Buying Aeroplan Points: Why the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card Is the Best Option
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It is often discouraged to buy Aeroplan points during promotions offered by the program unless you have a clear and specific goal that allows you to use them at greater value. However, there is a particularly interesting exception.
When you’re missing just a few thousand points to finalize a booking, buying only the missing points directly at the time of redemption can be an excellent strategy. Not only is the cost per point often more advantageous, but this method also allows you to maximize the rewards earned with the right credit card.
This is precisely the situation where the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card and the American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card truly stand out.
Buying Points at Redemption Can Cost Less
Let’s take an example where you want to book a flight requiring 110,000 Aeroplan points, but you only have 66,000. You’re therefore missing 44,000 points. Rather than buying these points separately during a promotion, Aeroplan often allows you to purchase them directly during the booking process based on the different redemption options available.
In our example, these 44,000 points cost $867.10 including taxes when you select the left redemption option. This represents a cost of approximately 1.97 cents per point.
For comparison, even a promotion offering, for example, an 85% bonus on point purchases typically comes to around 2.03 cents per point before taxes, not to mention that you often must purchase a predetermined number of points that doesn’t exactly match your needs. As a result, you sometimes have to buy a bit more than necessary to get what you need.
Buying points at redemption is often the most economical solution. This strategy has another important advantage. You don’t tie up money in a point balance that could lose value in a future program devaluation. You buy only the points you need, when you actually need them. This approach allows you to limit risks while maintaining excellent value.
Air Canada Transactions
This is where the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card and the American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card really shine. Unlike point purchases made on the Aeroplan website, which are generally processed by a third party, points purchased directly during a booking are billed by Air Canada. This distinction is important.
Because this is a purchase made directly from Air Canada, it qualifies for the 3 Aeroplan points per dollar multiplier offered by the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card and the American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card. In other words, you accumulate new points at the same time you’re buying the points that allow you to complete your booking.
A Concrete Example
Let’s revisit our $867.10 purchase.
By using the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card or the American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card, this purchase allows you to earn approximately 2,600 additional Aeroplan points thanks to the 3 points per dollar accumulation rate on Air Canada purchases.
These points reduce the real cost of your purchase. Through this transaction, you will have purchased approximately 46,600 points (44,000 points at redemption + 2,600 points from the credit card) at a cost of $867. This brings the cost down to approximately 1.86 cents per point.
Assuming an average value of 2 cents per Aeroplan point, you’ve bought points at a cost below that value! Few methods allow you to achieve such an advantageous cost.
This Strategy Only Works in Certain Situations
It’s important to note that this option is not always available. To be able to buy points directly during redemption, you generally must have at least 60% of the points required for the booking. Once this threshold is reached, Aeroplan will automatically display the option allowing you to purchase only the missing points.
Why the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Cards Are Best for This Strategy
This strategy is particularly interesting with the two American Express Aeroplan Reserve cards because they offer:
- 3 Aeroplan points per dollar on purchases made directly with Air Canada
- additional accumulation that reduces the real cost of purchased points
- all the premium benefits of the Reserve cards, such as unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges, one free checked bag on Air Canada, and travel medical insurance up to $5 million for the first 15 days (coverage reduced after age 65) on a trip paid with Aeroplan points
If you travel regularly with Air Canada and frequently use your Aeroplan points, these cards not only allow you to accumulate points quickly, but also to optimize those rare situations where buying points becomes truly worthwhile.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $599 | |||
| $599 |
Our Verdict
In general, we continue to advise against buying Aeroplan points during regular promotions unless you have a very specific goal in mind. However, when you’re missing just a few thousand points to make a booking, buying the points directly at the time of redemption is often the best solution, especially when there’s no current promotion.
And if you settle this purchase with the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card or the American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card, you also benefit from the 3 points per dollar multiplier on Air Canada purchases, which further reduces the real cost of the transaction.
It’s an overlooked strategy that can save you several dozen dollars while maximizing the value of your Aeroplan points.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I buy missing Aeroplan points at the time of booking?
When you hold enough points relative to the number required for your flight, Aeroplan automatically displays an option during the booking process to purchase only the points you’re missing, rather than having to buy them separately during a promotion.
How much does it cost to buy Aeroplan points at redemption?
The cost varies depending on the flight and the number of missing points, but it’s often cheaper than a standard point purchase promotion. For example, buying 44,000 missing points to complete a 110,000-point booking might cost around $867.10 including taxes — approximately 1.97¢ per point.
Why is the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card advantageous for this strategy?
Because points purchased directly during redemption are billed by Air Canada, this purchase qualifies for the 3 Aeroplan points per dollar multiplier offered by the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card and its business version, which further reduces the real cost of the points obtained.
What’s the difference between buying Aeroplan points during a promotion and at the time of redemption?
A promotion often requires you to buy a predetermined number of points, sometimes more than you actually need. Buying at redemption allows you to pay only for the points you’re missing, without tying up money in a balance that could lose value.
Do I need a minimum number of points already accumulated to access this option?
Yes. You generally need to hold at least 60% of the points required for your booking before Aeroplan displays the option to buy only the missing points.
Does this strategy work with any credit card?
Any card can be used to pay for missing points, but the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card and its business version are the most advantageous, since they earn 3 points per dollar on Air Canada transactions.
