Aeroplan: 10 tips for redeeming your Aeroplan points

1. Be flexible with your dates

Flexible dates are often the first tip to redeeming your Aeroplan points at the best price. If you have fixed travel dates, you may pay more points for your ticket, especially during peak periods such as school vacations and public holidays. On the other hand, being flexible with your dates can help you find lower fares on points, as airlines tend to offer reduced fares for less popular flights. Consider travelling mid-week rather than on weekends or going in low season to save points while enjoying a more pleasant, less crowded travel experience.

To get the best prices on points, we recommend booking in advance, sometimes up to a year in advance. However, last-minute availability can also be found at a good price, especially a few weeks before busy periods (e.g., Labor Day, for which availability may appear in the third or fourth week of August).

2. Be aware of the list of Air Canada’s partner airlines on Aeroplan

Aeroplan isn’t just for Air Canada. You have access to award tickets offered by all Star Alliance airlines, such as United or Lufthansa, as well as several other partners, such as Etihad or Oman Air. The big advantage of booking with partner carriers is that the price will be fixed; in fact, points prices on Air Canada flights are dynamic, as are cash tickets. Therefore, one tip for redeeming your Aeroplan points is to target these partner carriers, as they may be a better option for using your points.

3. Avoid surcharges to maximize the value of your Aeroplan points.

Some countries apply significant surcharges and taxes on business class tickets for outbound flights (such as the UK). To avoid these charges, choose departures from neighbouring countries or destinations that prohibit or considerably reduce these surcharges and taxes. This will reduce your costs and optimize the value of your points.

There are also destinations that prohibit them (or greatly reduce them for flights leaving the country):

• Japan
• Taiwan
• South Korea
• From Brazil
• From Australia
• From New Zealand

Thus, for these destinations, it will be possible to travel by paying only the airport taxes and no surcharge!

4. How do you maximize your Aeroplan points with the 5,000-point stop rule?

The 5,000-point Aeroplan stopover is a great way to maximize the value of your Aeroplan points by adding a stopover to your itinerary without significantly increasing the points cost of your ticket. This rule allows you to visit two destinations for the price of a single award ticket, which can be particularly advantageous when travelling internationally. For example, you can plan a trip from Montreal to Lisbon with a stopover in Casablanca, allowing you to discover two iconic cities at minimal extra cost. By using this rule strategically, you can explore more destinations while maximizing the value of your Aeroplan points.

• Montreal – Casablanca (stopover)
• Casablanca – Lisbon (destination)

You can book an award ticket with a stopover for 5,000 points yourself on the Air Canada website.

5. Master stopovers and connections on an Aeroplan Reward ticket

…And the specific conditions of the program. This includes terms such as origin, destination, stopover and maximum distance allowed, which determine the rules and limitations of your award ticket. By understanding these terms, you can better plan your trips, avoid costly mistakes and maximize the value of your Aeroplan points.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with these terms, what they mean and how they are used.

6. Learn how to search for your United Rewards vs. your Aeroplan account

Searching for award tickets can sometimes be a complex and tedious process, especially if you only use Aeroplan’s search tool. A tip for redeeming your Aeroplan points and for greater flexibility, better prices and a more comprehensive search of award ticket availability, consider using alternative tools such as United.com.

United Airlines often offers more advanced search options, including viewing availability over a month. Using this method, you can compare prices in points and find the best options available, allowing you to maximize the value of your Aeroplan points and plan your trip with confidence.

You can also use other tools such as Expertflyer or Seats.aero.

United allows you to make flexible searches by displaying 2 months of availability at a time. To use it, you will need to know the direct flights between two cities. Use Flightconnections for this.

Here’s how to do it. First, go to United.com and fill out the various fields:

• One way
• Departure + Destination
• Check Flexible Dates
• Choose a month
• Check “Book with miles”.
• Choose your travel class

Next, you’ll see the availability for one month:

The most important thing for you is that availability must be indicated in SAVER Rewards. This is the one you’ll see on Aeroplan; however, the price and taxes may differ from those you’ll see on the United site.

7. Travel from the USA on United

Another good way to redeem your Aeroplan points is to cross the border and take a low-cost flight (with fewer taxes to pay) from U.S. airports like Plattsburgh (NY) or Burlington (VT). Consider using your Aeroplan points to travel with United Airlines from the United States. Not only can this help you save on tax charges, but it can also give you access to advantageous points prices. What’s more, United often offers direct flights to many popular destinations, which can make your trip more convenient and enjoyable.

8. Use eUpgrades for business class travel

Members with Aeroplan Elite Status can use eUpgrades credits to upgrade from economy to business class at a reduced price in points. This option is particularly attractive on long international flights, where the extra comfort of business class can make all the difference. By using your eUpgrades credits strategically, you can enjoy a premium travel experience without spending an excessive amount of points.

9. Don’t use your points to pay taxes!

The next tip for redeeming your Aeroplan points is to choose the right option when purchasing. It is crucial that you do not use your valuable Aeroplan points to pay for taxes and surcharges associated with your award ticket. By doing so, you risk squandering the value of your points, as the cost per point becomes much higher.

In the end, this means buying Aeroplan points at a cost of more than 2 cents per point through these taxes. For urgent situations only!

Instead, use other means of payment to cover these costs, such as your credit card. Many credit cards offer rewards or cash back on travel purchases, which can help you save money while preserving the value of your Aeroplan points for future travel.

10. Have an Aeroplan credit card

With an Aeroplan credit card, you can be sure to benefit from several advantages such as

• preferential pricing (you’ll pay fewer Aeroplan points for your tickets)
• Free first bag on Air Canada for you and up to 8 travel companions
• priority check-in
• priority boarding
• insurance when you pay the taxes of your award ticket
• generous welcome bonuses