To the point
Here are our comparison tables on new Aeroplan credit cards offered by the 3 issuers in Canada, including CIBC and TD.
Update: August 17, 2021
American Express, CIBC and TD offer a variety of Aeroplan credit card offers. As you’ll see, some offers include the new Air Canada Buddy Pass: we detail what it’s all about right after.
If you know what the Air Canada Buddy Pass is, go directly to the offers for the three Aeroplan credit card tiers:
Table of contents
Air Canada Buddy Pass
The main new feature accompanying some welcome offers is the Air Canada Buddy Pass. You book a flight and pay the fare, then enjoy a $0 fare for a companion – only paying the taxes and third-party charges on the second ticket.
The one-time Buddy Pass will be deposited into your Aeroplan dashboard (aircanada.com/myaeroplan). Once deposited, the pass will be available for one year before it expires, though travel can be booked for a date beyond that year.
The Air Canada Buddy Pass valid for Economy Class bookings anywhere Air Canada flies in North America, including Mexico and Hawaii. The Buddy Pass is valid for travel any time for any economy fare, including fares on sale.
It is even possible to get an upgrade, depending on status level, and if the fare purchased allows for it.
We estimate that this Air Canada Buddy Pass is worth between $200 and $1,000 depending on the flight’s price. So it’s an exciting advantage if you’re looking to travel on Air Canada in North America.
If you don’t find a use for this pass, you can convert it into 30,000 Aeroplan Points until November 30, 2021!
Entry Aeroplan Credit Cards
Entry-Level Aeroplan credit cards are offered by two issuers:
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
| Name | CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card | TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card |
| Welcome offer |
10,000 Aeroplan points (1st purchase) |
10,000 Aeroplan points (1st purchase) |
| + 10,000 additional Aeroplan points (see conditions) |
||
| First-Year Annual fee rebate (see conditions) |
||
| Limited Time Offer | – | December 5, 2021 |
| Annual fee | $0 | $89 |
| Additional Card (with privileges) | $0 | $39 |
| Additional Card (without privileges) | – | – |
| Income required (indiv./household) | – | – |
| Earning rate | |
|
| Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations | 1 point | 1 point |
| Gas | 1 point | 1 point |
| Grocery | 1 point | 1 point |
| Other | 1 point / $1.50 | 1 point / $1.50 |
| Advantages | ||
| Preferred pricing | ✓ | ✓ |
| No expiry of Aeroplan points | ✓ | ✓ |
| Insurance | |
|
| Health care | – | – |
| Trip Cancellation Insurance | – | – |
| Trip Interruption Insurance | – | – |
| Flight/trip delay | – | $500 – 4 hours |
| Delayed baggage | – | $1,000/pers. |
| Lost/stolen baggage | – | $1,000/pers. |
| Common carrier accident | $100,000 | $500,000 |
| Hotel/motel burglary | – | $2,500 |
| Auto rental collision/loss damage waiver | $65,000 – 48 days | $65,000 – 48 days |
| Mobile device | – | $1,000 |
| Purchases | 90 days | 90 days |
| Extended warranty | 1 additional year | 1 additional year |
With the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card, CIBC has decided to issue an Aeroplan credit card with no annual fee. It is the only Aeroplan credit card with no annual fee on the market.
The earning rate is the same for the two cards. The difference is mainly on the insurance side: unlike CIBC, the TD Credit Card includes insurance for flight or baggage delays, lost luggage, hotel burglary or mobile insurance.
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card
Welcome offer
Here is the welcome offer for this new Aeroplan credit card:
- Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card.
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card
Welcome offer
Here is the welcome offer for this Aeroplan Credit Card:
For Quebec residents only:
- Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card.
- Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points when you keep your Account open, active and in good standing for 90 days after Account opening, up to total of 20,000 points.
- Plus, get an annual fee rebate for the first year.
For Residents outside of Quebec
- Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card.
- Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 within 90 days of Account opening, up to total of 20,000 points.
- Plus, get an annual fee rebate for the first year.
This offer is valid until December 5, 2021.
Our opinion on entry-level credit card offers
With the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card, CIBC has decided to issue an Aeroplan credit card with no annual fee. It is the only Aeroplan credit card with no annual fee on the market.
The earning rate is the same for the two cards. The difference is mainly on the insurance side: unlike CIBC, the TD Credit Card includes insurance for flight or baggage delays, lost luggage, hotel burglary or mobile insurance. However, once the first year is over, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card will have an annual fee.
If you don’t need insurance, CIBC’s card will be a better choice. But if you want more Aeroplan points and good insurance, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card is a good choice.
