TD and American Express Canada offer two Aeroplan credit cards for frequent flyers:
Both by their black colour, their privileged and prestigious benefits, they are 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 TDMD TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card AéroplanMD, you can earn up to 80,000 Aeroplan points.
Here’s how:
Based on our valuation of Aeroplan points (2 cents per point), this welcome bonus corresponds to an approximate value of $1,600.
With this welcome offer for the American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card, you can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points.
Based on our valuation of Aeroplan points (2 cents per point), this welcome bonus corresponds to an approximate value of $1,700.
The AeroplanMD* American ExpressMD Prestige Card is the best, because you earn more Aeroplan points with less spending.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card requires an individual annual income of $150,000 or an household annual 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 get because the TD card requires much more.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit 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 earning rates.
With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card, you get different levels:
With the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, you earn :
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card restricts its highest earning rate to Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. If you do a lot of spending with these companies, this will benefit you.
The 2 points per dollar earning rate at restaurants give 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 essential budget items such as groceries, gas and travel (hotels, etc.) are at 1.5 points for the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card. That’s better than American Express. Especially since you can use it in more grocery stores like Provigo.
Finally, the game is tied for the basic earning rate, as you will get equal points with both cards throughout the year. Their earning rate is similar: 1.25 points per dollar.
Both cards are designed for travellers who earn Aeroplan points.
These points are used to book airline tickets with Air Canada, Star Alliance and partner airlines. Browse the Aeroplan flight rewards chart.
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* Credit Card, you earn Aeroplan points.
With the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, you earn Aeroplan points.
Since both are used to earn Aeroplan points and both are co-branded Aeroplan cards, there is no one card that is better than the other.
Each month, both card transfer points to the cardholder’s Aeroplan account a few days after the statement is issued.
Once Aeroplan Points are in the Aeroplan account, there is no way out: you must use them only within the Aeroplan program. If you prefer a high-end card with greater flexibility, turn to the Platinum CardMD from American Express.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card offers complimentary, unlimited access to all Maple Leaf lounges in Canada and the United States. It also includes the international Maple Leaf lounge in Canada and the United States when travelling on an international itinerary.
In addition, it offers complimentary membership to the DragonPass program and six complimentary visits to these lounges per year of membership.
With the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, access to all Maple Leaf lounges in Canada and the United States is complimentary and unlimited. It also includes the international Maple Leaf lounge in Canada and the United States when travelling 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 complimentary and unlimited access to Maple Leaf lounges and six additional visits to DragonPass lounges. This is perfect if the trip is to an airport not served by Air Canada.
With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card, you’ll have:
With the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, you receive the following benefits:
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 largest airports. The American Express Card has access to the same security screening only in Toronto.
With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card, for example, cardholders were able to take advantage of certain promotional offers:
American Express is known for its promotional offers.
For example, with the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, Cardmembers have been able to take advantage of several promotional offers in the past year such as:
Due to its wide range of promotional offers, the Reserve’s offers are the best.
Indeed, 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 the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card is superior. Especially for trip cancellation and interruption, as well as 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* Credit Card wins! But its only flaw is its demand for a high minimum income.
If this is a deal breaker for you, the American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card is a great replacement.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card stands out thanks to:
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card stands out thanks to :
Savings are here:
