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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThere is no single “Aeroplan credit card”: several Canadian issuers offer cards at different tiers, with different fees and benefits. The announced increase covered here is for the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card: its annual fee rises from $599 to $799. American Express says fees charged on or after January 12, 2027, will be $799; its announcement says the new fee applies at the first annual-fee billing date after that date. Check your renewal date and notice to confirm what you will actually be charged.
To decide whether it is worth paying, estimate the value of benefits you will genuinely use, then subtract your renewal fee. The card is a better fit when your likely Air Canada travel, eligible redemptions and other usable perks justify the cost—not simply because the issuer assigns a headline value to them.
Start with the fee you will actually pay
For the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, the published annual fee is changing from $599 to $799, a $200 increase. American Express says fees charged on or after January 12, 2027, will reflect the $799 fee, and its announcement says it applies on the first annual-fee billing date after January 12. Your own renewal timing matters, so check your card’s notice rather than assuming the increase lands on a particular calendar date for you.
This change is not a new fee for every Aeroplan card. Issuer, card tier, eligibility and benefits differ. If you hold a TD or another issuer’s Aeroplan card, use that card’s current renewal fee and terms in your calculation.
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Use a personal-value calculation, not a headline benefit total
A practical starting point is:
Estimated net value = personal annual value of benefits you expect to use − annual fee
Assign value based on what you would otherwise pay or do. A travel credit is not worth its face amount if you would not make an eligible purchase without it, or if using it pushes you to spend more. Likewise, a lounge visit has value only if you use the lounge and qualify for access.
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For an existing Reserve cardmember, also make an incremental comparison: are the benefits you personally gain or use worth the additional $200 compared with the $599 fee you paid before? This is a decision aid, not a promise that each benefit has a fixed cash value.
Estimate the value of benefits you are likely to use
Air Canada flight-reward points savings
Air Canada says all primary Aeroplan credit cardholders will receive 15% savings in points on Air Canada flight rewards beginning January 12, 2027, following a promotional period for Canadian cardholders through January 11, 2027. The discount applies to Air Canada flight rewards; it is not a cash rebate and should not be counted on partner-airline redemptions.
Estimate your likely savings from the Air Canada reward flights you expect to book. If you rarely redeem Aeroplan points for Air Canada flights, this benefit may contribute little to your personal value calculation. If you redeem often, use your own planned trips and the points those bookings would otherwise require rather than assuming a fixed annual saving.
Air Canada travel benefit through AC Wallet
Air Canada describes a benefit of up to $100 per year for premium cardholders, delivered as $50 twice a year. Core cardholders are described as receiving up to $50 per year in two $25 installments. The first benefit is scheduled for January 15, 2027. These are use-dependent travel benefits, not cash automatically available to every cardholder; count only the portion you can use for eligible Air Canada purchases you would make anyway.
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Hotel and car-rental reward redemptions
Air Canada says cardholders will receive a fourth day free on eligible car-rental redemptions and a fourth night free on eligible hotel redemptions. The announcement describes the car-rental benefit as beginning in January 2027 and the ongoing fourth-night hotel benefit as beginning January 12. These perks matter most if you already expect to make qualifying redemptions; check the terms for eligibility before assigning them value.
Lounge access and priority security
Air Canada’s portfolio announcement says premium cardholders gain Maple Leaf Lounge access worldwide with one guest, and priority security lanes at select airports for themselves and up to eight companions on the same reservation, subject to standard access terms. Value these only if the airports and trips you use are covered and you meet the applicable conditions. The portfolio description does not mean every Aeroplan card includes these premium benefits.
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Status-qualifying credits
For the Amex Aeroplan Reserve, American Express Canada’s comparison page lists 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) per $5,000 in eligible purchases, subject to a combined maximum of 25,000 card-earned SQC per Aeroplan member per calendar year. SQC count toward Aeroplan Elite Status qualification; they are not redeemable for Aeroplan rewards. Consider them only if you are pursuing status and expect your eligible spending to make a practical difference to qualification.
Benefits you already use
Air Canada says other existing card benefits remain unchanged, including free first checked bags and priority boarding for eligible cards. Include relevant ongoing benefits in your comparison only if you use them and your specific card’s terms make you eligible. Amex also describes Reserve- and Business Reserve-specific enhancements, including expanded lounge access; do not assume those Amex terms apply to other Aeroplan cards.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Compare the Reserve with realistic alternatives
Use the option you could actually qualify for and would genuinely consider—not an abstract “best card.” TD’s Canadian listing showed the following annual fees when accessed on October 3, 2026; verify current prices and terms before applying or renewing.
| Card | Annual fee listed by TD | How to use it in your comparison |
|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 (TD Canada Trust listing accessed October 3, 2026) | Compare the lower fee with the benefits, eligibility and terms available to you. |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | $599 (TD Canada Trust listing accessed October 3, 2026) | Compare its current terms and fee with the Reserve and your actual travel needs. |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve | $599 currently; $799 for annual fees charged on or after January 12, 2027, according to American Express | Use the fee that applies at your own renewal, confirmed against your notice. |
Fees alone do not establish which card is right for you. Compare the benefits and conditions attached to each specific product, including earning, insurance, checked-bag and boarding benefits that matter to your travel. A lower-fee card may be the better fit if its benefits cover your needs; a premium card may justify its fee for someone who makes frequent eligible redemptions or uses its travel perks.
A short decision checklist
- Confirm your renewal fee. Use the fee you will actually be charged and the date on your account notice.
- List benefits you expect to use. Exclude perks that would not affect your plans or that require spending you would not otherwise make.
- Estimate likely flight-reward savings. Focus on Air Canada flight rewards and your expected redemptions, not partner flights or a guaranteed cash equivalent.
- Value conditional perks carefully. Check whether you qualify for the travel credit, lounge and security access, hotel or rental offers, and any status-related benefit.
- Compare alternatives. Look at the current fees and terms of lower-fee Aeroplan cards and any other realistic option.
- Decide using your net value and the fee increase. Ask both whether expected usable benefits justify the full renewal fee and whether they are worth the extra $200 over the former Reserve fee.
Air Canada’s September 29, 2026 announcement describes the aim of the refresh as making cards rewarding to use and better suited to how people travel. That is the issuer’s stated intent, not evidence that every cardholder will realize value equal to the fee. Your travel and redemption habits determine the outcome.
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