Capital One Savor Student 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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• Cardholders receive a fast track to elite status with Air Canada, unlocking premium travel benefits.
• It offers valuable travel perks tailored for those who frequently fly with Air Canada or cross the U.S.-Canada border.
• Points earned can be redeemed for flights not just on Air Canada, but across its extensive network of partner airlines.

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Pros

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• Cardholders automatically receive Aeroplan 25K Status for the first year, unlocking priority travel perks right away.
• Enjoy a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights for yourself and companions traveling on the same reservation.
• Travel with more peace of mind thanks to included trip cancellation/interruption insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

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Cons

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• Carries an annual fee that is not waived during the first year.
• The rewards earn rate is lower for travel purchases made outside of Air Canada.
• Points deliver the best value when redeemed for flights with Air Canada and its partners, limiting flexibility.

Aeroplan® Credit Card vs Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Capital One Savor Student or Aeroplan Credit Card, depends entirely on your personal spending habits and financial goals.

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• Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for students looking to earn cash back on common expenses like dining, entertainment, and grocery stores. It's also a strong choice for those new to credit who want to build their financial history.
• Aeroplan® Credit Card is a travel rewards card best suited for frequent flyers, particularly those who travel with Air Canada and its partners. Cardholders can earn points on their spending to redeem for flights and other travel benefits.

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Redemption

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Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Cardholders earn cash back that can be redeemed as a statement credit or a check, offering a straightforward way to get value from your spending.

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Aeroplan® Credit Card: This card earns Aeroplan points, which can be redeemed for flights on Air Canada and its partner airlines. Points can also be used for other travel-related rewards like upgrades and hotel stays.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized approach, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your actual spending habits.

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• Test Drive Feature: Simulate potential earnings from different cards using your real spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Personalized Recommendations: Get card suggestions tailored to your actual spending history to maximize your rewards.
• Approval Odds Analysis: See your chances of getting approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of getting a card through the platform, Kudos will match it.
• Bonus Rewards: Earn extra rewards, like a $20 sign-up bonus or a $100 Kickstart+ bonus, for using the platform.
• Reward Stacking: Earn additional "Kudos Boost" rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when shopping with partner merchants.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards card is an ideal choice for college students looking to earn cash back on everyday spending without an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those who spend frequently on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, as these categories earn unlimited 3% cash back. Furthermore, it's a strong option for students aiming to build their credit history—including international students who can apply with an ITIN—and offers valuable perks like no foreign transaction fees for those studying abroad.

Who Should Choose the Aeroplan® Credit Card?

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The Aeroplan® Credit Card is a strong choice for frequent flyers of Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners, as its benefits are tailored to this airline network. It's also ideal for points enthusiasts who enjoy strategizing to maximize travel rewards, especially those who often travel to, from, or within Canada. Additionally, travelers aspiring to achieve elite status will find significant value in the card's fast-track pathway to premium perks.

Alternatives to Consider

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So you've weighed the Capital One Savor Student vs Aeroplan Credit Card comparison and neither one feels like a winner for your wallet. That's perfectly fine—let's take a look at a few other cards that might be a better fit.

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[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

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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 – Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending – Make sure you can naturally meet any minimum spend requirement to earn a welcome bonus.
• Review eligibility rules – Some cards have specific requirements, like being a student or a U.S. resident.

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Application Strategy

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• Target the right card – Some cards are designed for specific profiles, like students or frequent travelers.
• Time your application – Applying before a large purchase can help you meet the spend requirement for a welcome offer.
• Don't give up after a denial – You can often call the issuer’s reconsideration line to have them review your application again.

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 happens to my Capital One Savor Student card after I graduate?

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Capital One may allow you to upgrade your Savor Student card to a non-student version, like the SavorOne Rewards card, after you graduate. This often happens automatically, or you can request a product change, allowing you to keep your credit history.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The Aeroplan® Credit Card is built for travel rewards, but the Capital One Savor Student is also a strong choice as it has no foreign transaction fees. Your decision depends on whether you prefer earning airline miles or getting simple cash back without extra fees abroad.

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Can I apply for the Aeroplan® Credit Card as a student?

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Yes, students can apply for the Aeroplan® Credit Card, though it typically requires a good to excellent credit score that can be challenging for students to meet. Unlike the Savor Student card, it is not specifically designed for those who are new to credit.

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