Guide to Aeroplan Credit Cards in Canada
Joining Air Canada’s Aeroplan loyalty program is free — and there are a few ways to earn points. But for most people, an Aeroplan credit card is the simplest setup: you earn points on everyday spending, then redeem them for flights (or other travel) when you’re ready.
Aeroplan points can be especially valuable for Air Canada flyers because the program lets you redeem points on any Air Canada seat available for cash (the points price can vary), and you can also book flights with Aeroplan’s partner airlines.
Aeroplan credit cards: at a glance
| Card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Interest rates | Rewards rate | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card | APPLY NOW on American Express' website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on American Express' website | 5.0/5 | $599 | 21.99%/21.99% | 1.25x-3x Points | |
| TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card | APPLY NOW on TD's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on TD's website | 4.8/5 | $599 | 21.99%/22.99% | 1.25x-2x Points | |
| TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | APPLY NOW on TD's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on TD's website | 5.0/5 | $139 First year rebate | 21.99%/22.99% | 1x-1.5x Points | |
What’s the best Aeroplan credit card in Canada?
View details
We chose the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card as our best overall Aeroplan pick because it delivers the strongest “Air Canada travel” experience in one card: premium airport benefits, meaningful Aeroplan-specific perks, and accelerated earning that can add up quickly for frequent flyers.
If you regularly fly Air Canada (or want your everyday spend to meaningfully move you toward Air Canada redemptions), the combination of lounge access, priority services and Aeroplan program benefits can outweigh the high annual fee — sometimes with value concentrated in just a few trips.
That said, it’s not a fit for everyone. If you fly only occasionally, don’t live near an Air Canada-heavy airport, or prefer a lower-fee card, a core Visa Infinite Aeroplan card may be a more practical choice.
Other Aeroplan credit cards in Canada (and what they’re good for)
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdown
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's take
Card details
Card details
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card details
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card details
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card details
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card details
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card details
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card details
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card details
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card detailsMethodology
BACK TO TOPBest credit cards in Canada
Compare different cards side-by-side to find one with the perks and benefits that will meet your needs.Guide to Aeroplan credit cards and rewards in Canada
BACK TO TOPAeroplan credit cards are rewards cards that earn Aeroplan points — the loyalty currency for Air Canada’s Aeroplan program.
While Aeroplan points are especially useful for Air Canada flights, Aeroplan also lets you redeem points with partner airlines and for other travel (like hotels and car rentals). Non-flight redemptions can be convenient, but flights are typically where Aeroplan points deliver the strongest value.
Fast facts about Aeroplan points:
Aeroplan points can be redeemed for Air Canada flights, flights with partner airlines, and other travel.
Air Canada flight rewards use dynamic pricing (the points cost can change with demand).
Partner flights are usually priced more predictably, but availability can be limited — and Aeroplan may charge a flat partner booking fee when you book flights on other airlines.
Aeroplan point value
Aeroplan uses dynamic pricing for many Air Canada redemptions, so point value varies by route and date. Based on NerdWallet’s analysis of Aeroplan flight redemptions in 2024, the average value of 1 Aeroplan point is 1.60 cents.
1 Aeroplan point = about 1.60 cents
As a practical rule of thumb, if the redemption you’re considering falls meaningfully below the “typical” value you can get from Aeroplan flights, it may be better to pay cash and save your points for a better-value booking.
Aeroplan card tiers (entry vs. core vs. premium)
Aeroplan credit cards generally fall into three practical tiers. The tier determines how many Air Canada-specific perks you’re likely to get — and what you’ll pay for them.
Entry-level Aeroplan cards:
Typically the lowest (or no) annual fee.
Designed for earning Aeroplan points without heavy travel perks.
Best if you want Aeroplan points but don’t fly Air Canada often.
Core Aeroplan cards (often Visa Infinite):
Usually include the most-used Air Canada perk for many travellers: free first checked bags on Air Canada flights.
May include stronger insurance coverage and more accelerated earning.
Best for people who fly Air Canada a few times per year and want perks without premium-card pricing.
Premium Aeroplan cards (often Visa Infinite Privilege / premium Amex):
Built for frequent Air Canada flyers.
Often add lounge access and priority airport services on top of core perks.
Best when you’ll actually use the airport perks often enough to justify the higher annual fee.
TD vs. CIBC Aeroplan cards: how to choose between the similar ones
Deciding between the TD and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite (core) cards — or between the TD and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege (premium) cards — can seem difficult on the surface. But, to us, we think it’s mostly a choice between issuers.
The Aeroplan travel benefits are broadly similar at each tier, so the “right” pick often comes down to your bank relationship and which card’s side perks and earning structure best match your spending.
Both TD and CIBC Visa Infinite Aeroplan cards tend to be best for travellers who want free checked bags and Aeroplan earning without paying for premium lounge access.
Consider TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite if:
A NEXUS fee rebate matters to you.
