In this feature of Rewards Canada's Ultimate Credit Card Portfolios we look at the ultimate one for earning Aeroplan Points. We have always recommended that you should carry a Visa, a Mastercard and an American Express card in your wallet. The reason why is that there benefits, promotions and earning potential unique to each brand of credit card and here we will outline one card from each brand that will help you build up those Aeroplan Points faster than ever. Ultimately, there are various options that could be utilized for an Aeroplan portfolio but we look at one card from each issuing family that won't totally break the bank on annual fees but will provide strong Aeroplan points earning along with some good benefits and strong insurance coverage.
What is Rewards Canada's Ultimate Aeroplan Credit Card Wallet? It is the following three cards
Visa: TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
American Express: American Express Cobalt® Card
Mastercard: Rogers World Elite Mastercard
Why these three?
A quick overview as to why these three cards make up this portfolio:
- American Express Cobalt Card: Primary Aeroplan points earner providing up to 5 Aeroplan points per dollar spent
- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card: The benefits card - it provides discounted Aeroplan flight award pricing and first checked bag free on Air Canada flights
- Rogers World Elite Mastercard: Airport lounge access membership and card for select purchases made in US Dollars plus the card to use at Costco warehouses in Canada.
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is the obvious choice in this portfolio since it is the most popular Aeroplan card in Canada. For American Express it's the Cobalt Card which is the highest earning Aeroplan points card in Canada. For the Mastercard portion of the portfolio there no cards that earn points with Aeroplan due to the discontinuation of the MBNA Best Western Mastercard. As there is no longer a Mastercard option in Canada that earns Aeroplan points (either directly or via conversion) we fill the spot with a no fee high cash back earning Mastercard, the Rogers World Elite Mastercard (you do not have to be a Rogers customer to get this card).
Key benefits of this portfolio
- Lots of Aeroplan points earning potential
- Preferred pricing on Aeroplan award flights
- First checked bag free when flying on Air Canada
- Complimentary airport lounge access membership
TIP: If you are looking to maximize your benefits and travel in style with Air Canada check out The Ultimate Air Canada Credit Card Portfolio
How to maximize your Aeroplan earning with these cards
Before we jump into maximizing your Aeroplan earn with these cards let's look at how their earn rates in Aeroplan points per dollar spent (we'll discuss the conversion rates below).
| American Express Cobalt® Card | TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | Rogers World Elite Mastercard | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Purchases | 2 points | 1.5 points | 1.5% cash back (not Aeroplan points) |
| Other Travel Purchases / Transit / Ride Share | 2 points | 1 point | 1.5% cash back or 3% if in US$ (not Aeroplan points) |
| Grocery | 5 points | 1.5 points | 1.5% cash back or 3% if in US$ (not Aeroplan points) |
| Dining / Food Delivery | 5 points | 1 point | 1.5% cash back or 3% if in US$ (not Aeroplan points) |
| Select Streaming Services | 3 points | 1 point | 1.5% cash back or 3% if in US$ (not Aeroplan points) |
| Gas | 2 points | 1.5 points | 1.5% cash back or 3% if in US$ (not Aeroplan points) |
| All other spending | 1 point | 1 point | 1.5% cash back or 3% if in US$ (not Aeroplan points) |
TLDR: Use the American Express Cobalt Card for all purchases unless Amex isn't accepted then use the TD card. Only use the Rogers card at Costco and US$ transactions that are not eats and drinks
Right away from the chart you can see that the card that gives you the best earn rates is the American Express Cobalt Card. The card earns Membership Rewards points that convert 1:1 to Aeroplan. With earn rates of one to five Membership Rewards points per dollar spent that equates to one to five Aeroplan points per dollar spent. No other card matches this Aeroplan earn rate. You'll want to try to funnel as much spending as you can on this card. Do note there is a monthyl cap of $2,500 on the 5x points earning for eats and drinks. If you hit that you can move your grocery spend to the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card. There is no cap on the Cobalt card's 3x and 2x points earning categories.
Recommended reading: Which credit card earns the most Aeroplan Points?
