American Express is known for offering some of Canada’s best credit card welcome bonuses.
Echoing the thrilling all-time high bonuses we saw in the summer of 2021, you have until October 26, 2022 to snag the raised offers on their duo of personal Aeroplan co-branded cards: the Aeroplan Reserve Card and the Aeroplan Card. Luckily, there is no current end date for the Aeroplan Business Reserve Card, but with a great offer, there’s no reason to wait.
While the offers aren’t the highest we’ve ever seen, they’re nevertheless a very strong welcome package for anyone who’s considering these cards now – especially for anyone who values Aeroplan points.
Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card: Up to 115,000 Aeroplan Points!
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, Amex’s flagship premium Aeroplan co-branded card, has a current welcome bonus of up to 115,000 Aeroplan points when you apply via a refer-a-friend link.
The points are distributed as follows:
- 65,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $6,000 in the first six months
- 5,000 Aeroplan points for each of the first six months in which you spend $1,000, for a total of 30,000 Aeroplan points
- 10x Aeroplan points on eats and drinks in Canada in the first three months, up to a maximum of 20,000 Aeroplan points (on $2,000 of spending)
As you can see, this offer is very much a “lite” version of the all-time high offers of Summer 2021. Even so, it’s still one of the best we’ve ever seen.
The offer is structured as a reversal of the Spring 2022 offer for 110,000 points: the majority are awarded up-front, and the monthly spending requirements are only for six months instead of 12.
That’s a huge upgrade in my books. Not only will you get your big welcome bonus in full sooner, you won’t have to worry about missing a bonus as you juggle multiple credit cards long-term.
Six months is also a generous and flexible window for low spenders to go slow and steady, without missing the grand prize.
At the risk of burying the lede, the 10x bonus on eats and drinks is back! As always, this encompasses grocery stores and restaurants, including bars, cafés, and food delivery. Heralded as one of the best promotions ever, I know many people have been waiting for it to return before applying for this card.
Keep in mind that unlike last summer, you’ll only have three months, down from six, to capitalize on this accelerated earn rate. And you’ll also be capped at 20,000 bonus points earned this way, down from 50,0000.
Remember that every dollar you spend can count towards more than one part of the bonus. For example, if you spent $1,000 on eats and drinks within each of the first six months, that would satisfy all three components of the bonus simultaneously, netting you 110,000 Aeroplan points right there.
Also, note that the 10x earn rate replaces the base earn rate. You won’t get the regular 2x Aeroplan points on restaurants or 1.25x points on groceries in addition to the promotional bonus, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the 10x points on the line.
The card has an annual fee of $599, which is a steep but worthwhile expense for the privilege of 110,000 Aeroplan points.
At our current valuation of 2.1 cents per point, you can expect to get out around four times the value you put in, while possibly stretching that number further with an inspired redemption or two.
As always, with a premium Aeroplan credit card, you’ll get priority airport services, a 1.25x earning rate on daily spending, preferred pricing discounts on Aeroplan redemptions, and likely some compelling Amex Offers throughout the year to offset against your annual fee.
- Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $6,000 in the first six months
- Plus, earn a further 30,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $1,000 in each of the first six months
- Always earn 3x Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases
- Aeroplan preferred pricing, free checked bag, priority check-in and boarding on Air Canada flights
- Unlimited Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access
- Bonus Aeroplan points for referring family and friends
- Annual fee: $599
Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve Card: Up to 115,000 Aeroplan Points!
The American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card is offering a higher number of points, but with higher spending requirements. When you apply via a refer-a-friend link, you’ll earn:
- 95,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $7,000 in the first three months
- 10x Aeroplan points on Air Canada, Air Canada Vacations, hotels, and car rentals in the first six months, up to a maximum of 20,000 Aeroplan points (on $2,000 of spending)
I’m thrilled to see that there’s no monthly spending requirement on the Aeroplan Business Reserve Card. Frankly, I find those to be a hassle. And business owners don’t like a hassle.
