To the point
Here is our comparison of the best American Express credit cards for earning Aeroplan points.
Aeroplan recently changed its terms and conditions to discourage applying for multiple Aeroplan credit cards of the same type. This new rule will strengthen credit cards with points you can transfer to Aeroplan.
Let’s take a look at Aeroplan’s co-branded credit cards and other options available on the market from American Express.
Aeroplan Credit Cards
It is no longer recommended to apply for the same level of Aeroplan credit card from different issuers (American Express, CIBC or TD). For example, you will have to choose between these Aeroplan “Premium” credit cards:
And between these Aeroplan “Core” credit cards:
And between these Aeroplan “base” credit cards:
While it will be more complicated to earn multiple welcome bonuses on Aeroplan co-branded credit cards, there are many other opportunities to earn Aeroplan Points with credit cards. Both via welcome bonuses and organic spending:
American Express Membership Rewards credit cards
American Express Membership Rewards is a transfer partner with Aeroplan. This means you can convert your Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan points at a rate of 1:1. 10,000 Membership Rewards Points = 10,000 Aeroplan Points.
American Express Canada issues seven Membership Rewards credit cards.
You can convert your Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan points from any of these American Express Membership Rewards credit cards for consumers:
You can convert your Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan points from any of these American Express Membership Rewards Business credit cards:
With the current welcome bonuses offered by these cards, you could earn between 10,000 and 80,000 Aeroplan points.
Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
The Marriott Bonvoy program is a transfer partner with Aeroplan. You can convert your Marriott Bonvoy Points to Aeroplan Points at a rate of 3 to 1. 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points = 10,000 Aeroplan Points. And for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points you convert, you earn 5,000 Aeroplan Bonus Points.
This means that 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points = 25,000 Aeroplan points. And at specific times of the year, you may even get an additional bonus.
Here are the two American Express credit cards earning Marriott Bonvoy points in Canada:
With the current welcome bonuses offered by these cards, you could earn 16,666 Aeroplan points (or 25,000 Aeroplan points by converting 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points).
Aeroplan Family Sharing
Under Aeroplan’s new rules, you cannot transfer points to Aeroplan from an account that you do not own. For example, American Express Membership Rewards points or Marriott Bonvoy points may not be transferred from Ms.’s account to Mr.’s Aeroplan account.
However, it is of course still possible to use the Aeroplan Family Sharing feature. She will be able to transfer her American Express Membership Rewards points or Marriott Bonvoy points to her own Aeroplan account. And the whole family will be able to benefit from Ms. Aeroplan points under the Aeroplan Family Share rules.
Thus, all American Express Membership Rewards points or Marriott Bonvoy points earned by Mrs. via welcome bonuses or her spending on the cards will ultimately benefit the whole family.
Earn Aeroplan points with purchases made on your American Express cards
Now that you have an overview of all the American Express cards available to earn Aeroplan Points (and the welcome bonuses available), let’s look at earning Aeroplan Points with your purchases throughout the year.
And in particular with these purchasing categories:
- Grocery
- Gas
- Dining and food delivery
- Travel
- Air Canada
- Other purchases
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card being one of the most popular Aeroplan Visa credit cards is listed as a comparison in each table.
Grocery
Here are the top five American Express credit cards to earn the most Aeroplan points with grocery purchases :
| Card | Name | Points per dollar |
 |
American Express Cobalt® Card | 5 |
 |
American Express® Gold Rewards Card | 2 |
 |
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | 1,5 |
 |
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card | 1,25 |
 |
American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card | 1,25 |
 |
American Express Platinum Card® | 1 |
The best credit card for earning Aeroplan points with grocery purchases is the American Express Cobalt® Card. With this credit card, you can earn 5 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent at the grocery store.
Many grocery stores accept American Express credit cards, such as Métro, Super C, IGA, Sobeys, Les Marchés Tradition, etc.
