To the point
The names are similar but there are big differences between the two passes. This is how companion passes are accumulated!
Examples of welcome offers with two types of companion pass
**Update March 07, 2022: Some offers are no longer available, therefore, some calculations may no longer be current.
Used properly, Air Canada Companion Passes can save you a lot of money.
For example, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite card offers up to 20,000 Aeroplan points and an Air Canada Companion Pass:
- Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points the first time you make a purchase.
- Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points and a Companion Pass if you spend at least $1,000 during the periods covered by your first four monthly statements.
In addition, the CIBC Aeroplan Premium Visa Infinite card has an offer for another type of pass:
Receive one (1) Annual Companion Pass – World valued at $99 to a maximum of $599 (plus taxes, fees, levies and surcharges) when you spend $25,000 on your card .
Banque CIBC
Air Canada Bonus Pass, Annual Worldwide Companion Pass: here are the differences between the two passes.
The Bonus Buddy Pass
The Buddy Pass is part of the welcome offer.
You buy a ticket and with this pass you get a second ticket for free. Only taxes must be paid.
It is valid for:
- All Air Canada operated roundtrip flights within North America (including Hawai and Mexico).
- Any economy class fare (including discount fares).
The Pass will be deposited by the issuer (CIBC, but in the past also TD and American Express) into the Primary Cardmember’s Aeroplan account. The delay can be 8 to 10 weeks after the net purchase target is reached (especially on the TD side).
All other conditions are detailed in this article.
You can receive this Buddy Pass with these cards:
- CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
- CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa* Business Plus CardMD
Here you will find examples and strategies for using it.
Where can you find the Buddy Pass in your Aeroplan account? The answer is here.
The Annual Worldwide Companion Pass
This is an offer from the issuer, linked to the card.
You earn this pass when you make $25,000 in net purchases (not including the annual fee) before your card’s anniversary date.
You purchase a round-trip ticket for yourself and this pass provides a second ticket at a flat base fare of $99 to $599 for your companion in Air Canada economy class. Taxes and other surcharges must be paid.
The cost of the ticket depends on your destination for a basic fare:
- $99 in Canada or the continental United States (excluding Hawaii),
- $299 for Hawaii, Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean,
- $499 for South America, Europe, Middle East or Africa,
- $599 for Asia, Australia or New Zealand.
The terms and conditions state that this pass will be deposited into the Aeroplan account 8 to 10 weeks after the anniversary date of the card membership. However, according to some lucky people, it may arrive earlier.
The time frame may vary greatly if the issuer is American Express, CIBC or TD. If you reach the $25,000 net purchase threshold near the end of your membership year, you may have to pay the 2nd year fee before receiving this pass.
Having multiple companion passes
Before going any further, you need to determine your goal. You shouldn’t collect passes for the sake of it. If necessary, review the guide to define your strategy.
You may obtain only one Companion Pass per type of card (consumer, premium, corporate), for a total of 3 maximum per 12-month period. For example, some welcome offers allowed to obtain a Companion Pass with these cards:
| Consumer | Premium | Enterprise |
|
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card |
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card |
If you wanted to have a maximum of Passes, you could take :
#1
A Buddy pass via ONE of these consumer cards :
| Terms | Annual fee | |
| American Express® Aeroplan®* Card | This offer is no longer available | $120 |
| TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | This offer is no longer available | $0 (first year) |
| CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | After $1,000 in purchases during the first 4 monthly statements | $0 (first year) |
#2
A Buddy pass via ONE of these Corporate cards :
| Terms | Annual fee | |
| TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card | This offer is no longer available | $0 (first year) |
| CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card | After $3,000 in purchases during the periods covered by your first 4 monthly statements | $0 (first year) |
#3 and #4
A Buddy Pass AND an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass via ONE of these premium cards for a $599 annual fee:
| Buddy Pass #3 | Annual Companion Pass #4 | |
| TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card | This offer is no longer available | After $25,000 in net purchases |
| American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card | This offer is no longer available | After $25,000 in net purchases |
| American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card | This offer is no longer available | After $25,000 in net purchases |
Conclusion
By having fun with the math and cards, you can receive 4 passes with $599 annual fee for 3 cards and $26,000 – $30,000 in purchases in 12 months :
- 3 Companion Passes
- 1 Annual Companion Pass – World
Is it worth it? If you have a high volume of purchases, it can be advantageous for you. Otherwise, you may be better off focusing on reaching bonuses from other credit cards.
For another low-cost, fast-earning Aeroplan points strategy, see the article here.
It’s up to you to do the math. Then, all you have to do is find your lucky travel companion!
Our selection of Aeroplan credit cards
Our articles on the Buddy Pass
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
