Scene+ was launched towards the end of 2021 as a revitalized merger between the existing Scene points program and Scotia Rewards. Then, with the induction of grocery powerhouse the Empire Company as co-owner in 2022, Scene+ has rapidly evolved as one of the top rewards programs in Canada.With several everyday spending opportunities, Scene+ is one of the easiest points currencies to collect in Canada these days. They're easy and flexible to redeem too; you use them at a fixed value towards not only travel purchases but also groceries, dining, entertainment, and gift cards.But let’s be clear – these aren’t necessarily the points that will fly you in business class or First Class. However, you'll find how they're quite useful when redeemed to offset other travel purchases and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.
Earning Points via Signup Bonuses
While it's possible to earn Scene+ points in a variety of ways outside of credit card spending, it's noticeably easier to earn sizable amounts as credit card signup bonuses.
- The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card is a flagship premium credit card, with the most perks and benefits. You can find the largest signup bonus on this card.
- The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is a mid-range American Express card, with frequent First Year Free promotions and a strong, consistent signup bonus.
- The Scotiabank American Express Card is an entry-level no-fee American Express card, with a small welcome bonus, usually of between 5,000–10,000 Scene+ points.
- The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is a mid-tier Visa card with no foreign transaction fees and complimentary lounge access
- The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card is the business version of the Passport Visa Infinite Card and offers similar bonuses and benefits
Earning Points via Daily Spending
- Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card:
- 2 Scene+ points per dollar spent on all purchases
- Scotiabank Gold American Express Card:
- 6 Scene+ points per dollar spent at Empire-affiliated grocery stores (Safeway, Sobeys, IGA, Thrifty Foods, etc).
- 5 Scene+ points per dollar spent on groceries, dining, and entertainment
- 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent on gas, transit, and streaming services
- 1 Scene+ point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Scotiabank American Express Card:
- 2 Scene+ points per dollar spent on dining, grocery, movie theatres, gas, transit and streaming services purchases
- 1 Scene+ point per dollar spent on all purchases
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card:
- 2 Scene+ points per dollar spent on transit, groceries, dining, and entertainment
- 1 Scene+ point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card:
- 1.5 Scene+ points per dollar spent on all purchases
Banking
- 1 Scene+ point per $5 spent on all purchases using a Scotiabank debit card
Dining
- 1 Scene+ point per $3 spent on dine-in or takeout at Recipe Unlimited restaurants (Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet, East Side Mario’s, Montana’s BBQ & Bar, Bier Markt, and Kelsey’s Original Roadhouse)
- Personalized and weekly offers/bonuses found on the Scene+ app
Entertainment
- 5 Scene+ points per dollar spent on Cineplex movie tickets, and food and drink
- 5 Scene+ points per dollar spent on Cineplex Store rentals and purchases
- 1 Scene+ point per dollar spent at The Rec Room and Playdium
Groceries & Pharmacy
- 2 Scene+ points per dollar spent on entire amount of prescriptions at Empire Company pharmacies (Sobeys, Safeway, Lawton Drugs, etc.) - applicable to Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan only
- 1 Scene+ point per $2 spent at Needs Convenience
- Personalized and weekly offers/bonuses found on flyers and apps of Empire Company grocery stores (Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland, IGA, etc.), and pharmacies (Lawton Drugs)
![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Screenshot-2024-05-06-at-2.53.36 PM.png)
Retail
- 50 Scene+ points per $50 spent at Home Hardware
- Up to 20% more Scene+ points back with a cash back portal powered by Rakuten
- Exclusive higher Scene+ rebate offers for members
Travel
- 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals when booked with Scene+ Travel powered by Expedia
Redeeming Scene+ Points
Travel
The highest redemption value for Scene+ points comes by redeeming them on travel purchases, either through the dedicated redemption portal powered by Expedia or by offsetting any travel purchase charged to your card. By redeeming points this way, you'll get a fixed value of 1 cent per point (cpp).Scene+ Travel powered by Expedia is essentially the same platform as the regular Expedia, except you log in through the Scene+ portal first to enable you to earn and redeem points.But again, with the flexibility of Scene+ points, you're not limited to booking directly with Scene+, and it's almost always recommended to book any flights, hotels, or other travel directly then just offsetting your purchases with points.This avoids common problems with online travel agencies such as higher rates, lack of loyalty program benefits, and poor customer service when it comes to irregular operations.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-23-at-11.37.50-AM.png)
![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-23-at-11.42.08-AM.png)
General Statement Credits
As an alterative to travel statement credits, you may opt to use your Scene+ points for a general credit towards your bill. But compared to the travel statement credits above, this option gives you less value for your Scene+ points.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/scene-statement-credit.png)
Grocery, Entertainment, and Dining
If you don't currently have travel plans or would rather charge your travel expenses on other credit cards, Scene+ flexibly allows redemptions for grocery, entertainment, and dining as an instant credit to your bill.At Empire Company grocery stores (Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland, IGA, etc.) nationwide, you can redeem blocks of 1,000 points to get $10 off your bill directly.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sobeys-flyer-points.png)
Home Hardware
The most recent addition to the roster of Scene+ partners is Home Hardware and its associated brands, namely Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre, and Home Furniture.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2-Home-Hardware-scaled.jpg)
Gift Cards
Another flexible redemption for your Scene+ points is gift cards. You can redeem gift cards for a variety of categories, including groceries, gas, beauty, and electronics.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/scene-gift-card-1024x544.png)
Merchandise
Scene+ offers a selection of merchandise for redemption through its own Apple storefront and its Best Buy catalogue.As an authorized reseller, Scene+ offers the complete range of Apple products that you would find in an Apple Store. However, these redemptions aren't necessarily a good use of your Scene+ points.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/apple-catalog-home-1024x673.png)
![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/best-buy-catalog-1024x745.png)
Conclusion
Scene+ is a flexible rewards currency that you should definitely look into including in your points arsenal. While it may not necessarily fly you in business class or First Class, its flexibility and simplicity to be applied as a statement credit will lower your out-of-pocket costs on travel purchases otherwise not redeemable by miles or other point currencies.But if you're not looking to travel anytime soon, you're also afforded the option to instantly redeem your points on groceries, dining, entertainment, and even gift cards – all at a great redemption value.