American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card
Which one is better? Both cards worked out on the same spending: rewards, welcome bonus, fees and perks, line by line.
Welcome bonus
Each offer as the issuer words it. The numbers below show whether your spending reaches it.
The offer
The offer
- Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points
- New American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers, earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card
Up to $3,300 in value† including up to 100,000 Aeroplan points† and additional travel benefits could be yours. Conditions Apply.
- Earn a welcome bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first Purchase with your new Card†
- Earn an additional 30,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 180 days of Account opening†
- Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 50,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $24,000 within 12 months of Account opening†
Offer may be changed, withdrawn, or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise indicated.
Additional Travel Benefits:
- Apply for the NEXUS program membership and once every 48 months get a partial application fee rebate (up to $100 CAD per eligible cardholder) †.
- Share free first checked bags for you and up to 8 travel companions† and get unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges† including complementary access for one guest.
- Plus, cardholders get 6 complimentary worldwide select airport lounge visits annually through the Visa Airport Companion Program†
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.
$1,427
First-year value
$329
$287
Every year after
-$51
Amex Gold is worth $1,097 more to you in year one.
It stays ahead after that, by $337 a year.
How the first year adds up
Annual rewards
$536.71
28,248 points a year
Welcome bonus
+ $1,140
first year only
Annual fee
− $250
First-year value
$1,426.71
Annual rewards
$548.34
28,860 points a year
Welcome bonus
+ $380
first year only
Annual fee
− $599
First-year value
$329.34
Where each card earns
A year of your spending at each card's own reward rates, most first.
2xGas, Groceries, Pharmacy
9,804 pts
$186.28
2xTravel
2,400 pts
$45.6
1xAll other purchases
16,044 pts
$304.84
1.5xAll other categories with bonus points
16,056 pts
$305.06
2xAir Canada
480 pts
$9.12
1xAll other purchases
12,324 pts
$234.16
Fees, rates and eligibility
What each card costs to hold and to use abroad, and who it's for.
Annual fee
Additional cards
Interest rates
Interest rates
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
1 Subject to approval. The preferred rate for purchases is 21.99% and funds advances is 21.99%. If you have Missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99% and/or 29.99%. See the information box included with the application for the definition of Missed Payment and which rates apply to charges on your account and other details.
Purchase:
21.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Recommended credit score
Recommended credit score
Income required
Income required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Min Personal Income:
$150,000
Min Household Income:
$200,000
How each card earns
The earn rates and caps, as each issuer sets them.
- 2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
- 2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
- Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®)
- Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining purchases.
- Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 spent on all other purchases made with your Card
- Earn points twice when you pay with your Card and provide your Aeroplan number at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and at 200+ online retailers via the Aeroplan eStore (www.aeroplan.com/estore).
- Earn more at Starbucks: Link your eligible Card to earn 50% more Aeroplan points plus more Starbucks Stars. Redeem points for even more Stars. Conditions apply.
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
We count each point at 1.9¢ a point, what it's worth redeemed for Transfer to Airline Partners, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.
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.
Point redemption options
Point redemption options
Gift Cards
0.91¢ / point
Merchandise
0.63¢ / pointMost Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
1.9¢ / point
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.16¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.08¢ / point.svg)
Flexible Points Travel Program
1¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Merchandise
0.75¢ / pointGift Cards
0.72¢ / pointMost Optimal
Flights
1.9¢ / point
Car Rentals
0.9¢ / pointTravel
0.825¢ / point
Insurance and perks
What both cards include comes first in each list.
