Chase Aeroplan Credit Card: 60,000 Point Welcome Bonus (January 2026)

Updated Jan 15, 2026
aeroplan card sunset
To the point Chase Aeroplan Card offers 60K bonus points, 3X on dining/groceries, free checked bag, and automatic 25K status for $95 annual fee.

Chase and Air Canada are offering a welcome bonus of 60,000 Aeroplan points for new applicants of the Aeroplan Credit Card. With an annual fee of just $95, this card offers exceptional value for both Air Canada loyalists and travelers looking to access Aeroplan’s extensive partner network, which includes all Star Alliance airlines and several non-alliance partners.

Let’s dive into the details of this offer and explore whether this card deserves a spot in your wallet.

Card FeatureDetails
Welcome Bonus60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in first 3 months
Annual Fee$95
Earning Structure• 3x points on Air Canada purchases
• 3x points at grocery stores
• 3x points on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery)
• 1x points on all other purchases
• 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent per month (max 1,500 points monthly)
Elite Status Benefits• Automatic Aeroplan 25K status through the following calendar year
• Maintain 25K status with $15,000 annual spend
• Note: The Level Up benefit (one-tier status upgrade with $50,000 spend) will be discontinued in 2026
Key Travel Benefits• Free first checked bag on Air Canada flights for cardholder and up to 8 companions
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit (every 4 years)
• Preferred pricing on award tickets
• No foreign transaction fees
• Carbon offset for Air Canada award redemptions

Welcome Bonus: 60,000 Aeroplan Points

The current welcome offer for the Chase Aeroplan Credit Card is structured in one tier:

  • Bonus: 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

With Aeroplan points valued at approximately 1.5 cents each, this 60,000-point welcome bonus represents about $900 in potential travel value.

It’s worth noting that this offer appears to be available only through this specific landing page on the Chase website. If you access the card application through other channels, you might see a lower offer.

lufthansa first 747
Lufthansa First Class

Earning Structure and Monthly Bonuses

The Aeroplan Credit Card offers one of the most generous and innovative rewards structures among co-branded airline cards:

  • 3x points on Air Canada purchases
  • 3x points at grocery stores globally
  • 3x points on dining at restaurants globally (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
  • 1x points on all other purchases

Beyond these category bonuses, the card offers a unique monthly spending incentive:

  • 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent in a calendar month
  • Up to a maximum of 1,500 bonus points per month (after $6,000 in spending)

This means if you spend $2,000 monthly in 3x categories, you’d earn 6,500 points (6,000 from the category bonus plus 500 from the monthly spending bonus), effectively earning 3.25x points per dollar.

Elite Status Benefits

The Aeroplan Credit Card provides several pathways to elite status with Air Canada:

  • Automatic Aeroplan 25K status for the remainder of the calendar year, plus the following calendar year
  • Maintain 25K status by spending $15,000 on the card per calendar year

Aeroplan 25K status includes valuable benefits such as:

  • Priority check-in with Air Canada
  • Priority boarding
  • Two complimentary checked bags
  • eUpgrade credits
  • Star Alliance Silver status
  • 50% bonus points on Air Canada flights
aeroplan elite status
Aeroplan Elite Status

Travel Benefits and Protections

For a card with a modest $95 annual fee, the Aeroplan Credit Card offers an impressive array of travel benefits:

  • Free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 companions on Air Canada flights
  • Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee credit (once every four years)
  • Preferred pricing on award tickets when redeeming Aeroplan points
  • No foreign transaction fees for international purchases
  • Carbon offset program for Air Canada award redemptions
  • World Elite Mastercard benefits including various merchant offers
  • Comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delay, trip delay, and auto rental collision damage waiver

Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Bonus

One of the most valuable benefits for Chase Ultimate Rewards collectors is the ability to receive a 10% bonus when transferring points to Aeroplan:

  • Automatically receive a 10% bonus when transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan
  • Applies when transferring 50,000+ points in a single transaction
  • Maximum of 25,000 bonus points per year (after transferring 250,000 points)
  • Bonus points post within 72 hours of the initial transfer

This benefit alone can provide significant value for those who regularly transfer Chase points to Aeroplan, even if you don’t put much spending on the Aeroplan card itself.

aeroplan card travel

Pay Yourself Back Feature

The Aeroplan Credit Card offers a unique “Pay Yourself Back” redemption option that provides flexibility beyond traditional airline award bookings:

  • Redeem Aeroplan points toward any travel purchase (airline, hotel, or rental car) at a rate of 1.25 cents per point
  • Maximum of 50,000 points per year can be redeemed this way
  • Must redeem within 90 days of making an eligible purchase

This feature essentially establishes a floor value of 1.25 cents per point for your Aeroplan points, ensuring you can always get solid value even if award availability isn’t ideal for your travel plans.

aeroplan card jmv

Maximizing Aeroplan Points

Aeroplan offers exceptional redemption opportunities, particularly for premium cabin travel on its extensive partner network. Here are some high-value ways to use your 60,000 Aeroplan points:

  • Business class to Europe: 60,000-70,000 points one-way on Air Canada or partners like Lufthansa, SWISS, or Turkish Airlines
  • Business class to Asia: 75,000-85,000 points one-way on partners like ANA, EVA Air, or Singapore Airlines
  • First class within North America: 25,000-35,000 points one-way on United Polaris routes
  • Add a stopover: For just 5,000 additional points, add a stopover on a one-way award, allowing you to visit multiple destinations
  • Emirates premium cabins: Book Emirates business or first class with reasonable rates and no fuel surcharges
swiss-business-class-bed
Swiss Business Class

Changes in 2026

It’s important to note that Air Canada recently announced changes to its loyalty program that will affect Aeroplan Credit Card benefits starting in 2026.

Cardholders now receive 5,000 Status Qualifying Credits (SQCs) annually, plus the ability to earn more based on spending:

  • Spend $15,000, earn Aeroplan 25K Status
  • Spend $25,000, earn 10,000 SQCs
  • Spend $50,000, earn 10,000 SQCs
  • Spend $75,000, earn Aeroplan 35K Status

Other card benefits and earning rates are unchanged.

Who Should Apply for the Aeroplan Credit Card?

The Aeroplan Credit Card is an excellent choice for:

  • Air Canada frequent flyers who want to earn elite status and enjoy benefits like free checked bags
  • Star Alliance travelers who want access to award flights on 40+ partner airlines
  • Premium cabin enthusiasts looking to redeem points for business and first-class flights at competitive rates
  • Chase Ultimate Rewards collectors who want to maximize transfers to Aeroplan with the 10% bonus
  • Frequent diners and grocery shoppers who can take advantage of the 3x earning categories
  • Travelers who visit Canada regularly and can benefit from NEXUS expedited border crossing

Is the Aeroplan Credit Card Worth the $95 Annual Fee?

For most travelers who can utilize its benefits, the Aeroplan Credit Card easily justifies its $95 annual fee:

  • The free first checked bag benefit alone can save $30 per person per flight on Air Canada, potentially saving hundreds of dollars annually for frequent travelers
  • The Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit (worth up to $100) covers the annual fee for more than a year
  • The 10% Chase transfer bonus can provide significant value for Ultimate Rewards collectors
  • The automatic Aeroplan 25K status provides tangible benefits for Air Canada flyers
  • The 3x earning categories are among the most generous for an airline co-branded card

Even if you only use the card occasionally, the benefits can easily outweigh the annual fee.

Application Rules and Restrictions

Before applying, be aware of these important restrictions:

  • The Aeroplan Credit Card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, though there are reports that this rule is no longer consistently enforced
  • You’re eligible for the bonus if you don’t currently have this card and haven’t received a bonus on this specific card in the past 24 months
  • Eligibility is unrelated to having received bonuses on other Chase cards

Bottom Line

The Chase Aeroplan Credit Card’s 60,000-point welcome offer represents an excellent opportunity to stock up on valuable Aeroplan points. With its modest $95 annual fee, strong earning structure, and impressive suite of travel benefits, this card offers tremendous value for both Air Canada loyalists and travelers looking to leverage Aeroplan’s extensive partner network.

The card’s unique features—like the 10% Chase transfer bonus and Pay Yourself Back option—further enhance its appeal.

If you’re interested in international premium cabin travel, enjoy the flexibility of Aeroplan’s program, or frequently fly Air Canada, now is an ideal time to apply while this bonus is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien Voisine is the President and Founder of Milesopedia and a leading expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel across Canada, France, and the U.S.A. Now 40 years old and a father of two, he has explored more than 100 countries—many of them alongside his wife Audrey and their children. Specializing in loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, Jean-Maximilien helps travellers unlock the full potential of their points and benefits. His mission: empower others to travel better and smarter across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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