In this post, we take a look at the best Scotiabank credit cards available to Canadians. To make the most from a credit card, you need to choose from the best ones that meet your primary need.
And the fortunate thing is that we have different credit cards to choose from across different categories in Canada. Not only does the best credit card help you improve your credit score, but it also gives you access to some of the best financial deals out there.
Scotiabank, one of the five big banks in Canada, offers some of the best credit cards across the different card categories. Whether you’re looking for a cashback credit card, no-fee credit card, low-interest credit card, or credit card for travel, Scotiabank has a card that meets your needs.
In this review, I provide a detailed view of the best Scotiabank credit cards with their key features to help you easily choose the one that suits your needs.
Let’s get started.
Overview of the Best Scotiabank Credit Cards
The following is an overview of the best Scotiabank credit cards as of the time of writing.
| Credit Card | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotiabank Gold American Express Card | $120 |
| Scotiabank American Express Card | $0 |
| Scotiabank GM Visa Infinite Card | $79 (waived in the first year) |
| Scotiabank GM Visa Card | $0 |
| Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card | $120 (waived in the first year) |
| Scotia Momentum Visa Card | $39 |
| Scotia Momentum Mastercard Credit Card | $0 |
| L’earn Visa Card | $0 |
| Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card | $0 |
| SCENE Visa Card | $0 |
| SCENE Visa Card for Students | $0 |
| Scotiabank Value Visa Card | $29 (waived in the first year) |
| Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card | $399 |
| ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card | $110 |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card | $150 |
The above credit cards are categorized into six categories – reward, cashback, no-fee, low-interest, travel & lifestyle and promotions.
Let us now take a detailed look at each of the credit cards across their various categories.
Best Scotiabank Reward Credit Cards
Reward credit cards help you offset costs when you make purchases by rewarding you with redeemable points, travel miles or real cash back.
The following are the best Scotiabank reward credit cards to consider:
1. Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
- Annual fee: $120
- APR: 20.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: Up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first year of card membership
- Minimum credit limit: $5,000
- Income requirement: $12,000 minimum personal annual income
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is an award-winning credit card that welcomes new users with up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points ($450-valued) within their initial year of membership.
In addition, the card offers 5X Scene+ points on every eligible $1 purchase on dining, grocery and entertainment. Every other $1 purchase with the card will earn you 1X Scene+ points.
What I like about the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is that it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. This helps you save costs when travelling abroad or shopping in foreign stores.
Learn more: Scotiabank Gold American Express Card Review
2. Scotiabank American Express Card
- Annual fee: $0
- APR: 19.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: Up to 12,000 bonus Scene+ points within the first year of card membership
- Minimum credit limit: $1,000
- Income requirement: $12,000 minimum personal annual income
The Scotiabank American Express Card rewards new users that spend a minimum of $500 in eligible purchases within their initial 3 months of card membership with up to 12,000 bonus Scene+ points.
Every $1 you spend with the card on other purchases will earn you 1 Scene+ point. The interesting part is that you can redeem your points for travel anytime you wish and anywhere.
In addition to free supplementary card access, the Scotiabank American Express Card also offers access to compressive insurance, ranging from:
- Travel Emergency Medical Insurance
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Trip Interruption Insurance
- Rental Car Collision Loss/Damage Insurance
3. Scotiabank GM Visa Infinite Card
- Annual fee: $79 (waived in the first year)
- APR: 19.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: 5% in GM earnings on initial $10,000 purchases
- Minimum credit limit: $5,000
- Income requirement: Minimum of $60,000 personal annual income, $100,000 household annual income or assets under management worth $250,000
With the Scotiabank GM Visa Infinite Card, you will be rewarded with 5% in GM earnings when you spend the initial $10,000 with the card.
After that, you will earn 2% on every other purchase that can be applied to the down payment of a new or leased GMC, Cadillac, Buick or Chevrolet purchase.
While the card comes with a $79 annual fee, the fee is waived in the first year. You will also enjoy comprehensive insurance coverage including Travel Medical Insurance, Purchase Security and an Extended Warranty.
Note: Scotiabank is no longer receiving applications for this card effective June 15, 2022.
4. Scotiabank GM Visa Card
- Annual fee: $0
- APR: 19.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: 5% in GM earnings on initial $5,000 purchases
- Minimum credit limit: $500
- Income requirement: N/A
Unlike the Scotiabank GM Visa Infinite Card, the Scotiabank GM Visa Card has low minimum income requirements with no annual fee.
