Understanding the do’s and don’ts of the Aeroplan rewards program will allow Canadians to travel the world on the cheap, and free up more money that can be used towards things you enjoy.
The program is a high-profile rewards offering that has been around for over 30 years. Aeroplan members can earn points by flying with Air Canada or its partner airlines, as well as through everyday activities such as shopping, dining, and staying at partner hotels. These points can then be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, vacation packages, merchandise, and other rewards.
It’s the only North American airline loyalty rewards program that offers members access to Air Canada and all Star Alliance partners. As a result, this should be your #1 focus when accumulating travel points here in Canada.
This post will cover the basics of what you need to know about Air Canada’s Aeroplan program. I’ll go over how it works, rewards, and benefits as well as some pros and cons. This information is important for anyone who flies with Air Canada or plans on doing so in the future.
- Here are 9 Things Canadians Need to Know About Aeroplan
- 1. You can use Aeroplan points to travel on the following Airlines
- 2. You Can Transfer American Express Membership Rewards to Aeroplan at a 1:1 Ratio
- 3. You Can Earn Aeroplan Points by Signing up for Aeroplan’s Branded Credit Cards Through American Express
- 4. You can Earn Aeroplan Points by Signing up for Branded Credit Cards with American Express, TD & CIBC
- 5. You Can Earn Aeroplan Points Through Everyday Spending
- 6. There are 4 Geographical Redemption Zones
- 7. Stopovers for the Aeroplan Program Cost you 5,000 Points
- 8. You Can Purchase Flights with a Combination of Points + Cash
- 9. Aeroplan Has an Elite Status Program
- How to Earn Elite Status With Aeroplan
- Benefits of Aeroplan Elite Status
- 10. You Can Pool Your Aeroplan Points with Your Family Members
- 1. You can use Aeroplan points to travel on the following Airlines
- Conclusion
- 4 Tips to Help You on Your Travels
Aeroplan Overview
| How to Earn Aeroplan Points | Air Canada flights & Vacation Packages Transfer from American Express Membership Rewards Aeroplan branded credit cards Shopping with Aeroplan partners & on the Aeroplan e-store Flights with airline partners |
| How to Redeem Aeroplan Points | Air Canada flights Select flights with airline partners |
| Value of Aeroplan Points | 1 Aeroplan point = 2.1 cent/pp |
Stay up to Date on the Latest Travel Deals
Here are 9 Things Canadians Need to Know About Aeroplan
1. You can use Aeroplan points to travel on the following Airlines
Collecting Aeroplan points enables you to redeem those points for free flights on the following airlines.
Canada & US
Note: Aeroplan has also partnered with Pal Airlines, which services Eastern Canada
Central & South America
Europe
Middle East, Africa & India
Asia & Pacific
the full list of partners can be found here
For Canadians, the most popular Airline you’ll be using is Air Canada. Aeroplan is part of the “Star Alliance” network.
Earning Aeroplan Points
2. You Can Transfer American Express Membership Rewards to Aeroplan at a 1:1 Ratio
One of the ways in which you can earn a high amount of Aeroplan Points is by transferring out your American Express Membership Rewards.
Membership Rewards (MR) is the travel currency earned directly through American Express credit cards.
One of, if not the best reason for you to start collecting American Express Membership Rewards is that you can transfer your MR to a bevy of transfer partners including:
- Air Canada/Aeroplan
- British Airways Executive Club
- KLM/Flying Blue
- Asia Miles
- Delta Airways Sky Miles
- Etihad Guest
- Marriott Bonvoy Points
- Hilton Honours Points
You can view the transfer ratios below
If you intend on taking a flight with Aeroplan or one of their travel partners, American Express Membership Rewards can help you get there. The 1:1 transfer ratio is a fantastic value. Occasionally, American Express will offer “bonus transfers” on certain airlines or hotel partners.
Read>>> Your complete guide to Membership Rewards
How to Earn Membership Rewards
You can earn Membership Rewards through a number of credit cards offered by American Express
The American Express Platinum Card is a great way to earn Membership Rewards.
