TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Review 2024: A Travel Card With Tons Of Additional Benefits

• Earn up to $2,900 in value† including up to 85,000 Aeroplan points (enough for a round trip to Honolulu†) and additional travel benefits. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.
• 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†.
• Enroll for NEXUS and once every 48 months get an application fee rebate†.
• Share first free checked bags with up to 8 travel companions† and get unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges†, including complementary access for one guest.
• Plus, primary card holders get 6 complimentary worldwide select airport lounge visits annually through the Visa Airport Companion Program†.
• This offer is not available to residents of Quebec.
• †Terms and conditions apply.

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card offers a wide array of benefits out of the many Aeroplan cards on the market. In addition to a generous welcome bonus, the card has commendable earning potential. Every $1 spent earns 1.5 points on common purchases, namely gas, groceries, travel and dining. With groceries being at peak prices due to inflation, you can expect to earn more points in this economic climate.

Though the $599 fee is high, cardholders have access to many travel-enhancing benefits including complete travel insurance (medical, flight cancellation, baggage, etc.) and up to 28 days of auto rental collision coverage. Cardholders that spend $25,000 annually can purchase a companion pass for their travel partner starting at $99. Perks like these make the higher than average annual fee worth the cost.

• Each dollar spent earns 2 points on Air Canada specific purchases, 1.5 points on gas, dining, travel and grocery purchases and 1.25 points on all other purchases.
• Redeem points for vacations, merchandise, gift cards, hotels and activities.
• Earn double the Aeroplan points by purchasing items with your card and presenting your Aeroplan member number to Aeroplan partner brands—or online through the Aeroplan eStore.

Earning rewards

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card has robust earning potential with Air Canada direct purchases earning 2 points per dollar; gas, dining, groceries and travel purchases earning 1.5 points; and all other purchases earning 1.25 points per dollar. Compared to other Aeroplan cards, users can expect to earn points at a much faster rate as few other cards have staple purchases (for example, groceries) at a mid-tier earn rate.

Keep in mind that there is a purchasing cap of $100,000 annually across all categories. Once that limit is reached, all purchases will only earn 1.25 points. Still, a solid base rate.

Plus, there are ways to earn even more points even faster by adding up to three additional cardholders without paying an annual fee. They may receive many of the same benefits you will as the primary cardholder, including purchase security and extended warranty protection, visa zero liability, travel medical insurance, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, delayed and lost baggage insurance, mobile device insurance, hotel/motel burglary insurance and even a TD Auto Club Membership. You can also earn extra points at a rate of 1.25 per dollar by setting up recurring bill payments.

If you really want to see how many points you can earn in the first year, TD helps you out with a points calculator where you can use a slider to figure out how much you spend annually in the various purchase categories with accelerated earn rates each month on top of the welcome bonus of 20,000 provided you meet all the spending requirements.

In addition to rewards, cardholders will earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) and one Status Qualifying Segment (SQS) for every $5,000 charged to the card in net purchases made by the primary or additional cardholders, which earns the primary cardholder additional benefits on Air Canada flights when they reach Elite Status.

Redeeming Rewards

Cardholders can redeem their points on the Air Canada or Aeroplan websites. Options for redemption include flights, flight upgrades, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages or merchandise. Users can also donate their points to a charity of their choice.

The Aeroplan program in general offers decent flexibility when it comes to redeeming points, since users can also use a combination of points and cash.

It is worth noting that Aeroplan points do not necessarily have a fixed dollar value when redeeming them for flights. The value of your points for a flight booking depends on multiple factors such as market value, distance and demand. Cardholders looking to make strategic redemption choices will need to pull out a calculator—for better or worse.

Your points can take you many different places. Air Canada will fly you to over 200 destinations and to over 1,300, together with over 30 airline partners. The Aeroplan homepage also has a points predictor tool where you can see exactly what your points will earn you. Plus, if you’re the primary cardholder, it will take fewer Aeroplan points to get to your destination when you book through aircanada.com.

Rewards Potential

With a $599 annual fee—one of the highest on the Aeroplan card market—one would expect high rewards potential. Based on average Canadian spending, Forbes Advisor estimates cardholders earning a total of $377.71 after subtracting the annual fee. Compared to lower-cost cards, such as the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum card with an approximate return of $360.80, cardholders should not expect this credit card to have the highest net earning potential among competitors. That said, it’s based on average annual spending, so big spenders might find more rewards value overall.

However, though the card may have moderate rewards potential, its extra benefits, such as travel insurance and priority perks, solidify its place as a high-value card to have for Canadian flyers.

Card Benefits

• Earn a $99 (minimum fee) round-trip companion pass by spending $25,000 annually.
• Access to priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling and airport standby for the cardholder and up to eight companions.
• Full suite travel insurance, including medical coverage up to $5 million for the first 31 days of a trip.

