Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program, where members can earn points to redeem for flight rewards, merchandise and discounts on hotel stays and car rentals. The best Aeroplan credit card typically gives you not only points, but valuable perks and benefits like access to lounges, travel insurance coverage, NEXUS rebates and even companion vouchers.
Below, we’ve listed the best Aeroplan credit cards with all the details you need to find the card best suited for you.
When determining a rating for individual credit cards, the Forbes Advisor Canada editorial team factors in an exhaustive list of data points. With Aeroplan, the scoring model used takes into account factors such as, but not limited to, earn rates and categories, fees, welcome bonus, and other rewards and features. Keep in mind what may be best for some people might not be right for you. Conduct informed research before deciding which cards will best help you achieve your financial goals.
If you’re looking for every possible travel perk, reward and consumer protection a TD card has to offer, look no further than this one.
Rewards: Earn 2 Aeroplan Points for every dollar spent on Air Canada purchases, including Air Canada Vacations. Cardholders also earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent on gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases, as well as 1.25 points on every dollar for other purchases made with your card.
Welcome Offer: Earn a welcome bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card. Earn an additional 40,000 Aeroplan points† when you spend $10,000 within 180 days of Account opening. Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $15,000 within 12 months of Account opening.† Terms and conditions Apply. Not available for residents of Quebec. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.
Annual Fee: $599
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Cardholders need a minimum annual income of $150,000 individually, or $200,000 all together, so this card is beyond the means of most Canadians.
†Terms and conditions apply. Not available for residents of Quebec.
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With a high earn rate, generous welcome bonus and valuable travel benefits, the TD Aeroplan Visa Business Card is a great option for small business owners looking to maximize rewards on their everyday business expenses and save on travel costs.
Rewards: Earn 2 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®, earn 1.5 points for every dollar you spend on eligible purchases for travel, dining and select business categories such as shipping, internet, cable and phone services made on your card and earn 1 point for every dollar you spend on all other eligible purchases on your card.
Welcome Offer: Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card, an additional 20,000 Aeroplan points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of account opening and earn up to 10,000 Aeroplan points by setting up new recurring bill payments (maximum two). † Terms and conditions apply. Not available for residents of Quebec.
Annual Fee: $149
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Cardholders receive the first checked bag for free on Air Canada flights and a rebate for the NEXUS membership application fee every 48 months. Small business owners can use the TD Card Management Tool to manage their credit limit, set spending controls and access online reporting.
Though it has a slightly higher annual fee, its lower APR of 14.99% is handy for the volatility of business expenses.
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Ideal for small business owners who want to earn Aeroplan points on expenses and enjoy travel rewards and comprehensive insurance coverage.
Rewards: Earn 2 Aeroplan Points on eligible Air Canada purchases (including Air Canada Vacations). Get 1.5 points for every $1 spent on travel (including airlines, hotels, car, rental, etc.), transportation, dining and services (such as shipping, internet and cell phone). With all other purchases, earn 1 Aeroplan Point for every $1 spent.
Welcome Offer: 10,000 Aeroplan Points when you make your first purchase, 20,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 120 days. Stick around for a year, and you’ll earn an additional 30,000 Aeroplan points (if you spend $35,000 in the first year). That’s 60,000 points in total.
Annual Fee: $120 (fee waived in the first year)
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card has an (eventual) nice welcome bonus and a decent earn rate across many categories. Travellers get preferred pricing when redeeming Aeroplan Points for Air Canada flights and a free first checked bag.
The card’s insurance is just OK with trip delay, interruption, cancellation insurance, flight delay and accident insurance, but lacks medical insurance, thus falling short of its TD comparable. There’s also no NEXUS credit.
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This card boasts lounge access, a free checked bag on Air Canada flights, a NEXUS application fee rebate and more.
Rewards: Earn 1.5 Aeroplan Points per dollar spent on gas, groceries, travel and dining (up to an annual spend of $100,000). Earn 1.25 Aeroplan Points per dollar on all other purchases. Earn double Aeroplan points on Air Canada products or services, including Air Canada Travel Vacations.
