How often do you actually fly?
1–2 trips a year — a no-fee or low-fee card
probably makes more sense than a premium one.
3–6 trips a year — a mid-tier Visa
Infinite–style card usually pays for its fee.
6+ trips, or business travel — a premium
card's lounge access and status boost can be worth it.
Not an Air Canada flyer — a
transferable-points card (like Amex Cobalt) may earn Aeroplan points
faster than a co-branded card.
Only three banks in Canada issue official Aeroplan credit cards — TD, CIBC, and American Express — and picking the right one depends entirely on how often you fly and how much you spend.
*This expiry policy is currently paused until November 30, 2026 — a helpful
grace period if your account has gone quiet.
Which Card Fits Your Travel Pattern
- ▸Occasional traveller (1–2 trips/year):CIBC Aeroplan Visa (no annual fee) or TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum — low cost of entry, still earns on Air Canada, gas, and groceries.
- ▸Regular traveller (3–6 trips/year):TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite — stronger earn rates plus a first checked bag free and SQC toward status.
- ▸Frequent flyer (6+ trips/year):American Express Aeroplan Reserve — the richest earn rate and biggest welcome bonuses, with lounge access.
- ▸Business owner:American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve — business-specific bonus categories plus the same SQC-earning mechanics.
Card Comparison at a Glance
| Card | Annual fee | Air Canada earn rate | SQC from card spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa | $0 | Base rate on everyday spend | No |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum | ~$89 | 1x on gas/grocery/Air Canada | No |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | ~$139 | 1.5x on gas/grocery/Air Canada | 1,000 per $20,000 spent, up to 25,000/yr |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | ~$139 | Comparable to TD Infinite | 1,000 per $20,000 spent, up to 25,000/yr |
| American Express Aeroplan Card | Mid-tier | 2x direct with Air Canada | 1,000 per $20,000 spent, up to 25,000/yr |
| Amex Aeroplan Reserve | Premium | 3x on Air Canada, lounge access | Up to 25,000/yr (bonus-structured) |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | Premium | Highest tier, companion pass | Fastest path to higher status |
Fees, rates, and bonuses change often and vary by promotion — always check the issuer's current offer page before applying.
Don't Overlook the Non-Co-Branded Option
The American Express Cobalt Card isn't an official Aeroplan card, but
it earns points that transfer to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio — and its bonus
categories (dining, groceries, streaming) can out-earn a co-branded card for
many households, with a lower cost spread across monthly payments and no
minimum income requirement.
Perks Worth Comparing Beyond the Earn Rate
Free checked bagMost mid-tier and premium Aeroplan cards include a free first checked bag
on Air Canada, often for several companions on the same booking.
Preferred pricingPrimary
cardholders can sometimes book flight rewards for fewer points than
non-cardholders.
Travel insuranceCoverage
varies a lot by tier — no-fee cards offer minimal protection, while premium
cards include trip cancellation, interruption, and emergency medical.
Lounge accessOnly the
premium tier (Amex Reserve, TD Visa Infinite Privilege) typically includes
Maple Leaf Lounge access.
Income requirementsPremium cards can require $150,000 personal or $200,000 household income,
and some offers exclude Quebec residents.
Welcome bonusesThese
fluctuate monthly and can be a bigger factor than the ongoing earn rate if
you're applying for a specific trip.
3 issuersTD / CIBC / Amex
$0CIBC no-fee entry
1.5–3xAir Canada earn rates
25,000Max SQC/year from cards
1.4¢Typical point value
Amex CobaltBest transferable alt.
Nov 30, 2026Expiry pause ends
Compare offersBonuses shift monthly
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