Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve vs National Bank Platinum Business Mastercard
Both business cards worked out on the same spending: rewards, welcome bonus, fees and perks, line by line.
Worked out on a typical small business spending $4,000 a month. Enter yours to see your own numbers.
$1,674
First-year value
$418
$439
Every year after
$418
Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve is worth $1,256 more to your business in year one.
It stays ahead after that, by $21 a year.
How the first year adds up
Rewards and the welcome bonus in, the annual fee, FX fees and employee cards out, at your spending.
Annual rewards
Welcome bonus
Annual fee
FX fees
First-year value
Where each card earns
A year of your spending on each card, category by category, biggest spend first.
Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve earns more on 17 of your 17 categories.
All Other Business Expenses
$12,600 a year
US Dollar Purchases
$6,150 a year
Recurring Bills & Subscriptions
$4,800 a year
Gas & EV Charging
$3,600 a year
Dining & Restaurants
$3,600 a year
Office Supplies
$3,000 a year
Phone, Internet & Cable
$2,400 a year
Hotels
$1,800 a year
Shipping & Courier
$1,800 a year
Accounting & Bookkeeping
$1,800 a year
Other Foreign Currencies (EUR, GBP, etc.)
$1,230 a year
Electronics & Software
$1,200 a year
Air Canada
$1,200 a year
Transportation
$1,200 a year
Other Airlines
$600 a year
Car Rental
$600 a year
Other Travel
$600 a year
Rewards in a year
Welcome bonus
Each offer as the issuer words it, then which milestones your spending reaches.
Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve
- Earn up to 90,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan®* points
- Earn 65,000 Aeroplan®* points after spending $10,500 on your Card within the first 3 months as a new American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Cardmember.
- Plus, earn 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,500 in month 13.
- You can earn up to $5,600 in value within your first 13 months. When you combine the Welcome Bonus offer of up to $1,800 in value, your earn potential in accelerated and everyday spend earn rate categories with approximately $2,825 in value, and the $1,000 in value you get from exceptional benefits, you can earn up to $5,600 or more in value within your first 13 months. Terms and usage assumptions apply.
National Bank Platinum Business Mastercard
No welcome bonus right now.
Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve
Worth $1,235 at your spending
65,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $10,500 in the first 3 months
65,000 pts
25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,500 in month 13 (card year 2)
25,000 pts
National Bank Platinum Business Mastercard
No welcome bonus to work towards right now.
Fees, rates and eligibility
What each card costs to hold and to use abroad, and who it's for.
⁕ Notice: As of Jan 12, 2027, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card annual fee will increase to $799. Annual fees charged on or after this date will reflect the new fee. The Employee Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card annual fee will increase to $249. The Employee Aeroplan®* Business Reserve No Fee Card will be renamed to the Employee Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Expense Card and the annual fee will increase to $25. Learn more about new benefits.
Annual fee
Employee cards
Foreign transaction fee
Rewards
Network
Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve
Interest rates
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
1 If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.
Recommended credit score
Income required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
National Bank Platinum Business Mastercard
Interest rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Balance Transfer:
22.99%
Recommended credit score
Income required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
How each card earns
The earn rates and caps, as each issuer sets them.
Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve
- 3x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible Air Canada® and Air Canada Vacations® purchases
- 2x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible hotel and car rental purchases in Canada
- 1.25x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
National Bank Platinum Business Mastercard
- Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent,6 with no purchase limit
- Earn an additional 1.5 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases with À la carte TravelTM agrency6
- Combine your accumulated points with your personal National Bank rewards card
Insurance and perks
What both cards include comes first in each list.
Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve
Insurance
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000Baggage Delay
$1,000/person after 6 hoursCar Rental Damage & Theft
$85K MSRP up to 48 consecutive rental daysCommon Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$500,000Extended Warranty
1 yearsPurchase Protection
90 daysFlight Delay
$1,000/person after 4 hoursHotel Burglary Insurance
$1000Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)
$5M/insured up to 15 daysTrip Cancellation
$1,500/person, $3K/tripTrip Interruption
$1,500/person, $6K/trip
Perks
Companion Voucher
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from $99 to a max of $599 After spending $25,000 on your cardStatus lift
Complimentary upgrade to Avis® President's ClubStatus lift
Get 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) for every $5,000 in eligible net purchases charged to your Card, up to 25,000 SQCStatus lift
Get a 10% Head Start. Starting in 2027, eligible Basic Cardmembers with Aeroplan Elite™* Status will receive a 10% head start toward qualification, based on Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) accumulated the year before. Roll over any unallocated unused eUpgrade Credits to the following year to enjoy during your travels.Status lift
Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status will benefit from an extra 12 months to use eUpgrade credits, for a total of 24 months from issuance.Free first checked bag
First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on Air Canada branded flight and up to 8 guestsExtra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStoreFree Extra Night at Hotels
Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. Enjoy even more at over 300,000 hotel properties worldwideNexus Program Rebate
$100 every 4 yearsPriority Travel
At Toronto Pearson airport get benefits such as Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet, premium parking spots, priorioty taxi and limo lane and discount for parking and car care.Priority Travel
Get Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding and Priority Baggage Handling, Priority Airport Standby & Priority Airport Upgrades for you, your authorized users and up to 8 companions on the same flight (Only AirCanada)Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes
Unlimited Access for you and one guestAirport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
Amex Experiences™
Amex Experiences™ opens doors for you to access a number of special events, including special dining experiences, VIP parties, advance film screenings and more
National Bank Platinum Business Mastercard
Insurance
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000Baggage Delay
$500Car Rental Damage & Theft
Up to 48 daysCommon Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$250,000Extended Warranty
2 yearsPurchase Protection
180 daysFlight Delay
$500
Perks
No extra perks.
Our take
Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve
The most aggressive Aeroplan earning card you can get for a business: 3x on Air Canada, 2x on hotels and car rentals, and 1.25x on everything else. The $599 annual fee is steep, but the perks are hard to match — unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access, Priority Pass membership, free checked bags, and an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass that alone can be worth hundreds. If your business spends heavily on Air Canada flights and travel, this card can return serious value. But be honest about your travel volume — at this fee, light travelers will lose money. This is a card you need to actively use to justify.
- Premium earning rates
- Comprehensive coverage
- Unlimited airport lounge access
- Priority Pass membership
- Annual companion pass
- Free first checked bags
- NEXUS program rebate
- Priority travel perks
- High annual fee
- Benefit limitations and conditions
- Less valuable for non-travellers
National Bank Platinum Business Mastercard
A flat 1.5 points per dollar on everything, no caps, no category juggling. For businesses with varied spending that don’t want to think about optimizing categories, this card keeps it simple. The $125 annual fee is reasonable and the points never expire as long as your account is open. The trade-off is that you’re locked into National Bank’s À la carte Rewards for the best value — and the insurance and travel perks are minimal compared to what you’d get from premium cards at a similar price point. Best for businesses that value predictability over maximum return.
- Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent with no purchase limit
- Available regardless of company size or industry
- Ability to combine points with a personal National Bank rewards card
- $125 annual fee ($50 per additional card)
- Points program is most valuable within National Bank’s rewards ecosystem
- Limited insurance coverage compared to premium competitors
More business card comparisons
Each card against every other business card we review.
Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve

vs Amex Business Gold

vs Amex Platinum Business

vs BMO CashBack Business Mastercard

vs BMO® Ascend World Elite®* Business Mastercard®*

vs CIBC Aventura® Visa* Card for Business

vs CIBC bizline® Visa* Card

vs Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express® Card

vs National Bank Business Mastercard

vs Ramp Corporate Card

vs RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business Credit Card

vs RBC® Business Cash Back Mastercard‡

vs Scotia Momentum Business Visa

vs Scotia Momentum® for business No Fee Visa* Card

vs Scotiabank Passport Business

vs TD Business Cash Back Visa* Card

vs TD Business Travel Visa* Card

vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card

vs The RBC Avion Visa Business Credit Card

vs WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard® for Business
National Bank Platinum Business Mastercard

vs Amex Business Gold

vs Amex Platinum Business

vs BMO CashBack Business Mastercard

vs BMO® Ascend World Elite®* Business Mastercard®*

vs CIBC Aventura® Visa* Card for Business

vs CIBC bizline® Visa* Card

vs Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express® Card

vs National Bank Business Mastercard

vs Ramp Corporate Card

vs RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business Credit Card

vs RBC® Business Cash Back Mastercard‡

vs Scotia Momentum Business Visa

vs Scotia Momentum® for business No Fee Visa* Card

vs Scotiabank Passport Business

vs TD Business Cash Back Visa* Card

vs TD Business Travel Visa* Card

vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card

vs The RBC Avion Visa Business Credit Card

vs WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard® for Business
Legal
Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve
*Terms and conditions apply.
If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
National Bank Platinum Business Mastercard
Little details that matter
Length of the welcome promotion
From March 4 to September 16, 2025.
Eligibility conditions
- Sign up for a National Bank Platinum Business Mastercard® credit card during the promotion as a primary cardholder.
- Not have held one of our business Mastercard credit cards from National Bank over the past 24 months as a business primary cardholder.
- Keep the credit card account open until rewards points are paid.
- Keep the account in good standing by complying with the conditions set out in the Cardholder Agreement for Mastercard®Business Cardsopens in a new tab until the rewards points are paid. For example, all minimum payments must be made on time.
- Not be employed by National Bank or one of its subsidiaries.
Description of the promotion
Up to up to 60,000 rewards points after signing up and annual fees reimbursed for the first year for the primary cardholder and the first additional authorized user.
Annual fees
No annual fees for the first year for the primary cardholder and the first additional authorized user.
We will charge annual fees to the account of your new card and reimburse those fees to you. You will receive this reimbursement within five months of opening your account, provided that your account remains open. It will appear on your statement in the form of a credit.
To benefit from the annual fee discount for the first additional authorized user’s card, you must add it to the account opening request.
Annual fees associated with cards for other authorized users are not eligible for this promotion.
Points offered | Conditions | When points are awarded to the account |
|---|---|---|
30 000 | $5,000 in purchases in the first three months | At the end of the fifth month following the membership. |
30 000 | $20,000 in purchases per month for the first 12 months | At the end of the fifteenth month following the membership. |
How total purchases are calculated
The calculation is for the total amount of purchases made through all cards linked to the account. The transactions not included in the calculation are set out in article 1.5 of the À la carte Rewards Planopens in a new tabTM.
Other conditions
- You can only take advantage of the promotion once.
- Issuance of the card is subject to credit approval by National Bank of Canada. Other conditions apply to the issue of the card.
- This promotion may not be combined with any other promotion or offer applicable to National Bank credit cards, nor is it retroactive.
- This promotion may be modified or withdrawn without notice.
| $1 purchase = 1.5 points You can earn points even faster by making your purchases through the À la carte Travel™ online agency. |
|---|---|
| The À la carte™ Rewards Plan gives you the freedom to travel without restrictions with the travel provider or carrier of your choice. For information on travel discounts, visit rewards.nbc.ca. |
