The most generous Aeroplan welcome bonus gives the new cardholder up to 60,000 points within the first year – a value of about $1,050. The important detail to note with this offer is that these are American Express Membership Rewards points that must be transferred to Aeroplan.
In fact, several of the top Aeroplan welcome bonuses come as Amex Rewards first. These can be easily transferred at a 1:1 ratio, and then you have access to all of Aeroplan's flexible and valuable redemption options.
This article reviews the top 5 welcome bonuses from Aeroplan credit cards, including co-branded cards and Amex cards. These breakdowns can help you decide which offer is worth your while.
Key Takeaways
- The American Express Gold Rewards Card has the best welcome bonus – the points are in Amex Rewards, but can be transferred to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.
- The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is the co-branded Aeroplan credit card with the highest welcome bonus.
- Be sure to read each card’s terms and conditions so you know you’re eligible and understand what you need to spend to earn the full welcome bonus.
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Overview of the best Aeroplan welcome bonuses
Tracking down credit card welcome offers can be time-consuming, which is why we've done the legwork. Check out some of the best Aeroplan credit card bonuses available now.
| Card Name | Welcome Bonus | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | Up to 60,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | Up to 50,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | Up to 50,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| American Express Cobalt Card | Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| American Express Green Card | 10,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
American Express Gold Rewards Card
×3 Award winner 
The card with the highest Aeroplan welcome bonus is the American Express Gold Rewards Card. You can get up to 60,000 points after spending $1,000 every month for the first year. This welcome bonus is provided as Amex Reward points, but you can easily transfer them to Aeroplan.
Even after that 12-month period, you'll still enjoy premium perks and benefits like steady rewards, an annual $100 travel credit, and a Priority Pass membership with 4 free airport lounge passes per year.
Pros:
- 11 types of insurance
- No income requirements
- Premium metal credit card
Cons:
- High annual fee
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
At close second for its high welcome bonus is the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card. You'll earn $800 worth of Aeroplan points after your first purchase and spending $12,000 in the first year. The annual fee is waived for the first year too, providing $139 in savings.
Although its welcome bonus is a little smaller than the Amex Gold's, this card still offers the highest welcome bonus on an Aeroplan-branded credit card. And as an Aeroplan card, you'll get Air Canada benefits like free checked bags – for you and up to 8 travelling companions – as well as Preferred Pricing on your reward flights. Plus, if you book your hotel stays through Aeroplan, you're eligible for a 4th night at no cost.
Pros:
- Free checked bags on Air Canada
- Preferred Pricing on rewards flights
- Avis rental car benefits
Cons:
- High income requirements
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Along with the usual Aeroplan-Air Canada benefits, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card gives a generous welcome bonus. You'll get 10,000 points after your first purchase, then another 15,000 points when you spend at least $3,000 within your first 90 days as a cardholder. TD also gives a 15,000-point anniversary bonus after your first year, as long as you've spent at least $12,000 over the past 12 months.
This TD Aeroplan card gives you the usual Air Canada perks, but you also get travel insurance coverage even on your Aeroplan reward flights. This might not sound like much, but most travel insurance doesn't take effect when trips are booked with points instead of a credit card payment – so it's actually very valuable.
Pros:
- Annual fee waived for the first year
- 11 types of insurance
- Air Canada benefits
Cons:
- Best redemption value is limited to Air Canada flights
American Express Cobalt Card
The American Express Cobalt Card is the best credit card in Canada for many reasons. Among its many valuable features is a hefty welcome bonus: you'll get 15,000 points after spending $750 every month for the first year. Again, bonus points are earned in Amex Rewards that you can transfer to Aeroplan.
Amex cards come with very interesting benefits, including many valuable shopping, travel, and other deals through Amex Offers. Amex Front of the Line and the Amex Hotel Collection also provide exclusive opportunities that let you feel like a real VIP when travelling or booking experiences.
Pros:
- Very high earn rate
- American Express benefits
- Card fee is charged monthly instead of annually
Cons:
- Higher annual fee
American Express Green Card
You don't have to pay a huge annual fee to get a credit card with an Aeroplan welcome bonus, as proved by the American Express Green Card. This no-fee card gives you 10,000 Amex points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of having the card, and you can then transfer those points to Aeroplan.
This no-fee Amex card might not have extensive perks and benefits, but its welcome bonus, low eligibility requirements, and valuable reward points make it a solid choice – especially for someone who's building their credit.
Pros:
- No annual fee
- No income requirements
- American Express benefits
Cons:
- Disappointing insurance package
Best ways to use your Aeroplan welcome bonus
Aeroplan points don't have a fixed value, so you really have to pay attention to each redemption option's value. To help you compare your options, we use a formula that determines how much each point is worth:
Cost of reward in $ / cost of reward in Aeroplan points x 100 = Value in cents per point (CPP)
| Redemption Option | Cents per Point (CPP) Value | How to Redeem |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 1.6 CPP | Book flights through Air Canada |
| Air Canada gift cards | 1 CPP | Select gift cards from the Aeroplan eStore |
| Car rentals | 0.90 CPP | Book rentals through the Air Canada website |
| Vacation packages | 0.83 CPP | Book cruises or vacation packages through the Air Canada website |
| Hotels | 0.82 CPP | Book hotel stays through the Air Canada website |
| Merchandise | 0.74 CPP | Shop for items on the Aeroplan eStore |
| Gift cards | 0.71 CPP | Select gift cards from the Aeroplan eStore |
What Aeroplan users say
Hearing what actual Aeroplan cardholders have to say about their welcome bonuses is an excellent way to get useful information, so we turned to Reddit.
We thought we'd find plenty of opinions about the best Aeroplan welcome bonus opportunities, but it turns out, welcome bonuses aren't a big topic of discussion.
However, we did find several posts from cardholders asking about churning Aeroplan cards or questioning why they didn't receive a welcome bonus after opening a new card, like this example:
There's also a lot of confusion on the subs about how to qualify for Aeroplan bonuses.
The lesson learned from these cardholders' experiences is that you should always read the terms and conditions for any and all welcome bonuses – especially if you've had an Aeroplan credit card in the past.
FAQ
What is the bonus for Aeroplan signup?
The exact amount of your Aeroplan welcome bonus depends on which Aeroplan credit card you apply for. The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card's bonus is worth up to $800, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card's is worth $800, and the American Express Cobalt Card earns 15,000 Amex points that can easily be converted to Aeroplan.
What's the best Aeroplan welcome bonus for a credit card?
The American Express Gold Rewards Card has one of the highest welcome bonus of any credit card right now. You'll earn up to 60,000 points after spending $1,000 every month for the first year. These American Express Membership Rewards points can then be transferred to the Aeroplan for up to $1,050 in value.
Can you tell me how to get 50,000 Aeroplan points?
The American Express Gold Rewards Card and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card both let you earn up to 50,000+ rewards points – either as Aeroplan points or American Express Membership Rewards points. These Amex points can easily be transferred to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.
Is there a TD Aeroplan welcome bonus?
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card welcome bonus gives you 10,000 points for making your first purchase and another 15,000 points when you spend at least $3,000 in the first 90 days as a cardholder. You'll also get a 15,000-point anniversary bonus if you spend at least $12,000 in the first year.
How do I get free Aeroplan miles?
Choosing a credit card with an Aeroplan welcome bonus – or an Amex bonus that you can transfer to Aeroplan – is a good way to get free Aeroplan miles. Using a credit card with an accelerated earn rate for everyday purchases is another way to earn valuable points, but does require spending money.
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