You like the TD ecosystem (or can offset fees with TD banking bundles).
Your spending aligns with TD’s bonus categories and caps.
Consider CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite if:
Your spending aligns better with CIBC’s bonus categories.
You prefer CIBC’s fee rebate options (often tied to certain CIBC accounts).
You want the core Aeroplan travel perks, but don’t need premium airport access.
At the premium tier, both issuers are aimed at frequent flyers who will actually use airport perks. Expect many of the same “big” benefits (like lounge access and priority services), then compare the details.
Compare these decision points:
Lounge access: Where it works, guest rules and any included lounge-visit programs.
Priority services: Which services are included (and whether companions on your booking also benefit).
NEXUS rebates: Whether you and/or additional cardholders can use them.
Earning structure: Whether the bonus categories match your actual spending (Air Canada, travel, dining, etc.).
Annual fee offset options: Whether your banking setup can soften the cost.
How to get an Aeroplan credit card
You can apply for most Aeroplan credit cards online through the issuer. TD and CIBC also offer in-branch applications if you prefer. When you apply, make sure your Aeroplan number is linked correctly so your airline benefits (like baggage and priority services) apply when you fly.
Frequently asked questions
Does Aeroplan have a cancellation policy?
Does Aeroplan have a cancellation policy?
Fees for cancelling through Aeroplan vary by the class of your seat, type of fare and when you cancel.
Do Aeroplan points expire?
Do Aeroplan points expire?
Aeroplan points expire after 18 months of account inactivity. Account activity can be maintained by earning, redeeming, donating and transferring your points. If you have an Aeroplan credit card and use it regularly, your points will be safe.
Which Aeroplan cards offer lounge access?
Which Aeroplan cards offer lounge access?
If lounge access is an important factor, these Aeroplan cards all offer airport lounge entry:
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Plus Card.
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege Card.
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card.
How do I know if my card is linked to my Aeroplan profile?
How do I know if my card is linked to my Aeroplan profile?
When you apply for an Aeroplan credit card, you should receive a letter or email from Aeroplan with your new account information. To ensure your credit card has been linked to the program, log in to your Aeroplan account and check to see whether you are designated as a credit card holder.
You can also check whether your credit card has been linked to your Aeroplan profile by looking at your monthly credit card statement. If properly linked, the number of Aeroplan points you’ve accumulated should be included in each statement.
Can I have more than one Aeroplan credit card?
Can I have more than one Aeroplan credit card?
Yes, you can have more than one Aeroplan credit card at a time. In fact, there’s no limit to the number of credit cards you can carry, assuming you’re approved for each card.
Having more than one Aeroplan credit card gives you the opportunity to take advantage of different welcome bonuses and earn rates, but tread lightly: keeping up with multiple credit cards takes diligence and responsibility. Missed payments and other credit missteps could negatively impact your credit score and strain your finances.
How does the Aeroplan rewards chart work?
How does the Aeroplan rewards chart work?
While the zone charts are somewhat intimidating, Aeroplan has a points predictor tool that will show you roughly how many points it’ll cost you to fly between destinations. That said, this tool only offers a range, so you have to search your exact dates to find out what it’ll really cost you.
In addition, this points predictor tool doesn’t calculate the value of your points for you. To do that, you’d use the following formula:
(Ticket price – taxes) X 100 / points required for a redemption = Cost per point
For example, let’s say you want to fly round-trip from Toronto to Vancouver, and the cash price is $500. You can pay that $500 outright, or you can redeem 25,000 Aeroplan points and pay $75 in taxes to get the flight for free. Your formula would be as follows:
($500 – $75) X 100 / 25,000 = 1.7 cents per point
In this example, the value exceeds our estimated value of 1.29 cents per point, so the redemption is worth it.
How do you earn Aeroplan Elite Status?
How do you earn Aeroplan Elite Status?
Aeroplan also has Elite Status tiers: 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K and Super Elite (100K). An increased status gives you perks, such as free eUpgrade credits, seat selection, lounge passes, priority boarding and more.
To earn higher status, you’ll need to earn more than just Aeroplan points. Instead, you’ll need to meet different requirements based on how much you fly with Air Canada. These qualification requirements include:
Status Qualifying Miles (SQM), which are earned based on the distance you fly.
Status Qualifying Segments (SQS), which are earned based on flight segments you cover.
Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD), which are earned based on how much you spend on flight tickets.
The more you fly and spend with Air Canada, the higher your tier. For example, to get to 25K status, you need to earn either 25,000 SQM or 25 SQS and $3,000 in SQD.
Certain Aeroplan credit cardholders will earn Aeroplan Elite Status qualification boosts — 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and one Status Qualifying Segment — every time they exceed certain spending goals: it takes $5,000 eligible annual spend for Premium cardholders and $10,000 for Core cardholders.
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Shannon TerrellShannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell