Amex Aeroplan Reserve vs TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege: which card is better?

TD and American Express Canada offer two Aeroplan credit cards for frequent travellers:

Both their black colour and their privileged, prestigious features make them very similar. Let’s analyze the small details to see the differences.

Compare

TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card

TD Aeroplan

Annual fee: $599
Our valuation: $2,000Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$2,000Total$2,000Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$2,000Total$2,000Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 100,000 points

Terms of the offer

Limited Time Offer! Apply by December 1, 2019 to earn up to 60,000 Aeroplan Miles (equivalent to 2 business class short-haul roundtrip flight rewards)¹ as follows:
- Welcome Bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan Miles when you make your first Purchase with your card¹.
- + Earn 2x miles on your purchases⁴,5 made using your Card for a total of up to 30,000 Aeroplan Miles, for first 3 months¹.
- + Earn 5,000 Aeroplan Miles when you add an Authorized User to your Account by December 1, 2019. Annual Fees for Authorized Users continue to apply¹.
Earn Aeroplan Miles with every purchase made on your Card and arrive at your dream destination sooner
Enjoy Air Canada^®³ and Visa Infinite Privilege benefits⁴
- Priority Check-in on Air Canada^®³ flights
- Priority Boarding on Air Canada^®³ flights
- First checked bag free on Air Canada^®³ flights
- Four annual One-Time Guest Passes to the Maple Leaf Lounge (when travelling on flight rewards)
- 50% discount on companion tickets for eligible Executive Class or Executive First fare (booking classes J & C) on tickets entirely operated by Air Canada^®³ & Air Canada Express
- Global Airport Lounge Access⁴
- Visa Infinite Privilege* Airport Benefits⁴ at Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal-Trudeau International airports
An extensive suite of travel insurance
Earn 1.5 miles⁵ for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, gas, drugstore and Air Canada Purchases (excluding Air Canada Vacation packages) made with the Card (capped annually on the first $100,000 across these categories)
Earn 1.25 miles⁶ for every $1 spent on all other purchases made with the Card
Earn miles twice⁷ when you pay with your Card and present your Aeroplan Membership Number at participating partner brands and online retailers via the Aeroplan eStore
Your Aeroplan Miles don’t expire as long as you’re a TD Aeroplan Credit Cardholder

Sponsored advertising. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on this TD credit card, please click the Apply Now button.

Fees / Rates / Eligibility

Type	Details
Personal annual income	-
Household annual income	$200,000
Purchase APR	19.99%
Cash Advance APR	22.99%
Interest Grace Period	21 days on all new purchases
Balance Transfer Rate	22.99%
Foreign Transaction Rate
Annual Fee	$399
Authorized User Cards	$99
Balance Transfer Fee	Promotional Balance Transfer/ Cheque Fee: 3% of the amount of each Balance Transfer or TD Visa Cheque that we may offer to you at a promotional interest rate which is an interest rate that is lower than the regular annual interest rate that applies to Cash Advances on your Account. The Bank may waive or lower this 3% fee at the time the promotional interest rate offer is made to you. You will be advised of the exact fee that applies at the time the offer is made.
Cash Advance Fee	1% of the amount of the transaction (minimum fee of $3.50 up to a maximum fee of $10.00) (in Canada) or $5.00 (outside Canada), plus $3.00 at a PLUS* network ATM. (Fee does not apply to a Balance Transfer or TD Visa Cheque)
Foreign Currency Conversion Fee	2.50%
Over Credit Limit Fee	N/A

Disclaimer

Annual interest rates, fees and features are current as of June 19, 2017 unless otherwise indicated and subject to change. The Aeroplan Program is a coalition loyalty marketing program owned and operated by Aeroplan Inc. Visit aeroplan.com for complete terms and conditions of the Aeroplan Program. The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its affiliates are not responsible for the Aeroplan Program. 1 Must apply by December 1, 2019. Welcome Bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan Miles will be awarded to the Aeroplan Member account associated with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Account (“Account”) only after the first Purchase is made on the Account. Welcome Earn Bonus of 2x in Aeroplan Miles ("Welcome Earn Bonus") applies to new Account in the first 3 months of Account opening ("First 3 Months") to a maximum total collective miles of 30,000 ("Welcome Earn Bonus Cap") on all purchases charged to your ("Account"). During the Welcome Earn Bonus promotional period, 3 Aeroplan Miles are earned for each $1.00 in Purchases of eligible gas, groceries, drugstore, and aircanada.com products and services (excluding Air Canada Vacations packages, car rentals, hotel bookings, and other third party partner products and services that can be purchased through aircanada.com) charged to your Account and 2.5 Aeroplan Miles are earned for each $1.00 for all other Purchases charged to your Account. Any returned items, refunds, rebates or other similar credits on any Purchases made during the First 3 Months will reduce or cancel the Aeroplan Miles earned at the Welcome Earn Bonus on the original Purchase, as applicable. Welcome Earn Bonus Cap: Once the Welcome Earn Bonus Cap is reached, any further Purchases made in the First 3 Months will earn Aeroplan Miles at the regular 1.5 Bonus Aeroplan Miles that applies to each $1.00 in Purchases of eligible gas, groceries, drugstore, and aircanada.com products and services (excluding Air Canada Vacations packages, car rentals, hotel bookings, and other third party partner products and services that can be purchased through aircanada.com) and 1.25 Aeroplan Mile to each $1.00 to all other eligible Purchases. To receive the additional 5,000 Aeroplan Miles for adding an Authorized User to your Account ("Authorized User Bonus"), you must: (a) apply for an Account and add an Authorized User between September 4, 2019, and December 1, 2019; and (b) Authorized User must call and activate their Card by January 31, 2020. You can have a maximum of three (3) Authorized Users on your Account but you will only receive 1 (one) 5,000 Authorized User Bonus Aeroplan Miles offer. Annual Fee for each Authorized User Card added to the Account will apply. The Primary Cardholder is responsible for all charges to the Account, including those made by any Authorized User. Other conditions apply. Offers may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise specified. Welcome Bonus and 2x miles earned through Welcome Earn Bonus are not eligible for Aeroplan status. Your Account must be in good standing at the time bonus miles are awarded. Please allow 8 weeks after the conditions for each offer are fulfilled for the miles to be credited to your Aeroplan Member account. The number of Aeroplan Miles required for the destination is accurate as of September 4, 2019 and is subject to change at any time by Aeroplan Inc. According to Aeroplan's current reward chart, destinations reflect two short-haul Fixed Mileage Flight Reward^® in Business Class departing from within Canada or the continental US (plus applicable fees and taxes). Fixed Mileage Flight Reward availability is capacity controlled and is subject to availability at time of booking as well as seasonality of demand. Aeroplan Flight Rewards are subject to taxes, landing and departure fees, and other charges and surcharges may apply. Aeroplan Partners, rules and regulations are subject to change without notice. For full details on Aeroplan's current reward chart, please visit aeroplan.com. 2 Primary Cardholder remains liable for all charges to the Account, including those made by an Authorized User. 3 All Air Canada benefits are fulfilled in whole or in part by Air Canada or its designated affiliates or other third parties, and are subject to change at any time. The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its affiliates are not responsible for fulfilling these benefits. For more details about these benefits, please contact Air Canada directly. Air Canada Benefit Eligibility – Priority Travel Services : With the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, Air Canada benefits (the complimentary first checked bag, priority check in and priority boarding) apply whenever the Primary Cardholder travels on a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or under the Air Canada Express banner. Flights operated by other airlines are not eligible. To access priority check-in and priority boarding, the Primary Cardholder must include their Aeroplan Number on their reservation at time of booking, or redeem their Aeroplan flight reward (defined as Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards^® or Market Fare Flight Rewards^®) using miles from their Aeroplan account. To access these benefits, the Primary Cardholder must also ensure that the name on the Air Canada flight booking is identical to the name on the Aeroplan account profile of the traveler. Where zonal boarding is available, the priority boarding status will be recognized by a Zone 2 descriptor for the Primary Cardholder and companions travelling on the same reservation checking-in at the same time, which will be displayed on the Air Canada issued boarding pass. Priority check-in may also be extended to companions travelling on the same reservation checking-in at the same time as the Primary Cardholder. To access priority check-in and priority boarding, the Primary Cardholder may be required to show their TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege* Card to the Air Canada agent. Please allow two (2) weeks from receiving your Card for these Air Canada benefits to be activated. The complimentary first checked bag , up to 23kg (50lb), applies whenever the Primary Cardholder travels on a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or under the Air Canada Express banner. Flights operated by other airlines are not eligible. To access this benefit, the Primary Cardholder must include their Aeroplan Number on their reservation at time of booking, or redeem their Aeroplan flight reward (defined as Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards or Market Fare Flight Rewards) using miles from their Aeroplan account. To access this benefit, the Primary Cardholder must also ensure that the name on the Air Canada flight booking is identical to the name on the Aeroplan account profile of the traveler. The complimentary first checked bag applies solely to the Primary Cardholder, and service charges for additional/oversized/overweight baggage may apply. Applicable on flights that do not already offer a complimentary first checked bag. To access this benefit, the Primary Cardholder may be required to show their TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege * Card to the Air Canada agent. Please allow two (2) weeks from receiving your Card for these Air Canada benefits to be activated. The complimentary first checked bag, up to 23kg (50lb), applies whenever the Primary Cardholder travels on a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or under the Air Canada Express banner. Flights operated by other airlines are not eligible. To access this benefit, the Primary Cardholder must include their Aeroplan Number on their reservation at time of booking, or redeem their Aeroplan flight reward (defined as Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards or Market Fare Flight Rewards) using miles from their Aeroplan account. To access this benefit, the Primary Cardholder must also ensure that the name on the Air Canada flight booking is identical to the name on the Aeroplan account profile of the traveler. The complimentary first checked bag applies solely to the Primary Cardholder, and service charges for additional/oversized/overweight baggage may apply. Applicable on flights that do not already offer a complimentary first checked bag. To access this benefit, the Primary Cardholder may be required to show their TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card to the Air Canada agent. Please allow two (2) weeks from receiving your Card for these Air Canada benefits to be activated. Air Canada Benefit Eligibility – Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge One-Time Guest Access Benefit : With the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, the Primary Cardholder will receive four Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge^™ One-Time Guest Access Benefits once every calendar year (January 1 - December 31). The Primary Cardholder may access an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge^™, where available, upon presentation of an active TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card with a valid, same-day boarding pass for travel using an Aeroplan Flight Reward, only, on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or under the Air Canada Express banner. To access this benefit, the Primary Cardholder must redeem their Aeroplan Flight Reward (defined as Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards^® or Market Fare Flight Rewards^®) with miles from their Aeroplan account. Each Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge One-Time Guest Access Benefit applies for a single entry during the calendar year for which it was provided by the Primary Cardholder only and cannot be carried forward to the next calendar year. As of November 2, 2015, Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge One-Time Guest Access Benefits associated with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card may be used by a traveling companion, pending space availability, provided that the companion is booked on the same reservation as the eligible Primary Cardholder. Only applicable if the companion ticket is also redeemed using miles from the eligible Primary Cardholder’s Aeroplan account. Companion must be accompanied by the eligible Primary Cardholder who is using a One-Time Guest Access Benefit to access the same Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. The One-Time Guest Access Benefit may be extended to more than one companion at any given time, pending space availability, provided that the conditions above are met and that this does not exceed the maximum annual allotment of One-Time Guest Access Benefits. Additional conditions may apply and are outlined on aircanada.com/tdbenefits. Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access is subject to availability and all other terms and conditions located here that are subject to change at Air Canada’s sole discretion from time to time. Please allow two (2) weeks from receiving your Card for these Air Canada benefits to be in effect. Air Canada^® Benefit Eligibility – 50% Discount on Companion Ticket : Upon the purchase from Air Canada of two (2) eligible Business Class (Flexible) fares for the Primary Cardholder and a companion (booking classes J, C, and D only) on tickets entirely operated by Air Canada or under the Air Canada Express banner, the Primary Cardholder will be eligible for a 50% discount on the companion ticket. Flights operated by other airlines, including Air Canada-marketed codeshare flights are not eligible. The 50% discount only applies on the published fare, and will not apply to any additional taxes, fees, charges or surcharges. This offer is available once every calendar year (January 1 – December 31) to each Primary Cardholder. The Primary Cardholder can only access the 50% discount each year when booking online at aircanada.com using that year’s promotional code. All travel must be completed by December 31 of the following year. Offer also applies to select Premium rouge bookings, where booking classes J, C, or D are available, on flights operated by Air Canada rouge to select destinations in Canada, the United States, or the Caribbean. Should you require assistance completing your 50% discount during your online booking, please contact Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262. Offer is non-transferable, and the companion Business Class ticket must be booked on the same reservation as the eligible Business Class (Flexible) booking by the Primary Cardholder. Please note that promotional codes apply to undiscounted published fares. Some of our previously discounted fares, while not eligible for the promotion, may be lower than the final price of the undiscounted fare to which the promotion applies. 4 You must be an eligible Visa Infinite Privilege cardholder with a valid Visa Infinite Privilege Card to take advantage of the Visa Infinite Privilege benefits and services. Certain benefits and services require enrolment. Offers and benefits are non-transferable and discounts cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Neither Visa nor the Issuer of the card is responsible for any claims or damages arising from use of any benefits or services provided by a third party. Visa reserves the right to modify or cancel offers or benefits at any time and without notice. All offers, benefits and services made available through Visa are subject to complete terms and conditions, including third party suppliers’ terms and conditions (available at www.visainfinite.ca/privilege/terms.jsp). The Visa Infinite Privilege privacy policy (available at www.visainfinite.ca/privilege/privacy.jsp) applies to all benefits and services that require enrolment through, or are otherwise provided by, the Visa Infinite Privilege Concierge or the Visa Infinite Privilege website. The collection, use and disclosure of cardholders’ personal information by third party suppliers of services and benefits to Visa Infinite Privilege cardholders are subject to such third parties’ own privacy policies. 5 1.5 Bonus Aeroplan Miles (“Bonus Rate”) are earned on each $1.00 in Purchases of gas, groceries or drugstore products/services charged to your TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card Account (“Account”). This Bonus Rate is also earned on each $1.00 in Purchases from Air Canada charged to your Account for products and services completed online at aircanada.com, in-person at an Air Canada customer service counter at the airport or aboard an Air Canada flight. Excluded from the Bonus Rate are Air Canada Vacations packages, car rentals, hotel bookings, and other third party partner products and services that can be purchased through aircanada.com. Any returned items, refunds, rebates or other similar credits will reduce or cancel the Aeroplan Miles earned on the original Purchase. To earn this Bonus Rate, Purchases of gas, groceries, drugstore products/services and Air Canada Purchases must be made at merchants classified through the Visa* network with a Merchant Category Code (“MCC”) that identifies them in the “gas”, “grocery”, “drugstore” or “Air Canada” category. Some merchants may sell gas, groceries or drugstore products/services or Air Canada products/services, or have separate merchants located on their premises that also sell gas, groceries or drugstore products/services or Air Canada products/services, but may not be classified with a gas, grocery, drugstore or Air Canada MCC and such Purchases will not earn this Bonus Rate. If you have questions about the MCC that applies to a Purchase, contact TD at 1-800-983-8472. Bonus Rate is only available on the first $100,000 in net annual Purchases of gas, groceries, drugstore products/services and Air Canada Purchases made from January 1 to December 31 each year on your Account. Once the maximum net annual amount has been reached, Purchases of gas, groceries, drugstore products/services or Air Canada Purchases on the Account will not earn the Bonus Rate but will only earn Aeroplan Miles at the standard rate that applies to all other Purchases on the Account. This Bonus Rate offer is in place of, and not in addition to, the standard rate earned on all other Purchases made on your Account. Offer may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer. 6 1.25 Aeroplan Miles are earned on each $1.00 in Purchases charged to your TD Aeroplan Credit Card Account (“Account”). Credit for returned items, refunds, rebates or other similar credits will reduce or cancel the Aeroplan Miles earned by the amount originally charged to your Account. Fees, Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers, Cash-Like Transactions and TD Visa Cheques), interest charges, optional services, refunds, rebates or other similar credits do not earn Aeroplan Miles. Please see the Aeroplan Terms for Your TD Credit Card section of the Cardholder Agreement for complete details on Aeroplan Miles earned on Purchases (a copy of your Cardholder Agreement is available at http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/tdvisa/agreements ). 7 The Toronto-Dominion Bank is not responsible for any Aeroplan Miles under this “earn miles twice” feature of the Aeroplan Program when the Aeroplan Membership Card is presented. See your Aeroplan Program for full details. Feature may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer. For full details on hotel accommodation and car rental booked with Aeroplan Travel Services, please visit aeroplan.com. All trade-marks are the property of their respective owners. * Trademark of Visa Int., used under license. TM Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is a trademark of Air Canada, used under license. ^® Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge and the Air Canada Maple Leaf logo are registered trademarks of Air Canada, used under license. ^® Air Canada is a registered trademark of Air Canada, used under license. ^® Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards and Market Fare Flight Rewards are registered trademarks of Aimia Canada Inc. Aeroplan^® and the Aeroplan logo are registered trademarks of Aeroplan Inc. The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

