Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Credit Card Review: Full Details
Overview of the Chase Aeroplan credit card
by Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card is one of our favorite co-branded airline credit cards, offering award flexibility and valuable airline benefits. With high earning rates and card spending incentives in addition to earning a welcome bonus, the Aeroplan credit card is worth considering for points and miles enthusiasts — even those who don’t live in Canada. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card review based on the opinions of the TPG editorial board and not influenced by the card issuer.
the Aeroplan credit cardlaunched in late 2021, offering unique benefits we rarely see on other co-branded products airline cardall for a reasonable annual fee of $95.
Chances are you’ll need one good credit score at least 670 to successfully apply for this card.
If the ability to use points from over 50 partner airlines worldwide and elite status automatically appeal to you, keep reading.
Related: Are airline credit cards valid anymore?
Pros and cons of the Aeroplan card
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Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
Aeroplan card welcome offer
Current offers above Airline card layered. Approved applicants can earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus an additional 25,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in 12 months Firstly.
TPG September 2024 valuation Aeroplan pegs it at 1.5 cents per point, making those points worth up to $1,500. This is one of the best welcome bonuses we’ve seen on this card, but the spending requirement to get the total offer is steep.
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Remember that since Chase issues the Aeroplan card, it must comply Chase’s 5/24 Rule. If you have opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months, you may not be eligible to open an Aeroplan card.
Related: Here are the best credit card welcome offers
Benefits of the Aeroplan card
How often do you see a card with a $95 annual fee that grants you automatic elite status? With Airline cardCardholders will automatically receive Aeroplan 25K status for the remainder of the calendar year they open the card and the following calendar year.
I recommend opening your Aeroplan card at the beginning of the calendar year so you can enjoy 25K status for as long as possible.
With Aeroplan 25K, members with elite status enjoy the following perks:
- Priority check-in, security and boarding
- Two tickets per entry to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
- 20 eUpgrade credits to upgrade from economy to business or premium on Air Canada-operated flights
- Automatic Star Alliance Silver elite statuswith access to priority waitlist and standby mode
After the introductory period, you can retain (or renew) that status – but cardholders are encouraged to spend big to do so. Cardholders must spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year to maintain 25K status (valid through the end of the next calendar year).
By spending $50,000 in a calendar year, cardholders can have their status increased one level to 35K elite status (or higher). This can be a great option for big spenders who have achieved elite status through flying, as reaching the $50k threshold can essentially upgrade you to a higher level.
Even if you don’t maintain your elite status after the first year, here are all the other benefits you’ll get from the Aeroplan credit card:
- Baggage is checked first for free on Air Canada flights, with up to eight companions in the same booking
- Up to $100 statement credit toward your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee every four years
- Travel protections, such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, car rental insurance, and roadside assistance
- World Elite Mastercard benefits, including 24/7 concierge service, access to Priceless Mastercard experiences, daily discounts and offers, etc.
- There are no foreign transaction fees
This is one of the first cards to offer cash back Nexus App Feesallows pre-screened travelers to undergo security screening upon entering the United States and Canada.
Related: Complete guide to airline status matches and challenges
Earn points on the Aeroplan card
With Airline cardyou will earn:
For every $2,000 you spend on the card each month, you can also receive rewards of up to 500 points — up to a maximum of 1,500 points per month. These bonus points can add up if you’re a big spender, potentially earning up to 18,000 bonus points annually.
If you plan to spend a lot of money on the Aeroplan card to maintain your 25K status or take your status to another level, this benefit will come in handy.
Related: 6 easy strategies I use to earn over 500,000 points and miles a year
Redeem points on Aeroplan card
For those having trouble trying to optimize their points and miles, Chase Aeroplan cardholders can redeem their Aeroplan points toward the card’s annual fee and travel purchases—on airline purchases and hotels, car rentals, etc. — at 1.25 cents per point.
Through the Cash Back tool, there is no limit to the number of points you can redeem until December 31, 2024.
Related: Chase Give Back to Yourself – Is this a good use of your reward?
Transfer points on Aeroplan card
You can redeem your points for flights to more than 1,200 destinations through more than 50 Star Alliance and Air Canada airline partners — and often get fewer points than you need with loyalty programs other.
Even better, Air Canada publishes award charts based on distance with plenty of sweet spots to look out for (including Lufthansa’s first class). For example, you can fly from Seattle-Tacoma to Tokyo in All Nippon Airways business class for just 55,000 points.
TPG management editor for credit cards Matt Moffitt considers Aeroplan Points the currency of his favorite airline’s loyalty program. He maximizes his redemption by flying in business class above United Airlines home to Sydney, Australia and EVA Aviation to Taiwan and other destinations across Asia.
Related: How (and why) reward redemption values are calculated
What cards compete with the Aeroplan card?
the Airline card has an annual fee of $95, which is similar to the price of other popular travel credit cards that earn transferable rewards. Compare several credit cards of similar caliber and determine if the Aeroplan credit card is the best choice for you.
- If you want more general rewards: Try it Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This card is over a decade old and has proven its worth time and time again, making it one of our all-time favorite travel credit cards. While the Aeroplan card is great for fans of Air Canada and its partners, the Sapphire Preferred is a more flexible travel card. To learn more, take a look Full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
- If you value simplicity: Go for it Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Also with an annual fee of $95 (see exchange rates and fees), this card offers a simple earn rate of 2 miles per dollar spent on everything you buy, taking the stress out of remembering categories and rewards strategies to maximize spending yours. You can also earn 5 miles per dollar on hotel bookings, vacation rentals and car rentals Capital One Travel. To learn more, take a look Full review of Venture Rewards.
- If you like flying with United: the United℠ Explorer Card same level as the Chase Aeroplan card. Annual introductory fee is $0 for the first year; After that, you’ll pay $95 annually. Because United is part of the Star Alliance, you can use the miles you earn on this card to book award tickets for flights with the same airlines as the points you earn on the Aeroplan card. To learn more, take a look Full review of the United Explorer pass.
For more options, see full list of the best travel cards.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred Venture Rewards vs. Capital One
Is the Aeroplan card worth it?
With solid perks for just a $95 annual fee, Airline card could be well worth it for the average consumer, especially if you can take advantage of the free 25K status offered to new cardholders. Even if you’re not an Air Canada frequent flyer – or perhaps have never flown the airline – chances are you’ve flown Star Alliance partners. I recommend the Aeroplan card to most frequent travelers.
Related: How to choose an airline credit card
Bottom line
Automatic elite status is nothing to scoff at, regardless of airline. And with Aeroplan points being one of the airline’s most valuable currencies, this credit card is a great way to help you book your dream vacation by using points to save money on flights fly — no matter where you may be going.
Register here: Aeroplan credit card
Related: 9 amazing benefits of the Air Canada Aeroplan credit card