Canada’s best Aeroplan credit cards

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Updated: April 18, 2024

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Intro

Aeroplan credit cards are a popular pick among Canadians, especially those who are frequent flyers.

But which Aeroplan credit card offers the best value? Which is best suited to your specific needs? This Aeroplan credit card comparison guide will answer those questions and help you choose the best Aeroplan card for your lifestyle.

Below is a quick comparison of the sign-up bonus, annual fee, point accumulation and travel insurance offered by some of the Aeroplan credit cards currently on the market. Although not officially Aeroplan credit cards, we have included American Express credit cards that allow you to transfer your Amex Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. This gives cardholders significant flexibility to book through Aeroplan or Amex at their own discretion.

Summary of cards

Best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada at a glance

Aeroplan credit card Annual fee Get started
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Annual fee: $139

Welcome bonus: Earn up to $1,200 in value† including up to 50,000 Aeroplan points†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.
Apply now
American Express Cobalt® Card Annual fee: $155.88 ($12.99 monthly fee)

Welcome bonus: Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points in the first year (conditions apply)
Apply now
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card Annual fee: $120

Welcome bonus: Up to a total of 50,000 Aeroplan points (conditions apply)
Apply now
The Platinum Card® by American Express Annual fee: $799

Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points (conditions apply)
Apply now
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card Annual fee: $599

Welcome bonus: Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points (conditions apply)
Apply now
American Express® Green Card Annual fee: $0

Welcome bonus: 10,000 Membership Rewards® points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months of card membership (conditions apply)
Apply now
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Annual fee: $599
Welcome bonus: 80,000 Aeroplan points
Get started

Terms and conditions apply.

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

As you will notice in the above chart, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card may not necessarily offer the top Aeroplan sign-up bonus in Canada; regular American Express cards might offer great deals in terms of sign-up bonuses after you convert your Amex Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan points.

That being said, it’s up to you to determine the best Aeroplan credit card for your needs and lifestyle. To help with your decision, here is a breakdown of the different card options and issuers for Aeroplan Canada.

Best Aeroplan in Canada

Best Aeroplan credit card in Canada

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite*

1.5 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®)†

1 point Earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases†

2x Earn points twice with Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore.†

50% Earn 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your card to your account.†

1 NEXUS application fee rebate every 48 months†

1st checked bag free for you and up to 8 travel companions†

$139 Annual Fee Additional cardholder is $75.†

20.99% Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†

22.99% Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†

22.99% Balance Transfer Rate APR for balance transfers 22.99%†

2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee Foreign transaction fee: 2.50%†

Excellent Recommended Credit Score

$60,000 Required Annual Personal Income

$100,000 Required Annual Household Income

Welcome Offer Ends Jun 3, 2024

Earn up to $1,200 in value† including up to 50,000 Aeroplan points†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.

Learn more
  • Why we picked the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite* Card

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    Earn up to $1,200 in value including up to 50,000 Aeroplan points. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.

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

    Earn 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $6,000 within 180 days of Account opening†.

    Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $10,000 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†.

    On a typical day, you can earn 1.5 Aeroplan points† for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery, and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®) made with your card, and 1 Aeroplan point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

    Points can be redeemed for flight seats with no blackouts or restrictions, as well as car rentals and hotel rooms, merchandise, experiences, or gift certificates. Aeroplan points can be earned on the card twice when the card is used at over 150 partner brands and over 170 online retailers via the Aeroplan eStore.

    Additional perks: First checked bag free for cardholder and companions (up to eight, when travel originates on an Air Canada flight)†, travel medical insurance†, trip cancellation/interruption insurance†, flight/trip delay insurance†, emergency travel assistance† and more.

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

    Terms and conditions apply.

    Minimum income $60,000 personal or $100,000 household.

Best for Aeroplan points

Best credit card for Aeroplan points

Amex Cobalt

5x the points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap applies.

