Free checked bags benefit on Air Canada: introduction

Getting free checked bags on Air Canada is one of the many travel benefits that are very interesting. It’s also one of the most popular for those who don’t follow pro fliers’ tips (and who, therefore, travel with a checked bag), because this benefit easily saves you a lot of money. It will save you $70 per roundtrip per traveler, or even more ($150 roundtrip for Europe, for example).

Our 1-page infographic summarizing the basics of travel rewards makes it very clear: getting into travel rewards will give you plenty of travel benefits like this… in addition to giving you thousands of dollars in free travel (easily), an improved credit score (yes yes), and free insurance (for your trips and your purchases).

Here are all the details on Air Canada’s free checked bags benefit (or free hold baggage if you prefer that term; in short, the opposite of carry-on baggage).

Basics of the Air Canada free checked bags benefit

Here are the basics of the free checked bags benefit on Air Canada:

• It’s easy to get free 1^st checked bag on almost all Air Canada flights
  • The airline you check-in with must be Air Canada
• It’s a free bag for you and up to 8 other travelers
  • Companions must be on the same reservation
• All you need is one of the 7 Aeroplan credit cards that offer this privilege
  • Additional cards (“joint” cards) also offer it

There are 2 levels of Aeroplan credit cards that offer this amazing benefit.

Here are the 3 main-level Aeroplan credit cards that offer you the Air Canada free checked bags benefit:

Best credit cards Aeroplan main level
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $420Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on $3k min. spend: 3,000 pts (≈ $45) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$120) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on $1k min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$120)
Rewards: ≈ $540
Card fee: $120
Best for: Available for all income levels but fewer benefits
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000
Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE offer effective as of January 7th
≈ $641Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $7.5k min. spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on $7.5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $4.5k in spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on another $4.5k in spend: 4,500 pts (≈ $67) Card fee (year 1): rebated the 1st year (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139)
Rewards: ≈ $641
Annual fee: $0 $139
Best for: Highest bonus on main-level Aeroplan card
Show more
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 12 mos. (or $5k for lower bonus)†
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $611Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $5k min. spend): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Earn on $5k min. spend: 5,000 pts (≈ $75) Renewal bonus (after another $5k in spend): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on another $5k min. spend: 5,000 pts (≈ $75) Card fee (year 1): 1st year free (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Also offered but not included in Valuation: Renewal bonus of 10,000 pts with $10k spend (≈ $150)
Rewards: ≈ $611
Card fee: showFee: $139 (first year annual fee rebated)† Annual Interest Rate (purchases): 20.99%† Annual Interest Rate (balance transfer): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) Annual Interest Rate (cash advance): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents)
Best for: Lower bonus than TD version right above
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

Best credit cards Aeroplan main level		WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	Best for
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k	≈ $420Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on $3k min. spend: 3,000 pts (≈ $45) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$120) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on $1k min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$120) Rewards: ≈ $540 Card fee: $120	Available for all income levels but fewer benefits	SEE MORE
	TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000 Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†	≈ $641Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $7.5k min. spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on $7.5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $4.5k in spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on another $4.5k in spend: 4,500 pts (≈ $67) Card fee (year 1): rebated the 1st year (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Rewards: ≈ $641 Annual fee: $0 $139	Highest bonus on main-level Aeroplan card	SEE MORE offer effective as of January 7th
	CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000 Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 12 mos. (or $5k for lower bonus)†	≈ $611Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $5k min. spend): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Earn on $5k min. spend: 5,000 pts (≈ $75) Renewal bonus (after another $5k in spend): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on another $5k min. spend: 5,000 pts (≈ $75) Card fee (year 1): 1st year free (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Also offered but not included in Valuation: Renewal bonus of 10,000 pts with $10k spend (≈ $150) Rewards: ≈ $611 Card fee: showFee: $139 (first year annual fee rebated)† Annual Interest Rate (purchases): 20.99%† Annual Interest Rate (balance transfer): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) Annual Interest Rate (cash advance): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents)	Lower bonus than TD version right above	SEE MORE
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

If you’re paying for baggage on Air Canada, it’s really a no-brainer to get at least one card among these to save often $70 per person per roundtrip (or more), plus get huge welcome bonuses and other benefits.

