Chase Aeroplan Card: 100,000 Points, But Is It Worth It?

If you're into travel rewards, you've probably seen the Chase Aeroplan Card floating around. Right now, it's offering a big 100,000-point sign-up bonus. But here's the catch: that bonus is split into two parts, and the second chunk requires a pretty serious spending commitment. Let's break it down so you can decide if it's worth your wallet.

The 100,000-Point Breakdown

The headline is 100,000 points, but you don't get them all at once. The first 75,000 points are pretty standard: spend $4,000 in the first three months and they're yours. That's a reasonable threshold for most people who are putting regular expenses on a card.

The remaining 25,000 points are the tricky part. You'll need to spend a total of $20,000 in the first 12 months. That's a lot of spending, even for big households. If you're not planning a major purchase or business expense, hitting that number might be a stretch.

There's also a monthly bonus that can help you rack up points faster: 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend, up to 1,500 bonus points per month. That's on top of the regular earning rates, so it can add up if you're a heavy spender.

Earning and Redeeming Points

The card earns 3x points on groceries, dining (including delivery services), and direct Air Canada purchases. That's a solid set of categories, especially if you eat out a lot or shop at grocery stores. Everything else earns 1x, which is typical.

One of the standout features is the Pay Yourself Back option, which lets you redeem points at 1.25 cents each for travel purchases. That's a great value, especially if you're booking flights or hotels. It gives you flexibility beyond just Aeroplan redemptions.

You also get preferred pricing on flight rewards, which can make your points go further when booking Air Canada flights. And if you hold Aeroplan 25K status, you'll enjoy benefits like priority check-in and extra baggage allowance, which we'll get to next.

Perks That Make Travel Easier

The card comes with a free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on Air Canada flights. That's a huge money-saver if you travel with family or friends—checked bags can cost $30-50 each way, so this perk can easily cover the annual fee.

You'll also get a credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS (up to $100 every four years). That's a nice bonus for frequent travelers, as it covers the application fee for these trusted traveler programs.

Travel certificates don't expire as long as your account is open, which is a nice touch. Many cards have expiration dates on such certificates, but here you can hold onto them until you're ready to use them.

Is This Offer Worth It?

The big question is whether the 100,000-point bonus is worth the spending requirement. The first 75,000 points are easy to earn, but the extra 25,000 points require a $20,000 spend. That's a lot of money to put on a card, even if you're earning points along the way.

If you're already planning to spend that much on a card (maybe for a wedding, home renovation, or business expenses), then this offer is a no-brainer. You'll get the full 100,000 points plus the monthly bonuses, which could be worth over $1,500 in travel value.

But if you're just an average spender, you might be better off waiting for a lower-spend offer. The card has had an 85,000-point offer with only $4,000 spend in the past, which is a much better deal for most people. So don't feel pressured to jump on this one if the spend doesn't fit your budget.

Bottom Line

• The Chase Aeroplan Card offers 100,000 points, but the second 25,000 points require a $20,000 spend in the first year.
• The card earns 3x on groceries, dining, and Air Canada, and has a Pay Yourself Back feature at 1.25 cents per point.
• Perks include free checked bags for companions, a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and Aeroplan 25K status.
• If you can't meet the $20,000 spend, consider waiting for a lower-spend bonus offer.

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