American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express

Which one is better? Both cards worked out on the same spending: rewards, welcome bonus, fees and perks, line by line.

American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
Finly rebate
$150

4.7

Apply nowGet $150 Finly rebate
Our reviewRewards calculator
amex simply cash card

3.8

Apply now
Our reviewRewards calculator

Welcome bonus

Each offer as the issuer words it. The numbers below show whether your spending reaches it.

The offer

The offer

  • New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points
  • Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months
  • Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in purchases in month 13
  • You could earn up to $4,400 in value within your first 13 months* — combining the Welcome Bonus (up to $1,700), accelerated and everyday spend earn rates (~$1,760), and $1,000 in benefits value. Terms and usage assumptions apply.

In your first 3 months as a new SimplyCash® Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a bonus 5% cash back on all purchases (up to $2,000 in purchases). That’s on top of your everyday cash back earn rates. That’s up to $100 in bonus cash back.

What each card is worth

Rewards, the welcome bonus and any Finly rebate in, the annual fee and FX fees out, all on your spending.

Worked out on a typical $2,000 a month of spending. Enter yours to see your own numbers.

$144

First-year value

$409

-$6

Every year after

$309

Amex SimplyCash is worth $265 more to you in year one.

It stays ahead after that, by $315 a year.

How the first year adds up

Annual rewards

$592.8

31,200 points a year

Welcome bonus

+ $0

not reached at this spending

Annual fee

− $599

Finly rebate

+ $150

paid by FinlyWealth

First-year value

$143.8

1.9¢ a pointAeroplan, redeemed for Flights

Annual rewards

$309.2

cash back a year

Welcome bonus

+ $100

first year only

Annual fee

− $0

no annual fee

First-year value

$409.2

Where each card earns

A year of your spending at each card's own reward rates, most first.

2xFood and drinks

8,400 pts

$159.6

3xAir Canada

720 pts

$13.68

1.25xAll other purchases

22,080 pts

$419.52

2%Groceries

$46.44

2%Gas

$39.74

1.25%All other purchases

$223.01

Fees, rates and eligibility

What each card costs to hold and to use abroad, and who it's for.

$599

⁕ Notice: As of Jan 12, 2027, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card annual fee will increase to $799. Annual fees charged on or after this date will reflect the new fee. The Additional Aeroplan®* Reserve Card annual fee will increase to $249. The Additional Aeroplan®* Reserve No Fee Card will be renamed to the Additional Aeroplan®* Reserve Companion Card and the annual fee will increase to $25. Learn more about new benefits.

Annual fee

Better of the two$0
$199

Additional cards

0

Interest rates

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%.

Purchase:

21.99%2

Cash Advance:

21.99%2

2 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

Recommended credit score

300
Poor
693
Fair
743⁎
Good
790⁎
Very Good
833⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on TransUnion scoring
300
Poor
693
Fair
743⁎
Good
790⁎
Very Good
833⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on TransUnion scoring

Income required

Income required

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

How each card earns

The earn rates and caps, as each issuer sets them.

  • 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
  • 2% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually)
  • 1.25% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Points and how we value them

Points become dollars at each card's best redemption. Here's the value we used, and every other way to spend them.

Loyalty program

Loyalty program

Aeroplan

We count each point at 1.9¢ a point, what it's worth redeemed for Flights, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.

Cash back: every dollar it earns counts as a dollar, so there's nothing to convert.

Point redemption options

Point redemption options

  • Most Optimal

    flight plane

    Flights

    1.9¢ / point
  • car rental

    Car Rentals

    0.9¢ / point
  • travel - plane

    Travel

    0.825¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.75¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.72¢ / point

Nothing to redeem: it pays cash back.

Insurance and perks

What both cards include comes first in each list.

Insurance

Insurance

  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $1,000
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $1,000/person after 6 hours
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    48 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $1,000
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    15 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500/person, $3,000/trip
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $1,500/person, $6,000/trip
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $1,000/person after 4 hours
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    Up to $100,000
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days or theft up to $1,000 per occurrence

Perks

Perks

  • Amex logo

    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
  • airplane love

    Companion Voucher

    Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from $99 to a max of $599 After spending $25,000 on your card
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Complimentary upgrade to Avis® President's Club
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Get a 10% Head Start. Starting in 2027, eligible Basic Cardmembers with Aeroplan EliteTM* 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
  • star fall

    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.
  • luggage

    Free first checked bag

    First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on Air Canada branded flight and up to 8 guests
  • reward cup

    Extra points

    Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore
  • bed furniture

    Free 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 worldwide
  • border guard

    Nexus Program Rebate

    $100 every 4 years
  • airport waiting room

    Priority 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.
  • airport waiting room

    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)
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes

    Unlimited Access for you and one guest
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Priority Pass

    Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
  • Amex logo

    Amex Experiences™

    Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™

Our take

Why we like it

Why we like 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 we 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.

The SimplyCash® Card from American Express stands out for its no annual fee and strong cash-back earning potential, offering up to $100 in statement credits within the first 10 months. What makes it even more appealing are the unique perks, such as early access to concert tickets and extra layers of security for online shopping. These extra benefits, along with the affordability, make it a strong contender for those looking for a reliable cash-back card with no annual fee. It's an excellent choice for everyday spending while still enjoying exclusive Amex advantages.

Pros

Pros

  • Generous rewards rate
  • Free checked bags
  • Preferred flight pricing
  • Unlimited airport lounge access
  • Extensive coverage
  • Instant decision. No credit impact.
  • No annual fee
  • Attractive cashback rates
  • Exclusive Amex perks
  • Instant decision. No credit impact.

Cons

Cons

  • Limited acceptance
  • Limited loyalty rewards
  • High annual fee
  • Limited lounge brand access
  • Annual cashback cap
  • Limited insurance
  • Lower acceptance

More comparisons

Other cards we've put each of these up against.

Legal

*Subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply.


The preferred rate for purchases is 21.99% and funds advances is 21.99%. 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%. See the Information box included with the application for the definition of Missed Payment and which rates apply to changes on your account and other details.


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.

*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.