Lena Hayes
The Scotiabank American Express® Card is a no-fee Scene+ earner that’s great for everyday spending. Get accelerated points at Sobeys-family grocery stores and on popular categories like dining, entertainment, gas, transit, and select streaming.
Quick highlights
- 🛒 3x Scene+ points at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland & more (eligible banners).
- 🍽️ 2x Scene+ on other eligible grocery, dining, entertainment, gas, transit & select streaming.
- 💳 1x Scene+ on all other eligible purchases.
- 💵 No annual fee and wide Amex acceptance at major retailers.
Why we like the Scotiabank American Express® Card
This no-fee Amex builds Scene+ points quickly on groceries and popular daily categories. It’s an easy pick for cardholders who shop at Sobeys-family stores and want flexible redemptions for travel, movies, dining, and more.
Stand-out features
- ✅ 3x Scene+ at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland & other eligible banners.
- ✅ 2x Scene+ on other eligible grocery, dining, entertainment, gas, transit & select streaming.
- ✅ 1x Scene+ on everything else.
- ✅ No annual fee; easy to keep long-term.
Good to know
- ⚠️ Category eligibility depends on merchant coding and participating partners.
- ⚠️ Best value often comes from Scene+ travel or Cineplex redemptions.
- ⚠️ Foreign transactions incur a 2.5% fee.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Strong grocery earn at Sobeys-family banners.
- Broad 2x coverage on popular everyday categories.
- Flexible Scene+ redemptions (movies, travel, credits).
- Simple earning with no rotating categories.
Cons
- Amex acceptance can be narrower with some small merchants.
- Foreign transaction fee applies.
- No premium travel insurance.
Rewards program
- 🛒 3x Scene+ points at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland & more (eligible banners).
- 🍽️ 2x Scene+ on other eligible grocery, dining, entertainment, gas, daily transit & select streaming.
- 💳 1x Scene+ on all other eligible purchases.
How to maximize rewards
- Grocery shop at Sobeys-family stores to hit the 3x earn rate.
- Route dining, entertainment, gas, transit and streaming to this card for steady 2x.
- Redeem points for travel or Cineplex for typically higher value.
- Pair with a no-forex-fee card for travel outside Canada.
Insurance & benefits
Included
- 🛍️ Purchase Security — coverage for theft or damage (90 days).
- 🕒 Extended Warranty — doubles the manufacturer’s warranty up to one year.
- 💳 American Express Zero Liability protection.
Not included
- ❌ No emergency medical or trip coverage.
- ❌ No rental car or mobile device insurance (on the no-fee version).
- ❌ No premium airport benefits.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 19.99% |
| Cash advance APR | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Grace period | 21 days on new purchases |
Best for
- 🛒 Shoppers at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland & other participating banners.
- 🎬 Movie-goers and Scene+ users.
- 💸 Canadians who want a no-annual-fee everyday rewards card.
Where it falls short
- Amex acceptance varies at smaller retailers.
- Limited insurance compared to premium cards.
- 2.5% foreign transaction fee on non-CAD purchases.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“Great earn at Sobeys and easy Scene+ redemptions.”
“No fee and strong everyday categories — perfect starter card.”
Critiques
“Acceptance can be hit-or-miss with small shops.”
“Would like more travel insurance.”
Community insights
Among Scene+ fans, this no-fee Amex is a staple for grocery and daily spend, especially for shoppers at Sobeys-family stores. Many pair it with a travel card to cover insurance and foreign purchases.
AI review (straight talk)
If you shop at Sobeys or its partner banners, this card is a no-brainer for stacking Scene+ points. It’s simple, free, and pairs nicely with a premium travel card for bigger trips.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Categories | Other Purchases | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank American Express® Card | $0 | 3x Sobeys banners; 2x daily categories | 1x | Flexible Scene+ redemptions | Everyday earners |
| Scotiabank SCENE+® Visa Card | $0 | 2x dining & entertainment | 1x | Scene+ ecosystem | Movie & dining rewards |
| TD Rewards Visa* Card | $0 | 3x ExpediaForTD, 2x dining & groceries | 1x | Flexible travel rewards | Travel starters |
| Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard® | $0 | 2% custom categories | 0.5% | Category flexibility | Custom earners |
FAQ
Is there an annual fee?
No, the Scotiabank American Express® Card has no annual fee.
What are the earn rates?
Earn 3x Scene+ points at Sobeys-family grocery banners; 2x on other eligible grocery, dining, entertainment, gas, transit & select streaming; and 1x on all other purchases.
Where can I redeem Scene+ points?
Redeem for Cineplex movies, Scene+ Travel (powered by Expedia), groceries at participating partners, gift cards, or statement credits.
Does it include travel insurance?
No, the no-fee version focuses on purchase-related protections.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take For a $0-fee card, the Scotiabank American Express® Card delivers strong grocery-focused earnings and broad 2x categories — a solid everyday earner in the Scene+ ecosystem.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.3 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.4 / 5 — generous grocery & daily categories |
| Benefits & protections | 3.5 / 5 — purchase & warranty coverage |
| Fees & costs | 5.0 / 5 — no annual fee |
| Ease of approval | 4.4 / 5 — accessible for most Canadians |
