The Aeroplan program is one of the most rewarding loyalty programs out there. The best way to get the most out of it and access elite travel benefits is using a credit card linked to the Aeroplan program. But how do you choose the best one?
In this post, we’ll dive into the 8 best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada, the benefits of each, and how to choose the right one for you.
New to credit cards? Read our beginner’s guide and how to apply for a credit card in Canada.
The Aeroplan Rewards Program – An Overview
The Aeroplan rewards program is one of the most popular and rewarding travel loyalty programs out there. Owned by Air Canada, Aeroplan allows you to earn and redeem points for free flights, travel bookings, hotels, upgrades, and more.
If you often travel with Air Canada or one of the Star Alliance partners and you’re not yet earning points, you need to jump on the bandwagon and take advantage of this flexible loyalty program.
Learn more about the Aeroplan rewards program in this article, where we go into depth on how to redeem Aeroplan points for the best value and how to get the most out of the Aeroplan program.
Before we dive into the best Aeroplan credit cards and their perks, subscribe to The Chexy Rundown for weekly updates, travel and credit card news, and the best flight deals you can book with Aeroplan points.
Best Aeroplan Credit Cards in Canada
Three credit card companies offer Aeroplan credit cards: American Express, TD, and CIBC. Here are the best personal credit cards that earn Aeroplan points.
Pro tip: Almost all of these credit cards offer a generous welcome bonus, where you can earn up to 100k extra points just for hitting a spending limit within the first few months of using the card. These extra points can be traded for free flights–maybe even one in business class ;)
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
Best for: the savvy traveller who wants to access all the benefits
Annual fee: $599
Interest rate: 21.99% on purchases and cash advances
Income requirement: N/A
The Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card earns you:
3x Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases
2x Aeroplan points on dining and food delivery
1.25x Aeroplan points on everything else
This credit card unlocks exceptional Air Canada travel benefits, such as:
One Annual Worldwide Companion Pass
Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling for you and up to eight companions
Priority access to the standby list and upgrades
Access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafes in North America for you and a guest
A free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions
Reach Aeroplan Elite Status faster
This card is your best option if you often travel through Toronto Pearson Airport. It includes access to the Pearson Priority Security Lane, complimentary valet service, and 15% off parking and car care services.
This elite travel credit card includes shopping and travel insurance, and American Express offers and experiences.
American Express Aeroplan Card
Best for: free first checked bag and travel coverage
Annual fee: $120
Interest rate: 30% if balances are not paid in full each month
Income requirement: N/A
The American Express Aeroplan Card is a great travel credit card for those who want to earn Aeroplan points but don’t want to spend a lot. It is a charge card with no pre-set spending limit, earning you:
2x Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases
1.5x Aeroplan points on dining and food delivery
1x Aeroplan points on everything else
Benefits include one free checked bag on each flight, shopping and travel coverage, and access to American Express Experiences and offers.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Best for: unlimited lounge access plus Visa Infinite perks
Annual fee: $599
Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances
Income requirement: $150,000 personal or $200,000 household
A higher-tier credit card, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card gets you a suite of travel insurance and Visa Infinite benefits, plus airport benefits, including:
Unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges, plus complimentary access for one guest
Six complimentary worldwide airport lounge passes annually through the Visa Airport Companion Program
First free checked bags for you and up to eight companions
Enroll for NEXUS and get an application fee rebate every 48 months
Get an annual round-trip companion pass from $99
Access to priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling, standby, and upgrades for you and up to eight companions
In terms of Aeroplan points, you can earn:
2 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on Air Canada bookings
1.5 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, travel, and dining
1.25 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on everything else
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Best for: NEXUS fee rebates and the Visa Infinite program
Annual fee: $139
Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances
Income requirement: $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is one of TD’s award-winning travel credit cards. Airport perks include a free first checked bag, a $100 NEXUS rebate, and complimentary upgrades to Avis Preferred Plus. You can earn:
1.5 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, and Air Canada bookings
1 Aeroplan point for every $1 spent on everything else
TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card
Best for: No income requirements
Annual fee: $89
Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances
Income requirement: N/A
The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card doesn’t have as many travel benefits as the previous TD cards, but it still includes travel insurance benefits and is a great option if you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on the annual fee.
