Today, Amex Canada announced changes to the welcome bonus offers for the Aeroplan Reserve, and Aeroplan Reserve Business Cards.

Let’s take a look at the details:

Aeroplan Reserve Card Welcome Bonus Update

The Aeroplan Reserve Card will now offer a welcome bonus of 85,000 Aeroplan points, down from the previous offer of 90,000.

Although the welcome bonus has dropped by 5k, earning the welcome bonus is more straightforward:

New American Express Aeroplan Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points:

• Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months.
• Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in purchases in month 13.

I would say this welcome bonus offer is an improvement, and allows you to earn the bulk of your points quicker, in the first 3 months, rather than being spread out.

The previous offer had the welcome bonus stretched out, by having to spend $2k every month for six months, apply for two supplementary Cards, and earn a bulk of the points on the Card anniversary. Just too many hoops to jump through.

Get a Free Hotel Night When You Redeem Aeroplan Points

Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 consecutive hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. This offer ends December 31, 2024.

Learn More at Aeroplan: Earn 1 extra night free when you redeem 3 nights with Aeroplan points. You can also earn 2 extra nights free when you redeem 6 nights with Aeroplan points.

Aeroplan Business Reserve Card Welcome Bonus Update

The Aeroplan Business Reserve Card will now offer a welcome bonus of 90,000 Aeroplan points, down from the previous offer of 95,000.

Here’s how it works:

Earn up to 90,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan points:

• Earn 65,000 Aeroplan points after spending $10,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months.
• Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,500 in purchases in month 13.

Just like with the personal Reserve Card, this welcome bonus is more streamlined, allowing you to earn and redeem points faster.

Although this offer is an improvement, I think it’s safe to say we all wish the welcome bonus offer on the month 13 card anniversary would go away entirely. I don’t like the fact this is marketed as a welcome bonus offer. It’s misleading, as you will have to pay the annual fee, and meet another minimum spend requirement to earn those extra 25,000 points, so keep that in mind.

The Business Reserve Card also gets the benefit of the extra free night when you book three consecutive nights at a hotel with your Aeroplan points.

Conclusion

What do you think of the new Aeroplan Reserve Card welcome bonus offers? Although both Cards saw a 5k drop in points, the structure of the offer makes it a lot easier to redeem your points quicker, rather than having them spread out.

The Aeroplan Reserve Cards are still a great opportunity for Cardmembers to elevate their travel who fly Air Canada and its partners the most.

Learn More from Aeroplan: Air Canada Partners You Can Use Aeroplan Points On

If you fly any of the airlines from the link above, you can earn and redeem Aeroplan points for them.

When you become a Aeroplan Reserve Cardmember you’ll enjoy a better travel experience with these benefits:

• Airport lounge access with PriorityPass.
• Airport lounge access at Maple Leaf lounges for Star Alliance flights.
• Get free checked bags for up to 9 people on the same flight.
• Priority check in with Air Canada.
• Toronto Pearson International Airport benefits.
• Earn loyalty status faster with Aeroplan.
• Receive up to $100 CAD in statement credits every four years for NEXUS.
• Receive a companion flight pass when you spend $25k annually. A value of up to $599.
• Earn 1 extra night free when you redeem 3 nights with Aeroplan points.