Chase Aeroplan Card Welcome Bonus: Up to 115,000 Points
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The Chase Aeroplan Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 115,000 Aeroplan points: 75,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus 40,000 points after you spend $20,000 in the first 12 months.
The annual fee is $195, up from $95 before the September 10, 2026 refresh. The 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 | Up to 115,000 points: 75,000 after $4,000 in 3 months, plus 40,000 after $20,000 in 12 months |
| Annual fee | $195 |
| Earning | Up to 5X on Air Canada, 3X on travel, 2X on groceries, dining, and gas, 1X on other purchases |
| Elite status | Automatic Aeroplan 25K Status and 5,000 SQC per year |
| Travel benefits | Up to $100 in Air Canada credits, 15% off eligible Air Canada award flights, free first checked bag |
Aeroplan Credit Card Welcome Bonus
- Annual fee
- $195
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,610Total$1,610Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,610
- Welcome offerAfter $4,000 in 3 months
- Up to 115,000 points
Apply Now
on Chase's website
Earning Structure and Bonuses
The Aeroplan Credit Card’s earn rates changed on September 10, 2026. Here is what you earn now:
- Up to 5X on Air Canada: 3 points per dollar from the card plus 2 points from Air Canada as a 25K member
- 3X on travel: Eligible travel purchases
- 2X on groceries, dining, and gas: Grocery and dining purchases earn 3X through December 31, 2026
- 1X on everything else: All other purchases
Chase removed the monthly bonus of 500 points per $2,000 spent on September 10, 2026, and added the 3X travel category in its place. Dining and grocery purchases earn 3X through December 31, 2026, then drop to 2X.
Elite Status Benefits
The Aeroplan Credit Card provides a direct path to elite status with Air Canada:
- Automatic 25K Status: Included with the card, with no spending requirement
- 5,000 SQC per year: Credited to the primary cardmember each calendar year
- 35K Status: Earned by spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year
Aeroplan 25K status includes several valuable benefits:
- Priority service: Priority Check-In and Priority Boarding (Zone 2) on Air Canada flights
- Extra baggage: An additional baggage allowance
- Star Alliance recognition: Status benefits recognized on partner airlines
- eUpgrade Credits: Use them to request upgrades on Air Canada flights
Travel Benefits and Protections
For a $195 annual fee, the Aeroplan Credit Card comes with a strong set of travel perks:
- Up to $100 in Air Canada statement credits: Two $50 credits per year
- 15% off eligible Air Canada award flights: Applies to flights operated by Air Canada
- Free first checked bag: For you and up to 8 people on the same reservation
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit: Up to $120 every 4 years
- No foreign transaction fees: Useful on trips outside the US
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Up to $1,500 per traveler
- Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket
- Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100 per day for 3 days
- Auto rental coverage and purchase protection: Purchase protection covers up to $500 per item
Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer
Chase Ultimate Rewards collectors get a 10% transfer bonus to Aeroplan, but only until December 31, 2026:
- 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, but only until December 31, 2026. After that date, transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Aeroplan earn the standard 1:1 ratio.
Pay Yourself Back Feature
The Aeroplan Credit Card includes a “Pay Yourself Back” redemption option that adds flexibility beyond standard award bookings:
- Statement credit: Redeem points against eligible purchases made with the card
- 90-day window: Purchases must have posted within the last 90 days
- Changing categories: Chase sets the eligible categories and merchants and can change them at any time
Chase shows the value of your points before you confirm a Pay Yourself Back redemption. Compare it with award flight prices first, because Aeroplan points usually go further on flights.
Maximizing Aeroplan Points
Aeroplan points deliver strong value, particularly for premium cabin travel on its extensive partner network. Here are some high-value uses for your welcome bonus:
- 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 Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) to award elite status. Since the September 10, 2026 refresh, the Aeroplan Credit Card helps with status in three ways:
- 5,000 SQC annually: The primary cardmember receives them each calendar year
- Automatic 25K Status: Included with the card, with no spending requirement
- Spend $75,000: Earn Aeroplan 35K Status for the calendar year
Chase and Air Canada refreshed the card on September 10, 2026. For the full list of changes, read our article on the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card refresh.
