American Express Aeroplan Card

Last updated: March 6, 2024
  • 45,000 Aeroplan points
  • $720 First-year value
Best offer is available via a referral link
Signup bonus:
3,000 Aeroplan points for each of the first ten months in which you spend $1,000, for a total of 30,000 Aeroplan points
15,000 Aeroplan points upon making a purchase in months 14–17
Total of 45,000 Aeroplan points
Annual fee:
$120
Earning rate:
2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on dining and food delivery
1 Aeroplan point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Referral bonus:
5,000 Aeroplan points, up to a maximum of 75,000 Aeroplan points per calendar year

Insurance:
Good
Card type:
Charge card

Among all mid-range Aeroplan co-branded credit cards, the American Express Aeroplan Card typically offers the highest signup bonus with strong earning rates, making this a worthwhile proposition for many points collectors.

Bonuses & Fees

As American Express’s mid-range Aeroplan co-branded credit card, the American Express Aeroplan Card currently offers 45,000 Aeroplan points as its welcome bonus when you apply through a refer-a-friend link.

The signup bonus is distributed as follows:

  • 3,000 Aeroplan points for each of the first 10 months in which you spend $1,000, for a total of 30,000 Aeroplan points
  • 15,000 Aeroplan points upon making a purchase in months 14–17

You can refer friends and family from the Aeroplan Card to Aeroplan Cards, Aeroplan Reserve Cards, or Aeroplan Business Reserve Cards of their own, earning a referral bonus of 5,000 Aeroplan points each time, up to a maximum of 75,000 Aeroplan points in a calendar year.

The card has an annual fee of $120. You’re allowed to add supplementary cardholders for $50 apiece; alternatively, you can also add a lower-tier Aeroplan No Fee Card for free.

Earning Rewards

In terms of the returns on everyday spending, the American Express Aeroplan Card has a very unique structure, offering cardholders:

  • 2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
  • 1.5 Aeroplan point per dollar spent on dining and food delivery
  • 1 Aeroplan point per dollar spent on everything else

The earn rate on Air Canada, Air Canada Vacations, dining, and food delivery outshines both TD’s and CIBC’s Aeroplan Visa Infinite cards in the same market, so if you spend a significant amount in these categories, then the Amex Aeroplan Card can make a good addition to your wallet.

Redeeming Rewards

Aeroplan remains the program of choice for the vast majority of Canadians aiming to redeem their points for high-value international business and First Class redemptions.

Redeeming Aeroplan points follows the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart, and can cost as little as 55,000 points one-way from Vancouver to Tokyo in business class.

From the East Coast, 60,000 Aeroplan points (or often fewer, thanks to Air Canada’s preferred pricing if you hold Elite Status or a credit card) would unlock a transatlantic flight to most parts of Western Europe.

Closer to home: short-haul flights within North America that are under 500 miles only cost 6,000 Aeroplan points one-way.

With the 45,000 points earned from this card (after reaching minimum spending), you can travel round-trip in business class across the continent on routes such as Toronto – Vancouver or Montreal – Los Angeles.

Perks & Benefits

The Amex Aeroplan Card offers a competitive set of Air Canada travel benefits for its price range. As a cardholder, you’ll receive:

  • Free first checked bag on Air Canada flights, for the primary and supplementary cardholders
  • Preferred pricing when redeeming Aeroplan points for Air Canada flights
  • The ability to earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) and 1 Status Qualifying Segment (SQS) for every $10,000 you spend on the card
  • Your Aeroplan points won’t expire for as long as you’re a cardholder

Insurance Coverage

The Amex Aeroplan Card’s insurance proposition is decent, but not outstanding. Some of the provisions that it does cover include:

  • Delayed and lost baggage insurance: Up to $500 overall coverage per insured person towards the purchase of essentials such as clothes and toiletries if your baggage is delayed more than 4 hours or lost.
  • Flight/trip delay insurance: Up to $500 in coverage if your flight/trip is delayed more than 4 hours.
  • Auto rental collision/loss damage insurance: Coverage for up to 48 consecutive days for cars with an MSRP of $85,000, which can help you save on the insurance fees that the car rental company would otherwise charge.