3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada

2x the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada

1x additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online

1x point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else

$100 USD up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities when charged to the room for a stay of 2 or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel

$155.88 Annual Fee 12.99/mo

21.99% Purchase APR on purchases

21.99% Cash Advance APR

2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee

Fair Recommended Credit Score

$0 Required Annual Personal Income

$0 Required Annual Household Income

Welcome Offer

Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points

Learn more
  • Why the Amex Cobalt is the best credit card for Aeroplan points

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    Accelerated earn rates: 5 points per $1 spent at eligible stand-alone grocery stores, on food delivery services, and at restaurants, coffee shops and bars (up to $30K in annual spending across all those categories combined); 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services; and 2 points per $1 spent at eligible stand-alone gas stations, on travel (flights, rail transit, hotels, etc.), and on local commuter transit (subway, taxis, ridesharing services, etc.)

    Membership Rewards points earned by the Amex Cobalt card can be transferred to Aeroplan 1:1. And given that the Cobalt earns a massive 5 points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (spend cap applies), it is indirectly one of the fastest-earning Aeroplan cards on the market. New cardholders can also nab a bundle of bonus points in their first year—In your first year as a new Cobalt Cardmember, you can earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in net purchases on your Card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets. Conditions apply.

    The only significant drawback for the American Express Cobalt® Card is that, as an Amex, it isn’t accepted by as many merchants as Visa or Mastercard are. Before applying for the Cobalt it’s smart to review which merchants take Amex. If the grocery stores, gas stations, and eateries that you frequent aren’t on the list, you might consider applying for a Visa Aeroplan card instead.

Best welcome offer

Best Aeroplan credit card promotion

American Express Aeroplan

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

1x the points on everything else

$120 Annual Fee

2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee

Good Recommended Credit Score

$0 Required Annual Personal Income

Welcome Offer

Earn up to 50,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan®* points

Learn more
  • Why we picked the Amex Aeroplan card

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

    While it's not the "largest Aeroplan welcome bonus" it has the best welcome bonus relative to its annual fee.

    With the American Express® Aeroplan® standard earn rates, you’ll 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.

    Earn rate: 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

    Additional perks: Free checked bag (for up to nine people traveling together); status upgrades; flight/baggage delay, hotel burglary, and travel accident insurance

    Charge card: As a charge card there is no pre-set spending limit, however, cardholders must pay off their balance in full each month or risk a hefty interest charge

Best Aeroplan rewards

Best Aeroplan rewards credit card

Amex Platinum

2x Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada

2x points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel

1x point for every $1 in all other Card purchases

$799 Annual Fee Includes $200 annual travel credit and $200 annual dining credit

20.99% Purchase APR The Preferred rate of 20.99% applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance.

2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee

Excellent Recommended Credit Score

Welcome Offer

Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points1*

Learn more
  • Why The Platinum by American Express is the best Aeroplan rewards credit card

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    With the best Aeroplan credit card welcome bonus of 100,000 points (transferable to Aeroplan 1:1) and no minimum income requirement, you can start flying almost immediately.

    While the $799 annual fee may be steep, it's softened by the $200 CAD annual travel credit and $200 CAD annual dining credit.

    Add to that unlimited airport lounge access, you've got some great rewards for a non-Aeroplan Aeroplan credit card.

    New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Conditions apply. Plus, earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership.

    The annual fee for The Platinum Card® is $799, which is obviously quite hefty. However, it does come with some great perks that may make up for it if you’re a frequent traveller. Some of these incentives include exclusive discounts and other complimentary perks including: premium status at the Toronto Pearson Airport granting security bypass and valet services; plus the earn rates granting the ability to earn 2 Membership Rewards® points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada and 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel. Plus, with The Platinum Card®, you can take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge CollectionTM 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. With 10 different types of travel insurance coverage, an annual travel credit of $200 CAD, and a $200 CAD Annual Dining Credit at some of Canada’s best restaurants, this might be the best Aeroplan bonus card on the market.

    Finally, cardholders will earn 1 point for every $1 in all other card purchases. You can also earn a 15,000-point bonus whenever Amex approves a friend that you referred to the card and spend these points at a wide array of partner programs like Marriott International, Hilton Hotels and Resorts®, Hertz®, and Avis®.

Best sign up bonus

Best Aeroplan credit card sign up bonus

Amex Aeroplan Reserve

3X the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada Vacations®*

2X the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada

1.5X the points on everything else

$599 Annual Fee

21.99% Purchase APR on purchases

21.99% Cash Advance APR on funds advances

2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee

Good Recommended Credit Score

$0 Required Annual Personal Income

Welcome Offer

New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points.

