Air Canada Aeroplan Guide
Your complete guide to maximizing credit card transfers and finding exceptional flight redemptions with one of the most valuable airline loyalty programs.
Introduction to Aeroplan
Air Canada's Aeroplan is one of the most versatile and valuable frequent flyer programs available to travelers. After a major redesign in November 2020, the program offers competitive award rates, no fuel surcharges, flexible routing rules, and partnerships with all major transferable points currencies. Whether you're looking to fly Air Canada or any of its 45+ Star Alliance and non-alliance partners, Aeroplan provides exceptional value for credit card points collectors.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about earning Aeroplan points through credit card transfers, finding the best sweet spot redemptions, and maximizing the program's unique features for incredible travel opportunities.
In This Guide:
Credit Card Transfer Partners
One of Aeroplan's biggest strengths is its wide range of transfer partners. You can transfer points from all major flexible points currencies to Aeroplan, usually at a 1:1 ratio and often with instant transfers.
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time | Transfer Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Membership Rewards | 1:1 | Instant | Occasional transfer bonuses of 15-30% |
| Capital One Miles | 1:1 | Instant to 24 hours | Rare transfer bonuses |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | 1:1 | Instant | No recent transfer bonuses |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3:1 (plus 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred) | 3-5 days | Occasional transfer bonuses |
| Bilt Rewards | 1:1 | Up to 24 hours | Monthly 25% transfer bonus on 1st of month (1-5 minutes) |
Pro Tip: Always check for transfer bonuses before transferring points. A 20% bonus effectively makes your points worth 20% more, significantly increasing your redemption value.
How to Earn Aeroplan Points
Credit Card Spending & Bonuses
- Earn welcome bonuses from Chase, Amex, and Capital One cards
- Transfer flexible points from Membership Rewards, Ultimate Rewards, etc.
- Get the dedicated Aeroplan Credit Card from Chase for direct earning
Flying & Travel Partners
- Fly on Air Canada and earn based on fare and elite status
- Credit Star Alliance partner flights to Aeroplan
- Book hotels through Aeroplan's portal or transfer from hotel partners
For most U.S.-based travelers, credit card transfers represent the fastest and most efficient way to accumulate a substantial balance of Aeroplan points, especially given the program's partnerships with all major transferable points currencies.
Key Program Features
No Fuel Surcharges
Aeroplan eliminated fuel surcharges in 2020, making redemptions more affordable across all partner airlines.
Stopover Policy
Add a stopover on one-way international flights for just 5,000 additional points, allowing you to visit two destinations for slightly more than the price of one.
Points + Cash Option
Flexibility to pay for part of your redemption with points and part with cash when you're short on points.
Family Sharing
Pool points with up to 8 family members, making it easier to accumulate enough points for premium redemptions.
Priority Rewards
Elite members can use Priority Reward vouchers to get 50% off award tickets in selected cabins and regions.
Important Note: Aeroplan uses a hybrid award chart with both fixed prices and dynamic pricing elements. Partner flights follow a fixed distance-based award chart, while Air Canada flights have more variable pricing that can sometimes be higher during peak times.
Sweet Spot Redemptions
Aeroplan offers several exceptional sweet spot redemptions that provide outsized value for your points, particularly for business and first class travel on partner airlines.
| Route | Economy | Business | First | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US to Europe | 35,000-40,000 points (one-way) | 60,000-70,000 points (one-way) | 90,000-100,000 points (one-way) | Great value on Star Alliance partners like SWISS, Lufthansa, and TAP Air Portugal |
| US to Japan | 35,000-50,000 points (one-way) | 55,000-75,000 points (one-way) | 90,000-110,000 points (one-way) | Excellent availability on ANA flights, especially from West Coast |
| North America to South America | 25,000-40,000 points (one-way) | 50,000-60,000 points (one-way) | Not widely available | Good value on Avianca and Copa Airlines |
| North America Transcontinental | 12,500-25,000 points (one-way) | 25,000-35,000 points (one-way) | Not applicable | Dynamic pricing can sometimes yield great deals |
| Intra-Europe | 12,500-20,000 points (one-way) | 25,000-30,000 points (one-way) | Not widely available | Excellent value on Star Alliance carriers like Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian |
Spotlight: The Stopover Sweet Spot
One of Aeroplan's most valuable features is the ability to add a stopover on one-way international awards for just 5,000 additional points. This effectively allows you to visit two destinations for just slightly more than the cost of one.
Example: New York to Tokyo with a stopover in Istanbul
- New York (JFK) to Istanbul (IST) on Turkish Airlines
- Stay in Istanbul for as long as you want (stopover)
- Istanbul (IST) to Tokyo (NRT) on Turkish Airlines
- Total cost: Base rate (75,000 points in business) + 5,000 points = 80,000 points
Best Credit Cards for Aeroplan
These credit cards offer the best opportunities to earn points that can be transferred to Aeroplan, either directly or through transferable points programs.
Aeroplan® Credit Card
Chase
$95
Up to 100,000 Aeroplan points
3X on Air Canada purchases, grocery stores, and dining; 1X on everything else
- Free first checked bag on Air Canada flights
- Automatic Aeroplan 25K Status for the first year
- 500 bonus points for each hotel and car rental partner booking
- Pay Yourself Back at 1.25 cents per point
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit (up to $100)
American Express® Gold Card
American Express
$250
60,000 Membership Rewards points
4X at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year), 3X on flights, 1X on other purchases
- Points transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan
- $120 annual dining credit
- $120 annual Uber credit
- No foreign transaction fees
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase
$95
60,000 Ultimate Rewards points
3X on dining and online groceries, 2X on travel, 1X on everything else
- Points transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan
- $50 annual hotel credit
- 10% anniversary point bonus
- Travel and purchase protections
Advanced Tips & Tricks
Maximizing Partner Award Space
- Search segment-by-segment instead of end-to-end for better results
- Use "Fewer points" filter to see partner options instead of Air Canada's higher dynamic pricing
- Book awards exactly 355 days in advance for best availability on partners like Lufthansa and SWISS
- Check Turkish Airlines and EVA Air for excellent business class availability
Advanced Routing Strategies
- Use the "multi-city" search tool to construct itineraries with stopovers
- Leverage the generous routing rules allowing up to 6 segments on a one-way award
- Mix cabins strategically to save points on shorter segments
- Remember that layovers under 24 hours don't count as stopovers and don't require extra points
Family Sharing Strategy
Aeroplan's Family Sharing program allows up to 8 family members to pool their points, making it easier to accumulate enough for premium redemptions. Here's how to make the most of this feature:
- Add family members (including extended family) to expand your points pool
- Consolidate points from multiple credit card accounts under different family members
- Points contributed by each member remain visible but can be used collectively
- Elite status benefits from one member can apply to tickets purchased for other family members
Start Your Aeroplan Journey
With its expansive partner network, valuable sweet spots, and flexible routing rules, Aeroplan stands out as one of the most versatile and valuable loyalty programs for credit card points collectors. Whether you're planning a simple round-trip or a complex multi-destination journey, Aeroplan offers exceptional redemption opportunities.