Next up in our coverage of the new Air Canada Aeroplan program is our look at the small business co-brand credits for the program. We'll cover all the cards here in one post rather than an individual post for each card like we did for the consumer cards.
There
are two levels of business cards that are offered for the Aeroplan
program. American Express is the issuer of the higher end business card while TD and CIBC are offering what I would consider as mid-level cards as they don't provide as much as the American Express card but aren't entry level cards either.
Remember you'll be able to find this article and all of our other articles and features on the following page:
The New Air Canada Aeroplan Program All the resources you need
We'll start off by looking the premium card for Aeroplan's suite of business cards the American Express Business Reserve card:
American Express Business Reserve Card
The Welcome Bonus
The limited time welcome bonus matches the consumer version of this card with an offer of up to 65,000 Aeroplan points and a $100 statement credit. Here is how that welcome bonus is broken down:
- Earn 35,000 Aeroplan points and $100 Statement Credit after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of Cardmembership
- Plus, you can also earn 5,000 Aeroplan points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $2,000 in purchases on your Card for the first six months of Cardmembership. That could add up to 30,000 Aeroplan points
The welcome bonus is quite strong, if I can recall correctly I don't believe an Aeroplan co-brand business card has ever offered this high of point level. Add in the $100 statement credit and you have one of if not the best small business credit card offers in our market today.
Basis of this card
Just like the welcome bonus the earn rates and the benefits of this card closely match the consumer version of the Reserve Card although it has different multiplier categories for the 2x points earn rate.. This card will earn 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible hotels and car rentals, and 1 point for every $1 spent on everything else. The card has a $599 annual fee for the primary card and $199 for additional cards that include full benefits as listed below or $0 if you choose to have it earn points only.
On the benefits side the new American Express Business Reserve card comes with the following:
- Preferred Pricing - Holders of these cards will receive discounts when redeeming miles for Aeroplan reward flights
- First Checked Bag Free - Cardholders will receive their first checked bag free for themselves and up to 8 other travellers on the same reservation. This benefit works on both paid and award flights on Air Canada.
- Elite Status Earning - These cards earn 1,000 SQM (Status Qualifying Miles) and 1 SQS (Status Qualifying Segment) for every $5,000 spent on the card(s)
- Maple Leaf Lounge Access - These cards offer complimentary access for the cardholder (Primary and additional) plus one guest to Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés in North America.
- Priority Airport Services - These cards offer priority check-in, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling
- Annual Worldwide Companion Pass - This pass is provided when cardholders reach $25,000 in spending annually on their cards. The pass can be used for travel to anywhere Air Canada flies with companion paying only $99 for flights in Canada & Continental U.S., $299 for Hawaii, Caribbean, Central America and Mexico, $499 for Africa, Europe, Middle East and South America, $599 for Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Taxes and fees are extra on top of those amounts
- Rollover Status Miles - Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status can roll over up to 200,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQMs) beyond the status level for which they’ve qualified, from the prior qualification year to qualify for status the next year.
- Rollover eUpgrade Credits - Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status and requalify for the next year, can roll over up to 50 unused eUpgrade credits, to be used during the following status year.
The card also provides a strong suite insurance benefits including out of province medical coverage, Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Lost/Delayed Baggage and much more
Learn more about and apply for the American Express Business Reserve Card here
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card
The Welcome Bonus
The limited time welcome bonus provides up to 25,000 Aeroplan points and a bonus Buddy Pass for an eligible round-trip flight within North America after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Must apply by May 30, 21. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here. If you have already read our posts around the consumer cards for the new Aeroplan program you'll know about the buddy pass however if you haven't I recommend you read the following post of ours: The Air Canada Buddy Pass explained and evaluated
Basis of this card
The annual fees on this card will remain at $149 per year for the Primary Card and $49 per year for all additional cards however as mentioned above those fees are rebated in the first year for the Primary Card and the first two additional card. The earn rates change for the better on the card compared to the previous version of it as the card now earns 2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent with Air Canada which is a 0.5 points boost. It also earns 1.5 points for every $1 spent on Travel, Dining and Select Business Categories: shipping, Internet, cable and phone services. It did lose the 1.5 points for gas station purchases which will now categorize as all other purchases which all continue to earn 1 Aeroplan point per dollar spent on the card.
