The best Aeroplan credit card for most Canadians is the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite — both earn 1.5x on everyday spending, carry a $139 annual fee, and include meaningful travel insurance. If you fly Air Canada regularly, the CIBC card edges ahead. If you want the premium experience with Air Canada lounge access and maximum earn on Air Canada purchases, the Amex Aeroplan Reserve is in a class of its own — at a price.
Here is the full comparison of every Aeroplan credit card available in Canada in 2026.
Best Aeroplan Credit Cards at a Glance
| Card | Annual Fee | Base Earn | Best Welcome Bonus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 1.5x grocery & gas | ~50,000 pts | Best overall everyday earner |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 1.5x grocery, gas & Air Canada | ~50,000 pts | Air Canada shoppers |
| Amex Aeroplan Reserve | $599 | 3x Air Canada, 2x dining/travel | ~100,000 pts | Heavy Air Canada flyers |
| Amex Aeroplan Card | $120 | 2x dining & travel, 1x other | ~40,000 pts | Mid-tier Amex earner |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum | $89 | 1x most purchases | ~20,000 pts | Entry-level, lower spend |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | $599 | 2x Air Canada, 1.5x travel | ~100,000 pts | CIBC premium flyers |
Welcome bonuses change frequently. Verify current offers with each issuer before applying.
1. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite — Best Overall
Annual fee: $139 | Network: Visa Infinite | Income requirement: $60,000 personal / $100,000 household
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite is Canada’s most popular Aeroplan credit card — and for good reason. It hits the right balance of earn rates, travel insurance, Air Canada perks, and annual fee. For the majority of Canadians who want to accumulate Aeroplan points on everyday spending, this is the default recommendation.
Earn Rates
| Category | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Air Canada purchases | 1.5x Aeroplan points |
| Grocery stores | 1.5x Aeroplan points |
| Gas stations | 1.5x Aeroplan points |
| Dining and food delivery | 1.5x Aeroplan points |
| All other purchases | 1x Aeroplan points |
Key Benefits
- Free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same Air Canada booking
- NEXUS application fee rebate — up to $100 every 48 months (covers the full cost of a NEXUS application)
- Priority check-in at Air Canada airports when flying on a reward ticket (Aeroplan 25K status required for priority boarding)
- Comprehensive travel insurance — out-of-province medical (up to $5 million), trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight delay, baggage delay, car rental collision
- Visa Infinite benefits — Visa Infinite Dining Series, Visa Infinite Golf, and other premium offers
Is It Worth the $139 Fee?
The free first checked bag alone — worth $30–$35 per bag, per segment, per person — covers the annual fee for a family of four on a single round-trip. For cardholders who check bags on Air Canada even twice per year with a companion, the card pays for itself before the first statement arrives.
Read the full TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite review.
2. CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite — Best for Air Canada Shoppers
Annual fee: $139 | Network: Visa Infinite | Income requirement: $60,000 personal / $100,000 household
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is functionally identical to the TD version with one meaningful difference: it earns 1.5x Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases, not just at grocery stores and gas stations. For cardholders who regularly buy Air Canada tickets, this is the better card.
Earn Rates
| Category | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Air Canada purchases | 1.5x Aeroplan points |
| Grocery stores | 1.5x Aeroplan points |
| Gas stations | 1.5x Aeroplan points |
| Drug stores and pharmacies | 1.5x Aeroplan points |
| All other purchases | 1x Aeroplan points |
Key Benefits
- Free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and eligible companions on Air Canada bookings
- NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 every 48 months
- Comprehensive travel insurance — medical, trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight delay, baggage delay, car rental collision
- Priority check-in on eligible Air Canada flights
TD vs. CIBC: Which Should You Choose?
For most Canadians, the difference is marginal. Choose CIBC if you regularly shop Air Canada directly (the 1.5x on Air Canada spend is better than TD’s on direct Air Canada purchases) or if you bank with CIBC and prefer consolidated accounts. Choose TD if you bank with TD. The insurance packages and Air Canada perks are comparable.
Read the full CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite review.
