Overview
The American Express Aeroplan Card is a solid mid-tier option for Canadians who want to earn Aeroplan points on everyday spending without the $599 premium of the Aeroplan Reserve. At $120/year, it delivers 2 Aeroplan points per $1 on Air Canada purchases, 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on dining & food delivery, a free first checked bag on Air Canada for up to 9 people, and primary car rental insurance — a practical set of benefits that cost-conscious Aeroplan collectors will appreciate.
This card sits in a competitive space alongside the TD and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite cards (both $139/year), offering higher earn rates on Air Canada purchases and dining at a lower annual fee — the trade-off being Amex's more limited acceptance network.
The current welcome offer delivers up to 40,000 Aeroplan points across two stages, worth approximately $600–$1,200 depending on how strategically you redeem them.
Note: This is technically a charge card — Due in Full balances must be paid each month, though a Flexible Payment Option is available for select purchases.
Welcome Offer Breakdown
The welcome offer is split across two stages:
- 30,000 Aeroplan points — Spend $3,000 in the first 3 months
- 10,000 Aeroplan points — Spend $1,000 in month 13 of Cardmembership (year two)
Total: up to 40,000 Aeroplan points
The $3,000 initial spend is very achievable — just $1,000/month across normal household expenses. The year-two component incentivizes keeping the card past the first renewal.
This is below the card's historical highs (promotions have reached 75,000+ points), so it's worth monitoring for elevated offers if you're not in immediate need of Aeroplan points.
Welcome Bonus Valuation
At typical Aeroplan redemption values of 1.5–2.0¢/point:
- 30,000 points (year one) = $450–$600 in flights
- 40,000 points (total) = $600–$800 in flights
- At premium cabin rates (2.0–3.0¢+), the 40,000 points could be worth $800–$1,200+
Earning Aeroplan Points
The Aeroplan Card's earn structure focuses on two bonus categories:
| Category | Earn Rate |
|---|---|
| Air Canada | 2 Aeroplan points per $1 |
| dining & food delivery | 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 |
| everything else | 1 Aeroplan points per $1 |
How It Compares on Earn Rates
The 2 Aeroplan points per $1 on Air Canada purchases and 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on dining & food delivery outperform the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite (1.5x on travel, 1x on dining) and the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite (1.5x on travel, 1x on dining) in these categories. The trade-off is that both Visa cards offer 1.5x on groceries and gas, while the Amex Aeroplan Card earns just 1x on those categories.
If your spending skews toward Air Canada bookings and dining, the Amex Aeroplan Card earns more points per dollar. If it skews toward groceries and gas, the TD or CIBC Aeroplan cards are stronger.
Real-World Earning Example
| Category | Monthly Spend | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada flights | $300 | 600 (2 Aeroplan pts/$1) |
| Dining & restaurants | $400 | 600 (1.5 Aeroplan pts/$1) |
| Gas | $250 | 250 (1 Aeroplan pt/$1) |
| Groceries | $800 | 800 (1 Aeroplan pt/$1) |
| Everything else | $750 | 750 (1 Aeroplan pt/$1) |
| Monthly total | $2,500 | 3,000 points |
| Annual total | $30,000 | 36,000 points |
That's 36,000 Aeroplan points per year from everyday spending — enough for a one-way economy flight to Europe or a round-trip domestic flight annually.
Redeeming Aeroplan Points
Points go directly into your Aeroplan account — the same program used across all 11 Aeroplan credit cards in Canada.
Best Aeroplan Redemption Sweet Spots
- Air Canada Signature Class to Europe — ~70,000 points one-way
- United Polaris Business Class to Asia — ~80,000 points one-way
- Turkish Airlines Business Class to Istanbul — ~52,500 points one-way
- EVA Air Business Class to Taipei — ~70,000 points one-way
- Domestic economy flights — 10,000–25,000 points round-trip
Aeroplan's stopover feature adds a free layover city to international awards, and Family Sharing pools points across up to 8 accounts — excellent for families accumulating points toward a shared goal.
4th Night Free on Hotel Redemptions
Book hotels through Aeroplan and get every 4th night free — a 25% discount on hotel stays of 4+ nights. This benefit applies to all Aeroplan hotel bookings, not just premium properties.
Air Canada Perks
Free First Checked Bag
Your first checked bag is free on Air Canada flights for you and up to 8 companions on the same booking. At $35+ per bag per direction, this can save:
- Solo traveller, 1 round trip: $70+
- Family of 4, 1 round trip: $280+
- Solo, 3 round trips/year: $210+
For families or frequent flyers, this benefit alone can offset a significant portion of the $120 annual fee.
