Chase Adds Aeroplan Credit Card and Ultimate Rewards Transfers to U.S. Portfolio

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Flyers based in the U.S. who prefer Air Canada or want to collect Aeroplan miles will have a credit card option available in 2021. The Canadian carrier will partner with Chase to offer an Aeroplan co-branded Mastercard, with benefits and bonus categories to be announced at a later date.

Air Canada flyers based in the United States will once again be able to earn Aeroplan miles from credit card spending starting in 2021. The Montreal-based carrier announced a new deal with Chase, which will issue a new Aeroplan Mastercard rewards card.

Chase to Launch Aeroplan Mastercard and Ultimate Rewards Transfers in Late 2021

The most recent U.S. Aeroplan credit card was introduced by the loyalty program and TD Bank USA in 2015. Since then, Air Canada re-purchased Aeroplan’s parent company Aimia, which slowly led to a number of changes.

As part of the program’s purchase, Aeroplan discontinued the TD Bank USA credit card on Feb. 1, 2020, replacing it with a card that earned generic airline miles. That business will now move to Chase, which will launch a new Aeroplan-branded Mastercard. The card is expected to launch in late 2021.

Alongside the new product, Chase will also make Aeroplan a transfer partner in the Ultimate Rewards program. Neither Air Canada nor Chase have announced if the addition means Aeroplan will be dropped as a transfer partner of American Express’ Membership Rewards. Like the credit card, the programs are expected to be integrated in late 2021.

“Chase’s many strengths, including digital innovation, customer service excellence and a world-class brand, will help us deliver a best-in-class product for US-based Aeroplan members,” Mark Nasr, vice president of loyalty and e-commerce at Air Canada, said in a press release. “The strength of the newly transformed Aeroplan program combined with this partnership will drive significant growth and engagement — focusing on the over two million U.S. residents with strong ties on both sides of the border.”

Although the announcement solidifies a new credit card option for American flyers, neither company divulged information about the new credit cards. Information about the credit card benefits, including earning rates and sign-up bonuses, may not be known until closer to the launch date.

Aeroplan Credit Card Latest Change to an In-Transition Aeroplan Program

While the announcement means U.S.-based flyers will be absent an Aeroplan co-branded credit card for at least 19 months, it is the latest step in what’s been a transition year for the program. In August 2020, the airline announced the relaunch of Aeroplan, which includes expanding to five loyalty tiers and adding a “predictable” cash + points option.

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