When we think of Aeroplan, we think of airline tickets with Air Canada. But did you know that we can also use Aeroplan points to organize every aspect of a trip?
In fact, these points can be used to book hotels, rent a car, buy an all-inclusive package or add little extras to the travel experience.
Let’s use the example of a couple from Toronto who want to go on a road-trip through Iceland to discover the natural wonders of this Nordic country. Let’s take a step-by-step look at how to turn Aeroplan points into a memorable trip!
The first element of our trip to Iceland with Aeroplan points: buying plane tickets. From Montreal and Toronto, Air Canada operates sheduled flights to Keflavík airport five times a week.
To book flights with Aeroplan points, visit the Air Canada website and log-in to your Aeroplan account. Then input your information, indicating the departure city, destination, dates, and number of travellers. Check the “Book with Aeroplan Points” box.
The results page will appear. You can sort and filter flights by price and other criteria such as trip length, number of stopovers, eUpgrades, airlines, etc.
Aeroplan point prices may vary depending on the date and time of search. The prices presented in this article represent the prices found at the time of writing.
Once you’ve selected the flights that match your preferences, you’ll have a choice of fare classes.
To help you make the right choice, consult our guide :
You will be directed to a page where you can confirm your reservation and finalize your purchase using your Aeroplan points. Make sure you check your information and that everything is correct. Then you are given the option to select your seats in advance.
Round-trip tickets for the direct flight from Toronto to Keflavík cost a total of 110,800 Aeroplan points + $225.92 in fees and taxes for our two travellers. Finally, once your booking is complete, you’ll receive an e-mail confirmation with all your flight details.
Keep in mind that Aeroplan fares are dynamic: they will fluctuate according to season and demand. To get the best prices, book as far in advance as possible. The best time to book Air Canada flights is a year in advance, as soon as tickets are available on the site.
You can also redeem Aeroplan points for hotel nights on their online reservation platform. First, go to this page and log-in to your Aeroplan account.
Once logged in, enter your destination, arrival and departure dates, and the number of travellers.
Next, the results page will display a list of places to stay. You can also view them as a map.
Select the hotel that best suits your needs and budget. You’ll be provided with the details of available rooms, rates, and cancellation policies. Once you’ve made your choice, follow the instructions to finalize your reservation using your Aeroplan points.
Once your reservation has been confirmed, you’ll receive an e-mail confirmation with full details of your accommodation, check-in instructions, and the hotel’s contact details.
Aeroplan HotelSavers allows you to book prime hotel stays using points. Thanks to this partnership, more than 6,000 establishments worldwide are identified by a red “HotelSavers ” label on Air Canada’s hotel reservation site.
For example, the Rangá luxury hotel in Iceland is affiliated and available from 75,000 Aeroplan points per night.
Aeroplan credit card holders benefit from a generous offer: when you stay three nights at HotelSavers member hotels, the fourth night is free!
The promotion applies whether the reservation is paid for in cash or points. This is a great way to maximize the value of your Aeroplan points.
To book a rental car using your Aeroplan points, follow this link and log-in to your account.
Choose the place, date, and time that you will be picking up and returning the vehicle. If you wish to return the vehicle to a different location, tick the “Return to another dealership” box. Finally, indicate the age of the main driver.
The results page will display the cars available with our partner rental agencies, Avis and Budget. You can sort and filter results by price, capacity and vehicle type.
Take the time to check the rental conditions, including mileage policies, insurance, and any additional charges.
Once you have confirmed your booking, you will receive an email with all the details of your rental, including vehicle information, pick-up times, and agency contact details.
You can modify or cancel your reservation online via the same portal.
If you don’t want to book the components of your trip separately, Air Canada Vacations offers ready-made solutions for every taste. Our Iceland road-trip example above is offered as an all-inclusive package with flights, accommodation, and a rental car.
Air Canada Vacations offers hundreds of packages (guided and unguided) all over the world, whether in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, South America, or even Australia. Find all our trips here.
Aeroplan points can be applied to the purchase of an Air Canada Vacations package. The redemption schedule is fixed, and you can use as few as 5,000 Aeroplan points for a $50 discount.
You can also use Aeroplan points to enhance your travel experience with Air Canada.
Economy class tickets can be upgraded to Economy Premium or Business Class with the upgrade bidding system. It’s a kind of auction that allows you to travel in a higher class without paying the normal cost of these premium seats.
You can use your Aeroplan points to bid on an upgrade, as soon as you purchase your ticket and up to 48 hours before departure.
For full details on this system, see our complete guide to upgrading with Air Canada :
Air Canada’s partnership with Bell gives Aeroplan members free access to in-flight messaging via Wi-Fi. Extended Internet access is available for purchase, if you want to browse the web or use streaming applications. Passengers can use their Aeroplan points to pay for this additional service.
Travelling with Air Canada and its airline partners is a great way to earn Aeroplan points. Points are awarded based on distance travelled, ticket price and Aeroplan Elite status. So be sure to fill out your membership number when booking. However, in the event of an oversight, Aeroplan points can be retroactively credited up to six months after the flight.
In Canada, some banks offer credit cards co-branded with Aeroplan, allowing you to earn Aeroplan points on your daily purchases. These credit cards also offer various travel benefits. To choose the one that best suits your needs, you can use our Aeroplan offer comparator.
In addition, when you sign up for one of these credit cards, you can benefit from a generous welcome bonus. Here are today’s best Aeroplan credit card offers:
The American Express Membership Rewards program is also a great way to earn Aeroplan points, with a 1:1 transfer ratio.
These credit cards offer very handsome accumulation rates for everyday purchases such as groceries, restaurants, and gas, allowing you to maximize the points you earn with your daily spending. Consult our guide to choosing the best Membership Rewards card for you.
You can earn Aeroplan points on your online purchases from participating stores via the Aeroplan eStore. Aeroplan also launches special promotions where you can earn extra points.
If you have Aeroplan Elite status, you can earn even more points with the Aeroplan eStore. You’ll get a bonus of 2 points for every dollar you spend. You’ll see it when you log-in to your profile; your multiplier will be higher.
In short, the Aeroplan program is an excellent ally for affordable travel. Whether you’re booking airline tickets, all-inclusive packages, car rentals, hotel stays, or even a business-class seat, there are so many ways to use your Aeroplan points. Take advantage of this flexibility to maximize your savings on your next vacation!
Continue reading with our other articles on the Aeroplan program:
Savings are here:
