Apply for the American Express Aeroplan Card

For Canadians who frequently travel with Air Canada and seek to earn valuable Aeroplan points on their daily spending, the American Express® Aeroplan® Card* stands as a robust and accessible choice.

This co-branded credit card effectively merges strong earning capabilities with essential Aeroplan benefits, offering accelerated points, practical travel perks, and a direct path to accumulating more Aeroplan points. It’s designed to transform your routine purchases into rewarding travel opportunities.

Advantages of the American Express® Aeroplan® Card*

The American Express® Aeroplan® Card* stands out for accelerated Aeroplan points earning, with 2 points per dollar on Air Canada purchases and 1 point on all other eligible spending.

Frequent Air Canada travelers benefit from a free first checked bag and priority airport benefits.

The card offers an attractive welcome bonus and, as an Amex, ensures excellent customer service, fraud protection, and access to Amex Offers.

It also includes valuable travel and purchase insurance, such as car rental insurance and purchase protection, adding significant value for daily use and occasional travel.

How Long Does the Application Analysis Take?

The fastest way to apply is online. If you have an excellent credit history and a simple financial profile, you may receive an instant decision or conditional approval within minutes.

However, if American Express requires further verification (such as income or address), the process could take a few to 7-10 business days, depending on your credit history’s complexity and their application volume.

To expedite, always provide accurate and complete information, including income, employment, residential history, your SIN, and a valid ID.

What to Do If Your Application is Declined

Receiving a credit card application refusal can undoubtedly be a disheartening experience.

However, it is fundamentally important to understand that it is by no means a permanent roadblock to achieving your financial goals.

If, unfortunately, your application for the American Express® Aeroplan® Card* is declined, here are the crucial and constructive steps you should meticulously undertake:

Understand the Reason for Denial: American Express, like all reputable lenders in Canada, is legally and ethically obligated to provide you with the specific, precise reasons for your denial. This critically important information is truly invaluable for accurately identifying the exact areas of your financial profile that are in dire need of improvement. Amex will typically dispatch a formal letter or an informative email to you, meticulously outlining the exact factors that unequivocally led to their decision. Common reasons that are frequently cited for denials can include:

• Low Credit Score: The Aeroplan Card generally requires a good credit score (typically 660-720+).
• Insufficient Income: While Amex doesn’t always publish minimum income requirements for all cards, they do assess your ability to pay.
• High Debt-to-Income Ratio: Your existing debt obligations may be considered too high relative to your current income, indicating a higher financial risk.
• Limited Credit History: Even if your current credit is good, a very short history might be insufficient for a card at this tier.
• Too Many Recent Applications: A high volume of recent credit applications across various lenders within a short temporal span can, at times, make you appear as a higher credit risk.
• Inaccurate Information: Any detected discrepancies, inconsistencies, or outright errors on your application form or within your credit report could inadvertently lead to an unfortunate denial.

Obtain Your Credit Report and Score: If your application is denied, immediately request a free copy of your credit report from Equifax and TransUnion in Canada. Carefully review both reports for errors or signs of identity theft, as inaccuracies can negatively impact your credit score and future lending decisions.

Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report: If you discover errors on your credit report, it’s crucial to dispute them immediately with the credit bureaus. Provide evidence (like bank statements) to support your claim. Correcting these errors can lead to a quick and significant improvement in your credit score, boosting your lending prospects.

How to Request the Card

Applying for the American Express® Aeroplan® Card* is a generally straightforward process, with American Express offering convenient and secure application methods primarily online.

Online Application: This is typically the quickest and most efficient way to apply.

• Visit the official American Express Canada website and navigate to their credit cards section. Specifically locate the American Express® Aeroplan® Card* product page.
• Click on the “Apply Now” or a similarly labeled button to commence the application process.
• You will then be seamlessly guided through a secure and user-friendly online application form requiring comprehensive personal, financial, and employment details. This includes your full legal name, current residential address, date of birth, Social Insurance Number (SIN), detailed employment information (such as your employer’s name, your specific occupation, and length of employment), and precise, accurate income details.
• It is absolutely crucial to meticulously review all the information you have diligently entered for absolute accuracy before formally submitting your application to proactively prevent any potential delays or unforeseen issues during the subsequent review process.

How to Unlock the Card

Once your application for the American Express® Aeroplan® Card* has been successfully approved and you subsequently receive your new physical card in the mail, it will, as a crucial security measure, arrive in an inactive state. You will therefore need to actively activate or unlock the card before you can commence using it for purchases.

Activate Online: This is typically the most convenient and efficient method for activation.

• Visit the American Express Canada website and navigate to the card activation page, or log in to your secure online American Express account.
• Look for a clearly labeled and prominent option to activate your new card. This function is usually conveniently displayed within your account overview, often under a “My Cards” or “Account Management” section.
• Follow the intuitive, step-by-step on-screen instructions, which will generally involve accurately inputting your new card number, its specific expiry date, and potentially other personal verification details (such as the 4-digit security code or your SIN) to conclusively confirm your identity.

Disadvantages of the American Express Aeroplan Card

While the American Express® Aeroplan® Card* offers benefits, it has crucial drawbacks to consider.

The main one is its annual fee (around $89), which might outweigh the perks if you don’t frequently fly with Air Canada or utilize its benefits.

American Express acceptance can be limited in some areas, especially internationally, making a backup card essential.

The card also charges 2.5% foreign transaction fees, which can quickly add up for international purchases.

Although earning rates are good for Air Canada, the general rate of 1 Aeroplan point per dollar on other purchases might be average.

Finally, the high interest rate (APR), typically 20.99% or more, makes carrying a balance very expensive.

This card is best for those who pay off their full balance monthly to truly benefit from its rewards.

The American Express® Aeroplan® Card* stands as a solid and accessible credit card for Canadians who seek to earn Aeroplan points on their everyday spending and enhance their Air Canada travel experience.

Its accelerated Aeroplan points earning on Air Canada purchases, coupled with practical airport benefits like a free first checked bag and priority services, makes it a valuable tool for those who frequently fly with Air Canada.