American Express Aeroplan Card
American Express · American Express
Occasional Air Canada flyers who want free checked bags and Aeroplan earning at a modest fee.
VaultNerd estimate based on the card's tier and income requirements, not an official issuer cutoff. Approval also depends on income, debt, and credit history.
Our verdict
A practical entry-level Aeroplan card whose free-first-bag perk and preferred award pricing easily justify the $120 fee for anyone who flies Air Canada a few times a year.
Reward rates
Air Canada & Air Canada Vacations | 2x |
Dining & food delivery | 1.5x |
Everything else | 1x |
VaultNerd values these points at ~2¢ each.
Welcome bonus
Up to 45,000 Aeroplan points (35,000 in year one plus 10,000 in month 13); first-year value reflects the 35,000 points
Requirement: Spend $7,500 in purchases in the first 6 months (35,000 pts), plus $1,000 in month 13 (10,000 pts)
Pros
- Free checked bags can pay for the card in one family trip
- Earns Aeroplan points directly with Elite status accelerators
Cons
- No travel emergency medical insurance
- Charge card: balance must be paid in full each month
- Modest base earn of 1x
Perks
- First checked bag free on Air Canada for up to 9 people on the same reservation
- Preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight rewards
- 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits per $20,000 spent (up to 25,000 SQC)
- No pre-set spending limit (charge card)
- Amex Experiences event access
Insurance
- Travel accident insurance $500,000
- Flight delay, baggage delay and lost/stolen baggage ($500 each)
- Rental car theft and damage (vehicles up to $85,000, 48 days)
- Hotel/motel burglary $500
- Purchase protection (90 days) and extended warranty (+1 year)
Frequently asked questions
Is the American Express Aeroplan Card worth it?
It charges a $120 annual fee, and we rate it 4.0 out of 5. It's best suited to occasional Air Canada flyers who want free checked bags and Aeroplan earning at a modest fee. The welcome bonus is worth roughly $700, which covers the first year for many people. Whether it's worth it for you depends on your spending. Run your own numbers through our credit card finder to see the net rewards after the fee.
What does the American Express Aeroplan Card earn?
It earns 2x on air canada & air canada vacations, 1.5x on dining & food delivery and 1x on everything else. We value these points at about 2¢ each, so the top rate works out to roughly 4.0% back.
What credit score do you need for the American Express Aeroplan Card?
We'd suggest a score of around 680 or higher, which puts approval in our "moderate" band. This is a VaultNerd estimate based on the card's tier and stated requirements. Approval also depends on your income, existing debt and credit history.
Researching and writing about Canadian personal finance since 2026.
Last reviewed June 2026 · How we research
“American Express Aeroplan Card Review.” VaultNerd, https://www.vaultnerd.com/ca/credit-cards/amex-aeroplan, updated June 2026.
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