Lena Hayes
The Aeroplan® Card from American Express is an everyday travel rewards card offering solid earn rates in the Air Canada-Aeroplan ecosystem, along with a generous welcome bonus for new cardholders.
Quick highlights
- 🎁 Welcome bonus: Earn **25,000 Aeroplan® points** after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- ✈️ 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on everyday purchases; 2 points per $1 at Air Canada, Air Canada vacation; 3 points per $1 on Hotel bookings via Aeroplan.com.
- 💼 First checked bag free on Air Canada flights (for you and up to 8 companion tickets).
- 🎯 $120 annual fee (first year often waived) — high value for frequent travellers in the Aeroplan network.
Why we like the Aeroplan® Card from American Express
Excellent for users loyal to the Aeroplan program and travelling often with Air Canada. The welcome bonus gives a strong start, while the structured points earn and companion benefits make it a travel-focused everyday card.
Stand-out features
- ✅ 25,000 bonus Aeroplan® points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- ✅ 3× points when booking hotel stays via Aeroplan.com; 2× at Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations; 1.5× everywhere else.
- ✅ First checked bag free for you + up to 8 companions on Air Canada flights.
- ✅ Transfer flexibility to Aeroplan airline partners.
Good to know
- ⚠️ The $120 annual fee must be offset via frequent travel or strong Aeroplan redemption value.
- ⚠️ Foreign transaction fee is 2.5% on non-CAD purchases.
- ⚠️ To get full value you should redeem Aeroplan® points strategically — some redemptions have better value than others.
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus for new cardholders.
- Strong points earn in travel category (3× and 2× multipliers).
- Excellent travel perk: first checked bag free for self + companions.
- Access to premium rewards ecosystem via Aeroplan®.
Cons
- $120 annual fee (so you need to use travel perks to justify it).
- Foreign-currency fee applies (2.5%).
- Points value can vary depending on redemption strategy.
Rewards program
- ✈️ 3 Aeroplan® points per $1 when booking hotels on Aeroplan.com.
- ✅ 2 Aeroplan® points per $1 at Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations.
- 💳 1.5 Aeroplan® points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
How to maximize rewards
- Use the card for bookings on Aeroplan.com to earn 3× points.
- Book your Air Canada flights and vacations with the card for 2× points + checked-bag benefit.
- Use the card for all other purchases to earn 1.5× points.
- Redeem points carefully — aim for premium flights or partner transfers for higher value per point.
- Consider travel outside Canada using a no-forex-fee card alongside this one.
Insurance & benefits
Included
- 🧳 Travel Emergency Medical Insurance (when eligible).
- 🛩️ Flight Delay, Baggage Delay & Lost Luggage Insurance.
- 🔐 Purchase Protection & Extended Warranty on eligible items.
- 🌍 Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance (when used to pay in full).
Not included
- ❌ Some luxury travel perks (e.g., airport lounge passes) may require higher-tier cards.
- ❌ Full value depends on meeting eligibility conditions and using benefits.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $120 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR* | 20.99% |
| Cash advance APR* | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Grace period | 21 days on new purchases |
*Rates as published; verify current terms before applying.
Best for
- 🧳 Frequent travellers with Air Canada or Aeroplan® partners.
- 🎯 Canadians who value travel perks like free checked bag and transfer flexibility.
- 💳 Cardholders who will redeem points for maximum value (premium flights, transfers).
Where it falls short
- If you travel little, the $120 fee may be hard to justify.
- Foreign purchases incur 2.5% fee.
- Redemption value varies — less skilled users may get lower value per point.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“The welcome bonus and free checked bag alone made this card worth it for me.”
“I love earning 3× points when booking hotels through Aeroplan — adds up fast.”
Critiques
“$120 fee demands travel spend; not great if you stay local.”
“The 2.5% FX fee is annoying when I travel internationally.”
Community insights
In the Canadian travel-card community, this is frequently cited as the go-to starter Aeroplan® card. Many upgrade later to higher tiers, but this card hits strong value for moderate Mile-seekers.
AI review (straight talk)
If you fly Air Canada or redeem with Aeroplan® partners, this card gives practical value: a bonuses, strong earn, real travel perks. But if you rarely travel or won’t redeem strategically, consider a lower-fee cash-back card instead.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Earn | Other Spend | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan® Card (Amex) | $120 | 3x hotels; 2x Air Canada | 1.5x all eligible | Free checked bag; transfer partners | Air Canada travellers |
| Aeroplan® Reserve Card | $599 | 1.5x on everything; 3x Air Canada† | 1.5x | Lounge access; elite status boost | Frequent flyers |
| Cash-Back No-Fee Card | $0 | 2% custom categories | 0.5% | Simple cash back | Everyday spenders |
| All-Purpose Travel Card | $150 | 3x travel; 2x dining | 1x | Lounge access | Frequent international travellers |
FAQ
What is the welcome bonus?
Earn 25,000 Aeroplan® points after you make $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of card-membership.
What are the earn rates?
3× points on hotel bookings via Aeroplan.com; 2× at Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations; 1.5× on all other eligible purchases.
Is there an annual fee?
Yes — the annual fee is $120.
Does it include travel benefits?
Yes, including a free first checked bag for you and up to 8 companions on Air Canada flights, among other travel protections.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take For frequent Canadian travellers loyal to Air Canada and the Aeroplan® ecosystem, this card delivers serious value: welcome bonus, accelerated earn, and traveler perks. If you don’t fly often, the $120 fee may reduce its appeal.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.3 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.4 / 5 — strong for the travel-focused |
| Benefits & protections | 4.2 / 5 — robust for the fee |
| Fees & costs | 3.8 / 5 — fee is moderate, but value tied to usage |
| Ease of approval | 4.1 / 5 — good for many Canadians |
