Aeroplan: Rules for Aeroplan Flight Rewards
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How Aeroplan Points Work: The Rules for Flight Rewards
The Aeroplan fare grid is a key element for optimizing the use of your points, and it is based on several rules that influence the cost of flight rewards. Among them, the absence of carrier surcharges helps reduce additional fees, while partner pricing varies depending on the affiliated airlines. Stopover and layover rules determine the flexibility of itineraries, and pricing is based on zones and distance travelled. Aeroplan also offers a rewards prediction tool to estimate the cost in points, as well as a Points + Cash option to adjust payment. Finally, certain specific fees may apply depending on changes or cancellations.
Here is the part of my video capsule dedicated to this topic:
The Absence of Aeroplan Carrier Surcharges
Air Canada is part of an alliance called Star Alliance, which brings together several partner airlines. One of the strengths of the Aeroplan program is that no additional carrier surcharges are added when you book a ticket with points for a flight operated by a partner carrier or by Air Canada itself. For example, if you book an Air Canada or Star Alliance partner flight with your points, you won’t pay any additional carrier fees beyond taxes and charges.
Air Canada does not levy specific additional surcharges (otherwise known as “carrier fees”), but passengers should expect to pay taxes and government fees on award bookings. These fees are generally imposed by airport authorities and governments, not by Air Canada directly. This differs from some other airlines, which add surcharges to award tickets.
Flight Booking Fees with an Aeroplan Partner
Aeroplan applies a fixed booking fee of $39 for all award tickets including a flight operated by a partner.
This fee was introduced by Air Canada to encourage members to prefer flights operated by the airline itself. Regardless of the duration or complexity of the trip, the amount remains the same:
- $39 one-way
- $39 for a round trip
So if you book an award ticket that includes a flight with Singapore Airlines, you’ll have to pay these fees in addition to the required points.
Pricing with Air Canada Aeroplan Partners
While Air Canada has adopted a variable fare structure for its own flights, it has a fixed fare structure for flights with partner airlines. There are, however, a few exceptions: Emirates, Etihad Airways, Flydubai, United Airlines, Calm Air, Canadian North and PAL (Provicial Airlines).
Thus, if there is a $39 Aeroplan partner booking fee, the points pricing will always be based on the lowest Air Canada fare (when available). While pricing for Air Canada and some partners can fluctuate based on market prices, this will not be the case for the majority of partners (subject to availability, of course). To ensure you can secure partner reward tickets, it’s important to book at the right time to get the best Aeroplan points prices.
For example, a one-way economy flight between Montreal and Frankfurt will cost:
- Between 35,000 and 60,000 Aeroplan points (or less, or more) with Air Canada
- 35,000 Aeroplan points + $39 partner booking fee with Lufthansa
In fact, the following screenshot shows that the flight from Montreal to Frankfurt on Air Canada costs less than the predicted 35,000 points.
Aeroplan Stopover Rules
There are several points to note regarding layover (less than 24 hours) and stopover (more than 24 hours) rules according to Aeroplan’s terms and conditions:
- It is possible to make a stopover on a one-way trip. So, if you book just a one-way ticket with your Aeroplan points, you can make a stopover of up to 45 days en route (Montreal – Frankfurt – Singapore). It is especially convenient for those who use different types of points, or who pay part of their itinerary in cash.
- You can make several authorized stopovers. If you plan your itinerary carefully, you can make several stopovers of less than 24 hours (which is what we did on our round-the-world trip).
- Itineraries with generous distances: it’s possible to create itineraries that are up to 100% longer than the direct distance. For example, Vancouver – Sydney – Bangkok (69% over the direct distance between Vancouver and Bangkok).
- Making a stopover costs only 5,000 Aeroplan points. It is also possible to book this Aeroplan stopover online.
- It is not possible to make a stopover on a flight reward within North America. The option to make two trips in one within North America (e.g., Montreal – Vancouver – Las Vegas – Montreal) is not feasible, and the pricing will be based on two one-way tickets.
Aeroplan Travel Zones and Distances on a Map
Aeroplan has divided the world into 4 travel zones:
- North America
- South America
- Atlantic
- Pacific
Next, Aeroplan has subdivided each travel zone with a distance criterion in miles: the greater the distance covered, the greater the cost in points.
Distance thresholds in miles are different depending on:
- each travel zone (Atlantic, Pacific, etc.)
- travel between each zone (Atlantic to Pacific, North America to South America, etc.)
And the cost in points will be different depending on a flight with Air Canada or one of its partners.
It is therefore more a good idea to book direct flights rather than connecting flights. In some cases, the addition of a connection may result in a higher fare threshold.
For example, a flight from Montreal to Zurich has a distance of 3,736 miles. This trip falls into the 0 – 4,000 miles threshold for travel between North America and Atlantic zones. The cost is 35,000 points in economy class.
Adding a connection to Nice, a flight from Montreal – Zurich – Nice has a distance of 4,006 miles. This trip falls into the 4,001 – 6,000 threshold for travel between North America and Atlantic zones. The cost is 40,000 points in economy class. That’s 5,000 more points.
You can use the GCMap tool to calculate the distances of your trip; don’t forget to include all connections.
