Earn faster, fly sooner with Canada’s top Aeroplan cards
Ratesopedia’s Take: The best Aeroplan credit card depends on how often you fly and what perks matter most to you. For frequent Air Canada travellers who value lounge access and priority services, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve justifies its $599 fee. Mid-tier cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite offer strong value at $139 annually with practical benefits like free checked bags. Budget-conscious earners can start with no-fee options that still earn points on everyday spending.
Choosing the right Aeroplan credit card can accelerate your path to award flights and hotel stays across Canada and beyond. With multiple issuers offering different earning rates, annual fees, and travel benefits, understanding which card aligns with your spending patterns helps you maximize the value of every purchase.
This guide compares the leading Aeroplan cards available in Canada, breaking down welcome offers, earning structures, and travel perks to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re booking your first reward flight or chasing elite status, there’s a card designed for your travel goals.
What Makes an Aeroplan Card Worth It
Aeroplan credit cards turn everyday purchases into travel rewards redeemable with Air Canada and over 50 partner airlines. Unlike fixed-value cash back cards, Aeroplan points can deliver outsized value when redeemed strategically for flights, especially in business or first class.
Most co-branded Aeroplan cards include travel-specific benefits that non-travel cards lack. Free checked bags alone can save $35 per person each way on domestic flights. Premium cards add lounge access, priority boarding, and companion passes that enhance the travel experience beyond points earning.
The best card for you depends on three factors: annual spending volume, travel frequency with Air Canada, and whether you value convenience perks or pure earning power. Compare your options across all best travel credit cards to see how Aeroplan cards stack up against other programmes.
Top Aeroplan Cards Compared
Three financial institutions issue Aeroplan credit cards in Canada: TD, CIBC, and American Express. Each offers multiple tiers ranging from no annual fee to premium cards costing $599 yearly. Rates and terms may vary by financial institution.
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Earn Rate | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve | $599 | 3 points per dollar | Maple Leaf Lounge access |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | $599 | 2 points per dollar | Unlimited lounge access |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 1.5 points per dollar | NEXUS fee rebate |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 1.5 points per dollar | Preferred pricing |
| American Express Aeroplan Card | $120 | 2 points per dollar | Charge card flexibility |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card | $0 | 1 point per dollar | No annual cost |
Premium cards command higher fees but deliver stronger earning rates on Air Canada purchases and dining. Mid-tier cards balance cost with practical benefits like free checked bags and travel insurance. Entry-level options suit occasional travellers who want to accumulate points without ongoing fees.
Premium Cards for Frequent Flyers
If you fly Air Canada six or more times yearly, premium Aeroplan cards can pay for themselves through lounge access and priority services alone. These cards target travellers who value time savings and comfort as much as points accumulation.
American Express Aeroplan Reserve
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve offers the highest earning rate on Air Canada purchases at three points per dollar. It includes complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge access within North America for you and one guest, priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling.
- Top earning rate: Three Aeroplan points per dollar on Air Canada purchases, two points on dining and food delivery, 1.25 points on all other spending
- Airport benefits: Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access in North America, priority services for you and up to eight companions
- Annual companion pass: One worldwide companion pass when you spend $25,000 yearly, priced from $99 to $599 based on destination
- Status acceleration: Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits for every $20,000 spent, up to 25,000 SQC annually
- NEXUS rebate: Receive up to $100 CAD credit for NEXUS application fees every 48 months
- High annual cost: The $599 fee requires significant travel spending to justify compared to mid-tier alternatives
- Acceptance limitations: American Express is less widely accepted than Visa, particularly at smaller merchants and international destinations
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege matches the American Express Reserve on annual fee but uses the Visa network for broader acceptance. It earns two points per dollar on Air Canada purchases and 1.5 points on groceries, gas, and dining.
This card provides unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the United States, plus six annual lounge passes through the Visa Airport Companion Programme for use at other lounges worldwide. The income requirement sits higher at $150,000 personal or $200,000 household.