You can earn:
1 Aeroplan point for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, and Air Canada bookings
See AlsoNo Annual Fee Credit Cards1 Aeroplan points for every $1.50 spent on everything else
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Best for: luxurious travel benefits
Annual fee: $149
Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances
Income requirement: $150,000 individual or $200,000 household
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card gets you access to travel insurance and a host of luxurious travel perks, such as:
Access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafes in North America for you and a guest
6 complimentary lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program
Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling with Air Canada for you and up to eight companions
A free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions
Get a 4th night free for every three hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
You can earn:
2x Aeroplan points on Air Canada bookings
1.5x Aeroplan points on gas, EV charging, groceries, travel, and dining
1.25x Aeroplan points on everything else
You can earn points twice at the Aeroplan eStore and get up to 10 cents off per litre at participating gas stations across Canada with Journie Rewards.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Best for: free checked bags and Visa Infinite offers
Annual fee: $139
Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances
Income requirement: $60,000 individual or $100,000 household
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card combines the best of both worlds: Visa Infinite and Aeroplan benefits. Top perks include a free checked bag on each flight, an extra hotel night free (after 3 nights), and exclusive Visa Infinite offers. With this card, you can earn:
1.5x Aeroplan points on gas, EV charging, groceries, and Air Canada purchases
1x Aeroplan point on everything else
As with most travel credit cards, this includes travel insurance, such as trip cancellation, interruption, or delay insurance, emergency travel medical insurance, and coverage in the event of a hotel burglary.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Credit Card
Best for: those who don’t want the annual fee but want to start earning points
Annual fee: $0
Interest rate: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances
Income requirement: $15,000 household
If you don’t want to pay an annual fee but want to start earning Aeroplan points, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Credit Card could be a great option for you. This card earns you:
1 Aeroplan point for every $1 spent on gas, EV charging, groceries, and Air Canada bookings
1 Aeroplan point for every $1.50 spent on everything else
Plus, you earn points twice when shopping at the Aeroplan eStore.
Benefits of Aeroplan Credit Cards
All Aeroplan credit cards allow you to earn and redeem Aeroplan points, but some higher-tier travel credit cards have elevated perks, making the annual fee worth while.
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass
As a premium Aeroplan credit cardholder, you can receive a Worldwide Air Canada Companion Pass at different pricing tiers, starting at $99 for Canada and the continental United States and up to a maximum of $599 for Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
To receive the Companion Pass, you must spend at least $25,000 in net purchases prior to your card anniversary date. This is pretty easy to reach when you pay your rent with Chexy using your Aeroplan credit card!
This pass allows you to book a flight anywhere Air Canada travels, and you can bring your friend or family member along for free. You’ll need to pay the regular fare for the first ticket and a fixed-rate base fare for your companion.
Maple Leaf Lounge Access
Air Canada has 17 Maple Leaf airport lounges in Canada, the US, and Europe. Premium Aeroplan cardholders can enter select lounges for free instead of paying up to $79 for one-time access.
As an Aeroplan cardholder, you’ll need to show your valid same-day ticket or boarding pass and your credit card for entry.
If you don’t have an Aeroplan card, the Maple Leaf Lounge cost is between $49 and $79, depending on the class of your ticket.
Free First Checked Bag
Almost all Aeroplan credit cards get you a free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions travelling with you. This is a sweet perk, as you could pay as much as $75 to check a bag.
Reach Aeroplan Elite Status Faster
For some Aeroplan credit cards, you can reach Aeroplan Elite Status easier. You can earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 in eligible purchases charged to your card.
In addition, you can roll over up to 200,000 unused Status Qualifying Miles to help qualify for Elite Status the next year.
Travel Insurance
All Aeroplan credit cards on this list come with travel insurance to protect you if anything were to happen at the airport, on your flight, and on your vacation. The higher-tier credit cards will have a more impressive range of travel coverage with higher limits, while the more basic credit cards don’t have as much.
To get these travel insurance benefits, you’ll need to book the flight, hotel, or other travel arrangements with your credit card. Insurance can include:
Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip Interruption Insurance
Flight Delay Insurance
Baggage Delay Insurance
Hotel Burglary Insurance
Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
Travel Accident Insurance
Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
Travel Emergency Assistance
Check the fine print of the credit card you’re applying for to see the exact type of travel insurance and how much coverage you can get.
How to Choose the Best Aeroplan Credit Card for You
We’ve discussed eight different Aeroplan credit cards in this list, each with different tiers, annual fees, and benefits. The most important factors to consider when choosing the right credit card are the benefits, annual fees, welcome bonuses, insurance coverage, and earn rates.
If you travel often, want all the perks, and can afford a high annual fee, go for a card like the American Express Aeroplan Reserve. It has a $599 annual fee, but it is definitely worth it if you travel often and see yourself taking advantage of all the benefits.
Now, if you don’t travel super often and don’t want to pay a high annual fee but still want to start earning and redeeming Aeroplan points, go for either the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Credit Card or the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card.
If you have an Aeroplan rewards card, use it to pay your rent with Chexy. You could be taking one of your biggest monthly expenses and turning it into free flights! You’ll earn points on your rent payments and within a few months, cash them in for rewards.
Get started with Chexy today.
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FAQs
When do Aeroplan points expire?
Your Aeroplan points will not expire as long as your account remains active, meaning you need to earn at least one point within 18 months. If you are not active within that time, your points will expire. However, if you are an Aeroplan cardholder regularly using your credit card, your points will never expire as you’re constantly earning points on all your purchases.
Which Aeroplan cards give lounge access?
The credit cards that give you access to select Maple Leaf lounges and Air Canada cafes are:
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card (you also get 6 free visits per year with the Visa Airport Companion Program)
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Is there an Aeroplan card with no annual fee?
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Credit Card has no annual fee, but still lets you earn and redeem Aeroplan points.