The $799 annual fee (which comes with a $150 rebate through GreatCanadianRebates) is offset by the following perks & benefits:
- Sign-up Bonus:
- 70,000 MR points upon spending $10,000 in the first three months
- 30,000 MR points upon making a purchase between months 14-17 of cardmembership
- Earn Rate:
- 2 MR points per dollar spent on travel, groceries & dining
- 1 MR point everywhere else
- Insurance:
- Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $5,000,000
- Car rental damage insurance
- Trip Cancellation Insurance- up to $3,000
- Hotel Burglary insurance – up to $1,000
- Baggage delay insurance – up to $1,000
- Lost or stolen baggage insurance – up to $1,000
- Perks
- $200 annual travel credit
- $200 annual dining credit
- Special discounts for cardholders, which are sent via email
- $100 Nexus credit
- Instant Gold status at Marriott Bonvoy
- Instant Gold status at Hilton Honours
- Access to Pearson Priority Security Lane during peak operating times
- Complimentary valet service at the Express Park and Daily Park at Pearson Airport
- Longe Access
- Priority Pass (+1 guest)
- Plaza Premium Lounges (+1 guest)
- Delta Sky Club
- Airspace Lounges (+2 guests)
- Centurion Lounges
- SwissPort Lounges (+1 guest)
How to Transfer Membership Rewards to Aeroplan
Step #1: Go to this link: https://www.americanexpress.com/en-ca/rewards/membership-rewards/travel/all
Log in at the top right-hand corner
Step #2: Select the partner you’d like to transfer your points to
Step #3: Determine how many points you’d like to transfer
3. You Can Earn Aeroplan Points by Signing up for Aeroplan’s Branded Credit Cards Through American Express
If you regularly fly with Aeroplan or intend on taking a trip over the next 12 months, there are a number of Aeroplan branded credit cards that allow you to earn a large amount of Aeroplan points via a signup bonus.
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is the premier Aeroplan card on the market.
The $599 (which comes with a $100 rebate through GreatCanadianRebates)is offset by the following perks & benefits:
- Sign-up Bonus:
- 60,000 Aeroplan upon spending $7,500 in the first 3 months of cardmembership
- 25,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $2,500 during month 13 of cardmembership
- Total of 85,000 points
- Earn Rate:
- 3 Aeroplan points per dollar spent with Air Canada
- 2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on food & beverage
- 1.25 Aeroplan points everywhere else
- Insurance:
- Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $5,000,000
- Car rental damage insurance
- Trip Cancellation Insurance- up to $2,500
- Hotel Burglary insurance – up to $2,000
- Baggage delay insurance – up to $1,000 if your baggage is delayed >4 hours
- Lost or stolen baggage insurance – up to $2,500
- Flight Delay insurance – up to $1,000 if your flight is delayed >4 hours
- Perks
- Preferred pricing when redeeming Aeroplan points on Air Canada flights
- Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 you spend on the card
- Priority check in on Air Canada flights
- First bag free on Air Canada flights
- Earn an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass after spending $25,000 on the card per year
- Lounge Access
- Maple Leaf Lounge (+1 guest)
There is also a business version of the card. Our review can be found here.
4. You can Earn Aeroplan Points by Signing up for Branded Credit Cards with American Express, TD & CIBC
In addition to the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card, there are several branded Aeroplan cards issued by CIBC, TD & American Express.
The earning rates are as follows for the Aeroplan branded credit cards
The Aeroplan branded credit cards also come with a number of great benefits:
NOTE – there are also business versions of each card listed above
5. You Can Earn Aeroplan Points Through Everyday Spending
There are a number of different ways you can earn Aeroplan points through everyday spending:
Spend With Air Canada or Partner Airlines
You can earn Aeroplan points through spending on Air Canada or partner airline flights. Aeroplan members will earn 2 Aeroplan points per Canadian dollar spent on basic economy flights. This goes up to 3 Aeroplan points/dollar spent with higher class flights.
Earn by Spending Money with Aeroplan’s Retail Partners
Aeroplan has a number of retail partners that allow you to earn Aeroplan points:
LCBO: earn 1 point for every $4 spent
Rocky Mountaineer: 1 point for every $1 spent
Starbucks: Points vary depending on how much you load into the app
- Get 100 Aeroplan points for every $75 or more loaded to your digital Starbucks Card in the app
- Get 25 Aeroplan points for every $50-$74.99 loaded to your digital Starbucks Card in the app
Uber & UberEats:
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on rides to the airport with Uber
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on Premium rides with Uber
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Premium rides to the airport with Uber
Earn Money by Shopping with the Aeroplan eStore
You can earn bonus miles from your everyday online shopping by using the Aeroplan eStore.
The Aeroplan eStore, you can earn points when shopping at a wide variety of online retailers including Amazon, Apple & Best buy (among others).
Occasionally, Aeroplan will run promotions that allow you to earn a multiplier of miles. Make sure to sign up for Aeroplan’s promotional emails so you stay up to date!
