100K Aeroplan points: $20,000 spend for the full bonus. Is the math worth it?
The Chase Aeroplan Card now offers up to 100,000 points, but only 75,000 come from a standard $4,000/3-month spend. The remaining 25,000 require an additional $20,000 in the first 12 months, making the effective earn rate on that second tranche just 1.25 points per dollar. That $95 annual fee is low, and the 3x categories on groceries, restaurants, and Air Canada flights help, but you need to value Aeroplan 25K status and the $100 TSA/Global Entry credit to justify the extra spend. The Pay Yourself Back feature at 1.25 cents per point sets a floor on redemption value, so the total bonus at full spend is worth $1,250 in travel credits through that channel.
the play
Run the cpp on the incremental 25,000 points versus your organic spending before pursuing the $20,000 tier, and factor in the 25K status value if you fly Star Alliance.
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source signal
This drop was reframed from a real reader question asked around the web. Written with the assistance of a language model in the voice of Vanessa Bloome.