Not all Aeroplan credit cards earn equally across spending categories. Choosing the right card for your biggest spending areas can significantly accelerate your point accumulation — sometimes doubling or tripling your effective earn rate compared to a one-size-fits-all approach. This guide breaks down the best Aeroplan card for each major spending category in Canada.
Why Category Earn Rates Matter
At a base rate of 1 point per dollar, spending $2,000/month earns 24,000 Aeroplan points annually — roughly enough for a short-haul economy redemption. At 1.5 points per dollar on the same spend, that jumps to 36,000 points. At 2 or 3 points per dollar in your top categories, the accumulation is dramatically faster.
The most effective strategy is a two-card combination: one card optimised for your primary spending category, and one for everything else.
Grocery Spending
Best Aeroplan card: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
Both cards earn 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar at eligible grocery stores. In Canada, this includes major chains like Loblaws, Metro, Sobeys, and their banner stores.
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($139/year): 1.5x grocery, 1.5x gas, 1x everywhere else. Strong insurance package.
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($139/year): 1.5x grocery, 1.5x gas, 1.5x Air Canada purchases, 1x elsewhere.
Annual value example (based on $1,000/month grocery spend):
- At 1.5 pts/$ → 18,000 Aeroplan points per year from groceries alone
That’s equivalent to approximately $270–$396 in flight redemptions at 1.5–2.2 cents per point.
Gas Stations
Best Aeroplan card: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
Both flagship mid-tier cards earn 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar at eligible gas stations, including Esso/Mobil locations (which also have an Aeroplan earning component — see Aeroplan Partners).
Stack your earn at Esso: Swipe your Aeroplan credit card AND present your Aeroplan number at Esso stations to earn both credit card points and a direct Aeroplan earn on the same fuel purchase.
Air Canada Purchases
Best Aeroplan card: CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite or Amex Aeroplan Reserve
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($139/year): 1.5x on Air Canada purchases (flights, baggage fees, upgrades, inflight purchases)
- Amex Aeroplan Reserve ($599/year): 3x on all Air Canada purchases including gift cards, flight passes, and Air Canada Vacations packages
If you book Air Canada flights regularly, these earn rates make a meaningful difference:
Annual value example (based on $5,000/year Air Canada spend):
- CIBC at 1.5x → 7,500 points
- Amex Reserve at 3x → 15,000 points
Dining and Restaurants
Best Aeroplan card: Amex Aeroplan Reserve
The Amex Aeroplan Reserve earns 2 Aeroplan points per dollar on dining and food delivery purchases. This includes restaurants, takeaway, coffee shops, and food delivery apps.
No other Aeroplan credit card in Canada has a dedicated elevated dining earn rate. If dining is a top spending category, the Amex Reserve can be worth the $599 annual fee for heavy restaurant spenders — especially when combined with the Air Canada earning advantage.
Annual value example (based on $600/month dining spend):
- Amex Reserve at 2x → 14,400 points per year from dining
Travel Purchases (Non-Air Canada)
Best Aeroplan card: Amex Aeroplan Reserve
The Amex Aeroplan Reserve earns 1.5 points per dollar on all other travel purchases — hotels, car rentals, tours, travel agencies, cruise lines. No other Aeroplan card has an elevated rate for general travel.
For a broader travel rewards card that also transfers to Aeroplan, consider the Amex Gold Rewards Card (which earns Membership Rewards points transferable to Aeroplan at 1:1 and offers 2x on travel and dining).
Everyday Spending / Everything Else
Best Aeroplan card: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
Both earn 1 Aeroplan point per dollar on all other purchases. This is the standard rate across most Aeroplan cards. The no-fee CIBC Aeroplan Visa also earns 1x on everything, making it a reasonable option for supplementary spending if you don’t want to carry an additional fee-based card.
Business Spending
Best Aeroplan card: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Business or Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve
Business cardholders have dedicated Aeroplan options:
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Business ($149/year): Elevated earn on business categories; employee cards available
- Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve ($599/year): 3x on Air Canada, 2x on dining and travel, 1.25x elsewhere; built for high-spending businesses
Business cards typically allow higher credit limits, employee card issuance, and enhanced spend tracking — important for businesses managing multiple employees’ expenses.
Summary: Best Aeroplan Card by Category
| Spending Category | Best Card | Earn Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | TD or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | 1.5x |
| Gas | TD or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | 1.5x |
| Air Canada flights | Amex Aeroplan Reserve | 3x |
| Dining | Amex Aeroplan Reserve | 2x |
| General travel | Amex Aeroplan Reserve | 1.5x |
| All other spending | TD or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite | 1x |
| No annual fee | CIBC Aeroplan Visa (no fee) | 1x |
The Optimal Two-Card Combination
For most Canadians, the best Aeroplan earning setup is:
Everyday earner + premium Air Canada card:
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($139/year) — Use for groceries (1.5x), gas (1.5x), and everyday spending (1x)
- Amex Aeroplan Reserve ($599/year) — Use for all Air Canada purchases (3x) and dining (2x)
Total annual fee: $738
Best for: Frequent Air Canada flyers who want to maximise every dollar of spending
Budget-friendly combination:
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($139/year) — Primary card for 1.5x categories and insurance
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa ($0/year) — Backup card for any CIBC-specific offers or when travelling without a fee
Total annual fee: $139
Best for: Moderate earners who want solid Aeroplan accumulation without premium card costs
Aeroplan Earn Rate FAQ
Do Aeroplan credit card earn rates apply to all retailers in a category? Not always. “Grocery” and “gas” earn rates apply to purchases coded as such by Visa or Mastercard. Discount grocers, warehouse stores (Costco), or gas purchased at a grocery store may not qualify for the elevated rate. Always verify with the card issuer.
Can I earn Aeroplan points at Costco with a TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite? Costco is a warehouse retailer, not a grocery store per Visa’s merchant category codes. Purchases at Costco typically earn the base 1x rate, not the 1.5x grocery rate.
Does holding both a TD and CIBC Aeroplan card help? Both points earn into the same Aeroplan account. If your primary spend is groceries and gas (where both cards earn equally), holding both cards provides minimal additional earn — just use whichever bank you prefer. The CIBC card adds value if you also have significant Air Canada spending (1.5x vs. TD’s 1x on Air Canada).
Related Aeroplan Articles
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- Aeroplan eStore Guide: Earn Points Shopping Online Canada 2026
- Aeroplan Points Value Canada 2026
- Aeroplan Elite Status: Is It Worth It? Canada 2026
- Aeroplan vs. Scene+: Which Points Program Is Better? Canada 2026
- Best Aeroplan Redemptions in Canada 2026
- Best Aeroplan Credit Cards in Canada 2026
Earn rates are subject to change. Always verify current card terms with the issuing bank before applying.