Review: American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
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The American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Card is the premium card in American Express Canada’s Aeroplan lineup. It targets a specific profile: travellers who fly with Air Canada several times a year, want airport lounge access, and want to build Aeroplan Status without necessarily flying enough to earn it otherwise.
With a $599 annual fee, this card isn’t for everyone. This review breaks down what you get for that amount, who the card actually suits, and how we calculate its value. All figures reflect the American Express Canada offer in effect, verified on July 29, 2026.
Shopping for a travel card? Check out our best credit cards in Canada comparison first to see how the Aeroplan Reserve Card stacks up against other options.
Who This Card Is For
The American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Card suits the frequent Air Canada flyer. If you fly three times a year or more, pass through airports where Air Canada operates lounges, and spend enough to hit the welcome tiers, the card pays for itself. If you fly once or twice a year on other carriers, a more versatile travel card will serve you better.
Annual Fee and Supplementary Card
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $599 |
| Supplementary card | $199 (Reserve card) or $0 (no-fee supplementary card) |
| Network | American Express |
| Program | Aeroplan |
| Maximum earn rate | 3 points / $1 with Air Canada |
| Welcome offer | Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points |
The $599 fee is not waived in the first year. Keep this in mind: the card needs to generate more than $599 in value to justify keeping it year after year, once you’ve cashed in the welcome bonus.
Welcome Offer Breakdown
The current welcome offer reaches up to 85,000 Aeroplan points, spread across two tiers:
- 60,000 points after spending $7,500 in the first 3 months
- 25,000 additional points after spending $2,500 in purchases in month 13
American Express has not announced an end date for this offer. Always confirm the terms on the official American Express page before applying, since welcome offers change regularly.
See our dedicated page on the current welcome offers for American Express Aeroplan cards to compare the three versions available right now.
For the full details of the current promotion, see our page on the offer of up to 85,000 Aeroplan points with the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.
Earn Rate by Spending Category
| Spending category | Points per $1 |
|---|---|
| Direct purchases with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations | 3 points |
| Restaurants, cafes, fast food, bars, and food delivery in Canada | 2 points |
| All other purchases | 1.25 points |
The card’s strength lies in the 3 points per dollar with Air Canada and the 2 points per dollar on dining. The base rate of 1.25 points per dollar is decent for an Aeroplan card, without being exceptional. A traveller who concentrates flight and restaurant spending on this card earns quickly, but everyday spending would earn more on a card with a better base rate.
Travel Benefits and Insurance
Lounge Access
You get free access to every Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and Air Canada Cafe in Canada and the United States, for you and one guest. Access requires an Air Canada or Star Alliance ticket for a same-day departure.
Aeroplan Status
The card grants 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) for every $5,000 in eligible purchases, up to a maximum of 25,000 SQC per year. Starting in 2027, members holding Aeroplan 25K status or higher receive an advance equal to 10% of the SQC earned the previous year.
Other Benefits
- Annual companion pass after $25,000 in net purchases before the card’s anniversary date (base companion fare in economy class from $99 to $599 depending on the region, plus taxes and fees)
- NEXUS credit: up to $100 in statement credits every four years for membership or renewal fees
- First checked bag free (up to 23 kg) for you and up to 8 companions on the same Air Canada booking
- Priority check-in, priority boarding (zone 2), and priority baggage handling on Air Canada flights
Included Insurance
| Protection | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Emergency medical care (under 65, first 15 days) | Up to $5,000,000 |
| Car rental (theft and damage, rentals of 48 days or less) | Up to $85,000 |
| Trip cancellation | Up to $1,500 per person (max. $3,000) |
| Trip interruption | Up to $1,500 per person (max. $6,000) |
| Flight delay (4 hours or more) | Up to $1,000 |
| Delayed baggage (6 hours or more) | Up to $1,000 |
| Lost or damaged baggage | Up to $1,000 per trip |
| Accidental death and dismemberment | Up to $500,000 |
Our Value Calculation
Here’s how we calculate the first-year value for a traveller who fully uses the benefits. Our method uses a value of 2.0 cents per Aeroplan point, consistent with our current valuation, and assigns value to a benefit only if the cardholder actually uses it.
