Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card Review 2024

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Written by Enoch Omololu

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Looking for a credit card that can earn you rewards on movie tickets and discounts? The Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card might be what you need.

This rewards credit card from Scotiabank offers a variety of features and benefits, along with a few downsides.

In this review, we’ll cover how to activate it, its eligibility requirements, customer service, and foreign transaction fees for students. Keep reading to find out if it’s the right fit for you.

Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card: Summary

Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card

Rewards: Earn 2x Scene+ points on groceries and Cineplex purchases. Earn 1 Scene+ point on everything else.

Welcome offer: Earn up to 7,500 bonus Scene+ points within the first year.

Interest rates: 19.99% for purchases 22.99% for cash advances.

Annual fee: $0

Recommended credit score:
660
900

Good to Excellent

Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card

On Scotiabank’s website

  • Earn 2 Scene+ points for every $1 spent at participating grocery stores, including Sobey’s, Safeway, Foodland, and FreshCo.
  • Earn 2 Scene+ points for every $1 spent at Cineplex theatres or at Cineplex.com.
  • Earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on everything else.
  • Redeem Scene+ points for movie tickets, groceries, dining, entertainment, statement credits, and more.
  • Save up to 25% on car rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations across Canada and the US.
  • No minimum income is required.

No earn caps on the 2x Scene+ points categories

Flexible redemption options

No minimum income required

No insurance coverage

You can only earn up to 2x points

The Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card is a great entry-level card that earns you up to 2 Scene+ points for every dollar spent. Rewards options are flexible, as you can redeem points on almost anything.

Benefits of the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card

The Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card offers a range of benefits to cardholders. These include:

  • Generous rewards program: Cardholders can earn 5x SCENE points on eligible food and entertainment purchases, making it easy to accumulate points quickly.
  • Enjoy a range of movie-going benefits: Earn 5 points for every $1 spent on movie and entertainment purchases, food, and drink (excluding alcohol) at over 160 Cineplex theatres across Canada, as well as at the Cineplex store.
  • Pay with your Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card or your smartphone: Visa PayWave* saves time on minor, routine purchases. Swipe your card and go!
  • Car Rental Discounts: When you pay with your Scotiabank Scene+ Visa card, you can save up to 25% off base prices at eligible AVIS sites and participating Budget locations in Canada and the United States.
  • Optional insurance coverage: Protect yourself and your family from unexpected life events like death, critical illness, hospitalization, disability, job loss, strike, or lockout by paying off your account balance or helping with credit card payments.

Downsides of the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card

Despite its numerous benefits, the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card has a few downsides that potential cardholders should be aware of:

  • High-interest rate: Cash advances (including balance transfers, Scotia Credit Card Cheques, and cash-like transactions) are subject to a 22.99% interest rate.
  • Insurance benefits: There is no embedded insurance coverage for this card.
  • Cash Back Rewards: This card may not be for you if you prefer cash back rewards.

How to Apply for the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card

To be eligible, you must be a Canadian resident who has reached the age of majority and has not filed for bankruptcy in the past seven years. You also need to have a minimum personal annual income of $12,000 to qualify.

You can apply online, call Scotiabank SCENE+ customer service, or visit in person at the nearest Scotiabank branch.

How to Redeem SCENE+ Points

Redeem your SCENE+ points for exclusive discounts and benefits on Travel, Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping by using your Scotiabank SCENE+ log-in and choose your reward.

Enjoy discounts on flights and hotels, dining at popular restaurants, and gift cards from your favourite brands like Starbucks and Indigo.

Plus, get exclusive offers and perks from popular retailers like Sport Chek and Staples.

Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card Alternatives

While the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card is a great option for moviegoers, there are other credit cards available that may better suit your needs. Here are some of the alternatives:

SimplyCash Card from American Express: This card offers 1.25% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee.

SimplyCash Card from American Express

Rewards: Earn up to 2% cash back on gas and groceries and 1.25% cash back on everything else.

Welcome offer: In the first 10 months, earn a $10 statement credit for each month in which you spend $300 (up to $100 in statement credits).

Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases, 21.99% for cash advances.

Annual fee: $0

Recommended credit score:
660
900

Good to Excellent

SimplyCash Card from American Express

On American Express’s website

  • Earn 2% cash back on gas and grocery purchases (up to $15,000 annually).
  • Earn 1.25% cash back on everything else with no limits.
  • $100,000 travel accident insurance is included.
  • Refer a friend, and you could earn up to a maximum referral bonus of $750 cash back.
  • Enjoy exclusive access to American Express Experiences.
  • Buyer’s assurance and purchase protection plans are included.
  • Use American Express Travel Online to get deals on select car rental and hotel bookings.
  • No minimum income requirement is needed to apply.

No limits on the 1.25% cash back earn rate

$100,000 travel accident insurance

High referral bonus

The 2% cash back categories are capped at $15,000 annually

Cash back is only redeemable once per year

Cash back can only be redeemed as a statement credit

This no-annual-fee SimplyCash Card has high earn rates on gas and groceries and a flat rate of 1.25% cash back on everything else without limits. It also includes travel accident insurance, which is rare for a no-fee cash back credit card.

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card: This card allows you to choose two categories in which to earn 2% cash back and 0.5% cash back on all other purchases, with no annual fee.

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

Rewards: Earn 2% unlimited cash back in up to 3 categories of your choice plus 0.50% on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Get an additional 10% cash back after spending $1,000 in the first 2 months ($100 value).

Interest rates: 19.95% for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.

