Aeroplan is Air Canada’s frequent flyer program and a very popular loyalty program among Canadian travellers. There’s a wide range of credit card options for Aeroplan members looking to boost their points balances and get closer to their next free flight.Here are our choices for the best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada.
Best Credit Card for Earning Aeroplan Points
The Business Platinum Card from American Express is the fastest way to rack up a big balance of Aeroplan points. It often has the largest welcome bonus of any credit card in Canada, earning Membership Rewards points which are transferable to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.The requirements to earn the welcome bonus are usually simple, with a single spending threshold in the first three months and then another boost in year two. This is much more straightforward than having to juggle ongoing monthly spending requirements. You’ll get the full swath of the bonus within a few days of crossing the spending threshold.For ongoing spending, you’ll earn 1.25 points per dollar spent on all purchases. That’s a strong earning rate for uncategorized transactions, in line with the base earn rate on Aeroplan’s very own co-branded premium cards.Also, this card has the best refer-a-friend incentive in Canada, worth 20,000 MR points per successful signup. If you have this card and get family or friends to apply using your link, your rewards can quickly add up!
Best Premium Aeroplan Credit Card
Best Visa Aeroplan Card
If you're looking for a non-Amex card, the
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card is the best premium Aeroplan credit card, setting itself apart from its competitors with an excellent welcome bonus.
In addition to all of the same Aeroplan perks as the Amex Reserve Card, your Visa card comes with a
DragonPass membership and six complimentary visits per year. These passes are good for accessing DragonPass airport lounges, including those operated by
Plaza Premium, with a strong presence in Canadian airports.
Best Aeroplan Credit Card for Business Owners
Nearly identical to the personal Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card, the
American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card is a great option for business owners looking to leverage high spending into points and elite status.
With a unique rate of 2 MR points per dollar spent on car rentals and hotels, this card is a good choice for road warriors looking to maximize their return on business expenses.
You'll also earn Status Qualifying Miles and/or Segments just for spending on the card, earning 1,000 SQM / 1 SQS per $5,000 spent on any purchase. If you need to supplement your mileage-qualification activity to reach the next tier of Aeroplan Elite Status, this is a great way to do so with your business spending rather than with a qualifying flight.
Best Aeroplan Credit Card for Daily Spending
At
5 points per dollar spent on groceries and restaurants, the
American Express Cobalt Card is unsurpassed when it comes to rewards on everyday spending.
You can transfer the points to other airline partners, similar to the premium
American Express Platinum Card. That's far more points than you'd earn by spending on a co-branded Aeroplan credit card.
If you're looking to rack up a large Aeroplan balance powered by your grocery bill and restaurant spending, consider getting the Cobalt Card and using it as much as you can for the 5x categories.
Best Aeroplan Credit Card for Beginners
If high annual fees are intimidating, it's good to start with a mid-tier option like the
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card.
Depending on the offer, you might enjoy an annual fee rebate for the first year. Plus, the welcome bonus is easy to achieve, with a low spending requirement up front and a long deadline to achieve the full bonus. It’s a good introduction to earning Aeroplan points before you've fully grasped how to redeem them.
The card also comes with a solid suite of benefits, including preferred pricing on award tickets on Air Canada routes, one free checked bag for everyone in your travelling party, and travel insurance on Aeroplan award bookings if you pay for the taxes and fees with this card. Not to mention, your rewards will remain active as long as you are a cardholder, so there's no rush to learn how to use them effectively.
Best No Fee Aeroplan Credit Card
If you’re keen to keep costs down while earning points for flight rewards, the
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card is your best bet. It’s a good card to get if you’re just beginning to explore the Aeroplan program or award travel in general.
In fact, this is the
only Aeroplan credit card with no annual fee. It has a very low barrier to entry, requiring a minimum household income of $15,000.
For students, CIBC also offers the CIBC Aeroplan Visa for Students, with no income requirement, and all of the same features and bonuses.
Not surprisingly, as a no-fee card, this card earns at a lower rate than premium cards, and it has fewer insurance benefits.
Instead, the card’s biggest appeal is the preferred pricing benefit, giving you a slight discount on flight rewards on Air Canada flights. In addition, your Aeroplan points will never expire as long as you remain a cardholder.
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