Credit Card News

Chase Adds Air Canada as Transfer Partner Ahead of Credit Card Debut

At the end of last year, Chase and Air Canada announced plans to launch a co-branded credit card for the U.S. market. While that product is still in the works, the first development in the duo’s partnership has arrived. As of this week, eligible Chase cardholders can transfer their Ultimate Rewards points to their Air Canada Aeroplan accounts.

Chase Ultimate Rewards customers can elect to transfer points to Aeroplan in increments of 1,000. Those transferred will be assessed at a 1:1 ratio, meaning that, for every Ultimate Rewards point transferred, customers will receive one Aeroplan point. Notably, this is the same transfer rate that American Express Membership Rewards cardholders enjoy. Currently, the site ThePointsGuy.com values Air Canada Aeroplan points at approximately 1.5¢ each. In addition to being redeemable for Air Canada flights, Aeroplan points can also be used for travel on more than 40 of Air Canada’s airline partners. Meanwhile, those interested in seeing where their points could take them can use the airline’s Point Predictor Tool to view estimated redemption rates.

As mentioned, Chase and Air Canada aren’t quite ready to roll out their upcoming co-branded Aeroplan credit card just yet. However, they are now offering a pre-launch bonus to those who join the card’s waitlist and are approved for the card upon its release. Those who register for the waitlist and later become cardholders will earn a bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points in addition to the yet-to-be-announced welcome bonus that the card will offer. Using The Points Guy’s valuation, this “bonus bonus” alone would be worth approximately $150. Additionally, the card’s website notes that Air Canada redemptions start at just 6,000 Aeroplan points.

Commenting on these next steps in the bank’s partnership with Air Canada, Chase’s Head of Ultimate Rewards and Loyalty Solutions Matt Massaua stated, “We are giving cardmembers more options to unlock value from their rewards. With Aeroplan, cardmembers will enjoy a seamless point transfer experience when they are ready to travel and have the flexibility to redeem for flights, upgrades, and more with Air Canada’s extensive network of partners.”

Air Canada’s VP of Loyalty Planning and Development said of the partnership, “We’re excited to become a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner and to give our U.S. members more opportunities to engage with Aeroplan,” adding, “With flight rewards starting at 6,000 points, and our extensive lineup of travel and retail partners, the newly transformed Aeroplan program has something for everyone and truly is the program that enables you to travel more and travel better.”

It’s worth pointing out that the debut of Air Canada as a Chase transfer partner arrives just as the U.S.-Canada border begins to reopen to (vaccinated) travelers. Furthermore, despite some setbacks due to the spreading Delta COVID-19 variant, other international destinations are also welcoming back Americans. As a result, there will certainly be interest in this new transfer partner option among Chase cardholders as well as those considering the upcoming Aeroplan co-branded card. If that latter statement describes you, it’s likely worth joining the card’s waitlist now in order to claim the pre-launch bonus.