Tired of guessing what the value of 1 Aeroplan® point is? FinlyWealth's point calculator tool can estimate the value of your points when redeemed through various options in Canada.
Number of Points
Points
Loyalty Program
Every Aeroplan® point is worth 2.1¢ on average using the most optimal redemption (Aeroplan® Flights)
Every Aeroplan® point is worth 0.9¢ on average if redeemed towards car rentals
Every Aeroplan® point is worth 0.825¢ on average if redeemed towards travel
Every Aeroplan® point is worth 0.75¢ on average if redeemed towards merchandise
Every Aeroplan® point is worth 0.72¢ on average if redeemed towards gift cards
60,000 Aeroplan® points after spending over $7,500 on your Card within the first 3 months as a new American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Cardmember, plus 25,000 Aeroplan® points when you spend $2,500 in month 13. Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for these offers. Other terms apply.
10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase, 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $5,000 or more during the first 4 monthly statements periods, 10,000 Aeroplan points as an additional anniversary bonus when you have at least $10,000 in net purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods
Get 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase. That's enough for a one-way economy class short-haul ticket in North America (for example, Toronto to New York).
Rewards based on $2,000/month average spending. Estimates may be higher if you meet spend requirements for certain welcome bonuses. Click learn more on the card to calculate your rewards.
Air Canada Aeroplan® Program Breakdown
Optimizing your next vacation is simple with Air Canada and Aeroplan. This rewards program was literally designed to accommodate travel – from take off to check-in, all the way to exciting activities abroad.
Below, we’ll break down all there is to know about Aeroplan, starting with point-potential and ending with redemption opportunities.
How do you Earn Aeroplan Points?
The best way to collect Aeroplan points is by applying for an Aeroplan-affiliated or Aeroplan-point-transferable credit card.
To help you find the best option for you, we’ve put together an overview of some of the best Aeroplan cards on the Canadian market, depending on your unique spending habits.
Up to 85,000 Aeroplan® points (60,000 in 1st year)
Up to 40,000 Aeroplan® points
Up to 10,000 Aeroplan® points
Up to 15,000 points
Earn Rates
3x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible Air Canada® and Air Canada Vacations® purchases
2x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases
1.25x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on all other purchases
1.5 Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1 Aeroplan® point per $1 spent on all other purchases
1 Aeroplan® point per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1 Aeroplan® point per $1.50 spent (0.66 point per $1) on all other purchases
5x points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (up to 12,500 points per month)
3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance Included
11 types
Emergency Out of province Medical
$5M/insured up to 15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1.5K/person, $3K/trip
Trip Interruption
$1.5K/person, $6K/trip
Flight Delay
$1,000/person after 4 hours
Baggage Delay
$1K/person after 6 hours
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1K
Travel Accident
$500,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K Up to 48 consecutive rental days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 years
13 types
Travel Accident
$500,000
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Emergency Medical Over 65
3 days
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Trip Cancellation
$1,500
Trip Interruption
$2,000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$2,500
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
4 types
Travel Accident
$100,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Up to $65k car MSRP
10 types
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Travel Accident
$250,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Perks
14 perks
Free first checked bag
First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on WestJet flight and up to 8 guests
Nexus Program Rebate
$100 every 4 years
Amex Experiences™
Amex Experiences™ opens doors for you to access a number of special events, including special dining experiences, VIP parties, advance film screenings and more
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore
Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and one (1) Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 of net purchases
Status lift
Complimentary upgrade to Avis® President's Club
Status lift
Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status can roll over up to 200,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) beyond the status level for which they’ve qualified, from the prior qualification year to qualify for status the next year.
Status lift
Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status will benefit from an extra 12 months to use eUpgrade credits, for a total of 24 months from issuance.
Priority Travel
At Toronto Pearson airport get benefits such as Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet, premium parking spots, priorioty taxi and limo lane and discount for parking and car care.
