By Wake Gardner

Do you already have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card and wonder what to open next? Are you spending a lot on groceries every month and wishing those everyday purchases could turn into family travel?

If that sounds like you, the Aeroplan® Credit Card from Chase may be worth a closer look. Even if you have never stepped foot on an Air Canada flight, this card can still be incredibly useful for family travel.

That surprises a lot of points and miles beginners. But this card is less about flying Air Canada and more about earning flexible airline points that can help you book flights on many partner airlines around the world.

Why the Chase Aeroplan Card Works So Well for Families

Many families spend a large portion of their monthly budget on groceries. That means a card that rewards grocery spending can quietly build a travel balance in the background.

The Aeroplan Card is especially good because it offers bonus rewards in categories many families already use, including groceries and dining. Instead of chasing complicated strategies, you can earn points from spending you’re already doing.

The annual fee is offset in your first year by the $120 TSA/Global Entry statement credit that it gives a credit for. Plus, no foreign transaction fees and free checked bags for up to EIGHT people when flying Air Canada may make this card a keeper.

That’s the kind of setup I love for busy people: simple, practical, and sustainable.

Chase Aeroplan Card Earning Categories

The Aeroplan® Credit Card earns rewards in these categories:

3x on grocery purchases
3x on dining
3x on purchases made directly with Air Canada
1x on everyday purchases
500 point bonus when you spend $2,000 a month on the card, up to 1,500 extra points.

Why Aeroplan Points Are Valuable

This is where many people get confused. You do not need to fly Air Canada to use Aeroplan points well.

Aeroplan is the loyalty program of Air Canada, but those points can also be used on partner airlines in the Star Alliance, a global airline network. That means your points may help book flights on carriers such as:

United Airlines
Lufthansa
SWISS
Singapore Airlines
Turkish Airlines

For families, this opens many more route options than being tied to one airline.

Plus, you can also use these points to Pay Yourself Back® for travel expenses! You can redeem these points for a value of 1.25 cents a point against travel expenses. Hotels, flights, and other travel expenses can be covered using this. It can be a valuable tool for you to use!

For an in-depth breakdown of Pay Yourself Back Read Here → How to Cover Travel Expenses with Aeroplan Miles (And Why You May Want To!)

Real Booking Examples Using Aeroplan Points

This is where things get real. These are actual flights I’ve booked using Aeroplan points:

United Airlines Polaris business class from Amsterdam to Newark for 60,000 points
United Airlines Polaris business class from Frankfurt to Newark for 52,000 points
LOT Polish Airlines business class from New York (JFK) to Stockholm for 55,000 points
Air Singapore business class from Frankfurt to Newark for 55,000 points

That’s why I value this program so much. These aren’t random theoretical redemptions—they’re real premium cabin flights I personally booked.

For beginners, this is an important lesson: points are not just for economy seats or complicated round-the-world trips. They can absolutely be used for comfortable, practical family travel too.

Even if business class isn’t your goal, these same points can help cover economy flights for the whole family. You can book flights to Europe for 35k each AND even less points if you transfer your points from Chase.

Why It Pairs Well With Chase Sapphire Cards

If you already carry a Chase Sapphire card, the Aeroplan Card can complement your setup nicely.

Why? Because Chase points transfer to Aeroplan, giving you another option when you’re ready to book flights. AND you get a 10% transfer bonus up to 25,000 points transferred annually!

That flexibility matters. Sometimes one airline program has no seats available, while another does. Having Aeroplan as an option can make the difference between “maybe someday” and “booked!”

Who Should Consider the Chase Aeroplan Card?

The Aeroplan® Credit Card may be a strong fit if you:

Already have a Chase Sapphire card
Spend heavily on groceries each month
Want more airline transfer options
Travel internationally or hope to
Prefer a lower annual fee card with practical value

Who Might Skip It

This card may not be the best next move if you

Rarely travel
Want simple cash back instead of points
Prefer hotel rewards over airline rewards
Don’t want to manage multiple cards

That’s okay too. The best card is the one that fits your real life.

My Honest Take

For beginners, this can be one of those “hidden gem” cards that doesn’t get enough attention. It rewards grocery spending, gives access to a valuable airline program, and can work beautifully alongside Chase Sapphire cards.

If your family spends a lot at the grocery store and wants to turn those purchases into travel, this card deserves a spot on your shortlist.

FAQs

Do these Aeroplan Points only work on booking Air Canada flights?
- No! These points are versatile and can be used to book partner award flights too or to cover travel expenses with Pay Yourself Back. These partners include United Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Singapore Airline, and many more!
Is there a limit to the amount of points I can earn annually?
- No! There is no limit to the amount of points you can earn!
What credit score is required?
- Good to Excellent credit recommended.
Is there an annual fee?
- Yes. There is a $95 dollar annual fee that is not waived in the first year.

When you apply for a credit card using my affiliate links I may earn a commission. I always appreciate it when you support free content by using my affiliate links.

Why the Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card Could Be Your Next Points Card