Calling all Aeroplan points collectors! Signing up for a new Aeroplan credit card is the simplest and fastest way to amass an enormous number of points! We’ve got them all listed below for your convenience but spoiler alert – if you have not already gotten yourself the AMEX Gold Card and/or the TD Aeroplan infinite, you are missing out on 60,000 points.
| Rank | Card | Bonus | Fee | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 25,000 | Free first year | Apply NowReview |
| 2 |  | 25,000 | $60 | Apply NowReview |
| 3 |  | 20,000 | Free first year | Apply NowReview |
| 4 |  | 15,000 | $120 | Apply Now |
| 5 |  | 15,000 | $120 | Apply Now |
| 6 |  | 10,000 | $89 | Apply Now |
| 7 |  | 50,000 | $499 | Apply Now |
| 8 |  | 60,000 | $899 | Apply Now |
| 9 |  | 25,000 | $399 | Apply Now |
What makes the AMEX Gold card the best Aeroplan credit card in Canada is it’s flexibility – the AMEX points are redeemable as credit against any travel charges on your statement or, more relevant for our current discussion, they may be transferred in a 1 to 1 basis for Aeroplan points. This makes the 25,000 welcome points the richest fee-free Aeroplan bonus in the Canadian market, though a bit of planning might be required to fulfill the $1,500 spend requirement within the first three months. There is no spending requirement on the TD Aeroplan Infinite Visa, so charge your morning cup of coffee and get 15,000 points. Last, and most overlooked, the SPG AMEX card, aside from being a super card in and of its own right, offers a 1 to 1 conversion of SPG points to Aeroplan points. Now, we might be tempted to keep those SPG points as is, considering the great redemption rate for hotels they offer – but if you are all about the Aeroplan, you can get an additional 20,000 points by spending $1,500 in the first three months of your SPG card usage. (If you really want to hack your way to Aeroplan glory, you could also get the Marriott card and do an additional two part transfer – 30k marriott points to SPG at a 3:1 ratio, and then transfer all the points into Aeroplan).
This is exceptional value, when considering that most programs offer 1 Aeroplan point per dollar – you’ve just gotten $60,000 spend worth of points for $240 in annual fees.
Spend Your way to More Points
While the 1.5 points offered by the TD Aeroplan infinite per dollar spent on gas, groceries, drugstore or air canada purchases is great value, the AMEX Gold rewards offers two points on groceries, gas, drugstores and ALL travel expenses, making it the best earning Aeroplan card (by another name) in the market.
| Card | Bonus | Apply |
|---|---|---|
 | 1.5 Points per $ on gas, Groceries, Drugstore or Air Canada purchases | Apply NowReview |
| | 2 Points per $ on gas, Groceries, Drugstore or ALL Travel | Apply NowReview |
Other Considerations
The TD card provides a free checked bag when traveling on your reward flight operated by Air Canada. You will enjoy priority check-in and boarding (only when booking with points), and one annual entry to the maple leaf lounge, meaning that the TD card definitely laps the AMEX Gold in terms of airport convenience.
Both cards boast excellent insurance coverage, though the AMEX Gold Rewards lacks Trip Cancellation, which might be an important consideration for parents of young children, where frequent illness can often put the most well-laid travel plans in jeopardy.
Why pay an Annual fee?
The exceptional value offered by the AMEX gold presents quite a problem for all the entry-level fee cards. On the face of it, the value offered is appropriate – even perhaps overly generous – and yet the upside provided over the free cards is minimal, at best. The TD Aeroplan Platinum is arguably less premium card and costs $89; ditto the AMEX AeroplanPlus Gold.
| Rank | Card | Fee | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | $89 | Apply Now |
| 2 | | $499 | Apply Now |
| 3 | | $120 | Apply Now |
| 4 | | $120 | Apply Now |
| 5 | | $60 | Apply NowReview |
Hey Big Spender?
If you are not scared away by the substantial price tag, we’ve listed some big league AMEX and TD cards offering crazy travel benefits. Whilst the points offered on sign up are substantial, the real selling point for these cards are the additional convenience offered at the airport for card holders. Things like lounge access, early boarding, VIP baggage drop, expedited security and check in, etc. If you are a regular traveler and thus these conveniences are of greater importance, please check out our business travel section for a more in depth analysis. However, to make a long story short we prefer the TD Infinite Reserve for frequent Air Canada travelers. You get:
- 25,000 welcome points on activation, which offsets the expensive (but cheaper than AMEX) annual fee.
- A free checked bag on every flight
- Priority check-in and boarding
- Priority pass membership and six passes
- Four maple lounge passes
- 50% discount on companion business class ticket once annually
- Comprehensive travel insurance
| Card | Bonus | Apply |
|---|---|---|
| 25,000 Points Welcome Points | Apply NowReview |
Closing Balance
We have outlined some exceptional Aeroplan cards, as well as a nice little hack that offers a path towards 60,000 (70,000 if you are super diligent) points. For us, the go-to card in the Aeroplan category is pretty obviously the AMEX Gold Rewards, with the SPG and TD Visa Infinite not far behind.
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