Here are some of the new or enhanced benefits for this card:
- Preferred Pricing - Holders of these cards will receive discounts when redeeming miles for Aeroplan reward flights
- First Checked Bag Free - Cardholders will receive their first checked bag free for themselves and up to 8 other travellers on the same reservation. This benefit works on both paid and award flights on Air Canada.
- Maple Leaf Lounge Passes - 1 Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Guest Pass for every $10,000 you spend, up to 4 passes per year
- Elite Status Earning - These cards earn 1,000 SQM (Status Qualifying Miles) and 1 SQS (Status Qualifying Segment) for every $5,000 spent on the card(s)
- Each Cardholder on the Account will receive a rebate of up to $100 CAD for a NEXUS™ application and/or renewal fee.
- Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance coverage up to $2,500 per occurrence for each Cardholder on the Account and eligible family members travelling with the Cardholder.
- Mobile Device Insurance coverage up to $1,000 for eligible mobile devices in the event of loss, theft, accidental damage, or mechanical breakdown.
- Trip Cancellation Insurance and Trip Interruption Insurance: For Trip Cancellation, up to $1,500 for each insured person (maximum $5,000 for all those insured on same covered trip) and for Trip Interruption, up to $5,000 for each insured person (maximum $25,000 for all those insured on same covered trip).
Some of the other insurance benefits on this card have been updated for the better including Purchase Security/Extended Warranty, Flight Delay,and Lost/Delayed Baggage.
Learn more about and apply for TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card here
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card
The Welcome Bonus
The
limited time welcome bonus matches CIBC's mainstay consumer card the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
with bonus points, a companion pass and an annual fee rebate. All of
which are awarded for new applications and approvals made from today
through to January 31, 2021. Here is what that bonus entails:
- Welcome bonus of 10,000 points after your first purchase
- Earn
an Air Canada Buddy Pass to bring anyone along to anywhere Air Canada
flies in North America, including Hawaii and Mexico when you spend $3,000 on the card in first four months
- Plus, get an annual fee rebate for the primary and three additional cardholders for the first year.
Basis of this card
The annual fees on this card will remain at $180 per year for the Primary Card and $50 per year for all additional cards however as mentioned above those fees are rebated in the first year for the Primary Card and the first three additional cards. The earn rates for the new version of this card are better as it earns 2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent with Air Canada which is a 0.5 points boost over the old version. It also now earns 1.5 points for every $1 spent on Travel, Dining and Select Business Categories: shipping, Internet, cable and phone services. Like the TD business card this card also lost the 1.5 points for gas station purchases which now categorize as all other purchases which all continue to earn 1 Aeroplan point per dollar spent on the card.- Preferred Pricing - Holders of these cards will receive discounts when redeeming miles for Aeroplan reward flights
- First Checked Bag Free - Cardholders will receive their first checked bag free for themselves and up to 8 other travellers on the same reservation. This benefit works on both paid and award flights on Air Canada.
- Maple Leaf Lounge Passes - 1 Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Guest Pass for every $10,000 you spend, up to 4 passes per year
- Elite Status Earning - These cards earn 1,000 SQM (Status Qualifying Miles) and 1 SQS (Status Qualifying Segment) for every $5,000 spent on the card(s)
The card has some insurance benefits including Purchase Security/Extended Warranty, Trip cancellation/interruption as well as Flight Delayand Lost/Delayed Baggage.
One should note as well this card has lower interest rates than the other Aeroplan business cards so if you do extend credit with your business on credit cards this card could be of more interest to some of you than others.
The CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Plus Card is essentially the same as above but has annual fees of $120 for the primary cardholder and $50 for each additional cardholder. It does not have the lower interest rates like the non Plus version.
Learn more about and apply for the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card here
Just like the consumer versions of the cards there is something for everyone in the Aeroplan suite of small business cards. You have the ultra premium American Express Business Reserve Card chock full of benefits and strong earn rates but you have to get that you have to be willing to pay for the higher annual fees, the mainstay TD card which will the main card for most and the CIBC card which would appeal to business looking to lower their interest payments for carrying a balance on their card but still able to earn rewards.Remember you can always find this article and many more on the following page of ours:
The New Air Canada Aeroplan Program All the resources you need
Don't forget to enter to win one of three prizes of 25,000 Points as Rewards Canada celebrates the launch of the new Air Canada Aeroplan program!
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