Aeroplan credit cards are the fastest way to earn points for Air Canada flights. Here’s how the TD, CIBC, and Amex options compare.
Best Aeroplan Credit Cards at a Glance
| Card | Annual Fee | Best For | Points per $1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | Most travelers | 1.5x groceries/gas |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | Most travelers | 1.5x groceries/gas |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | $599 | Frequent flyers | 1.5x everything |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | $599 | Frequent flyers | 1.5x everything |
| American Express Aeroplan | $120 | Amex accepters | 2x dining/groceries |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve | $599 | Premium Amex users | 3x Air Canada |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum | $89 | New to Aeroplan | 1x base |
Detailed Card Comparison
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $139 |
| First year annual fee waiver | Often available |
| Welcome bonus | 10,000-20,000+ points (varies) |
| Earn rate | 1 point/$1, 1.5x gas/groceries |
| Insurance | Trip cancellation, car rental, purchase protection |
| Income requirement | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household |
Best for: Everyday spenders who want solid Aeroplan earning without premium fees.
Annual earning example:
| Category | Monthly Spend | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $600 | 900 |
| Gas | $200 | 300 |
| Other | $1,000 | 1,000 |
| Monthly total | 2,200 | |
| Annual total | 26,400 points |
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $139 |
| First year annual fee waiver | Often available |
| Welcome bonus | 10,000-20,000+ points (varies) |
| Earn rate | 1 point/$1, 1.5x gas/groceries |
| Insurance | Trip cancellation, car rental, purchase protection |
| Income requirement | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household |
Best for: CIBC banking customers or those who prefer CIBC.
Note: TD and CIBC Infinite cards are essentially identical. Choose based on welcome bonus or banking relationship.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $599 |
| Welcome bonus | 30,000-50,000+ points (varies) |
| Earn rate | 1.5 points/$1 on everything |
| Status | Aeroplan 25K status |
| Lounge access | Priority Pass (unlimited visits) |
| Insurance | Comprehensive travel and purchase |
| Income requirement | $150,000 personal or $200,000 household |
Best for: Heavy spenders and frequent Air Canada flyers who value lounge access and status.
Key benefits:
- Aeroplan 25K status = priority boarding, extra bags, upgrades
- Priority Pass lounge access worldwide
- 1.5x earning on ALL purchases
- Companion fare benefit
Annual earning example:
| Monthly Spend | Points |
|---|---|
| $3,000 | 4,500 |
| Annual | 54,000 points |
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $599 |
| Welcome bonus | 30,000-50,000+ points (varies) |
| Earn rate | 1.5 points/$1 on everything |
| Status | Aeroplan 25K status |
| Lounge access | Priority Pass, Maple Leaf Lounges |
| Insurance | Comprehensive |
| Income requirement | $150,000 personal or $200,000 household |
Best for: CIBC customers who want premium Aeroplan earning and travel perks.
American Express Aeroplan Card
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 |
| Welcome bonus | Varies (often 25,000+ points) |
| Earn rate | 1 point/$1, 2x dining/groceries/gas |
| Insurance | Travel emergency, car rental |
| Acceptance | Amex (limited at some merchants) |
Best for: Those who shop where Amex is accepted and want 2x on dining/groceries.
Pros:
- Lower annual fee than TD/CIBC
- 2x on key categories
- Amex offers and benefits
Cons:
- Not accepted everywhere
- No Air Canada-specific perks
American Express Aeroplan Reserve
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $599 |
| Welcome bonus | 50,000+ points (varies) |
| Earn rate | 3x Air Canada, 2x travel/dining/groceries |
| Status | Aeroplan 35K status |
| Lounge access | Maple Leaf Lounges, Plaza Premium |
| Insurance | Comprehensive premium coverage |
Best for: Very frequent Air Canada flyers who maximize Amex benefits.
Key benefits:
- 3x on Air Canada purchases
- Aeroplan 35K status (higher than Privilege cards)
- $200 annual travel credit
- Maple Leaf Lounge access
TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $89 |
| Welcome bonus | 5,000-10,000 points |
| Earn rate | 1 point/$1 (no bonus categories) |
| Insurance | Basic trip cancellation |
| Income requirement | $30,000+ |
Best for: New Aeroplan members or those wanting lower fees.
Which Card Should You Choose?
