Scotiabank debit card (with the Preferred Package) Review

Scotiabank’s debit card is an everyday debit card that lets you enjoy a number of unique credit card features from Visa. While it’s not a credit card, you can use this card to shop online. It will also let you earn points wherever you shop if you register for a SCENE or Scotiabank Passport Debit Card. You’ll be signed up for a Scotiabank Debit Card automatically when you open most Scotiabank chequing or savings accounts.

Types of Scotiabank debit cards

There are two main types of Scotiabank debit cards to choose from, depending on the rewards you want to collect.

• The ScotiaCard with Visa Debit. This is the default card you get when you open a Scotiabank account. It gives you all the convenience of a regular debit card as you can use it to complete debit transactions in person, make purchases online or internationally where Visa is accepted and access ATMs domestically and abroad.
• The SCENE ScotiaCard with Visa Debit. This debit card has the same functionality, but you can Earn 1 SCENE point for every $5 you spend on debit purchases. These points can be redeemed for movies and other rewards with participating Cineplex theatres.

Scotiabank debit card basics

If you’re in the market for a debit card that lets you earn points and shop online, you may want to sign up for a ScotiaCard.

• Tap payments. Pay for purchases on the go when you tap your card at Interac Flash-enabled terminals.
• Shop internationally. Use your ScotiaCard to make purchases online or in person when you shop or travel in the USA or internationally.
• Pay for recurring bills. Sign up for recurring bill payments for your Internet, phone, streaming services and more using your ScotiaCard.
• Free Scotiabank ATM withdrawals. Use your ScotiaCard to withdraw cash at Scotiabank ATMs for free (or pay a fee at non-Scotiabank and international ATMs).
• Earn rewards. Earn points that you can put towards travel and entertainment just by making everyday purchases with your SCENE ScotiaCard with Visa Debit.

How to make purchases online with a Scotiabank debit card

1. When you’re ready to pay for your online purchase, select Visa Debit or just Visa at checkout.
2. Enter your ScotiaCard number, expiry date, CVV and name as it appears on the card. Your CVV, or card verification value, is the three-digit number on the back of your card.
3. Input your billing address, ensuring it’s the same one you used to create your Scotiabank account.
4. You may be redirected to Scotiabank’s secure page to verify your payment or asked to approve it directly through the Scotiabank mobile app to finalize your purchase.

Which accounts come with a Scotiabank debit card?

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Scotiabank Preferred Package

Earn $700
Bonus Offer

$16.95
Monthly Account Fee

unlimited
Free Transactions

• Info
• Pros + Cons
• More Details

One of Scotiabank's most popular chequing accounts, the Scotiabank Preferred Package, offers a wide range of perks for a monthly fee of $16.95. Benefits include unlimited debit transactions and Interac e-Transfers, monthly fee waivers when a minimum daily balance of $4,000 is maintained, preferred interest rates on savings accounts and annual fee rebates on select credit cards.

• Earn a welcome bonus of up to $700
• Unlimited everyday banking transactions
• Options to waive the monthly fee
• First year annual fee rebate on select credit cards

• Balance waiver threshold may be too high for some
• High monthly fee

Monthly Account Fee	$16.95
Free Transactions	unlimited
Interac e-Transfer Fee	$0
In-Network ATM Fee	$2
NSF Fee	$48
Foreign Transaction Fee	2.5%
CDIC Deposit Insurance	$100,000
Bonus Offer	Earn $700

Other bank accounts that come with an RBC debit card include:

• Basic Bank Account
• Basic Plus Bank Account
• Preferred Package for Students and Youth
• Ultimate Package

Dive deeper: Our guide to the best debit cards in Canada

Scotiabank debit card perks

• Fee-free transactions. Enjoy unlimited free transactions with the Preferred Package and Ultimate Package, and 12–25 free transactions with the Basic and Basic Plus Bank Account.
• Easy mobile banking. Manage your money on the go with Scotiabank’s simple online and mobile banking platform.
• Overdraft protection available. Protect yourself from having to pay fees for non-sufficient funds (NSF) with overdraft protection on your ScotiaCard.
• Zero-liability coverage. Rest easy knowing you’re protected against fraudulent charges on your ScotiaCard with zero-liability coverage.
• Can be linked to mobile wallet. Link your ScotiaCard to your mobile phone using Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay. This allows you to pay with your smartphone or smartwatch without a physical card.

