Capital One QuicksilverOne vs Aeroplan Credit Card: Which Is Better In 2026?

Aeroplan® Credit Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why we're fans of the Aeroplan® Credit Card.

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• The card offers valuable travel perks and a fast track to elite status for frequent Air Canada flyers.
• You can earn bonus points on popular everyday spending categories like dining and groceries.
• It's a strong choice for international travel, particularly to Canada, with no foreign transaction fees and unique border-crossing perks.

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Pros

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• Automatic Elite Status: Cardholders receive automatic Aeroplan 25K Status for the first year, providing a shortcut to premium travel perks and a pathway to higher status tiers.
• Valuable Travel Perks: Enjoy a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights for yourself and companions on the same reservation, plus a statement credit toward a NEXUS application for expedited border crossing.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: The card is ideal for international travel, as it does not charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

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Cons

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• Annual Fee: This card includes an annual fee that is not waived for the first year.
• Lower Earning on Other Airlines: The rewards rate is less competitive for travel purchases made outside of the Air Canada network.
• Limited Redemption Value: Points are most valuable when redeemed for flights with Air Canada and its partners, offering less flexibility compared to other travel cards.

Aeroplan® Credit Card vs Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Capital One QuicksilverOne or Aeroplan Credit Card, depends entirely on your spending habits and financial goals. Each card caters to a different type of consumer, from the everyday spender to the frequent international traveler.

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• Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best for individuals looking to build their credit while earning straightforward cash back on all their daily purchases. It's also a solid choice for those who travel internationally or enjoy entertainment benefits.
• Aeroplan® Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent flyers, especially those who often travel with Air Canada or its partners. It's designed for travelers who want to maximize their rewards on travel-related spending.

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Redemption

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Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Redeeming your rewards is as simple as earning them, with options like receiving a check or applying it as a statement credit.

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Aeroplan® Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Aeroplan program, primarily for flights on Air Canada and its extensive network of airline partners. You can also use points for other travel purchases, including hotel stays and car rentals.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision easier, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at your favorite stores.
• Autofill at checkout: The Kudos browser extension automatically selects and fills in the best card from your wallet to maximize rewards for each online purchase.

Who Should Choose the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for those with average credit who want to build their score while earning simple, flat-rate rewards. It's particularly well-suited for everyday spenders who prefer a straightforward 1.5% cash back on all purchases without needing to track rotating categories. Additionally, the card appeals to international travelers thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and to entertainment enthusiasts seeking exclusive access to special events.

Who Should Choose the Aeroplan® Credit Card?

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The Aeroplan® Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent flyers of Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners, particularly those who often travel to, from, or within Canada. It also appeals to points enthusiasts who enjoy strategizing to maximize travel rewards and travelers aspiring to fast-track their way to Aeroplan Elite Status. Ultimately, this card is most valuable for individuals whose travel patterns align with Air Canada's network, allowing them to fully exploit the card's unique benefits like a free first checked bag and accelerated status progression.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've reviewed the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. Aeroplan® Credit Card comparison and decided neither is for you, don't fret. There are plenty of other cards that might be a better match for your spending habits and rewards goals.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Ensure your credit profile aligns with the card’s target audience, whether it's for excellent or average credit.
• Review the rewards ecosystem – Confirm the card’s benefits, like airline partnerships or cash back structures, fit your spending habits.
• Know the issuer’s rules – Be aware of any application restrictions, especially if you already hold other cards from that bank.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Use comparison tools – Find the best available offers and ensure you're getting the maximum value from a new card.
• Align the card with your goals – Select a card that supports your financial aims, whether it's building credit or earning specific travel rewards.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What credit score is needed for the Capital One QuicksilverOne and Aeroplan Credit Card?

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The Capital One QuicksilverOne is generally designed for those with fair to average credit, while the Aeroplan Credit Card typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.

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Is the Aeroplan Credit Card good for everyday spending?

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While the Aeroplan card excels at earning points on travel and dining, its base earning rate for other purchases may be lower than a dedicated cash-back card. It's most valuable if your primary goal is to accumulate Aeroplan points for flights.

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Can I use the rewards from the QuicksilverOne card for travel?

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Yes, since the Capital One QuicksilverOne earns cash back, you can redeem your rewards as a statement credit to cover any travel purchase you make with the card. This provides flexibility, though it doesn't offer travel-specific transfer partners like the Aeroplan card.

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