American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

Reviewed by Jen, founder of MoneyMint · Updated September 25, 2026

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
American ExpressPremium Travel

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

Our take: strongest for dining — about 4% back in value (est.) for $599 a year, plus a welcome bonus we value at roughly $1,700.

#2 Lounge access#3 Restaurants#8 Travel

Welcome bonusUp to 85,000 Aeroplan points as a new cardmember
Apply on Amex’s site →

  • Goes straight to American Express
  • No cost to you
  • Our review

The personal Aeroplan Reserve Card is Amex’s premium Air Canada travel card: Maple Leaf Lounge access, a companion pass, and accelerated Aeroplan earning on Air Canada, dining, and Hyatt spend, for a $599 annual fee. It’s built for frequent Air Canada flyers who’ll use the lounge access and status perks regularly.

4.6out of 5

MoneyMint rating

#2 of 10 premium travel cards · How we rate

Rewards value
7/10
Insurance
10/10
Flexibility
7/10
Welcome bonus
10/10
Fee value
1/10
Perks
10/10

≈ $1,761

estimated first-year value after the annual fee, on a typical $2,050/month budget. Points are converted to dollars using MoneyMint’s own valuations — see our points value calculator for how each program is valued. See it for your spending →

At a Glance

Annual fee

$599/yr$199/yr per additional card

Rewards rate

Up to 3 pts/$1Air Canada; 1.25 pts/$1 on everything else

Welcome bonus

Up to 85,000 pts

Rewards

~4%on dining (est. value)

Credit score needed

Excellent

Foreign transaction fee

2.5%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Maple Leaf Lounge access for you and a guest (Amex does not list Priority Pass for this card)
  • Priority check-in, boarding, and free first checked bag for you plus up to 8 companions
  • Annual Worldwide Companion Pass
  • Aeroplan Elite Status Qualifying Credits, up to 25,000/year
  • $100 NEXUS credit and complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status

Cons

  • $599/year is a significant commitment unless you fly Air Canada regularly
  • Companion Pass reportedly requires a substantial annual spend threshold (commonly cited around $25,000) — confirm current terms
  • 1.25x base rate on non-bonus spend is unremarkable relative to the fee
  • Most perks are Air Canada/Star Alliance-specific, limiting value for other travelers

Rewards & Earn Rates

Air Canada / Air Canada Vacations3 pts/$1
Dining & food delivery in Canada2 pts/$1
Hyatt hotels2 pts/$1
All other purchases1.25 pts/$1
One secondary source listed a slightly different purchase APR (20.99% vs. 21.99% reported elsewhere) — a small but real discrepancy worth confirming directly on amex.ca before relying on either figure.

Who It’s For

Best for

  • Frequent Air Canada flyers who’ll regularly use lounge access and priority boarding
  • Travelers who can meet the spend threshold for the Companion Pass
  • Those building toward Aeroplan Elite Status through card spend

Not ideal for

  • Travelers who don’t fly Air Canada or Star Alliance often
  • Anyone unlikely to reach the Companion Pass spend threshold
  • Those wanting a lower-fee alternative (see the base Aeroplan Card)
IssuerAmerican Express
Annual fee$599/yr
Welcome bonusUp to 85,000 pts
Foreign transaction fee2.5%
MoneyMint rating4.6 / 5

Apply on Amex’s site →

This link goes directly to American Express’s official page. MoneyMint doesn’t currently have a paid partnership for this card, so this isn’t a monetized recommendation.

+ Compare with other cards

Not Sure? Three Cards People Compare It With

All travel cards →

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

Pick this instead if most of your spending is groceries (~3% est.).

Fee $599Rating 4.8 ★Bonus $2,000

Read review

RBC ION+ Visa

RBC ION+ Visa

Pick this instead if you want a lower annual fee ($48).

Fee $48Rating 2.7 ★Bonus $200

Read review

American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card

American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card

Pick this instead if most of your spending is travel (~4% est.).

Fee $599Rating 4.2 ★Bonus $1,800

Read review

4.6MoneyMint rating

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

Best for dining · $599/year · ~$1,700 welcome bonus (est.)

Apply on Amex’s site →Find a better fit

J

Jen, founder of MoneyMint

Reviewed by Jen. Every figure on this page was checked against Amex’s official card page on September 25, 2026. How we rate cards →

This is general information, not personalized financial advice — consider your own spending habits and consult a professional for decisions specific to your situation. Rates, fees, and offers are set by American Express and can change without notice; always confirm current terms on the issuer’s official page before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee for the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card?

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card has an annual fee of $599/year; $199/year per additional card.

What is the rewards rate on the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card?

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card offers: 3 points/$1 on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations; 2 points/$1 on dining and food delivery in Canada; 2 points/$1 at participating Hyatt hotels; 1.25 points/$1 on everything else — no published earning caps found on any tier

Does the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card have a welcome bonus?

Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points 60,000 points after $7,500 in spend in the first 3 months, plus 25,000 points after $2,500 in spend in month 13.

What credit score do I need to qualify for the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card?

Generally, you’ll want an excellent credit score to be considered for the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card. Approval also depends on income and overall credit history, not credit score alone.

Does the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card charge foreign transaction fees?

2.5%