TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege review

How the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege earns

Air Canada and Aeroplan purchases earn 2 points per dollar, dining and groceries earn 1.5 points, and everything else earns 1.25 points. The 1.25-point base rate means spending outside the bonus categories still earns more than 1 point per dollar.

For example, a household spending $800 a month on groceries, $400 on dining and $2,000 on other purchases, plus $4,000 a year on Air Canada flights, earns 21,600 points from food, 30,000 from other spending and 8,000 from flights. That’s 59,600 Aeroplan points a year.

In that example, about half of the points come from the 1.25x base rate, which shows how much the higher floor matters for a household with varied spending.

The welcome offer

New cardholders can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points. Our data doesn’t list the spending targets or timing, so check TD’s offer terms before applying.

For the example household, the offer is larger than a full year of regular earning, so it makes up a large share of the card’s first-year return.

Air Canada perks

The card’s perks are built for frequent Air Canada travellers. You get free first and second checked bags on Air Canada, access to Maple Leaf Lounges through passes, priority airport services and accelerated progress toward elite status.

Check TD’s terms for how many lounge passes you receive and who on your booking gets the bag benefit. Those details decide how much of the $599 fee the perks can realistically cover for you.

Fees, interest and the fine print

The annual fee is $599, which works out to just under $50 a month. Purchases in a foreign currency carry a 2.5% fee, about $25 per $1,000 spent abroad, so you may want a different card for spending on international trips.

Purchase interest is 20.99% and cash advances are charged 22.99%. Paying the full balance each month avoids purchase interest.

Insurance coverage

The travel insurance includes emergency medical coverage for trips of up to 31 days. Check the certificate for eligibility, coverage amounts and exclusions before you rely on it.

• Travel emergency medical (31 days)
• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Flight and baggage delay
• Rental car collision and loss damage

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

The card suits high-income households that fly Air Canada several times a year, check bags and want lounge access and status benefits. Free first and second checked bags are most valuable if you fly Air Canada often. If you take four Air Canada trips a year, the $599 fee works out to about $150 per trip, a useful figure to weigh against the bag and lounge perks you’d actually use.

If you fly Air Canada only once or twice a year, a mid-tier Aeroplan card may give you most of what you need for far less. You’ll also need to meet the $200,000 income requirement.

How it compares

The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card has the same $599 fee and earns up to 3 points per dollar on Air Canada and Aeroplan purchases, with a welcome offer of up to 85,000 Aeroplan points. It earns more on Air Canada purchases but uses the American Express network.

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite costs $139 a year, earns 1.5 points per dollar on groceries and offers up to 50,000 Aeroplan points. It suits people who want Aeroplan earning without paying for premium perks, and the fee is $460 lower.

Before you apply

The card is aimed at applicants with a credit score of 760 or higher, and you’ll need to meet the $200,000 income requirement. TD makes the final decision. Confirm the welcome offer and current terms on TD’s website before you apply.