no-fee4.1 / 5

Scotiabank American Express Card

Scotiabank

Best for

Budget-conscious earners who want Gold Amex-style category earning without paying an annual fee.

Apply on Scotiabank

Annual fee

None

FX fee

2.5%

Purchase APR

21.99%

Income req.

$12,000 personal

Recommended credit score

640+

Approval difficulty

Moderate approval

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

~$100 value

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

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Information may be simplified, incomplete, or out of date. Consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. VaultNerd may receive compensation from partners featured on this site — this does not influence our editorial content.

Written by

The VaultNerd Team

Researching and writing about Canadian credit cards and rewards since 2026.

Cite this page

“Scotiabank American Express Card Review — VaultNerd” — VaultNerd, https://www.vaultnerd.com/credit-cards/scotiabank-amex, updated June 2026.

Sources

Scotiabank cardholder agreement and rates & fees disclosure
VaultNerd cards database