The first step in the Scene+ Sobeys partnership is here - awesome new earn rates for Scotiabank credit cards

The newly minted partnership between Scotiabank, Scene+ and Empire Company Limited who operates Sobeys, Safeway and other stores took its first step today in revealing what we could expect from it. Scotiabank announced new earn rates on their credit cards that earn Scene+ points when using them Empire's group of stores plus a few other changes to the card. This comes only a day before we see the revamped Scotiabank Platinum and Red American Express cards launch. 

The Scotiabank card changes

This next set of changes that have been announced by Scotiabank will take effect on October 1st and will affect four of their five Scene+ earning cards. Unless noted, all other earn rates, benefits, insurance etc. remain the same on these cards.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card

 The well rounded Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card will see the following changes:

• The card will earn 3X Scene+ points for each dollar charged to your account on all eligible purchases¹ 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 for the primary card is changing from $139 to $150.
• Interest rates on the card are being bumped up by 1% 

This card continues to be well rounded with these changes simply by getting this better earn rate at Empire stores. It is unfortunate to see the annual fee being bumped up but Scotia had the space to do so as many of this card's competitors already charge $150 for the primary card. 

Scotia Gold American Express Card

The top card from Scotiabank will see the following changes:

• The card will earn 6X Scene+ points for each $1 CAD charged to your account on all eligible purchases¹ 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.
• Mobile Device Insurance will be added as of October 1
  
• Interest rates on the card are being bumped up by 1%  

This is huge - 6 points per dollar at these grocery stores equates to a 6% return when those points are redeemed for travel. This is one of the highest earn rates in Canada period when you don't take into account something like the Cobalt card's ability to convert to Aeroplan and other programs.

 

Scotia SCENE Visa Card 

The original Scene card that is your entry level card option for the Scene+ program will change as follows:

• The card will  earn 2X Scene+ points for each dollar charged to your account on all eligible purchases¹ 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 purchases¹ at Cineplex theatres and online at CIneplex.com are changing from 5X Scene+ points to 2X Scene+ points for each dollar charged to your account.²
  

So we do see a devaluation here for what this card was originally intended for - movies. However in the end cardholders should end up earning more points with the new increased earn rate of 2 points per dollar at all the Empire stores, 

Scotiabank American Express Card 

The no annual fee American Express Card in Scotia's portfolio not only undergoes changes as of tomorrow but will have the following adding on October 1:

• The card will earn 3X Scene+ points for each dollar charged to your account on all eligible purchases¹ 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.

Despite losing all of its travel insurance on July 1 this no fee card stands to move up the ranks thanks to its increased earn rates!

Additional points earning

You have to remember that you will also earn additional Scene+ points at all of Empire's stores simply by showing your Scene+ loyalty card. Then you'll have whatever bonus offers that may be available and now all of sudden you have a program that has extremely strong grocery store earning potential! I mean 6 points per dollar alone on the Gold American Express is a 6% return before all the other points you can earn. This is big and this looks to be the partnership and program to emulate.

Wrapping it up

Scotia is heralding in a lot of changes right now and most of them can been seen (or should I say Scene) as enhancements. The combination of Scotia, Scene+ and the Empire group of stores will be a powerhouse when it comes to loyalty programs and your grocery shopping. All Scotia and Scene+ need to do now is educate the Canadian public on Scene+ and how it is no longer just a movie program as that will be the biggest hurdle they have ahead of them.

Click here to learn more about the Scotia Visa changes

Click here to learn more about the Scotia American Express changes