Earning Aeroplan Points: How Many Points Do You Need for a Flight?

As the loyalty program of Canada’s flagship airline, earning Aeroplan points is relatively straightforward when flying. Even if Air Canada’s dynamic pricing isn’t always appealing, your Aeroplan points can also be redeemed for flights on many other Star Alliance carriers departing from major hubs such as Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Starting in 2026, Aeroplan has completely transformed its earning model. Points earned on Air Canada flights are now based on eligible spending rather than distance travelled, favouring frequent travellers, flexible fares, and Aeroplan Elite Status members.

You cannot earn Aeroplan points without being enrolled in Air Canada’s loyalty program. The first step is therefore to sign up, which you can do directly on the Air Canada website.

The most obvious way to earn Aeroplan points is by flying with Air Canada or its regional carriers, such as Air Canada Express and Air Canada Rouge. Simply add your Aeroplan number to your booking at purchase or during check-in.

Since 2026, Aeroplan points earned on Air Canada flights are based on spending, not distance. The number of points you earn depends on the eligible amount paid for your ticket, specifically the base fare and carrier surcharges, excluding taxes, fees, and third-party charges.

If you hold Aeroplan Elite Status, you benefit from a multiplier that allows you to earn more points for every dollar spent on Air Canada flights.

The following table summarizes the Aeroplan points multiplier applicable according to your Aeroplan Elite Status under normal circumstances (i.e., excluding any ongoing promotions).

Here is how you can calculate the number of Aeroplan points you can earn on an Air Canada flight, and what you should check if you need to claim missing points after your trip.

Let’s take the example of a one-way flight between Montreal and Tokyo, operated and issued by Air Canada. During the booking process, it is clearly indicated that all eligible fares allow you to earn Aeroplan points, including the Basic Economy fare. The difference lies in the number of points earned and in whether the fare qualifies toward Aeroplan Elite Status progression.

Choosing a fare option other than Basic Economy offers several advantages, including more flexible change and cancellation policies, the ability to use eUpgrades, and a generally more comfortable travel experience.

Since the introduction of the spending-based earning model, choosing a higher fare can also result in more Aeroplan points, as the eligible amount paid for the ticket is greater. All else being equal, the more you spend on your Air Canada ticket, the more points you earn.

That said, choosing a more expensive fare solely to earn additional Aeroplan points is not always the most cost-effective strategy. It is important to assess the value you place on the benefits included with the fare, as well as the extra points earned, and compare them to the price difference between fare options. In many cases, an Aeroplan credit card can generate more points at a lower cost than upgrading your fare.

This analysis helps determine whether the additional cost of a Standard, Flex, or higher fare is truly justified based on your travel profile and points-earning goals.

In addition to Aeroplan points, eligible Air Canada flights also allow you to earn Status Qualifying Credits (SQCs). These credits are used exclusively to achieve or renew Aeroplan Elite Status, and they also accumulate based on the amount spent.

Earning Aeroplan Elite Status does not allow you to accumulate Status Qualifying Credits (SQCs) more quickly, but it does provide access to higher points multipliers on Air Canada flights. In other words, SQCs help you earn status, and that status then allows you to earn more Aeroplan points on your flights.

In addition to flights issued by Air Canada, you can also earn Aeroplan points when travelling with many partner airlines. Most are part of the Star Alliance network, but certain non-member partner carriers, such as Emirates, Etihad, or Cathay Pacific, are also eligible for earning Aeroplan points.

Unlike Air Canada flights, partner airlines do not follow a spend-based earning model. The changes tied to earning Aeroplan points based on the amount spent apply only to tickets issued by Air Canada, identified by the 014 ticket number. For all other partner airlines, Aeroplan points continue to be earned based on distance flown and booking class, in accordance with each carrier’s individual earning chart.

The number of points earned can therefore vary significantly from one partner to another for a similar itinerary. On the same economy class flight to Europe, some partner airlines may award 100 percent of the distance flown, while others may offer only 50 percent, depending on the fare class booked.

It is therefore essential to verify, before purchasing a ticket, the earning method that applies to the carrier and the type of ticket issued, in order to optimize both Aeroplan point earning and progress toward Aeroplan Elite Status. For example, here is the earning chart for TAP Portugal:

Although it is possible to earn Aeroplan points by flying with Air Canada and its partners, this is generally neither the easiest nor the fastest way to build a points balance large enough for a compelling redemption. Earning points solely through flying requires travelling frequently or purchasing more expensive tickets.

The simplest and fastest way to earn Aeroplan points is by applying for a new Aeroplan co-branded credit card. In fact, the welcome bonus you can earn from just one of these credit cards can be sufficient to book a great flight using points. Furthermore, American Express cards do not require a minimum income to be eligible.

Aeroplan now rewards travellers who optimize their spending, fare choices, and credit card usage. The shift to a spend-based earning model changes how points are earned and how travellers progress toward Aeroplan Elite Status.

Understanding this new structure is essential to maximizing the value of every dollar spent, whether when purchasing airfare or through everyday spending. By strategically combining flights, fare types, and Aeroplan credit cards, it becomes possible to earn more points faster while accelerating access to the benefits associated with Aeroplan Elite Status.