American Express® Aeroplan®* Card vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card: Which one is better?
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
3.3
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
3.9
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$506.17
Air Canada Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
$630
Air Canada Aeroplan
Annual Fee
$120
First Year Value
$1,016.17
$386.17 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$646.25
Air Canada Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
$0
Air Canada Aeroplan
Annual Fee
$599
First Year Value
$47.25
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Flight Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Baggage Delay)
Baggage Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Flight Delay)
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Travel Accident
$500K.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 days
Purchase Protection
90 days, $1000 per occurrence
Extended Warranty
1 year
Insurance Included*
Flight Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Baggage Delay)Baggage Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Flight Delay)Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500Travel Accident
$500KCar Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 daysPurchase Protection
90 days, $1000 per occurrenceExtended Warranty
1 year
Emergency Out of province Medical
$5M/insured up to 15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1.5K/person, $3K/trip
Trip Interruption
$1.5K/person, $6K/trip
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1K
Extra Benefits*
Free first checked bag
You and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air Canada.svg)
Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning Status Qualifying Miles and Status Qualifying Segments with purchases made on your account
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Receive an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
American Express Experiences
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands
Extra Benefits*
Free first checked bag
You and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air CanadaStatus lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning Status Qualifying Miles and Status Qualifying Segments with purchases made on your accountFree Extra Night at Hotels
Receive an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan pointsAmerican Express Experiences
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands
Nexus Application
$100 every 4 years
Airport Benefits
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.Airport Benefits
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 - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes
Unlimited Access for you and one guest
Companion Voucher
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from $99 to a max of $599 After spending $25,000 on your card
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
30% Annual1
Cash Advance:
30% Annual1
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%2
Cash Advance:
21.99%2
Annual Fee*
$120
Annual Fee*
$599
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 30,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 on your Card within the first 3 months. Additional 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 in month 13.
Welcome Bonus*
60,000 Aeroplan® points after spending over $7,500 on your Card within the first 3 months as a new American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Cardmember, plus 25,000 Aeroplan® points when you spend $2,500 in month 13. Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for these offers. Other terms apply.
Rewards Rate*
- 2 points on Aircanada and AirCanada Vacations
- 1.5 points on Dining
- 1 Point on everything else
Rewards Rate*
- 3x Aeroplan points per $1 spent on eligible Air Canada® and Air Canada Vacations® purchases
- 2x Aeroplan points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases
- 1.25x Aeroplan points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Loyalty Program*
Loyalty Program*
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / pointTravel
0.825¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.74¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / pointTravel
0.825¢ / pointGift Cards
0.74¢ / point
Is this card worth it?
This card comes with the free checked bag benefit, which can save hundreds on a single trip for you and your family, more than making up for the annual fee of the card. In addition, the card helps you reach the next Aeroplan Status faster with spending on the card. However, if you don't have a specific use for these two benefits, there are many better cards in terms of benefits and rewards.
Is this card worth it?
If you are a frequent Air Canada traveler, having an Aeroplan card for perks like free checked bags and priority service can be very beneficial. Many financial institutions offer Aeroplan cards, but I don't believe the American Express version is the best one. Opting for another option might be better. However, the Amex card does have a very large sign-up bonus, making it a great choice for those specifically seeking that.
Pros
- Free checked bag benefit: Every checked bag might cost you $60 - $100 per person on a round trip. The amount you can save in a year if you travel a few times or travel with a few companions can easily be much higher than the annual fee of the card.If you are interested in a higher Aeroplan Status, the card helps you get there faster.
Pros
- Generous rewards rate with up to 3 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on purchases, particularly beneficial for frequent flyers.
- Enjoy free checked bags when flying with Air Canada, reducing travel costs.
- Access to preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight awards, maximizing the value of your points.
- Unlimited access to Maple Leaf lounges when flying with Air Canada, providing a more comfortable travel experience.
- Extensive insurance coverage, including 11 types of insurance, offering peace of mind during your travels.
Cons
- The main reward category is only for Air Canada purchases. Unless you are a frequent Air Canada traveler, this reward category is not useful to most people.
- The only other rewards category offered is for food, and it doesn't offer that high of a reward rate either.
- In terms of insurance benefits, the types and coverage amounts provided are lower compared to other cards with a similar annual fee.
Cons
- As an American Express card, it may have limited acceptance compared to other credit cards, potentially limiting its use in some places.
- The most valuable rewards are generally tied to Air Canada flights, which may not appeal to travelers who fly with other airlines.
- The card comes with a high annual fee of $599, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
- The unlimited lounge access is limited to Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafe lounges which don't have a great worldwide coverage.
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American Express® Aeroplan®* Card vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card: When to go for one over the other
Annual Fees and Requirements
Rewards Comparison
Benefits and Insurance
Conclusion
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