Aeroplan® Credit Card vs Citi Strata Elite℠

Aeroplan® Credit Card
VS
Citi Strata Elite℠
The short answer: The Aeroplan® Credit Card delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Citi Strata Elite℠ if you spend more on everything else.

Side-by-side comparison

Aeroplan® Credit CardCiti Strata Elite℠
Annual fee$95$595
Welcome offer75,000 points75,000 ThankYou® Points
Dining3x3x
Groceries3x1x
Gas1x1x
Travel3x1.5x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else1x1.5x
Est. yearly rewards*$508$439
Points typeLocked to Air Canada AeroplanTransfers to airlines & hotels
NetworkMastercardMastercard

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

The verdict

On a typical year of household spending, the Aeroplan® Credit Card earns about $508 a year in rewards and the Citi Strata Elite℠ about $439, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Aeroplan® Credit Card charges $95, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Citi Strata Elite℠ charges $595, but carries about $700 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Aeroplan® Credit Card delivers more total value, about $219 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries and travel. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Citi Strata Elite℠ earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Aeroplan® Credit Card stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Citi Strata Elite℠ if you will use travel transfers, the Aeroplan® Credit Card if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the two are currently comparable in size. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Aeroplan® Credit Card if your spending leans toward groceries, travel. Pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ if your spending leans toward everything else.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Aeroplan® Credit Card or the Citi Strata Elite℠ better?
On typical household spending, the Aeroplan® Credit Card comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $219 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Citi Strata Elite℠ can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the Aeroplan® Credit Card and the Citi Strata Elite℠?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the Aeroplan® Credit Card or the Citi Strata Elite℠?
As of June 2026, the Aeroplan® Credit Card offers 75,000 points and the Citi Strata Elite℠ offers 75,000 ThankYou® Points. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.