Mid-Tier Cards for Regular Travel
Cards with annual fees between $120 and $139 represent the sweet spot for many Canadian travellers. They include meaningful travel benefits without the premium price tag, making them easier to justify with moderate annual spending.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite stands out among mid-tier options for its NEXUS fee rebate worth up to $100 every 48 months. This benefit alone nearly covers two years of annual fees for frequent border crossers who use the trusted traveller programme.
- Strong everyday earning: Earn 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, and Air Canada purchases
- Free checked bags: First checked bag free for primary cardholder and up to eight companions on Air Canada flights
- Comprehensive insurance: Travel medical coverage for trips up to 21 days, plus trip cancellation, interruption, and mobile device insurance
- Status credits: Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and one Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 spent annually
The card requires personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000. Many Canadians find this more accessible than premium card requirements while still gaining access to Visa Infinite benefits like concierge service and travel accident insurance.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite mirrors the TD Infinite on earning rates and annual fee but adds preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight redemptions. This means you could pay fewer points for the same flight compared to cardholders without this benefit.
CIBC integrates with Journie Rewards, offering up to 10 cents per litre off at participating gas stations across Canada. If you spend heavily on fuel, this partnership can deliver additional value beyond Aeroplan points. The card also includes an extra hotel night free when you redeem for three nights using Aeroplan points.
American Express Aeroplan Card
The American Express Aeroplan Card costs $120 annually and functions as a charge card, meaning you must pay the full balance monthly. This structure works well for disciplined spenders who want to avoid interest charges entirely.
It earns two Aeroplan points per dollar on Air Canada purchases and 1.5 points on dining and food delivery in Canada. The card includes a free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions, matching the benefit on more expensive cards. Travel insurance coverage includes accident, flight delay, and baggage protection.
Entry-Level and No-Fee Options
Not everyone needs premium perks or wants to pay annual fees. Entry-level Aeroplan cards let you start earning points immediately without ongoing costs, though earning rates and benefits are scaled back accordingly.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card charges no annual fee and earns one Aeroplan point per dollar on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, and Air Canada purchases. All other purchases earn 0.67 points per dollar, which translates to one point per $1.50 spent.
- No annual cost: Keep the card active indefinitely without fees, useful for maintaining points activity in your Aeroplan account
- Low income requirement: Only $15,000 household income required, making this accessible to students and part-time workers
- Preferred pricing: Access the same preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight redemptions as the Infinite version
This card suits occasional travellers who want to accumulate points slowly without fees eating into rewards value. It lacks travel insurance and airport perks, so pair it with another travel card if you need coverage. See all compare credit cards options to find complementary cards for your wallet.
TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum
The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum sits between no-fee and mid-tier cards at $89 annually. It earns one point per dollar on gas, groceries, and Air Canada purchases, with all other spending earning one point per $1.50.
While the earning structure trails Infinite cards, the Platinum includes basic travel insurance and has no minimum income requirement. This makes it suitable for younger Canadians building credit history who still want to earn Aeroplan points.
Earning Rates Across Categories
Understanding where each card earns bonus points helps you match your spending patterns to the right product. Air Canada purchases earn the highest rates across all cards, but everyday category bonuses vary significantly.
| Spending Category | Amex Reserve | TD Infinite | CIBC Infinite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada purchases | 3 points | 1.5 points | 1.5 points |
| Dining and food delivery | 2 points | 1 point | 1 point |
| Groceries | 1.25 points | 1.5 points | 1.5 points |
| Gas and EV charging | 1.25 points | 1.5 points | 1.5 points |
| All other purchases | 1.25 points | 1 point | 1 point |
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve leads on Air Canada and dining spending but trails TD and CIBC cards on groceries and gas. If you spend $500 monthly on groceries, a TD or CIBC Infinite card earns 750 Aeroplan points monthly versus 625 points with the Amex Reserve.
However, the Reserve’s base rate of 1.25 points per dollar on all other purchases beats the one point standard rate on TD and CIBC cards. This advantage compounds for professionals with significant business expenses or high general spending beyond bonus categories.
Travel Perks That Matter Most
Beyond points earning, travel benefits separate premium cards from basic options. Free checked bags, lounge access, and priority services deliver tangible value that improves the flying experience regardless of points balances.
