The Chase Aeroplan Card Refresh: Up to 115,000 Points and Automatic 25K Status

The Chase Aeroplan card's standard offer has been 75,000 points for a while. Chase just rebuilt the card, and the new headline is up to 115,000 - except the first 75,000 is the same offer it always was, now with a bigger spend to reach it.

• 75,000 points after $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus 40,000 more after $20,000 in 12 months
• $195 annual fee, up from $95. Up to $100 a year back in Air Canada credits, paid as two separate $50 chunks
• Automatic Aeroplan 25K status, no spending required, live now for existing cardmembers too
• 15% off Air Canada award redemptions, plus 3X travel, 2X dining, groceries and gas

Air Canada's own chart prices business class to Europe at 60,000 points one way, and cheap gateways like Boston to Dublin start at 35,000. The 15% cardmember discount drops a 60,000 point seat to 51,000. That first tier is a business class seat to Europe on its own.

Which is where the 115,000 gets awkward. That second tier costs $20,000 of spending to earn 40,000 points. Nobody should put $20,000 on this card to chase it. If your spending was already heading there, take it. If not, the offer is 75,000 and it always was.

One more thing existing cardmembers should watch: several outlets report the 10% bonus on Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to Aeroplan is gone. Chase's announcement does not mention it either way, so treat it as reported, not settled.

Automatic 25K status is the quiet win here, because it normally takes real flying to earn and it brings priority boarding and five upgrade credits. Fly Air Canada from the US more than once a year and the refresh is worth it. Fly them every couple of years and $195 will outrun what comes back.