually applied directly to your balance). Our Scotiabank pick in this category is the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite. This card features an excellent earn rate of 4% back on groceries, recurring bills and subscription services (such as Netflix), 2% back on gas, public transit and ride-sharing services (including Uber), and 1% on all other purchases. Comprehensive travel insurance and concierge service make this an attractive card.
Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite
- Annual fee: $120
- Earn rates: 4% cash back on groceries, recurring bill payments and subscription services; 2% on gas and public transit; and 1% on everything else
- Welcome bonus: earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases). No annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
- Recommended credit score for approval: 660 or higher
- Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
Honourable mention
At a glance: Our runner-up in this category is the Scotia Momentum Visa. This card features a solid earn rate of 2% cash back on grocery and drugstore purchases, gas and recurring bill payments—categories that cover the lion’s share of the average Canadian’s spending; all other purchases earn 1%.
Scotia Momentum Visa Card
- Annual fee: $39
- Earn rate: Earn 2% cash back for every $1 spent on groceries, gas, drug stores and recurring bill payments; 1% back on everything else
- Welcome bonus: You can earn a 2.99% introductory interest rate with 0% fee on balance transfers for the first 6 months (22.99% after that; annual fee $39). Offer ends October 31, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: $12,000
Recommended credit score for approval: 670 or higher
Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
Best for students
At a glance: Scotiabank’s no-annual-fee Scene+ Visa is a great pick for students who don’t want to pay a fee each year for their credit card. Cardholders collect Scene+ rewards on everyday purchases, which are redeemable for movies at Cineplex cinemas. Scene+ points can also be used for discounts at restaurants—perfect for a study break or night out with friends.
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa card
- Annual fee: $0
- Earn rates: 2 Scene+ points for every $1 spent at Sobeys banner stores and Cineplex; 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent everywhere else
- Welcome offer: You can earn up to 7500 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months. Must apply by July 1, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: $12,000
- Points value: 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, store purchases and food and drink at Cineplex and Scene partners
- Recommended credit score for approval: 670 or higher
- Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
Best for low interest
At a glance: At regular credit card interest rates of around 20%, even a small debt can increase quickly. So, if you often carry a balance on your card, consider a low-interest rate option, like the Scotiabank Value Visa. With a low 12.99% interest rate, this card can help you pay down outstanding debt faster.
Scotiabank Value Visa
- Annual fee: $29 (waived for the first year)
- Balance transfer offer: 0% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 10 months. Offer ends 31 October 2024.
- Recommended credit score for approval: 670
- Interest rates: 12.99% on cash advances, 12.99% on balance transfers
Best for perks
At a glance: For travellers willing to pay an annual fee, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card delivers. Like the Amex above, this card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and includes a robust suite of travel insurance. Cardholders collect points in the Scene+ program at a rate of 3 points per $1 on eligible grocery stores, 2 points per $1 on restaurants and other grocery stores, entertainment and transit, and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases. Six free DragonPass airport lounge visits annually is an added benefit for this travel card. Plus, you can use your points to travel on any airline of your choosing.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
- Annual fee: $150 (waived for the first year)
- Earn rate: 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys stores; 2 points per $1 on groceries, dining, entertainment and transit; 1 point per $1 on everything else. Plus, pay no FX fees
- Welcome offer: earn up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived. Offer ends July 1, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
- Point value: 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, store purchases and food and drink at Cineplex and Scene partners
- Recommended credit score for approval: 700 or higher
- Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
Honourable mention
At a glance: The Scotiabank Platinum American Express bundles many rewards and perks into one standout card. As with other Scotia rewards cards, points can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards or even cash, but it’s the travel rewards that really shine with the Platinum. In addition to the ability to book travel without restrictions, Platinum cardholders can enjoy 10 complimentary visits to airport lounges in the Priority Pass program, as well as membership in the Hertz #1 Club Gold. Cardholders are eligible for premium events through American Express Invites and VIP Pass. Seven types of travel insurance helps members travel safely, and with priceless peace of mind.
Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card
- Annual fee: $399
- Earn rate: 4 points per $1 on gas, groceries, dining and entertainment; 1 point per $1 on everything else
- Welcome bonus: You can earn up to $2,100* in value in your first 14 months, including up to 60,000* bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
- Annual income requirement: $40,000
Recommended credit score for approval: 750 or higher
Interest rates: 9.99% on purchases, 9.99% on cash advances, 9.99% on balance transfers
More of Canada’s best credit cards:
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