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

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.

Open an Aeroplan Account

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.

Earn Aeroplan points – Flying with Air Canada

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.

In this new environment, the calculation is based solely on the eligible amount of the ticket, i.e., the base fare and carrier surcharges, excluding taxes and fees.

Let’s consider the following scenarios:

• Eligible ticket fare: $1,423
• Taxes and fees: excluded from calculation

Aeroplan Member without status

A member without Aeroplan Elite Status earns 1 Aeroplan point per dollar spent.

• $1,423 x 1 = 1,423 Aeroplan points

Aeroplan 75K Member

An Aeroplan 75K member benefits from a multiplier of 5 points per dollar spent on Air Canada flights.

• $1,423 x 5 = 7,115 Aeroplan points

This example clearly shows the impact of Aeroplan Elite Status on earning points. For the same fare, a traveller with a higher status can earn several times more points than a member without status.

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.

Choosing a Higher Fare: What Is the Impact on Aeroplan Points?

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.

How to Earn Status Qualifying Credits (SQC)?

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.

Earning Aeroplan Points – Flying with Partners

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:

How Do SQC Work on Partner Flights?

Aeroplan points earned on partner flights can also count toward earning Aeroplan Elite Status. In this case, the points earned are converted into Status Qualifying Credits (SQCs) according to the following rule:

• 1 SQC for every 5 Aeroplan points earned
• annual cap of 25,000 SQC from partner flights

This mechanism allows travellers who regularly fly with partner airlines to progress toward Aeroplan Elite Status, even when points are earned based on distance rather than spending.

Earning Aeroplan Points – Credit Cards

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.

With as few as 25,000 Aeroplan points, you can book a short-haul flight for a getaway, or even your first business class experience. You can also combine points through Family Sharing if you do not have enough on your own.

Furthermore, with a card like the American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Reserve Card, you can not only benefit from a generous welcome bonus, but also earn Aeroplan points at a higher rate on purchases made with Air Canada:

• Generous welcome bonus
• Earn 3X Aeroplan points on eligible purchases with Air Canada when paying with the credit card
• Earn Aeroplan points on Air Canada flights based on the eligible amount spent, in addition to points earned by paying for the ticket with the credit card
• Benefit from excellent travel insurance
• Access to certain Maple Leaf Lounges in North America

Bottom Line

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.

FAQ – Earning Aeroplan Points: How Many Points Do You Earn for a Flight?

Which credit card should you choose for travel?

If you travel regularly, the credit card you carry makes a real difference – travel insurance, points earning, airport lounge access and no foreign exchange fees. Use our credit card comparator to filter through 200+ Canadian cards based on your needs, or browse the best credit cards in Canada, ranked monthly by the Milesopedia team. To boost your Aeroplan earning via Membership Rewards transfers, the American Express Cobalt Card earns up to 5x points on dining and groceries.

How many Aeroplan points earned for a flight?

The number of Aeroplan points earned on a Montreal to Paris flight depends on the eligible amount spent on the Air Canada ticket and your Aeroplan Elite Status. A member without status earns 1 point per dollar spent, while an Elite member can earn up to 6 points per dollar.

Where can i earn Aeroplan points?

You can earn Aeroplan points by flying with Air Canada or its partners, by using an Aeroplan credit card for everyday spending, and through welcome bonuses. Credit cards remain the fastest and most accessible way to earn a large number of points.

What stores can i earn Aeroplan points?

Aeroplan allows you to earn points with many partner airlines, primarily Star Alliance members such as Lufthansa, SWISS, United Airlines, and ANA. Certain non-member partners, such as Emirates or Etihad, are also eligible under specific rules.

Do Air Canada flights still earn points based on distance?

No, earning Aeroplan points on Air Canada flights is now based on the eligible amount spent, not the distance flown. Partner flights may still earn points based on distance, depending on the airline and fare class.

Does the basic economy fare allow you to earn Aeroplan points?

Yes, the Basic Economy fare allows you to earn Aeroplan points on Air Canada flights, since earning is based on spending. However, this fare offers less flexibility and does not include the accumulation of Status Qualifying Credits (SQCs) toward Aeroplan Elite Status.