While choosing to connect via Brussels to reach Nice, we remain in the 0 – 4,000 miles threshold for travel between North America and Atlantic areas. The cost is 35,000 points in economy class.
The Aeroplan Points Predictor
To easily find out how much an itinerary will cost in Aeroplan points, a tool is available to members on the Air Canada website: the Points Predictor.
However, it’s important to remember that prices on Air Canada flights are dynamic. So, in busy periods or for a flight booked at the last minute, the price may be much higher than the tool predicts, just as it could be less expensive.
The Points + Money Option From Aeroplan for Better Value
If you do not have the required number of Aeroplan points in your account for an airline award, you will be offered several fare options in the form of Points + Cash.
Here’s an example for a flight with a cost of 12,500 points + $38.98 in airport taxes:
| Points | Cash | Value per point |
| $16,400 | $0 | $0.001 |
| 12,500 | $38.98 | – |
| 10,000 | $91.48 | $0.021 |
| 7,500 | $143.98 | $0.021 |
So if you want to pay airport taxes with your points (in the example above 3,900 points save you $38.98), you will get a value of 1 cent per point.
On the other hand, if you don’t have enough points – or want to keep them – the cash option is to “virtually buy” points, paying 2.1 cents per point.
In the example above, to save 2,500 points, you’ll need to pay around $52.5 (or 2.1 cents per point).
Aeroplan Fees
Aeroplan Reward Change or Cancellation Fees
Under its terms and conditions, Aeroplan allows you to:
- cancel a flight booked with flight rewards free of charge within 24 hours of your reservation.
- cancel or modify an flight reward up to two hours before departure
Change fees are as follows: $100 per direction, per ticket.
Cancellation fees are $0 to $175 depending on the rate paid and the cancellation method.
See the tables below for full details or check out this article:
Aeroplan Flight Reward Fees for Infants
Aeroplan is known for being a particularly advantageous program for infant reward tickets (children under 2 years old). We have taken advantage of this on many occasions.
It’s very advantageous:
| Itinerary | Cost |
|---|---|
| Canada | $0 |
| Canada – United States | Taxes only |
| Elsewhere in the world | $25 or 2,500 points per direction |
And this, regardless of the cabin (Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First)!
Aeroplan Flight Booking: Rewards for Your Efforts
How to Redeem Aeroplan Points From Your Account
The process of booking a flight reward is similar to the experience of booking a paid ticket on Air Canada.
Booking a flight reward takes only a few minutes, whether on the Air Canada website or mobile app with your Aeroplan account. Simply check the “Book with Aeroplan points” box from your account.
Additionally, for flights operated by Air Canada, you will have the option to choose, just like with paid tickets, between three fare options:
- Standard
- Flex
- Latitude
Each of these fares will include benefits (reduced change or cancellation fees, seat selection, included baggage, etc.) as outlined in Aeroplan’s terms and conditions, and uniquely, the possibility of accessing Air Canada’s Signature Suite (a different lounge than the Maple Leaf Lounges).
Ability to Create Your Own Itinerary
All available flight rewards are displayed in the search engine on the Air Canada website. You can build the exact itinerary you want and combine flights with Air Canada, Star Alliance airlines, and even partner companies like Etihad Airways!
To do this, we recommend you search for availability segment by segment. Then, if this itinerary does not appear in your flight search, you can call Aeroplan to make the reservation.
Also, since all Air Canada flights are available as flight rewards, Aeroplan members living outside the major hubs of Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver are not penalized by the lack of availability on the first segment.
Flight Rewards Eligible for eUpgrades
All Air Canada flight rewards are eligible for eUpgrades with your Aeroplan frequent flyer elite status.
A dedicated fare grid is displayed directly at the time of purchasing your flight reward, indicating whether you can immediately upgrade to a higher class or not.
Bottom Line
Air Canada’s Aeroplan is an excellent loyalty program.
There are several key points to bear in mind:
- no carrier surcharge,
- the possibility of making a stopover on a one-way flight rewards,
- a fixed fare structure for flights with partners (with some exceptions),
- all Air Canada seats are available as flight rewards.
If you also hold Emirates Skywards miles, note that a 25% discount applies on Air Canada award flights until August 9, 2026, a separate mechanism from the Aeroplan awards described here.
How can I use my Aeroplan points?
Check “book with points Aeroplan” on the website or app, choose from the fare options, build your itinerary, and take advantage of the availability of all Air Canada seats for flight rewards.
When do Aeroplan points expire?
Aeroplan points do not expire as long as you perform an activity (accumulation or redemption) once every 18 months to maintain the validity of the account.
What is the value of a point Aeroplan?
The value of a Aeroplan point varies according to your usage and the value of the equivalent cash ticket. With the Points + Cash option, you can earn between 1 and 5 cents per point. The cash option allows you to buy virtual points at around 2 cents per point.
How many Aeroplan points for one trip?
The number of Aeroplan points depends on destination, class of service and availability. Consult the Aeroplan price list for precise information.
How can I maximize my Aeroplan points?
To maximize your Aeroplan points, take advantage of the absence of surcharges, prefer direct flights to reduce the distance travelled, explore the benefits of a stopover on a one-way trip, and use the Points Predictor tool.
