TD Rewards and Scene+ are both bank-based loyalty programmes with no airline transfer partners. The comparison often comes down to one key question: which bank do you prefer for your credit card, and does Amex acceptance matter to you?
At a Glance
| Factor | TD Rewards + TD First Class Travel | Scene+ + Scotia Gold Amex |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $139 | $120 |
| Network | Visa Infinite | American Express |
| Point value | 0.50¢/pt | 1.0¢/pt |
| Grocery earn | 6x TD = 3¢/$ | 5–6x Scene+ = 5–6¢/$ |
| Dining earn | 6x TD = 3¢/$ | 5x Scene+ = 5¢/$ |
| Recurring bills | 4x TD = 2¢/$ | 1x Scene+ = 1¢/$ |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% | None |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Acceptance | Everywhere (Visa) | Some merchants don’t accept Amex |
Point Value: Scene+ Wins Clearly
This is the central issue. TD Rewards points are worth 0.5 cents through Expedia for TD. Scene+ points are worth 1.0 cent universally — at grocery, travel portal, Cineplex, or Home Hardware.
Earn 6x on groceries with each card:
- TD First Class Travel: 6 TD pts × 0.5¢ = 3¢ per dollar
- Scotiabank Gold Amex: 6 Scene+ pts × 1.0¢ = 6¢ per dollar (at Sobeys-banner)
Scene+ returns twice the value on the same grocery spend despite the same earn multiplier. The 1¢ vs 0.5¢ difference in point value is the decisive factor.
Annual Value Comparison
$2,500/month household spend across typical categories:
| Category | Monthly | TD First Class + TD Rewards | Scotia Gold Amex + Scene+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries (Sobeys-banner) | $1,200 | 7,200 pts = $36 | 7,200 pts = $72 |
| Dining | $400 | 2,400 pts = $12 | 2,000 pts = $20 |
| Recurring bills | $300 | 1,200 pts = $6 | 300 pts = $3 |
| Everything else | $600 | 1,200 pts = $6 | 600 pts = $6 |
| Monthly | $60 | $101 | |
| Annual gross | $720 | $1,212 | |
| Annual fee | −$139 | −$120 | |
| Net annual value | $581 | $1,092 |
Scene+ delivers ~88% more net value on this spend profile.
When TD Rewards Makes Sense
Despite losing on value, TD Rewards has real advantages in specific situations:
1. Visa acceptance The TD First Class Travel is a Visa — accepted at every Canadian retailer, including Costco. The Scotiabank Gold Amex is not accepted at Costco or many smaller merchants. If Amex acceptance is a recurring issue in your daily spending, this matters.
2. TD Banking relationship If you bank primarily with TD (chequing, savings, mortgage), holding a TD credit card means everything in one place — one app, one login, one relationship for rate negotiations.
3. Expedia for TD bookings The 8x earn rate on Expedia for TD is genuinely strong. A $2,000 vacation package booking earns 16,000 TD pts = $80 back — a 4% return on travel spend.
4. Recurring bills earn TD First Class Travel earns 4x on recurring bills (utilities, subscriptions, phone) = 2¢/$. The Scotiabank Gold Amex earns 1x on the same category = 1¢/$. If you have high recurring bill spend, TD has an edge in this specific category.
The Verdict
For pure value: Scene+ with the Scotiabank Gold Amex wins for most Canadians. Double the point value on groceries and dining, lower annual fee, no FX fee.
For TD banking customers: TD Rewards is a reasonable choice — especially if Amex acceptance is a concern in your daily life. The programme is simple and the TD First Class Travel earns well in everyday categories.
Consider both: The two cards are not competing at the same stores. A TD customer could use the TD First Class Travel for Visa-only merchants, recurring bills, and Expedia for TD bookings — and the Scotiabank Gold Amex at Sobeys, restaurants, and international travel.
Related Articles
- TD Rewards Points Value Guide
- How Scene+ Works
- Scene+ Points Value
- TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Review
- Scotiabank Gold Amex Review
Programme details and earn rates are subject to change. Verify at td.com and scotiabank.com. See our Advertiser Disclosure.