Also, you’ll earn the promotional cash back rate of 5% GM earnings on the initial $5,000 unlike the initial $10,000 with the Scotiabank GM Visa Infinite Card.
Afterwards, you will also earn 2% on every other purchase that can be applied to a new GMC, Cadillac, Buick or Chevrolet down payment with the Scotiabank GM Visa Card.
Note: Scotiabank is no longer receiving applications for this card effective June 15, 2022.
Best Scotiabank Cashback Credit Cards
Instead of reward points, a cashback credit card rewards you with real cash for making eligible purchases. Scotiabank is also not left behind among the providers of the most competitive cashback credit cards in Canada.
Below, we’ll take a look Scotiabank’s best cashback credit cards.
5. Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card
- Annual fee: $120 (waived in the first year)
- APR: 20.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: 10% cash back on all purchases within the initial three months of card membership
- Minimum credit limit: $5,000
- Income requirement: Minimum of $60,000 personal annual income, $100,000 household annual income or assets under management worth $250,000
The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card is one of the best cashback credit cards in Canada with a competitive promotion.
The card rewards new users with 10% cash back on up to $2,000 purchases during their initial three months of card membership. This is in addition to the first-year annual fee waiver that’s also applicable to supplementary cards.
After the promo expires, you will earn 4% cash back for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments, grocery and subscription purchases.
Every $1 purchase on daily transit and gas purchases with the card will earn you 2% cash back. For every other purchase, you will earn an unlimited 1% cash back.
Related: Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card Review
6. Scotia Momentum Visa Card
- Annual fee: $39
- APR: 19.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: 0.00% introductory balance transfer interest rate on your initial six months of card membership
- Minimum credit limit: $500
- Income requirement: N/A
The Scotia Momentum Visa Card is one of the few credit cards in Canada that waives balance transfer interest rate for up to your initial six months of card membership.
With this special offer, you can save considerably from the card’s standard balance transfer interest rate of 22.99%.
Besides that, the Scotia Momentum Visa Card also offers 2% cash back on recurring payments, drug store, grocery and gas station purchases. Every other eligible purchase with the card will earn you 1% cash back.
7. Scotia Momentum Mastercard Credit Card
- Annual fee: $0
- APR: 20.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: 7.99% introductory purchase APR within your initial six months of card membership
- Minimum credit limit: $500
- Income requirement: N/A
Are you looking for a credit card with low interest on purchases? The Scotia Momentum Mastercard Credit Card welcomes you with a 7.99% introductory purchase APR for up to your initial six months of card membership.
While that’s one of the lowest introductory purchase APRs in Canada, you will be charged an above-average purchase APR of 20.99% when the promo expires.
Nevertheless, the card is worth considering because it has no annual fee and rewards you with 1% cash on eligible purchases and 0.5% cash back on every other purchase.
8. L’earn Visa Card
- Annual fee: $0
- APR: 19.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: N/A
- Minimum credit limit: $500
- Income requirement: N/A
If you’re a student and are looking to build your credit score, you can’t make the wrong choice with the Scotiabank L’earn Visa Card.
This card has no annual fee or displayed minimum income requirement. Instead, it rewards you with 1% Money back on your purchases.
With access to 20% off on car rentals and free supplementary cards, the Scotiabank L’earn Visa Card is worth checking out.
Unlike the above credit cards, you can only apply for this card in-person by booking an appointment here.
Best Scotiabank No-Fee Credit Cards
Credit card providers usually charge an annual fee to offset their administration costs.
However, some providers waive the annual fee on some of their credit cards to help lower the cost of card usage. If this is what you need, below are the best Scotiabank no-fee credit cards to consider.
9. Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card
- Annual fee: $0
- APR: 19.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: 5% promotional cash back on your initial three-month purchases (up to $2,000) and a 6-month 0.99% introductory balance transfers interest rate
- Minimum credit limit: $500
- Income requirement: N/A
The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card is one of the leading no-fee credit cards that offer both promotional cashback and introductory interest rates for new members.
New members of this card enjoy a 5% promotional cash back on their initial three-month purchases and a 0.99% introductory balance transfer interest rate for their first six months of card membership.
Besides that, the card also offers 1% cash back on all eligible grocery, gas, recurring bill payments and drug store purchases. You will earn 0.5% when you make every other eligible purchase with the card.
