Based on your answers here's our recommendation:¹⁸
Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa
(for students)

You will earn 1% cash back on your annual spend on gas station, grocery store and drug store purchases and on recurring payments. 1% cash back applies at merchants which are classified in the Visa Inc. (Visa) network as Grocery Stores & Supermarkets, Drug Stores & Pharmacies, Service Stations (with or without ancillary services), Automated Fuel Dispensers and Recurring Payments (Merchant Codes: 5411, 5541, 5542 & 5912). Recurring payments are defined as payments made on a monthly or regular basis automatically billed by the merchant to your Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa card. Recurring payments are typically telecommunication, insurance, membership, subscriptions etc. purchases. Not all merchants offer recurring payments. (Please check with your merchant to see if they offer recurring payments on Visa cards.) Some merchants may sell these products/services or are separate merchants who are located on the premises of these merchants, but are classified by Visa in another manner, in which case this added benefit would not apply. You will earn 0.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases made with the card. Purchase returns, payments, cash advances, balance transfers, Scotia® Credit Card Cheques, credit vouchers, card fees, interest charges or service/transaction charges do not qualify for cash back.

Offer Description and Conditions: The 5% Cash Back and Introductory 0% Balance Transfer Rate Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa credit card accounts (“Accounts”) that are opened by October 31, 2025 and is subject to the below terms and conditions.  All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Offer Period. Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers.

5% Cash Back Offer Conditions: You will earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in eligible purchases you spend on your new Account within the first 3 months of the Account open date (the “Promotional Period”). Eligible purchases include purchases (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions), interest, fees or other charges. After the Promotional Period, you will earn regular cash back on eligible purchases at the regular cash back rate (the “Cash Back Program Rate”) described in the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Cash Back Program Terms and Conditions (the “Program Terms”).  The 5% cash back rate for any category is made up of the sum of: (i) the regular Cash Back Program Rate (variable by categories as set out under the Program Terms); and (ii) a “Cash Back Bonus Rate”.

Cash back earned under this Offer will be credited to your Account in 2 installments so long as your Account is open and in good standing at time of payout of each:

1. Bonus Cash Back: The amount earned under the Cash Back Bonus Rate will be credited to your Account within approximately 7 months from the Account open date; and
2. Regular Cash Back: The amount earned under your regular Cash Back Program Rate will be credited to your Account according to the regular cash back payment schedule as set out under the Program Terms.

EXAMPLE: If the Regular Cash Back Program Rate for the Groceries and Recurring Payments category is 1% then the Cash Back Bonus Rate will be 4% for that category so that you will earn a total of 5% on the amount of all eligible everyday purchases in that category during the Promotional Period. If you make $2,000 in eligible everyday purchases in the Groceries and Recurring Payments category, your cash back earnings will be credited to your Account as follows:

(1) the Cash Back Bonus earnings of $80 (4% x $2,000)  (which will not be tracked on your monthly statements), will be credited to your Account within 7 months from the Account open date, and (2) the Regular Cash Back earnings of $20 (1% x $2,000) (which will be tracked on your monthly statements), will be credited to your Account as per the regular cash back payment schedule (i.e., November). 

Introductory 0% Balance Transfer Rate Offer Description and Conditions: The Introductory 0% Balance Transfer Rate Offer (the “Rate Offer”) applies only to eligible cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions) (collectively “Cash Advances”) subject to the conditions below. This introductory rate applies if the new Account is opened by October 31, 2025 and will continue for 6 months from date of Account opening (the “Promotional Period”).  After the Promotional Period, the promotional 0% interest rate on any Cash Advances (including any amount of those Cash Advances that remain unpaid after the Promotional Period ends) will increase to the preferred interest rate on Cash Advances (currently 22.99%).  A balance transfer fee of 2% of the amount of each Cash Advance transferred or made during the Promotional Period applies (minimum fee of $5.00).

This Rate Offer is subject to any available limit for Cash Advances on your Account. This Rate Offer cannot be used for any Scotiabank account including to transfer a balance from another Scotiabank account, or to make a payment or deposit to another Scotiabank account.

Losing your promotional rate: If we don’t receive  the minimum payment on your Account by the payment due date on your statement, two consecutive times, you will lose the benefit of this promotional Rate Offer and the interest rates that apply on any unpaid balance will increase to the standard annual interest rates that apply to your Account (currently 24.99% on purchases and 27.99% on Cash Advances). All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Offer period.

How we apply payments: In general, if you make a payment that exceeds the minimum payment on your statement, we will apply your payment on a proportionate basis among each group of billed charges on your Account. We group charges based on the interest rate that applies to the group of charges. Your payment cannot be applied to the balance(s) of your choice. See your credit card agreement for more information about how we apply payments to your Account. 

