Chase Aeroplan Credit Card overview
Chase’s Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees) is one of our favorite cobranded airline credit cards, offering award flexibility and valuable airline benefits. With its strong earning rate and incentives to spend on the card beyond earning the welcome bonus, the Aeroplan card is worth considering for many points and miles enthusiasts — even those who don’t live in Canada. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The Aeroplan card offers unique benefits we’ve rarely seen on other cobranded airline cards, all for a reasonable annual fee of $95.
You’ll most likely need a good credit score of at least 670 to get approved for this card.
If the ability to use points on over 45 partner airlines worldwide and automatic elite status appeal to you, keep reading.
Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
Aeroplan card pros and cons
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Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
Aeroplan card welcome offer
New cardholders of the Aeroplan card can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, they can earn an additional 25,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months from account opening.
The current offer provides up to 100,000 Aeroplan points, which are worth up to $1,400 according to TPG’s September 2025 valuations. This offer is well worth it, but consider the significant minimum spending that must be completed within the 12 months of account opening.
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If you rent, putting your rent on the Aeroplan card is a great way to meet that high spending requirement. Just keep in mind that you’ll likely incur a small fee with each rent transaction.
Keep in mind that since Chase issues the Aeroplan card, it’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months, you may not be eligible to open the Aeroplan card.
Related: The best credit card welcome offers
Aeroplan card benefits
How often do you see a card with a $95 annual fee that grants you automatic elite status? With the Aeroplan card, cardholders will receive automatic Aeroplan 25K status for the remainder of the calendar year they open the card and the following calendar year.
We recommend opening the Aeroplan card at the beginning of a calendar year so that you can enjoy 25K status for as long as possible.
With Aeroplan 25K, elite status members are entitled to the following perks:
- Automatic Star Alliance Silver elite status, with access to priority wait-listing and standby
- Complimentary Avis Preferred Plus elite status
- Complimentary checked bag allowance (two bags, 23kg each) on Air Canada-operated flights
- Priority check-in and boarding
- Two one-time passes to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges*
- 20 eUpgrade credits to upgrade from economy to business or premium cabins on Air Canada-operated flights
*Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Maple Leaf Lounge one-time guest passes will be obtained exclusively through Milestone Benefits for all Aeroplan elite status members
After the introductory period, you can retain (or extend) that status — but cardholders are incentivized to spend a lot to do so. Cardholders must spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year to maintain 25K status (valid through the end of the following calendar year).
As of Jan. 1, 2026, Aeroplan will move to a spend-based system for earning and maintaining elite status, and those with high spending will be rewarded. Starting in 2026, cardholders can achieve Aeroplan 35K status by spending $75,000 in a calendar year. Cardholders of the Aeroplan card have until Dec. 31, 2025, to spend $50,000 on their card to secure Aeroplan 35K status until Jan. 2027.
In addition, the primary metric for achieving elite status will be based on Status Qualifying Credits. SQC will also unlock additional perks, dubbed Milestone Benefits, for every 10,000 SQC accumulated throughout the year.
Cardholders earn the following SQC:
- 5,000 SQC head start every calendar year
- 10,000 SQC after spending $25,000 on the Aeroplan card
- 10,000 SQC after spending $50,000 on the Aeroplan card
Aeroplan members can only earn a maximum of 25,000 SQC with the Aeroplan card per calendar year.
Even if you don’t maintain your elite status beyond the first year, here are all of the other benefits you’ll get from the Aeroplan card:
- First free checked bag on Air Canada flights for primary cardholders and up to eight companions on the same reservation
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel protections, such as auto rental insurance, baggage delay insurance, roadside assistance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement
- Up to $120 statement credit for your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee every four years
- World Elite Mastercard benefits, including access to Mastercard Priceless experiences, everyday discounts and offers, 24/7 concierge service and more
Related: Complete guide to airline status matches and challenges
Earning points on the Aeroplan card
With the Aeroplan card, you’ll earn:
For every $2,000 you spend on the card each month, you can receive up to a 500-point bonus — up to 1,500 points per month. These bonus points can add up if you’re a heavy spender. You can earn up to 18,000 bonus points annually.
This benefit will come in handy if you plan on spending heavily on the Aeroplan card to maintain 25K status or elevate your status to another tier.
Related: 6 easy strategies I use to earn over 500,000 points and miles a year
Redeeming points on the Aeroplan card
For those who get lost trying to optimize their points and miles, Aeroplan cardholders can redeem their points for up to 1.25 cents per point through the Pay Yourself Back tool (up to 200,000 points per year for travel purchases).
In addition to the standard categories of redeeming points for the annual fee, dining, grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart) and travel, there are promotional categories throughout the year as well.
These include:
- April 1 — Dec. 31: Gas stations and home improvement stores
- July 1 — Dec. 31: Department stores and utilities
- Oct. 1 — Dec. 31: Amazon.com
The Pay Yourself Back categories may change annually.
Related: Chase Pay Yourself Back Q3 categories — is it a good use of your rewards?
Transferring points on the Aeroplan card
You can redeem your points for flights to over 1,300 destinations through Star Alliance and Air Canada’s more than 45 airline partners — and for generally fewer points than you’d need with other loyalty programs.
Even better, Air Canada publishes distance-based award charts with tons of sweet spots to look out for. For example, you can fly from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on Lufthansa business class for just 70,000 points.
Alongside the Aeroplan card, if you also have a Chase Ultimate Rewards earning card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), you’ll receive a 10% bonus on every 50,000 or more Chase Ultimate Rewards points you transfer to Aeroplan (maximum 25,000 bonus points per calendar year).
Aeroplan is TPG credit cards writer Danyal Ahmed’s favorite airline loyalty program. He recently redeemed 100,000 Aeroplan points to fly in business class on United Airlines from Sydney, Australia, to Los Angeles, completing his around-the-world journey.
Related: How (and why) to calculate award redemption values
Which cards compete with the Aeroplan card?
The Aeroplan card has a $95 annual fee, which is comparable to the price of other popular travel credit cards that earn transferable rewards. Let’s compare some same-caliber credit cards and determine if the Aeroplan card is the best option for you.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best travel cards.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture Rewards
Is the Aeroplan card worth it?
With solid perks for just a $95 annual fee, the Aeroplan card can be well worth it for the average consumer, especially if you can capitalize on the complimentary 25K status offered to new cardholders. Even if you’re not a regular flyer of Air Canada — or perhaps have never flown the airline at all — chances are that you’ve flown its Star Alliance partners. We recommend the Aeroplan card for virtually any frequent traveler so they can maximize the loyalty program’s lucrative award chart.
Related: How to choose an airline credit card
Bottom line
Automatic elite status is a meaningful perk, no matter the airline. And with Aeroplan points being one of the most valuable airline currencies out there, this credit card is an excellent way to help you book your dream vacation using points to save money on flights — no matter where you may be going.
Apply here: Aeroplan card