American Express® Aeroplan®* Card vs American Express Platinum Card®: Which one is better?
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
3.3
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*
American Express Platinum Card®
4
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$506.17
Air Canada Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
$630
Air Canada Aeroplan
Annual Fee
$120
First Year Value
$1,016.17
$386.17 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$570.43
American Express Membership Rewards
Welcome Bonus
$0
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$799
First Year Value
-$228.57
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Flight Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Baggage Delay)
Baggage Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Flight Delay)
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Travel Accident
$500K.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 days
Purchase Protection
90 days, $1000 per occurrence
Extended Warranty
1 year
Insurance Included*
Flight Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Baggage Delay)Baggage Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Flight Delay)Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500Travel Accident
$500KCar Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 daysPurchase Protection
90 days, $1000 per occurrenceExtended Warranty
1 year
Emergency Out of province Medical
$5 Million per insured, 15 days
Trip Cancellation
$2500 per person, $5000 combined
Trip Interruption
$2500 per person, $6000 combined
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1000
Extra Benefits*
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Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning Status Qualifying Miles and Status Qualifying Segments with purchases made on your account
American Express Experiences
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands
Free first checked bag
You and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air Canada
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Receive an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
Extra Benefits*
Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning Status Qualifying Miles and Status Qualifying Segments with purchases made on your accountAmerican Express Experiences
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands.svg)
Travel Credit
$200
Dining Credit
$200 at Select Restaurants
Nexus Application
$100 statement credit every 4 years
Airport Lounge - American Express Global Lounge
Unlimited Access for you and a Guest!
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel
Airport Benefits
At Toronto Pearson Airport get Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet and 15% discount at the Express Park and daily park.svg)
Concierge Services
Trip and legal Assistance
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
30% Annual1
Cash Advance:
30% Annual1
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99% - 30%2
Cash Advance:
21.99% - 30%2
Annual Fee*
$120
Annual Fee*
$799
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 30,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 on your Card within the first 3 months. Additional 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 in month 13.
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 70,000 points after spending $10,000 on your Card within the first 3 months as a new Platinum® Cardmember. Earn an additional 30,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership. Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for these offers. Other terms apply.
Rewards Rate*
- 2 points on Aircanada and AirCanada Vacations
- 1.5 points on Dining
- 1 Point on everything else
Rewards Rate*
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases (restaurant, fast food, coffee shop, food delivery)
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent for all other purchases
Loyalty Program*
Loyalty Program*
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.74¢ / point
Travel
0.825¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / pointGift Cards
0.74¢ / point.svg)
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / point
Statement Credits
1¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Merchandise
0.63¢ / point
Is this card worth it?
This card comes with the free checked bag benefit, which can save hundreds on a single trip for you and your family, more than making up for the annual fee of the card. In addition, the card helps you reach the next Aeroplan Status faster with spending on the card. However, if you don't have a specific use for these two benefits, there are many better cards in terms of benefits and rewards.
Is this card worth it?
If you're a frequent traveler, the Platinum card is an excellent choice. It's highly recommended for its extensive travel benefits, including unlimited lounge access for you and a guest at the American Express Lounge collection, making it the best card for lounge access in Canada. The card also offers unique perks not commonly found with other Canadian cards, such as status upgrades at Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton, dining and travel credits, concierge service, airport benefits, Nexus application reimbursement, and more. These benefits can more than offset the annual fee. However, if you don't travel often or are mainly looking for a card that maximizes rewards, this card may not be the best option for you.
Pros
- Free checked bag benefit: Every checked bag might cost you $60 - $100 per person on a round trip. The amount you can save in a year if you travel a few times or travel with a few companions can easily be much higher than the annual fee of the card.If you are interested in a higher Aeroplan Status, the card helps you get there faster.
Pros
- Offers more perks than any other credit card in Canada, catering to premium users who value extensive benefits.
- Enjoy $400 in annual travel and dining credits, which can offset some of the card's cost.
- Gain unlimited access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, enhancing your travel experience.
- Multiple options for redeeming points for high value, giving you flexibility in how you use your rewards.
- Includes 11 types of insurance coverage, offering comprehensive protection for cardholders.
Cons
- The main reward category is only for Air Canada purchases. Unless you are a frequent Air Canada traveler, this reward category is not useful to most people.
- The only other rewards category offered is for food, and it doesn't offer that high of a reward rate either.
- In terms of insurance benefits, the types and coverage amounts provided are lower compared to other cards with a similar annual fee.
Cons
- As with other American Express cards, it may have lower acceptance in some locations compared to other networks.
- The high annual fee of $799 may be a barrier for some users, especially those who do not fully utilize the card's benefits.
- Some benefits are limited to specific airports and hotels.
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