Eligibility and Exclusions: Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for the Offer. Subject to the above exclusions, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are also eligible for the Offer.

Rates and Fees: There is currently no annual fee for the primary card and no fee for each additional card (including those issued to co-borrowers and supplementary cardholders). The current preferred annual interest rates for the Account are: 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on Cash Advances.  All rates, fees, features and benefits are  outlined in the Application Disclosure Statement and are subject to change..

For current rates and information on fees and interest cost, call 1-888-882-8958. Interest rates, annual fees and features are effective as of February 1, 2017 and are subject to change without notice. Learn more about credit card fees and interest rates.

The savings of up to 25% applies to Avis and Budget base rates and is applicable only to the time and mileage charges of the rental. All taxes, fees (including but not limited Air Conditioning Excise Recovery Fee, Concession Recovery Fee, Vehicle License Recovery Fee, Energy Recovery Fee, Tire Management Fee, and Frequent Traveler Fee) and surcharges (including but not limited to Customer Facility Charge and Environmental Fee Recovery Charge) are extra. The Bank of Nova Scotia is not responsible for, and provides no representations, warranties or conditions regarding this offer or any Avis or Budget products or services, including Avis Preferred Plus membership and services and those obtained under this offer, which are governed solely by Avis’ terms and conditions. Avis Preferred Plus membership and services are provided by Avis.

Scotia Credit Card Protection is underwritten by Chubb Life Insurance Company of Canada under a Group Policy issued to The Bank of Nova Scotia. All coverage is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Certificate of Insurance which you will receive upon enrolment.

Scotia SelectPay Conditions apply. Review Terms and Conditions for full details or visit scotiabank.com/selectpay to learn more.

Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia.

Scotiabank^® Scene+^™ Visa^* Card cardholders will earn points for purchases made with their Scotiabank^® Scene+^™ Visa^* Card (“Card”). A Card must be connected to a Scene+ membership account to earn points on purchases made on the Card. Points are not awarded for cash advances, balance transfers, Scotia Credit Card Cheques, returns, refunds or other similar credits, payments fees, interest, service or transaction charges on the Card. Some conditions and limitations apply. Visit www.scotiabank.com/scenevisa for complete details.

Offer Description and Conditions: The 7,500 Bonus Scene+ Points Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank Scene+ Visa credit card accounts (“Account”) opened by March 2, 2025 and is subject to the below terms and conditions. 

To be eligible for 2,500 bonus Scene+ points (the “2,500 Point Bonus”), you must open a new Account by March 2, 2025 and have at least $250 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 3 months of the Account open date. To be eligible for an additional 5,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “Additional 5,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $1,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in your first 3 months of Account open date. Eligible purchases include purchases (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, cash advances (including balance transfers or cash-like transactions), interest, fees or other charges.

The applicable point bonus will be credited approximately 8 weeks after the qualifying amount in eligible purchases (i.e., $250 or $1,000) have been posted to the Account within the first 3 months of the Primary cardholder’s Account open date, provided the Account is open and in good standing. For Joint Accounts with a Primary Borrower and Co-borrower, the applicable point bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the last transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases (i.e., $250 or $1,000).  If a supplementary cardholder completes the last qualifying transaction, the applicable point bonus will be credited to the Primary Borrower’s Scene+ account. Points can be transferred between Primary and Co-Borrower or Supplementary Cardholder’s Scene+ accounts by contacting Scene+. The Account is considered in good standing if it is not past due or over limit and the Cardholder(s) is not in breach of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the Account.  All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Offer period.  Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended without notice at any time and cannot be combined with any other offers.

Eligibility and Exclusions: Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for the Offer. Subject to the above exclusions, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are also eligible for the Offer.

Rates and Fees: There is currently no annual fee for the primary card and no fee for each additional card (including those issued to co-borrowers and supplementary cardholders).  The current preferred annual interest rates for the Account are: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions).  All rates, fees, features and benefits are outlined in the Application Disclosure Statement and are subject to change.

For current rates and information on fees and interest, call 1-888-882-8958. Interest rates, fees and features are subject to change without notice. Learn more about credit card fees and credit card interest rates.

Regular Earn Rate: You are awarded one (1) Scene+ Point for every $1.00 in all purchases of goods and services charged to the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Account (the “Account”).

Accelerated Earn Rates: You will earn accelerated earn rates on the following eligible purchases charged to the Account:

Grocery Stores

You are awarded two (2) Scene+ Points for every eligible $1.00 purchase made at Sobeys, Safeway, participating IGA, Foodland, Foodland & Participating Co-ops, FreshCo, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Rachelle Béry, Les Marchés Tradition, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by Safeway and Voilà par IGA locations charged and posted to the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Account. This list of eligible grocers may be changed from time to time without notice. See full list of participating merchants across Canada at scotiabank.com/participatingstores.

Home Hardware Stores

You are awarded two (2) Scene+ Points for every eligible $1.00 purchase made at eligible Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre, Home Furniture locations in Canada and online at homehardware.ca charged and posted to the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Account. The list of eligible locations may be changed from time to time without notice.  See full list of eligible locations across Canada at scotiabank.com/participatingstores.

Cineplex

You are awarded two (2) Scene+ Points for every $1.00 purchase made at Cineplex theaters, the Cineplex App and online at cineplex.com charged and posted to the Account.

Eligibility: Only purchases earn Scene+ Points. Cash advances (including Balance Transfers, and Cash-Like Transactions), fees, interest or other charges, returns, refunds or other similar credits to your Account do not qualify for Scene+ Points. Scene+ Points will not be posted to an Account that is not in good standing when purchases are made or when a statement is issued, or if the Account is not open when a statement is issued. See your Scene+ Points terms at www.scotiabank.com/sceneplus for full program details.

All dollar amounts are in Canadian currency unless otherwise stated.

The savings of up to 25% applies to Avis and Budget base rates and is applicable only to the time and mileage charges of the rental. All taxes, fees (including but not limited Air Conditioning Excise Recovery Fee, Concession Recovery Fee, Vehicle License Recovery Fee, Energy Recovery Fee, Tire Management Fee, and Frequent Traveler Fee) and surcharges (including but not limited to Customer Facility Charge and Environmental Fee Recovery Charge) are extra. The Bank of Nova Scotia is not responsible for, and provides no representations, warranties or conditions regarding this offer or any Avis or Budget products or services, including Avis Preferred Plus membership and services and those obtained under this offer, which are governed solely by Avis’ terms and conditions. Avis Preferred Plus membership and services are provided by Avis.

Scotia Credit Card Protection is underwritten by Chubb Life Insurance Company of Canada under a Group Policy issued to The Bank of Nova Scotia. All coverage is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Certificate of Insurance which you will receive upon enrolment.

Scotia SelectPay Conditions apply. Review Terms and Conditions for full details or visit scotiabank.com/selectpay to learn more.

You are awarded three (3) Scene+ Points for every eligible $1.00 purchase made at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry, and Co-Op locations charged and posted to the Scotiabank American Express Account. This list of eligible grocers may be changed from time to time without notice. See full list of participating merchants across Canada at scotiabank.com/participatingstores. 

Additionally, you are awarded two (2) Scene+ Points for every eligible $1.00 purchase all other grocery (not listed above), dining, entertainment, gas, daily transit and select streaming services charged and posted to the Scotiabank American Express Account (the “Account”) (the earn rates for each of the above categories and merchants are referred to as the “Accelerated Earn Rates”). For a current list of eligible select streaming services, contact Scotiabank at 1-888-861-5443 or through the “Connect with Scotia chat” option on the Scotia app. You are awarded one (1) Scene+ Point for every $1.00 in all other purchases of goods and services charged to the Scotiabank American Express Account (the “Regular Earn Rate”). 

Merchant classifications – American Express network Purchases must be made at merchants classified through the American Express network with a Merchant Category Code (“MCC”) that identifies them in the American Express network in the “grocery”, “dining”, “entertainment”, “gas”, “streaming service” or “transit” category. Purchases at merchants where these categories are not their primary business do not qualify. Some merchants may (i) provide other goods or services; or (ii) have separate merchants located on their premises that may not be classified with an MCC under the Accelerated Earn Rate categories and such purchases will not earn the Accelerated Earn Rate as applicable. 

The Accelerated Earn Rates for the Scotiabank American Express Card applies to the first $50,000 in purchases charged to the Scotiabank American Express Account annually at merchants qualifying for the Accelerated Earn Rate, calculated annually from January 1st to December 31st each year. Once you exceed the applicable annual spend threshold, you will continue earning points at the Regular Earn Rate of one (1) Scene+ Point per $1.00 in purchases charged and posted to the Scotiabank American Express Account.

