Credit Cards » Compare Credit Cards » Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Air Canada Aeroplan Card: How They Compare?
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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Air Canada Aeroplan Card: How They Compare?

While the Chase Sapphire Preferred is our winner due to its various perks, the Aeroplan card offers high cashback value and airline perks.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: April 15, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: April 15, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Air Canada Aeroplan Credit Card are two popular travel rewards credit cards, each offering unique advantages. Let's compare them side by side.

General Comparison

The Chase Sapphire Preferred stands out for its flexibility, allowing cardholders to redeem points for a variety of travel expenses through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.

On the other hand, the Air Canada Aeroplan Card is tailored for individuals frequently flying with Air Canada and its partner airlines. This card emphasizes airline-specific perks, including priority boarding, free checked bags, and Aeroplan 25K Status.

aeroplan_card

chase_sapphire_preffered

Air Canada Aeroplan Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Annual Fee
$95
$95
Rewards
3x points for each dollar spent at grocery stores, dining at restaurants including takeout and eligible delivery services, Air Canada and 1x on all other purchases
5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services. 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
0% Intro APR
N/A
N/A
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
$0
Purchase APR
21.74%–28.74% variable
21.24%–28.24% variable APR
Read Review
Read Review
Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
1X – 3X 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
50,000 miles 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in your first six months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Rewards Battle: A Side-by-Side Analysis

We looked at how many points you get for spending money with each card, and one card clearly stands out: the Sapphire Preferred card gives a lot more points, especially when you buy groceries or travel.

aeroplan_card

chase_sapphire_preffered

Spend Per Category
Air Canada Aeroplan Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets
30,000 points
45,000 points
$5,000 – Restaurants
15,000 points
15,000 points
$5,000 – Airline
15,000 points
25,000 points
$5,000 – Hotels
5,000 points
25,000 points
$4,000 – Gas
4,000 points
4,000 points
Total Points
69,000 points
114,000 points
Estimated Redemption Value
1 point ~ 1.7 cents
1 point ~ 1 – 1.5 cent
Estimated Annual Value
$1,173
$1,140 – $1,710

Can I Transfer Chase Sapphire Preferred Points To Air Canada?

Certainly! You can easily transfer Chase Sapphire Preferred points to Air Canada Aeroplan with a 1:1 ratio, ensuring no loss of value. 

The seamless transfer typically takes 24-48 hours, making it a fantastic option for those preferring Air Canada or Star Alliance partners, maximizing the utility of your points for travel needs.

Chase Transfer points to travel Partners2
Chase Transfer points to travel Partners (Screenshot from Chase app)

Which Benefits You'll Get With Each Card?

While the Chase Preferred card offers general travel benefits, the Aeroplan card offers airline benefits:

Air Canada Aeroplan Card

aeroplan_card

  • Aeroplan 25K Status: New cardmembers receive Aeroplan 25K Status for the current and following calendar year automatically, with the opportunity to maintain it by spending $15,000 in a calendar year.

  • Priority Airport Services: Enjoy exclusive benefits such as Priority Airport Services and upgrades to premium cabins on Air Canada operated flights.

  • Free First Checked Bags: Cardmembers and travel companions on the same reservation receive complimentary first checked bags (up to 50lb) on Air Canada flights.

  • Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS Fee Credit: Receive up to $100 in statement credit every 4 years for the application fee of Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.

  • Preferred Pricing: Access preferred pricing on flight rewards, allowing the Primary Cardmember to book flight rewards for fewer points.

  • 10% Bonus on Ultimate Rewards Points Transfers: Chase Aeroplan credit cardmembers receive a 10% transfer bonus when transferring 50,000 or more Ultimate Rewards points in a single transaction to their Aeroplan account.

  • DoorDash Benefits: Cardholders enjoy a one-year complimentary DashPass membership for DoorDash and Caviar, providing unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

chase_sapphire_preffered

  • $50 Anniversary Statement Credit: Every year on your card anniversary, you have the opportunity to earn up to $50 in statement credits for hotel stays made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
  • %25 Travel Bonus: When you redeem your reward points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, you'll receive a 25% bonus, enhancing the value of your points.
  • %10 Anniversary Bonus: Chase offers a 10% bonus on your total purchases from the previous year as an anniversary gift. For example, if you earned 20,000 points in the first year, you'll receive a 2,000-point bonus in the second year.
  • DoorDash Perks: Upon registration, you'll receive a one-year DoorDash subscription, DashPass, which offers reduced service fees and $0 delivery fees for orders over $12.
  • Lyft Rides: During the promotional period, you'll earn extra points on Lyft rides, currently available until March 2025.
  • Instacart+ Subscription: Linking your card to Instacart grants you a six-month Instacart+ subscription for free. As a member, you can earn up to $15 in statement credits per quarter until July 2024.
Chase redeem points for Chipotle Gift Card
(Screenshot from Chase app)

Which Card Offers Better Travel Insurance?

