What Aeroplan credit cards do
Aeroplan credit cards let you earn points on purchases, then redeem those points for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel rewards through the Aeroplan program. You earn points at a set rate — typically 1 point per dollar spent, though some cards earn more on specific categories like groceries or gas. The card itself is issued by a bank (usually TD Bank or American Express in Canada), and the points belong to the Aeroplan loyalty program, which is separate from the card issuer.
The main trade-off is the annual fee. Most Aeroplan cards charge between $120 and $450 per year, depending on the tier and issuer. In return, higher-tier cards often include perks like annual travel credits, lounge access, or bonus points on sign-up. Whether the card pays for itself depends on how much you spend and how you redeem your points.
Key Takeaways
- Aeroplan cards earn points at rates between 1 and 3 points per dollar, with higher rates on bonus categories that vary by card.
- Annual fees range from $120 to $450, and some cards include travel credits or statement credits that can offset the fee.
- Points redeem for flights, hotels, car rentals, and merchandise through the Aeroplan program, and redemption rates vary widely by destination and travel date.
- Premium cards offer perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and concierge services, which may or may not justify the higher annual fee for your spending pattern.
- Points do not expire as long as your Aeroplan account remains active and you earn or redeem at least once every 12 months.
How points earning works on Aeroplan cards
Every Aeroplan card earns points on all purchases, but the rate depends on the card and the category. A basic card might earn 1 point per dollar on everything. A mid-tier card might earn 1 point per dollar on most purchases but 2 or 3 points per dollar on categories like groceries, gas, or dining. Premium cards sometimes earn higher base rates — 1.5 or 2 points per dollar across the board.
Sign-up bonuses are common and can be substantial — often 10,000 to 50,000 bonus points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. These bonuses can be worth $100 to $500 in travel value, depending on how you redeem. However, the spending requirement is usually high enough that you should only pursue the card if you plan to use it regularly anyway.
Points post to your Aeroplan account, not to the card issuer. This means you can use points even if you switch cards later, as long as your Aeroplan membership stays active. The card issuer and Aeroplan are separate entities, so your points are not tied to any single card.
Annual fees and what they include
Aeroplan cards fall into three rough tiers by fee. Entry-level cards charge $120 to $150 per year and offer basic earning rates and minimal perks. Mid-tier cards run $200 to $250 and typically include a travel credit (often $100 to $150 annually), priority boarding, or bonus points on certain categories. Premium cards cost $350 to $450 and add benefits like airport lounge access, travel insurance, concierge service, and higher earning rates.
The travel credit is the most common way a card can offset its fee. If a card costs $150 per year but includes a $100 annual travel credit, your net cost is $50 — assuming you actually use the credit. Some cards offer statement credits instead, which are easier to use but may not feel like a "travel" benefit. A few cards offer annual bonus points instead of a credit, which you can redeem however you choose.
To decide whether the fee is worth it, calculate your annual spending on the card and multiply by your earning rate. If you spend $10,000 per year and earn 1 point per dollar, you earn 10,000 points. At an average redemption value of 1 cent per point (a rough baseline), that is $100 in value — which may not cover a $150 fee. A higher spending level or a card with bonus categories that match your habits makes the fee more likely to pay off.
Redeeming points for flights and other rewards
Aeroplan points redeem through the Aeroplan website or mobile app. You search for a flight, see the point cost, and book if you want to proceed. The point cost varies by airline, route, travel date, and demand — a flight to Toronto in January might cost 15,000 points, while the same route in July costs 25,000 points. There is no fixed conversion rate, so you cannot assume your points are worth a set dollar amount.
You can also redeem for hotel stays, car rentals, and merchandise through Aeroplan's partners. Hotel redemptions typically cost 10,000 to 50,000 points per night depending on the property. Car rentals and merchandise redemptions are less common uses but are available if you do not want to fly.
Aeroplan also offers "point transfers" to airline and hotel partners, which can sometimes offer better value than direct redemptions. For example, you might transfer points to an airline partner at a favorable rate and book a premium cabin seat that would cost more points if booked directly through Aeroplan. This requires more research and planning but can stretch your points further.
