The Scotiabank Gold American Express card, which offers a benefits rate of up to 5% on a variety of spending categories, $450 in sign-up bonus points, and complete travel insurance, is one of Canada’s top travel rewards cards. You may quickly exchange the Scotia Rewards points you earn with this card for products, gift cards, and more.

For a limited time, you may receive 20,000 extra points ($200 value) when you apply for a new Scotiabank Gold AMEX card and spend up to $1,000 in the first three months. Additionally, you receive an additional 20,000 points when you spend up to $7,500 in the first year, for a total of 45,000 points ($450 value) in the first year. Additionally, the initial year’s $120 cost is eliminated.

When you spend $1,000 in the first three months as a new cardholder, you will receive 25,000 extra Scene+ points. You receive an extra 20,000 bonus points when you spend $7,500 or more in the first year, for a total of 45,000 bonus points, or a $450 value. Earn for your purchases 5 Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on food, entertainment, and dining.

As well as up to 6x points at select supermarkets — 3 points for every $1 you spend on petrol, public transportation, and streaming services (Netflix and Cineplex), and 1 Scene+ point for every $1 you spend on anything else. No foreign credit card fees because this card is now one of just a few Canadian credit cards that don’t charge a 2.5% international transaction fee when you buy anything in foreign money online or elsewhere.

Comprehensive insurance

Travel emergency medical insurance up to $1 million. If you are under 65, you are eligible for this coverage for up to 25 consecutive days; if you are 65 or over, you are eligible for up to 3 consecutive days of coverage. Insurance against trip cancellation and interruption, up to a maximum of $1,500 per person and $10,000 per trip, and Flight delay protection.

As well as insurance for delayed and lost baggage up to a maximum of $1,000 and coverage for travel-related mishaps up to $1 million per event. Furthermore, Insurance against accidental loss and damage for rental cars, with coverage for up to $65,000 MSRP and up to 48 consecutive days. You will get insurance against hotel and motel theft.

For these insurance coverages to apply, you must have paid all or a portion of your travel expenses with your card. Purchase protection for up to 90 days, plus an additional year of guarantee. Furthermore, a discounted subscription to Priority Pass grants accesses to more than 600 VIP airport lounges globally at a 35% savings.

When you purchase airline tickets through the Scene+ Rewards website or a salesperson, you are given a 24-hour best-price guarantee. Additionally, discounts are available on cruises, holiday packages, and more. Among travel rewards and cash-back cards, this one offers one of the greatest rewards rates at 5% on your eating, entertainment, and grocery purchases.

More on Rewards Points

The 5% rewards points are easily utilized because the typical household spends a lot of money on these categories each month. For instance, if you really spend $700 per month on dining out, entertainment, and groceries, your yearly rewards points at 5% are 42,000 points, which are worth $420. The annual ceiling for earning 5 points for every $1 spent in the aforementioned areas is $50,000.

You start receiving one point for every dollar you spend beyond this annual spending cap. The yearly charge for the Scotiabank Gold Amex is $120. (waived in the first year). Your first year’s yearly price is more than covered by the welcome bonus of 25,000 Scene+ points, which are worth $250.

Based on the fair offer criterion to spend $1,000 during the first three months, the majority of cardholders may receive the $200 incentive. The card is a terrific addition because it now qualifies as a full-fledged travel credit card thanks to the 2.5% foreign transaction charge waiver.

Last but not least, this card offers a comprehensive travel insurance package that is comparable to other cards with higher annual fees. Redeeming Scene+ points for travel-related goods is simple (hotels, flights, car rental, etc.). Travel arrangements can be made using Scene Plus for 100 points = $1. The 5,000 points ($50) minimum redemption requirement must be met.

If you want to book your journey through a different travel provider or agency, you can still use your points to do so. Pay as you usually would with your card, then use your points to pay down the remaining debt on your credit card. Points can be exchanged for gift cards or statement credits in addition to travel.

Remember

if you carry a balance, you will pay an interest rate of 20.99% APR on purchases and a rate of 22.99% APR on cash advances. The yearly fee for the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is $120. Another drawback is that Amex cards are not as widely recognized as Visa or Mastercard if you’d prefer not to pay fees on a  credit card.

At the same time, if you want a travel card that gives the rate of a great point and spends a fair amount on groceries, petrol, dining out, and entertainment each month, you should give this card some thought. Your $120 yearly charge (excluding the $200 to $450 sign-up incentive) will be paid up in no time at a 5% earnings rate on these four categories. Additionally, the Scotiabank Gold American Express card has a low yearly income criterion of $12,000.