Go with the Amex Platinum. I have had the card for about 6 years now and it is great. It is pretty expensive at $700 per year but has some great benefits that make it worthwhile. Lounge access is an important feature and I couldn't imagine traveling now without lounge access. They have access to a number of hotel programs. Using their hotel programs I was able to status match up to Caesars Diamond for my last Vegas trip which gave me free parking, comped resort fees, $100 dining credit and free show tickets.

The Platinum card also has a $200 annual travel credit but to use the credit you have to book through Amex Travel Services but sometimes they have some decent deals. Last year I used the travel crefit for a pre cruise hotel in Miami and surprisingly Amex had a much cheaper room rate than any other website. They also have their special Fine Hotel and Resort program which includes added benefits at some hotels.

I haven't used their insurance yet for travel, car rentals or extended warranties but apparently it is great and hassle free.

I believe the earn earn rate is 2 points per dollar on travel, 3 for restaurants and 1.25 for everything else (that drops to 1 this summer with new program changes.) I use my points for statement credits on travel purchase where you can redeem 1000 points for a $10 credit or 1000 for a $7 credit on non travel purchases.

Amex Platinum also has their front of the line program which offers a lot of ticket pre sale opportunities. It also includes many special showing for new movies (about 6 times a year) and other special promos. Last year they had a $200 statement credit if you bought $200 worth of duty free in Toronto. They also had $100 statement credit if you spent $100 at Birks. They also had many other smaller promos.

A Platinum card can be worth it when you take into acvount all the benefits. For me it works at 95% of the stores and restaurants I go to. The major exceptions in Canada are Loblaws and Costco. I also use it to pay for my phone and cable bill. I only wish that Enmax would let me pay my utility bill with Amex.

Sounds like the new Aeroplan program is partnering with Amex in some way.

If you want to sign up let me know and I can send you a referral.