Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Credit Card Review 2022

Chase’s Aeroplan® Credit Card offers flyers a great opportunity to earn valuable Aeroplan points and elite benefits, making it a solid choice for those who enjoy international travel.

While Aeroplan is the official loyalty program of Air Canada, you don’t necessarily need to be a frequent customer of the carrier to redeem this card’s rewards. In fact, you can use Aeroplan points to book domestic flights on United Airlines, among several other Star Alliance partners such as Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.

With a modest $95 annual fee, valuable spending categories, travel insurance coverage and no foreign transaction fees, it’s a decent choice if you’re in the market for a new travel rewards card.

Below, Select details the Aeroplan Credit Card’s benefits, as well as how to maximize the rewards points you’ll earn by using it.

The Aeroplan Credit Card’s welcome bonus lets new cardholders earn 70,000 points after they spend at least $3,000 within the first three months of account membership.

Since Aeroplan points are among the most valuable travel rewards, the bonus is even more lucrative. To start, by meeting the $3,000 minimum spend, you will have earned at least 73,000 Aeroplan points. A modest 1.3 cent per point valuation makes the welcome bonus worth about $949 and since the annual fee is only $95, the card provides a solid first-year value for new cardholders.

Keep in mind that this card falls under Chase’s 5/24 restriction, so if you’ve been approved for more than five credit cards within the last 24 months, you’ll automatically be rejected when you apply for any new Chase cards.

The Aeroplan Credit Card comes with several perks aimed at helping avid travelers make their journey easier. Cardholders have access to the following benefits:

• Instant Aeroplan 25K Status for the rest of the calendar year and the following calendar year, giving you access to more perks including priority check-in, security and boarding; two one-time passes to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges, and premium-cabin upgrades. You can also maintain the same status level by spending $15,000 during a calendar year.
• The ability to elevate your Aeroplan status level to 35K Status or higher when you spend $50,000 during a calendar year.
• A $100 statement credit every four years to put toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership.
• You and up to eight travel companions (as long as you’re all on the same reservation) can enjoy a complimentary checked bag, up to 50 lbs, when traveling with Air Canada.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Access to 24/7 concierge services.
• Travel insurance coverage, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, reimbursement for trip delays, baggage delay insurance, roadside assistance and an auto rental collision damage waiver, among other purchase protections.

Earning Aeroplan points

And as you spend with the Aeroplan Credit Card, you’ll earn:

• 3X points per dollar at grocery stores and restaurants (takeout and certain delivery services count, too) as well as purchases made with Air Canada directly
• 1X points per dollar for all other purchases
• Up to 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent each month, up to 1,500 bonus points per month.

Redeeming Aeroplan points

The more you use your card, the more you’ll accumulate Aeroplan points, which can then be redeemed for flights operated by Air Canada and its many Star Alliance airline partners, including United Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand, as well as a number of non-alliance partners such as Brazil-based Azul and United Arab Emirates-based Etihad Airways. Regardless of whether you prefer to travel domestically or internationally, you’ll have many options when it’s time to redeem your Aeroplan points.

Here are a few examples of some economy and premium cabin flights you can book with Aeroplan points (note that all pricing is based on a one-way flight and does not include taxes or fees):

• Within the United States: Economy redemptions start at 6,000 points, while business class redemptions start at 25,000 points on United Airlines.
• U.S. to Asia: Economy flights to Seoul are available from 50,000 points in economy or from 75,000 points in business class on either United Airlines or Asiana Airlines.
• U.S. to Europe: Economy flight redemptions to Frankfurt start at 35,000 points, while business class redemptions start at 60,000 points on Lufthansa.

To get a better idea of how many points you’ll need for your next trip, refer to Aeroplan’s award chart.

The card has a modest $95 annual fee.

The APR is 17.99% – 24.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.

There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can travel and spend outside the U.S. without incurring any additional fees.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a top travel rewards credit card that lets you earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to a number of airline and hotel partners, including Aeroplan. The welcome bonus currently offers new cardholders 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of card membership.

Cardholders can earn:

• 5X points for travel purchased via Chase Ultimate Rewards® (minus hotel stays that qualify for the included $50 annual hotel credit you’ll earn when booking hotels through the portal).
• 5X points for eligible Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.
• 3X points for dining purchases, including takeout and select delivery services.
• 3X points for using certain streaming and online grocery shopping services, not counting Target, Walmart or other wholesale stores.
• 2X points for all other travel-related purchases.
• 1X points for all other purchases.
• Complimentary DashPass membership from DoorDash and Caviar for one year — as long as you activate the perk by Dec. 31, 2024.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card also includes many of the same benefits as the Aeroplan Card, including comprehensive travel insurance protections, no foreign transaction fees and the ability to transfer points to additional airline partner loyalty programs, all for the same $95 annual fee.

For those deciding between these two cards, it really comes down to your personal travel habits and goals. If you solely enjoy flying with Air Canada, the Aeroplan Card is the clear winner as you will score automatic elite status.

If you prefer to fly with other airlines as well, it might be worth having both cards, especially since you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. Signing up for both cards (and reaching both minimum spending requirements) would end up netting you more than 130,000 points, which could then be redeemed through Aeroplan — all for a combined $190 in annual fees, providing a solid value for any traveler.

The Aeroplan® Credit Card vs. the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a great addition, especially for flyers who are loyal to the budget airline.

To get started, you can earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 within the first three months of account opening. Cardholders also have access to the following benefits:

• 6,000 bonus points to celebrate each account anniversary.
• Two EarlyBird check-ins per year.
• 1,500 tier qualifying points toward A-List and A-List Preferred status for every $10,000 you spend, with no limit as to how many you can earn.
• 25% back for in-flight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees when you use the card abroad.
• Southwest Airlines perks such as two free checked bags per person, no change fees and Rapid Rewards points that never expire.

You’ll earn 3X points per dollar for purchases made with Southwest Airlines; 2X points per dollar spent through Rapid Rewards car and hotel partners and 1X points per dollar for all other purchases. Cardholders can also earn 2X points per dollar on transit, including ride-share services and commuting, as well as select streaming, phone, internet and cable services.

Best of all, the points you earn by using the Southwest Premier Credit Card count toward the Companion Pass®, which allows your chosen friend or family member to fly with you for free for up to a year (not counting taxes and fees from $5.60 each way).

If you’re deciding between the two cards, consider which airline you tend to fly with the most. If you travel primarily within the U.S. and aren’t looking for premium cabin flights, the Southwest Premier Credit Card is likely a solid fit. If, on the other hand, you prefer to have a variety of carriers to redeem your rewards with, as well as the opportunity to redeem points toward business or first class flights, the Aeroplan Credit Card would be the better option.

The Aeroplan Credit Card is a solid pick for anyone looking to earn valuable travel rewards points that can be redeemed for flights without the high annual fee price tag. Keep in mind, however, that this card requires a good to excellent credit score in order to get approved.