Aeroplan Credit Cards Are Changing in 2027
Aeroplan just announced the biggest refresh of its Canadian co-branded credit cards since they were reintroduced in 2019, and most of it is good news. Starting January 12, 2027, Aeroplan cardholders save 15% on Air Canada flight rewards and get free fourth nights and rental days on points bookings. Most cards also get new Air Canada travel credits. Premium cardholders also get Maple Leaf Lounge access worldwide and Priority Security lanes.
There’s a catch, though. Annual fees are going up. The American Express Aeroplan Reserve cards jump $200 to $799, the TD and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege goes up $100 to $699, and even TD’s core cards rise by $20. So the real question is whether the new perks cover the higher cost. Here’s what’s changing, what it’s worth, and whether a premium Aeroplan card still makes sense.
What’s new for all Aeroplan cardholders
These perks apply across the portfolio, from entry-level cards up to the premium ones.
- 15% off Air Canada flight rewards: Primary cardholders will pay 15% fewer points on eligible Air Canada flight rewards. This is technically live as a promo right now, but becomes permanent on Jan. 12.
- Air Canada travel credits in your AC Wallet: Core cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite and TD Aeroplan Visa Business get up to $50 a year ($25 twice a year). Premium cards get up to $100 a year ($50 twice a year). The first credit lands January 15, 2027. Entry level cards don’t get any credits.
- 4th Day Free on car rentals: Redeem points for three rental days and get the fourth free, at 11,000+ car rental locations worldwide.
- 4th Night Free on hotels, permanently: HotelSavers – where redeeming Aeroplan plans for four nights at hotels – is becoming a permanent feature
Everything else stays the same, including free first checked bags and priority boarding on eligible cards.
What’s new for premium cardholders
Every premium card gets two new airport perks on top of the $100 travel credit:
- Maple Leaf Lounges worldwide, plus one guest: Premium cardholders used to get Maple Leaf Lounge access only in North America. Now it covers Air Canada’s lounges worldwide, which adds London and Frankfurt’s MLL to the card benefits.
- Priority Security lanes: You get dedicated security lanes at select airports worldwide, for yourself and up to eight companions on the same booking.
American Express Aeroplan Reserve gets more
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card goes further than the others. Starting January 12, 2027, it also gets:
- Six Priority Pass lounge passes a year: This was arguably the biggest things working against the Reserve before, but you’re covered when there are no MLL lounges available.
- Eight passes a year to select Aspire Amex lounges in Canada: Amex has added multiple Aspire lounges in the country so this perk could be highly appealing.
- A $200 annual dining credit at eligible restaurants on Air Canada’s list of Canada’s Best New Restaurants.
- 10% bonus points for big spenders. Spend $125,000 in a year and you earn 10% bonus Aeroplan points. You get another 10% for every additional $25,000, up to $400,000 a year.
The American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card gets the same lounge passes, but not the dining credit or the spend bonus. Both Reserve cards keep their current perks, including 3 points per dollar on Air Canada purchases, a free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions, and the Annual Worldwide Companion Pass once you hit the spending threshold.
Higher annual fees being introduced
The Amex Reserve cards take the biggest hit, a $200 increase. TD’s premium card goes up by half that, and TD’s core cards go up too.
| Card | Current fee | New fee | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve | $599 | $799 | +$200 |
| American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve | $599 | $799 | +$200 |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | $599 | $699 | +$100 |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | $159 | +$20 |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Business | $149 | $169 | +$20 |
| American Express Aeroplan Card | $120 | $150 | +$30 |
Is a premium Aeroplan card worth it?
No one lines an annual fee increase, so the easiest way to determine the value is if the added benefits are worth it.
| Card | Fee increase | New AC Wallet credit | Other new credits | Net change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Aeroplan Reserve | +$200 | $100 | $200 dining credit | $100 ahead if you use both credits, $100 behind if you skip the dining credit |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | +$100 | $100 | None | Break-even |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | +$20 | $50 | None | $30 ahead |
On paper, everyone comes out even or ahead, as long as you use the credits. The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege is the cleanest deal. The $100 AC Wallet credit fully covers the fee increase, so worldwide lounges and Priority Security cost you nothing extra. However, not everyone will fly Air Canada twice a year at specific times.
The Amex Reserve depends on the dining credit. It only works at restaurants on Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants list, so it’s easy to use if you live in or visit a big city and much harder if you don’t. You also get the extra lounge passes which could have value.
The 15% flight discount is valuable, but it doesn’t help the premium case. Say you book a 60,000-point business class flight. You’d save 9,000 points, worth roughly $180 if you value Aeroplan points at 2 cents each. But a core cardholder saves exactly the same.
So the fair comparison is premium against core, not premium against nothing. At TD, the Visa Infinite Privilege will cost $540 a year more than the Visa Infinite ($699 vs. $159). For that, you get $50 more in travel credits, plus these perks:
- Maple Leaf Lounge access worldwide, with one guest
- Priority Security
- The priority airport perks (check-in, baggage, standby)
- Up to 25,000 Status Qualifying Credits
That’s a big gap. You need fly and use those perks a lot to make it up.
The Bottom Line
For most people, a premium Aeroplan card likely still isn’t worth it. Get a core Aeroplan card instead. You still get the best new perk, the 15% flight discount, plus the free checked bag, and a $50 travel credit that more than covers its $20 fee increase.
A premium card still makes sense for the following types of travellers:
- Frequent Air Canada flyers: You fly Air Canada several times a year, often from big hubs like Toronto, Montréal or Vancouver, where the lounges and Priority Security save real time.
- Status chasers: The up to 25,000 Status Qualifying Credits can be what gets you to the next Aeroplan Elite Status tier.
- People who travel as a family or group: Priority Security and Zone 2 boarding matters a lot more if you’re travelling as a family.
- Regular transatlantic flyers: Worldwide Maple Leaf Lounge access is most useful if you’re often connecting through Air Canada’s international hubs.
The new benefits kick in January 12, 2027, and the higher fees don’t hit until your first renewal after that. You’ve got time to decide.