Insurance
Insurance
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$500,000
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500 per person, $3,000 combined
Trip Interruption
$1,500 per person, $6,000 combinedFlight Delay
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage†
$2,500/personBaggage Delay†
$1,000/person after 4 hoursCar Rental Damage & Theft†
48 daysCommon Carrier Travel Accident Insurance†
$500,000Extended Warranty†
2 yearsPurchase Protection†
120 daysHotel Burglary Insurance†
$2,500Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)†
31 daysTrip Cancellation†
$2,500/person, $5,000/tripTrip Interruption†
$5,000/person, $25,000/tripFlight Delay†
$1,000/person after 4 hours
Mobile Device Insurance†
$1,500Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)†
4 days
Perks
Perks
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Status lift
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
Nexus Program Rebate
$50 statement credit every 4 years
American Express® Experiences
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Travel Credit
$100Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
Status lift†
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and one (1) Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 of net purchasesStatus lift†
Complimentary upgrade to Avis® President's ClubStatus lift†
Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status can roll over up to 200,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) beyond the status level for which they’ve qualified, from the prior qualification year to qualify for status the next year.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.Status lift†
Diamond Status with Visa RSVP Rewards™ Benefit. Benefits at 60+ participating Sandman, Sandman Signature and Sutton Place Hotels from coast-to-coast in Canada and beyond.Extra points†
Link your eligible Card to earn 50% more Aeroplan points plus more Starbucks Stars. Redeem points for even more Stars. Conditions apply.Extra points†
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 200 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStoreExtra points†
Earn 2 Aeroplan points for every $1 you spend on eligible purchases with Rocky Mountaineer, Plus, cardholders could receive a GoldLeaf Upgrade, and a hotel room upgradeNexus Program Rebate†
up to $100 every 4 yearsCar Rental Discount†
10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits†
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass†
6 Free complimentary visits
Trip and legal Assistance†
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Concierge Services†
Companion Voucher†
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from $99 to a max of $599 After spending $25,000 on your card.svg)
Free first checked bag†
First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on AirCanada flight and up to 8 guests
Priority Travel†
At Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal airports get benefits such as Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet, premium parking spots, priorioty taxi and limo lane and discount for parking.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)
Golf Benefit†
Troon Rewards Golf benefits like discounts at over 95 resorts and courses around the world plus access to select private clubs across the U.SAirport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes†
Unlimited Access for you and one guest
Our take
Why we like it
Why we like it
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.
If you travel a lot throughout the year with Air Canada, the benefits of this card can significantly enhance your experience. It can help you achieve the next status level with Aeroplan and provide a better airport experience, therefore it can be worth the price tag. However, if you don't frequently fly with Air Canada, the benefits may not justify the card's expensive price tag.
Pros
Pros
- Flexible rewards
- Travel perks
- Comprehensive insurance
- Multiple redemption options
- Instant decision. No credit impact.
- Elite Air Canada experience
- High insurance coverage
- Luxury perks
- Generous intro offer
Cons
Cons
- High annual fee
- Foreign transaction fees
- Limited senior travel insurance
- Limited acceptance
- Low reward rates
- Limited airline flexibility
- High annual fee
- Limiting airport lounge brand
More comparisons
Other cards we've put each of these up against.
vs Amex Aeroplan Reserve
vs Amex Aeroplan®
vs Amex Cobalt
vs Amex Green
vs Amex Marriott Bonvoy
vs Amex Platinum
vs Amex SimplyCash
vs Amex SimplyCash™ Preferred
vs BMO CashBack World Elite
vs CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
vs MBNA Rewards World Elite
vs PC World Elite Mastercard
vs Rogers Red World Elite
vs Scotia Amex Gold
vs Scotiabank Passport
vs TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
vs TD First Class Travel
vs Amex Aeroplan Reserve
vs Amex Cobalt
vs MBNA Rewards World Elite
vs Rogers Red World Elite
vs Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite +
vs Scotiabank Passport
vs TD Aeroplan Platinum
vs TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
vs TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card
vs TD Cashback Visa
vs TD First Class Travel
vs TD Low Rate
vs TD Platinum Travel
vs TD Rewards Visa
Legal
*Terms and conditions apply.
Subject to approval. The preferred rate for purchases is 21.99% and funds advances is 21.99%. If you have Missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99% and/or 29.99%. See the information box included with the application for the definition of Missed Payment and which rates apply to charges 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.
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