Best Aeroplan Credit Cards 2026
| Card | Annual Fee | Earn Rate | Welcome Bonus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 1.5x Aero, 1x other | Up to 40,000 pts | Best overall |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 1.5x Aero, 1x other | Up to 40,000 pts | CIBC customers |
| Amex Aeroplan Reserve | $599 | 3x Aero/Air Canada | Up to 90,000 pts | Premium travelers |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum | $89 | 1x all purchases | Up to 20,000 pts | Budget option |
| Amex Aeroplan Card | $120 | 1x purchases | Up to 30,000 pts | Amex starters |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | $599 | 1.5x Aero, 1.25x other | Up to 80,000 pts | Premium CIBC |
Points Value Comparison
Based on $36,000/year spending ($3,000/month), 2 domestic flights, 1 US flight:
| Card | Points Earned | Welcome Bonus | Flight Savings | Fee | Net Year 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan VI | 39,000 | 40,000 | ~$1,200 | $139 | +$1,061 |
| CIBC Aeroplan VI | 39,000 | 40,000 | ~$1,200 | $139 | +$1,061 |
| Amex Aeroplan Reserve | 42,000+ | 90,000 | ~$2,000 | $599 | +$1,401 |
| TD Aeroplan Plat | 36,000 | 20,000 | ~$850 | $89 | +$761 |
Top Picks
Best Overall: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $139 |
| Air Canada/Aeroplan | 1.5x |
| Other purchases | 1x |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 40,000 points |
| Travel insurance | Trip cancellation, emergency medical |
| Priority boarding | Yes |
| First checked bag | Free on Air Canada |
| Companion voucher | Annual buddy pass offer |
Best for: Most Canadians who fly Air Canada 1-3 times per year.
Best for Premium Travelers: Amex Aeroplan Reserve
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $599 |
| Air Canada/Aeroplan | 3x |
| Dining | 2x |
| Other purchases | 1x |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 90,000 points |
| Lounge access | Maple Leaf + Priority Pass |
| Status boost | 25K Aeroplan Status shortcut |
| Travel insurance | Comprehensive |
| Companion voucher | North America annually |
Best for: Frequent flyers who value lounge access and status.
Best Budget: TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $89 |
| All purchases | 1x |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 20,000 points |
| Travel insurance | Basic emergency medical |
| Priority boarding | No |
Best for: Occasional travelers who want Aeroplan points at a low cost.
Best for CIBC Customers: CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $139 |
| Air Canada/Aeroplan | 1.5x |
| Other purchases | 1x |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 40,000 points |
| CIBC perk | Fee waived with CIBC Smart Plus account |
Best for: CIBC customers who can get the annual fee waived.
Aeroplan Points Value
What Points Are Worth
| Redemption Method | Value Per Point |
|---|---|
| Air Canada flights (economy) | 1.5-2.5¢ |
| Air Canada flights (business) | 3-5¢ |
| Star Alliance partners | 1.5-3¢ |
| Aeroplan travel portal | 1-1.5¢ |
| Merchandise/gift cards | 0.5-1¢ |
| Statement credits | ~0.7¢ |
Best value: Book flights directly through Aeroplan for best redemption.
Flight Redemption Costs
| Route | Economy | Premium Economy | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (e.g., Toronto–Vancouver) | 12,500 | 20,000 | 25,000 |
| Canada–US | 12,500-17,500 | 25,000 | 25,000-40,000 |
| Canada–Europe | 60,000 | 80,000 | 100,000 |
| Canada–Asia | 75,000 | 100,000 | 120,000 |
One-way, approximate. Dynamic pricing means costs fluctuate by date and flight.
How to Maximize Aeroplan Points
Earning Strategies
- Use Aeroplan card for all spending — Even 1x on daily purchases adds up quickly
- Stack with Aeroplan eStore — Earn bonus points shopping online at partner retailers
- Transfer Amex points — Amex Cobalt earns 5x on food, transfers 1:1 to Aeroplan
- Link your number — Add Aeroplan number to Uber, Starbucks, etc. for partner earning
- Use the shopping portal — Aeroplan eStore offers 1-15x at online retailers
Redemption Strategies
- Book early — Best seat availability 330 days out
- Be flexible on dates — Prices vary significantly day to day
- Use partner airlines — Star Alliance flights can offer better value
- Avoid cash bookings — Aeroplan travel portal gives lower per-point value
- Redeem for business class — Best cents-per-point on premium cabins
Amex Cobalt + Aeroplan Strategy
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Earn | 5x on groceries/dining with Amex Cobalt |
| Transfer | 1:1 to Aeroplan when needed |
| Redeem | Book Air Canada flights at 1.5-5¢/point |
| Effective rate | 7.5-25% back on food spending |
This combo makes the Amex Cobalt ($156/year) one of the best Aeroplan earning cards without being an official Aeroplan card.
TD vs CIBC Aeroplan Card
| Feature | TD Aeroplan VI | CIBC Aeroplan VI |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $139 | $139 |
| Aeroplan earn rate | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| Welcome bonus | 40,000 pts | 40,000 pts |
| Fee waiver option | TD All-Inclusive | CIBC Smart Plus |
| Insurance quality | Strong | Strong |
| Primary difference | TD ecosystem | CIBC ecosystem |
Verdict: Nearly identical — choose based on your bank.