Georgia Rose
Erica CorbinMany or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.
A charge card for foodies and travelers who rarely carry a balance.
The Amex Aeroplan Card is most valuable for people who frequently eat out and order in, book their vacations directly with Air Canada and pay off their balance in full each month.
Learn more about how we evaluate cards.
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Card is a charge card that allows cardmembers to earn Aeroplan points with each purchase. It offers extensive insurance coverage and flexibility when redeeming Aeroplan points.
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
-
Annual Fee$120
-
Interest RatesCharge Card0% if you pay your balance in full every month, 30% annual interest rate on the remaining amount if you don’t.
-
Rewards Rate1x-2x Points2x on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, 1.5x on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada, and 1x on everything else.
-
Intro OfferUp to 50,000 PointsNew American Express® Aeroplan®* Cardmembers can earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points: Earn 30,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months. Plus, earn an additional 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in month 13. That’s up to $1,100 or more in value when you combine your welcome bonus points and card benefits.
- New American Express® Aeroplan®* Cardmembers can earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points:
- Earn 30,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months.
- Plus, earn an additional 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in month 13
- That’s up to $1,100 or more in value when you combine your welcome bonus points and card benefits.
- Standard Earn Rate: Earn 2X the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada vacations®*.
- Standard Earn Rate: Earn 1.5X the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada.
- Standard Earn Rate: Earn 1X the points on everything else.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada®* flights.
- Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in eligible net purchases charged to your Card.
- As an American Express Aeroplan Cardmember, you can often book flight rewards for even fewer points with preferred pricing.
- American Express® Experiences: From music and movies, to specially curated dining and online shopping opportunities, stay connected with all that we have to offer from the comfort of your own home.
- Enjoy an array of travel related insurance benefits such as Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance and up to $500,000 in Travel Accident Insurance.
- 24/7 Customer Service and Emergency Card Replacement.
- As part of our commitment to sustainability, the American Express Aeroplan Card has been made with 70% reclaimed plastic
- No pre-set spending limit on purchases gives you flexibility. Using a charge card is a great way to manage your finances as the balance must be paid in full each month.*
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card full review
The Amex Aeroplan Card earns Air Canada’s Aeroplan points that can be redeemed for a variety of items, including flights, hotel stays, car rentals and merchandise. As it’s a charge card, the balance must be paid off in full each month or it will be subject to a high interest rate — in this case, 30%.
Benefits of the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
- Robust travel insurance coverage, such as lost or stolen baggage insurance and travel accident insurance.
- Free first checked bag on Air Canada flights. In addition to the primary cardholder, up to eight travelling companions on the same reservation can check their first bag free of charge.
- Exclusive dining, sports and entertainment events through American Express Experiences. Plus, American Express Front Of The Line helps cardmembers score presale and reserved tickets for concerts or the next big game.
- No preset spending limit. Purchase approval is based on factors like credit history and account activity.
Drawbacks of the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
- American Express may not be as readily accepted by retailers as Visa and Mastercard.
- As with all charge cards, you’re expected to pay off the entire balance each month. The annual interest rate on unpaid balances is a rather steep 30%.
- No access to airport lounges. Other American Express cards, like the Aeroplan Reserve Card, offer lounge access but charge a higher annual fee.
Who should get the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card?
Because its higher earn rates are attached to dining and Air Canada purchases, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card is most valuable for people who book their flights and vacations directly with Air Canada and frequently eat out and order in.
Is the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card worth it?
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Card might be a good choice if you’re looking for a rewards card that can help reduce the cost of your next adventure, especially if you’re a frequent Air Canada flyer. While baggage fees vary based on your Aeroplan status and fare class, it typically costs $42 to check your first bag on economy flights within Canada. That means this card could help you save more than its $120 annual fee after just three flights.
But it is a charge card, which means you’re expected to pay off your entire balance every month. If you don’t, you’ll pay a steep 30% APR on your balance. If you’re not sure you’ll be able to pay off your bill every month, keep looking.
American Express customer ratings
- Ranked above average in customer satisfaction: American Express ranks 2nd in J.D. Power’s 2023 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
- Low Trustpilot rating: 1.5 out of 5 possible stars based on over 4,400 customer reviews, as of this writing.
- Low Better Business Bureau customer rating: 1.08 out of 5 possible stars based on over 480 customer reviews, as of this writing.
Amex Aeroplan Card eligibility
Who qualifies for the Amex Aeroplan Card?
To apply for the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card, you must:
- Be a Canadian resident and have a Canadian credit file.
- Be the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
Income requirements may apply.