Core Aeroplan Credit Cards
Core Aeroplan credit cards are the most popular cards. Here are the names of the credit cards offered by the three issuers:
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| Name | American Express® Aeroplan®* Card | CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card |
| Welcome offer |
Up to 40,000 Aeroplan points (see conditions) |
10,000 Aeroplan points (1st purchase) |
10,000 Aeroplan points (1st purchase) |
| – | + 10,000 additional Aeroplan points (see conditions) |
+ 15,000 additional Aeroplan points (see conditions) |
|
| Air Canada Buddy Pass (see conditions) |
Air Canada Buddy Pass (see conditions) |
+ Air Canada Buddy Pass (see conditions) |
|
| First-Year Annual Fee Rebate (see conditions) |
First-Year Annual Fee Rebate (see conditions) |
||
| Limited Time Offer | – | – | December 5, 2021 |
| Annual fee | $120 | $139 | $139 |
| Additional Card (with privileges) | $50 | $50 | $75 |
| Additional Card (without privileges) | $0 | – | – |
| Income required (indiv./household) | $0 | $60,000 – $100,000 | $60,000 – $100,000 |
| Earning rate | |
|
|
| Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations | 2 points | 1.5 points | 1.5 points |
| Gas | 1 point | 1.5 points | 1.5 points |
| Grocery | 1 point | 1.5 points | 1.5 points |
| Dining and Food Delivery | 1.5 points | 1 point | 1 point |
| Other | 1 point | 1 point | 1 point |
| Advantages | |
|
|
| Preferred pricing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No expiry of Aeroplan points | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free first checked bag | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shared benefits with additional cards | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1,000 SQM et 1 SQS (per $10,000 eligible annual spend) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| $100 Nexus Credit | – | – | ✓ |
| Insurance | |
|
|
| Health care | – | $5,000,000 Age 0-64: 15 days Age 65+: 3 days |
$1,000,000 Age 0-64: 21 days Age 65+: 4 days |
| Trip Cancellation Insurance | – | $1,500/pers. $5,000 total |
$1,500/pers. $5,000 total |
| Trip Interruption Insurance | – | $2,000/pers. |
$5,000/pers. $25,000 total |
| Flight/trip delay | $500 – 4 hours | $500 – 4 hours | $500 – 4 hours |
| Delayed baggage | $500/pers. $1,000 total |
$1,000/pers. | |
| Lost/stolen baggage | $500 | $500/pers. $1,000 total |
$1,000/pers. |
| Common carrier accident | $500,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Hotel/motel burglary | $500 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Auto rental collision/loss damage waiver | $85,000 – 48 days | $65,000 – 48 days | $65,000 – 48 days |
| Mobile device | – | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Purchases | 90 days – $1,000 | 90 days | 90 days |
| Extended warranty | 1 additional year | 1 additional year | 1 additional year |
Of the three Core Aeroplan credit cards, American Express and TD offer the best value.
Indeed, on the side of American Express, the AeroplanMD * American ExpressMD Card stands out by being less expensive and by offering the possibility of adding additional cards free of charge (These cards will not offer privileges like other cards , but they will allow you to earn points). Besides, 2 points per dollar with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations is exciting.
For its part, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card stands out with a $100 Nexus credit, something that American Express and CIBC don’t offer.
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
Welcome offer
With this welcome offer for the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card, you can earn up to 40,000 Aeroplan points and an Air Canada Buddy Pass.
Here’s how:
- 10,000 Aeroplan points and a bonus Buddy Pass after $1,500 in Card purchases within the first 3 months
- 2,500 Aeroplan Points per month, after $500 in Card purchases per month for the first 12 months or 30,000 Aeroplan Points
Remember, you can convert the Air Canada Buddy Pass into 30,000 Aeroplan Points if you wish. So you could earn up to 70,000 Aeroplan points with this welcome offer.
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Welcome offer
Here is the welcome offer for this new Aeroplan credit card:
- Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card.
- Earn 10,000 bonus Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 or more during the first 4 monthly statement periods.
- Get an Air Canada Companion Pass when you spend a minimum of $1,000 during the period covered by your first 4 statements.
- Annual fee rebate for Primary/Rewards Officer and up to 3 Authorized Users
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Welcome offer
With this new welcome offer for the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you can get:
- A welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card
- 15,000 additional Aeroplan points and a bonus Buddy Pass (different rules depending on your province of residence)
- An annual fee rebate for the primary cardholder (instead of $139)
- Annual fee rebate for the first year for up to 3 additional cardholders (instead of $75 per additional card )
- $100 NEXUS fee rebate
- Up to eight passengers travelling on the same reservation will all enjoy their first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
For Quebec Residents only: To receive the additional bonus of 15,000 Aeroplan points and the bonus Buddy Pass, you must keep your Account open, active and in good standing for 90 days after Account opening. More Info here.