How to Redeem Your Aeroplan Points
6. There are 4 Geographical Redemption Zones
Aeroplan traditionally used a zone-based system for award flight redemptions. The world was divided into different zones, and the number of points required for a reward flight depended on the origin and destination zones. The number of points needed for redemption varied based on factors such as distance and class of service
In total, there are 4 zones (North America, South America, Atlantic & Pacific) that are built into the award chart.
Overall there are 10 different award chats, reflecting travel between each zone, and also within the zone itself. Here are the updated distance-based award charts.
Here’s the new award chart for travel within North America:
Here’s the new award chart for travel between North America and the Atlantic region:
Here’s the new award chart for travel between North America and the Pacific region:
Here’s the new award chart for travel between North America and South America:
Here’s the new award chart for travel within the Atlantic region:
Here’s the new award chart for travel within the Pacific region:
Here’s the new award chart for travel within South America:
Here’s the new award chart for travel between the Atlantic and Pacific regions:
Here’s the new award chart for travel between the Atlantic region and South America:
Here’s the new award chart for travel between the Pacific region and South America:
Aeroplan Air Canada Dynamic Pricing
Partner airlines have fixed costs, as outlined in the charts above. However, if you’re flying with AIR CANADA, you may be subject to “dynamic pricing.”
Dynamic Pricing refers to a flexible and variable approach to determining the number of points required for flight redemptions. Unlike traditional fixed award charts where a specific number of points is set for each route or zone, dynamic pricing takes into account various factors such as demand, seasonality, and other market conditions.
With dynamic pricing, the number of points needed for a flight redemption can fluctuate based on the specific circumstances at the time of booking. This means that popular routes or peak travel times may require more points, while less popular routes or off-peak times may require fewer points.
Aeroplan introduced dynamic pricing as part of its program changes, and this shift was implemented to provide members with more flexibility and options for redeeming their points. While dynamic pricing can offer more choices, it also means that the points required for a particular flight can vary, and it may be beneficial for members to be flexible with their travel plans to optimize the value of their points.
For example, you may see a spike in the points needed for an Air Canada flight around the holidays.
Unfortunately, there is no formula to determine dynamic pricing.
Emirates Award Chart
There is a separate chart for those who want to redeem with Emirates Airlines
7. Stopovers for the Aeroplan Program Cost you 5,000 Points
In the old distanced based system, stopovers were essentially added on for “free” within your itinerary. This was a huge benefit for Canadians living outside of major hubs. I personally would find myself taking a small plane to Toronto before heading off to my final destination.
Stopovers will now cost you an extra 5,000 points, resulting in further increases for many Canadians living outside of hub cities
8. You Can Purchase Flights with a Combination of Points + Cash
As someone who has been earning and churning for the past few years, I’ve seen my Aeroplan points rise and fall at a consistent rate. As a result, there have been instances where I’ve found myself a few thousand points short of a free flight.
In an effort to increase flexibility, the new Aeroplan program allows travelers to book with a combination of points + cash
How to Maximize Your Aeroplan Experience
9. Aeroplan Has an Elite Status Program
Airline elite status, often referred to as frequent flyer elite status or loyalty status, is a special membership level offered by airlines to their most valuable and loyal customers. These customers are often referred to as frequent flyers because they travel frequently and accumulate a significant number of miles or points by flying with a specific airline or its partner airlines.
Like many other airlines, Aeroplan offers elite status levels to its members based on the number of miles or segments flown and the amount of money spent on airline tickets.
