The Best Aeroplan Credit Cards in 2023

Aeroplan is Canada’s most popular travel rewards program, so it’s no surprise that Canadian frequent flyers want to know: what is the best Aeroplan credit card? Here at Young and Thrifty, we’ve looked at the competition and compiled a guide to the best Aeroplan cards on the market.

The Best Aeroplan Credit Cards in Canada

†Terms and conditions apply.

The offer for the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.

Comparison of the Best Aeroplan Credit Cards in Canada

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

Best Offer yet for the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card: Earn up to $1,600 in value† including up to 70,000 Aeroplan points†. Conditions Apply. Must apply by September 5, 2023.

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At the top of our list is the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, and looking at the perks and points-earning potential, it’s easy to see why. This card offers a generous welcome bonus.

Earn up to $1,600 in value†, including up to 70,000 Aeroplan points† and additional travel benefits. Must apply by September 5, 2023.

• Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card†

• Earn 40,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $5,000 within 180 days of Account opening†

• Plus, earn an anniversary bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $7,500 within 12 months of Account opening†

• Enroll for NEXUS and once every 48 months get an application fee rebate†

• Plus, share free first checked bags with up to 8 travel companions†

Aside from this excellent promotion, cardholders earn additional points with every dollar spent on their card. Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®) made with your card. Earn 1 Aeroplan point† for every $1 spent on all other purchases made with your card. Purchases made at participating Aeroplan partners and online retailers via the Aeroplan eStore earn double the rewards when you pay with your Aeroplan credit card and present your Aeroplan membership card†, so cardholders can rack up their points quickly and easily.

The card also carries other travel-related perks including travel† and car rental insurance†, and exclusive benefits such as a free first checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation for Air Canada flights†, and more.

The Details:

• Annual Fee: $139
• Income Eligibility: $60,000 personal or $100,000 household annual income
• Credit Score Requirement: Good;Excellent
• Welcome Offer: Best Offer yet for the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card: Earn up to $1,600 in value† including up to 70,000 Aeroplan points†. Conditions Apply. Must apply by September 5, 2023.
• Additional Perks: Travel insurance†, Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance†, and no Aeroplan points expiry for cardholder as long as you are a cardholder in good standing
• Purchase APR: 20.99% | Cash Advance APR: 22.99%

†Terms and conditions apply.

This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.

The American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

New American Express® Aeroplan®* Cardmembers can earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points. Conditions apply.

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The American Express® Aeroplan®* Card makes a great first impression with a generous welcome bonus.

New American Express® Aeroplan®* Cardmembers can earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points:

• Earn 35,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in net purchases on your Card within the first 6 months of Cardmembership
• Plus, earn 2,500 Aeroplan points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $500 in purchases on your Card for the first 6 months of Cardmembership. That could add up to 15,000 Aeroplan points
• New Cardmembers: Earn up to $1,100 in value within your first year. Spend applies to bonus point offers valued at up to $1,000
• Conditions apply

But the perks don’t end there: this card comes with some sweet travel insurance coverage and you get a free checked bag for yourself and up to nine companions travelling on the same reservation. You’ll get points anytime you use your card with standard earn rates. Earn 2X the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada vacations®*, 1.5X the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada, and 1X the points on everything else.

The Details:

• Annual Fee: $120
• Minimum Income Eligibility Requirement: N/A
• Credit Score Required: Good;Excellent
• Welcome Offer: New American Express® Aeroplan®* Cardmembers can earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points. Conditions apply.
• Additional Benefits: Comprehensive insurance, Air Canada travel benefits, and access to exclusive American Express benefits
• Interest on Purchases: N/A | Interest on Cash Advances: N/A

American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card

For a limited time, New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 115,000 Aeroplan points. Welcome Offer ends July 24, 2023. Conditions apply.

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If you like the perks of the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card and you travel quite a bit, consider the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card. While the fee is $599 per year, it’s easy to see how the benefits, points-earning potential and welcome bonus are worth it.

If you use this card to pay for your everyday purchases (especially travel), you’ll quickly accumulate some serious points. Highest Air Canada earn rate on an Aeroplan payment card in Canada: Earn 3X the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada Vacations®*; Standard Earn Rate 2X the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada; Standard Earn Rate 1.25X the points on everything else.

The cardholder benefits are extensive, including access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges™* and Air Canada Café™ in North America for you and a guest, with a same-day ticket on a departing Air Canada or Star Alliance flight; Air Canada Priority Airport Services such as priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling; and special perks at Pearson International Aiport, plus comprehensive travel insurance, an annual buddy pass, and more. However, it’s the welcome bonus that seals the deal.

For a limited time, New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 115,000 Aeroplan points. Welcome Offer ends July 24, 2023:

• Earn 45,000 Aeroplan points after spending $6,000 in net purchases on your Card within the first 3 months of Cardmembership.
• Plus, you can also earn 7,500 Aeroplan points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $2,000 in net purchases on your Card for the first 6 months of Cardmembership. That could add up to 45,000 Aeroplan points.
• You can also earn 25,000 Aeroplan points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership.
• That’s up to $3,200 or more in value when you combine your welcome bonus points and card benefits.

The winning combination of perks, insurance, and the welcome bonus makes this card a very attractive option, justifying the robust fee.