Your second choice of card to pull out would be the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card and I would only pull it out for places that don't take American Express. So the TD card becomes your go to card for places like the Loblaw family of grocery stores, Wendy's (if you don't use the app) and other retailers that don't accept American Express. Since this card earns Aeroplan points directly there is no conversion rate however it's earn rates are 1.5 points per dollar for Air Canada, Gas and Grocery purchases. All other purchases are 1 Aeroplan point for every $1 spent.
Likewise if you are shopping where the place only accepts Mastercard (which is pretty much only Costco) you would pull out your Roger World Elite Mastercard for those purchases. For transactions in US dollars you'll use this card to earn 3% and since the foreign transaction fee is 2.5% you'll come out ahead by half a percent. However in terms of eats and drinks the Cobalt Card will earn 5x points globally so you'll want to use it as even with a 2.5% fee you are coming out ahead.
Recommended reading: American Express Cobalt™ Card Confirmed Multiplier Locations - See where in the world you can earn 5x, 3x, 2x and 1x points with the best credit card in Canada
There is also one additional reason to try to funnel as much spending onto the Amex Cobalt Card beyond earning the most points and that is the card's other redemption options. In the world of points and miles it is always good to keep a stash of points in a flexible or hybrid rewards program which American Express Membership Rewards is. By doing so you are not limiting yourself to one program (even though we are focusing on Aeroplan here) as you can redeem for travel via Membership Rewards, use your points for statement credits and even convert to other airline and hotel programs. Essentially you're keeping your options open with the Cobalt Card and with transfers to Aeroplan being almost instant you don't have to convert points until the last minute when you are booking an Aeroplan Award ticket.
The same goes for the Rogers Card as it is very flexible in that you can use the cash back towards any purchase you make on the card.
Additional benefits from the cards in this portfolio:
This is where the most popular Aeroplan card in Canada comes in handy. The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card has several benefits that can make travelling with Air Canada better and save you some points on Aeroplan redemptions.
The primary benefit is the first checked bag free for the cardholder and up to eight travelling companions on the same reservation. With checked baggage fees now running $30 and up this benefit alone pays for the card itself. The next major benefit is Aeroplan award ticket preferred pricing. By having the card you'll receive a discount on the number of Aeroplan points required when you redeem for flights. The card also provides a NEXUS credit once every 48 months, has really good insurance coverage and more.
The American Express Cobalt Card does not have a lot of travel benefits outside of its decent insurance coverage. However It does have Amex Offers, which are offers provided to cardmembers throughout the year where you can receive statement credits or bonus points for shopping with specific retailers and it also has Amex ExperiencesTM which include Front of the Line concert tickets and other special event offers.
Finally, the Rogers World Elite Mastercard provides a lounge access membership with Mastercard TravelPass by DragonPass which is perfect for this portfolio as the other two cards do not provide lounge access. You still have to pay the lounge entry fee of US$35 which is a discounted rate from the lounges charge on their own. The card also provide Boingo global Wi-Fi for free.
Earn 55,000 Aeroplan points with the welcome bonuses in the first year
All three of these cards do have welcome bonus offers that will increase your point and cash back balances in the first year.
The American Express Cobalt Card offers up 15,000 welcome bonus points over the course of 12 months. It is awarded as 1,250 bonus points for each month that you spend $750 or more on the card.
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinte Card awards up to 50,000 Aeroplan points and no annual fee in the first year when you apply and are approved for the card by January 6, 2025. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
If you do end up getting yourself this Ultimate Aeroplan Credit Card Portfolio you'll have a nice little stash of 55,000 Aeroplan points. And that doesn't include the points you earn on your actual spending.
Here are further details on these three cards:
American Express Cobalt® Card
2024 Top Overall Travel Rewards Card | 2024 Top Hybrid Travel Rewards Card
In your first year as a new Cobalt Cardmember, you can earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in net purchases on your Card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets
Monthly Fee $12.99/month of Cardmembership ($155.88 annually) | Additional Cards: $0 | Annual interest rate 21.99% on purchases and 21.99% on funds advances
- Earn 5x the points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap applies.