Air Canada Travel Benefits

• Annual Worldwide Companion Pass. As the Primary Cardholder,. you get a companion pass automatically on your Card anniversary if you have spent $25,000 on net purchases and you can buy a companion ticket on flights for $99 on an annual round-trip.
• Priority check-in. You and up to eight travelling companions will receive priority check-in for any trip originating on an Air Canada flight.
• Priority boarding. You get on your flight first every time.
• Priority stand-by. If your put on stand-by, you’ll be the first to be called when seats become available.
• Priority baggage handling. You and up to eight travelling companions will see your bags among the first on the carousel at baggage claim.
• Priority upgrades. Be the first to be called upon for upgrades.
• Maintain Aeroplan Elite Status more easily. Primary cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status can roll over up to 200,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) beyond the status level for which they’ve qualified, from the prior qualification year towards the next qualifying status the next year.
• Enjoy eUpgrades longer. Primary cardholders that will get Aeroplan Elite Status just by virtue of having this card will also be able to roll over up to 50 Air Canada eUpgrades into the next status year. However, to qualify, you must be approved for the card by December 15th of the current calendar year.
• Complimentary upgrade to Avis President’s Club. Get two car-class upgrades, a dedicated phone line, expedited service and more just because of this included Avis President’s Club upgrade.

Exclusive Benefits

• Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge. Available 24/7, wherever you are with your card, the concierge can fulfill nearly any request, including making hard-to-get reservations, booking tickets, reserving car rentals and more.
• Global Airport Lounge Access. A complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion Program by DragonPass, which entitles each cardholder to six free visits to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide per year.
• Visa Infinite Privilege Airport Benefits. Receive exclusive perks at Toronto City Airport Terminal, Vancouver Airport, Ottawa Airport and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, including priority security lanes at domestic and international terminals, priority airport limo and airport taxi lane and 20% off parking.
• Access to exclusive dining events. These events are hosted by reputable chefs and come with notable wine pairings.
• Seven exclusive hotel benefits. These include late checkout, free Wi-Fi, room upgrades and more when you book through Visa’s Luxury Hotel Collection.
• Access to special events, screenings, wine tastings and golf courses and lessons.  These are from the Visa Infinite Screening Series, the Visa Infinite Wine Country Program and platinum status with Troon Rewards at golf courses around the world.
•  Visa RSVP Rewards Benefit. Enroll and automatically receive Diamond status delivering benefits at over 60 participating Sandman, Sandman Signature and Sutton Place Hotels across Canada and internationally.

Travel Benefits

• Travel medical insurance. $5 million coverage for the first 31 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first four days of your trip. Plus, additional top-up coverage is available if you need it.
• Trip cancellation/interruption. Up to $2,500 per person to a combined maximum of $5,000.
• Flight/Trip delay insurance. Up to $1,000 in coverage when your flight is delayed up to four hours.
• Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance. Up to $1,000 of coverage per insured person for the purchase of essentials, such as clothing and toiletries, when your flight is delayed up to four hours. Up to $2,500 in coverage per person for lost baggage.
• Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance. Up to $500,000 in coverage for covered losses on common carriers, such as a plane, bus, train, ferry or vehicle rental.
• Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance. Up to 48 consecutive days of coverage.
• Emergency Travel Assistance Services. A toll-free contact number for  personal emergency help when travelling.
• NEXUS application fee rebate. An application fee rebate up to $100 every 48 months for priority and expedited passage across the U.S.-Canada border.
• Hotel/Motel burglary insurance. Up to $2,500 of coverage per occurrence for eligible personal items stolen from your hotel/motel room that belong to the Cardholder or eligible family members travelling with them.

Partner Benefits

• Avis Rent A Car or Budget Rent A Car. Save a minimum of 10% off the lowest available base rates in Canada and the U.S., and a minimum of 5% off the lowest available base rates internationally, on qualifying car rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations.
• Rocky Mountaineer. Earn 2 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases with Rocky Mountaineer.
• Starbucks. Earn 50% more Aeroplan points and 50% more Starbucks Rewards Stars at participating Starbucks stores. Simply link your card to your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions apply.

Security Benefits

• Chip & PIN technology. Prevents unauthorized use of the card.
• TD Fraud Alerts. You can automatically receive TD Fraud Alerts to your mobile phone any time we suspect suspicious activity on your card or the card of any additional cardholder
• Visa Secure. Extra convivence and security when you shop online.
• Cash Advances. You can ask for an emergency cash advance in an amount up to $5,000 (subject to your credit limit).
• Mobile device insurance. Up to $1,500 of coverage in the event of loss, theft, accidental damage or mechanical breakdown for eligible mobile devices.
• Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty. Get purchase protection if your purchase is lost, stolen or damaged within 120 days of buying it and if there’s a one-year warranty on the product, it will be doubled up to 24 months.
• Manage your card from the TD app. Lock your card and restrict international purchases from the TD app.
• Click to Pay. Just click to pay with your TD Visa when you see this icon where Visa is accepted.