Welcome Offer: 110,000 Aeroplan points (earn 20,000 points after your first purchase, earn 30,000 points when you spend $6,000 or more during your first four monthly statements and an extra 60,000 points on your first-year anniversary).
Annual Fee: $599
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card earns points at a solid rate and has a ton of airport perks, but it’s high annual fee means it’s likely only beneficial to high-spenders who travel very often.
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For Amex lovers, this card consistently offers excellent signup bonuses for Aeroplan Point collectors.
Rewards: Earn 2 Aeroplan Points for every dollar you spend on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, 1.5 points on dining and food delivery, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Welcome Offer: Collect up to 50,000 Aeroplan points. Earn 30,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 20,000 Aeroplan points after spending $1,000 in purchases in month 13.
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: If the welcome bonus isn’t enough, you can refer others to get Aeroplan Reserve Cards and earn an additional 5,000 Aeroplan Points. This card’s earning rate surpasses TD and CIBC’s Aeroplan Visa Infinite cards for Air Canada, food and dining purchases, so if you spend in these categories, it’s a great option. You also get access to presale tickets for in-demand concerts (but only 1 Aeroplan Point for every $1 spent on the show).
While the card gives you baggage, flight/trip delay insurance and rental car insurance, it does not offer emergency medical or insurance for a trip interruption or cancellation. Finally, the interest rate is high at 30% because it’s a charge card.
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A sizeable signup bonus, 1.5 Aeroplan Points on everyday purchases and insurance coverage on flights, auto rentals and travel medical insurance make this card a top contender in the best Aeroplan cards in Canada.
Rewards: Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on eligible gas and groceries as well as Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. For all other purchases, you earn 1 point for every dollar you spend.
Welcome Offer: You can earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points (10,000 points with first purchase, 15,000 after four months of spending $4,000 or more and 25,000 as anniversary bonus). Terms apply. This offer is not available to residents of Quebec.
Annual Fee: $139 (rebated the first year)
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Visa Infinite cards allow you to enjoy hotel benefits, dining experiences and 24-hour concierge services. As a cardholder, you can often book flight rewards with fewer points. A little extra bonus: Free first checked bag.
The insurance is everything you’d expect from a premium travel card: Emergency medical, flight/trip delay, baggage delay, car rental, common carrier accident and trip cancellation/interruption. This coverage extends its benefits to tickets redeemed with Aeroplan points.
Sadly, you don’t get a NEXUS fee waiver or Priority Pass benefits. If you’re not in love with CIBC, consider the TD Aeroplan card, which may have a slight edge (just not alphabetically).
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Easily the highest earning rewards point program in the TD roster, this card is ideal for high spenders who also like spending time in the sun.
Rewards: Earn 1.5 Aeroplan Points for every dollar spent on gas, groceries and Air Canada-related purchases. Earn 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn up to $1,200 in value†, including up to 50,000 Aeroplan points† and additional travel benefits. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.†This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.† Terms and conditions apply.
Annual Fee: $139
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Cardholders who love travelling might find this card’s insurance coverage isn’t quite as high as TD’s more exclusive offerings.
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This is the card for travel lovers willing to forgo the luxurious benefits (and high costs) of premium cards for Aeroplan Points and perks, especially when shopping with Aeroplan partners.
Rewards: You get 1 Aeroplan Point for every dollar you spend on eligible grocery, gas and direct through Air Canada (including Air Canada Vacations® ). For all other purchases, you need to spend $1.50 to earn an Aeroplan Point.
Welcome Offer: You’ll get up to $500 in value† including up to 20,000 Aeroplan points†. Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card and an additional 10,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 within 90 days of account opening. †Terms and conditions Apply. Account must be approved by September 3, 2024. This offer is not available to residents of Quebec.
Annual Fee: $89 (fee rebated in the first year; account must be approved by September 3, 2024) Rebate of the annual fee is for the first year for the primary cardholder and up to three additional cardholders ($124 value). To receive the first-year annual fee rebate for the primary cardholder, you must make your first purchase on the account within three months of opening. To receive the additional cardholder first-year annual fee rebate (435) you must add your additional cardholders to your account by September 4, 2024.