| With the À la carte Travel™ online agency, reduce the cost of your packages and airline tickets by redeeming your points. Additionally, you can plan your entire trip by booking hotels, cruises, vehicles and other services. |
| Visit Plan rules for all the details. |
Summary and insurance certificate
Consult the Purchase protection summaryopens in a new tab | Travel insurance summary | Insurance Certificate [PDF].
Compensation plan in the event of fraud
Up to $ 10,000 (see the Cardholder Agreement)
Purchase protection in the event of theft or damage 4
180-day purchase protection following the date of purchase
Extended warranty 4
Triple the manufacturer's warranty, up to 2 additional years
Flight departure delay insurance 4
Up to $500 per person (over 4 hours)
Baggage insurance in case of theft or loss 4
Up to $1,000 per person
Baggage insurance in case of delay 4
Up to $500 per person (over 6 hours)
Vehicle rental insurance 4
Against collision, theft or damage for a period of 48 days or less (theft of personal effects up to $2,000)
Travel insurance in case of accident aboard public transit 4
Up to $250,000
Safe online purchases
Mastercard® ID CheckTM is a service that protects you against fraud by verifying your identity when making online purchases.
Easy Savings Program 5
With the Mastercard Easy Savings Programopens in a new tab you automatically receive discounts on eligible purchases at participating merchants. For a list of participating merchants, go to mastercard.ca/easysavings.
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À la carte Rewards Centre |
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®Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Authorized user: National Bank
®À LA CARTE REWARDS PLAN is a registered trademark of National Bank.
™À LA CARTE TRAVEL and À LA CARTE REWARDS are trademarks of National Bank of Canada. À la carte Travel is owned by Transat Distribution Canada Inc., holder of permit No. 753141 in Quebec.
1. Some restrictions apply. For more information, see the Rewards Plan section or the Points Earning Plan Rules.opens in a new tab
2. This coverage applies to purchases and rentals charged in part to the card, except out-of-province medical/hospital insurance for which the travel arrangements need not be charged to the card, and lost or delayed luggage insurance where all transportation costs must be charged to the card. This coverage applies to the primary cardholder, their spouse and/or dependent children when they (spouse and/or dependent children) travel with the primary cardholder. Extended warranty coverage applies to most new items purchased with the card, in Canada or abroad, as long as the manufacturer's warranty is valid in Canada. Certain conditions and restrictions apply. For more information and for details of your insurance coverage, please consult the insurance certificate associated with your cardopens in a new tab.
3. Grace period: No interest will be charged on purchases made during the month, provided the client pays the balance in full within twenty-one (21) days of the statement date. This grace period does not apply to cash advances or balance transfers. Minimum payment: If your account balance is lower than $10, you must pay the entire balance. If you reside in the province of Quebec, your minimum payment will correspond to 2.5% of the credit card account balance plus any overdue payment or $10, whichever amount is higher. If you are a business that chose the corporate responsibility, please refer to the cardholder agreement and account statement. Account statement: A statement is sent monthly.
| Average balance | |
|---|---|---|
Annual interest rate | $500 | $3,000 |
22.99% | $9.45 | $56.69 |
20.99% | $8.63 | $51.76 |
14.5% | $5.96 | $35.75 |
11.7% | $4.81 | $28.85 |
*Variable interest rate in effect on April 24, 2023.
4. Subject to credit approval from National Bank. The total of all amounts transferred cannot exceed $5,000.
5. Certain conditions apply. Visit mastercard.caopens in a new tab for more information. Refer to the credit card terms and conditions.
6. Certain restrictions apply. You must, therefore, first pay for your trip in full with an eligible credit card to redeem your points. Your travel credit will take effect approximately 72 hours after the exchange. For more information, consult the Rewards plan section or the Plan rulesopens in a new tab regarding how to earn points.
National Bank is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for a National Bank Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from National Bank, which can be in the form of monetary payment.