For Residents outside of Quebec: To receive the additional bonus of 15,000 Aeroplan points and the bonus Buddy Pass, you must make $1,000 in net Purchases (less any returns and credits) on your Account, including your first Purchase, within 90 days of Account opening. More Info here.
This offer is valid until December 5, 2021.
Our opinion on Core Aeroplan Credit Cards offers
The three issuers have chosen different options for these cards, which are expected to be the most popular.
American Express has chosen to maintain the annual fee, starting in the first year and adding spending conditions for the first 12 months. To earn the full 40,000 Aeroplan Welcome Bonus Points and Air Canada Buddy Pass, you have to spend $6,000 over 12 months.
CIBC has chosen to offer an Annual fee rebate for Primary and up to 3 Authorized Users. If the welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points is offered with your first purchase, you’ll need to spend $1,000 in 4 months to get the Air Canada Companion Pass and an additional 10,000 Aeroplan points.
According to us, TD seems to have the best offer of the three, especially for Quebec (no minimum spend required). You can earn a welcome bonus of up to 25,000 Aeroplan points and an Air Canada Buddy Pass. The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card stands out with a $100 NEXUS credit, something American Express and CIBC don’t offer.
And if you choose to convert the Buddy Pass into 30,000 Aeroplan points, you could earn up to 55,000 Aeroplan points with the TD’s offer or up to 70,000 Aeroplan points with the Amex’s offer.
Premium Aeroplan Credit Cards
Premium Aeroplan credit cards are designed for Air Canada’s frequent flyers. Here are the names of the credit cards offered by the three issuers:
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| Name | American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card | CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card | TD®Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card |
| Welcome offer |
30,000 Aeroplan Points (after $3,000 in purchases) |
20,000 Aeroplan points (1st purchase) |
20,000 Aeroplan points (1st purchase) |
| Up to 60,000 Aeroplan points (see conditions) |
+ 25,000 Aeroplan points (see conditions) |
+ 45,000 Aeroplan points (see conditions) |
|
| – | + 30,000 Aeroplan points (see conditions) |
– | |
| + Air Canada Buddy Pass (see conditions) |
– | + Air Canada Buddy Pass (see conditions) |
|
| Limited Time Offer | – | – | December 5, 2021 |
| Annual fee | $599 | $599 | $599 |
| Additional Card (with privileges) | $199 | $149 | $199 |
| Additional Card (without privileges) | $0 | – | – |
| Income required (household) | $0 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Earning rate | |
|
|
| Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations | 3 points | 2 points | 2 points |
| Gas | 1.25 points | 1.5 points | 1.5 points |
| Grocery | 1.25 points | 1.5 points | 1.5 points |
| Travel | 1.25 points | 1.5 points | 1.5 points |
| Dining and Food Delivery | 2 points | 1.5 points | 1.5 points |
| Other | 1.25 points | 1.25 points | 1.25 points |
| Advantages | |
|
|
| Preferred pricing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No expiry of Aeroplan points | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free first checked bag | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shared benefits with additional cards | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1,000 SQM et 1 SQS (per $5,000 eligible annual spend) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| $100 Nexus Credit | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Travel benefits | |
|
|
| Access to the Maple Leaf Lounge | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 6 Annual Visits to Priority Pass lounges | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airport Priority services | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Priority Airport Standby | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Annual companion pass | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ROLLOVER SQM | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ROLLOVER eUPGRADE CREDITS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Insurance | |
|
|
| Health care | $5,000,000 Age 0-65: 15 days |
$5,000,000 Age 0-64: 31 days Age 65+: 10 days |
$5,000,000 Age 0-64: 31 days Age 65+: 4 days |
| Trip Cancellation Insurance | $1,500/pers. $3,000/pers. |
$2,500/pers. $10,000 total |
$2,500/pers. $5,000 total |
| Trip Interruption Insurance | $1,500/pers. $6,000 total |
$5,000/pers. $25,000 total |
$5,000/pers. $25,000 total |
| Flight/trip delay | $1,000 – 4 hours | $500 – 4 hours | $1,000 – 4 hours |
| Delayed baggage | $500/pers. $1,000 total |
$1,000/pers. | |
| Lost/stolen baggage | $1,000 | $1,000/pers. $2,500 total |
$2,500/pers. |
| Common carrier accident | $500,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Hotel/motel burglary | $1,000 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Auto rental collision/loss damage waiver | $85,000 – 48 days | $85,000 – 48 days | $85,000 – 48 days |
| Mobile device | – | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Purchases | 90 days – $1,000 | 180 days | 120 days |
| Extended warranty | 1 additional year | 2 additional years | 2 additional years |
Of the three premium Aeroplan credit cards, they all offer the same earning rates (1.25 points anywhere). On the other hand, the fees are different for CIBC ($149 instead of $199 for the additional TD card). But $50 instead of $100 for the Nexus credit.
