Compare the Features and Benefits of Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card and
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Air Canada debuted a one-of-a-kind airline credit card, available for applicants for its most loyal U.S. flyers. By opening an Aeroplan credit card account, you can get access to extensive benefits when you fly Air Canada, travel and purchase protections and more. Additionally, the Air Canada card is one of the only cards that reimburse your application fee for NEXUS (or you have the flexibility to choose Global Entry ot TSA PreCheck instead).

The rewards rate on the Aeroplan credit card is pretty stellar: earn 3x points per dollar spent on restaurants, groceries and Air Canada directly and 1x point on other eligible purchases. You can redeem points for Air Canada operated flights and its partner airlines, which demonstrates the flexibility of this valuable rewards currency. For instance, you can book domestic economy flights on United starting at 6,500 points one-way, or a business class ticket to Asia for 60,000 points one-way on award-winning carriers like ANA or Singapore Airlines.

The Aeroplan card continues to show off its versatility beyond Air Canada-exclusive perks, as you can redeem your points to cover any travel purchase through Chase’s Pay Yourself Back program for 1.25 cents apiece. That means 100,000 Aeroplan points redeemed is worth $1,250 in travel value.

And if you do fly with Air Canada, you can get your first checked bag free, which can be a huge money-saving benefit. Finally, reap the rewards of automatic 25K elite status for up to two years of card membership, getting you two Air Canada lounge passes, annual upgrade credits to enjoy an elevated inflight experience and more.

The Southwest Plus Card charges the lowest annual fee of any Southwest credit card, making it a tempting option for travelers that enjoy flying Southwest.

In exchange for the modest $99 annual fee, cardholders will get 25% back on inflight purchases on Southwest Airlines, plus get 3,000 bonus points each card anniversary as well as free checked bags for the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation who can check their first bag at no additional cost.

For a family of 4 this would be a savings of up to $360 round trip ($45 per bag per trip).

Cardholders earn 2 Southwest points per dollar spent in spending categories including Southwest purchases (including inflight purchases) as well as 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year.

Points earned count toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass. However, Southwest Plus Credit cardholders won’t get Tier Qualifying Points toward earning A-List Status. If you want to earn Tier Qualifying Points, you’ll need to get the Southwest Priority or Premier Credit Card instead.

There are no longer any foreign transaction fees on this card.

Frequent Southwest flyers should consider the Southwest Priority Credit Card instead. Although it charges the highest annual fee of any Southwest credit card, the card offers 2,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually, 4 points for every $1 you spend on Southwest Airlines^®purchases, and a 7,500-point anniversary bonus. That card also gives you a complimentary Preferred seat at booking, when available, and unlimited upgrades to an Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours prior to departure, at no additional charge, when available.

Lastly, this card is great for getting a large piece of the to a Southwest Companion Pass with the bonus offer, since the points earned from the signup bonus count. Read our guide on earning a Southwest Companion Pass for up to two years via new account bonuses.