Overview of the Aeroplan® Credit Card
The Aeroplan® Credit Card offers several perks and benefits designed for frequent travelers, with elevated earnings rates for dining and grocery purchases. Here are the key details:
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Annual Fee: $95
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Regular APR: 20.99% to 27.99% Variable APR
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Intro APR: N/A
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Recommended Credit Score: Good - Excellent
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Sign-Up Bonus: Earn up to 100,000 bonus points: 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, 25,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months.
Pros and Cons of the Aeroplan® Credit Card
Understanding the advantages and disadvantages can help you decide if the Aeroplan® Credit Card is right for you.
Pros
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Monthly spend bonus: Earn 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month - up to 1,500 points per month.
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No reward caps: Earn as many points on purchases as you can.
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Generous sign-up bonus: Earn up to 100,000 points after qualifying purchases.
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Multiple earning categories: Earn more points on Restaurants, Grocery Stores, and Air Canada purchases.
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No foreign transaction fees: Save money on international purchases.
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Pay yourself back: Get 1.25 cents per point when redeeming for a statement credit against travel.
Cons
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Has annual fee: $95 each year.
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Earnings rate on regular purchases: Only 1 point per dollar spent.
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No downgrade path: Unlike most Chase cards you can’t downgrade this card into a no annual fee card.
Everything the Aeroplan® Credit Card Can Do For You
The Aeroplan® Credit Card offers a range of benefits that can enhance your travel experience and save your business money.
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3X points per dollar on purchases made directly with Air Canada: For every dollar you spend directly with Air Canada, you'll earn 3 points.
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3X points per dollar spent on grocery store purchases: Earn triple points on all grocery store purchases worldwide.
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3X points per dollar on dining purchases: Earn 3x points when you eat out, takeout, and eligible delivery services worldwide.
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1X points on all other purchases: Earn points on everyday expenses.
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Travel benefits: No foreign transaction fees, Global Entry/ TSA PreCheck®/ NEXUS credit, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and travel and emergency services.
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Purchase protection: Extended warranties and purchase protection on items bought with the card.
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Additional cards at no additional cost: Earn points on authorized user spending without extra fees.
Benefits of the Aeroplan® Credit Card
The Aeroplan® Credit Card stands out with its unique features that cater specifically to frequent Air Canada travelers.
Free First Checked Bag:
As the primary cardmember, you and up to eight other passengers traveling on Air Canada all on the same reservation are each entitled to a free first checked bag up to 50lb, making it easier to justify the annual fee. This could save you $75 per passenger for 9 passengers, a savings of $675 on one flight when traveling with 8 people on your booking.
10% Bonus on Ultimate Rewards® Points Transfers:
The Aeroplan® Credit Card members get a 10% transfer bonus after transferring 50,000 or more Chase Ultimate Rewards® points in a single transaction from an eligible Chase credit card to their Aeroplan account. This benefit can get you a maximum of 25,000 Aeroplan bonus points per calendar year, which, at around 1.5 cents a point is worth about $375.
No Foreign Transaction Fees:
Travel abroad without worrying about extra charges on your purchases. This benefit makes international trips more cost-effective by eliminating the typical 3% fee on purchases made outside the U.S. For example, if you spend $5,000 on a business trip to Europe, you save $150 in fees alone, making this card ideal for frequent international travelers.
Travel Protections
Enjoy peace of mind with a suite of travel protections, including secondary car rental insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and travel accident insurance. These protections save you from unexpected expenses and hassles during your travels. For instance, if your rental car gets damaged, the card's insurance can cover the repair costs, and if your luggage is lost, you can be reimbursed for the cost of replacing essential items.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Application Fee Statement Credit
Enjoy expedited security when traveling through the U.S. and expedited entry into the U.S. with a trusted traveler program. Eligible card members can receive up to a $120 statement every 4 years for one of these programs.
Automatic Aeroplan 25K Status
Travel better with automatic Aeroplan 25K for the remainder of the first year and the following calendar year when you get the card. Aeroplan 25K Status offers perks like priority airport check-in and standby, two complimentary checked bags, sports equipment handling fee waivers, Maple Leaf Lounge passes, priority boarding, eUpgrade credits, and more. Enjoy exclusive benefits with hotel stays, car rentals, and select airlines, plus early recognition, parental leave status extension, and bonus points on the Aeroplan eStore. To maintain status, spend at least $15,000 in purchases each calendar year
Aeroplan Elite Status Level Up to Aeroplan 35K Status or higher:
Spend $50,000 annually with the Aeroplan® Credit Card to earn a one-level Aeroplan Elite Status upgrade for the next calendar year. Upgraded status unlocks even more benefits such as additional free checked bags, complimentary preferred seats, and added bonus points. If you reach Super Elite Status, you can use this upgrade to gift Aeroplan 50K Status to another member. Your status increase is valid for the next calendar year and is not cumulative year to year.
Pay Yourself Back®:
Similar to many Chase cards, the Aeroplan® Credit Card includes a feature called Pay Yourself Back®, which is straightforward to use. Simply pay for travel expenses like airline tickets, tolls, or cruises with the card, and then use your points to cover those purchases. Each point with the Aeroplan card is valued at 1.25 cents when redeemed this way.
For example, if you decide to redeem the sign-up bonus, you can get a $1,250 statement credit by redeeming 100,000 points. Additionally, you have the option to use points to cover your Annual Fee through a statement credit.
This feature provides flexibility in how you use your points, allowing you to effectively erase or reduce specific expenses made with the card, enhancing the overall value of the rewards program.
Things to Look Out For
While the Aeroplan® Credit Card offers many benefits, it may not be the best fit for everyone.
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Annual fee: Some people may prefer a $0 annual fee card.
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Rewards flexibility: Points are best used for Air Canada flights, limiting options for non-frequent Air Canada travelers.
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Earnings rate on non-travel purchases: Only 1 point per dollar spent on everyday expenses.
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No downgrade path: You can’t downgrade your card into a $0 annual fee card in order to keep it open.
Conclusion
The Aeroplan® Credit Card is an excellent option for people who frequently travel with Air Canada. Its generous sign-up bonus, pay yourself back feature , and travel benefits make it a valuable addition to your wallet. However, its limited flight network and annual fee may not be ideal for everyone. If you’re a frequent Air Canada traveler looking for a card that offers substantial rewards and travel perks, this card is worth considering.
Learn more about how the Aeroplan® Credit Card can benefit you and start earning rewards today.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions, reviews, analyses, & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
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