Stephanie K.Toronto, ON · Mar 2026
★★★★★
Unlimited Maple Leaf access is the upgrade. Never have to worry about being denied during peak. $200 credit + 4 buddy passes covers fee 3x for our travel pattern.
Overview
The Aeroplan Black represents Air Canada's top tier of branded credit cards. It builds on the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege with additional Air Canada-specific perks aimed at frequent flyers.
You earn the same 2.5x on Air Canada, 1.5x on Aeroplan partners + gas + groceries, 1.25x on everything else. The Black adds $200 annual Air Canada credit (auto-applied to any Air Canada purchase), 4 buddy passes (vs Standard's 6 — the Black trades quantity for higher individual value), and unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access on Air Canada flights.
The Black also includes a unique perk: same-day boarding pass benefits — automatic upgrade to the highest available class within 24 hours of departure when status seats remain available.
Welcome bonus
★ NEW CARDHOLDER OFFER
Earn 75,000 Aeroplan points
Same welcome bonus as TD Aeroplan Privilege.
75,000 pts
Spend $7,500 in first 6 months
≈ $1,125 in flight value
Rewards & earn rates
Here's exactly what you earn per dollar across every category — and where this card pulls ahead of the field.
2.5xx
Air CanadaFlights, packages, services
1.5xx
Aeroplan partners + gas + groceriesPartner restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores
1.25xx
Everything elseAll other purchases
Benefits & perks
Beyond the rewards, here are the perks worth knowing about.
💵$200 Air Canada credit
Annual statement credit for any Air Canada purchase. Auto-applied when card used.
🎫4 buddy passes/year
Companion flies at 50% of base economy fare on Air Canada flights.
🛋️Unlimited Maple Leaf access
Maple Leaf Lounge access at all Air Canada hubs when flying AC.
✈️Same-day boarding upgrade
Automatic upgrade to highest available class within 24 hours of departure (subject to availability).
👜Free checked bags
2 free checked bags per AC flight for entire booking party.
Fees & rates
The numbers that show up on your statement.
ANNUAL FEE$599Same as Standard Privilege
SUPPLEMENTARY CARDS$199 eachUp to 9 supplementary
PURCHASE APR20.99%Standard
FX MARKUP2.5%⚠ Not FX-free
MIN INCOME$200,000 householdVisa Infinite Privilege requirement
Pros and cons
✓ PROS
- $200 Air Canada credit reduces effective fee to $399
- Unlimited Maple Leaf access (vs subject to availability on lower tiers)
- Same-day boarding upgrade is a unique perk
- Free bags + priority boarding
- Strong welcome bonus 75,000 pts
- 4 buddy passes still substantial savings
✗ CONS
- Only 4 buddy passes vs Standard's 6 — less family flexibility
- Same $599 fee but slightly different benefit balance
- 2.5% FX markup
- $200,000 household income requirement
- Same-day upgrade often unavailable on full flights
Who it's for
★ APPLY IF
- Air Canada loyalists who fly first/business often
- Households wanting unlimited Maple Leaf vs subject-to-availability
- Solo travellers (4 buddy passes sufficient for couple)
- Buyers who use Air Canada services regularly ($200 credit auto-pays)
✗ SKIP IF
- Families with 3+ children (6 buddy passes from Standard Privilege wins)
- Casual Air Canada flyers (under 4 trips/year)
- International shoppers (FX markup hurts)
- Households under $200k income
How it compares
We pitted this card against its closest rivals.
How to apply
The eligibility checklist before you hit the application button.
MIN CREDIT SCORE760+ recommended
MIN INCOME$200,000 household
OTHER ELIGIBILITYCanadian resident · 18+
DECISION TIME5-10 business days
Editor's verdict
8.3/10
★★★★★
FINAL VERDICT
Top-tier Air Canada card if you fly the airline religiously.
The Black trades buddy pass quantity for guaranteed access perks ($200 credit + unlimited Maple Leaf). Solo Air Canada loyalists get the most value. For families flying together, the Standard Privilege's 6 buddy passes remain more valuable.
Apply for Aeroplan Black ↗User reviews
What current and former cardholders are saying. Aggregated from Trustpilot, Reddit (/r/PersonalFinanceCanada), and our own community comments.
4.2 / 5 ★
645 reviews
Marcus L.Vancouver, BC · Feb 2026
★★★★★
Same-day boarding upgrade got us into Business class twice last year on YVR-YYZ legs. Free real-world value beyond just credits.
Tara P.Halifax, NS · Jan 2026
★★★★★
Cancelled and went to Standard Privilege. 6 buddy passes for our family of 3 was way more valuable than the $200 credit. Black is for solo travellers.