Learn more
  • Why the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve has the best sign up bonus

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    For a limited time, new American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve cardmembers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points.

    1. Earn 60,000 Aeroplan®* points after spending $7,500 on your Card within the first 3 months.

    2. Earn another 25,000 points when you spend $2,500 in month 13 (meaning you'll pay the annual fee again). You can roll over any unallocated Aeroplan Elite™* Status Qualifying Miles and unused eUpgrade Credits to the following year to enjoy during your travels.

    That's up to $2,600 in value when you combine your points and the card's benefits.

    And until December 31, 2024, Cardmembers now get an extra night free for every 3 consecutive hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points.

    Cardholders will earn the 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: Earn 2x the points on eligible dining and food delivery purchases in Canada and 1.25x the points on everything else. Plus, you can double dip when you shop with Aeroplan partners and the card also includes a bunch of travel perks and benefits including Air Canada®* Travel benefits and comprehensive travel insurance.

    Get through the airport quicker with Air Canada Priority Check-In, Air Canada Priority Boarding and Air Canada Priority Baggage Handling, including your eligible first checked bag free for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada flights.

    Enjoy access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges™️* and Air Canada Café in North American for you and a guest, with same day ticket on a departing Air Canada or Star Alliance flight. You get access to more than 1,200 Priority Pass™ airport lounges and enjoy an oasis of comfort before your flight, regardless of your airline or cabin class.

    *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. If you apply and get approved from an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, whcih can be in the form of monetary payment.

Best no fee Aeroplan

Best Aeroplan credit card no annual fee

Amex Green card

1 MR point Earn 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 spent.

1 bonus point Earn 1 additional MR point for every dollar charged to your card with Amex Travel Online.

$0 Annual Fee No annual fee

20.99% Purchase APR

21.99% Cash Advance APR

Good Recommended Credit Score

Welcome Offer

Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® points1*

Learn more
  • Why the American Express Green Card is the best Aeroplan credit card with no annual fee

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    The American Express® Green Card is one of the few no annual fee credit cards that can earn a high number of Aeroplan points for everyday spending—though technically it’s not an Aeroplan credit card per se. It earns one Amex Membership Rewards point per $1 you spend; those points can then be converted to Aeroplan 1:1.

    Amex of course isn’t as widely accepted by retailers as, say, Visa. But since the American Express® Green Card has no annual fee, it’s relatively risk free to apply for it and test it out for a while to find out how often the card is accepted where you shop rather than turned down.

Best CIBC Aeroplan

Best CIBC Aeroplan card

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege

1.5 points for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel and dining.

2 points for every $1 you spend with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®

1.25 points for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.

2x Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.

$599 Annual Fee $149 each for up to 9 additional cards

20.99% Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†

22.99% Cash Advance APR non-Quebec residents†

Excellent Recommended Credit Score

$150,000 Required Annual Personal Income

$200,000 Required Annual Household Income

Welcome Offer

Get up to 70,000 Aeroplan® points (up to $1,400 in travel value,) free checked bags, complimentary lounge access, and more.

Learn more
  • Why we picked the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege

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    If you're with Aeroplan, you want the most bang for your buck and the 80,000 welcome points is pretty sweet to get you kickstarted (that's a business fare ticket anywhere around the world).

    This CIBC Aeroplan Visa comes stacked with free first checked bag, so you 're not moving items from one suitcase to the other in the middle of the airport.

    After security (which you can get through faster thanks for the NEXUS application fee rebate of $50), you can enjoy Maple Leaf Lounge access (a $550 value) and because you're a worldwide traveller, don't restrict your lounge privileges to only Canada, this card also gives you 6 complimentary passes to over 1,200+ lounges globally.

Best Aeroplan Visa or MC

Best Aeroplan cards by network

Visa

There is currently one Aeroplan Visa card that really stands out in Canada: the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, primarily due to a strong sign-up bonus. Note that these Aeroplan Visa credit cards offer the possibility to “earn points twice” with Aeroplan partners†, making it easy to get more points fast.

Mastercard

At this time, there is no Aeroplan Mastercard on the market. Should this change,we will update its users as to any available options.

Choosing the right card

Choosing the best bonus

With so many great cards on the market, you may have trouble choosing the best card for you. Here are three things to consider when comparing rewards card bonuses.