Approximate credit score needed for approval
Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. What we do know is that higher scores have better chances of approval — that’s true no matter what type of credit you’re applying for.
Want to learn more? Our guide can help you figure out what credit score is typically needed for a credit card.
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card rewards
If you’re approved for the Amex Aeroplan Card, you can earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points.
- Earn 30,000 points when you spend at least $3,000 on the card in the first three months.
- Earn an additional 20,000 points when you spend at least $1,000 in month 13 of cardmembership.
- 2x Aeroplan points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations.
- 1.5x Aeroplan points on eligible dining and food delivery purchases.
- 1x Aeroplan points on all other eligible purchases.
The value of the card, its benefits and its rewards depend on how you use them. For example, the 30,000 Aeroplan points you can earn by spending $3,000 in the first three months can be redeemed toward flights, hotel stays and more.
The first free checked bag benefit can save you $42 per person, per domestic flight — which could add up to significant savings if you travel a lot each year, or travel often with one or more travelling companions. For example, a family of four flying round trip from Vancouver to Toronto could each check one bag for free each way — saving $336 plus tax, much more than the card’s annual fee.
Point value breakdown
NerdWallet searched more than 75 flights in 2021 and 2022 to determine the average value for Air Canada flights. Based on our analysis, the average value of 1 Aeroplan point is worth 2.23 cents, depending on the redemption method.
More specifically, you can expect to get around:
- 1.69 cents in value per Aeroplan point for economy class awards on Air Canada.
- 2.81 cents in value per Aeroplan point for business class awards on Air Canada flights.
How to apply for the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
The application process for the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card is fairly straightforward:
- Click “Apply Now” on the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card page.
- Read the product information, then read and agree to the card’s requirements and click “Agree and Begin.”
- Provide your personal information, including your name, address and date of birth. Entering your Social Insurance Number is optional but encouraged.
- Enter financial information.
- Read and agree to any terms and conditions provided.
- Submit your application.
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card vs. TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Both of these cards earn Aeroplan points, but eligibility criteria and earn rates vary.
| American Express® Aeroplan®* Card | TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fees | $120. | $139. |
| Minimum annual income | Not known. | $60,000 annual personal income or $100,000 household annual income. |
| Rewards | 1x-2x Points. | 1x-1.5x Points. |
| Benefits |
|
|
Reasons you might want a different card
Some travellers may want a no-fee credit card like the American Express® Green Card, or a card with more perks than the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card provides, such as airport lounge access. Others may not be comfortable using a charge card that requires them to pay their full balance every month.
American Express Aeroplan facts
| American Express® Aeroplan®* Card | |
|---|---|
| Card type | Charge card. |
| Fees and interest rates | |
| Annual fee | $120. |
| Dishonoured payment | $25. |
| Cash advance fee | Either 3% of the amount of each advance or $0.75, whichever is greater. |
| Foreign transaction | 2.5% for each charge. |
| Balance transfer | No balance transfer fee. As a charge card, it isn’t designed for cardmembers to carry a balance from month to month. |
| Rewards and benefits | |
| Intro offer | Up to 50,000 Points. |
| Reward earn rates |
|
| Other perks |
|
| Insurance coverage | |
| Travel accident | Up to $500,000. |
| Flight and baggage delay | Up to $500 for necessary accommodations, restaurant expenses and sundries. |
| Lost or stolen baggage | Up to $500 of coverage per trip for all insured persons. |
| Hotel burglary | Up to $500 of coverage for personal items (excluding cash). |
| Extended warranty | Up to one additional year. |
| Purchase protection | 90 days. |
Rating Methodology
NerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.
Frequently asked questions about American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
In Canada, American Express offers three different Aeroplan cards: the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card and the American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card.
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Card’s annual fee is $120. Additional cards cost $50 each. No-fee additional cards are available.
About the Author
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Compare Canada’s Best Credit Cards for July 2024
NerdWallet Canada’s picks for the best credit cards include top contenders across numerous card categories. Compare these options to find the ideal card for you.
Shannon Terrell
Credit Card Interest Calculator
Interest charges don’t need to be a mystery. Use our credit card interest calculator to see how much interest you’d owe if you carry a credit card balance.
Georgia Rose
How to Activate an American Express Card
You can activate your American Express card online, via the American Express app or over the phone. Activation is required before you can use an Amex card.
Barry Choi
13 Best Aeroplan Credit Cards in Canada for 2024
The best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada earn points for Air Canada’s loyalty program on every purchase. Aeroplan points have an average value of 2.23 cents per point.