Related: Scotia Momentum No-fee Visa Card Review
10. SCENE Visa Card
- Annual fee: $0
- APR: 19.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: Up to 10,000 bonus Scene+ points
- Minimum credit limit: $500
- Income requirement: N/A
If you’re looking for a no-fee credit card with redeemable points, you can’t make the wrong choice with the Scotiabank awarding-winning SCENE Visa Card.
The card offers new users up to 10,000 bonus Scene+ points for their initial $750 purchases within their first three months of card membership and for spending a minimum of $5,000 in the first year.
When you spend every $1 on cineplex.com or Cineplex theatres with the card, you will earn 5 Scene+ points. And every other purchase with the card will earn you 1 Scene+ point.
The interesting part is that you can redeem the Scene+ points for shopping, dining, entertainment, travel, banking and so on.
11. SCENE Visa Card for Students
- Annual fee: $0
- APR: 19.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: 1,250 bonus Scene+ points on your initial purchase with the card
- Minimum credit limit: $500
- Income requirement: N/A
As the name implies, the SCENE Visa Card for Students is designed for students looking for a no-fee reward card.
With this card, students get 1,250 bonus Scene+ points on their initial purchases and 5 Scene+ points for every $1 spent at cineplex.com or Cineplex theatres with the card.
Like the SCENE Visa Card, the SCENE Visa Card for Students also rewards you with 1 Scene+ point for every other purchase.
That said, you can only apply for this card by phone at +1(8007)47-3208 or in-person at the nearest Scotiabank branch. You can find a brand and book an appointment through this link.
Related: Best No-Fee Credit Cards in Canada
Best Scotiabank Low-Interest Credit Cards
Low-interest credit cards help you enjoy all the features of a standard card while paying a low and competitive interest rate on purchases, cash advances or balance transfers.
While Scotiabank has different introductory low-interest rates, it has only a single credit card with low standard interest discussed below.
12. Scotiabank Value Visa Card
- Annual fee: $29 (waived in the first year)
- APR: 12.99% on purchases & 12.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: 0.00% introductory cash advance interest rate for the initial six months of card membership
- Minimum credit limit: $500
- Income requirement: N/A
The Scotiabank Value Visa Card is one of the best low-fee credit cards in Canada as it charges 12.99% interest on purchases & 12.99% interest on cash advances.
Even more, the card also waives the 12.99% interest on cash advances for the initial six months of card membership.
Another interesting thing about the Scotiabank Value Visa Card is that it has a relatively low annual fee which is waived in the first year.
Best Scotiabank Travel & Lifestyle Credit Cards
If you travel or spend on lifestyle frequently, there are credit cards tailored to help you offset costs and access exclusive benefits.
Below are Scotiabank’s best travel & lifestyle credit cards to consider.
13. Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card
- Annual fee: $399
- APR: 9.99% on purchases & 9.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: Up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points on your initial three months
- Minimum credit limit: $10,000
- Income requirement: N/A
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card gives you access to some of the exclusive travel rewards and privileges out there.
Besides welcoming you with up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points on your initial three months, the card also rewards you with 2X Scene+ points on every $1 you spend on dining, groceries, gas and entertainment.
When you make every other purchase with the card, you will earn 1 Scene+ point. You can redeem all your Scene+ points for travel at any time.
That said, the card also gives you exclusive access to airport lounges, concierge services, and Hertz #1 Club Gold membership among others.
Moreover, you can travel with peace of mind knowing that you’re covered with comprehensive travel insurance such as:
- Travel Emergency Medical Insurance
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance
14. ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card
- Annual fee: $110
- APR: 19.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: Up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points on your initial eligible purchase
- Minimum credit limit: $5,000
- Income requirement: N/A
With the ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card, you will earn up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points on your initial eligible purchase and 1 Scene+ point on every other $1 purchase.
When you use your Scene+ points to book travel, you will get 5% cash back on the trip costs.
In addition, the ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card comes with comprehensive insurance coverage that gives you confidence on your trip. This includes:
- Travel Emergency Medical Insurance,
- Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance
- Travel Accident Insurance.
Note: Scotiabank is no longer receiving applications for this card effective.
15. Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
- Annual fee: $150
- APR: 20.99% on purchases & 22.99% on cash advances
- Special offer: Up to 40,000 bonus Scene points on your initial year of card membership
- Minimum credit limit: $5,000
- Income requirement: Minimum of $60,000 personal annual income, $100,000 household annual income or assets under management worth $250,000
The last but not the least best Scotiabank credit card on my list is the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card.
With this card, you earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene points during your first year of card membership.
In addition, you will earn 2 Scene+ points on every eligible purchase on dining, grocery, daily transit and entertainment. You will earn 1 Scene+ point for every other $1 eligible purchase.
With comprehensive travel insurance and no foreign currency conversion fee, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card gives you a seamless experience on your domestic and international transactions.
Best Scotiabank Credit Card Promotions
If you’re looking for a Scotiabank credit card with promotions, you can choose from the following options across the category that suits your needs.
| Category | Credit Card | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory interest on balance transfers | Scotia Momentum Visa Card | 0.00% introductory balance transfer interest rate for your initial six months of card membership |
| Introductory interest on cash advances | Scotiabank Value Visa Card | 0.00% introductory cash advance interest rate for the initial six months of card membership |
| Introductory interest on purchase | Scotia Momentum Mastercard Credit Card | 7.99% introductory purchase APR for your initial 6 months of card membership |
| High promotional cashback | Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card | 10% cash back on all purchases for the initial three months of card membership |
| High promotional reward points | Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card | Up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points in the three months of card membership |
Whatever your needs are, Scotiabank has some of the best promotional credit cards in Canada.
Scotiabank Credit Card Fees
Scotiabank credit cards have varying annual fees, supplementary card fees, FX fees and more. However, the following are some of their general fees.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Cash advance counter | $5 in Canada and $7.50 outside Canada |
| Cash advance ABM fee | $5 for Scotiabank and non-Scotiabank ABMs in Canada, $7.50 outside Canada |
| Balance transfer fee | $5 |
| Overlimit fee | $29 |
| Scotia credit card cheque fee | $5 |
| Fast card fee | $20 |
| Non-sufficient funds fee | $48 |
| Dishonoured payment fee | $48 |
Which Scotiabank Credit Card to Choose?
From the above review, you can see how the best Scotiabank credit cards differ across different categories.
So the starting point is to decide on the type of credit card you want, then narrow down your selection by focusing your comparison on that specific category.
The good news is that you can count on Scotiabank whether you’re looking for a reward, cashback, low-interest, no-fee, or travel credit card.
Scotiabank Credit Card Requirements
Scotiabank credit cards have varying requirements ranging from income level to credit scores.
However, the following are the general requirements for a Scotiabank credit card.
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
- Reach the age of majority in your province or territory
- Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Have no history of bankruptcy in the last seven years
How to Apply for a Scotiabank Credit Card
Except for some Scotiabank student credit cards that are only accessible in-person or by phone, you can apply for any of the above Scotiabank credit card in the following ways:
- Online: Visit the Scotiabank credit cards page through this link and choose your preferred card
- By phone: Contact Scotiabank on phone at +1(800)747-3208 to apply.
- In-person: Visit any Scotiabank nearest branch and apply for your preferred card. You can search for the nearest branch and book an appointment here.
Some FAQs on the Best Scotiabank Credit Cards
The benefits of a Scotiabank credit card depend on the card you choose.
Some Scotiabank credit cards have low-interest rates, and competitive rewards, while others have competitive promos, no annual fees, and exclusive travel benefits.
However, the general benefit of Scotiabank credit cards is that they have comprehensive insurance.
It depends on which Scotiabank credit card you choose. Some of them have limited rewards, and high annual fees, while others have above-average interest rates.
That said, the general downside of the Scotiabank credit cards lies in their varying income requirements.
Scotiabank has both Visa and Mastercard credit cards to choose from.
It depends on the Scotiabank credit card you’re applying for. Some require a minimum score of 650 while others require more.
Scotiabank uses TransUnion to pull out your credit score and report. Learn how to check your TransUnion credit score on Scotiabank for free.
Final Thoughts
There you have the best Scotiabank credit cards reviewed. Hopefully, you are now able to identify the ones that best suit your needs. If you need more help, kindly let me know in the comment section below.
The bottom line is that you can’t make the wrong choice with any of the above credit cards from Scotiabank. With different categories to choose from, you can apply for more than one of the above best Scotiabank credit cards.
If you like this article, kindly read our other existing posts to learn more about the current financial deals out there.
