TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite review

How the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite earns points

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite earns 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar on groceries, gas, and Air Canada and Aeroplan purchases. Everything else earns 1 point per dollar. The bonus categories are ones most households spend in every week, so points build steadily even between trips.

As an example, a household spending $600 a month on groceries, $200 on gas and $1,200 on everything else would earn 2,400 points a month, or 28,800 a year. Booking $1,500 of Air Canada flights in a year adds 2,250 points, for 31,050 in total.

The welcome offer

New cardholders can earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points. The “up to” wording means the full amount depends on conditions that aren’t detailed here, so check the spending required and the timeline on the TD website before you apply.

For scale, 50,000 points is more than a year and a half of regular earning for the example household above.

Air Canada perks

The card’s headline perk is a free first checked bag on Air Canada. For someone who flies Air Canada a few times a year and checks a bag, that benefit is the main reason to pay the fee. Check TD’s terms for who on your booking qualifies.

The card also offers an accelerated path to Aeroplan Elite Status, which matters if you’re working toward status through regular flying. A NEXUS fee rebate is not included with this card.

Because Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program, the card is most useful when both your everyday earning and your travel are centred on that airline.

Fees, interest and the fine print

The annual fee is $139, or about $11.58 a month. Purchases in a foreign currency carry a 2.5% foreign transaction fee, so $1,000 spent abroad adds about $25.

Purchases are charged 20.99% interest and cash advances 22.99%. Paying the full statement balance by the due date avoids purchase interest, which would quickly outweigh the points you earn.

Insurance coverage

The insurance package is solid for a mid-range travel card, led by 21-day travel medical coverage. Check the certificate for age limits, coverage amounts and exclusions before you travel.

• Travel emergency medical (trips up to 21 days)
• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Flight and baggage delay
• Rental car collision and loss damage
• Mobile device insurance

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite suits people who fly Air Canada a few times a year, usually check a bag and want to collect Aeroplan points on their groceries and gas.

If you rarely fly Air Canada, the free bag won’t be worth much to you, and the 1x base rate makes it a modest everyday earner. People who spend a lot abroad should also weigh the 2.5% foreign transaction fee.

Before applying, count how many Air Canada flights you took last year and how often you checked a bag. That’s the simplest way to judge whether the bag benefit and the 1.5x categories justify a $139 fee.

How it compares

The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is the closest rival. It has the same $139 annual fee, earns 1.5 points per dollar on groceries and offers a welcome bonus of up to 50,000 Aeroplan points. Comparing the current offers and insurance details is the best way to choose between them.

If you’d rather not pay a fee, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card earns 1 point per dollar on gas, groceries and Air Canada purchases and 1 point per $1.50 elsewhere, with no annual fee. It doesn’t include a free checked bag.

Before you apply

The recommended credit score is 720 or higher, and TD makes the final decision based on your full credit profile. Confirm the current welcome offer, fees and insurance terms on the TD website before you apply.