| Item | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| 85,000 welcome points (at 2.0 cents/point) | $1,700 |
| Maple Leaf Lounge access (regular use) | ~$800 |
| Annual companion pass | ~$600 |
| Free first bag + priority perks (recurring use) | ~$300 |
| NEXUS credit (spread, ~$25/year over 4 years) | $25 |
| Points earned on spending (first year) | ~$975 |
| Total value (first 13 months, optimal use) | up to $4,400 |
Quick Comparison
| Criteria | Aeroplan® Reserve Card | The Platinum Card® from Amex |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $599 | $799 |
| Program | Aeroplan only | Membership Rewards (transferable, including to Aeroplan) |
| Lounges | Maple Leaf Lounges (Air Canada) | Priority Pass and global Amex lounge network |
| Airline status | Aeroplan Status (up to 25,000 SQC) | No airline status |
| Best for | Air Canada loyalists | Travellers who want flexibility |
The Platinum Card® from American Express plays in a different league: its Membership Rewards points transfer to several programs, including Aeroplan, and its lounge access is global rather than limited to the Air Canada network. If your loyalty lies with Air Canada and Aeroplan Status matters to you, the Aeroplan Reserve Card keeps the edge. Our dedicated comparison of the Platinum Card vs. the Aeroplan Reserve Card breaks down that choice.
Pros and Cons
- High welcome offer (up to 85,000 points)
- Maple Leaf Lounge access in Canada and the United States
- Builds Aeroplan Status without flying more
- Comprehensive travel insurance (medical coverage up to $5,000,000)
- Companion pass and free first checked bag
- $599 annual fee not waived in the first year
- Points tied to Aeroplan only, with no flexible transfer
- Base rate of 1.25 points per dollar is not generous
- Second welcome tier requires a second year of cardmembership
- Limited real value for an occasional traveller
Our Verdict
The American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Card rewards loyalty to Air Canada. For the traveller who flies regularly, uses the lounges, and is chasing Aeroplan Status, the $599 fee pays for itself in the first year thanks to the welcome bonus and the airport perks. For a more occasional traveller, or for someone who wants the flexibility to transfer points to several programs, a card like the Platinum Card® or a versatile travel card will be a better fit.
- Annual fee
- $599
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,200Total$1,200Plus $500 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,200
- Welcome offerAfter $7,500 in 3 months
- Up to 85,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Before you decide, compare this card against the rest of the market with our ranking of the best credit cards in Canada, updated regularly.
American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Card – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the annual fee for the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card?
The annual fee is $599, with no waiver in the first year. Each Reserve supplementary card costs $199, or $0 for a no-fee supplementary card.
What is the current welcome offer?
Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points: 60,000 points after $7,500 in spending in 3 months, then 25,000 after $2,500 in purchases in month 13. Confirm the terms on the official American Express page before applying.
How does lounge access work?
You get free access to Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafes in Canada and the United States, for you and one guest, with an Air Canada or Star Alliance ticket for a same-day departure.
Can I earn Aeroplan Status with this card?
Yes. You earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits for every $5,000 in eligible purchases, up to 25,000 per year, which can lead to Aeroplan 25K status without flying more.
How do I get the companion pass?
The annual companion pass is granted after $25,000 in net purchases before the card’s anniversary date. The base companion fare ranges from $99 to $599 depending on the region, plus taxes and fees.
Does the card include travel medical insurance?
Yes, up to $5,000,000 for emergency medical care, for cardholders under 65, during the first 15 days of a trip outside your home province or territory.
Is it better than The Platinum Card from American Express?
It depends on your profile. The Aeroplan Reserve Card suits the Air Canada loyalist who wants status and Air Canada lounges. The Platinum Card offers points transferable to several programs and global lounge access. Our dedicated comparison breaks down this choice.
Who is this card best suited for?
The frequent Air Canada flyer who travels several times a year, uses the lounges, and spends enough to hit the welcome tiers. An occasional traveller will get significantly less value out of the $599 fee.
Is the card worth it if you fly about 7 times a year without status?
It can be, but the number of flights matters less than the benefits you actually use. In the first year, if you reach the welcome bonus tiers, the bonus more than offsets the $599 fee, as our value calculation above shows. From the second year on, recurring perks have to cover the fee: Maple Leaf Lounge access for you and a guest when you depart from an airport in Canada or the United States that has one, priority check-in and boarding, and the companion pass, which requires $25,000 in net purchases before your card anniversary. The free first checked bag doesn't tip the balance on its own, since the lower-fee American Express Aeroplan Card also includes it. As of September 2026, if most of your flights leave from an airport with a Maple Leaf Lounge, the Reserve Card can pay off. Otherwise, compare it with our best Aeroplan credit cards.