Earn rates
The Platinum earns at two rates. Gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores, and direct Air Canada purchases earn 1 point per $1, up to a combined $80,000 per year in those categories. Everything else earns 1 point per $1.50, which works out to 0.67 points per dollar. That base rate is the card’s most significant weakness: the Visa Infinite earns a full 1x on all spending for an additional $50 per year in annual fee.
| Spending category | Earn rate | Points per $100 spent |
|---|---|---|
| Gas and EV charging | 1 pt / $1 | 100 pts |
| Grocery stores | 1 pt / $1 | 100 pts |
| Air Canada (direct purchases) | 1 pt / $1 | 100 pts |
| Everything else | 1 pt / $1.50 | 67 pts |
The bonus earn rate applies to a combined maximum of $80,000 per year across eligible categories. Spending beyond that cap earns at the 1 pt/$1.50 base rate.
Key benefits
Travel insurance
Insurance coverage on the Platinum is limited. There is no trip cancellation, trip interruption, or emergency medical coverage. The Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege both include full travel insurance packages. Coverage included on the Platinum:
- Flight / trip delay: up to $500
- Delayed baggage: up to $1,000
- Rental car collision / damage: up to 48 days
- Common carrier accident: up to $500,000
- Hotel / motel burglary: up to $2,500
- Emergency travel assistance services
The absence of emergency medical and trip cancellation coverage is a meaningful gap for any travel outside Canada. Supplemental travel insurance is recommended for Platinum cardholders travelling internationally.
What the earn math looks like
A cardholder spending $2,500 per month across typical categories:
| Category | Monthly spend | Rate | Monthly points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $600 | 1 pt / $1 | 600 pts |
| Gas | $200 | 1 pt / $1 | 200 pts |
| All other spending | $1,700 | 1 pt / $1.50 | 1,133 pts |
| Total | $2,500 | ~1,933 pts / mo |
~23,200 Aeroplan points per year at this spend mix. At 1.5 cents per point, that is approximately $348 in Aeroplan value annually. By comparison, the Visa Infinite earns 34,800 points at the same spend level, a difference of 11,600 points worth ~$174 per year. The Visa Infinite costs $50 more per year in annual fee and earns $174 more in points value at this spend level, before any consideration of the checked bag or insurance benefits.
Who it suits
The Platinum makes sense in one specific situation: an applicant who wants to earn Aeroplan points but does not meet the $60,000 personal income requirement for the Visa Infinite. The Platinum has a lower income threshold and serves as an accessible entry point into the TD Aeroplan lineup.
For anyone who qualifies for the Visa Infinite, upgrading is straightforward. The Visa Infinite earns significantly more on every dollar of spending, includes a free checked bag and comprehensive travel insurance, and costs $50 more per year. At any meaningful spend level the Visa Infinite earns back that fee gap and then some.