Recently, Scotiabank announced some minor upcoming changes to their line up of Scene+ credit cards which will take place on October 1st, 2022. For the most part, these changes are positive for Scotiabank card holders as the Scene+ points earning rate will increase at select grocery stores like Sobeys, FreshCo and Safeway.
Also, the Scene+ program announced a new redemption rate when redeeming your Scene+ points for movie tickets and concessions at Cineplex Theatres.
Let’s go over some of these recent updates.
New partnership between Scene+ and Sobeys grocery stores
Back in June 2022, Empire Company Limited, (the parent company of grocery chains such as Sobeys, FreshCo, and Safeway) announced that it would be joining the Scene+ loyalty program. This means that you’ll be able to earn Scene+ points when you shop at Empire Company grocery stores in the future. The rollout will first start in Atlantic Canada in August 2022 and then expand to the rest of Canada by early 2023.
This new addition to the Scene+ program gets even better for Scotiabank card holders as they’ll be earning more Scene+ points when paying for groceries with their Scotia card.
Notably, most Scotia credit cards are getting an increase in the earning rates at Sobeys and Safeway grocery stores starting in October 2022.
Upcoming changes to Scotiabank credit cards as of October 1, 2022
Scotiabank announced some upcoming changes to some of their credit cards starting on October 1, 2022.
Here are a summary of the proposed changes for each Scene+ affiliated Scotiabank credit card.
Scotia Gold American Express card
Starting on October 1, 2022, the Scotiabank Gold American Express card will undergo the following changes:
- Earn 6X Scene+ points at Sobeys grocery stores. Earn 6X Scene+ points for each $1 CAD charged to your card 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.
- Addition of Mobile device insurance. Charge the full cost of a new cellular phone, smartphone, or tablet device to your card, and you may be covered for up to $1,000 in the event your device is lost, stolen, accidentally damaged, or experiences mechanical failure.
- The preferred annual interest rate on purchases is changing from 19.99% to 20.99%
- The standard rate on purchases is changing from 24.99% to 25.99%.
Plus, you’ll still earn 5X Scene+ points at other grocery stores and on dining and entertainment purchases made on your card. Also, you’ll receive 3X the points on gas, public transit and select streaming services purchases, and 1X Scene+ points on all other eligible purchases.
Overall, nothing but positive upcoming changes coming to the Scotia Gold Amex card with the inclusion of mobile device insurance and an incredible 6x points at Sobeys grocery stores!
Plus, apply for the Scotiabank Gold American Express card before April 30, 2023 and you could earn a welcome bonus of 45,000 Scene+TM points (worth $450 towards travel purchases) and the $120 annual fee is waived for the first year!
no-fee Scotiabank American Express card
Starting on October 1, 2022, the Scotiabank American Express card will undergo the following change:
- Earn 3X Scene+ points at Sobeys grocery stores. Earn 3x Scene+ points for each $1 CAD charged to your card 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.
Plus, you’ll still earn 2X Scene+ points at other grocery stores, on dining, entertainment, gas, public transit, and on select streaming services purchases. You’ll earn 1X Scene+ points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Also, apply for the Scotiabank American Express card before April 30, 2023 and you could earn a welcome bonus of 12,000 Scene+ points (worth $120 towards travel purchases). This no annual fee card also provides mobile device insurance (up to $500)!
Scotia Passport Visa Infinite card
Starting on October 1, 2022, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite card will undergo the following changes:
- Earn 3X Scene+ points at Sobeys grocery stores. Earn 3x Scene+ points for each $1 CAD charged to your card 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.
- The annual fee is increasing from $139 to $150!!! The additional cardholder annual fee remains $0 for one additional card and $50 for each additional card.
- The preferred annual interest rate on purchases is changing from 19.99% to 20.99%
- The standard rate on purchases is changing from 24.99% to 25.99%.
