American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

Last updated: August 24, 2023
Up to 90,000 Aeroplan points
  • 90,000 Aeroplan points
  • $611 First-year value
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Best offer is available publicly or via a referral link

Signup bonus:

  • 7,500 Aeroplan points for each of the first six months in which you spend $2,000, for a total of 45,000 Aeroplan points
  • 5,000 Aeroplan points upon adding a supplementary cardholder with an annual fee at the time of application, for a total of up to 10,000 Aeroplan points
  • 35,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $6,000 in months 13–17
  • Total of 90,000 Aeroplan points

Annual fee:

  • $599 annual fee

Interest Rates:

  • 20.99% purchases
  • 21.99% cash advances
  • 21.99% balance transfers

Earning rate:

  • 3 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
  • 2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on dining and food delivery
  • 1.25 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on everything else

Referral bonus:

  • 10,000 Aeroplan points, up to a maximum of 150,000 Aeroplan points per calendar year

Perks & benefits:

  • Priority check-in, boarding, and free first checked bag on Air Canada flights
  • Maple Leaf Lounge access within North America
  • Priority airport services at YYZ
  • Preferred pricing on Air Canada flights
  • $100 NEXUS credit

Insurance:

  • Strong

Card type:

  • Credit card

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card stands out as a top-tier option among the Aeroplan co-branded credit cards. Its appeal lies in the substantial signup bonus and a mix of exclusive benefits offered by both Air Canada and American Express.

Bonuses & Fees

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, a premium option among the Aeroplan co-branded cards by American Express, currently provides a welcome bonus of 90,000 Aeroplan points when you apply using a referral link.

The bonus structure is as follows:

  • Earn 7,500 Aeroplan points for each of the first six months where you spend a minimum of $2,000 (CAD), totaling up to 45,000 Aeroplan points.
  • Receive 5,000 Aeroplan points for adding a supplementary cardholder at the time of application, with the potential to gain up to 10,000 Aeroplan points.
  • Get 35,000 Aeroplan points after spending $6,000 (CAD) in the 13th to 17th months.
  • The card carries a yearly fee of $599.

Additionally, by referring friends and family to either the Aeroplan Reserve Card or the Aeroplan Business Reserve Card, you can earn a referral bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points per referral, up to a yearly cap of 150,000 Aeroplan points.

For supplementary cardholders, the Aeroplan Reserve Card charges $199 per card. There is also an option to add a lower-tier Aeroplan Card for your authorized users at $50 per card.

Earning Rewards

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card features a distinctive reward structure for everyday spending, offering its users:

  • 3 Aeroplan points for each dollar spent on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations.
  • 2 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent on dining and food delivery.
  • 1.25 Aeroplan points per dollar for all other expenses.

The value you derive from these earning rates largely depends on your spending habits and how they align with these specific categories.

For purchases with Air Canada or its codeshare partners, this card is particularly advantageous, providing the highest earn rate of 3x points. Additionally, its 2x points on dining and food delivery is unmatched by other Aeroplan-branded cards.

Moreover, the rate of 1.25 Aeroplan points for all other purchases matches the rates of TD’s and CIBC’s Visa Infinite Privilege cards in the same segment, offering a strong return on everyday expenses.

Redeeming Rewards

Aeroplan is the preferred program for a majority of Canadians who aim to use their points for high-value business and First Class international flights.

Using Aeroplan points is guided by the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart. For example, a one-way business class flight from Vancouver to Tokyo can be as low as 55,000 points.

For those traveling from the East Coast, a transatlantic flight to many areas of Western Europe can be redeemed for 60,000 Aeroplan points or even less, especially with Air Canada’s preferred pricing for those with Elite Status or a credit card.

For shorter trips within North America, particularly those under 500 miles, a one-way flight costs just 6,000 Aeroplan points.

Perks & Benefits

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, as Air Canada’s elite travel credit card, emphasizes a range of Air Canada travel perks:

  • Priority boarding, check-in, and a complimentary first checked bag on all Air Canada flights for both primary and supplementary cardholders.
  • Free access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for primary and supplementary cardholders.
  • Preferred pricing on Aeroplan point redemptions for Air Canada flights.
  • The opportunity to earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) and 1 Status Qualifying Segment (SQS) for every $5,000 spent on the card.
  • Options to rollover up to 200,000 SQMs and 50 eUpgrades each year.
  • The chance to obtain an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass after an annual expenditure of $25,000 on the card.
  • The assurance that your Aeroplan points will not expire as long as you hold the card.

Beyond Air Canada benefits, the card also provides American Express travel advantages, including priority services (like valet parking and fast track security) at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Additionally, the card includes a $100 (CAD) Nexus credit, beneficial for acquiring a NEXUS card to facilitate smoother travel across the US border.

Insurance Coverage

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, as a premium offering, boasts comprehensive insurance coverage. Highlights of its insurance benefits include:

  • Emergency medical insurance: Offers up to $5 million for the first 15 days of trips outside your province for individuals under 65.
  • Delayed and lost baggage insurance: Provides up to $1,000 per person for baggage delayed over 6 hours, and up to $1,000 total for lost or stolen baggage.
  • Flight delay insurance: Up to $1,000 coverage for delays exceeding 4 hours.
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Up to $1,500 per person (maximum $3,000 for all) for trip cancellation, and up to $1,500 per person (maximum $6,000 for all) for trip interruption.
  • Car rental collision/loss damage insurance: Extensive coverage for up to 48 consecutive days for vehicles valued up to $85,000, which can offset the rental company’s insurance fees.

These benefits are also applicable to Aeroplan reward tickets, provided the taxes and fees are charged to the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.

Moreover, the card includes Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection, safeguarding most eligible items bought with the card against theft or damage for 90 days post-purchase, and extending the manufacturer’s warranty by a year.