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Which Credit Card earns the most Aeroplan Miles? First Posted Apr 19, 2012
Last updated on Apr 9, 2014

AeroplanI occasionally get asked the question: "Which credit card can you earn the most Aeroplan miles with?" You would think that Aeroplan's primary and obviously number one credit card partner, TD (and CIBC) would offer credit cards that earn the most Aeroplan miles. Low and behold they actually do not despite advertisements that may lead some to believe otherwise. I have also heard arguments that the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card is the best for Aeroplan miles because of their 5,000 mile bonus when you transfer Starpoints in 20,000 point increments while I have preached that the American Express Gold Rewards Card is the best Aeroplan earner out of them. Well to put them all to the test I have created the following charts based on various spending levels with the cards and certain percentages of those spending levels going to extra mile/points categories like Gas, Groceries, Drug Store and Travel purchases. I have decided to not bore you with all the calculations behind the numbers but rather just the total number of Aeroplan miles you would earn in each scenario.

What follows should confirm what I have stated all along but should also be an eye-opener to those hard-core Aeroplan mile via Credit Card purchase earners who may have thought they were getting the best deal. Outside of the TD, CIBC and American Express cards I have included the three other hotel credit cards in Canada as they have Aeroplan conversion options* but I would seriously not consider those cards if your primary goal is Aeroplan miles.

I do want to stress however, like I do with most of my specialized comparison charts that choosing a credit card should not solely be based on the rewards earned but also on insurances, benefits, costs, spending habits and overall acceptance.

All the spending scenarios:

 
-- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card  
 
Scenario #1: $20,000 yearly spend on card (30% on Gas, Groceries, Drug Store; 8% on Travel)
Total Aeroplan Miles Earned
23,000
26,500
23,000
25,000
22,500
27,600
25,000
25,000
  
6,000
4,000
Rank
6
2
 6
3
8
1
3
3
  
10
11
Scenario #2: $40,000 yearly spend on card (30% on Gas, Groceries, Drug Store; 8% on Travel)
Total Aeroplan Miles Earned
46,000
53,000
46,000
53,750
47,500
55,200
50,000
50,000
  
12,000
8,000
Rank
6
3
 6
2
5
1
4
4
  
10
11
Scenario #3: $40,000 yearly spend on card (40% on Gas, Groceries, Drug Store; 10% on Travel)
Total Aeroplan Miles Earned
48,000
54,000
48,000
53,750
47,500
60,000
50,000
50,000
  
12,000
8,000
Rank 6 2 6 3 8 1 4 4  
10
11
 
Scenario #4: $60,000 yearly spend on card (30% on Gas, Groceries, Drug Store; 8% on Travel)
Total Aeroplan Miles Earned
69,000
79,500
69,000
83,750
72,500
82,800
75,000
75,000
  
18,000
12,000
Rank 7 3 7 1 6 2 4 4  
10
11
 
Scenario #5: $60,000 yearly spend on card (40% on Gas, Groceries, Drug Store; 10% on Travel)
Total Aeroplan Miles Earned
72,000
81,000
72,000
83,750
72,500
90,000
75,000
75,000
  
18,000
12,000
Rank
7
3
 7
2
6
1
4
4
  
10
11
-- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card  
 
Scenario #6: $80,000 yearly spend on card (30% on Gas, Groceries, Drug Store; 8% on Travel)
Total Aeroplan Miles Earned
92,000
106,000
92,000
113,750
97,500
110,400
100,000
100,000
  
24,000
16,000
Rank
7
3
 7
1
6
2
4
4
  
10
11
 
Scenario #7: $80,000 yearly spend on card (40% on Gas, Groceries, Drug Store; 10% on Travel)
Total Aeroplan Miles Earned
96,000
108,000
96,000
113,750
97,500
120,000
100,000
100,000
  
24,000
16,000
Rank
7
3
 7
2
6
1
4
4
  
10
11
 
Scenario #8: $100,000 yearly spend on card (30% on Gas, Groceries, Drug Store; 8% on Travel)
Total Aeroplan Miles Earned
115,000
132,500
115,000
143,750
122,500
138,000
125,000
125,000
  
30,000
20,000
Rank
7
3
 7
1
6
2
4
4
  
10
11
 
Scenario #9: $100,000 yearly spend on card (40% on Gas, Groceries, Drug Store; 10% on Travel)
Total Aeroplan Miles Earned
120,000
135,000
120,000
143,750
122,500
150,000
125,000
125,000
  
30,000
20,000
Rank
7
3
 7
2
6
1
4
4
  
10
11
-- TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card  
 
Scenario #10: $120,000 yearly spend on card (30% on Gas, Groceries, Drug Store; 8% on Travel)
Total Aeroplan Miles Earned
138,000
159,000
138,000
173,750
147,500
165,600
150,000
150,000
  
36,000
24,000
Rank
7
3
 7
1
6
2
4
4
  
10
11
 
Scenario #10: $120,000 yearly spend on card (40% on Gas, Groceries, Drug Store; 10% on Travel)
Total Aeroplan Miles Earned
144,000
162,000
144,000
173,750
147,500
180,000
150,000
150,000
  
36,000
24,000
Rank
7
3
 7
2
6
1
4
4
  
10
11


As you can see, depending on your Gas/Grocery/Drug Store/Travel spend, three cards take the top spot in all the scenarios. If your Gas/Grocery/Drug Store/Travel spend tends to be lower, the card that will earn the most Aeroplan miles is the American Express Aeroplan Plus Platinum or the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card and if your spend in those categories is higher, the American Express Gold Rewards card is your best bet.

Have any questions? comments? Please feel free to leave your message on our associated blog post here.

Links to the cards
CIBC Aerogold Cards
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
American Express Aeroplan Plus Platinum
American Express Aeroplan Plus Gold
American Express Gold Rewards Card
Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card
The Platinum Card from American Express
MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard



* Some of the hotel programs may only let you convert to Aeroplan miles if you have earned points from other means (ie Hotel stays) in addition to the credit card earnings.

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