Priority Travel
Get Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding and Priority Baggage Handling, Priority Airport Standby & Priority Airport Upgrades for you, your authorized users and up to 8 companions on the same flight (Only AirCanada)
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes
Unlimited Access for you and one guest
Companion Voucher
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from $99 to a max of $599 After spending $25,000 on your card
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. Enjoy even more at over 300,000 hotel properties worldwide
7 perks
Gas Discount
save up to 10¢/L on fuel at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations
Car Rental Discount
Get up to 25% off auto rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations worldwide.
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Exclusive offers
Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite Status sooner: Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in eligible purchases made on your card
Free first checked bag
Enjoy a free first checked bag for you, authorized users and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air Canada
Discount
Primary cardholders can often book flight rewards for even fewer points
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
2 perks
Discount
Primary cardholders can often book flight rewards for even fewer points
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore
2 perks
Amex Experiences™
Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
Travel Credit
Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.
If you are a frequent Air Canada traveler, having an Aeroplan card for perks like free checked bags and priority service can be very beneficial. Many financial institutions offer Aeroplan cards, but I don't believe the American Express version is the best one. Opting for another option might be better. However, the Amex card does have a very large sign-up bonus, making it a great choice for those specifically seeking that.
Pros
Generous rewards rate with up to 3 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on purchases, particularly beneficial for frequent flyers.
Enjoy free checked bags when flying with Air Canada, reducing travel costs.
Access to preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight awards, maximizing the value of your points.
Unlimited access to Maple Leaf lounges when flying with Air Canada, providing a more comfortable travel experience.
Extensive insurance coverage, including 11 types of insurance, offering peace of mind during your travels.
Cons
As an American Express card, it may have limited acceptance compared to other credit cards, potentially limiting its use in some places.
The most valuable rewards are generally tied to Air Canada flights, which may not appeal to travelers who fly with other airlines.
The card comes with a high annual fee of $599, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
The unlimited lounge access is limited to Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafe lounges which don't have a great worldwide coverage.
Rewards*
3x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible Air Canada® and Air Canada Vacations® purchases
2x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases
1.25x Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
$5M/insured up to 15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1.5K/person, $3K/trip
Trip Interruption
$1.5K/person, $6K/trip
Flight Delay
$1,000/person after 4 hours
Baggage Delay
$1K/person after 6 hours
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1K
Travel Accident
$500,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K Up to 48 consecutive rental days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 years
Benefits*
Details*
Free first checked bag
First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on WestJet flight and up to 8 guests
Nexus Program Rebate
$100 every 4 years
Amex Experiences™
Amex Experiences™ opens doors for you to access a number of special events, including special dining experiences, VIP parties, advance film screenings and more
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore
Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and one (1) Status Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 of net purchases
Status lift
Complimentary upgrade to Avis® President's Club
Status lift
Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status can roll over up to 200,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) beyond the status level for which they’ve qualified, from the prior qualification year to qualify for status the next year.
Status lift
Primary Cardholders who also hold Aeroplan Elite Status will benefit from an extra 12 months to use eUpgrade credits, for a total of 24 months from issuance.
Priority Travel
At Toronto Pearson airport get benefits such as Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet, premium parking spots, priorioty taxi and limo lane and discount for parking and car care.
Priority Travel
Get Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding and Priority Baggage Handling, Priority Airport Standby & Priority Airport Upgrades for you, your authorized users and up to 8 companions on the same flight (Only AirCanada)
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
Airport Lounge - Maple Leaf and AirCanada Cafes
Unlimited Access for you and one guest
Companion Voucher
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from $99 to a max of $599 After spending $25,000 on your card
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. Enjoy even more at over 300,000 hotel properties worldwide
Eligibility*
Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
N/A
**Terms and conditions apply.
If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 28.99%.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check here for full details and current product information.
For a hefty annual fee, you can get your hands on one of the most premium Aeroplan credit cards out there.
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card earns cardholders strong Aeroplan points per dollar spent on eligible Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations purchases, plus decent Aeroplan points per dollar spent on eligible dining and food delivery purchases.
