Amex Platinum vs. Aeroplan Reserve: Which 150K Signup Bonus Is BEST?

[@PrinceofTravel]

Want to level up your travel game? Join us at the Prince of Travel Signature Event Vancouver 2023! Get your tickets now: princeoftravel.com/events/vancouver-2023

[@khankhoje]

Along with the video being informative, Editing is top notch as well

[@PrinceofTravel]

Why thank you 🙌🏼

[@Bokimon]

It's knowledge sharing like this which is the reason why you represent the very best of canadian credit card and points game for all of us. Keep em coming!

[@PrinceofTravel]

Thanks Bo!!

[@sayhi2neil]

Been using Platinum for 3 years now. Since we intend to travel outside of Canada, I think Platinum makes more sense for us.

[@traviscameron7434]

Hi Ricky. Just wanted to say thank you and welcome back. I am a new subscriber for just a few months and I am going to pull the trigger on the Amex Platinum for my first card. Looking forward to a great adventure.

[@PrinceofTravel]

You know what we say - the adventure never stops!

[@theteacherandbeyond]

Awesome!! AMEX plat is on the way for player 2! AND in YVR next week... planned a NYC trip with the family in the spring, and a couple's trip (crazy flights happening!!) for next summer....would still be stuck at home if it wasn't for your channel. THANK YOU!!

[@PrinceofTravel]

That's amazing to hear - glad you are putting your rewards to good use!

[@clashguideswithdusk7487]

Gotta love North America, where you can hold cards and still earn signup bonuses. Here in Australia, holding ANY amex card excludes you from signup bonuses of all other Amex cards, and likewise for all banks within their programs

[@PrinceofTravel]

Ouch. Heard you guys still have plenty of ways to rack up the Qantas points though?

[@clashguideswithdusk7487]

@@PrinceofTravel The only way is to churn credit cards and don't be loyal. Base level credit cards give 40-60k Qantas points and higher end cards give 80-100k. Its not bad honestly, but not having credit card insurance when needed really stings. Our Amex Platinum costs $1,450 in annual fees (around USD$1,100). The benefits makes sense for me to keep it. However, losing out on all Amex credit card offers really hurt. MR points here were unfortunately devalued. 1MR points = 0.5 KrisFlyer/Asia miles for example. The best way for now is to rack up Qantas points and redeem it with OW.

[@michaelreid8857]

Another fine video Ricky. Glad your out and about finally. Looks to me that Am. Express, is the obvious winner. Especially when you factor in how they can and will assist you while abroad. Having said that. I’m also going to be starting US Credit soon. Can you share with me, your top four US, NON AM. EXP. products you would recommend for $30K year usage, with emphasis on cash back and travel perks not given by the Canadian Am. Express Platinum Card? Thanks as always! Look forward to your next videos!

[@hkchigger9971]

I am torn Ricky. Haven’t been able to travel for so long, have more points than I can use but these are both incredible offers

[@PrinceofTravel]

#TeamBoth!

[@GrantsPerspective]

100% on Team Platinum right now, but might end up getting the Reserve closer to the August 3rd date for those points to stagger my spending then chuck it out and keept the platinum in a year. I think for my own personal travel goals, the lounge access in places like Vegas, Orlando, Tokyo, Scotland, etc. will be huge. ESPECIALLY flying Aeroplan if I have to choose Star Alliance partners flights with layover. That along makes the Platinum card worth it by a mile (no pun intended).

[@PrinceofTravel]

Staggering out the spend is a good idea. Even if the Platinum Card's benefits are worth it for you, the Aeroplan Reserve's 150K bonus might still be worth giving it a spin for one year.

[@taylorl2673]

Thanks for the weekend content Ricky! Hope you stay cool in BC.

[@PrinceofTravel]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed! It's nice to have air conditioning at home for sure.

[@cedricwoo2348]

Hey Ricky, been watching your videos for a couple years now. Great content and editing as usual! At 10:00, you said the reserve has complimentary maple leaf access for you and 1 guests, but I can’t find this written anywhere.

