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Have you earned Aeroplan points and would like to use them for a trip to Europe? In this article, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of booking your flights with your Aeroplan points. Whether you’re looking for direct flights or complex itineraries, we’ll show you how to make the most of your points to get the best value for money and make your European travel dream come true.
Prices for Air Canada flights to Europe using Aeroplan points are dynamic and will fluctuate according to seasonality. One of the advantages of booking with Air Canada is that all available seats can be purchased with Aeroplan points.
While it’s quite possible to find flights at a price considered “standard” for the trip, we can also see prices below and above. The latter scenario is more common when you’re targeting busy periods like the holiday season or spring break.
On the other hand, fares for travel between Canada and Europe on a partner airline are fixed, which makes it much easier to plan your points accumulation strategy. However, the number of points seats for partners is limited compared with cash tickets. So, if you don’t see any on the search results page, it’s because there are no points tickets (or award tickets) left for the date you’re looking for.
To find cheaper flights to Europe with your Aeroplan points, you’ll need to either :
In fact, the best time to buy a flight to Europe is when the partner airlines’ flights become available (i.e. up to a year in advance), or in advance when Air Canada’s dynamic pricing may be more in your favor.
Some partner airlines will be releasing last-minute award tickets; these will be at fixed fares, whereas cash tickets can be very expensive so close to departure.
Otherwise, remain flexible on your entry point into Europe. Indeed, it is sometimes more economical for your Aeroplan points to choose the most affordable city to land in on the old continent, and then take a low-cost airline to reach your final destination.
To determine whether you’re better off using Aeroplan points for your flight to Europe, or whether it’s better to pay in cash, you’ll need to calculate the value of your points for this redemption.
Indeed, Aeroplan points have no fixed value when exchanged for flights. Their value is determined by the value of the flight you receive in exchange for your points.
Once you’ve found the flights you’d like to buy with Aeroplan points, go to Google Flights or the airline’s website www.aircanada.com to compare points versus cash prices by searching for the value of the same itinerary, but in cash.
This is the same flight, in the same fare class and class of service as we found to get to Paris.
Prices with Aeroplan may vary according to the date and time of the search. The rates presented in this article represent the prices found at the time of writing.
To calculate the value your points will have if they are redeemed for this flight, you need to do the following calculation:
Total price: $1,462
Taxes and surcharges: $160.10
Aeroplan Points: 85,500 points
Valuation ($1,462 – $160.10) ÷ 85,500 × 100 = 1.52¢ per point
Taxes and surcharges must be subtracted from the total price to be paid in cash, since you have to pay them in each case, and you must isolate the part of the airfare that will be covered solely by Aeroplan points.
Please note that you can do this exercise with the identical flight, or the cheapest flight if that’s what you would have chosen for your trip to Europe by paying in cash. What’s more, there’s no right or wrong valuation: it’s very personal to each individual, but Milesopedia has established some value references here. Finally, the value of points is not the only factor that weighs in the balance when considering the use of points versus money. We recommend that you read this guide for full details.
Secondary airports are preferable. For example, getting from Montreal to Europe via Toulouse, Lyon or Geneva is generally more affordable with points than aiming for Rome or Athens, which are much more popular cities. Secondly, it’s often possible to find affordable flights in points to London. However, taxes and fees for this destination are generally more expensive.
It’s also important to remember that flights with Air Canada are subject to dynamic pricing. So keep an eye out, as all routes operated by Air Canada may be more affordable than those of a partner; these bargains are often seen on newly-launched routes like Madrid or Stockholm.
In business class, the flight between Montreal and Zurich on SWISS is one of the ” sweet spots ” for crossing the Atlantic in a lie-flat bed, as the price of a round trip is set at 120,000 Aeroplan points (partner) and availability is relatively easy to find.
Aeroplan also allows you to take a break for up to 45 days at an additional cost of just 5,000 Aeroplan points. So you can visit more than one place without breaking the bank.
Finally, on the frequent flyer front, this is one of the most economical programs for families with babies on their laps, since the cost of their ticket will always be set at 2,500 Aeroplan points, regardless of the route or class of service chosen.
During the summer months, more specifically during the construction vacations, you can find cheaper flights to Europe compared to the price in cash, whereas this is not always the case in the low season.
For this flight between Montreal and Madrid in economy class, we manage to obtain a value of 2.23¢ per Aeroplan point exchanged.
