The Scotiabank Gold American Express and Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite are the two most popular Scene+ credit cards in Canada — and frequently compared. Both waive foreign transaction fees and earn Scene+ points, but they serve different types of spenders.
The short answer: the Gold Amex is better for everyday domestic spending, while the Passport Visa Infinite is better for frequent international travellers who value lounge access. Here is the full comparison.
At a Glance
| Feature | Scotiabank Gold Amex | Passport Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 | $150 |
| Network | American Express | Visa Infinite |
| Grocery earn (Sobeys banners) | 6x | 3x |
| Dining earn | 5x | 3x |
| Entertainment earn | 5x | 3x |
| Gas & transit earn | 3x | 3x |
| All other purchases | 1x | 1x |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Airport lounge access | Not included | 6 free DragonPass visits |
| Travel insurance | Strong package | Strong package |
| Income requirement | Not stated publicly | $60K personal / $100K household |
| Best for | Grocery & dining earners | International travellers |
Annual Fee: Advantage Gold Amex
The Gold Amex costs $120 per year, while the Passport Visa Infinite costs $150. The $30 difference is minor, but the Gold Amex also delivers significantly higher earn rates on grocery and dining — meaning it generates more points value per dollar spent than the Passport for most Canadians.
Earn Rates: Advantage Gold Amex (for most spenders)
The Gold Amex earns at higher rates across the three most common Canadian spending categories:
| Category | Gold Amex | Passport Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery (Sobeys only) | 6x | 3x |
| Dining & food delivery | 5x | 3x |
| Entertainment & streaming | 5x | 3x |
| Gas & transit | 3x | 3x |
| All other | 1x | 1x |
In dollar terms (household spending $1,000/mo grocery, $400/mo dining, $100/mo entertainment):
- Gold Amex: ~96,000 points/year from these three categories alone = $960 in value
- Passport Visa Infinite: ~48,000 points/year from the same categories = $480 in value
The earn rate gap is substantial. For a household with significant grocery, dining, and entertainment spending, the Gold Amex earns roughly double the Scene+ points of the Passport on the same budget.
Travel Perks: Advantage Passport Visa Infinite
The Passport Visa Infinite’s primary differentiator is six free DragonPass airport lounge visits per year. DragonPass provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
The Gold Amex does not include lounge access.
Is lounge access worth the extra $30/year? If you take at least two international trips per year and value pre-flight comfort, six lounge visits can easily justify the premium. Standard lounge day-passes typically cost $35–$60 CAD each — six of those would cost $210–$360 if purchased individually.
Foreign Transaction Fee: Both Waive It
Both the Gold Amex and Passport Visa Infinite waive the standard 2.5% foreign transaction fee. This is a significant shared benefit that distinguishes them from most Canadian rewards cards, including TD and CIBC’s Aeroplan cards.
Annual FX fee savings on $3,000 of international spending:
- With Gold Amex or Passport: $0
- With TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite: $75
Card Network: Passport Wins for Acceptance
The Scotiabank Gold Amex runs on the American Express network. While Amex acceptance at major Canadian retailers and restaurants is generally good, some merchants do not accept it — notably Costco (Mastercard only) and some independent businesses.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite runs on Visa’s network, which is accepted almost universally in Canada and internationally. This wider acceptance is worth considering if you frequent merchants that don’t take Amex.
Income Requirement: Advantage Gold Amex
The Passport Visa Infinite requires a minimum income of $60,000 (personal) or $100,000 (household). The Gold Amex has no publicly stated income requirement, making it more accessible.
Which Card Should You Get?
Choose the Scotiabank Gold Amex if:
- You shop regularly at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, or FreshCo
- Dining and entertainment are top spending categories
- You want maximum Scene+ earn at the lowest annual fee
- Amex acceptance at your most-frequented merchants is not a concern
Choose the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite if:
- You travel internationally frequently and want lounge access
- You shop at merchants that don’t accept Amex
- You value Visa’s universal acceptance over Amex’s higher earn rates
- You want the Infinite card tier for insurance and limit purposes
Consider holding both if:
- You want maximum earn on groceries and dining (Gold Amex) plus Visa fallback coverage and lounge access (Passport)
- Both cards’ points flow into the same Scene+ account, so earning is additive
Related Scene+ Articles
- How to Earn Scene+ Points by Spending Category
- Scene+ Grocery Earning Guide: 6x at Sobeys Explained
- How to Redeem Scene+ Points for Travel
- What Are Scene+ Points Worth in Canada 2026?
- Scene+ vs. Aeroplan: Which Programme Is Worth More?
- Best Scene+ Credit Cards in Canada 2026
Card terms, earn rates, and fees are subject to change. Verify at scotiabank.com before applying. See our Advertiser Disclosure.