Lena Hayes
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card is a premium Scene+ travel card that mixes a low 9.99% interest rate with no foreign transaction fees, airport lounge access and flat 2× Scene+ points on every dollar you spend. If you travel regularly and want simple earning plus rich perks, this card is designed to be your “do-it-all” travel companion.
Quick highlights
- 🎁 Welcome offer: Earn up to 80,000 bonus Scene+ points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months (60,000 pts) and a total of $10,000 in the first 14 months (extra 20,000 pts).
- 💳 2× Scene+ points on all eligible everyday purchases charged to the card.
- 🏨 3× Scene+ points per $1 on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through Scene+ Travel using your card.
- 🌍 No foreign transaction fees on purchases in other currencies — you save the typical 2.5% surcharge.
- 🛫 10 complimentary airport lounge visits per year for the primary cardholder via Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounges.
- 🧾 Low ongoing interest rate of 9.99% on purchases and cash advances (still best to pay in full, but useful as a safety net).
Why we like the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card
This card is aimed squarely at Canadians who travel often and want both rich perks and flexibility. The combination of no foreign transaction fees, a big welcome bonus (up to 80,000 Scene+ points), strong travel insurance and lounge visits makes it easy to extract a lot of value if you’re on the road or in the air regularly.
The flat 2× Scene+ earn rate on all eligible purchases also keeps things simple. You don’t need to memorize bonus categories or track rotating promos — you just use the card and collect double points everywhere. When you book hotels and car rentals through Scene+ Travel, you step up to 3× points, which is a nice boost for core travel spend.
Stand-out features
- ✅ Up to 80,000 Scene+ points in the first 14 months when you hit the spend milestones.
- ✅ Flat 2× Scene+ points on all eligible purchases, so everything you buy helps you earn travel faster.
- ✅ No foreign transaction fees — a rare perk that saves you money on every non-CAD purchase.
- ✅ 10 complimentary lounge visits per year for the primary cardholder, plus visits for supplementary cardholders.
- ✅ Low 9.99% interest rate on both purchases and cash advances — unusual for a premium rewards card.
Good to know
- ⚠️ The annual fee of $399 means you really want to use the lounge access, no-FX perk, and rewards to come out ahead.
- ⚠️ The welcome offer is time-limited and has minimum spend requirements over 3 and 14 months — you’ll need a plan to hit them comfortably.
- ⚠️ Amex network acceptance is strong at major merchants and travel providers, but some small businesses may not accept it.
- ⚠️ Scene+ points are very flexible, but for pure business-class flight redemptions some airline-specific programs still squeeze out more value.
Pros
- Rich welcome offer (up to 80,000 Scene+ points) and significant first-year value potential.
- 2× Scene+ points on all eligible purchases; 3× on eligible hotel and car rental bookings through Scene+ Travel.
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases in other currencies.
- 10 complimentary lounge visits per year for the primary cardholder via Priority Pass and Plaza Premium, plus free membership for supplementary cardholders.
- Comprehensive travel insurance including emergency medical, trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay and baggage coverage.
- Low 9.99% interest rate on purchases and cash advances compared to most premium cards.
Cons
- High annual fee of $399, plus $99 for each supplementary cardholder.
- Flat 2× earn rate is great for simplicity, but high-spend food or grocery users might do better with 4–5× category cards.
- Amex acceptance, while improving, still isn’t universal in smaller shops and some services.
- To fully justify the cost, you need to travel often enough to use the lounge visits and make use of the no-FX advantage.
Rewards program
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card earns Scene+ points on every dollar, with simple base earning and a bump when you book through Scene+ Travel.
- 2× Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all eligible everyday purchases charged to the card.
- 3× Scene+ points for every eligible $1 spent on hotel and car rental bookings made through Scene+ Travel using your card.
- Up to 80,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first 14 months:
- 60,000 bonus points when you spend at least $3,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months.
- Additional 20,000 bonus points when you reach at least $10,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 14 months.
- Supplementary cardholders earn Scene+ points at the same rate as the primary card, helping you collect points faster as a household.
How to maximize rewards
-
Plan your first-year spending around the welcome bonus.
Before applying, map out whether you can comfortably spend $3,000 in 3 months and $10,000 in 14 months on normal expenses. If that fits your budget, you’re well positioned to unlock the full 80,000 Scene+ points. -
Run all eligible spend through the card.
Because you earn 2× points on all eligible purchases, this is a card that rewards being your main driver. Use it for groceries, utilities, subscription services, insurance premiums, online shopping, and travel. -
Book hotels and car rentals through Scene+ Travel.
