Are you considering the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card? Let’s dive into its features, pros and cons, and overall value to see if it’s the right choice for your travel needs.
Key Takeaways
- The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is designed for frequent travelers looking to earn Aeroplan points.
- Key features include premium travel benefits, access to airport lounges, and comprehensive travel insurance.
- Pros of the card include high reward potential and great customer service, while cons may include a high annual fee and the need for good credit.
- Understanding the pricing structure is essential to maximize the card’s benefits and avoid unnecessary costs.
- In conclusion, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card can be a valuable tool for avid travelers if used wisely.
What is the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card?
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is a premium credit card in Canada designed for people who want to make the most out of the Aeroplan points program. This card is made for travelers who often fly with Air Canada and want extra benefits and a fast way to earn Aeroplan points. With a generous welcome bonus and top-tier perks, this card stands out as one of the best options for earning Aeroplan rewards.
When you sign up for the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, you get a large welcome bonus and access to travel perks that make flying with Air Canada more comfortable. If you like to travel, especially with Air Canada, having this card can make a big difference in your overall experience.
This card comes with a yearly fee, but the rewards and benefits you get can far outweigh the cost. It gives you the ability to earn points faster, enjoy priority airport services, and even relax in lounges before your flight. Whether you travel for business, family trips, or vacations, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is made to help you get the most value for your money and points.
Features of the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is packed with handy features that make travel more rewarding and comfortable. Whether you travel often for fun or work, this card offers ways to earn valuable Aeroplan points, enjoy special perks at airports, and get top-notch insurance protection when you’re on the move.
Earn More Aeroplan Points on Everyday Spending
With this card, you can quickly grow your Aeroplan points just by using it for regular purchases. You’ll earn 3 Aeroplan points for every dollar you spend with Air Canada or Air Canada Vacations. Dining out with friends or ordering food delivery gives you 2 points for every dollar. For all other purchases, you still earn a strong 1.25 points for each dollar spent. Compared to many other cards, these rates are very good, especially if you travel with Air Canada or eat out often.
Enjoy Amazing Travel Perks and Benefits
Cardholders get lots of premium benefits when flying with Air Canada. You can skip the lines with priority boarding and check-in. Your first checked bag and carry-on are free for both you and anyone with a supplementary card. If you love relaxing before flying, you’ll like the unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in North America. There’s also preferred pricing when using your Aeroplan points to book Air Canada flights, letting you get more from each point. Frequent flyers can also earn Status Qualifying Miles and Segments, helping you unlock even more perks with Air Canada. Other cool extras include a $100 credit for NEXUS, faster airport services at Toronto Pearson, and special upgrades with Avis President’s Club for rental cars.
Strong Insurance Protection for Peace of Mind
Travel can be unpredictable, but this card has you covered with some of the best insurance in Canada. If you get sick or have a medical emergency while away, you’re protected for up to $5 million in costs for the first 15 days of your trip. Missed trips, interrupted plans, flight delays, lost or delayed baggage, and accidents are all covered with strong insurance limits. The card also has insurance for hotel burglaries, rental car damage, and even extends the warranty on things you buy with the card. This makes it a smart choice if you want extra peace of mind on big trips or even short getaways.
Summary of Features
- Earn 3 Aeroplan points per dollar on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
- Earn 2 points per dollar on dining and food delivery
- Earn 1.25 points per dollar on everything else
- Priority airport services, boarding, and free checked bags with Air Canada
- Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access across North America
- Preferred pricing on Air Canada flights
- NEXUS credit, Avis President’s Club upgrades
- Comprehensive emergency medical, travel, and purchase insurance
Pros and Cons
Pros
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card stands out in a crowded market of premium travel credit cards. It comes packed with valuable perks, making it a great fit for frequent Air Canada flyers and those looking to earn lots of Aeroplan points. Let’s take a look at some of the main advantages below.
- Very high welcome bonus of up to 130,000 Aeroplan points, one of the top offers among Canadian travel cards.
- Earn 3 Aeroplan points per dollar on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, 2 points per dollar on dining and food delivery, and 1.25 points per dollar on all other purchases.
- Priority services with Air Canada, like priority check-in, boarding, and free first checked bag for both the main cardholder and authorized users.
- Unlimited complimentary access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in North America.
- Preferred pricing for Air Canada flight rewards, letting you book flights for fewer points.
- Annual Worldwide Companion Pass after meeting spending requirements, which helps save on travel for a companion.
- $100 NEXUS credit to help cover the cost of a NEXUS card, speeding up border crossings.
- Strong travel insurance coverage, including emergency medical, trip interruption, and rental car coverage.
- Able to refer friends and family, earning up to 150,000 Aeroplan points a year through referral bonuses.
- No minimum income requirement, making it accessible to more people.
Cons
Despite its many positives, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card does have some downsides that might not make it the ideal fit for everyone. Here are some of the key drawbacks to keep in mind when considering this card.
- High annual fee of $599, which can be hard to justify if you don’t take full advantage of the travel perks and points.
- The spending requirement to unlock the full welcome bonus is steep—$45,000 in the first year is more than what many people would usually put on one card.
- Some perks, like Maple Leaf Lounge access, only apply when you fly Air Canada or its Star Alliance partners on a paid or points ticket.
- Supplementary cards with benefits cost an extra $199 per person per year.
- American Express cards aren’t accepted everywhere, especially at smaller businesses and some grocery chains.
- Category bonuses like 2x points on dining do not include grocery purchases, which can limit the value for families whose main spending is at grocery stores.
- Foreign transaction fees apply, so it’s not the best card to use outside Canada if you want to avoid extra costs.
- Annual Companion Pass requires $25,000 spend each year to unlock—again, a high bar for some users.
- The card targets travelers, so people who don’t travel often may not find enough value to offset the annual fee.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | Up to 130,000 Aeroplan points for new signups, one of the largest offers for Canadian credit cards. |
| Earning Rates | 3x points on Air Canada, 2x points on dining and food delivery, 1.25x points on all other spends. |
| Annual Fee | $599 per year, which may be high for some users. |
| Lounge Access | Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access within North America for primary and $199 supplementary cardholders. |
| Spending Requirements | $45,000 spend within first year needed for full bonus; $25,000 annual spend for Companion Pass. |
| Referral Program | Earn 10,000 points per referral, up to 150,000 points per calendar year. |
| Insurance | Comprehensive, includes emergency medical and travel insurance. |
| Card Acceptance | American Express not accepted everywhere, especially at some grocery and discount retailers. |
Price Overview for the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is well-known for its high-value rewards and premium perks, but it comes with several costs and important numbers to consider. This card features a competitive welcome bonus, annual fees, and earning rates, all of which combine to create a valuable but premium experience for frequent travelers, especially those who fly with Air Canada.
At the time of the latest update, the current welcome offer allows you to earn up to 130,000 Aeroplan points in your first year as a new cardholder. The structure of this bonus is split into several pieces: 60,000 points are awarded after spending $7,500 in the first three months, 40,000 more points after spending $45,000 within your first year, and an extra 30,000 points when you make a purchase between months 15 and 17. This staged system helps you earn points over time as you continue to use your card.
Be aware that the card comes with a $599 annual fee, which places it firmly in the premium credit card category. If you wish to add supplementary cardholders, the cost is $199 each. There is also an option to add the lower-tier Aeroplan Card for authorized users at $50 each. While these numbers might seem high, the card’s perks and rewards can easily justify the cost for many travelers.
When calculating the value of this welcome bonus, it’s essential to know how Aeroplan points are valued. Points are typically valued at around 2.1 cents each. Using this rate, the 130,000 welcome points are worth about $2,730. Additionally, if you spend the required $45,000 in your first year (to unlock the full bonus), you’ll earn another 56,250 points just from the baseline earning rate of 1.25 points per dollar on general purchases. Those extra points are valued at about $1,181. Altogether, after fees are considered, the first-year card value sits at roughly $2,682.
In the second year, if you keep your card and make a purchase in months 15–17, you get 30,000 more points valued at around $630. Subtracting your annual fee, you still come out ahead. These values do not include the additional perks and travel benefits, which can add more worth for regular Air Canada flyers.
The minimum spending requirement of $45,000 in the first year might look daunting, but there are many ways to achieve this. Using tools like Chexy, a Canadian platform for paying bills with your credit card, you can count even rent, tuition, and taxes toward this amount. Although Chexy charges a small fee per payment, the value of rewards points earned can outweigh the cost for many users.
Considering all these factors, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card delivers strong value through its mix of a generous signup offer, useful earning rates, and multiple ways to access extra bonus points. It’s best suited to those who frequently travel, spend regularly, or want to maximize perks and rewards from their travel spending.
| Card Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $599 |
| Welcome Bonus | Up to 130,000 Aeroplan points: 60,000 points after spending $7,500 in 3 months; 40,000 points after spending $45,000 in first year; 30,000 points for a purchase in months 15–17 |
| Supplementary Card Fee | $199 per card ($50 for lower-tier Aeroplan Card) |
| Value of Points (First Year) | 130,000 points valued at roughly $2,730; with additional 56,250 earning points worth $1,181 |
| Total Minimum Net Value (First Year) | Approximately $2,682 after fee |
Conclusion
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card truly stands out as a premium choice for anyone looking for outstanding rewards, valuable perks, and a host of features that make travel better and more enjoyable. With up to 130,000 Aeroplan points available as a welcome bonus, a strong earning rate on Air Canada flights and dining, and plenty of other benefits like priority services and lounge access, this card is made for frequent travelers who want to get the most out of their everyday purchases.
Although the annual fee of $599 might look high at first, the value you get in return—between the welcome bonus, points earned on spending, and extras like insurance and travel perks—often makes up for the fee easily, especially in your first year. If you routinely fly with Air Canada, take advantage of the preferred pricing and extra comfort you get from lounge access, and use the card’s insurance coverage, then the card offers a lot more than just points.
Even if you’re not a business traveler, this card can be a great option if you’re planning dream vacations, want to rack up points for future trips, or simply prioritize making your travel experiences smoother and more enjoyable. Additionally, because you can collect a referral bonus by inviting friends and family, it’s easy to earn even more Aeroplan points throughout the year.
In summary, anyone looking for premium travel rewards, especially with Aeroplan and Air Canada, will find the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card to be a top contender. It’s important to look at your personal travel needs, spending habits, and how much you’ll use the card’s features before deciding. If these align well, this card could make your trips more comfortable and rewarding than ever before.
