Aeroplan Credit Card Review: Unlock Star Alliance Travel and Elite Status

Aeroplan Credit Card Benefits

Automatic Elite Status

Cardholders receive automatic Aeroplan 25K status for the year they open the card, plus the following year. That means if you time it right and open it at the beginning of the year, you’re looking at nearly 24 months of status without flying a single mile.

Aeroplan 25K status gets you:

• Star Alliance Silver recognition on any member airline
• Priority boarding and check-in
• Two free checked bags when flying Air Canada
• Five eUpgrade credits for bumping up to business class on Air Canada
• A pair of one-time Maple Leaf Lounge passes

There’s also Avis Preferred Plus status, which, admittedly, isn’t as exciting as the other perks.

The downside is that, after the initial period of complimentary status, you’ll need to spend $15,000 on the card each year to keep your elite status.

Rewards for Everyday Spending

The Aeroplan Card earns 3x points on groceries, restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and Air Canada purchases. If your household spends an average of $1,000 monthly on groceries and dining out, you would earn 36,000 points in a year before even booking a flight.

Additionally, cardholders receive 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent in a calendar month, with a maximum of 18,000 bonus points annually.

Checked Bag Perk

Cardholders and up to eight additional people on the same reservation can check their first bag for free when flying with Air Canada. This perk can lead to significant savings, especially for those who frequently travel with friends and family.

Since the cost of checking a bag is typically $35 or more one-way, a family of four taking two round-trips a year could save over $560. This amount is usually more than enough to justify the annual fee.

Travel and Purchase Coverage

Aeroplan cardholders receive solid travel insurance and purchase coverage, including:

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Secondary car rental insurance
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Baggage delay insurance
• Roadside dispatch
• Purchase protection

More Perks Worth Noting

You get up to $120 back for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fees once every four years. Plus, you won’t pay foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

Aeroplan Credit Card Drawbacks

You Need To Use It Strategically

If you’re only flying Air Canada once or twice a year and not putting much spend in those 3x categories, you might not come out ahead. There are simpler travel rewards credit cards, or even cash-back credit cards, that could work better.

Status Retention Demands High Spending

To retain your 25K status after your second year of card membership, you need to spend $15,000 each calendar year. This breaks down to approximately $1,250 per month. If your regular expenses aren’t at that level, maintaining this status can be tough.

Chase’s Application Restrictions

This card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you have opened five or more credit cards from any bank in the past 24 months, your application will likely be denied by Chase. This rule applies regardless of your credit score or income, so it’s important to keep this in mind before applying.

Who Is the Chase Aeroplan Credit Card Best For?

The Aeroplan Card is a great option for those who frequently fly with Star Alliance airlines but haven’t accumulated enough miles with a single airline to achieve status the traditional way. Gaining Star Alliance Silver status across all member airlines is genuinely beneficial.

It’s also ideal for people who spend a significant amount on groceries and dining, as you can earn 3x points on these purchases. If you are familiar with airline loyalty program award charts, Aeroplan’s distance-based pricing can offer excellent deals. For example, you might find business-class tickets to Europe for just 70,000 to 80,000 points, compared to several hundred thousand points required by other alliances.

Is It the Right Card for You?

The Chase Aeroplan Credit Card is a strong option for travelers who fly Star Alliance airlines at least two to three times per year. It offers the most value to those who regularly spend a few hundred dollars per month on groceries and dining, and to travelers who often fly with family or friends, who can benefit from free checked bags on Air Canada.

The card is also appealing if you want to access airline status without the usual hurdles of earning said status. Those who are comfortable learning Aeroplan’s award chart to maximize the value of their points, especially on international flights, will find outsized value in the card.

Alternatives to the Aeroplan Credit Card

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points that can be transferred to Aeroplan and other airline and hotel partners. You’ll receive 3x points on all dining purchases and 2x points on travel. However, the card does not offer automatic status. The key advantage of the Sapphire Preferred Card is its flexibility, all for an annual fee of $95.
• United℠ Explorer Card: This card is a great option for those living near a United hub, especially for domestic travel. It offers 2x points on United purchases and dining, two United Club one-time passes each year, and a free first checked bag on United flights. The annual fee is $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150. If you’re based in the U.S., United’s route network is more extensive than Air Canada’s.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: With a $95 annual fee, the Venture card earns 2 Capital One miles for every dollar spent on purchases. You can redeem your rewards for eligible travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per mile, or transfer them to Capital One’s airline and hotel partners. The benefit of this card is that you won’t have to deal with complicated award charts, although it does not offer status perks or increased earnings in specific categories.