Aeroplan's American Credit Card is Way Better in the United States Than it is in Canada

The US card gives you way more for a lot less than any Canadian Aeroplan issuer.

I was flying back from Boston in late April during the Toronto Maple Leafs first-round playoffs series against the Boston Bruins when I thought to myself about how badly I wanted to board my flight early and not run the risk of having to check my carry-on on a sold-out flight.

Because I have redeemed a lot of reward travel to keep business costs down and I fly many different airlines, it may shock you to find out that I did not have status with Air Canada.

That’s when I thought to myself. Maybe I should apply for the American Aeroplan Mastercard.

YES! That DOES exist!

When I began to get deep into the rabbit hole of reward travel — which led deeper into how to get American credit cards as a Canadian — I saw that Aeroplan partnered up with Chase Bank in the US to offer their very first co-branded card. In Canada, you’ve probably heard of the Aeroplan cards through TD, CIBC and American Express. They are ok. The ones that offer annual fees of around $600 have some elevated perks like some lounge access, but outside of that, the earning rate is terrible.

As of this writing, the Chase Aeroplan Mastercard offers a high sign-up bonus of 75,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $4000 over three months. You get another 25,000 points if you spend $20,000 over the first 12 months. You also earn a rate of 3X per point for any restaurant, grocery and food delivery purchases. Canada’s best Aeroplan card only offers 1.5X on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases. Currency conversion aside, that’s still a much bigger multiplier.

But wait, it gets better.

There are no foreign transaction fees on the card, the 2.5 percent surcharge most Canadian credit cards charge. You also get 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month - up to 1,500 points per month.

Chase and Aeroplan also have a pay-yourself-back feature where you could redeem Aeroplan points as a statement credit of 1.25 cents per point on various types of purchase, making it an even greater value. Nothing like this exists with Aeroplan in Canada.

Now here’s the kicker and why I wanted to apply back in April. You get automatic 25K Air Canada elite status for the first two calendar years. That comes with perks like a free first checked bag and Zone 2 boarding.

I whipped out my phone, applied for the card with Chase and was instantly approved. My Zone 5 boarding flipped to a Zone 2 boarding on my digital boarding pass and I was good to go. No checking a bag. Space for my carry-on and a happy trip commenced.

It is frustrating that a Canadian program would offer such an amazing and competitive program in the United States where none of their county offerings come anywhere close.

If you do any dealings in the United States where it makes sense for you the get this card, whether it’s visits, banking, online shopping, or whatever it is, this card is a must for Canadians.

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This week, the Maple Leafs begin their regular season and I will be off to Montreal and Newark, New Jersey to begin the 82-game journey. I’ll have fun thoughts to share as I take the Via Rail in Business Class. A flight from Montreal to Newark and then a flight home via Porter. Lots of different modes of transport.

Thanks for coming along.