hardlyeasy Posted October 24, 2017 Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 Hello all! I signed my LOC with Scotia and received the Gold AMEX as well as the ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card. I was wondering if anyone had a good method of which card to use for what. If I'm understanding it correctly, the AMEX seems to give more points that the Visa, but the Visa seems like it is more useful for travel rewards? Should I be using AMEX as much as I can? Should the Visa just be used for booking airline tickets? Let me know if you guys have a better understanding of the rewards program. I'm looking to maximize points for travelling for carms interviews. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
distressedpremed Posted October 24, 2017 Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 The most important thing to check is to get your sign-up bonus points. (I think AMEX gives you $250 almost worth for points). AMEX is not accepted everywhere - for instance, you won't be able to use it at Costco. However, there is a 1:4 points for dining out, movies, groceries, and gas. So for every point you would normally get on your VISA, you get 4. I usually use AMEX for groceries and movies. If you eat out a lot, try to see if they accept AMEX - for instance, McDonalds and select Tim's does. That's your most profitable yield. VISA is easy - it just gives you 1:1. So pretty easy. Also - the scotiarewards center often has good deals on flights. I think I found a flight back home for less than Expedia. You could use your point first, or just pay through using your VISA card - for both cards it's still 1:1. Overall - what I do is I hand them my AMEX first, see if they accept it. If they don't, then I use the VISA. I think that the points aren't limited to the card, it's a collective pool - that's what my advisor explained to me but I havent' personally checked this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
distressedpremed Posted October 24, 2017 Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 Also one other thing - the AMEX has pretty good travel insurance, and I think even car rental insurance. So I would purchase tickets/trips through there, and call the credit card line to make sure they know that you'll be travelling. PS: costco and costco gas, sadly do not accept amex or visa. However your scene debit card collects some scene points, which is good for cinephiles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAAmeds Posted October 25, 2017 Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 What if you have the AMEX and the infinite momentum VISA card? Which one I should use mainly and where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coronaxtra Posted October 25, 2017 Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 11 hours ago, AAAmeds said: What if you have the AMEX and the infinite momentum VISA card? Which one I should use mainly and where? I use the infinite momentum for gas, groceries, drug stores, recurring payments (phone bill, etc). I use the Amex for entertaiment and food. All other purchases, I use the infinite momentum. This maximizes the 2&4% cash back from the momentum, as well as 4x the points on Amex for food and entertaiment. You get 1% back on everything else with the infinite so I use that for all other purchases. For flights, I check the scotia rewards site first but usually I book through the airline using the visa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAAmeds Posted October 25, 2017 Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 8 hours ago, Coronaxtra said: I use the infinite momentum for gas, groceries, drug stores, recurring payments (phone bill, etc). I use the Amex for entertaiment and food. All other purchases, I use the infinite momentum. This maximizes the 2&4% cash back from the momentum, as well as 4x the points on Amex for food and entertaiment. You get 1% back on everything else with the infinite so I use that for all other purchases. For flights, I check the scotia rewards site first but usually I book through the airline using the visa. Thanks!! I also have another mastercard with 1.5% cashback. Should I use that just for "other purchases"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coronaxtra Posted October 26, 2017 Report Share Posted October 26, 2017 23 hours ago, AAAmeds said: Thanks!! I also have another mastercard with 1.5% cashback. Should I use that just for "other purchases"? Yep its the best way to maximize cashback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brady23 Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 On 10/24/2017 at 2:43 PM, distressedpremed said: The most important thing to check is to get your sign-up bonus points. (I think AMEX gives you $250 almost worth for points). Oh thanks for the reminder! For some reason, I thought the bonus didn't include medical students since the fee is already being waived for us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAAmeds Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 On 10/24/2017 at 11:43 AM, distressedpremed said: The most important thing to check is to get your sign-up bonus points. (I think AMEX gives you $250 almost worth for points). How/where do you get the $250 bonus points? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
distressedpremed Posted October 28, 2017 Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 When I signed up, you get an amount of points for signing up for the card - I think it's around $250 in value but in terms of points it's 30K http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,4657,00.html And then the passport has a sign-up bonus too http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,89,00.html So all in total it's around 35K points, whatever that comes out to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardlyeasy Posted October 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 14 hours ago, distressedpremed said: When I signed up, you get an amount of points for signing up for the card - I think it's around $250 in value but in terms of points it's 30K http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,4657,00.html And then the passport has a sign-up bonus too http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,89,00.html So all in total it's around 35K points, whatever that comes out to Thanks for all your advice! I'm still a little confused about the sign-up bonus. I already received the credit cards because my advisor arranged the sign-up/approval so I never had to use the sign-up links you posted. So is it too late to get the bonus points? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
distressedpremed Posted October 28, 2017 Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 3 hours ago, hardlyeasy said: Thanks for all your advice! I'm still a little confused about the sign-up bonus. I already received the credit cards because my advisor arranged the sign-up/approval so I never had to use the sign-up links you posted. So is it too late to get the bonus points? No you should get them automatically when you sign up... AMEX - takes 3 months for the points to show up and Passport VISA should show up within a month I think If anything ask your advisor for help/more details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brady23 Posted October 28, 2017 Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 30 minutes ago, distressedpremed said: No you should get them automatically when you sign up... AMEX - takes 3 months for the points to show up and Passport VISA should show up within a month I think If anything ask your advisor for help/more details Those points are only if you spend $750 within the first 3 months right? Or do you get automatic points for signing up for the card? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
distressedpremed Posted October 29, 2017 Report Share Posted October 29, 2017 First three months I believe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAAmeds Posted October 29, 2017 Report Share Posted October 29, 2017 41 minutes ago, distressedpremed said: First three months I believe So you should spend $750 in the first three months to get the bonus? Otherwise you don't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
distressedpremed Posted October 29, 2017 Report Share Posted October 29, 2017 1 hour ago, AAAmeds said: So you should spend $750 in the first three months to get the bonus? Otherwise you don't? Yes I believe so from the site: http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,4657,00.html 30,000 Scotia Rewards bonus points,with your first $750 in everyday purchases in first three months. Plus, first year annual fee waiver1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brady23 Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 I spoke to my advisor today, and they said that because the fees are being waived for 4+ years, we're not eligible for the bonus points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowmen Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 1 hour ago, brady23 said: I spoke to my advisor today, and they said that because the fees are being waived for 4+ years, we're not eligible for the bonus points. You should find a different advisor then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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