TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®

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

TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

4.5

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AmericanExpress Gold Rewards Card®

4.3

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Welcome bonus

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

The offer

The offer

Up to $1,550 in value† including up to 50,000 Aeroplan points† could be yours. Plus, receive an Annual Fee rebate for the first year† and additional travel benefits. Conditions Apply.

  • Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first Purchase with your new Card†.
  • Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,000 within 90 days of Account opening†.
  • Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening†.
  • Apply for the NEXUS program and once every 48 months get an application fee rebate (up to $100 CAD per eligible cardholder).†
  • Share free first checked bags for you and up to 8 travel companions†
  • Get an Annual Fee rebate for the first year†.

To receive the first-year Annual Fee rebate, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening.  To receive the first Additional Cardholder first-year Annual Fee rebate, you must add your first Additional Cardholder while this offer is in effect.


Offer may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise indicated.

  • 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

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.

$1,444

First-year value

$1,427

$355

Every year after

$287

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite is worth $18 more to you in year one.

It stays ahead after that, by $69 a year.

How the first year adds up

Annual rewards

$494.3

26,016 points a year

Welcome bonus

+ $950

first year only

Annual fee

$139− $0

$139 from year two

First-year value

$1,444.3

1.9¢ a pointAeroplan, redeemed for Flights

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

1.9¢ a pointAmerican Express Membership Rewards, redeemed for Transfer to Airline Partners

Where each card earns

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

1.5xGroceries, Gas and Air Canada

8,172 pts

$155.27

1xAll other purchases

17,844 pts

$339.04

2xGas, Groceries, Pharmacy

9,804 pts

$186.28

2xTravel

2,400 pts

$45.6

1xAll other purchases

16,044 pts

$304.84

Fees, rates and eligibility

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

$139Better of the two
$0 the first year

Annual fee

$250
$75

Additional cards

1st free, $50 thereafter

Interest rates

Interest rates

Purchase:

21.99%

Cash Advance:

22.99%

Purchase:

21.99%2

Cash Advance:

21.99%2

2 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.

Recommended credit score

Recommended credit score

300
Poor
560
Fair
660⁎
Good
725⁎
Very Good
760⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring
300
Poor
693
Fair
743⁎
Good
790⁎
Very Good
833⁎
Excellent
⁎Estimates based on TransUnion scoring

Income required

Income required

Min Personal Income:

$60,000

Min Household Income:

$100,000

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

How each card earns

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

  • Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, grocery and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®) made with your Card.
  • Earn 1 point† 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).
  • Your Aeroplan Points do not expire as long as you are a TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Cardholder in good standing.
  • Earn more at Starbucks: Link your eligible Card to earn more Starbucks Stars at participating Starbucks stores. Conditions apply.   
  • 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

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 Flights, 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 Transfer to Airline Partners, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.

Point redemption options

Point redemption options

  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.75¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.72¢ / point

  • Most Optimal

    flight plane

    Flights

    1.9¢ / point
  • car rental

    Car Rentals

    0.9¢ / point
  • travel - plane

    Travel

    0.825¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.91¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.63¢ / point

  • Most Optimal

    plane

    Transfer to Airline Partners

    1.9¢ / point
  • travel - plane

    Fixed Point Travel Program

    1.16¢ / point
  • hotel

    Transfer to Hotel Partners

    1.08¢ / point
  • travel svg

    Flexible Points Travel Program

    1¢ / point
  • cash coins

    Statement Credits (Cash)

    1¢ / point
  • amazon logo

    Amazon.ca

    0.7¢ / point

Insurance and perks

What both cards include comes first in each list.

Insurance

Insurance

  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage†

    $1,000
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay†

    $1,000
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft†

    yes
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance†

    $500,000
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty†

    1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection†

    90 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance†

    $2,500
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)†

    21 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation†

    $1,500
  • pause

    Trip Interruption†

    $5,000
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay†

    $500

  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance†

    $1,000
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (65 to 75)†

    4 days
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $500
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $500
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    yes
  • heart lock

    Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

    $500,000
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    Up to 1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $500
  • travel accident medical

    Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)

    15 days
  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500 per person, $3,000 combined
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $1,500 per person, $6,000 combined
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500

Perks

Perks

  • star fall

    Status lift†

    Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and one (1) Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 of net purchases
  • reward cup

    Extra points†

    Link your eligible Card to earn more Starbucks Stars at participating Starbucks stores. Conditions apply.  
  • reward cup

    Extra points†

    Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 200 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore
  • border guard

    Nexus Program Rebate†

    $100 every 4 years

  • car rental

    Car Rental Discount†

    10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
  • exclusive

    Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits†

  • gavel

    Trip and legal Assistance†

  • concierge

    Concierge Services†

  • luggage

    Free first checked bag†

    First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on Aircanada flights and up to 8 guests
  • golf clubs

    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.S
  • star fall

    Status lift

    Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program
  • reward cup

    Extra points

    Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
  • border guard

    Nexus Program Rebate

    $50 statement credit every 4 years

  • Amex logo

    American Express® Experiences

  • travel

    Travel Credit

    $100
  • hotel

    Complimentary Hotel Benefits

    Hotels booked American Express Travel
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Priority Pass

    Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium

    4 Free complimentary visits

Our take

Why we like it

Why we like it

The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card* is an excellent choice for frequent Air Canada travelers looking to maximize their rewards with Aeroplan points. With perks like free checked bags, Preferred Pricing, and a first-year fee rebate, it’s ideal for users who value Air Canada-specific benefits. However, the card’s high income requirement and limited non-Air Canada redemption options may not appeal to everyone.

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.

Pros

Pros

  • Decent rewards
  • First-year fee rebate
  • Comprehensive insurance
  • Impressive travel perks
  • Flexible rewards
  • Travel perks
  • Comprehensive insurance
  • Multiple redemption options
  • Instant decision. No credit impact.

Cons

Cons

  • Relatively lower reward rates
  • Limited airline loyalty
  • Annual fee
  • Income requirements
  • High annual fee
  • Foreign transaction fees
  • Limited senior travel insurance
  • Limited acceptance

More comparisons

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

Legal


†Terms and conditions apply.

Sponsored advertising. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on this TD credit card, please click the Apply Now button.

*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.