The Amex Aeroplan Reserve is Air Canada’s top co-branded credit card and one of the most expensive personal credit cards in Canada at $599/year (only the $799/year Amex Platinum costs more). The fee is steep, but the combination of unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access (with a guest), a companion voucher, and 3x earning on dining makes it genuinely cost-effective for frequent Air Canada flyers. If you fly five or more times a year, the lounge access alone is worth more than the annual fee: a Maple Leaf Lounge membership costs $600+. For less frequent travellers, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite offers similar Aeroplan earning at a lower price point. It’s one of the cards covered in our credit card reviews.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Card | American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card |
| Issuer | American Express |
| Annual Fee | $599/year |
| Additional Card Fee | $199/year |
| Income Requirement | None published |
| Base Earn Rate | 3x direct Air Canada/AC Vacations purchases, 2x dining & food delivery, 1.25x everything else |
| Purchase Interest Rate | 21.99% |
| Cash Advance Interest Rate | 21.99% |
Stable card facts (fee, income requirement, base earn rate, and any confirmed interest/FX rates) current as of 2026-09-05. Welcome/sign-up bonuses change frequently and are not included here — confirm the current offer on the issuer’s site before applying.
It’s an American Express card that earns Aeroplan points, with an annual Worldwide Companion Pass (priced by route) once you reach $25,000 in annual spend. Welcome offer: aeroplan points after a spend threshold in the first months, sometimes with a second tier around the first anniversary; check the current offer at americanexpress.com/en-ca.
Earning Rates
| Category | Points per $1 |
|---|---|
| Air Canada | 3x |
| Dining | 2x |
| Everything else | 1.25x |
Premium Benefits
The perks package is where this card justifies its fee. Adding up the lounge access, Priority Pass visits, companion voucher, travel insurance, and checked bag savings, a frequent traveller can realistically extract $1,500+ in annual value from a $599 card. The companion voucher is particularly valuable on longer domestic or North American routes where it can save $500–$1,000. The main caveat is that Amex acceptance is around 85–90% in Canada, so you’ll want a Visa or Mastercard backup for the merchants that don’t take it.
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| Maple Leaf Lounge + Air Canada Café access (+1 guest) | ~$600+/year |
| Priority Pass membership | Pass only – no complimentary visits included, pay per visit |
| Annual Worldwide Companion Pass | $99-$599 (after $25,000 annual spend) |
| Comprehensive travel insurance | $300+/year |
| Priority boarding | ✅ |
| Free checked bags (primary + up to 8 guests) | ~$100-300/year |
| NEXUS Program rebate | $100 every 4 years |
Total potential perks value: $1,500+/year for frequent flyers.
Amex Reserve vs TD Aeroplan Privilege
| Feature | Amex Reserve | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $599 | $599 |
| Network | Amex | Visa |
| Dining rate | 2x | 1.5x |
| General rate | 1.25x | 1.25x |
| Lounge | Maple Leaf + Air Canada Café (Priority Pass is pass-only, no free visits) | Maple Leaf + Air Canada Café + Dragon Pass (6 visits/year) |
| Companion voucher | ✅ | ✅ |
| Best for | Dining spenders + Amex users | Visa acceptance everywhere |
Who Should Get This Card
| Profile | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Fly Air Canada 5+ times/year | ✅ Lounge access alone is worth it |
| High spender ($5K+/month) | ✅ Strong earning across categories |
| Occasional traveller (1-2 flights/year) | ❌ Fee too high |
| Need Visa/MC acceptance | ⚠️ TD Aeroplan Privilege better |
The Bottom Line
The Amex Aeroplan Reserve is a niche card that delivers exceptional value for its target audience: high-income Canadians who fly Air Canada regularly and spend heavily on dining. If that’s you, the math works out strongly in your favour. If you fly fewer than five times a year or prefer other airlines, consider the Amex Cobalt for better everyday earning at a fraction of the fee.
Frequently asked questions
What is the annual fee for the Amex Aeroplan Reserve? The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card has an annual fee of $599/year ($199 per additional card), near the top of what Canadian personal cards charge. This is partially offset by credits: an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass ($99-$599 depending on route, after $25,000 in annual spend), a NEXUS rebate ($100 every 4 years), and annual Aeroplan points. The card makes financial sense only for very frequent Air Canada and partner airline travellers who use all the benefits.
How does the Amex Aeroplan Reserve compare to the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege? Both are premium Aeroplan cards. Key differences:
- Amex Reserve: $599 fee; earns 3pts/$1 on Air Canada, 2pts/$1 dining, 1.25pts/$1 other; includes Maple Leaf Lounge access (Priority Pass membership included but no complimentary visits); Companion Pass ($99-$599); Amex Concierge; but Amex not accepted everywhere
- TD Aeroplan VI Privilege: $599 fee, $150,000/$200,000 income requirement; earns 2pts/$1 direct Air Canada, 1.5pts/$1 gas/EV/groceries/travel/transit/dining, 1.25pts/$1 other; includes Air Canada Café access, Dragon Pass lounge access (6 visits/year); Worldwide Companion Certificate; Visa acceptance everywhere
The Amex Reserve provides better lounge access; the TD card provides superior earn rates on everyday spend. Many premium travellers hold both.
What credit score do you need for the Amex Aeroplan Reserve? American Express does not publish specific credit score requirements or a minimum income for this card, with an estimated credit score band of “Good” recommended. In practice, approval odds are best with strong credit and a track record of managing premium credit products.
Amex Aeroplan Reserve earn rates and perks
| Category | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Air Canada direct purchases | 3 pts/$1 |
| Dining | 2 pts/$1 |
| All other purchases | 1.25 pts/$1 |
Key card benefits:
- Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge and Air Canada Café access in North America (primary cardholder + 1 guest)
- Priority Pass membership included, but no complimentary visits (pay per visit)
- Annual Worldwide Companion Pass (companion flies at $99-$599 depending on route, after $25,000 in annual spend)
- $100 NEXUS Program rebate every 4 years
- Priority airport services (check-in, boarding, security in select airports)
- Comprehensive travel insurance (medical, trip cancellation, baggage, flight delay)
- Amex Front of the Line presale access
- Amex Concierge service
Points earned on $30,000/year spending (50% Air Canada, 25% dining, 25% other):
- $15,000 × 3pts = 45,000
- $7,500 × 2pts = 15,000
- $7,500 × 1.25pts = 9,375
- Total: ~69,375 points (approx. value: $700–$1,400+ depending on redemption)
Related Resources
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources. How we check facts.
- americanexpress.com: Compare Aeroplan Cards | Credit Cards | American Express Canada