Compare these two credit cards side-by-side to see which one offers better value for your spending habits.
When it comes to choosing the perfect credit card, you need clarity, precision, and insights you can trust. That's why Dollarwise rigorously evaluates every card across seven critical factors, ensuring you get a detailed and actionable review.
Below you'll find a table which shows you the estimated reward each card will earn, as well as the ratings we gave the cards for each category. We compared the cards based on their perks, fees, approval rate, insurance, acceptance by merchants, interest rates and the rewards you'll earn. Each score is out of a maximum of 5.
Compare the basic details and eligibility requirements for each card to see which one you qualify for.
We estimate that spending $2,000 per month with the American Express Essential Credit Card would earn $0 in rewards over the year and with the Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card you would earn $0 in rewards.
When you spend using the American Express Essential Credit Card you will earn points called .
When you spend using the Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card you will earn points called .
We can also compare the American Express Essential Credit Card vs Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card based on the amount earned in each spend category:
First, let's look at the actual reward structure for each card:
We can also compare the American Express Essential Credit Card vs Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card based on the "earn rate", which shows in percentage terms how much you'll get back on your spend.
When it comes to fees, the Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card is better than the American Express Essential Credit Card.
The Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card charges an annual fee of $0, which is $25 less than the $25 annual fee for the American Express Essential Credit Card. So, if annual fees are important to you, then the Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card is the better choice.
Neither American Express Essential Credit Card nor Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card provides airline-specific travel perks like lounge access, priority boarding, expedited security, or a complimentary checked bag.
Neither card offers concierge service.
Neither card provides elite status acceleration. If climbing loyalty tiers is important to you, you might consider other options.
The Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card has better interest rates overall than the American Express Essential Credit Card.
The American Express Essential Credit Card charges 12.99 on your credit balance for purchases, which is different from the interest rate on the Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card.
It's worth noting that the American Express Essential Credit Card has an interest rate of N/A on any balance you transfer to this card from another credit card. That rate is higher than the 22.99 that is charged on the Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card. If you expect to transfer a balance to this card then the Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card might save you a lot of money.
The Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card gives you more insurance than the American Express Essential Credit Card.
The Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card includes 6 types of insurance, whereas the American Express Essential Credit Card only gives you 2. In comparison, the average credit card gives you 5 types of insurance. So, if insurance is important to you, then the Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card is the better choice.
Enter your monthly spending above to see personalized recommendations based on your actual usage patterns.
The American Express Essential Credit Card is often compared against other similar cards in the market. We've also compared it against various other options to help you make the best choice.
The Scotiabank US Dollar Visa Card is often compared with other premium cards in its category. We've also compared it against other cards to give you comprehensive insights.