By Annual Spending
| If you spend… | Best card |
|---|---|
| <$20,000/year | TD/CIBC Platinum or Amex Aeroplan |
| $20,000-$50,000/year | TD/CIBC Infinite |
| $50,000+/year | TD/CIBC Infinite Privilege |
| Heavy Air Canada flyer | Amex Aeroplan Reserve |
By Travel Style
| Travel style | Best card |
|---|---|
| Occasional domestic traveler | TD/CIBC Infinite |
| Frequent domestic traveler | TD/CIBC Infinite Privilege |
| International traveler | TD/CIBC Infinite Privilege (lounge access) |
| Very frequent AC flyer | Amex Aeroplan Reserve |
| Casual points collector | TD/CIBC Platinum |
By Banking Relationship
| Your bank | Best choice |
|---|---|
| TD customer | TD Aeroplan cards |
| CIBC customer | CIBC Aeroplan cards |
| Neither | Compare current welcome bonuses |
| Prefer Amex | Amex Aeroplan cards |
Two-Card Strategy
Maximize earning by pairing an Aeroplan card with a complementary card:
| Primary Card | Paired Card | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| TD/CIBC Aeroplan Infinite | Cash back card | Use Aeroplan for travel, cash back for non-bonus |
| TD/CIBC Aeroplan Infinite | Amex Aeroplan | Use Amex where accepted (2x), TD/CIBC elsewhere |
| Infinite Privilege | Scene+ card (Scotiabank) | Transfer Scene+ to Aeroplan |
Scene+ to Aeroplan Strategy
Scotiabank cardholders can transfer Scene+ points to Aeroplan 1:1:
| Card Combo | Why |
|---|---|
| Scotia Gold Amex + TD Aeroplan | 5x Scene+ at groceries → Aeroplan transfer |
| Scotia Momentum + CIBC Aeroplan | 4% groceries + Aeroplan travel benefits |
Points Value Comparison
Based on 10,000 points earned:
| Card | Annual Fee | Points Value | Net Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| TD/CIBC Infinite | $139 | $150-200 | $11-61 |
| TD/CIBC Privilege | $599 | $150-200 | ($449)-($399) |
| Amex Aeroplan | $120 | $150-200 | $30-80 |
| Amex Reserve | $599 | $150-200 | ($449)-($399) |
Note: Premium cards make sense when you value:
- Status benefits (25K/35K)
- Lounge access (~$50-75/visit)
- Premium insurance coverage
- Companion fare discounts
When Premium Cards Pay Off
TD/CIBC Infinite Privilege ($599)
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| Aeroplan 25K status | ~$500+ (upgrades, bags) |
| Priority Pass lounges | $50-75 per visit × visits |
| 0.5 extra points/$1 | $250 on $50,000 spend |
| Companion fare | $200-500 savings |
Break-even: ~3-4 lounge visits + status benefits + companion fare
Amex Aeroplan Reserve ($599)
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| Aeroplan 35K status | ~$700+ |
| Maple Leaf Lounges | $50 per visit × visits |
| $200 travel credit | $200 |
| 3x on Air Canada | Significant if buying AC flights |
Break-even: $200 credit + 2-3 lounge visits + status benefits
Current Welcome Bonuses
Note: Welcome bonuses change frequently. Always check current offers.
| Card | Typical Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|
| TD Infinite | 10,000-20,000 points |
| CIBC Infinite | 10,000-20,000 points |
| TD Privilege | 30,000-50,000 points |
| CIBC Privilege | 30,000-50,000 points |
| Amex Aeroplan | 25,000-30,000 points |
| Amex Reserve | 50,000-90,000 points |
Tip: Watch for limited-time increased bonuses, especially in spring/fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get TD or CIBC Aeroplan?
Compare current welcome bonuses—that’s often the deciding factor. Card benefits are nearly identical. If you bank with one, choose that for easier management.
Is the Infinite Privilege worth $599?
If you:
- Value Aeroplan status (priority boarding, upgrades)
- Use airport lounges several times per year
- Spend $50,000+ annually
- Use the companion fare benefit
Then yes. If not, the $139 Infinite card offers better value.
Can I have both TD and CIBC Aeroplan cards?
Yes. There’s no rule against having multiple Aeroplan credit cards from different banks.
Do Aeroplan points expire?
Points earned through credit cards don’t expire as long as your card account is active. Keep earning or have an active Aeroplan account.
What about the Aeroplan-linked cards from other Scene+ transfer?
Scotiabank cardholders can earn Scene+ and transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan, effectively creating another Aeroplan earning path.