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

The Chase Aeroplan Credit Card currently offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.

With an annual fee of $95, this card delivers strong value for Air Canada loyalists and travelers who want access to Aeroplan’s extensive Star Alliance partner network.

In this guide, we break down the welcome bonus, earning structure, elite status perks, and travel benefits to help you decide if this card belongs in your wallet. For a broader comparison, check out our best credit cards guide.

Card Feature	Details
Welcome Bonus	60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $3,000 in first 3 months
Annual Fee	$95
Earning Structure	3x on Air Canada, groceries, and dining 1x on all other purchases 500 bonus points per $2,000 spent/month (max 1,500/month)
Elite Status	Automatic Aeroplan 25K status Maintain with $15,000 annual spend 5,000 SQCs annually (new SQC system since Jan. 2026)
Key Travel Benefits	Free first checked bag (cardholder + up to 8 companions) Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit (every 4 years) Preferred pricing on award tickets No foreign transaction fees

Aeroplan Credit Card Welcome Bonus

Aeroplan® Credit Card

Unlock Global Travel Possibilities with the Aeroplan^® Credit Card

Earn 60,000 bonus points with the Aeroplan^® Credit Card after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months!

The Aeroplan^® Credit Card delivers exceptional value for travelers with a modest $95 annual fee. This card provides you with the flexibility to redeem points for both international and domestic flights, allowing you to fly to another continent and truly travel the world. With the Aeroplan^® Credit Card, you’ll enjoy:

3X points on grocery stores, dining at restaurants, and Air Canada purchases
1X points on all other purchases
500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month (up to 1,500 points monthly)

The Aeroplan^® Credit Card makes earning valuable travel rewards simple and straightforward, with generous category bonuses on everyday spending categories like groceries and dining.

With the current welcome bonus and ongoing earning potential, the Aeroplan^® Credit Card is an excellent addition to your wallet if you’re looking to travel domestically or internationally.

Earning Structure and Bonuses

The Aeroplan Credit Card offers one of the most generous rewards structures among co-branded airline cards in the US market.

3x points on Air Canada purchases: All direct bookings with Air Canada earn triple points
3x points at grocery stores: Worldwide grocery purchases earn triple points
3x points on dining: Restaurants, takeout, and eligible delivery services all qualify
1x points on everything else: All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar

On top of these category bonuses, the card includes a monthly spending incentive:

500 bonus points: Earned for every $2,000 spent in a calendar month
Up to 1,500 bonus points per month: Maximum reached after $6,000 in monthly spending

If you spend $2,000 monthly in 3x categories, you earn 6,500 points (6,000 from the category bonus plus 500 from the spending bonus). That works out to an effective rate of 3.25x points per dollar.

Elite Status Benefits

The Aeroplan Credit Card provides a direct path to elite status with Air Canada:

Automatic Aeroplan 25K status: Valid for the remainder of the calendar year you open the card, plus the following calendar year
Maintain 25K status: Spend $15,000 on the card per calendar year to renew

Aeroplan 25K status includes several valuable benefits:

Priority check-in and boarding: Skip the lines at Air Canada counters and board early
Two complimentary checked bags: Save $35+ per bag on every Air Canada flight
eUpgrade credits: Request complimentary cabin upgrades on eligible flights
Star Alliance Silver status: Priority waitlisting and standby on all Star Alliance airlines
50% bonus points on Air Canada flights: Earn 50% more Aeroplan points when flying Air Canada

Travel Benefits and Protections

For a card with a $95 annual fee, the Aeroplan Credit Card comes with a strong set of travel perks:

Free first checked bag: For the cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same Air Canada reservation
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit: Up to $120 statement credit once every four years
Preferred pricing on award tickets: Lower redemption rates when booking through Aeroplan
No foreign transaction fees: Use the card internationally without extra charges
World Elite Mastercard benefits: Access to Mastercard Priceless experiences and merchant offers
Travel insurance package: Trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delay, trip delay reimbursement, and auto rental collision damage waiver

Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer

One of the most valuable perks for Chase Ultimate Rewards collectors is the 10% transfer bonus to Aeroplan:

10% bonus: Automatically applied when transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan
Minimum threshold: Applies to transfers of 50,000+ points in a single transaction
Annual cap: Maximum of 25,000 bonus points per year (after transferring 250,000 points)
Processing time: Bonus points post within 72 hours of the initial transfer

This benefit adds value even if you don’t put much spending on the Aeroplan card. If you carry a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, the transfer bonus alone can justify keeping the Aeroplan card open.

