Find the best Aeroplan credit cards

Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program and one of the largest airline rewards programs in Canada. Members earn Aeroplan points that can be redeemed for flights on Air Canada and more than 25 partner airlines in the Star Alliance network, reaching over 1,300 destinations worldwide. Points can also be redeemed for hotel stays, car rentals, vacation packages, gift cards, and merchandise.

This page compares the best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada, including options from TD, CIBC, and American Express. Below, you can compare Aeroplan credit cards side-by-side and learn how the Aeroplan program works so you can choose the right card for your travel goals.

The American Express Cobalt isn’t an Aeroplan-branded credit card, but it’s still one of the best ways to earn Aeroplan points thanks to its flexible Membership Rewards program. Here’s why: while co-branded Aeroplan cards can cap their earn rates on everyday spending, the Cobalt earns an industry-leading 5x points on eligible restaurants and food delivery purchases, 3x points on eligible streaming services, and 2x on ride shares, transit and gas. Since those Membership Rewards points transfer to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio, you’re effectively stacking Aeroplan points at a rate no co-branded card can match. The trade-off is that it doesn’t come with Air Canada–specific perks like free checked bags or lounge access. But if your main goal is to earn Aeroplan points quickly through everyday spending, the Cobalt is hard to beat.

For frequent Air Canada flyers who want their card to work as hard at the airport as it does everywhere else, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite strikes the right balance between everyday rewards and real travel value. Cardholders can earn 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar on eligible gas and EV charging, 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 Aeroplan members with this card pay fewer points or dollars to book the same Air Canada flights. You can also get double the Aeroplan points when using this card with your Aeroplan membership number at participating retailers.

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is one of the best Aeroplan credit cards for frequent Air Canada travellers who want to earn points quickly while enjoying a range of premium travel benefits. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on eligible Air Canada purchases, 2 points on dining and food delivery in Canada, and 1.25 points on all other purchases. While the $599 annual fee places it firmly in the premium category, the card delivers strong value for travellers who fly often with Air Canada. In addition to accelerated Aeroplan earn rates, cardholders receive benefits like priority airport services, Maple Leaf Lounge access within North America, and a free first checked bag for up to nine travellers on the same reservation. For those who travel frequently and want a smoother airport experience while earning Aeroplan points at a strong rate, the Aeroplan Reserve stands out as one of the best premium cards available.

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 Membership Rewards point per dollar on all purchases 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. This card is best positioned as a starter card for someone building their Aeroplan balance without paying an annual fee, or as a companion card to hold alongside a premium Aeroplan card when you want to keep the Membership Rewards ecosystem alive without adding another fee.

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege is built for one type of traveller: the frequent Air Canada flyer who wants to be treated like a VIP. At $599 per year, the annual fee is steep, but the perks are worth it. Earn 2 Aeroplan points per dollar on direct Air Canada purchases (including Air Canada Vacations), 1.5 points on eligible gas and EV charging, grocery, travel and transit, and dining, plus 1.25 points on everything else. That base earn rate of 1.25x is notably higher than most branded Aeroplan cards, meaning even your off-category spending is working harder to earn points.

The real draw of this card is the travel experience. Cardholders get unlimited access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges at any airport in Canada or the United States, priority airport check-in and baggage handling (plus other airport upgrades), and an annual round-trip companion pass from $99. For status chasers, the card helps you qualify for Aeroplan Elite Status faster, which is important now that Air Canada has changed its Elite Status qualification system in 2026 to be based on Status Qualifying Credit (SQC) rather than the old mix of miles and segments. 

The American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card is one of the best Aeroplan credit cards for business owners who frequently travel with Air Canada and want to earn points on company spending. Cardholders earn accelerated Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases along with solid earn rates on everyday business expenses. While the card carries a high annual fee, it also includes premium travel benefits such as airport lounge access, priority airport services, and a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights.

Aeroplan credit cards allow you to earn Aeroplan points on everyday purchases that can later be redeemed for flights and other travel rewards through Air Canada’s Aeroplan program. Most cards offer accelerated earn rates in categories such as groceries, gas, dining, and purchases made directly with Air Canada.

Co-branded Aeroplan cards from TD, CIBC, and American Express also include travel perks such as free checked bags, preferred pricing on Aeroplan flights, travel insurance, and in some cases airport lounge access. These benefits can make Aeroplan credit cards especially valuable for frequent Air Canada travellers.

Types of Aeroplan credit cards in Canada

Aeroplan credit cards in Canada generally fall into three tiers: entry-level cards, mid-tier cards, and premium cards. Each tier offers different rewards rates, annual fees, and travel benefits depending on how often you travel and how much you spend.

Entry-level Aeroplan cards typically have no annual fee or a low annual fee and allow you to earn Aeroplan points on everyday purchases. Mid-tier cards, such as the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite, offer stronger earn rates and additional travel benefits like free checked bags and travel insurance.

Premium Aeroplan cards, including products like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege or American Express Aeroplan Reserve, come with higher annual fees but offer enhanced perks such as airport lounge access, companion passes, and accelerated progress toward Aeroplan Elite Status.

Understanding Aeroplan point value

The average dollar value of 1 Aeroplan point is approximately $0.0144 (or 1.44 cents) when redeemed for travel, according to Ratehub.ca’s calculations. We arrived at this average by running the numbers for 35 round-trip economy flights departing from Canada to multiple destinations across the world at different times of the year.

The truth is, however, Aeroplan points aren’t fixed and can vary quite considerably depending on the particular destination you’re travelling to, whether you’re flying economy, business or first-class, as well as when you’re flying (e.g. during high-or-low demand seasons).

You can redeem Aeroplan points for gift cards and merchandise too, though points values will be considerably lower versus if you redeemed for travel. For instance, you’ll get about $0.0071 (or 0.71 cents) per point when redeeming for retail gift cards and potentially even less when redeeming for merchandise like jewellery or kitchenware.

How to redeem Aeroplan points

Aeroplan points can be redeemed for flights on Air Canada and its partner airlines through the Aeroplan booking portal at 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, even for Basic fares that don't include a free carry-on bag. 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.

Update on Dynamic Pricing for Partner Airlines: March 2025

As of March 25, 2025, Air Canada has expanded its dynamic pricing model to include select partner airlines. This means that for flights with certain partners—like United Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Flydubai, Calm Air, Canadian North, and PAL Airlines—the number of points required may now fluctuate based on factors like demand and route, similar to Air Canada flights. It’s a change that gives you more flexibility but also makes it even more important to compare options when booking.

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

How 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 eStore. 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 for opportunities to rack up even more bonus points on your everyday spending.