Whereas for this business class flight to Stockholm, your Aeroplan points will have a value in excess of 5.27¢ per point: indeed, the price in Aeroplan points can double when you go from economy to business class, whereas in cash, it can triple or even quadruple! As a result, it’s easier to get more value for your points if you travel in business class.
Similarly, when travelling during the holiday season, cash flights can be very expensive. In this London example, we still arrive at a value of 2.31¢ per point, even though the cost of taxes and fees is high.
First, go to the Air Canada website to log in to your account at Aeroplan (or register if you don’t yet have an account).
In the top right-hand corner of the screen, you can see your Aeroplan points balance. Then, before launching your flight search with your departure and arrival airports, travel dates and number of people, don’t forget to tick the “Book with Aeroplan points” box.
A results page is displayed with options for “outbound” flights to Europe; you can add the filters you want, such as the number of stopovers, airlines, connecting airports, the number of flights and other options such as aircraft type. eUpgrades and other options such as aircraft type. For some passengers, it’s important to choose their plane.
You can then sort the results by departure or arrival time, by journey time, and by price. If you click on the “economy class”, “premium economy” or “business class” rectangle at the top of the results columns, you can display prices in ascending or descending order specifically for this category.
Also, a scrolling bar at the top of the results helps you quickly compare prices on nearby dates. All available Air Canada and partner flights will be displayed.
Once you’ve selected a flight and the desired class of service, a new table appears for choosing a fare class: a class of service refers to the cabin you’ll be sitting in on the plane, while a fare class will dictate the conditions of your ticket. In fact, some economy class tickets come with free checked baggage, the possibility of modifying or cancelling without charge, and same-day standby, while others do not.
This comprehensive guide on the subject provides more information about the different classes and how to choose.
If you have chosen a round-trip itinerary, you will then repeat the exercise for the return flight before arriving at the flight details review page. If you’ve only opted for a one-way ticket, you’ll come across the same page where you can review the itinerary.
Under the details of your flight ticket, you will be asked to choose from several exchange options. The best redemption option is usually the third, since you pay the actual price in Aeroplan points and taxes. For more information on this subject, please read this Aeroplan redemption options guide.
Once everything seems in order for you, click on Continue to go to the payment page. Air Canada also offers free cancellation within 24 hours of booking, should you change your mind. You will be reimbursed in full, in points and taxes when applicable.
You will then enter your personal information. Also, if you have dietary restrictions or require accessibility services such as a wheelchair service, you can request it at this stage.
The cabin layout will then be loaded, and depending on the fare you have chosen, you can choose your seats for a fee or not. If you don’t want to pay for seats, you can do so free of charge 24 hours before departure.
The last step is to review your itinerary and proceed to payment. Insurance coverage will be offered, but check to see if you already have it through your credit card.
You can use up to two methods of payment: an Air Canada gift card, an eCoupon or a voucher combined with a credit or debit card. Click on “I accept, purchase” to finalize the transaction.
In Canada, there are co-branded Aeroplan credit cards with which you can earn Aeroplan points on your everyday purchases. These credit cards come with travel privileges such as :
Please note that these advantages do not apply to all cards. When you’re looking for the card that best suits your needs, you can refer to this comparison article to help you make your choice.
In addition, when you sign up for one of these credit cards, you can benefit from a generous welcome bonus. Somtimes this offer can be almost enough for a round trip to Europe, depending on what you’re able to build as an itinerary!
The Membership Rewards program is also a great way to accumulate Aeroplan points, since these points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio.
As a result, you can maximize your accumulation with these credit cards, since they have generous multipliers for purchase categories such as groceries, restaurants and gas. Since there are so many to choose from, check out our guide to finding the best Membership Rewards credit card for you.
You can earn points at any time at participating stores via the Aeroplan eStore. Then, Aeroplan occasionally launches special promotions for which you can earn extra points.
Here’s how to do it:
If you have Aeroplan Elite status, you can get even more with Aeroplan eStore. You earn an additional 2 bonus points per dollar spent. You’ll see it when you log-in to your profile; your multiplier will be higher.
To earn Aeroplan points with flights, follow these steps:
By following these steps, you’ll earn Aeroplan points every time you fly with a partner airline.
Using your Aeroplan points to travel around Europe can be a rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning. By following the tips and steps described in this article, you can maximize the value of your points and get the most out of your trip. Whether you’re planning a trip in economy or business class, redeeming your Aeroplan points for flights to Europe can give you a memorable travel experience without spending a fortune. Have a good trip!
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