Standard Score ranking · Updated 2026-08-10
There are two ways to earn Aeroplan: cards that earn it directly with airline perks attached, and flexible-points cards that transfer in. The right answer depends on how often you fly Air Canada.
Top pick
The Visa answer to the Aeroplan Reserve: same core perks with universal acceptance, traded against smaller peak bonuses.
| # | Card | Standard Score | Annual fee | First-year net value | Currency | Current offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege TD | 7.4/10 | $599 | ≈ $1,016 | Aeroplan | See offer |
| 2 | CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite CIBC | 7.0/10 | $139 | ≈ $615 | Aeroplan | See offer |
| 3 | Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card American Express | 6.9/10 | $599 | ≈ $719 | Aeroplan | See offer |
| 3 | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite TD | 6.9/10 | $139 | ≈ $515 | Aeroplan | See offer |
| 5 | CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege CIBC | 6.8/10 | $599 | ≈ $945 | Aeroplan | See offer |
| 6 | Amex Aeroplan Card American Express | 6.5/10 | $120 | ≈ $545 | Aeroplan | See offer |
| 7 | TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card TD | 5.5/10 | $89 | ≈ $420 | Aeroplan | See offer |
| 8 | CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card CIBC | 4.8/10 | None | ≈ $155 | Aeroplan | See offer |
Rewards math assumes you pay your balance in full every month — interest charges quickly exceed any rewards value.
The Visa answer to the Aeroplan Reserve: same core perks with universal acceptance, traded against smaller peak bonuses.
Best for: Air Canada regulars who want premium Aeroplan perks without Amex acceptance issues.
Skip if: Your spend can't reach the bonus tiers — the mid-tier TD Aeroplan VI keeps most of the useful perks.
$599 annual fee · First-year net value ≈ $1,016 · Aeroplan · See offer
Interchangeable with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite — chase whichever has the better welcome offer or fee waiver this quarter.
Best for: CIBC clients who fly Air Canada and check bags — same case as the TD version, different bank.
Skip if: You bank elsewhere; pick the Aeroplan VI card from your own bank when offers are equal.
$139 annual fee · First-year net value ≈ $615 · Aeroplan · See offer
The premium Aeroplan card with the largest bonuses in the program. Elevated offers make the first year exceptional; ongoing value depends entirely on AC loyalty.
Best for: Frequent Air Canada flyers who want lounge access and the biggest Aeroplan welcome bonuses.
Skip if: You fly AC a few times a year or less — the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite covers the basics for a quarter of the fee.
$599 annual fee · First-year net value ≈ $719 · Aeroplan · See offer
The default Aeroplan card for most Canadians. Not a big earner, but the checked-bag benefit and redemption perks make it an easy hold for AC loyalists.
Best for: Air Canada flyers who check bags and redeem through Aeroplan — the checked-bag perk alone can clear the fee.
Skip if: You rarely fly Air Canada; a flexible-points card earns Aeroplan indirectly with more options.
$139 annual fee · First-year net value ≈ $515 · Aeroplan · See offer
The Visa answer to the Amex Aeroplan Reserve: unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access and the same status-credit engine, on a card accepted everywhere. Compelling for CIBC clients who fly Air Canada often, but the income gate and $25,000 spend for the full bonus keep it a narrow-audience card.
Best for: High-income Air Canada loyalists who want unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access on a widely accepted Visa and will clear the spend thresholds.
Skip if: You don't clear the $150K/$200K income bar or won't spend $25,000 a year — the standard CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite covers the checked-bag basics for a fraction of the fee.
$599 annual fee · First-year net value ≈ $945 · Aeroplan · See offer
A solid entry Aeroplan card, usually judged against the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite on acceptance vs. bonus size.
Best for: Aeroplan collectors who want the entry Amex with a checked-bag perk.
Skip if: Your grocery stores don't take Amex — the TD equivalent earns on a Visa.
$120 annual fee · First-year net value ≈ $545 · Aeroplan · See offer
An entry-level on-ramp to Aeroplan, not a destination card. Most flyers should graduate to the Visa Infinite once the bag perk pays for itself.
Best for: Occasional Air Canada flyers who want to start earning Aeroplan directly before committing to the Visa Infinite's $139 fee.
Skip if: You check bags on Air Canada regularly — the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite's bag perk alone clears its higher fee.
$89 annual fee · First-year net value ≈ $420 · Aeroplan · See offer
A serviceable free on-ramp to Aeroplan. Most frequent flyers should graduate to the Visa Infinite tier.
Best for: Occasional Air Canada flyers who want to start earning Aeroplan points without an annual fee.
Skip if: You check bags on Air Canada often — the Visa Infinite's bag perk alone covers its $139 fee.
No annual fee · First-year net value ≈ $155 · Aeroplan · See offer
Rewards math assumes you pay your balance in full every month — interest charges quickly exceed any rewards value.
Bottom line: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege leads this category at a Standard Score of 7.4/10. Read the full review or see how we score.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege leads this ranking with a Standard Score of 7.4/10. CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is the closest runner-up. See the full comparison table above for how every card in this category scores.
Cards are ranked by the Standard Score — six weighted components applied identically to every card in this category. Cards with the same published one-decimal score are co-ranked. The full weights, grading scale, and principles are published in our methodology.
You get the most value flying Air Canada or its Star Alliance partners, since that's where Aeroplan redemptions are strongest — but Aeroplan also transfers in from Amex Membership Rewards, so infrequent Air Canada flyers can still accumulate points through everyday spend on a flexible card instead.
A co-brand Aeroplan Visa or Amex earns the currency directly and usually bundles Air Canada perks like a free checked bag or priority boarding. A transfer-in card like an Amex Membership Rewards earner lets you convert points to Aeroplan at will, at the cost of losing those co-brand travel perks.