[@lucky247365]

Yes I am also hoping to get some clarity on this too. I read the fine print for the reserve and it did say that fees are applicable for guests of basic card holders which conflicts with what is said in this video. Can you clarify Ricky?

[@Avishek85]

Ricky, another great video...can you please do an identical video like this one but focusing on on business credit cards. As a new business owner I'm very curious which card to go with since this is a whole new world for me and your videos provide a valuable insight...thank you!

[@DDDD-hv3ub]

Right now, I have the Platinum and the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite as a combo which I feel works really well (if you fly Air Canada frequently) but I have been wondering if the Reserve might work better as my Aeroplan card. You'd have to work a little harder to make sure they both make more than their annual fee, though.

[@soobinhyun2]

Signed up for aeroplan reserve a week ago! This is my first amex card. I will probably apply for cobalt after I cancel aeroplan reserve a year later. My question is should I cancel the aeroplan reserve before a year mark or after? I saw an article saying I should only cancel after a second year annual fee is posted. Thanks for a great video!

[@johnjosephwong]

Got the Amex reserve! Thanks for the heads up!

[@PrinceofTravel]

Love it JJ!

[@wimbeekhuis4494]

Thanks Ricky. I got an offer from Amex Canada to receive 20,000 MR Points for each referral.

[@PrinceofTravel]

Awesome!

[@jonweigand3712]

Tough choice! Isee they make them close enough but slightly different to make the choice more difficult. I have had the Plat for 4 years now, so I'll be pumping throught the 10x food category multiplier, and probably keeping it as I have a amount of points built up. I really do like the YYZ perks as well. I applied for the Reserve card when it first was offered as part of thier new rollout, so still managed 85000 points, and am using the 1.25x points for other purchases. When I fly again, the savings from checked baggage can really add up too, what the Plat doesnt have. So we'll see how this pans out wether I should keep one or the other or both. Great video.

[@jinmannn]

Would it be worth to hold both cards? To speed up the aeroplan point accrual with the aeroplan reserve but have the Plat card for the better luxury travel perks and access to their travel website? I hold the Plat card now but feel having that aeroplan card would make it easier to climb the aeroplan member ladder. Curious on input

[@danielsinger2337]

I have the Amex Platinum and the TD Aeroplan Infinite Privilege and it’s the best of both worlds.

[@Sh1vs73R]

I know it's been a month, but which one would you pick today out of these two? Thank you in advance.

[@loginreda]

Nicely done Ricky. Never fail to mpress. Lovely video, I couldn't resist the offer si I've already applied and received (in Canada) the AMex reserve. now I'm thinking about which second card I shall get before August 3th The amex aeroplan or the business reserve? Humm let's see. I would like to follow up on your last statement in the video "let's spend money on some groceries stores as much as possible this summer" A nice follow-up video or article blog on this will be helpful :D

[@PrinceofTravel]

Cheers - my vote goes to the Amex Aeroplan, it's an amazing deal considering the $120 annual fee

[@loginreda]

@@PrinceofTravel true true. Btw is buying gift cards from Sobeys and metro will count towards groceries? Or is it a try first and see based on the grocery store

[@NathanDuong2023]

well spoken, well researched. well put! Und Dankeschön!

[@SamerBrax]

Can't take advantage of this if we had the platinum in the past right?

[@IonasalSdorica]

yeah once in a lifetime rule, so probably not. But I heard some people getting bonuses when they re-applied like 5~7 years-ish? after they closed the card (some data points are in RedFlagDeals). So apparently it's YMMV.

[@tylerc3375]

Lots of people say 1 year wait is usually enough

[@spockster11]

@@tylerc3375 any way to find out before we apply ?

[@PrinceofTravel]

Technically, no. In practice, sometimes you might get the bonus again, but it's never a guarantee. You might want to get the Aeroplan Reserve for that reason. Btw when's your hot date with Tamar? 😉

[@SamerBrax]

@@PrinceofTravel LOL

[@HejKanu]

Can you measure the Weights differences between those two cards? Thanks

[@rosestewart6983]

If so few places accept am ex, how does one spend to take advantage of the points etc?Thank you for the information,

[@BKMakes]

Hey Ricky, do you know if CommissionSoup is managing Amex Aeroplan affililate links?