Perhaps the most luxurious aspects of this card, however, are the perks. Enjoy top-tier benefits like free first checked bags, unlimited access to Maple Leaf airport lounges and AirCanada Cafes, an annual companion voucher (unlocked when certain spending requirements are met), plus tons of Aeroplan status lifts and Air Canada priority travel perks.
Overall, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is best suited to those who want to spend a lot to receive a lot – particularly in terms of perks as well as the rewards program.
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is great for Air Canada travelers who want to rack up Aeroplan points and enjoy perks like free checked bags and preferred pricing on flight redemptions. With solid reward rates in key spending categories like gas, groceries, and Air Canada purchases, this card offers decent returns. Additionally, the first-year annual fee waiver and comprehensive travel insurance make it a solid option for those looking for value without the upfront cost. However, its highest value is for people who frequently travel with Air Canada and make use of Aeroplan rewards, especially for flights.
Pros
Generous Welcome Bonus: 40,000 Aeroplan points upon meeting the initial spending requirements.
High Reward Rates: Earn up to 1.5 points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, EV charging, and Air Canada purchases.
Air Canada Perks: Free checked bags for you and up to 8 companions when flying Air Canada.
Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan Flights: Get access to better Aeroplan point redemption rates for Air Canada flights.
Cons
Income Requirements: Requires either a $60,000 personal income or a $100,000 household income to qualify.
Limited Redemption Value: The highest value for points is found when redeeming for Air Canada flights, limiting flexibility if you prefer other types of rewards.
Rewards
1.5 Aeroplan® points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1 Aeroplan® point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Travel Accident
$500,000
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Emergency Medical Over 65
3 days
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Trip Cancellation
$1,500
Trip Interruption
$2,000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$2,500
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Benefits
Details
Gas Discount
save up to 10¢/L on fuel at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations
Car Rental Discount
Get up to 25% off auto rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations worldwide.
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Exclusive offers
Status lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite Status sooner: Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in eligible purchases made on your card
Free first checked bag
Enjoy a free first checked bag for you, authorized users and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air Canada
Discount
Primary cardholders can often book flight rewards for even fewer points
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
Eligibility
Credit Score
Very Good
Annual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
If you want to pay a fraction of the cost of the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, plus have that annual fee completely waived in the first year of membership, consider applying for the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card instead.
To be honest, the reward earning potential is a little less lucrative than what you get with the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card. That said, there are more specialized earn categories to collect points through – specifically gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, and Air Canada Vacations purchases. The base rate on all other purchases however, is slightly lower than the base rate provided by the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.
Surprisingly, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card’s insurance is more extensive than the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, including protections like mobile device insurance and emergency medical over 65 insurance. That said, many shared categories (except for hotel burglary insurance) have a lot more coverage on the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.
Like the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card offers benefits like an expedited chance at reaching Aeroplan Elite Status, free first checked bags, and a free extra night at hotels for every 3-night stay redeemed with Aeroplan points. In addition to these shared categories, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card goes on to add car rental discounts at Avis and Budget locations, gas discounts on fuel at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar, and Chevron gas stations, plus preferred pricing on flights. Still, there are more premium benefits on the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, like the unlimited airport lounge access.
It’s worth noting that the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card also comes with some income requirements, which is something you don’t have to worry about when applying for the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.
At the end of the day, if you can meet the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card’s income requirements, it’s a more affordable alternative to the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, that still features decent Aeroplan point-potential, extensive coverage, and some valuable benefits.
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card is an excellent no-fee option for Aeroplan members who want to earn miles without an annual fee. Its solid earn rates on essential categories like gas and groceries make it easy to accumulate points quickly. The card also offers Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan redemptions, giving cardholders more value when they book flights with Air Canada. For someone looking for an entry-level Aeroplan card, this is a strong choice, especially with its generous welcome bonus.
