One of the biggest rewards programs available is Aeroplan. It was instituted by Air Canada. Over the years, Aeroplan has evolved into a broad rewards coalition, although it is still mainly associated with travel miles. Air Canada no longer owns Aeroplan (it was sold to Amia in 2008). In fact, Air Canada plans to stop using Aeroplan as its official rewards program in 2020.

But that doesn't mean Aeroplan is a bad deal. Because Aeroplan credit cards allow you to find ways to earn rewards on a number of items, from food to hardware to travel, it can be a valuable program, depending on what you prefer to use your rewards on.

One of the great things about Aeroplan is that you can earn rewards on your regular spending. Your ability to use regular spending to build up rewards can be a valuable tool for your finances. With the right strategy, you can come out ahead with your money, even if you do use credit cards on a regular basis. The key is to make sure that you only spend on planned purchases. Create a budget and stick with it. Pay off your credit card each month so that you don't end up with interest charges. When you have interest charges, you offset your rewards.

If you are looking for an Aeroplan credit card that can help you get ahead and save money over time with discounts and free merchandise and travel, these credit cards can help you reach your goals.

American Express Gold Rewards Card: First of all, it’s important to note that this isn’t a true Aeroplan credit card. However, the points can be converted 1:1, so it can be used as such in order to boost your Aeroplan efforts. It can be a great way to coordinate your cards, depending on the other rewards you have.

One of the advantages of the American Express Gold Rewards credit card is that you receive a welcome bonus of 25,000 rewards points, which is enough for a round trip flight almost anywhere in North America.

Realize, though, that there is a $150 annual fee, but that is waived for the first year. However, the 25,000 rewards can more than make up for the annual fee when you do end up paying it. Also, if you use the card enough to qualify for a flight each year, it can probably more than cover the annual fee.

You earn two points for each dollar you spend on eligible travel and every day purchases. One nice thing about this credit card is that you have complete flexibility. You can redeem your American Express points for rewards through American Express, or you can convert for Aeroplan redemption. The 1:1 conversion effectively makes this one of the best Aeroplan credit cards.

You do need to pay the balance each month to avoid a high interest rate, though, because this a charge card and not a true credit card. That means that you are expected to pay off the card each month.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card: With this Aeroplan credit card, you’ll earn 1.5 miles for every dollar spent on gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases. This is a nice boost for every day spending. On top of that, you can also get extra miles for purchases made on AirCanada.com. (Although in 2020, that might change, depending on how Air Canada manages its rewards program.) Every other purchase earns one mile for each dollar spent. However, there are a number of Aeroplan partners and stores where you can pay with this card and present your Aeroplan membership. This can take your rewards earnings up a notch.

For now, you can also see other benefits when you travel on Air Canada, including a free checked bag and priority check-in in some circumstances. This is an advantage when you want to save money on travel. Plus, it can reduce some of the inconveniences associated with travel. You can also get one annual Maple Leaf lounge pass to allow you to relax prior to your next flight.

You can also access travel insurance with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite credit card. You get trip cancellation, trip interruption, and emergency medical insurance. You also get a personal concierge and a signing bonus of 15,000 miles.

This card comes with an annual fee of $120. However, with careful management, you should easily make that up in rewards. Just make sure to pay off your balance each month.

American Express AeroplanPlus Platinum: This is a high-end charge card from American Express. It is a true Aeroplan card, and the rewards are meant to reflect that. You do want to watch out, though. This card comes with a premium annual fee of $499.

However, even though you have a high annual fee, you also get some easier-to-earn rewards. First of all, you can get 40,000 bonus Aeroplan miles after you spend $3,000 in your first three months. You also earn 1.25 Aeroplan miles for every $1 for the first $25,000 annually. Once you spend more than that, you can earn 1.5 miles for every dollar spent. No need for categories.

You can also get through the lines quickly at the airport by receiving priority check-in with Air Canada. You also get access to the Maple Leaf lounge with this card. Another bonus is that you can redeem 15,000 Aeroplan miles for a partner ticket. Finally, the insurance package includes car rental theft and damage, as well as emergency medical for out of country and province.

If you travel frequently, and are looking for a way to improve your experience, this card can provide you with a luxury experience. If you use the card and earn miles, and take advantage of the travel perks, the large annual fee can be worth it.

American Express AeroplanPlus Gold Card: This is another true Aeroplan credit card from American Express. If you aren't interested in paying the $499 fee that comes with the Platinum version, you can get the Gold version, which comes with a smaller $120 fee. As with other annual fee cards, it’s possible to overcome the $120 annual fee with careful planning. This is a charge card, so unless you pay off the balance each month, you will be charged a steep 30% APR.

The card is another tiered offering from American Express. You receive one Aeroplan mile for each dollar in car purchases up to $10,000 annually. Once you spend more than that in a year, you receive 1.25 miles for each dollar. In addition to travel, you can also redeem your rewards for hotel stays, experiences, car rentals, and vacation packages. The American Express AeroplanPlus Gold Card also comes with 15,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,500 in the first three months of card membership.

This card comes with travel perks including flight and baggage delay insurance. You can also receive hotel burglary insurance and stolen baggage insurance. On top of that, you also have access to shopping coverage, including a purchase protection plan and price protection.

DISCLAIMER: While we attempt to keep all credit card details current, the rates, fees, rewards and benefits may have changed since the last update. Please visit the credit card supplier through the "Apply Now" links to ensure you have the latest details for that card.