What the Aeromexico Credit Card is and who should consider it
The Aeromexico credit card is a co-branded card issued by Banco Santander in partnership with Aeromexico, Mexico's largest airline. It earns points on every purchase that you can redeem for Aeromexico flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards. The card is designed for people who fly Aeromexico regularly or want to accumulate points toward future trips.
This card makes sense if you live in Mexico, frequently travel on Aeromexico, or have family there and take regular trips. It is less useful if you rarely fly Aeromexico or live outside Mexico, since the points are specific to that airline and the card's benefits center on Aeromexico's network.
The card comes in multiple tiers — typically a standard version and a premium version with higher annual fees and additional benefits. Your choice depends on how much you fly and whether the premium perks (lounge access, higher point multipliers, travel insurance) justify the cost.
Key Takeaways
- The Aeromexico card earns points on purchases that redeem only for Aeromexico flights and related travel benefits, not cash back.
- Annual fees vary by card tier, and you should calculate whether the points you earn in a year exceed the fee you pay.
- Premium versions offer benefits like airport lounge access and travel insurance, but only if you use them enough to offset the higher annual cost.
- The card is issued by Banco Santander and requires a Mexican bank account and Mexican credit history to open.
- Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active, but closing the card ends your points balance.
How points work and what they are worth
Every purchase you make on the Aeromexico card earns points. The earning rate depends on the card tier and the type of purchase — you typically earn more points per dollar on Aeromexico flights and travel-related purchases than on everyday spending. Premium cardholders earn at a higher rate across all categories.
Points redeem for Aeromexico flights at a fixed conversion rate. One point is worth a specific amount toward a ticket price, though the exact value varies by route and how far in advance you book. You can also use points for seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other Aeromexico services, though flights are the primary redemption option.
The real value of your points depends on the routes you fly. A short domestic flight in Mexico costs fewer points than a long international flight. If you fly routes where Aeromexico charges high prices, your points stretch further. If you only fly cheap routes or rarely travel, the points accumulate slowly relative to the annual fee.
Annual fees and what they cover
The standard Aeromexico card has an annual fee that Banco Santander charges once per year. The premium version costs significantly more. Both fees are charged whether you use the card that month or not.
Some versions waive the first-year fee or offer a reduced fee if you meet a spending threshold in your first months. Read the terms carefully, because the fee resumes at full price in year two unless you meet the condition again.
To decide if the card is worth it, multiply your typical monthly spending by 12, explore the card's earning rate, and see how many points you accumulate in a year. Then check what those points are worth in Aeromexico flights. If the flight value is less than the annual fee, the card costs you money. If it is more, the card pays for itself — and anything beyond that is your gain.
Premium card benefits beyond points
Premium Aeromexico cards include perks like access to airport lounges, travel insurance, and higher point earning rates. Lounge access is valuable only if you use it — if you fly a few times a year, you may never step into a lounge. Travel insurance covers trip cancellation, lost baggage, and medical emergencies abroad, but only if your trip is booked with the card.
Some premium cards offer a companion ticket discount or annual travel credit that you can explore toward flights or fees. These benefits have real value, but only if you actually use them. A $200 annual travel credit is worthless if you do not fly enough to spend it.
Calculate the premium fee against the benefits you will actually use. If you fly four times a year and use the lounge twice, the lounge access alone may not justify a $300 annual fee. But if you fly monthly and always book with the card, the combination of higher points, lounge access, and travel insurance may make the premium card the better choice.
How to open an Aeromexico credit card
You must have a Mexican bank account and a Mexican credit history to open an Aeromexico card. Banco Santander will review your credit report and income to decide whether to issue the card and what credit limit to offer.
You can start the process online through Banco Santander's website or by visiting a Santander branch in Mexico. You will need to provide proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), a valid ID, and proof of address. The bank may also ask for bank statements to verify your financial stability.
Approval typically takes a few business days to a week. Once approved, you receive the physical card by mail or can pick it up at a branch. You can begin earning points as soon as the card is activated.
Comparing the Aeromexico card to other options
If you fly multiple airlines, a general travel rewards card may be better than an airline-specific card. General cards earn points that you can redeem with many airlines, giving you more flexibility. However, airline cards usually earn at a higher rate on that specific airline, so if you fly Aeromexico most of the time, the Aeromexico card may earn more total points.
If you want cash back instead of points, a cash-back credit card from Banco Santander or another Mexican bank is a different product entirely. Cash-back cards give you a percentage of your spending back as money, not points. The trade-off is that cash-back rates are usually lower than airline point earning rates, but the cash is more flexible to use.
If you do not fly often enough to justify an annual fee, a no-fee credit card is the right choice, even if it earns fewer points. A card that costs you $100 per year but earns points worth $80 is a net loss.
What happens to your points and account
Points do not expire as long as your card account is open and you use the card at least once per year. Some card agreements require a minimum transaction to keep the account active — check your terms. If you close the card, your points balance is forfeited and cannot be recovered.
If your account goes inactive (no transactions for 12 months or longer), Banco Santander may close it without notice. Before that happens, you should redeem your points or contact the bank to keep the account open.
If you miss a payment or default on the card, Aeromexico may suspend your points account separately from your credit account. You can still owe the bank money while your points are locked. Always pay on time to avoid this situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Aeromexico points on partner airlines?
Aeromexico points redeem only for Aeromexico flights and services. Aeromexico does have airline partnerships, but you cannot transfer points to partner airlines directly. You can book a partner airline flight through Aeromexico's website if the flight is part of a connecting itinerary, and you can pay with points, but the points stay within the Aeromexico program.
What is the annual fee if I do not use the card?
The annual fee is charged regardless of whether you use the card. If you do not spend anything on the card in a year, you still owe the full annual fee to Banco Santander. This is why it is important to calculate whether the points you earn justify the cost before you open the card.
Can I transfer my Aeromexico points to someone else?
Aeromexico points are tied to your account and cannot be transferred to another person. However, you can use your points to book a flight for a family member or friend — the ticket is issued in their name, but you pay with your points. The person flying does not need to be a cardholder.
What happens if I close my Aeromexico card?
Closing the card ends your points account when ready. Any points you have accumulated are forfeited and cannot be recovered. If you think you might fly Aeromexico again in the future, consider keeping the card open even if you do not use it regularly, as long as there is no annual fee or you can waive it.
Do I earn points on the annual fee itself?
No. The annual fee is charged by the bank and does not earn points. Only purchases you make with the card earn points. This is another reason to make sure your annual spending and point value exceed the fee you pay.