Pros
No Annual Fee: Enjoy Aeroplan rewards with no cost to maintain the card.
Solid Rewards on Key Categories: Earn 1 Aeroplan point per $1 on gas, groceries, EV charging, and Air Canada purchases.
Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan Rewards: Get access to better redemption rates on Aeroplan flight rewards.
Cons
Limited Reward Rate: Only earns 1 point per $1.50 on all other purchases, which is less competitive than some other no-fee cards.
Best Value for Air Canada Flyers: Maximum redemption value is through Air Canada flights, which limits flexibility if you don’t frequently fly with Air Canada.
Rewards
1 Aeroplan® point per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®
1 Aeroplan® point per $1.50 spent (0.66 point per $1) on all other purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Travel Accident
$100,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Up to $65k car MSRP
Benefits
Details
Discount
Primary cardholders can often book flight rewards for even fewer points
Extra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore
Eligibility
Credit Score
Very Good
Annual Income
$15,000 household
For no annual fee whatsoever, you can opt for the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card instead, cutting back on annual costs as well as add-ons.
With this card, you’ll earn even less Aeroplan points on categories similar to the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card (gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, and Air Canada Vacation purchases), however, the base rate between the two CIBC Aeroplan cards remains the same.
You’ll really start to notice a difference when it comes to benefits and coverage.
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card only features a couple of insurance categories – like car rental damage and theft insurance and travel accident insurance on top of the more standard extended warranty insurance and purchase protection insurance. By comparison, both the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card and the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card are far more extensive when it comes to insurance.
As for benefits, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card only includes extra points at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and more than 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore, plus preferred pricing on flights. In all honesty, these perks are pretty disappointing compared to those offered by the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card or the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card – but that’s probably to be expected given the price differences.
In conclusion, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card is the perfect option for budget-friendly Air Canada travellers who don’t need luxurious inclusions, but still want a decent Aeroplan rewards program at their fingertips.
Our choice for: Overall Best Credit Card in Canada, great at earning points to be used for travelling
This card was voted the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
Pros
Points can be transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan® at a 1:1 ratio, making this card a solid Aeroplan® points earner as an alternative to Aeroplan® branded credit cards
Generous welcome bonus of up to 15,000 points
4+ different ways of redeeming your points for great value
10 different types of insurance, including travel
Often referred to as the Best Credit Card in Canada
Cons
Less acceptance of American Express at different merchants across Canada
Not all types of travel insurance are covered, especially trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Rewards*
5x points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (up to 12,500 points per month)
3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Travel Accident
$250,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Amex Experiences™
Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
Travel Credit
Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.
Eligibility*
Credit Score
Fair
Annual Income
N/A
**Terms and conditions apply.
If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 28.99%.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check here for full details and current product information.
Aside from the actual Aeroplan-branded credit cards on the Canadian market, there are also some American Express credit cards that offer a seamless way to transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan points at a 1:1 ratio.
The best credit card for this type of transfer is none other than the American Express Cobalt Card.
Why? Because this card has one of the best rewards programs for collecting points on popular earn categories like food and drinks, groceries, streaming, gas, and transit. So, even though it will initially appear as though you’re collecting American Express Membership Rewards points, if you choose to ultimately make the transfer, you’re technically earning these high-point rates in Aeroplan points – there’s just a small extra step of actually making the conversion.
The focus of this card is definitely the rewards program, especially if you’re using it solely for the Aeroplan point transfer option. Still, this contender comes with decent coverage, Amex Experiences and a travel credit – although this travel credit is only applied to hotel bookings made through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel.
Thus, if you want a loophole strategy to collect the most Aeroplan points, consider applying for the Cobalt Card to transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan. Sure, you won’t get the same benefits as the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, but you will save on annual fees and luck out if overall point-potential is your top priority.
How do you Redeem Aeroplan Points?
Now that you’re aware of the best ways to earn Aeroplan points, it’s time to explore the best ways to redeem those rewards.