Optional Benefits

• Optional TD Auto Club Membership. Chose from deluxe, standard and business TD Auto Club memberships, which includes 24/7 emergency roadside and towing assistance. Depending on the level chosen, you may receive meals and accommodations or not and towing distance restrictions or not.
• Optional TD Credit Card Payment Protection Plan. The optional TD Credit Card Payment Protection Plan is designed to help you deal with your TD Credit Card payment obligations when you lose your job, become disabled, or die.

Interest Rates

• Regular APR: 20.99%
• Cash Advance APR: 22.99%
• Balance Transfer APR: 22.99%

Fees

• Cash Advance fee: 22.99%
• Balance Transfer fee: 3%
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.5%
• Annual Fee: $599
• Any other fees: $199 to add an additional cardholder

To be eligible for the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, you need to fulfill the following requirements.

• You are a Canadian resident and are of the age of majority in your province/territory of residence.
• Have $150,000 annual personal income or $200,000 annual household income.
• Have a valid email address for digital transactions.
• You can be approved for a credit limit of at least $10,000.

If you are looking to apply for the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, follow the steps below once you navigate to the TD Bank website.

• Make sure you fulfill all eligibility requirements.
• Click “Apply” on the TD Aeroplan Infinite Privilege landing page.
• Review the terms and conditions and click “I Agree” to continue.
• Enter your full name, date of birth, phone number, email address and residential address.
• Fill out your employment status, annual income and confirm your residential status
• Review your information and submit your application.

There are several ways to access your TD credit account with the following services:

• TD App
• EasyWeb (TD’s online banking interface)
• ATM
• EasyLine (TD’s telephone banking interface)

There are several payment options that are built into the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card that you can take advantage of.

• Set up regularly recurring bill payments on your account. Save time and avoid late fees by ensuring bills will always be paid on time automatically. Plus, earn 1.25 Aeroplan points for every dollar on regularly recurring bill payments on your account.
• Apple Pay. If you have an iPhone, just a tap of your device to make a payment at participating merchants.
• Samsung Pay. If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, just a tap of your device to make a payment at compatible merchants.
• Google Pay. If you have an Android phone, make everyday purchases by just tapping your device at merchants that have Google Pay advertised.
• Add your Card as the primary card on your favourite apps. From food delivery to transportation apps, earn Aeroplan points on purchases made through those apps on your phone.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege vs. American Express Aeroplan Card

Both of these cards are travel-specific cards and carry similar earning potential: both cards earn two times the points on Air Canada purchases and 1.5 points per dollar for dining. Visa’s card comes ahead in terms of earnings, as its lowest base rate is 1.25 points compared to Amex’s 1 point.

Conversely, the American Express Aeroplan Card® carries a much lower annual fee of $120—while still offering various types of travel insurance. However, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege comes with more robust coverage, making the higher annual fee an investment with solid returns—so long as they are utilized.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege vs. CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

As both of these cards come with identical benefits through the Visa Infinite Privilege program, this comparison comes down to the wire. Both cards carry a high $599 annual fee, but CIBC’s can have $139 of it rebated every year—so long as you open a CIBC Smart Plus Account.

Both cards have identical earning potential across tiers and categories (e.g. both offer 1.5 points for grocery spending), but TD’s Visa card comes with a higher welcome bonus amount. New customers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points† in the first year. CIBC on the other hand, is currently offering up to 80,000 Aeroplan points in the first year.

Taking into account the fact that both have identical earnings but dissimilar welcome offers, rebate options and that TD’s equivalent has less stringent credit rating requirements, we think TD’s offering comes out slightly ahead.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege vs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite* card is TD’s travel card for those that don’t meet the stringent income requirements for the Visa Infinite Privilege. It comes with a much lower fee of $139 per year, but has limited earning potential: the top-tier earnings are 1.5 points per dollar compared to 2, and a base rate of 1 points per dollar compared to 1.25. Moreover, the lower-tier card carries less travel benefits coverage ( for example, $2 million medical insurance vs. $5 million). Another major difference is the lack of worldwide companion pass for $99 and up—that’s savings TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite cardholders are missing out on.

Setting aside the travel coverage and other benefits, if you’re simply looking for a card with a high net-earning potential without bells and whistles, TD’s Aeroplan Visa Infinite card is a good match.

When determining a rating for individual credit cards, the Forbes Advisor Canada editorial team factors in an exhaustive list of data points. With rewards, the scoring model used takes into account factors such as, but not limited to, rewards rates and categories, fees, welcome bonuses and other benefits 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.

TD’s premium Visa travel card comes with substantial travel benefits for frequent flyers, but at a steep price. Its earning potential is high compared to competitors, but the price tag warrants use of the card’s additional benefits (e.g. travel insurance, companion pass) to increase its rate of return relative to costs. Consumers looking to earn Aeroplan points at a similar rate without the extra bells and whistles that accompany a high fee, will find other less-expensive cards more useful.

Related: Find the Best Credit Card for Canadians

*Our partners are not responsible for anything reported by Forbes Advisor. To the best of our knowledge, everything is accurate at the time of publishing as of the date posted. For full information and details, please visit the advertiser’s website.

† Terms and Conditions Apply