Episode 51 – Canadian Aeroplan Card Changes Inbound
In episode 51 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca review upcoming changes to Canadian Aeroplan credit cards, including new benefits and higher annual fees, effective in January 2027.
New benefits across all cards include 15% off Aeroplan flight rewards on Air Canada aircraft, semi-annual Air Canada wallet credits ($100/year premium; $50/year core), fourth night free on hotel redemptions, fourth day free on car rentals, and vague “priority security” at select airports; premium cards also add expanded Maple Leaf Lounge access in Frankfurt, London Heathrow, and Paris with one guest.
The team discusses the benefits that they think will have value and the ones they view as hard to use, flags the 15% discount as a possible cause for concern, and calls out major annual fee increases. The Amex Aeroplan Reserve card gains a $200 annual dining credit, Priority Pass visits, and Aspire Lounge visits, while the Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve just might be the biggest loser amongst all of these changes.
(01:50) What’s Changing With The Canadian Aeroplan Cards?
As of January 12, 2027, new benefits and annual fees are coming to Aeroplan cards offered by American Express Canada, TD, and CIBC.
(03:20) New Benefits Overview
While the new benefits do vary based on the tier of Aeroplan card you hold, benefits include 15% Aeroplan flight reward bookings on Air Canada flights, semi-annual Air Canada wallet credits, additional airport lounge access, fourth night free on hotel and car rental redemptions with Aeroplan points, and priority security access.
(07:01) Is “Priority Security” Really a Benefit?
Priority security has been added as a benefit on some of the Aeroplan cards, but it’s to be determined as to what that means. If you actually value priority security access at the airport, we recommend signing up for NEXUS or a Clear+ membership.
(08:45) Benefits for Additional Cardholders
Some of the new benefits extend to additional cardholders, so it could be worth paying for a supplementary card if the benefits offer enough value for your household.
(09:46) Annual Fee Increases
Annual fee increases are happening across the board and will apply to any new applications from January 12, 2027, or if you are an existing cardholder, upon your credit card renewal date after January 12.
(12:40) 15% Air Canada Flight Redemption Discount
What was previously known as “Preferred Pricing” via Aeroplan credit cards is now more formalized through the 15% Air Canada flight redemption discount.
(17:20) Air Canada Wallet Flight Credits
Many cards now offer semi-annual Air Canada flight credits in either $25 or $50 denominations, but the concern is that these credits will be hard to utilize. They cannot be used for taxes and fees on award bookings, meaning you’ll have to book a cash fare Air Canada flight at least every 6 months to maximize their value.
(21:02) Improved Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Access
Eligible Aeroplan cards will now have access to Maple Leaf Lounges internationally, which includes an additional three lounges located in London, Frankfurt, and Paris.
(23:02) Fourth Free Benefit on Hotels & Car Rentals With Aeroplan Points
If you’re into redeeming Aeroplan points for hotel stays or car rentals, you might be interested to learn that you will now receive the fourth night or day free thanks to a new card benefit.
(27:39) American Express Aeroplan Reserve $200 Dining Credit
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card will now have an annual $200 dining credit that can be used at a limited list of restaurants curated by Air Canada, called “Air Canada’s Best New Restaurant Finalists”.
(30:53) Amex Premium Aeroplan Cards – New Lounge Access
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card and the American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card now include six Priority Pass lounge passes and eight visits to Amex Aspire lounges in Canada.
(33:01) Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card – Spending Bonus
While it will be a stretch for many cardholders, the American Express Reserve Card will offer a big spending bonus. Cardholders will earn a bonus 10% Aeroplan points upon spending $125,000 in a year, with the ability to increase it even further with additional spend.
(36:19) Winners, Losers, and Takeaways
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card walks away as the biggest winner of these changes, mostly as a result of it being the only card that includes a dining credit. We aren’t as sure if the value is there with other Aeroplan cards.
(43:41) Conclusion
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