Canada’s Best Aeroplan Credit Cards

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 GreedyRates Aeroplan credit card comparison guide will answer those questions and help you choose the best Aeroplan card for your lifestyle.

Compare travel loyalty programs from Aeroplan vs. Air Miles vs. Avion

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 Loyalty Bible.

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.

Best Aeroplan Cards at a Glance

^†_{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 Credit Cards in Canada for 2023

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

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Special Offer: Earn up to 55,000 Aeroplan points^†. Plus, first year no Annual Fee^†. Conditions Apply. Must apply by May 28, 2023.

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^†.

Key Features

• Welcome Bonus: Special Offer: Earn up to 55,000 Aeroplan points^†. Plus, first year no Annual Fee^†. Conditions Apply. Must apply by May 28, 2023.
• Earn Rate: 1.5 Aeroplan points^† per $1 on eligible gas, grocery, and direct through Air Canada^® purchases, 1 Aeroplan point^† per $1 on all other eligible purchases
• 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.
• Annual Fee: $139, $75 for each additional cardholder^† (first year annual fee rebate)^†

Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card review.

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

^†_{Terms and conditions apply.}

American Express Cobalt^® Card

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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 groceries, restaurants, and food delivery, 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 2,500 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $500 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to 30,000 points in a year. That’s up to $300 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.

Key Features

• Monthly Fee: $155.88 ($12.99 monthly fee)
• Accelerated Earn Rates: 5 points per $1 spent at 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 stand-alone gas stations, on travel (flights, rail transit, hotels, etc.), and on local commuter transit (subway, taxis, ridesharing services, etc.)
• Base Earn Rate: 1 point per $1 spent on everything else
• Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 30,000 Membership Rewards® points in the first year (conditions apply)
• Insurance: Includes coverage for mobile devices, emergency medical, flight and baggage delay, lost baggage, car rentals, etc.

Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete American Express Cobalt^® Card review.

American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

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Eligibility Criteria:
– Credit score required: Good-Excellent
– Min personal income required: N/A
– Annual fees: $120

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

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.

Key Features

• Welcome Offer: Up to 50,000 Aeroplan points (conditions apply)
• 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
• Annual Fee: $120

Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card review.

The Platinum Card®

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Eligibility Criteria:
– Credit score required: Good-Excellent
– Min personal income required: N/A
– Annual fees: $699

The Platinum Card® is another great choice for travelling Canadians. The Welcome Bonus for this card allows you to earn up to 80,000 Membership Rewards® points – that’s up to $800 towards a weekend away. Conditions apply.

The annual fee for The Platinum Card® is $699, 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 worth $550 USD at over 1,000 worldwide hotels; premium status at the Toronto Pearson Airport granting security bypass and valet services; plus the earn rates granting the ability to earn 3 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. With 10 different types of travel insurance coverage and an annual travel credit of $200 CAD, 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®.

Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete review of The Platinum Card®.

American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Reserve Card

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Eligibility Criteria:
– Credit score required: Good-Excellent
– Min personal income required: N/A
– Annual fees: $599

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

• Earn 55,000 Aeroplan points after spending $6,000 in net purchases on your Card within the first 6 months of Cardmembership
• Plus, you can also earn 5,000 Aeroplan points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in purchases on your Card for the first 6 months of Cardmembership. That could add up to 30,000 Aeroplan points
• New Cardmembers: Earn up to $2,600 in value within your first year. Spend applies to bonus point offers valued at up to $1,700
• Conditions apply

Cardholders will earn standard earn rates of 3X the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada Vacations®* (making it the best card in Canada for paying for any Air Canada Travel), 2x the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada, and 1.25x the points for 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.

Key Features

• Welcome Bonus: New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points. Conditions apply.
• Earn Rate: 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; and earn 1.25X the points on everything else
• Interest Rates: 20.99% standard purchase APR, 21.99% for cash advances
• Additional Perks: Lounge access; Air Canada Travel Benefits including your first bag checked for free and priority treatment; one annual companion voucher; comprehensive travel insurance.
• Annual Fee: $599 ($199 for each additional card to share some of the benefits, $0 for each Aeroplan^®* Reserve Card with no shared benefits. Both cards will allow you to earn points faster)

Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Reserve Card review.

American Express® Green Card

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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 1 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.

Key Features

• Annual Fee: $0
• Welcome Bonus: As a new American Express® Green Cardmember, you can earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards® points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. That’s $100 towards groceries or concert tickets. Conditions apply.
• Earn Rate: 2 points per $1 spent on eligible hotel or car rental bookings from Amex Travel Online; 1 point per $1 spent on everything else
• Additional Features: Convert points to Aeroplan and Avios (among other travel programs); redeem 100 points for a $1 credit toward your card statement

Click here to apply for the card or learn more about it by reading our complete American Express® Green Card review.

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, GreedyRates will update its users as to any available options.

Choosing the Best Bonus

With so many great cards on the market, you may have trouble choosing the best card for you. Here are 3 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 $699 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.

Make the Most Out of Your Aeroplan Cards

We at GreedyRates 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.

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