Legal

^†Terms and conditions apply.

With the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card, you can earn up to 100,000 Aeroplan points^† with a tiered welcome offer.

This card also offers premium travel benefits, including:

A partial rebate on NEXUS program application fees (up to $100 CAD per eligible cardholder) every 48 months^†
Unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges^†, with complimentary access for one guest
6 complimentary visits per year to select international airport lounges through the Visa Airport Companion Program^† presented by DragonPass International Ltd.
First checked bag free for you and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation when travel begins with an Air Canada flight^†

With the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card, you earn:

Earn 2 points^† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made direct through Air Canada^® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations^®)
1.5 points^† per dollar on eligible purchases of gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel, public transit and dining
1.25 points^† per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Annual fee

Primary card$599

Additional card$199

Annual income required

Individual$150,000

Household$200,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

2xAir Canada flights
1.5xRestaurants
1.5xGroceries
1.5xTravel
1.5xTransit
1.5xGas & EV
1.25xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$2,334

2nd Year Value$461

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$400

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 4 days

Trip CancellationUp to $2,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $2,500

Flight DelayUp to $1,000

Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+2 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,500 / 2 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Compare

American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Reserve Card

American Express Aeroplan

Annual fee: $599
Our valuation: $1,700Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 85,000 points

Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply 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”).

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class="checkmarks"]This metal credit card is the Best Premium Aeroplan Credit Card in Canada. For a limited time, you can earn up to 150,000 Aeroplan points as a welcome bonus (an estimated $2,550 value). With this Card you can earn:

3 points per dollar on purchases made with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
2 points per dollar for dining and food delivery purchases
1.25 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Also, as a Cardmember, you get many benefits such as:

Unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in North America
The first checked bag free for you and up to 8 companions
An Annual Worldwide Companion Pass
Exclusive benefits with Air Canada (Priority check-in, Priority Boarding and Priority Standby List)
The ability to earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Statuts Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 in purchases charged to your Card.

Finally, you are covered with reliable insurance for your travels and purchases.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Legal

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

With this welcome offer for American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Reserve Card, you can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points. Here’s how:

Earn 60,000 points after you spend $7,500 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in the 13th month

With this Amex Aeroplan Card, you earn 3X the points on purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. And 2x the points on Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada. Everywhere else, you will earn 1.25X the points.

With this Amex Aeroplan Premium Card, you receive many Air Canada travel benefits, such as access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for you and one guest, priority check-in, priority boarding and priority baggage handling. It’s the best Amex Aeroplan Card for frequent Air Canada flyers.

With this American Express Aeroplan Card, enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada^®* flights.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$599

Additional card$199

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

3xAir Canada flights
2xRestaurants
1.25xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,938

2nd Year Value$430

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$400

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $1,000

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Welcome Bonus

The welcome bonus offered by each of these cards varies according to the promotions.

Here is how the current offer is structured:

Comparatif : Carte Prestige Aéroplan American Express vs Carte Visa Infinite Privilège TD Aéroplan - Carte Visa Infinite Privilege Td Aeroplan

With this welcome offer for the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card you can earn up to 85,000 points Aeroplan.

Here’s how:

20,000 Aeroplan points after first purchase
35,000 Aeroplan points after $12,000 in purchases within 180 days of account opening
30,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $24,000 in the 12 months following account opening

Based on our valuation of Aeroplan points (2 cents per point), this welcome bonus corresponds to an approximate value of $1,700.

Carte Prestige Aéroplan American Express

With this welcome offer for the American Express^® Aeroplan Reserve Card, you can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points. It’s the best offer in a long time!