On the American Express side, the American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card stands out for its high earning rate for purchases with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations: 3 points per dollar. However, it doesn’t offer the 6 visits to Priority Pass lounges, nor the Nexus Credit.
However, unlike CIBC and TD, requiring a $200,000 household income, the American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card does not require a minimum income.
American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card
Welcome offer
With this welcome offer for the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, you can earn up to 90,000 Aeroplan points and an Air Canada Buddy Pass.
Here’s how:
- 30,000 Aeroplan points and a bonus Buddy Pass after $3,000 in Card purchases within the first 3 months
- 5,000 Aeroplan Points per month, after $1,000 in Card purchases per month for the first 12 months, or 60,000 Aeroplan Points
Remember, you can convert the Air Canada Buddy Pass into 30,000 Aeroplan Points if you wish. So you could earn up to 120,000 Aeroplan points with this welcome offer.
CIBC® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
Welcome offer
Here is the welcome offer for this new Aeroplan credit card:
- 20,000 Aeroplan points Welcome Bonus (1st purchase)
- Earn 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,000 or more during your first 4 monthly statement periods
- You can also earn an additional 2,500 Aeroplan points each monthly statement period in which you spend at least $2,000 in your first year. That’s up to 30,000 points!
TD®Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
Welcome offer
With this new welcome offer for the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, you can get:
- A welcome bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card
- 45,000 additional Aeroplan points and a bonus Buddy Pass (different rules depending on your province of residence)
- $100 NEXUS fee rebate
- Access to Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges
- 6 annual visits to Priority Pass airport lounges
- Up to eight passengers travelling on the same reservation will all enjoy their first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
For Quebec Residents Only: To receive the additional bonus of 45,000 Aeroplan points and the bonus Buddy Pass, you must keep your Account open, active and in good standing for 90 days after Account opening. More Info here.
For Residents outside of Quebec: To receive the additional bonus of 45,000 Aeroplan points and the bonus Buddy Pass, you must make $1,000 in net Purchases (less any returns and credits) on your Account, including your first Purchase, within 90 days of Account opening. More Info here.
This offer is valid until December 5, 2021.
Our opinion on Premium Aeroplan Credit Card Offers
Of the three premium Aeroplan credit cards, American Express offers the best Welcome Bonus: up to 90,000 points and an Air Canada Buddy Pass.
To get the full welcome offer, you will need to spend a total of $12,000 in the first 12 months. This remains accessible, given the target audience.
The second best offer is on TD’sside, especially for Quebec (no minimum spend required). You can earn up to 65,000 Aeroplan points and an Air Canada Buddy Pass.
Finally, CIBC has decided to withdraw the Air Canada Buddy Pass but offer more Aeroplan points (up to 75,000 points), as long as you charge $2,000 in Card purchases per month for the first year!
Note: you need a $200,000 household income to apply for CIBC or TD cards. There is no minimum income required on the American Express side with the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card.
Earning points
American Express Aeroplan credit cards
CIBC Aeroplan Credit cards
TD Aeroplan credit cards
Advantages
American Express Aeroplan credit cards
CIBC Aeroplan Credit cards
TD Aeroplan credit cards
Starbucks Offer for TD cardholders
Until November 7, 2021, TD Aeroplan Credit cards holders earn 50% more Aeroplan Points on Starbucks purchases charged to their TD Aeroplan Credit card.
All purchases made through the Starbucks app or in-store at participating Starbucks locations will be eligible for the exclusive credit card accelerator and, together with base earn, will receive:
| Card | Name | Aeroplan Point per dollar (Starbucks) |
|
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card | 1 point per dollar |
|
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | 1.5 points per dollar |
|
TD®Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card | 2.25 points per dollar |
 |
TD Aeroplan® Visa Business Card | 2.25 points per dollar |
Conclusion
Many of us expected “amazing” welcome bonuses in Aeroplan points. Eventually, for most cards, the welcome bonus is finally elsewhere with the Air Canada Buddy Pass.
Abonnez-vous à notre infolettre pour ne pas manquer nos prochains articles dans lesquels nous ferons des comparatifs entre chaque carte de crédit sur chaque aspect:
- Earning
- Benefits
- Insurance
- Fees
- And more!
All this to help you choose the right Aeroplan credit card for you!
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
