Scotiabank American Express Card
Budget-conscious earners who want Gold Amex-style category earning without paying an annual fee.
VaultNerd estimate based on the card's tier and income requirements, not an official issuer cutoff. Approval also depends on income, debt, and credit history.
Our verdict
A no-fee gem: 2x-3x on groceries, dining, gas, transit and streaming plus mobile device insurance make it one of the strongest free rewards cards in Canada, if Amex acceptance works for you.
Reward rates
Sobeys-family grocery stores Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and more; 2x at other grocery stores | 3x |
Dining & food delivery | 2x |
Entertainment | 2x |
Gas | 2x |
Daily transit | 2x |
Select streaming services | 2x |
Everything else | 1x |
VaultNerd values these points at ~1¢ each.
Welcome bonus
Up to 10,000 bonus Scene+ points (2,500 + 7,500)
Requirement: Spend $250 in first 3 months (2,500 pts) and $1,000 in first 3 months (7,500 pts). Offer for accounts opened May 1 - Nov 1, 2026
Pros
- Best-in-class earn rates for a no-fee card
- Mobile device insurance is rare at $0 annual fee
Cons
- No travel insurance included
- 2.5% foreign transaction fee
- Amex acceptance is more limited in Canada
Perks
- No annual fee with strong 2x-3x everyday earn rates
- 3x Scene+ points at Sobeys-family grocery stores
- Amex Front Of The Line presale and event access
- Extra 3x points on hotels and car rentals via Scene+ Travel
- Low $12,000 income requirement
Insurance
- Mobile device insurance
- Purchase security and extended warranty protection
Frequently asked questions
Is the Scotiabank American Express Card worth it?
It has no annual fee, and we rate it 4.1 out of 5. It's best suited to budget-conscious earners who want Gold Amex-style category earning without paying an annual fee. The welcome bonus is worth roughly $100, which covers the first year for many people. Whether it's worth it for you depends on your spending. Run your own numbers through our credit card finder to see the net rewards after the fee.
What does the Scotiabank American Express Card earn?
It earns 3x on sobeys-family grocery stores, 2x on dining & food delivery and 2x on entertainment. We value these points at about 1¢ each, so the top rate works out to roughly 3.0% back.
What credit score do you need for the Scotiabank American Express Card?
We'd suggest a score of around 640 or higher, which puts approval in our "moderate" band. It also lists an income requirement of $12,000 personal. This is a VaultNerd estimate based on the card's tier and stated requirements. Approval also depends on your income, existing debt and credit history.
Researching and writing about Canadian personal finance since 2026.
Last reviewed June 2026 · How we research
“Scotiabank American Express Card Review.” VaultNerd, https://www.vaultnerd.com/ca/credit-cards/scotiabank-amex, updated June 2026.
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