This no muss, no fuss welcome bonus structure is finally in line with the simplicity of the flagship Business Platinum Card, while still offering a monstrous amount of points.
In addition, the 10x bonus on Air Canada and other travel purchases is back from the Spring 2022 offer. This time, however, it’s capped at 20,000 points, down from 30,000 – although the total value of the welcome bonus remains the same.
Just like the personal card, the 10x Aeroplan points component replaces the base earning rate, rather than stacking on top of it.
If you can only get one, it certainly depends on which 10x spending category you’ll be able to maximize more easily. Go with the Aeroplan Reserve Card for eats and drinks, or the business card for eligible travel purchases.
- Earn 30,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $3,000 in the first three months
- Plus, earn a further 60,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $2,000 in each of the first 12 months
- Also, earn 3x Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases
- Aeroplan preferred pricing, free checked bag, priority check-in and boarding on Air Canada flights
- Unlimited Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access
- Bonus Aeroplan points for referring family and friends
- Qualify for the card as a sole proprietor
- Annual fee: $599
Amex Aeroplan Card: Up to 75,000 Aeroplan Points!
While the premium Aeroplan cards naturally have the highest bonuses, the Amex Aeroplan Card shouldn’t be overlooked either. The card is offering up to 75,000 Aeroplan points for new applicants, matching the card’s historical all-time high.
The Summer 2022 offer on the Amex Aeroplan Card is in the same format as the bonuses on the higher-end Reserve cards, just with lower totals across the board. When you apply via a refer-a-friend link, you’ll earn:
- 50,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $3,000 in the first six months
- 2,500 Aeroplan points for each of the first six months in which you spend $500, for a total of 15,000 Aeroplan points
- 5x Aeroplan points on eats and drinks in Canada in the first three months, up to a maximum of 10,000 Aeroplan points (on $2,000 of spending)
Like before, you can hit multiple components of the offer with the same spending. In this case, the optimal strategy is to aim for $500 on groceries and restaurants in each of the first three months (with an extra $500 spread across those first three months however you see fit), which would help you complete the first, third, and half of the second component.
Then, you’d spend $500 per month on any purchase category (not just eats and drinks) for the next three months to unlock the full bonus.
Just like the higher-end Reserve cards, the 5x Aeroplan points component replaces the base earning rate on eligible purchases for as long as it’s active (i.e., up to $2,000 spent).
The real appeal of the Amex Aeroplan Card is the lower annual fee of $120, making this offer a fantastic choice for anyone whose credit card strategy revolves around keeping annual fees low and manageable. At an effective “cost” of 0.17 cents per point, the value proposition here is very strong indeed.
Furthermore, the Amex Aeroplan Card is a charge card, not a credit card. Unlike the Reserve and Business Reserve, which are credit cards, it doesn’t impact Amex’s limit of holding four credit cards per person at a time. If you’re already tight against the cap, the core Aeroplan Card might be a great way to pad your Aeroplan balance without going over your limit.
- Earn 40,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $3,000 in the first six months
- Plus, earn a further 2,500 Aeroplan points upon spending $500 in each of the first six months
- Always earn 2x Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases
- Aeroplan preferred pricing, free checked bag on Air Canada flights
- Bonus Aeroplan points for referring family and friends
- Annual fee: $120
Conclusion
American Express has great welcome offers on the Aeroplan co-branded credit cards for Summer 2022. These offers are soon coming to an end, so be sure to take action now if you’ve been meaning to do so.
On each of the Aeroplan Reserve Card, Aeroplan Business Reserve Card, and Aeroplan Card, the bonuses have become more streamlined and easier to earn in full. The business card has boosted its up-front lump sum to a highly appealing level, and the personal cards have reduced the duration of the monthly spending requirements while reintroducing the immensely popular 10x earn rate on eats and drinks.
The offers on the personal cards expire on October 26, 2022, while the business card has no stated end date. Be sure to take advantage while you can!
This is a recurring article, regularly updated with the latest round of offers. Some comments may refer to past offers that are no longer available.