What to watch out for with a Scotiabank debit card

• Transaction limits. You may be required to adhere to daily spending limits.
• Foreign transaction fees. You’ll pay an additional fee of 2.5% in foreign transaction fees on any amount of money you spend overseas.
• No access to credit. This card is strictly a debit card and won’t give you access to any balance that you don’t already have in your bank account.
• No return on points for some cards. You won’t earn points on your ScotiaCard unless you sign up for the SCENE ScotiaCard with Visa Debit.

What should I know before I apply?

Eligibility requirements

You won’t need to apply for a ScotiaCard with Visa Debit because you’ll get one automatically if you meet the following criteria:

• You’re a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or temporary resident of Canada.
• You’re applying for a Scotiabank chequing or savings account that qualifies for this card.

Required documents and information

To sign up for an eligible Scotiabank account, you’ll need to provide:

• Your name, residential status and contact information
• Your Social Insurance Number and date of birth
• Your email address and phone number

How to apply for a Scotiabank debit card

1. Visit Scotiabank’s main page to apply for the chequing or savings account of your choice.
2. Complete the application, which includes providing your name, email address, Social Insurance Number and birth date.
3. Review and submit your application.
4. Your debit card should come automatically included with your account once you sign up, though you may need to specify if you want a regular ScotiaCard with Visa Debit or SCENE ScotiaCard with Visa Debit.

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According to our Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey January 2025, over 3 in 4 Canadians (75.92%) still prefer banking at a Big Five Bank, which includes TD, RBC, CIBC, BMO and Scotiabank.

However, nearly half of Canadians (48.25%) are open to using digital banks or fintechs, highlighting that these modern alternatives could challenge the dominance of the Big Five Banks and other brick and mortar institutions in the future. Learn more in our banking statistics report.

Bottom line

When you open a Scotiabank chequing account, you can choose between two debit card options: the ScotiaCard with Visa Debit and the SCENE ScotiaCard with Visa Debit. You can use both cards in person, online and abroad, but the latter offers SCENE points on eligible purchases, which you can exchange for things like movies, groceries and travel.

Frequently asked questions

• Are the ScotiaCard with Visa Debit and SCENE ScotiaCard with Visa Debit credit cards?

  No. They’re both debit cards with certain features that are similar to a credit card. For example, you can use them to pay for purchases online, and you can even earn points if you have the SCENE ScotiaCard with Visa Debit.

• What are the daily limits on the ScotiaCard with Visa Debit?

  The daily limits will vary based on your account. You can find out more about your ScotiaCard’s daily limits by signing into your online banking, clicking on Manage my accounts and selecting Manage ScotiaCard and account access. From your mobile banking, just tap profile on the home screen, select Settings and then View transaction limits.

• Are there any Scotiabank debit card promotions available?

  Unfortunately, no. Scotiabank promotions aren’t linked to your ScotiaCard. Instead, they’re directly linked to the account you sign up for. For example, you might get a $700 sign-up bonus when you register for the Scotiabank Ultimate or Preferred Package. Your ScotiaCard is separate from this promotion.

• Will I need to pay fees on my ScotiaCard?

  No. There aren’t any fees that you’ll have to pay for using your card. However, you may have to pay bank account fees if you exceed your transaction limits on your Scotiabank plan. You may also have to pay international fees if you take money out at ATMs or use your ScotiaCard overseas.

• Can I use my Scotiabank debit card online?

  You can definitely use your ScotiaCard with Visa Debit and SCENE ScotiaCard with Visa Debit online wherever Visa is accepted. This gives you access to hundreds of vendors across Canada. You’ll also be able to use your ScotiaCard overseas wherever Visa is accepted.

• Can I use my Scotiabank debit card in the USA?

  Yes, though it’ll cost you more to make purchases. This is because you’ll have to pay for currency conversion and you’ll also pay an additional 2.5% in foreign exchange fees to use your ScotiaCard to make purchases in the USA.

• How can I check my SCENE points on my Scotiabank debit card?

  If you have the SCENE ScotiaCard with Visa Debit, you can check how many points you have by signing into your SCENE account. Your ScotiaCard should be linked to your SCENE account, so any points you collect will show up here.