In Canada, the options for airline rewards programs are limited to just two major players: Aeroplan and WestJet Rewards. Among them, Aeroplan stands out as the dominant program thanks to its robust partnerships with StarAlliance airlines and other partners, giving travelers access to an expansive network of destinations worldwide.
One of the key benefits of Aeroplan is its co-branded credit cards, which allow cardholders to earn points on everyday purchases and redeem them for flights through the program.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the co-branded card offerings from the three major financial institutions in Canada, detailing the perks and benefits of each card.
Base Tier
The Base Tier Aeroplan co-branded credit cards are designed for consumers seeking a simple and affordable rewards program. These cards come with no or minimal annual fees and are a great starting point for those who are new to earning points and miles. The Base Tier cards may not offer as many perks as the higher tier cards, but they still provide several travel benefits and can be an excellent choice for students and beginners.
TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum
The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum is a Base Tier credit card issued by TD Bank.
Currently, it offers a sign-up bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points, 10,000 of which are awarded upon approval and the remaining 10,000 after spending $1,000 within 90 days of opening the account.
Cardholders earn Aeroplan points at a rate of 1 point per $1.00 spent on Air Canada, gas, and grocery purchases and 1 point per $1.50 spent on all other purchases. While these earn rates are not exceptional, they equate to 2% back on the first category and 1.33% on all other spend when valued at 2 cents per point.
Additionally, the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum offers travel insurance coverage and 24/7 emergency assistance. However, it does not provide some of the more valuable perks available in the higher tier cards. The annual fee for this card is $89, but it is waived for the first year, making it a reasonable entry point into the co-branded credit card market.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Platinum
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Platinum is another Base Tier credit card that is nearly identical to the TD variant. However, it offers a slightly weaker insurance suite and comes with no annual fee. It is issued by CIBC and provides a sign-up bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points upon approval. Cardholders earn Aeroplan points at the same earn rates as the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum.
Core Tier
The Core-Tier Aeroplan co-branded credit cards are the perfect option for consumers looking for a card with moderate annual fees and valuable perks. These cards are ideal for people who fly occasionally and are looking to save money on their flights and enjoy travel benefits.
The Core-Tier cards offer three key perks that set them apart from the base tier cards:
First, cardholders get a free checked bag for themselves and eight other travel companions who are on the same booking. This benefit can easily save travelers $120 per round trip for two people, which almost offsets the annual fee.
Second, cardholders get access to preferred pricing, which provides a 5–15% discount on bookings made with Aeroplan points on flights operated by Air Canada. This benefit can save travelers hundreds of dollars over the course of the year, particularly for frequent flyers.
Lastly, all cards within this tier come with an insurance suite that applies to any bookings made with Aeroplan points where cardholders pay the taxes and fees with these cards. This is an exceptional feature that few credit cards offer, and it provides peace of mind for those who primarily fly on points.
American Express Aeroplan
The American Express Aeroplan is the only charge card within this range, which makes it unique.
It offers a sign-up bonus of 55,000 Aeroplan points (or 50,000 without a referral link). 40,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in net purchases on your Card within the first 6 months. As well as 2,500 Aeroplan points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $500 in purchases on your Card for the first 6 months.
Cardholders earn 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada purchases, 1.5 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery, and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else. This earn rate is among the strongest for cards within the $120/$140 annual fee range, and when combined with the Aeroplan point valuation of 2 cents per point, it becomes a lucrative offer. With a low annual fee of $120, this card is our top pick for the best core-tier card.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite offers a sign-up bonus of 55,000 Aeroplan points, with an additional welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase, 30,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $5,000 within 180 days of account opening, and an anniversary bonus of 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $7,500 within 12 months of account opening.
Cardholders earn 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada purchases, 1.5 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery, and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
The card carries an annual fee of $139, but is first-year-free, and comes with an annual fee waiver by having a TD-All Inclusive Account.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is issued by CIBC and offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 Aeroplan points, with 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase and 40,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 or more during the first 4 monthly statement periods.
