The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is the premier Aeroplan-branded credit card in Canada. If you regularly fly with Air Canada or intend on taking a flight with Air Canada, or one of their partner airlines over the next 12-24 months, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card can propel you to a world-class aviation experience. 

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The Basics 

Annual Fee: $599

Sign-up Bonus: Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points

First Year Free: No

GCR Rebate: $100

Referral Bonus: 10,000 Aeroplan points

Lounge Access: Yes

First Year Value: $800

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American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card Sign-up Bonus 

New cardholders will earn 60,000 Aeroplan points per month upon spending $7,500 for the first 3 months. 

You’ll also earn 25,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $6,000 during month 13 of card membership

A total of 85,000 Aeroplan points

Earning Rewards

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is great for earning Aeroplan points. The earn rates are as follows: 

3 Aeroplan Points per dollar spent on Air Canada & Air Canada vacations

2 Aeroplan Points per dollar spent on food & beverage

1.25 Aeroplan Points for every dollar spent everywhere else

While other cards have higher earning rates for particular categories (the American Express Cobalt card offers 5 Membership Rewards on food & drink, which can be transferred to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio), the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card provides great everyday earnings if you are interested in collecting Aeroplan points.

It also should be noted that the 1.25 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on everyday purchases is equal to premier Aeroplan cards offered by CIBC & TD. 

If you regularly travel with Aeroplan, you should strongly consider this card, especially given the high earning rate on Air Canada purchases. 

Redeeming Your Rewards

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve allows you to earn Aeroplan points.

Read: Your Complete Guide to Aeroplan Points

You can redeem those points for free flights on the following airlines

Canada & US

Note: Aeroplan has also partnered with Pal Airlines, which services Eastern Canada

Central & South America

Europe

Middle East, Africa & India

Asia & Pacific

the full list of partners can be found here

For Canadians, the most popular Airline you’ll be using is Air Canada.

Aeroplan is part of the “Star Alliance” network. 

Redemption Zones

In 2020 Aeroplan released a pricing chart based on geographic zones. In total, there are 4 zones (North America, South America, Atlantic & Pacific) which are built into the award chart

The updated dynamic pricing is shown below. As you can see from the chart, Air Canada flights will have a dynamic pricing component, while partner carriers will have a more traditional fixed cost to them. 

Overall there are 10 different award chats, reflecting travelling between each zone, and also within the zone itself. Here are the updated distance-based award charts.

Here’s the new award chart for travel within North America:

Here’s the new award chart for travel between North America and the Atlantic region:

You can leverage your Aeroplan points to travel to many European destinations:

Travel to Paris from Canada on Points

Travel to Rome from Canada on Points

Travel to Prague from Canada on Points

Travel to Copenhagen from Canada on Points

Travel to Brussels from Canada on Points

Read>>> How to Travel to Europe from Canada on Points

Here’s the new award chart for travel between North America and the Pacific region:

Here’s the new award chart for travel between North America and South America:

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card Benefits

Maple Leaf Lounge Access

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card provides you access to the following lounges:

• Maple Leaf Lounge: Cardholders & Supplementary Cardholders are each entitled to complimentary access to any Maple Leaf Lounge located in Canada and the United States. Guests of Cardholders may enter upon paying an applicable fee. Access will be granted in conjunction with a same-day, confirmed ticket on a flight marketed or operated by Air Canada, or any Star Alliance member airline

Free Checked Bags on Air Canada Flights

That’s right, cardholders and supplementary cardholders receive their first checked bag for free when traveling on an Air Canada flight. 

Priority Airport Services

Cardholders enjoy priority check-in, boarding (you’ll be in Zone 2), and baggage handling when flying with Air Canada. Cardholders will also be prioritized when it comes to standby lists and eupgrade requests.

Once again, these services can be applied to all passengers on your reservation (up to a maximum of 8 people).

Cardholders also receive priority benefits at Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal & Billy Bishop (Toronto) airports.

Accelerators for Earning Elite Status

Cardholders earn 1,000 status qualifying miles (SQM) and 1 status qualifying segment (SQS) for every $5,000 in purchases charged to your card. 

Cardholders can also roll over 200,000 unused SQMs to apply towards elite status in the following year.

For those who are looking to achieve elite status, this can help get you there sooner. 

If you have status, you can rollover up to 50 eUpgrades per year

Free Companion Voucher

If you spend $25,000 annually on the card, you will receive a companion voucher which can be used on an Air Canada flight. The companion voucher is essentially a “buy one get one free promotion.” Traveler #1 pays cash for the fare, and traveler #2 will receive a complimentary ticket (+ taxes & fees).

$100 Nexus Credit

Cardholders receive a $100 statement credit towards the NEXUS program. Nexus applications cost roughly $75 CAD, so this credit will cover the entire cost of the NEXUS application fee.

Preferred Pricing when Redeeming Aeroplan Points on Air Canda Flights

Cardholders receive preferred pricing when redeeming Aeroplan points on AC fights, up to 25% off 

Avis Presidents Club

Cardholders receive a complimentary upgrade to Avis President’s Club

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card Insurance Coverage

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve card is a premier travel credit card, and thus comes with a multitude of insurance coverage, including: 

• Out of Country Insurance – up to $5,000,000 (31 days of coverage)
• Trip Cancellation Insurance up to $1,500
• Trip Interruption Insurance – up to $1,500
• Flight Delay Insurance – up to $1,000
• Baggage Delay Insurance – up to $1,000
• Lost Baggage Insurance – up to $1,000
• Car rental damage insurance 
• Buyers Protection Plan – automatically extend the manufacturer’s original warranty up to one additional year.
  

Summary

If you’re looking for a credit card that offers great benefits and perks, then the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card may be worth considering, especially if you regularly fly on Air Canada. Along with its fantastic welcome bonus, you’ll have access to a ton of great perks for Air Canada including Maple Leaf Lounge access and priority services. Canadians will have to make a personal decision as to whether or not the $599 annual fee is worth taking into the second year.