Gas
Here are the top five American Express credit cards to earn the most Aeroplan points with gas purchases:
| Card | Name | Points per dollar |
|
American Express Cobalt® Card | 2 |
|
American Express® Gold Rewards Card | 2 |
|
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | 1,5 |
|
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card | 1,25 |
|
American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card | 1,25 |
|
American Express Platinum Card® | 1 |
The best credit cards for earning Aeroplan points with gas purchases are the American Express Cobalt® Card and the American Express® Gold Rewards Card. With these credit cards, you can earn 2 Aeroplan points for every $1 in gas purchases.
However, be aware that you could earn 5 points per dollar by using your American Express Cobalt® Card to purchase a gas gift card at the grocery store! So you can also get 5 points per dollar for gas in another way.
Dining and food delivery
Here are the top five American Express credit cards to earn the most Aeroplan points for dining purchases and food deliveries:
The best credit card for earning Aeroplan points with grocery purchases is the American Express Cobalt® Card.
With this credit card, you can earn 5 Aeroplan points for every dollar you spend on dining or food delivery purchases.
So this is a card to use if you subscribe to services like Good Food or can’t live without Uber Eats!
Travel
Here are the top five American Express credit cards for earning the most Aeroplan points with travel purchases (excluding Air Canada):
The best credit cards for earning Aeroplan points with travel purchases are the American Express Cobalt® Card, the American Express® Gold Rewards Card and the Platinum Card®. With these credit cards, you can earn 2 Aeroplan points for every $1 in travel purchases.
So, you have a lot to choose from if you have a lot of travel expenses during the year like:
- Flights
- Hotels
- Airbnb
- Car rentals
- Cruises
- Train Tickets
- Etc.
Air Canada
Here are the top five American Express credit cards to earn the most Aeroplan points with Air Canada or Air Canada Vacations purchases:
The best credit card for earning Aeroplan points with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations purchases is the American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card. With this credit card, you can earn 3 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations.
If you travel regularly with Air Canada, you’ll want to have an Aeroplan credit card that allows you to earn more points on your Air Canada purchases. But also to benefit from the advantages of travelling with the airline such as:
- Complimentary first checked bag for the Cardholder and up to 8 travel companions (with Air Canada)
- No Aeroplan points expiry while holding an Aeroplan credit card
- Preferred pricing when booking Aeroplan flight rewards
- Insurance when you travel with your Aeroplan points
- Access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America with the American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card
Other purchases
Here are the top five American Express credit cards to earn the most Aeroplan points for all other purchases:
The best credit card for earning Aeroplan points for all your other purchases is the American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card. With this credit card, you can earn 1.25 Aeroplan points for every dollar in non-category purchases.
Bottom line
As you can see, for all your organic spending, there are many credit cards that can earn Aeroplan Points directly or indirectly.
If you had to choose just one, it could be the American Express Cobalt® Card. Actually, with the American Express Cobalt® Card, you can get:
| Category | Points per dollar | Details |
| Grocery | 5 | Like Metro, Super C, IGA, Les Marchés Tradition, Couche Tard, etc. |
| Dining and food delivery | 5 | Like Uber Eats, Good Food, and all the restaurants |
| Retailers with gift cards | 5 | Like Amazon, Walmart, SAQ, Netflix, Home Depot, Rona, IKEA (with the gift card strategy) |
| Streaming subscriptions | 3 | Like Netflix, Spotify (5 points per dollar with the gift card strategy) |
| Gas and Transit | 2 | Like Shell, Esso, Ultramar (5 points per dollar with the gift card strategy) |
| Travel | 2 | Such as flights, hotels, Airbnb, cruises, car rentals, etc. |
| Air Canada | 2 | All purchases with Air Canada or Air Canada Vacations |
| Other purchases | 1 |
You could combine the American Express Cobalt® Card with the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card for the few businesses that would not accept your American Express card.
And to take advantage of the benefits offered by the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, such as:
- Complimentary first checked bag for the Cardholder and up to 8 travel companions (with Air Canada)
- No expiration of Aeroplan points while holding the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
- Preferred pricing when booking Aeroplan flight rewards
- Insurance when you travel with your Aeroplan points
And if you’re having trouble deciding between several credit cards that earn Aeroplan Points, check out our comparisons:
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