Happy New Year to all of our readers, subscribers and fans! What better way to start the New Year than with the release of new travel rewards credit cards! Of course we have known about these cards for months and even the rumoured information that was leaked out in early December (see our post here) As we mentioned in that post if the information was correct, which it is, the new TD Aeroplan cards didn't live up to hype that was surrounding them prior to their details being leaked. First, lets take a look at the three consumer TD Aeroplan cards that are available and what they offer then we'll follow up with our thoughts.
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card will be the mainstay card and the primary replacement for the CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Card and is essentially the same as the latter. The primary difference is a few benefits being offered when flying on an Aeroplan Reward ticket operated by Air Canada like 1st checked bag free, a Maple Leaf lounge pass and priority check in/boarding. This is probably the most disappointing card of the bunch. It isn't anything new, there is nothing exciting about it and like we have mentioned in many reviews and media interviews about its predecessor, the CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Card, the only reason it took first place in Rewards Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Card - Airline category, was the strength of the Aeroplan program, not the card itself. More than likely, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card will take top spot in our Airline Category for 2014, not because the card itself is amazing but because the Aeroplan program offers so much for Canadian's and one of the easiest ways to earn Aeroplan miles is by spending on this card.
The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum falls somewhere in between the Visa Infinite Card mentioned above and the base model from CIBC, the AeroClassic visa. The TD cards costs more than the AeroClassic but also earn more miles and offers more insurance options than the CIBC card.
Ultimately the new cards are not a huge change from the CIBC cards. Those current CIBC cardholders who are being transferred over the TD won't really notice any changes as most will get the Infinite Card which is essentially the same as their current CIBC Aerogold Infinite. I really wish they had pumped the card up with some high octane fuel and made the Infinite card better but they saved that for the limited amount people who will be going for the Infinite Privilege card. All in all I wish I had more good things to say about these cards but right now personally I'll be sticking to my American Express Gold Rewards Card, Diners Club Club Rewards MasterCard plus I'll be adding the American Express AeroplanPlus Gold to my portfolio this month but I may, just may, grab the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card if it is free with my TD All Inclusive Banking plan to replace my TD First Class Visa Infinite which comes free with the plan.
What do you think of the cards? Are you going to jump on one of them and add it to your credit card portfolio? Do you agree or disagree with our thoughts? Let us know by commenting below.
Have been with CIBC Aerogold for many years, interested in what TD had to offer, but this failed my expectations. Am going to downgrade to CIBC Petro Points and switch my primary card business to Amex.
I have a feeling you won't be the only one Kevin! Your CIBC Petro Points card will earn you 1 to 1.5 Asia Miles if you like that option!
Any thoughts or insight on the CIBC Aeroplan Suite of Cards with this new TD card launch?
With the offer of the 2 for 1, I can take my husband and I to New York with the welcome offer so I see this as 30,000 point.
Not sure if CIBC will jump on the Infinite Privilege, if they do chances are it would be on the Aventura product since they putting forth lots of money in advertising the Aventura program. I don't think it would be smart for CIBC to change the classic to a Platinum. I think the TD Platinum annual fee is too high for those who want an entry level Aeroplan card or have an Aeroplan card as a secondary or tertiary card. The AeroClassic fits that bill nicely.
This is true, however if you have 'bigger' plans with the Aeroplan miles (ie long haul redemption) then the 2 for 1 benefit is of no use and if you choose to use it then you have to use the 15,000 miles you get for signing up for the card rather than putting it towards a bigger redemption. Still 2 short haul tickets is not a bad deal in the long run.
Why would you not use it?!!! It is a free trip to NYC, Chicago etc. plus I haven't seen a card that can send me to those destinations with this good of an offer at the $120 card level.
What is a "short haul"? North America? Could I go to YVR or LAX?
Have you found out what happens to the points earned in the current Infinate card. Since they are grossly inflated could they be used as Aeroplan points on a one for one basis.
How can you recommend any Amex card for use in Canada. Out of 10 merchants only 2 accepted the card. They know that Canadians also have a visa or mastercard. Why should they pay the higher commissions that Amex charges merchants. I had trouble even spending opening spend of $1500/3 mos. However I did spend $8000 with Visa and M/C during the period. Greedy Amex.
Patrick-How can you in clear conscience recommend a card with such a low acceptance. Did you think it through.
That's very true and the short haul reward is great especially for those in B.C., Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. However for those Sask, Manitoba etc. the 'good' locations to fly to are limited.
Also, going back to the bigger redemption topic, if your reward goal is a flight to Europe at 60,000 Aeroplan Miles and you end up using the 2 for 1 short haul reward since you know it has to be used up by Dec 31 you will need an additional 15,000 miles for that Europe reward. I'm just saying that the 2 for 1 flight is great for a certain percentage Aeroplan members while for others it isn't the deal breaker.
I got a letter from CIBC stating they added Maple Leaf lounge one time guess pass, Priority Check in and Complimentary first bag checked for Aeroplan Reward tickets using the CIBC Aerogold Infinite Card. Any comments on that? Are those additions better than what TD is offering?
Given all the sudden changes, will you update your rankings which was last done in June 2013. I don't think we can wait until June 2014. This is significant and there should be a January update. I wonder if I should be changing my card away or not. Am I getting the best possible deal now or what? I am more confused than ever.