3. American Express Aeroplan Reserve — Best for Heavy Air Canada Flyers
Annual fee: $599 | Network: Amex | Income requirement: None published
The Amex Aeroplan Reserve is the premium Aeroplan card for Canadians who spend heavily on Air Canada and want the highest earn rates, lounge access, and elevated status-like perks. At $599/year it is a significant commitment — but for frequent Air Canada flyers, the value proposition stacks up.
Earn Rates
| Category | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Air Canada purchases | 3x Aeroplan points |
| Dining (restaurants, food delivery) | 2x Aeroplan points |
| Travel purchases | 2x Aeroplan points |
| All other purchases | 1.25x Aeroplan points |
Key Benefits
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Club lounge access — unlimited access for the cardholder; guest visits at the cardholder’s discretion (verify current guest policy with Amex)
- Air Canada Companion Pass — earn a companion pass when you meet the annual spending threshold (verify current spend requirement with Amex)
- Free first checked bag for primary cardholder and eligible companions
- Priority check-in and boarding on Air Canada flights
- NEXUS fee rebate up to $100 every 48 months
- Comprehensive travel insurance including emergency medical, trip cancellation, and baggage coverage
- $200 annual travel credit applicable to Air Canada purchases (verify current credit structure with Amex)
Is the $599 Fee Justified?
For a cardholder spending $30,000+/year on Air Canada, the 3x earn rate alone generates 90,000+ Aeroplan points — worth $1,350+ on economy flights and significantly more on business class. Add the companion pass, lounge access, and travel credits and the card easily clears the annual fee threshold for the right cardholder.
For infrequent Air Canada flyers, the TD or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite delivers better value per dollar of annual fee.
Read the full American Express Aeroplan Reserve review.
4. American Express Aeroplan Card — Best Mid-Tier Amex Aeroplan
Annual fee: $120 | Network: Amex | Income requirement: None published
The Amex Aeroplan Card sits between the entry-level TD/CIBC cards and the premium Reserve. It earns 2x on dining and travel — better than the Visa Infinite cards in those categories — and costs $19 less per year. It lacks the lounge access, companion pass, and elevated Air Canada earn of the Reserve, but delivers solid value for moderate spenders who prefer Amex acceptance where it is available.
Earn Rates
| Category | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Dining (restaurants, food delivery) | 2x Aeroplan points |
| Travel purchases | 2x Aeroplan points |
| Air Canada purchases | 1x Aeroplan points |
| All other purchases | 1x Aeroplan points |
Note: Amex is not accepted at all Canadian merchants. If you spend heavily at Costco, certain grocery chains, or merchants that only take Visa/Mastercard, the TD or CIBC Visa Infinite cards will cover more of your everyday spending.
Read the full American Express Aeroplan Card review.
5. TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum — Best Entry-Level Aeroplan Card
Annual fee: $89 | Network: Visa | Income requirement: None published
The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum is the entry point for Canadians who want to earn Aeroplan points but don’t yet meet the income threshold for the Visa Infinite tier or want a lower annual fee. It earns fewer points and includes fewer benefits than the Infinite version, but it’s a legitimate Aeroplan earner with a more accessible fee.
Earn Rates
| Category | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Air Canada purchases | 1x Aeroplan points |
| Gas stations | 1x Aeroplan points |
| Grocery stores | 1x Aeroplan points |
| All other purchases | 1x Aeroplan points |
Key benefits: Free first checked bag (verify current terms with TD), basic travel insurance, Visa purchase protections.
Who it’s for: Canadians below the $60,000 income threshold for the Visa Infinite, those new to credit who want to build a history while earning Aeroplan points, or those who want the lowest-fee entry point into the Aeroplan card ecosystem.
Read the full TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum review.
6. CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege — Best for CIBC Premium Flyers
Annual fee: $599 | Network: Visa Infinite Privilege | Income requirement: $150,000 personal / $200,000 household
The top-tier CIBC Aeroplan card for ultra-premium cardholders. It competes with the Amex Reserve for the same heavy Air Canada flyer audience and offers Visa Infinite Privilege benefits — broader merchant acceptance than Amex and a different suite of insurances. Income requirement is the highest of any Aeroplan card.