But if you want even more benefits, like free unlimited access to North American Maple Leaf Lounges (Air Canada’s network of VIP airport lounges) for you and 1 guest (when flying Air Canada or Star Alliance partners), you can have that, too.

Here are the 4 premium-level Aeroplan credit cards that offer you the Air Canada free checked bags benefit:

Best credit cards Aeroplan premium level
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $442Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 9,375 pts (≈ $141) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $2500 spend
Rewards: ≈ $1041
Card fee: $599
Best for: Available for all income levels & higher AC earn rate
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $10.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $573Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 65,000 pts (≈ $975) Earn on min. spend: 13,125 pts (≈ $197) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $3500 spend
Rewards: ≈ $1172
Card fee: $599
Best for: Similar to previos with no incorp. business req.
Show more
NEW TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card
Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000
Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE offer effective as of January 7th
≈ $527Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $12k min. spend): 35,000 pts (≈ $525) Earn on 12k min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Anniversary bonus (after another $12k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 12k in spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599)
Rewards: ≈ $1126
Annual fee: $599
Best for: Best premium Aeroplan Visa & 6 DP lounge passes
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000
Min. spend (bonus): $15k in 12 mos. (or $7k for lower bonus)
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ –$17Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 18,750 pts (≈ $281) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599)
Rewards: ≈ $582
Card fee: showFee: $599† Annual Interest Rate (purchases): 20.99%† Annual Interest Rate (balance transfer): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) Annual Interest Rate (cash advance): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents)
Best for: Lower bonus than TD version right above
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

Best credit cards Aeroplan premium level		WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	Best for
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.	≈ $442Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 9,375 pts (≈ $141) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $2500 spend Rewards: ≈ $1041 Card fee: $599	Available for all income levels & higher AC earn rate	SEE MORE
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card Card: no business required Min. spend (bonus): $10.5k in 3 mos.	≈ $573Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 65,000 pts (≈ $975) Earn on min. spend: 13,125 pts (≈ $197) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $3500 spend Rewards: ≈ $1172 Card fee: $599	Similar to previos with no incorp. business req.	SEE MORE
NEW	TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000 Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)	≈ $527Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $12k min. spend): 35,000 pts (≈ $525) Earn on 12k min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Anniversary bonus (after another $12k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 12k in spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) Rewards: ≈ $1126 Annual fee: $599	Best premium Aeroplan Visa & 6 DP lounge passes	SEE MORE offer effective as of January 7th
	CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000 Min. spend (bonus): $15k in 12 mos. (or $7k for lower bonus)	≈ –$17Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 18,750 pts (≈ $281) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) Rewards: ≈ $582 Card fee: showFee: $599† Annual Interest Rate (purchases): 20.99%† Annual Interest Rate (balance transfer): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) Annual Interest Rate (cash advance): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents)	Lower bonus than TD version right above	SEE MORE
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

To be very clear, the checked bag benefit is exactly the same on all 7 cards. Identical. But the other card features vary enormously. For example, premium-level cards also include a free full-size carry-on, as Air Canada has started charging for those on short-distance flights since January 2025.

I’ll give you more details on the cards below, but here, I’ll continue with the basics of the benefit itself.

Here are the conditions to take advantage of the free checked bags benefit on Air Canada:

• You don’t need to have had the Aeroplan credit card when booking the flight
  • If you get a card now, you’ll get the benefit on all your flights
  • Even if you booked the flights before having the card
• You don’t have to pay for the flight with your Aeroplan credit card
  • The benefit is offered to you as a cardholder
  • It has nothing to do with paying with the card, with points, etc.
• You don’t need to book your flight via the Air Canada website
  • But you should ALWAYS do it (if the price is the same or similar)
  • The benefit applies as long as your check-in is with Air Canada; that’s it

Here are the flights eligible for the Air Canada checked bags benefit:

• You get this benefit if your 1^st flight is on Air Canada
  • Including Air Canada Express and Air Canada Rouge
  • But NOT with partner airlines
  • Even if the partner flight was booked on the Air Canada website (that’s irrelevant)
• You get this benefit only if the 1^st flight of the one-way is on Air Canada
  • 1 roundtrip obviously represents 2 separate one-ways
  • The 1^st flight of the one-way must be on Air Canada
  • If the 1^st flight of your one-way is on a partner, you don’t get the benefit

Here are the details on the quantity of baggage included with the Air Canda checked bags benefit:

• The benefit applies only to the 1^st checked bag and cannot be stacked
  • If you already have the 1^st free bag, it doesn’t give you a 2^nd free bag
  • So it can’t be stacked with free bag obtained thanks to a higher fare class or elite status
• You can share the benefit with 8 other passengers on the same booking
  • The 8 passengers will be entitled to their 1^st bag free of charge
  • It’s not cumulative for them either; it’s always just the 1^st bag
  • It doesn’t work if they booked their flight separately
• You can’t get 9 free checked bags if you’re traveling alone
  • It should be obvious from the previous 2 points, but for the sake of clarity

Finally, here are the logistics of redeeming the Air Canada free checked bags benefit:

• You must link your Aeroplan account to your credit card
  • It’s what you should have done by now anyway
  • So that the points earned with your card go into your account
• You must also associate your Aeroplan number with your flight booking
  • It’s what you should already be doing anyway
  • To earn points, get your perks, or reach elite status
• You must select a checked bag when checking in for your flight online
  • The price will automatically be set to $0
  • As long as you have linked your account with your card and associated your account with the flight
  • If you didn’t link them, you can do it at the airport counter in the worst case

Again, it’s really easy.

You get one of the Aeroplan credit cards that offer the free checked bags benefit and you’ll get the first free bag for up to 9 people on the same booking, as long as your flight’s check-in is with Air Canada. Simple.

Details of the Air Canada free checked bags benefit

Here are all the details if you want more information.

Credit cards with the Air Canada free checked bags benefit

There are lots of Aeroplan credit cards in Canada. There are 11, to be precise (plus 7 cards that earn American Express Membership Rewards points, which are transferrable to Aeroplan points at a rate of 1-to-1 but don’t offer Air Canada benefits).

Not all Aeroplan credit cards offer the Air Canada free checked bags benefit, just the 7 cards from 2 levels of Aeroplan credit cards:

• Main-level Aeroplan cards (dark grey; fee of $120 or $139)
• Premium-level Aeroplan cards (black; fee of $599)

While the Air Canada checked bags benefit itself is the same regardless of the card, the other travel benefits of the cards are very different based on these 2 card levels, and I’ll summarize them for you here.

By the way, if you want help choosing, you can always attend our next monthly travel rewards Q&A live video!

Learn more

Our next live video

Main-level Aeroplan credit cards

Here are the 3 main-level Aeroplan cards.

Best credit cards Aeroplan main level
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $420Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on $3k min. spend: 3,000 pts (≈ $45) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$120) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on $1k min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$120)
Rewards: ≈ $540
Card fee: $120
Best for: Available for all income levels but fewer benefits
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000
Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE offer effective as of January 7th
≈ $641Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $7.5k min. spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on $7.5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $4.5k in spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on another $4.5k in spend: 4,500 pts (≈ $67) Card fee (year 1): rebated the 1st year (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139)
Rewards: ≈ $641
Annual fee: $0 $139
Best for: Highest bonus on main-level Aeroplan card
Show more
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 12 mos. (or $5k for lower bonus)†
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $611Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $5k min. spend): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Earn on $5k min. spend: 5,000 pts (≈ $75) Renewal bonus (after another $5k in spend): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on another $5k min. spend: 5,000 pts (≈ $75) Card fee (year 1): 1st year free (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Also offered but not included in Valuation: Renewal bonus of 10,000 pts with $10k spend (≈ $150)
Rewards: ≈ $611
Card fee: showFee: $139 (first year annual fee rebated)† Annual Interest Rate (purchases): 20.99%† Annual Interest Rate (balance transfer): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) Annual Interest Rate (cash advance): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents)
Best for: Lower bonus than TD version right above
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