Annual fee: $0

Recommended credit score:
600
900

Fair to Excellent

tangerinemoneyback-cc-img

On Tangerine’s website

  • Earn 2% unlimited cash back on 2 categories of your choice, including groceries, restaurants, entertainment, and recurring bill payments.
  • Unlock an additional 2% cash back category when you deposit your money back into a Tangerine Savings Account.
  • Earn 0.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.
  • Cash back is earned automatically on everyday purchases and paid monthly.
  • 1.95% promotional balance transfer interest rate for 6 months.
  • Purchase assurance and extended warranty are included.
  • Track and categorize your spending with the Tangerine mobile app.
  • To qualify, you must make a minimum of $12,000 per year.

Earn unlimited 2% cash back in up to 3 categories

No annual fee

1.95% balance transfer interest rate for 6 months

No travel benefits or insurance

No physical bank branches as it is an online-only bank

The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card has no annual fees and earns you 2% cash back on up to 3 categories. You choose the categories in which you spend the most to maximize your rewards.

Neo Financial Mastercard: This card offers cash back on all purchases, with a percentage that varies based on the merchant. It also has no annual fee.

Neo Financial Mastercard

Rewards: Earn up to 15% cash back at Neo partners and never fall below 0.5% average cash back.

Welcome offer: Get an extra 15% cash back on your first purchases at many Neo partners.

Interest rates: 19.99% to 26.99% for purchases, 22.99% to 28.99% for cash advances.

Annual fee: $0

Recommended credit score:
600
900

Fair to Excellent

neosecuredmastercard cc-img

On Neo’s website

  • Earn up to 15% cash back on your first purchases at many Neo partners.
  • Get an average of 5% instant cash back at over 8,000 Neo partners.
  • Never fall below 0.5% average cash back – if you do, Neo will top it up.
  • Cash back is instantly rewarded.
  • Use the Neo app to view cash back offers near you and view insights on your spending.
  • Instantly use the digital Neo card after signing up.
  • Optionally subscribe to Bundles for more cash back on certain spending categories.
  • No annual fees or income requirements.

No annual fee or income requirements

Earn up to 15% cash back

Neo mobile app shows you cash back offers near you

Only earn 15% cash back once at each Neo partner

You need to subscribe to Neo Bundles for more cash back

No insurance coverage

The Neo Card is an all-in-one cash back credit card and mobile app that earns you cash back on all purchases. Shop at Neo partners and earn up to 15% cash back, rewarded instantly.

KOHO Prepaid Mastercard: This is a prepaid card that offers cash back on all purchases with no annual fee.

KOHO Prepaid Mastercard

Rewards: Earn 1% cash back on all grocery and gas purchases and up to 5% cash back at KOHO partners.

Welcome offer: NA.

Interest rates: N/A

Annual fee: $0*

Recommended credit score:
None

N/A

kohoprepaidcard-img3

On KOHO’s website

  • Earn 1% unlimited cash back on grocery purchases and bill payments.
  • Get up to 5% cash back at select KOHO partners.
  • Earn 0.50% interest on your spending and savings account balance.
  • Build your credit history for an optional $10 per month.
  • No annual fee and no minimum balance.
  • Free, unlimited Interac e-Transfers.
  • No fees for ATM cash withdrawals in Canada (no KOHO fees).
  • Use the KOHO app to view your balance, cash back offers, and more.

Earn unlimited cash back on all purchases

Earn 0.5% interest on your balance

No annual fee and no minimum balance

Interest is capped at 0.5%

No insurance coverage

The KOHO Prepaid Mastercard rewards your everyday grocery spending with unlimited 1% cash back and up to 5% cash back at KOHO partners. There is no annual fee, no minimum balance, and you can send and receive free, unlimited Interac e-Transfers.

Credit CardAnnual FeeCash Advance Interest RatePurchase Interest RateRewards
Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card$022.99%19.99%Various rewards from Grocery, Entertainment, Movie, Shopping and Dining categories.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card$019.95%19.95%Earn 2% cash back in various Money-Back Categories, 0.50% cash back on everything else
Koho Prepaid Mastercard$012.99%12.99%1% Cash Back on groceries, internet bills, and delivery services
Neo Financial Mastercard$022.99%-28.99%19.99%-26.99%Earn an average of 5% cashback at 10,000+ partners across the country.
SimplyCash Card from Amex$021.99%19.99%Cash back on all purchases, up to 1.25%

Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card: Conclusion

In conclusion, the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card is a great option for moviegoers who want to earn rewards and discounts on entertainment and dining purchases.

With its generous rewards program, movie-going benefits, and car rental discounts, it’s an excellent choice for those who frequently visit Cineplex theatres.

But potential cardholders should be aware of the high-interest rate if they carry a balance from month to month, the lack of embedded insurance coverage, and the absence of a cash-back rewards program.

It’s essential to consider the alternatives before deciding on this card. Choose the card that suits your needs and preferences best, and start earning rewards today!

FAQs

Is there an annual fee for the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card?

There is no annual fee for the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card.

Does the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card have a foreign transaction fee?

Yes, the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card charges a 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency.

How can I contact customer service for the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card?

You can contact the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card customer service by dialling the number found on the back of your card.

Is the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card available to students?

Yes, the Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card is available to students. However, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for the card.

How to activate SCENE+ card from Scotiabank?

You can activate your card online or by calling 1-800-806-8600. It’s quick, simple, and safe. Your card, as well as any other cards associated with your account, will be ready to use once activated. Please keep in mind that a credit card can only be activated by the primary cardholder.

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Enoch Omololu

Enoch Omololu is a personal finance expert. He has a master’s degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School (Scotland) and has completed several courses and certificates in finance, including the Canadian Securities Course. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and has written about money matters for over a decade. He has been featured or quoted in The Globe and Mail, CBC News, Yahoo Finance, GO Banking Rates, Financial Post, Bankrate, Forbes, Toronto Star, CTV News, and other personal finance publications. He founded Savvy New Canadians, one of Canada’s top financial education platforms.

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