TD and American Express Canada offer two Aeroplan credit cards for frequent travellers:
Both their black color and their privileged, prestigious features make them very similar. Let’s analyze the small details to see the differences.
The welcome bonus offered by each of these cards varies according to the promotions.
Here is how the current offer is structured:
With this welcome offer for the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Cardyou can earn up to 85,000 points Aeroplan.
Here’s how:
Based on our valuation of Aeroplan points (2 cents per point), this welcome bonus corresponds to an approximate value of $1,700.
With this welcome offer for the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card you can earn up to 85,000 points Aeroplan.
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card is the best, as you earn more points Aeroplan and spend less.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card requires an individual annual income of $150,000 or a family income of $200,000.
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card requires no minimum income.
Like the vast majority of American Express cards, this Card requires no minimum income.
If this is important to you, the American Express Card is easier to obtain than the TD card, which requires much more.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card has an annual fee of $599.
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card has an annual fee of $599.
There is no argument on this subject! The annual fees are exactly the same.
The two cards offer different point accumulation rates.
With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card you get different levels:
With the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card you earn :
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card restricts its highest accumulation rate to Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. If you do a lot of business with these companies, this will be to your advantage.
Restaurant spending at 2 points per dollar also gives this card an edge. Therefore, you will get more points with it than with the 1.5 points of the TD card.
However, the most important budget items, such as groceries, gas and travel (hotels, etc.), are 1.5 points below the average for the United States. TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card. That’s better than American Express. Especially since you’ll be able to use it in more grocery stores like Provigo.
Finally, there’s no match for basic accumulation, as you’ll earn the same number of points with both cards throughout the year. Their accumulation rate is similar: 1.25 points per dollar.
Both cards are designed for travelers who earn points Aeroplan.
These points are used to book airline tickets with Air Canada, Star Alliance and partner airlines. Here are the airfares for the Aeroplan program.
You can also use your Aeroplan points for hotel reservations, car rentals or vacation packages with Air Canada Vacations.
With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card you get Aeroplan points.
With the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card you get Aeroplan points.
Since both are used to collect points Aeroplan and both are co-branded cards Aeroplan, there is no card that is better than the other.
Both cards transfer points to the cardholder’s Aeroplan account every month, a few days after the statement is issued.
Once you have Aeroplan points in your Aeroplan account, there is no way out: you can only use them in the Aeroplan program. If you prefer a high-end card with greater flexibility, look to the American Express Platinum Card®.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card offers free, unlimited access to all Maple Leaf lounges in Canada and the United States. It also includes international Maple Leaf lounges in Canada and the U.S., when traveling on an international itinerary.
In addition, it offers free membership of the DragonPass program and 6 free visits to these lounges per membership year.
With the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, access to all Maple Leaf lounges in Canada and the United States is free and unlimited. It also includes international Maple Leaf lounges in Canada and the U.S., when traveling on an international itinerary.
In addition, there is a free subscription to Priority Pass. However, you will have to pay for each access.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card offers free unlimited access to Maple Leaf lounges and 6 additional DragonPass lounges. Perfect if you’re traveling in an airport lounge area not served by Air Canada.
With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card you will have :
With the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card you benefit from the following advantages:
The benefits of both card are virtually identical.
The only difference is that the TD Card has access to priority security screening at the country’s biggest airports. The American Express Card has access to the same security screening only in Toronto.
With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card holders were able to take advantage of certain promotional offers:
American Express is known for its promotional offers.
For example, with American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardcardholders have been able to take advantage of a number of promotional offers over the past year, including :
Due to its wide range of promotional offers, the Reserve’s offers are the best.
They are not limited to Air Canada or Aeroplan. They involve many different types of merchants (1Password, Marriott Bonvoy, Quickbooks, TurboTax, Columbia, Kinton Ramen, etc).
The insurance offered by TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card are superior. Especially for trip cancellation and interruption, and for the duration of emergency medical expenses.
In addition, it offers 4-day, $5,000,000 medical coverage for those 65 years of age and older. While the Prestige card offers nothing for this age group.
So? Which Card is the winner?
For all its features, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card wins the match! But its only flaw is its high minimum income requirement.
If this is a drag for you, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card is an excellent replacement.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card stands out thanks to :
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card stands out thanks to :
Savings are here:
