The New Aeroplan Credit Cards

For its Aeroplan program, Air Canada partners with three Aeroplan credit cards issuers in Canada:

• American Express
• CIBC
• TD

Here’s what we know about the new Aeroplan credit cards.

Here is the part of my video on this topic:

On November 8, 2020, there will be 14 Aeroplan credit cards, distributed among the three credit card issuers, for all audiences:

• Consumers (3 levels of cards )
• Self-employed, professionals, Small businesses
• Corporation

Air Canada has listed in this table the benefits offered to Aeroplan credit cardholders ( find out more about TD Aeroplan Credit Cards at the end of this post ):

Aeroplan credit cardholders will receive a higher earn rate for Air Canada purchases.

For some cards, this will apply not only to Air Canada flights, but also Air Canada Vacations packages or onboard purchases.

Aeroplan credit cardholders will receive preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight rewards for flights operated by Air Canada.

With a flexible chart on its flights, Air Canada has greater control regarding fares so that it can offer this preferred pricing to Aeroplan credit cardholders.

Air Canada even told us that some preferred fares could go below the minimum chart fare!

Usually, Aeroplan points expire after 18 months. And there are different ways to keep an active account.

However, Aeroplan credit cardholders don’t have to worry about their Aeroplan points expiring.

Some Aeroplan credit cardholders will get a free first checked bag for Air Canada flights (flight rewards or paid tickets)!

This benefit is valid for:

• Primary Cardholder
• Additional Cardholders
• And up to eight travel companions on the same reservation

Also, if an additional card travels without the primary cardholder, it can also be accompanied by 8 travel companions who will benefit from the free first checked bag. The only condition: everyone has to be on the same reservation.

Something to delight groups of friends or sports teams travelling on Air Canada! Or just… families:

While in the past, only the primary cardholder enjoyed some benefits with Air Canada, now, additional cardholders too!

However, they must ensure that their Aeroplan number must be linked to a valid credit card. Linking can be done by visiting this page.

Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Cardholders and American Express Aeroplan Reserve Cardmembers will receive complimentary access:

• to Maple Leaf Lounges around the world
• to Air Canada Cafés in North America

Also, Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Cardholders will receive six annual visits to Priority Pass airport lounges.

Small business credit cardholders can also get up to 4 annual passes to Maple Leaf Lounges.

You will get one access after every $10,000 in Card purchases (up to 4 annual passes).

Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Cardholders and American Express Aeroplan Reserve Cardmembers will get airport benefits:

• Priority airport services
• Priority Airport Standby
• Priority Airport Upgrades

Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Cardholders and American Express Aeroplan Reserve Cardmembers will be eligible for an annual worldwide companion pass.

To earn it, you need to charge $25,000 to your Card (maximum of one pass per year).

Once earned, you can use your Annual Companion Pass to get a companion flight at a fixed price ($99 in North America, and between $199 and $599 elsewhere around the world ).

Here’s a new benefit that will be of particular interest to Aeroplan Elite members. Some credit cardholders will be able to get Elite Status qualification boosts.

You can earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) and 1 Status Qualifying Segment (SQS) per $10,000 eligible annual spend ($5,000 for some premium and business cards).

And there is no limit to the number of SQM and SQS you can earn!

Aeroplan will roll over unused Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) or unused eUpgrade credits for Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Cardholders and American Express Aeroplan Reserve Cardmembers

This will be a great benefit for some Aeroplan Elite members!

Issuers will reach out to Current Aeroplan credit cardholders by the end of August 2020.

All new benefits will automatically apply to current cardholders.

Below are the names and markets for American Express Aeroplan Cards:

And the benefits for Cardmembers:

• You and up to eight companions travelling on the same reservation will enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
• Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in eligible net purchases charged to your Card
• You can make unforgettable memories with access to virtual events in music, sports, entertainment, dining and more.

And the travel coverage:

• Flight Delay Insurance
• Baggage Delay Insurance
• Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
• Hotel Burglary Insurance
• Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
• $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance
• Travel Emergency Assistance
• Purchase Protection^® Plan
• Buyer’s Assurance^® Protection Plan

And the benefits for Cardmembers:

• Receive one Annual Worldwide Companion Pass when you spend $25,000 in net purchases prior to your Card anniversary date; your Pass entitles you to buy an accompanying Air Canada economy class ticket for a companion at a fixed base fare from $99 to a maximum of $599 CAD (plus taxes, fees, charges, and surcharges)
• You and up to eight companions travelling on the same reservation can enjoy Priority Airport Check-In, Priority Boarding, and Priority Baggage Handling when you fly with Air Canada
• Enjoy access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf LoungesTM* and Air Canada Cafes in North America, with a same day ticket on a departing Air Canada or Star Alliance flight.
• Enjoy priority access to the standby list and eUpgrades Get prioritized on the standby waitlist for an Air Canada flight and higher priority when you request an eUpgrade
• You and up to eight companions travelling on the same reservation will enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight
• Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 in eligible net purchases charged to your Card You can also roll over up to 200,000 unused Status Qualifying Miles (SQMs) from the prior qualification year to qualify for status the following year
• Once you’re inside the terminal, avoid the line-ups at security by accessing the Pearson Priority Security Lane located at the departure level of Terminal 1 & 3 at Toronto Pearson International Airport during peak airport operating hours.
• Get complimentary valet service at the Express Park and Daily Park at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
• Get 15% off parking rates at the Express Park and Daily Park at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
• Get 15% off Car Care Services at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
• You can make unforgettable memories with access to virtual events in music, sports, entertainment, dining and more.
• American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is made from precision cut and engraved 13g metal