Both cards offer the following insurance and protections:

  • Purchase Protection: Safeguard your new purchases from damage or theft with comprehensive coverage.
  • Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Offers primary coverage for theft and collision damage for most rental cars in the U.S. and abroad when you decline the rental company's insurance, with reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle.
  • Baggage Delay Insurance: Reimburses up to $100 per day for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing when your baggage is delayed by a passenger carrier for more than 6 hours, up to a total of 5 days.
  • Trip Delay Reimbursement: Covers unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket when your common carrier travel is delayed for more than 12 hours or necessitates an overnight stay.

  • Trip Cancellation Reimbursement: If your trip is canceled or shortened due to covered situations like illness.
  • Roadside Assistance (Aeroplan card only): In case of a roadside emergency, cardmembers can call the Benefit Administrator to dispatch necessary assistance, with associated service fees billed directly to the Aeroplan card.
  • Extended Warranty Protection (Chase Sapphire Preferred only): Extend the existing U.S. manufacturer's warranty by an additional year for eligible warranties lasting three years or less.
  • 24-Hour Travel Assistance Services (Chase Sapphire Preferred only): In the event of a lost or stolen credit card, access emergency services such as an immediate replacement card and cash advance.
Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
1X – 3X 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
50,000 miles 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in your first six months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

When You Might Prefer The Air Canada Aeroplan Card?

You might prefer the Air Canada Aeroplan Card card if:

  • Loyalty to Air Canada: If you frequently fly with Air Canada or its partner airlines, the Air Canada Aeroplan card is advantageous, offering specific perks tailored to the Aeroplan loyalty program, including priority boarding and access free first checked bags.

  • Maintaining Aeroplan 25K Status: For individuals seeking to maintain or achieve Aeroplan 25K Status, the Air Canada Aeroplan card provides an avenue to do so through specific spending requirements, offering additional privileges within the Aeroplan program.

When You Might Prefer The Chase Sapphire Preferred?

You might prefer the Chase Sapphire Preferred card if:

  • Higher Points Rewards Ratio: According to our analysis, the Chase Sapphire Preferred rewards its cardholders with more ponts and higher annual value compared to the Aeroplan card

  • Points That Can Be Redeemed For Travel On A Variety Of Airlines And Hotels: Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal at a rate of 1.25 cents per point. You can also transfer your points to a number of airline and hotel partners, including Air Canada, United Airlines, Hyatt, and Marriott.

Compare The Alternatives

Whether you're seeking travel rewards, a straightforward cashback system, or specific perks tailored to your lifestyle, these alternatives have something for everyone.

Bank of America® travel rewards

capital-one-venture

Wells Fargo Autograph

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Annual Fee
$0
$95
$0
Rewards
1.5X 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points
2X – 5X 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1X – 3X 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Also, earn 1X points on other purchases
Welcome bonus
25,000 points 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
75,000 miles
20,000 Points 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
$0
$0
Purchase APR
18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply.
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
20.24% – 29.99% variable

Compare Chase Sapphire Preferred

When it comes to the annual fee, there is a clear winner. But is it worth the exclusive travel rewards you'll get? Here's our analysis.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve: Which is Better?

When it comes to travel benefits, there is a clear winner. But what about if you're looking for rewards on everyday spending?

Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Card Is Best?

While the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has more benefits, the Capital One Venture card offers unique features. Which travel card is better?

Capital One Venture vs Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Card Is Best?

While the Amex gold card is best for everyday spending, the Chase sapphire preferred may be better as a travel card. Here's our comparison:

American Express Gold Card Vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Is Best?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers better travel perks and protections, but unlike the Autograph card – you'll need to pay an annual fee.

Wells Fargo Autograph Vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Card Is Best?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers costs more and offer more benefits than the Freedom Unlimited. Is it worth the annual fee?

Chase Freedom Unlimited Vs. Sapphire Preferred: Compare Side By Side

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is more versatile and offers better travel rewards than the Explorer card. But what if you're loyal to United?

United Explorer Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred: Side By Side Comparison

The Venture X card offers better travel perks than the Sapphire Preferred, such as annual credit and lounge access. But is it worth the fee?

Capital One Venture X vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Comparison

The Marriott Boundless offers great perks for Marriot lovers, while the Preferred card wins when it comes to general travel-related rewards.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Comparison

The Capital One Savor is better for everyday spending, but the Chase Preferred card is the winner when it comes to travel and protections.

Capital One Savor vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Comparison

Chase Preferred card is the clear winner as it offers better travel rewards than the BofA Premium Rewards and variety of travel protections

Bank of America Premium Rewards vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Card Wins

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is our winner due to its higher annual cashback value and various redemption options compared to Alaska card

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card: How They Compare?

While we really like both cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is our winner due to its diverse redemption options and high rewards rate.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. JetBlue Plus Card: Side By Side Comparison

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.