In the following table, we’ve included every redemption category offered by Air Canada Aeroplan. For convenience's sake, we’ve even listed these categories from most valuable to least valuable, so you can understand the most strategic ways to spend your Aeroplan points.
Redemption Category
Redemption Breakdown
Estimated Average Point Value
Aeroplan Flights
Redeeming your points for flights with Air Canada and other partner airlines.
2.1 cpp
Car Rentals
Using points to make transportation arrangements at over 11,000 car rental locations across the globe.
0.9 cpp
Vacation Packages
Booking your entire trip with Aeroplan points and Air Canada Vacations, including activities and travel experiences.
0.83 cpp
Hotel Stays
Using points to check-in to partner hotels.
0.82 cpp
Merchandise
Redeeming points towards eligible products provided by partner brands.
0.75 cpp
Gift Cards
Using points to purchase eligible gift cards from participating brands.
0.72 cpp
While the table above gives you some insight into the Aeroplan rewards program, let's go ahead and cover additional details about each redemption category.
Use Points for Flights
As mentioned, Aeroplan cardholders can use their hard-earned points towards airfare.
What Determines the Value of Your Points when Redeemed Towards Flights?
There are plenty of factors that go into how much your Aeroplan points are worth when redeemed towards eligible flights:
For one, this value may vary based on the airline you choose to fly with – whether that be Air Canada or a partner airline.
Secondly, your destination and how far you’re flying also determines how much the flight will cost and in turn the cent-per-point value.
Thirdly, when you book your flights as well as when the flights are set to take place can also make a difference in dollar cost and therefore a difference in point cost, ultimately affecting the cent-per-point value.
Finally, your flight class will also come into play, considering a Business Class ticket will cost more than an Economy ticket.
Wish you could gain some foresight into how many points you’ll need? Check out the Air Canada Points Prediction Tool that allows you to choose your origin and desired destination in order to predict how many points your flight will cost.
How Can You Find the Best Point Redemption for Flights?
To help you find the best deal, you can always make use of the Air Canada Points Finder Tool that allows you to input your desired itinerary and points budget to uncover the best deals. Other flight booking cross-search tools like point.me can also come in handy in these scenarios.
How do you Book a Flight with Aeroplan Points?
To book an eligible flight using Aeroplan points, cardholders will need to:
Indicate the trip type (round-trip, one-way, or multi-city), the amount of passengers on the booking, and the departure and return dates to the search filters
Sift through available flights
Choose whether you’d like to pay with Aeroplan points alone, or a mix of cash and points
Finalize your booking
Redeem for Rental Cars
Use points to pay for a set of rented wheels at over 11,000 rental car locations around the world.
To initiate this type of redemption, you’ll want to sign in your Aeroplan account and book your rental car directly through the Air Canada booking platform.
From here, you’ll want to:
Check the box beside “Book with Aeroplan points”
Input your pick-up and drop-off locations
Select a pick-up date and time as well as a drop-off date and time
Indicate the country/region for the rental
Browse your available options
Select a rental that works for your trip and proceed to checkout
Aeroplan members can even earn extra points on rentals provided by Avis and Budget.
Apply Points to Vacation Packages
Looking for the whole package? You’ll be pleased to know that your Aeroplan points can be applied to entire trip bundles – from the departure flight to your day-to-day activities.
When booking with Air Canada Vacations, select the “Vacation Packages" tab. Through this tab, you can indicate the airport you’ll be flying out of, the destination you’d like to reach, the dates of your trip, how many travellers are expected, and your preferred flight class. Once you’ve input all of this information, hit search to see what packages are available for point redemption.
You can also bundle tours, activities, and experiences through Air Canada Vacations, so that no aspect of the trip goes untouched.
Were you hoping to explore beyond the shore? Then check out the Air Canada Vacations “Cruises” tab to use points to set sail.
Redeem Points at Partner Hotels
To help you optimize your points on your next hotel stay, Aeroplan has implemented a HotelSavers program, saving members up to 30% on bookings made at select hotel partners – just keep an eye out for the red HotelSavers tag when making your booking!
