Card comparison

Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA vs Amex Gold Rewards CA

Aeroplan vs Membership Rewards

Verified October 2026

TL;DR — quick verdict

The Amex Gold Rewards CA (CA$250) undercuts the Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA (CA$599) on annual fee. Pick the Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA for Aeroplan rewards; pick the Amex Gold Rewards CA for Membership Rewards rewards.

At a Glance

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

Annual Fee
$599
Signup Bonus
Network
American Express
Points Currency
Aeroplan

American Express Gold Rewards Card

Annual Fee
$250
Signup Bonus
Network
American Express
Points Currency
Membership Rewards

Category Breakdown

How they compare across key categories

Annual Fee

Amex Gold Rewards Ca wins

Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA CA$599 vs Amex Gold Rewards CA CA$250

Perks & Benefits

Which Is Right for You?

Get the Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA if...

  • Premium benefits to offset the CA$599 fee
  • Earns Aeroplan

Get the Amex Gold Rewards CA if...

  • Lower CA$250 annual fee
  • Earns Membership Rewards

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA or Amex Gold Rewards CA better?

The Amex Gold Rewards CA (CA$250) undercuts the Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA (CA$599) on annual fee. Pick the Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA for Aeroplan rewards; pick the Amex Gold Rewards CA for Membership Rewards rewards. Both earn transferable rewards, so many points collectors hold one from each ecosystem.

Which has the lower annual fee, the Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA or Amex Gold Rewards CA?

The Amex Gold Rewards CA has the lower annual fee at CA$250, versus CA$599 for the Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA.

Which card earns points faster?

The Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA earns up to 1x base, while the Amex Gold Rewards CA earns up to 1x base.

Can I have both the Amex Aeroplan Reserve CA and the Amex Gold Rewards CA?

Yes. They're issued independently, so you can hold both and earn Aeroplan and Membership Rewards side by side.

Ready to use your points?

Search award flight availability across all partner airlines in one place.

Search award flights

Need More Points?

Earn bonus points with these credit card offers

Can't find availability at your current points balance? These credit cards earn points you can put towards your next flight.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Personal · Annual fee $895

US only

175,000 points

after $12,000 in 6 months

  • Airline incidentals credit ($200)
  • Uber credit ($200)
  • Lounge access
Learn more & apply

American Express Gold Card

Personal · Annual fee $325

US only

100,000 points

after $8,000 in 6 months

  • Dining credit ($120)
  • Resy credit ($100)
  • Dunkin credit ($84)
Learn more & apply

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Personal · Annual fee $795

100,000 points

after $6,000 in 3 months

  • Annual Travel Credit ($300)
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit ($120)
  • The Edit Hotel Credit ($500)
Learn more & apply

Chase Ink Business Preferred®

Business · Annual fee $95

100,000 Ultimate Rewards points

after $8,000 in purchases in the first 3 months

  • 3x points on travel & shipping
  • 3x points on advertising
  • 3x points on internet/cable/phone
Learn more & apply

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Personal · Annual fee $95

75,000 points

after $5,000 in 3 months

  • Hotel credit ($50)
  • DoorDash DashPass
  • Peloton credit ($60)
Learn more & apply

Capital One Venture Rewards

Personal · Annual fee $95

75,000 points

after $4,000 in 3 months

  • Capital One Travel credit ($300)
Learn more & apply

Credit card approval subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply. American Express cards shown are available to US residents only.

Award seats open up without warning.

Pick a route and a date window and we check it every 6 hours, then email you the moment award space appears. Free — no card needed.