Where pricing is similar, booking via Scene+ Travel to earn 3× points is an easy way to boost your reward rate on core travel expenses. -
Lean into no-FX purchases while abroad.
When you travel, use this card for restaurants, hotels, tours, and online bookings in foreign currencies to take advantage of the lack of foreign transaction fees. -
Use your lounge passes strategically.
You get 10 complimentary visits per year as the primary cardholder. Use them for longer layovers, early airport arrivals, or trips where food and Wi-Fi in the terminal would otherwise cost you extra. -
Redeem for higher-value travel instead of low-value merchandise.
Whenever possible, aim to use your Scene+ points for travel bookings or Apply Points to Travel redemptions, which tend to give more value per point compared to gift cards or small merchandise items. -
Pair with a strong everyday earner if needed.
If you have another card that earns 4–5× in specific categories like groceries or dining, you can use that card for those purchases and keep the Platinum Amex focused on travel, foreign currency purchases and perks like lounge access and insurance.
Insurance & benefits
Included
- Out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical insurance for you and eligible family members when travel is charged to the card (with length and age limits).
- Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance for covered reasons when you pay eligible travel expenses with the card.
- Flight delay insurance and delayed/lost baggage insurance, helping cover expenses if your journey doesn’t go as planned.
- Travel accident insurance when travelling on a common carrier (plane, train, ship, bus) paid with the card.
- Rental car collision/loss damage insurance when you decline the rental agency’s coverage and pay with your card.
- Hotel/motel burglary insurance for covered personal items stolen from your room while travelling.
- Mobile device insurance for new cell phones, smartphones, and tablets purchased with the card or financed through a carrier and charged to the account.
- Purchase security for eligible items against theft, loss or damage for a set period after purchase (longer than most standard cards).
- Extended warranty that can double the manufacturer’s warranty up to a defined maximum period.
Not included / limitations
- ❌ No included roadside assistance program — you’ll need a separate provider if that’s important.
- ❌ Travel medical and other coverages have age restrictions, trip length caps and exclusions; older travellers or long trips may need extra coverage.
- ⚠️ You usually need to charge a significant portion (or all) of your trip costs to the card to be eligible for some coverages.
- ⚠️ As with any insurance, pre-existing medical conditions and high-risk activities may be excluded — worth reviewing the detailed certificates before relying on the card as your only protection.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $399 (primary cardholder) |
|---|---|
| Supplementary card fee | $99 per additional cardholder |
| Purchase APR | 9.99% |
| Cash advance APR | 9.99% (including balance transfers, Scotia Credit Card Cheques and cash-like transactions) |
| Foreign transaction fee | 0% Scotiabank markup — only the exchange rate applies on foreign-currency purchases |
| Grace period | At least 21 days on new purchases when you pay your statement balance in full by the due date |
| Minimum credit limit | $10,000 |
Best for
- ✈️ Frequent travellers who want lounge access, no foreign transaction fees and strong travel insurance in a single card.
- 🌍 Canadians who regularly spend in foreign currencies (online or abroad) and want to avoid the typical 2.5% FX markup.
- 💼 Professionals and frequent flyers who value comfort and convenience at the airport and prefer flat, simple earning instead of juggling category bonuses.
- 💳 People who sometimes carry a balance and appreciate a lower interest rate than most premium rewards cards (though paying in full is always best).
Where it falls short
- The $399 annual fee is significant; you need to travel enough and use the perks to justify it each year.
- Flat 2× Scene+ on everything is easy, but heavy grocery or dining spenders might earn more with specialized 4–5× category cards.
- Amex isn’t accepted everywhere, especially with some small merchants or local service providers.
- If you rarely leave Canada (or don’t fly much), the lounge passes and no-FX benefit are less valuable, and a lower-fee card might be better.
- Welcome offer eligibility excludes many existing or recent Scotiabank credit cardholders, limiting who can get the big first-year boost.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“I travel several times a year, and between the no-FX fees and lounge access, I’ve saved and enjoyed more than enough to justify the annual fee.”
“I like that it’s 2× points on everything. I don’t have to think about categories, and Scene+ redemptions for travel have been smooth.”
Critiques
“The fee is high if you don’t take full advantage of the lounge access or travel insurance. In a slow travel year, it feels expensive.”
“I wish Amex acceptance were more universal. I still need a backup Visa or Mastercard for some shops and services.”