Free Checked Bags
Most Aeroplan credit cards include a free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation when flying Air Canada. This benefit saves approximately $35 per person each way on domestic flights within Canada and the United States.
For a family of four taking two trips yearly, free checked bags deliver $560 in annual value. This alone justifies mid-tier card annual fees before considering points earned or other perks.
Airport Lounge Access
Only premium cards priced at $599 annually include airport lounge access. The American Express Aeroplan Reserve and TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege both offer unlimited entry to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges within North America.
- Value per visit: Single-visit lounge passes typically cost $50 to $70, meaning four uses yearly covers the premium fee difference
- Guest privileges: Bring one guest at no extra charge, doubling the value when travelling with a companion
- Location limitations: Access limited to North America means no lounge entry in Europe, Asia, or other international destinations
The TD Infinite Privilege adds six annual passes through Visa Airport Companion for use at other lounges worldwide. This extends coverage beyond Air Canada’s network to airports where Maple Leaf Lounges don’t operate.
Annual Companion Passes
Premium cards offer an annual companion pass when you spend $25,000 on the card before your anniversary date. The companion flies for a fixed base fare ranging from $99 for Canada and continental United States up to $599 for Asia and Oceania destinations, plus taxes and fees.
This benefit works best for long-haul international flights where regular fares cost $1,000 or more. Using the companion pass for a transcontinental or overseas trip can deliver several hundred dollars in savings, though advance planning is required to meet spending thresholds.
Who Should Get an Aeroplan Card
Aeroplan credit cards deliver the most value when your travel patterns align with Air Canada’s route network and you can take advantage of co-branded benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding.
- Frequent Air Canada flyers: If you fly Air Canada three or more times yearly, free checked bags and priority services quickly justify annual fees
- Star Alliance travellers: Aeroplan points redeem on over 50 partner airlines including United, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines, expanding options beyond Air Canada routes
- Premium cabin seekers: Aeroplan points deliver exceptional value for business and first-class redemptions where cash prices would be prohibitively expensive
- Status chasers: Cards that award Status Qualifying Credits or Miles through spending help reach elite tiers without flying as many segments
- Flexible redemption fans: Beyond flights, Aeroplan points transfer to hotel programmes and redeem for car rentals, merchandise, and experiences
Who Should Consider Alternatives
- Rare travellers: If you fly once yearly or less, no-fee cash back cards likely deliver better value than paying annual fees for unused travel perks
- Budget airline users: Travellers who primarily fly WestJet, Flair, or other low-cost carriers won’t benefit from Air Canada-specific perks like free checked bags
- Fixed-value preferrers: If you prefer predictable redemption values, cash back or fixed-point cards may suit you better than variable airline pricing
- International students: Those without Canadian credit history may struggle to qualify for cards with income requirements and should start with secured or student cards
Consider your travel frequency, preferred airlines, and whether you value flexibility over airline-specific benefits when choosing between Aeroplan cards and other travel rewards programmes. Review all available best credit cards in Canada to ensure you’re selecting the optimal product for your financial situation.
Bottom Line
The best Aeroplan credit card matches your travel frequency, spending patterns, and the value you place on airport perks versus pure earning power. Premium cards at $599 annually justify their cost for frequent Air Canada flyers who will use lounge access and priority services regularly. Mid-tier cards around $139 represent the best value for most Canadians who fly several times yearly and want free checked bags plus solid earning rates.
Entry-level and no-fee options work well for occasional travellers or those building credit history, though reduced earning rates mean accumulating points takes longer. Rates and terms may vary by financial institution, so verify current offers before applying. The programme’s flexibility in redeeming across Star Alliance partners and transferring to hotel programmes makes Aeroplan points valuable even if Air Canada isn’t your primary carrier.
Before committing to any card, calculate whether annual fees and welcome bonuses align with your expected spending. A premium card only makes sense if you’ll use its benefits enough to offset the higher cost. Start with one card that fits your current needs, then consider adding a complementary product as your travel patterns evolve.
Stay informed about the latest credit card offers and financial strategies by signing up for our newsletter to receive expert insights delivered to your inbox.
