Lena Hayes
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card gives Canadians a strong mix of travel-friendly perks and everyday rewards — especially if your spending leans heavily into groceries, dining, entertainment and travel. With elevated points in key categories and a no-annual-fee-first-year offer, it hits a sweet spot for mid-tier travel-seekers.
Quick highlights
- 🛒 Earn 5 Scene+ points per $1 on groceries, dining and entertainment in Canada.
- 🚗 Earn 4 Scene+ points per $1 on gas, daily transit and streaming services.
- ✈️ Earn 3 Scene+ points per $1 on travel purchases.
- 🎁 First year annual fee waived.
- 🌍 Strong travel insurance coverage included.
Why we like it
For Canadians who spend heavily in categories like groceries, dining, entertainment and travel, this card offers standout value. The elevated Scene+ points rate makes everyday spending more rewarding. On top of that, the first-year annual fee waiver and strong travel insurance put it in a sweet spot between a regular rewards card and a high-end travel card.
Stand-out features
- ✅ 5× Scene+ points at groceries, dining and entertainment in Canada.
- ✅ 4× on gas, daily transit and streaming services.
- ✅ 3× on travel purchases.
- ✅ First year fee waived — very low friction to start.
Good to know
- ⚠️ The high-earn categories require you to spend in those specific areas to capture full value.
- ⚠️ Annual fee applies after year one — you’ll want to ensure you’re getting enough value to keep it long-term.
- ⚠️ Foreign transaction fee applies on non-CAD purchases, reducing value when you shop abroad.
Pros
- Very high earn rates in everyday and travel-relevant categories.
- First year annual fee waiver provides risk-free trial.
- Points in the flexible Scene+ ecosystem — redeem for travel, entertainment, groceries and more.
- Good travel insurance and perk set — more than typical low-fee cards.
Cons
- High earn rates drop to base after category maximums or when spending outside targeted categories.
- Annual fee of $120 kicks in after the first year — you’ll need to extract value to justify renewal.
- Foreign transaction fees and sometimes limited acceptance of Amex (for certain merchants) can reduce value abroad.
- For users whose spending is more diversified or international, a travel card with no FX fee might make more sense.
Rewards program
- 5 Scene+ points per $1 on eligible grocery, dining and entertainment purchases in Canada.
- 4 Scene+ points per $1 on eligible gas, daily transit and streaming service purchases in Canada.
- 3 Scene+ points per $1 on eligible travel purchases.
- 1 Scene+ point per $1 on other purchases.
How to maximize rewards
- Focus your everyday spending on groceries, dining and entertainment to hit the 5× earn rate.
- Charge your gas, transit and streaming purchases to the card for the 4× earn where applicable.
- Use the card for travel bookings to capture the 3× earn.
- Redeem points for high-value travel or partner transfers rather than settling for low-value options.
- Make sure you’re getting more value than the $120 annual fee after year one — if not, consider switching or canceling before renewal.
Insurance & benefits
Included
- ✅ Out-of-province / out-of-country emergency medical insurance.
- ✅ Trip interruption / cancellation coverage.
- ✅ Flight delay and baggage coverage.
- ✅ Purchase protection and extended warranty on eligible purchases.
Not included / limited
- ❌ No no-foreign-transaction-fee benefit — non-CAD purchases carry a fee.
- ❌ Lounge access is not built in — this is not a premium luxury travel card.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $120 (waived first year) |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 20.99% |
| Cash advance APR | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Grace period | 21 days on new purchases |
Best for
- Individuals or families with substantial spending in groceries, dining, entertainment and travel in Canada.
- Canadians who value a strong rewards rate and are willing to pay the annual fee after the waived first year.
- Those who want flexibility in redemption via the Scene+ program and decent travel-related protections without paying ultra-luxury fees.
Where it falls short
- If most of your spend is outside the bonus categories (e.g., big travel spend abroad, international shopping, or streaming outside Canada) you might not capture full value.
- The annual fee after year one can become a drag if you don’t maintain high enough spending or redeem smartly.
- For heavy travellers who want lounge access, no FX fee and ultra-premium perks, there are better (but more expensive) cards.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“Love the 5× earn on groceries — I see the points pile up fast and it feels like I’m getting rewarded for what I already spend.”
“The first-year fee waiver made it easy to try the card and see if it fits my lifestyle.”
Critiques
“After the first year the fee kicked in and I had to look closely at how much value I was getting vs. alternatives.”
“The foreign transaction fee and fact that many purchases fall outside the bonus categories mean I sometimes feel the structure could better match my spend.”
Community insights
Among Canadian rewards-card users this card is often cited as one of the best “everyday plus travel” options under a moderate fee. Many users pick it after years of rotating category cards or for families who want simplicity and strong earn in commonly used categories. However, in travel-forums you’ll also see users say: “if you travel internationally a lot, make sure you have a no-FX-fee card alongside it.”
AI review (straight talk)
If your spending pattern is heavy in groceries, dining and entertainment, the Scotiabank Gold Amex delivers real value — you’ll earn meaningful points and a first-year fee waiver makes the decision low-risk. The annual fee after year one isn’t trivial, so it’s best when you consistently spend in those bonus categories and redeem points smartly. For casual spenders or those focused on travel perks abroad, this isn’t the ultra-premium travel card, but for everyday value it’s very compelling.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Categories | Other Purchases | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | $120 (1st year waived) | 5× groceries/dining/entertainment | 1× general | Strong spillover travel value + Scene+ flexibility | Everyday spenders & travel-aware Canadians |
| Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card | $149 | 4× groceries/dining/streaming/gas | 1× | No foreign transaction fee | Frequent travellers & streaming/gas heavy spenders |
| Scotiabank Scene+ Amex Card | $0 | 3× groceries; 2× dining/entertainment | 1× | No-fee everyday Scene+ earner | Budget-conscious rewards seekers |
| American Express® Cobalt® Card | $155.88 (12.99×12) | 5× on food & dining; 2× groceries/transport | 1× | Flexible transferable points & travel value | High-spend food & travel users |
FAQ
Is there an annual fee?
Yes — the annual fee is $120, but the first year is waived.
What are the earn rates?
You earn 5 Scene+ points per $1 on eligible groceries, dining and entertainment in Canada; 4 points per $1 on eligible gas, transit and streaming in Canada; 3 points per $1 on eligible travel purchases; and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Does the first year fee waiver apply automatically?
Yes — the first year annual fee is waived, giving you an opportunity to try the card before the fee begins.
Where can Scene+ points be redeemed?
Scene+ points are highly flexible — you can redeem them for travel, gift cards, statement credits, grocery savings, or entertainment. For best value, use them for travel or partner transfers rather than basic redemptions.
Is foreign transaction fee included?
Yes — for non-CAD purchases a foreign transaction fee (typically 2.5%) applies.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take For Canadians who spend heavily in the right categories and redeem points smartly, the Scotiabank Gold Amex is an excellent all-rounder. The first-year fee waiver lowers the barrier to entry, and the elevated earn rates in everyday spend make it a compelling choice. It’s less ideal for pure travellers looking for ultra-premium lounge access, or for those who carry most of their spend outside the bonus categories, but for the majority of moderately frequent travellers and everyday spenders it delivers solid value.
| Overall | ★★★★☆4.2 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.3 / 5 — excellent in bonus categories |
| Benefits & protections | 4.0 / 5 — strong for the fee level |
| Fees & costs | 3.8 / 5 — manageable if used smartly |
| Ease of approval | 4.0 / 5 — moderate income / credit requirements |
