The Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card stands out with automatic elite status the first year and flexible redemption options across more than 50 partner airlines worldwide. This travel rewards powerhouse offers strong earning rates on dining, groceries, and Air Canada flights, plus valuable perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.
This credit card review will cover everything you need to know about this card to determine if you should add this card or a different card to your wallet. Let’s dive right in.
Welcome Bonus
The Aeroplan Credit Card currently offers the following welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
For new cardmembers, it’s worth noting that this welcome bonus is only available if you don’t currently have this specific card and haven’t received a bonus on it in the past 24 months.
Remember that the Aeroplan Credit Card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, although this may not be consistently enforced. If you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months, you may not be approved for this card.
Earning Air Canada Aeroplan Points
The Aeroplan Credit Card earns points at the following rates: In addition, you’ll earn 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month, up to a maximum of 1,500 bonus points per month. This unique feature rewards you for consistent card usage, allowing you to earn up to an extra 18,000 points per year based on your monthly spending.
This card shines for dining and groceries with its strong 3x multiplier in those everyday categories. For travel bookings, you’ll likely get better value using a premium transferable points card that earns bonus points on all travel, not just Air Canada flights.
The monthly spending bonus adds nice incremental value but requires consistent high spend to maximize. The base 1x earning rate on non-bonus purchases is fairly weak compared to cards earning transferable currencies.
Annual Fee
The Aeroplan Credit Card comes with a $95 annual fee, which is standard for a mid-range airline card. The benefits, including complimentary Aeroplan 25K status, first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on Air Canada flights, and travel protections help offset the annual cost.
You can add authorized users at no additional cost to the card, and their spending will count toward points earning and spending thresholds.
Card Benefits and Perks
The Aeroplan Credit Card offers these card benefits and perks: Free First Checked Bag: You and up to 8 companions traveling on the same reservation will get your first checked bag free on Air Canada flights. This benefit can save you hundreds of dollars on a single trip if you’re traveling with a group. Aeroplan 25K Elite Status: As a new cardholder, you’ll receive automatic Aeroplan 25K Elite Status for the remainder of the first calendar year and the following year. You can maintain this status going forward by spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year. 25K status comes with valuable benefits like priority check-in, early boarding, 20 eUpgrades credits, two one-time passes to Maple Leaf lounges, bonus points on flights, and more. Status Boost: If you spend $50,000 in a calendar year, you’ll get a one-level status boost to 35K status or higher, depending on your current status. This can accelerate your progress toward top-tier elite perks. Preferred Award Pricing: This card offers Preferred Pricing for awards on Air Canada flights, which usually represents a 5% to 15% savings. 10% Chase Ultimate Rewards Bonus: Chase Aeroplan credit card members get a 10% transfer bonus after transferring 50,000 or more Ultimate Rewards points in a single transaction from an eligible Chase credit card to their Aeroplan account. There is a maximum of 25,000 Aeroplan bonus points per calendar year. Pay Yourself Back: Until December 31, 2024, cardmembers can redeem points for a statement credit to cover travel purchases made with their Card, such as hotels, car rentals, ride-shares, flights, and more. The number of points is not limited, and each point is worth 1.25 cents. For example, you could redeem 50,000 points for $625 in travel. Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / Nexus Credit: Receive an application fee credit of up to $120 every four years for either TSA PreCheck (expedited airport security), Global Entry (expedited airport security and customs), or NEXUS (expedited crossing between the US and Canada)for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®. These trusted traveler programs can save you time and hassle at the airport. Trip Delay Insurance: When your trip is significantly delayed due to covered reasons like equipment failures or severe weather, this protection reimburses you for reasonable expenses including lodging, meals, toiletries, and medication. The coverage activates when you pay for travel with your card and extends to family members on the same itinerary, though you’ll need to seek reimbursement from the travel carrier first. Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card. Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: This protection reimburses you for non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered situations like severe illness or weather events. Coverage activates when you pay for your trip with the card, but it’s important to note that reimbursement only applies for specific covered reasons rather than any cancellation. Baggage Delay Insurance: Missing luggage doesn’t have to derail your trip – this coverage steps in to reimburse you for essential purchases when your checked bags are delayed by airlines, trains, or other carriers. You can grab the necessities you need, from a fresh outfit to personal care items, while waiting for your bags to arrive. No Foreign Transaction Fees: You’ll save money on every purchase while traveling internationally since this card doesn’t add the typical 3% surcharge that many other cards impose. 120-Day Purchase Protection: Get 120 days of protection against damage, theft, and even loss of your purchases – one of the longest windows available. This premium coverage automatically applies when you pay with your card. DashPass Membership: This card offers a one-year DashPass membership for free, which includes DoorDash and Caviar, offering unlimited deliveries with free delivery fees and reduced service fees for eligible purchases. The offer must be activated by December 31, 2027. Once the free membership is over, you will be automatically enrolled in DashPass at the prevailing monthly rate. World Elite Benefits: This card is a World Elite Mastercard, which gets you access to these special benefits and discounts: DoorDash ($5 off your first DoorDash order each month), Lyft (Take 3 rides in one month and earn a $5 Lyft credit), Shoprunner (free two-day shipping), and Fandango (spend $20 and get $5 back).
Travel Benefits
Purchase Benefits
Redeeming Aeroplan Points
Air Canada’s Aeroplan program offers exceptional value for travelers looking to maximize their points. With over 45 airline partners, including Star Alliance members and unique carriers like Oman Air and Gulf Air, Aeroplan provides access to an extensive global network. The program’s distance-based award chart allows for creative routing possibilities, often at competitive rates compared to other frequent flyer programs. One standout feature is Aeroplan’s generous stopover policy. For just 5,000 additional points, you can add a stopover on one-way awards (excluding travel within North America). This allows you to visit multiple destinations on a single ticket, significantly increasing the value of your points. Combined with Aeroplan’s flexible routing rules, you can craft some impressive itineraries, such as flying from the US to Asia with a European stopover. Redemption sweet spots include short-haul economy flights within North America starting at just 6,000 points, and long-haul business class awards to Europe from 60,000 points. The program also shines for premium cabin redemptions to Asia, with business class awards starting at 55,000 points. Aeroplan points are easy to accumulate, thanks to partnerships with major transferable points programs like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. The Aeroplan Credit Card also provides a valuable way to earn points directly. When booking, use Air Canada’s website to search for and book most awards. For more complex itineraries, you may need to call, but agents are generally accommodating of creative routings. While change and cancellation fees can be steep, the program’s overall flexibility and extensive partner network make Aeroplan an excellent choice for travelers seeking to maximize their points’ value.
Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick overview of this card’s advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
Strong Earning Structure: The 3x points on dining, groceries, and Air Canada flights makes this one of the most rewarding airline cards for everyday spending. The bonus points for monthly spending thresholds add even more value.
Elite Status Benefits: You’ll receive Aeroplan 25K status for the remainder of the calendar year plus the following year, giving you valuable perks like priority check-in, security, boarding, and lounge passes – unusual for a card at this price point.
Transfer Partner Flexibility: With over 50 airline partners, you can redeem points for flights on Star Alliance carriers and other partners, giving you extensive options beyond just Air Canada flights.
Travel Protections: Comprehensive coverage, including trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delay, trip delay, and auto rental collision damage waiver insurance, provides peace of mind when traveling.
Cons:
Limited Domestic Value: Without regular Air Canada flights in the US, many of the card’s benefits like free checked bags and elite status perks have reduced value for US-based travelers.
High Spending Requirements: Getting the most value requires significant spending. Maintaining status and earning higher-tier benefits require substantial annual spending that may be unrealistic for many.
Complex Redemption Rules: The distance-based award chart and partner booking rules can be confusing compared to simpler airline programs, requiring more effort to maximize value.
Better Transfer Options Available: Since many flexible rewards programs transfer to Aeroplan at 1:1 with better earning rates, getting this specific co-brand card may not be the optimal way to earn Aeroplan points.
Alternatives to the Chase Aeroplan Card
Now that you know about this credit card’s various benefits and pros and cons, it’s time to see its alternatives.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review) is one of the most popular travel rewards cards because it offers nice welcome bonus and extra points on travel and dining, which can be transferred to airline and hotel partners or redeemed directly for travel at a rate of 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel℠. The Sapphire Preferred also offers great travel and purchase protections for a card with a $95 annual fee. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Rewards: 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Card Benefits: Ability to transfer to airline and hotel partners, 25% bonus when redeeming points through Chase Travel, $50 annual hotel stay credit via Chase Travel, 10% anniversary points bonus, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty. Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) delivers both everyday value with unlimited 2x miles on purchases and premium comfort through comprehensive airport lounge access for you upon enrollment. You’ll also receive $300 in annual travel credits plus 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, creating substantial ongoing value. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Rewards: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel; 2x miles on all other purchases. Card Benefits: $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, airport lounge access (Capital One and Priority Pass) upon enrollment, Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, Hertz President’s Circle elite status, primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and cell phone protection. Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
United℠ Explorer Card
The United℠ Explorer Card (review) delivers premium travel benefits without the premium price tag, making it ideal if you fly United just a few times yearly. You’ll enjoy practical perks like free checked bags and priority boarding alongside monthly credits for ride-sharing and grocery delivery that provide value throughout the year. Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Earning Miles: 2x miles on United Airlines purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services), hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel; 1x miles on all other purchases. Card Benefits: Free first checked bag for you and one companion, 2 United Club one-time passes each year, $120 Instacart credit, $100 JSX credit, $60 ridesharing credit, $100 United Hotels credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee credit, 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases, no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (primary rental car, trip delay, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and baggage delay), purchase protection, and extended warranty.
Is the Air Canada Aeroplan Card Worth it?
The Aeroplan Credit Card stands out as an exceptional value for travelers, offering substantial benefits that extend far beyond just Air Canada flights.
You’ll get immediate Aeroplan 25K elite status, triple points on dining, groceries, and Air Canada purchases, plus valuable perks like a free first checked bag and annual fees that are offset by the card’s benefits.
What really makes this card shine is the flexibility to redeem points across more than 50 airline partners without fuel surcharges, along with the unique ability to use points at 1.25 cents each for any travel purchase through Pay Yourself Back.
Even if you never step foot on an Air Canada plane, the card’s transfer bonus feature with Chase Ultimate Rewards and broad redemption options make it a valuable addition to your wallet. For a modest $95 annual fee, this card offers exceptional value and flexibility that outpaces many competing airline cards, making it a smart choice for anyone looking to maximize their travel rewards.
