American Express Aeroplan Card Review
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 / Delivery | 1.5 points |
| Specific Stores | 2 points |
| All Other Spend | 1 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 method | Annual 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 Score | 560 – 659 |
| Interest Rates | |
|---|---|
| Purchase | N/A% |
| Cash Advance | N/A% |
| Balance Transfer | N/A% |
| Fees | |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $120.00 |
| Extra Card Fee | $0 |
| Card type | AMEX |
Insurance coverage
| Extended Warranty | 1 year |
| Purchase Protection | 90 days |
| Travel Accident | 500000 |
| Flight Delay | 500 |
| Baggage Delay | 500 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | 500 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
| Hotel Burglary | 500 |
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
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
