American Express Aeroplan Card: 5 Things to Know
Nerdy Verdict
Best for: Air Canada travellers who check bags and want to keep their card costs down.
Not ideal for: Travellers looking for lounge access, emergency medical insurance or higher rewards on everyday essentials.
Why we like it: The free checked-bag benefit can cover the annual fee without frequent flying, especially when you travel with others.
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Card makes its clearest case at the baggage counter. It gives you and up to eight companions a free first checked bag on eligible Air Canada flights, without the much higher fee of a premium Aeroplan card.
That can make it useful even for an occasional family trip. But it’s harder to recommend as your main everyday card: groceries and gas earn the base rate, travel insurance has gaps, and you must pay the balance in full each month.
Here are five things to know before applying.
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Points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada Vacations®*.
Points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada.
Points on everything else.
The American Express Aeroplan Card can help you rack up points at an impressive clip, especially if you make regular use of food delivery apps. No pre-set spending limit means freedom and flexibility — just remember to pay down that balance every month.
Pros
- Relatively low annual fee.
- Plenty of opportunities to score double points.
Cons
- As a charge card, unpaid balances are subject to a 30% annual interest rate.
- Perks may not be enough to scratch the “premium” itch for those used to other luxury cards.
- New American Express® Aeroplan®* Cardmembers can earn up to 45,000 Aeroplan points:
- Earn 35,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 6 months.
- Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in month 13
- You could earn up to $1,550 in value within your first 13 months. When you combine the Welcome Bonus offer of up to $900 in value, your earn potential in accelerated and everyday spend earn rate categories with approximately $515 in value, and the $140 in value you get from exceptional benefits, you can earn up to $1,550 or more in value within your first 13 months. Terms and usage assumptions apply.
- Notice: As of Jan 12, 2027, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card annual fee will increase to $150. Annual fees charged on or after this date will reflect the new fee. The Additional Aeroplan®* Card annual fee will increase to $59. The Additional Aeroplan®* No Fee Card will be renamed to the Additional Aeroplan®* Companion Card and the annual fee will increase to $25. Learn more about new 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.
- Get 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) for every $20,000 in eligible net purchases charged to your Card, up to 25,000 SQC
- As an American Express Aeroplan Cardmember, you can often book flight rewards for even fewer points with preferred pricing.
- Amex 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. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
1. Checked-bag savings can cover the fee, even if you don’t fly often
The Amex Aeroplan Card currently costs $120 a year. Whether that’s worth paying depends partly on how often you check bags and how many people travel with you.
Air Canada’s current domestic tariff lists a $45 first-bag fee, before tax, for Basic and Standard fares. At that rate, two people checking one bag each on a round trip would avoid $180 in fees. That covers the card’s current annual fee with $60 to spare.
Travel example | Bag fees avoided, before tax | After the current $120 annual fee |
|---|---|---|
One person, one round trip | $90 | −$30 |
One person, two round trips | $180 | $60 |
Two people, one round trip | $180 | $60 |
Four people, one round trip | $360 | $240 |
These examples assume one first checked bag per person in each direction, everyone qualifies for the benefit, and the bags would otherwise cost $45 each. Actual charges depend on the itinerary, fare and ticket terms.
The benefit covers the cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation when checking in with Air Canada for an eligible Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express flight. Your Aeroplan number must be linked to your card and reservation. Bags checked at the gate are excluded.
If your fare or status already includes a free first bag, you don’t receive another one. Count the bag fees you’d actually pay.
Heads up: The price and benefits change in January
Annual fees charged on or after January 12, 2027, will rise to $150. The two-person example above would still cover that fee, leaving $30 before tax.
Beginning that date, the card will also offer a 15% reduction in the points required for the base fare of eligible Air Canada flight rewards and two $25 AC Wallet coupons annually for eligible direct cash flight bookings. Each coupon expires six months after issuance.
Those coupons could offset the $30 fee increase, but count them only if you’ll use them for flights you would have booked anyway.
2. It earns more on Air Canada and dining, but only 1x on groceries and gas
The card earns:
2 Aeroplan points per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations.
1.5 points per $1 on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada.
1.5 points per $1 on eligible direct purchases at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts through July 15, 2029.
1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
The 2x rate rewards buying directly from Air Canada. An Air Canada ticket purchased through a travel agency or another website generally won’t qualify.
For everyday spending, the appeal is narrower. Restaurants and food delivery earn extra points, but groceries and gas don’t. If those essentials take up most of your budget, another card could earn your next flight faster.
For example, spending $300 a month on eligible dining and $1,200 on other purchases would earn approximately 19,800 points a year. At NerdWallet’s Aeroplan valuation of 1.6 cents per point, that’s about $317 toward flight rewards, or $197 after the current annual fee. This excludes welcome points and bag savings.
Your redemption determines what those points actually buy. Compare the cash fare with the points required and any taxes or fees you’d still pay. The 1.6-cent valuation is a reference, rather than a guaranteed return.
3. Getting the full welcome bonus means paying a second annual fee
Eligible new cardmembers can earn up to 45,000 Aeroplan points, but the offer comes in two stages.
