TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®: Which one is better?
TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
3.5
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
American Express Gold Rewards Card®
4.25
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$533.24
Air Canada Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
$735
Air Canada Aeroplan
Annual Fee
$139
First Year Value
$1,129.24
$394.24 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$597.35
American Express Membership Rewards
Welcome Bonus
$1,260
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$250
First Year Value
$1,607.35
$347.35 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included
Emergency Out of province Medical
21 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500
Trip Interruption
$5,000
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$1,000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000
Travel Accident
$500,000.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$2500
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 yearEmergency Medical Over 65
4 days
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Insurance Included*
Emergency Out of province Medical
21 daysTrip Cancellation
$1,500Trip Interruption
$5,000Flight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$1,000Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000Travel Accident
$500,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
yesHotel Burglary Insurance
$2500Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Extra Benefits
Nexus Application
$100 every 4 years
Extra points
Earn 50% more Stars and 50% more Aeroplan points at participating Starbucks storesExtra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.svg)
Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and one (1) Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 of net purchases
Free first checked bag
First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on WestJet flight and up to 8 guests
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
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Concierge Services
Golf Benefit
Troon Rewards Golf benefits like discounts at over 95 resorts and courses around the world plus access to select private clubs across the U.S
Car Rental Discount
10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Trip and legal Assistance
Extra Benefits*
Nexus Application
$100 every 4 yearsExtra points
Earn 50% more Stars and 50% more Aeroplan points at participating Starbucks storesExtra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStoreStatus lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and one (1) Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 of net purchases.svg)
Travel Credit
$100
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel
American Express Experiences
Interest Rates
Purchase:
20.99%
Cash Advance:
22.99%
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%2
Cash Advance:
21.99%2
Annual Fee
$139
Annual Fee*
$250
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$60,000
Min Household Income:
$100,000
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Welcome Bonus
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 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening.
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in purchases on your Card in the first Year
Rewards Rate
- 1.5x Aeroplan points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, Air Canada and Air Canada vacations (maximum 120,000 points annually)
- 1x Aeroplan point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Rewards Rate*
- 2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
- 2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Loyalty Program
Loyalty Program*
Point Redemption Options
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.74¢ / pointMost Optimal
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?
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card* is an excellent choice for frequent Air Canada travelers looking to maximize their rewards with Aeroplan points. With perks like free checked bags, Preferred Pricing, and a first-year fee waiver, it’s ideal for users who value Air Canada-specific benefits. However, the card’s high income requirement and limited non-Air Canada redemption options may not appeal to everyone.
Is this card worth it?
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.
Pros
- Earn up to 40,000 Aeroplan points (welcome bonus offer ends January 6, 2025).
- 1.5 points per $1 on gas, groceries, and Air Canada purchases.
- Free checked bags and Preferred Pricing on Air Canada rewards flights.
- Extensive insurance coverage with 12 types of insurance.
Pros
- Flexible Rewards: Enjoy flexible Membership Rewards point conversion with up to 2 points per $1 spent.
- Travel Perks: Includes $100 annual travel credit and 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Comes with 11 types of insurance coverage.
- Multiple Redemption Options: Offers 4 ways to redeem points for maximum value.
Cons
- The rewards rate on this card is not that high. There are non-Aeroplan cards with much better reward programs, and their points can later be transferred to this card, making them better options if you are looking to gather Aeroplan points.
- You lose the flexibility to use other airlines if you want to take advantage of the benefits of this card.
Cons
- High Annual Fee: The card comes with a $250 annual fee.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: A 2.5% fee applies to foreign transactions.
- Limited Travel Insurance for Seniors: No travel medical insurance coverage for those over 65.
- Lower Acceptance: As an American Express card, it may have lower acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard.
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