Scene+ is Scotiabank’s loyalty programme — one of Canada’s largest, combining movie and entertainment rewards with grocery shopping (through Sobeys and IGA), travel, and dining. With over 15 million members, it rivals PC Optimum in reach and has significantly expanded its earning and redemption network since rebranding from the original SCENE programme.
Scene+ at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme operators | Scotiabank + Empire Company (Sobeys, IGA, FreshCo, Farm Boy) |
| Partner highlights | Cineplex, Sobeys, IGA, FreshCo, Home Hardware, Empire Theatres, Scene+ Travel |
| Points value | 1,000 points = $1 (0.1¢ per point) |
| Points expiry | Points expire after 12 months of inactivity |
| Best credit cards | Scotiabank Gold Amex, Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite |
| App | Scene+ app (iOS/Android) |
How Scene+ Points Work
Earn: Swipe your Scene+ card or scan the app at any participating partner. Base earn:
- Sobeys / IGA / FreshCo / Farm Boy: 3 Scene+ per $1 on groceries
- Cineplex: 100 Scene+ per $10 ticket; bonus points on concessions
- Home Hardware: 3 Scene+ per $1
- Scotiabank credit cards: 1–6x Scene+ depending on card and category
Redeem:
- Movies at Cineplex: 1,000 points = $1 off any Cineplex purchase (tickets, concessions, streaming)
- Grocery at Sobeys banner stores: 1,000 points = $1 off
- Travel: 1,000 points = $1 via Scene+ Travel (powered by Expedia)
- Statement credit on Scotiabank cards: 1,000 points = $1
Points value is fixed at 1,000 = $1 across all redemption categories — simple and consistent.
Best Scene+ Credit Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Scene+ Earn Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Gold Amex | $120 | 6x dining; 5x grocery/transit/entertainment; 3x gas/recurring; 1x other | Best overall Scene+ card; no FX fee |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | $150 | 3x dining; 2x grocery/transit/entertainment; 1x other | Travel-focused; no FX + lounge access |
| Scotiabank Scene+ Visa | $0 | 3x at Scene+ partners; 2x grocery; 1x other | No-fee Scene+ earn |
| Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite | $120 | 4% cash back (not Scene+) | Cash back instead of Scene+ |
The Scotiabank Gold Amex: Best Scene+ Card
The Scotiabank Gold Amex is consistently ranked among Canada’s best mid-tier credit cards:
- 6x Scene+ at Canadian restaurants, bars, cafés (up to $50,000/year)
- 5x Scene+ at Canadian grocery stores, transit, streaming, and entertainment
- 3x Scene+ at Canadian gas stations and on recurring bills
- 1x Scene+ everywhere else
- No foreign transaction fee (waived)
- Annual fee: $120
Return rate: At 6x on dining (each point = $0.001), you earn 0.6% back on dining in raw terms — but 6,000 Scene+ points per $1,000 in restaurant spending = $6 off groceries or Cineplex. Effective cash-equivalent rate: ~0.6% at base point value. However, combined with the no-FX fee, this card saves significantly more for travellers.
Scene+ for Grocery Shopping
The Sobeys acquisition of the Scene+ programme created a powerful grocery earn stack:
- Shop at Sobeys / IGA / FreshCo / Farm Boy → earn 3 Scene+ per $1 in-store
- Pay with Scotiabank Gold Amex → earn additional 5x Scene+ per $1
- Combined: up to 8 Scene+ per $1 on eligible grocery purchases
8,000 Scene+ per $1,000 grocery spend = $8 back toward groceries or movies — roughly a 0.8% combined return at fixed value.
Scene+ for Travel Redemptions
Scene+ Travel (powered by Expedia) allows redemption for flights, hotels, and car rentals at 1,000 points = $1. This is a fixed-value travel redemption with no blackout dates. Comparable to Avion’s any-airline model, though Scene+ travel redemptions are less discussed than the cinema and grocery angles.
Related Articles
- Scotiabank Gold Amex Review
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Review
- PC Optimum vs Scene+
- Best Grocery Credit Cards in Canada
- Rewards Credit Cards — Canada Hub
Scene+ programme terms, earn rates, partner lists, and point values subject to change. See sceneplus.ca for current details. See our Advertiser Disclosure.