[@georgeelgreco450]

Hi Ricky are you sure the 10x on Food and Drinks includes Groceries? I called Amex Customer Service and they said no to Groceries..

[@jayzee316]

Great video analysis as always! team reserve for now, but I probably don't want to create spending I normally wouldn't have on the plat card, but I am thinking of getting the regular amex aeroplan card for the wife so we can rack up another 75k.

[@PrinceofTravel]

Sounds like a plan 👌🏼

[@MStar10]

Can you apply for both at the same time? I figure cancel the reserve in the 2nd yr.

[@marcc4204]

How does the SQM rollover work? Let's say this year I accumulated 55k SQM (and get 50k status), does it mean next year I'll start the year with a "free" 55k SQM?

[@Simply_GenX]

I have the Cobalt Card. Having a difficult time seeing either the Platinum or Reserve as a long-term hold card given the 5x dining on Cobalt card and much lower annual fee. Would it make sense to replace the Cobalt card altogether as a long-term hold with either the Platinum or Reserve?

[@PrinceofTravel]

Only if you travel frequently enough to justify the fee in the form of the travel benefits. If not, they'd be a short-term pickup for the all-time-high welcome bonuses we're seeing right now.

[@Simply_GenX]

@@PrinceofTravel that’s what I thought. Should I have any concern about Amex blackballing me if I cancel after the first year?

[@Thepresenceabove]

@@Simply_GenX If you do it frequently yes, but if you hold another amex card and just happen to cancel another one,no. Just don't do it often

[@xiaoshang6098]

Was wondering if the referral link in the description is still good? I.e. if you have reached your maximum referral bonus and I use your referral link, can I still get the referral bonus? Thanks

[@PrinceofTravel]

Yes, it's still good!

[@armyguy9735]

I just got a CIBC Platinum visa credit card. I read somewhere in pamphlets that a Canadian Veteran can use the Executive Lounge like Maple Leaf but I can't find it again as proof. When I booked my flight, I asked the operator about this, he checked but couldn't find it either. He said that doesn't mean it's not true. Can you answer this question? Can a Canadian Vet with the aeroplan credit card use the Executive Lounges?

[@PrinceofTravel]

I can't say I've heard about veterans getting free access to lounges before

[@tfleming675]

Excellent video! I have a question on the Amex Aeroplan card. I pay for the annual Maple Leaf lounge access program. With this I can also use United lounges when flying United. I would like stop this and get the Amex AeroPlan card but not sure if I would still get United lounge access. Any idea here?

[@PrinceofTravel]

You wouldn't get United lounge access with the Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card. It's up to you how much you value the United lounge access and the Maple Leaf Lounge membership vs. getting the credit card.

[@kleptodathief3946]

can i just flash my expired/cancelled pers plat card at the airport to get the benefits. or they actually verify your card is currently active?

[@PrinceofTravel]

They'll most likely verify.

[@bencrisostomo5600]

With the travel benefits for the reserve, is it only for Air Canada only or the Star alliance?

[@petermccarroll4026]

The AMEX Aeroplan Reserve card only accrues benefits on Air Canada, not Star Alliance partners, but you can book travel on Partner flights using your Aeropoints. Also, if you get to the 50K Status level on Aeroplan you will have Star Alliance Gold status which gives you access to lounges in other Star Alliance partners (like United, Air New Zealand, Lufthansa, etc.)

[@jayzee316]

So the 10x on eats/drinks, that include grocery? Just trying to make sure. For example, I heard from Amex agent(she's the one who mentioned aug 3rd for the 10x promo so maybe she's out to lunch), but she said it only included establishments like restaurants. I'm wondering if this is on the fine print that I just didn't see or were you able to confirm via an agent who knows what they're talking about?

[@GrantsPerspective]

If you read the terms, they increase the grocery points by 9 points per dollar to make 10, while increasing dining/eats/drinks by 7 to make the 10. So it's included only for the promo. Once the promo is over, groceries go back down to 1 point per dollar, and dining/eats/drinks to 3.