Having elite status with an airline typically grants passengers several benefits, such as:
- Priority Boarding
- Upgrades
- Bonus Miles
- Lounge Access
- Priority Check-in and Security Screening
- Dedicated Customer Service
Aeroplan Elite Status Tiers
There are 5 tiers to the Aeroplan Elite Status program:
- 25K
- 35K
- 50K
- 75K
- Super Elite
How to Earn Elite Status With Aeroplan
Earning Status: You Can Earn 25K Status Through Everyday Spending
Canadians will be able to qualify for 25K Elite status based on everyday spending. Canadians who earn 100,000 Aeroplan points via eligible sources throughout a calendar year will earn 25K status. Eligible sources include:
- Credit card spending
- Points accumulated through flying
- E-store purchases
Credit card signup bonuses do not qualify as an eligible source
In Canada, you can not earn a status higher than 25K through everyday spending (although, a promotion may pop up that allows you to do so)
Earning Status: You Can Earn Status By Spending Money/Flying with Air Canada
You can earn status by flying with Air Canada or their partner airlines. As described in the table below, here are the qualifications for each Elite level status
- A Sales Qualifying Dollar is the total of your spending on tickets issued by Air Canada (and their partner-operated flights)
- Sales Qualifying Segments are determined by how many individual flight segments you fly in a particular year
- A Sales Qualifying Mile is determined by the number of miles flown
| Status | Qualification |
| 25K | 25,000 Sales Qualifying Miles OR 25 Sales Qualifying Segments + 3,000 Sales Qualifying Dollars |
| 35K | 35,000 Sales Qualifying Miles OR 35 Sales Qualifying Segments + 4,000 Sales Qualifying Dollars |
| 50K | 50,000 Sales Qualifying Miles OR 50 Sales Qualifying Segments + 6,000 Sales Qualifying Dollars |
| 75K | 75,000 Sales Qualifying Miles OR 75 Sales Qualifying Segments + 9,000 Sales Qualifying Dollars |
| Super Elite | 100,000 Sales Qualifying Miles OR 100 Sales Qualifying Segments + 20,000 Sales Qualifying Dollars |
Earning Status: Earn Status Qualifying Miles & Segments With Aeroplan Branded Credit Cards
You can fast track your way to Elite Status by earning Sales Qualifying Miles & Segments not only by flying directly with Air Canada & their parter airlines, but also with Aeroplan’s new co-branded credit cards as seen below
Earning Status: You Can Earn 25K Status by Signing up for the Chase Aeroplan Card
If you are able to sign up for US credit cards, you can sign up for the Chase Aeroplan card, and receive instant 25K status
Keep your Aeroplan 25K Status with $15,000 in spend during a calendar year
Benefits of Aeroplan Elite Status
Status Benefits: The Benefits of Having Aeroplan Elite Status
There are several great perks associated with having Aeroplan Elite Status
Status Benefits: Status Pass for 50K + Members
For 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members, you will be able to bestow your status to your friends and family members, even if you aren’t traveling with them
Members traveling on a status pass will be able to receive an enhanced traveling experience as seen below
Status Benefits: Priority Rewards
Priority Rewards are coupons offered to Aeroplan Elite members, enabling them to receive a 50% discount on a reward flight (for example, a 50,000 point flight would be discounted to 25,000).
How to Earn a Priority Reward
Your eligibility for a Priority Reward depends on the amount of Sales Qualified Dollars you earn.
A reward is handed out at the 4,000, 7,000, 10,000, 15,000, and every subsequent 5,000 intervals up to a maximum of 11 Priority Rewards.
How to Redeem a Priority Reward
The length of flight at which you can redeem your Priority Rewards Pass depends on your Elite level status:
10. You Can Pool Your Aeroplan Points with Your Family Members
One thing that I always found frustrating is that my wife and I were always simultaneously earning miles, and due to the inability to combine points (something you CAN do with Marriott Bonvoy points), it always took a little longer to earn a redemption.
With the revamped Aeroplan program, you will able to combine points with family members on both the earning and redemption side
Conclusion
For in-depth travel hackers, this barely scratches the surface of how you can maximize the new Aeroplan program. Still, for the average Canadian, I think there are some interesting base-level takeaways:
- I suggest having an American Express card as your go-to travel credit card since the Membership Rewards you earn with each purchase have a great deal of flexibility and value. However, many establishments don’t accept AMEX. Keeping a Visa or Mastercard in the wallet as a backup is a great practice. The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite & the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite are great FREE ways to earn Aeroplan points. If you value Maple Leaf Lounge access, getting a premium American Express, CIBC or TD Aeroplan card would be worthwhile. For TD & CIBC credit cards, you can always downgrade if you feel like the annual fee is too much.
- If you have family members whom you regularly travel with, the new family-sharing option is a huge benefit for your household
- Of the new status tiers, I think every Canadian should strive to achieve the 25K status, as I believe this is the only status that can be semi-easily attained without spending a significant amount of time & money on travel.
4 Tips to Help You on Your Travels
- It goes without saying, but the Aeroplan program is one of the best travel programs in the country. All Canadians who travel (even infrequently) should be part of the program
- The Aeroplan credit cards are some of the top options available to Canadians. At least one member of your household should be earning Aeroplan points through a Visa or American Express
- Sign up for Aeroplan’s promotional emails. You can create a “deals” section within your inbox if you’d prefer to compartmentalize your incoming emails
- Over the course of the year, track your progress towards hitting 25K Elite Status. While most Canadians won’t hit this status, you certainly don’t want to find yourself 95% of the way there by the end of the year. You may be in a position where you’ll want to increase your spending closer to year’s end. The benefits of earning 25K Elite status will outweigh having to buy a hand full of gift cards around Christmas time
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