Patrick H.Toronto, ON · Mar 2026
★★★★★
Centurion at YYZ is the best lounge in Canada. Bring it on every Air Canada flight. Combo with Cobalt for groceries is unbeatable.
Overview
The Amex Aeroplan Reserve is the only Canadian card that combines Aeroplan-currency earning with access to Amex Centurion Lounges (Amex's premium private lounges). $599/year delivers a uniquely cross-platform travel package.
You earn 3x Aeroplan pts on Air Canada purchases, 2x on dining + food delivery, 1.25x on everything else. Beyond rewards, the card includes 30,000 Aeroplan pts welcome (with spend), priority airport services on Air Canada, and the most flexible lounge access combo in Canada.
Trade-off vs TD Aeroplan Privilege: TD has 6 buddy passes (unique), Amex has Centurion Lounge access. Both have free checked bags and Maple Leaf access. Pick TD for family travel, Amex for solo premium travel.
Welcome bonus
★ NEW CARDHOLDER OFFER
Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points
Hit threshold = 60k Aeroplan pts. Roundtrip business to U.S. or Hawaii during Aeroplan deal periods.
60,000 pts
Spend $6,000 in first 6 months
≈ $900 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.
3xx
Air Canada purchasesFlights, packages, Air Canada services
2xx
Dining + food deliveryRestaurants, UberEats, Skip
1.25xx
Everything elseAll other purchases
Benefits & perks
Beyond the rewards, here are the perks worth knowing about.
🛋️Centurion Lounge access
Free entry to Amex Centurion Lounges (including YYZ). Premium private lounges far superior to Priority Pass partners.
🏨Maple Leaf Lounge access
Free Maple Leaf Lounge entry at YYZ, YVR, YUL when flying Air Canada.
👜Free checked bags
First checked bag free for cardmember and up to 8 others on same booking.
🛂Priority airport services
Priority check-in, security, boarding at Toronto Pearson on Air Canada flights.
🛡️Travel insurance package
$5M emergency medical, trip cancel ($2,500), interruption ($25,000), baggage loss.
Fees & rates
The numbers that show up on your statement.
ANNUAL FEE$599Top-tier Aeroplan card pricing
SUPPLEMENTARY CARDS$199 eachUp to 9 supplementary
CARD TYPECharge cardPay in full monthly
FX MARKUP2.5%⚠ Not FX-free
MIN INCOME$15,000/yearAmex is more flexible than banks
Pros and cons
✓ PROS
- Centurion Lounge access is the unique selling point
- Direct Aeroplan integration with 3x on Air Canada
- Free checked bags for entire booking party
- Strong travel insurance
- Lower income requirement than Visa Infinite Privilege cards
- Welcome bonus easy to hit ($1,000/month)
✗ CONS
- $599/year is high without 6+ Air Canada flights
- 2.5% FX markup
- No buddy passes (TD Aeroplan exclusive)
- Amex acceptance gaps require backup
- Charge card structure prevents balance carry
Who it's for
★ APPLY IF
- Aeroplan + Centurion Lounge enthusiasts
- Travellers wanting Centurion at $599 vs Platinum's $799
- Solo Air Canada flyers
- Existing Amex Platinum holders adding Aeroplan
✗ SKIP IF
- Family travellers (TD Aeroplan has buddy passes)
- Foodies (Cobalt 5x dining wins)
- Light Air Canada flyers
- International shoppers (FX markup)
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 SCORE725+ recommended
MIN INCOME$15,000/year personal
OTHER ELIGIBILITYCanadian resident · 18+
DECISION TIMEInstant decision · 5-7 day delivery
Editor's verdict
8.7/10
★★★★★
FINAL VERDICT
The right card if you want Centurion + Aeroplan in one wallet.
No other Canadian card combines Centurion Lounge access with direct Aeroplan earn. Solo Air Canada flyers who want premium lounge experience get the most value. For families, TD Aeroplan's buddy passes are more valuable. For non-AC flyers, Scotia Passport or RBC Avion is better value.
Apply for Amex Aeroplan Reserve ↗User reviews
What current and former cardholders are saying. Aggregated from Trustpilot, Reddit (/r/PersonalFinanceCanada), and our own community comments.
4.3 / 5 ★
856 reviews
Lara D.Vancouver, BC · Feb 2026
★★★★★
Solid card. Maple Leaf at YVR + Centurion when traveling through YYZ makes Air Canada premium experience tolerable. Free bags pays for itself half the fee.
Greg T.Calgary, AB · Jan 2026
★★★★★
Cancelled after year 1. Don't travel through Centurion cities often enough. TD Aeroplan suited my family travel better with buddy passes.