And the travel coverage:

• Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Trip Interruption Insurance
• Flight Delay Insurance
• Baggage Delay Insurance
• Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
• Hotel Burglary Insurance
• Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
• $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance
• Travel Emergency Assistance
• Purchase Protection^® Plan
• Buyer’s Assurance^® Protection Plan

And the benefits for Cardmembers:

• Receive one Annual Worldwide Companion Pass when you spend $25,000 in net purchases prior to your Card anniversary date; your Pass entitles you to buy an accompanying Air Canada economy class ticket for a companion at a fixed base fare from $99 to a maximum of $599 CAD (plus taxes, fees, charges, and surcharges)
• You and up to eight companions travelling on the same reservation can enjoy Priority Airport Check-In, Priority Boarding, and Priority Baggage Handling when you fly with Air Canada
• Enjoy access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf LoungesTM* and Air Canada Cafes in North America, with a same day ticket on a departing Air Canada or Star Alliance flight.
• Enjoy priority access to the standby list and eUpgrades Get prioritized on the standby waitlist for an Air Canada flight and higher priority when you request an eUpgrade
• You and up to eight companions travelling on the same reservation will enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight
• Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 in eligible net purchases charged to your Card You can also roll over up to 200,000 unused Status Qualifying Miles (SQMs) from the prior qualification year to qualify for status the following year
• Once you’re inside the terminal, avoid the line-ups at security by accessing the Pearson Priority Security Lane located at the departure level of Terminal 1 & 3 at Toronto Pearson International Airport during peak airport operating hours.
• Get complimentary valet service at the Express Park and Daily Park at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
• Get 15% off parking rates at the Express Park and Daily Park at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
• Get 15% off Car Care Services at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
• You can make unforgettable memories with access to virtual events in music, sports, entertainment, dining and more.
• American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card is made from precision cut and engraved 13g metal

And the travel coverage:

• Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Trip Interruption Insurance
• Flight Delay Insurance
• Baggage Delay Insurance
• Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
• Hotel Burglary Insurance
• Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance
• $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance
• Travel Emergency Assistance
• Purchase Protection^® Plan
• Buyer’s Assurance^® Protection Plan

Below are the names and markets for CIBC Aeroplan credit cards:

Below are the names and audiences for TD Aeroplan credit cards:

TD shared with us the different features for each of its cards :

And the benefits for Cardmembers:

• When traveling with Air Canada, Primary Cardholders, Additional Cardholders and up to eight travel companions on the same reservations now receive:
  • Free First Checked Bag
  • Priority Check-in & Priority Boarding
  • Priority Baggage Handling
  • Priority Airport Standby, and for Aeroplan Elite Status members, Priority Airport Upgrades
• Primary Cardholders and Additional Cardholders, plus 1 guest each, will now receive complimentary access to Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés in North America
• Primary Cardholders earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 of net purchases (less any returns and credits)
• Cardholders can get an annual round-trip companion pass from $99 (plus taxes, fees, charges, and surcharges)
• The suite of Travel and Insurance benefits is expanding with the addition of Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance and Mobile Device Insurance
• Increased Travel Medical Insurance from 22 days to 31 days for cardholders under the age of 65
• NEXUS⁺ application fee reimbursement of up to $100 for the Primary Cardholder and Additional Cardholders

Here are the Aeroplan points earning rates:

• Earn 1.5 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on gas, groceries or purchases made with Air Canada, including Air Canada Vacations
• Earn 1 Aeroplan point for every $1 spent on all other purchases on the card

Here are the Aeroplan points earning rates:

• Earn 1 Aeroplan point for every $1 spent on gas, groceries or purchases made with Air Canada, including Air Canada Vacations
• Earn 1 Aeroplan point for every $1.50 spent on all other purchases on the card

And the benefits for Cardmembers:

• Primary Business Cardholders can earn guest passes to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés in North America
• Receive a Free First Checked Bag for Primary Business Cardholders, Additional Cardholders and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation when traveling with Air Canada
• Primary Business Cardholders earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 of net purchases (less any returns and credits)
• The suite of Travel and Insurance benefits is expanding with the addition of Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance, Mobile Device Insurance, Trip Cancellation Insurance and Trip Interruption Insurance
• NEXUS⁺ application fee reimbursement of up to $100 for the Primary Cardholder and Additional Cardholders