Chase Aeroplan Credit Card review: A compelling and valuable airline card
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Chase Aeroplan Credit Card overview
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*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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.
Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
Aeroplan card pros and cons
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Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
Aeroplan Card welcome offer
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.
But right now, you can also get a 40% bonus points on purchases for 40 days (on up to $40,000 in spending) if you’re a first-time applicant who applies by July 17. See this post for more information on this offer.
The previous highest-ever welcome offer for the Aeroplan card was 100,000 points — 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, then another 40,000 points after spending $20,000 total in the first year (no longer available).
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.
Related: Here are the best credit card welcome offers
Aeroplan Card benefits
How 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:
- Priority check-in, security and boarding
- Two one-time passes to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges
- 20 eUpgrade credits to upgrade from economy to premium cabins on Air Canada-operated flights
- Automatic Star Alliance Silver elite status, with access to priority wait-listing and standby
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:
- First free checked bag on Air Canada flights, along with up to eight companions on the same reservation
- Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application every four years
- Travel protections, such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, auto rental insurance and roadside assistance
- World Elite Mastercard benefits, including 24/7 concierge service, access to Mastercard Priceless experiences, everyday discounts and offers and more
- No foreign transaction fees
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.
Related: Complete guide to airline status matches and challenges
Earning points on the Aeroplan Card
With the Aeroplan card, you’ll earn:
- 3 points per dollar spent at grocery stores, dining and purchases made directly with Air Canada
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
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.
Related: 6 easy strategies I use to earn over 500,000 points and miles a year
Redeeming points on the Aeroplan Card
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.
Related: Chase Pay Yourself Back — Is it a good use of your rewards?
Transferring points on the Aeroplan Card
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.
Related: How (and why) to calculate award redemption values
Which cards compete with the Aeroplan card?
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.
- If you want more general rewards: Try the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This card is over a decade old and has proven its value repeatedly, making it one of our all-time favorite travel credit cards. While the Aeroplan card is great for fans of Air Canada and its partners, the Sapphire Preferred is a more flexible travel card. To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
- If you value simplicity: Go for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Also with a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees), this card offers a simple earning rate of 2 miles per dollar spent on everything you buy, taking away the stress of remembering bonus categories and strategies to maximize your spending. You also can earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. To learn more, check out our full review of the Venture Rewards.
- If you enjoy flying with United: The Chase United℠ Explorer Card is in the same tier as the Chase Aeroplan card. The intro annual fee is $0 for the first year; after that, you’ll pay $95 annually. Since United is part of the Star Alliance, you can use the miles you earn on this card to book award flights with the same airlines as the points you earn on the Aeroplan card. To learn more, check out our full review of the United Explorer card.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best travel cards.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture Rewards
Is the Aeroplan card worth it?
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.
Related: How to choose an airline credit card
Bottom line
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.
Apply here: Aeroplan Credit Card
Related: 9 incredible benefits of the Air Canada Aeroplan credit card
