The ScotiaBank Gold American Express Card: Should You Keep It?
/The ScotiaBank Gold American Express Card Review
First Published Date: October 8, 2015
The ScotiaBank Gold American Express card is a travel rewards credit card that lets you earn Scotia Rewards points for everyday purchases that can be used towards eligible travel costs without any blackout periods or restrictions.
The Cost
Annual Fee = $99. Additional cards = $29
Minimum annual income required = $12,000
Rewards Points Snapshot
– Earn 4 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, grocery stores, and on dining and entertainment in Canada.
– Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on everything else.
First Time Bonus
A 20,000-point (valued $200) welcome bonus when you spend $500 within 3 months. Also, the annual fee is NOT waived for the first year.
Anniversary Bonus
None.
Features & Benefits
– Book with any travel provider and redeem points for your complete trip, including taxes and surcharges.
– Receive 20% off and complimentary upgrade (if available) and a free amenity, such as complimentary breakfast, late checkout privileges, etc. (if available)
– Low Price Airfare Alerts will monitor your itinerary and if a lower price becomes available, the agency of record will automatically exchange your ticket for the lower price.
– Access to 24/7 full service travel agency.
– Complimentary 24/7 premium concierge service.
– 35% discount on Priority Pass annual airport lounge membership.
– Emergency Medical Insurance (25 days<65, 10 days>65 or older, Amount: 1 M/per person).
– Travel Accident Insurance (Up to $500,000 CAD).
– Auto Rental Theft and Collision/Loss Damage Insurance (Amount not provided by Scotia)
– Trip Cancellation Insurance ($2,500 each, maximum $10,000).
– Trip Interruption Insurance ($2,500 each, maximum $10,000).
– Flight Delay Insurance (After 4 hours, maximum $500 per occurrence).
– Lost and Delayed Luggage (maximum $1,000).
– Hotel/Motel Burglary (maximum $1,000).
– Extended Warranty Insurance (1 additional year).
– Purchase Security (90 days).
– Price Protection (within 60 days, up to $100 per item, $500 each year).
What’s Missing
– None.
My Take
Although the Scotiabank Gold American Express card is not an Elite series card, it can put many elite cards to shame in terms of the features and benefits it provides for only a $99 annual fee. Just take a look at the regular American Express Gold card that charges a $150 annual fee and provides inferior benefits and insurances. For example, Amex Gold does not come with concierge, trip cancellation insurance, and many other features Scotiabank Gold American Express comes with.
The only thing I can complain about the Scotiabank Gold American Express card is that it does not provide 4 points per dollar on travel spending; it provides only 1 point, which I find ironic because it is a travel rewards card and providing no extra rewards points on travel spending.
Another thing you need to keep in mind is that this is a Scotiabank/American Express blended card that will only work on the American Express network and you may find many places will not accept this card, unlike Visa and MasterCard which are accepted everywhere.
Finally, keep in mind that insurances provide by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, an American insurer. Like Allianz Global (which provides insurances for many Canadian credit cards, for example, BMO World Elite MasterCard), there were numerous complaints and bad reviews online about these providers when it actually comes to processing claims. All these benefits look very good on paper, but would mean nothing if you are unable or getting hard time processing your claims. I am much more comfortable dealing with insurances provided by TD, RBC, American Express, and so on. So make your call before picking any credit cards that provide insurance benefits.
As of this writing I do not hold this card.
Disclosure: Information provided here may not be accurate and no longer valid. The mentioned card provider is not related to A Dawn Journal and neither monitor this site nor responsible for any inaccurate information. Contact the card company directly for accurate and updated information. A Dawn Journal or my YouTube Channel are not compensated by or affiliated with any credit card companies. All credit card articles are 100% unbiased and honest.
