An Aeroplan credit card's Preferred Pricing can offer incredible value, saving you an average of 20,000+ points on domestic Air Canada routes. If you're booking an Air Canada flight with a top-rated Aeroplan credit card or you have Elite Status, you'll enjoy air fares that cost fewer Aeroplan points.
Unfortunately, such discounts are few and far between. There are some strict guidelines to follow in order to maximize your savings with the Preferred Pricing program.
The following guide explains what Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing is, how it works, and the best ways to use it. We also review a few of the top Aeroplan credit cards that can help you access this valuable program.
Key Takeaways
- Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing is a benefit for eligible cardholders that provides discounts on the number of points required for reward flights.
- Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing only applies to reward flights paid in points, not regular fares paid in cash.
- The best card with Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing is the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card.
Never miss an amazing deal again + get our bonus 250+ page eBook for FREE. Join 50,000 other Canadians who receive our weekly newsletter – learn more.
What is Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing?
Aeroplan is Air Canada's official loyalty rewards program, and Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing is an exclusive perk for members with an Aeroplan-branded credit card.
Per the official Terms & Conditions, Aeroplan credit cardholders with Preferred Pricing "often require fewer Aeroplan points to redeem for flight rewards" than non-cardholders.
This special discount can help you maximize the number of domestic flight rewards you can buy with your points, but it's important to note these details:
- Preferred Pricing is only available to the primary cardholders of a personal or business Aeroplan co-branded credit card.
- Preferred Pricing only applies to flight rewards operated by Air Canada, not partners or other airlines.
- Preferred Pricing only applies to flight rewards paid in Aeroplan points, not regular flight fares paid in cash or a combination of points + cash.
Considering Aeroplan points are worth an average of 1.6 CAD cents per point (CPP), a discount may offer substantial savings.
How much can Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing save you?
With Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing, branded credit cardholders can save an average of 20,000+ points on reward flights – if they can find a deal, that is.
We crunched the data for 30 domestic and international flight routes and found only 6 with an Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing discount, all of them domestic.
Most of the discounted flights were in Business Class on peak travel dates, but with such a small sample size, it's hard to know if that's a hard-and-fast rule. Still, these details are clear:
- There isn't any Preferred Pricing on international flights.
- There are few discounts for travel between major cities.
In our opinion, the "often" mentioned in the Terms & Conditions isn't often enough – it's more of an "occasionally" or "rarely." If you're considering a new credit card, don't factor Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing into your decision.
Pro Tip: Our researchers noted that Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing applies more often to Air Canada-exclusive flight routes between small towns, not popular routes between major cities where there is more competition.
Methodology
We started by identifying 18 domestic and 12 international flight routes between the largest and most popular cities in Canada and abroad. We logged the cost of each flight for one Aeroplan member travelling in Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class on peak and off-peak travel dates.
We then compared these prices to the cost of the same tickets for a member with an Aeroplan credit card and averaged the number of points saved.
Which cards offer Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing?
Every co-branded Aeroplan credit card includes Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing, plus a host of other perks and benefits.
There are 11 cards to choose from, but here's an overview of the top 3:
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Rewards | Welcome Bonus | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $599 | * 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 85,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | $139 | * 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, grocery and direct through Air Canada purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 40,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | $599 | * 3 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 2 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery purchases in Canada * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 85,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
Best overall: TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
×3 Award winner 
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card is one premium credit card that won't waste your time. Besides Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing, you'll also enjoy a free first checked bag for you and your companions, 1 annual companion voucher, priority airport services, and entry to Maple Leaf Lounges for you and 1 companion whenever you fly Air Canada.
Plus, you'll get access to a 24/7 complimentary concierge phone line, exclusive culinary and cultural events, complimentary hotel room upgrades, and more, courtesy of the Visa Infinite Privilege program. The annual fee and the income requirements are steep – you'll need at least $150,000 personal or $200,000 household income – but the rewards and welcome bonus are worth every penny.
Pros:
- Unlimited Maple Leaf lounge access
- 12 types of insurance
- Incredible welcome bonus
- Annual companion voucher (with minimum spend)
Cons:
- Steep income requirements
- Very high annual fee
Best everyday card: TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card provides a smaller welcome bonus than our top pick, but gives you many of the same perks and benefits for a much smaller annual fee – which also happens to be waived for the first year. Plus, you'll only need to prove $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income.
With this card, you'll enjoy plenty of Air Canada perks, plus extensive insurance coverage. Most cards require you to pay for your flight in full with the card to have full travel insurance coverage, but this card is unique. Coverage still applies for flights fully booked with points, rather than an Aeroplan credit card.
Pros:
- 12 types of insurance
- Insurance coverage also applies to reward flights
- Generous welcome bonus
- Annual fee waived for the first year
Cons:
- High income requirements
- No airport lounge access
Best card with no income requirements: American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card offers many of the same credit card perks as the top 2 cards for a similar price tag, but with no income requirements. And while you do miss out on the Visa Infinite Privilege perks, Amex has plenty of perks of its own, including Amex Offers and access to the Front of the Line program.
Cardholders also have access to exclusive discounts, experiences, and a 4th night free when you book 3 reward nights with Aeroplan points. Plus, when you charge $25,000 to the card in 1 year, you'll qualify for a worldwide companion voucher. Buy one ticket for yourself and bring someone else for a set base airfare between $99 and $599 (plus taxes and fees).
Pros:
- Incredible welcome bonus
- Amex benefits
- Unlimited access to Maple Leaf lounges when flying with Air Canada
- No income requirements
Cons:
- High annual fee
- Takes 12+ months to earn welcome bonus
What members think of Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing
It's always a good idea to read real cardholders' experiences, so we checked Reddit to see what users had to say about the Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing benefit.
The consensus is that getting an Aeroplan card (and paying a high annual fee) just for the Preferred Pricing perk isn't worth it:
Another user echoes the same idea:
On the other hand, users note that the free checked bags when flying Air Canada are actually the more valuable benefit.
FAQ
What is Preferred Pricing for Aeroplan?
Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing is the exclusive Aeroplan members-only rate offered by Air Canada. Aeroplan members who have elite status can buy domestic reward flights with Air Canada for fewer Aeroplan points than Aeroplan members who don't have status.
Do Aeroplan credit cardholders benefit from Preferred Pricing on flight rewards?
Yes, if you're an Aeroplan cardholder (or have Aeroplan elite status), you'll get access to Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing when you book Air Canada flights using your Aeroplan reward points. Note that Preferred Pricing is only available to the primary cardholder.
Which Aeroplan credit card is the best offer in Canada?
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card might be hard to qualify for, but it's the best Aeroplan card in Canada. We love all the perks and benefits that set this card apart, like Aeroplan credit card Preferred Pricing, unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounge, companion vouchers, free checked bags, and priority services that make travel a breeze.
Is Aeroplan free to join?
Yes, anyone can join Aeroplan and begin accruing points for travel with Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Express, and partners. You can also buy points or earn them by using Aeroplan credit cards or shopping on the Aeroplan eStore.
creditcardGenius is the only tool that compares 126+ features of 253 Canadian credit cards using math-based ratings and rankings that respond to your needs, instantly. Take our quiz and see which of Canada's 253 cards is for you.
GC: 
Comments
Leave a comment
Required fields are marked with *. Your email address will not be published.