Here’s how:

60,000 Aeroplan points after charging $7,500 to your Card in the first 3 months
25,000 additional Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in the 13th month

Based on our Aeroplan points valuation (2 cents per point), this Welcome Bonus corresponds to an approximate value of 1 700 $.

Advantage: American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

The American Express^® Aeroplan Reserve Card offer is much easier to obtain, with less outlay required.

Minimum Income

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.

Advantage: American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

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.

Annual Fee

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.

It's a tie !

There is no argument on this subject! The annual fees are exactly the same.

Earning Points

The two cards offer different point accumulation rates.

The Accumulation Level

With the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card you get different levels:

2 points per dollar for Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations purchases
1.5 points per dollar on eligible gas, grocery, travel and restaurant purchases
1.25 points per $1 on all other purchases

With the American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Reserve Card you earn:

3 points per dollar on eligible Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations purchases
2 points per dollar on restaurant, bar and home delivery purchases
1.25 points per dollar on everything else

Advantage: TD

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.

Redeeming Points

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. Here is the Flight Reward Chart 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.

It's a tie !

Since both are used to collect Aeroplan points and are co-branded Aeroplan cards, neither card 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 Benefits

Access to airport lounges

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 travelling 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.

Advantage: TD

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 travelling in an airport lounge area not served by Air Canada.

Other Benefits

With the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card you will have:

$100 statement credit every 4 years for NEXUS membership or renewal fees
Free first checked bag free for you and up to 8 people travelling on the same reservation
Priority check-in and boarding at the airport when flying with Air Canada
Priority baggage handling and upgrades with Air Canada
Annual Companion Pass if you make $25,000 in purchases during the year
eUpgrades rollover to the following year
Rapid passage through international and domestic security checkpoints (Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal-Trudeau)
Metal Card

With the American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Reserve Card you benefit from the following advantages:

$100 statement credit every 4 years for NEXUS membership or renewal fees
Free first checked bag free for you and up to 8 people travelling on the same reservation
Priority check-in and boarding at the airport when flying with Air Canada
Priority baggage handling and upgrades with Air Canada
Annual Companion Pass if you make $25,000 in purchases during the year
eUpgrades rollover to the following year
Access to priority security screening at Toronto Pearson International Airport
Metal Card

Advantage: TD

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 but only in Toronto.

Promotional Offers

With the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card holders were able to take advantage of certain promotional offers:

Earn credit or points Aeroplan on your account
Link your account with Starbucks
Various promotions with Aeroplan for Aeroplan points back or discounts on flights

American Express is known for its promotional offers.

For example, with American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Reserve cardholders have been able to take advantage of a number of promotional offers over the past year, including:

$100 credit on $100 in restaurant purchase
$10 credit for purchases on Amazon
$20 credit towards purchases at lululemon
Various Shop Small events

Advantage: American Express

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 businesses (1Password, Marriott Bonvoy, Quickbooks, TurboTax, Columbia, Kinton Ramen, etc).

Insurance

Insurance
Trip Cancellation Insurance	up to $2,500	Up to $1,500
Trip interruption insurance	up to $5,000	up to $1,500
Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance	Up to $5,000,000 31 days	Up to $5,000,000 15 days
Flight delay insurance	Up to $1,000 after 4 hours	Up to $1,000 after 4 hours
Misdirected Baggage Insurance	Up to $1,000 after 4 hours	Up to $1,000 after 6 hours
Baggage loss or theft insurance	up to $2,500	up to $1,000
Hotel burglary insurance	up to $2,500	up to $1,000
Rental car theft and damage insurance	up to $85,000	up to $85,000
Travel accident insurance	$500,000	$500,000
Purchase Protection	2 additional years	1 additional year
Purchase Guarantee	Up to $1,000 120 days	Up to $1,000 90 days

Advantage: TD

The insurance offered by TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card is 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 Reserve card offers nothing for this age group.

Bottom Line

So? Which Card is the winner?

For all its features, the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card wins the match! 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:

Its advantageous accumulation rate;
Acceptance in more shops;
Greater access to airport lounges;
Superior travel insurance.

The American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Reserve Card stands out thanks to:

Its welcome offer is easier to obtain;
Its lack of minimum income;
Its higher accumulation rate for purchases with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations;
Promotional offers throughout the year to help offset annual fees.

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