Plus, you’ll still earn 2X Scene+ points on all other grocery stores purchases, dining, entertainment purchases, and daily transit purchases. You’ll earn 1X point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
The upcoming changes for the Scotia Passport Visa Infinite are a mixed bag. It’s a shame to see an $11 increase to the annual fee to $150 but at least you can still have one free additional cardholder. On the other hand, it’s nice to see the accelerated earn rate of 3X points at Sobeys grocery stores.
Plus, apply for the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite Card before April 30, 2023 and you could earn a welcome bonus of 40,000 Scene+ points (worth $400 towards travel purchases)!
no fee Scotiabank Scene+ Visa card
Starting on October 1, 2022, the no annual fee Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card will undergo the following changes:
- Earn 2X Scene+ points at Sobeys grocery stores. Earn 2x Scene+ points for each $1 CAD charged to your card 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.
- The accelerated earn rates on purchases at Cineplex theatres and online at Cineplex.com are decreasing from 5X Scene+ points to 2X Scene+ points for each dollar charged to your account.
- The card’s name will change from SCENE® Visa Card to Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa Card.
Plus, you’ll earn 1X point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
The upcoming changes for the no fee Scotia Scene+ Visa card are disappointing. It’s a shame to see the earn rates at Cineplex theatres decrease from 5x Scene+ points down to 2x points 🙁 It was certainly one of the best features of the card and that earn rate is now being slashed. The only consolation is that the earn rate at Sobeys grocery stores is being increased to a paltry 2x points. This earn rate is lower than the other no-fee Scotiabank Amex card which offers 3x points at grocery stores and 2x points on entertainment purchases.
If you are interested in the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card, it’s currently offering a welcome bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points (worth $100 towards travel purchases) until April 30, 2023.
New redemption rate for Scene+ points at Cineplex
A highlight of the Scene+ program is that members can redeem their points for movie tickets and concession stand purchases at Cineplex Theatres. Previously, the number of Scene+ points required for a free movie depends on the type of ticket purchased. A general admission ticket cost 1,250 points, an enhanced ticket (IMAX) cost 2,000 points and a VIP movie ticket cost 2,500 points.
As of August 11, 2022 Scene+ members no longer need to redeem a set number of points per ticket type. Instead, members can redeem 100 Scene+ points for $1 towards Cineplex movie tickets. Plus, you now have the flexibility to cover all or part of the ticket purchase with points!
Additionally, members can also use their points for the following:
- Redeem 500 Scene+ points for $5 towards food and drinks at the movies.
- Redeem 100 Scene+ points for $1 off movie rentals or purchases at the Cineplex Store.
Overall, this new Cineplex redemption rate is much simpler and easier to understand with 100 points = $1 off your movie ticket. Plus, the ability to partially pay your ticket with Scene+ points is a great new feature.
The best use of this new redemption rate would be on Tuesdays where prices are discounted to about $8.50 (depends on location). Previously, redeeming your points for a standard admission ticket would have cost 1,250 points but under the new rate, it only costs 850 points (a savings of 400 points)!
Summary
As of October 1st 2022, there will be some changes to Scotiabank’s lineup of Scene+ affiliated credit cards in light of the new partnership with Empire Company / Sobeys grocery stores. Here are the main highlights for each card:
- Scotiabank Gold American Express card – 6X Scene+ points at Sobeys stores and addition of mobile device insurance.
- no fee Scotiabank American Express card – 3X Scene+ points at Sobeys stores.
- Passport Visa Infinite card – 3X Scene+ points at Sobeys stores and annual fee increase to $150.
- Scene+ Visa card – 2X Scene+ points at Sobeys stores and Cineplex Theatres (decrease from current 5X points at Cineplex).
Further details and FAQs can be found on the Scotiabank website.
Lastly, there’s a new redemption rate of 100 Scene+ points for $1 off your movie tickets and concessions at Cineplex Theatres as of Aug 11, 2022.
How do you feel about these Scotiabank credit card changes? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: Scotiabank & Scene+ are not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, please visit the Scotiabank or Scene+ website.
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