Find the best Aeroplan credit cards

Aeroplan is Air Canada’s frequent flyer program and one of the most popular airline loyalty programs in Canada with over 5 million active members. Many credit card providers like CIBC, TD, and American Express offer a variety of different Aeroplan credit cards that'll earn points on all your everyday purchases. 

Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program, where members can redeem points for flight rewards, merchandise, and discounts on hotel stays and car rentals. The best Aeroplan credit cards also offer valuable perks and benefits like travel insurance coverage, NEXUS rebates, companion passes, free checked bags, and lounge access. 

We have listed below our choices for the best Aeroplan credit card in Canada.

Ratehub.ca's take

The American Express Cobalt offers an industry-leading five times the points (valued at $0.01 per dollar) on eligible restaurants and food delivery purchases, three times the points on eligible streming services, and twice the points on travel and daily transit, meaning you can quickly rack up travel points if you frequently spend in these areas. Cardholders can transfer their Amex membership rewards points to other airline partners including Aeroplan. The high points earn rate is why we’ve selected the Cobalt as the top Aeroplan credit card, because the earn rate is much higher than any Aeroplan-branded credit card on this list.

Ratehub.ca's take

Aeroplan clients and frequent Air Canada fliers searching for a card to help them earn more on travel should look no further than the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite. Users can earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent on eligible gas, grocery, and direct through Air Canada purchases (including Air Canada Vacations) and 1 point per dollar on everything else. It should be noted that this earn rate is lower than other generic travel cards including the Cobalt card, and there is less flexibility because you can’t transfer your points to other travel programs. However, Aeroplan credit card holders can also get preferred pricing - meaning fewer points or dollars are required to book flights. You can also get double the Aeroplan points when using this card with your Aeroplan membership number at participating retailers.

Ratehub.ca's take

The American Express Green Card takes our prize for best no-fee aeroplan credit card due to its healthy welcome bonus, point accelerator for travel purchases, redemption flexibility and great perks. Cardholders earn one point per dollar which can be doubled when booking travel expenses through American Express Travel. You can also transfer your points to travel loyalty programs including Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy. Users can choose to cash in their points on travel (booked on American Express Travel Online through the Flexible Points Travel Program), gift cards and merchandise through Membership Rewards, groceries and other everyday purchases through Pay with Points, or eligible purchases at Amazon.ca. The points earn rate on this card is relatively low for a travel credit card, but you’ll save on the annual fee.

Ratehub.ca's take

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege offers a higher earn rate than other Aeroplan-branded credit cards, and premium perks like airport lounge access - for a premium price. The 599 annual fee is steep, but for the travel benefits you get with the card, it might be worth it. With this card, you can earn two points per $1 on all purchases direct through Air Canada (including Air Canada Vacations), 1.5 points on eligible gas, grocery, travel, and dining, plus 1.25 points on everything else. That means that even if you decide not to book your travel through Air Canada, you’ll still earn bonus points (albeit slightly less).  But the real draw of this card is in its wide array of travel perks: an annual round-trip companion pass from $99, wait for your flight in comfort with free, unlimited access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges at any airport in Canada or the United States, enjoy priority airport check-in and baggage handling (plus other airport upgrades), and reach Aeroplan Elite Status much quicker by earning 1,000 status qualifying miles and one status qualifying segment for every $5,000 spent on the card. Those who sign up for NEXUS can also get an annual fee rebate every 48 months (up to $100 CAD).

Ratehub.ca's take

The American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve credit card is a premium travel credit card designed for business owners who travel frequently. With exclusive benefits and rewards, this card aims to enhance your travel experience while providing exceptional and top-of-the-line value. This card makes the most sense if your company frequently flies using Air Canada, because the points earnings potential is highest with this airline.

How to redeem Aeroplan points?

You can redeem points for flights on Air Canada (as well as on Star Alliance member airlines) online from aircanada.com. You can also redeem points for other rewards like hotel stays or merchandise here.

Aeroplan operates according to the Aeroplan rewards chart that splits up the world into four major travel zones: North America, Atlantic, Pacific, and South America. Travel between and within zones requires a different range of points, and the larger the distance (in kilometres) between the departure and travel destinations, the more points you’ll need to redeem.

The redemption rules do vary slightly when using points to book a flight on Air Canada versus a Star Alliance airline, and each offers its own pros and cons.

On Air Canada, the number of points needed to redeem a flight isn’t fixed and can fluctuate within a pre-set range depending on whether you’re flying during a high-or-low demand season. For instance, a one-way flight from Toronto to Vancouver may require anywhere from 12,500 points to 17,500 - depending on travel demand. When you fly on Air Canada and have an Aeroplan credit card, you can also get the first bag checked free for you and up to eight companions when travelling to most destinations in North America (that can add up to several dozens of dollars saved on baggage fees).

When booking on Star Alliance member airlines, there’s an additional $39 booking fee for each passenger that you’ll need to account for and a first checked bag isn’t included. Unlike on Air Canada, however, the number of points needed to redeem a Star Alliance flight are fixed and won’t fluctuate. For instance, a one-way flight from Toronto to Vancouver on a Star Alliance airline will always require the same 12,500 points.

You’ll want to run the numbers to see which option offers a higher return for your particular flight.

What are some ways to maximize Aeroplan points?

Aeroplan points can be maximized in a handful of ways. Since points values aren’t fixed - and can vary depending on where and when you fly according to a Flight Rewards Chart - you can often reap higher values well above the standard $0.01 (1 cent) per point offered by other programs. You’ll just need to put in some effort and strategize your travel bookings.

• Tip 1: Use stopovers: Aeroplan has a unique stopover policy that allows you to add 1 stop on each one-way flight and it’ll only cost you an incremental 5,000 points. By adding the right stopovers, you can create elaborate itineraries, travel further, and see more destinations, all while redeeming fewer points than a conventional one-way flight. And the fewer points you use, the more value you get. Just note: there are some restrictions, like the fact you can’t add stopovers on flights within North America.
• Tip 2: Save for business class: On average, you’ll earn a far higher return on a per-point basis when redeeming Aeroplan points for business class flights versus economy. So considering saving up points to fly in luxury for less.
• Tip 3: Use your points for base fare: Using your points for the base ticket price and paying with cash for taxes and fees (instead of paying for taxes and fees with your points) is the most valuable way to use your Aeroplan points. Plus, you’ll have a bit more points left over for next time. 
• Tip 4: Compare airline options: As we covered earlier in the FAQ, redemption rules vary slightly depending on whether you fly on Air Canada or Star Alliance. So be sure to compare your options.
• Tip 5: Use a co-branded Aeroplan credit card: Holders of co-branded Aeroplan credit cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite can often get access to better redemption rates on flights, and will often require fewer points to redeem a booking versus generic Aeroplan loyalty members. And the fewer points needed to redeem, the more your points will be worth on average.
• Tip 6: Take advantage of promotions: Subscribe to Aeroplan emails and check the app for limited-time promotions that will give you discounted flights, or the chance to earn a higher number of points on travel bookings.
• Tip 7: Check the Aeroplan e-store: The program’s online shopping portal offers a ton of promotions on everyday purchases from brands like Adidas, Sephora, and more. Make sure to check https://aeroplan.rewardops.com/en-CA/home/promotions for opportunities to rack up even more bonus points on your everyday spending.