Which American Express cards earn Aeroplan points?

There are three families of American Express cards that earn Aeroplan points in Canada:- Co-branded Aeroplan cards (Aeroplan®* Card and Aeroplan®* Reserve Card) — earn Aeroplan points directly; - Membership Rewards cards (Cobalt®, Gold Rewards, Platinum) — transfer to Aeroplan at 1:1; - Marriott Bonvoy Amex cards — transfer to Aeroplan at 3:1.2; For most Canadians, the indirect Membership Rewards route is the most flexible because you also keep the option to transfer to other airline programs.

What is the welcome bonus on the Aeroplan® Reserve Card?

The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card currently offers up to 85,000 Aeroplan points as a welcome bonus — enough for a return flight to Europe in economy or a one-way to North Asia. The card also earns:- 3 points per $1 on Air Canada purchases; - 1.25 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases; Compare with the standard Aeroplan®* Card, which earns 2x on Air Canada and 1.5x on dining/food delivery, with a lower annual fee.

Why is the American Express Cobalt® Card considered the strongest Aeroplan-friendly Amex?

The Cobalt® earn rates are 5x on groceries, restaurants, and food delivery — the highest multiplier on the Canadian market for those categories. Because Membership Rewards transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan, every grocery dollar effectively becomes 5 Aeroplan points. Add the welcome bonus of up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points and the monthly $12.99 fee model, and a Canadian household can collect 30,000 to 50,000 transferable points per year just from groceries and restaurants — without ever paying for a flight.

Should I pick a co-branded Aeroplan card or a Membership Rewards card?

Pick a co-branded Aeroplan card if you fly Air Canada at least twice a year and want benefits like free first checked bag, preferred pricing on flight redemptions, or Maple Leaf Lounge access (Reserve tier). Pick a Membership Rewards card if you want flexibility — you can transfer to Aeroplan, Marriott, Hilton, or British Airways. Many savvy travellers carry both: a Cobalt® for daily earnings and an Aeroplan®* Card for the airline-specific perks during travel.

Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.

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