The ClearFin bottom line
🛒 Best Grocery Card
Its strongest published earn rate in our data is 6.0% on groceries. The $120 annual fee should be weighed against the rewards and benefits you expect to use.
Checked 2026-08-09 · Official issuer catalogueIndependent ClearFin review · Scotiabank · American Express
Scotia Gold Amex
Start with up to 50,000 Scene+ points — up to $500 toward eligible travel.
Independent comparisonFees includedCanadian card data
- Annual fee
- $120
- Reward type
- Scene+
- Welcome offer
- 50,000 pts
- Insurance
- Not listed
Current new-cardmember offer
Confirm with the issuer
$150cash rebate*
🛒 Best Grocery Card
🛒 Best Grocery Card
Welcome bonus
Up to 50,000 Scene+ pointsup to $500 toward eligible travel
New cardmembers can earn up to 50,000 Scene+ points — up to $500 toward eligible travel by completing the steps below.
Offer details
The issuer currently advertises up to $950 in first-year value when the welcome points, annual fee and selected benefits are combined. Full offer terms apply.
How you earn
- Earn up to 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent at eligible grocery stores, dining, and entertainment merchants
- Earn 5 Scene+ points per $1 on food delivery, food subscriptions, and select grocery merchants
- Earn 5 Scene+ points per $1 on eligible entertainment purchases including movies and theatres
- Earn 3 Scene+ points per $1 on eligible gas, transit, and rideshare services
- Earn 3 Scene+ points per $1 on eligible streaming services
- Earn 1 Scene+ point per $1 on all other eligible purchases
- Earn additional bonus points through Scene+ travel bookings (up to 4x via Scene+ Travel portal)
Costs and requirements
Fees & eligibility
Confirm final approval criteria and current rates directly with the issuer.
Annual fee$120
Purchase interest21.99%
Cash advance interest22.99%
Foreign transaction fee0%
Income requirement$12,000Issuer approval criteria apply
Recommended credit score660+ Fair to Good Credit
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is a mid-premium rewards card that typically requires a solid credit profile for approval.
300Poor
560Fair
660+Good
725Very Good
760Excellent
ClearFin estimate on Canada's 300–900 scale. This is not an issuer cutoff or approval guarantee; lenders may use different bureau scores and underwriting criteria. Scotiabank does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Approval is based on income, credit history, debt-to-income ratio, and overall banking relationship. Meeting the minimum income requirement does not guarantee approval.
Reward limits: Scotiabank does not publish fixed annual or category-specific earning caps for the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. Points are earned based on category multipliers (up to 6x in core categories like groceries, dining, and entertainment). However, promotional offers and Scene+ bonus campaigns may have spend thresholds and time limits (e.g., welcome bonus conditions within 3 months and 12 months).
promotional_thresholdsWelcome bonus requires minimum spend thresholds ($2,000 in first 3 months and $7,500 in first 12 months) to unlock full bonus value.
category_multipliersHigher earn rates (2x–6x) apply only to eligible merchant categories; no published annual cap, but earnings depend on category classification rules.
Using your rewards
Redemption options
Redemption values and availability may vary by option and can change.
Redeem Scene+ points with participating grocery, entertainment, dining, and retail partners.
Use eligible Scene+ points toward travel booked through the program; redemption values and availability vary.
Beyond the points
Benefits that come with the card
Consider these extras by the value they add to purchases and experiences you already use.
No Foreign Transaction Fee
Shop internationally or online without the standard 2.5% FX markup, paying only the exchange rate.
Travel Insurance Package
Includes emergency medical, trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, baggage delay, and rental car collision coverage.
Priority Pass Discount Access
Discounted access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide via Priority Pass membership.
Amex Front of the Line Access
Early access to concert tickets, events, and exclusive American Express experiences.
Shell Fuel Savings
Get up to 12¢/L in savings at Shell stations when linked with eligible offers.
Scotia SelectPay Installments
Convert eligible purchases into fixed monthly payments for better cash flow management.
Purchase Protection & Extended Warranty
Coverage for theft, damage, and extended warranty protection on eligible purchases.
Protection included
Insurance at a glance
No included coverage is verified in ClearFin's current catalogue.
Insurance is not currently listed for this product.
This does not prove that coverage is unavailable. Confirm the issuer's current certificate and benefit guide before relying on protection.
Check the official card page ↗The verdict
What we like
- Strong accelerated earn rates (up to 6x Scene+ points on groceries, dining, and entertainment)
- No foreign transaction fees, making it strong for international and online spending
- Comprehensive insurance package including travel, purchase protection, and mobile device coverage
Worth noting
- Annual fee ($120) unless waived through eligible Scotiabank banking packages
- High earn rates are limited to specific merchant categories and capped by classification rules
- Amex acceptance is lower compared to Visa/Mastercard in some locations
ClearFin analysis
Our detailed review
A practical reading of where the card earns, what the fee buys, and which limits matter.
🛒 Best Grocery Card
6x Scene+ at Sobeys, Safeway & more. 5x on dining, food delivery & entertainment. 3x on gas, transit & streaming.
How the rewards work
Groceries receive the strongest estimated return at 6.0%. Purchases outside the accelerated categories earn an estimated 1.0%.
What the annual cost means
Using the strongest estimated category return alone, roughly $2,000 in annual spending at that rate would equal the $120 fee before considering the value of insurance, partner benefits, or a welcome offer.
Who it may suit
This card is most relevant for someone who spends consistently on groceries and dining and can use enough of the included value to justify the yearly cost.
What to examine before applying
Compare the purchase interest rate, foreign-transaction fee, approval requirements, reward limits, and insurance certificates. Pay particular attention to merchant-category rules because a store may not receive the reward rate its products appear to suggest.
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Issuer terms apply. ClearFin is not affiliated with this provider. How we make money. Card facts were checked against the issuer's official source. The issuer's current catalogue was checked. Any field not explicitly listed remains marked as unverified rather than estimated.