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: It’s an affordable way to access Aeroplan and its benefits, such as baggage, flight/trip delay and rental car insurance. Travel accident coverage is included, while optional emergency medical and trip cancellation insurance are available for a fee.
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Just because you’re a student doesn’t mean you have to miss out on Aeroplan rewards, insurance or a signup bonus.
Rewards: You get 1 Aeroplan Point for every $1 spent on gas, groceries and directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. For all other purchases, you’ll earn 1 point for every $1.50.
Welcome Offer: Get 10,000 Aeroplan Points after making your first purchase with the card. That’s enough for a one-way economy ticket on a short-haul flight.
Annual Fee: $0
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: With no annual fee, low credit score requirements and no minimum income requirement, this is an excellent way for students to start building their credit while gathering Aeroplan Points. This no-frills card still gives you extended warranty, purchase protection and $100,000 in travel accident insurance. Rental car insurance is essential for students who may have to pay for insurance independently. As one of Canada’s most popular travel points programs, it’s a great introduction to travel hacking. And when you (eventually) graduate from university, you’ll need to upgrade to a more premium card.
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The American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card offers a generous welcome bonus, airport perks and travel insurance, making it a solid choice for business owners who travel frequently.
Rewards: Earn 3 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent with Air Canada or Air Canada Vacations, 2 points for every dollar spent on eligible hotel and car rentals and 1.25 points for every dollar spent everywhere else.
Welcome Offer: Receive 65,000 Aeroplan points after spending $10,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months, Plus earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,500 in purchases in month 13 (90,000 total points).
Annual Fee: $599
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Aside from a solid welcome offer and decent earn rate, this card offers undeniable perks for business travellers. Not only do you gain access to comprehensive travel insurance, including everything from emergency medical to lost baggage, it includes plenty of airport perks to make your trip more comfortable. You’ll get access to Maple Leaf Lounges, a Priority Pass membership and also priority check-in, baggage handling and more. For people who spend a lot of time in airports, these are valuable features that could make this card well-worth its biggest downside—the steep annual fee of $599. However, this card also has steep fees for supplementary cards, but it does offer the option to get the no-fee version. Finally, it offers some unique features for businesses like employee misuse coverage and expense management tools. Overall, it’s a good card if you spend a lot and travel frequently.
Related: Best Credit Cards in Canada
Aeroplan credit cards allow you to earn points on everyday purchases that you can redeem for travel benefits, such as flights on Air Canada and Star Alliance airlines, as well as insurance, hotel and car rental discounts, lounge access and much more. When deciding if an Aeroplan credit card is right for you, consider:
If you travel one or two times a year, the travel benefits earned from the right Aeroplan credit card can easily exceed the annual fee. However, if you carry a balance, prefer not to fly or don’t take advantage of the Aeroplan credit card benefits, the annual fee may not be worth it.
With the number of Aeroplan credit cards available, the choice can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be.
A good place to start is with your goals: Do you want to earn points for flights or are you more interested in premium travel perks such as lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance? From there you can choose a card that meets your needs.
It’s also important to consider the annual fee. A card with a higher fee may make sense for frequent flyers who can take advantage of the higher-tier perks. However, cards with a low annual fee could be a better option if you only travel once or twice a year.
If you’re just starting with an Aeroplan card and you’re trying to decide between two cards, consider the welcome offer. Don’t just look at the points offered, however; consider what you need to spend to earn those points.
Aeroplan points don’t have a fixed value. Their value depends on the distance you are traveling, the airline you are flying on–whether it’s Air Canada or a partner airline–what class of ticket you are booking and which of Aeroplan’s designated zones of the world you are traveling in. Aeroplan features four zones:
The farther the zone, the more expensive an award ticket tends to be.
A good formular for the approximate value of one Aeroplan point is:
1 Aeroplan point = (price of ticket – Aeroplan fees) ÷ points needed to redeem.
Generally, if the flight you’ve chosen means your Aeroplan points are worth more than between 1.2 and 1.5 cents per mile, then buy that flight because it’s a good deal.
How many points a given flight costs also depends on the distance you are traveling, whether you are flying on Air Canada or an Aeroplan partner airline, whether you are flying within one of Aeroplan’s four global zones or crossing two or more zones during a flight and what class of ticket you purchased–whether that be economy, business or first class.
