Aeroplan Credit Card Review
A U.S.-issued Aeroplan card that unlocks one of the best Star Alliance award programs at $120/year.
Welcome bonus
75,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months. Occasionally elevated to 100,000+ via targeted offers.
Rewards structure
- 3xAir Canada and Aeroplan purchases
- 3xdining worldwide
- 3xgrocery stores
- 1xeverything else
Perks & benefits
- First checked bag free on Air Canada flights
- Priority boarding on Air Canada
- 25th night free at eligible hotels booked via Aeroplan
- Choice of Aeroplan 25K status boost or Nexus membership credit every 4 years
- No foreign transaction fees
- Points transfer 1:1 to Amex Membership Rewards partners (yes — Aeroplan is both an MR partner and issues this card)
Who this card is for
- U.S. travelers who use Aeroplan for Star Alliance award redemptions
- Anyone flying Air Canada frequently for travel to Europe or Asia via YYZ or YVR
- Sophisticated award bookers targeting Aeroplan's excellent partner chart
Pros & cons
Pros
- Aeroplan's award chart is one of the best in the Star Alliance ecosystem
- 5,000-mile stopovers make round-the-world routing genuinely cheap
- Points earn 3x on dining and grocery — real everyday spend categories
- $120 fee is low for the perks + welcome bonus + transfer-partner access it unlocks
Cons
- Air Canada footprint from the U.S. is limited to a few hub cities
- Priority Pass is not included — no lounge access
- Aeroplan's user experience (both website and app) lags Chase and Amex substantially
- Aeroplan devalued in 2020 — sweet spots exist but require more work than they used to
Our take
The Aeroplan Amex is a genuine sweet spot card that most U.S. travelers overlook because Aeroplan is a Canadian program. That is a mistake. Aeroplan is one of the best Star Alliance award programs — a Category 1 economy award to Europe costs just 35,000 points one-way, and a business-class seat runs 60,000–70,000 points versus 100,000+ on United MileagePlus for the same partner metal.
The 3x categories are unusually generous for a co-brand. Dining and grocery earning at 3x is Sapphire Preferred territory, and points earn directly into Aeroplan without needing a transfer. Add the free first checked bag on Air Canada and the 25th-night-free hotel perk, and the $120 fee has multiple paths to payoff.
The catch is Air Canada itself. If your home airport does not connect through YYZ, YUL, or YVR, most of the airline-specific perks (bag, priority boarding) go unused. But if you can position through Canada or your international itineraries pass through Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa, ANA, or Turkish, Aeroplan miles will consistently redeem for 15-25% fewer points than the alternatives.