[@jayzee316]

@@GrantsPerspective I see, my bad if I missed that, thanks sir for sharing the info :)

[@PrinceofTravel]

Grant is spot on 👌🏼

[@Kapzter]

Is the Aeroplan reserve card still worth it

[@sunnguyen9095]

is The Beer Store eligible for eats and drinks ?

[@thomasnack3223]

Welcome back to YVR Ricky...

[@PrinceofTravel]

Cheers 🇨🇦

[@johnmckenna9603]

I am considering getting the Amex AP reserve, one of the benefits in your video states that as of now a cardholder can bring a guest into the M.L. Lounge, however when I read the T&C all I could find was this... A Basic Cardmember and eligible Supplementary Cardmember(s) are each entitled to complimentary access to any Maple Leaf Lounge located in Canada and the United States, including International Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the United States when travelling on an international itinerary So does that mean your guest would have to hold a supplementary card for access. Is there another area I should be looking for bringing a guest into the lounge. IE Travelling with my wife.

[@h.y.w.6932]

Maybe you just have an outdated copy of the Terms and Conditions. I just got my Amex Reserve card in the mail today, and the Terms and Conditions say the cardholder and a guest are allowed in the ML lounge.

[@AllenchenCanada]

Tempting, hi Ricky, I wonder if I get a referral for aeroplan reserve card, am I getting 170k aeroplan miles? If so, will you be able to send me a referral link? Thanks

[@Dragynfyre0]

Only the referrer gets the referral bonus. The referee does not get any bonus other than the standard offer you get without any referral

[@AllenchenCanada]

@@Dragynfyre0 Appreciate it!

[@FreddySulbaran]

Well done.

[@abbysisson8580]

hi i'm new to your channel yet i'm learning a lot already... planning to apply for the amex reserve, wondering if you have a referral code that i can use so you'll get the referral bonus points as well! not that you need to but i thought with all the information that you have been sharing in this channel that's the least thank you that i can do... please let me know if there is :-)

[@PrinceofTravel]

Yes, you can use our link here: princeoftravel.com/apply/AmexAeroplanReserve

[@abbysisson8580]

@@PrinceofTravel thank you and thanks to these aeroplan and credit cards contents!

[@hektoriuz]

i got both the reserve and platinum, the bonvoy as well and the cobalt. i might have overdone it. My credit score tanked 30 points after getting all 4 within 3 months.

[@matttm3]

Did it take long to bounce back? I’m in the same boat with 3 credit card inquiries (2 accepted 1 for some reason denied)

[@spockster11]

Thank you Ricky for all the effort that you put in. I typed up the Qs in another comment and posted it for the video - then realized that video was from 3 days ago - so posting it here also: 1. For # 1 and # 3 category spend : the food and drinks spend - will that not also count towards the $6,000 of spend required ? 2. Also anyone have any idea which grocery stores in Canada accept Amex. 3. Last Qs was for Amex Platinum. I cancelled last year in April once it became clear that there would be no travel for some time. Any clue how to find out if I can qualify for the MR points when or if I apply again. Thank you to everyone who gives their input. Best wishes.

[@PrinceofTravel]

1. Yes it will, 2. Safeway, Metro, Sobeys, Save on Foods, just to name a few. 3. You aren't supposed to qualify as a repeat cardholder, although you might still get the bonus (sometimes they give it to you). It's really a gamble without any real way of knowing before you apply.

[@spockster11]

@@PrinceofTravel Thank you

[@mblakeborough]

Hard part is amex isnt accepted at a lot of places.

[@MM-ww6yb]

Not true, in North America, Singapore, Australia, UK and other parts of Europe it works just fine.

[@paopaokaka8646]

My Platinum referral points is 20,000 for each

[@PrinceofTravel]

Nice, looks like you've gotten one of the targeted higher referral bonuses.

[@paopaokaka8646]

@@PrinceofTravel feel so lucky lol, already referred my roommate

[@peasoup2980]

Plaza premium lounges are ghetto

[@jessicashim857]

Amerixan express used Cash up to reverse and stealing money from my bank account.

[@mohammadkhan8765]

amex platinum is card is a metal card which trumps everything

[@KidCatypus]

So is the reserve !