Aeroplan

It has no carrier overload charges when you use your Aeroplan Points! This opens up opportunities – not only to travel with Air Canada on flights to Europe or Asia – but also to use partner airlines such as All Nippon Airways, Austrian or Lufthansa more regularly.

And why not afford the luxury of Lufthansa First Class with Aeroplan points?

There is only a flat $39 Aeroplan partner reservation fee.

Air Canada hopes to encourage Aeroplan members to book flights on its own network by introducing this Aeroplan partner booking fee.

This fee is flat:

• $39 per one-way ticket
• $39 for a round trip

You will have to pay $39 to book a flight reward including a flight on Singapore Airlines, for example:

While Air Canada has adopted a variable fare structure for its own flights, it has a fixed fare structure for flights with partner airlines.

So, with an Aeroplan partner booking fee of $39, the points-based fare will always be the floor of the Air Canada fare (when available). If Air Canada’s pricing can soar based on market prices, this will not be the case for partners (subject to availability, of course).

For example, a one-way economy flight from Montreal to Frankfurt costs :

• Between 35,000 and 60,000 Aeroplan points with Air Canada
• 35,000 Aeroplan points + $39 Partner Booking Fee with Lufthansa

The Aeroplan program allows you to build highly flexible itineraries and optimize the places you can visit within the same trip, with stopovers and the option of a stopover.

• Award ticket prices are based on one-way travel between 4 different zones (North America, South America, Atlantic and Pacific);
• It is possible to make several layovers (less than 24 hours). If you plan your itinerary carefully, you can add several short stops along the way;
• It is possible to make a stopover (more than 24 hours) on a one-way trip. So, if you book a one-way ticket with your Aeroplan points, you can make a stopover of more than 24 hours en route and visit an additional destination at a lower cost;
• The price for any Aeroplan stop is 5,000 points;
• It is possible to build routes up to 100% above the direct distance;
• There is no limit to the number of airlines on the same ticket.

Aeroplan then subdivides each travel zone according to distance in miles: the greater the distance traveled, 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 is different depending on whether you fly with Air Canada or one of its partners.

So it’s worth booking direct flights rather than connecting flights. In some cases, the addition of a connection may result in a higher fare threshold.

For example, a Montreal to Zurich flight 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.

If you add a connecting flight to Nice, a Montreal to Zurich to Nice trip 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.

While choosing to connect via Brussels to reach Nice, we remain into the 0 – 4,000 miles threshold for travel between North America and Atlantic areas. The cost is 35,000 points in economy class.

To easily find out how much an itinerary costs in Aeroplan points, a tool is available to members on the Air Canada website: the Points Predictor.

Aeroplan lets you:

• Cancel your flight reward, at no charge, within 24 hours of making your booking
• cancel or change any flight reward up to two hours before you fly

The change fee is as follows:

Cancellation fees are $0 to $175 depending on the rate paid and the cancellation method.

Check out the chart below for full details:

Aeroplan is known as a particularly advantageous program for baby award tickets (children under 2 years of age). We have taken advantage of this on many occasions.

Aeroplan is one of the best programs to book a baby award ticket as the fare is fixed at $25 or 2,500 Aeroplan points per one-way ticket on Air Canada or their partners.

And it doesn’ t matter which cabin you choose (Economy, Economy Premium, Business/Signature)!

Booking an airfare takes just a few minutes, whether from the Air Canada website or mobile app.

Also, for flights operated by Air Canada, it will be possible to choose – as for paid tickets – between three fares:

• Standard
• Flex
• Latitude

Each of these fares includes advantages (reduced change or cancellation fees, choice of seat, baggage included, etc.) as well as access to the Air Canada Signature Suite.

All available air awards are displayed in the search engine on the Air Canada website. You can put together the exact itinerary you want, and combine flights with Air Canada, Star Alliance airlines and even partner companies like Etihad Airways!

Also, since all Air Canada flights are available as air awards, Aeroplan members living outside the major hubs of Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver are not penalized.

All Air Canada flight awards are eligible for the eUpgrades available with your Aeroplan Elite Frequent Flyer Status.

A dedicated chart will be displayed directly at the time of purchase of your flight reward.

The concept of Aeroplan Family Sharing is simple: members earn and redeem Aeroplan points together. While each Aeroplan member keeps their Aeroplan points in their account, the goal is to be able to use them as a group.

Aeroplan Points are deducted proportionally from each individual account when a reservation is made.

Take this example of a Family Account with a balance of 250,000 Aeroplan Points. Within this Family Account, four people want to book a flight for 25,000 Aeroplan points per person, or 100,000 Aeroplan points for Family Sharing members.

The cost of the trip (100,000 points) represents 40% of the total number of Family Share Aeroplan points (250,000 points).