- Earn 3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- Earn 2x the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada
- Earn 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online
- Earn 1x point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else
- Enjoy access to hotel bookings, a room upgrade (when available), 12pm check-in and late check-out (when available), and up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities when charged to the room for a stay of 2 or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel
- Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs
- Cobalt Cardmembers receive regular Perks such as bonus reward offers and access to great events
- Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex ExperiencesTM
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment
- Click here to apply for the American Express Cobalt Card
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
2024 Top Airline Credit Card
Earn up to $1,500 in value† including up to 50,000 Aeroplan points† and no Annual Fee for the first year†.
Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
Annual Fee $139 | Additional Cards: $75 † | Annual interest rate 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on funds advances | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household annual income
Earn up to $1,500 in value†, including up to 50,000 Aeroplan points†, no Annual Fee for the first year† and additional travel benefits. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
- Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card†
- Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $7,500 within 180 days of Account opening†
- Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening†
- Enroll for NEXUS and once every 48 months get an application fee rebate†
- Plus, share free first checked bags with up to 8 travel companions†
- Get an annual fee rebate for the first year†.
To receive the first-year annual fee rebate, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening and you must add your Additional Cardholders by January 6, 2025.
Earning Aeroplan Points
- Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®) made with your card
- Earn 1 point† for every $1 spent on all other Purchases made with your Card
- Earn points twice when you pay with your Card and provide your Aeroplan number at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and at 170+ online retailers via the Aeroplan eStore (www.aeroplan.com/estore).
- Your Aeroplan Points do not expire as long as you are a TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Cardholder in good standing
- Earn big rewards on the little things: Earn 50% more Aeroplan Points and 50% more Stars at participating Starbucks® stores. Simply link your TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card to your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions apply. Learn more.
- Travel lightly through the airport and save on baggage fees† : Primary Cardholders, Additional Cardholders, and travel companions (up to eight) travelling on the same reservation will all enjoy their first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lbs) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
- Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge† : On-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Visa Infinite Concierge can help with any Cardholder request — big or small, to help you get the most out of life whenever you travel, shop and use your Card.
- Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection†: Receive seven exclusive benefits when you book your stay through the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection featuring over 900 of the world’s most intriguing properties.
- Click here to apply for TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Quebec residents, please click here.
† Terms and Conditions apply.
Sponsored advertising. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button.
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Enjoy 3% cash back value when you redeem with Rogers plus insurance benefits
Annual Fee: $0 | Additional Card Fee: $0 | Annual interest rate 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on funds advances | $80,000 personal or $150,000 annual household income
- 2% cash back - no limits. Exclusively for eligible Rogers, Fido or Shaw customers.
- 3% unlimited cash back on U.S. dollar purchases.
- 5 Roam Like Home days at no cost with an eligible Rogers mobile plan (up to $75 value).
- Get 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases2
Travel Benefits: - Complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass
Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
$32 USD per person per visit Included
Insurance Benefits: - Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection
- Rental Car Collision/Damage
- Out-of-Province/Out-of-Country Emergency Medical
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Cancellation
- Click here to apply for Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Other Card Options:
As Membership Rewards points can be converted to Aeroplan you have a variety of cards you could actually choose from for the American Express option in your portfolioe like the Gold Rewards Card or The Platinum Card. However we would recommend the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card as it has really good Aeroplan points earn rates and an amazing benefits package that will make travelling with Air Canada even better including access to Maple Leaf lounges and Priority Boarding.
On the Visa side you also have quite a few options. You could go with the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card which is essentially the same as the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, just with a different welcome bonus. However just like the Amex options we would recommend going with the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card. This is the Ultra Premium version of the card that increases your Aeroplan points earn rates and also brings many additional benefits to the table for flying with Air Canada.
As we already mentioned with Mastercard there are no options to earn Aeroplan points. So you could consider other travel rewards Mastercards like the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®.
Be sure to also check out The Ultimate No Fee Aeroplan Credit Card Portfolio
† Terms and Conditions apply.
Sponsored advertising. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button.
This feature was first posted on February 5, 2016 and is updated on a regular basis
Title image via Air Canada Aeroplan