"Is the Amex Platinum Card or Aeroplan Reserve better in Canada?"

"The Amex Platinum Card ($799/year) and Aeroplan Reserve Visa Infinite Privilege ($599/year) are both ultra-premium Canadian credit cards targeting frequent Air Canada business-class travellers. The Amex Platinum wins on: total annual travel credits ($200+), widest lounge access (Centurion + Priority Pass + Amex lounges), Amex Fine Hotels program, and points flexibility (MR → Aeroplan + Avios + Flying Blue). The Aeroplan Reserve wins for: Air Canada elite status benefits (Aeroplan 50K status acceleration), Maple Leaf Lounge access guaranteed, Aeroplan earn rate on Air Canada purchases (3x), and dedicated Aeroplan/Air Canada perks. For frequent Air Canada flyers pursuing elite status: Aeroplan Reserve. For broad luxury travel benefits and flexibility: Amex Platinum."

"What travel credits come with the Amex Platinum Card in Canada?"

"The American Express Platinum Card ($799/year) includes significant annual travel credits: a $200 annual travel credit (any airline, applied as statement credit), access to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts with complimentary room upgrades, late checkout, and daily breakfast, and Priority Pass membership for unlimited lounge visits. The Centurion Lounge network is only available in select US cities (no Canadian Centurion lounges). The net effective annual fee after using the $200 travel credit is approximately $599 — similar to the Aeroplan Reserve before its own credits are factored in."

"What lounge access does the Aeroplan Reserve card include?"

"The TD or CIBC Aeroplan Reserve Visa Infinite Privilege card includes Maple Leaf Lounge access at Air Canada airports — a significant benefit for frequent Air Canada domestic and international flyers. It does not include Priority Pass or independent lounge network access. The Amex Platinum includes Priority Pass (unlimited visits), Centurion Lounges (US airports only), and Amex lounges — a broader network for international travel beyond Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges."

"What is the annual fee for the Aeroplan Reserve Visa Infinite Privilege?"

"The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege (the \"Reserve\" tier) both have annual fees of approximately $599/year — one of the highest annual fees on a Canadian credit card. Benefits include Maple Leaf Lounge access, 3x Aeroplan on Air Canada purchases, comprehensive travel insurance, and Aeroplan elite status acceleration. The Amex Platinum charges $799/year and positions itself higher in the ultra-premium category."

"Which ultra-premium card is better for Air Canada Elite Status?"

"The Aeroplan Reserve Visa Infinite Privilege (TD or CIBC, ~$599/year) is better for Air Canada elite status acceleration. It earns Aeroplan points that count toward Status Qualifying Miles and includes bonus Status Qualifying Miles on Air Canada bookings. If reaching 25K, 35K, or 50K Aeroplan status is your goal, the Reserve tier card is purpose-built for Air Canada loyalty. The Amex Platinum Card earns MR points that can be transferred to Aeroplan (1:1) but does not directly accelerate Air Canada status via the card earn."

Amex Platinum Card vs TD/CIBC Aeroplan Reserve Visa Infinite Privilege (2026)

The ultra-premium tier of Canadian credit cards: American Express Platinum ($799/year) vs the Aeroplan Reserve (TD or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, ~$599/year). Both target high-income frequent travellers — but with different philosophies.

Quick verdict: Aeroplan Reserve for dedicated Air Canada flyers pursuing elite status. Amex Platinum for broad luxury travel benefits, widest lounge access, and MR points flexibility.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	American Express Platinum Card	Aeroplan Reserve (TD/CIBC Visa Inf. Priv.)
Annual fee	$799	~$599
Annual travel credit	$200 (any airline)	Annual credit (varies — check issuer)
Effective annual fee	~$599 (after $200 credit)	~$499–$599
Earn — Air Canada	2x MR	3x Aeroplan
Earn — Dining	3x MR	1.5x Aeroplan
Earn — Everything else	1x MR	1x Aeroplan
Points programme	Amex MR (flexible)	Aeroplan (Air Canada ecosystem)
Transfer partners	Aeroplan, Avios, Flying Blue, and more	Aeroplan only
Lounge access	✓ Centurion + Priority Pass (unlimited)	✓ Maple Leaf Lounge
Priority Pass	✓ Unlimited visits	None
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge	No (unless partner access)	✓ Yes
Fine Hotels + Resorts	✓ Full program	None
Air Canada status acceleration	None	✓ Status Qualifying Miles
Travel insurance	✓ Comprehensive	✓ Comprehensive
NEXUS rebate	None	✓ $100 credit
Free checked bag	None	✓ Air Canada
Income required	None stated	$200K personal (Visa Inf. Priv.)

Lounge Access Compared

Lounge Network	Amex Platinum	Aeroplan Reserve
Centurion Lounge (US only)	✓ Unlimited	No
Priority Pass	✓ Unlimited	No
Amex lounges	✓ Yes	No
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge	No (no Canadian Centurion)	✓ Yes
Total Canadian airport lounge access	Priority Pass network	Maple Leaf network

For domestic Canadian travel: Aeroplan Reserve’s Maple Leaf Lounge is more directly useful at Air Canada airports.
For international travel: Amex Platinum’s Priority Pass provides access to 1,400+ lounges worldwide.

Air Canada Flyers: Aeroplan Reserve Wins

For frequent Air Canada flyers:

Benefit	Amex Platinum	Aeroplan Reserve
Earn on Air Canada	2x MR (transfer to Aeroplan 1:1)	3x Aeroplan
Status Qualifying Miles	No	Yes
Free checked bag	No	Yes
Priority check-in	No	Yes
NEXUS rebate	No	$100

If Air Canada is your primary airline and you’re pursuing 35K or 50K Aeroplan status, the Reserve card is built for you. The Amex Platinum does not directly support Air Canada status.

Luxury Travellers: Amex Platinum Wins

For points maximisers and luxury hotel stays:

Benefit	Amex Platinum	Aeroplan Reserve
MR transfer partners	Aeroplan, Avios, Flying Blue, etc.	Aeroplan only
Fine Hotels + Resorts	✓ Complimentary upgrade + breakfast	None
Centurion concierge	✓ Yes	None
Points flexibility	Maximum	Air Canada-focused

Annual Net Cost

Card	Annual Fee	Credits	Net Effective Cost
Amex Platinum	$799	~$200 travel credit	~$599
Aeroplan Reserve (TD/CIBC)	~$599	Varies	~$499–$599

After credits, both cards cost roughly similar amounts — the choice comes down to which benefits align with your travel habits.

Verdict

Aeroplan Reserve Visa Infinite Privilege for frequent Air Canada flyers who want elite status acceleration, Maple Leaf Lounge access, and the full Air Canada perks package.

American Express Platinum for high-income travellers who want maximum luxury benefits (Fine Hotels, Centurion access), widest lounge network (Priority Pass globally), and MR points that transfer to multiple airline programmes.

Card details current as of June 2026. Annual fees and benefits change frequently at the ultra-premium tier. Always verify with the issuer before applying. See our Advertiser Disclosure.