Comparing Aeroplan cards by issuer and tier
TD Bank and American Express are the main issuers of Aeroplan cards in Canada. TD offers cards at multiple tiers — typically a no-annual-fee or low-fee entry card, a mid-tier card around $150, and a premium card around $250. American Express offers Aeroplan cards at $150 and $450 price points, with the premium card including more travel insurance and concierge benefits.
The earning rates and bonus categories differ between issuers and cards. One card might earn 2 points per dollar on groceries, while another earns 3 points per dollar on gas. Some cards earn bonus points on dining or transit. If you have a strong spending pattern in one category — say, you spend $5,000 per year on groceries — a card with high earning on groceries will generate more points than a flat-rate card, even if the annual fee is higher.
The perks also vary. Some cards include travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, baggage delay, and emergency medical expenses. Others include airport lounge access, which is valuable if you fly frequently. Premium cards sometimes include a concierge service that can help book restaurants or arrange ground transportation. Read the full benefits list for each card to see which perks you would actually use.
When an Aeroplan card makes sense for your spending
An Aeroplan card is most valuable if you fly at least once or twice per year and spend enough to earn enough points to cover a flight without paying cash. A rough baseline: if you spend $15,000 or more per year on the card and redeem for one domestic flight annually, the points you earn will likely cover the flight and the annual fee. If you spend less or fly less frequently, the math becomes harder.
The card also makes sense if you have a specific bonus category that matches your spending. If you spend $200 per month on groceries and the card earns 3 points per dollar on groceries, you earn 7,200 bonus points per year just from groceries — worth roughly $70 to $100 in travel value. That bonus alone can help justify a $150 annual fee.
An Aeroplan card does not make sense if you rarely fly, do not have a clear redemption goal, or prefer to pay for flights with cash and use a different card for everyday rewards. In those cases, a flat-rate cash-back card or a card with no annual fee will likely serve you better.
How points expiration and account maintenance work
Aeroplan points do not expire as long as your Aeroplan account remains active. An account stays active if you earn or redeem points at least once every 12 months. This means you do not have to use your Aeroplan card every month — you just need to earn or redeem at least once per year to keep the account alive and your points safe.
If your account becomes inactive (no activity for 12 months), Aeroplan may close it and forfeit your points. You can reactivate an inactive account by logging in and earning or redeeming points again, but you cannot recover points that were already forfeited. To avoid this, set a calendar reminder to redeem or earn points at least once per year if you are not a frequent user.
If you close your Aeroplan card, your points remain in your Aeroplan account as long as the account stays active. You do not lose points just because you stop using the card. This is important because it means you can earn points on one card, switch to a different card later, and keep redeeming from the same Aeroplan account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn points on my credit card payments?
No. Paying your credit card bill does not earn points, even if you pay with another rewards card. Only purchases of goods and services earn points. Balance transfers and cash advances also do not earn points.
What happens if I close my Aeroplan card?
Your points stay in your Aeroplan account and do not disappear. You can continue to redeem them through the Aeroplan website. However, you will stop earning points on that card, and you will no longer receive any perks or credits tied to the card. If you want to keep earning points, you would need to open a different Aeroplan card or earn points through other Aeroplan partners.
Is it better to redeem points for flights or to transfer them to airline partners?
It depends on the specific redemption. Direct flight redemptions are straightforward and predictable. Partner transfers can sometimes offer better value — for example, transferring to an airline partner at a favorable rate and booking a premium cabin seat. However, partner transfers require more research and planning. Start with direct redemptions to learn the program, then explore transfers once you understand the point values.
Do I have to use my Aeroplan card for every purchase?
No. You can use your Aeroplan card for some purchases and other cards for others. Points only post when you use the Aeroplan card. If you have a card with a high annual fee, it makes sense to use it strategically on categories where it earns bonus points, and use a different card for other purchases.
What if I want to cancel my card but keep my points?
You can cancel the card without losing your points. Your Aeroplan account and points remain active as long as you earn or redeem at least once every 12 months. If you do not plan to earn points through another Aeroplan card or partner, set a reminder to redeem a small amount of points once per year to keep the account active.