Aeroplan® Credit Card
Is the Fee Worth It?
Based on $1,500/mo average spend
Worth it if you spend more than ~$634/month. You come out $130 ahead at $1,500/mo.
Aeroplan® Credit Card
Quick Snapshot
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
- Rewards: 3X on Air Canada and United Airlines purchases, 2X on dining and gas, 1X on all other purchases
- Bonus: 70,000 Aeroplan bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Best For: Travelers who fly Air Canada, United, and Star Alliance and want flexible airline miles with no foreign transaction fees
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)
Overview
The Aeroplan Credit Card from Chase brings Air Canada's loyalty program to the U.S. market, offering a compelling option for travelers who fly Air Canada, United Airlines, and the broader Star Alliance network. It earns 3X Aeroplan points on Air Canada and United purchases, 2X on dining and gas stations, and 1X on everything else. The 70,000-point welcome bonus after just $4,000 in spending is a strong entry into a program with excellent redemption flexibility.
Aeroplan points are uniquely versatile because they can be redeemed for flights on Air Canada, United, and all 26 Star Alliance member airlines, plus partner carriers like Etihad and Emirates. The program offers both dynamic and fixed-rate award pricing, giving cardholders the ability to find strong redemption values especially on premium cabin flights. A round-trip business class ticket to Europe can cost as few as 70,000 to 100,000 points, making the welcome bonus alone worth a significant flight.
The $95 annual fee is competitive for an airline card with no foreign transaction fees, making it a natural fit for cross-border travelers between the U.S. and Canada or anyone who flies Star Alliance internationally. The card also includes a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights, priority boarding, and a NEXUS or Global Entry application fee credit, rounding out a well-designed travel card for Star Alliance loyalists.
APR Breakdown
- Purchase APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
- Balance Transfer APR: N/A
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable
Note: Your APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. There is no introductory APR offer on purchases.
Benefits Overview
Aeroplan Points Earning
- 3X points on Air Canada purchases
- 3X points on United Airlines purchases
- 2X points on dining including restaurants and eligible delivery
- 2X points at gas stations
- 1X points on all other purchases
Air Canada Travel Perks
- Free first checked bag on Air Canada-operated flights
- Priority boarding on Air Canada flights
- Preferred pricing on Air Canada Signature Class award bookings
- 500-point bonus on each Air Canada flight segment
Additional Benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
- NEXUS or Global Entry application fee credit (up to $100)
- Trip delay and cancellation insurance
- Baggage delay insurance
- Redeem points on 40+ airline partners including Star Alliance
Rewards & Points
- 3X on Air Canada and United Airlines purchases
- 2X on dining and gas station purchases
- 1X on all other purchases
Aeroplan points can be redeemed for flights on Air Canada, United, all Star Alliance members, and partner airlines. The program offers fixed-point and dynamic award pricing. Points can also be used for seat upgrades, Air Canada Vacation packages, and transfers to hotel partners. Aeroplan points do not expire as long as you earn or redeem at least once every 18 months.
Welcome Bonus
Earn 70,000 Aeroplan bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The $4,000 threshold is accessible for most cardholders, and the 70,000 points are enough for a round-trip economy flight between the U.S. and Europe on Star Alliance carriers, or a one-way business class flight on select routes.
Fees Summary
- Annual Fee: $95
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A (balance transfers not available)
- Cash Advance Fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
- Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
- Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
Who This Card Is Best For
Ideal For
- Star Alliance travelers who fly Air Canada, United, Lufthansa, ANA, and other alliance members
- U.S.-Canada corridor travelers who fly frequently between the U.S. and Canada
- International travelers who want no foreign transaction fees and flexible airline mile redemptions
- Premium cabin seekers who want strong redemption value on business and first class awards
Not Good For
- Domestic-only travelers who fly budget carriers or non-Star Alliance airlines
- Cash back seekers who prefer simple cash rewards over airline miles
- Non-travelers who would not use Aeroplan points for flights
Key Pros & Cons
Pros
- 70,000-point welcome bonus after only $4,000 in spending
- 3X on both Air Canada and United gives flexibility across two major airlines
- 2X on dining and gas covers key everyday spending categories
- No foreign transaction fees make it ideal for international travel
- Points redeemable on 40+ airlines through Star Alliance and partners
- Free first checked bag on Air Canada flights
- Priority boarding on Air Canada flights
- NEXUS or Global Entry credit up to $100
- Strong value for premium cabin award bookings
- Points never expire with regular account activity
Cons
- $95 annual fee is not waived in the first year
- 3X rate limited to Air Canada and United, not all airline purchases
- No 0% intro APR for purchases
- Aeroplan dynamic pricing can reduce value on popular routes
- Air Canada perks (checked bag, priority boarding) do not extend to United
- Balance transfers not available
- 1X base rate on non-category purchases is average
- Less valuable for travelers who do not fly Star Alliance regularly
Alternatives to Consider
| Card | Best For | Annual Fee | Rewards | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Explorer Card | United-specific perks with free checked bags on United | $95 | 2X/1X | Good+ |
| Ink Business Preferred® | Flexible Ultimate Rewards transferable to United and Aeroplan | $95 | 3X/1X | Good+ |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | Flexible points transferable to United, Southwest, and 10+ partners | $95 | 3X/2X/1X | Good+ |
| Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select | American Airlines loyalists | $0 intro/$99 | 2X/1X | Good+ |
How the Rewards Add Up
Example Annual Value
| Category | Annual Spend | Reward Rate | Earned | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada/United | $4,000 | 3X | 12,000 pts | $192 |
| Dining | $6,000 | 2X | 12,000 pts | $192 |
| Gas Stations | $3,600 | 2X | 7,200 pts | $115 |
| All Other Purchases | $18,000 | 1X | 18,000 pts | $288 |
First-year value: approximately $1,907 including the 70,000-point bonus (worth ~$1,120 at 1.6 cents per point), ongoing earning ($787), and free checked bag savings. Value increases substantially when redeeming for premium cabin awards, where Aeroplan points can yield 3+ cents each.
Should You Get This Card?
You Should Get It If...
- You fly Air Canada, United, or other Star Alliance airlines regularly
- You travel between the U.S. and Canada for business or personal reasons
- You want a versatile airline card with redemption across 40+ carriers
- You travel internationally and need no foreign transaction fees
- You value the NEXUS or Global Entry application fee credit
- You want to redeem points for premium cabin flights at strong value
- You spend meaningfully on dining and gas
You Should Skip It If...
- You rarely fly Star Alliance airlines or Air Canada
- You prefer domestic-focused airline programs like Southwest or Delta
- You want cash back instead of airline miles
- You do not travel internationally and the cross-border benefits are wasted
- You want a 0% intro APR or balance transfer capability
- Your airline loyalty is with a non-Star Alliance carrier
Apply Now
Apply for Aeroplan® Credit Card
Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.
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