Cardholders earn 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada purchases, 1.5 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery, and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
The card has an annual fee of $139, but is first-year-free and comes with an annual fee waiver by having a CIBC Smart Plus Checking Account.
Overall
Overall, the Core-Tier Aeroplan co-branded credit cards offer excellent value for consumers looking for mid-tier rewards cards. With valuable perks such as preferred pricing, free checked bags, and insurance suites for bookings made with Aeroplan points, these cards are ideal for frequent travelers who want to save money and enjoy travel benefits.
Premium Tier
For consumers who are looking for a high-end rewards card with an array of perks and don’t mind paying a high annual fee, the Premium Tier Aeroplan co-branded credit cards are the ideal choice. These cards offer enhanced versions of the perks available on the core cards, with more comprehensive travel insurance, and some exclusive perks like unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada. Additionally, the cards in this class offer some additional Air Canada perks like priority security.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
This card, issued by TD Bank, is designed for high-end consumers who are looking for exclusive travel benefits and rewards. Cardholders currently receive a sign-up bonus of 115,000 Aeroplan points, which includes 20,000 Aeroplan points on their first purchase, an additional 60,000 Aeroplan points when they spend $7,500 within 180 days of Account opening, and an anniversary bonus of 35,000 Aeroplan points when they spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening.
Cardholders earn 2 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada, 1.5 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, travel, and dining purchases, and 1.25 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. The card also comes with 6 passes to lounges through the DragonPass program and a $100 Nexus credit.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card offers a total of up to 90,000 Aeroplan points as a sign-up bonus. Cardholders can earn 20,000 Aeroplan points on their first purchase, 40,000 Aeroplan points when they spend $3,000 or more during their first 4 monthly statement periods, and 30,000 Aeroplan points as an additional anniversary bonus.
The card also offers 2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on grocery, gas, dining, food delivery, and travel, and 1.25 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Additionally, the card comes with priority check-in, boarding, and free first checked bag on Air Canada flights and a $100 Nexus credit every 48 months.
American Express Aeroplan Reserve
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve card offers almost all the benefits of the Visa Infinite Privilege cards, with the exception of the 6 Dragonpass lounge passes, and the Nexus credit that come with its TD and CIBC counterparts.
To make up for this, the card offers Amex Offers for more generous statement credits throughout the year, access to a referral program, and slightly higher earning rates on restaurants and Air Canada purchases.
You can currently earn 120,000 Aeroplan points (or 115,000 without referral) broken down into three chunks. 50,000 points by spending $6,000 within the first 3 months, 7,500 Aeroplan points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $2,000 in net purchases on your Card for the first 6 months as well as 25,000 Aeroplan points when you make a purchase between months 14 & 17 of holding the card.
The card also offers 3X Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases, 2X Aeroplan points on dining and food delivery, and 1.25X Aeroplan points on all other purchases. However, it comes with a high annual fee of $599.
Overall
Premium Tier Aeroplan co-branded credit cards are an excellent choice for consumers who want a high-end rewards card with exclusive perks and don’t mind paying a high annual fee. The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, and American Express Aeroplan Reserve cards offer significant sign-up bonuses, generous earning rates, and various travel benefits. However, the annual fees on these cards are also high, so consumers should carefully consider whether the benefits outweigh the costs before applying for one of these cards.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Aeroplan stands out as the dominant airline rewards program in Canada due to its robust partnerships with StarAlliance airlines and other partners, giving travelers access to an expansive network of destinations worldwide. One of the key benefits of Aeroplan is its co-branded credit cards, which allow cardholders to earn points on everyday purchases and redeem them for flights through the program.
The Base Tier cards are a great starting point for those new to earning points and miles, while the Core Tier cards offer valuable perks such as free checked bags and access to preferred pricing. The American Express Aeroplan is a standout choice with its strong earn rate and low annual fee, while the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite offer excellent sign-up bonuses and high earn rates for frequent flyers. Ultimately, the best Aeroplan co-branded credit card for you will depend on your travel needs and spending habits.