Chase Aeroplan Credit Card: Current sign-up bonus

The Aeroplan® Credit Card from Chase is a valuable cobranded airline credit card that offers cardholders ongoing value for a low annual fee.

Right now, the card is offering potentially its best-ever bonus; however, it comes with a couple of caveats, which we’ll explore below.

And before you assume that the Aeroplan Card has nothing to offer if you don’t live in Canada, understand that this loyalty program can be very valuable.

Let’s look at the current Aeroplan Card sign-up bonus and analyze its value.

Aeroplan Credit Card welcome offer

Right now, the $95-per-year Aeroplan Credit Card is offering:

• 70,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months; and
• 40% bonus points on purchases for 40 days on up to $40,000 in spending for first-time applicants who apply by July 17

The typical offer on this card is 50,000-60,000 points, so anything from 70,000 points and above is worth considering. (The previous highest bonus we’d seen on this card was 100,000 points.)

TPG’s July 2024 valuations peg Aeroplan points at 1.5 cents apiece, making the base 70,000 Aeroplan points worth $1,050.

The intriguing part of the current offer is the 40% limited-time bonus. If you can max out the 3-points-per-dollar categories on Air Canada, grocery store or dining purchases, you could potentially earn up to an additional 48,000 bonus points (on top of the 120,000 points you would normally earn on these purchases).

More realistically, you would earn up to 16,000 extra points with the 40% bonus on other purchases, which normally earn 1 point per dollar spent.

It’s worth considering that while you may be approved instantly, it will probably take 7-10 days to receive your card in the mail. Given this is a Mastercard, Chase does not allow you to add this card instantly to a digital wallet — you have to wait for the physical card to arrive in your mailbox.

So, if it takes 10 days to receive your card, that will reduce the 40-day bonus time frame to 30 days, as the clock starts when you are approved for the card, not when it arrives in the mail. Therefore, this offer is best suited to those who can make one or more large purchases in a short amount of time.

Also note that to be eligible for the limited-time 40% bonus offer, this must be the first time you apply for the Aeroplan card. I had this card when it launched in late 2021. Even though I canceled it a year later, i.e., I no longer have the card, I wouldn’t be eligible for this limited-time bonus.

Furthermore, this card is affected by Chase’s 5/24 rule, which means you will likely not be approved if you have been approved for five or more cards in the past 24 months, regardless of which issuer they come from.

But if you are eligible, check out our ideas to help you quickly meet a minimum spending requirement, including prepaying taxes, insurance, rent or a mortgage to help you maximize this bonus. You could also use this card to put a downpayment on a new car or purchase points or miles.

Related: Air Canada’s Aeroplan program: The ultimate guide to earning and redeeming points

Aeroplan Credit Card earning rates

The Aeroplan Credit Card is worth more than just the welcome bonus. The card is a strong earner on spending categories, accruing points at the following rates:

• 3 points per dollar on purchases made directly with Air Canada
• 3 points per dollar spent on grocery store purchases
• 3 points per dollar on dining (including delivery services)
• 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases

Additionally, cardholders will get a 500-point bonus for every $2,000 spent on the card per month, up to 1,500 bonus points per month.

Aeroplan Credit Card’s key benefits

Beyond the points that you can earn, the Aeroplan Card also offers several interesting benefits:

• Automatic Aeroplan 25K elite status for the year in which you open the card and the following calendar year
• Two one-time passes to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges
• 20 eUpgrade credits to upgrade from economy to premium cabins on Air Canada-operated flights
• Automatic Star Alliance Silver elite status, with access to priority wait-listing and standby
• First free checked bag on Air Canada flights, along with up to eight companions on your same reservation
• Spend $15,000 annually on the card to maintain 25K status or spend $50,000 annually to get a one-tier status boost.
• Earn benefits like 50% off Priority Rewards and companion perks by spending $100,000 or more on the card each year
• Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application every four years
• Travel protections, such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, auto rental insurance and roadside assistance
• World Elite Mastercard benefits, including 24/7 concierge service, access to Mastercard Priceless® experiences, everyday discounts and offers and more
• Use points at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece to cover travel purchases made on the card — and not just Air Canada or flights — or to cover the card’s annual fee through Pay Yourself Back (limit of 50,000 points redeemed each year)
• No foreign transaction fees

Bottom line

The Aeroplan Credit Card is one of the most compelling airline credit cards on the market. Not only does it confer automatic elite status on new cardholders, but it also earns points quickly and offers great day-of-travel perks, including a statement credit for a TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Nexus membership. You get all of that for just a reasonable $95 annual fee.

Aeroplan points are some of the most valuable out there and the program has over 50 airline partners, making it one of the most versatile currencies out there.

To learn more, read our full review of the Aeroplan Credit Card.

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Apply here: Aeroplan Credit Card

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