American Express Aeroplan Card Review

3.00

★★★★★

$120.00

Annual Fee

$522.00

Annual Rewards

50,000 points

Intro Offer

$120.00

Annual fee

$522.00

Annual rewards

50,000 points

Intro offer


Pros


  • Earn 2 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on Air Canada® purchases
  • Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery
  • Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Comprehensive travel insurance coverage
  • Complimentary lounge access with Priority Pass membership
  • Secondary cardholder benefits with a reasonable supplementary card fee
  • Extensive American Express benefits and services

Cons


  • $139 annual fee
  • Acceptance rate of American Express cards might be lower than other card networks at some merchants
  • Limited transfer options for rewards points
  • High interest rates on unpaid balances (19.99% for purchases)
  • Restrictions on bonus points earning based on the card’s tier system
  • No promotion for reduced or waived annual fee for the first year

How you earn rewards

Each card earns rewards differently. Part of choosing your card is deciding what type of rewards you want to get. With American Express Aeroplan Card, here’s how you earn rewards:

Restaurants / Delivery1.5 points
Specific Stores2 points
All Other Spend1 point

How much your rewards are worth

The dollar value of your rewards depends on the specific AMEX rewards program and what you choose to redeem your points for.

For American Express Aeroplan Card in particular, if you spend $2,000.00 per month, here’s our estimated rewards earned depending on which reward you choose:

Redemption methodAnnual rewards
Transfer to partner hotels$214.02
Gift cards$185.31
Merchandise$193.14
Car rentals$234.90
Flight rewards$522.00
Air Canada gift cards$261.00
Air Canada vactions$216.63

Calculating your annual rewards

$24,000.00 annual spending x $2.18% return on spending = $522.00 annual rewards

$522.00 annual rewards – $120.00 annual fee = $$402.00 net annual rewards

Details and eligibility

Do I qualify?
Estimated Credit Score560 – 659
Interest Rates
PurchaseN/A%
Cash AdvanceN/A%
Balance TransferN/A%
Fees
Annual Fee$120.00
Extra Card Fee$0
Card typeAMEX

Insurance coverage

Extended Warranty1 year
Purchase Protection90 days
Travel Accident500000
Flight Delay500
Baggage Delay500
Lost or Stolen Baggage500
Rental Car Theft & DamageYes
Hotel Burglary500

American Express Aeroplan Card Review

The American Express Aeroplan Card is a popular travel rewards credit card designed for Canadians who frequently fly with Air Canada and the Star Alliance network. This card offers various earning options and benefits, making it an ideal choice for those looking to maximize their travel rewards. In this review, we will discuss the earning potential, benefits, drawbacks, and any additional relevant information pertaining to the American Express Aeroplan Card.

Earning Potential

The American Express Aeroplan Card allows cardholders to earn Aeroplan points in several different spending categories. For every $1 spent on eligible purchases at Air Canada, users will receive 2 points. Additionally, cardholders will earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on dining and takeout, and 1 point for every $1 spent on everything else. This diversified earning potential allows users to accumulate points quickly for their next trip.

Benefits

Benefit 1: One of the major advantages of the American Express Aeroplan Card is the impressive welcome bonus for new users. Upon signing up and meeting the required minimum spending threshold within the first three months, cardholders are eligible to earn up to a maximum of 15,000 bonus Aeroplan points, which can be used towards flights, vacation packages, and other travel-related rewards.

Benefit 2: The second significant benefit is the suite of comprehensive travel insurance coverage that comes with this card. This includes medical emergency coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and baggage loss/delay coverage. These protections will help give cardholders peace of mind throughout their travels.

Benefit 3: Thirdly, this card grants one annual Maple Leaf Lounge access pass when flying on an Air Canada flight booked with Aeroplan points, allowing cardholders to experience luxury and comfort before their departure.

Benefit 4: One additional advantage of the American Express Aeroplan Card is its compatibility with American Express Offers, which allow users to earn bonus rewards, receive discounts, and access exclusive promotional offers by making purchases at participating retailers and businesses.

Drawbacks

Drawback 1: One considerable drawback of the American Express Aeroplan Card is its annual fee. At a price point of $120, potential users should weigh the annual fee against the card’s benefits to ensure it is a worthwhile investment.

Drawback 2: Another drawback of this card is that American Express is not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard, which may cause some inconvenience for cardholders when trying to earn Aeroplan points on their everyday spending.

Additional Information

In conclusion, the American Express Aeroplan Card offers various earning potentials and benefits that can be advantageous to Canadians who frequently travel with Air Canada and the Star Alliance network. However, the annual fee and less widespread acceptance of American Express should be taken into consideration when deciding if this card is the right choice for an individual’s specific needs and travel preferences.

Is the American Express Aeroplan Card not convincing you? Consider the SimplyCash Card American Express or the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. Still not the right credit card? Make sure not to miss the American Express Gold Rewards Card.

FAQ

With the American Express Aeroplan Card, cardholders can redeem their Aeroplan points for a wide range of rewards. These include:

  • Air Travel: Redeem points for flights with Air Canada and its partners in the Star Alliance network. This covers more than 1,300 destinations across 190 countries. You can use points for both economy and business class tickets, with the option to use points for upgrades, taxes, and fees as well.
  • Hotel Stays: Aeroplan points can be exchanged for hotel bookings, with more than 400,000 hotels available globally across various hotel chains and brands.
  • Rental Cars: Points can be utilized to secure a rental car for your next trip, giving you more freedom to explore while on vacation.
  • Merchandise: Redeem your points for a plethora of merchandise items available through the Aeroplan eStore, ranging from electronics and fashion items to gifts and household goods.
  • Gift Cards: Exchange your points for gift cards from popular retailers, restaurants, and services, giving you the flexibility to use them as you please.
  • Experiences: Aeroplan points can be used to book unique experiences, such as dining events, spa days, or entertainment packages, making your travel experience even more memorable.
  • Charitable Donations: As an Aeroplan member, you can choose to donate your points to causes that matter most to you through charitable organizations partnered with Aeroplan.

The American Express Aeroplan Card does charge a foreign transaction fee. Cardholders will incur a 2.5% fee on all transactions made in a foreign currency. This fee is applied to the converted Canadian dollar amount of the transaction to help cover the cost of processing transactions outside of Canada.

The American Express Aeroplan Card does not have a specified minimum income requirement for applicants. This offers flexibility for potential cardholders with various income levels seeking to apply for this credit card.

Key benefits

  • Aeroplan Rewards Program: Earn points for Air Canada flights and partner airlines
  • Points Multiplier: Double your points for travel, dining, and food delivery expenses
  • Base Points Accrual: Default 1 point per dollar on all other eligible spending
  • Travel Insurance Suite: Medical and trip delay/cancellation protection for you and your family
  • Lounge Privileges: Relax in style with a complimentary Priority Pass membership
  • Add a Spouse/Partner: Additional card users gain access to benefits for a modest fee
  • Amex Perks: Exclusive event invites, shopping protections, and premium customer service
  • Cost Consideration: A $139 annual fee offsets the card’s numerous advantages
  • Amex Acceptance: Wider usage limitations compared to Visa or Mastercard
  • Reward Flexibility: Minimal transfer options for points into alternative rewards programs
  • APR: Be mindful of a 19.99% interest rate for purchases if not promptly paid off
  • Tier Restrictions: Some rewards are subject to varying conditions based on cardholder status
  • Welcome Offer: Lacks an appealing first-year fee waiver commonly found in other cards

About The Author