Maximize Travel Rewards with Scotiabank Gold American Express, Canada’s No Foreign Transaction Fee Card
With Scotiabank Gold Amex earn up to 5x points on groceries, dining and travel, plus no foreign transaction fees and comprehensive travel insurance for Canadian travellers
Key rewards and earning rates
The Scotiabank Gold American Express delivers a strong earn rate tailored for Canadians who want travel and everyday value. You earn up to 5x Scotia Rewards points on groceries, dining, and entertainment, 3x on gas, transit and streaming, and 1x on other purchases, which makes the Scotiabank Gold American Express one of the best cards for everyday spending in Canada.
Points add up quickly when you use the card for regular monthly costs and family grocery runs. Redeemable for travel, statement credits or merchandise through Scotiabank’s flexible platform, these points convert into real savings on flights, hotels and experiences, helping travellers squeeze maximum value from every swipe.
No foreign transaction fees and travel protection
One standout perk of the Scotiabank Gold Amex is the absence of foreign transaction fees, so you avoid the typical 2.5% FX charge when spending outside Canada. For Canadians who cross the border, fly overseas or book bookings in USD, that fee avoidance alone can justify the annual $120 CAD cost for many users.
On top of fee savings, the Scotiabank Gold American Express includes comprehensive travel insurance: emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, flight delay, and lost baggage coverage. That combination of no foreign transaction fees and strong insurance makes it a go-to travel companion for domestic and international trips.
Welcome bonus, fees and practical considerations
The card typically offers a competitive welcome bonus of up to 30,000 Scotia Rewards points after meeting the minimum spend, which gives new cardholders a head start on travel redemptions. The annual fee is $120 CAD, and while that is not the lowest on the market, heavy spenders on groceries and dining will often offset the cost through point accumulation and fee savings abroad.
Applicants should be Canadian residents at the age of majority in their province and meet credit and income criteria. If you travel often or pay for streaming and transit monthly, the Scotiabank Gold American Express can be an efficient choice to stack rewards and protections without surprise foreign transaction charges.
How to redeem points and why choose this card
Redeeming Scotia Rewards points is straightforward: book travel through the Scotia Rewards Travel Service, apply points to statement balances, or shop the rewards catalogue. The flexibility means points retain value whether you prefer flights, hotels, gift cards or bill credits, and pairing the Scotiabank Gold American Express with a Scotia bank account streamlines point tracking and monthly statements.
If you want a Canadian credit card that balances high earning categories, no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance in one package, the Scotiabank Gold American Express is hard to beat. Ready to get more from your spending? Compare offers, check eligibility online and consider applying to start earning points on everyday purchases right away.