American Express Aeroplan Reserve

Overview

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve is Amex's premium Aeroplan credit card for Canadians — a high-end travel card earning Aeroplan points directly at elevated rates, with Maple Leaf Lounge access as the centrepiece perk. Issued by American Express at $599 CAD annually, the card earns 3 Aeroplan points per dollar on eligible Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations purchases, 2 Aeroplan points per dollar on dining and food delivery in Canada, and 1.25 Aeroplan points per dollar on everything else. Aeroplan is Air Canada's loyalty program, and the Reserve card is designed specifically for Canadians who fly Air Canada frequently enough to put a premium on airport experience and accelerated earning.

Who this card is for

This card is built for frequent Air Canada travellers who want Maple Leaf Lounge access built into their card, not earned through Elite Status. There's no formal income requirement, but the $599 CAD fee means you need to be flying enough to use the lounge and capturing meaningful value from the elevated earn rates. An ideal cardholder books four or more Air Canada round trips per year and spends regularly on dining. If you're flying enough to value the lounge but haven't hit Elite Status — or want to complement the status you do have — the Reserve brings meaningful airport benefits.

Key benefits

The 3x earn rate on Air Canada purchases means a $1,000 CAD flight earns 3,000 Aeroplan points directly from the card, on top of whatever base Aeroplan points you earn as a member from the booking itself. Dining and food delivery at 2x is a solid everyday earner — $800 CAD per month on restaurants generates 1,600 points, or about 19,200 Aeroplan points per year from that category alone.

Complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge access for the cardholder and a guest is typically reserved for Aeroplan Elite Status members. The Reserve card includes this benefit regardless of status. Cardmembers also receive access to 1,200+ global lounges through Priority Pass (with a waived membership fee, though per-visit fees may apply), plus elevated Toronto Pearson perks including the Priority Security Lane.

Spend $25,000 CAD in net annual purchases and you receive an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass — a fixed-base-fare ticket for a companion on Air Canada economy routes, ranging from $99 to $599 CAD (plus taxes, fees, and surcharges). The card also credits 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) for every $5,000 CAD spent, up to 25,000 SQC per year.

Welcome bonus offers on the Reserve have reached 60,000–90,000+ Aeroplan points — check the Amex Canada site for the current promotion.

Potential drawbacks

At $599 CAD, this is a premium commitment. The Maple Leaf Lounge is the emotional core of the fee justification — if you're not flying Air Canada regularly or don't use the lounge, the value case weakens fast. The card also charges foreign transaction fees, which is an unusual friction for a premium travel card. The 1.25x base rate on non-Air Canada, non-dining purchases is decent but not exceptional.

How it compares

The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege offers a near-equivalent benefit stack — Maple Leaf Lounge, priority services, Companion Pass — on a Visa network at the same $599 CAD fee. The choice between them often comes down to banking relationship or Amex-versus-Visa preference. The American Express Aeroplan earns Aeroplan points at a lower tier with a $120 CAD fee — it's the natural step-down if the full lounge benefit isn't worth the premium.

Bottom line

The right card for frequent Air Canada flyers who want Maple Leaf Lounge access without relying on Elite Status. If you're flying enough to use the lounge consistently and spending enough to hit the Companion Pass threshold, the $599 CAD fee is easier to justify.