Some notable hotel partners include:
Fairmont
Holiday Inn
Shangri-La
Candlewood Suites
Le Germain Hotels
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts and more
The HotelSavers program is broken up into categories which indicate the estimated number of points per night for a standard room. Here’s a quick look at these estimates:
HotelSavers Category
Estimated Points Per Night
1
10,000 - 15,000
2
15,000 - 22,500
3
20,000 - 30,000
4
25,000 - 40,000
5
35,000 - 50,000
6
45,000 - 70,000
7
55,000 - 80,000
8
75,000 - 105,000
Of course, keep in mind that these values may vary based on seasonality, location, availability, and the number of guests on the booking.
As with other redemption opportunities, guests can choose to cover the entire cost of their stay with points or split the total cost between points and cash.
Morph Points Into Merchandise
In these next two redemption categories, we’re going to be pivoting away from travel.
If you’d rather spend your Aeroplan points on a tangible product, you can always opt to redeem your points towards eligible merchandise.
Choose from thousands of products from partnered brands in categories like:
Activities & Travel
Air Canada Products
Beauty, Health & Wellness
Children & Toys
Electronics
Fashion & Accessories
Home & Garden
Kitchen & Dining
Luggage & Travel Accessories and more
The exact cent-per-point value of each product will depend on the worth of the item, plus the amount of Aeroplan points required for the product’s redemption.
To calculate your cent-per-point value on a specific product, simply divide the value of the product by the amount of points required for the redemption, then multiply that result by 100.
For example, if you’re interested in an iPhone that costs 100,000 Aeroplan points and is worth $900 (CAD), the cent-per-point value of this redemption is 0.9 cpp.
Give Points Away with Gift Cards
Maybe you want something a little more abstract, in that case, you can alway redeem your Aeroplan points for gift cards.
There are literally hundreds of cards to choose from, with values ranging from $10 to $2000, from brands like:
LCBO
Starbucks
Esso
TJX (Winners, HomeSense & Marshalls)
Indigo
Canadian Tire
Cineplex
Roots
The Keg
Sephora
Amazon
Best Buy
And of course, Air Canada
Overall, you’ll find that gift cards from Air Canada yield the most overall cent-per-point value, up to 1 cpp.
Luckily, as with other categories, you can also choose to either pay for your gift cards using Aeroplan points alone, or opt to split the cost between points and cash – it’s completely up to you!
How Do You Know How Much Your Aeroplan Points are Worth?
We touched upon this briefly in the merchandise section, but if you want to break away from estimated average cent-per-point values and understand exactly what your cent-per-point value is no matter the redemption category, there’s a simple calculation you can make:
Take a look at the cost of the redemption category (whether that be a flight ticket or a product)
Check out the amount of Aeroplan points that will be required to cover that cost
Divide the cost of the redemption by the number of points required
Multiply that result by 100 to see the exact cent-per-point value of the redemption
What’s the Best Way to Optimize your Aeroplan points?
As you can probably tell from the redemption table, the best way to redeem your Aeroplan points is through Aeroplan flights – a category that holds the highest average point-redemption-value potential.
Following flights, other travel redemption categories are typically the most lucrative, from car rentals to vacation bundles to hotel stays.
While it’s nice that Aeroplan also offers a couple of redemption categories outside of travel, both merchandise and gift cards are less valuable overall – except for a couple of instances where you might find a good cent-per-point value on certain products or Air Canada gift cards (which is still kind of like a travel redemption if you think about it).
Truth be told, Aeroplan points are probably the most worthwhile for frequent Air Canada travellers – since you can both earn points on Air Canada purchases and redeem points towards Air Canada purchases for the best overall value.
There are also plenty of Aeroplan-branded or Aeroplan-transferable credit cards to choose from, providing every type of travel-oriented applicant with the opportunity to tap into this valuable rewards program.
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