Compare the Features and Benefits of Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card and
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier 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 Premier credit card is Southwest’s mid-tier personal card. It balances offering some perks while still charging less than a $150 annual fee.

Cardholders get access to group 5 priority boarding and access to select both Standard and Preferred seats for themselves and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation 48 hours before the flight, when available.

Points earned count toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass. Plus, primary cardholders earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List Preferred Status for every $5,000 spent on the card each year.

The Southwest Premier Card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Add in the higher earning rate on Southwest purchases, higher anniversary bonus, and ability to earn Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List Preferred Status (which the Plus doesn’t offer), and the Premier Card easily justifies its slightly higher annual fee, although, in our opinion, the Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card has the best value of the three cards.

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