Best credit cards Aeroplan main level		WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	Best for
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k	≈ $420Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on $3k min. spend: 3,000 pts (≈ $45) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$120) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on $1k min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$120) Rewards: ≈ $540 Card fee: $120	Available for all income levels but fewer benefits	SEE MORE
	TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000 Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†	≈ $641Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $7.5k min. spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on $7.5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $4.5k in spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on another $4.5k in spend: 4,500 pts (≈ $67) Card fee (year 1): rebated the 1st year (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Rewards: ≈ $641 Annual fee: $0 $139	Highest bonus on main-level Aeroplan card	SEE MORE offer effective as of January 7th
	CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000 Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 12 mos. (or $5k for lower bonus)†	≈ $611Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $5k min. spend): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Earn on $5k min. spend: 5,000 pts (≈ $75) Renewal bonus (after another $5k in spend): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on another $5k min. spend: 5,000 pts (≈ $75) Card fee (year 1): 1st year free (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Also offered but not included in Valuation: Renewal bonus of 10,000 pts with $10k spend (≈ $150) Rewards: ≈ $611 Card fee: showFee: $139 (first year annual fee rebated)† Annual Interest Rate (purchases): 20.99%† Annual Interest Rate (balance transfer): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) Annual Interest Rate (cash advance): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents)	Lower bonus than TD version right above	SEE MORE
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

Aeroplan main-level cards give you preferred pricing on Air Canada reward flights (not on partner airlines, because partner flights have a guaranteed fixed price — which is why it’s much more valuable to redeem your Aeroplan points on partners).

If you travel at all on Air Canada with checked baggage, it makes almost no sense not to have one of these cards in your wallet at all times.

The Amex Aeroplan Card has no minimum income requirement.

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card have the same minimum income requirement, and the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card has the best welcome bonus of the 2. These have a few more benefits, like better travel insurance and a credit to get NEXUS almost free and avoid all security and customs queues in Canadian and American airports.

Premium-level Aeroplan credit cards

Here are the 4 premium-level Aeroplan cards.

Best credit cards Aeroplan premium level
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $442Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 9,375 pts (≈ $141) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $2500 spend
Rewards: ≈ $1041
Card fee: $599
Best for: Available for all income levels & higher AC earn rate
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $10.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $573Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 65,000 pts (≈ $975) Earn on min. spend: 13,125 pts (≈ $197) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $3500 spend
Rewards: ≈ $1172
Card fee: $599
Best for: Similar to previos with no incorp. business req.
Show more
NEW TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card
Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000
Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE offer effective as of January 7th
≈ $527Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $12k min. spend): 35,000 pts (≈ $525) Earn on 12k min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Anniversary bonus (after another $12k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 12k in spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599)
Rewards: ≈ $1126
Annual fee: $599
Best for: Best premium Aeroplan Visa & 6 DP lounge passes
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000
Min. spend (bonus): $15k in 12 mos. (or $7k for lower bonus)
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ –$17Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 18,750 pts (≈ $281) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599)
Rewards: ≈ $582
Card fee: showFee: $599† Annual Interest Rate (purchases): 20.99%† Annual Interest Rate (balance transfer): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) Annual Interest Rate (cash advance): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents)
Best for: Lower bonus than TD version right above
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