Bonus | Spending requirement | Estimated flight-reward value at 1.6¢ per point |
|---|---|---|
35,000 points | $7,500 in the first six months | $560 |
10,000 points | $1,000 in month 13 | $160 |
The first spending target averages $1,250 a month. If that fits purchases you already expect to make, the first bonus provides an estimated $440 in value after the current $120 fee.
The remaining 10,000 points require keeping the card into a second fee year. For someone applying now, that renewal will fall after the scheduled increase to $150.
The full bonus is worth about $720 at NerdWallet’s valuation. Subtract a $120 first-year fee and a $150 renewal fee, and you’re left with roughly $450 in bonus value across two fee years, before regular rewards or benefits.
The month-13 bonus alone is worth only about $10 more than that renewal fee at this valuation. Keeping the card should also make sense for your future travel.
» EXPLORE: Best credit card welcome bonuses in Canada
4. Free bags don’t come with a full package of travel perks
The Amex Aeroplan Card doesn’t include airport lounge access, emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance or trip interruption insurance.
It does include coverage for certain flight and baggage delays, lost or stolen baggage, hotel burglary, rental car theft and damage, and travel accidents. For example, flight and baggage delay coverage has a combined maximum of $500 per occurrence for all insured persons. Eligible rental cars can be covered for up to 48 days, subject to the policy’s conditions.
That’s useful protection for some travel problems. It won’t pay your medical bills if you get sick abroad. Travel accident coverage applies to covered accidental death or dismemberment, while the emergency assistance service provides help and referrals rather than insurance for the resulting expenses.
If this will be your main travel card, consider the coverage you’ll need elsewhere when comparing its cost with another card.
» COMPARE: The best credit cards in Canada for travel insurance
5. You need to pay the balance in full, and have a plan for Amex acceptance
This is a charge card. You must pay the balance in full each month, and a 30% annual interest rate applies to unpaid balances. If you’ll need several months to pay for a trip, rewards and waived bag fees won’t make it an affordable way to borrow.
There’s no preset spending limit, but that doesn’t mean unlimited spending. Amex approves purchases based on factors including your credit history, account history and financial resources.
Check whether the places you shop accept Amex before planning to put most of your spending on this card. Keeping a Visa or Mastercard available can help when they don’t.
To apply, you must be a Canadian resident with a Canadian credit file and be the age of majority where you live. Approval depends on Amex’s assessment; it doesn’t publish a guaranteed minimum credit score.
American Express Canada now lets you check your eligibility for a personal card before you apply. You’ll get an instant decision through a soft credit check, with no impact to your credit score — a smart, easy way to apply with confidence.
Cards to compare or pair with the Amex Aeroplan Card
Choose the Amex Aeroplan Card if bag savings will do enough of the work to justify its fee. If you want faster everyday earning or more travel coverage, these cards address those needs more directly.
| Card | NerdWallet rating | Compare or pair? | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | APPLY NOW on TD's website | ||
 APPLY NOW on TD's website | 5.0/5 | Compare for grocery and gas rewards, Visa acceptance and broader travel insurance. | |
| American Express Cobalt® Card | APPLY NOW on American Express' website | ||
 APPLY NOW on American Express' website | 5.0/5 | Compare or pair for higher food rewards that can transfer to Aeroplan. | |
| American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card | APPLY NOW on American Express' website | ||
 APPLY NOW on American Express' website | 5.0/5 | Compare for lounge access and priority airport services, at a much higher fee. | |
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is the closest alternative. Its $139 annual fee is currently $19 higher, but eligible groceries, gas and EV charging earn 1.5x points. It also includes travel medical and trip cancellation/interruption insurance, subject to eligibility and policy conditions. The Amex has the higher rate on direct Air Canada purchases and dining.
Cobalt earns points that you can transfer to Aeroplan at 1:1. For example, 5x Membership Rewards points on eligible food purchases in Canada, up to $2,500 a month across those categories, with 1x afterward. Those cairing it with the Aeroplan Card could give you faster food rewards while preserving bag savings, provided the extra rewards justify paying two card fees.
The Aeroplan Reserve has lounge access and priority services are worth comparing if you’ll use them often. For a few trips with checked bags, the basic Aeroplan Card may already provide the benefit you need. It costs $599 now, rising to $799 for annual fees charged on or after January 12, 2027.
Methodology
BACK TO TOPFrequently asked questions
Does American Express have an 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.
How much is the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card?
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Card’s annual fee is currently $120. A paid additional card costs $50, and a no-fee additional card is available.
For annual fees charged on or after January 12, 2027, those fees will rise to $150 and $59. The no-fee card will become the Aeroplan Companion Card and cost $25 a year.
Nerdy Verdict
Best for: Air Canada travellers who check bags and want to keep their card costs down.
Not ideal for: Travellers looking for lounge access, emergency medical insurance or higher rewards on everyday essentials.
Why we like it: The free checked-bag benefit can cover the annual fee without frequent flying, especially when you travel with others.
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Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell