Ep 049 – Chase Aeroplan Card Refresh
In episode 49 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca review and discuss the newly refreshed Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card.
Key changes include a $100 USD annual fee increase (now $195 USD), new card design, automatic Aeroplan 25K status without the prior $15,000 spend requirement, updated earn rates (including 3x on Air Canada and general travel, reduced grocery earn), two semi-annual $50 Air Canada statement credits, and a 15% discount on Aeroplan redemptions for Air Canada-operated flights.
The team discusses the limited value of statement credits, who benefits from 25K status (especially if not already earned via Marriott), concerns about Aeroplan devaluation, and the Chase Pay Yourself Back option at 1.25 cents USD per point (capped at 200k Aeroplan points/year).
They also cover welcome bonus details (up to 115k points), SQC earning thresholds, and conclude the card is situational, with the old version preferred mainly due to the lower fee.
(00:44) First Impressions & Card Design
The team discusses their first impressions of the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card refresh.
(02:36) How Canadians Can Get US Credit Cards
Canadians can actually get US credit cards through a roundabout method, although Chase is one of the harder issuers to get in with.
(03:05) Chase Aeroplan Card: Refresh Overview
With a new name, new card art, an annual fee increase, new benefits, and changes to the earning rates.
(05:07) Annual Fee & Credits Debate
The annual fee is increasing from $95 USD to $195 USD, but the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card also has a new semi-annual $50 Air Canada credit.
(09:53) Automatic Aeroplan 25K Status
Cardholders used to have to spend a set amount in a calendar year to earn Aeroplan 25K Elite status, but now it is automatically granted upon approval and will be retained as long as the card is active.
(13:09) Earn Rates and Pay Yourself Back
The earn rates have shifted with some new categories and some categories decreasing in multipliers. Chase “Pay Yourself Back” is still in play, which allows cardholders to redeem up to 200,000 Aeroplan points per year for cash at a rate of 1.25 cents USD per point.
(15:57) Travel Insurance Gray Area as a Non-US Resident
Charging travel purchases on this card can earn a decent multiplier, but there can be a gray area issue when it comes to travel insurance coverage as a Canadian who isn’t a US resident.
(19:21) 15% Off Aeroplan Redemptions
Cardholders can receive an extra 15% off Aeroplan redemptions made for eligible Air Canada flights. There have been a few data points of this discount working on partner airlines when mixed with an Air Canada segment, but we aren’t sure if that is intended.
This benefit is also coming to Canadian Aeroplan co-branded cards in Canada, as of January 12, 2027.
(25:31) Welcome Bonus & SQC Boosts
With an up to 115,000 Aeroplan points welcome bonus paired with this card refresh, it’s not a bad time to sign up. Cardholders will also receive a lump of status qualifying credits (SQC) to start the year and bonus SQC upon reaching spending requirements.
(29:05) Is Chasing Aeroplan 35K Elite Status Worth It?
Aeroplan 25k status sets you up with some useful benefits, but Aeroplan 35k status, which you might find yourself working towards with this card, doesn’t necessarily offer a ton of value as the next level.
(32:20) Earning SQC on Credit Cards – Canada vs. U.S.
The Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card earns status qualifying credits on spending at an accelerated rate compared to its Canadian counterparts. But with it being a Mastercard, there is an avenue for using this card at Costco.
(36:43) Chase ‘Pay Yourself Back’ Redemption Option
Cardholders can redeem up to 200,000 Aeroplan points at a rate of 1.25 cents USD per point, which can add up to $2,500 USD in a calendar year. But what does the team think about this as a redemption option?
(42:03) Earn Priority Rewards By Spending
The refresh of the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan gives cardholders the opportunity to earn Priority Rewards via spending, but with ridiculous thresholds of $100k, $250k, $500k, and $750k USD spent in a year.
(44:25) Million Dollar Spending Perk
If you spend 1 million dollars on this card in a calendar year, you receive an unlimited Global Plus One benefit, which makes it so your companion gets a 100% refund on the cost of their Aeroplan redemption ticket.
(48:50) Elite Status Level Up Perk Removed
In the previous version of the card, you used to be able to spend a set amount to receive a status level bump, which was heavily used by 75K Elite status users to secure Super Elite. That perk has now been removed with this refresh.
(51:07) Final Thoughts On The Card Refresh
The team shares their final thoughts on the card refresh, and whether they would consider adding it to their wallet.
(55:21) Conclusion
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