Key Benefits
- 2x Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases
- 1.5x on all other travel purchases
- Airport lounge access (Visa Infinite Privilege partner lounges)
- Comprehensive travel insurance including emergency medical and trip cancellation
- Complimentary first checked bags and priority boarding on Air Canada flights
Read the full CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege review.
How to Choose the Right Aeroplan Card
Choose the TD or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite if:
- You want the best overall value at a reasonable annual fee
- You check bags on Air Canada at least once per year with a travel companion
- You spend heavily on groceries, gas, or dining
- You bank with TD or CIBC and want consolidated accounts
Choose the CIBC version over TD if:
- You regularly purchase Air Canada tickets directly (1.5x on Air Canada spend)
- You shop at Shoppers Drug Mart or other drugstore chains frequently
Choose the Amex Aeroplan Reserve if:
- You fly Air Canada 6+ times per year and spend $20,000+/year on Air Canada
- Lounge access is valuable to you
- The companion pass is achievable at your spending level
- You are comfortable with Amex acceptance limitations
Choose the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum if:
- You are below the income threshold for the Visa Infinite
- You want a lower annual fee with basic Aeroplan earning
- You are building credit and want an Aeroplan card from the start
Aeroplan Cards vs. Amex Membership Rewards for Aeroplan
Amex Membership Rewards cards (Cobalt, Gold Rewards, Platinum) are not Aeroplan cards, but they earn MR points that can be transferred to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. This gives you flexibility to collect points in one program and move them when needed.
| Approach | Benefit | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated Aeroplan card | Points go straight to Aeroplan; simpler | Locked into Aeroplan only |
| Amex MR card | Transfer to Aeroplan or other programs | Requires a transfer step; transfer takes time |
For pure Aeroplan focus, a dedicated Aeroplan card is more straightforward. For flexibility — especially if you also want to transfer to Marriott, Hilton, or British Airways — an MR card adds optionality. Many serious points collectors hold both.
Best Aeroplan Credit Cards FAQ
What is the best Aeroplan credit card in Canada? For most Canadians: the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite. Both earn 1.5x on grocery, gas, and dining at $139/year with strong travel insurance and Air Canada perks. CIBC edges ahead for frequent Air Canada shoppers.
What is the best no-fee Aeroplan credit card? The CIBC Aeroplan Visa (entry-level, no annual fee) is the only no-fee Aeroplan card. Verify current availability with CIBC as product lineups change.
Can I hold both a TD and CIBC Aeroplan card? Yes. Points from both cards deposit into the same Aeroplan account. Many experienced collectors hold both to cover different categories.
Which Aeroplan card has the best welcome bonus? Welcome bonuses change frequently. The Amex Reserve and CIBC Visa Infinite Privilege typically have the largest offers (80,000–100,000+ points). TD and CIBC Visa Infinite cards regularly offer 40,000–60,000 points. Always verify the current promotion before applying.
Is an Aeroplan card better than using Amex Membership Rewards? Dedicated Aeroplan cards are simpler for pure Aeroplan accumulation. Amex MR cards offer flexibility to transfer to multiple programs. Many serious collectors use both.
Bottom Line
For the vast majority of Canadians, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is the right Aeroplan card. At $139/year, either card pays for itself with a single round-trip bag check for two people — and the 1.5x earn on grocery and gas spending builds points faster than any competing Aeroplan card at this fee level.
Upgrade to the Amex Aeroplan Reserve only if you genuinely fly Air Canada frequently enough for the 3x earn rate and lounge access to justify the $599 fee. Use the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum as your entry point if the income threshold or $139 fee is a barrier.
Welcome bonuses, earn rates, and card terms are subject to change. Always verify current offers directly with TD, CIBC, or Amex before applying.
Related Aeroplan Articles
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Review 2026
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Review 2026
- American Express Aeroplan Reserve Review 2026
- Aeroplan Points Value Calculator 2026
- How Many Aeroplan Points for a Flight? 2026
- How Aeroplan Works: Complete Canada Guide 2026
- Best Aeroplan Redemptions in Canada 2026
- Aeroplan Sweet Spots 2026