It’s important to note that these benefits would also apply on Aeroplan reward tickets, as long as you charge the taxes and fees of your booking to your Aeroplan Card.

However, the card does not offer emergency medical insurance or trip cancellation & trip interruption insurance, which are two very significant benefits that you’ll find on many of the higher-end products out there.

Additionally, the card also offers Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection, covering most eligible items you’ve purchased with your card should they be stolen or damaged within 90 days of purchase, as well as a doubled warranty period compared to the manufacturer’s warranty.

Historical Offers

Apply Now

The American Express Aeroplan Card does not have a minimum income requirement to be eligible.

You'll earn the best available signup bonus of 45,000 Aeroplan points if you apply either via a referral link or through public offers. Consider supporting Prince of Travel by applying for the card via our referral link below.

16 Comments
  1. Ron

    So back around Aug 2021 I signed up for this (took over a month to finally get approved, long story but not important)

    44,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $3,000 in the first six months
    1,000 Aeroplan points for each of the first six months in which you spend $500, for a total of 6,000 Aeroplan points
    5x Aeroplan points on eats and drinks in Canada in the first six months, up to a maximum of 25,000 Aeroplan points (on $5,000 of spending)

    Fast forward Jan 2022 I received 44k
    My food and drinks are not being coded as 5x
    I have been receiving 1k every month for meeting 500$ monthly
    But just a few days ago I received 25k as a lump sum bonus.

    and I cannot understand what that last bonus is about…

  2. JJ

    Does the aeroplan card charge fees for foreign purchases? I can’t find this information anywhere?

    1. Ricky YVR

      Yes, it charges a 2.5% foreign transaction fee.

  3. rob

    i have the amex business platinum which i use for basically everything…enjoying lounge access and all the travel insurance. does it make sense to get the aeroplan card as well? aside from the sign up bonus, how would i split the use between the cards to maximize points?

  4. JB

    If I already got the AP Reserve, can I get the regular AP as well, and earn 150k points plus whatever food & drink spend I rack up, so long as I spend 1500 per month? Is there a downside to this?

  5. RBW

    I already have a TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card and am thinking of applying for the American Express Aeroplan Card. Would I still receive the Amex sign-up bonus despite the fact that they’re both considered “core” cards? Thx!

    1. Ricky YVR

      Yes, no problem getting the bonuses on more than one core card. Back when this card was offering a Buddy Pass, the T&Cs prevented you from doubling-up on those, but that’s moot now that the signup bonus is entirely Aeroplan points.

      1. RBW

        Thanks for confirming, Ricky.

  6. Ahmed

    If I refer a friend will they get the public offer?

    1. Ricky YVR

      Yes, they’ll get the same 75K offer as what’s available publicly right now.

  7. LARRY

    Can I do the required spend in 1 month instead of the “for each of the first six months”?

    1. Josh YVR

      You can for the initial 44,000 points, but not for the monthly 6 x 1,000 points.

  8. susan

    Ricky, the 14,000 upon min spend, is that just the $1500 spend, as other sites are 9,000 points on this spend ? So , this is the best bonus link out there ? Is there any referals from our own amex accounts ? thanks !

    1. Ricky YVR

      Yes, just the $1,500 spend. Other sites don’t seem to let readers know that there are better offers via referral links. Any existing Amex Aeroplan cardholders should be able to offer you a referral link as well.

      1. susan

        PS: I realized after I got the 2 cards, that one could have referred the other for the 14,000 plus also, because you can access your # right away now ! Oh well, more for you, and more for us in the future now ! Thanks !

      2. susan

        Thank for the reply. Yes existing members do get a 5,000 refer bonus, but its just for 9,000 link for the applicant, not 14,000 for applicant, then 5,000 for referal (like you). I will just apply for 2 on your link ! Have fun in the new quarantine ! Susan

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have an Account? Click here to Login