Pay Yourself Back Feature

The Aeroplan Credit Card includes a “Pay Yourself Back” redemption option that adds flexibility beyond standard award bookings:

1.25 cents per point: Redeem Aeroplan points toward any travel purchase (airline, hotel, or rental car)
Annual limit: Up to 50,000 points per year through this feature
90-day window: You must redeem within 90 days of making an eligible purchase

This feature sets a floor value of 1.25 cents per point, so you always get solid value even when award availability doesn’t match your travel plans.

Maximizing Aeroplan Points

Aeroplan offers strong redemption value, particularly for premium cabin travel on its extensive partner network. Here are some high-value uses for your 60,000 Aeroplan points:

Business class to Europe: 60,000–70,000 points one-way on Air Canada, Lufthansa, SWISS, or Turkish Airlines
Business class to Asia: 75,000–85,000 points one-way on ANA, EVA Air, or Singapore Airlines
Domestic first class: 25,000–35,000 points one-way on United Polaris routes within North America
Stopover option: Add a stopover on a one-way award for just 5,000 extra points
Emirates premium cabins: Book Emirates business or first class at competitive rates with no fuel surcharges

Aeroplan SQC Status System

Since January 2026, Air Canada uses a spend-based Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) system for earning and maintaining elite status. The Aeroplan Credit Card now earns SQCs based on annual card spending:

5,000 SQCs annually: Granted to cardholders each year
Spend $15,000: Earn Aeroplan 25K Status
Spend $25,000: Earn 10,000 additional SQCs
Spend $50,000: Earn 10,000 additional SQCs
Spend $75,000: Earn Aeroplan 35K Status

All other card benefits and earning rates remain unchanged under the new system.

Drawbacks and Limitations

No card is perfect. Here are the main drawbacks to consider before applying for the Aeroplan Credit Card:

Partner booking fees: Aeroplan charges a partner booking fee when you redeem points on non-Air Canada airlines, which reduces the net value of partner awards
1x base rate on non-bonus spending: Outside of dining, groceries, and Air Canada, you earn just 1 point per dollar — below what general travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred offer
Chase 5/24 rule applies: You may be denied if you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards in the past 24 months, though recent reports suggest inconsistent enforcement
Aeroplan-focused redemptions: Points are most valuable when redeemed through Aeroplan, which limits flexibility compared to transferable currency cards
No airport lounge access: Unlike premium travel cards, this card does not include lounge access

Who Should Apply?

The Aeroplan Credit Card is a strong fit for these profiles:

Air Canada frequent flyers: Automatic 25K elite status, free checked bags, and priority boarding add up fast
Star Alliance travelers: Access award flights on 40+ partner airlines at competitive rates
Premium cabin enthusiasts: Aeroplan offers some of the best business and first-class redemption values in the industry
Chase Ultimate Rewards collectors: The 10% transfer bonus adds value to your existing Chase points stash
Frequent diners and grocery shoppers: The 3x categories cover everyday spending that adds up quickly
Travelers who visit Canada regularly: The NEXUS credit and no foreign transaction fees make cross-border trips smoother

Is It Worth the $95 Fee?

For most travelers who use even a few of its benefits, the Aeroplan Credit Card easily justifies its $95 annual fee:

Free checked bag: Saves $35+ per person per flight on Air Canada, which can cover the annual fee after just a few trips
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit: Worth up to $120, covering more than a full year’s fee
10% Chase transfer bonus: A transfer of 100,000 points yields 10,000 bonus points — worth roughly $150 in travel value
Automatic 25K elite status: Priority boarding, extra bags, and eUpgrade credits for Air Canada flyers
3x earning categories: Among the most generous for any airline co-branded card at this price point

For a detailed breakdown, read our full Aeroplan Credit Card review.