1. Size of the bonus: A big bonus can seriously defray a card’s annual fee. The Platinum Card’s sign-up bonus, when transferred to Aeroplan, can potentially be enough for a roundtrip flight from Vancouver to Dubai, well worth the card’s $799 price tag in the first year.

2. Annual fee waiver/rebate: If the sign-up bonus doesn’t outweigh the annual fee, look for a card that offers a first-year annual fee waiver or rebate. With no annual fee in the first year, the issuer is begging you to try out their card risk free. The best part is that at the end of the year, you can decide whether or not to cancel your card, but the Aeroplan points will remain yours.

3. Transferability: Many Canadians only look at Aeroplan branded credit cards and miss out on other rewards cards that exchange points with Aeroplan 1:1. We love those hybrid cards because they give cardholders the flexibility to take advantage of other huge sign-up bonuses, sometimes 25,000 points or more, and then transfer those points to an Aeroplan account free.

4. Other uses: Consider your overall lifestyle when deciding on a bonus reward card, too. If you love to travel, a card with great travel insurance, like the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, may benefit you most. If you stay in hotels often for work, you may find The Platinum Card® from American Express appealing with its complimentary perks at over 1,000 hotels worldwide.

Maximizing your points

Make the most out of your Aeroplan cards

We can breakdown the costs, perks, and requirements of these Aeroplan credit cards, but ultimately, you should choose the one that best meets your lifestyle and income. Each of these cards offers great benefits, and it’s up to you to decide which will give you the best bonus.

So why choose an Aeroplan card? Aeroplan has multiple credit card partners, making it easy to earn Aeroplan points. Then, when you are ready, you can use your Aeroplan points to book flights with Air Canada and Star Alliance members. Alternatively, you can use your points to redeem merchandise or gift cards. Learn more from the Aeroplan section in our Canadian loyalty rewards program comparison or Compare travel loyalty programs from Aeroplan vs. Air Miles vs. Avion

FAQs about Aeroplan credit cards

  • Is it worth getting an Aeroplan credit card?

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    Whether an Aeroplan credit card is worth it depends on your spending habits and travel goals. If you frequently fly with Air Canada or its partners and can take advantage of the rewards, benefits like free checked bags, and airport lounge access, it can offer good value and enhance your travel experience.

  • What's the fastest way to get 100k Aeroplan points?

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    The fastest way to earn 100k Aeroplan points is through credit card sign-up bonuses and strategic spending. Opt for a credit card with a high welcome bonus, meet the minimum spending requirement, and use the card for daily purchases, especially in categories that earn bonus points, to accumulate points quickly.

  • How much is 50,000 Aeroplan points worth?

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    The value of 50,000 Aeroplan points varies depending on how they're redeemed but is roughly estimated between $750 to $1,000 when used for flights or upgrades within Air Canada's network. Maximizing value often involves booking long-haul flights or business class upgrades.

  • How much is 100,000 Aeroplan points worth?

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    The value of 100,000 Aeroplan points can range between $1,500 to $2,000, depending on redemption choices. Utilizing points for long-haul or business class flights often yields the highest value, whereas other redemption options like merchandise or gift cards might offer less value per point.

  • Does Aeroplan 25k get lounge access?

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    Aeroplan 25K status does not automatically provide lounge access. It offers benefits such as priority check-in and boarding, but lounge access requires a higher status level or holding a qualifying Aeroplan credit card that includes lounge access as a benefit.

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.

About our authors: faces of finance

Hannah Logan
Hannah Logan, Freelance Contributor

Hannah Logan is a freelance writer, blogger, and content creator from Ottawa. She spends half the year in Canada and half the year travelling around the world. A self-described wannabe Indiana Jones, Hannah first developed an interest in personal finance in an effort to prolong her travel lifestyle. Today, she shares her stories from her travels as well as finance tips, tricks, and knowledge to help others fulfil their savings and travel goals as well. You can keep up with Hannah’s adventures on her personal travel blog, EatSleepBreatheTravel.com or find her on Instagram @hannahlogan21.

Tyler Wade
Tyler Wade, Content strategist & writer

Tyler Wade has worked in personal finance for over 5 years writing for brands like Ratehub, Forbes, KOHO, and now Money.ca. He was the host and producer of the Real Money Talk podcast. He's the father of two, husband to one, and loves all things tiny.

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