Eligibility: Only purchases earn Scene+ Points. Cash advances (including Balance Transfers, Scotia† Credit Card Cheques and Cash-Like Transactions), fees, interest or other charges, returns, refunds or other similar credits to your Account do not qualify for Scene+ Points. Scene+ Points will not be posted to an Account that is not in good standing when purchases are made or when a statement is issued, or if the Account is not open when a statement is issued. See your Scene+ Points terms at www.scotiabank.com/sceneplus for full program details

The Scene+ Travel website and call center are owned and operated by Expedia Inc, a third-party travel service provider (the “Scene+ Travel Partner”). To earn or redeem Points, travel must be booked through the Scene+ Travel website or Scene+ Travel call centre. Travel booked via the Scene+ Travel call centre may be subject to a booking fee. Prices are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified. Prices and points requirement are available on the website, and subject to change.  The Scene+ Travel Partner may impose terms and conditions that supplement the ‘Additional Terms and Conditions for Scene+ Travel’ included in the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions. Scene LP and its owners are not responsible for the products and services made available to you by third parties.

Earning Scene+ Points for Scene+ Travel purchases:  Scene+ points are earned on eligible travel purchases made through Scene+ Travel website or call centre (collectively “Scene+ Travel)”.  Scene+ Points are only earned on the total value of hotel or car rental booking purchases (excluding taxes and fees) made through Scene+ Travel  regardless of the payment method used for the purchase (Scene+ points redemption and/or payment card purchases). Points earned will be added to your Scene+ account within six weeks from the completion of your travel itinerary.

Paying for your eligible Scene+ Travel purchase:  Points may be redeemed for the entire amount of the hotel or car rental booking purchases (including taxes and fees), or redeemed in part with the remaining balance paid by an available payment card.

Apply Points to Travel redemptions are only permitted towards an eligible travel purchase charged to a Scotiabank credit card or debit card that earns Scene+ Points. Redemptions must be requested through sceneplus.ca or the Scene+ app within 12 months of the travel purchase transaction date. Minimum Scene+ Point redemption thresholds apply. For full terms and conditions, click here.

Offer Description and Conditions: The 5,000 Bonus Scene+ Points Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank American Express credit card accounts (“Account”) opened by July 1, 2025 and is subject to the below terms and conditions. To be eligible for 2,500 bonus Scene+ points (the “2,500 Point Bonus”), you must open a new Account by July 1, 2025 and have at least $250 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 3 months of the Account open date. To be eligible for an additional 2,500 bonus Scene+ points (the “Additional 2,500 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $1,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in your first 3 months of Account open date. Eligible purchases include purchases (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, cash advances (including balance transfers or cash-like transactions), interest, fees or other charges

The applicable point Bonus will be credited approximately 8 weeks after the qualifying amount in eligible purchases (i.e., $250 or $1,000) are posted to the Account within the first 3 months of the Primary cardholder’s Account open date, provided the Account is open and in good standing. For Joint Accounts with a Primary Borrower and Co-borrower, the applicable point Bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the last transaction to meet the qualifying amount in eligible purchases (i.e., $250 or $1,000).  If a supplementary cardholder completes the last qualifying transaction, the applicable point Bonus will be credited to the Primary Borrower’s Scene+ account. Points can be transferred between Primary and Co-Borrower or Supplementary Cardholder’s Scene+ accounts by contacting Scene. The Account is considered in good standing if it is not past due or over limit and the Cardholder(s) is not in breach of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the Account.  All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Offer period. Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended without notice at any time and cannot be combined with any other offers.

Eligibility and Exclusions: Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for the Offer. Subject to the above exclusions, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are also eligible for the Offer.

Rates and Fees: There is currently no annual fee for the primary card and no fee for each additional card (including those issued to co-borrowers and supplementary cardholders). The current preferred annual interest rates for the Account are: 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions). All rates, fees, features and benefits are outlined in the Application Disclosure Statement and are subject to change.

For current rates and information on fees and interest, call 1-888-882-8958. Interest rates, fees and features are subject to change without notice. Learn more about credit card fees and interest rates.

Purchase must be charged in full to an American Express Card. Subject to availability and to event and ticketing agent terms, conditions, and fees. Not all seats are available. All sales are final. No refunds. No exchanges. The Bank of Nova Scotia and its affiliates are not responsible for fulfilment of offers under the American Express Invites program. All offers are provided and fulfilled by participating merchants and are subject to the specific terms and conditions of the respective merchant. American Express and its affiliates are not liable or otherwise responsible for any offer or experience made available under this program, and are not responsible for fulfilment, any changes or cancellation of any offer.

Under all insurance coverages or services, certain limitations, restrictions and exclusions apply. Please see the Certificates of Insurance for full coverage details. Coverages are underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiary First North American Insurance Company. The Bank of Nova Scotia is not an insurer. All insurance claims must be forwarded to the insurance providers.

Scotia Credit Card Protection is underwritten by Chubb Life Insurance Company of Canada under a Group Policy issued to the Bank of Nova Scotia. All coverage is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Certificate of Insurance which you will receive upon enrolment.