If Air Canada is part of your normal travel, the Aeroplan card refresh gives you more to evaluate than a large welcome bonus. Start with the flights you expect to take and the benefits you can realistically use after the first year.
Aeroplan card refresh: what changed for ongoing travel
Chase announced the refreshed benefits on September 10, 2026 for new and existing holders. The linked primary-cardholder account receives automatic Aeroplan 25K status while the card remains open and not in default; program conditions still apply. 1 2
The advertised “up to 5X total” Air Canada earning combines 3X card rewards with separate 2X airline earning on eligible flown travel as a 25K member. It is not a flat 5X card rate on every Air Canada charge, and the airline and card earning follow different rules. 2 4
The $100 credit is split into two periods
The allowance is up to $50 for January–June and up to $50 for July–December. Qualifying direct Air Canada purchases must post in the relevant period; gift cards, third-party partner products, onboard Wi-Fi and agency-booked tickets are excluded. 4
A hypothetical traveler with an eligible $80 purchase posting in each half-year could use both $50 allowances. Someone whose only eligible $160 purchase posts in one half-year could use just that half’s $50. The credit is not one freely timed $100 allowance.
Check the operator before counting the points discount
FLY15OFF reduces the points required for an eligible reward’s base fare by at least 15%. The applicable travel direction must be fully operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express or Air Canada Rouge, booked through Air Canada’s channels using the linked eligible primary-holder account. Taxes, fees and cash portions are outside the reduction; it is not a blanket partner-airline discount. 1
Groceries and dining change in January
| Category | Through Dec. 31, 2026 | From Jan. 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | 3X | 3X |
| Groceries and dining | 3X | 2X |
| Gas stations | 2X | 2X |
Other purchases earn 1X. These are card earnings, separate from airline points for flying. Do not budget the temporary grocery/dining rate as an ongoing 2027 benefit. 3 4
The 115,000-point offer has two thresholds
- 75,000 bonus points after $4,000 in qualifying purchases within three months of account opening.
- Another 40,000 after $20,000 total qualifying purchases within 12 months of account opening. The first threshold counts toward that total.
Meeting both totals 115,000 points. If you spend exactly $4,000 on the first stage, the second requires another $16,000 within the overall 12-month window—not another $20,000. The reviewed offer excludes current holders and prior holders who received its new-cardmember bonus within the last 24 months. Check the exact application offer; the reviewed pages did not establish an expiry date. 1
A practical decision for applicants and current holders
For an applicant, weigh the $195 fee against the seasonal credits and travel benefits you would otherwise use, then assess the bonus separately. For a current holder, use your own renewal notice for the fee and effective date. The public sources reviewed here do not establish one renewal-fee date for every existing account.
Official sources
Last verified: October 1, 2026. Offers and account terms can change; check the linked terms before acting.