Best credit cards Aeroplan premium level		WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	Best for
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.	≈ $442Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 9,375 pts (≈ $141) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $2500 spend Rewards: ≈ $1041 Card fee: $599	Available for all income levels & higher AC earn rate	SEE MORE
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card Card: no business required Min. spend (bonus): $10.5k in 3 mos.	≈ $573Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 65,000 pts (≈ $975) Earn on min. spend: 13,125 pts (≈ $197) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $3500 spend Rewards: ≈ $1172 Card fee: $599	Similar to previos with no incorp. business req.	SEE MORE
NEW	TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000 Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)	≈ $527Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $12k min. spend): 35,000 pts (≈ $525) Earn on 12k min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Anniversary bonus (after another $12k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 12k in spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) Rewards: ≈ $1126 Annual fee: $599	Best premium Aeroplan Visa & 6 DP lounge passes	SEE MORE offer effective as of January 7th
	CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000 Min. spend (bonus): $15k in 12 mos. (or $7k for lower bonus)	≈ –$17Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 18,750 pts (≈ $281) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) Rewards: ≈ $582 Card fee: showFee: $599† Annual Interest Rate (purchases): 20.99%† Annual Interest Rate (balance transfer): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) Annual Interest Rate (cash advance): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents)	Lower bonus than TD version right above	SEE MORE
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

Premium-level Aeroplan cards have the same benefits as the previous cards (including better preferred pricing on Air Canada).

But they’ve got plenty of other great luxury benefits too:

• Unlimited free access to Air Canada Maple Leaf airport lounges
  • For you and 1 guest
  • In North America only (28 lounges in 17 airports)
  • On Air Canada or Star Alliance flights only (a unique rule)
• Air Canada priority services to avoid queues
  • Priority check-in
  • Priority boarding
  • Priority baggage handling
• Benefits for those with Air Canada elite status
  • Priority over elites of the same level who don’t have a premium card
  • Accelerated requalification
  • SQM and eUpgrades rollovers
• Free NEXUS credit to avoid queues
  • No waiting and faster security checks
  • No waiting and faster customs clearance
  • Across Canada and the U.S.

The Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card and the Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve Card (which does not require having an incorporated business) have no minimum income requirement.

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card have the highest minimum income requirements in Canada, and the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card has by far the best welcome bonus of the 2. They also have 6 free DragonPass lounge passes per year, in addition to the Maple Leaf lounge access that all 4 premium cards have. But they earn fewer points on Air Canada purchases than the Amex versions.

Conditions for free checked baggage on Air Canada

If you have an eligible Aeroplan card, there are no special conditions to take advantage of the free checked bags benefit on Air Canada.

You don’t have to pay for the flight with the card, pay for the flight with points, or anything like that. The benefit is simply offered to you as a cardholder. It has nothing to do with whether you use the card or not.

You don’t have to book the flight with Air Canada directly, although you should always book without an intermediary if the price is the same or similar. But if, for example, the flight on Air Canada is extremely expensive in cash (and therefore in Aeroplan points) and you redeem your RBC Avion points with the RBC Avion price chart, you still benefit from the free checked bags benefit on your flight.

You don’t need to have booked the flight after you got the card, either. The benefit applies to flights booked before you got the card. But of course, you have to have the card when the flight takes place, because I repeat: the benefit is offered to you as a cardholder.

Flights eligible for free checked baggage on Air Canada

The benefit applies only to flights operated by Air Canada, including its subsidiaries Air Canada Express and Air Canada Rouge. This means that the name written on the aircraft must be Air Canada, which is what we call being on Air Canada metal in aviation jargon (i.e. being on an Air Canada aircraft).

The vast majority of flights sold by Air Canada and flights with an Air Canada flight number are operated by Air Canada, of course.

If you travel on flights operated exclusively by Air Canada, you get the benefit of free checked baggage on Air Canada, and that’s it. It’s that simple.

But not all flights sold by Air Canada are operated by Air Canada. Just because you booked on the Air Canada website or the flight has an Air Canada flight number (AC1234, for example) doesn’t mean it’s operated by Air Canada.

Many who don’t travel as often don’t fully understand codeshare flights, which may have an Air Canada flight number but be operated by a partner airline. Or the fact that other partner flights are sold directly on the Air Canada website.

It’s always clearly indicated if your flight is operated by a partner; you just need to read.

It’s very simple: the checked baggage benefit on Air Canada applies only to flights operated by Air Canada, not to all flights purchased from Air Canada.

In fact, more specifically, your flight check-in must be with Air Canada, i.e., the 1^st flight of any itinerary must be operated by Air Canada.

