When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
Olivia Mittak Credit Cards WriterOlivia Mittak is a credit cards writer at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best sign-up bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
July 09, 2024 9 min read
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Chase's Aeroplan® Credit Card is one of our favorite cobranded airline credit cards, offering award flexibility and valuable airline benefits. With its strong earning rate and incentives to spend on the card beyond earning the sign-up bonus, the Aeroplan credit card is worth considering for many points and miles enthusiasts — even those who don't live in Canada. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Aeroplan Credit Card, launched in late 2021, offers unique benefits we've rarely seen on other cobranded airline cards, all for a reasonable annual fee of $95.
You'll most likely need a good credit score of at least 670 to successfully apply for this card.
If the ability to use points on over 50 airlines worldwide and automatic elite status appeal to you, keep reading.
The current offer on the Aeroplan card is a bit complicated. You'll earn 70,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months your account is open. TPG's July 2024 valuations peg Aeroplan points at 1.5 cents each, making those points worth $1,050.
Keep in mind that since Chase issues the Aeroplan card, it's subject to Chase's 5/24 rule. If you've opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months, you may not be eligible to open the Aeroplan card.
Daily Newsletter Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s expertsHow often do you see a card with a $95 annual fee grant you automatic elite status? With the Aeroplan card, cardholders will receive automatic Aeroplan 25K status for the remainder of the calendar year they open the card and the following year.
With Aeroplan 25K, elite status members are entitled to the following perks:
After the introductory period, you can retain (or extend) that status — but cardholders are incentivized to spend a lot to do so. Cardholders must spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year to maintain 25K status (valid through the end of the following year).
But by spending $50,000 in a calendar year, cardholders can earn a one-level status boost to 35K elite status (or beyond). This could be a great option for high spenders who already earn elite status based on flying, as hitting the $50k threshold could essentially upgrade you to a higher tier.
Even if you don't maintain your elite status beyond the first year, here are all of the other benefits you'll get from the Aeroplan credit card:
This is one of the first cards we've seen to reimburse Nexus applications, allowing pre-screened travelers to expedite security when entering the U.S. and Canada.
With the Aeroplan card, you'll earn:
For every $2,000 you spend on the card each month, you also can receive up to a 500-point bonus — up to 1,500 points per month. These bonus points can add up if you're a heavy spender, potentially earning up to 18,000 bonus points annually.
For those who get lost trying to optimize their points and miles, Chase Aeroplan cardmembers can redeem their Aeroplan points toward the card's annual fee and travel purchases — on airline and hotel purchases, car rentals and more — at a rate of 1.25 cents each. Through the Pay Yourself Back tool, there is no limit to the number of points you can redeem through the end of 2024; from 2025, it's 50,000 points per year.
You can redeem your points for flights to over 1,200 destinations through Star Alliance and Air Canada's more than 50 airline partners — and for generally fewer points than you'd need with other loyalty programs.
Even better, Air Canada publishes distance-based award charts with tons of sweet spots to look out for (including Lufthansa first class). For example, you can fly from Seattle-Tacoma to Tokyo on All Nippon Airways business class for just 55,000 points.
TPG managing editor for credit cards Matt Moffitt counts Aeroplan Points as his favorite airline loyalty program currency. He maximizes his redemptions by flying in business class on United Airlines to his hometown of Sydney, Australia and EVA Air to Taiwan and throughout Asia.
The Aeroplan card has a $95 annual fee, which is comparable to the price of other popular travel credit cards that earn transferable rewards. Let's compare some credit cards of the same caliber and determine if the Aeroplan credit card is the best option for you.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best travel cards.
With solid perks for just a $95 annual fee, the Aeroplan card can be well worth it for the average consumer, especially if you can capitalize on an elevated welcome bonus. It brings fresh benefits we don't see on most airline cards. Even if you're not a regular flyer of Air Canada — or perhaps have never flown the airline at all — chances are that you've flown its Star Alliance partners.
Automatic elite status is nothing to sneeze at, no matter the airline. And with Aeroplan points as one of the most valuable airline currencies out there, this credit card is an excellent way to help you book your dream vacation using miles to save money on flights — no matter where you may be going.
Featured image by MIXMEDIA/GETTY IMAGESEditorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
