Chase Aeroplan Credit Card review: A compelling and valuable airline card

Aeroplan Credit Card overview

Chase's Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees) is one of our favorite cobranded airline credit cards, offering award flexibility and valuable airline benefits. With its strong earning rate and incentives to spend on the card beyond earning the welcome bonus, the Aeroplan Credit Card is worth considering for many points and miles enthusiasts — even those who don't live in Canada. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

The Aeroplan Credit Card offers unique benefits we've rarely seen on other cobranded airline cards, all for a reasonable annual fee of $95.

You'll most likely need a good credit score of at least 670 to get approved for this card.

If the ability to use points on more than 50 partner airlines worldwide and automatic elite status appeal to you, keep reading.

Aeroplan Credit Card pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Ability to redeem your points with more than 50 partner airlines Complimentary elite status for up to two calendar years Free first checked bag (for you and up to eight companions) Travel protections	Doesn't offer the same flexibility as a general travel card Requires a little extra effort to get the most value out of rewards Subject to Chase's application restrictions High spending is required for a higher elite status

Aeroplan Credit Card welcome offer

New cardholders of the Aeroplan Credit Card can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This offer is worth $1,050, according to TPG's April 2026 valuations.

Hand holding the Aeroplan Credit Card — THE POINTS GUY

This is an elevated offer above the usual 60,000 to 70,000 bonus points, making now a compelling time to apply.

Keep in mind that since Chase issues this card, it's subject to Chase's 5/24 rule. If you've opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months, you may not be eligible to open the Aeroplan Credit Card.

Aeroplan Credit Card benefits

One of the standout features of the Aeroplan Credit Card is automatic elite status.

Status-linked benefits

New cardholders receive Aeroplan 25K status for the remainder of the calendar year in which they're approved, plus the entire following calendar year. We recommend applying early in the year to maximize this benefit.

Aeroplan 25K status includes perks such as:

Star Alliance Silver status (priority waitlisting and standby)
Priority check-in and boarding
Complimentary checked baggage (two bags, 23kg each) on Air Canada flights
Five eUpgrade credits for cabin upgrades
Complimentary Avis Preferred Plus elite status

After the introductory period, you can retain or build on your Aeroplan elite status through a combination of spending and overall program activity.

The card helps by contributing Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) — the primary metric used to earn and maintain status — as follows:

5,000 SQC headstart each calendar year
10,000 additional SQCs when cardholders spend $25,000 in a calendar year
10,000 additional SQCs when cardholders spend $50,000 in a calendar year

This means you can earn up to 25,000 SQC per year from the card.

For context, higher tiers of Aeroplan status require increasing amounts of SQC. With significant spending, the card can meaningfully accelerate your progress.

For example, spending $75,000 in a calendar year can help you reach Aeroplan 35K status.

In addition, Aeroplan offers Milestone Benefits — extra perks unlocked as you earn SQC throughout the year, typically in increments of 10,000 SQC.

While the Aeroplan Credit Card can give you a strong head start and boost, it works best alongside flying and partner activity rather than as a stand-alone path to elite status.

Non-status-linked benefits

Even if you don't maintain your elite status beyond the first year, here are all of the other benefits you'll get from the Aeroplan Credit Card:

First free checked bag on Air Canada flights for primary cardholders and up to eight companions on the same reservation
No foreign transaction fees
Travel protections, such as auto rental insurance, baggage delay insurance, roadside assistance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement
Up to $120 statement credit for your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee every four years
World Elite Mastercard benefits, including access to Mastercard Priceless experiences, everyday discounts and offers, 24/7 concierge service and more

Earning points on the Aeroplan Credit Card

With the Aeroplan Credit Card, you'll earn:

3 points per dollar spent at grocery stores, purchases made directly with Air Canada and restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Beautiful African American woman shopping online from her cozy home office during winter holidays, holding a credit card while purchasing something online using a laptop — BROTHERS91/GETTY IMAGES

For every $2,000 you spend on the card each month, you can receive up to a 500-point bonus (up to 1,500 points per month; maximum 18,000 points annually). These bonus points can add up if you're a heavy spender.

This benefit will come in handy if you plan on spending heavily on the Aeroplan Credit Card to maintain 25K status or elevate your status to another tier.

Redeeming points on the Aeroplan Credit Card

For those who prefer a simple redemption option, the Aeroplan Credit Card offers Chase's Pay Yourself Back feature, allowing you to redeem points for statement credits toward recent purchases.

Cardholders can currently redeem points at the following rates:

Travel purchases† and the card's annual fee: 1.25 cents per point
Dining, gas stations and grocery stores‡: 0.8 cents per point

†Up to 200,000 points (or $2,500) per year

‡Excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs

Eligible purchases must typically be made within 90 days before the redemption request.

This provides a straightforward way to offset everyday expenses, especially if you're not looking to maximize award travel.

This card's Pay Yourself Back categories may change annually.

Transferring points on the Aeroplan Credit Card

You can redeem your points for flights to over 1,300 destinations through Air Canada's more than 50 airline partners, including Star Alliance airlines and for generally fewer points than you'd need with other loyalty programs.

Even better, Air Canada publishes distance-based award charts with tons of sweet spots to look out for. For example, you can fly from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on Lufthansa business class for just 70,000 points.

Alongside the Aeroplan Credit Card, if you also have a Chase Ultimate Rewards earning card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), you'll receive a 10% bonus on every 50,000 or more Chase Ultimate Rewards points you transfer to Aeroplan (maximum 25,000 bonus points per calendar year).

Which cards compete with the Aeroplan Credit Card?

The Aeroplan Credit Card has a $95 annual fee, which is comparable to the price of other popular travel credit cards that earn transferable rewards. Let's compare some same-caliber credit cards and determine if the Aeroplan Credit Card is the best option for you.

If you want more general rewards: Try the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), one of our all-time favorite travel credit cards. While the Aeroplan card is great for fans of Air Canada and its partners, the Sapphire Preferred is a more flexible travel card. To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
If you value simplicity: Go for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card with its $95 annual fee. It offers a simple earning rate of at least 2 miles per dollar spent on everything, taking away the stress of remembering bonus categories and strategies to maximize your spending. You can also earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. To learn more, read our full review of the Venture Rewards.
If you enjoy flying with United: The United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then a $150 fee thereafter). The card earns bonus miles on United purchases and offers a plethora of statement credits. Plus, you'll get perks like two United Club one-time passes per calendar year. To learn more, read our full review of the United Explorer card.

For additional options, check out our full list of the best travel cards.

Is the Aeroplan Credit Card worth it?

With solid perks for just a $95 annual fee, the Aeroplan Credit Card can be well worth it for the average consumer, especially if you can capitalize on the complimentary 25K status offered to new cardholders.

Even if you're not a regular flyer of Air Canada — or perhaps have never flown the airline at all — chances are that you've flown its Star Alliance partners. We recommend the Aeroplan card as a strong option for many frequent travelers so they can maximize the loyalty program's lucrative award chart.

Bottom line

Complimentary elite status is a meaningful perk, no matter the airline. And with Aeroplan points being one of the most valuable airline currencies out there, this credit card is an excellent way to help you book your dream vacation using points to save money on flights — no matter where you may be going.

Apply here: Aeroplan Credit Card

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Chase Aeroplan Credit Card review: A compelling and valuable airline card