While it is relatively common for Amex to play around with the sign up bonus structures of their mainline cards (eg. cobalt, platinum etc), their sign up bonuses on their cobranded cards have been relatively static with only minor changes of +/- 5-10k points for quite some time - until today. Amex refreshed them with all time highest ever offers adding new "stretch" spend targets, overhauling year two bonuses on their Aeroplan cards, and adding them on their Bonvoy cards. How does this compare to before and who should pick up these cards? Lets get into it.
Referrals and Disclaimers at the bottom.
Aeroplan Cards
Amex issues three aeroplan cards but only their premium tier Amex AP Reserve and Amex AP Business Reserve have been refreshed.
Amex Aeroplan Reserve
Prior to today the Amex AP R typically had the following SUB structure
60k points for $7.5k in 3mo
25k points for $2.5k in month 13
Totally 85k
This has been replaced with
60k points for $7.5k in 3mo
40k points for spending $45k in first 12 mo
30k points for any purchase between mo 15-17
Totally 130k
Overall this is a definite improvement - second year bonus is stronger and easier to hit. The middle bonus I classify as a "stretch" spend goal, requiring pretty significant spending. That said, if you're expecting to put that much on the card anyways it is a great addition and makes this card an appealing alternative to the TD AP VIP which still has an offer of
20k points for first purchase
35k points for $12k in 180d
30k points for $24k in first year (given at card anniversary)
Totalling 85k
This means that for high spenders the Amex APR gets you 45k more points. Its also far better for low spenders as Amex does not have a income requirement (TD AP VIP requires 150k personal or 200k household income) and you can get 90k of SUB with only $7.5k in spend, more than you'd get with $24k spend on an TD AP VIP. Just note to be eligible for this sub you should have not received any personal premium AP SUB.
Amex Business Aeroplan Reserve
Prior to today the Amex B AP R typically had the following SUB structure
65k points for $10.5k in 3mo
25k points for $3.5k in month 13
Totally 90k
This has been replaced with
65k points for $7.5k in 3mo
45k points for spending $75k in first 12 mo
30k points for any purchase between mo 15-17
Totally 140k
Similar to the personal card this promotion is a definite win with a stronger and easier to hit second year bonus. The "stretch" spend goal, however, is quite lofty, requiring pretty significant spending. Unlike the personal card there are no other issuers of a business premium card so you are eligible for this sub unless you've held this exact card before. This strengthens the card's potential as one of my favourite tax spend cards, and my overall favourite locum physician/work travel card.
Marriott Bonvoy Cards
Amex Canada issues two Bonvoy cards, a personal and business version, both have always been great long term keeper cards on the basis of their annual free night stay certificates.
Amex Bonvoy
Prior to today the Amex Bonvoy typically had the following SUB structure
50k points for $1.5k in 3mo
(an elevated 55 could often be had for $3)
This has been replaced with
65k points for $3k in 3mo
30k points for spending $20k in first 12 mo
15k points for any purchase between mo 15-17
Totally 110k
This is a dramatic revamp to the card - strengthening the primary bonus by 15k points (in exchange for an extra $1.5k in spend), adding a stretch spend bonus, and a second year bonus. The second year bonus is particularly surprising to me as the free night certificate awarded on the anniversary and subsequent years was already reason enough to hold the card long term. Even if you have no intention of hitting the stretch bonus, getting an additional point bonus on top of all of that is just icing on the cake.
Amex Business Bonvoy
Prior to today the Business Bonvoy typically had the following SUB structure
60k points for $5k in 3mo
This has been replaced with
75k points for $6k in 3mo
40k points for spending $30k in first 12 mo
15k points for any purchase between mo 15-17
Totally 130k
Similar to the personal card this promotion is a massive win with a stronger primary bonus and the addition of the second year bonus. The "stretch" spend goal, however, is quite lofty, requiring pretty significant spending.
Conclusion
Amex has released all time highest offers on their cobranded Aeroplan and Bonvoy cards. This has come in the form of new "stretch spend" bonuses ranging from $20k to $75k(!) in the first year, as well as revamping of the Aeroplan card second year bonuses and the surprising addition of second year bonuses to the Bonvoy cards.
In every case this is an upgrade even if you can't hit the more lofty "stretch spend" requirements. If you were considering either a premium AP card (AP Reserve or Business AP Reserve) or a Bonvoy card (Personal or Business) now is the time to act, whether its the Business APR for taxes or a Bonvoy cards for a free night stay. I know I'll be adding a business bonvoy (or two) to our household collection with this promo, even without going for the stretch bonus we are looking at a significant 30k more points than if we signed up yesterday.
Referrals
By using one of my referral links you'll be supporting the work I do.
You can find most Canadian credit cards on my card comparison tool, signing up through those links supports the work that I do.
If you're on the fence, or wondering about other cards reach out to me for a free consult, and if you sign up for a card through my link, let me know and I will walk you through advanced tricks and personalized advice to help you get the maximum benefit both from earning and redeeming points - getting your travel journey going faster than you ever thought possible.
Check out my Keeper Cards series to see other cards worth exploring
Disclaimer
This should not be taken as financial advice and details are subject to change. I have made good intentioned efforts to be accurate but ultimately consult card terms and conditions
