The Ultimate Aeroplan Travel Credit Card Portfolio

For frequent Air Canada flyers, this three-card strategy maximizes Aeroplan points, lounge access, and elite travel perks. With this setup, you'll earn points rapidly, enjoy premium lounges, and benefit from priority travel services.

🚀 How to Use These Three Cards Together

This **three-card setup** ensures you **maximize Aeroplan points**, **enjoy premium travel perks**, and **save on Air Canada flights**.

  • 💳 Use the Amex Cobalt for daily spending (5x points on groceries, dining, and food delivery) in Canada to **quickly accumulate Aeroplan points**.
  • 🛫 Use the Amex Platinum for travel expenses (2x on flights, hotels) and enjoy **lounge access, elite hotel status, dining outside Canada (2x points) and travel credits**.
  • 🎟️ Use the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege for Air Canada purchases to get **free checked bags, Maple Leaf Lounge access, and priority boarding**.

💡 **Tip:** Since both **Amex MR points** and **Aeroplan points** have a **1:1 transfer rate**, you can **strategically move MR points to Aeroplan** for even more value.

1. The Premium Travel Perks & Lounge Access Card

Amex Platinum American Express Platinum Card

  • Unlimited access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide through the American Express Global Lounge Collection™
  • Gold status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors
  • $200 Annual Travel Credit and $200 Annual Dining Credit
  • 2x Membership Rewards (MR) points on travel and dining purchases in Canada; 1x on all other purchases
  • Comprehensive travel insurance coverage

Why get it? For frequent international travelers, this card offers unparalleled lounge access, hotel perks, and accelerated MR point accumulation. The annual travel and dining credits effectively offset a portion of the annual fee.

2. The Everyday Aeroplan Points Accelerator

Amex Cobalt American Express Cobalt Card

  • 5x MR points on dining, groceries, and food delivery in Canada
  • 3x MR points on streaming services
  • 2x MR points on transit and gas purchases
  • 1:1 transfer to Aeroplan

Why get it? This card is exceptional for earning Aeroplan points on everyday spending, especially with its 5x multiplier on food-related purchases. The ability to transfer MR points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio enhances its value.

3. The Essential Air Canada Companion Card

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege

  • Complimentary access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés for the primary cardholder and authorized users when traveling on an Aeroplan reward ticket with Air Canada
  • First checked bag free on Air Canada flights for the primary cardholder, authorized users, and up to eight companions on the same reservation
  • Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling
  • 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, travel, and dining purchases; 2x points on Air Canada purchases; 1.25 base rate on everything else.
  • NEXUS fee rebate (up to $100 CAD every four years)

Why get it? This card enhances the Air Canada travel experience with priority services, lounge access, and accelerated Aeroplan point earnings on common spending categories.

Alternatives for Specific Preferences

  • Amex Acceptance Concerns: If American Express acceptance is a concern, this card is great; alternatively TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege is an equivalent card issued by TD.
  • No-Fee Aeroplan Option: The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card offers Aeroplan point earning without an annual fee, though with fewer perks.

Conclusion

This three-card strategy ensures maximum Aeroplan point accumulation, top-tier Air Canada perks, and premium lounge access—ideal for frequent Air Canada travelers seeking a comprehensive rewards experience.

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