The Details:

• Annual Fee: $599
• Minimum Income Eligibility Requirement: N/A
• Credit Score Required: Good;Excellent
• Welcome Offer: For a limited time, New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 115,000 Aeroplan points. Welcome Offer ends July 24, 2023. Conditions apply.
• Additional Benefits: Comprehensive insurance, access to select Air Canada lounges and Priority Airport services, Annual Worldwide Companion Pass, and access to exclusive American Express benefits. Receive up to $100 CAD in statement credits every four years when a NEXUS application or renewal fee is charged to your American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card.
• Interest on Purchases: 20.99% | Interest on Cash Advances: 21.99%

The Platinum Card®

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points - that’s $800 towards a weekend away. Conditions apply.

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If you’re a frequent traveller, you’ll love the premium perks offered by this card. The Platinum Card® from American Express has an amazing welcome bonus and incredible points-earning potential that you can easily redeem towards eligible travel purchases charged to the card.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points - that’s $800 towards a weekend away. New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 80,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $7,500 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Conditions apply.

It’s not the only selling point: you’ll also get a $200 CAD Annual Travel Credit that can be used towards any single travel booking of $200 or more charged to your card through American Express Travel Online or the Platinum Travel Service. Members also get comprehensive travel insurance coverage and free access to airport lounges worldwide as well as discounts and other valuable perks at hotels. Take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge Collection™ which unlocks access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience

Finally, consider the reward points. Earn 3 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada, 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel, and 1 point for every $1 in all other Card purchases; 1 additional Membership Rewards® point for every $1 you charge to your Platinum Card® on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel.

With this card, you can transfer points to various airline frequent flyer programs like Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy. For Aeroplan, you can transfer your Membership Rewards Points to Aeroplan points at a rate of 1:1. All things considered, these perks could justify the sky-high $699 annual fee.

The Details:

• Annual Fee: $699
• Income Eligibility: N/A
• Credit Score Required: Good;Excellent
• Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points - that’s $800 towards a weekend away. Conditions apply.
• Additional Perks: $200 CAD travel credit
• Interest rates: Interest applies in accordance with your Cardmember Agreement, Information Box, and Disclosure statement if the total New Balance is not paid by the Payment Due Date each month. All payments must be received by the Payment Due Date shown on the monthly statement.

About the Aeroplan Miles Rewards Program

The Aeroplan Rewards Program is a rewards system owned by Air Canada, a leading Canadian airline. Your accumulated points can be redeemed for travel rewards, such as flights on Air Canada and its partner airlines, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and event tickets.

Additionally, there is merchandise available through the Aeroplan program. You can also donate your points to select charities or transfer them to up to eight people in your family group, free of charge.

As an Aeroplan credit card holder, Aeroplan points never expire, so anything you earn on flights or through an Air Canada Aeroplan card can be used to travel or for merchandise now or in the future.

One consideration: the Aeroplan program was completely overhauled and relaunched on November 8, 2021. Read more about the Aeroplan program changes.

Why Get an Aeroplan Credit Card?

The fastest way to earn Aeroplan Miles is to get an Aeroplan credit card. When you make purchases at Aeroplan-affiliated partners with your Aeroplan credit card and present your Aeroplan membership card, you’ll earn twice the points. There are even credit cards that allow you to transfer your reward points from other loyalty programs into Aeroplan points. After all, it’s all about getting you on your next journey faster.

Aeroplan vs. AIR MILES

You may be wondering: what’s the difference between Aeroplan and AIR MILES? Here’s the low-down: they’re entirely different rewards programs, with different rewards systems.

When comparing Aeroplan vs. AIR MILES, Aeroplan is the travel rewards program that allows you to earn the most points in the fastest way possible. With over 150 partner brands and over 150 online retailers, it’s super easy to earn Aeroplan points when shopping for everyday items.

AIR MILES is one of the most popular loyalty programs in Canada. With an AIR MILES Collector Card, you can turn everyday purchases – like gas and groceries – into free flights, car rentals, event tickets, hotel stays, electronics, and so much more. Here’s how it works: when shopping at participating partner stores, flash your AIR MILES card at the check-out counter and automatically earn AIR MILES for your purchases.

While it’s fairly easy to collect Miles, it can take much longer to accumulate enough points to redeem them: generally, one AIR MILE is worth anywhere between $0.12 and $0.194. However, what’s unique about AIR MILES is that you can directly pay with AIR MILES at some partner retailers, which is handy for everyday purchases like groceries. Like Aeroplan, AIR MILES has an online shop (AirMilesShops.ca) where you can earn extra points through purchases, but their retail partner list isn’t as extensive.

If you want to earn AIR MILES quickly, consider adding an AIR MILES credit card to your wallet.

RELATED: Aeroplan vs AIR MILES: Which Should You Choose?

Final Words: What is the Best Aeroplan Credit Card in Canada?

Comparing all the options, our choice for the best Aeroplan credit card in Canada is the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card. It has a winning welcome offer, excellent perks, and an affordable annual fee. Plus, the earn rate is excellent, and if you use the card strategically, you can accumulate points quickly and easily.

With so many travel rewards programs to choose from, you might be wondering if carrying an Aeroplan card is right for you. The ability to earn easily (and to convert points from other programs) along with the flexibility to buy flights or redeem merchandise partly explains why Aeroplan is Canada’s most popular travel rewards program. If you’re hoping to put your everyday spending to work toward your next vacation, an Aeroplan credit card might be just the thing.

This post was not sponsored. The views and opinions expressed in this review are purely my own.

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply.

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