American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

In terms of the returns on everyday spending, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card has a unique three-tiered structure, offering cardholders the following:

• 3 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
• 2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on dining and food delivery
• 1.25 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on everything else

The 3x earn rate on Air Canada makes this the ideal card when purchasing cash fares on Air Canada or any of its codeshare partners, since it offers the highest earning rate amongst any of the Aeroplan co-branded credit cards in Canada.

Plus, the 2x earn rate on dining and food delivery is also the highest among all the Aeroplan-branded cards in Canada.

Meanwhile, earning 1.25 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on all other purchases is equal to the earning rates on TD's and CIBC's Visa Infinite Privilege cards in the same market, and represents a very strong overall return on your everyday purchases. If you put a high volume of spending on this card, the extra 0.25 points per dollar spent are certain to add up over the course of the year (in addition to the 3x and 2x category earning rates).

We value Aeroplan points at 2.1 cents per point, and using this valuation, you're looking at an effective return of 6.33% on Air Canada purchases, 4.2% on dining and food delivery, and 2.63% on everything else, which is excellent.

As a premium travel credit card, you can be sure that the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card's insurance coverage is top-tier as well. Charge your travel purchases to your card, and you'll automatically enjoy the following coverages:

• Emergency medical insurance: Up to $5 million of coverage for the first 15 days of your out-of-province trip, for travellers under age 65.
• Trip cancellation: Up to $1,500 of coverage per insured person, to a maximum of $3,000 for all insured persons on the same covered trip.
• Trip interruption insurance: Up to $1,500 of coverage per insured person, to a maximum of $6,000 for all insured persons on the same covered trip.
• Flight delay insurance: Up to $1,000 (aggregate maximum with Baggage Delay insurance), for food, accommodation and items purchased within 48 hours when your flight is delayed four or more hours.
• Baggage delay insurance: Up to $1,000 (aggregate maximum with Flight Delay insurance), for items purchased within four days of arrival when your baggage is delayed six or more hours. (Note: this is different from lost and stolen baggage insurance, which doesn't cover delays)
• Lost or stolen baggage insurance: Up to $1,000 of coverage total for all insured persons.
• Hotel burglary insurance: Up to $1,000 coverage for stolen items (excluding cash).
• Travel accident insurance: Up to $500,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance.
• Car rental theft and damage insurance: Comprehensive coverage for up to 48 consecutive days for cars with an MSRP of up to $85,000.

Lastly, the card offers Purchase Protection^® Plan and Buyer's Assurance^® Protection Plan, covering most eligible items you’ve purchased with your card up to $1,000 should they be stolen or damaged within 90 days of purchase, as well as an extended one-year warranty period on the manufacturer’s warranty.