Insurance Coverage
The Aeroplan Card provides focused — but limited — travel insurance:
| Coverage | Limit | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Travel accident | $500,000 | Accidental death or dismemberment |
| Trip delay | $500 | 4-hour minimum; living expenses |
| Baggage delay | $500 | 6-hour minimum |
| Lost or stolen baggage | $500 | — |
| Car rental CDW/LDW | Primary | MSRP up to $85,000; up to 48 days |
| Purchase protection | Included | 90-day coverage |
| Extended warranty | +1 year | Extends manufacturer warranty |
Notable Gaps
The Aeroplan Card does not include:
- Travel emergency medical insurance — You'll need supplemental coverage for international travel
- Trip cancellation insurance — No reimbursement if you cancel a prepaid trip
- Trip interruption insurance — No coverage if your trip is cut short
The primary car rental CDW/LDW is a standout benefit at this price point — it covers vehicles up to $85,000 MSRP for up to 48 days, allowing you to decline the rental company's expensive counter insurance. This alone can save $15–$30/day on car rentals.
For comprehensive travel insurance, pair this card with an Amex Platinum, Gold Rewards, or a premium Visa/Mastercard.
The Annual Fee — Is $120 Worth It?
| Benefit | Annual Value |
|---|---|
| Free checked bags (2 RT flights, solo) | $140+ |
| Primary car rental CDW (1 rental/year) | $150–$300+ |
| 4th night free on hotel redemptions | Variable |
| Year-two 10,000-point bonus | $150–$200 |
| Total quantifiable benefits | $440–$640+ |
| Annual fee | -$120 |
| Net value before points earning | +$320–$520+ |
Even modest use of the checked bag benefit and car rental insurance covers the annual fee. The 10,000-point year-two bonus further sweetens the ongoing value proposition.
Amex Aeroplan Card vs. Other Aeroplan Cards
vs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($139/year)
The TD earns 1.5x on gas, groceries, Air Canada, and dining. The Amex earns 2 Aeroplan points per $1 on Air Canada purchases and 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on dining & food delivery — higher in those categories but lower on groceries and gas. The TD has no FX fee and broader Visa acceptance. If you want a one-card Aeroplan solution with no FX fee, the TD wins. If you maximize Air Canada and dining spend, the Amex earns more points in those categories.
vs. CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($139/year)
Similar comparison to the TD. The CIBC adds a Maple Leaf Lounge pass and slightly different earn categories. At $139 vs. $120, the Amex is cheaper with better Air Canada/dining rates but weaker on groceries/gas and acceptance.
vs. American Express Aeroplan Reserve ($599/year)
The Reserve adds unlimited lounge access, 3x on travel, priority services, SQC earning, and companion flight benefits. At $599 vs. $120, it's nearly 5x the cost. The Aeroplan Card is the right choice for occasional Air Canada flyers; the Reserve is for frequent AC loyalists who'll use the premium perks regularly.
vs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege ($599/year)
The TD Privilege offers Maple Leaf Lounge access, no FX fee, and 1.5x on broad categories. The Amex Reserve offers higher travel earn rates (3x vs 1.5x) and SQC earning. At the same $599 price point, the choice depends on whether you prefer Visa acceptance and no FX fee (TD) or higher earn rates and SQC (Amex Reserve).
2.5% Foreign Transaction Fee
The 2.5% FX fee is a notable weakness for a travel-oriented card. For international purchases, use a no-FX-fee card and reserve the Amex Aeroplan for domestic spending where its earn rates are most valuable.
Who Should Get This Card?
The Amex Aeroplan Card is ideal for Canadians who:
- Fly Air Canada a few times per year and want a free checked bag
- Want to earn Aeroplan points directly without transferring from another program
- Spend meaningfully on Air Canada purchases and dining to maximize the 2 Aeroplan pts/$1 and 1.5 Aeroplan pts/$1 earn rates
- Rent cars and want primary CDW coverage to decline counter insurance
- Want an affordable $120/year entry point into the Aeroplan ecosystem
- Value the 4th night free on Aeroplan hotel bookings
It's not the best choice if you:
- Want lounge access — consider the Aeroplan Reserve ($599) or Amex Platinum ($799)
- Need comprehensive travel insurance — no emergency medical or trip cancellation coverage
- Travel internationally frequently — the 2.5% FX fee is a drag
- Prefer universal card acceptance — a Visa-based Aeroplan card works at more merchants
- Want flexible points — Membership Rewards (Amex Cobalt/Gold/Platinum) transfer to more programs
Bottom Line
The American Express Aeroplan Card is a strong mid-tier option for Canadians who want to earn Aeroplan points with better Air Canada and dining earn rates than the Visa-based alternatives — all at a competitive $120/year. The free checked bag benefit alone justifies the fee for most Air Canada flyers, and the primary car rental CDW adds meaningful value for anyone who rents vehicles.
The 40,000-point welcome offer is solid if not spectacular — watch for elevated promotions if you can wait. For cardholders who fly Air Canada occasionally, dine out regularly, and want a simple way to accumulate Aeroplan points without paying $599 for the Reserve, this card hits the right balance of cost and value.