For those who know less about flying, each one-way ticket is obviously a separate itinerary. You can always buy just one-way tickets (in fact, you almost always should if you want to save money on your airfares, at least for short-distance flights).

This means that the first flight of the one-way flight must be operated by Air Canada. This causes a lot of confusion.

As a concrete example, let’s take a trip to Memphis (MEM) in the United States, where I went last year. Air Canada doesn’t fly to Memphis! But they do sell tickets to Memphis. In my case, it was a Montreal-Newark itinerary (on Air Canada) and Newark-Memphis (on partner United Airlines).

On the outbound leg, I would have had a free checked bag (if I wasn’t a flight pro who always travels without checked bags). Because the check-in for the flight was with Air Canada. But on the way back, I wouldn’t have gotten a free checked bag! Because I checked in for the flight with United.

Simple as that.

It’s normal that it’s the way it works! The airline you check in with is in charge of the baggage policy, and it’s just Air Canada that gives you the benefit related to your Aeroplan credit card, not the partner airlines.

Free checked baggage allowance on Air Canada

It’s really the 1^st free checked bag with eligible Aeroplan credit cards.

If you already have a free checked bag (via Air Canada elite status or a fare class that includes a free checked bag), the free checked bag benefit on Air Canada does not give you a 2^nd free bag.

This is not cumulative. It’s not 1 additional free checked bag, it’s just the 1^st free checked bag.

It’s shareable, though. The free checked baggage benefit on Air Canada applies to you and 8 other passengers on the same reservation. If they make their own separate reservation, it obviously doesn’t apply. They have to be on the same reservation.

It’s not cumulative for them either, it’s always just the 1^st bag that’s free. But if someone in the group is a flight pro who travels without checked baggage, that person can check someone else’s 2^nd baggage for free, in their name of course. As long as there’s trust in terms of the contents of the luggage.

Finally, the shareable part of the benefit is not cumulative for you if you’re on your own. It’s not 9 free bags for you, it’s always just the 1^st for each traveler, for a maximum of 9 travelers on the same reservation.

Logistics for redeeming free checked baggage on Air Canada

The 1^st step is to link your Aeroplan account to your Aeroplan credit card.

You should already have done this either when you apply for your credit card (there’s a field to enter your Aeroplan membership number) or when you receive your card (by calling American Express, TD, or CIBC). This will allow the points earned with your card to go into your Aeroplan account.

The 2^nd step is to associate your Aeroplan number with your flight (this is done automatically if you book on the Air Canada website while logged into your account).

You should always do this for any Air Canada flight. This will allow the points earned on the flight to be credited to your account, your benefits to be honored and the SQM, SQS, and SQD for elite status to be counted (if you’re interested). You should always do it for any flight with an Air Canada partner, including Star Alliance, by going to the “Manage your reservation” option on the airline’s website and simply adding your Aeroplan number, to at least earn points.

The 3^rd step is to add a checked bag when you check in online (or in person if for some incomprehensible reason you don’t check in online).

You’ll see that the Air Canada site or application will set the total to $0 if you add a first checked bag, everything is done automatically. Air Canada knows that you have an eligible Aeroplan credit card associated with your Aeroplan account and knows that it’s you who’s taking the flight if you’ve associated your Aeroplan number, so it sets the cost of the 1^st checked bag at $0.

If not, don’t worry. Worst case, you’ll get your free checked bags benefit at the Air Canada airport counter when doing your check-in or bag drop. It’s best to do it online (like everything in the world of travel) to save yourself time, but also to avoid slowing down all other travelers at the counter… but then again, if they’re at the counter in the first place, they should expect to lose time anyway.

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Summary

The free checked bags benefit on Air Canada is great for those who travel with checked baggage. It saves a minimum of $70 per passenger per roundtrip, so having one of the eligible Aeroplan credit cards is a no-brainer for those who normally pay for checked baggage on Air Canada.

What would you like to know about free checked bags on Air Canada? Tell us in the comments below.

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