Application Rules

Before applying, review these eligibility details:

Chase 5/24 rule: The Aeroplan Credit Card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, though recent data points suggest inconsistent enforcement
Bonus eligibility: You qualify for the welcome bonus if you don’t currently hold this card and haven’t received a bonus on it in the past 24 months
No cross-product restriction: Having received bonuses on other Chase cards does not affect your eligibility

Bottom Line

The Chase Aeroplan Credit Card’s 60,000-point welcome offer is a solid opportunity to build a valuable Aeroplan points balance. At $95 per year, the card delivers strong earning rates, automatic elite status, and a useful set of travel protections that few co-branded airline cards match at this price.

The 10% Chase transfer bonus and Pay Yourself Back feature add flexibility that goes beyond a typical airline card. If you fly Air Canada, book premium cabins through Aeroplan partners, or want to maximize your Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers, this card belongs in your wallet. Apply here while the current bonus is available. For more options, browse our best airline credit cards comparison.

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Chase Aeroplan Credit Card — Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Aeroplan 25K status work for new cardholders?

When you’re approved for the Aeroplan Credit Card, you receive Aeroplan 25K status for the remainder of the calendar year plus the entire following calendar year. For example, if you open the card in March 2026, your status is valid through December 31, 2027. To keep it after that, spend $15,000 on the card per calendar year.

How does the 10% Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer bonus work?

As a cardholder, you get a 10% bonus when transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan. The bonus applies to transfers of 50,000 or more points in a single transaction. For example, transferring 100,000 Chase points gives you 110,000 Aeroplan points. The cap is 25,000 bonus points per year, and the bonus posts within 72 hours.

What is Pay Yourself Back on the Aeroplan Credit Card?

Pay Yourself Back lets you redeem Aeroplan points toward travel purchases (flights, hotels, rental cars) at a rate of 1.25 cents per point. You can redeem up to 50,000 points per year this way. The purchase must have been made within the last 90 days. This sets a floor value for your points even when award availability is limited.

Do I need to pay with the Aeroplan card to get free checked bags?

No. You don’t need to buy your ticket with the Aeroplan Credit Card. As long as you’re the primary cardholder and your Aeroplan number is linked to the reservation, you and up to 8 companions on the same booking get a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights. This benefit can save $35+ per person per flight.

What is Chase’s 5/24 rule and does it apply to the Aeroplan card?

Chase’s 5/24 rule means you’ll typically be denied for a new Chase card if you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months. The Aeroplan Credit Card is subject to this rule, although recent data points suggest Chase may not enforce it consistently on this particular card. Count your recent approvals before applying.

What are the best ways to redeem Aeroplan points?

The highest-value redemptions are premium cabin flights on Star Alliance airlines. Business class to Europe costs 60,000–70,000 points one-way, and you can add a stopover for 5,000 extra points. Emirates awards with no fuel surcharges are another strong option. For everyday use, Pay Yourself Back gives 1.25 cents per point toward travel purchases.

How does the Aeroplan card compare to the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

Both cards cost $95 per year. The Aeroplan card earns 3x on dining, groceries, and Air Canada, plus automatic elite status. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns points in Chase Ultimate Rewards, which transfer to 14+ airline and hotel partners. If you fly Air Canada often, the Aeroplan card is the better fit. If you want maximum transfer flexibility, the Sapphire Preferred wins.

What changed with Aeroplan’s SQC status system in 2026?

Since January 2026, Aeroplan uses Status Qualifying Credits (SQCs) instead of the old spend-threshold system for elite status. Aeroplan Credit Card holders receive 5,000 SQCs annually and can earn more through card spending: $15,000 for 25K status, $75,000 for 35K status. SQCs can also be earned through flights, giving cardholders multiple paths to higher tiers.