Therefore, costs vary based on the above conditions, but generally, international flights with higher seat class tickets between two or more global zones on partner airlines all take more more points to redeem than domestic, lower seat class flights on Air Canada within one global zone.
For example, an international flight from Toronto Pearson to London Heathrow could cost anywhere from 35,000 to 65,000 points in economy class, and as high as 60,000 to 160,000 in business class, largely depending on the season. Air Canada does not have long-haul first class, which sits above business, but on partner airlines that offer it the cost can be even higher.
Meanwhile, a shorter-haul flight within the North America zone, from Vancouver’s YVR to Los Angeles’ LAX, requires the same number of points for business class as the London flight did to fly economy:
For some city pairings like Calgary to Istanbul, the price can be much higher.
The above example was taken from Forbes Advisor’s Aeroplan: The Ultimate Guide. For more information on how many Aeroplan points are needed for a flight read that article and take a look at Aeroplan’s own Comparison chart.
Aeroplan points do expire, but it’s really hard to trigger expiration as long as you keep your account active. For Aeroplan points to expire, it means you haven’t earned, redeemed, donated, transferred or converted any points in 18 months, but if you are doing any one of those things on a regular basis, your points are in no danger of disappearing.
Aeroplan has a really unique stopover policy, but unfortunately, it only works on program eligible flights outside of North America. So if you are taking an Aeroplan flight outside of Canada or the U.S., you can take advantage of the following:
Aeroplan allows travelers to pay a little extra for a stopover, rather than spending points on two separate trips. Air Canada allows stopovers once per direction of travel, meaning a member flying from Toronto to Vienna could pay a visit to Paris, but not Paris and Amsterdam. A stopover costs 5,000 points.
The big difference between booking flights with Air Canada using Aeroplan points and booking on another Star Alliance member airline–Lufthansa, Air India, TAP Air Portugal, etc.–is that Air Canada employs dynamic pricing. Therefore, when you book a flight on Air Canada using your available Aeroplan points it can cost more or fewer points depending on the season you are booking in. This means award flights will cost more points during busier seasons like Christmas, spring break or during the summer then they would at times when people are less inclined to travel.
On the other hand, if you’re using your Aeroplan points on another Star Alliance member airline’s fight, dynamic pricing won’t factor in, so the points needed for their flights will remain the same no matter when you are booking. Bear in mind, you will have to pay a $39 booking fee when booking a flight on points through a Star Alliance member and you won’t have to if you do the same through Air Canada. In addition, factors such as the international zones you are travelling between, the class of ticket and the distance you are travelling will still come into play.
Maximize your earnings: To make the most of your Aeroplan credit card, consider using your card for everyday purchases with the biggest earn rates and points rewards, and maximine any bonus categories. It’s important, however, that you don’t spend beyond your budget just to earn points. And make sure you pay off the balance each month as interest payments can eat away at your potential savings.
Match the benefits to the annual fee: Ensure a hefty annual fee doesn’t negate any savings, especially if you don’t expect to use the card’s travel benefits. A premium Aeroplan credit card, such as the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card, comes with loads of perks, but also a $599 annual fee. If you’re not going to use the comprehensive travel insurance, priority boarding or lounge access offered by this card, it may be prudent to choose a different card with a lower fee.
Use the benefits: This might sound obvious, but if you’re paying for a card that offers benefits that aren’t of use to you, then it might not be a good match. If you have travel insurance through your employer, for example, then comprehensive emergency medical and trip protection coverage isn’t a worthwhile benefit.
If you want to get enough Aeroplan points for a free flight as soon as possible, the best way is link your Aeroplan membership card to your account retail partners like Uber and Starbucks where you can earn 1 point for ever dollar spent on Uber rides and on Uber Eats delivery orders of $40 or more and 100 Aeroplan points for every $75 loaded to your Starbucks Rewards account. Visit Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) stores for all your beer, wine and spirits purchases and earn 4 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent in-person or online. There’s also often bonus Aeroplan points you can earn if you make specific purchases while the bonus offer is happening at the LCBO.