Each member will, therefore, see his/her Aeroplan points balance be reduced by 40% for this booking:

Different terms and conditions to note with Aeroplan Family Sharing:

• 8 Aeroplan members can participate in Aeroplan Family Sharing
• For a minimum of 3 months
• In the event of withdrawal from an Aeroplan Family Sharing account, the member must wait 6 months to join another group
• One member of the Family Sharing Account has administrative powers (inviting members, authorizing them to use or not the points of the Family Account)
• Redemptions will be deducted from all members accounts proportionally
• This will reset the inactivity date for all individual Aeroplan accounts.

Air Canada also brings another benefit to being part of an Aeroplan Family Sharing account: all Family Sharing members will benefit from preferred pricing.

In fact, if a Family Share member has Aeroplan status or status an Aeroplan credit cardall Family Share members benefit from the preferential fare.

There are two ways to earn Aeroplan points:

• With travel
• Every day

Here is the part of my video on this topic:

The Aeroplan points earned are indexed to the expenses incurred by the member.

Thus, the expense incurred (including the base fare and any carrier surcharges, excluding taxes, in Canadian dollars) is affected by a multiplier:

• the fare

• Plus a multiplier based on your Aeroplan status (as a selectable benefit):

You can also earn Aeroplan points with travel partners:

• Hotels
• Car rentals
• Airline partners
• Airport parking
• Starbucks, Uber and Uber Eats, etc.

Air Canada partners with American Express, CIBC and TD.

All three institutions issue numerous credit cards that earn Aeroplan points.

It is also possible to earn Aeroplan points by transferring from other programs such as:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Marriott Bonvoy
• Best Western Rewards

Air Canada has wholly revised ways to earn Aeroplan points around three postulates:

• Simplicity: the entire online shopping experience (eStore) is uniquely identified throughout the Air Canada ecosystem.
• Relevance: the shopping experience is personalized to each member’s needs
• Utility: more ways to collect and use miles, and higher inventory levels

As a result, Aeroplan’s eStore will welcome more partners.

But the part that will undoubtedly be the most appreciated by members: it is possible to track the number of Aeroplan points accumulated for each purchase (transaction or points pending, credited, cancelled, etc.).

The Aeroplan eStore will also be the place to be:

• gift cards
• products

Gift cards can be electronic or physical, and there’s plenty of merchandise to choose from.

You’ll be able to pay with points or cash (while earning points)!

Aeroplan points can also be used for non-airline travel rewards:

• Hotels(HotelSavers)
• Car rentals
• Vacation packages(Air Canada Vacations)

You can pay with Aeroplan points, or with cash (while earning Aeroplan points).

The Aeroplan program is therefore based on two main aspects:

• A dynamic price structure;
• A booking experience similar to paid tickets.

Aeroplan then subdivides each travel zone according to distance in miles: the greater the distance traveled, 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 is different depending on whether you fly with Air Canada or one of its partners.

The “North America” travel zone extends from Alaska to Panama (included).

This includes Canada and the United States, but also all of Central America, the Caribbean, or Hawaii.

Here is Aeroplan’s chart for travel within North America Zone:

This Aeroplan pricing offers many opportunities. For example, flights to the Caribbean or Central America (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Bahamas, Cuba, Costa Rica, etc.) cost between 12,500 and 17,500 Aeroplan points one-way.

For example, see the main areas to/from the Montreal hub (0-500 – 501-1,500 – 1,501-2,750 and 2,751):

Also, note that Air Canada’s longest direct flight in North America between Toronto and Honolulu is available at a cost ranging from 17,500 to 25,000 Aeroplan points only!

For the rest, don’t forget that all Air Canada seats are available as tickets rewards.

The “South America” travel zone stretches from Colombia to Ushuaia.

This includes all of the South American countries.

Here is Aeroplan’s chart for travel within South America:

This is the most straightforward zone of Aeroplan with a fixed chart for all flights: between 15,000 and 50,000 points depending on the cabin.

It is possible to search for advantageous routes on various partner companies such as..:

• Azul;
• Avianca ;
• Ethiopian Airlines and Turkish Airlines operate flights between Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires.

The “Atlantic” travel zone extends from Greenland to India (included).

This includes Europe, Africa, the Middle East and part of Russia.

Here is Aeroplan’s chart for travel within the Atlantic Zone:

The Atlantic Zone – including Europe, the Middle East and North Africa – is becoming a real “playground” thanks to Aeroplan’s new chart.

All this, coupled with:

• Major hubs such as Frankfurt, Istanbul, Zurich, Vienna and Abu Dhabi ;
• A fixed Aeroplan partner reservation fee of $39;
• A fixed price grid for partners ;
• The possibility of making a one-way stopover (at a cost of 5,000 points).

A short-haul flight costs as little as 7,500 points and allows you to reach almost all European capitals from a hub like Frankfurt with Lufthansa.

For example, see the main thresholds to/from the Frankfurt hub (0-1,000 – 1,001-2,000 – 2,001-4,000):

And the main thresholds to/from the Hub of Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) (0-1,000 – 1,001-2,000 – 2,001-4,000):

The “Pacific” travel zone extends from eastern Russia to New Zealand (included).

This includes Asia, Australia and the Pacific countries.

Here is Aeroplan’s chart for travel within the Pacific zone:

The Pacific zone is also a large area of the new Aeroplan program. It is also an area where there is a lot of competition between airlines, with many low-cost airlines like Air Asia.

Thus, Aeroplan divided this area into five according to the distance travelled. A short-haul flight costs as little as 8,000 points. There are many sweet spots in this area, especially in Japan.

For example, see the main thresholds to/from the hub of Tokyo (0-1,000 – 1,001-2,000 – 2,001-5,000):

And the main thresholds to/from the Singapore hub (0-1,000 – 1,001-2,000 – 2,001-5,000):

Here is Aeroplan’s chart for travel between North America and Atlantic Zones:

From Montreal, Western Europe is reachable with a direct flight, with the first threshold. However, as soon as you add a connection, there is a good chance of exceeding the distance of 4,000 miles.

You can score direct one-way economy flights between Montreal and Paris, London, Frankfurt, Lisbon and Casablanca from 35,000 points. And you can score direct one-way economy flights between Montreal and Istanbul or Tel Aviv from 40,000 points.

Here is Aeroplan’s chart for travel between North America and Pacific Zones:

From Montreal or Toronto, no country is reachable within the first threshold (unlike Vancouver).

Direct connections between Montreal and Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai start at 50,000 points in one-way economy. For other destinations such as Singapore, Sydney or Auckland, connecting flights are added, and can be obtained from 60,000 points in one-way economy.

Here is Aeroplan’s chart for travel between Atlantic and Pacific Zones:

Below, the possibilities offered to/from the Frankfurt hub (Lufthansa):

Here are, for example, the possibilities offered to/from the Singapore Airlines hub:

Here is Aeroplan’s chart for travel between Atlantic and South America Zones:

Some Star Alliance airlines connect the Atlantic Zone and the South America Zone, such as Lufthansa or TAP Air Portugal.

Here are, for example, destinations to/from Frankfurt: Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, accessible within the first threshold.

Only Buenos Aires needs more points.

Here is Aeroplan’s chart for travel between Pacific and South America Zones:

Here is Aeroplan’s chart for travel between North America and South America Zones:

From Montreal or Toronto, many destinations are accessible with the first tranche. In any case, it costs from 30,000 points one way.

With Aeroplan Elite Status, Air Canada aims to :

• Make it easy to understand;
• Increase the benefits of each status level
• Offering new ways to obtain or requalify for a status

Here is the part of my video on this topic:

The Aeroplan program assigns a status level according to this:

• distance travelled OR the number of flights
• AND dollars spent for your trips

This includes both flights on Air Canada, but also with all Star Alliance partners. However, for the spending criteria, the ticket must have been issued on Air Canada stock (ticket numbers beginning with 014).

Thus, to earn Aeroplan Elite Status from Air Canada, it is necessary to understand the three qualification criteria :

The Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) correspond to the distance travelled on Air Canada or Star Alliance member airlines.

However, this criterion is weighted by two other factors:

• The reserved rate
• The area you are travelling to

A ticket booked at standard fare allows you to accumulate 25% of the distance flown, while a Business Class flight allows you to accumulate 150% of the distance flown.

You’ll find all Air Canada fare options on this page.

The Status Qualification Segments (SQS) correspond to the number of flights you take on Air Canada or Star Alliance member airlines.

If you need some SQS to reach a higher status, it might be wise to book connecting flights rather than a direct flight.

• Montreal – Vancouver = 1 SQS
• Montreal – Toronto – Vancouver = 2 SQS

Status Qualification Dollars (DQS) correspond to dollars spent for your Air Canada flights or Star Alliance member airlines (ticketed from Air Canada 014 stock).

Even if you have reached the level of Status Qualifying Miles or Status Qualifying Segments, you must still have spent a certain number of Status Qualifying Dollars to obtain your status.

There are five Aeroplan Elite Status levels :

• 25K
• 35K
• 50K
• 75K
• Super Elite

For each of these levels, there are:

• core privileges
• select privileges: additional benefits that you choose

Selected privileges must be chosen by December 30 each year. You’ll find more about these privileges on this Air Canada webpage .

You have one calendar year, from January 1 to December 31, to earn an Aeroplan Elite status.

Once earned, the Aeroplan status is valid:

• For the remainder of the current year
• For the whole following year

All benefits are digital and immediately recognized by Air Canada staff on presentation of the digital membership card.

Air Canada has Priority Rewards for its Aeroplan program.

These Priority Rewards entitle you to a 50% discount coupon for certain geographical areas or cabins, depending on your status level. Every time you achieve a Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD) milestone, you will get an additional voucher, up to 11 vouchers per year.

You can use a voucher for a flight reward for one passenger. The voucher validity is one year from the date of issuance (but can be used for a later travel date).

Here are the geographical areas and cabins according to your Aeroplan Elite status:

Air Canada also offers the Status Pass option in the Aeroplan program.

The Status Pass allows Aeroplan 50K members and above to offer 50K status to the person of their choice.

Travellers with a status pass enjoy the following benefits while travelling on flights operated by Air Canada (even when travelling without the person who offered this status):

• Priority check-in
• 3 Complimentary Checked Bags
• Priority Baggage Handling
• Priority security clearance
• Complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge Access
• Priority Airport Standby
• Priority online check-in

These benefits are not available for travel on Star Alliance airlines.

Air Canada introduces Preferred Pricing for Air Canada Flight Rewards for Aeroplan Elite members.

Aeroplan credit cards introduced by American Express, CIBC and TD offer advantages for qualifying for or renewing Aeroplan status.

Some Aeroplan credit cards offer the opportunity to earn after every $10,000 in purchases ($5,000 in purchases for certain Business and Premium cards):

• 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM)
• 1 Status Qualification Segment (SQS)

What’s more, with an Aeroplan credit card, Aeroplan Members have access to preferential flights rewards.

Air Canada makes it easier to qualify for Aeroplan 25K status.

Members who earns 100,000 Aeroplan points from any eligible source will earn Aeroplan 25K status.

Eligible sources are all base and bonus points earned directly with:

• Air Canada flights
• Aeroplan credit cards spending
• partners (airlines, hotels, eStore, etc.)

All Aeroplan credit cardholders benefit from a preferred rate on Aeroplan Rewards for flights operated by Air Canada.

With a flexible chart on its flights, Air Canada has greater control regarding fares so that it can offer this preferred pricing to Aeroplan credit cardholders.

Some preferential rates can even be lower than the posted minimum rate!

Not all Aeroplan credit cardholders have to worry about their Aeroplan points expiring.

Under normal circumstances, Aeroplan Points expire after 18 months of inactivity on the account. And there are various ways to keep an account active (by making a qualifying purchase in the eStore, for example).

Certain Aeroplan credit card holders benefit from free first-baggage check-in on all Air Canada flights (airline rewards or paid tickets)!

This benefit is valid for:

• Primary Cardholder
• Additional Cardholders
• And up to eight travel companions on the same reservation

Also, if an additional card travels without the primary cardholder, it can also be accompanied by 8 travel companions who will benefit from the free first checked bag. The only condition: everyone has to be on the same reservation.

Something to delight groups of friends or sports teams travelling on Air Canada! Or just… families:

Additional cardholders also enjoy certain benefits with Air Canada.

However, they must ensure that their Aeroplan number must be linked to a valid credit card. Linking can be done by visiting this page.

Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Cardholders and American Express Aeroplan Reserve Cardmembers will receive complimentary access:

• at all Maple Leaf lounges in North America

Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege credit cardholders will also enjoy 6 annual DragonPass airport lounge accesses.

Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Cardholders and American Express Aeroplan Reserve Cardmembers will get airport benefits:

• Priority airport services
• Priority Airport Standby
• Priority Airport Upgrades

Aeroplan Privilege Visa Infinite and American Express Aeroplan Reserve credit cardholders are eligible for a Worldwide Companion Pass.

To earn it, you need to charge $25,000 to your Card (maximum of one pass per year).

Once earned, you can use your Annual Companion Pass to get a companion flight at a fixed price ($99 in North America, and between $199 and $599 elsewhere around the world ).

Here’s a new benefit of particular interest to Aeroplan Elite members. Some credit card holders can get a leg up to qualify for Elite status.

You can earn 1,000 Status Qualification Miles (SQM) and 1 Status Qualification Segment (SQS) for every $10,000 in annual purchases ($5,000 in purchases for certain Premium cards).

And there is no limit to the number of SQM and SQS you can earn!

If necessary, Aeroplan Visa Infinite Preferred and American Express Aeroplan Reserve credit cardholders may have their unused Status Qualifying Miles (SQMs) or eUpgrades credits carried over to the following year.

This is a valuable benefit for certain Aeroplan Elite Members!