Drawbacks and Limitations
No card is perfect. Here are the main drawbacks to consider before applying for the Aeroplan Credit Card:
- $195 annual fee: The fee rose from $95 in September 2026, so occasional Air Canada flyers may not recover it
- High spending for the full bonus: The extra 40,000 points require $20,000 in purchases within 12 months
- 2X on dining and groceries after 2026: Grocery stores and restaurants earn 3X only through December 31, 2026, then 2X
- Chase 5/24 rule applies: You may be denied if you've opened 5 or more credit cards in the past 24 months
- No airport lounge access: Unlike premium travel cards, this card does not include a lounge membership
Who Should Apply?
The Aeroplan Credit Card is a strong fit for these profiles:
- Air Canada frequent flyers: Automatic 25K Status, free checked bags, and priority boarding add up fast
- Star Alliance travelers: Access award flights on more than 45 partner airlines
- Premium cabin travelers: Aeroplan prices many business class awards below U.S. airline programs
- Travelers with big planned expenses: The second bonus tier requires $20,000 in purchases within 12 months
- Travelers who visit Canada regularly: The NEXUS credit and no foreign transaction fees make cross-border trips easier
Is It Worth the $195 Fee?
The annual fee doubled in the September 2026 refresh, so the math depends on how often you fly Air Canada. These benefits carry most of the value:
- Up to $100 in Air Canada statement credits: Two $50 credits per year offset half of the $195 fee
- 15% off eligible Air Canada award flights: Saves 3,000 points on a 20,000-point award
- Free first checked bag: Covers you and up to 8 companions on the same Air Canada reservation
- Automatic Aeroplan 25K Status: Priority check-in, priority boarding, and eUpgrade Credits with no spending requirement
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit: Up to $120 every four years
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 welcome offer of up to 115,000 bonus points is the largest Chase has offered on this card. You earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, and the remaining 40,000 require $20,000 in purchases within 12 months. At $195 per year, the card now relies on elite status and Air Canada perks more than on everyday earning.
The card makes the most sense if you fly Air Canada a few times a year and want Aeroplan points to go further. Automatic 25K Status, up to $100 in annual Air Canada credits, and 15% off eligible Air Canada award flights can outweigh the fee for that traveler. If you rarely fly Air Canada, a general travel card is likely a better fit. For more options, browse our best airline credit cards comparison.
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- Annual fee
- $195
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,610Total$1,610Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,610
- Welcome offerAfter $4,000 in 3 months
- Up to 115,000 points
Apply Now
on Chase's website
Chase Aeroplan Credit Card - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Aeroplan 25K status work for new cardholders?
Cardmembers receive Aeroplan 25K Status automatically, and there is no spending requirement to keep it. The status includes Priority Check-In, Priority Boarding (Zone 2), an additional baggage allowance, Star Alliance recognition, and eUpgrade Credits. You can move up to Aeroplan 35K Status by spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year.
How does the 10% Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer bonus work?
Cardmembers get a 10% bonus when they transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan in a single transfer of 50,000 points or more, up to 25,000 bonus points per year. Chase is ending this benefit: it stays available until December 31, 2026. After that date, transfers from Ultimate Rewards to Aeroplan earn the standard 1:1 ratio.
What is Pay Yourself Back on the Aeroplan Credit Card?
Pay Yourself Back lets you redeem Aeroplan points for a statement credit toward eligible purchases made with the card within the last 90 days. Chase sets the eligible categories and merchants, shows the value before you confirm, and can change both over time. It gives your points a use when award seats are hard to find.
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 options are premium cabin flights on Star Alliance airlines. Business class to Europe costs 60,000 to 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. You can also use Pay Yourself Back to cover eligible card purchases, but award flights usually give you more for your points.
How does the Aeroplan card compare to the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
The Aeroplan card costs $195 per year, compared with $95 for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. The Aeroplan card earns up to 5X on Air Canada purchases, 3X on travel, and 2X on dining, groceries, and gas, and it includes automatic Aeroplan 25K Status. The Sapphire Preferred earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which transfer to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners. If you fly Air Canada often, the Aeroplan card is the better fit. If you want transfer flexibility, the Sapphire Preferred wins.
What changed with Aeroplan’s SQC status system in 2026?
Since January 2026, Aeroplan uses Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) to award elite status. Each calendar year, the primary Chase Aeroplan cardmember receives 5,000 SQC. Since the September 10, 2026 refresh, the card also gives automatic Aeroplan 25K Status with no spending requirement, and you can reach Aeroplan 35K Status by spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year.
