Table of Contents
Air Canada’s Aeroplan is more than just a frequent flyer program; it’s a powerhouse travel tool that, when used correctly, can unlock a world of luxury travel. Many travelers collect these points but only scratch the surface of their potential, redeeming them for basic economy flights on Air Canada. This guide will show you how to use Aeroplan points like an expert, moving beyond the obvious to achieve truly aspirational redemptions.
The core strategy is simple: leverage Aeroplan’s unparalleled network of airline partners. By understanding the program’s distance-based award chart and unique features like its 5,000-point stopover, you can book complex international itineraries in premium cabins for a fraction of what other programs charge. Forget just getting a “free” flight; this is about transforming your points for maximum value. Get ready to learn how to book lie-flat seats and multi-city adventures you thought were out of reach.
Full Comparison: Why Aeroplan Excels
To understand why savvy travelers love Aeroplan, it’s helpful to compare it to another major Star Alliance program, United MileagePlus. The differences highlight Aeroplan’s strategic advantages.
| Feature | Air Canada Aeroplan | United MileagePlus |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Predictable distance- and zone-based award charts for partners. Dynamic pricing for Air Canada flights. | Fully dynamic pricing for all flights. Prices can be unpredictable and extremely high. |
| Stopover Policy | Allows one stopover on a one-way award for just 5,000 points. A massive advantage. | No stopovers allowed on one-way awards. The “Excursionist Perk” on round-trips is complex and restrictive. |
| Fuel Surcharges | No fuel surcharges are passed on from any Star Alliance partner. A small partner booking fee applies. | No fuel surcharges. |
| Partner Network | All Star Alliance airlines, plus unique non-alliance partners like Etihad, Emirates, and Azul. | Primarily Star Alliance partners only. |
How to Use Aeroplan Points: The 3 Best Redemptions
Knowing the rules is one thing; applying them is another. Here are the absolute best, highest-value ways to redeem your Aeroplan points in 2025.
#1: International Business Class on Star Alliance Partners
This is the gold standard for using your points for maximum value. Aeroplan gives you access to some of the world’s best business class products, like ANA’s “The Room,” Swiss Business Class, and EVA Air Business Class. Because Aeroplan doesn’t pass on fuel surcharges, you can book these flights for a predictable number of points and minimal taxes. For example, a one-way business class flight from the U.S. to much of Europe costs just 60,000-70,000 points.
#2: The 5,000-Point Stopover to Create a “Mini Round-the-World” Trip
This is the ultimate travel hack and the best answer to how to use Aeroplan points creatively. For only 5,000 extra points, you can add a stopover of any length to a one-way award. This allows you to construct incredible multi-destination trips. For example, you could fly from Chicago to Istanbul (stop for a week), and then continue your journey from Istanbul to Bangkok, all on a single award ticket. This turns one trip into two for a tiny premium. For more on this powerful strategy, check out our guide to booking stopover flights.
#3: Last-Minute Lufthansa First Class
Lufthansa rarely releases first-class award seats to partners in advance. However, within 14 days of departure, they often open up this coveted space. Aeroplan is one of the best programs for booking this, charging a reasonable number of points (typically 90,000-110,000 one-way from the U.S. to Europe) for an experience that can cost over $10,000 in cash. Snagging one of these awards is a bucket-list redemption for any points and miles enthusiast.
Realistic Math Examples
The best way to appreciate Aeroplan’s power is to see the numbers. Let’s compare a simple, low-value redemption against a strategic partner award that squeezes every bit of potential from your points for maximum value.
Low-Value Redemption: Domestic Economy
Using points for a short-haul Air Canada flight.
- Flight: Toronto (YYZ) to New York (LGA) on Air Canada.
- Cash Price: $250
- Points Price (Dynamic): 21,000 points + $45 taxes.
- Calculation: (($250 – $45) / 21,000) * 100
- Value: ~0.97 cents per point. This is poor value. You can use our Points vs. Cash Calculator to confirm when paying cash is the smarter move.
High-Value Redemption: Business Class with a Stopover (Winner)
A strategic booking demonstrating how to use Aeroplan points like a pro.
- Itinerary: Los Angeles (LAX) → Zurich (ZRH) on SWISS Business Class → Stop for 5 days → Zurich (ZRH) → Cairo (CAI) on SWISS Business Class.
- Cash Price: ~$8,500
- Points Price: 70,000 (LAX-CAI distance) + 5,000 (stopover fee) = 75,000 points + ~$100 taxes.
- Calculation: (($8,500 – $100) / 75,000) * 100
- Value: ~11.2 cents per point! An absolutely phenomenal redemption.
Gotchas You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Dynamic Pricing on Air Canada: While partner awards are fixed, flights on Air Canada’s own planes use dynamic pricing. This means the points cost can be extremely high during peak periods, often resulting in poor value.
- Finding Partner Availability: The biggest challenge is finding available award seats, especially in premium cabins. You’ll need to be flexible with your dates and use the Aeroplan website’s calendar search function effectively. Tools like Point.me can help but always confirm on Aeroplan’s site.
- Married Segment Logic: Sometimes, an airline will offer award space from A to C, but not from A to B or B to C separately. This “married segment” logic can make booking complex itineraries tricky. Always search for your full one-way trip first.
- Stopover Rules: The 5,000-point stopover is amazing, but it has rules. For example, you can’t backtrack, and stopovers are not permitted in the U.S. or Canada on international itineraries.
How We Picked
The strategies in this guide were selected to help users understand how to use Aeroplan points for the greatest possible return. Our methodology prioritized redemptions that exemplify the core strengths of the Aeroplan program:
- High Cent-Per-Point (CPP) Value: We focused exclusively on redemptions that consistently yield high values. To see how we value different currencies, check out our official Pointalize points and miles valuations.
- Unique Program Features: The stopover rule is a unique advantage, so we highlighted how to leverage it for multi-destination travel.
- Accessibility of Partners: We emphasized redemptions on high-quality, widely available Star Alliance partners and Aeroplan’s unique non-alliance partners.
- Ease of Earning: Aeroplan is a transfer partner of most major credit card programs, including Amex, Chase, and Capital One. This makes the points easy to earn, a critical factor in our evaluation. For more on this, see our guide to the best travel rewards credit cards.
FAQ
How do I search for partner award flights on Aeroplan?
The Aeroplan website is one of the best for searching Star Alliance partner availability. Simply log in, enter your desired route and dates, and check the “Book with points” box. The results will show a mix of Air Canada and partner flights. You can use the filters on the left to narrow down by airline, number of stops, and more.
Can I book a stopover online?
Yes! Unlike many other programs, Aeroplan’s multi-city booking tool on their website is quite powerful and can handle most simple stopover bookings. For very complex itineraries, you may still need to call, but it’s always worth trying to book online first.
What are the best credit cards for earning Aeroplan points?
The fastest way to earn is through cards with transferable points. The American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express, as well as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, are all excellent options. Their points transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan. Chase also offers a co-branded Aeroplan credit card in the U.S.
Do Aeroplan points expire?
Yes, Aeroplan points expire if there is no activity in your account for 18 consecutive months. However, any activity that earns or redeems points—including transferring points from a credit card, flying, or making a purchase through their shopping portal—will reset the 18-month clock.
