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For those who travel a lot, having an airline miles credit card Canada will make everything easier. Using these cards, you can travel anywhere, being sure that you are earning miles and also that you will be comfortable.
The comfort of airline miles credit card Canada comes from access to cashback and also discounts on accommodation, hotels, and even car rentals. Thus, you can save money and even have access to places with better conditions, but spending less.
In the end, you will know everything about the best airline miles credit card Canada. Finally, you will see a comparison between the best options on the market. Keep reading.
Which is better: Aeroplan or WestJet Rewards?
The Canadian miles market is dominated by the competition between the Aeroplan program and WestJet Rewards (WestJet). They are opposites, and your choice between one or the other will define which airline miles credit card Canada is ideal for you. Let’s look at the difference between them.
Aeroplan (Airline Miles Credit Card Canada)
Aeroplan is a program that allows you to choose from more than 30 partner airlines. Thus, you can redeem flights to practically anywhere in the world, including Executive and First Class.
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Its strength is the points program. You get 1 Aeroplan point on purchases and will still have approximately 1.1 cents CAD for economy class tickets.
WestJet Rewards
WestJet Rewards has a more transparent and simpler structure.
Instead of miles, the program accumulates WestJet Dollars which function as cashback.
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The value is fixed, 1 WestJet Dollar is worth $1 CAD discount on the base fare of WestJet. This transparency eliminates the complexity of redemption.
Although its partner network is more limited than Aeroplan’s, the main benefit of the program is the Companion Voucher.
Analyzing the best airline miles credit card Canada
Now that you know the two main plans, let’s see what each card has to offer.
1. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is a premium mid-tier card and one of the most common options for frequent Air Canada travelers.
As a rule, its annual fee is $139 CAD, being waived in the first year. The minimum income requirements are $60,000 (Personal) or $100,000 (Family), with an interest rate of 21.99% for purchases.
The most tangible benefit is Free Checked Baggage, which extends to the cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation on Air Canada flights.
In addition, you will receive an accelerated earning rate of 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 CAD in important categories such as Air Canada, groceries, fuel, and electric vehicle (EV) charging.
Cardholders also benefit from Preferred Pricing, which allows them to redeem Air Canada tickets with fewer Aeroplan points than required for regular members.
Furthermore, the card includes essential Travel Insurance coverage, covering emergency medical insurance and Baggage/Flight Delay coverage.
2. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card (Airline Miles Credit Card Canada)
Designed for the luxury and executive traveler, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege Card has a higher annual fee of $599 CAD.
Although the minimum income is not detailed, it is recognized as high.
Exclusive elite benefits focus on enhancing the travel experience, granting the primary cardholder and a guest Free Priority Access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge on eligible flights.
In addition to the lounge, the card guarantees Priority Airport Services, such as Priority Boarding, Priority Baggage Handling, and priority on Standby and Upgrades lists.
3. CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
The CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite is, in terms of earning and core airport benefits, practically identical to its TD competitor.
First, it requires the same minimum income of $60,000 (Personal) or $100,000 (Family) and charges an annual fee of $139 CAD.
Furthermore, you can share the benefits of the Aeroplan Visa Infinite, such as the first free checked baggage.
Its differential lies in specific banking promotions and offers. CIBC may include additional benefits, such as a 4th night free hotel benefit on specific reservations, depending on the offer at the time of application.
4. WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
This card is for those who travel a lot with a companion and use WestJet on flights in North America.
The annual fee is $139 CAD, and the income requirement is higher than the standard. The credit limit is set at $80,000 for personal accounts or $150,000 for family accounts, and purchases accrue 20.99% interest.
Moreover, the most valuable benefit is the Annual Companion Voucher. It allows the second passenger to fly from $119 (plus taxes), generating an average saving of $480 per year.
The card rewards WestJet spending with 2 WestJet points per $1 CAD on flights and vacation packages and 1.5 WestJet points per $1 CAD on all other purchases.
Like the Aeroplan cards, it includes the first Free Checked Baggage for the cardholder and up to 8 guests on the same reservation.
In addition, the card offers Lounge Access through the global DragonPass program.
5. American Express Cobalt Card (Airline Miles Credit Card Canada)
The American Express® Cobalt Card is recognized as the best tool for earning travel points in Canada, standing out for its earning rate.
You pay an annual fee of $155.88 CAD, billed in monthly installments of $12.99.
Its biggest attraction is the 5x Earning, which allows you to earn 5 Membership Rewards (MR) points per $1 spent on groceries, food delivery, dining, and beverages. In fact, this is the highest rewards multiplier rate for everyday spending in the Canadian market.
For other travel categories, the card offers 2 MR points per $1 spent on gas, transit, and transportation services.
Comparative Table of Key Airline Miles Credit Cards in Canada
The following table summarizes the financial and earning characteristics of the four main products, facilitating your decision on which airline miles credit card Canada best fits your lifestyle.
| Card | Issuer | Annual Fee (CAD) | Interest (Purchases) | Maximum Earning Rate | Income (Minimum) | Main Focus |
| TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite | TD Bank | $139 | 21.99% | 1.5x (AC, Fuel, Groceries) | $60k Personal / $100k Family | Free Baggage, Direct AC Benefits |
| CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite | CIBC | $139 | ~21.99% | 1.5x (AC, Fuel, Groceries) | $60k Personal / $100k Family | Free Baggage, Aeroplan Program |
| WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡ | RBC | $139 (New) | 20.99% | 2.0x (WestJet Purchases) | $80k Personal / $150k Family | Companion Voucher, Domestic Travel |
| American Express® Cobalt Card | American Express | $155.88 | Not Disclosed | 5.0x (Dining, Groceries) | Not Specified | Fast Earning |
Conclusion
The choice of your ideal airline miles credit card Canada depends on your travel profile.
For example, the American Express Cobalt is the best for maximum point accumulation and high-value global redemptions, or WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard‡ for domestic travel with a companion.
Co-branded Aeroplan cards (TD/CIBC) are for immediate airport benefits, such as free baggage.
Remember to pay the balance in full and avoid using it abroad to avoid the 2.5% Foreign Transaction Fee, which nullifies the gains. Your strategy should be twofold: accumulate high and redeem smart.
Now that you have all the data and comparative analyses, review your spending habits and the frequency with which you use baggage or companion benefits.