If what Aeroplan’s retail partners offer isn’t fast enough for you, sign-up for an Aeroplan credit card with a healthy welcome bonus and often you can get a free flight on the welcome bonus alone. Just looking at the number one card on this list, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, the 85,000 that you could potentially earn as part of the welcome bonus is worth $2,900 and is enough Aeroplan points for a round-trip to Honolulu. Plus, once you’ve claimed the welcome bonus, if you continue to shop at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 200 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore, you will earn double the points for every purchase made theough that portal using credit cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege and the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite.
Co-branded Aeroplan primary cardholders get preferred flight pricing, free first checked bags and points that never expire. For premium cardholders, you get Maple Leaf Lounge Access, Priority Airport Services, a NEXUS rebate and an annual Worldwide Companion Pass. More often than not, you can use family sharing to combine your points.
If you don’t fly Air Canada or with its partners often, the benefits may have limited use, especially if Aeroplan Points devalue at any time. Aeroplan uses dynamic pricing, meaning flights will require more points at peak times. Once you’re in Aeroplan, it’s best to stay and transfer to other Aeroplan cards—you can’t transfer to other loyalty programs.
To select the best Aeroplan credit card, consider your needs and lifestyle, and compare each tier’s benefits, fees, earn rates and insurance coverage of each tier. If you’re unsure, stick to entry-level cards or try a premium card with waived annual fees for the first year. Also, compare key features like intro offers, earn rates and additional benefits.
While it’s possible to have both a business and a personal Aeroplan credit card, it’s not advised to have more than one Aeroplan credit card of the same type due to tightening restrictions around abuse of welcome bonus offers. Specifically, in its general Terms and Conditions, Aeroplan notes that it can choose to limit the number of welcome bonuses (or similar incentives) received, and may suspend, revoke or terminate the account of anyone who engages in excessive abuse of welcome offers. Abuse may include: applying for multiple cards across one or more product types or financial institutions, cancelling or discontinuing use of an Aeroplan card after receiving the bonus, or purchasing and then returning products for which points were offered.
The following financial institutions have co-branded personal Aeroplan cards: American Express, TD Bank and CIBC. American Express and CIBC also offer Aeroplan business and corporate credit cards.
Aeroplan is a loyalty program owned by Air Canada. An Aeroplan credit card is a co-branded credit card that allows you to earn Aeroplan points through your spending. Aeroplan credit cards allow you to earn more points when spending with Air Canada, partner retailers and the Aeroplan eStore.
An Aeroplan credit card works like a regular credit card: you have a set credit limit and must make the minimum payment each month to remain in good standing. They come with varying interest rates and annual fees. An Aeroplan credit card allows you to earn Aeroplan points while you use your card, typically more in set spending categories, like groceries or gas, for instance. Aeroplan credit cards also earn accelerated points on spending through Air Canada and at their 150+ partner retailers and at their 170+ online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore. Once you’ve accumulated enough points, you can redeem them for flights through Air Canada and their partner airlines, as well as hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, activities and travel experiences, merchandise and gift cards.
There are two types of Aeroplan credit cards: personal credit cards and business/corporate credit cards. Aeroplan credit cards are offered by TD, CIBC and American Express.
There are many things to consider when choosing an Aeroplan card. For one, how often will you spend on it and what categories is the majority of your spending in? There are different Aeroplan cards with varying earn rates, some benefit groceries and gas, while others benefit travel spending or dining. Take this into consideration, along with the annual fee, number of authorized users and airport benefits.
You can apply for an Aeroplan credit card through TD, CIBC or American Express. In order to qualify, you must have reached the age of majority in your province or territory, be a resident of Canada, and meet any other requirements specific to the card you’re applying to, like income and credit score requirements.
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card has no annual fee and gives cardholders up to $200 in value in the first year when you make your first purchase by offering 10,000 Aeroplan points, which is enough for a one-way short-haul, economy-class flight within North America, like Toronto to New York. It also offers 1 Aeroplan point per dollar on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and on Air Canada purchases directly. For every other eligible purchase, it offers 1 Aeroplan pointer per $1.50 spent.
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