American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card Review
Pros
- Earn generous Aeroplan points on eligible purchases
- Comprehensive travel insurance and benefits
- Exclusive Air Canada travel benefits and priority services
- Airport lounge access (including Maple Leaf Lounge and Priority Pass)
- Annual companion fare benefit
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard
- Strong emphasis on travel rewards (may not be suitable for those without frequent travel plans)
- No introductory APR promotions for balance transfers or purchases
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 Reserve Card, here’s how you earn rewards:
| Restaurants / Delivery | 2 points |
| Specific Stores | 3 points |
| All Other Spend | 1.25 points |
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 Reserve 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 | $274.29 |
| Gift cards | $237.50 |
| Merchandise | $247.53 |
| Car rentals | $301.05 |
| Flight rewards | $669.00 |
| Air Canada gift cards | $334.50 |
| Air Canada vactions | $277.64 |
Calculating your annual rewards
$24,000.00 annual spending x $2.79% return on spending = $669.00 annual rewards
$669.00 annual rewards – $599.00 annual fee = $$70.00 net annual rewards
Details and eligibility
| Do I qualify? | |
|---|---|
| Estimated Credit Score | 660 – 724 |
| Interest Rates | |
|---|---|
| Purchase | 20.9% |
| Cash Advance | 21.9% |
| Balance Transfer | N/A% |
| Fees | |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $599.00 |
| Extra Card Fee | $0 |
| Card type | AMEX |
Insurance coverage
| Extended Warranty | 1 year |
| Purchase Protection | 90 days |
| Travel Accident | 500000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 15 days |
| Trip Cancellation | 1500 |
| Trip Interruption | 1500 |
| Flight Delay | 1000 |
| Baggage Delay | 1000 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | 1000 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
| Hotel Burglary | 1000 |
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card Review
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is a premium credit card specifically designed for frequent travelers and those loyal to the Aeroplan program. This review will provide an in-depth look at the card’s earning potential, four main benefits, two drawbacks, and other additional information.
Earning Potential: The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card focuses on rewarding users with Aeroplan points. Cardholders earn 3 points per $1 spent when purchasing directly from Air Canada or Air Canada Vacations, 2 points per $1 spent on dining & food delivery in Canada, and 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases. As a sign-up bonus, new cardmembers can earn up to 90,000 bonus Aeroplan points upon meeting the minimum spending requirements within the first six months.
Benefit 1: One of the major advantages of this card is its generous travel perks. Cardholders have access to a range of benefits, such as priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling with Air Canada, a complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge access within North America, and free checked bags. These perks elevate the travel experience significantly for frequent flyers.
Benefit 2: The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card offers an annual Worldwide Companion Pass. As a cardmember, you can receive a complimentary companion pass after spending $25,000, allowing you to book a secondary ticket at a reduced cost for travel in Economy, Premium Economy or Business Class on Air Canada-operated flights.
Benefit 3: Cardholders are covered with comprehensive travel insurance, including emergency medical coverage, travel accident insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage loss/delay, flight delay, and car rental theft/damage coverage. This protection provides peace of mind when traveling, knowing that you and your family are well-covered.
Benefit 4: The card offers priority access to Air Canada’s On My Way travel services for flight disruptions like delays, cancellations, or missed connections. Cardholders can receive exclusive assistance in rebooking flights, hotel accommodations, and ground transportation to ensure minimal impact on travel plans.
Drawback 1: A significant drawback of this card is the high annual fee of $599, which can be prohibitive for potential users. To get the full value out of the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, cardholders must use the travel benefits and spend a significant amount on the card.
Drawback 2: The second drawback is that American Express cards are not accepted everywhere, especially in comparison to Visa and Mastercard. This limitation can be inconvenient when trying to earn rewards on everyday purchases at certain merchants.
Additional Information: While not exclusive to this card, American Express offers a referral program that rewards you with bonus Aeroplan points when referring friends or family for an eligible American Express card. This allows you to increase your rewards earning potential even further, beyond your regular spending.
In conclusion, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card offers exceptional travel benefits, comprehensive insurance coverage, and multiple ways to earn Aeroplan points. However, the high annual fee and limited acceptance at some merchants could be concerns for some potential cardholders. It’s essential to evaluate whether the benefits align with your travel needs and spending habits to ensure the card is a good fit for you.
Is the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card not convincing you? Consider the American Express Gold Rewards Card or the American Express Green Card. Still not the right credit card? Make sure not to miss the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card.
FAQ
Key benefits
- Earn 3x points on eligible purchases from Air Canada and affiliated partners
- Earn 2x points on eligible dining and food delivery purchases
- Earn 1.25x points on all other purchases
- 15,000 Aeroplan points welcome bonus
- Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling with Air Canada
- Complimentary annual access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
- Priority Pass membership with 6 complimentary visits per year
- Aeroplan Elite status benefits after meeting qualifying spend requirements
- Receive 1 Annual Companion Pass for travel within North America
- Comprehensive travel insurance package, including medical, trip interruption, and rental car coverage
- Global Wi-Fi access through Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard
- $599 annual fee