Community insights
In Canadian points and miles communities, the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card is often considered a “sweet spot” for frequent travellers who want no-FX fees and lounge access without jumping into ultra-high-fee metal cards. People like the simplicity of 2× earnings and the fact that Scene+ points are easy to use for straightforward travel bookings. At the same time, many users point out that you really need to travel several times a year — and charge most of that travel to this card — to make the $399 fee feel like a no-brainer.
AI review (straight talk)
If you’re travelling regularly — a few trips a year, some in foreign currencies — this card can quietly deliver a lot of value. No FX markup means every purchase abroad is automatically 2.5% cheaper than it would be on a typical card, the lounge passes can turn chaotic airport days into something more civilized, and the welcome bonus plus 2× earn rate make Scene+ points stack up quickly.
Where it doesn’t shine is for homebodies or occasional travellers. If you might only fly once every couple of years or rarely make foreign purchases, then a $399 annual fee is hard to justify, even with a great first-year offer. It’s also not the ultimate “maximize every last point” card for hardcore optimizers chasing 5× or 6× category multipliers. Think of this card as a premium, practical travel tool: if you actually use the perks baked into it, it’s excellent; if you don’t, it’s overkill.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Categories / Earn | Other Purchases | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card | $399 | 2× Scene+ on all eligible purchases; 3× on hotel & car via Scene+ Travel | Same 2× base rate | No FX fees, 10 lounge visits, strong insurance, low 9.99% interest | Frequent travellers who want perks + simplicity |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | $120 (often promo rebate year 1) | Up to 5× Scene+ on groceries, dining & entertainment; 3–4× on select travel categories | 1× | No FX fees, strong category earn | Everyday spenders who want high earn but don’t need premium lounge perks |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card | $150 | Boosted earn on travel, dining and transit | 1× | No FX fees, Priority Pass lounge visits (fewer than Platinum Amex) | Frequent international travellers who need Visa acceptance |
| American Express Platinum Card | Higher fee (Amex-issued) | High earn on travel & dining (varies by category) | 1× | Extensive lounge network, hotel elite status, rich lifestyle credits | Heavy travellers who will fully use ultra-premium perks |
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card | $120 | 5× on groceries, dining, gas & transit | 1× | $50 lifestyle credit, strong everyday earn | Domestic spenders who want high earn without premium travel focus |
FAQ
Is there an annual fee?
Yes. The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card has an annual fee of $399 for the primary cardholder. Supplementary cards are $99 each.
What is the current welcome bonus?
For applications opened between October 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026, you can earn up to 80,000 bonus Scene+ points. You earn 60,000 points when you spend at least $3,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months, and an additional 20,000 points when you spend at least $10,000 in your first 14 months.
What are the earn rates on this card?
You earn 2 Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all eligible purchases made with the card, and 3 Scene+ points per $1 on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through Scene+ Travel using your card.
Does the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card charge foreign transaction fees?
No. You don’t pay Scotiabank’s typical foreign currency conversion markup on purchases in other currencies. Only the exchange rate applies, which effectively saves you around 2.5% on every non-CAD purchase compared with most standard cards.
Does this card include travel insurance?
Yes. The card comes with a comprehensive suite of travel insurance protections, including emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, flight delay, delayed and lost baggage, travel accident, rental car collision damage, hotel burglary and mobile device insurance, subject to eligibility conditions and policy limits.
What lounge access does this card provide?
As a primary Scotiabank Platinum American Express cardholder, you receive complimentary membership in Priority Pass and access to Plaza Premium lounges, along with 10 free lounge visits per year. Supplementary cardholders also receive membership and a smaller allotment of free visits. Additional visits beyond those free allowances are charged at the prevailing lounge rate.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card sits in a sweet spot for Canadian travellers who want a serious travel tool without going all the way to ultra-premium, ultra-expensive territory. No FX fees, 10 lounge visits, a big welcome bonus and a low 9.99% rate form a very compelling bundle if you’re actually travelling regularly and charging most of those trips to this card.
If you’re more of an occasional vacationer, don’t use lounges, or rarely spend in foreign currencies, the $399 fee may not be worth it long term — a cheaper travel card, or even a strong everyday category card, could fit better. But if you’re in that group of Canadians who fly multiple times a year, like to explore outside the country and appreciate both comfort and predictability in your card, this is a strong contender for the top slot in your wallet.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.5 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.5 / 5 — strong earn, valuable welcome bonus, good travel redemptions |
| Benefits & protections | 4.7 / 5 — excellent travel insurance, lounge access and no-FX perk |
| Fees & costs | 3.8 / 5 — high fee, but offsettable if you use the perks and travel often |
| Ease of approval | 3.5 / 5 — premium card requirements and higher minimum credit limit |
