Air Canada’s Aeroplan rewards program has plenty for frequent flyers to love – high point values, multiple earning opportunities, and a plethora of membership perks. With a top-rated Aeroplan credit card like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card, you can even qualify for a special discount on flight rewards called Aeroplan Preferred Pricing.
According to our research, Preferred Pricing can save you an average of 20,000+ points on domestic Air Canada routes. Such discounts are few and far between, though.
We've studied Preferred Pricing and written the following guide so you can be fully informed when deciding whether to pursue this Aeroplan benefit.
Key Takeaways
- Aeroplan credit cardholders are eligible for a Preferred Pricing discount on the number of points required for a reward flight.
- Preferred Pricing only applies to reward flights paid in points, not regular fares paid in cash.
- The best Aeroplan credit card with Preferred Pricing is the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege.
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What is Aeroplan Preferred Pricing?
Aeroplan is Air Canada’s official loyalty rewards program and Preferred Pricing is an exclusive perk for members with an Aeroplan 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 that:
- 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 other airlines
- Preferred Pricing only applies to flight rewards paid in Aeroplan points, not regular flight fares paid in cash or a combo of points + cash
Considering Aeroplan points are worth an average of 2 cents CAD each, a discount may offer substantial savings. But how often is "often," and how many Aeroplan points can you really save with Preferred Pricing?
How much can Preferred Pricing save you?
With Preferred Pricing, Aeroplan 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 a 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. What’s clear is there’s no Preferred Pricing on international flights and few discounts for travel between major cities.
For example, members with an Aeroplan credit card could save 7,900 – 15,200 points on a reward flight from Charlottetown (YGG) to Comox (YQQ) in early May.
In our opinion, "often" isn’t often enough – it’s more of an “occasionally” or “rarely.” If you’re considering a new credit card, don’t factor Aeroplan Preferred Pricing into your decision.
Pro Tip: Our researchers noted that 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 credit cards offer Aeroplan Preferred Pricing?
Every co-branded Aeroplan credit card includes Preferred Pricing, plus a host of other perks and benefits. There are 11 cards to choose from, but for the top 3, look no further than the table below:
| Credit card | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Rewards | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card | $599 | Up to 85,000 bonus points (terms) | * 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 | Learn more |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | $139 | Up to 45,000 bonus points (terms) | * 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 | Learn more |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | $599 | Up to 85,000 bonus points (terms) | * 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 | Learn more |
The best credit card with Aeroplan Preferred Pricing
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card is one premium credit card that won’t waste your time. Besides Preferred Pricing, you’ll also enjoy a free first checked bag for you and your companions, one annual airline companion voucher, priority airport services, and entry to Maple Leaf Lounges for you and one 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 of personal or $200,000 of household income), but the rewards and welcome bonus are worth every penny.
Best Alternative: Although it offers fewer rewards and benefits, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card still offers excellent value for money. You’ll receive Preferred Pricing and a generous package of Air Canada and Visa Infinite perks for a lower annual fee and income requirements ($60,000 personal or $100,000 household income).
Best everyday Aeroplan credit card
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card provides a smaller welcome bonus than our top pick and many of the same perks and benefits.
You’ll still need to pay a $139 annual fee, but you’ll only need to prove $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income. With it, you’ll enjoy plenty of Air Canada perks plus insurance that includes 90 days of purchase protection, $1,000 in mobile device coverage, and a nice suite of travel insurance.
Best Aeroplan credit card with no income requirements
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card offers many of the same credit card perks as the top two cards for a similar price tag, but with no income requirements. The catch? You lose out on the Visa Infinite Privilege perks.
That’s not to say the Amex Aeroplan Reserve lacks credit card benefits entirely – you’ll get access to exclusive discounts, experiences, and a 4th night free when you book 3 reward nights with Aeroplan points. Plus, when you spend $25,000 in one year on the card, you’ll qualify for a worldwide companion voucher. Buy one ticket for yourself and bring someone else with you for a set base airfare of between $99 and $599 (plus taxes and fees).
Best Alternative: The American Express Cobalt Card is the perfect pick for anyone who wants to save for vacation while making everyday purchases. Although it doesn’t include Preferred Pricing, its superb rewards and lack of income requirements make it a powerful but accessible spending tool.
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FAQ
Do Aeroplan members get preferred pricing?
Aeroplan members receive the best rates when they book flights with dollars on the Air Canada website. Members with an official, co-branded Aeroplan credit card can occasionally purchase domestic reward flights aboard Air Canada for fewer Aeroplan points than other members.
Does it ever make sense to buy Aeroplan points?
Because Aeroplan points cost $0.35 CAD each (plus tax) and only hold an average value of $0.02 CAD per point, it doesn’t make sense to buy points unless there’s a 50% off sale.
What is Aeroplan dynamic pricing?
Under dynamic pricing, Air Canada and Aeroplan flights to popular destinations during peak travel times will cost more because they’re in high demand. Flights to quiet destinations during off-peak seasons will cost less because they’re in low demand.
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